The entire Muyun Pass was extremely furious to the core with the insulting letter from the Crown Prince of Sui.
Others do not know His Highness’s character, but they have been spending time with him day and night, and they are very clear about it.
Looking at their Highness, who was still dressed elegantly in a green robe and standing warmly under the huge map of Jiangnan in the tent after reading the letter, without any displeasure, all the Generals said in unison, “We are willing to represent Your Highness in battle!”
Jiang Yun turned around and looked at the crowd with his bright and moist black eyes, saying, “Gu appreciate your goodwill, but this competition is about the reclamation of the Luo Kingdom, so Gu must fight in person in order to show the determination to recover the Luo Kingdom.”
The young Crown Prince is only eighteen years old, not even the age of the crown. But he is always calm and poised, and it always seems like even if Mount Taishan fell in front of him, he wouldn’t change his expression. His elegance and composure are incomparable. When he speaks so gently, they can’t help but feel submissive.
Especially the lower-ranking generals.
Although Jiang Yun had been in charge of military affairs at Muyun Pass for a long time, most of the time, it was his trusted subordinates, such as Fan Zhou and Yun Huai, who carried out and conveyed orders on behalf of him. Occasionally, he personally went to the pass and issued important military orders through the curtains. This time, Jiang Yun directly sat inside the pass, discussing military affairs. The wind and rain continued for a month, and many generals saw the Crown Prince’s true face for the first time.
At first, they were surprised by the Crown Prince’s extravagant demeanor, as rumors spread widely outside. Many people believed in the rumor of their Highness’s ugly appearance because they only knew of their Highness’s virtues. It was not until they saw it with their own eyes that they were shocked to discover that not only their Crown Prince had no connection with the word “ugly,” but his elegance and demeanor are far superior to those of noble sons or young gentlemen lords of the same age.
At least from childhood to adulthood, they had never seen such an elegant and beautiful young man.
The Crown Prince looked weak and elegant, but after entering the pass for a month, he used thunderous methods and outstanding wisdom to clear the entire defense and rectification inside and outside the pass and even directly placed King Chu, Jiang Lang, who attempted to cause trouble by relying on the king’s orders under house arrest. All the generals sincerely admired him. So seeing that insulting letter made them feel even more angry and unfair.
That martial and belligerent, who himself was the notorious Crown Prince of Sui, has the audacity to call their Highness a stone in a pit. If the king is disgraced, the king’s servants must die. How can they stand by and watch His Highness suffer such great shame?
Fan Zhou and other trusted advisors, as well as some high-ranking generals, knew some insider information.
Last year, the Sui army wanted to bypass the Jiang and seize the southwest rift valley of the Yellow River to open the gateway to Jiangnan, but their conspiracy was uncovered by their Highness. In the fierce battle, the Crown Prince of Sui was shot in the arm and was unable to draw his bow for a whole month. He regarded this matter as a great shame and hated their Highness for it.
Outsiders thought that the arrow was shot by their Highness’s advisors, but they knew that it was shot by their Highness himself. This meeting on the river by the Crown Prince of Sui was clearly to avenge last year’s arrow.
Yun Huai had just returned from his tour of the front line and heard some news coming from the north of the river. He was worried and said, “It was said that the Crown Prince of Sui’s beloved concubine had just passed away, and his temperament was unpredictable. He often did cruel things to vent his anger. This person is cold and ruthless, bloodthirsty, and fond of killing. He once shot and killed the leader of the Shanu in the midst of chao. It is said that the methods were extremely cruel, the leader of the Shanu’s brain burst on the spot. This person already had an old grudge with their Highness, and he is worried that he called their Highness for a competition in the front, but in fact, he set up a conspiracy trap and plotted against their Highness. “This subordinate hopes that Your Highness will think twice about the competition.”
Jiang Yun said, “Gu has already decided. General Huai does not need to say anything anymore.”
Yun Huai still wanted to persuade, but was stopped by Fan Zhou’s gaze.
