Today in Zhi Du, there was one great matter and one small matter.
This great matter captured everyone’s attention, and could even be called earth shattering.
Princess Zhi Yan withdrew from the Divine Dragon Holy Hall. The king issued an edict, establishing the princess estate.
After this edict was issued, it could be said that the world was shocked. Although the king did not explicitly state it, his intentions were completely obvious.
There had been princesses before, and there had been princess estates before.
However, those were all after a princess married and could no longer live in the royal palace, so she had to build a princess estate outside the palace.
But now, Princess Zhi Yan was not married, yet the princess estate was already established. And where Zhi Li resided was the young lord’s estate.
So this opposing relationship was already completely apparent.
Many people were extremely shocked and puzzled. The king had this intention, so why not do it secretly? Why make it known to the whole world?
Now even peddlers and carriers knew that the king intended to establish the princess as heir.
After the king was paralysed, he had completely gone mad!
Since Emperor Long unified the human kingdoms, in nearly the entire three thousand years of history, there had never been a true queen.
His Majesty the King wanted to create history, even to make the whole world his enemy.
This was a world where men were revered and women were subordinate. How could a woman be king?
The nobles, feudal lords, and even commoners of the world were unwilling to see a queen ascend the throne, even if they bore no hostility towards Princess Zhi Yan.
But women cannot be kings. This was the tradition of the human world. Whoever broke this tradition was making an enemy of the entire world.
And what was King Zhi Bian’s standing among the common people?
Of course he was supreme, worthy of reverence, but absolutely not someone people felt close to.
He was very powerful, but not a founding king, not a king of hegemony. Even under his rule, the Angry Wave Kingdom’s expansion officially fell into stillness. The Hundred Thousand Great Mountains blocked the Angry Wave Kingdom’s million strong army.
He did not have this authority, nor did he have the people’s hearts needed to create history.
What was the greatest achievement during King Zhi Bian’s reign? It was gaining Rou Ran City’s allegiance, giving the Angry Wave Kingdom an additional province’s territory in the west.
Furthermore, under King Zhi Bian’s support, the commoner elite of the entire kingdom rose up.
Originally, the commoner elite of the entire Angry Wave Kingdom could at most reach the level of high level warrior lord. But now under King Zhi Bian’s support, the cabinet and the command headquarters already had the presence of commoner elite.
So, King Zhi Bian was completely the benefactor and Bole of the commoner elite. Without King Zhi Bian, the commoner elite could almost never truly rise to prominence.
However, the moment the king issued the edict for the princess estate’s establishment, the entire commoner elite completely betrayed the king.
As the gathering place of the commoner elite, the commoner branch of the Royal Academy, all commoner students immediately gathered collectively upon learning of the king’s edict, sitting in silent protest in the square, resisting the king’s edict.
All commoner elite were boycotting the king’s edict.
Although it was because of King Zhi Bian’s kindness that they had today’s opportunity to rise above others, they would absolutely not tolerate a woman becoming king of the Angry Wave Kingdom.
Moreover, without King Zhi Bian, they could still pledge allegiance to Prince Zhi Li.
Because Prince Zhi Li also greatly valued the commoner elite. Had they not seen that Ling Ao had already become his attendant? In the future, Ling Ao might even replace Tu Ling Tuo, becoming the Angry Wave Kingdom’s number one military commander.
There was one saying that was very cruel, but it was the truth.
People are shortsighted and foolish, and commoners even more so.
The commoner elite of the Royal Academy, and even the elite of the cabinet and command headquarters, all wishfully believed that after Prince Zhi Li ascended the throne, he would certainly continue to heavily use the commoner elite. The reason was very simple, because Prince Zhi Li had defied the world’s condemnation by letting a commoner elite, Ling Ao, become his attendant.
One must know that in the past, the crown prince’s attendant was at minimum the son of a marquis.
Back then, King Zhi Bian, because he had no hope of the crown prince position, so Suo Long, as the son of a count, became his attendant.
And now, Zhi Li as the future king, had actually selected this commoner elite Ling Ao as his attendant. So there was no doubt that he would heavily use the commoner elite after ascending the throne.
However, all the commoner elite failed to see that Zhi Li’s signal of heavily using the commoner elite was only Ling Ao alone, completely a case of buying bones with a thousand gold.
The only reason Zhi Li could rise to power, even able to stand against King Zhi Bian, was that behind him stood the nobles and feudal lords.
There was one saying that very aptly described King Zhi Bian’s state of mind.
I turned my heart towards the bright moon, but the bright moon shone upon the ditch.
The commoner elite that King Zhi Bian had spent twenty years cultivating, almost overnight, all betrayed the king, all standing on Prince Zhi Li’s side.
