Jingyang County, Ning Royal Mansion.
Steward Fu slowly finished reporting the news.
Finally, he let out a long breath and concluded,
“The Lin Family is almost finished!”
Ning Que, with a half-smile, put down the ledger.
He was merely taking back what belonged to him.
The moment he decided to divorce his wife, he had completely let go.
The Lin Family’s life or death had nothing to do with him anymore!
“Your Highness, the Gu Family has sent an invitation.”
“What date is it for?”
“It’s set for two days from now…”
“Two days from now?”
“Yes.”
Steward Fu was filled with indignation at this moment, clenching his fists.
He was so angry his teeth itched!
The Gu Family was clearly provoking them on purpose!
Two days from now was the Old Prince Ning’s death anniversary!
And also the death anniversary of Ning Que’s three elder brothers!
Yet the Gu Family chose this day to host a banquet.
How could this not be intentional provocation?
“Your Highness, perhaps we should decline?”
“No need,” Ning Que replied calmly. “Since they’ve invited me, I naturally have to attend. But the gift needs to be carefully chosen. Steward Fu, go prepare a three-foot-long sandalwood coffin for me.”
“Send… send a coffin?”
“Good!”
Steward Fu nodded repeatedly.
This was the true heir of Ning Royal Mansion!
He knew when to pick up and when to let go!
He would always repay a grudge!
Old Prince Ning had not secured his position as prince through benevolence. He had used an iron-fisted approach to purge many political enemies. The four Other surname Princes were suppressed by him, unable to raise their heads, and could only cower in their own fiefdoms. They paid tribute honestly every year, never daring to delay.
Look at Ning Que.
He would only do better than Prince Ning in the future!
Even if he was delayed for three years, he would still be Prince Ning!
“There’s one more thing.”
“My father and brothers died in the Battle of Yumen Pass, and this matter cannot be left unresolved. My father and brothers were both military generals, and it’s fine that they died on the battlefield, their bodies wrapped in horsehide. But I need to know who colluded with the enemy and leaked the marching route. They cannot die without knowing why!”
“Your Highness intends to?”
“Deliver this letter to my senior sister for me.”
“Understood!”
Steward Fu immediately took the letter.
Over the years, Ning Que had never forgotten the blood feud.
The Western Liang people were detestable, but the national traitors were even more detestable!
He had long ago written to his sect, informing them.
He hoped his senior and junior siblings could help investigate.
Unfortunately, this matter was completely sealed off.
Great Feng and Western Liang both remained silent.
Some who knew the inside story were even silenced.
Fortunately, his senior sister was the world’s top secret agent.
She was highly skilled in martial arts and excelled at disguise.
A letter from her arrived in the first half of the year, stating she was in the Western Liang region.
She had been helping him investigate the situation all these years.
“Your Highness, is there anything I can do in Jingyang County?”
“Not at the moment,” Ning Que smiled. “Steward Fu has been busy running back and forth these past few days, it hasn’t been easy. Today, I reckon Prince Qi sent some people to cause trouble, deliberately stirring up issues. They didn’t even consider that Jingyang County is famous for its abundant martial virtue. I didn’t even know about it, and these people were already beaten up, still clamoring to report to the authorities. How coincidental, I am the authority!”
“Hehe…”
Steward Fu also chuckled.
Prince Qi was notoriously cunning.
He had been involved in court politics for decades.
When Old Prince Ning died in battle, Emperor Feng entrusted Jingyang County to Prince Qi for temporary governance. However, the taxes and land rents still belonged to Ning Royal Mansion.
But the interests of a single county were far more than just these.
Jingyang County was very close to Chang'an.
It was known as a fertile land.
The local area was incredibly prosperous.
By placing some merchants, one could make a fortune.
And by collecting bribes and appointing officials,
One could expand one's influence even further.
For instance, the Jingyang County Magistrate was Prince Qi’s man.
Knowing that Ning Que was coming to provide disaster relief, he still tried to cause trouble.
Ning Que didn’t waste words with him.
He directly produced Emperor Feng’s imperial decree.
