The second son of Prince Reza murdered the princess, and the prince's palace was surrounded by the Guards. These things had already spread to the streets. So much so that when ordinary people meet each other on the street, the way of greeting them changes from "Have you eaten?" to "Did you know...". It was said that the prince had no good intentions and was plotting to murder the princess in order to rebel. It is said that the prince's second son was framed with a magic potion. It is also said that the prince's second son loved the princess, but the princess fell in love with the earl's only son, so the prince's second son's courtship failed and he became angry and killed her. All kinds of rumors were rampant for a while. If you go around the pub, you can hear several different versions, which makes people dumbfounded.
However, in the past few days, there has indeed been no news in the palace that King Kelman wants to punish Prince Reza, but he has not withdrawn the siege of the Royal Guards. Therefore, from the nobles and senior officials to the lackeys and traffickers, everyone has fallen into a kind of You guess, I guess, everyone guesses.
However, the news that Princess Ji Ren Tianxiang was rescued from the edge of life and death still made the people very excited.
In the past few days, King Kelman had often been debating whether to attack the Ressa family, but the urgent military information from the Province of Maine on his desk prevented him from launching such a thunderous attack.
Because Tingxiao people took the lead. Marshal Jiu Zhan of the Tingxiao Empire led a hundred thousand regular troops, accompanied by fifty to sixty thousand mercenary regiments, and marched southward. In the past few days, he had conquered more than twenty castles in Maine.
Aton Ressa, the interim governor of the Province of Maine, sent several urgent letters in a row, saying that Maine's army was out of strength and that he hoped to send reinforcements to Maine.
Kelman originally thought that this was a plan by the eldest son of Prince Reza to encircle Wei and save Zhao, but after careful calculation of the time when the letters were exchanged on the road, it was obvious that the news of Saliushi had only reached Maine at this time, and Ayton could not have predicted it. , I had prepared urgent military information and sent it back in advance.
Soon after, news from various channels reached King Kelman one after another. The Tingxiao people had really invaded Maine Province.
At the moment when the princess was assassinated, the Tingxiao people suddenly invaded, which always made Kelman feel a little uneasy, always feeling that this matter was not simple.
What made it even more difficult for him was that he had planned to deal with Ressa's family, but the military situation in Maine Province was urgent. Only by letting Ressa go back to supervise the military could the situation be stabilized. He knew in his heart that in the current imperial court, only Resa had this ability.
"But it was not easy to get such an opportunity. Resa returned to Beijing to report on his work, and he had such an aboveboard reason." Kelman was actually quite unwilling.
But there is another thing that puts Kelman in trouble, that is, among the magic materials that Master Piro asked him to check a few days ago, there is a rare material called Lechi Dragon Liver, which has flowed into the black market after several rounds. Under the name of Governor Yuanyasu.
The current situation is that he doesn't want to let Resa go, but he has to. I want to kill Yuanyasu, but I can't. If Reza can live, Kelman has to keep Yuanyasu alive. Even though his beloved Onian was almost killed by evil spirits, he could only endure it.
Then all the ministers were summoned to the main hall of the palace by Kelman, and even Prince Reza, who was confined at home, was also present. Yuan Kang's group all looked wary.
"I received an urgent military message this morning. The people of Tingxiao brazenly sent troops southward. The momentum of 150,000 troops was overwhelming. The province of Maine lost more than 20 castles in a few days," Kelman said with a sullen face. Tell me what to do."
At this time, the main hall exploded. Apparently, the ministers had not received the news. They couldn't help but look at me and me, unable to digest the news for a while. The Tingxiao Empire and the Yafei Empire have not fought for nearly twenty years. Why they rashly mobilized their troops this time is beyond everyone's understanding.
"Your Majesty, my son didn't know how to use military equipment. He lost the pass and the city. I will take the blame." Prince Reza said with a look of fear on his face.
"It's not his fault. The Maine garrison will consist of 70,000 people. It's understandable that they are weak and weak." Kelman said.
Yuan Yasu felt a little surprised when he heard what His Majesty meant, and thought to himself that His Majesty didn't intend to punish Resa? But when he thought about it carefully, he realized that His Majesty couldn't kill Resa in this situation.
"Lesa, you have been guarding Maine for many years. Do you have any countermeasures against this large-scale invasion by Tingxiao people?" Kelman asked.
"Your Majesty, I haven't received the battle report from the front line, so I can't make any judgments. However, the Tingxiao people's army has come from afar, and it can't last long. Our army can retreat to key passes and hold on. The supplies needed for 150,000 horses are very small. It’s huge, our army can wait until they have problems with their logistics supply before looking for fighter planes,” Prince Ressa said.
"Hey, what the prince said is wrong. The people of Tingxiao were just caught off guard. Your eldest son, prince, can't defeat others, but he can't raise their ambitions either." An official from Yuankang's faction stood up and said sarcastically, "Tingxiao When the Xiao people come, they will naturally suffer some hardships. There is no reason to avoid fighting when there are deep trenches and high fortresses."
