Chapter 13: Playing Poor to Latch onto the Rich

The beautiful morning sunlight generously warmed the earth, but everything on it was far from beautiful.

In the ruined city, groups of civilians who had lost their homes in the chaos of war moved slowly in a daze, their empty eyes fixed on several relief food distribution points. Each of them was waiting for only half a loaf of black bread and a single potato, but they were content. At least they had lost their homes, not their lives.

In the distance, several columns of thick smoke rose into the sky, but they were not from pots and stoves where soldiers were preparing relief food. To prevent the spread of disease, most of the soldiers had been sent to burn the bodies. Ashen white bone dust drifted in the wind, like early snow falling from the sky.

A few priests of the Light God Church and pastors of the Star God Church walked past each other. They were busy exorcising spirits, with Light God priests wearing expressions of awkwardness and Star God pastors showing signs of fatigue.

The churches of the Light God in the east and the Star God altar in the west were filled with the wounded and the destitute. At this moment, whether it was the Light God priests or the Star God pastors, they were all busy helping these suffering people while spreading their religious teachings.

Prince Roan looked mournfully at the human suffering, his legs trembling slightly.

Li Bing and the prince exchanged a few words. Li Bing felt that the prince was a passionate young man—an impassioned patriot, worried for the country and its people. In an attempt to understand the living conditions of the residents within the city, the prince had insisted on walking to the castle. But after taking only a few steps, he could go no further.

"What is that old man eating?" the prince suddenly asked, pointing his finger at an elderly man in tattered clothes who was eating something yellow and mushy. The man's expression was one of bliss, as if he were eating heavenly food.

Li Bing couldn't answer, and there was a moment of silence. The prince appeared to contemplate for a moment but didn't ask further.

That was cow dung.

"I will make sure they eat well in the future!" Both Li Bing and the prince thought in unison.

After walking a few more steps, Li Bing finally broke the silence and began conversing with the prince again.

"The Lushui Territory has suffered greatly. Originally, there were about 100,000 people in the territory, excluding the military. Now, there are no more than 30,000 left, and the able-bodied have either died or fled. Some of the markets, shops, and even slightly wealthier households have been looted. The outer city near the castle has been razed by the Wild Flame Army. Other parts of the city have also been damaged to varying degrees. The crops in the southern part of the city have been destroyed by the Wild Flame Army, and several small shipyards and fishing boats near the Lushui River have been wiped out. Moreover, to prevent the people from fleeing north, the Wild Flame Army previously destroyed most of the ferries and bridges. The cattle and sheep on the northern pastures have mostly been plundered... In short, the economic structure of Lushui Territory has completely collapsed."

Li Bing originally wanted to tell a few modern jokes to lighten the mood, but the conversation inevitably shifted back to the Lushui Territory. Although terms like "economic structure" were a bit ahead of their time, the prince's face grew more and more serious.

"The remaining food in the castle is enough for less than two months at best. Even with strict rationing, we probably won't make it through the winter. The treasury in the city now has just over 17,000 silver coins, and no gold coins at all. Although the state has relieved Lushui Territory by removing the main force of the Lushui Division, the reconstruction of the territory and daily expenses are still issues... A common household in the territory earns at most a few dozen silver coins a year. We can't increase taxes on the common people any further. When you calculate it, there's just not enough money... The state is currently preparing for a southern campaign, so to avoid burdening the state further, Your Highness, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with requesting relief for us. But it's a shame about the supply and command issues of the Crimson Blood Legion..." Li Bing began to subtly, yet insistently, seek aid, while Ikalu and the others who were listening secretly admired Li Bing's eloquence... and his shamelessness.

"My friend, stop!" Prince Roan suddenly stopped, making Li Bing panic, thinking he had been too blunt and upset the prince. His calves began to tremble.

The prince took Li Bing's hand again, tears welling up as he said, "Li Siter, my friend, you have worked so hard for the country, your heart is only for the state. I originally thought that the first thing you would talk to me about would be the inheritance of the title and lands of Earl Lushui, but I was wrong! I'm such a petty person! You've spoken all this time, and it's all about the common people's lives and the fate of the nation... You are a true gentleman!"

Li Bing awkwardly smiled. To him, as a modern person, titles didn't matter at all! Power comes from the barrel of a gun—strength is the real authority! What use were those empty, noble titles?!

The group finally returned to the castle. When Ilene appeared, Prince Roan once again revealed his flamboyant side, flattering Ilene, the woman who had once caused a frenzy among the noble youths of the capital. His words even subtly hinted at a desire to propose marriage, until Ikalu subtly brought up the matter of Ilene's marriage to Li Bing, which made him stop.