Moreover, one piece of news had intentionally or unintentionally spread. King Zhi Bian was already paralysed.
Implicitly, Prince Zhi Li already had the bearing of a ruler.
…
After entering the royal capital, Suo Lun received two invitations. One from Princess Zhi Yan, and one from… Ling Ao.
That’s right, from Ling Ao, Prince Zhi Li’s attendant.
Suo Lun said to one of the eunuchs, “Please take me to Princess Zhi Yan’s estate.”
“Understood.” That eunuch said.
Suddenly a eunuch beside him said, “Count Suo Lun, this is your final chance to choose a side. Once missed, there will be no possibility of changing.”
Suo Lun looked at that eunuch and said, “I long ago had no other choice.”
Then, that eunuch led the imperial guards, taking Suo Lun towards the princess estate.
From the outer city, entering the inner city, Suo Lun suddenly discovered this road was very familiar.
Half an hour later, they arrived outside the princess estate’s main gate.
Indeed very familiar, because Suo Lun was essentially coming home. The predecessor of this princess estate was actually the Tianshui Count’s estate.
That is to say, when the king had driven Suo Lun out of the royal capital and reclaimed the count’s estate, he simply changed the sign, and it became the princess estate.
What deeper meaning lay within this was completely unknown.
…
At this time, countless lanterns hung outside the princess estate, illuminating it as bright as day.
Outside the princess estate stood welcoming eunuchs and warriors, plus countless maidservants coming and going.
Tonight was a grand day. The king had issued an edict for the formal establishment of the princess estate, and several days prior, had sent invitations to nearly all the nobles and feudal lords of the world, inviting them to attend the princess estate’s banquet.
However…
Before the princess estate’s main gate, it was completely deserted.
Not a single carriage, not a single sedan chair.
Not only that, when the princess estate was still the Tianshui Count’s estate, there had been many noble estates on this street.
However, overnight, all the nobles on this street had moved away cleanly.
Everyone was drawing a clear line with Princess Zhi Yan, or more accurately, with King Zhi Bian.
It could be said that the moment the king issued the edict announcing the princess estate’s establishment, he became a true isolated person, making an enemy of the entire world.
Not to mention, the news that King Zhi Bian was already paralysed had spread throughout the entire Angry Wave royal capital within just a few short days.
To put it in the cruelest terms, everyone was waiting for King Zhi Bian’s death, then for His Highness Zhi Li to become the new king.
As for His Highness Zhi Li’s defeat at Tianshui City, and Suo Lun’s successful recapture of Tianshui territory, this was originally a major matter. But before the earth shaking upheaval in the royal capital, it was already insignificant, completely just a ripple.
…
Under the eunuch’s guidance, Suo Lun entered the princess estate, which was once the Tianshui Count’s estate.
Arriving at the banquet hall, there were over a hundred tables laid out here, countless delicacies, over a hundred eunuchs and maidservants standing at every point in the hall, trying to attend to every person.
However…
The entire banquet hall had maidservants, had eunuchs, had fine wine, had delicacies, had bright lights and red wine, but not a single guest.
Yes, not a single guest.
The entire banquet hall had only two people, Princess Zhi Yan and Duke Zhi Ting.
“Your Highness Princess, Count Suo Lun has arrived.” The eunuch outside called out.
Instantly, Duke Zhi Ting immediately came out to welcome him, saying, “The first guest of our banquet, or perhaps the only guest, has finally arrived.”
Then, Duke Zhi Ting stepped forward and embraced Suo Lun forcefully.
What an empty and vast hall! Over a hundred tables! Covered with delicacies and fine wine, yet completely devoid of people.
“Oh, that’s not right!” Duke Zhi Ting said, “You are not a guest either. You count as half a host, or even a host.”
Then, Duke Zhi Ting, with his arm around Suo Lun, came before Princess Zhi Yan’s table.
“Greetings, Your Highness Princess.” Suo Lun bowed in salute.
Then, the three people sat around one table.
“The banquet just began?” Suo Lun asked?
Zhi Ting said, “It is nearly ending. There will be no more guests.”
Infinite sorrow welled up in Suo Lun’s heart. Zhi Bian had been on the throne for over twenty years, and was similarly one of the most wise and great kings in the kingdom’s history.
Yet tonight, he was being slapped in the face by all the nobles and feudal lords, one after another.
Truly one slap after another, striking the king’s face.
“Your Highness Princess, since we three are all hosts, then we do not need attendants, yes?” Duke Zhi Ting said.
Zhi Yan smiled and said, “No need.”
Then, Zhi Ting waved his hand, and all the maidservants and eunuchs departed.
