The Heaven and Earth Dragon Spear

Preparation

Old Prince Rui brought two dozen people with Qin Guan to catch up with Prince Yun and ensure the safety of the crown prince from Southern Song. Although not finished mourning, but this task was so important that Qin Guan left Qin province.

Ning Lei intended to escort Qin Guan, but was soon banned because Qin Guan needed someone he could trust to lead his army. The duties of the Governor that he had borne for several days were bestowed on some people who had been the trust of Qin Huang for many years.

Qin Guan's departure to the city of Weida not only ensured the safety of Prince Yun, but also to request the position of Governor of Qin to Emperor Yin. Although he knew he would lose the position of young general, but it was better than handing over the position of governor to Qin Yang.

***

Emperor Yin received a letter stating that Prince Yun was on his way to Weida and would arrive within eight days. Emperor Yin glanced towards Gao Chen who was standing beside him.

Gao Chen who understood that Emperor Yin was watching him, raised his face and smiled, "Your highness, Gao Chen is ready to take orders."

Emperor Yin nodded softly and rubbed his non-itchy chin, "Call Prince Hao Ran and Yuanshi."

"Okay, Your Majesty!" answer Gao Chen. The old eunuch walked out of the room and ordered the eunuchs guarding outside to carry out the emperor's orders. Gao Chen returned to Emperor Yin's side and bowed like his original position.

Emperor Yin again read the report and massaged his painful forehead.

Shortly after the few junior eunuchs left, Prince Hao Ran came along with Prince Yuanshi.

Prince Hao Ran was the first son of emperor Yin . In the near future he will be crowned crown prince and occupy the north hall (a palace dedicated to the Crown Prince). While Prince Yuanshi was Old Prince Long's first son. Among all the Princes of this generation, Prince Yuanshi was the smartest after Prince Hao Ran. In fact, Hao Ran's younger brothers were not as smart as Yuanshi.

Deep in literature and living in a thick political environment made Prince Yuanshi grow up to be a slick and articulate man, some ministers also prefer him to Prince Hao Ran who is straight-minded.

The eunuch standing guard immediately announced the arrival of the two Princes. Two young men entered the room.

The first young man to be seen wearing a red robe with a five-claw dragon embroidery on his back, having clear eyes and sharp eyebrows, his thin lips revealed a friendly smile that calmed the hearts of those who saw him. He is Prince Hao Ran.

While behind him, a young man who looked to be the same age, wore a silver-colored robe with three-clawed dragon embroidery on his chest.

His gaze was sharp, his gaze deep, making the people who looked at him drown in the aura of mystery enveloping the young man. The haughty smile that the young man showed made people reluctant to ignore him. He was Prince Yuanshi, the nephew of the current emperor as well as the first son of Old Prince Long.

"Hao Ran greeted Father."

"Yuanshi saluted His Majesty."

The two young men knelt down and covered both hands, both hands then touched the floor followed by a forehead stuck to the floor.

"Wake up" said Emperor Yin.

"Thank you, Father."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Prince Hao Ran and Prince Yuanshi stood firm and waited for Emperor Yin to give the order. Both of them had already heard about the arrival of Prince Yun, so had already guessed that by calling him they were both about this matter.

Prince Hao Ran and Prince Yuanshi bowed together, "We are ready to accept His Majesty's orders."

"In eight days time the southern Crown Prince Song will arrive at the capital. I assign you to arrange meetings and banquets for them during their stay in Weida," Emperor Yin's originally straight gaze, now focused on Prince Hao Ran, "Hao Ran ... right now that you bear the title of Grand Prince, then I ask you to represent the Yin Empire in this meeting."

"Alright, Ayahanda. Hao Ran was ready to execute the order."

"Yuanshi is ready to carry out the order."

Emperor Yin nodded in satisfaction with the two princes' answers. He did not choose the wrong person to do this task.

"A copy of the letter will be sent to your residence. You may go" said Emperor Yin.

Prince Hao Ran and Prince Yuanshi bowed respectfully and resignedly.

Emperor Yin looked back at Gao Chen, "Call Xun Qing (subordinate Xun) over here."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Gao Chen again walked outside the room and returned together with a man in his forties who was wearing red armor.

"Xun Qiu saluted His Majesty!" xun Qiu said loudly while kneeling with one leg and his right hand clenched in his left chest.

"Xun Qing ... how's it going about Qin Province?" ask Emperor Yin.

"This morning the servant received a letter sent by Old Prince Rui. He was on his way back to the capital along with the young general Qin. They will arrive in three days," Xun Qiu said clearly.

Emperor Yin nodded several times, curiosity and suspicion began to grow when he found out that his younger brother was heading for the capital. "Have they completed the investigation on Qin Huang?"

Xun Qiu bowed his head, "Sorry, Your Majesty. Old Prince Rui did not write about Governor Qin's investigation. But it seems like Old Prince Rui hasn't done any investigation yet,"

" Xun Qing, you know very well how Yin Xie is. You've been with him for a dozen years, you must know that Yin Xie is not a person who likes to postpone work. Do you know why Yin Xie really wants to go home?" emperor Yin asked suspiciously.

Xun Qiu remained calm as Emperor Yin scouted him with a question. He politely replied "it seems like something urgent, but Old Prince Rui could not deliver it by letter and had to intervene by himself."

Emperor Yim smiled in satisfaction at Xun Qiu's reply. As expected of a leader of the royal guard troops, Xun Qiu had always been loyal and said whatever he knew as long as Emperor Yin was willing to ask. One thing for sure was, Xun Qiu's loyalty to the Emperor was greater than Xun Qiu's own life.

"Alright, I believe in you," Emperor Yin said. "And one more thing, tighten the palace guard as people from southern Song arrive. Don't let us look weak. Even if they say they come to bring peace, we must be vigilant. Don't let what happened twenty-five years ago repeat."

Xun Qiu gasped when he heard Emperor Yin bring up the past events. His heart ached like it was pierced by thorns and heat as if there were embers stuck. His blood flow rippled faster, but it did not change Xun Qiu's calm face.

Note Author:

Emperor Yin Shi summoned Xun Qiu with the addition of Qing signaling that Xun Qiu was his subordinate.