I Built a Territory in Ancient Times Chapter 112

Chapter 112

“Third Brother, no need to worry. We can calculate this expense over time. At least we can’t let you lose out on this, right?” Ming Yu reassured him. Then, he held up three fingers and smiled mischievously. “I still have a third condition.”

Ming Tao’s face twitched. “Another condition?”

“Don’t rush. This third one doesn’t involve money. See, once money is mentioned, you’re no longer friendly.”

Hearing that it didn’t involve money, Ming Tao felt slightly relieved. He had already promised a lot, so adding one more condition didn’t seem like a big deal. Resolving himself, he listened intently.

Ming Yu continued, “Actually, it’s just a small favor. The matter about the Western Qi Corridor that’s being discussed in court was proposed by me. I’ve heard that your people have been opposing it. While I understand you’re thinking of the country, for this small thing, I ask for your support.”

When Ming Tao heard Ming Yu admit that the Western Qi Corridor was his idea, he was somewhat stunned and immediately asked, “What do you mean by that, Fourteenth? Are you trying to convince the Prime Minister to go along with this madness? Do you know that the state treasury can’t possibly fund the development of this Western Qi Corridor? It’s just a wasteland, what use would it have? I think you should drop this idea and focus on being a Wang instead.”

Ming Yu turned his head and looked at Ming Tao with surprise. “Third Brother, this is not a wasteland, it’s clearly a golden egg-laying hen. No, no, I’m determined to get the Western Qi Corridor. I’ll just ask you, will you help or not?”

At this point, Ming Tao had no idea what the future of Ming Yu’s so-called golden egg-laying hen would look like. He only felt that Ming Yu was too stubborn and refused to listen to reason, being willful.

No matter what, Ming Yu was firm in his decision, and Ming Tao had no choice but to accept it. After all, it was their family’s business, and Ming Tao was also thinking of the future of the country.

He hesitated and said, “This idea is really absurd. How can the Great Yan withstand such an ordeal?”

“Fine, I understand. No need to discuss further. If you think it’s too hard, we can each step back. If your forces stay neutral and silent, that’s acceptable too. But, opposing it is not an option,” Ming Yu firmly declared. “If you disagree with this, then everything else I promised is off the table. I don’t believe it. Even if Father hasn’t said anything, how much resistance can there be?”

This last remark struck Ming Tao’s heart. It was because the Emperor doted on him that he felt untouchable. If it were any other prince, would they have gotten their way?

Ming Yu’s words made Ming Tao finally give in. After all, this wasn’t his direct concern. He knew his opinion wouldn’t sway the Emperor’s decision. Since full support wasn’t possible, staying silent as Ming Yu suggested seemed like the best option.

Once the discussion ended, Ming Tao took his leave, satisfied with settling the matter regarding the merchant team. As for the rest, he would follow Ming Yu’s plan for now.

Ming Yu had secured extra income and was smiling happily in his dreams. However, before he could enjoy his success, he received an imperial decree to attend the morning court.

Before the rooster crowed, Ming Yu was rushed into washing up and dressing. In a hurry, he arrived at Taihe Palace just as the ministers had gathered.

Ming Yu wasn’t familiar with the ministers from the previous dynasty, and he simply nodded and smiled as a greeting when encountering them. The ministers, though surprised, were not overly shocked.

The Fourteenth Prince, Ming Yu, was hardly ever seen by others, and now he appeared as an innocent, bashful young man with peach blossom eyes and a smiling mouth. His expression seemed to carry a warm, gentle smile, making everyone feel at ease and uplifting their spirits.

At that moment, the Emperor had not yet arrived, so everyone waited outside the hall. Except for the Crown Prince, the other princes involved in state matters, and officials of the fourth rank or higher had to wait.

When Ming Tao saw Ming Yu, he quickly pulled him aside and whispered, “What are you doing here? This is a place where you can’t act recklessly.”

