Peace Order

Chapter 1853 - 2: Emperor Ying’s Maneuvers

But he found the documents he processed at the court every day to be incredibly dull, and though Li Guanyi was extremely formidable in battle, he could in no way breach Jiang Su’s defenses. The vast world, claiming to have an army of two hundred thousand, was in reality only engaging in skirmishes involving thousands to tens of thousands.

For the grand Daying Kingdom, supporting a battlefield of such intensity in terms of logistics posed not the slightest pressure.

All matters on the front line were entrusted to Jiang Su, allowing for peace of mind.

Thus gradually, he would attend court once every three days, then every five days, and eventually every seven or eight days. Wei Yiwen’s face turned white with rage, yet he barely managed to endure it, while Jiang Yuan initially only engaged in pleasure with women within the court.

But he quickly grew tired of these various activities.

Before this, he was a country’s prince, accustomed to indulging in exquisite music and cuisine, beauties from all directions. If he became an emperor and was still indulging in these things, wouldn’t this emperor’s ascension be in vain?!

In that year, A Ye Year Two—September.

Emperor Qin, Li Guanyi, and Daying Kingdom’s Grandmaster Jiang Su engaged in fierce battle at the border.

The two fought many times without a decisive victory.

Li Guanyi withdrew without fighting, frequently shifting positions, and along with Reconnoitre General of the Qilin Army, Nangong Wumeng, wandered across the land, excavating treasures buried within the territory of Ying Country.

Nangong Wumeng mocked, "Have you gone crazy over money?!"

"How is that possible..."

At the end of September, Nangong Wumeng went out for a walk, accidentally entering a canyon, discovering numerous minerals there. The Qilin Army stationed there began mining, under Jiang Su’s nose, extracting Ying Country’s resources, transporting them back, forging them into arrows, and then fighting the people of Ying Country with them.

Even Jiang Su’s mental state showed a hint of anger.

In battle, Prince Qin fought without defeat.

Emperor Ying, Jiang Yuan, summoned Minister Yang Da and the Master Architect Wen Kai to construct palaces, employing two million civilians monthly, extending south to Zaojian and north across Luobin. From the south of the Yangtze River and north of the Five Ridges, he transported rare woods and stones to the palace; also sought exotic plants, rare birds and beasts from across the seas to fill the gardens.

Jiang Yuan still maintained a habit of slowly expanding outward.

He naturally desired to step out and showcase his power.

But his mind remained clear, knowing he could not engage in such activities, so he merely mobilized civilians, utilizing the currently idle logistic manpower, proceeding to dig out the palace, wishing to gather the world’s wonders within the imperial palace.

When Wei Yiwen reproached him, Jiang Yuan simply replied:

"I am merely building a palace, not extravagantly wasting. Is there a king under heaven who has not built a palace?!"

"Even the late Emperor once built many palaces, and even constructed the Star-picking Tower for his mother. Why can the late Emperor do it, but I cannot?! Am I, the Emperor of this Daying Kingdom, the people’s Emperor, not allowed to enjoy a little?!

"Can it be that upon becoming Emperor, I must obey your orders?!"

"Otherwise, Prime Minister Wei, maybe you’d like to sit on this throne!?"

"Is there any king in the world who does not build palaces and fantastical structures to display imperial majesty and national grandeur?!"

Wei Yiwen’s hands trembled in anger.

The old minister blurted out, "Emperor Qin!"

As soon as the words were out, Wei Yiwen realized his mistake—the two words Emperor Qin were almost like a taboo to Jiang Yuan, causing great turbulence in his mental state as soon as mentioned.

Contrary to Wei Yiwen’s expectations, Jiang Yuan’s expression calmed down.

His eyes looked at Wei Yiwen, and he said:

"It seems that Prime Minister Wei holds that traitor emperor in high regard."

"If that’s the case, you might as well go to Jiangnan and join that traitor emperor’s ranks!"

The back of Wei Yiwen was soaked, and after a long silence, he could only say:

"The old minister dares not."

But he knew that after this outburst, he could no longer act as an elder minister to persuade him. Sighing, he still said: "But, Your Majesty’s palaces and gardens are really too large and excessively extravagant."

"Too much manpower is being used, causing harm to the people and wasting money."

Jiang Yuan was surprised, "Harm the people and waste money?!"

He laughed, this emperor of beautiful demeanor swept his sleeves, casually saying:

"Does the Prime Minister not know? The autumn harvest has already ended."

"Spring plowing has not begun, how can these months be considered harming the people?"

"Idle time is idle time."

These six words were like a sharp sword that stopped Wei Yiwen in his tracks, as if in those words, he glimpsed the true nature of this new emperor, who had the reputation of virtue.

Wei Yiwen began to feel uneasy.

After Wei Yiwen left, Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Yu Shiji said:

"Back then, Prime Minister Wei highly valued that Mr. Po Jun, only now it’s known that Mr. Po Jun was, in fact, his confidant from when he was young."

This casual remark made Jiang Yuan increasingly displeased with Wei Yiwen.

In September, he began constructing the palace.

It gradually grew larger and larger, ordinary spectacles could no longer satisfy him.

In A Ye Year Three.

Also at the beginning of Emperor Qin Year Three, Emperor Qin seemed to be locked in a mortal struggle with Jiang Su, not even returning during the New Year, persisting in the midwinter snow, wearing a dark cloak, pointing at Jiang Su and quarreling.

When tired of returning, he opened his mouth to nibble on a slightly blackened roasted bun.

Li Guanyi’s lips curled slightly.

A silver-haired girl quietly watched him, pointed at the bun with her finger, her face showing no excess emotion, saying, "There’s honey."

Li Guanyi grinned, and saw the Little Qilin lying there clutching its belly, limbs sprawled, evidently having been through something.