We'll have you impersonate the Crown Prince and create a prosperous era for the Great Qian Dyna

The Great Yue Pass.

After Zhou Tiancheng received the hostages, he led his troops into the pass.

This mission not only rescued the retired emperor but also brought back five thousand fine summer horses, making it a perfect success.

Zhou Tianze and Zheng Rong also arrived together.

Upon seeing Zhou Tiancheng, Zhou Tianze immediately spoke.

"Where is my imperial grandfather?"

"Send me to see my imperial grandfather immediately!"

Zhou Tiancheng didn't speak, but subconsciously turned his head to look at Zheng Rong.

Zheng Rong pursed her lips and made a downward pressing gesture with her palm.

Chou Tien-cheng understood instantly!

He spoke up immediately.

"There are still some doubts about the Emperor Emeritus's identity, so you cannot meet him for the time being. You must see Father Emperor first!"

Zhou Tianze looked furious.

"Fake Crown Prince, are you scared?"

"They're afraid I'll gain the Emperor's favor and steal your position as Crown Prince, so they'll find evidence that you're a fake Crown Prince!"

"Let me tell you! You're just an imposter! Don't think I don't know, my elder brother was killed by you long ago, you're just a substitute!"

If Zhou Tianze were in front of Zhou Rui, he might have restrained himself a bit.

But when he faced Zhou Tiancheng alone, the Third Prince completely lost control of his temper.

Upon hearing these words, Zheng Rong's pupils contracted sharply for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure, standing aside with his eyes downcast and pretending not to have heard anything.

Zhou Tiancheng was also furious.

This dog, it won't let go, huh?

Come on then!

On his own turf, how could he possibly be bullied by Zhou Tianze?

Zhou Tiancheng turned his head to look at Xinhua.

"What are you all standing there for?"

"The Third Prince has no military power, yet he mobilized 50,000 troops to invade Northern Xia, not only causing the deaths of 50,000 brothers but also killing the Northern Xia emperor whom I painstakingly captured!"

"Seize him! Give him fifty strokes of the cane, put him in a prison cart, and send him to the capital with the Emperor Emeritus!"

Zhou Tianze's pupils dilated.

"You dare!"

Zhou Tiancheng just smiled.

Zheng Rong, his own father-in-law.

Xinhua, Xiao Shi, and others were all famous generals in the northern frontier and also his subordinates.

The entire northern frontier felt like his home; in Zhou Tiancheng's eyes, it was already his territory.

What is there that he wouldn't dare to do?

"New General, just do it! Even if this matter reaches the Emperor's ears, I'll still be in the right!"

"By the way, when you're punishing my younger brother later, leave a few for me to do. I've been wanting to teach him a lesson for a while now."

"As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. How can I, as the elder brother, turn a blind eye to my younger brother's incompetence?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Tiancheng stood up.

When Zhou Tianze was arrested in Xinhua, he took off his armor, rolled up his sleeves, picked up an execution stick with great interest, and strode towards Zhou Tianze.

In front of hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the Great Yue Pass, Zhou Tianze was tied to a stool.

As for Zhou Tiancheng, the fake prince, he raised his stick and struck him down.

Snapped!

Zhou Tianze let out a pig-like scream, and after he finished screaming, he stared at Zhou Tiancheng with bloodshot eyes.

"I'm going to kill you!"

"How dare you!"

Seeing that he was still unconvinced, Zhou Tiancheng immediately waved to Xinhua.

"Pull his pants down!"

"Playing with your pants on just doesn't feel as fun!"

Xinhua glanced at Zhou Tiancheng in astonishment, thought for a moment, and finally walked over. Under Zhou Tianze's horrified gaze, he ripped off Zhou Tianze's pants.

Zhou Tianze was stunned.

He's a prince!

Having his pants pulled down in public, and even his private parts exposed, how could he bear such humiliation?

Before he could start cursing, Zhou Tiancheng struck him again with the stick.

