Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 141: Chapter 139 Decision

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruoling suddenly became anxious: ”Father, how can you let the Princely Heir go to deliver the royal decree?”

The outside world is too chaotic, too dangerous.

He is the Princely Heir, with many guards, and is also a Grandmaster, but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous.

How can it compare to staying safely in the Inner City?

His cultivation advanced so rapidly that if he stayed in the Inner City a little longer, his cultivation would progress even further, and only then could he leave the city with peace of mind.

Chu Zhiyuan frowned and said, somewhat confused, ”This doesn’t seem right. Shouldn’t it be the Ministry of War’s task to deliver the decree, not us from the Ministry of Rites?”

”Regardless of which department’s decree it is, delivering the decree is the task of our Ministry of Rites.” Xiao Youping sighed, ”If you don’t go, then us old folks have to.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Because of my status as the Princely Heir?”

Xiao Youping sighed, ”Only the Princely Heir and Prince can quickly quell the soldiers’ anger and boost their morale.”

Considering the defeat, particularly this reason for defeat, which soldier under Li Haoyuan is not furious and aggrieved?

At such a time, without someone of sufficient status and weight to pacify, to go and declare Li Haoyuan’s punishment, it would be difficult to calm these soldiers; it might even lead to their collapse and directly becoming deserters.

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression was heavy.

He never expected to leave the city so quickly, always thought he wouldn’t leave the Inner City for a while, the task of delivering the decree would only be within the Inner City, and tasks outside the city wouldn’t fall to him.

”When do we set off?” Chu Zhiyuan slowly asked.

”In two days.” Xiao Youping replied.

Xiao Ruoyu hastily said, ”Then what about the martial arts contest with Li Hongzhao?”

Xiao Youping slowly said, ”Postpone it until you return to the capital.”

”Then let’s postpone it.” Xiao Ruoling hurriedly said.

Xiao Ruoyu nodded along.

Postponing is most advantageous for Chu Zhiyuan, whose rapid progress is unimaginable; postponing for a while might mean a dramatic breakthrough in cultivation.

”How about advancing it instead?” Chu Zhiyuan looked towards the direction of the Imperial Palace and said slowly, ”A victory is needed now, and I can use the momentum of victory to head northwest to deliver the decree to General Li.”

Xiao Youping sighed and slowly nodded, ”Indeed advancing is better.”

But the key now is whether the Princely Heir can win. If he wins, he can use the momentum of victory to go to the Northern Territory and successfully pacify the defeated soldiers.

If he can’t win, then as a defeated general, it’s uncertain if he can go to the Northern Territory to deliver the decree. It’s very possible that he will be replaced.

Being replaced would be a blow to the Princely Heir’s reputation, adding insult to injury.

From a benefit perspective, it’s also a loss.

Going to the Northern Territory isn’t so dangerous, and there will be a Great Grandmaster accompanying. Not going would miss an opportunity to achieve great merit.

This merit is at least a Sixth Grade or even Fifth Grade, and if done well, a Fourth Grade is possible.

Chu Zhiyuan very much needs merit to exchange for cultivation resources; missing it would be a pity.

”Princely Heir, are you confident?” Xiao Ruoyu asked hastily.

His heart was in suspense, feeling nervous.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”I can only do my best.”

Xiao Ruoling’s deep and bright eyes flickered, obviously quickly running her brain, thinking of ways to avoid trouble.

She whispered, ”Feign illness?”

”This time we can only advance, not retreat.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”These little tricks won’t work.”

He didn’t need to guess to know, the Emperor is very angry now.

If it were usual times, playing small tricks would not matter much, and even if the Emperor saw through it, he wouldn’t pursue it. But not now.

Playing small tricks would only make the Emperor more angry.

How then would we extract benefits in the future?

Xiao Ruoling sighed, ”Knowing the Ninth Princess’s temper, she won’t hold back. She will certainly try her best to defeat you.”

As a Princess of Da Meng, of course she would seize the moment to launch an attack, taking advantage of the low morale across Da Jing’s court and society, to mercilessly step on them, shattering the Da Jing courtiers’ fighting spirit, which is the best move.