In the incomparably vast banquet hall, not a single guest, only three hosts, Zhi Yan, Zhi Ting, and Suo Lun.
“Count Suo Lun, why so late?” Duke Zhi Ting asked, “Where is Gao Ning Shi? Why has he not returned?”
Suo Lun said, “Encountered Dark Society assassination on the road. Thirteen assassins at Dragon Warrior level or above. Gao Ning Shi and the others have been completely annihilated.”
When these words came out, Zhi Yan and Zhi Ting’s expressions completely changed.
Zhi Li had finally torn off all pretense, completely disregarding King Zhi Bian’s no kill edict.
Duke Zhi Ting fell into infinite sorrow, sighing, “Gao Ning Shi, twenty three years ago he began following me, as if he had become part of my body. Now he is just dead like this… truly makes one quite unaccustomed.”
The three people fell into silence.
Duke Zhi Ting said, “Suo Lun, do you know there is another banquet tonight?”
“I know.” Suo Lun said, “Ling Ao, Zhi Li’s attendant’s engagement banquet.”
Zhi Ting said, “Do you know what the situation is like over there?”
Suo Lun said, “A bustling crowd at the gate.”
Zhi Ting laughed, “More than just a bustling crowd at the gate. The nobles, feudal lords, and commoner elite going to attend the banquet totalled over several thousand people. Carriages were backed up ten li beyond Duke Tu Ling’s estate. The food, drink, and venue prepared for the banquet were completely insufficient. Tables had already been set up outside on the street.”
Duke Zhi Ting’s voice was incomparably mournful.
Over there, it was merely Zhi Li’s attendant’s engagement banquet, yet it was so packed with guests that tables had to be set up outside on the street.
While here was the king’s only daughter, Princess Zhi Yan’s banquet, yet it was completely deserted, not a single guest.
That is to say, now the king’s own flesh and blood was not even worth one percent of Zhi Li’s slave.
Duke Zhi Ting said, “Count Suo Lun, do you know who is the only person supporting the princess estate tonight?”
“Who?” Suo Lun asked.
“The prostitutes of the royal capital.” Duke Zhi Ting said, “To celebrate the princess estate’s establishment, most brothel women are offering twenty percent discounts.”
After speaking, Duke Zhi Ting laughed heartily, then drank a large cup of wine, tears sliding down.
“I guessed we would be very miserable, but never thought it would be this miserable.” Duke Zhi Ting said through tears, “Suo Lun, we are making an enemy of the entire world. Are you certain you want to continue?”
“Of course, I have no other choice.” Suo Lun said.
Duke Zhi Ting said, “At worst I am staking one life, Zhi Yan is also staking one life, but what you are staking is the entire Suo family clan, plus five hundred li of Tianshui territory. Is it worth it?”
“I have no other choice.” Suo Lun said lightly.
Duke Zhi Ting said with tears in his eyes, “Of the twenty three feudal lords of the world, twenty two stand on Zhi Li’s side. Of the over one thousand nobles of the world, one hundred percent stand on Zhi Li’s side. We have only three people, oh no, only one person. That person is you. Only you alone can cross the river to fight. You alone must fight twenty two feudal lords, over one thousand nobles. Do we still have hope? Now even the king is being treated as a puppet by many people. Do we still have hope?”
Yes, now on Princess Zhi Yan’s side, Zhi Yan could not personally act, Zhi Ting also could not act. The only one who could step forward to fight was Suo Lun alone.
He had to face twenty two feudal lords, over one thousand nobles, and countless commoner elite.
Making an enemy of the entire world, was there still hope?
“A single leaf blocks the view.” Suo Lun said with a cold laugh, “Those nobles, those feudal lords, just treat them as pigs and dogs! This battle, although as difficult as ascending to heaven, but do not forget, half a year ago I had nothing, and now I have recaptured Tianshui City. Matters as difficult as ascending to heaven, I have already accomplished two.”
That’s right, two.
The first, obtaining the noble warrior medal.
The second, recapturing Tianshui City.
Suo Lun said, “Now, what I want to accomplish is the third task as difficult as ascending to heaven, destroy Zhi Li, and let Princess Zhi Yan ascend the throne as king.”
At this time, Princess Zhi Yan finally spoke for the first time, “Why? Why do you stand so firmly on my side?”
Suo Lun said word by word, “Because, Zhi Li and I are already irreconcilable.”
Zhi Yan looked at Suo Lun and said, “We three people no longer have any path of retreat. Just yesterday, I left the Divine Dragon Holy Hall. This means I will not receive the Holy Hall’s protection. Once we fail, death would be the best outcome for me. Suo Lun, I have no other abilities. My only virtue is… trust.”