Zhou Tianze let out a roar, then gritted his teeth and glared at Zhou Tiancheng.

"You bastard, you scoundrel, I'm going to kill you!"

"You son of a bitch! You son of a bitch!"

"I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold in the future!"

Seeing that he was still being stubborn, Zhou Tiancheng couldn't sit still any longer.

He glanced at the stick in his hand, casually tossed it aside, thought for a moment, ran to the side, grabbed a horsewhip, and lashed it out.

Snapped!

A crisp sound.

Zhou Tianze's buttocks were so raw that the flesh rolled over, and blood flowed out instantly, leaving his skin torn and bleeding.

Even Zheng Rong unconsciously clenched her buttocks.

It looks painful!

But Zhou Tiancheng was still not satisfied and lashed out with the whip again.

When Zhou Tianze ran out of curses, Zheng Rong and Xinhua and others quickly stepped forward to stop Zhou Tiancheng.

"Your Highness, if the fighting continues, the Third Prince will be in danger!"

At this moment, Zhou Tianze was on the verge of death.

Zhou Tiancheng then put away the whip and gave him a cold glance.

"Put him in the carriage, have him closely guarded, and send him to the capital along with the Emperor Emeritus for punishment!"

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's set off early and return to Kyoto as soon as possible!"

Zheng Rong hesitated for a moment, but finally took a step forward.

"Your Highness, are you truly going to send the Emperor Emeritus to the capital?"

His eyes were cold, carrying a hint of murderous intent.

Of course, this wasn't aimed at Zhou Tiancheng; it was aimed at the retired emperor.

Zhou Tiancheng hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

"Send him back. He's already left Beixia alive. We can't let him die at the hands of our own people."

Zheng Rong sighed.

"Your Highness, mercy to the enemy is cruelty to yourself."

When did the retired emperor become an enemy?

Zhou Tiancheng understood.

As soon as Zhou Tianze saw that he had returned to Dayue Pass, he immediately planned to go see the Emperor Emeritus, clearly wanting to win the Emperor Emeritus's favor.

Once the retired emperor returns to the capital, Zhou Rui will inevitably imprison him. At that time, Zhou Tianze will offer timely assistance, which will naturally cause the retired emperor to side with Zhou Tianze.

That's why Zheng Rong said those words, trying to persuade him to act decisively and kill the retired emperor directly.

But Zhou Tiancheng wasn't worried at all.

This is actually a good thing!

The more Zhou Tianze fawned over the retired emperor, the more dissatisfied Zhou Rui became with him.

How many more years can the retired emperor live?

But Zhou Rui is still in his prime!

Once Zhou Tianze has completely broken Zhou Rui's heart, Zhou Tiancheng will be safer.

As for the trouble it brings, what trouble could a retired emperor who has been missing for sixteen years possibly bring?

If Zhou Rui can't even handle this kind of situation, then he shouldn't be emperor.

Moreover, killing the retired emperor would not only add a stain to his own record of merits, but also prevent his fellow soldiers in the National Protection Army from receiving any rewards for their contributions. It would be the best outcome if they were not implicated.

Therefore, Zhou Tiancheng decisively rejected Zheng Rong's suggestion.

"My lord, my brothers are counting on these merits to escape the death penalty."

"If the Emperor Emeritus dies, they will have to go back to prison anyway. It's not worth sacrificing so many brothers for the sake of an Emperor Emeritus."

Seeing that Zheng Rong still looked worried, Zhou Tiancheng just smiled.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Get the Great Vietnam Pass ready as soon as possible, then we'll meet in Kyoto. I'll come to your house to propose marriage then."

Zheng Rong's face darkened instantly. Even when Zhou Tiancheng and the others returned to Kyoto, Zheng Rong did not see them off.

The main reason is that it's unnecessary. After all, the crown prince is going to become his son-in-law, and the more he sees it, the more annoyed he becomes.