The Crown Prince's Unrest

Just as he had personally escorted Xu Yuan back to the Prime Minister's Mansion before, today Wang Yuqian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, also came to personally greet Xu Yuan.

Normally, such a visit between high-ranking officials would be quite conspicuous, but now, during the triennial examination of officials in the Great Yan Dynasty, the flow of people coming and going in the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion was extremely large every day, and the arrival of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War did not attract anyone's attention.

At least, not openly.

After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence, the carriage headed straight for the headquarters of the Tian'an Chamber of Commerce in Di'an.

The curtains were wide open, and the biting winter wind rushed into the carriage as it sped along.

Sitting by the window, feeling the cold wind and basking in the warm winter sun, I could see the bustling city scenery rushing past on both sides of the Beastwalk Road.

The Tian'an Chamber of Commerce in Di'an City is located in the South City suburbs of the inner city, and even by beast-drawn carriage, it takes half an hour to reach it.

During this time, Xu Yuan casually chatted with Wang Yuqian, a senior official in the Prime Minister's Mansion, about some political matters.

Although the Ministry of Ministry of War did not have military power, it had the authority to procure military supplies.

As the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Yuqian was able to learn about some special military matters even before the Prime Minister's Mansion. As a result, Xu Yuan learned a lot about the new war situation along the way.

Not only in the Northern Border, but also in the Great Desert of the northwest and the Wanxing Mountain Range of the southwest, and even the Wokou along the southeast coast.

The battle on the other side of the Great Desert has reached a stalemate, but with the Marquis of Western Pacification in charge, the situation is still relatively under control.

The area around the Wanxing Mountain Range appears to be on the verge of collapse. Compared to the Demon Beast tide that usually arrives in the spring, the Demon Beast there have already shown some unusual activity since the beginning of winter this year.

Last month, they even launched a city-wide attack by over 10,000 Demon Beast.

Along the Wanxing Mountain Range, which stretch for 100,000 miles, requests for reinforcements from military settlements and fortified villages in various places poured into the Ministry of War like snowflakes.

"Alas, the Wanxing Mountain Range is in dire need of money, grain, and military equipment, but the Emperor and the Prime Minister are currently focused on the Northern Border, and the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue are finding it difficult to provide them with sufficient funds and supplies."

The old man, with his white hair and beard, looked very tired and sighed, "If Ancient Abyss really launches a large-scale Demon Beast tide this winter, the New Year in the Wanxing Mountain Range area will probably be very difficult."

Xu Yuan listened attentively, Shengshan County subconsciously appearing in his mind, and said with slight worry:

"Those Demon Race really know how to time things perfectly."

Wang Yuqian's wrinkles trembled, and he shook his head:

"Third Young Master, you don't need to take my words to heart. We have already made an assessment at the Ministry of War's internal meeting. Although the 100,000-mile defense line in the southwest may be breached in some border cities, there will be no major problems overall."

"As long as the war in the Northern Border is quelled next year and the imperial court can spare some resources, everything will be alright."

"."

Xu Yuan felt inexplicably uneasy about Wang Yuqian's words.

"The Demon Race shouldn't miss this opportunity."

A hint of disdain flashed across Wang Yuqian's aged face:

"Although the sects over there are unwilling to contribute, they cannot simply sit idly by. If the border line is moved back and the counties inside are slaughtered, it is their own resources that will be lost."

"I hope so," Xu Yuan.

Wang Yuqian smiled slightly, then said:

"However, aside from these bad news, there are still some good things overall. It seems that the Wokou along the southeast coast have been relatively calm this year due to the war on their homeland. Military expenditures have been reduced by half compared to previous years, which has saved this old man a lot of trouble."

"Old Wang has worked tirelessly for the country and its people," Xu Yuan said, sparing no words of praise.

"You flatter me Third Young Master."

The worry on Wang Yuqian's face disappeared, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "By the way, Third Young Master, perhaps because of your secret meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince some time ago, after the morning court session this morning, His Highness personally sought me out."

Xu Yuan's gaze sharpened instantly upon hearing this:

"What did you say?"

"I have not yet reported this matter to the Prime Minister."

Before recounting the contents of the conversation, Wang Yuqian said this first, and then whispered:

"His Highness expressed his admiration for your talent and also hinted at his intention to recruit you."

Xu Yuan ignored the implication of taking sides in the other party's words, a hint of doubt rising in his heart, and indeed said:

"Is the Crown Prince's recruitment of you or me?"

"To this old man," Wang Yuqian said, bowing his head.

"That doesn't make sense," Xu Yuan murmured subconsciously.

Wang Yuqian echoed:

"That makes no sense. His Highness the Crown Prince has been overseeing the country for so long, he couldn't possibly be unaware that my loyal subject is the Prime Minister. Such a blatant attempt to recruit him would surely be reported to me truthfully."

Speaking of this,

Wang Yuqian lowered his voice slightly and whispered:

"Third Young Master, I've been pondering this for a long time, and I suspect that His Crown Prince wants to use me to make contact with the Prime Minister."

"."

Did the Crown Prince Prime Minister's Estate?

Xu Yuan frowned, but his mind was already deep in thought. He whispered, "His Majesty has allowed Li Zhaoyuan to openly side with the sects without taking any action. In the past few months, the pressure that Li Zhaoyuan has put on the Crown Prince has made him want to side with the Prime Minister's Mansion?"

Wang Yuqian rubbed his rough fingers:

"That's what I think, otherwise His Highness the Crown Prince would have no reason to approach me."

Xu Yuan took a deep breath and said slowly:

"It would be presumptuous for us to make such speculations now. For the time being, Mr. Wang, please continue as usual. If His Highness the Crown Prince truly intends to do so, there will eventually be a clear signal."

"Yes," Wang Yuqian replied respectfully.

Xu Yuan nodded and then remained silent, quietly leaning against the soft couch with his eyes closed to rest. After about fifteen minutes, he suddenly whispered:

"By the way, Mr. Wang,"

"You should report this matter to my father first."

"."

The hunched old man trembled slightly, glanced cautiously at Xu Yuan, and then quickly lowered his head again.

"It is this old man who knows."

Xu Yuan nodded slightly, closed his eyes, and began to rest.

He didn't take Wang Yuqian's little scheme to heart.

This old man wasn't part of the innermost circle of the Prime Minister's Mansion and didn't know the true situation in their family. It was understandable that he mistook their home for a place where royalty would raise poisonous insects.

Given the available intelligence, it was only natural for him to choose to side with him.

After all, all signs pointed to Xu Yuan's identity as the "Prime Minister's Mansion's Crown Prince," and when the Prime Minister passed away, this old man would naturally have the merit of "serving the emperor."

However, in reality, given the old man's intentions, it was perfectly reasonable for him to accept the other side's stance.

But Xu Yuan didn't want to get involved in all that messy stuff for the time being.

There's no other reason than that his father is now in charge, so he doesn't care at all. Isn't it more appealing to stay in his father's shadow and slack off all day?