This opportunity, Li Hongzhao will not miss.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

Disciples of the Phoenix Sword Sect are fierce and domineering, they definitely won’t be softhearted at such times; instead, they are more excited and tough.

Da Jing and Da Meng are enemies, both will try every means to defeat or even kill the other.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Xiao Ruoling: ”Ruoling, if Li Hongzhao invites you again, stall her for now, wait until after the contest.”

”Okay.” Xiao Ruoling’s bright eyes flickered.

She guessed Chu Zhiyuan’s worries.

Xiao Ruoyu looked at them confused.

Xiao Ruoling said, ”Just afraid the Ninth Princess would play tricks, distracting the Princely Heir by dealing with me.”

”Really?” Xiao Ruoyu was surprised, ”This is a contest, isn’t it a fair match under everyone’s eyes? Would she, a princess, use such underhanded tactics?”

”Naïve!” Xiao Ruoling laughed, ”On the surface, it’s aboveboard, but privately, if she can use underhanded tricks, she will, ... shall we give the Ninth Princess some small trouble via the court?”

Xiao Ruoyu hurriedly said, ”What small trouble?”

”Have the court send people to harass, like from the Military Suppression Department or the Inspection Department,” Xiao Ruoling said, ”Surely the Ninth Princess has many spies around her, let the Inspection Department purge some spies, it would affect the Ninth Princess’s mental state, also from the Military Suppression Department, send some experts to attack the Four Directions Pavilion.”

”Attacking the Four Directions Pavilion is no good.” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It would damage our Da Jing’s dignity, Martial Arts experts shouldn’t be used.”

A rabble, too prone to failure.

He had seen many records from the Inspection Department and Tongtian Pavilion, deeply understanding one point: Martial Arts experts must not be relied upon.

Trying to have them accomplish something often results in a mess.

No matter how powerful the force is, if not tightly controlled, it tends to fragment into chaos, not only failing to accomplish anything but even ruining everything.

”Then let military experts disguise as Martial Arts experts?” Xiao Ruoling asked.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Purging spies is fine, as for attacking the Four Directions Pavilion, there are two Great Grandmasters overseeing it, making it very difficult to cause chaos.”

”Purging spies isn’t quick,” Xiao Ruoling said, ”On the contrary, the latter method is simpler and quicker.”

Chu Zhiyuan put down his chopsticks: ”To the Inspection Department, it’s not that hard.”

His understanding of the Inspection Department was much deeper than others, knowing the wide reach of their espionage, especially within the Da Jing Dynasty.

Yujing even more so.

It wasn’t hard to capture a batch of Da Meng spies in a short time.

Xiao Youping chuckled, ”You two... these small tricks, let it go, the court won’t stoop to that, but Ling’er, you indeed should not go out again, lest you provide an opportunity.”

”Yes.” Xiao Ruoling agreed.

Chu Zhiyuan stood and said, ”Then I shall go back first, Father-in-law, I’ll take my leave.”

Xiao Youping didn’t insist, ”Ling’er, see him off for me.”

”Okay.” Xiao Ruoling agreed.

The two walked out of the front hall side by side, heading towards the main gate.

Xiao Ruoling whispered, ”Be careful of the Ninth Princess, she hides her strength deeply as well.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with a smile.

Xiao Ruoling saw him to the gate of Duke An Mansion, watching Chu Zhiyuan wave his hand, gradually leaving surrounded by guards.

She immediately felt an emptiness in her heart.

...

Returning to the Prince Mansion, Chu Zhiyuan saw Huang Cheng, dressed in a purple robe, drinking tea in the front hall.

Chu Minghou and Bai Ningshuang were not present, and Chu Yi wouldn’t come, so only Feng Xi was there accompanying, the two chatting warmly.

Huang Cheng brought the Emperor’s decree, as well as inquiries, seeking his opinion.

Whether to delay or advance the martial contest with Li Hongzhao.

The contest venue would be arranged outside Qitian Palace.