Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Chapter 371 The Final Threat Three days later, inside the official residence.

Wu Siyue came to report: "Lord Zhenguo, I have investigated and confirmed that Dongzhou is indeed the largest granary for the Shu army."

However, the granary was extremely well-guarded, making it difficult for us to approach and investigate. We could only monitor its every move from a hundred paces away.

These are the grain depot's inflow and outflow records for the past three days. A rough estimate suggests that at least 100,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain have been moved in and out.

Since joining the Jingwei Division, Wu Siyue seems to have become a different person, throwing herself wholeheartedly into this new job.

His tragic past was now behind him. After the poison in his body was suppressed by Jiang Mengxuan's calming pills, he was able to return to a normal life.

Looking at the grain warehouse entry and exit data recorded in his hand, Shen Lang couldn't help but sigh: "In three days, more than 200,000 shi of grain have been brought in and out. Shu truly deserves to be called the Land of Abundance."

Wu Siyue: "Duke Zhenguo, what are your plans for the next step?"

Shen Lang suddenly asked, "Have you ever been to Chang'an?"

Wu Siyue nodded: "I went there three years ago. What are your instructions, Duke Zhenguo?"

Shen Lang took out a gold-inlaid document and handed it to him: "Go to Chang'an personally and deliver this edict, drafted by His Majesty, to General Guo Huaizhi as soon as possible."

Wu Siyue took the document, puzzled: "Duke Zhenguo, what is this...?"

"This is a plan that His Majesty and I had already devised. Don't ask any questions, just go. Remember, be quick, and make sure to return to Shu before the summer harvest."

"As ordered!"

Wu Siyue put away the documents and immediately turned to leave.

Not long after she left, someone from the Prince's residence came: "Duke Zhenguo, the Prince requests your presence."

Shen Lang laughed and said, "This is truly a rare occasion. Your Highness actually invited me? You must be mistaken."

Upon hearing this, the man's expression changed slightly: "Duke Zhenguo, please don't keep the prince waiting. His carriage has been waiting outside for quite some time. Please come in."

Shen Lang couldn't help but find it amusing that even a servant in a prince's mansion could be so arrogant.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you."

……

Inside the Prince's mansion, Jiang Chong stood quietly in front of a huge rock in the courtyard, holding a gleaming sword.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Zhenguo has arrived."

Zheng——

With a single sweep of the sword, sword energy surged forth, leaving a deep sword mark half a foot deep on the boulder in the blink of an eye.

"As expected of a divine sword, a mere casual wield of sword energy possesses the power to split mountains and shatter rocks."

Jiang Chong gently stroked the sword, clearly delighted with it.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Zhenguo has arrived."

The servant behind him cautiously reminded him again.

Jiang Chong then slowly sheathed his sword, walked over to a maid, and took a towel to wipe his hands.

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Not long after the servant left, he led Shen Lang to the courtyard.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

Shen Lang got straight to the point, his gaze falling on the boulder ravaged by sword energy.

Jiang Chong didn't even look at Shen Lang, and asked directly, "When do you plan to go back?"

Shen Lang smiled and said, "Is Your Highness in such a hurry to get rid of me?"

"You've been away from the capital for a while now. Aren't you afraid your younger sister will worry if you don't go back soon?"

"I'm not in a hurry." Shen Lang sat down in a seat to the side. "It's a rare opportunity to come to the Land of Abundance. How can I leave without experiencing the scenery and people of Sichuan? That would be such a pity."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chong dropped the towel in his hand, turned around and sat down opposite Shen Lang: "Go back early. Come back after you've finished your business. You can play for as long as you want."

As he spoke, he picked up a glass of water and drank it down in one gulp.

Shen Lang laughed, "Why is Your Highness in such a hurry to send people away?"

"What do you think?" Jiang Chong turned to look at Shen Lang. "You hit Luo Hu?"

Shen Lang said nonchalantly, "Can't I fight him? A mere guard dares to draw his sword against someone with a title."

