Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Under Shang Ruyi’s anxious instructions and reluctant gaze, Yu Wenye got up and followed Eunuch Yu out of Qianqiu Palace. The cold wind blowing towards him made his thoughts clearer.

As he walked forward, he asked, "Who reported the news?"

Eunuch Yu, holding a horsetail whisk, walked forward without looking sideways, and said softly, "Would Prince Qin not know? The news from the Ministry of War, naturally reported by the Minister of War."

"Is the Crown Prince also here?"

"The Crown Prince is concerned about national affairs, naturally paying attention everywhere."

Yu Wenye nodded and said, "Troublesome for you, Eunuch."

He asked no more questions, and Eunuch Yu remained silent as the two walked all the way to Xuanzheng Hall. The hall doors were open, and upon approaching, he saw Yu Wenqian and Dong Yue standing in the center of the hall, and Lv Qianfeng, whom he had just met, stood on one side of the hall, his head lowered with his hands hanging down, seemingly not having had the chance to speak.

Even if he did not speak, the atmosphere in the hall was suffocating enough.

After Yu Wenye entered, he immediately knelt before Yu Wenquan to pay homage: "Your son pays respects to Father."

Yu Wenquan’s eyes were gloomy, with an undeniable anger on his face, eyebrows almost knitted together. But looking at Yu Wenye, he took a deep breath, trying to slow down his tone: "Do you know why I asked you to come?"

Yu Wenye glanced sideways at Dong Yue, and then said: "Minister Dong is here, could it be that there is a battle report from the front line?"

Yu Wenquan said: "At this time, you sure can recognize people."

This remark made Yu Wenye’s heart sink further, but he didn’t follow up on it, only said: "I don’t know if third brother has achieved a great victory in this expedition."

Yu Wenquan’s eyes grew even gloomier, while Dong Yue stepped forward and said solemnly: "Prince Qin, King Qi’s attack on Luoyang was unsuccessful, nearly half of the fifty thousand troops have been lost, now they can only retreat to Cijian and barely hold it, it’s really not a great victory."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye immediately furrowed his brow: "How could this happen?"

Yu Wenquan said: "Who are you asking? Minister Dong or me?"

Yu Wenye immediately said: "Your son just doesn’t understand, some days ago, I heard that third brother successfully captured Cijian Town, which is less than a hundred miles from Luoyang City, and is a critical stronghold on Jian River. Occupying this place, there was some chance of conquering Luoyang, yet why is it still—"

Yu Wenquan said coldly, "Indeed, but what you should ask is what his subordinates did."

Yu Wenye’s mind was clear at this moment, but when he lifted his head, his expression was still bewildered. Yu Wenqian stepped forward and said softly, "Second brother may not know, as Vice Commander of the expedition, Shen Tu Tai and secretary Shen Wuzheng did not follow the original plan to join forces with King Qi, but instead they held Cijian when King Qi attacked Luoyang City, resulting in King Qi’s defeat."

Yu Wenye took a deep breath, just about to speak, when Yu Wenquan coldly said: "You, see people indeed."

"..."

"Previously, you strongly recommended Shen Tu Tai, I doubted and used him, appointed him as Vice Commander for this expedition, but he unexpectedly opposed King Qi at the front, causing King Qi’s defeat, and almost being captured."

Yu Wenqian said: "Father, second brother recommended Shen Tu Tai for a reason. After all, Shen Tu Tai had once—had a renowned reputation, capable in war."

Upon hearing "once," Yu Wenquan’s gaze became sharp: "Right, I almost forgot, once he was a bandit, he followed Xiao Yuansui’s group to rebel against the court at Wanggang Village for years."

"..."

"Did this matter escape your notice entirely?"

Upon this remark, Yu Wenye immediately heard someone in the hall inhale sharply.

He lowered his head, looking at Lv Qianfeng behind him, the only one unrelated to this matter in the hall. Yet as he came at a coincidence, could only listen involuntarily, at this moment buried his head even deeper, not only keeping quiet, but even lightened his breathing, as if afraid someone would notice him.

Yu Wenye withdrew his gaze, said sternly: "No."

"..."

"But your son wants to ask, was third brother only defeated by Luoyang City’s guards? Previous news indicated Luoyang City’s guards numbered less than thirty thousand, since third brother led fifty thousand on the expedition, how could he suffer such a crushing defeat?"

Hearing these words, Yu Wenquan’s face darkened further, but he understood, his son is proficient in military strategies, his ability to arrange troops exceeds all generals and commanders in the court, these extraneous details and cause and effect naturally cannot be hidden from him, thus said: "He was ambushed by reinforcements from Dagu Pass and Yique Pass, then encircled and defeated by Luoyang’s guards combined."

"So that’s how it is."

Yu Wenye nodded, thought again, then said: "Military strategy says, do not invite the main flag, do not attack the main formation."

"..."

"From the deployment of troops at the Luoyang Eight Passes, this is obviously a grand setup inviting one into a trap, in such a situation—your son thinks, Shen Tu Tai and them held Cijian perhaps purposely to preserve strength, as Eastern Capital City is solid and cannot be conquered quickly."

"..."

"If it cannot be conquered, holding Cijian becomes necessary, as it offers a retreat place, securing grounds for regrouping troops."

His words were extremely tactful, the pause in between hit precisely at Yu Wenquan’s heart.

Although after ascending the throne as Emperor, he’ll no longer lead troops to battle, the glory of past years on the battlefield and accumulated experience of commanding troops would not dissipate easily. Seeing this situation, Yu Wenquan understood, regardless of Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng’s actions, Yu Wencheng directly attacking Luoyang was recklessly ambitious, even if by luck he conquered the city, took Luoyang City, with so many passes around, tens of thousands of troops would mobilize immediately, he wouldn’t be able to hold it for days.

But—

Military matters are one thing, if someone harbors private motives, or secretly collaborates with the enemy, that’s another matter.

Shen Tu Tai’s background and this defeat at Cijian, has deeply triggered Yu Wenquan’s increasingly sensitive heart since the Hot Spring Palace incident, especially now as Jiang Xian and Liang Youying have already taken Pei Xingyuan and fled Dasheng Dynasty, his suspicion towards Wanggang Village’s people grew deeper.

Thinking of this, Yu Wenquan sneered: "So what, should I not only not punish Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng, but reward them heavily?"

Yu Wenye promptly bowed: "Your son does not dare."

Yu Wenquan coldly said: "You better truly not dare."

"..."

"Then I ask you, this matter, these two people, in your opinion, how should it be dealt with?"

Yu Wenye raised his head solemnly and said: "Your son thinks, Father must not handle Shen Tu Tai and Shen Wuzheng under any circumstance."

Yu Wenquan’s face darkened: "Why?"

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