“Father Emperor, I have already investigated the origins of the Lubei soldiers who attacked the city gates last time. Some of them infiltrated while hidden among the grain transport teams, while others entered through another route.”
The Emperor revealed a puzzled expression. “People from Lubei have indeed crossed through that small path before, but most came secretly to do business here or intended to settle long-term. If they truly intended to infiltrate soldiers through such a treacherous route, I fear more than half would die before even reaching the halfway point.”
“Does Father Emperor know about officials of our court secretly transporting grain to Lubei?”
“I know something of it.”
Hearing the Emperor’s answer, the Third Prince continued, “Since Father Emperor knows of it, then you should also understand that it would be impossible to safely transport grain into Lubei through that small path alone.”
The Emperor lowered his eyes slightly. “You mean there is another route?”
“I already sent people to investigate the border area. Back then, when those people transported grain into Lubei, they did not use that small path at all, but rather a tunnel.”
“A tunnel?” The Emperor’s brows furrowed deeply. “What tunnel?”
The Third Prince explained unhurriedly, “Father Emperor may not know this, but that tunnel was excavated from the middle through. Its exit lies southeast of the mountain, and from there one must travel several more li before reaching that small path. Furthermore, the tunnel entrance is overgrown with weeds and difficult to discover. The people I sent to investigate found that a long stretch of it was manually excavated.”
“How outrageous!” The Emperor slammed his hand heavily against the large desk, his face turning ashen.
“So Lubei had designs on Yunxi long ago. They actually spared no effort to excavate such a lengthy tunnel. If that were the case, why did they still demand Yunxi cede a large part of the Shannan Region to them? Secretly stealing grain alone would already be enough for their nobles and aristocrats to enjoy.”
The Third Prince replied calmly, “Father Emperor should not speak in anger. Emperor Lin is not a fool. Colluding with officials here for a year or two and secretly transporting grain might still be manageable, but over time it would inevitably be discovered. At that point, would Father Emperor simply stand by and do nothing? If so, then the famine problem in their nation would remain a constant hidden danger.”
After the Third Prince finished speaking, the Emperor began pacing around the room, his expression growing uglier and uglier.
Mu Xueshi had something he could not figure out. He was just about to ask the Third Prince directly as he normally would, when a warning bell suddenly rang in his mind. This was the imperial palace. The Emperor was right in front of him. One careless sentence could cost him his life.
Seeing Mu Xueshi’s hesitant expression, the Third Prince directly asked him, “What is it?”
The Emperor stood with his back to them, seemingly lost in thought, paying no attention to their conversation.
Mu Xueshi secretly leaned close to the Third Prince’s ear and asked, “Why is Lubei suffering from famine?”
“Lubei has vast regions plagued by drought year after year. Crops fail completely, and the common people struggle even to obtain drinking water.” The Third Prince explained clearly to Mu Xueshi without the slightest hesitation.
Mu Xueshi nodded, then glanced at the Emperor before falling silent again.
Naturally, the Emperor knew the Third Prince’s explanation had not been intended for him. His already troubled mood worsened further.
“Since you have already investigated the situation there, then quickly seal that tunnel back up. We cannot allow any more Lubei soldiers to infiltrate through that route. As for the soldiers who entered hidden among the grain convoys, find their hiding place as soon as possible. I never expected the border region to become so careless.”
“Father Emperor, that tunnel cannot be sealed for the time being. Although we know about it, Lubei still does not know we have discovered it. Only in this way can we secretly learn about their situation. Besides, the tunnel is narrow and only allows one person through at a time. Back then, the grain was transported sack by sack, and only once it reached the exit were grain carts there to receive it. Why should Father Emperor worry about more soldiers infiltrating? Compared to the size of our army, those numbers are insignificant.”
“If that is the case, then the number of Lubei soldiers infiltrating our territory should not be large either. Judging from their last assault on the city gates, there were only a few thousand. Perhaps it was merely a bluff intended to throw people into chaos. Why continue investigating enemy movements? That would only delay our military response. What we should be doing is preparing for war.” The Emperor spoke firmly.
“Father Emperor, back then you openly told your son that you wished to avoid casualties as much as possible. Why is it now that you wish to take the initiative against Lubei?” A trace of mockery colored the Third Prince’s voice.
The Emperor gave a bitter smile. “Ever since Lubei nearly breached the city gates last time, I abandoned the idea of negotiation. Since our chances of victory are greater, why should we bow before them?”
“And from where did Father Emperor conclude that our chances of victory are greater?”
Caught by the Third Prince’s question, the Emperor’s tone became more cautious.
“Based on what you have just said, although Lubei soldiers continue infiltrating our nation, their numbers are ultimately limited. No matter how powerful their weapons may be, they still require manpower to wield them. Even if all ten or twenty thousand of their elite soldiers are valiant fighters, we still have tens of thousands to resist them, and in morale we hold the advantage.”
