The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 34 - The Grand Scheme

Zhang Family.

Du Ming stumbled into the Zhang Family residence, breathless and frantic. Upon seeing Zhang Kang, he stammered for a while before finally speaking, “Prefect Zhang, the Huang Family fortress has been seized by Prince Yan. We must… we must raise an army!”

“Raise an army? Are you suggesting rebellion?” Zhang Kang was being attended to by a maid as he washed up.

He had learned of the news even before Du Ming did, and it had erased his last shred of underestimation towards Prince Yan. With Zhang Qian recently deceased, Zhang Kang had yet to fully control the Zhang Family. He also held evidence of the Huang Family’s treacherous plans. Prince Yan had indeed seized the opportunity.

Now, among the iron triangle of the Zhang, Huang, and Du Families in Yan Prefecture, the Huang Family was utterly finished.

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Kang had indeed considered supporting the Huang Family alongside the Du Family, to preserve the Zhang Family’s flank. But with Zhang Qian dead and Zhang Rang also gone, some within the Zhang Family had begun to suspect him. If he were to deploy troops now, unity might falter. Winning and defeating Prince Yan would be one thing, but losing would disrupt his established plans.

Moreover, the information he received was that Chang Wei had conquered the Huang Family with hardly any effort, and had even absorbed three thousand of their private soldiers. The situation was increasingly unfavorable for him.

After much deliberation, he decided to keep his forces in check.

“Prince Yan’s blade is already at our throats, shouldn’t we raise an army? Rebellion? It’s Prince Yan who’s forcing our hand!” Du Ming shouted.

“We must not act rashly. The fortress has fallen, and the Prince’s Mansion has emerged victorious, not suffering mutual destruction with the Huang Family. Raising an army now would lead to utter ruin,” Zhang Kang advised.

Du Ming was breathing heavily, his eyes red with anger. “Prefect Zhang, our three families are bound by marriage and have sworn to advance and retreat together. Are you going to stand by and watch the Huang Family be destroyed?”

“I simply don’t want to further sacrifice the Du Family and the Zhang Family,” Zhang Kang felt the same regret.

But he was far more composed than Du Ming. Besides, his relationship with Du Ming and Huang Gang was not as close as with Zhang Qian. Furthermore, he had his own ways to protect the Zhang Family, unlike Du Ming who was in a panic.

Zhang Kang’s reluctance to deploy troops only fueled Du Ming’s anger. “Prince Yan has wiped out the Huang Family. Who do you think he’ll target next? Don’t forget how our three families dealt with Prince Yan’s Mansion, and don’t forget which family attempted to assassinate Prince Yan. If the Zhang Family doesn’t act today, don’t blame me for being tight-lipped when I fall into Prince Yan’s hands!”

Zhang Kang’s expression suddenly darkened, but then he smiled, “Don’t be upset. My Zhang Family will send troops.”

“That’s more like it. Our two families will immediately gather elite soldiers from the fortress, first to rescue the Huang Family, then to attack Yan City,” Du Ming said.

Zhang Kang nodded.

Du Ming was pleased and, after agreeing on where to merge their forces, he left.

Zhang Kang then turned to the butler, Zhang Yue, “Go to Prince Yan’s Mansion immediately. Inform Prince Yan of the Du Family’s plan to raise an army for rebellion. Tell him the Zhang Family is feigning to join the battle, and will present Du Ming’s head to Prince Yan as proof of our unwavering loyalty.”

“Yes, master,” Zhang Yue bowed and departed.

As he stepped outside, Zhang Kang squinted his eyes. He had advised Du Ming, but Du Ming was stubbornly courting death. Since that was the case, he might as well use Du Ming as a stepping stone to mislead Prince Yan.

However, Du Ming’s words were not entirely without merit. It was clear.

Prince Yan was targeting them, seeking to seize control of Yan Prefecture.

Therefore, to ensure his plans proceeded smoothly, aside from continuing to deceive Prince Yan and buying time, he also needed to intimidate Prince Yan a little. To make Prince Yan understand that Zhang Kang was not someone to be trifled with.