During breakfast, Li Bing once again discussed "national matters" with the prince, as it was the only way to divert his attention. Those lettuce leaves were really unfit for human consumption!

Li Bing's persistent approach finally paid off. After breakfast, Prince Roan, also unaccustomed to "rough mountain food," rubbed his aching stomach and passionately declared to Li Bing, "My friend! I will help with the grain issue in Lushui Territory, and I will seek financial aid from my father. As for the Crimson Blood Legion... I think we can temporarily form it into a division, like the old Lushui Division, with the state providing military subsidies. I believe this legion will play a crucial role during the southern campaign!"

Finally, the prince asked in confusion, "Li Siter, my friend, Miss Ikalu, Miss Ilene... Who do you plan to have inherit the title of Earl Gun?"

"Li Siter!"

"Li Siter!"

"Ilene!"

Ilene and Ikalu both insisted that Li Bing should inherit the title, but Li Bing called out Ilene's name.

"Ilene will inherit the title and become the lord of Lushui Territory. Ikalu will be the commander of the Lushui Division, and I will lead the Crimson Blood Legion!" Li Bing said nonchalantly.

"The current strength of the Lushui Division... there are only about a thousand soldiers left. Is it too much of a burden for Miss Ikalu?" Prince Roan said, somewhat awkward, as he still felt a little guilty about his father having poached someone from her family. He didn't realize that Li Bing had a hidden agenda.

Li Bing's intent was simple: he was setting up a way to pocket the surplus funds.

Both the Crimson Blood and Lushui divisions were state-funded, with positions for 20,000 people, but in reality, there were only about 11,000 troops. The remaining military funding... well, that was for Li Bing to enjoy.

"Since various regions are expanding their military forces for the southern campaign... This works well. I will report to my father and ask him to allocate more funds to help rebuild the Lushui Division. Also..." The prince gave Li Bing, Ilene, and Ikalu several meaningful glances before continuing, "From now on, please call me Roan~"

"Roan…" Li Bing forced a smile. The food he had just managed to swallow now seemed to want to come back up.

"My friend!" Prince Roan laughed happily. Looking at his innocent smile, Li Bing felt much more at ease. He had once thought the prince was a promiscuous "jack-of-all-trades," but now he saw him as a lonely young idealist who just lacked friends.

After chatting for a while longer, Prince Roan said, "According to our customs, the inheritance of titles above Viscount needs to be overseen by the king, and the reappointment of division commanders is also a serious matter. My friend, and the two beautiful ladies, would you like to come with me to the capital? The journey isn't far, and it won't delay too many things."

Before Li Bing could think it through, Ilene had already happily agreed, "It's been a long time since I visited the Royal Academy."

"For my father's work—the Lushui Division, I'm willing to go to the capital!" Ikalu quickly agreed as well, not wanting the Lushui Division's title to be cancelled.

Li Bing felt something wasn't quite right, but in the end, he agreed.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for the trip to the capital. To ensure that Li Bing could make a good impression on the king, Ilene even personally made a nobleman's robe for him. The problem was, it was pure white and a little see-through, with Li Bing's black-purple magic sword-themed underwear visible underneath. Fortunately, Ikalu helped him out by explaining that since Li Bing had been appointed a military officer, he should wear knight's attire instead. Ilene reluctantly gave up the idea of having him wear the robe that could have made him famous overnight in the capital.

To avoid suspicion, Li Bing didn't sleep with Ilene that night, knowing that Ikalu would be with her. He didn't mind being shameless, but if the prince found out... it would be awkward. So, Li Bing ended up sleeping in the old Earl Gun's bedroom.

As Li Bing looked at the portrait of Earl Gun and his wife on the wall, he noticed that the earl, dressed in military attire, holding a sword, still had a commanding presence. His wife, though not exceptionally beautiful, had golden hair and deep blue eyes that were filled with affection for her husband. As Li Bing looked at the portrait, he suddenly remembered the way Ikalu had looked at him earlier. His heart warmed, and he smiled gently, blowing out the candle to sleep.

But then the door suddenly opened. Li Bing, excited at the thought that one of the beautiful women couldn't resist the loneliness of the night and was coming to find him, was stunned to see Prince Roan standing in the doorway. The prince was wearing a fluffy silk nightgown, with a comical sleep cap, holding a candlestick and grinning as he walked in.

"Li Siter, my friend, the long night is hard to bear alone, why don't we talk about national affairs all night long?" The prince said, about to crawl into Li Bing's bed.

At that moment, a blood-curdling scream echoed through the night sky of Lushui City.

"You think you're Liu Bei, huh?!" Li Bing kicked the prince's bare buttocks angrily and slammed the door shut. From outside, the prince's voice sounded aggrieved: "My friend~ I'm Roan, not Liu Bei~"