After a while, The Emperor looked at the Third Prince with an eager expression and said, "Little Third Prince, you’ve practiced martial arts at the Shaolin Temple since childhood, you must have quite the skills. If your imperial father has you lead troops into battle, what do you think? Do you have absolute confidence in victory?"
The Emperor had long since made up his mind. This time he intended to have the Second Prince and the Third Prince go to war together, to win back some prestige for the Royal Family and put a check on Long Rui’s overbearing arrogance.
He also wanted the common people to see that the Royal Family had capable men as well, that Long Rui was not the only talented person in the world.
The Third Prince had always been competitive and eager to excel; how could he admit he was incapable? So he immediately patted his chest and said, "Imperial father, rest assured! Your son has practiced martial arts since childhood and is well-versed in the art of war. While on the mountain, my Master and senior brothers often praised your son as both wise and brave. Your son will definitely beat Wei Country until they flee in disarray, so that they will never dare invade again."
When The Emperor heard this, much of the gloom on his face lifted. At last he revealed a hint of a smile, stroked his beard, nodded, and said, "That is very good. My Imperial Son, go back and make your preparations. Ten days from now, you will lead the troops out."
Although the challenge letter from Wei Country said they would invade in a month, who knew if they would go back on their word? To be safe, it was better to set out earlier. Besides, the Border was far from the Capital; it would take time for the army to march there.
"So urgent?" The Third Prince was somewhat surprised.
On this trip down the mountain he had encountered the greatest love of his life, Situ Dieer. They had only been together a few days, and now they were about to part; he was reluctant and unwilling to let go.
The Emperor’s face darkened as he said, "To be safe, it’s better to set out early!"
The Emperor was worried. He originally did not have many troops in his hands, only the Imperial Guard that defended the Capital. If he sent them all to the battlefield and someone rebelled, wouldn’t he become meat on the chopping block, to be slaughtered at will?
If the Imperial Guard did not go, and Long Rui once again led troops into battle and seized the top merit, then in the hearts of the people Long Rui’s position would be even more secure.
The Emperor’s brow remained tightly furrowed, and the Third Prince could not help asking once more, "Imperial father, is there something else on your mind?"
The Emperor then told him all the worries in his heart.
The Third Prince said, "Imperial father, you really are overthinking it. As for using troops, just say a word to the War Prince. He is originally your Minister, and the soldiers under his hand are originally your soldiers."
The Emperor said, "Matters concerning military power are not as simple as you think. If it were truly that simple, I would have taken back the Commander’s Seal long ago."
Over these past two years, the more the Emperor thought about it, the more he regretted it. He should never have handed the Commander’s Seal to Long Rui back then. Now it was done, and getting it back was as hard as ascending to the heavens.
Moreover, those soldiers had followed Long Rui through life and death for so many years and were utterly loyal to him. Even if the Commander’s Seal were taken back, they likely still would not obey orders.
The Emperor had been trying to come up with a foolproof plan to quietly have Long Rui killed, so that military power would naturally return to his own hands, and the soldiers would have no reason to defy him.
Yet his schemes had failed again and again.
With Zhao Yin’s disappearance, the Gu Poison planted in Long Rui’s body could no longer be activated.
The Emperor was burning with anxiety but could do nothing. He sent many people to search for Zhao Yin, but there was still no trace. Zhao Yin seemed to have vanished into thin air—no sign of life, no corpse in death.
The Third Prince patted his chest and comforted The Emperor, "Imperial father, don’t worry. Your son will immediately send people to the Shaolin Temple to invite Master and senior brothers down the mountain. Their martial arts are superb; each of them can take on a hundred foes alone. With them joining us, we will be like a tiger that has grown wings."
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