Chapter 530 - 532: Too Heavy

Chapter 530: Chapter 532: Too Heavy

Tu Zhong glared irritably at the opposite cell. "How should I know what happens next? We just have to do as we’re told! Or do you all want to stay like this forever?"

The usually quiet prison erupted into chaos. Several prison chiefs stood at the jail’s entrance, unable to keep from frowning as they heard the shouting from within.

’These people became much more obedient after we taught them a lesson. What are they raising a fuss about now?’

"It sounds like they’re demanding to see the lord." Although their language was awkward, it was still vaguely intelligible.

"Heh, just as Mr. Gu predicted. They were the ones to lose patience first," one of the older prison chiefs said, his face full of admiration. "We’ll just report the situation to our superiors and ignore them for now."

"But they’re being so noisy..."

"So what? If you ask me, they’re just too well-fed. They’ll quiet down after they miss a meal or two."

... ’He really said that without a hint of guilt.’ After these people had plundered all the commoners’ grain, the peasants they had seen were living far worse lives than these prisoners—sometimes having nothing but water to fill their stomachs.

"Should I still bring them water, then?" The prison chief who had delivered the last meal asked, holding up a bucket of water and smiling awkwardly at his seniors.

"This water seems a bit heavy," one of the men said as he took the bucket. He gave it a little heft, and more than half the water immediately splashed out.

Another man took it from him—and promptly spilled half of what was left. "Looks like you haven’t eaten today. A single bucket of water is enough to wear you out?"

By the time the bucket made its rounds and returned to the first man’s hands, only a shallow layer of water sloshed at the bottom.

The elderly prison chief stroked his beard. "It is a bit heavy. You shouldn’t carry it by yourself. Find someone to help you."

... After a moment of silence, raucous laughter erupted from outside the cells.

Hearing this, Tu Zhong and the other prisoners were baffled. ’We’re raising hell in here, shouldn’t they be worried? Why does it sound like they’re enjoying themselves?’

...

When Ancient Wen Heng heard the prison chief’s report, he simply smiled and told them to carry on as they were.

"My lord, are we really going to let them stew for a few more days?" He Gaofei and the others knew, of course, that Ancient Wen Heng had been waiting for this very moment.

Now that the other side had finally caved, he didn’t understand why they had to waste more time.

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "There’s no rush. They’re the ones who should be anxious now."

He Gaofei countered, "But if we drag this out any longer and the Eastern Yi select a new Prince Zuo, our bargaining chip will lose its value."

Ancient Wen Heng knew that He Gaofei and the other two were now aligning with him, so he was willing to explain a little more. "As long as the man is alive, the possibilities are endless."

"Prince Zuo Tengshang has held his position for so long that he naturally has his own power base."

"As long as he can return alive, he’ll have a fighting chance."

"But that would not be good news for us. These Eastern Yi people are treacherous and vile by nature. The moment they quell their internal strife, they will surely turn around and attack us."

"Then we can’t release the tiger back into the mountains," Lu Shenggen declared, immediately standing up. "Since they’re destined to be our enemies anyway, we might as well find a plot of wasteland and have them ’atone for their sins.’ That would be the best solution for us."

"Hah, easy for Mr. Lu to say," Wu Yichen, who had suffered from such things before, immediately shot back. "If we really sent a Prince to go clear wasteland and farm, we’d be in for a world of hurt by the time those advisers at court caught wind of it."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "You all make valid points, but I have my own reasons for stalling them."

"If we were to send Prince Zuo Tengshang back too soon, he would rely on his old guard to quickly stabilize the Eastern Yi, which is not an outcome we wish to see."

He Gaofei’s eyes lit up with understanding. "Mr. Gu, you mean to let the new Prince Zuo secure his position first, and *then* send the old one back so they can fight to the death."

"An excellent idea! Mr. Gu, you are truly far-sighted. This subordinate is filled with admiration." The more Lu Shenggen spent time with Ancient Wen Heng, the more he admired him, and the words of flattery simply slipped out.

Ancient Wen Heng smiled. "It’s hardly being far-sighted. I just try to put myself in others’ shoes and consider the problem from different angles. If you were the new Prince Zuo, what would you do?"

For some reason, the three of them—He Gaofei, Lu Shenggen, and Wu Yichen—all thought of Xiao Yuling and his cohort. It seemed they had clawed their way into their own current positions in much the same manner.

He Gaofei asked, "But the Eastern Yi also have a King. If the new Prince Zuo receives the King’s acknowledgment, can this Teng Shang still succeed upon his return?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "That’s precisely why we must delay matters and allow this new Prince Zuo to secure his position."

"Teng Shang will have no choice but to be more cautious, and he’ll start looking for allies."

"But he’s a Prince Zuo who’s already been unseated. Who would help him?"

Ancient Wen Heng smiled and pointed at the tabletop. "Believe me, there are people on our own soil who are quite eager to go to the Eastern Yi and see it with their own eyes."

He Gaofei: ... ’What a cunning fox. I thought you just wanted to throw the Eastern Yi into chaos. I never imagined you were after something much bigger.’

Lu Shenggen: ... ’As expected of the Lord Prefect! So incredibly far-sighted!’

Wu Yichen: ... ’I’m getting old. I can barely keep up with the minds of this younger generation. Still, why does this feel so damn satisfying?’

And at that very moment, in his prison cell, Prince Zuo Tengshang shivered for no apparent reason. He looked down at the wine flask in his hand. ’Can even this strong liquor not drive away the chill of this gloomy cell?’

&

Jin Qianqian looked at the letter in her hand and sneered.

The letter had completely ruined her morning mood. She tossed it onto the table. "Do they really take me for a pushover?"

Lichun and the other maids were on pins and needles. In all their time serving the Madam, it was the first time they had ever seen her in such a rage.

Usually, if she were to suddenly become upset, Nanny Ou would be there to soothe her.

But with Nanny Ou now far away in Shangjing, they had no idea how to approach her and could only continue serving her with trembling hearts.

Ancient Wen Heng sensed the tense atmosphere the moment he walked in. "What’s wrong? Who made you angry?"

As he spoke, he waved his hand, dismissing Lichun and the others.

Once everyone had left, Jin Qianqian finally glanced at the letter on the table. "See for yourself."

Ancient Wen Heng picked up the letter and scanned it, his expression immediately darkening.

"These people certainly know how to read the room. The entire letter is filled with feigned grievances and helplessness."

"They know full well that I’m the victim, yet the entire letter is telling me to back down."

The letter fluttered from Ancient Wen Heng’s hand back onto the tabletop. "It seems the Huang Mansion in Shangjing has made its move. It’s to be expected that Prefect Nan of Le City would make such a choice."

"In any case, he has made his choice. Now we know where we stand."

"I can understand all that. After all, a higher-ranking official can crush you with his authority. I don’t blame Prefect Nan for acting this way. But just look at this garbage he’s written! So I’m the one who’s supposed to go and apologize?"