For the first time, Gong Jue didnt show any happiness after receiving Gong Yi Mos letter.

Royal Sister wanted him to return.

If he returns now, he will definitely receive the emperors reward and obtain both power and monetary rewards. If he conducted his business well, his money could make ghosts turn millstones. As a royal prince, how carefree he would be.

However, he wasnt willing!

Besides, Lou Ye had made some movements recently and it was very likely that they were going to strike during the heavy snowstorms to catch them off guard. He couldnt just leave like this. He wanted to be more than those nobles who merely spoke noble-sounding words like protecting the people. A mere 30,000 soldiers was far from making him satisfied so he must achieve more merits! Use fighting power to exchange for political power!

Gong Jue wanted to go and oversee the situation for himself!

But Zhen Xi Wang was the first to object!

He thought that Gong Jue was simply clutching at the shadows. One tunnel between Lou Ye and Xi Zhou was nothing; there were many such tunnels between the two countries. Who wouldnt be on their guard? Lou Yes secret excursion to Yu Heng didnt automatically mean that there was something going on. Furthermore, the winters here were chilling. They didnt even have enough food to eat at home so how were they going to fight a war?

At the end of the day, it was just because he didnt want the common people to suffer.

Zhen Xi Wang had guarded Xi Zhou for 10 years now and there had never been a war here. If he followed Gong Jues thoughts, then the people would have to actively prepare. New Years was the most relaxing time of year, and he didnt want to create chaos during such a time upon mere conjectures.

But Gong Jue didnt think so.

From the soil, it could be seen that the tunnel was completed recently. It was clear that Lou Ye excavated it in order to survey them. Based on the time, Lou Ye made a secret visit to Yu Heng a year ago. If they started digging the tunnel from that point, then they indeed only finished recently. No food could it be that a year ago, with Lou Yes actions, they were borrowing food from Yu Heng? Maybe they had long reached some kind of agreement!

Gong Jue trusted his instincts. Gong Yi Mo had told him before that the human brain will unconsciously store and process much information. Thats how intuition comes about. Thats also why intuition can be trusted!

But Grandfather didnt believe him. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly smiled. So what if he doesnt believe me? He decided to secretly do it!

After finding out about it, Bai Sheng was the first to disagree.

Only

Your Majesty, since the Princess has already planned out everything, why wont you follow her wishes? He didnt want Gong Jues thoughts to become a reality because once a war starts, then it wouldnt just be one persons business but rather a whole countrys!

Over the past year or so, he had made friends with the others in West County. He truly hoped that nothing would happen to them.

Besides, the Princess told his Majesty to return and use this merit to fight for the canal. He heard that the canal only needed two years to complete. At that time, it would become a great achievement that would last for thousands of years to come! Coupled with the merits of fixing the canal, his Highness would have a much smoother path in the future. The Princess tried so hard to secure this retreat path, why does his Highness just refuse to do it?

Gong Jue naturally knew what Bai Sheng was thinking. He sat on the hilltop and looked at the far off horizon. The setting sun was especially beautiful in the West County. The fire seemed to be burning the clouds as well as his heart.

His eyes slowly grew calm and firm. He slowly spoke.

Repairing the canal is naturally a great accomplishment. However, the Crown Prince has been in power for a year now. If I go there now, no matter how hard I try, I wouldnt be able to surpass him.

After speaking lightly, he couldnt help but reveal a small smile.

It wasnt that he didnt want to meet Gong Yi Mo earlier. Its been a year and a half now, did her appearance change? But he remembered what he wanted the most He wanted his Royal Sister! He wanted power to shock the world! He wanted the power to make everyone shut up in front of him! That was far from what a mere wealthy lord could do.