"I'm not sure why Your Majesty has summoned me, Father."
Dongfang Yuan feigned politeness with a faint smile. He glanced at Dongfang Qi and then looked at the emperor. "I wonder what this is about, Father."
"Good timing, Third Son." Dongfang Chuan looked at his two sons in front of him, sat down with deep emotion, and said, "Watching you grow up, I've truly grown old. Sooner or later, this world will be yours."
Hearing this, Dongfang Qi and Dongfang Yuan rarely showed a tacit understanding as they both looked up at the emperor, their expressions rather complicated.
"Father, what are you saying? You're still in your prime, in good health, and bound to live a long life. Under your wise governance, the world is in good order and prosperous day by day. The common people can't do without a wise emperor like you!"
Dongfang Yuan reacted quickly and immediately said this sincerely.
Dongfang Qi couldn't help but feel contemptuous after hearing this, but he wasn't willing to be outdone. He quickly picked up the conversation. "Yes, Father. Compared to your might and ability, we're just amateurs."
Dongfang Chuan was in a good mood and let out a hearty laugh. "Don't try to please me with such words. It's really rare for us father and sons to be in the same room chatting like this."
Seeing that the emperor was in a good mood, Dongfang Qi and Dongfang Yuan nodded and agreed with smiles.
Soon, Dongfang Chuan broke the brief silence.
"I've summoned you two here today to discuss something important."
Dongfang Chuan narrowed his eyes slightly, and his voice became a bit lower. "According to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Feng, Helan Yanting is extremely dangerous. He's been plotting a rebellion for a long time. I've already sent people to arrest him and seal off the Helan Prince's Mansion."
As he said this, Dongfang Chuan's eyes inadvertently swept over Dongfang Yuan standing below.
Dongfang Yuan remained calm on the surface, with his head down, listening intently. However, a flash of darkness quickly passed through his eyes.
"I'm going to take this opportunity to make Helan Yanting's rebellion public. Once the news spreads, our Dan Kingdom can take this chance to send troops to attack the Yuan Kingdom."
"This military expedition is of great importance. It concerns whether we can annex the Yuan Kingdom in one fell swoop. If we succeed, the Dan Kingdom will become the most powerful country among all the states on the continent. In the future, we can annex other countries step by step and become the overlord of this continent!"
When he got excited, Dongfang Chuan's somewhat haggard face seemed to regain its vitality, and his eyes were full of the ambition of a superior to dominate the world.
Suddenly, he turned to look at the two of them and his tone changed. "On the contrary, if we fail this time, the Dan Kingdom will surely be severely damaged. And the Yuan Kingdom will take this opportunity to press us hard. They will surely put forward many demands. By then, the Dan Kingdom will be threatened by other countries, and the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Crown Prince, Third Son, I plan to let you two lead the troops on this expedition. Each of you will lead a team of soldiers and attack the Yuan army from two sides in a pincer movement."
"What?!"
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince looked up again in tacit understanding, staring at Dongfang Chuan on the throne in astonishment.
"Father, didn't you say before that you'd let me go—" Dongfang Qi looked utterly incredulous and even suspected he'd misheard.
Dongfang Yuan also didn't expect that the emperor would let him and the Crown Prince lead the troops on the expedition together. But since the matter had fallen to him, he couldn't hide his joy.
Actually, Dongfang Yuan had heard a few days ago that the emperor had summoned the Crown Prince and intended to let him lead the troops on the expedition. When he heard the news, Dongfang Yuan instinctively felt something was wrong.
There was only one possibility for the emperor to let the Crown Prince go on the expedition, which was to let the Crown Prince gain military merits through this opportunity so as to convince the public. Then the Crown Prince could inherit the throne smoothly.
Dongfang Yuan was just thinking about how to fight for this opportunity for himself. Unexpectedly, the emperor did this suddenly. Now, Dongfang Yuan couldn't figure out what kind of game his father was playing.
"Father, I've been interested in military strategies since I was a child. And our Dongfang royal family originated from a cavalry nation. Our ancestors were all brave and good at fighting, one against a hundred. If I could have this opportunity to go on the expedition, I swear I'll win military merits!"
"Good!"
Hearing this, the emperor burst into a brilliant smile. The crow's feet at the corners of his eyes seemed to increase a few more layers. His eyes looking at Dongfang Yuan were filled with more appreciation.
"I'm really gratified that you have such ambition, Third Son. You're right. Our Dongfang family is a cavalry nation, and everyone is brave and good at fighting! I hope that both you and the Crown Prince will bring back good news on this expedition. I'll hold a welcome banquet for you in the palace!"
The Crown Prince cast a disgruntled look at Dongfang Yuan. But since the emperor was in a good mood, the Crown Prince could only smile and agree. "Don't worry, Father. I'll surely live up to your expectations!"
"Good, very good!"
Dongfang Chuan got up, walked in front of the two of them, and patted their shoulders. "If you two brothers cooperate well, you'll be invincible! Our Dongfang family's kingdom depends on you two brothers!"
"Third Son," Dongfang Chuan specially patted Dongfang Yuan's shoulder. "I don't have many sons. Among all the princes, you two are the ones I value the most. You must assist your elder brother well and guard our Dongfang family's world."
There was a complex look in Dongfang Yuan's eyes. He lowered his head and said, "I'll surely follow Father's instructions and will not disgrace my mission!"
"I still have some memorials to review. Since this matter has been decided, you two go back and get prepared. Wait for my order to set off at any time."
"...Yes, I'll take my leave, Father."
"I'll take my leave, Father."
Not long after Dongfang Yuan and Dongfang Qi walked out of the inner palace, Dongfang Qi sneered at Dongfang Yuan. "Third Brother, as the saying goes, one should take on only as much as one can handle. Don't talk too big, or you'll end up embarrassing yourself, hehe."
"Brother is absolutely right. However... I'll return the same words to you, Brother."
After saying that, Dongfang Yuan turned around and left. After walking a few steps, he slowly left a sentence. "It's still uncertain who will win in the end, hehe."
"Do you think you can compete with me? Don't you even know your own background? Your mother was just a lowly maid in the palace!"
Dongfang Qi flicked his sleeves, threw out a contemptuous remark, and then turned around and left.
...
After the Third Prince left, he immediately sent someone to check on the situation in the dungeon. He originally wanted to go and see Helan Yanting himself, but unexpectedly, the emperor had sent special guards this time, and he had no chance to get in.
In the dim and damp dungeon at this moment, after Helan Yanting was locked up, his hands were chained up, and his legs touched the ground. Every other day, the jailers would deliberately let some water in. After a few days, the icy cold undercurrent had reached Helan Yanting's knees.
Looking at Helan Yanting, his face was as pale as paper. A few strands of his wet hair were sticking to his cheeks. His robe was tattered, and he looked extremely embarrassed.
"Prince Helan, I'd like to give you a piece of good advice. This dungeon is no place for a human being. Hand over the topographic map quickly. Maybe the emperor will consider releasing you from this dungeon."
However, Helan Yanting always kept his head down and said nothing. He showed no intention of taking out the map.
The jailer spat in disgust. "If you don't say anything, then just wait to die!"
After saying that, the two jailers turned around and left.