Chapter 649
“Oh?” The Crown Prince’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Feeling much better? But… what miraculous medicine did you use?”
Bai Qingyan shook her head. “No miraculous medicine. Doctor Hong said… it must be due to gaining strength from the journey of marching south with Your Highness. Therefore, my health has improved significantly!”
As she walked with the Crown Prince, she continued, “In recent times, I haven’t dared to slack off in my training, praying the heavens might give me a few more years. I hope to follow Your Highness a few more years, to guide my sisters well. If one day I am no longer here and there are no successors to serve you on the battlefield, they can serve in my place for a while.”
Not hiding her health recovery, Bai Qingyan even expressed her wish to live longer to teach her sisters to serve him. The Crown Prince suddenly felt his previous suspicions with Master Fang seemed unjust.
“I still hope you can stay well and accompany me further.” The Crown Prince gave Bai Qingyan a gentle smile, his tone sincere. “I… also hope to see you marry and have children someday!”
Bai Qingyan only smiled without speaking.
·
Liu Hong paced anxiously atop the city wall. The surrendering soldiers below, uncertain of their fate, grew restless from waiting.
Among the prisoners, some clever ones gathered to discuss survival strategies. They concluded it was better to seek survival than wait for the Princess of Zhen to rescue them.
Charging the gate with their bodies was suicide. Climbing the wall seemed feasible, but… with the rain so heavy and slippery, who would want to be the one at the bottom?!
Yet they couldn’t think of a better way than climbing up.
As the heavy rain gradually eased, Liu Hong noticed the surrendering soldiers below staring at the wall and murmuring, seemingly planning something.
His subordinates also sensed the unrest and were about to plead with Liu Hong to avoid waiting any longer when the Crown Prince arrived with Bai Qingyan.
Liu Hong was overjoyed at the sight, understanding the Crown Prince’s arrival meant the Princess of Zhen had persuaded the Emperor. “The eighteen thousand surrendering soldiers inside Yongding Gate might have a chance at life!”
He hurriedly stepped forward, kneeled on one knee, and greeted, “Liu Hong greets the Crown Prince and the Princess of Zhen!” freewebnσvel.cѳm
The Crown Prince nodded at Liu Hong then walked to the city wall, looking down at the over ten thousand surrendering soldiers facing him. He spoke, “You betrayed your master and country, deserving death! But… I believe our Jin Kingdom soldiers deserve to die with dignity, on the battlefield sacrificing for the country, not by our own arrows!”
The Crown Prince’s voice was firm and powerful, resonant and passionate. “Therefore, I give you this chance to go to the southern borders… to protect the country, defend our Jin Kingdom’s territories, and build merits. Are you willing?!”
Upon hearing the Crown Prince granting them a chance to live by guarding the southern borders, the surrendering soldiers couldn’t refuse!
The more astute soldiers quickly shouted in the rain, “I am willing!”
One such soldier kneeled in the bloody water and shouted loudly, “Your Highness! I am willing!”
“We are willing! Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace!”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your forgiveness!”
More surrendering soldiers kneeled, shouting their willingness and gratitude to the Crown Prince.
Liu Hong watched the soldiers kneeling one by one in the rain, his emotions surging. He turned to look at Bai Qingyan’s slender and upright figure. She stood with her hands behind her back, her expression calm and composed, her eyes dark and serene, revealing no joy or anger.
Liu Hong didn’t expect Bai Qingyan could really persuade the Emperor. He knew the Crown Prince’s words were likely what Bai Qingyan used to persuade the Emperor. Yet Bai Qingyan didn’t mind the Crown Prince using these words to gain favor with the soldiers.
Seeing the surrendering soldiers in Yongding Gate all submitted, kneeling and shouting their gratitude, the Crown Prince felt a rush of pride.
Many had knelt and bowed to him daily, but this was the first time in his life he felt such a commanding presence from above, leading the crowd. It was a marvelous feeling.
No wonder so many people aspired to ascend to the supreme throne and be revered by the world.
The Crown Prince clenched his hand behind his back.
“General Liu, I will instruct the Chief of Staff to assist in quickly arranging for these soldiers to go to the southern borders. During this time… these prisoners will be under your responsibility.” The Crown Prince turned to Liu Hong.
“Rest assured, Your Highness!” Liu Hong cupped his hands in obedience.
The Crown Prince glanced back at the soldiers kneeling below the city tower, feeling a surge of fervor. Pretending to be calm, he said, “I have matters to attend to, so I leave this to General Liu. Princess of Zhen… let’s go! Accompany me out of the palace.”
Bai Qingyan nodded, stepping aside to let the Crown Prince pass first. She turned to Liu Hong, who nodded at her, signaling for her to be at ease. Only then did she follow the Crown Prince away.
As they walked, the Crown Prince said, “Conveniently, the Chief of Staff should already be at my residence. I will have them quickly arrange for these men to be sent to the southern borders!”
“Your Highness can send someone to inform General Shen Kunyang in advance, so he knows these soldiers are those you have conquered. Have him train them well for Your Highness.” Bai Qingyan added.
Hearing Bai Qingyan acknowledge the eighteen thousand soldiers as his conquered troops, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened, feeling a bit smug.
“I’ll have someone send word to General Shen Kunyang. Don’t worry…” The Crown Prince said. His gaze fell on Bai Qingyan’s arm hanging at her side, unable to lift. “Recently, don’t worry about these matters. Rest well and recover! Come, ride in my carriage! I’ll take you back to the Princess of Zhen’s residence!”
Before Bai Qingyan could speak, the Crown Prince sternly said, “In such heavy rain, you cannot refuse out of courtesy.”
Bai Qingyan had intended as much. She smiled and nodded, “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness!”
“We are cousins; no need for such courtesy!” The Crown Prince was in high spirits, smiling as he ordered someone to hold an umbrella for Bai Qingyan, then strode down the wall.
Bai Qingyan was helped onto the luxurious Crown Prince’s carriage. Quan Yu also kneeled inside the carriage, serving tea to Bai Qingyan and the Crown Prince.
Due to the recent battle at Wude Gate and the tightly closed Yongding Gate, the Crown Prince’s carriage exited through the Ruian Gate, having to circle half the Imperial Palace to reach the Princess of Zhen’s residence.
On the way, the Crown Prince talked about King Liang with Bai Qingyan, gritting his teeth. “King Liang is always putting on pitiful airs. You’ll see… this time, Father might spare King Liang again, perhaps only demoting him to a commoner!”
“No matter what, King Liang will no longer have any chance of ascending again. Your Highness is far superior to King Liang; no need to waste effort on him. If you’re truly uneasy, you can entrust King Liang to Master Fang for covert supervision… Master Fang is prudent and meticulous. He won’t make any mistakes.” Bai Qingyan said.