The magistrate, scared out of his wits, fled in a hurry.
Such small figures had to play both sides.
He was Prince Qi’s man, but he couldn’t afford to offend Ning Que either!
Ning Que specifically ordered people to strengthen the guard on the granaries.
He really had to thank the Lin Family for the 100,000 piculs of millet they provided.
The four major grain merchants in Jingyang County were stomping their feet in frustration.
After seeing the Gu Family sell off their grain, they followed suit.
The grain prices in Jingyang County plummeted again.
And Ning Que took the opportunity to hoard some.
There would be many more places to use grain later on.
Emperor Feng had said that issuing decrees was fine.
But asking for grain was out of the question!
The Chang'an granary held military supplies.
Even if people starved to death, it absolutely could not be touched.
Otherwise, if war broke out on the border, what would the soldiers eat?
“Your Highness!”
“We caught a villain.”
“This bastard actually tried to set the granary on fire!”
“Oh?”
Iron Bull grunted as he burst in.
He was a household guard of Ning Royal Mansion.
He was actually from Western Liang.
Later, he was captured in battle and became a slave in the manor.
At first, he was very resistant.
He even tried to assassinate Old Prince Ning.
But later he found that the manor treated him extremely well.
He even had meat to eat every day.
Then he happily surrendered.
As a Western Liang person, he was naturally skilled in archery and horsemanship.
He naturally became a household guard of Ning Royal Mansion.
He even followed Prince Ning to fight against Western Liang.
He fought even harder than the Feng People.
This greatly angered the Western Liang people.
They all accused Iron Bull of becoming Prince Ning’s dog.
And abandoning the glory of the Western Liang Sky Wolf!
Unexpectedly, Iron Bull was quite pragmatic.
What was so bad about being Prince Ning’s dog?
Being a wolf?
He still had to fill his stomach!
In Western Liang, he was either hungry or full.
Being able to get a bone was considered good.
His life in Ning Royal Mansion was very comfortable.
He had meat to eat at every meal.
What Western Liang Sky Wolf?
Being a dog of Great Feng was the greatest honor!
It was precisely because of this that Iron Bull was on Western Liang’s kill list, with a bounty even exceeding that of many vice-generals. Therefore, during the Battle of Yumen Pass, he was left in the rear for support, and luckily survived.
Iron Bull’s face was full of rage.
They were providing disaster relief, and someone dared to burn the granary?!
So, they didn't care about the disaster victims?
It was a good thing Ning Que had been careful.
He had informed them in advance to strengthen their defenses.
“Bring the person in.”
“Understood.”
A moment later, Iron Bull brought the person in.
The moment he lifted his head, Ning Que smiled.
“It’s you?”
“Ning Que!” Lin Chao was clearly furious and exasperated, saying, “You let me go right now. I’m telling you, don’t get cocky. If you dare to harm me, Xianhong will never speak to you again!”
“It’s a deal!”
“Double happiness!”
Ning Que raised his foot and kicked Lin Chao over.
“Your brain, I estimate, couldn’t think of such things.”
“Honestly, who instigated you?”
“No one instigated me!”
Lin Chao was still quite stubborn at this moment.
Ning Que was not in a hurry, he said calmly, “Very well. You attempted to set fire to the granary and prevent me from providing relief to the disaster victims. According to the law, this is a capital offense. Even if you have military merits, you will probably be severely punished.”
“You… what are you going to do?”
“Deal with it according to the law, of course.” Ning Que spread his hands. “As the saying goes, leniency for confession, severity for resistance. Since you refuse to confess honestly, I can only send you to Dali Temple. You really are foolish enough to be sold out and still count money for the person who sold you.”
“You… you…”
“You can’t do this to me!”
“Ning Que, you must not regret this!”
“Xianhong will definitely never speak to you again!”
Iron Bull wasn't going to indulge him.
He directly slapped him across the mouth.
Then he stuffed a dirty sock into it.
There was no need for words when dealing with such people.
Once he was sent in, he immediately became obedient.
Ning Que looked at Steward Fu beside him.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
“It seems tomorrow’s gift can be even bigger!”