Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 502: Prince Huai: All or Nothing

Prince Huai’s state of mind has already become twisted.

As a member of the Imperial Family, the defeat of the foreign race being driven out of the Great Song should be a joyful event, yet Prince Huai isn’t happy at all. He even hopes that the alien race doesn’t get driven out but wishes for Chen Mo’s defeat, ideally both sides being severely wounded.

These days, the few beliefs that support him focus on the hope of Chen Mo’s defeat or, at worst, a gruelling battle that indefinitely prolongs the war in the North. That way, he will have enough time to reclaim Huai State.

But now, the war in the North has settled. If things proceed quickly, they could be back before year’s end.

Can he take Huai State in less than a month?

Prince Huai’s face is sombre at this moment, even his gaze is somewhat dull, unable to speak for quite some time. The most crucial part is that he feels a bit dizzy.

He exerted force with both hands to steady himself on the desk in front of him, trying hard not to collapse, and cried out sadly: "Heaven is blind, Heaven is blind!"

Gan Yao is also present, and his expression doesn’t fare much better.

Since Prince Huai established Madam Gan’s son as the Crown Prince, the Gan Family is now completely bound to Prince Huai.

Right now, he deeply regrets vying for the position of Crown Prince at this time.

Gan Yao turned his gaze toward Diwu Fusheng and asked: "With the situation as it is, sir, do you have a way to resolve it?"

Prince Huai also turned his gaze toward Diwu Fusheng, his expression filled with expectation.

Diwu Fusheng sighed heavily, he was at a loss as well. However, seeing Prince Huai’s expectant gaze, he could only choose to grasp at straws and say: "Currently, there are only two solutions."

"Which two solutions?" Prince Huai asked urgently, as if grabbing a lifeline.

"The first solution is to cede land, pay compensation, and seek peace. Although the war in the North has settled, the situation in Yu State does not look optimistic. As long as our sincerity is sufficient, Chen Mo might not refuse. But after this, we’d merely be lingering on." Diwu Fusheng said.

"What’s the second solution then?"

Without thinking much, Prince Huai asked about the second solution. He harboured deep enmity against Chen Mo, and to actively seek humiliating peace would bring untold ridicule.

"Immediately attack Huai State, seize Huai State before Chen Mo returns. However, the hope for success with this method is slim." Diwu Fusheng stated.

"This..."

Prince Huai hesitated.

With less than a month and only these remaining troops in Fengzhou, how can Huai State possibly be seized? Especially now that winter has already set in.

If there was two or three months, it might just be plausible.

"Fusheng, isn’t there another way?" Prince Huai asked with a complicated expression.

Diwu Fusheng shook his head.

"Then what’s the chance of success with the second method?" Prince Huai asked again.

Diwu Fusheng extended three fingers: "Less than thirty percent. If Jin Xia’s Eastern Army can invade Yu State at this moment and block Chen Mo’s return path, hope would increase by another twenty percent."

Seeing that even in such circumstances, the chance is only fifty percent, Prince Huai fell into thought and then hesitantly asked: "Then what’s the chance with the first method?"

Upon hearing these words, everyone in the study looked at Prince Huai differently.

Diwu Fusheng, hearing this, also showed a glint of disappointment in his eyes. Even at this moment, he’s still unwilling to risk everything against Chen Mo. What’s there to struggle for against the opponent?

"It depends on what price the Prince is willing to pay." Diwu Fusheng replied.

"What if we offer the Fourteen Cities on the North Bank of Fengzhou?" Prince Huai asked.

The Fourteen Cities on the North Bank are essentially the ports of Fengzhou. Giving them up means Chen Army can directly cross the river from Qingzhou and land, facing Huai Army with attacks from both Huai State and Qingzhou.

Diwu Fusheng raised his eyebrows, thought for a while, and said: "Sixty percent."

"Why only sixty percent?" Prince Huai said disappointedly.

"Prince, sixty percent is an optimistic estimate. If it weren’t for Jin Xia Army in Yu State, even if you ceded half of Fengzhou to Chen Mo, the chance of peace wouldn’t exceed thirty percent." Diwu Fusheng sighed.

After all, at present, Prince Huai poses no threat to Chen Mo.

This Fengzhou, the other side can take it on their own.

Seeing the hope for peace isn’t very high, Prince Huai clenched his fist and struck the table hard, heart resolute, and said: "In that case, let’s fight."

And he turned his gaze to Chu Ce and said: "Chu Ce."

"I’m here."

"I command you to lead all troops in Fengzhou, Gan Yao, and Xiao Yue follow your arrangements. At dawn tomorrow, attack Huai State." Prince Huai ordered.

"Yes." Chu Ce replied firmly.

...

The Li Family has been completely marginalized by Prince Huai, and recently Prince Huai has discussed important matters without informing anyone from the Li Family.

Moreover, even Madam Hui and her son have been ordered not to leave by Prince Huai, and outsiders, including those from the Li Family, aren’t allowed to meet them.

But what Prince Huai doesn’t know is that with the successful progress of the northern war, while the Gan Family might bear it, the Xiao Family has already started considering their escape route, although they haven’t made a decision. But with Prince Huai deciding to risk it today, the Xiao Family finally made up their mind.

Even Diwu Fusheng said the hope of capturing Huai State is slim, naturally, the Xiao Family wouldn’t want to accompany Prince Huai to the grave.

To ensure confidentiality, the Xiao Family didn’t even inform Madam Xiao, but sent people secretly at night to inform the Yi County garrison about Prince Huai’s plan to attack Yi County the next day.

In times of trouble, even couples fly their separate ways.

The Xiao Family even more so.

...

Luonan, Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Lu Sheng held a victory report in his hand, which was specifically sent to the Court by Chen Mo.

Once he finished reading it, Lu Sheng’s face was filled with gravity, and he said: "With the Jin Xia Eastern Line having lost all its elite troops, and the northern war settled, now the entire North is ruled by him alone. This Chen Mo, truly... surprising."

These days, he has been constantly monitoring the northern war, prioritizing it even above the military action against Xiliang.

"In view of this, Chen Mo should be returning from the North. If he learns that we are sending troops to Xiliang, will he intervene?" Lu Sheng’s staff officer said solemnly.

After all, openly, Xiliang and Chen Mo are allied.

Lu Sheng shook his head and said: "Although the northern war has ended, Yu State still has Jin Xia Barbarians. Yu State is considered his old stronghold, what time does he have to meddle in Xiliang’s affairs? Moreover, even more anxious than us, is undoubtedly Prince Huai of Fengzhou..."

"Prime Minister’s words are reasonable."

"But to ensure there’s no possibility of error..." Lu Sheng pondered for a while and said: "This time, Chen Mo drove away foreign enemies and recovered the North, such tremendous merit is enough to grant him a Dukedom. We should show our thanks, recently Hui Cheng captured a batch of excellent jade and agate from Xiliang, we should accompany the decree, and send it to Huai State."

"The Prime Minister is wise." The staff officer flattered.

However, Lu Sheng hadn’t finished speaking, and continued: "Furthermore, in the Court’s name, issue a proclamation against Prince Huai, the reason being Prince Huai attacking Huai State while Chen Mo was resisting foreign enemies."

"Yes."