Chapter 2206: Changes in Xiluo State

The door panel shook its head: "About seven days ago, news came from the east that the ruler of Xiluo State died suddenly."

He Lingchuan frowned: "So young, and died suddenly?"

"His favorite concubine put a sleep-inducing drug in his soup, then strangled him."

He Lingchuan stopped in his tracks: "Do you know why she did it?"

How could a king die in such a stifling manner?

"After being captured by the palace guards, that favorite concubine laughed maniacally, bled from her seven orifices, and died— the palace guards didn't even have time to interrogate her." The door panel shook his head: "This has become a joke among us here."

"Indeed, not seemly."

The Xiluo king killed by the favorite concubine had long been suspected of patricide, then became a puppet of Bekka, jumping through hoops, constantly causing trouble for Panlongcheng.

Xiluo State was weak; if it were another country, Panlongcheng would have wiped it out with a single backhand slap. But Panlongcheng and Xiluo share deep roots, the people of Panlongcheng still hold sentimental feelings for it, so Zhong Shengguang did not let the Red General mobilize troops.

Bekka also saw this point, which is why it manipulated Xiluo to cause trouble.

Matters of title and nominal legitimacy may seem light as air, weighing no more than two taels, but that's only because no one has weighed them with human hearts.

For example, no matter how much of a scoundrel I am, how many sons would dare to beat me severely a few times and then kill me?

(Don't ask me again why I can't type the character for "king"— the banned words in the daughter's text are more numerous than you can imagine, and the spot-check mechanism often goes mad.)

But in the past few years, internal chaos in Xiluo State has never ceased, the ruler lacks the power to control, and even less the energy to harass Panlong territory.

However, his manner of death is truly quite novel. The history of Xiluo State that He Lingchuan gathered in reality seems to have no record of this?

Now the Panlong world has already embarked on a new path fundamentally different from real history, racing wildly into the unknown future.

Its connection to what he knew in reality is growing ever weaker.

The door panel continued: "On the day the message arrived, a great general requested battle from Commander Zhong, hoping to lead troops eastward. But Commander Zhong did not agree."

"Naturally." Zhong Shengguang is steady in temperament; when the situation is unclear, he does not act rashly. "And the Red General?"

"On external assignment, not yet returned."

Compared to a few years ago, the Red General now frequently closes himself off or is assigned missions, so the time spent leading troops has actually decreased.

But she remains an existence that Panlongcheng cannot ignore.

In the Hall of War and Peace, everyone took their seats, a grand assembly.

The Hall of War and Peace in Shiquan City is twice the size of Panlongcheng's, with two annexes beside it, convenient for small meetings.

Now Panlongcheng has strong troops and sturdy horses, fierce generals like clouds. But the prestige of the Tiger Wing General remains thunderous, second only to the Red General.

He Lingchuan entered, and everyone greeted him warmly, the atmosphere lively and friendly.

What the crowd ardently discussed was indeed the change in Xiluo State.

Soon, Zhong Shengguang walked in, and all the officers saluted.

Zhong Shengguang nodded, ordered everyone to sit, and his gaze then fell upon He Lingchuan:

"You're back— how did the matter go?"

"Already settled." He Lingchuan spoke solemnly: "The ruler of the Southern State suppressed the rebellion and personally exiled his eldest son."

"Excellent." Zhong Shengguang stroked his beard: "Can we find out who was behind it?"

"Bekka."

In the past few years, Panlongcheng has successfully opened a second sea route, found a second harbor beyond Bai Sha Bay, located further south.

This has injected more vitality into the economy of Panlong territory.

However, this sea route passes through multiple countries and forces along the way, unlike the simplicity of going via the Mao River Plain.

At this time, Bekka's main focus is on the eastern war, concentrating on eliminating forces under Lingshan, and has temporarily eased military pressure on Panlongcheng to the west. But it always keeps one eye on Panlongcheng, displeased to see its rapid development. Although it has not sent troops directly, it constantly stirs up trouble on the second sea route, secretly causing sabotage.

The Southern State is one of the earliest southern countries to sign a friendly mutual access agreement with Panlongcheng, and is a necessary stop on the second sea route. It itself possesses a vast lake, making it difficult for caravans to bypass.

Not long ago, Panlongcheng received secret intelligence: the Crown Prince of the Southern State secretly plotted regicide!

This fellow is close to Bekka; if he succeeds, the Southern State's attitude toward Panlongcheng might completely reverse, so Zhong Shengguang entrusted this trouble to He Lingchuan to resolve.

He Lingchuan then dispatched a small team into Southern Jing, investigated the full story, and afterward informed the Southern State's ruler. The Crown Prince rose in revolt, was immediately captured on the spot, all involved were executed, and he himself was exiled, never to return to his country until death.

Commander Vice Prefect Zhao Xianhe laughed: "Bekka's plot failed— it's probably about to explode with rage."

Everyone also laughed.

The assassin was someone Bekka found for the Southern Crown Prince; unfortunately, the intermediary was a foreign merchant with loose lips. This should have been an absolutely secret regicide plot, but it was carried by the wind to Zhong Shengguang's ears.

Panlongcheng's successful thwarting of Bekka's plot this time shows it is actively expanding its influence, proactively engaging in regional affairs, no longer passively defending as before.

This shift in foreign attitude means Panlongcheng, due to its own strength, has become more confident and composed.

He Lingchuan knows this attitude will surely invite more dissatisfaction.

A few commanders were absent from this meeting, as they had set out over half a month ago to punish a small country on the second sea route that doesn't know how to get along.

Zhong Shengguang accepted He Lingchuan's suggestion: the main strategy on the second sea route is one hand big stick, one hand candy— otherwise, some small countries won't know reverence, will jump high and shout happily.

Next, the commanders again reported on border conditions from all four directions— all were calm and peaceful.

Hearing that Panlongcheng has recently been smooth sailing, Zhong Shengguang's face shows little smile. Even though today's report is all good news, his brow has not relaxed.

This forms a stark contrast with everyone's excitement, so He Lingchuan knows Commander Zhong must have something on his mind.

After this routine border report was completed, Zhong Shengguang moved to the main topic: "Today's main discussion, you've also heard— it is the fall of Xiluo State."

"Seven days ago, the ruler of Xiluo State was killed by his favorite concubine; his two princes, one seven years old, one four, were still young." He placed a document on the table: "Only two days later, these two children also died unexpectedly."

Everyone raised their eyebrows; their expressions were either "as expected" or "not surprising."

From the moment the Xiluo ruler died, the fate of these two young ones was already sealed.

When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact?

"A state cannot go a day without a ruler; internal chaos in Xiluo further erupted, now four factions have risen, each claiming kingship, all wanting to seize the capital. And the garrison commander of Xiluo's capital himself fled with his retinue— now the entire capital is in utter chaos, looting and robbery rampant, with no one to manage it."

This was only a few days ago? The turmoil is still to come.

The door panel interjected: "How did Bekka react?"

Wouldn't Beika just stand by and do nothing if the puppet he personally controlled died?