Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 514: Homecoming

Chongzhou.

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, the cold wind howled, and the branches and clusters of flowers and grasses within Prince Chong’s Mansion swayed under the cold wind, their shadows dancing on the ground.

The study still had lights on, and several tall figures were casting shadows on the paper window under the illumination of the lamp.

"Creak..."

The window suddenly opened, and the piercing cold wind rushed into the study through the window, blowing the papers on the desk to the ground. Prince Chong faced the cold wind, put down the letter in his hand, and his mind became much clearer.

"I never expected that the once almighty Prince Huai, who commanded the dukes across the realm, would now be in a situation where everyone is shouting to beat him."

Prince Chong turned around and handed the letter in his hand to the staff officer below, saying, "Prince Huai wishes to seek refuge with me, hoping I will take him in. What do you all think about this matter?"

Then, a white-haired but upright elderly man full of vigor and wisdom, with years etched on his face, stepped forward, his eyes seemingly hiding infinite brightness and wisdom, said, "Prince, in terms of kinship, both you and Prince Huai are kinsmen of the Great Song, brothers by blood.

In terms of interests, Lu Sheng commands the dukes in Luonan with the emperor at his command, with an army of over a hundred thousand. To the north, Chen Mo expels Jin Xia and occupies the entire north, his power and ambition pose a great challenge to the Great Song’s country and society, and neither of these forces is something you can currently contend with. If you don’t want the land and society to fall into others’ hands, you must unite with Prince Huai to strengthen your own power and resist external enemies."

Following these words, there was naturally opposition from others, saying:

"I believe the words of Elder Liang are inappropriate. Prince Huai, taking advantage of Chen Mo attacking Jin Xia, launched a surprise attack on Huai State. Such despicable behavior has already lost the righteousness and the people’s support, and as if that wasn’t enough, he even failed the surprise attack, causing the Huai Army to suffer heavy losses and even creating an internal trust crisis.

And the second attack led to Chu Ce’s death in battle, the annihilation of the army, and even the Xiao Family defecting to the Chen Army, showing his inability to manage subordinates. Now the court has issued a holy decree to denounce Prince Huai, and the dukes across the land have responded. He is currently unable to protect himself, like a rat crossing the street, everyone shouting to beat him.

If we take him in now, it will undoubtedly incur the wrath of Chen Mo. Chen Mo just destroyed the Eastern Army of Jin Xia, marched all the way to Haiyan Pass triumphantly, with overwhelming military power and high morale. If he learns that you have taken in Prince Huai upon his return, it might lead him to raise arms against us. I hope you will consider this carefully, Prince."

Referred to as Elder Liang is Liang Mu, the patriarch of the Liang Family, one of the Seven Great Noble Families, who immediately rebuked upon hearing the objections:

"Guo Wei, Prince and Prince Huai are kinsmen of the Great Song and have always advanced and retreated together. In the eyes of the world, they are one entity. Now that Prince Huai is in trouble, yet the Prince stands by and does nothing to rescue him, how would the world view the Prince? Wouldn’t you be putting the Prince in an unjust position?

Moreover, Chen Mo, with hawk-eyed ambition, is now sitting across the entire north, aiming to overthrow the Great Song’s country. Even if the Prince does not take in Prince Huai, can you guarantee that Chen Mo won’t attack the Prince, Guo Wei?"

Liang Mu’s words rendered Guo Wei silent. Everyone with insight in the world knows that with Chen Mo now in control of the entire north, it’s only a matter of time before the Prince becomes Chen Mo’s enemy if he seeks further advancement.

Yet he stubbornly said, "But General Gongsun has not yet returned. We shouldn’t be enemies with him; we should first avoid his edge, feign weakness, and then make a gradual plan."

To this, Liang Mu responded with a cold snort, bowing to Prince Chong, "Prince, although Prince Huai’s army was annihilated, he still has several thousand personal troops, which is a considerable force. Having been rooted in Huai State for decades, even if his territory is seized by Chen Mo, he still has underlying resources. If you take in Prince Huai, he will definitely provide significant assistance to you, Prince."

Guo Wei still wanted to speak when an urgent voice sounded outside the study, followed by the butler’s voice: "Prince, General Gongsun has returned."

At that time, when Gongsun Yan decided to traverse the Wuxing Mountain Range, Wanyan Xiaji just learned about the situation on the eastern front, and due to the danger of the Wuxing Mountain Range, did not send troops to chase Gongsun Yan, allowing the latter to successfully enter the mountain range.

However, the peril of the Wuxing Mountain Range nearly led Gongsun Yan astray. After losing nearly a thousand soldiers, he finally rushed back to Chongzhou.

Learning that Gongsun Yan had returned, Prince Chong was delighted and hurriedly greeted him.

Yet Gongsun Yan brought bad news to Prince Chong.

Firstly, the aid to Longyou led to nearly half of Chong Army being lost.

Secondly, Yue Ruyan defected south with her army to join Chen Mo.

Lastly, the financial compensation Yue Ruyan provided was mostly lost when crossing the treacherous roads of the Wuxing Mountain Range because the goods were too heavy.

In summary, this time Prince Chong sent troops to aid Longyou and gained nothing but suffered heavy losses.

After hearing this, Prince Chong’s heart sank immediately, but he still forced a few strained smiles, "As long as General Gongsun is unharmed."

Having said that, he inquired about Gongsun Yan’s view on taking in Prince Huai.

After pondering, Gongsun Yan said, "Taking in Prince Huai is possible. Jin Xia’s Western Army has gone to Yu State, and even if Chen Mo returns, he will have no time to deal with us." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Wanyan Xiaji’s retreat news has not yet reached Chongzhou, so Prince Chong and Gongsun Yan were unaware.

After deliberation, Prince Chong said, "Liang Situ, you shall take people to welcome Prince Huai."

Although Liang Mu’s position as Situ was stripped by the court, Prince Chong still addressed him as Situ.

Liang Mu respectfully said, "Yes."

...

The second year of Yong’an, January 9th.

Linzhou, Xiangyang City.

The days were still cold, and the weather grew colder, leaving the streets sparsely populated, but the taverns and teahouses were packed, with groups of three or five holding a wine pot, drinking and eating hot pot while discussing and joking loudly.

This was because today was the day Chen Mo returned to Xiangyang with his army.

Chen Mo returned from Yu State to Linzhou, and the news was transmitted through the stations in various places, known to the people of Xiangyang.

Some residents spontaneously came to the city gate to greet him, some of whom were relatives of Chen Army soldiers, worried about their relatives who went to battle, wanting to see them return with their own eyes to be at ease.

At this moment, atop the northern city gate tower of Xiangyang City, umbrellas and banners were raised, with screens on all sides. Behind the screens, Chen Mo’s personal family members were eager with anticipation, even Wu Mi and Han Anniang, who were pregnant, stood with their large bellies, peering through the gaps in the screens.

Just then, at the end of the official road, a rider galloped up, stirring up dust. The Brave Cavalry Guard rider in Bright Armor quickly reined in the horse and shouted, "Duke An has returned."