Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 760 - 478: The Unusual Movement of the Crown Prince

Chapter 760: Chapter 478: The Unusual Movement of the Crown Prince

Just as he had personally sent him back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion before, today the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Yuqian, also came in person to welcome Xu Yuan.

In normal times, such visits among high-ranking government officials would be conspicuous, but currently, during the Dayan Dynasty’s triennial official assessment, the daily traffic in and out of the Prime Minister’s Mansion was extremely dense. The arrival of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War did not attract anyone’s attention.

At least, not on the surface.

After the carriage left the gates of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, it headed straight towards the headquarters of the Tian’an Commerce Assembly in Di’an City.

The curtains were wide open, and the piercing cold wind of winter rushed into the carriage as the beast-drawn cart sped along.

Sitting by the window, feeling the cold wind and basking in the winter sun, he had an unobstructed view of the swiftly retreating vibrant cityscape on both sides of the beast path.

The headquarters of Di’an City’s Tian’an Commerce Assembly is located near the suburbs of the inner city’s South City, and even by beast carriage, it would take half an hour to reach.

During this time, Xu Yuan had a natural conversation with Wang Yuqian, an old minister of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, about some state affairs.

Among the six departments of the Imperial Court, the Ministry of War, though without military command, has the right to mobilize military supplies.

As the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War, Wang Yuqian could sometimes even know certain special military information sooner than the Prime Minister’s Mansion; thus, Xu Yuan learned quite a bit about the new information on warfare along the way.

It was not only the Northern Frontier, but also the Great Desert in the northwest, the Wanxing Mountain Range in the southwest, and even the Japanese pirates along the southeast coast.

The war in the Great Desert had become tense, but with the Marquis of Zhenxi in command, the situation was still under control.

The Wanxing Mountain Range region, however, seemed quite unstable. Compared to the usual Demonic Beast tides that arrived in spring, this year the Demonic Beasts had already shown signs of unrest after winter began.

Last month, there had even been an incident where tens of thousands of Demonic Beasts launched an assault on a city.

Requests for help, like snowflakes, flew into the Ministry of War from military fortresses and towns along the hundred-thousand-mile frontier of the Wanxing Mountain Range.

"Alas... the Wanxing Mountain Range area is asking for money, grain, and military supplies everywhere, but His Majesty and the Prime Minister are currently focused on the Northern Frontier. Both the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue find it difficult to provide additional funds and grain to that region," said the little old man with white hair and beard, looking very tired and with a sigh: "This winter, if the Ancient Abyss really unleashes a large-scale Demonic Beast tide, the New Year in the Wanxing Mountain Range region will likely be very hard."

Xu Yuan listened attentively, and subconsciously, the image of Shengshan County appeared in his mind, and he spoke with a touch of concern:

"Those Demons really know how to pick their time."

The wrinkles on Wang Yuqian’s face trembled as he shook his head:

"Third Young Master need not take the old man’s words to heart, we have already made an assessment in the military internal reference meetings, and although the defensive line in the southwest might be partially breached at some border cities, overall there won’t be any big problems.

"As long as we wait until next year when the Northern Frontier warfare is settled, and the Imperial Court can spare some effort, everything will get better."

"....."

Xu Yuan felt a strange unease in his heart regarding Wang Yuqian’s words:

"The Demon Race should not miss out on this timing."

A look of disdain crossed the aged face of Wang Yuqian:

"Although the Sects over there are reluctant to make a move, they can’t possibly just stand by and do nothing. If the border line is pushed back and the counties inside are slaughtered, what’s lost will be their own possessions."

"Let’s hope so," Xu Yuan said.

Wang Yuqian gave a slight smile, then changed the subject:

"However, aside from these bad news, overall, there are some good things too. The Japanese pirates along the southeast coast seem to be quiet this year due to warfare on their own soil. The expenses on military have been directly halved compared to previous years, which indeed has saved the old man a lot of concern."

"Elder Wang has worked hard for the nation and the people," Xu Yuan did not skimp on his words of praise.

"You place too much importance on it, Third Young Master," said Wang Yuqian.

The concern on Wang Yuqian’s face disappeared, replaced with a thoughtful look: "By the way, Third Young Master, possibly because of your secret meeting with the Crown Prince some time ago, after this morning’s court meeting ended, His Highness came to find the old man in person."

Xu Yuan’s gaze instantly sharpened:

"What did he say?"

"The minor old man has yet to report this matter to the Prime Minister,"

Before revealing the content of the conversation, Wang Yuqian prefaced it with this remark, and then went on to say in a soft voice:

"His Highness expressed his admiration for your talent and also hinted to the minor old man about some intentions to enlist."

Xu Yuan ignored the other’s implication of where his allegiance lay and a trace of doubt arose in his heart, he indeed asked:

"Is the Crown Prince’s recruitment aimed at you, or at me?"

"At me, the minor old man," replied Wang Yuqian, bowing his head.

"That makes no sense," Xu Yuan murmured subconsciously.

Wang Yuqian agreed, saying:

"Indeed, it makes no sense. The Crown Prince has been acting as regent for so long; he couldn’t possibly be unaware that my loyalty lies with the Prime Minister, and such a superficial attempt at recruitment would undoubtedly be reported to him by the minor old man."

Having said that,

Wang Yuqian slightly lowered his voice and continued in a whisper:

"Third Young Master, I have pondered long on this matter, and I suspect that the Crown Prince might wish to use me to reach out to the Prime Minister."

"...."

The Crown Prince reaching out to the Prime Minister’s Mansion?

Xu Yuan frowned, but his mind began to wander as he said softly, "The Emperor has allowed Li Zhaoyuan to openly lean towards the Sects without taking action. Could the pressure that Li Zhaoyuan has been putting on the Crown Prince these past months make him want to consider aligning with the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

Wang Yuqian rubbed his rough fingers together:

"That’s what the minor old man thinks; otherwise, there’s no reason for the Crown Prince to contact me."

Xu Yuan took a deep breath and said in a calm voice:

"Right now, all these speculations might be too presumptuous. Old Wang, for the time being, let everything remain as usual. If the Crown Prince indeed has this intention, there will surely be a clear signal."

"Yes," replied Wang Yuqian respectfully.

Xu Yuan nodded and then fell silent, leaning back on the couch to rest with his eyes closed. After about half an hour, he suddenly said softly:

"Oh right, Old Wang,

"This matter should first be reported to my father."

"...."

The stooped old man’s body trembled slightly; he cast a cautious glance at Xu Yuan, then quickly lowered his head:

"Yes... the minor old man understands."

Xu Yuan nodded slightly, then closed his eyes to rest.

He wasn’t concerned about Wang Yuqian’s caution.

Since the minor old head was not part of the core circle of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and wasn’t aware of the true state of their family, it wasn’t unfounded for him to treat their household like an Imperial Family’s breeding ground for intrigue.

Under the current circumstances, his choice to align with Xu Yuan was a natural move.

After all, everything indicated Xu Yuan’s identity as the "Prime Minister’s Heir." And after a century of the Prime Minister’s service, the minor old man would naturally gain the "merit of following the dragon."

Yet, in fact, according to his father’s intention, accepting the other’s allegiance was also reasonable.

But Xu Yuan didn’t want to deal with these messy affairs for the time being.

It wasn’t for lack of reason. With his father holding the fort above, he simply didn’t want to be bothered. Wouldn’t it be more appealing to keep mooching under the shade of his father’s big tree?