Chapter 1244 - 306: Wolves’ Smoke and Flames (Part 4)

Chapter 1244: Chapter 306: Wolves’ Smoke and Flames (Part 4)

Indeed, it should be resolute.

Lord Zheng returned to Snow Sea Gate at night,

After sending the exhausted princess back to the rear courtyard to rest, Lord Zheng immediately convened a military council meeting at Snow Sea Gate. All officers above the rank of admiral attended, and three orders were issued:

First, all registered soldiers within and outside Snow Sea Gate are to cease production and gather for battle preparations;

Second, control internal demand and conduct war-time storage;

Third, all workshops and Tianji Ge are to start making siege weapons with full effort;

After these three orders were issued,

The leaders of various commands sitting there showed shock on their faces, and immediately, there was wild joy!

It’s going to be a big war,

Not against the Snow Plains,

But against Chu State.

The reason is simple,

Why would you build siege equipment when attacking Snow Plains tribes?

Is there a city on the Snow Plains for you to attack?

Outside Snow Sea Gate, there are indeed two or three castles built by the former Dacheng State, but the wild tribes have long withdrawn from those castles, and no one dares to occupy them. Meanwhile, due to a series of reasons like manpower shortages, Snow Sea Gate temporarily doesn’t bother sending people to garrison them.

Even if Lord Zheng wanted to rebel, it wouldn’t be possible. Firstly, Lord Zheng just returned from receiving awards in the capital; secondly, if he intended to rebel, he shouldn’t be actively building siege equipment but rather preparing to defend against Lord Jingnan leading an army to attack Snow Sea Gate.

Therefore,

It must be against Chu State,

And a true attack!

Travel-worn, with chapped lips, Lord Zheng sat at the head seat,

Scanning the various commanders below with his gaze,

He said:

"Please, everyone, assist me in getting enfeoffed!"

...

Qian State’s Jiangnan is known for its rich culture, where poetry, ballads, and the charming courtesans seem to have imbued the winds of Jiangnan with a literary fragrance;

While Chu State’s Ing Capital City is known for its romance; as summer approaches, it is the perfect time when cold and warm are suitable, making it the season when Chu gentlemen are most uninhibited and carefree.

Outside Ing Capital City, there is a river called Mee River. Though called a river, it is actually a stream.

It’s said that when Duke of Chu was locating the capital site, Fire Phoenix landed in this river as if searching for some spiritual essence, and thus it got its name.

Various grand events unfold along Mee River outside Ing Capital City.

There is singing and dancing,

There is music,

There are scholars,

There are arts, chess, calligraphy, and painting,

There is even wrestling, beast combat, etc.

Among Chu region’s nobility, most of the noble families have their direct descendants living or serving in Ing Capital City, so their entertainment activities are extremely varied.

Along the banks of Mee River, it truly is bustling. Normally, the Chu Emperor also dons the White Dragonfish Uniform to join the festivities with the people and the nobility. The former Chu Emperor even personally defeated five wrestlers in the Mee River wrestling arena and became the champion, a story passed down as a legend.

For those not fond of the noise,

There are options for quiet and indulgence,

For example,

During this season, Chu people often walk barefoot by Mee River, as they believe the water of Mee River, favored by the Fire Phoenix, is pure and can cleanse themselves of dust and misfortune.

This year,

Because the Yan Army unexpectedly pressured Town South Pass in the first half year, the atmosphere around Ing Capital City was tense for months. Now, as the war subsides, there is a backlash in leisure, and the people of Ing Capital City want to make up for the missed pleasures of the first half year with more extravagant means.

A flower boat floats on the surface of Mee River.

Four people sit on the flower boat.

The prominent person is a young man, at the age just transitioning from childhood but still with traces of innocence. He is of noble identity, being the eighth prince of Chu State and the regent’s most beloved brother.

To his left sits Zui Cha, a member of the Zui Clan;

To his right sits Si Kang, whose father was promoted from a servant during the previous emperor’s reign, thereby elevating the family.

However, due to General Nian Yao’s extremely illustrious status, nowadays those noble by servitude always reference Nian Yao, though before Nian Yao, they would always mention the Si family.

Opposite the Eighth Prince is Jing Renli.

The Zui Clan and Jing Clan, along with the Qu Clan, are the oldest noble families in Chu State. They accompanied Duke of Chu on border expansions. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Chu State has an official position called Sanli Doctor, whose duties include presiding over ancestral temple rites and managing the education of the noble Qu, Jing, and Zui clan descendants, highlighting the prominent status of these three clans in Dacheng.

"Did Brother Renli not see Sister Liqing at Snow Sea Gate?"

The Eighth Prince asked with a smile.

Jing Renli was recommended by General Nian Yao, and it’s said he once faced the notorious Southern Marquis of Yan alone at night, earning a summons from the regent, and later was sent as a private envoy to Snow Sea Gate to deliver the princess’s dowry.

Actually,

The dowry sent by Chu State’s royal family to Snow Sea Gate and the Yan Emperor’s grand reception for the Chu princess, allowing her to stay overnight at the palace, has the same significance. Although Yan and Chu are enemy states, in the Ji Family’s eyes, there are only those two families in history and status that can stand on equal ground with them.

The Yu family no longer counts; only the Xiong family remains.

The Chu royal family sending a dowry isn’t bowing down; it’s a matter of protocol, maintaining dignity.

Jing Renli promptly responds cautiously:

"To answer His Highness, Zheng Fan and the princess are not at Snow Sea Gate; they have gone to Yan State’s capital."

"Oh, they’ve gone to Yanjing, haha, they’re using my imperial sister to boast, sigh."

Zui Cha chuckled, saying: "Yan people, uncivilized and strong-smelling, love to do such things."

This compares the Yan people to poor relatives who, when possessing something good, rush to boast about it.