After leaving the tent, Yun Huai frowned and said discontentedly, “Why did Master stop me? It’s true that His Highness has martial arts skills, but His Highness has always been weak and has just had a serious illness. He is not fully recovered yet, how can he go and compete with them in archery against such a strong river wind? The opponent was also the brave and skilled Crown Prince of Sui! If something happens to His Highness, how can we explain it to His Majesty and the people of Jiang?”
Fan Zhou sighed and said, “You think I’m willing to watch His Highness risk his life? But His Highness was determined to take back the Luo Kingdom, and right now is the best opportunity. Moreover, His Highness agreed to the competition not only for the sake of the Luo Kingdom but also for a more important reason.”
“What reason?”
“His Highness wants a chance to declare his authority.”
Yun Huai was taken aback.
“The Master’s meaning is?”
Fan Zhou’s expression became cold and solemn. “His Highness has been isolated from the world for too long. His Highness needs to show the people of Jiangnan that the Crown Prince of Jiang is not a useless person with nothing but virtue and reputation.”
Fan Zhou was able to glimpse the change in Jiang Yun’s style of behavior from the fact that Jiang Yun strongly placed Jiang Lang under house arrest and openly refused the king’s order to stop Liu Gong from bringing Jiang Lang back to the Jiang capital.
After his Highness returned to the pass, he did not mention his experiences during his disappearance to anyone, just like the three years when his Highness was taken by assassins. As a subordinate, Fan Zhou was not in a position to ask deeper questions, but Fan Zhou thought that it should not be easy for his Highness to come back from enemy territory alone. But his Highness has a self deprecating nature. Even if he has truly experienced hardships, he will not tell his subordinates about them, let alone bring personal emotions to public affairs. Therefore, when facing his subordinates, his eyes are always gentle and calm.
Fan Zhou thought that the change in His Highness’s style of acting should be related to the experience during this period of time. Four years ago, his Highness hid behind the curtain and restrained all his sharpness. Four years later, his Highness’s willingness to step out of that curtain and proclaim his authority to the world is historic progress.
After a long silence, Yun Huai said, “I understand. Don’t worry, Master. I will do my best to protect His Highness.”
The competition is scheduled for ten days later.
This news quickly spread throughout the south and north of the Yangtze River, and many people rushed to both sides of the Yellow River to watch.
Xu Qiao didn’t really approve of Sui Heng’s decision, thinking that it was a bit too childish for Sui Heng to use a country in Jiangnan to gamble. But Sui Heng has been acting a bit crazy lately, if he thinks of A, then it’s A, and Xu Qiao dares not persuade much.
Xu Qiao thought, His Highness is about to vent all the anger and indignation of losing the young gentleman on the Crown Prince of Jiang on the other side of the river. When he is done venting, he will be fine.
Xu Qiao sincerely worries about the safety of the Crown Prince of the Jiang Empire.
It was said that the other party is weak and usually stays behind the curtain to discuss matters, unable to even be blown by the wind. He is most likely a small white face with no strength to even tie a bow. He fell off a cliff a while back and was seriously injured, nearly dying. It’s a bit of a bully for His Highness to propose an archery competition at this time.
Xu Qiao thought that the Crown Prince of Jiang would definitely refuse, but unexpectedly, the other party agreed.
It’s really one is more crazy than the other.
Ten days later, with a pleasant breeze and clear sky, two huge boats slowly sailed towards the center of the river from both sides. According to the agreement, neither party can bring any troops or horses.
Sui Heng stood on the deck with his sleeves down, followed by a group of advisors and generals, as well as a group of famous scholars and officials from the Jiangnan countries. He summoned all the Guozhu of the five newly surrendered subordinate states, including the Luo Kingdom’s monarch, overnight.
Suddenly being grilled on the fire, the Luo Kingdom’s monarch was embarrassed and afraid.
But Sui Heng had called, and he didn’t dare to not come.
Sui Heng held a cup in his hand and said with a smile, “Gu and the Guozhu’s fate may only have one day left. Thus, Guozhu should have a few more drinks with Gu.”
The Luo Kingdom’s monarch’s face turned pale, and he plopped down on his knees.
