Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 403: Chapter 400 Details

Gao Lingfeng hurriedly said, ”But if this goes on, where will the court’s dignity be?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly, ”The court’s dignity is forged through the military. Indeed, the Eastern Territory is becoming more and more unruly.”

The Eastern Territory has indeed reached a point where change is necessary.

But how to change, and who will make the change, are the real issues.

No one wants to touch the Eastern Territory.

Members of the royal family and high-ranking officials know that dealing with the Eastern Territory is akin to poking a hornet’s nest; it is destined to have a bad outcome.

Chu Zhiyuan certainly has no inclination to do so.

As the Princely Heir himself feels this way, let alone others.

Counting on his fingers, only a few princes could handle it.

But these princes wouldn’t bother with such matters.

The Emperor trusts Chu Qingyan and Chu Qingfeng the most; they each have their own responsibilities.

Moreover, they must be kept safe and cannot be pushed into such a pit of fire.

The other princes are either incompetent, selfish, or lack the necessary abilities.

”Your Highness,” Gao Lingfeng said solemnly, ”Even if the Military Suppression Department takes the blame, we must quickly clear out Dayu Camp. Otherwise, other towns or camps might imitate this, and the situation will become even more chaotic.”

Chu Zhiyuan looked at him.

Gao Lingfeng’s expression was calm and composed.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”It is rare to see someone like you, Master Gao, with such a perspective. Let’s not rush; first, we should clarify the cause of the matter.”

”But the news from the Military Suppression Department...”

”The news from the Military Suppression Department is only one-sided and cannot be fully trusted. I shall go to the Inspection Department to see what messages they have before making a decision.”

”...Yes,” Gao Lingfeng replied reluctantly, cupping his fists.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Originally, this was a matter for the Ministry of War. Since the court has not yet issued an order, it is truly unwise for us to approach them voluntarily.”

”...Yes,” Gao Lingfeng nodded.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed, ”Master Gao, the way of an official starts with self-preservation before achieving deeds. One must not easily put oneself in a passive position.”

”Yes,” Gao Lingfeng looked grateful, ”I was too impulsive.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”It is commendable that Master Gao’s passion has not cooled down. However, the more it is at times like this, the less one should act impulsively.”

”Yes,” Gao Lingfeng cupped his fists, ”I shall take my leave.”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded.

He watched Gao Lingfeng’s departing figure, lost in thought.

Is Gao Lingfeng truly impassioned and impulsive, or is there another reason?

Does he have any connections with Jihai Town?

He closed his eyes and quickly thought of Gao Lingfeng’s hometown.

Gao Lingfeng’s hometown is Ninghai Town.

Adjacent to Jihai Town.

Does Gao Lingfeng worry that the chaotic situation in Jihai Town will implicate Ninghai Town?

Everyone has their own selfish motives; no one can be completely selfless as it defies human nature.

He has never required such rigorous standards before; Gao Lingfeng is already quite rare.

——

”Your Highness, these are all the reports from Jihai Town and Dayu Camp,” Ma Tianhe said, bowing and smiling obsequiously as he pointed to the dossier box on the table, ”All the information from the last ten years is here.”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled slightly, ”Thank you for your effort.”

”Your Highness, it’s nothing,” Ma Tianhe quickly smiled.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Has anything unusual happened with the Ninth Prince recently?”

”The Ninth Prince has been quite well-behaved lately, seeing no one, mostly staying in the Four Directions Pavilion,” replied Ma Tianhe.

”Still drinking and enjoying every night?”

”Yes.”

”He’s indeed quite carefree,” Chu Zhiyuan said as he opened the dossier, ”How is the investigation at Linglong Bookstore going?”

”At least two oirans are problematic, but they don’t seem to be spies.”

”Possessing martial arts skills but not being spies?”

”Yes.”

”Are they part of a secret sect cultivating in the worldly realm?”

”Seems like it.”

”Can’t figure out which sect?” Chu Zhiyuan asked.

