Novel Full Chapter 1057 - 112: Am I Really That Shallow?
Chapter 1057: Chapter 112: Am I Really That Shallow?
The Prince of Chu has not returned for a long time, and court rumors have begun to surface, claiming that he was assassinated on his way back to the capital. The events from several years ago seem to be repeating themselves.
Half of the ministers believe that the Prince of Chu’s delay in returning must mean something happened to him on his journey, perhaps something truly terrible. The remaining half, however, think this is all part of the Prince of Chu’s elaborate charade, intentionally delaying his return to make them believe he has perished.
They are certain the Prince of Chu is up to some conspiracy, and they refuse to be fooled. They remember all too well the events of previous years, they won’t be as gullible as the dethroned Crown Prince’s faction.
The ministers who are convinced the Prince of Chu is unharmed are pondering over what trick he might be playing this time, or whether the Emperor has secretly instructed him to undertake some mission. Could it be that the Emperor’s order for the Prince of Chu to relieve the North was just a cover for another task?
The ministers in court love to speculate, and this line of thinking only reinforces the idea that the Prince of Chu has another purpose in the North.
What could have happened in the North to make the Emperor dispatch the Prince of Chu?
Aha, before the Prince of Chu and Prince Dai went to the North, the Emperor had sent General Chu to the Northern Border Camp. General Deng at the Northern Border Camp is seriously ill, and the Emperor sent General Chu to take command of the camp. Could it be that something has happened there?
There were rumors before that General Deng’s illness was caused by poison given by his son, who wanted to take control of the Northern Border Camp. It’s also heard that his son may be secretly colluding with Prince Han of Youzhou. Are these rumors true? Is that why the Emperor sent the Prince of Chu to the North to relieve the disaster?
It’s somewhat believable that General Deng might have been poisoned by his son, but the claim that his son is in league with Prince Han is harder to accept.
Even if his son truly managed to associate with Prince Han, Prince Han wouldn’t dare to let him poison his father and seize military power in the North.
Even if Prince Han is a dimwit, he wouldn’t recklessly attempt to take control of the Northern military. If the Emperor found out, Prince Han would face severe punishment.
The Northern Border Camp is the guardian of Great Zhou, and its commanders are all loyal to the Emperor. If any Prince dares to meddle with the camp, the Emperor will show no mercy. Prince Dai has led troops for years and has spent time at the Northern Border Camp, yet he never dared to covet its military power. Where would Prince Han get the nerve to touch the camp?
Prince Han cooperating with General Deng’s son seems far-fetched; it must be solely a matter concerning General Deng’s son.
There’s no need for concern about General Deng’s son; even General Deng himself can be handled by sending General Chu, so why specifically send the Prince of Chu? Is there something else strange about General Deng’s poisoning and illness?
Now, Prince Dai is also at the Northern Border Camp, defending against the Xiongnu army alongside General Chu. Could it be that the Emperor fears Prince Dai might seize the opportunity to take control, thus sending the Prince of Chu secretly to monitor him?
If Prince Dai truly had such intentions, having General Chu monitor him would be sufficient. Why send the Prince of Chu?
Is there possibly an enormous secret hidden at the Northern Border Camp?
What earth-shaking secret could exist in a border military camp?
Could there be someone in the Northern Border Camp colluding with the Xiongnu?
If there’s someone colluding with the Xiongnu, then the Emperor sending the Prince of Chu to investigate is not surprising.
The Prince of Chu has not returned to the capital yet; could he have discovered evidence and been pursued by someone within the Northern Border Camp?
Some ministers increasingly feel their speculations are accurate. The thought of someone in the Northern Border Camp having the audacity to collude with the Xiongnu fills them with terror.
Oh dear... something serious has happened! When the Prince of Chu returns, the court will be in chaos again! Given the Emperor’s temperament and methods, there may be widespread purges, and they might be implicated despite their innocence.
They know nothing, have thought of nothing.
Ministers sharing similar thoughts exist among Prince Jing’s faction and Prince Wei’s faction.
To them, they fervently wish the Prince of Chu really perished on his way back to the capital. However, they know the Prince of Chu is not so easily killed. The absence of news from the Prince of Chu must mean he is alive and well.
Their concern now is whether the Prince of Chu’s return will incite chaos again, much like when he previously survived the attempts on his life by the dethroned Crown Prince’s faction and brought back evidence of their clandestine weapons manufacturing. Moreover, they are most curious about what earth-shattering news the Prince of Chu may bring back from the North.