Chapter 191: Chapter 155: The Prince’s Move is Beyond Wordsi

Translator: 549690339

Great Sum originally had over twenty thousand Heavy Cavalry, and the military power had already been concentrated in the hands of the Sum Emperor. Now, the Sum Emperor had another fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry at his disposal. The key point was that, in the eyes of the Aristocratic Families, these fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry belonged entirely to the Sum Emperor and no one else could lay their hands on them. This situation prevented the Aristocratic Families of Great Sum from being able to sleep peacefully.

Therefore, Mu Changtian believed that if the warfare between Great Wu and Great Sum was instigated by the Aristocratic Families, their ultimate goal was most likely to disintegrate these fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry.

After listening to Mu Changtian’s analysis, Lu Chen fell into deep thought.

Of the three objectives Mu Changtian discussed, the second was the least likely, while the third had the greatest probability.

It was certain that the Aristocratic Families wanted to replace the Sum Emperor, there was no doubt about that, especially since the current Sum Emperor was not obedient at all and even intended to eradicate the Ancient Families within Great Sum.

But replacing the Emperor was not to be done at this moment. With various factions thriving, if they were to replace the Emperor, who would they choose as the new Emperor?

Fearing that elevating any Prince to the throne would provoke dissatisfaction amongst many, the eventual outcome would be the splitting of Great Sum and the outbreak of a civil war.

For the Aristocratic Families, the disintegration of Great Sum was incompatible with their interests, so they would rather let the Sum Emperor continue sitting in that position.

What the Aristocratic Families needed to do now was to exchange interests with the various factions as much as possible, and then determine who the next Emperor would be. They would not move against the Sum Emperor’s position before deciding on the next Emperor.

As to why they were so quick to provoke warfare between the two countries, it was probably partly to pressure the Sum Emperor and partly to eliminate the forces under the Sum Emperor’s control, possibly even aiming for the military power he held.

Once war broke out between the two countries, the Sum Emperor was unlikely to personally lead the troops in the beginning. In doing so, a part of the military power in the Sum Emperor’s hands would be handed over, rendering his earlier action of reclaiming military power fruitless.

After some thought, Lu Chen continued to ask Mu Changtian, “General Mu, if the imperial court orders North City to send troops, what do you think I should do?”

North City might be Lu Chen’s feudal state, but it still belonged to Great Sum, and Lu Chen remained a Seignior of Great Sum. If the imperial court ordered him to send troops, he had the obligation to do so.

However, it was apparent that Lu Chen would not send his Black Cavalry to the frontline to be depleted in war.

General Mu did not directly say what Lu Chen should do, but reminded him, “Prince, North City is in the early stages of development, and you have only just gained a firm foothold there. If the imperial court issues an order and North City still does not send troops, it would be tantamount to rebellion. Raising troops at this time would bring no benefits to North City, or to you.”

General Mu could also see Lu Chen’s thoughts. The Black Cavalry constituted the most important military force of North City. How could Lu Chen bear to send the Black Cavalry to the front lines to be consumed by the enemy?

But if the imperial court issued an order and Lu Chen still refused to send troops, there would be no difference between that and rebellion. Once North City rebelled, it would become even more difficult for North City to develop in the future.

Most of North City’s resources were transported from other parts of Great Sum, even the grain consumed in the North Prince Mansion was bought from within Great Sum. To rebel at such a time would result in the cutting off of various resource transfer channels, which would be extremely detrimental to the development of North City.

At this point, General Mu said, “Prince, in my opinion, if the imperial court truly issues a military command, you do not have to send all fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry over. Just send a portion of the soldiers, and then claim that most of the Heavy Cavalry were annihilated by the enemy on their way to the frontlines, leaving only those soldiers.”

“This approach would comply with the imperial court’s military command without being considered a rebellion, and you would also avoid losing too many Black Cavalry.”

Upon hearing General Mu’s suggestion, everyone else in the study thought it was a feasible plan.

In any case, it was an absolute must not to rebel at this time. Rebelling now would be tantamount to seeking one’s own doom.

Although North City possessed fifty thousand Heavy Cavalry, having them did not make one invincible.

Speaking realistically, the materials for producing gunpowder and cannons were all transported from other parts of Great Sum; if you rebelled now, even the production of gunpowder would become problematic.

After reflecting for a moment, Lu Chen then turned his gaze to Qin Yushan, “Commander Qin, dispatch the Red Ribbon Messenger immediately to seek aid from the imperial court.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the study was taken aback.

Seek aid?

What aid do they seek?

Isn’t the court requiring them to send troops? Why, at this time, is the North Prince sending a Red Ribbon Messenger to the Capital instead?

What is the situation here?

Even Qin Yushan was stunned in place at this moment.

Lu Chen continued, “Just say that the North Fre King’s vast army is pressing on the border, and the last time we dealt with the Sky Wolf King’s tribe severely depleted North City’s forces, leaving North City unable to engage in battle. We hope the court can send more troops this time to assist North City in repelling the North Fre King’s invasion from the south.”

Ah, this…

Everyone quickly realized what was happening.

The serious expression on Mu Changtian’s face immediately dissipated, and then he said, “Brilliant… truly brilliant! The Prince’s tactic is pure genius!!!” “This way, all of our troops in North City are dealing with the North Fre King and simply have no strength left to support the court’s forces. At this time, the court cannot fault us for anything, the Prince’s move is simply indescribable genius!!!”

Lu Chen continued, “Alright, stop wasting time, send the Red Ribbon Messenger to the Capital at once, preferably before the court’s military order reaches Yan County.”

“Additionally, I have already moved north to resist the Barbarian Tribes’ invasion from the south. If anyone comes looking for me, they should be told that I am not here.”

Everyone instantly understood Lu Chen’s intention: if the court’s envoy did indeed arrive and could not find Lu Chen, they would have no way to deliver the military order into his hands.

“Let’s leave it there for today; you may all leave now. Remember my words, 1 am no longer in the North Prince Mansion from this point on,” he said.

The group then bowed and said, “Your subjects shall take their leave.”

Following that, Qin Yushan indeed sent out the Red Ribbon Messenger. In order to make the situation appear more urgent, Lu Chen this time personally wrote a battle report. In the report, he cried and wailed, “tears streaming down,” hoping the court would send troops to support North City.

Meanwhile.

In a private room of a tavern in the Mysterious Moon Palace.

Chen Wanrong sat in a chair, her cold and stunningly beautiful face becoming a bit more serious as she looked at the newly received intelligence.

Calculating the time, she and Lin Wanyun had been in North City for several months now, with Lin Wanyun even becoming the Deputy Commander of the inner guard at the Prince’s Mansion. Yet, they still had no way to get close to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen’s daily life was too routine: eating, sleeping, dealing with political affairs in the study, and then creating offspring with his women in his room.

Although Lu Chen seemed to have accepted the Mysterious Moon Palace, the Palace was unable to assist him in any matter. It appeared that the North Prince Mansion didn’t need any help from the Mysterious Moon Palace at all, leaving Chen Wanrong without a single opportunity to use the Love Worm on Lu Chen.

At that moment, Lin Wanyun, dressed in a light blue long gown, entered the room with smooth steps.

Chen Wanrong spoke softly, “Madam Lin, Great Sum and Great Wu have gone to war.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyun was slightly startled.

This surely was an excellent opportunity for Chen Wanrong; as long as Great Sum’s military power was greatly weakened, they could directly act against the Sum Emperor.

Even the restoration of Chen Wanrong’s country was not a problem..