Chapter 71: The Northern Jade Kingdom and the Southern Sun Kingdom

"Your Highness, the enemy forces have already reached the outskirts of the city and are currently making a racket," came Shen Yi's voice from outside the door.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hezhi exchanged a glance with Yan Heru. Yan Heru immediately turned around, took two small medicine packets, and handed them to Shen Hezhi. "Keep these with you. If you start feeling unwell, take one."

"Alright." Shen Hezhi accepted the medicine packets, lovingly patted Yan Heru's head, and turned to leave.

Shen Hezhi and Shen Yi made their way to the city wall. Beyond it, the enemy army was assembled—numbering in the tens of thousands by the look of it.

At the forefront stood a spirited youth who appeared no more than fifteen or sixteen. His face was bright with a confident smile. When he saw Shen Hezhi standing atop the city wall, he immediately raised his head and began to shout provocations.

"So, you must be the new prince, aren’t you? Royals like you, pampered and soft, shouldn't even think about fighting a war. Just open the gates and welcome us in—save yourself the trouble! Ha ha ha!" the youth jeered.

Shen Hezhi showed no anger at these words; he simply narrowed his eyes and regarded the boy.

"Exactly, ha ha! A pampered young lord shouldn’t have to suffer like this," echoed two companions behind the youth, their voices dripping with mockery.

"Indeed, you’re absolutely right," Shen Hezhi replied with a taunting smile. "A royal raised in comfort such as myself could hardly endure these hardships. That’s why I intend to defeat you as swiftly as possible, so I can return to the capital and enjoy my pleasant days once more."

"You—!" The boy was so furious he could hardly speak.

Watching the youth’s reaction, Shen Hezhi couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly. After all, he was just a boy, still unable to endure even a single verbal retort.

"Just you wait! In three days, my army of one hundred thousand will storm your city walls. Even if you try to hang up your 'no battle' placard, it won't help you. You, Your Highness, will soon be our prisoner!" With these words, the youth laughed triumphantly and strode away as if already victorious.

Shen Hezhi kept his gaze fixed in the direction the youth had gone and asked Shen Yi, "Have you investigated the identity of that boy?"

"According to the information provided by Lord Dongfang, the youth is likely a prince—though whether he is the third or the fourth prince remains unclear," Shen Yi replied.

Shen Hezhi nodded. "To think such a young prince would rank third or fourth. Has the Emperor of Nanyang truly fathered children at such an advanced age?"

Shen Hezhi hailed from the Northern Jade Kingdom, which bordered the Nanyang Kingdom. The two nations had been adversaries for many years, and, having little fondness for one another, referred to each other simply as 'the enemy' or 'the neighboring country.'

"Your Highness, according to Lord Dongfang's reports, this prince is not easily trifled with. Both the third and fourth princes are formidable adversaries who have bested us in several encounters. In every case, it was one of these two who led their side to victory," Shen Yi explained.

"But this time, with me here, victory will not come so easily for them. I am rather curious to see just how capable these young princes truly are," Shen Hezhi said with a smile, then left the city wall.

He did not return to Yan Heru, but instead made his way directly to the military camp. Upon entering, he found the soldiers lounging about in a state of utter indolence. They looked nothing like disciplined troops and more like a group of men idling away their days in comfort.

At this sight, Shen Hezhi’s anger flared. "What are you all doing here? Isn’t this the hour for drills? Are you waiting for the enemy to be at the gates before you realize what’s at stake?"

His sudden outburst startled the soldiers. They looked at each other in confusion, unsure who this man, shouting at them, could be.

The company commander stepped forward, his tone dripping with disdain. "And who are you to come here and make such a racket? Do you even know who we are?"

"Then why don’t you tell me—what is your grand status?" Shen Hezhi could not help but laugh at the absurdity.

As if anyone without status could stroll into the camp as he had; even the sentries at the gate would not have let him through.

This commander seemed to lack all sense. How had such a man been chosen to lead?

"We are the border troops of the Northern Jade Kingdom! Ours is the duty of safeguarding the frontier—a responsibility far greater than that of ordinary soldiers. Yet you dare to come here and shout at us! Men, seize him and deliver thirty heavy strokes—let him learn the consequences of causing trouble in the military camp!" the commander declared proudly.

Two soldiers stepped forward to seize Shen Hezhi, but Shen Yi, unhurried, produced a token from his belt and held it up for the soldiers to see.

Upon recognizing the token, the soldiers’ expressions changed instantly. One of them hurried back to the company commander and whispered a few words. The color drained from the commander's face as well.

He promptly approached Shen Hezhi with a fawning smile. "I didn't realize Your Highness was visiting us in person. May I ask what brings you here? Do you wish to inspect our drills?"

Without waiting for a reply, the commander turned to the soldiers sprawled on the ground or leaning against the wall. "On your feet! His Highness has come to inspect your training!"

"Always making us go through the motions—if you’re so capable, why not go out there and win a battle for us?" one young soldier grumbled.

His words immediately drew the commander’s ire.

The other soldiers, though clearly reluctant, dragged themselves to their feet and assembled. Only the one who had spoken remained seated.

The commander, now furious, moved to reprimand the insolent soldier, but Shen Hezhi gave Shen Yi a meaningful look. Shen Yi understood at once and stepped forward to block the commander.

"Commander, since this soldier is dissatisfied, perhaps we should hear what he has to say," Shen Yi suggested.

"He's just a lowly foot soldier. His words are of no consequence—there’s no need for Your Highness to listen," the commander replied obsequiously.

But before the commander finished, the soldier spoke up again. "Yes, I’m just a nameless, low-ranking soldier. Who would care what I have to say? Perhaps voicing my thoughts today will bring disaster upon me, and by tomorrow, my corpse will be left to rot in the wild."