Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

As Prince Lippe left the capital, battle reports from Japan continued to pour in. Without exception, they were all victories, and the general leading the army was from the Shen family, Shen Jingxun, Shen Jingheng's cousin.

Because this military expedition was sudden, it caught Japan completely off guard, and the Da Huai army advanced rapidly. Within just one month, they breached city after city, advancing directly towards the Japanese imperial capital. The emperor still needed instructions on how to deal with the Japanese royal family. Therefore, General Shen completely surrounded the Japanese capital, awaiting the emperor's orders.

In the capital city of Japan

"Your Majesty, the army of Da Huai has now surrounded the entire capital, and our messengers cannot get out!" The cabinet minister wept bitterly, prostrating himself in the court.

"What should we do? Who can save me? Where is General Sanshui? Where is he?" Emperor Rentoku of Japan asked his ministers, who were prostrate on the ground and weeping, in a panic.

"Your Majesty, General Sanshui has already sacrificed his life for his country!" The minister glanced back and replied briefly, then continued to weep.

"..." The palace was filled with sobs, mourning the lives they were about to lose. For the past month, reports of repeated defeats had been pouring in from the front, and they were facing the day when the army would besiege the city with trepidation.

Shen Jingxun did not enter the palace; he simply surrounded the city. An eerie silence descended upon both sides. Inside the city, every household kept their doors tightly shut, afraid to venture out. Outside, the Da Huai army had set up camp and were calmly preparing their meals.

"Centurion, you have to admit our general is amazing! How does he know where the food is? We don't have to carry any provisions ourselves along the way; we can find the granaries as soon as we arrive at a place," exclaimed a soldier holding a slightly burnt steamed bun in one hand and a bowl of meat soup in the other.

"Eat your food and don't talk nonsense. This is not something we should know." The centurion reprimanded the person who was speaking, soaking the half-eaten piece of steamed bun in the meat broth.

Having served for a long time, he had long since noticed the problem with the supplies. There were no supply convoys along the way, but his general always managed to lead them to a granary that could provide enough food for the army for more than ten days, even when they were running low on supplies, and he never failed.

After being reprimanded like that, the group of people eating together dared not ask any more questions. Some of them touched the gold and silver jewelry they had looted, and felt much more at ease. As long as they could get back alive, these things would be enough for them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

In the capital, Xia Yu, who was resting at home, was invited to the scholar's residence.

"Uncle, greetings." Xia Yu bowed to Shen Jingheng, who was sitting in the study.

"I wonder if Uncle has something to discuss with his niece?"

"Da Huai's army has already surrounded the capital of Japan. Jing Xun has sent a message back to inquire about the Emperor's decree," Shen Jingheng briefly explained to Xia Yu.

Upon hearing his words, Xia Yu raised her eyebrows slightly, wondering what this matter meant to her.

Seeing Xia Yu's puzzled look, Shen Jingheng stood up, put his hands behind his back, and said...

"I'd like to ask you, how should we deal with the country of Japan?"

"Uncle, shouldn't this be a question for the court officials to consider? It seems inappropriate for a woman like me to answer this question."

"Say whatever you want, only you and I know. Your words will not reach anyone else's ears."

"If you ask me, Japan shouldn't exist in this world at all," Xia Yu said softly, head bowed.

Shen Jingheng seemed surprised by her words. He turned to look at the person standing with their head bowed, and after a moment, confirming that he hadn't misheard, he said to Xia Yu...

"I understand, you can go back now. Also, here, take these." Shen Jingheng suddenly pulled out a stack of silver notes from the drawer and handed them to Xia Yu.

"What is this?" Xia Yu didn't immediately take it.

"This is the money for the grain I bought from you. Of course, it's not enough to pay for the grain you gave me. But for now, this is all I can give you." Shen Jingheng didn't offer any further explanation.

Xia Yu took the silver note and put it into her sleeve pocket. She turned and left the study, then got into the carriage driven by Qingmu and returned to the Grand Tutor's residence.

After he left, Shen Jingheng went to the palace. He secretly discussed matters with the emperor. The guards on duty outside the study heard arguing coming from inside, but everything eventually calmed down.

Finally, the Emperor summoned all his officials to discuss the matter. After a day of heated debate—or rather, discussion—it was decided that Wa (Japan) would become a vassal state of Daikai, paying tribute to Daikai annually. Furthermore, a garrison would be established in Wa, rotating every two years.

After the message reached Shen Jingxun, he immediately sent men to attack the capital of Japan.

After being besieged for a month, the people finally breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the enemy's attack signal. For people, the most terrifying thing is the process of waiting to die.

Shen Jingheng's army stormed the low city wall with almost no resistance. Calling it a city wall was a stretch; it was even lower than the courtyard walls of many wealthy families in Da Huai. Tall people could see into the streets inside the city from outside. But at least they had built a wall, so it deserved some respect.

Upon arriving outside the palace, General Shen had someone stand and shout a message: those who surrender would be spared; those who resisted would be killed without mercy.

Soon, the gates of the Japanese Imperial Palace opened from the inside, and His Majesty the Emperor, along with his cabinet ministers, knelt behind the gates to welcome the Japanese army to take over the palace.

Shen Jingxun looked at the Japanese imperial palace with disdain; it wasn't even as big as the Shen family mansion. A country smaller than a single prefecture of Da Huai—this tiny place dared to dream of allying with the Principality of Mos to annex Da Huai's land. It was nothing but wishful thinking.

After reading out the edict of His Majesty the Great Huai Emperor, Shen Jingxun looked at the kneeling Japanese Emperor and asked in a loud voice...

"Do you have any objection?"

"Your Majesty, I have no objection." Emperor Rende prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling with fear.

"Very well, I wonder where all the ladies, princesses and princes are now?" Shen Jingxun asked again.

As soon as the translator finished speaking, Shen Jingxun saw Emperor Rende tremble, but he still managed to utter a sentence while prostrate on the ground. Then, one of the eunuchs beside him first bowed to Shen Jingxun, then got up and walked into the palace.

"He just said that the Empress, the princess, and the princes are all in the back hall, and that person went to fetch them," the translator explained to Shen Jingxun.

Before long, everyone saw a dozen or so people following the attendant, quickly approaching with small, quick steps. Finally, upon reaching Emperor Mingde, they knelt respectfully behind him. Among them were soft sobs.

Shen Jingxun did not occupy the palace, nor did he commit arson, murder, or looting. Instead, he requisitioned the residences of several wealthy families in the capital as temporary resting places for his army.