Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home - Chapter 2030: Dumbfounded

Chapter 2030: Dumbfounded

The Fourth Prince staunchly positioned himself as the rightful ruler, deeming the other two factions as rebellious. He rallied the ministers of the realm to unite in their assault.

“But what if?” lingered as an unspoken question.

Relinquishing the territory he had painstakingly seized was out of the question. His only recourse was swift ascension to the throne. Delaying only rendered him more vulnerable.

As the three factions clashed, drawing support and opposition from various quarters, confusion swept through local officials and citizens alike.

A proverb echoed in their minds: “There’s no second master in the family, and there’s no second sun in the sky.” Now, with three emperors vying for supremacy, whom should they obey?

Whom should they recognize as their sovereign?

Logically, allegiance should lie with the ruler in the capital.

Yet, the legitimate heir of the empress resided in Jinan, Shandong.

As the eldest son, the Second Prince held a compelling claim to the throne. With the Crown Prince out of the picture, succession would likely favor either the firstborn or the eldest son. In either scenario, the Second or Third Prince stood to ascend.

However, the Fourth Prince had seized control of the capital.

…Throughout the realm, confusion reigned supreme. Each of the three princes found themselves in a deadlock, unable to assert their legitimacy over the others. They stood as equals in their claims to orthodoxy.

Compounding the dilemma was the lack of trust among themselves, further confounding the populace as to whom they should align with or heed.

Beyond the three princely factions, a contingent of officials remained steadfast in their loyalty to the late Crown Prince. They harbored suspicions that his untimely demise was somehow linked to the machinations of these three contenders. In their eyes, all three were tainted by sin and unworthy of kingship.

They fervently believed that the throne rightfully belonged to the Crown Prince’s descendants.

With this sentiment fueling the chaos, matters only grew more convoluted.

Upon ascending the throne, both the Second and Third Princes swiftly embarked on a campaign to expand their territorial influence. They sought to consolidate control over neighboring cities, establishing a strategic foothold and amassing resources to bolster their cause.

Their aim was clear: to fortify their position, accumulate strength, and secure logistical support, thus enabling them to challenge the authority of the capital.

In contrast, the Fourth Prince, having seized control of the capital, held the upper hand. With access to greater resources and a more entrenched claim to orthodoxy, he stood unrivaled in comparison.

The Fourth Prince seethed with rage, his mind ablaze with fury!

Having emerged as the clear victor, with plans for a triumphant celebration already in motion, the sudden turn of events was intolerable.

In a fit of indignation, the Fourth Prince issued a decree commanding local authorities to uphold their duty and allegiance. Those who dared to side with the rebels would face the gravest punishment—extermination of their entire families!

He forbade any submission to the renegade forces, threatening severe consequences for disobedience.

Simultaneously, he handpicked his most trusted aides and marshaled his forces. With a formidable army of 50,000 soldiers at his command, he set his sights on Ji Nan.

His intent was clear—to make an example of them.

The Third Prince, lacking the seasoned expertise of General Sun, was vulnerable. Despite his fierce generals and formidable soldiers, they would crumble under the might of the Fourth Prince’s onslaught.

With Ji Nan captured, and the Second Prince’s followers eradicated, the Fourth Prince was certain the world would acknowledge his legitimacy.

Unconcerned with the Fourth Prince’s wrath, the Second Prince seized the opportunity to further his own agenda.

As the mid of May approached, news of the capital’s military mobilization spread to Anze Province.

The imperial court descended into turmoil as the princes vied for the throne, sending shockwaves of panic and confusion rippling throughout the populace of Great Qin.

Even in the remote Anze Province, the tremors of chaos could be felt, leaving its residents bewildered and apprehensive.

Shao Yunduan found himself equally shaken by the unfolding events. While he harbored grievances against the Crown Prince, he had never entertained thoughts of revenge. The sudden loss of the Crown Prince’s life left him reeling with disbelief and regret.