Chapter 2101: Deceived
Sun Bai approached Shao Yunduan, his expression laced with disdain.
Shao Yunduan trusted Sun Bai’s assessment, making Constable Li’s presence unnecessary.
Drafting a letter, Shao Yunduan instructed Sun Bai to deliver it to Prefect Liu.
The letter adopted a composed and conciliatory tone. It acknowledged Anze Province’s lack of resources and preparation, expressing sincere regret for the inconvenience caused.
Shao Yunduan proposed that Anze Province commence tax payments from the current year, adhering to regulations during the upcoming autumn harvest.
While seeking to buy time, Shao Yunduan also conveyed Anze Province’s desire to maintain amicable relations with the Prefect.
Shao Yunduan directed Qing Yan to transcribe the letter, which he then sealed and handed to Constable Li, signaling his release along with his remaining soldiers.
Shao Yunduan anticipated that Prefect Liu would grasp the implicit message in the letter, thereby averting further troubles for Anze Province in the current year.
That sufficed.
Why permit others to snore beside them? None of the three princes were inclined to safeguard their half-crippled empire; they would assuredly persist in their conflicts.
Perhaps, by the year’s end, the world’s state would become apparent.
Shao Yunduan harbored no fondness for any of them and had no intention of serving them.
When the dust settled, regardless of who emerged victorious, he would relinquish Anze Province and retire.
For now, his sole aspiration was to ensure the welfare of those under his governance.
He had invested his heart and soul into this land, developing a deep attachment. Abandoning them at this juncture was inconceivable.
Moreover, in this tumultuous era, he required a sanctuary to safeguard himself.
Shao Yunduan had predicted everything, but he did not predict the hearts of the people.
Constable Li had faithfully served Prefect Liu for numerous years, basking in the admiration and respect of his peers.
Yet, this time, he suffered a humiliating defeat before a throng of subordinates!
His pride and dignity lay shattered!
Despite maintaining a facade of composure on the journey back, he sensed the mocking and contempt from his subordinates beneath the surface.
The shame was unbearable.
He harbored an intense resentment towards Shao Yunduan and Anze Province.
In times past, he would have been powerless to act. But in this chaotic era, he felt emboldened to pursue any course of action.
Anze Province must capitulate. Only then could he reclaim his lost honor.
Regardless of the contents of Shao Yunduan’s letter, Constable Li had no intention of delivering it to Prefect Liu.
En route, he employed both persuasion and coercion to rally the remaining 240-odd bailiffs to his cause. Upon meeting with Prefect Liu, he concocted a narrative, fabricating a tale of Lord Shao preemptively attacking and resulting in the loss of dozens of comrades before their escape from Anze Province…
Despite Constable Li’s apologies, Prefect Liu’s heart grew cold once more!
Constable Li’s account aligned with Grandmaster Miao’s, solidifying Prefect Liu’s conviction that Shao Yunduan and Prefect Shao were indeed rebelling!
Exasperated, Prefect Liu refrained from acting impulsively.
It wasn’t due to lack of desire, but rather fear.
With a sizable following under his command, he needed to preserve his strength—his confidence and leverage. Losing them would be catastrophic!
Constable Li’s revelation about powerful individuals in Anze Province added to his apprehension!
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