Chapter 205 - A Friendly Visit (1/2)

Prince Yi opened his eyes and frowned. The room was dark and cold, it's been that way the last few days. His mood has been too foul and none of the servants dared to disturb him. He let out a breath and then sat up as he held his aching head. Then he suddenly grabbed the sword behind his pillow and jumped up.

”There is no cause for alarm, I'm a friend...Or I will be. If I wanted you dead, you would be long dead already. You kept me waiting quite a while. Nice wine though...” Chun Hai said as he raised his cup to Prince Yi and then took a sip. He was currently sitting where Prince Yi had been sitting and drinking earlier. Chun Hai had made himself comfortable while he waited for Prince Yi to wake up.

Prince Yi stood, sword ready with a deep frown as he scrutinized his uninvited guest.

{...What is the meaning of this now?... How did he get in here? Those useless -...}

”No one knows I'm here yet...but if you want them to know, then I will return the favor and let your precious younger brother know you wish to continue a war he wants over. I'm sure Prince Rui will be willing to testify as well...It's a wonder why he hasn't, I guess he must have some reservations against your Emperor, but I don't particularly have any...” Chun Hai finished casting Prince Yi a side glance as he took another sip.

”What do you want?” Prince Yi asked through gritted teeth as he sat back down on the bed, still holding on to the sword, ready to strike.

”You're not going to ask who I am?” Chun Hai asked raising an eyebrow.

”State your business.” Prince Yi coldly retorted.

Chun Hai sized Prince Yi up for a bit and then shrugged, ”The question should be 'what can I offer you?'” He waited but Prince Yi did not say anything and so he went on, ”Haiyan, have you heard of that name?”

Prince Yi raised an eyebrow but still remained quiet. Of course, he had heard of the name, one of the richest merchants out of Zou kingdom, who built a trade empire in just five years with the backup of his closest friend, Prince Houyi. And as for Prince Houyi, while he might not be his father's favorite, his influence in the country ran deep and long thanks to his maternal family's influence.

”If you don't believe me, we can go find Prince Rui together...” Chun Hai said when the silence stretched on. Prince Yi let out a breath and simply repeated, ”What do you want?” He was really not in the mood for anyone's games or threats.

”To offer you the opportunity you want.” Chun Hai waited this time and finally, Prince Yi showed some interest, ”And that is?”

”War.” Chun Hua simply responded. Prince Yi was quiet for a long while and Chun Hai waited again.

Prince Yi sized Chun Hai up and then asked, ”Why should I trust you? After all, your Zou princes already have a record...”

Chun Hai ignored Prince Yi's bitter tone, ”As you know, the power structure in Zou is a bit complicated. Zou is a country compromised of clans. The king holds the power to issue the order for war, but he does not hold the entire army in his hands. The Lords of the clans control their own military and territories, of course, all under the king's ”rule”...Do you know why the Zou king chose Prince Rui to lead the battle over Houyi?” Chun Hai suddenly asked.

But Chun Hai did not wait for a response and continued, ”Houyi is the better leader, the better warrior, the better general...but Houyi is ambitious, too ambitious and that worries the King. Houyi's maternal grandfather is also the most powerful Lord in Zou with many allegiances and loyalties that run deep...”

”...The current Zou king rules on a past glory from his father's time, he is considered timid and easy to sway but that can only take you so far and as you can imagine Houyi and his grandfather were not pleased with the King's choice of Prince Rui...Also, quite a few Lords are not pleased with Zou becoming a subordinate of Long country, especially those who have had to ”sacrifice” for this peace...A war is inevitable for Zou, it's just a matter of time and you chose the wrong Prince.”

Prince Yi frowned and thought about it and then quietly said, ”Houyi is ambitious...” And then he raised his eyebrows at Chun Hai, ”What makes you think I am that desperate?”

Chun Hai snorted and raised an eyebrow at him, ”That's not what I saw...or heard.”

Prince Yi narrowed his eyes but before he could respond, Chun Hai continued, ”You know, in Zou, there is this interesting custom, when a father dies, the son inherits everything...including the wives - Well, not your own mother of course, but you get my drift. The same would apply to say, brother on brother?... I thought you might be interested in adopting some of our customs to solidify our budding friendship...” He finished with a smirk in Prince Yi's direction.

Prince Yi knit his brows and instantly an image formed in his head as he stared at Chun Hai, ”It was you.”