Chapter 711: Returning to the Capital (1/2)

In fact, whether it was the generals of the Xishan Barracks or the Firearms Barracks, all of them were people of some clout in the capital. Thus, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they were all proud and arrogant. Naturally, not just anyone could command these generals without an issue. At that time, when Zhu Junyang was still Royal Prince Yang, he relied on his hard fists and inconceivable strength to subdue these generals. Even when he wasn’t physically present, the two barracks went through their training exercises without an issue. At this time, only their leader could make them back down, so if they switched leaders, what would happen?

In actuality, the emperor had been bothered by the officials so much that he had no choice. Thus, he sent people over to transmit his oral order to have Zhu Junyang come back. However, the first time he sent people, they came back with the news that the great imperial envoy was currently researching something called ‘hybridized rice paddies’. Because there was the attack on their ships along the way there to Jinling, as the bodyguard in charge of the envoy’s safety, he needed to stay there and ensure her safety.

The second time he sent people, they didn’t even get to see heads or tails of the married couple. This was because Imperial Prince Xu had accompanied his wife to travel around the scenic areas. Since they didn’t know where they went, how could they possibly find them?

The third time he sent people over, they had finally seen the two in question. However, at that time, Yu Xiaocao had just been rescued. Thus, they could only bring back the report that Imperial Prince Xu had written. The report stated that the evil remnants of the previous dynasty had wanted to destroy the experimental fields at Jinling in order to ruin the lives of the people. Furthermore, they had also captured the great imperial envoy to steal the method away from her. Although she had been rescued, she was gravely hurt.

Zhu Junyang had written his wife as someone who was faithful and unchanging. In order to save the ‘hybridized rice paddies’ methods from being stolen, she had withstood the enemy’s torture, threats, and promises, and truly became an incorruptible official who wasn’t swayed by any means. By the time she was rescued, she had almost lost her life. Not only was she seriously injured, with fractures all over her body, but the most grave injury was that she had also almost lost the unborn child in her belly.

When the emperor read this report during court, all of the officials trying to cause trouble immediately shut up. Although this married couple had been gone from court for more than half a year, one of them had begun research on ‘hybridized rice paddies’ that could produce a thousand catties per mu, while the other one had rooted out a malignant tumor from the previous dynasty and captured one of the of the direct descendants of the old dynasty’s imperial family. In addition, he had eradicated a hidden traitor from the previous dynasty. Although neither of them were at court, who could compete with their accomplishments?

The great imperial envoy had become severely injured and almost lost her unborn child for the sake of the empire. It wasn’t that the other party didn’t want to come back. In fact, it was because she was trying to preserve her pregnancy and couldn’t come back! Who else dared to say another word now?

“Your Imperial Majesty, this official requests that we use the navy to welcome them back to the capital!” When he returned to the capital, Zhao Han had been promoted to a third-ranked commander in the Jinwei Navy. Currently, he was asking the emperor for permission to escort Imperial Prince Xu and his wife back home.

Ever since Xiaocao got married, Zhao Han had been telling himself to let her go. In the past few years, he had spent all of his time in the navy patrolling the waters. He completed his missions successfully and had been steadily promoted over time. He had originally believed that news about her no longer had any hold over him.

However, when he heard the emperor state that the weak and delicate girl, in order to keep the empire’s secret on high-yielding rice, had been imprisoned, tortured and almost lost her life, he felt as if his heart was being squeezed by a vice. Xiaocao had always been so delicate, even when she was young. In childhood, she would even run to Uncle Yu in a spoiled manner when she only had a minor cut on her finger.

Severe internal injuries, multiple fractures, almost had a miscarriage...he really couldn’t believe that such a weak and delicate girl could manage to withstand the horrible tortures from the remnants of the previous dynasty. If it weren’t for the fact that there was a vast difference in their statuses, Zhao Han really would have liked to run over to Jinling and to lift Imperial Prince Xu by his collar, asking him just how was he, the bodyguard, protecting Xiaocao.

He inhaled deeply and tried to calm the waves within his heart. Zhao Han wasn’t so naive to believe that by eradicating a nest of old traitors in Jinling meant that all of the remnants of the previous dynasty were gone. A cornered dog was a dangerous one. It was very possible that other traitors would try to do something now! Furthermore, they had captured one of the descendents of the previous dynasty’s imperial family. Thus, it was obvious that their journey home would be fraught with danger.

After thinking all of this through, Zhao Han asked for this appointment at court. It would be much safer for them to travel in the open seas, with the navy escorting them, compared to traveling by river or on land roads.

Zhu Junfan also wanted to make sure these two officials were safe and was currently wondering what would be the best course of action to bring them back from Jinling. When Zhao Han proposed his idea, it was as if the youth was offering up a soft pillow to a sleepy individual. How could the emperor not agree to his request? He immediately set that task upon Zhao Han and ordered to take the most elite soldiers from the navy as well as the most modern ships to pick the great imperial envoy and Imperial Prince Xu and bring them back home safely.

“Older Brother Han?” Yu Xiaocao exclaimed in happy surprise when she saw Zhao Han arrive in the outer courtyard of the guest residence. He was dressed in military attire and seemed very energetic.

Zhu Junyang had always disliked his wife’s ‘childhood friend’ and naturally didn’t have a pleased expression on his face, “Why are you here?!”

“The emperor had gotten the news that the great imperial envoy had gotten injured and was worried that having only two bodyguards was insufficient for her safety. Thus, he sent this official over to bring the navy to escort the great imperial envoy back to the capital.” Zhao Han was very displeased with Imperial Prince Xu as Xiaocao had gotten injured. The prince couldn't even guarantee his wife’s own safety, so how could he possibly give her happiness?

Su Ran had been drinking tea under the tree. After being inadvertently insulted, he rubbed his nose and decided to leave as he didn’t want to be in the crossfire between these two jealous men.

Zhu Junyang could hear the unspoken words within Zhao Han’s words and his gaze sharpened, ‘If this prince isn’t able to make my princess consort happy, who could? You, ah? You’re a coward who doesn’t even have the guts to confess your feelings. You deserve being left behind by the object of your affections!’