Clutching the Court Gazette tightly, Duan Hongxing urgently ordered his men, "Ready a horse! I must enter the palace!"
The guard hurried out and soon had the horses and carriage ready.
Without even stopping to straighten his clothes, Duan Hongxing took the reins, swung into the saddle, and galloped toward the imperial palace.
Fan City Iron Mine was one of the foundations on which Northern Liang stood. Now a single flood had submerged it completely. This was no small matter.
Seeing Prince Ding return in such haste, the generals guarding the gates knew something was wrong, though they had yet to hear any news. They threw the palace gates wide open and let him in.
After entering the palace and turning onto the palace road, Prince Ding dismounted, tossed the reins to a nearby guard, and strode through the scattered drizzle into Chaolan Hall.
Duan Ziqian was pacing anxiously inside. Fan City Iron Mine was far too important. With such a disaster upon him, he could not think of what to do next; his mind was a clamorous jumble.
Hearing footsteps at the hall entrance, Duan Ziqian instinctively looked up and saw that Prince Ding had returned.
Only now did Duan Ziqian feel a greater warmth toward Prince Ding. This was his own uncle, the only person he could consult now!
"Third Imperial Uncle!" Duan Ziqian stopped pacing and looked at Duan Hongxing, his eyes bright with eagerness.
Prince Ding approached Duan Ziqian and bowed before speaking. "I received the Court Gazette as soon as I returned to my residence. Disaster has struck Fan City Iron Mine. That mine is one of the very foundations of Northern Liang. How much does Your Majesty know of the situation there? Have you considered how to respond?"
Hearing Prince Ding's string of questions,