Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

Upon seeing the corpse being carried out, the young eunuch's legs went weak, and his jaw almost dislocated.

"He's...he's dead?!"

He watched helplessly as Prince Yizhong's body was dragged away, and he was so frightened that he almost lost his mind.

The next second, the food box slammed to the ground with a "thud," spilling food all over the floor.

He turned and ran, heading straight for the Emperor Emeritus's bedroom.

That's right, this little eunuch was personally arranged by the Emperor Emeritus to deliver meals to Prince Yizhong every day.

Even though he lost an arm because of his rebellion, the retired emperor still felt a trace of reluctance in his heart.

Thinking... at least let him eat his fill before he goes to the underworld.

"Why are you running?!"

Dai Quan bumped into him, grabbed him, and hissed, "Disturbing His Majesty's presence? How many heads do you have?"

"Eunuch Dai! Something terrible has happened! It's awful!"

The young eunuch, his face covered in sweat and his voice trembling, pointed towards the prison: "He's dead! Prince Yizhong... is dead!"

Dai Quan's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He grabbed the young eunuch by the shoulder: "Explain yourself! When did this happen?!"

"Just...just now! The Imperial Guards carried the corpse away!"

Dai Quan's throat tightened, he released his grip, turned around and rushed into the hall.

"Your Majesty!"

He fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing heavily, his voice ripping through the silence:

"Prince Yizhong...has passed away!"

The retired emperor had long anticipated that this day would come sooner or later.

But he did not expect it to come so suddenly—he was still recovering from his injuries in bed and did not even get to see Prince Yizhong one last time before he passed away.

"Your Majesty... I just received the news myself."

Dai Quan knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, "Prince Yizhong... has passed away."

"Then what are you doing standing here like a block of wood?"

"Investigate it now!"

Before he could finish speaking, the retired emperor grabbed the teapot from beside his pillow and smashed it hard on Dai Quan's shoulder, roaring like thunder.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Dai Quan jolted to his feet, ignoring the pain, and turned to lead his men in a swift pursuit.

Just as the capital was in an uproar over the matter of Crown Prince Chen Yuan, the south was in an uproar!

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

A guard stumbled into the tent and crashed into the arms of the Prince of Nan'an, his face ashen.

The Prince of Nan'an was about to lash out, but upon hearing those words, he froze.

"They've rebelled!!!"

"Who? Who dares to rebel?"

"How many men? How many cities did they conquer?"

His pupils contracted sharply, and his voice changed tone.

After Jia Yi quelled two major rebellions in Jiangnan and Shandong, everyone knew that anyone who dared to raise a flag and rebel was simply courting death!

But right now, someone actually has the guts to do something like that?

"The exact number is still unclear... but several county towns have already fallen!"

"The city's wealthy merchants and county magistrate were all slaughtered!"

Before the guard could finish speaking, Master Qian arrived in a hurry.

The Prince of Nan'an's gaze shifted, turning as cold as a blade: "Master Qian, what did you say back then? That the people would be safe and there would be no unrest?"

"Now? Give me an explanation!"

"Your Highness, you've been wronged!" Master Qian cried out, his face contorted with distress. "This is truly not my fault! My plan was flawless!"

Suddenly, his eyes flashed, as if he had realized something—

"I see! It was those corrupt officials down there who were behind this!"

"They used the title of prince to levy exorbitant taxes and plunder the people, driving them to desperation!"

"Damn corrupt officials!"

The Prince of Nan'an cursed inwardly.

While the front lines are locked in fierce battles with the Yue Kingdom and other small states in the south, a sudden fire breaks out in the rear—it's like being stabbed in the back!

With the war still unresolved and internal strife breaking out—fighting on multiple fronts is a major taboo in military strategy!

"What should we do now?"

His brows were furrowed, and veins bulged on his forehead.

"Your Highness need not worry."

Master Qian laughed easily: "Just kill a few scapegoats."

"Arrest all the corrupt officials in each prefecture, behead them, and display their heads to the public to give the people an explanation."

"Send more people to appease them, using both kindness and firmness, and this turmoil will naturally subside."

"Hmm." The Prince of Nan'an nodded slowly. "This plan is feasible."

As long as a way out is given, the mob will surely scatter.

pity--

This time, they didn't kick the starving people who had nowhere else to go.

Instead, they were a group of desperate criminals who had tasted blood and sweetness, and who had been driven mad by the White Lotus Sect's evil words.

Even if he slaughtered every single official in Guangdong and Guangxi, the fire still wouldn't be able to be contained.

They will eventually rebel.

At this moment, the King of Yue received news that a popular uprising had broken out in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.

He threw his head back and burst into laughter, his face full of excitement!

"Someone! Immediately send a message to the neighboring countries!"

"Spread the news that something has happened in Guangdong and Guangxi. Say that the Prince of Nan'an can no longer control the situation, and rioters are rising up everywhere, with the situation spiraling out of control!"

"Also, tell those rulers—whoever kills the most Daqian soldiers will have their territory divided according to their merit after conquering Guangdong and Guangxi!"

The King of Yue slammed his fist on the table with a sinister grin.

"Your Majesty, when shall we send troops?"

"That's right! This time, I will personally lead the army! I will cut off the head of the Prince of Nan'an and avenge the blood debt of my soldiers who have died in battle over the years!"

……

The generals in the tent were filled with righteous indignation, swords and axes in hand, eager to mount their horses and charge into the battlefield at any moment.

"No!"

"We will not send troops now."

"wait."

The King of Yue narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"what?"

The entire hall of civil and military officials was taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Now is a golden opportunity, why remain inactive?

"Don't forget, although Guangdong and Guangxi are in chaos, they are still under the control of the Prince of Nan'an. His 100,000 elite troops are still facing off against our army on the front line, without deploying a single soldier or moving a single troop."

"A hasty attack at this time would only be like pulling chestnuts out of the fire for someone else. Let other countries rush in first, and wear down their Great Qian forces."

The King of Yue slowly rose to his feet, his tone somber yet resolute.

Moreover, the White Lotus Sect's Holy Maiden, with whom he secretly allied, has yet to make a move.

This means the real show is yet to begin.

Why is he in such a hurry to go on stage?

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Let them fight! Once they're both badly injured, we'll strike and maybe even swallow the Prince of Nan'an and his bunch of clowns whole!"

"At that time, the hegemony of my Yue Kingdom will be achieved!"

……

The image of a powerful and prosperous Yue Kingdom flashed through everyone's minds, and their eyes ignited with burning ambition.

The stronger the Yue Kingdom became, the more stable their power became, and wealth and glory were easily within their grasp!

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching all the southern countries.

When the monarchs of various countries heard this, their hearts pounded and their blood boiled!

They immediately mustered their troops and mobilized all their strength to reinforce the border.

They were determined to take advantage of the internal turmoil in Guangdong and Guangxi to defeat the Prince of Nan'an and seize his territory!

Faced with the relentless pressure from the southern kingdoms, the Prince of Nan'an's 100,000-strong army began to falter.

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

Clutching a stack of urgent reports requesting reinforcements from the front lines, Master Qian strode into the study and presented them with both hands.

"Damn it!"

The Prince of Nan'an stood up abruptly, his face ashen.

"These small southern countries must have learned of the civil unrest in Guangdong and Guangxi and want to take advantage of the chaos!"

"Immediately notify the Chief Secretary to quell the riots and stabilize the rear as soon as possible!"

He gave the order in a cold voice, and the attendant beside him immediately obeyed and withdrew.

"Your Highness, we must request aid from the imperial court now!"

Master Qian's voice was solemn.