Ming Yu threw his hand aside, mumbling, “Do you think I want to be here? In this weather, isn’t it more comfortable in bed? I’m still not fully awake, and yet I’ve been dragged out just because Father suddenly decided to summon for the morning court.”


After saying this, Ming Yu yawned and slapped his mouth. The emperor’s sudden notification caught him unprepared, pulling him from his warm bed. Who knew what the emperor was thinking? Maybe it was because the ministers had been annoying him lately, and the emperor wanted to vent his frustration on him, creating this impromptu situation? Otherwise, why would he not notify him in advance and only send for him at the last minute?


It must be said that Ming Yu had figured it out, but the emperor wasn’t angry with him—it was someone else.


After hearing Ming Yu’s words, Ming Tao understood and said no more, just reminding him to behave and avoid causing any trouble.


Ming Yu, feeling irritable, had no energy left to fuss after being disturbed so early. The emperor had called for him, likely because there was a new decree to be made regarding the western Qi corridor, and he had to prepare himself mentally to face the court officials’ difficulties.

Ming Yu kept his head down and said nothing. Ming Tao, seeing he wasn’t in the mood for conversation, turned to speak with others instead.


After a while, Ming Yu noticed someone standing in front of him. Looking up, he saw a graceful, scholarly person before him. Ming Yu looked around and saw that almost everyone’s attention had shifted towards him.


Ming Yu narrowed his eyes, wondering who this person was. Just as he was guessing, the person bowed and said, “I am Wen Qing, respectfully greeting His Royal Highness Duan Wang.”


Ming Yu was startled and quickly supported him with both hands, exclaiming, “Ah! It’s Prime Minister Wen! Forgive my rudeness, I’ve been careless!”


Prime Minister Wen didn’t mind and smiled, “Your Highness has given me quite the difficult task, but now you stand aside. How do you plan to resolve this, Your Highness?”


Ming Yu felt his face flush slightly; it was true that he had acted somewhat ungraciously. However, he wasn’t embarrassed and, with a smile, responded, “I couldn’t help it. After all, Prime Minister Wen is highly esteemed and a model for all officials. With you in charge, we’re sure to succeed with half the effort!”


Prime Minister Wen looked at him with a slight smile, which made Ming Yu feel uncomfortable. Finally, Wen spoke, “Since Your Highness has appeared here today, I imagine His Majesty is about to make a decision. I’ve taken much of the blame for Your Highness in the past, but without a proper solution today, I’ll be powerless to help.”


Ming Yu awkwardly smiled, “Please rest assured, Prime Minister Wen. I will find a suitable solution. This matter will never harm the interests of the Great Yan Kingdom. In fact, in the next ten, twenty, or even a hundred years, this will be a great achievement benefiting future generations.”


Listening to Ming Yu’s confident words, Prime Minister Wen stroked his beard and smiled. It was because of this man’s proposal delivered by General Xie, coupled with the general’s explanation, that he had wholeheartedly taken on this task. Since then, it had caused him nothing but trouble.


“Though you say that, Your Highness should understand the state of Great Yan. The treasury is empty, and without money, no plan can proceed. No matter how splendidly you speak, no one will support you,” Prime Minister Wen said sincerely. He would never have said so much to anyone else, but for Ming Yu, he made an exception.


Ming Yu immediately realized that Prime Minister Wen was subtly reminding him. He felt grateful and sincerely nodded, saying, “Trust me, I’ll deliver a satisfactory answer.”


Prime Minister Wen studied him for a moment. Though his face still bore some youthful innocence, Ming Yu exuded a certain brilliance that seemed almost dazzling. Through him, he seemed to see the vows they had once made: to serve the country and its people, ensuring peace for future generations.
Prime Minister Wen’s eyes misted over slightly, but luckily, it was still early, and although there were lanterns around, the details couldn’t be clearly seen. He clasped his hands together and said, “Very well! I’ll wait for Your Highness’s report.”


