Chapter 461: Lucky Star

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Father, I think that we don’t have to rely on war to build the country. Wouldn’t it be the best of both worlds to make Great Xia stronger and the commoners more well-fed?”

“If it’s really as Official Zuo said and we give up on everything else and focus on Xiongnu, even if we win, the price Great Xia has to pay can’t be made up for in just three to five years.”

“Official Zuo, don’t tell me that the food can be planted again and the new law can be used again. I only want to ask, how do you think we can compensate the people who have lost their families because of the war?”

imperial Censor Zuo was rendered speechless, but the Emperor was very touched. He turned around and asked.

“Crown Prince, what do you think?”

The Crown Prince retracted his resentful gaze from Rong Yan and took a deep breath. “I think what Third Brother said is too idealistic. Who can guarantee that Xiongnu will obediently wait for Great Xia to make preparations?”

“If they attack while Great Xia is developing farming, won’t the commoners suffer even more if we lose the initiative?”

Rong Yan smiled. “Your Highness, you don’t seem to have much confidence in the soldiers of Great Xia?”

The Crown Prince’s expression stiffened. “I naturally know that the soldiers of Great Xia are brave, but the world is unpredictable. It’s better to be prepared than to be controlled. Since there will be a battle sooner or later, delaying is just escaping.”

The moment he finished speaking, the Crown Prince felt as if he had seen a “disappointment” on the Emperor’s face.

As expected, Prime Minister Yan looked for him in private after the court session. “The Crown Prince misspoke today.”

The Crown Prince was indignant, but Prime Minister Yan said, “You’re looking

at the wrong point.”

“Your father cares more about the people.

The Crown Prince disagreed. Seeing that there was no one around, he said directly, “Father only obtained the throne after mobilizing the army. Didn’t countless people die back then?”

At this moment, Prime Minister Yan began to wonder if the Crown Prince’s life had been too smooth-sailing all these years.

“Do you know why your father sent troops to rebel?

The Crown Prince said matter-of-factly, “To seize the throne.

Prime Minister Yan sighed. “At that time, the Southern Barbarians were under the city and the late Emperor was ill and unable to manage government affairs. However, he had yet to invest the Crown Prince. The princes did not give in to each other. Instead of fighting against external enemies, they paid more attention to fighting for the throne. Your father only broke through the imperial City when he found out that the Southern Barbarians were approaching the Imperial Capital.

The Crown Prince did not think much of it. Prime Minister Yan could only give up after a few words of persuasion.

After returning to the residence, the advisor asked hesitantly, “Prime Minister, should we find someone to persuade His Highness?”

Prime Minister Yan thought for a while and came to a conclusion. “Forget it. After all, the world is in the Crown Prince’s hands. Letting the Third Prince do whatever he wants now will only benefit the Crown Prince.

“The ancients have abstained from engaging in too many military affairs. Get those ministers to change their stance and support the Third Prince tomorrow.”

It also saved him from being too obvious on the Crown Prince’s side and causing the Emperor to be afraid.

The advisor asked, “Then… if the Crown Prince is right and Xiongnu goes back on his word, what should we do?”

Prime Minister Yan glanced at him. “That’s for the Third Prince to worry

about.”

What he meant was that if they did it right, it would be contributing to the Crown Prince’s future. If they did it wrong, Rong Yan would take the blame and they did not have to worry.

They had a good plan, but they did not expect Rong Yan to present another book to the Emperor before they could reap the benefits. The title was “Iron Refinement Compendium”.

Of course, this book was also exchanged from Xiaoxiao’s space. Now that Great Xia had abundant iron ore reserves, as long as the Imperial Court could implement this smelting method, with the abundant production of those two iron ore mines, no one could shake the prestige of Great Xia in two years.

“Father, you gave this book to Xiaoxiao. She saw that the book recorded it in detail and it made sense, so she tried to find someone to forge a sword.” The Xiao Family’s daughter liked to read, so the Emperor would reward her with some books from the storeroom from time to time. According to records, this book was obtained by Xiao Ran when she exterminated bandits and was lying in the storeroom for a long time. He did not expect it to become a treasure in the hands of the Xiao Family’s daughter.

Seeing that Rong Yan’s newly refined weapon broke dozens of swords in a row, the Emperor was overjoyed. He called out to the heavens to bless Great Xia and immediately handed the responsibility of refining iron to Rong Yan.

The Crown Prince could no longer sit still.

He had a stable position as the Crown Prince, but he had not achieved much. Other than the trip to the dam a few years ago that could only be considered a “remedial measure”, he did not seem to have done anything commendable. On the other hand, Rong Yan had recently received his father’s approval. Wouldn’t he be valued and loved by the military after obtaining this iron-refining job?

If he raised his arms and shouted in the future…

The more the Crown Prince thought about it, the more worried he became. He couldn’t sleep well for a few nights in a row. What gave him a headache was that not long after, there was actually a rumor that the Xiao Family’s daughter was Great Xia’s lucky star. There was even news that even the new rice seed that benefited the world was actually first taken out by the Xiao Family’s daughter.

After knowing this, Xiaoxiao pouted and took away the snacks that she wanted to give Shen Congjun. Official Shen widened his eyes. “My senior brother asked me to do this!”

Official Chen Yong, who was darker and thinner than before, slapped him on the head. “You’re selling your senior brother just for a bite of food?

Official Shen smiled insincerely. “Spit out the biscuit in your mouth before saying that!”

Official Chen was unmoved. He chewed and swallowed.

Then, he said, “Miss Xiao, calm down. Actually…”

He said, “Actually, this was Teacher’s idea.”

Xiaoxiao looked at them as if they were fools, but it was true.

What Dean Lu meant was that the tallest tree in the forest would be destroyed. Although he knew that Xiaoxiao and Rong Yan did not do anything for fame and fortune, their wholehearted pursuit of the people must have changed in the eyes of some people.

If he wanted to continue seeking benefits for the people, he had to have enough confidence first.

Moreover, Dean Lu said, “He won’t be at ease if Congjun keeps receiving your credit.”

Alright, she wasn’t afraid now anyway. Moreover, she would be an additional help to Little Big Brother with the extra credit.

After all, with his current momentum, it was only a matter of time before he was feared by the Crown Prince. No, perhaps it should be said that the Crown Prince had long treated him as a thorn in his side.

That night, Xiaoxiao and Rong Yan talked about this matter openly, and Rong Yan did not intend to hide it.

-I don’t think the Crown Prince will be a wise ruler, especially when the Southern Barbarians and Xiongnu are still eyeing us covetously.’ “Xiaoxiao, if I want to fight with him, will you think that I’m as hypocritical and benefit-seeking as him?”

Xiaoxiao shook her head. “What a coincidence. I don’t think he’ll be a good Emperor either.”

How could a person who could collude with outsiders for personal gain and disregard the lives of the commoners lead Great Xia to peace?

Moreover, would the Crown Prince let Rong Yan off if he was the Emperor? Rong Yan said, “Actually, I think the rumors are right. You’re indeed Great Xia’s lucky star.”

“You’re mine too.”

Xiaoxiao was a little shy, but she felt that Rong Yan was right.

[Master, I’m sorry to disturb your private time with the male master. The points have met the upgrade requirements.. Do you want to upgrade?]