Chapter 157: Acquiring Intelligence

Most of the people who came here were either wealthy or noble.

However, due to the strict rules of this establishment, many of them had no idea who their competitors actually were. They could only approach the situation with quiet caution.

"It seems many people are keenly interested in this clue today, most likely drawn here by the affairs of Jiangcheng."

Clearly, the proprietor was well aware of their purpose. Everything had been prepared in advance, just to see how this group would play their hands.

The bidding for the price soared dramatically, easily exceeding the usual rate by two or three times. It was evident that many wished to acquire this intelligence. On one hand, it offered a chance to gain favor with their superiors; on the other, it provided a glimpse into future trends.

These people needed to plan ahead for themselves. At the very least, before disaster struck, they could secure a way out rather than waiting passively in place.

In the end, the price was driven up tenfold. It was purchased by a man dressed in black.

The rest of the crowd could only look at one another in dismay, cursing their own lack of sufficient silver. They had no choice but to accept their bad luck or look around for other, lesser clues. As long as they could make even the slightest bit of progress, it would be beneficial to them.

Yet, reality struck them with a heavy blow. The development of the situation was far from as simple as they had guessed.

Secretly, petty maneuvers were already underway, clearly intended to extract certain advantages at their expense.

"Proprietor, the clue has already been handed over to him. What shall we do next?" Zhilan asked softly.

It appeared they already knew who had bought the intelligence. They simply had not anticipated the bidding would become so fiercely competitive.

"Proceed with everything according to plan."

Zhilan nodded in acknowledgment.

It was a pity for Zhu Yunzhi. He had also brought plenty of silver, but in the end, he missed the opportunity. He could only blame his own lack of speed; the other party had raised the bid so steeply and abruptly that he was left completely unable to react.

Filled with deep anxiety, he went straight to find Han Qing, hoping to obtain some solution from him.

"Brother Han, I heard they have some insider news regarding Jiangcheng. I've wanted to spend money to acquire it for so long, but it seems the results have been utterly dismal," he said slowly, a trace of desolation flashing in his eyes.

"Calm down. Everything is within expectations. If you wanted to buy that clue, naturally others wanted it too. It's just that your speed simply couldn't compare to theirs." Han Qing advised him to take the matter lightly.

Some things were not as straightforward as rumors suggested. Furthermore, there was no need for them to deliberately conceal anything. Since matters had reached this stage, any grievances could simply be laid out in the open and explained.

"Can you suggest a more suitable method? I certainly don't want my imperial elder brother to ruin the entire State of Qing," Zhu Yunzhi said in a panic.

His concerns were entirely reasonable, especially given his current predicament. Although he had been granted the title of Prince, the Emperor did not necessarily trust him completely. Some matters still required the right opportunity.

"You only need to wait patiently, and the opportunity will naturally present itself to you," Han Qing said calmly, as if everything was truly foreseen. There was no need for any panic or tension.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes. There will always be a turning point. The more nervous you are, the more likely you are to ruin things."

Though the man before him felt somewhat unconvinced, things had already reached this point. With no other alternatives, they could only continue to wait. The gravity of the situation was chipping away at them step by step.

Just as surmised, the intelligence had indeed been acquired by the Third Prince.

The document explicitly detailed Prince Huai's close interactions with the people of the Southern Frontier, and the included letters served as sufficient proof. The contents were impeccably rigorous. If one were to dispatch investigators to the Southern Frontier, the truth would surely come to light.

The Third Prince immediately reported the matter to the Emperor with an expression of utmost sincerity.

"Imperial Father, this son never imagined that my elder brother would commit such a foolish act. Although I have only obtained these few letters, should you wish to find genuine witnesses, it will require Your Majesty to dispatch troops to investigate the Southern Frontier."

The contents of the letters were indeed convincing, sowing seeds of doubt as to whether Prince Huai had truly committed such a rebellious act.

"We shall arrange for men to investigate the matter."

The Third Prince departed from the imperial court with a satisfied expression. Clearly, his next step was to eliminate the Prince of Chen. Besides, having stayed in the capital for decades, how could he possibly lose to an outsider? Still, he needed to consult with a few strategists to devise a suitable plan for a decisive victory.

Upon sending investigators to the Southern Frontier, the Emperor indeed uncovered several clues. Personnel from the Southern Frontier had indeed maintained frequent and close contact with Prince Huai. Ever since Lady Yue, Prince Huai's birth mother, was cast into the cold palace, the people of the Southern Frontier had grown increasingly intimate with him.

Was he preparing to usurp the throne?

Furious, the Emperor felt these individuals had become utterly lawless. He immediately ordered a large force of over three thousand soldiers to directly surround and suppress Jiangcheng.

Marching imposingly, the imperial troops arrived at Jiangcheng. When Prince Huai learned of this development, he was profoundly shocked.

Clearly, the Emperor had commissioned him to resolve the famine among the common people, particularly to restore their local economy. Why, then, had a massive military force suddenly been sent? Were they coming to capture him alive?

"Prince Huai, what are you still hesitating for? The current ruler of the State of Qing has no regard for familial bonds. He could cast your mother straight into the cold palace, and now he sends an army to exterminate you. Are you simply going to sit here and wait for death?"

A strategist from the Southern Frontier standing beside him deliberately provoked him with sarcastic undertones.

"Let me think. Imperial Father cannot be so heartless. I am his son!"

"Your Highness, if you keep thinking, it will be too late."

These men were driving him into a corner.

"But the soldiers under my command number fewer than five thousand. Even if I manage to slaughter all these imperial guards, what shall we do about the endless waves of reinforcements that will follow?" the Prince asked with a panicky expression.

"Have you forgotten the Southern Frontier? The blood of the Southern Frontier flows through your veins. Doing this now, what could possibly be wrong with it?"

These individuals were intent on plunging the entire State of Qing into chaos, continuously persuading Prince Huai to see the reality of his situation: his imperial father had already abandoned him, viewing him not as an important heir, but as someone to be destroyed.