As soon as he finished speaking, someone sent word that the court session was about to begin. The ministers quickly lined up in two rows, following Prime Minister Wen as they entered. Ming Yu, as a bystander, was at the very end of the procession.


Ming Yu followed the others through the morning court ceremonies, and then the discussions began. The procedure was generally: if there were matters to address, they would be presented; if not, they would dismiss the court. But today, it was impossible to dismiss early. After all, such a vast kingdom could never be without important matters.


Issues such as disaster relief, whether auspicious signs should be brought to the capital, or whether the government should allocate funds for water management projects—all these matters were brought forward, with everyone offering their opinions and resolutions to find the best solutions.


Ming Yu nearly fell asleep. Who knew how he had developed the skill to sleep while standing? The arguments around him had become a lullaby. Others debated, while he dozed off.
The Crown Prince and Third Prince kept glancing over at him. What was Ming Yu doing? How could he be asleep here? The Crown Prince glanced at the Emperor on the throne, wondering if the Emperor had noticed. He was relieved when he saw that the Emperor hadn’t glanced in their direction.


The Third Prince glared at Ming Yu several times. This brat was embarrassing himself right in the court! Was this the place to sleep? It was outrageous! Luckily, no other ministers dared to look around. Aside from the Crown Prince and Third Prince, no one dared to pay attention to anyone else.


But Ming Yu didn’t care. He truly didn’t understand who had invented the idea of morning court. Waking up at four in the morning to prepare, and having court at five—it was enough to kill someone! Why couldn’t they just work from nine to five like regular people? It was amazing how those ministers could endure it year after year, seemingly happy about it. He was lucky that his ambitions lay elsewhere, or he would have gone crazy with the early mornings.

While he was in a state of half-dreaming and half-waking, the sounds around him suddenly went quiet, and the soothing voice he had been hearing was gone. He felt a bit unsettled by the sudden silence.

Someone next to him tugged at his sleeve, saying, “Wang Ye, Wang Ye, wake up quickly. His Majesty is calling for you!”

Ming Yu jolted awake, his eyes snapping open, and he looked around, confused. Huh? Calling me? Who’s calling me? Why?

The court was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Ming Yu rubbed his eyes and yawned as he stood up, asking, “Father, did you call for your son?”

The Emperor’s face had already darkened, and seeing Ming Yu in this state made him want to scold him. But then he remembered the current circumstances were not right for reprimanding his son. He opened his mouth, but the words of scolding were swallowed back down.

What was he thinking? Letting the Fourteenth Prince come to court so early and add to his frustration. He knew that this brat was utterly unreliable.

The Crown Prince, who understood the Emperor better than anyone, quickly spoke up to diffuse the tension, reminding Ming Yu, “Ming Yu! Prime Minister Wen proposed the issue of the West Qi Corridor. As the Prince of Liangzhou, you are most familiar with the border situation. His Majesty has asked you to share your thoughts and offer any good suggestions.”

Finally, the discussion reached this point. Now they could wrap it up quickly, and Ming Yu could get back to bed for a good nap.

He straightened up and smiled, saying, “Father, I’ve already prepared everything. Regarding the West Qi Corridor, I’ve compiled a written report. Each person will receive a copy. Please review it first, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll explain everything clearly.”

The Emperor’s expression softened, and he nodded in agreement.

Amid the surprised gazes of the ministers, Ming Yu ordered for a stack of booklets to be brought in. The booklets were then distributed to everyone, including the Emperor.

“Here, everyone, take a look. Since time is limited, I’ve only made a brief summary, but it covers the key points. If there’s anything unclear, feel free to ask.” Ming Yu smiled warmly, showing great sincerity.

Since everyone had a copy, they didn’t dare to refute him. They could only look at what Duan Wang was doing. Soon, the sound of pages flipping filled the hall, and the atmosphere became much more harmonious.

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