Chapter 183

Upon hearing the Shunhe Emperor's words, the Crown Prince was also displeased.

Exempt from tribute?

And still exempt for two years?

That won't do!

Those things will be his from now on!

"Father Emperor, I think we should summon the Muyuan Kingdom's soldiers into the Capital and reward them—just that."

As for exempting tribute, don't even think about it!

He continued to chatter on confidently.

"Besides, we can't let them all come—just a few thousand or ten thousand will do."

Why bring so many people?

Entertaining them, even at the lowest standard, would cost a lot of silver.

Upon hearing his suggestion, the Shunhe Emperor's eyes flickered.

What the Crown Prince said does make some sense.

The new ruler of Muyuan Kingdom has just ascended the throne—who knows what kind of character he is?

Moreover, he is still young.

I heard that upon ascending the throne, the new lord of Muyuan Kingdom carried out sweeping reforms in governance and issued many new decrees.

Although only half a year has passed, Muyuan can now be said to have been completely renewed.

It is clear that Shang Gu is not someone easily dealt with.

Will such a person continue to willingly let Muyuan remain a vassal of Da Yin?

Perhaps he is preoccupied for now, but who knows if he won't develop other thoughts later?

Taking advantage of the reward opportunity, we can also give them a warning.

Let him understand that Muyuan is merely a vassal state!

The Crown Prince's self-assured words made several old ministers in the hall shake their heads.

Alas!

The Crown Prince's words truly show his shallow vision.

Why does he keep staring only at gold and silver all day?

Will His Majesty be angry?

However, they were indeed overthinking.

The next moment, the ministers saw their respected Majesty nod.

"Well said—this matter shall be entrusted to the Crown Prince to handle."

The ministers: "..."

Simply unbelievable!

His Majesty actually agreed?!

Several old ministers clutched their chests and took deep breaths.

"..."

Unable to sway them, truly unable to sway them!

Minister Sun, Minister Meng, we really miss you!

In the Imperial Court, they thought the matter was settled, everyone was pleased, and only awaited a return to tranquil times.

Who would have thought that on the distant Nanjiang battlefield, the situation was so tense?

Xu Zhongquan strode into the camp angrily, his body stained with blood and radiating a fierce killing aura, hastily entering the tent.

"Those bastards from Nanjiang—if it weren't for our current lack of troops, I would have already marched to their homeland!"

Seeing his bleeding left arm, Cheng Sitao rose with concern and walked over.

"Uncle Xu, you're injured?!"

Xu Zhongquan waved his hand dismissively.

"It's nothing, just a minor wound."

After speaking, he rinsed it with clean water, applied medicine, tore a strip of cloth and wrapped it casually, all while cursing nonstop.

"These bastards taking advantage of the fire!"

Afterwards, he chattered on, cursing the Nanjiang emperor and his ancestors eighteen generations back.

After cursing, his anger eased somewhat.

Suddenly, he frowned, waved his hand in front of his nose.

Having only been focused on his anger, he hadn't noticed—what is this pungent smell?

"Young Master, what are you busy with? This smell is too strange."

Cheng Sitao led him to the table.

"This is our secret weapon, and its power is immense."

Xu Zhongquan reached out and picked up a small jar with a thread exposed.

"Can this really inflict heavy casualties on the Nanjiang army on the battlefield?"

As he spoke, he shook it twice, unable to see clearly, preparing to take out a fire folder for a closer look.

This sight made Cheng Sitao's eyelids twitch wildly.

"Wait!"

He hurriedly snatched the jar back, gently placed it back in its original spot, and explained.

"This cannot be moved casually, and certainly not near fire."

Xu Zhongquan nodded.

"That's how it is."

"But how exactly is it used?"

Cheng Sitao returned to the table, finished preparing the last one, stood up, walked to his side, and whispered something.

Upon hearing it, Xu Zhongquan's eyes widened instantly.

"Really?!"

Cheng Sitao smiled mysteriously.

"Of course, Uncle Xu, just wait and see."

Xu Zhongquan looked expectantly at the dozens of jars on the ground, his tone excited.

"Your Highness, when do you plan to take these to the battlefield to show the Nanjiang people the power of these jars?"

Cheng Sitao walked to the edge of the sand table, picked up a small flag, and inserted it into a depression.

"Operation tonight!"

Looking at that spot, Xu Zhongquan wore a solemn expression.

"Alright, I will personally lead the team tonight."

Cheng Sitao shook his head.

"Uncle Xu has no experience using this kind of weapon, so I'll go instead."

"Then be extra careful."

……

Late at night, a small group of people and horses carrying three boxes quietly left the military camp.

Meanwhile, in the Nanjiang great camp on the other side.

The Nanjiang soldiers were drinking alcohol and eating meat.

A general holding two bowls of wine walked over to a general wearing armor and draped in a brick-red cloak.

"Come, General Taluge, let's have a drink together."

Hearing the sound, Taluge snapped back to attention and took the wine bowl.

The person beside him asked again.

"Why do you look so unhappy?"

"The Da Yin garrison lacks sufficient troops; we will surely defeat them quickly, then advance straight in, all the way to the Da Yin imperial palace!"

As he spoke, the man laughed heartily and patted Taluge on the shoulder.

"Good brother, cheer up a bit."

Taluge forced a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"But I always feel something is off."

The general beside him suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Taluge, I think you've been scared by the Cheng Family Army from those past years."

"Why are you always so suspicious?"

"Just relax—Xiyue is also fighting, and besides, our forces are nearly twice what they can mobilize; we can even wear them down through attrition!"

Upon hearing this, Taluge was not angry.

After all, this is a fact.

In the previous battle, if it weren't for the Da Yin emperor actively sending someone to leak the secret, they wouldn't have possibly driven the Cheng Family into desperation.

He smiled, raised his wine bowl, clinked it against the other person's bowl, and drained it in one gulp.

"Hopefully I'm overthinking it."

……

Inside the City Lord's Manor in Beihuang City.

Yu'an, fast asleep, had already entered the farm.

The little one waved a sickle, charging into the cornfield.

"Harvesting corn!"

Although it's manual harvesting, the system ultimately still belongs to Zaituan at sea.

As long as it's produce intended for sale in the shop, the sickle only needs to touch it to be automatically sold.

So-called harvesting only requires Zaituan to hold the sickle and run a lap in the cornfield.

Xiaotuan swung its short legs, strolling about happily.

Yu'an happily shook her head and swayed her body.

"After selling this batch, I'll gain ten experience points and can level up!"

Planting a plot yields twenty experience points, harvesting a plot yields twenty experience points, and completing a transaction yields ten experience points.

In the past half month, he has already grown two batches of corn!

Following the sound of clattering coins arriving,

Buzz!

Current experience is full—level up?

Yes/No.

Yu'an smiled, narrowed her big eyes, and slapped her small hand down with a 'pa' sound on 'Yes'.

"Level up!"

Hum!

"Level up successful!"

Yu'an stomped her little feet, excitedly cheering.

"Great!"

The friend list has been opened, currently with three friend slots.

Zaituan can enter a friend's name in the search bar, send an application, and once the other party agrees, they can enter the farm at any time.

(Note: Except for Zaituan, others can only stay in the farm for two hours per day, and the stay time can increase with the farm's level.)

After the excitement, Yu'an anxiously scratched her cheeks.

"How come there are only three slots? Who should I give them to?"