"It's Gu Honggang, the Crown Prince's personal attendant!"
Xu Wenjun drew a deep breath. The Crown Prince really had come and was aboard that ship in the distance.
The thought that such a big shot had appeared here, and had come to steal the credit at that, left him somewhat unsettled.
"Eunuch Gu, the Crown Prince is here in person? Then I simply must go pay my respects."
Before Yang Ling could speak, Xu Zhiyuan said with a smile.
Gu Honggang seemed to have only just noticed Xu Zhiyuan, his face full of surprise:
"Xu Zhiyuan, what are you doing here too? Weren't you pursuing your studies at the Imperial College?"
"After the Ministry of War and the Iron Clothes Department joined forces to take Fire Flood Dragon Island, our Zhao State established the Sea-Calming Department.
The Grand Secretary saw that I was born by the sea and knew maritime affairs quite well, so he made me Department Master of the Sea-Calming Department."
Xu Zhiyuan said, "I certainly didn't expect to encounter His Highness the Crown Prince just after setting out to sea. What tremendous good fortune."
Gu Honggang gave a hollow smile:
"Oh, so that's what happened. Then I must congratulate you, Lord Xu, on going straight from an untitled commoner to a third-rank official."
He paused. "But the person the Crown Prince wishes to see today is Yang Ling. He may have some private matters to discuss, so you should pay your respects another time, Lord Xu."
"Eunuch Gu, I haven't seen my cousin the Crown Prince in many years either."
Zhao Yingying suddenly spoke.
"You're here too, Princess..."
Gu Honggang looked briefly taken aback, then smiled:
"Princess, that isn't my decision to make. Before I came, His Highness said he would see only Yang Ling."
Zhao Yingying's