Chapter 331: The King of Shu's Final Hour

Shuzhou.

Since ancient times, Shuzhou has been the Land of Abundance. Because of its unique advantages, it seems this Chuan Shu land has never lacked food or clothing. And because it is protected by natural barriers, there have been very few wars, which has fostered the wealthy and comfortable character of the people of Chuan Shu.

The capital, Yizhou.

At this moment.

The King of Shu lies on his sickbed.

Many people are gathered around him.

"Where is the physician? Where is the physician! Come quickly, come quickly!"

The King of Shu lets out a series of violent, yet clearly weak coughs, frightening those around him into shouting.

The physician arrives quickly.

The King of Shu, who was once high-spirited and bad-tempered his whole life, now looks extremely weak, his face deathly dark.

If only the King of Shu had another chance...

He certainly would not have led the campaign in person. Those Southern Barbarians, when they fight, are truly reckless and completely without strategy. Moreover, this Southern Barbarian Lands is full of poisonous miasma; he was struck by only one arrow, and the poison invaded his body, becoming impossible to control. More than a month has passed, and no matter what divine doctor comes, it is of no use.

The King of Shu knows his own situation and gives a miserable laugh: "What need for a physician? Everyone get out, leave Mandarin!"

Everyone bursts into tears.

Among these people are the King of Shu's wives, concubines, and children, as well as those high officials and advisors who have provided Assistance to the King of Shu for a lifetime.

"Did you not hear? Everyone get out, leave only Master Yan."

The crowd looks at one another in dismay.

Master Yan is an old man with white hair and beard named Yan Lin. This man is a literary giant in Shu with a very high status, the Spokesperson of the Powerful Clan, the Yan Family. Ever since the King of Shu took control of Chuan Shu, he has been the King of Shu's capable right-hand man.

More than thirty years have passed.

The two are both sovereign and subject, and confidants.

"King of Shu..."

Yan Lin also knows that the King of Shu's time is running out, and tears stream down his old face.

After the others withdraw, the King of Shu grips Yan Lin's hand tightly, a line of turbid tears falling: "Master Yan, Master Yan, Master Yan teach Mandarin, Master Yan teach Mandarin... If Mandarin departs, where should Shu go?"

Yan Lin feels a pang of sorrow in his heart, and without wasting words, he wails: "King of Shu, the Longyan Dynasty has long been exhausted, Chuan Shu should be the nation of restoration... But Heaven does not protect the King of Shu, this, this, this..."

Things having reached this point, he no longer speaks any auspicious words.

A dazzling light suddenly erupts in the King of Shu's turbid, unfocused eyes. He grips Yan Lin's hand even harder, gritting his teeth: "Master Yan, this time the Southern Barbarians, those who came are not well-intentioned, they are not well-intentioned, they must have had a premeditated plan, they must be..."

Yan Lin trembles all over. Looking at the King of Shu's appearance, his mouth twitches, but he cannot bear to continue.

Actually.

In all of Chuan Shu, who does not know that this Southern Barbarian invasion, which directly occupied Jiangzhou, would have been absolutely impossible without help from people inside Chuan Shu?

However...

However...

This matter involves the royal struggle for succession. Yan Lin cannot say more; to say more would surely wound the King of Shu's heart. If the one who led the Southern Barbarians into Shu is one of his own Princes...

Then...

Following this, having the King of Shu lead the campaign in person, and then being poisoned—this series of schemes, is it possible that no one was fanning the flames?

"Master Yan, who can save my Chuan Shu, who can save Mandarin's Chuan Shu?"

Actually, the King of Shu also knows what this is all about. He finally slowly releases Yan Lin's hand, murmuring in a weak tone, murmuring.

Yan Lin sighs deeply.

Who can save it?

That First Prince who has no ink in his chest?

That Second Prince who is obsessed with Chuan opera and fond of dressing as a woman?

That Third Prince who is sinister and vicious, and whose handiwork this Southern Barbarian invasion most likely is?