Anyone else would have been killed outright, but I was merely disciplining a disobedient subordinate on behalf of the prince. You wouldn't mind, would you?

After saying that, he picked up the purple clay teapot and poured a big mouthful into his mouth.

Jiang Chong's lips twitched, and his face gradually darkened: "Do you think you can just touch the dog I keep?"

Shen Lang put down the purple clay teapot: "Does Your Highness intend to stand up for that dog?"

Jiang Chong glanced at Shen Lang, but Shen Lang's eyes were fixed on him without moving.

"Hahaha."

Suddenly, Jiang Chong smiled.

"You do resemble the rumors quite a bit."

"To receive such recognition from the Prince, should I appear somewhat flattered?"

Jiang Chong smiled and shook his head, pointing at Shen Lang with his finger and saying, "I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

Shen Lang: "Oh? What interest does Your Highness mean?"

Jiang Chong slowly drew the White Water Divine Sword, then pretended to inspect the sword, squinting one eye at the tip.

Upon seeing the White Water Divine Sword, even Shen Lang's expression changed slightly.

This sword is incredibly sharp, even just from the sword energy it emits.

Jiang Chong aimed his gaze and the tip of his sword at a hawk that was a tribute from the Kingdom of Weizang not far away.

"What interests me is not a good thing for some people."

As soon as he finished speaking, sword energy burst forth instantly.

The eagle sensed danger approaching and instinctively wanted to fly away and escape.

The next moment, just as it unfolded its wings, it was silently torn apart by the sweeping sword energy.

Only a large feather remained, drifting down from mid-air.

As Shen Lang frowned slightly, Jiang Chong had already pointed the tip of his sword at him.

"Shen Lang, what's your opinion on this sword?"

"Is Your Highness planning to give me this sword?"

"The White Water Divine Sword is one of the three founding artifacts of our Great Chu. How dare you even think of it?"

"Sorry, I never comment on things that don't belong to me."

Jiang Chong's pupils contracted, and he said coldly, "You also know that some things don't belong to you."

Then don't have too many unrealistic expectations; knowing your place is more important than anything else.

"Your Highness, please speak frankly. This is really tiring."

Jiang Chong decisively sheathed his divine sword and said directly to Shen Lang, "I am eagerly awaiting the money stipulated in the contract. If you know what's good for you, you'd better hurry back to the palace and help me get things done."

"There's still some time before delivery, why is Your Highness in such a hurry?"

"I won't feel at ease until I get the money. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood." Shen Lang stood up and said, "Is there anything else Your Highness wishing to instruct me on?"

Jiang Chong took a sip of wine and said, "Please give my regards to the Empress Dowager."

"If there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave."

"Ah."

Watching Shen Lang's departing figure, Jiang Chong clapped his hands, and immediately two ethereal white-clad women appeared behind him.

"Go and monitor his every move for me, and be sure to report back every day."

Upon hearing this, one of the two women immediately prepared to act.

But another woman stopped him: "Your Highness, our Shushan Sword Sect is only willing to help the Prince's Mansion because of Junior Brother Ye. You can't treat us like servants."

"What, are you saying that I have to beg you?" Jiang Chong retorted. "If my words make you feel uncomfortable..."

"Then leave the manor immediately. To be honest, I don't need the help of your Shu Mountain Sword Sect at all. What can you expect from a bunch of savages living deep in the mountains?"

"you……"

"Do what you think is best; whether you stay or leave is entirely up to you."

After Jiang Chong finished speaking, he picked up his sword and left the courtyard without looking back.

"Senior sister, this prince has gone too far..."

The young girl was extremely dissatisfied with Jiang Chong's attitude.

"Alright, for Ye Fan's sake, let's just bear with it for now."

"He is, after all, a prince. We can't let things get out of hand. Let's go keep an eye on Shen Lang."

"That's all it can do."

In the blink of an eye, the two women disappeared from the spot.