Many officials from Yuanyasu's faction also agreed, saying that they should not be too timid to fight and should send troops from the royal capital to reinforce Maine.
Kelman naturally understood what Yuanyasu was thinking. If he followed Resa's policy, fought steadily and won the battle, all the credit would be Resa's. If you mobilize Saluhi's soldiers and horses to rush to the front line, then if you win, everyone will have military exploits and receive rewards.
Reza looked at Yuan Kang's faction with cold eyes and said they were eager for a fight, and said nothing more.
"Yuanyasu, tell me." Kelman glanced at Yuanyasu who had not yet spoken.
"Your Majesty, I feel that Tingxiao and our country have not been at war for twenty years. Now they are attacking on a large scale without warning and without any reason. However, our army insists on not fighting. Doesn't it mean that the empire is weak and does not dare to fight? That Tingxiao Will the people from Xiao be allowed to become more aggressive and harass our border without any scruples in the future?" Yuan Kang said loudly.
Officials from Yuanyasu's faction became even more angry after hearing this.
King Kelman waved his hand, and the ministers became quiet.
"Sending troops from the royal capital, who do you think is appropriate to lead the army?" Kelman asked lightly.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Your Majesty should go to the front line in person this time, so that the morale of our army will be greatly boosted. I am willing to stay with Your Majesty when we go into battle this time." Yuan Yasu was the first to stand up and said this time.
"I also swear to follow Your Majesty to the death..."
"Old minister is also willing..."
Upon seeing this, many people from Yuanyasu's faction expressed their willingness to follow His Majesty on the battlefield.
Kelman sneered in his heart and cursed: "You Yuankang, you have a good plan. Follow me. If you win, you will naturally get the credit. If you lose, you will have nothing to lose. I am better than you." The risk is much less if the military goes to the front line."
However, he originally planned to lead the expedition in person, because he thought that this time he would not only deal with the Tingxiao people, but also get rid of Reisa along the way. Ressa has been entrenched in Maine for many years, and this is an opportunity to capture them all.
"Okay, I understand what you all mean." Kelman said solemnly.
Everyone in the main hall knew that His Majesty had already made a plan.
"Resa, you rush back to Maine to reorganize the military, set up defense lines, and hold on to every pass. The army will arrive soon. Do you have any questions?" Kelman looked at Resa and asked.
"Your Majesty, I will do my best to ensure that no city or land is lost." Resa kowtowed, but he was surprised. The assassination of the princess was just brushed aside?
"Your Majesty, but...but the assassination of the princess has not been done yet..." Yuan Kang Xiaoyi reminded, he was still making his last attempt.
"Oh, I haven't had time to talk about this yet. I already asked the archbishop and the prime minister yesterday, and found out that the Tingxiao people bribed some deacons of the competition committee and gave the children of the Resa family a magic potion, so that Only a child would lose his mind and assassinate the princess." Kelman said calmly, "I think the Tingxiao people want to drive a wedge between our monarch and his subjects before the war begins. It's really wishful thinking."
"Your Majesty, these Tingxiao people are so ambitious that they put the princess in danger and made the old minister suffer unjust injustice. The old minister will definitely get back this debt on the battlefield," Resa said.
It looks like the monarch and his ministers are in harmony.
The city has been full of turmoil in the past few days, and the doubts lingering in everyone's minds were resolved by His Majesty in a few words.
Since His Majesty has said so, the officials will naturally not dig into it any further. After all, no one wants to displease His Majesty. It is unclear who Tingxiao took the blame for.
Kelman looked at the prime minister again, "Fuller, tell the world about the Tingxiao people who framed the prince and attempted to assassinate the princess. Also, immediately issue a military conscription order and have all private mercenary groups report to the Ministry of Military Affairs."
"I accept your order." The prime minister kowtowed.
Kelman still had a lot of military affairs to deal with, so he quickly sent the others back. When he thought about going to the front line to fight, he thought of an old friend.
Prince Reza coincided with the amnesty, and his steps became much more brisk. But when she entered the gate of the Prince's Mansion, she saw Lan Marry standing there with a sad and angry look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Reza asked in surprise.
"Father, my second brother was brought back just now." Lan Yu said with furrowed eyebrows and hidden tears, "He...he..."
Resa took one look at her daughter's expression and became anxious, "Where is your second brother? Take me there quickly."
He followed Lan Yu to Gafu's room, and when he saw his unconscious son on the bed, he was struck by thunder and almost lost his balance.
Due to the lack of timely treatment for the burns on Gafo's face and body, the skin had begun to rot over a large area, pus flowed on the purple-brown flesh, and the originally handsome face had turned into a terrifying appearance. The remaining hair on the top of the head was in patches here and there, and the remaining scalp was either burnt black or pockmarked, making people get goosebumps just looking at it. Just looking at the exposed skin, the miserable situation is unbearable to look at.
