The Prince of Travelers

Chapter 043: The End of the Journey North

"The Left Kingdom has declared its submission to us" Li Bei said in the sealed chamber, "It is time to extend its dominance to the Northern and Northeastern Regions."

Some of the people in the room nodded, whereas others dissolved in their respective minds, including Li An. The conditions in the capital of the Left Kingdom had already started to stabilize even though the Left King had yet to fully recover. Ministers in the kingdom were happy to cooperate with the empire. That way, it would be easier to control the Left Kingdom in the future.

"The Emperor will send additional troops to continue the invasion to the North and Northeast" continued Li Bei, "Commander-in-chief, prepare yourself. In the future, we will be very busy conquering the Middle Kingdom and the Right Kingdom."

"We are always ready, Prince," replied one of the commanders firmly. He has a large body that is stocky, long hair dangling, and an authoritative stature like a commander. He was one of the imperial commanders who came from the border after the attack on the capital of the Left Kingdom.

"True, I can't wait to hit those bawls in the face!" Li Xiang replied, "We must make preparations as soon as possible before they can gather their troops back."

"Of course, the forces of the Left Kingdom will also participate in our joint conquest" Li Bei reported, "In addition, we must also be able to create stability in the already submissive region. Minister Liu ...."

"Ready, Prince. We will take care of everything as best we can. You don't have to worry about the administration of the territory," a man from the Liu Family replied. Li An watched him carefully. The man was a high scholar who was far above him.

"Prince An, we will urgently need the help of the Fuli Trade Union to promote trade and welfare in the region" Liu continued, "Please ask for his assistance and cooperation."

"I understand," Li An replied briefly. From the very beginning, this was the goal of the delegation. The Eighth Prince was responsible for the logistical supply and stabilization of the territory that had been subject to imperial control. With the trade union at his disposal, that mission would become much easier. After all, Li An did intend to widen the auspices of his business wing.

There was no long discussion in that discussion. All those present agreed and were confident that the empire would be able to advance further this time around. The Middle Kingdom and the Right Kingdom will fall into their hands.

A few days after the meeting, the plan was implemented immediately. The troop preparations are complete. The help of the Empire has come. The commanders began to move with their respective troops, including Li Xiang who this time advanced to the front battlefield.

"Sister, where are we going this time?" li Rouwei asked cheerfully.

"Lotus City," Li An replied. Like the others, the young prince also moved to carry out his duties. He traveled to every major city in the Left Kingdom and built the Fuli Trade Union there while ensuring that the local government did not revolt against the Left King who was currently lying in the protection of the empire.

For several months, Li An and his entourage continued to move from one city to another until letters from the empire arrived. The letter asked Li An, Li Chen, and the underage Li Rouwei to return to the empire on the grounds of the celebration of Li An's maturation ceremony.

However, behind that reason, there are some parties who are actually worried about the development of the Fuli Trade Union in the Northern Region. They did not want Li An to spread his influence any further. During this time, many people in the Northern Region were more familiar with Li An than the other princes due to his involvement in the stabilization of the region. Although the princes who plunged into the war were also popular, they were more intimidating and feared.

In addition to that order, there was also a letter from Li Huanran. The Third Princess did not send anything grandiose. He only asked for news and asked for souvenirs from Li An. Oiya, she also requested Li An's time before her maturity ceremony later to take a walk together. It could be, it was the two of them's last trip before Li An officially matured.

"Tomorrow the day after tomorrow we will go home," Li An replied, "I have to settle some more affairs here."

While waiting for Li An to finish his business at the new branch of the Fuli Trade Union, Li Chen invited Yong Seong and Seonghwa to go outside. Li Rouwei refused his invitation. Therefore, the Ninth Princess did not come along. The little girl would rather bully her brother in the office with Yun Annchi, the eldest daughter of the Silver Fox Scholar who was now three years old than to go for a walk with her cousin.

"I'm glad to be able to study with you guys" Li Chen told Yong Seong and Seonghwa who continued to follow him all the way to a soft, windy green field, "You're like my own family. This brotherhood .. may it continue to be intertwined for eternity."

"We are also happy to be with you," said Yong Seong sincerely. Although Li Rouwei often bothered him while studying, he only considered it a past breeze and the snub of an ordinary little boy. After all, establishing friendships with the princes and princesses of the empire was not a bad thing. All his complaints today will pay off someday.

"A ..," Seonghwa wanted to say something, but somehow something was stopping her from speaking. Li Chen and Yong Seong also dissolved into their chatter. If at that time the princess dared to express her point, her fate in the future would definitely be very different.

***

Li An came home with a pile of happy tidings from the commanders. The Empire and the Left Kingdom they controlled had managed to conquer the outermost regions of the Middle Kingdom and the Right Kingdom, even entering deep enough into the area of the Middle Kingdom that was beginning to collapse. It was a great advance after all these years they had stalled in the Left Kingdom.

A large banquet was held to welcome the Eighth Prince and his entourage. Many nobles wanted to attract Li An's attention in order to establish a good relationship with him. Although his influence in the empire was not as great as the princes who were active in the military scene, he was still a calculated prince. Even if those nobles did not benefit as princes of the empire, they would still benefit from his relationship with the Fuli Trade Union. Therefore, most of them came with his daughters who dressed up pretty.

"You've really grown up, haven't you, An'er?" murmured Li Huanran saw that crowd. If it was in line with her prediction, soon Li An would be engaged. He himself would also soon be pressured to marry as one of the princesses of the empire. This might be their last moments as very close brothers and sisters.

"Yes, I did grow up fast, indeed" replied Li An who was now much taller than her dear brother. It seemed, he had less precisely grasped the intent of Li Huanran's murmur.

"When, you used to be only this tall," Li Huanran positioned his hand waist-deep, hinting at how small Li An used to be. The Eighth Prince laughed a little. Years passed quickly. He also did not think that he should immediately hold a maturity ceremony in a moment.

"Now, Big Brother is short" joked Li An.

"Although so," Li Huanran smiled faintly, there was a faint hue there, "You are still a child in my eyes. Whatever happens, you're still my little sly little brother from the first time you met."

"Well," Li An replied with a faint smile as if resigned, "As far as Big Brother wants to consider me anyway. I'll always be Big Brother's best brother."

Arc 1, over.