The Demonic Crown Prince

"However, Your Highness, we spent over 50,000 taels of silver today. Some of these things are really not cheap."

If we keep spending like this, the money won't be enough.

Wang Wanquan subtly reminded Li Yuan.

"It's alright, we can earn more money if we lose it all." Li Yuan waved his hand, signaling him to leave with his men.

"You can even make money?" Jiang Zhanyue asked in confusion.

"Absolutely, there are countless ways to make money," Li Yuan laughed.

"Like that 500,000 taels of silver that was swindled from the Second Prince?" Jiang Zhanyue glanced at him.

"You've heard about it too? I'm just asking, didn't you do a great job?"

These words struck a nerve with Li Yuan.

"Just a clever trick," Jiang Zhanyue said indifferently.

"That's five hundred thousand taels of silver. Do you think you can swindle just anyone?"

Li Yuan was indignant.

"Just clever tricks." Jiang Zhanyue turned his head and continued riding forward, a smile playing on his lips.

This guy can be as serious as a child sometimes, which is kind of cute.

After bidding farewell to Wang Wanquan, the two continued towards the palace.

……

"Damn the Western Wilderness Kingdom, how dare they bully Daye like this! Since that's the case, we must teach them a lesson and let them know that Daye is not so easy to manipulate."

"Which of you can represent Daye in battle?"

Inside the imperial court, after the Western Wilderness delegation had left, Emperor Jinglong roared at his ministers.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, the first choice should be none other than Jiang Zhanyue, the most valiant general in the army!"

Xu Rui, holding his scepter, spoke up, because he hated Li Yuan, and by extension, he also hated Jiang Zhanyue!

Although the military officers all knew he had ulterior motives and were extremely disdainful of him, they really couldn't find a second candidate.

"Zhan Yue? Hmm, not bad, she's one. Who else?"

Emperor Jinglong nodded; this was also the person he had in mind.

"The bravest warriors in the army are all in the Imperial Guards of the capital region. Apart from Jiang Zhanyue, another deputy commander, Xu Guanjia, is also exceptionally brave."

Liu Yuwen, Minister of War, held his official tablet as he spoke.

Unexpectedly, just as he finished speaking, Zhao Shanhe, the Privy Councilor, interjected, "Xu Guanjia has contracted a stroke and is suffering from a splitting headache. He just informed me that he needs to rest and recuperate for a few days, and I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in the battle."

"Then let's choose again. Who do you think is more suitable?" Emperor Jinglong said.

A group of military officers began to argue, and after discussing for a long time, they came up with another candidate: Yan Poshan, the chief instructor of the Imperial Guards, who was known as the number one inner guard of the imperial city!

The Imperial Guards, also known as the Feathered Forest Guards, are the imperial guards dedicated to protecting the capital's palace. They are all selected from the strongest military elites, so you can imagine how strong the person who can serve as the chief instructor must be.

However, apart from Jiang Zhanyue and Yan Poshan, the remaining spot was difficult to secure.

Because the people recommended were all roughly the same, none of them were particularly outstanding.

"Is it really that difficult to choose the remaining person?" Emperor Jinglong asked, frowning.

The group fell silent, deep in thought.

Xu Rui and Liu Yuwen's faction wanted to "recommend" Li Yuan, but it would be too obvious, especially if Li Yuan died on the stage. If Emperor Jinglong were to be enraged, they would surely suffer.

The others were well aware of the mess in this matter. Although many military officers thought Li Yuan was suitable, who would want to be used as a pawn?

Moreover, he is a member of the royal family, the former crown prince, and now the King of Qin. If anything goes wrong, the recommender will definitely be in trouble!

Therefore, they didn't dare to act rashly. Just as they were racking their brains trying to figure out how to push Li Yuan forward, a guard eunuch on duty reported, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin and Jiang Zhanyue, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Region, have come together to request to enter the palace, saying they have important information to report!"

"Summon them!" Emperor Jinglong nodded.

Shortly after, Li Yuan entered the palace.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he couldn't help but feel suspicious seeing the somber expressions on the faces of everyone in the hall.

What's going on?

He entered the court through a side door, so he didn't see the delegation from the Western Wilderness Kingdom. Otherwise, he would have been able to guess something about them.

Jiang Zhanyue was also puzzled. Why were all the people staring at them with such strange looks?

The eyes of the military generals were gleaming, while the eyes of the civil officials were all different, which was quite wrong.

"Father..." Li Yuan began, but was interrupted by Emperor Jinglong, "Wait a moment, I have something to inform you first..."

Emperor Jinglong then briefly recounted what had just happened.

"Jiang Zhanyue, everyone has recommended you as one of the candidates for this martial arts competition. Do you have any objections?"

Emperor Jinglong looked at Jiang Zhanyue and asked.

"I have no objection. In the Battle of Lanhe, all the men in my family perished on the battlefield. The hatred between the nation and my family is deeper than the sea."

Therefore, I thank Your Majesty and all the important officials of the court for giving Zhan Yue an opportunity to fight for the country and avenge himself on another battlefield!

Jiang Zhanyue bowed in response.

"Good, good, good! I knew it! Zhan Yue, you will live up to everyone's expectations!"

Emperor Jinglong laughed loudly.

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes. Although it was too rushed for him to figure out what was going on, he had a feeling that something was not quite right.

But one thing is certain: judging from the looks in the eyes of the courtiers around him, there's probably a trap here, and many of them are eager to jump in.

However, judging from the eyes of those generals, they seemed very eager and genuinely hoped that he could participate, because he had indeed defeated Jiang Zhanyue, and in just one round.

Even Emperor Jinglong glanced at him, but he knew better than anyone that Emperor Jinglong wanted him to go on stage. However, this was a matter of life and death, and he was somewhat reluctant to do so, and he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Therefore, he could understand that the emperor was currently experiencing extreme contradictions and inner turmoil.

Li Yuan's mind raced, and he made a decision in an instant: Damn, it's just a fight, right?

Lao Tzu is now incredibly strong, which is actually an opportunity for me to gain even more opportunities!

Yes, it's better to be proactive than passive. Let's do it!

"Father, your son has a report to make!"

Li Yuan bowed and said.

"Speak," Emperor Jinglong said calmly.

"Your subject is worried about how to immediately serve your homeland and prove your determination. Therefore, I humbly request that Your Majesty and the important officials in the court give your subject an opportunity to participate in this martial arts competition, to demonstrate the prestige of the Great Ye Kingdom, and to prove your subject's sincerity!"

"Hereby, your son requests permission to fight!"

Li Yuan said loudly.

"Wow..." A gasp of amazement erupted in front of the hall.

"Loyal, righteous, and passionate; with a strong sense of responsibility—well done, King Qin!"

"The King of Qin's passionate and fiery spirit truly befits his former status as crown prince!"

"Your Majesty, how about you check out my daughter? She's a bit chubby, but once she loses weight, she'll be a stunning beauty!"

A group of military officers beamed with pride, giving a thumbs-up in unison, while someone else began promoting their own daughter.

Even the way a group of civil officials looked at him changed. Although many were secretly pleased, many more unconsciously showed a hint of respect and admiration.

Prime Minister Zhang Yue gave him a deep look, then lowered his eyelids again.

Meanwhile, Privy Councilor Zhao Shanhe raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression relaxing.

After a while, everyone looked at Emperor Jinglong to see what he would decide!