Trust, for a monarch, was perhaps the greatest gift to a subject.
Princess Zhi Yan raised her wine cup and said, “Yes, it is trust. Even if I am your sovereign. But… I am willing to submit to your will. Your performance has completely conquered us. From now on, our strategy will be entirely deployed by you. Your will is our direction. No matter what orders you issue, we will devote our full strength.”
Suo Lun was startled. With one sentence, Princess Zhi Yan had elevated him as the pillar supporting heaven.
Then, he raised his wine cup and said, “A gentleman dies for one who knows him.”
Duke Zhi Ting said, “Suo Lun, I hope you have a plan that can let us win this almost impossible war, this war of one person against the entire world.”
“It is one corner against the entire kingdom.” Suo Lun nodded, “I already have a three step strategy in my heart. Once these three steps are completed, we will have won more than half of this decisive battle.”
Zhi Yan’s beautiful eyes brightened, and she said, “Please speak.”
Suo Lun said, “First step, block Zhi Li’s faction’s this fatal counterattack against Tianshui City. Because for a long time, Tianshui City will be our only base, source of troops, source of wealth.”
That’s right, Suo Lun’s Tianshui City was the only territorial force in Zhi Yan’s camp.
Once Suo Lun and Tianshui City were destroyed, Zhi Yan would be completely defeated in this kingdom’s civil war.
So Zhi Li’s this counterattack would certainly be extremely fierce and terrifying, like the momentum of thunder.
Duke Zhi Ting said, “How will Zhi Li’s faction’s counterattack against Tianshui City be conducted?”
“It should come from the sea.” Suo Lun said, “Using my own methods against me. Countless disguised pirates will attack from the sea, taking Chaos Rock Island, cutting off our currently only source of wealth, then invading Tianshui City, completely destroying the Suo family’s foundation.”
Then, Suo Lun said, “Let me guess, how many factions will join this so called pirate alliance? Lin Hai Gui family, already subdued by A Shi Luo, the Ying Zhou fleet, plus the feudal lord with the strongest naval trade, Luan Yang City.”
Duke Zhi Ting said, “Three forces combined, naval forces exceeding fifty thousand.”
“It will certainly exceed fifty thousand, even far more.” Suo Lun said, “Anyway, it is in the name of pirates, the more the better.”
Zhi Ting said, “Then this battle will be extremely difficult. Our naval forces are less than three thousand.”
“It is very difficult.” Suo Lun said, “But we must win. Only by winning Zhi Li’s fatal strike can we survive. Only then can we have the opportunity to proceed to the second step, the third step strategy.”
Zhi Ting said, “Then what is the second step strategy?”
Suo Lun said, “Second step strategy, target person A Shi Li Ren, help her defeat her younger brother A Shi Luo, support her to ascend to the position of Rou Ran City lord, then support Your Highness Princess.”
When these words came out, Zhi Ting and Princess Zhi Yan’s eyes brightened.
The second step could completely be called a stroke of divine inspiration.
First, A Shi Li Ren was a woman. Once she inherited the position of Rou Ran City lord, it would break the precedent that women could not succeed to positions.
Second, once A Shi Li Ren supported Zhi Yan, it would equal tearing a huge crack in the feudal lord forces.
The Rou Ran A Shi family was the Angry Wave Kingdom’s greatest feudal lord, possessing over one hundred thousand troops, possessing the world’s number one cavalry.
Once gaining Rou Ran City’s support, Zhi Yan’s camp would be like a tiger with wings added, its significance not inferior to the Normandy landing of World War Two.
So, once the second step succeeded, it would completely change Princess Zhi Yan’s currently absolutely unfavourable situation.
“Then the third step?” Zhi Ting asked.
Suo Lun said, “Attack the enemy’s heart, destroy Lin Hai City, kill Gui Xing Fu and all his sons, support Gui Qin Shao as the second female feudal lord, make her pledge allegiance to Your Highness Princess.”
When these words came out, Zhi Ting looked at Suo Lun in complete disbelief and said, “So, on that night several months ago, you were already laying out plans on Gui Qin Shao?”
Suo Lun nodded and said, “Yes, planted certain seeds on her body, then just waited to harvest.”
Just at this time, a eunuch entered and said, “Ling Ao has sent a second invitation, inviting Count Suo Lun to attend his and Miss Gui Qin Shao’s engagement banquet.”
Suo Lun smiled and said, “Since someone is so enthusiastic, then I might as well go be an unwelcome guest.”
Then, Suo Lun left the princess estate, boarding a carriage towards Duke Tu Ling’s estate.
If Ling Ao knew that his beloved bride’s red pill had already been “stolen” by Suo Lun, who knows if he would go completely mad.