Chapter 954: Chapter 950: Conversation (4)

Also worried that Min might become ill due to not acclimatizing, he had never traveled far, could he be well taken care of, eat well, or feel cold, and so on, all made him uneasy.

"Are there still a few calligraphy sheets that you haven’t copied?" Xiqiu put down the embroidery hoop, leaned over, and asked Zhi. He nodded and said, "I’ll write them now." Then he picked up a brush and dipped into ink to write.

Min glanced at the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince sitting opposite him. The Eldest Prince was wearing a dark red robe, sitting cross-legged, with his head down reading a book. The Second Prince, holding a book, leaned against the car wall, lifted the curtain to peek at the scenery outside.

He withdrew his gaze indifferently without speaking. This was the third day. The Emperor allowed the three of them to sit in one carriage, saying that being around peers wouldn’t be dull. He understood the Emperor wished them as brothers to develop more fraternal affection. However, he didn’t know that since the last burn injury, he hadn’t spoken a word to the Eldest Prince, not because he didn’t speak, but because the Eldest Prince ignored him as if he didn’t exist.

As for the Second Prince, he was simple and kind, yet due to this, he appeared somewhat timid and weak, listening to the Eldest Prince in everything, thereby not daring to speak to him.

Thus, even though three people sat inside the carriage, it felt the same as if he were alone inside it.

Suddenly, the curtain lifted, revealing his father’s face, who asked him seriously, "It’s a bit hot inside; do you want to come out and ride a horse?" This was naturally directed to him. Even if the Eldest Prince and Second Prince wanted to ride a horse, they would have to ask the Emperor for permission first.

The Eldest Prince showed no reaction, but the Second Prince’s eyes brightened with some envy when he looked at Min.

Min nodded with a smile and said, "Okay!" After speaking, he put down the book and was carried onto the horse by Fourth Master Xiao, who rode off with his father in front.

The curtain dropped down, and the Eldest Prince kicked the Second Prince in irritation, saying, "Why that look? If you want to ride a horse, let Chief Chang arrange it."

"I... I don’t want to." The Second Prince lowered his face, took the book into his hands without daring to speak.

The Eldest Prince gave him a mocking glance and scoffed, "Truly a coward." Then he turned sideways, took the spittoon, and began to vomit.

"Brother," the Second Prince said worriedly, "Do you need the Imperial Physician?"

The Eldest Prince wiped his mouth and said disdainfully, "Just carsick, endure it."

Upon reaching the resting point, the inns from the previous days were no longer available. They could only rest in the already set-up tents. After getting off the carriage and greeting the Emperor, the Eldest Prince took advantage of the rest to go out. He noticed the returning Lord Qian and said, "Lord Qian, do you have a moment now?"

Qian Wenzhong dismounted, saluted, and asked, "What orders do you have, Your Highness?" Seeing no attention from anyone around him, the Eldest Prince said, "Teach me to ride a horse."

Qian Wenzhong hesitated, feeling rather uneasy, bowed his head. Teaching a Prince to ride was no easy matter; should an accident occur, even having nine heads wouldn’t suffice. But the Eldest Prince was waiting for his answer. He thought for a moment and said, "I was just about to report to the Emperor. Could I teach Your Highness after seeking the Emperor’s permission?"

"Boring!" The Eldest Prince frowned slightly, impatiently waved, "No need for you to teach, go!" Then he turned away without looking back.

Qian Wenzhong lowered his head, watched the Eldest Prince’s departing figure out of the corner of his eye, without saying anything.

Fourth Master Xiao was inside the military tent, holding a flint ready to burn the letter in his hand. Min entered, and he paused, thought, then handed the letter to Min, saying, "A letter from Fujian, take a look at it too." More often than not, he would not conceal major matters from Min and would even sometimes ask for his opinions, intending to cultivate him.

Min responded, took the letter apart, and swiftly read it, then learned from Fourth Master Xiao by lighting it on fire with the flint, and looked at Fourth Master Xiao saying, "Thank you, Father."

Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly.

In mid-April, Xiqiu received a letter from Fourth Master Xiao, stating that the Emperor’s entourage had safely reached outside the border and settled down, while a major event occurred in the Capital. In Fujian, pirates disguised as merchants landed ashore. Those rogues, highly skilled, upon landing began to ravage and plunder a coastal fishing village completely before rapidly scattering and hiding among the populace. Chief Lei, the Fujian Governor, and the Fujian General dispatched numerous troops for inspection, yet nothing was found.

After a few days, another village was raided, but when the soldiers arrived, it was an empty chase.

In several instances, those rogues seemed to detect weaknesses in Fujian’s defenses, and another group of pirates landed ashore. However, this time, unlike before, they massively burned, plundered, and murdered. Within over half a month, fishermen were terrified, and some even moved their families to avoid the danger.

The Fujian General fought with them multiple times but not only failed to gain the upper hand but suffered heavy casualties. And every time those people succeeded, they would hide for days or escape aboard a ship, only to reappear in another area after a few days, elusive and hard to trace, growing in numbers. Officials were at a loss.

Lord Wu, hearing of the matter, was enraged and debated this with Shen Ji. Shen Ji claimed that the Fujian General and the Governor were incompetent, ordering their dismissal and investigation, while Lord Wu argued to await the Emperor’s return to the capital for a decision. Their debate reached no conclusion until Elder General Chen proposed a resolution, saying, "It’s not that Fujian’s forces are weak, but there’s no competent leader; let me request permission to suppress them. I’m confident within two months I can drive those rogues out of the frontier."

Given his rich experience and past naval battle experience, should he go, he would likely eliminate the pirates effectively, driving them out of the Fujian Sea Area.

At the moment Elder General Chen was set to depart, he suddenly fell seriously ill for no apparent reason, once again postponing this matter. As Fujian’s battle conditions escalated, Lord Wu conferred with Shen Ji, agreeing on sending the Imperial Uncle to personally lead troops into battle.

Everyone in the court nodded: "Lord Shen captured the leader of the Twelve Tribes of Mongolia, Dai Qin, in Liaodong years ago, proving to be an exceptional General. Moreover, it’s fitting that the Imperial Uncle goes, as the Capital currently faces no pressing concerns; only Fujian repeatedly encounters issues. If the Imperial Uncle can quell Fujian’s troubles, the Emperor would certainly be delighted and relieved, able to stay outside the border with peace of mind."

The underlying message was that being the Emperor’s brother-in-law, it’s most appropriate for you to handle this. If you achieve military success, the Emperor will surely lavishly reward you, and you’ll gain prestige.

Shen Ji was stunned; he hadn’t considered personally going to Fujian. Upon returning, he discussed it with Old Madam Shen, who immediately vetoed, "Usually when it comes to earning merits, people crowd ahead, but when wars break out, everyone retreats. Such a trivial matter should not require the Imperial Uncle’s personal expedition. Where’s the rationale in this?"

Shen Ji agreed.

Just as he intended to decline, news arrived from Fujian stating that Shen An and Shen Ning had been sighted in the area, with reports of Shen An accompanied by a boy around eight or nine years old. Old Madam Shen paused to confirm, "Is the news reliable?"

Shen Ji nodded, "There’s no doubt." Pausing he added, "It seems Shi Shengjie has also departed from Jiangnan heading towards Fujian."

Old Madam Shen pondered for a long time before she looked up at Shen Ji, advising, "Then you might as well go. This matter left to others I won’t feel secure!"