If anyone else had looked at it, they would have turned their heads away in fear, but the prince's eyes were fixed on the horrific wounds on his son's body, his cheeks stretched and he said nothing.
"Father, second brother..." Lan Yu was choked with sobs, but didn't want to cry.
"Can his burns be cured?" The prince sat on the edge of the bed and carefully looked at the wounds on Gafo's body.
"My daughter has already prepared the magic potion and prepared it for the second brother." Lan Yu said worriedly, "But, I just looked at the second brother's wound. The pus was too deep. The original potion was applied on it. , given the second brother’s current physical condition, I’m afraid if the medicine is too strong, it will directly kill him.”
"My father doesn't know as much about potions as you do, so you just have to figure it out." Reza frowned, condensed steam with his palms, and spread a thin layer of ice mist on Gafo's skin.
Garver sighed in relief. Obviously, the prince's quick treatment method, which he had honed over many years in the military, could temporarily relieve Gaffer's pain. However, this is an approach that treats the symptoms rather than the root cause.
"Father, flesh wounds are secondary." Lan Yu said with anger in her eyes, "When I checked the wounds just now, I found that two silver needles had been inserted into my second brother's spine."
"Silver needles?" Resa was shocked. He carefully turned over Gafo's waist and found that two silver needles were driven into his son's tail vertebrae and lumbar vertebrae.
Lan Yu saw Lesa trying to take out the silver needle and quickly stopped him, "Father, don't move, you can't take it out yet. The second brother is currently suffering from multiple wound infections, poisoning his meridians, and damage to his organs. If he takes out the silver needle on his spine now, The needle has been pulled out, I'm afraid..."
"If you don't pull it out now, your second brother will be a hemiplegic cripple in a few days." Resa yelled, "Do you want to see your second brother's cultivation go up in smoke?"
Lan Yu was immediately panicked when her father yelled at her.
"Father..." Gafo faintly woke up from his coma.
Resa actually knew in his heart that what Lan Yu said was right, but he really couldn't bear to see his brilliant and talented son become a cripple who could only live in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Reza looked at his son with no intact skin on his face. He looked miserable and sighed, "Son, it's all my father's fault. He shouldn't have brought you two back to this damn Salyuhi."
"It's not your fault, father, it's my own fault." Gafo hissed, obviously his throat was also burned.
"Second brother..." Lan Yu rushed to Gafu's side and finally couldn't help but burst into tears.
"I heard what you just said. I can't live without cultivation. Lan Yu, be obedient and hurry up and help the second brother take out the needle." Gafu said anxiously, his lips were dry and he didn't even have the strength to turn over.
Lan Yu burst into tears and shook her head desperately.
Seeing Gafo like this, Resa couldn't help but comforted him softly: "Son, my father has thought about it, and the most important thing is to live. If you have lost your martial arts skills, you can practice again. Once you die, you can never live again." But come."
"Father, but my son doesn't want to be a useless person who needs to be served all his life." Gafo's expression was painful but his tone was very determined. Obviously, compared with the physical pain, it was more painful for him to give up his cultivation.
Now Resa and Lan Yu didn't know what to do.
"Father, I can't live without cultivation." Gafo shed tears and begged in a hissing voice: "Why don't you kill me? Please kill me. The child really cannot live without cultivation. .”
The prince's children are more ambitious than the others. If they lose their cultivation and become disabled, it will really be the same as death.
"Second brother, don't worry, I'll think of a solution later." Lan Yu said anxiously.
"Okay, if that's the case, then father will help you." The prince's face suddenly showed a fierce look, and he slapped Gafo on the forehead with a horizontal palm.
"No, father..." Lan Yu wanted to hold her father back, but it was already too late.
Gaffer died instantly.
Lan Yu froze on the spot, looking at her father in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she had just seen.
"How could I do this to my father," Resa sighed with red eyes, "I just want your second brother to faint first."
Only then did Lan Yu regain her composure.
"Quick, hurry up and prepare some potions for your second brother to use on the road. We will rush back to Maine." Resa quickly ordered, "The Tingxiao people have invaded Maine. Your Majesty can't kill me now to avoid long nights and dreams." , let’s leave quickly.”
Only then did Lan Yu understand why her second brother had been released.
"But father, my daughter is unwilling to accept that my second brother was tortured like this." Lan Yu turned around and wanted to walk out, but she whispered this.
"Don't worry, your father will keep this account in mind." Resa said sinisterly.
At this time, Prince Resa had also found out that the raw material of the magic medicine "Lechi Dragon Liver" ended up in the hands of Yuan Yasuo. It must be Yuan Yasuo's handiwork that Gafo was assassinated in prison.
That day, Resa carried his son Gafo, who was seriously injured, on his back, and together with his daughter Lan Yu, rode away in the direction of Maine, riding three by two.
