Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1000 - 86: The Night Before the Military Parade

In the twinkling of an eye, the three-day horse polo tournament drew to a close. As anticipated, Prince Han’s personal guard claimed the ultimate victory without any unexpected twists.

Over these days filled with football games and horse polo contests, residents of Swamp Prefecture, along with foreign merchants and outsiders, beheld the impressive skills displayed by Prince Han’s personal guard.

Novices enjoy the spectacle, but connoisseurs discern the finer details. Folks from Swamp Prefecture and various foreign traders merely viewed Prince Han’s personal guard as outstanding in football and horse polo, yet the royal envoys from abroad perceived something deeper. Through the teamwork and expertise shown by Prince Han’s personal guard, they detected an extraordinary quality. They felt that the football and horse polo events failed to reveal the full might of Prince Han’s personal guard.

It wasn’t mere fancy; even standing on the field, Prince Han’s personal guard radiated a piercing presence.

Prince Han’s personal guard is undoubtedly remarkable!

On that note, Prince Han himself stands out as truly remarkable.

They couldn’t fathom why a figure as gifted and proficient as Prince Han lacked the Emperor of Great Zhou’s approval.

To them, Prince Han’s talents were by no means less than those of the princes in the capital.

No matter if Prince Han received favor from the Emperor of Great Zhou or not, they resolved to foster strong ties with him and keep up their partnerships.

Frankly speaking, the advantages of partnering with Prince Han exceed those from allying with other princes.

The military parade looms tomorrow, and one can only wonder what spectacle Prince Han will put on.

These foreign royals had once been privileged to see the grandeur of Great Zhou’s Imperial Guard in the capital, though they never witnessed a military parade there.

For the first time, they learned of such an event as a military parade.

Prince Han described it as basically a showcase of the troops’ bearing.

If it involves observing soldiers’ bearing, they had already encountered it in the capital. The aura of the capital’s Imperial Guard etched itself indelibly in their minds. More than memorable, it was downright fearsome.

The capital’s Imperial Guard is renowned as Great Zhou’s elite forces, having accompanied the Emperor of Great Zhou on countless battles and honed to the sharpness of blades tempered in blood.

With Prince Han aiming to exhibit the soldiers’ bearing, might he intend to highlight the Southern Garrison’s strength? Yet, from what they knew, the Southern Garrison wasn’t under Prince Han’s control, and he lacked the power or right to mobilize them.

Besides, they had already felt the Southern Garrison’s power firsthand and borne a steep cost for it.

Why, then, would Prince Han choose to reveal the Southern Garrison’s might all of a sudden? Was he trying to cow them into submission?

For years, they had faithfully yielded to Great Zhou without acting against its interests. Though some resisted endless deference to Great Zhou, they hadn’t incited any unrest. Since becoming vassals, their nation hadn’t endured great setbacks beyond yearly tributes. On the flip side, they reaped many gains from Great Zhou during this time. Before, goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain from Great Zhou were hard to obtain from them.

Upon turning into a tributary state of Great Zhou, they gained access to buy things like tea, porcelain, and soap. Throughout these years, they traded briskly with Great Zhou’s populace, amassing considerable wealth. They saw no gain in opposing Great Zhou, as it offered nothing beneficial.

The Emperor of Great Zhou sent Prince Han to Lingnan, likely to watch if their realm nursed any disloyal thoughts. Prince Han’s military parade could serve as a warning for them to remain obedient to Great Zhou and steer clear of hidden schemes.

As for Zhao Yao’s upcoming military parade, both foreign merchants and envoys sense it holds deeper significance than a simple show.

Right now, Zhao Yao sat in the study, chatting about windmills with Zheng Cheng.

They aimed to finish the windmills ahead of the autumn harvest, allowing farmers to save much labor when the time came. Plus, windmills could enhance the crop yields.

Concerning tomorrow’s military parade, Zhao Yao felt no anxiety.

Prior to the trade fair, the parade had undergone endless drills. Only a few days back, they held yet another practice run, which proceeded flawlessly with zero problems, making extra preparations pointless.

Tomorrow’s military parade serves as the climax of this trade fair. By rights, Zhao Yao ought to concentrate on the event set for tomorrow.

"Tomorrow brings the military parade, but His Highness keeps talking windmills with Zheng Cheng, paying no heed to the parade ahead," Uncle Gao remarked, furrowing his brow lightly. "Doesn’t His Highness fear some mishap during tomorrow’s event?"

He Lianfang shot a sideways look at the anxious Uncle Gao. "You doubt the smoothness of tomorrow’s parade?"

Uncle Gao gave a small nod. "A little." The rehearsal viewings had left him profoundly moved. Even recalling it now stirs his blood. That very reason heightens his eagerness for the real parade tomorrow, while filling him with intense apprehension. "I see His Highness appearing untroubled by tomorrow’s parade."

"With so many rehearsals done and everything confirmed fine, there’s nothing left to handle," He Lianfang figured Uncle Gao was overblowing it. "If Prince Han himself stays calm, why fuss over it?"

"May tomorrow’s military parade proceed without a hitch," Uncle Gao wished, his face lighting up with abrupt thrill. "I’m certain that seeing tomorrow’s parade will leave everyone dumbfounded."

"Tomorrow’s parade won’t face any mishaps, so cease your needless fretting."

Uncle Gao let out a sheepish laugh. "I can’t say why, but I feel terribly on edge."

"If you’re idle, head out for a patrol."

Uncle Gao rose to his feet and declared, "I’ll seek out His Highness." Without conferring with His Highness, his unease would linger.

Meanwhile, distant in the capital, the Emperor recalled his youngest son’s military parade scheduled for the following day.

"I’m curious what sort of parade that scamp will stage?"

Prime Minister He couldn’t grasp why the Emperor had made such a lavish trip to his residence. Still, with the Emperor present, he couldn’t shoo him off and had to host him with feigned willingness.

"Your Majesty, should worry grip you, pen a missive to ask Prince Han." Truth be told, curiosity gnawed at him too.

The Emperor cast a woeful look at Prime Minister He. "Were it not for your interference, I’d witness firsthand what that brat Little Ten has cooked up for tomorrow."

Prime Minister He brushed aside the Emperor’s remark entirely. "Your Majesty, did you grace your servant’s home solely for this topic?"

"Hardly." The Emperor rested his chin on his hand, grinning as he eyed Prime Minister He. "I’m just feeling idle."

Prime Minister He mused: Just as I thought.

"Your Majesty, idle or not, your servant faces a pile of duties." Even home after court, heaps of work demanded his attention.

The Emperor’s face turned solemn in an instant. "Do you reckon it’s ripe to confront the Xiongnu?"

Prime Minister He’s heart dropped sharply upon hearing this. "Your Majesty, you plan to...?"

A fierce spark flashed in the Emperor’s gaze as he intoned heavily, "I believe the moment is upon us."