Chapter 62

Lan Hong raised his hand to interrupt, saying coldly, "Do you think the emperor would let him act recklessly just for a few gold coins? Hmph, have you not noticed that the people Li Chunyang, the old rascal, is dealing with, besides those who have grudges against the Li family, are all the people of the first prince?"

"Whoosh!~"

Lan Guang was startled, standing up from his seat with a grave expression, "Are you saying Li Chunyang has already chosen a side? Didn't he used to support the first prince?"

Lan Hong replied, "He just favored the first prince before. At our level, if the situation is not clear, we would not easily choose a side. Moreover, the decline of the Li family is an undeniable fact. This incident with Li Yi is also a good test for the Li family. As long as Li Chunyang falls, and Li Changfeng is restrained, the Li family will surely fall! Li Chunyang has seen this clearly, and so has the emperor. Therefore, Li Chunyang should not so easily choose a side! What is he thinking? Could there be some information we don't know?"

Lan Guang was also puzzled, "Logically, the first prince should have a greater chance of winning, and he also has the support of the people."

Lan Hong pondered, "Could he be making a desperate bet? If he successfully assists Qin Yue in ascending the throne, he would undoubtedly be the first meritorious subject, and the Li family could continue to flourish for a hundred years! Hmph, what a bold move by Li Chunyang. If he loses, it will be a disaster!"

Lan Guang asked, "Father, should we take any action?"

"No!" Lan Hong said sternly, "At this time, we must be extremely cautious. We are not like the Li family. Among our descendants, there are countless talents. The Li family, apart from the recently emerged Li Yunxiao, has no one else worth mentioning. However, this Li Yunxiao is quite mysterious..."

His eyes suddenly lit up, and he exclaimed, "Could it be that Li Chunyang is willing to bet because... because Li Yunxiao can cure Prince Xiao Qing's internal injuries?"

Lan Guang's heart skipped a beat, and he exclaimed, "Impossible! That injury is something even the entire nation's efforts cannot cure! If Prince Xiao Qing also stands by Qin Yue, the final outcome will be even more uncertain!"

Lan Hong took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Lan Guang, you must remember, during such a time of regime change, you must never reveal your intentions and strength too early. Even if you don't seek success, you must avoid failure. Only then can our Lan family continue to thrive in the Tian Shui Kingdom for a hundred years."

"Yes, Father!" Lan Guang bowed solemnly.

While Li Chunyang was amassing wealth, the first prince, Qin Yang, was having a hard time.

Every day, officials from his subordinates would come to his residence to complain. These were all his direct subordinates, and many secretly supported him. If he allowed Li Chunyang to continue his antics without taking action, how would these officials who have joined him feel?

Qin Yang visited the king several times but was repeatedly turned away. He understood Qin Zheng's thoughts: Li Chunyang's actions had suppressed Qin Yang's influence, balancing the power between the two princes, which was exactly what Qin Zheng wanted to see. The only downside was that it strengthened the Li family's financial resources.

After several unsuccessful visits, Qin Yang became even more furious and began to gather his forces to seek a solution.

Some suggested enduring, others suggested rebellion, and the opinions were varied, making his already agitated mind even more restless.

Suddenly, a deep voice came from outside the door, "I have come to offer the first prince three strategies to ensure his smooth ascension to the throne!"

Qin Yang's face changed, his pupils flashing with a fierce light. He had already recognized the voice and said coldly, "You, a spy from the Hundred War Kingdom, still have the nerve to come see me? This whole incident is because of you. Since you've come, leave your head behind!"

At his command, a large number of warriors rushed in from all sides, surrounding the three arrivals.

Seeing this, Li Yi burst into laughter, "The first prince's own position is precarious. Why would you reject the only person who can help you now?"

Qin Yang said coldly, "Nonsense! I am the prince of the Tian Shui Kingdom, and you are a spy from the Hundred War Kingdom. Killing you is just and right!"

The two men behind Li Yi were all dressed in silver-white warrior clothes, and their killing intent suddenly burst forth, spreading a chill throughout the hall, causing the temperature to drop sharply. Some of the civil officials even shivered.

Gao Feng, who was by Qin Yang's side, his pupils constricting, whispered in Qin Yang's ear, "Both of them are extremely powerful, at the level of Martial Lords. This Li Yi is not simple either; he has the cultivation of a Great Martial Master."

A hint of a cold smile flashed across Li Yi's face as he raised his head proudly, "With our three people's strength, if the first prince wants to keep us, he will have to pay a heavy price. It would also be a significant blow to the first prince's current strength."

Seeing Qin Yang remain silent, Li Yi continued, "Moreover, I have come here to assist the first prince. Why not let me finish explaining the three strategies? I have heard rumors that the old rascal Li Chunyang seems to have already made contact with Qin Yue."

