Chen Ping's Sword

Liiyang has been prosperous since ancient times.

Since our dynasty’s Taizong relocated the capital to Yujing, nearly three hundred years have passed.

Logically, this place is no longer the political and cultural center, and after its status rapidly declined, it should gradually fall into decay.

However, it’s unclear what the past kings of Great Li were thinking; they never felt they could abandon this capital. After establishing it as a Vice Capital, they frequently renovated it, stationed trusted aides and troops here, and it seemed they could return at any time.

Originally, the Vice Capital did not have any princes. However, because the current Emperor Ji Changshou’s position was not secure, and True Martial King performed extraordinary feats and was favored by the Ji Family’s ancestors, Ji Changshou, unable to properly reward him, granted him the Vice Capital Liijing as his domain.

At that time, when True Martial King Ji Changfeng left the capital, he departed with great honor, known as the "Perpetual Guard of Jiangnan."

He thought to himself that even if he couldn’t become Emperor, with the close bond he shared with his third brother since childhood, lifelong wealth and glory were a certainty.

No matter how Ji Changshou treated others poorly,

he would certainly not treat him poorly...

Sharing life and death with beloved brothers, trusting one another with blood ties, such relationships could never fade.

In reality, Ji Changfeng was somewhat naive in his thinking.

Even though he achieved so much and accomplished many feats, even in some situations, he himself had given up that position to his third brother.

Yet, Ji Changshou could still turn hostile and not recognize him.

A sixth brother is just a sixth brother, ultimately not oneself.

The idea of sharing the world was merely talk...

Eight years ago, Ji Changshou decreed a reduction in vassal power across the country, not only affecting the old eighth King Jinghai but also True Martial King couldn’t avoid it.

He remembered that day, when Grand Governor Yan Beifei led a two hundred thousand strong army, heading south along the river, almost reaching the gates of the Vice Capital City.

Five Inner Court Grandmasters also secretly infiltrated Youjing City, with covert agents acting, and secretly controlled the Princess Consort and Crown Prince.

Should Ji Changfeng show any sign of reluctance or unwillingness, his third brother might act ruthlessly.

With deliberate planning, under the guise of righteousness, with precedents of several brothers being executed, and their properties confiscated,

Ji Changfeng, ultimately, endured it all.

He didn’t even show a hint of dissent.

He merely kept a low profile, acting as an honest idle prince, with an air of retirement, allowing the Court to take all military power, putting their minds at ease.

No matter if it was genuine relief or deceitful appearance, at least, this obstacle was overcome.

Perhaps, to Ji Changshou, under the universe, all lands are king’s subjects, and beneath the earth, none is beyond the king’s reach.

The earlier promise of "sharing the world" was just a minor jest.

If you take it seriously, you are somewhat foolish.

An Emperor would never tolerate a kingdom within a kingdom...

The principle of no two suns in the sky and no dual masters in a house is understood even by common households, and if Ji Changfeng didn’t understand this, he would be unworthy as a beloved brother, and if he had disloyalty, deserved to be killed.

But, to Ji Changfeng,

the result was utterly infuriating.

The raging fire in his heart almost consumed himself to ashes.

"This Jiangnan is mine, even this entire world should be mine, be it Ji Changshou, Ji Changlie, or Chen Ping, anyone who dares to covet it, must die."

Ji Changfeng watched the setting sun at the edge of the sky, standing on the western Ningcui Peak of the Vice Capital, his thoughts surging, waiting for news.

The wine in his cup had long gone cold, and the attendant specializing in warming the wine stayed halfway up the mountain, not daring to approach. Everyone knew that whenever the Prince and the Military Advisor discussed official matters, it was best for them to stay far away.

The Prince’s demeanor was too imposing, standing too close might get one burnt.

Unknowingly, one might disappear without a trace.

"Mr. Yuantu, do you think this matter could..."

After a long silence, Ji Changfeng finally couldn’t hold back and turned to ask.

Ever since eight years ago, when Ji Changfeng met Feng Yuantu by the mountain stream near the ancient tomb in Youx Mountain, he held him in high regard as if he were a celestial being.

The discussion from then was praised by the True Martial faction as the "Dialogue at the Tomb."

That conversation not only allowed True Martial King Ji Changfeng to escape certain death but also preserved most of his troops, secretly occupying vast fertile lands in Jiangnan, gaining support from Noble Families and Sects, and even having the power to challenge for the throne.

Could this be accomplished by an idle prince?

Clearly not.

To orchestrate such a scene,

it was all meticulously managed by Feng Yuantu, merging alliances and strategies...

Externally allying with Beihu, internally connecting with Noble Families, soothing the Court’s heart, driving tigers to devour wolves, waiting patiently for the opportune time.

This was the strategy set from the beginning.

King Jinghai Ji Changlie also unknowingly, swept by the circumstances, stood out in the open.

Even the East Celestial King and Seven Fiends Celestial Net Army, unknowingly received funding from mysterious patrons, growing rapidly strong.

All these plans had been proceeding smoothly.

Seeing that the Beizhou Barbarians’ army was about to invade Jiangnan, engaging in deadly battles with local rebels and Noble Families, King Jinghai Ji Changlie would act as the vanguard king, greatly depleting Beizhou’s strength.

And as his army surfaced, gaining public support, recovering Jiangnan, rallying the people’s support, marching north...

Once again tread the path of the Grand Ancestor unifying the north and south.

The game had only reached half and then stalled.

A trivial role never taken seriously forcefully entered the scene, snatching away all groundwork laid earlier.

Even winning over the people’s hearts.