Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 168 Prince Zhao: The Imperial Camp is Full of Salted Fish

I saw that the King of Han and the King of Zhao blocked Yang Shiqi's way, one in front and one behind. Zhu Zhanhe took a deep look at Yang Shiqi, who had a white beard and kept stealing glances at him from time to time.

Then, Zhu Zhanhe slowly stood behind his father, Prince Han, and began to watch the fun.

"Master Yang, it's useless for you to say this now!
"Three thousand soldiers are completely useless now!" Prince Zhao sat upright in his chair and began to complain to Yang Shiqi.

"Those steppe Tartars didn't give us a chance to fight. They fled at the first sign of trouble! They even ran away when they saw us!

They don't want to fight us at all, they have already decided to retreat.

Those Tartars won't be satisfied until they see us back inside the Great Wall, and then they will disperse on their own!
Our soldiers are all missing home now, and there have been heavy casualties!

"How long will my second brother and I keep chasing them aimlessly like this?" Prince Zhao pointed at the listless soldiers outside the tent, telling Yang Shiqi that the soldiers had no morale! They wanted to go home! They couldn't fight anymore!

"If I remember correctly, when the Emperor's central army retreated to Yumuchuan, his purpose was to withdraw and return home. He even specifically asked me and the Second Brother to provide cover on both wings!

Why are you changing your mind now? " Prince Zhao's words were really powerful, and Yang Shiqi was speechless for a moment.

In fact, how could Yang Shiqi not know the situation of the armies on both wings? He had no choice but to do so!

Yang Shiqi couldn't possibly tell the King of Han and the King of Zhao that the Emperor had passed away, and that the purpose of these recent events was to prevent you two princes from rebelling, right?!

In the lobby, Prince Zhao and Yang Shiqi were facing off, while Prince Han, who was sitting on the main seat, had one leg resting on the chair, one hand stroking his beard, and looking at Yang Shiqi with a playful expression.

"Didn't they say that this war couldn't be fought?

Are you saying that the prince won’t give money?
What? Has the prince suddenly changed his personality?

Or is he on his deathbed, having a last glimmer of hope, wanting to do something good for the court?" Father Han Wangye didn't get up either, but lay on the chair with his legs draped over his shoulders, looking at Yang Shiqi with a puzzled look, yet eyes full of mockery and teasing.

"Hehehe..., the prince is in good health...!" After hearing what Prince Han said, Yang Shiqi knew that the prince's illness had been known by the kings of Han and Zhao, so he laughed dryly a few times and was about to explain.

But obviously, Prince Zhao would not give Yang Shiqi a chance to defend himself.

"Catching monsters in front of Zhong Kui? Lord Yang, you have come to the wrong place." Prince Zhao stood up angrily, walked in front of Yang Shiqi, and stared at Yang Shiqi's face.

Watching Prince Zhao and Yang Shiqi mocking each other face to face, Zhu Zhanhe was really worried that at such a close distance, would these two grown men kiss each other?!

"Master Yang, please don't forget where I came from!

The prince's diabetes is getting worse, and he hasn't been able to read memorials or write for more than a year!

What do you mean by "Shangjia"? " Yang Shiqi faced Prince Zhao's relentless pressure without retreating, staring at Prince Zhao with piercing eyes. However, this did not affect Prince Zhao's continued output!
"Yang Shiqi, Elder Yang!
Are you deceiving the emperor?
Or are you trying to trick us brothers?!" Prince Zhao continued to rant at Yang Shiqi, leaving him speechless.

Looking at the stalemate between Prince Zhao and Yang Shiqi, Prince Han slowly stood up and walked slowly to their side.

"Sir Yang, I heard that another 20,000 Japanese soldiers have arrived to prepare for war? And they are stationed in the emperor's camp? I heard that there are another 100,000 more to follow?"
"Sir Yang, I would like to ask you, why is this happening?" Prince Han also joined the King of Zhao and Yang Shiqi in close combat.

At this point, Zhu Zhanhe began to witness three grown men spitting at each other's faces!
"This is the Emperor's order!" Faced with Prince Han's questioning, Yang Shiqi remained undeterred, redirecting the question to the Yongle Emperor, whom both princes feared. "You're the head of the Ministry of War! Don't you know why?!" Prince Han was clearly dissatisfied with Yang Shiqi's response and retorted directly. He was afraid of the Yongle Emperor, but he wasn't afraid of Yang Shiqi!