“But Father Emperor has forgotten one thing. Would Emperor Lin truly be foolish enough to risk launching an attack against us with merely ten or twenty thousand men? They are currently inside Yunxi itself. One slight mistake and we could capture them.”
The Emperor’s expression turned complicated as he looked toward the Third Prince and asked unsteadily, “You mean another nation may secretly be supporting them? Or…”
“Both!” the Third Prince replied mercilessly.
The Emperor slowly lowered himself into the chair while supporting its edge, his face growing even more worried than before. This was exactly what he feared most. Ever since the Third Prince arrived, he had wanted reassurance from him. Yet the news the Third Prince brought was still bad. The Emperor’s heart, which had only just begun to relax, tightened once more.
“Then have you discovered who the traitors behind this are?” the Emperor asked again.
The Third Prince’s lips moved slightly as he answered calmly, “Not yet.”
The Emperor sighed heavily to himself. “That makes things even more difficult. Back when my imperial father ruled, rebels frequently stirred up internal unrest. Although they were eventually suppressed, many members of the imperial family died. Even though there has been no movement in recent years, there is no guarantee they have not secretly been plotting rebellion all this time. If they truly join forces with Emperor Lin, then all the advantage will fall into Lubei’s hands…”
The room fell into silence, the air itself seeming weighed down with heaviness.
Mu Xueshi looked toward the Third Prince. Seeing him frowning, he leaned close and whispered directly beside his ear, “Is it very troublesome?”
The Third Prince felt the warm breath by his ear, and hearing Mu Xueshi’s concern warmed his heart slightly.
“No. There will be a solution.”
“Why does Lubei want to start a war?” Mu Xueshi finally could not hold back the question in his heart.
The Third Prince replied quietly, “Yunxi and Lubei have never gotten along. Though separated by only a mountain, Lubei has always wanted to occupy the Shannan Region. This time, Lubei suffered severe drought, and instability arose within their court. Emperor Lin wishes even more to seize land.”
“If Lubei is suffering from drought and food shortages, why do they want land instead of grain aid? Even if they gain more land, will the drought disappear?”
“By occupying fertile land, they can cultivate crops there. That way, the grain produced would belong to them.”
The Third Prince showed not the slightest impatience. Even knowing Mu Xueshi understood very little, he still explained patiently.
“But there are already common people living on that land. They also need food and water. Can one piece of land really solve an entire nation’s famine?” Without realizing it, Mu Xueshi’s voice grew louder and louder.
The Emperor had endured for quite some time already, yet Mu Xueshi remained utterly unaware of restraint. Not only had his voice grown louder, but his questions were becoming increasingly foolish. Combined with hearing the Third Prince answer him so tirelessly, the Emperor’s frustration finally reached its limit.
“Enough!” the Emperor shouted sharply. “This is a discussion of state affairs. Since when is a commoner like you permitted to interrupt?”
Mu Xueshi had been listening intently and was startled badly by the sudden roar.
The moment the Third Prince saw Mu Xueshi frightened, his expression changed instantly as well. Rising to his feet, he fixed the Emperor with a chilling gaze and said coldly, “Out of respect for calling you Father Emperor, I ask that you do not scold Xueshi in front of me.”
The Emperor trembled with anger. “You mean I now require your permission even to reprimand him?”
The Third Prince’s gaze was sharp as a blade. “You were never permitted to.”
“You…!” The Emperor gasped violently for breath, nearly collapsing to the floor.
Mu Xueshi’s expression changed immediately and he hurried forward, but the Third Prince moved even faster, directly supporting the Emperor and helping him sit back down in the chair.
“It was my fault for talking too much. Your Majesty, please don’t be angry with the Third Prince.”
Mu Xueshi quickly dropped to his knees and knocked his head against the floor several times, apologizing over and over.
The Emperor reclined in the long chair with his eyes closed, one hand pressed against his chest, ignoring Mu Xueshi completely.
The Third Prince directly pulled Mu Xueshi back to his feet. Seeing that the swelling on his forehead, which had only recently gone down, had returned again, displeasure flashed across his face.
“I caused trouble for you again…” Mu Xueshi said mournfully.
The Third Prince said nothing. After rubbing Mu Xueshi’s forehead gently, he summoned the eunuch outside to bring in a bowl of calming soup.
When the eunuch carried the soup to the doorway, the Third Prince did not allow him to enter. Instead, he personally took the bowl and brought it before the Emperor.
The Emperor’s complexion had already improved considerably. Remembering that the Third Prince had shown concern for him earlier and was now personally serving him, his mood finally eased somewhat.
Mu Xueshi secretly let out a sigh of relief. Only after seeing the Emperor accept the bowl did the tension leave his small face.
The two of them stood beside the Emperor in silence. Mu Xueshi’s face was full of guilt, while the Third Prince showed almost no expression.
After a while, the Emperor’s complexion finally recovered completely, though he still appeared somewhat exhausted. Leaning against the cushioned chair, his eyes narrowed slightly, as though he intended to rest for a moment first.
Futile Devices Scans 
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