Wu Feng walked quickly, with Han Yang following half a step behind him. Though his face still bore that leisurely, carefree expression, his heart was churning with anxiety he could barely contain—why had his father suddenly sent a message? When he’d come previously, Han Zhengqing had told him that communication between both sides would likely be impossible, so he’d explained everything at once and had him relay it all to Prince Gong.
Logically speaking, he should currently be busy dealing with Cui Shaoting and have no time to attend to matters on Prince Gong’s side. Unless there was something else—perhaps he’d discovered that both he and Han Yu’s mother were no longer in Jingzhou City, and thus figured something out?
At this thought, despite the depth of winter, his clothes stuck to him with sweat, and he grew extremely restless. But no matter how anxious he was, he couldn’t let it show. When entering Prince Gong’s study, he deliberately put on a bright, animated expression and looked at Prince Gong: “Your Highness, rest assured—I’m much better at interrogating people than Commander Wu. I guarantee I’ll get to the bottom of everything!”
Prince Gong, who had been furious earlier, now seemed to have been pacified, unable to hide the smile on his face. He glanced up at the two of them and laughed heartily: “Good news, good news!”
Startled by his gaze, Han Yang paused for a moment before breaking into a smile. He stood on tiptoe and leaned closer, shamelessly trying to peek at the letter in his hand: “What did my father say that’s made Your Highness so happy? Please share it with me too, let me bask in some of this good fortune!”
Prince Gong glanced at him. Fortunately, Su Ri’an had suspected this man but hadn’t actually done anything to him. Otherwise, if Han Zhengqing found out, wouldn’t that be awkward? After all, Han Zhengqing still had plenty of uses at present.
He calmly closed the letter and tossed it on the table, then placed a book on top to cover it, chuckling: “No need for you to look. It’s the same if I just tell you both.”
Since his mood was this good, it must certainly be good news. Though worried inside, Han Yang agreed on the surface: “Good, good, good—Your Highness, please tell us quickly!”
“The Tartar Grand Master has already met with your father face to face.” Prince Gong rubbed his hands together, his face glowing with joy: “The Grand Master commands one hundred thousand cavalry, and they’ve joined forces with your father in Jingzhou. What is there left to worry about?”
So soon! The stone in Han Yang’s heart seemed to grow even heavier, pressing down until he could barely breathe. He forced out a couple of laughs to approximate a smile: “That quickly? Then does that mean my father no longer fears Cui Shaoting?”
He was truly worried. If even Cui Shaoting’s side couldn’t hold out, then what was the point of anything? His current cooperation with Marquis Dingyuan would undoubtedly be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. At this thought, his heart felt like it was on fire, unable to find peace for even a moment.
Prince Gong was obviously overjoyed beyond measure. He gave a sharp laugh and slapped the table: “What’s there to fear from him?! At most he has some garrison troops under his command. Xuanfu is far away, Marquis Dingyuan’s whereabouts are unknown, Prince Zhennan is cowering in Jinzhong and won’t come out, and Huang Yiqing has been blocked by us at Wu’an…” His eyes gleamed as he laughed aloud: “Nothing to fear! Nothing to fear!”
Since his mood had improved greatly and the mole had already been rooted out, the gloom from the earlier setback at Wu’an instantly dissipated. So what if Huang Yiqing had gained a temporary advantage? The mole had been caught, so no one could tip off Huang Yiqing anymore. Let’s see how arrogant he can be from now on.
Now Han Zhengqing and the Tartar Grand Master were practically invincible. As for Jinzhong, once Han Zhengqing and the Tartar Grand Master had completely finished off Cui Shaoting, Jinzhong would be the next target. Then they’d strike through Zijing Pass and head straight for Tongzhou, surround the capital and make all those people pay the price!
Han Yang’s heart felt as if it had been struck by countless shards of ice, so cold he wanted to tremble. Yet the smile on his face still blazed as bright as the sun in the sky. Watching Prince Gong’s expression, he thought for a moment and smiled: “Father’s abilities go without saying, and with the Tartars helping him, Cui Shaoting definitely won’t be a match! Congratulations, Your Highness!”
This flattery truly hit the mark this time. Prince Gong’s expression toward him softened considerably, as if he found him increasingly pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked. Seeing Prince Gong’s appearance, Han Yang gathered his courage and brought up an old matter: “Then I won’t go find my father this time. Will the matter with the Bai family still be under my management?”
Regardless of anything else, getting those troops under Bai Guan’s command was the most urgent matter at present. If things were truly as described in the letter Han Zhengqing sent, the situation was even more critical. Since it was critical, having people under his control at least meant slightly better chances, right? He felt like he was balancing on a knife’s edge right now, liable to be pierced through the heart by an arrow at any moment.
Prince Gong was in excellent spirits and didn’t hesitate much before agreeing to this request: “Fine, you go.” He paused, thought for a moment, and added: “Go interrogate Chief Administrator Ling thoroughly. Your father’s letter also mentioned that Marquis Dingyuan has likely fled to this area seeking help from the Cui family. Jinzhong is surrounded tight as a drum—how could he get in? Chief Administrator Ling was in league with him, so he must be in the city right now. Interrogate him properly for me. If you get results, there’ll be a reward.”
This was an unexpected bonus. Han Yang couldn’t ask for more, and it wouldn’t delay him from handling the Bai family matter either. Hearing this, the corners of his mouth curved up even more, and he continuously voiced his agreement to Prince Gong.
Prince Gong smiled and shook his head, dismissing him: “Go on. Don’t rush with the Bai family matter. They’re right there—with the court’s supplies and provisions unable to get through, can they survive this winter? If they don’t submit to me, they can just wait to starve! No rush. First go and get to the bottom of Chief Administrator Ling’s affair for me.”
He wanted to know exactly where Marquis Dingyuan was. This was a formidable figure who, even when down and out, could still make contact with his chief administrator and obtain troop deployment maps and geographical charts. Who knew if he might slip past layers of guards in the dead of night to enter his prince’s mansion for an assassination? After all, Marquis Dingyuan had once infiltrated the residence of a local chieftain in Miao territory late at night and beheaded the rebellious chieftain with a single stroke. He was well-practiced at this sort of thing—there was nothing he couldn’t do. Prince Gong’s life was extremely precious and couldn’t afford the slightest mishap.
Only now did Han Yang realize this point. No matter how stubborn the people under Bai Guan were, could they be more stubborn than their own bellies? When the time came and there were no supplies or provisions, even if those above were willing to endure it, the soldiers below would likely cause an uproar.
This matter couldn’t be delayed any longer. He had a plan in mind. Knowing this would be difficult to handle, no matter how difficult it was, it had to be done. He agreed with a sound, spoke a whole string of pleasant words telling Prince Gong to rest easy, then quickly rushed out.
Prince Gong looked Wu Feng over once more, then shifted his gaze away: “Have all of Lin Chong’s people been organized?”
The nearly twenty thousand men under Lin Chong were all under Wu Feng’s management. Prince Gong had even appointed him as a commander. Previously, he’d trusted Wu Feng completely, but after this letter from Chief Administrator Ling that hadn’t yet been delivered, that trust had begun to waver again.