The Seventh Prince nearly leaped from his seat.
Abandon Hurricane City?!
He hadn't known the strategic significance of Hurricane City to the Tatu Kingdom before, but after being influenced by the Chief Treasurer and the Imperial Advisor, he understood that he absolutely had to take this city.
Only by taking this city could he have both offense and defense.
After years of planning, just as he was about to reap the rewards, the Imperial Advisor suddenly informed him that he should abandon this city.
"Imperial Advisor, abandoning Hurricane City, how is that possible?" the Seventh Prince asked fiercely, his brows furrowed. "You were the one who told me Hurricane City was the throat of the Tatu Kingdom. If I could control the entire territory of Hurricane City, I could use its formidable army to survey the entire Tatu Kingdom. Moreover, the abundant resources there would allow me to be self-sufficient. Have you forgotten all this?"
The Imperial Advisor, leaning back against his seat, quietly watched the Seventh Prince vent his anger.
His mind inexplicably recalled the words of the young scholar.
Indeed, the gap was too great.
At this moment, the fact that the Seventh Prince could question him like this indicated that he was completely unaware of some of the kingdom's changes. He didn't know about the fall of the northern cities, nor the strength of the foreign enemy.
More importantly, if his student had truly joined Chen Yu's banner.
He would have no chance of winning!
"Imperial Advisor, why don't you speak?" the Seventh Prince urged, glaring impatiently. "Why do you suddenly say we should abandon Hurricane City? What is the reason?"
"Abandoning Hurricane City is for Your Highness's own good."
"What?!"
The Seventh Prince immediately sneered, exaggeratedly stretching his neck and pointing at himself.
"Imperial Advisor, you must be joking. How could this be for my own good? Don't think I know nothing. I've also investigated Hurricane City. The resources there can support my army of millions. With a little development, the total population could exceed one billion. The resources are extremely rich, and most importantly, Chen Yu is there! He possesses the Tiger Tally of the Commanders. If I can obtain the Tiger Tally, my future will not be limited to this small country of Tatu."
The Imperial Advisor, still leaning back, remained silent. The Seventh Prince’s brow furrowed.
"Imperial Advisor..."
"Your Highness, do you not trust this old minister's judgment?" The Imperial Advisor finally spoke in a low voice.
If he were to tell the truth, he truly didn't trust him.
Although he didn't possess great talent, he knew very well that he was merely a pawn. It was the same under the Chief Treasurer as it was under the Imperial Advisor.
Even though the Imperial Advisor had always been devoted to him, in his heart, he didn't believe the Imperial Advisor was sincere.
He felt that the Imperial Advisor, like the Chief Treasurer, wanted him to be a puppet.
Initially, he had intended to live his life this way. If he could maintain his wealth and status, he wouldn't mind being a puppet for his entire life.
However, as the power in his hands grew,
The more he yearned to break free from it all.
His desires made him want to be the master of this world.
He tried his best to secure something truly his own amidst the constraints, which was why he promoted Mi Ye and instructed her to seize cities without any reservations.
He wanted to have his own faction.
One day, he would stand before the Chief Treasurer and the Imperial Advisor and make them prostrate themselves.
He knew very well that he did not have the ability to do so yet. Having lost the Chief Treasurer's support, he absolutely could not lose the Imperial Advisor's support.
The Seventh Prince, his eyes filled with anger, instantly changed his expression.
"Imperial Advisor, I didn't mean that." The Seventh Prince, a forced smile on his face, said with a wry smile, "I trust you completely. What I said just now was for our success. After planning for so many years, we can't just give up like this, can we? Wouldn't everything be in vain?"
"The kingdom's situation is constantly changing. We must also learn to adapt to the circumstances."
Leaning back against his seat, the Imperial Advisor's fingertips glowed with a faint light, and a piece of parchment appeared. He extended it towards the Seventh Prince.
The Seventh Prince quickly took the parchment and examined it carefully.
"The north has fallen. I know about this." The Seventh Prince frowned. "Ever since our royal family decided to deal with those who held the Filial Piety Order, internal strife has erupted in all the cities within the territory. Isn't this precisely your plan? The more chaotic the country is, the greater our opportunities will be."
"Your Highness, please read further."
Hearing the Imperial Advisor's words, the Seventh Prince, though impatient, glanced down. The moment he saw a few words, his entire demeanor became solemn. He held the parchment, examining it from top to bottom several times.
"Chen Yu?!"
"Chen Yu attacked the northern border of the kingdom?"
"How dare he?!"
"I didn't go to attack his Hurricane City, and now he dares to touch the cities of my Tatu Kingdom. He is truly audacious."
Putting down the parchment, the Seventh Prince, who had been reprimanding, suddenly paused.
"No!"
"That's not right, Imperial Advisor."
The Seventh Prince suddenly picked up the parchment again, examining its contents and saying softly.
"This states that Chen Yu was behind the northern border's actions, but he is doing nothing in Hurricane City right now. He hasn't even sorted out his own territory in Hurricane City, so where would he get the people to attack the northern border? Where did you get this news? This is a bit unreliable, isn't it?"
Hurricane City had always been the core of the Seventh Prince's attention.
Mi Ye, the lord of Milu City, reported to him almost daily. He was quite familiar with Chen Yu's movements.
"It was done by people from his subsidiary cities."
Looking at the Seventh Prince's smug expression, the Imperial Advisor sighed in his heart.
"The Seventh Prince still hasn't grasped the key point of the parchment. It clearly states the location from which the troops were raised and the relationship between that city and Chen Yu."
"Free Town?"
"It's that town. Seventh Prince, think carefully, doesn't this town seem familiar to you?"
"The city that Chen Yu found the King's Capital to get the King's approval for," the Seventh Prince answered instantly. The Imperial Advisor also murmured, "Precisely that city. This Free Town is Chen Yu's foundation. Don't underestimate it; its richness is no less than that of our Floating City."
"What?"
"Chen Yu, indeed, has some ability," the Imperial Advisor sighed.
Initially, he hadn't paid much attention to Free Town. After learning that it was Chen Yu's city, he had made some inquiries, and the more he understood the situation there, the more shocked he became.
"We are not moving on Hurricane City because the situation doesn't permit it."
"However, we still need to obtain the Tiger Tally of the Commanders."
"As for how to obtain it, Free Town is the most crucial link in obtaining the Tiger Tally. Free Town is Chen Yu's foundation, and destroying it would be a fatal blow to Chen Yu."
"More importantly, that town is quite prosperous."
"Your Highness lacks food, funds, and resources. We can obtain all of them from that city. If we are lucky enough, we might even be able to use it as leverage, although that possibility is quite low. But replenishing resources and giving him a lesson, aren't these all things Your Highness needs?"
Hearing the Imperial Advisor's reply, the Seventh Prince's eyes brightened slightly.
"The Imperial Advisor speaks the truth. It's just that Free Town has the capability to attack the northern border, so attacking it down might not be simple, right? Our soldiers are all prepared for the future succession to the throne."
"It is indeed difficult."
The Imperial Advisor nodded slightly at his words.
"Chen Yu, from somewhere, acquired a batch of equipment. I suspect it was given to him by Fu Hua Ai Er Dun. The troops in Free Town are very well-equipped and their strength is considerable. It would indeed take some effort to attack head-on. However, Free Town is not monolithic internally. I know of an individual who might be able to help us."
"Who?"
"The third formation commander of Free Town, Rosis!"