Or those other Princes who do not understand the suffering of the people at all and have been blocked from the center of power since childhood?

No.

None of them will do.

If one must choose...

He sighs deeply and covers the King of Shu's ear with his mouth.

In the King of Shu's eyes, a bright light flickers.

"What does Father King mean by this?"

Over here.

The group of people who were just driven out, their tears not yet dry, already have faces filled with towering rage.

"This is preposterous! On his deathbed, to leave only an old minister—this is a great taboo of the royal family!"

"Shut your mouth!"

A seemingly honest young Prince frowns deeply: "What nonsense are you spouting? Father King is blessed by Heaven and will surely pull through this time. What deathbed? Besides, Master Yan is Father King's lifelong confidant; what is wrong with that?"

This is the First Prince of Chuan Shu, the Crown Prince, Xie Zhen.

He is the first in line to inherit from the King of Shu, but unfortunately, he is somewhat honest and dull, and has never been favored by the King of Shu.

"Heh, Big Brother, do you believe what you are saying yourself?"

Hearing Xie Zhen's words, a person nearby sneers coldly: "Birth, old age, sickness, and death are human nature. Who does not hope that Father King can live for a hundred years? But the state of Chuan Shu cannot afford any loss!"

"Xie Yang, you..."

Xie Zhen is furious.

How could one curse their own father like that! But he also sighed deeply; this matter concerned the grand strategy of Chuan Shu and could not be neglected. The King had called Yan Lin to his bedside, knowing that his own time was running out.

But...

He shouted coldly: "The Southern Barbarians still occupy Jiangzhou. Though we are children of the royal family, we are also men of Chuan Shu and should work together to resist the enemy. As for the matter of succession, Father King has his own arrangements! The craftsmen of the Jiangzhou Grand Canal have suffered heavy losses; how are we to answer to Prefect Liu of Liangzhou? This time, Prefect Liu sent reinforcements to assist our Shuzhou, yet you do not think of resisting the enemy and are still here engaging in internal strife!"

"If Father King were to find out, he would never tolerate you!"

Having said this, he left in anger.

Only the others remained, looking at each other in dismay.

Then, one by one, they could not help but laugh.

What is a mere Jiangzhou compared to the great succession of the King of Shu? This foolish personality of Xie Zhen had actually given others an opportunity. The Third Prince, Xie Yang, even had a cold sneer on his lips.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

As Xie Yang walked out of the Wanggong, several ministers were waiting for him in a Horse Carriage.

Xie Yang gave a cold laugh: "Father King has called Yan Lin inside..."

The few people looked at each other.

"Your Highness, it seems the King of Shu... his time is running out!"

"We must take action!"

"The Bitter Remonstrance for the throne allows for no personal feelings; Your Highness should make arrangements as soon as possible!"

Xie Yang laughed heartily: "Everything is completely under control. This time, let alone Prefect Liu, even if the Emperor himself came, it would be in vain!"

The crowd could not help but be overjoyed.

The five large birds grew larger and larger.

At first.

People were still curious, but as the Glider drew closer and became clearer, finally, one person saw clearly what it was and his expression changed drastically: "Those are people!"

The whole scene was in a state of panic.

People?

People could actually fly in the sky! And looking at it, they could actually control these flying tools; this was simply an incredible thing!

"Shoot!"

"Crossbowmen, shoot them down for me!"

The burly man with the totem immediately shouted.

At this moment, the Crossbowmen could no longer care about hiding their tracks; they picked up their Crossbows one after another and aimed at the "large birds" in the sky!

Just like that.

These ambushing Southern Barbarians had completely exposed themselves to the sight of these Gliders.

Cheng Kai.

He was one of these five people, and seeing the people scurrying through the thorn bushes below, he gave a cold smile.

So it was a bunch of barbarians.

Let them have a taste of the power of the Liangzhou Air Force!

"Report to the General!"

"Light the fire to mark the position!"

"Take cover!"

Order after order was passed down.

The five Gliders simultaneously let out a uniform whistle.