"The Shenji Camp also suffered heavy casualties! The emperor wants to replenish the troops in sufficient numbers..." Yang Shiqi continued to argue, but was interrupted by Prince Zhao again.

"The Shenji Battalion currently has nearly 300,000 combat-capable soldiers! No need for additional troops!

Besides, now we don’t even have a chance to fight, the emperor will not send more troops for no reason!

This is an absurd order! Elder Yang! " Prince Zhao continued to use his eloquence to his advantage, interrupting Yang Shiqi's explanation before he could finish, and began to rant.

The continuous attacks from the King of Han and the King of Zhao made Yang Shiqi somewhat unable to withstand it. Then, Yang Shiqi walked aside alone with his hands behind his back.

"Hehehe, if you two princes have any ideas, you can submit them in the memorial. The emperor is here!" Yang Shiqi laughed dryly. Seeing that the two princes were pressing him step by step, he did not continue to argue with them. He also specifically emphasized the fact that Emperor Yongle was still here.

"As for the Ministry of War's affairs, I only did it with the emperor's approval!" In the end, Yang Shiqi could not explain the reason for the increase in troops and could only lie to cover it up.

After hearing Yang Shiqi's explanation, Prince Han, who was not satisfied at all, stepped forward and was about to argue with Yang Shiqi again, but was stopped by Prince Zhao with his hand.

"Lord Yang, please go back and ask the Emperor for instructions and tell him that I just received the latest news.

The Tatars and Uriankhai tribes have already begun to withdraw.

I believe that even Wala cannot afford the current loss!
If we chase them now, we might be ambushed. My second brother and I are so scared that we have to fight with both ends!
How will the next battle be fought? Your Majesty, please summon me and the Second Brother tomorrow and discuss it face to face! Prince Zhao stared intently into Yang Shiqi's eyes, recounting the latest developments on the grasslands word for word.

"Okay! I'll go back and ask the emperor for instructions!" Upon hearing this news, Yang Shiqi couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety, but he still agreed calmly. After saying this, Yang Shiqi turned and left.

The two kings looked at Yang Shiqi's back as he left, and their hearts could not calm down for a long time.

"Dad, Third Uncle, this Yang Shiqi is dishonest!

Since he entered the door, he only cares about accountability. If he is sincere, other things will be delayed as much as possible!

It seems that Yang Shiqi and the others must have something that needs time to deal with! Or they are waiting for someone! " Zhu Zhanhe watched Yang Shiqi leave, recalling the way Yang Shiqi had been secretly observing him since he entered the door, and said what he was thinking.

"He'er observed very carefully!
However, we only have to wait until tomorrow, and everything will have its results!" Prince Zhao agreed with his nephew's words, his eyes filled with solemn emotions...

Shortly after lunch, Prince Zhao called Prince Han and Zhu Zhanhe aside again. With panic in his eyes and a trembling voice, he told them some news about the central army camp.

"The spies in the central army told me that the old man's tent is surrounded by salted fish! It stinks and you can't get close to it," Prince Zhao said with a gloomy face but a complicated look in his eyes. Obviously, Prince Zhao, who received this news, also realized the seriousness of the matter!
"Salted fish? I've never heard that old men like to eat salted fish!" Upon hearing this, Prince Han's face froze, his pupils constricted, and he muttered. Even he, a well-read historian, felt a pang of fear in his heart!
"I'm afraid something big is going to happen!" Prince Zhao moved closer and spoke in a low voice, his tone full of inexplicable emotion.

"The Great Qin Shi Huang died of illness at Shaqiu during his fifth southern tour. In order to conceal the truth from the world, the eunuchs Zhao Gao, Li Si and others used abalone and fish to ride in the same carriage with the Emperor until they returned to Xianyang!" Zhu Zhanhe looked at his father and third uncle, who had complicated expressions on their faces, and spoke in a deep voice to tell them that after Qin Shi Huang's death, some officials used salted fish to cover up the truth.

In fact, King Zhao and King Han would definitely understand what Zhu Zhanhe wanted to express.

Emperor Yongle passed away!
(End of this chapter)