Chapter 267

The Dawang, who was crying loudly, almost choked on it—"Ah? Who advises like you do? You mean my dad died at just the right time?"

Bai Ze thought for a moment, "Although the truth is harsh, it's indeed like that."

Dawang let out an "Ah" and lunged, "I'll fight you!"

He tried to choke him, but Bai Ze rose up, and he couldn't reach…

Dawang began hugging his leg and kicking him, "You're a bad Bai Ze!"

Bai Ze being kicked by him was like a tickle, and he didn't care at all.

Zhetian watched excitedly from the side, "Hit! Hit hard!"

The only one who was scared was Xiong; Lao Da and Dawang started fighting—who should it help? No, helping either wouldn't be appropriate!

It struggled to squeeze in—maybe we should beat Xiong? Xiong is just too tough!

Wei Shen, who had been lying outside the door observing Dawang's condition, finally heard the commotion, rushed in, and Dawang hurriedly pressed the little flower face against Bai Ze and rubbed it.

"How did they start fighting again?"

Dawang saw Wei Shen, turned and pressed against his back, "Cousin, I have no father anymore."

Wei Shen had already seen Dawang's red eyes, he didn't say much comforting words, only said: "Cousin will accompany you to avenge your father! The Xiongnu and the three Xianbei tribes didn't plot this; your father wouldn't have personally campaigned and fallen ill. When the opportunity arises, we'll kill the Xiongnu Left Worthy King to avenge your father."

Dawang hearing that, thought it reasonable.

His father died because he was captured; he must avenge him.

He still has his cousin, his maternal grandfather, and his maternal uncle!

"Cousin, write a letter and have Zhetian take it back to ask the maternal uncle if he's returned from Shanggu Pass." Let the Southwest Army go to Yumen Pass to support; due to Bai Ze and Dawang's warnings, Wei Peng also wouldn't let the old gentleman go, so in the end only he himself took troops to support.

The Western Regions had definitely coordinated with the Xiongnu to apply pressure at Yumen Pass; Dawang thought the troops should have already withdrawn.

Wei Shen hesitated: "Um, three thousand taels… should I pay out of pocket?"

Dawang glared at him with rabbit-like eyes; Wei Shen surrendered, "Fine, fine, fine—I'll pay out of pocket!"

Wei Shen went out, and Dawang sat quietly in the hall, thinking things over. Disturbed by Wei Shen, he stopped crying, but Dawang still felt lost.

His heart felt empty.

"Bai Ze, Chang'an… am I not able to go back?"

"Your father had five hundred death warriors while alive; now that he's gone, what's the point of going back?"

Dawang knew in his heart that he might not be able to return to Chang'an.

There's no question of choosing another fief; whether or not he returns to Chang'an, Baili Jin won't let him off.

Youzhou's fief was withdrawn and given to the three Xianbei tribes; he couldn't leave, he had to stay to protect his Youzhou city.

Dawang summoned Zhao Bao, who brought water to wash his face, then slowly walked out of the sleeping hall and stood on the high steps of Suiyu Hall.

"The court's edict is to withdraw Youzhou's fief and give this land to the three Xianbei tribes. I, the king, am speaking now—listen well. Choosing is a one‑time opportunity; I don't want fence‑sitters here. As for whatever notice or edict Baili Jin sent, I disagree."

"As long as I, Baili Jing, am alive, Youzhou is my fief; I, the king, will not give it to anyone. Since the court no longer wants Youzhou, from now on this place is not the Great Jin's Youzhou but my Baili Jing's Youzhou."

"The officials present include those appointed by the court, those of local clans, and those transferred from other prefectures. No matter where you're from, I, the king, now give you a choice: one, follow the new court's edict and return to Chang'an or go home; two, stay and share fortunes with the new Youzhou and me. This chance comes only once; those who leave, I will not stop, nor will I retaliate later. After tomorrow, anyone still appearing at the morning court will be deemed to have chosen to follow me onward."

"Right, Captain Zhang and Captain Zhao may leave, but not a single soldier may be taken away. All right, disperse—don't crowd before the king's hall; hang white at the prince's residence."

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From its completion, the You Prince's Residence had been brightly lit every night; tonight, for the first time, the entire residence's lights were extinguished, and the largest lanterns on the Nanhua Gate's gate tower also turned white.

