Chapter 189: Opening the Gates

Prince Donghai was eager to get away from the chaos behind him, hoping to distance himself as much as possible. He had to admit that he was not suited for winning in the midst of turmoil. Competing with Han Ruzi in such matters was meaningless; he was better at strategizing in the halls of power.

Someone behind him shouted a reminder. Prince Donghai looked ahead blankly and saw a rider approaching from the direction of Divine Hero Pass, waving his arms to signal them to stop. “Divine Hero Pass... The Northern Protection General...”

Prince Donghai only caught these two words. He spurred his horse to speed up and passed by the rider. No one could stop him, no one at all.

The horse couldn’t keep running indefinitely. No matter how much Prince Donghai urged it, it slowed down. The people behind him caught up. Lin Kunshan sighed in relief and smiled, “Prince Donghai, no need to worry. The Chu army is in chaos, maybe even fighting the Xiongnu. They won’t catch up anytime soon.”

“Won’t catch up? No, no. I’m not worried about them. I need to get back to the Capital as soon as possible. I’ve realized that only in the Capital can I thrive, be safe, and hold absolute power. Lin Kunshan, if you get me back to the Capital, you will have done a great service.”

“Prince Donghai, are you not going to the Southern Army?”

“No.” Prince Donghai had changed his mind and was firm about it. “I will seize the throne directly and then summon my uncle back to the Capital.”

“Alright.” Lin Kunshan had no intention of questioning him directly.

Prince Donghai glanced at him, “Don’t think I’m being unrealistic. I’m well-prepared, much more so than when I tried to seize the Northern Army’s Grand Marshal’s seal. And I’m not under anyone’s control.”

Prince Donghai stopped there, frowning slightly. “Who was that blocking the road just now?”

“Looks like a messenger from Divine Hero Pass. I sent someone to inquire. Let’s keep moving.”

Prince Donghai appreciated subordinates who thought for him. He looked up. On both sides, the peaks towered, covered in snow. The road was wide but winding, with no end in sight. “How far are we from Divine Hero Pass?”

“More than halfway there, Prince Donghai. Don’t worry.”

Prince Donghai sighed, full of thoughts. He patted the horse’s neck, not daring to urge it too much. Suddenly, urgent hoofbeats sounded from behind, strikingly out of place among the slow-moving convoy. He was startled but then remembered it should be the subordinate he had sent to inquire.

His entourage consisted of fewer than fifty people, all found by Lin Kunshan. He didn’t know any of them. His only loyal follower had died in the central tent, and another had been left behind in Shattered Iron City, not brought along.

Prince Donghai sighed again, not looking back as he proceeded. Lin Kunshan stopped to wait for news and quickly caught up, riding alongside him for a while. He said, “A group of rebels attacked Divine Hero Pass.”

Prince Donghai reined in his horse. “What? Rebels attacked Divine Hero Pass?”

“They haven’t captured it yet. They’re reportedly closing in, probably trying to seize the grain inside.”

“These aren’t rebels; they’re traitors and bandits. How could I be so unlucky? Traitors ahead, chaotic army behind...”

“Let’s get to Divine Hero Pass first.”

Prince Donghai suddenly remembered something. “Fate seers know bandits. Maybe the chaos was instigated by you lot!” He grew more excited as he spoke, not caring about the rebellion itself. “You can persuade them to make way, can’t you?”

Lin Kunshan smiled wryly. “Prince Donghai overestimates the abilities of fate seers. We can at most fan the flames. Whether things happen or succeed isn’t up to us, and we don’t know that many people.”

Before the man could finish, Prince Donghai shouted, “Don’t open the gate, no matter what. They’re not Chu soldiers, they’re... Xiongnu spies!”

Such a lie wouldn’t hold for long. Prince Donghai dragged Chief Clerk Hua up the wall and looked out. The road was filled with fire pits and torches, with countless shadows moving around. Lin Kunshan stood alone with a torch a few steps from the gate.

“Is it General Han?” Lin Kunshan shouted.

Prince Donghai was stunned but quickly understood. The title “Prince Donghai” was too burdensome for the bandits. Lin Kunshan was protecting him. He replied, “It’s me. How did the negotiations go?”

“The heroes are willing to let you pass, but they have one condition.”

“What condition?”

“This autumn’s harvest was poor, and it’s now winter. The villages are out of grain and can’t survive. They hope to borrow some grain from you to get through the winter.”

Lin Kunshan’s tone made him sound like one of the bandits. Prince Donghai had no choice but to trust him. He shouted, “I’ll come down.” He kicked and pushed Chief Clerk Hua down the stairs. “Open the gate.”

Chief Clerk Hua, battered and bruised, became increasingly submissive to Prince Donghai. He immediately ordered the gate to be opened. His orders were effective with the soldiers, and the gate slowly opened. Prince Donghai, controlling his urgency, waited for Lin Kunshan to come in, constantly looking back, fearing the appearance of Chu soldiers.

Lin Kunshan came in, originally alone, but now with two others following him. Prince Donghai was startled but had no choice but to face them.

Lin Kunshan introduced, “These two are heroes from Anyang Mountain, known as...”

A burly man interrupted, “Our names are insignificant. Let’s be straightforward. Will you give us grain or not? How much? We have seventeen villages...”

Prince Donghai suddenly had an idea. “I’ll give you grain, not just grain, but the entire Divine Hero Pass.”

The two bandit leaders were stunned, and Chief Clerk Hua was so frightened he collapsed. Prince Donghai kicked him hard. “Open the gate wider and come with me.”

He turned to the bandits, “To be honest, the Xiongnu will soon attack. The Chu army has been defeated and can’t hold Divine Hero Pass. Rather than let it fall to foreigners, I’d rather give it to our own people. If you can hold this pass, it will be a great merit, and the court will reward you generously in the future.”

The bandit leaders exchanged glances. They didn’t want to defend the city for the government, but the granaries and wealthy households inside the pass could be looted in a day or two. They nodded simultaneously. “Alright, General Han is so generous. We will be righteous too. Take as many people as you want out of the city. We will escort you and ensure no one stops you.”

“Let’s go then.”

Prince Donghai couldn’t wait any longer. He led the way out of the city, followed by Lin Kunshan’s men and Chief Clerk Hua. The gate guards glanced at each other, threw down their weapons, and followed suit. If the commander was abandoning the city, they didn’t want to face the bandits alone.

A few dozen steps out of the city, they mounted their horses. Prince Donghai took one last look at Divine Hero Pass, thinking it was his land to reclaim eventually. For now, let the bandits hold off the pursuers. Han Ruzi, whether alive or dead, would no longer pose a threat.

Outside the north gate of Divine Hero Pass, Cai Xinghai was leading a hundred soldiers as he called out for the gatekeepers to open the gate.

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