Qin Huaiyuan’s words moved everyone present. These days they had been stationed at the border. Ji Zeyu had been guarding the northern frontier for many years and was extremely familiar with all the fortresses here. Therefore, the four passes of Tianyu, Tianshu, Tianmen, and Tianlang were now defended by divisions of the Dragon Cavalry Army respectively. The Pingnan Army, Huben Army, and various loyalist forces were also arranged to garrison at the border between the two countries. The continuous white military tents resembled a vast ocean, completely blocking the Tatars’ ambitions to move south outside the national gates.

They were all people of Great Zhou who had had enough of the Tatars’ annual harassment. Moreover, the hot-blooded men in the army had personally participated in battle, so their joy at victory and patriotic fervor for defending home and country were naturally different from what ordinary civilians understood.

The strategists were delighted by this battle and paid considerable attention to Qin Huaiyuan’s miraculous appearance. Some thought the Prince had arranged for surprise troops, while others believed Qin Huaiyuan had luckily escaped and organized his own forces before turning back to help his son-in-law. Still others were curious about how many relatives from the Prince’s wife’s family and his own clan were still alive.

But no one dared ask about these curiosities directly.

They focused their attention on future decisions, and someone asked Qin Huaiyuan, “Master Qin speaks truly, but this subordinate still has some doubts. His Majesty’s wariness of the Prince hasn’t been just a day or two. Now after the war, this is precisely the time when the bow is put away once the birds are gone. Even if not for this reason, His Majesty would still issue edicts, wouldn’t he?”

“You speak very truly.” Qin Huaiyuan nodded. “However, watching a play naturally requires building a high stage. Moreover, no matter how excessive His Majesty’s actions, he has ways to whitewash and maintain peace. Now we need to give him an opportunity where he can no longer continue this façade.”

“Is the former dynasty’s seal real?” another strategist asked.

Pang Xiao nodded. “The imperial seal indeed belonged to Northern Ji. Prince Zhou Lian escaped with the seal, and it was when Yining accidentally saved Zhou Lian’s life that she later settled him.”

Everyone couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

The imperial seal that Li Qitian had searched for everywhere had actually been inadvertently obtained by the Princess Consort, a weak woman. This was almost too fortunate.

“The Princess Consort is truly blessed with great fortune.”

“Not so. This old man believes this is Heaven choosing the Prince and giving him such an opportunity.”

“Yes. With this turn of events, presumably the former dynasty’s old ministers in court will all be stirring restlessly.”

“The former dynasty ministers originally had limited sense of belonging to Great Zhou. Their Northern Ji thoughts have been deeply rooted for many years. The appearance of the seal alone is shocking enough, let alone having a prince present.”

“With a former dynasty prince, these ministers will certainly have some who place high hopes on restoring Northern Ji’s territory. Who knows what they’ll do then.”

Xu Weizhi smiled as he looked at Pang Xiao, saying nothing more.

Only a very few people knew that what the Princess Consort had originally saved was not a former dynasty prince, but a former dynasty princess.

This feeling of sharing secrets with Pang Xiao made one feel especially valued. Xu Weizhi and the few others who knew only smiled without speaking, maintaining an air of leisurely profundity.

Just then, urgent footsteps came from outside the tent. Huzi strode in, presenting a paper torn at the four corners to Pang Xiao, saying breathlessly, “Your Highness, this is an open letter written by the Northern Ji prince to Your Highness and Duke Dingguo, posted in Tianyu Pass city.”

“What?” All the strategists were astonished and stood up saying, “We were just discussing this matter—who would have thought this Northern Ji prince wouldn’t play by the rules!”

“Indeed! If we didn’t know these were the Princess Consort’s arrangements, this old man’s jaw would have dropped!”

The letter’s language was plain. It first expressed love and sympathy for the common people, then praised Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu’s illustrious military achievements and patriotic feelings. The key content was at the end, making direct requests.

“…Only when the realm is peaceful and the people live in peace and prosperity will there be lasting stability. The current Son of Heaven, Li Qitian, is incompetent and tyrannical, selfish and ungrateful, disregarding the people’s safety. After ascending the throne, he has been selfish and profit-seeking everywhere, ignoring natural disasters and the people’s lives, using limited silver to renovate his own tombs while making loyalist armies pay their own expenses, even exploiting loyal ministers who bankrupted themselves for disaster relief. Such a tyrant is unfit for great responsibility. Being incompetent and also harming meritorious officials is truly not the conduct of an enlightened ruler. Therefore, I propose abolishing the Great Zhou dynasty, restoring the Northern Ji dynasty, and letting the people enjoy eternal peace and happiness!”

Looking at the contents of this open letter, Pang Xiao first narrowed his eyes, contemplated for a moment, then a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes as he suddenly looked up and met Qin Huaiyuan’s gaze.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled, stroking his beard and nodding.

Xu Weizhi’s thoughts turned a hundred times before he finally smiled with understanding. “It seems the Prince’s return to the capital is not far off.”

“Does Master Xu agree that the Prince should follow this advice?” a strategist asked with displeasure.

Xu Weizhi smiled. “This old man finds these words quite reasonable. This Son of Heaven is unkind—indeed, the dynasty should be changed to let the people live better lives. This is precisely why we’ve followed the Prince all these years.”

