2026-04-21 23:26:50
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Chapter 169
“Father, I want to join the militia!”Zhu Wuliu held a hoe in his hand, his face brimming with excitement.“You cowardly brat, join the militia my ass. I’ll go for our family,” Zhu Da snapped back.In the Zhu family courtyard, Zhu Wuliu was protesting to his father. The latest newspaper had just come in, announcing that each village would organize a hundred-man militia to patrol, maintain order, and catch barbarian spies.And apparently, militiamen would even be given their own uniforms.“Why not me? I want to catch barbarian spies too! Those bastards dared to harm our Prince Qi. I’m gonna smash their skulls with my hoe!” Zhu Wuliu declared.“Why not you? Because I’m your father, that’s why. And I’m the squad leader. This squad listens to me. Now scram!” Zhu Da glared fiercely at his son.At that moment, Zhu Wuliu’s mother walked over and said, “Your father’s right. When you’ve married a wife and had a child, then we’ll stop interfering. For now, just behave and stay home. Tomorrow yo
Chapter 168
iment came rushing back again.‘What a familiar experience,’ Xiao Ming thought. As he stood and patted himself down, he was overcome with a surreal feeling — he was alive!In front of him, Li San was straddling Li Kaiyuan, punching his face over and over again.The dock was in chaos. Qin family’s merchant ship was slowly sinking in flames, and the violent explosion had affected nearby vessels as well.From time to time, cries of agony echoed from within the ships.“Qin Chuan Yun, the steppe tribes — you’ve succeeded in enraging this prince.” Xiao Ming’s eyes were hollow, and his quiet voice sounded as though it had risen from the abyss.He kicked Li San. “Enough. Is this really the time for internal strife? I don’t care how you do it. You must bring Qin Chuan Yun back to me. I want his corpse hung from the gates of Cangzhou City!”Li San got up, seething. Had it not been for Li Kaiyuan’s words defending the Qin family, they never would have entered the ship in the first place.Had Xia
Chapter 167
“Li San, I order you to immediately send people to monitor all medical clinics. Do not let anyone who buys medicine for bruises and injuries escape surveillance.”In the Qi Prince’s residence, Xiao Ming spoke solemnly to Li San.Li San had already learned about the burning of the government estate on his way back. At present, Wang Xuan was in Cangzhou City, responsible for gathering intelligence on the grasslands, while Li San handled affairs within the fiefdom.This incident filled him with guilt because he had received no prior warning.“Your subordinate has already arranged for a secret investigation upon arriving,” Li San hesitated before continuing, “By the way, Your Highness, these past few days, I’ve had the covert guards keep an eye on merchants returning from the grasslands. A few of them behaved suspiciously—after entering Qingzhou City, they snooped around everywhere and even lingered near the workshop district and the Machinery Department.”“Are you saying these merchants
Chapter 166
The pitch-black night was dyed crimson by raging flames, the acrid stench of smoke thick in the air.In front of the official granary, the pungent scent of scorched wheat stabbed at Xiao Ming’s heart like a blade.This was months of rations for the Qingzhou Army… months of rations.“Your Highness!”A loud shout rang out, accompanied by urgent hoofbeats. Niu Ben and Lu Fei arrived with the Qingzhou troops.“Those damn bastards! Who did this?!” Lu Fei roared furiously, charging into the fields and stomping on the burning stalks.Niu Ben’s face was like stone. Seeing Xiao Ming so stricken, he said, “Your Highness, now’s not the time for sorrow. We must stop the fire from spreading. If not, all the wheat will be gone—and the blaze will reach the villagers’ crops too.”Xiao Ming had only just arrived. Shaking off the haze of rage, he said, “Tell all soldiers to stop using water. Everyone start cutting the wheat along the burning edge. We’ll make a firebreak.”Niu Ben didn’t stop to ask wha
Chapter 165
The lone moon hung high, its silver light blanketing the earth like morning frost.In a small grove opposite the Qingzhou Army’s official estate, dozens of shadowy figures shifted among the trees, black silhouettes in the night.“Big Brother, what now? The estate is guarded day and night by the Qingzhou Army. There’s no chance to make a move,” whispered one of the men.Through gaps in the trees, one could clearly see the glint of moonlight reflecting off the soldiers’ silver armor.“Yeah, the wheat’s almost ready to harvest. If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late.”The man referred to as “Big Brother” was clad in black, the round silver moon reflected in his eyes. He spoke coldly, “Beishan Taiji will soon launch his attack on Cangzhou. The merchants from the steppe brought word—our mission is to disrupt the Qing Prince’s supply lines. No matter what, tonight we burn those wheat fields.”“Finally! I’ve been waiting for this. When did this brat Xiao Ming start calling the shots in Qingz
Chapter 164
The scent of wheat mingled with the earthy aroma of soil, wafting on the breeze. In the nearby river, gentle ripples shimmered under the sun.It was a peaceful and idyllic scene—standing there amid the fields, one could almost forget the looming threat of war. If not for the barbarians, this would’ve been a picture-perfect moment of rustic tranquility.After chatting a bit more about the upcoming harvest, Xiao Ming finally shared with Niu Ben, Lu Fei, and Luo Xin the news of the barbarian envoys’ arrival in Chang’an.“Just over two months?” Niu Ben frowned slightly.Xiao Ming noticed his expression and asked, “What is it, General?”Niu Ben replied solemnly, “Your Highness, the barbarian totem is the steppe wolf. They fight like wolves—cunning and treacherous. We must not trust their claim of ‘three months before their attack.’”“Exactly,” Lu Fei agreed. “From our experience fighting the barbarians, it’s clear they’ll use any means necessary to win. They lie, deceive, and strike when l
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