Chapter 896: Chapter 32: Wield the Hoe Well, and the Wall Will Fall on Its Own

Emperor Longchang’s face gradually turned dark, his eyelids twitching: "I was wondering why that little stubborn donkey Mingyuan would suddenly change his nature. I never expected that he dug a pit waiting for the ancestor to jump in? When did he become so cunning?"

Recalling the series of maneuvers by Wu Mingyuan and Wang Zong’an earlier, a thread in his mind suddenly connected: "This matter may not be that simple. According to their previous methods, after I put in the money, that boy will shamelessly publicize it, such as ’His Majesty invested heavily to acquire ten percent of the United Department,’ and so on. In this way, the three Upper Three-Grade Noble Families who are still observing will most likely respond immediately..."

"Good! That boy is playing a good game of borrowing the tiger’s might! Hahaha~ Who would have thought, after hunting geese all day long, I would be pecked in the eye by that little stubborn donkey."

"Your Majesty, calm your anger." Old Yao said, sweating profusely, "Prince Mingyuan may not have meant it this way. Why not let this old servant go and mediate this matter?"

"It’s fine. If Wu Mingyuan can dig a pit for me to fall into, it can be considered his skill. As the ruler of a nation, once I make a statement, how can there be any room for maneuver?" Emperor Longchang instead laughed, "I thought the Struggle of the Imperial Sons was a foregone conclusion. I never expected that Wu Mingyuan could rise to prominence. Now, the situation has instead become more mysterious and unpredictable."

"However, that’s what makes it interesting~~~ Back in the day, I spent countless efforts and thoughts to win the throne. How could I let these kids have it easily? Hahaha~"

...

Downstream of Anjiang, near the Zhenze Guard river channel past the Desolate Marsh.

Starting from a few days ago, one giant river boat after another floated down from upstream, stopping less than ten miles from the riverbank.

They didn’t approach the riverbank, but instead stopped there as if gazing into the distance downriver.

In just a few days, dozens of river boats had gathered on the surface of Anjiang near Zhenze Guard. They lay dormant in the river water like giant beasts, looking towards Changning Guard, ready to rush out and fiercely bite at any moment.

Without exception, these river boats were flying the flag of the Jiaolong Gang.

On the Anjiang river section, almost no one could fail to recognize this flag. In the whistling river wind, these flags furled and unfurled like an intangible threat, brewing a sense of tension like a storm about to break.

Unknowingly, a sense of panic and unease began to spread.

Fishing boats and merchant ships passing by Anjiang became cautious and nervous. Even if they had to pass by the fleet, they kept as far away as possible, wishing the Jiaolong Gang would not notice them at all.

In the small port under the jurisdiction of Zhenze Guard, workers unloading cargo and merchants passing by also became much more subdued.

Due to the presence of the Jiaolong Gang’s merchant ships, business at the docks had worsened significantly in recent days, with no sign of improvement. Many merchants would rather suffer a small loss than do business under such circumstances.

On the flagship of the Jiaolong Gang.

Long Wuji sat arrogantly, holding a Little Qiankun Wine Flask, sipping a bit of liquor from time to time.

In the distance on the river, a solitary building ship was moored.

This building ship was also considered a giant river boat, quite large in size, but compared to the dozens of river boats of the Jiaolong Gang, it seemed isolated and at any moment could be torn apart.

The river boat was flying the flag of the Changning Wang Family.

The Young Clan Leader Wang Shizhao stood at the bow, shouting from afar: "Patriarch Long, my grandfather said that if you nod, he will personally come to invite you to the Wang Family as a guest immediately."

"Hahaha~~" Long Wuji laughed in response, "Young Clan Leader Shizhao, please trouble you to go back and tell your grandfather. There are still five days left until the fifty-year agreement. By then, without waiting for Shouzhe to invite me, I, Long Wuji, will visit."

"Patriarch Long, my grandfather said..."

Wang Shizhao tried several times to persuade, but Long Wuji clung to the oral promise made back then and resolutely refused to go to the Wang Family as a guest beforehand.

"Why go to such lengths, why go to such lengths."

Wang Shizhao had no choice but to leave awkwardly, directing the river boat to turn back.

After the Wang Family’s building ship retreated, Zhao Wuqing curiously asked, "Godfather, since Patriarch Shouzhe has already sent out a signal for peace, why don’t we take advantage of the situation? In this way, we might gain the favor of Patriarch Shouzhe, and maybe there’s still room for reconciliation."

"Humph!" Long Wuji downed a mouthful of liquor, his eyes full of confidence, "If I did that, wouldn’t I, Long Wuji, become a person who goes back on my word? Shouzhe, that kid, is full of tricks. If I really went, he might make a big fuss about it. I will never let him succeed."

"Rest assured, as long as I and Shouzhe have a good ’exchange,’ he will surely be moved by my ’sincerity’ and return to being our brother."

"Godfather is mighty," Zhao Wuqing admired greatly.

"Hahaha~ Wuqing, you must understand a truth. There is no corner of the world that cannot be dug up, only an axe that isn’t used diligently," Long Wuji laughed heartily, "In any case, whether he likes it or not, this brother Shouzhe of mine is one I’m determined to have."

Afterward.

In the Wang Family’s Main Residence, inside Shouzhe’s study.

Wang Shizhao returned without accomplishing his goal, feeling a bit apprehensive and reluctantly relayed Long Wuji’s words verbatim to his grandfather.

"Grandfather, it’s Shizhao who didn’t handle the matter well," Wang Shizhao said, "Please punish me."

"It’s no matter, it’s not your fault." Wang Shouzhe leaned back in the Master’s Chair, sipping Spirit Tea, and upon hearing this, was lost in thought, "This Long Wuji, his father is Prince Yoong’an, and his mother is the legitimate daughter of the Zhao Family, Duke Zhao Protector of the Nation, the only Second-Grade Noble Family of Daqian. He has been very spoiled since childhood, rebellious and unrestrained by nature, yet values loyalty highly, and keeps his promises. Such a person, if possible, is far more profitable as a brother than as an enemy."

How could Wang Shouzhe not investigate someone with a fifty-year agreement? The only doubt about him is that the legitimate daughter from the Mansion of Duke Protector of the Nation disappeared not long after giving birth to Long Wuji.

This matter, whether in the Prince Yoong’an’s Mansion or the Mansion of Duke Protector of the Nation, remains a tight-lipped secret, as if it never happened.

"Grandfather," Wang Shizhao said, frowning and a bit puzzled, "But Long Wuji and Prince Kang share the same bloodline, and are natural allies. It would be difficult to convince him to switch allegiances."

"Shizhao, you must understand, there’s no corner of the world that cannot be dug up, only an axe that isn’t used diligently," Wang Shouzhe laughed, "I believe with sincerity, stones can be carved. As long as I reason with him and touch his heart, I can definitely convert him."

"...Grandfather, you make it sound so reasonable."

Looking at his grandfather’s smile, Wang Shizhao suddenly felt uneasy. He couldn’t shake the feeling that what his grandfather said might not align with what’s in his heart.

Unnoticed, a few days quickly passed.

On the agreed day, at a single command, the fleet of the Jiaolong Gang set sail swiftly, majestically passing through the Broken Dragon Gorge, heading straight for the Wang Family’s Dingpu Ferry.

Simultaneously, the Divine Power Cannons at Dingpu Ferry were all loaded.

The great battle.

Is on the verge of breaking out!

...