From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 217 Huang Sanjia, the Poisonous Strategist of the Spring and Autumn Period

After the Li Yang Dynasty unified the world, the map of the world changed drastically. Some strategic locations and important geographical points that were once part of the Nine Kingdoms during the Spring and Autumn Period became the heartland of the Li Yang Dynasty after unification. Xiangfan City is the most typical example.

Before unification, Xiangfan was a strategic stronghold and the gateway to the southeastern half of the country. Now that the country is unified, this gateway to the southeastern half has become the heartland of the Liyang Dynasty, which is quite interesting.

But unification is one thing, but people's mindsets still need time to change. The Li Yang Dynasty is quite righteous. It destroyed other countries and recruited a large number of people who had destroyed their countries and families into the court. In short, the Li Yang court was already in complete chaos. It was only because of a giant like Zhang Julu that it was kept in check, otherwise who knows how much trouble would have happened.

Of course, he is no longer the crown prince, but the son of a vassal king, and he has no say in court affairs. However, the emperor's sudden summons for him to come to the capital was somewhat unexpected.

Although some princes and their sons would remain in the capital as hostages, he was not among them. He was the only son of the Prince of Jing'an, and the Prince of Jing'an only had him as his sole heir. What would happen if something happened to him?
Do you really think Prince Jing'an has no temper?
You really ruined the only son of the Prince of Jing'an and destroyed his hopes. Who knows what kind of things a prince like him could do?

Whether it succeeds or not, the Liyang Dynasty is bound to be in chaos for a while. If some ambitious people emerge, it won't just be a matter of a short period of chaos.

Therefore, the imperial court has always been very cautious in dealing with the heir of the Prince of Jing'an.

Even when Zhao Xun wanted to enter the Shangyin Academy, no one stopped him.

The fact that he was suddenly summoned to the capital at this time is something that even Prince Jing'an, Zhao Heng, doesn't know what kind of scheme is behind it.

“This time, not only you, but also the sons of several other vassal kings will be summoned to the capital, even those whose sons are in Tai’an City.” Zhao Heng frowned and said, “In addition, some scions of aristocratic families who have already begun to gain fame have also received imperial edicts. It seems that His Majesty wants to see the quality of the next generation of our dynasty, but why would he do this? We still don’t understand.”

Zhao Heng knew his elder brother, who was vying for the throne, quite well. He was a patient and cautious person. But how could such a person suddenly make such a decision, which would involve all the vassal kings?

"Since it's an imperial edict, there's no escaping it. I might as well go; it's not like I'm the only one."

"Xun'er, this matter is not simple, we need to think it over carefully...!"

"Think it over three times, or even seven, eight, or nine times, does that mean you won't go?!" Zhao Xun rolled his eyes and said, "You still have to go."

Zhao Heng remained silent for a long while before nodding and saying, "Alright, what you said makes sense. Since we can't refuse, we have no choice but to go. However, Xun'er, you must understand that Tai'an is not like Xiangfan. You must be careful."

"Understood." Zhao Xun nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"All the princes and heirs, that means Xu Fengnian will be there too. Interesting. If another white-clothed case happens in Tai'an City, that will be interesting."

※※※

Geographically speaking, Qingzhou is the southeastern gateway, and Xiangfan is the center of Qingzhou. The fastest way to get to Tai'an City from Xiangfan is by boat. First, you travel on the Yanzi River for an hour, then enter Chunshen Lake, and after a day of travel on Chunshen Lake, you enter the Jianlong River. Traveling upstream along the Jianlong River, you can reach Tai'an City in ten days.

Now, after a day's journey, the five large ships of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion have docked at Nanchong Port, the first wharf where the Jianlong River meets Chunshen.

When a prince from a vassal state travels north to the capital, it is not a leisurely journey; all the necessary regulations must be observed.

Apart from the Azure Dragon ship that the young master was riding on, the other four were all Yellow Dragon warships of the Qingzhou Navy. Since they were not going to the capital to fight, the six-toothed giant ships were not necessary.

After a night's journey, Zhao Xun and his crew on the Qinglong Tower were fine, but the Huangtou Lang and all the boatmen on the Huanglong Warship were tired and decided to rest for a day at Nanchong Port before continuing their journey.

Because of the prince's special status, the itinerary along the way was arranged very well. Before the ship even docked at Nanchong Port, the best restaurant and inn in Nanchong Port, Suifenglou, had already been booked. When Zhao Xun disembarked, someone in Nanchong Port came to pick him up and took the group directly to Suifenglou.

Just as the group entered Suifeng Tower, before they even stepped inside, an old man slowly walked from the end of the street. His movements were seemingly leisurely but actually swift; though he had only been seen briefly, he was already outside the security perimeter of the Jing'an Prince's residence. "Halt! Who goes there?!"

Two guards from the Prince's Palace immediately stopped the old man, intending to teach him a lesson. However, when the old man simply raised his eyes, the two guards felt a chill run down their spines and stopped what they were doing.

"Guests staying at the hotel," the old man said with a smile.

"Suifeng Tower has been booked by the Jing'an Prince's Mansion and is not accepting guests for the time being. You'd better find another place!"

A guard looked at the old man and said.

"The Prince of Jing'an's mansion, what a grand display! Nanchong Port is not Qingzhou." The old man's smile remained unchanged, but his gaze passed through the guards and landed on Zhao Xun and his entourage, who were about to enter Suifeng Tower. "I have long heard that His Highness's painting skills are unparalleled. I, Huang Longshi, am shameless and would like to request His Highness to bestow a painting upon me."

Huang Longshi!
The moment those three words were uttered, the entire street seemed to freeze, and all sound vanished.

Huang Longshi, one of the "Three Great Demons of the Spring and Autumn Period," single-handedly instigated wars among the nine states of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was known as the best in chess, calligraphy, and mathematics. People hated him to the bone, yet they were helpless against him.

This is a legendary figure.

He's also a self-centered troublemaker.

How could such a legendary figure suddenly appear in Nanchong Port and ask Zhao Xun for a painting?
What the hell?

"Is it really that famous?!"

Zhao Xun glanced at the old man in black not far away, raising an eyebrow slightly. The moment the name "Huang Longshi" was uttered, he had completely taken control of everyone present, even startling himself. This was rather interesting.

"I need a painting." He nodded, waved his hand, and signaled the two guards to let him pass.

Huang Longshi slowly walked towards Zhao Xun, his narrowed eyes seemingly able to see through everything, and everyone he swept over seemed to be stripped naked in that instant.

“That’s not good.” Zhao Xun reached out and pulled Yu Xuanji behind him. “Mr. Huang, I’m glad you came to ask me for a painting, but your gaze is very impolite. I don’t like it.”

"Interesting." Huang Longshi's gaze fell on Zhao Xun, and he looked him up and down. "I thought the Jing'an Prince's Mansion's fortunes were just so-so, but I didn't expect the young master to give this old man a pleasant surprise!"

"Surprise my foot, you can't see anything." Zhao Xun sneered inwardly, "Hmph, just putting on a show."

"The young master has already booked the entire Suifeng Pavilion, and is now its owner. Is this the proper way to treat a guest?!"

“I don’t want to invite a guest like you.” Zhao Xun shook his head. “Given your status and position, you’ve come to me for more than just a request for a painting, haven’t you?”

"Hahahahahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Longshi burst into laughter, "Good, good, good! Your Highness, why don't you guess why I've come here today?!"

"Why should I guess? Tell me if you want," Zhao Xun sneered. "These days, it's fine to make a few meals off your reputation, but if you treat others like fools, no one will take you seriously."

(End of this chapter)