CHAPTER 1103: CHAPTER 604: XU JIANWEN’S KILLING GAME (PART 3)

The one sitting on the throne today should also be him.

"It’s a shame, such a person cannot be used by me, and instead has grown up to become a great threat, even causing the death of Master Zhuang," Xu Jianwen’s tone suddenly turned melancholic, his face showing sorrow: "In that case, he can only be eliminated."

After pausing for a moment, Xu Jianwen turned around, facing the cold wind, and with a face six or seven tenths similar to the late Emperor, gazed at the two of them: "What’s the situation with Jiang Wangsun?"

Earth God Mage Ren Kun laughed and said, "I’ve been keeping a close watch. Ever since you, Your Highness, seized power from this old crook, he has harbored deep resentment. In my opinion, now that Zhao Douan has arrived, Jiang Wangsun might not remain peaceful."

Xu Jianwen nodded and said, "Proceed as planned, deliberately leak some intelligence to Jiang Wangsun to prompt a secret meeting between him and Zhao Douan."

Qi Yuchun asked in puzzlement, "Your Highness intends to use Jiang Wangsun as bait to lure Zhao Douan into a trap to assassinate him?"

Xu Jianwen shook his head, he sighed lightly, a smile on his handsome face: "No. Zhao Douan is cunning and sly; would he easily fall for the trap? Jiang Wangsun is just the first piece of cake fed to him, as for what follows, let’s wait and see."

Ren Kun praised, "I was curious before; with Your Highness’s skills, you could easily make Jiang Wangsun obedient. Why did you make him resent Your Highness instead? Now it seems, Your Highness anticipated Zhao Douan’s arrival? And prepared in advance?"

Xu Jianwen’s lips slightly curved upward, his gaze moved and landed on a solid wood chessboard on the indoor table, where black and white pieces were distributed on the nineteen intersecting lines, vaguely showing a grand white dragon entering the sea.

However, upon closer inspection, one could see hidden traps in the black pieces, clearly laying a strategy to lure the dragon deeper.

Woo-woo—

The cold wind blew a flurry of snowflakes from the eaves, sweeping them into the room, gently landing on the chessboard, wetting a patch.

Xu Jianwen said softly, "In fishing, you have to be willing to bait the spot; temporarily let Jiang Wangsun be, but whether he can consume it or not depends on his ability. If he chokes, he can’t blame me for underestimating him."

"Snap!"

Xu Jianwen picked up a black piece and pressed it onto the chessboard.

...

...

Zhao Douan has arrived.

This news was like a large stone breaking through the thin ice of Hu Ting, sending up a splash of cold water.

Not only within the court’s three thousand, Divine Machine, and Huai River Military Mansion, but within half a day, the news of Zhao Douan carrying a coffin to war had irresistibly spread among the Jiancheng Rebel Army.

Even as officers at all levels sealed off information, they could not prevent it.

As the head military general in the city, Ye Xin quickly convened a high-level meeting to discuss a series of defense strategies.

For three consecutive days, the rebel army’s upper echelon in Hu Ting engaged in almost continuous meetings, closely monitoring the court’s movements.

However, apart from Zhao Douan’s grand entrance into the city on the first day, there were no further moves.

It seemed he had no intention of launching a winter campaign and was entirely focused on the handover with Xue Shence.

Xue Shence quietly departed Hu Ting heading north on the night of Zhao Douan’s second day of arrival.

With that, the rebel group relaxed slightly.

Another evening arrived.

After yet another high-level meeting ended, Jiang Wangsun walked out of the military tent, his spotted face showed indifference, revealing no thoughts.

"My lord."

The subordinate waiting outside the tent lifted the carriage curtain; Jiang Wangsun stepped into the carriage, traveling through the pure winter streets, arriving shortly at an imposing mansion.

This was also his temporary residence in Hu Ting.

Recently, upon entering the residence, Jiang Wangsun immediately shut the door.