With a trembling voice, he said, “Your Highness, calm down. This humble minister really doesn’t know anything about the matter regarding my son. It’s true that this humble minister wants my son to come back, but even if this humble minister has a hundred guts, this humble minister still dares not kidnap Secretary Chen’s biological mother and threaten Your Highness.”
“Gu hasn’t said anything yet, what’s Guozhu so afraid of? In Guozhu’s opinion, today Gu and that ugly guy, who would win?”
The Luo Kingdom’s monarch immediately said, “Your Highness is wise and mightily and is a heavenly god who has descended to earth. So naturally, the battle is invincible!”
The situation has escalated to such an extent that the ruler of the Luo Kingdom even harbors some resentment towards the Crown Prince of Jiang, whom he has never met before. If he hadn’t interfered, his son would still be a hostage in the Sui capital and there is no danger to his life. Now things have come to such a state, how can it end? How powerful is the Crown Prince of Sui? He is the commander of the Qinglang Battalion, who is feared by even the northern states of the Yangtze River, and no one dares to provoke him. How can the sickly Crown Prince of Jiang, be a match for the brave and skilled Crown Prince of Sui?
But right now, even if he had a hundred mouths, he still won’t be able to clear his relationship with the Jiang Empire. After today’s defeat, Luo will be targeted by Sui, the sovereign state at every turn.
The ruler of Luo felt a wave of despair.
Similarly, the Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom was also feeling guilty. He dares not look at his second son’s face because Beauty Xin was kidnapped by thieves under his own nose. Since boarding the ship, he has been avoiding Chen Qi.
His second son is now serving as the Right Secretary in the Sui Empire, holding a high position of power, he is not someone he can afford to offend.
There couldn’t be a more suffocating father in the world. The Chen Kingdom’s Guozhou thought.
At a distance of one arrow, the two ships slowly came to a stop.
Jiang Yun wore a golden Crown Prince satin robe today. The sleeves were embroidered with exquisite patterns of the sun, moon, and stars, with a golden silk jade belt around his waist, shining brightly in the sunlight. The wide sleeves and knee-high curtains covered all of his body details, including body features.
The waves are surging on the river, and the clouds are rolling in the sky.
Two figures, one gold and one black, led their respective advisors and generals to face each other across the ship. The shore was crowded with people, and although it was not possible to see the faces of the legendary Crown Prince of Jiangnan and Jiangbei clearly, this historic moment was enough to make people cheer and be excited.
Sui Heng’s eyes were sharp like arrows, piercing sharply into Jiang Yun’s body.
He really detests this hypocritical and pretentious ugly monster. If it wasn’t for this person’s repeated demonic behavior, he really wouldn’t even bother to look at him.
Sui Heng clicked. “It seems that he also knows that his face is ugly and doesn’t match this outfit.”
He instructed his personal soldiers, “Go and bring His Highness the Crown Prince a pot of Saodaozi.”
Today, Sui Heng specially chose the fiercest snow mountain Saodaozi, in the northern region. He was confident that, with Jiang Yun’s physical condition, he would probably make a fool of himself on the spot with just one sip.
The soldier answered and immediately took a small boat to the opposite side to deliver the wine.
Xu Qiao felt that his Highness had gone too far. Knowing that the other party was not well and had not recovered from his serious injury, yet he even gave him such strong wine.
Sui Heng didn’t feel that way at all.
Sui Heng couldn’t wait to see Jiang Yun embarrass himself.
A little white face who can’t even handle strong alcohol dares to compete with him in archery. Heh, he wants to make him cry and call him father.
On the other side, Yun Huai, who received the wine, immediately recognized that it was the smell of a snowy mountain Saodaozi. He didn’t expect the other party’s heart to be so malicious. He frowned and looked at Jiang Yun. “Your Highness, this…“
Jiang Yun gently said that it’s fine and took the wine, sat down at the bow of the boat with his robe spread out. Then, he handed over another jar of wine that he had prepared beforehand to the personal soldiers to bring back to the opposite side.
The soldier smelled a strong scent of herbs.
Jiang Yun said, “This is the Tusu wine brewed by Gu. Invite you guys’ Highness to have a drink.”
The other party had a nice voice, and the personal soldier was stunned for a moment. He agreed, took the wine and returned by the boat.