He rapidly scanned the dossiers, talking to Ma Tianhe without any hindrance.

”I was afraid of alerting them, so I didn’t send anyone to probe,” Ma Tianhe admitted.

”Then let it be,” Chu Zhiyuan said.

Ma Tianhe added, ”Although Linglong Bookstore isn’t much, I feel that from the bookstore to the Four Directions Pavilion, there are at least four Da Meng spies exchanging messages with the Ninth Prince from time to time.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Just keep watching. Don’t rush to capture them.”

”Yes,” Ma Tianhe nodded solemnly.

Chu Zhiyuan closed his mouth and began to concentrate on reading.

Ma Tianhe tactfully withdrew quietly.

Chu Zhiyuan read through all the dossiers on the table in one go, reviewing all the information about Jihai Town over the past ten years and gaining a general understanding of the situation there.

Ding Shaoqiang, the General of Jihai Town, could be described as someone obsessed with achievements.

Yet, the Eastern Territory has no warfare, and there is no chance for military exploits, so they build ships instead.

Each warship constructed is considered a significant achievement.

But building warships is no easy task; otherwise, it wouldn’t be such an accomplishment.

Logging, trimming, sanding, painting, constructing, installing, filling—complicated and challenging.

Especially the logging, which requires the hardest wood, often found in deep forests, necessitating long treks on difficult paths, with dangers from wild animals and bandits.

Transporting these giant logs out is extremely difficult, and once out, working in the seaside winds causes cracked hands and frostbitten skin as commonplace.

It is indeed a grueling task.

Especially in winter.

The Eastern Territory snows alike, is equally cold, and yet the seawater does not freeze, so ships can still be sailed and built.

He then forced the military towns under his rule not to rest and, hoping to curry favor before the Lantern Festival, demanded accelerated construction and urgently pressed them on.

He even sent overseers to whip the soldiers as if they were laborers.

The soldiers in his jurisdiction, exhausted and overburdened, could no longer endure and, enraged, refused to obey orders, eventually killing the General’s trusted aides sent for suppression.

According to the intelligence Chu Zhiyuan saw, General Ding Shaoqiang ordered his personal soldiers to kill without mercy.

A few personal soldiers carried out the order and directly killed two leaders.

This led to the entire Dayu Camp’s fury, causing the soldiers to kill the personal soldiers.

Killing the personal soldiers meant there was no turning back, as Ding Shaoqiang would certainly send an army to annihilate them.

Therefore, they seized the camp’s weapons and fled into the adjoining deep forest.

Familiar with the paths of these deep forests from logging for military ships, the entire Jihai Town found itself helpless against these 3,500 men.

The news was initially concealed, but eventually, the Imperial Censor heard of it, and with a memorial, the matter exploded.

The court was rocked.

Within a single morning, every citizen in Yujing City knew.

The Da Jing Court is like a sieve, the news spreading quickly beyond its walls.

Moreover, Da Jing’s citizens enjoy political discussions. News from morning court sessions is on the table at breakfast, with everyone feeling like significant court ministers, each eager to offer an opinion.

Concerning this matter, the court is still debating whether to send an army directly or first recall Ding Shaoqiang.

To pacify or to suppress.

Both sides have their reasons, and the debate is heated.

Court officials argue, while the entire populace of Yujing City also debates, each holding their own viewpoints and refuting others.

The whole Yujing City is bustling, with everyone’s attention fixed on Jihai Town.

The once-obscure coastal military town suddenly became famous, nearly known by everyone.

Ding Shaoqiang’s name was also known to almost everyone, often regarded with contempt obviously for his greed and pettiness.

After reading, Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Ding Shaoqiang has been requesting court aid, seeking assistance from experts of the Military Suppression Department.

Not actually to deal with any Martial Arts masters.

Within the deep forests, soldiers from the military town are neglecting their duties, their morale completely collapsed, rendering them powerless against the soldiers from Dayu Camp.