"It seemed the pressure on him still wasn't tight enough!" Inside Prince Huan's Estate, the First Prince Ji Ao sneered after hearing Tu Chang'an's report.
"Send word to the Minister of the Supreme Court. Have him hand down heavy, swift sentences in Liu Ye and Bai Pin Feng's cases. I refuse to believe he won't panic!"
"Your Highness, have we perhaps pushed Ye Zhen too hard?" As his strategist, Tu Chang'an voiced a different opinion for the first time after meeting Ye Zhen today.
Their brief exchange today had suddenly made him realize that Ye Zhen was very likely the sort who yielded to gentleness but not force.
"Pushed him too hard?"
At those words, Prince Huan Ji Ao ground his teeth viciously. "He is the one pushing me too hard! News just came in: the provisions stockpiled for my million private troops will last half a year at most, and their military pay can only cover three months.
"The pay can still be delayed for a few months, but if those soldiers cannot fill their bellies and start making trouble, that will be fatal!"
Tu Chang'an fell silent. This was also the greatest problem currently facing the First Prince Ji Ao.
Otherwise, he would not have resorted to such drastic measures.
"This subordinate is merely worried that Ye Zhen is so unyielding that he might truly stake everything on one throw," Tu Chang'an truthfully relayed Ye Zhen's threat when he had left.
Strangely, the First Prince Ji Ao neither grew angry nor flew into a rage.
"He can barely protect himself now, yet he still wants to cut off my path in the Succession Struggle? Dream on!"
"Can barely protect himself? May I ask, Your Highness, what has happened?" Tu Chang'an was somewhat puzzled.
"This matter has yet to