Chapter 462: Strike First to Be Strong

Dawang went to school, had a fight in the morning; in the afternoon, with his messy hair, after listening to two sessions of investigation of things, he brought Xie Tu and left early.

He stayed half a day, leaving the academy in a mess of gossip.

Half the mountain knew that two eighteen-year-old senior brothers ordered Dawang to go down the mountain to buy them wontons, but Dawang personally beat them up; the two unlucky ones' punishment spot is quickly becoming a check-in spot.

"Have you heard? Those two had His Highness run errands to buy wontons..."

"Pfft……Sorry……"

"Do they think they're more resistant to beating than the Xiongnu?"

"I heard they didn't bring any guards, only His Highness himself..."

"Pfft—No way, the hairstyle is too funny..."

"The two unlucky ones: ……"

"……"

"When the gate guards saw Dawang's appearance, they were also startled; only then did they realize Dawang had started a fight as soon as he entered the gate, each of them daring only to glance sideways at Commander Ling."

"Fortunately, Ling Yin didn't think Dawang would suffer any loss among the student crowd. Finally, Xie Tu suggested Dawang redo his hair; otherwise, if they ran into Xie Yuan again at the mansion, it would be even worse."

"Dawang didn't care at all, just stuck his fallen hair back in and called it done; he clearly had no intention of going home before dark."

"Dawang came down the mountain, looked up at the sun, and said, 'Zhu Ti has opened a new milk tea shop on Zhuque Avenue; I'll treat you to the first cup of autumn milk tea!'"

"Xie Tu didn't know what autumn milk tea was, so he just thanked Dawang first."

"When they rushed to Zhuque Avenue, they found a long line at the milk tea shop's entrance. Xie Tu wanted to sigh, 'As expected of Manager Zhu—whatever business he starts makes a splash.'"

"Upon inquiry, because the opening was auspicious, it was buy one get one free, but each person could only buy one cup—that's why the popularity surged."

"Those with big families and businesses would buy two cups, and they'd have to send three or five people to line up, creating an immediate effect of demand outstripping supply."

"Bringing your own cup costs ten wen per cup; using the shop's cup for takeout costs fifteen wen per cup, which is quite affordable. Compared to the soaring grain prices outside, for a milk tea that's both milky and sugary to sell at this price, Manager Zhu is already very conscientious."

"Most of those lining up here are servants of wealthy families; Dawang also couldn't be bothered to line up himself, so he ordered the guards to go through the manager's back door, while he went to Spring River Flower Moon Night to wait, since the manager would surely be holding down the shop today on its opening."

"Dawang also sent someone to call his retinue of followers, as well as Lu Xiu, whom he had promised to bring."

"The Lu family also has someone younger than Lu Xiong, quite interesting; yesterday I met him and promised to call him to come along today..."

"The guards quickly brought back the milk tea; Dawang hadn't even finished showing off his 'imported' milk tea cup to Xie Tu when the You Prefecture workshop also wanted to make one, and just then Zhu Ti also arrived."

"Dawang felt Zhu Ti's gaze was a bit strange; the milk tea had already been delivered, so why was she still here?"

"As soon as Zhu Ti entered, she had someone close the private room's door; Dawang could only set down the milk tea first, '... What's up?'"

"'Yes. I just got some news about Everlasting Peace; this time they've gotten smarter.'"

"Upon hearing about Everlasting Peace, Dawang immediately relaxed, he let out a light scoff: 'Without strength, it's all in vain. Bai Li Jin's ambition is greater than heaven, while the Wang Clan has always been clever. So what have they done?'"

"'The Wang Clan wants to marry a princess.'"

"Dawang's heart skipped a beat, but he said, 'Third Princess? Sure, even if cousins produce a fool, we can afford to raise them.'"

"Xie Tu: ……"

"Zhu Ti: 'No. Bai Li Jin wants Wang Sikong, that is, his maternal uncle's eldest son, to marry the Fifth Princess.'"

"Dawang slammed the table: 'Stop dreaming your spring and autumn dreams!'"

"Zhu Ti: 'That's why I said Everlasting Peace has gotten smarter; they know Your Highness won't agree, so they didn't inform the Northern Border, but first announced the news publicly to build momentum among the people.'"

"Your Highness knows that after you recovered the Northern Three Prefectures, your reputation among the people of Everlasting Peace has always been good; this time Bai Li Jin directly lowered his stance, instead embracing the Northern Border. He says you are Great Jin's northern barrier, and he and you are blood brothers, with no hatred. For the sake of the people's safety, should Great Jin and the Northern Border resume friendly relations? Now everyone in Everlasting Peace knows this, and it's spreading outward, with the people responding enthusiastically. At bottom, the people also don't want to see a clash between Everlasting Peace and You Prefecture; public opinion is very optimistic about this heavenly match."

"Dawang was like an angry river pufferfish, almost jumping up: 'Heavenly match? Is the Wang Clan worthy of that?!'"

"Zhu Ti nodded honestly: 'The people think they're a good match; the eldest legitimate son of the Langya Wang Clan marrying a princess is quite normal.'"

"The Wang Clan, but just a surface gloss. Don't you and I know? It's an empty shell! Does a scheming Wang Clan also deserve to marry my sister? Dream on!"

"Xie Tu: ……What secret have I heard?"

"'So now, if I, the King, don't agree, wouldn't that be failing to recognize favor and actively destroying the relationship between Everlasting Peace and You Prefecture?'"

"'Yes.'"

"'Then…' Dawang thought of something, and suddenly sat down calm and composed."

"Ling Yin, cut off the communication channel from Everlasting Peace to the Northern Border. Aren't they in a hurry to inform me? Better to press their forces dead within Great Jin territory, best in Everlasting Peace. Let the scout cavalry handle this."

"It's just about being disgusting; I, the King, can do that too!"