Chapter 1041: A Battle on the Verge of Breaking Out
Editor: Henyee Translations

Jiang Zhanglin said, “They arrived in Liang City, had a meal at a restaurant, and then checked into an inn. They haven’t done anything else.”

Tang Jinghong, busy preparing to face the army of the Xia Sang Kingdom, had no time to deal with two dethroned princes. “Keep a close watch on them. Report immediately if there are any unusual movements.”

“Yes, General.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier guarding the camp’s gate came to report, “General, the second and third princes of the eastern border King are here requesting an audience.”

Tang Jinghong thought for a moment, “Let them in.”

“Yes.” The two princes were soon brought into the camp. “Greetings, General Tang.”

Tang Jinghong’s gaze swept over them, his eyes sharp. “Why have you come to see me?”

Li Hongtang bowed and said, “General, we just want to see our father. He’s old, and being confined like this must be hard on him. Could you show some mercy and release him?”

Tang Jinghong’s expression turned cold. “When your father colluded with the Xuan family’s shadow guards to kill me, did your advice have any effect?”

Li Hongtang said, “General, my father was momentarily misguided. He was also incited by the Xuan family. Otherwise, he would never have committed such a heinous crime!”

“I have already reported this to the emperor. You needn’t say more. Await the emperor’s decision.” Tang Jinghong didn’t have time to argue with them. “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”

Li Hongye pleaded, “General, we just want to see our father.”

Tang Jinghong signaled Meng Shengdong to take the two to see the eastern border King.

The eastern border King was confined in a neighboring tent. He wasn’t treated poorly, just restricted in his movements.

Seeing his two sons, the eastern border King was overjoyed. “Have you seen General Tang?”

Li Hongtang said, “Yes, we have.”

The eastern border King eagerly asked, “What did he say?”

“He said to await the emperor’s decision.” Li Hongtang couldn’t help but question, “Father, why were you so foolish to help the Xuan family?”

The eastern border King was full of regret, but there was no medicine for regret. “The Xuan family made grand promises, and I was tempted, so I cooperated with them.”

“And you didn’t think about the consequences?” Li Hongtang was at a loss for words. The eastern border King had a good life as a local ruler, living like an immortal. Why would he ruin it?

The eastern border King, displeased, glared at him. “Enough. It’s not your place to lecture me. Why are you here?”

Realizing the futility, Li Hongtang got to the point. “We want to know who you favor as the heir.”

The eastern border King was even more furious. “I’m not dead yet, and you’re already vying for the throne?”

Li Hongtang said, “Father, the palace is in chaos because of your capture. We’re just trying to set things right. Do you want to see the palace fall apart?”

Li Hongye added, “Yes, Father. You didn’t consider us when you rebelled. Now we’re just looking out for ourselves. What’s wrong with that?”

The eastern border King was speechless with rage. These were his sons, not thinking of rescuing him but only about seizing power!

Li Hongtang urged, “Father, you didn’t think of us before. Now, can you think of us?”

The eastern border King, seething, threatened, “As long as I’m alive, you won’t get the throne. Now get out before I have you expelled.”

Li Hongtang and Li Hongye knelt before him. “Father, do you want to see the palace in ruins?”

The eastern border King was consumed by regret. “Bring your ninth brother here.”

Li Hongtang was incredulous. “Father, are you planning to give the throne to the ninth brother?”

The eastern border King retorted angrily, “Why not? He’s my son too. Why can’t he have the throne?”

Li Hongtang vehemently opposed, “Father, I disagree!”

Li Hongye added, “I disagree too, Father.”

The eastern border King, clutching his head, was furious. “Are you trying to drive me to death?”

They said nothing, but their resolve was clear.

The eastern border King, enraged, paced the tent. What kind of sons had he raised? All ungrateful! He pointed to the tent’s door, shouting, “Get out, both of you!”

Li Hongtang and Li Hongye didn’t move. “Father, you haven’t answered our question!”

The eastern border King, his vision blurring with rage, declared, “I will not pass the throne to you. Give up!”

Li Hongtang was unwilling. “Father—”

Li Hongye threatened, “Father, if you don’t make things clear, don’t blame us for taking drastic measures.”

The eastern border King went to the tent’s entrance and shouted, “Guards, guards—”

A guard entered. “Yes, Your Highness?”

The eastern border King pointed angrily. “Throw these unfilial sons out!”

The guard approached them. “Your Highnesses, please?”

Li Hongtang and Li Hongye didn’t want to alert Tang Jinghong. “Father, you don’t care about family, so don’t blame us for being ruthless.”

The eastern border King, fearful of what his sons might do, asked, “What are you planning?”

Li Hongtang said coldly, “Whatever we do, you won’t like it.”

With that, they left the tent, determined to seize the throne by any means.

Back at the palace, they launched their power struggle. Opponents were killed, crippled, or forced to flee. In the end, Li Hongtang gained control of the palace.

Li Hongye, collaborating with him, received Wen Baoyu as part of their deal.

Mucheng was in upheaval.

This news reached Tang Jinghong as he discussed strategies with General Chen.

The Xia Sang Kingdom’s army had already stationed at the border of Chen’an, a battle on the verge of breaking out.

Chu Qingzhi, meanwhile, was clearing obstacles for Tang Jinghong, eliminating the remnants of the Yun Organization and preparing supplies.

Food supplies weren’t a problem. Chu Qingzhi’s efforts had amassed ample stores.

Amid these preparations, a war letter from the Xia Sang Kingdom reached Tang Jinghong.

The letter was from the third prince, Xia Yunjian. He controlled Xia Sang and couldn’t be stopped from waging war.

Simultaneously, a letter arrived for Chu Qingzhi: “Xia Yunjian officially organized 300,000 troops, but there are actually 500,000 hidden in Chen’an. Be careful.”