Chu An's Triumph

This harvest was truly abundant. Chu An not only severed ties with Du Chao Gong, but the carefully orchestrated honey trap also helped him seize the embezzled silver. This time, Du Chao Gong had to swallow his bitterness, which made Chu An, who had lived in the shadow of Du Chao Gong's control, become incredibly confident.

When he finally intercepted Du Chao Gong's private forces, witnessing firsthand how those men struggled to maintain their composure, Chu An felt immensely pleased.

Oh, Du Chao Gong, you too have your day.

Chu An brutally tortured this group of men but yielded very few results. Intentionally revealing a slight flaw, they performed a play exposing their weakness: Du Chao Gong had controlled their family members, making them fear betrayal.

What was so difficult about this? Chu An bluntly promised to rescue their relatives. The most stubborn among them immediately knelt, weeping and pleading that if their families were saved, they would pledge their unwavering loyalty unto death.

This dramatic performance, despite its flaws, deeply convinced Chu An.

What he cared about most was nothing more than real power and reputation. This time, after the dam construction was completed, Chu An could stand more firmly in the struggle for the throne. By building momentum through a few events, many people would naturally flock to his side, and he would possess enough capability to contend with the First Prince and the Sixth Prince.

Moreover, Chu An had grown wiser this time; he calculated meticulously. The total amount of silver was insufficient to support an army for a year and a half. Especially with Xu Ming Zhan as a capable assistant, he could not displease him and cause him to lose heart. So, he instructed the group to act as double agents, receiving salaries from both sides but primarily loyal to Chu An.

To Xu Ming Zhan, he claimed to have annihilated them all, cornering them in a mountain temple and burning them alive.

Xu Ming Zhan was very satisfied upon hearing this.

Killing many birds with one stone, Chu An was overjoyed, already dreaming of the day he would ascend the throne. He only awaited the completion of the dam to return to the capital, to witness Du Chao Gong's predicament, having spent a fortune on maintaining an army only to be helpless now.

While Chu An was hopelessly foolish on this side, Du Chao Gong on the other side had long received the news, merely scoffing coldly.

What was so difficult about indulging Chu An's desires? Just give him a helping hand to push him further. Indulge his every whim, and when his wings are fully grown, he will naturally fly away, only to fall to his death without knowing why.

Especially with the recent tense situation, both princes were here. If the First Prince and Sixth Prince in the palace were anxious, then this old emperor might not live much longer.