Qin Yang's face changed, this being his greatest concern at the moment. His pupils flared with anger as he said sternly, "Speak!"

Li Yi took a big step forward and said loudly, "Li Chunyang has emerged from seclusion, his strength greatly increased, and he seems to be on the verge of breaking through to the Martial King level. Whether it is his own strength or the military strength he represents, he will be a significant asset to Qin Yue, making it difficult for the first prince to compete. Therefore, my first strategy is to have Li Chunyang leave the capital!"

A cold smile appeared on Qin Yang's face, "Li Chunyang is a high-ranking official and relies on his seniority. Even my father might not be able to make him leave. If your next two strategies are as unrealistic and laughable as this, don't bother!"

A hint of anger flashed across Li Yi's face as he coldly snorted, "Since I dare to say it, I have a great deal of confidence! The first prince doesn't need to worry about this; I will do everything in my power to make it happen, and the first prince can just go along with it!"

"Really?" Qin Yang's face showed a hint of disbelief as he said suspiciously, "You have a way to make Li Chunyang leave the capital? I'm very interested in hearing it."

Li Yi smiled slightly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he said calmly, "At the border between the Tian Shui Kingdom and the Hundred War Kingdom, there are Kunjin City and Daxiang Mountain. Daxiang Mountain is filled with wild beasts and legendary monsters, making it difficult for ordinary people to pass through. The terrain is higher in the east and lower in the west, forming a natural barrier. Your kingdom's elite troops are stationed in Baitou Town near Daxiang Mountain, making it easy to defend but hard to attack, truly a place where one man can hold off ten thousand. The Golden Lion Corps stationed in Baitou Town seems to be under the first prince's command."

Qin Yang's pupils constricted as he said sternly, "Just say what you want to say!"

Li Yi snorted lightly, his eyes gradually focusing as he said carefully, "I hope the first prince can issue an order, allowing my Hundred War Kingdom's army to pass through Daxiang Mountain and Baitou Town, marching from the south to surround Kunjin City and trap the Flying Dragon Corps and Li Changfeng inside!"

"Slam!"

Qin Yang's hand split the armrest of the golden chair as he roared, "What a brilliant idea! If Baitou Town and Kunjin City fall, the eastern thirteen cities of the Tian Shui Kingdom will lose their natural barrier and be exposed to the iron cavalry of the Hundred War Kingdom! At that time, it won't just be one town or one city, but a large part of the territory!"

Li Yi quickly smiled, "The first prince need not be angry. We are sending troops to help the first prince. Once the matter is resolved, we will naturally withdraw from Kunjin City."

Qin Yang sneered, "Do you take me for a three-year-old? Li Yi, I didn't know you had a talent for telling jokes!"

Li Yi's face turned slightly red as he said, "Why doesn't the first prince wait until I finish explaining all the strategies, then weigh the pros and cons, and finally give me an answer?"

A hint of killing intent flashed in Qin Yang's eyes as he sat back down.

Li Yi then continued, "Once Kunjin City is surrounded, we will cut off their supply lines. Li Changfeng's 400,000 Flying Dragon Corps can only last for three months at most. At that time, Li Chunyang, who is far away in the capital, will not be able to sit still. When he dispatches his troops to leave the capital and head for Kunjin City, it will be the best time for the first prince to act!"

He glanced at Qin Yang, seeing that he had no expression and was listening quietly, and continued, "The military forces near the capital are mainly three: the Li family's forces led by Li Chunyang, the imperial guards led by the emperor, and the forces led by the first prince. As long as Li Chunyang leaves, and we win over Long Qing, the entire capital will be under the first prince's control. At that time, my second strategy is to assassinate Prince Xiao Qing!"

A murderous look flashed across his face as he said coldly, "Prince Xiao Qing's internal injuries have not healed. Regardless of whether Li Yunxiao, that little brat, can really cure him, his strength will be greatly reduced. At that time, the first prince won't need to act; I will send people to do this for the first prince and assassinate Prince Xiao Qing!"

Qin Yang said angrily, "Why should I assassinate Commander Xiao? You are asking me to destroy my own Great Wall. Who will be able to resist the Martial King experts of the Hundred War Kingdom at that time?"

Li Yi sneered, "The first prince must not forget that if Li Yunxiao really cures Prince Xiao Qing, will Prince Xiao Qing stand by you or Qin Yue? At that time, with Zhong Lishan on the left and Prince Xiao Qing on the right, even if Li Chunyang is dispatched to leave the capital, you will still fail!"

A hint of shock and anger flashed in Qin Yang's eyes as he fell silent. His originally favorable situation seemed to have become precarious since Li Yunxiao's appearance. He said angrily