Thinking about this, Zhang Kang strolled to the bedroom.

Inside, his wife Yuan had just woken up.

“My dear, there’s quite a bit of chaos in Yan Prefecture today. Prince Yan is causing quite a stir, and it seems he’s trying to suppress the Zhang Family. Losing face is one thing, but I’m worried people will say the Yuan Family is just a decorative piece in Yan Province,” Zhang Kang said, flattering her as he massaged her shoulders.

Yuan’s almond-shaped eyes widened in mockery, “What’s there to fear from a mere Prince Yan? Now that you’ve become the head of the Zhang Family, Father will be very pleased, and you’ll carry more weight in his heart. I’ll send someone to Fanyang to have Father knock some sense into Prince Yan, make him behave in Yan Province.”

“Thank you, my dear,” Zhang Kang replied with a smile, his eyes gleaming.

…

In Prince Yan’s Mansion, within the bedchamber.

Zhao Xu was listening to the news brought back by the scout.

The surprise attack had successfully taken down the Huang Family, and he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

“Your Highness, General Chang managed to take down the Huang Family so easily, partly because of the soldiers’ dedication and partly because the people’s hearts have turned to Your Highness,” Liu Fu said, his round face rippling with excitement.

For Prince Yan to make such a bold decision, sacrificing the wealth of the mansion to win the people’s hearts, was truly remarkable.

And now, the results were evident.

Zhao Xu shook his head helplessly; he hadn’t even implemented any real policies to benefit the people yet.

The people’s support could only mean that the regional magnates had been oppressing the common folk for far too long.

His emergence as a different kind of prince had given the people hope.

“Next, we’ll see how the Zhang and Du families react,” Zhao Xu said calmly.

Initially, he was worried, but from the battle with the Huang Family, it was clear that the private soldiers of Yan Prefecture’s magnates were lacking in quality, and their morale was unstable.

Not exactly paper tigers, but more like lame ones.

The threat from the Du and Zhang families seemed less daunting now.

Moreover, with the Huang Family’s downfall, the balance of power had shifted.

Now, he was the one on the offensive.

Just as he finished speaking, Zhang Yue, the butler from the Zhang Family, was announced.

Exchanging a glance with Liu Fu, he allowed Zhang Yue to enter.

“Your Highness, Du Ming intends to raise an army and rebel…”

Zhang Yue stood firm, spilling Zhang Kang’s words like beans.

Zhao Xu and Liu Fu listened with growing astonishment.

After pondering for a while, Zhao Xu said, “In that case, I’ll await Prefect Zhang’s good news.”

Zhang Yue bowed and left.

Liu Fu watched him go, frowning, “Your Highness, it might be a trap. If the two families unite and Zhang Kang doesn’t kill Du Ming, it could be troublesome.”

Zhao Xu nodded, “Have the soldiers in the city guard the gates closely, and inform Chang Wei through the scout to stay alert.”

Liu Fu acknowledged and turned to leave.

At that moment, Feng’er brought warm water and used a damp cloth to wipe Zhao Xu’s face.

Luan’er stood by with a blue robe, waiting.

“Your Highness is really busy, not even resting in the morning. These magnates in Yan Prefecture are really troublesome,” Luan’er pouted.

Feng’er wrung out the cloth and spat, “These heartless villains would only bring peace if they were gone. Look at what they’ve done to Yan Prefecture.”

“Exactly, with them around, I can’t even sleep peacefully at night,” Luan’er said, recalling the days when Zhang Han was around, still feeling a bit fearful.

Feng’er looked at Zhao Xu with a smile in her eyes, “Your Highness, don’t let them off this time. Once Yan Prefecture is peaceful, you can travel around, instead of being stuck in the mansion all day.”

Zhao Xu pinched Feng’er’s nose lightly, “I see you’re itching to go out and have some fun.”

Luan’er covered her mouth and giggled at his words.

Feng’er turned her face away, both shy and delighted.

After washing up, Zhao Xu had breakfast.

By noon, news arrived.