“Sir speaks truly. But having the Prince listen to a Northern Ji prince’s words—saying to restore Northern Ji and it’s restored—on what basis?”

“Indeed!” As soon as these words were spoken, several people immediately nodded in agreement and said indignantly, “The Prince has campaigned for many years with great merit and hardship, making so many efforts. Why should he listen to a mere boy at the final moment!”

Everyone just short of openly clamoring: “The Prince should be emperor!”

This was partly their sincere feeling, but also partly due to their selfish motives. If the person they followed was emperor, they could become ministers, completely changing their status overnight. But if the person they followed was a minister, they could only be advisors. What would all their efforts during this time have been for?

Pang Xiao naturally understood everyone’s thoughts and was about to speak to reassure them when Qin Huaiyuan smiled and raised his hand to press down.

Miraculously, the emotionally agitated men all quieted down and looked at Qin Huaiyuan inquiringly.

Qin Huaiyuan smiled. “This old man understands everyone’s feelings and shares the same thoughts. However, your concern has caused confusion—you’ve probably forgotten who released this Northern Ji prince and who posted this proclamation.”

The tent suddenly fell silent.

The men who had been arguing just moments before suddenly realized and couldn’t help but shake their heads and laugh.

“We were truly confused, forgetting the most important point.”

“Everyone was indeed confused by concern.” Both Qin Huaiyuan and Pang Xiao waved their hands.

Since this was the Princess Consort’s deliberate arrangement, everyone felt reassured.

“Your Highness, do you plan to return to the capital?”

Everyone’s gazes focused on Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao took a deep breath, his expression gradually becoming determined. “Yes, it’s time to return to the capital. Let’s begin preparations these days.”

The entire Great Zhou dynasty had been immersed in a jubilant atmosphere these days. Especially the capital’s residents lived every day as if celebrating New Year—even those who usually loved to quibble with others weren’t bickering much now.

Li Qitian, however, wasn’t as relaxed as everyone imagined.

Killing these captured people wouldn’t be difficult. But now the biggest problem was Pang Xiao!

A brave and skilled warrior holding heavy troops and entrenched in the northern border could bring forces to attack at any time. Without the Tatar threat, the current threat to his court seemed more serious than before!

Most infuriating was that open letter written by this Zhou Lian character to Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu. This time it wasn’t just posted in the capital—it was posted in major cities and towns throughout the country!

This person held the imperial seal and specialized in smearing his reputation while trying to turn his subordinates against him. His wolfish ambitions were now openly displayed!

These days, the porcelain in the imperial study and Yangxin Hall had to be replaced with at least three or four sets daily, and even that might not be enough for Li Qitian to smash.

“Bastard!” Another angry roar echoed in the hall, immediately followed by the sound of shattering porcelain that the palace attendants had grown accustomed to.

Li Qitian’s furious curses continued without end. Xiong Jinshui led the palace attendants in, trembling with fear as they quietly cleaned up, inadvertently becoming the Son of Heaven’s punching bags as everyone received several kicks.

“Kill him! I want to kill him!”

After venting enough, Li Qitian calmed down considerably. He sat quietly thinking of countermeasures, then after a moment summoned several trusted followers and spies to make a series of arrangements.

“You go north, contact Ji Lan, and quickly send me word back.”

“Yes, Your Majesty can rest assured. We ministers will certainly handle this matter well.”

Li Qitian nodded, then said, “Oh right, these days I actually forgot to deal with the Tatar Khan. Tomorrow at the grand court assembly, bring these people. I want to deal with them in court.”

“Yes!” This response was very spirited, showing that everyone couldn’t wait to see what fate awaited Si Qin.

Si Qin, Bian Ruohan, and their group, imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice prison under heavy guard, had an unusually good meal today, but none of them could swallow it with peace of mind.

Bian Ruohan looked at the fragrant white rice and braised pork in her bowl, tears streaming down her face.

She scrambled up in panic, grabbing the wooden bars of her cell and screaming, “I want to see His Majesty! His Majesty is my brother-in-law! I want to see His Majesty! Someone come! Someone come! I don’t want to die!”

The woman’s shrill cries echoed in the prison, the reverberations making them seem especially distant.

Lu Wenru, imprisoned in the adjacent cell, glanced at Bian Ruohan and said coldly, “What were you doing before? When the master was in trouble, I never saw you thinking of helping. Instead, you constantly caused him discomfort. Now you mention your status—who do you think will pay attention to you? I advise you to save your breath. Eat and drink your fill so you won’t be a starving ghost.”

Bian Ruohan shook her head, trembling all over in terror—how could she still eat?

Suddenly being given good food—wasn’t it because they were going to be killed? Tomorrow she would be dragged to the execution ground and have her head chopped off with a vicious blow! She was still so young—why should she die!

“Lu Heng, you bastard! You killed yourself cleanly but didn’t care whether I lived or died! It’s all because of you, all because you dragged me down! Even as a ghost, I won’t let you go!” Bian Ruohan cursed angrily.

However, no matter how much fear there was, the next day’s sun would still rise as usual. Time wouldn’t wait for anyone.

At the suburban manor, Qin Yining had just finished breakfast when Xie Yue came to report: “Princess Consort, today at His Majesty’s grand court assembly, all those people brought back in prison carts were summoned. We don’t know what he plans to do.”