Emperor Ningde's passing hadn't yet reached Youzhou; the commoners who noticed the residence's abnormality were astonished.

The next day, Dawang appeared on schedule in Chengguang Hall; a glance showed he didn't seem to notice fewer people.

The Chancellor is still here; then, count who hasn't come and report it.

The Chancellor, helpless, stepped forward a step and replied, seeing that outside also couldn't stay peaceful. Leaving Youzhou, where else could one go? Your Highness knows full well asking. Having lost the five northern provinces, he doesn't think Bai Li Jin can secure this realm.

In the south, there's also some unrest.

Your Highness, I have already counted; all officials qualified to attend the court assembly are present.

Your Highness finally showed a relaxed expression: "That's good. I'm glad we can still see everyone today. I made it clear yesterday—those who remain today are tacitly choosing me. I will not abandon Youzhou, nor do I agree to the act of ceding Youzhou. From now on, you are no longer officials of Bai Li Jin's new court. From now on, you will be supported by the Prince You's manor; some harsh words need to be said upfront. I hope you all can remain steadfast in your position—I will not tolerate betrayal. I believe everyone has seen my strength; if you still have doubts, you can go check the military dock near Dragon Head."

The officials all expressed their stance, believing the Your Highness's words.

Chancellor Xue proposed to immediately issue a notice to inform the Youzhou populace, as there are already all sorts of wild rumors among the people.

That day, the Youzhou populace saw the notice issued by the Prince's manor, titled "Letter to All of Youzhou".

It wrote that Emperor Ningde had passed away, and the new successor had ceded Youzhou and Yi Prefecture to the three Xianbei tribes.

Upon hearing this, the populace exploded—"Youzhou handed over to the Xianbei?!"; the old emperor had barely died and they're already selling off the family assets?

Whether the emperor lives or dies, the border prefecture's populace couldn't care less; they're about to become slaves to the northern barbarians—who still cares if the emperor lives or dies?

The troops immediately shouted at the agitated populace to quiet down: "…Shut up! Everyone be quiet! Haven't finished reading yet, what's the rush?! Youzhou is Prince You's domain—others' words don't count!"

Exactly! As long as our Prince disagrees, we're fine—Youzhou has a lord!

How dare the Eastern Xianbei even want our Youzhou? Are they crazy?

There are so many Xianbei tribes…

On what grounds give it to the Xianbei? Why not give Chang'an to the Xianbei?! Good thing we still have our Prince!

Sir, will the Prince really look after us, right?

I'm dying of anxiety—don't talk! Keep listening to the reader!

Once quiet resumed, they began reading the notice again.

Later it clearly stated that Prince You harbored doubts about his father Emperor Ningde's death and also did not accept the new court's decision to cede Youzhou. The ancestral lands must not be surrendered to foreign peoples.

His Highness the Prince of You will not abandon You Province; he will lead the soldiers and civilians together to protect You Province well. From now on, You Province will not be the You Province of the new court in Chang'an; it will be his own hundred-li domain. He will himself protect You Province, and strive to avenge his imperial father Emperor Ningde.

Upon hearing that, the common folk felt both happy and wistful.

The happy part is that the Prince of You didn't abandon them; he's more reliable than his elder brother.

The sad part is that the great king's father has died.

"I heard that yesterday the prince's mansion hung white banners; it's really true… alas! Our lord is still so young…"

"Fortunately, His Highness hasn't abandoned our You Province…"

"Our You Province has few people but a vast land; how can you just say you don't want it and then not want it?"

"You didn't hear clearly; the Xiongnu and Xianbei have reached Chang'an, and the Prince of Yu, to withdraw his troops, ceded five northern provinces—not just us, but even Fanyang in the south is abandoned."

"Tsk tsk, still not as good as our lord!"

"Exactly! How come they didn't choose our lord but chose the Prince of Yu instead?"

"Shhh! Don't wanna live! They say the crown prince is about to ascend the throne as emperor!"

"So what! Everyone here belongs to our lord! Moreover, we've already been cut off; what's there to fear about the Great Jin crown prince!"

"Exactly! We now fall under the Prince of You's jurisdiction; Chang'an to the south has nothing to do with us anymore—do you even get it?"

"What crown prince? Who cares about him!"

"Prince's mansion officials and soldiers: ……"

"No wonder You Province's folk are fierce and stalwart."