The Blood Crown - Chapter 9

Although it was Feng Ye’s command to go to the inn, Yuan Sikong felt uneasy and didn’t dare to make decisions on his own. He went to ask Yuan Mao for advice.

Yuan Mao, who could move around a bit today, despite still being uncomfortable sitting, was about to go out.

“Dad, your injury hasn’t healed yet. Where are you going?”

“I’m fine. The muskets that Datong Prefecture gifted to Liaodong have arrived, and I’m planning to accompany the Governor to inspect them.”

Yuan Sikong widened his eyes, “Musket? Is it the single-shot musket?”

“That’s right.”

The musket in question was a firearm that used gunpowder to fire stone, lead, or iron bullets from an iron barrel. Cannons were considered larger muskets, but they were too cumbersome and mainly used for siege warfare. Single-shot muskets, on the other hand, could be carried by soldiers and were specifically designed to deal with cavalry. They had heard about the invention of these muskets by the Feng family.

Yuan Sikong exclaimed with joy, “That’s great! Now we have muskets!”

Yuan Mao also smiled, “Prince Jingyuan is exchanging 500 muskets for our 2,000 warhorses.”

“But we don’t have anyone who knows how to use them.”

“Prince Jingyuan will send someone to teach us.”

“Dad, can I go see them?” Yuan Sikong pleaded. He really wanted to see these rumored powerful firearms.

“Let’s wait a few days,” Yuan Mao said, “Why didn’t you go to the horse yard?”

Yuan Sikong then remembered the reason he had come to find Yuan Mao, “Dad, the Young Prince asked me to go to his inn.”

“Why?” Yuan Mao frowned, clearly concerned that Feng Ye might not let Yuan Sikong go easily.

“The Young Prince has been going to the horse yard for the past two days, looking for me…”

“What does he want you to do?”

Yuan Sikong scratched his head, not entirely sure, “I think he might want to play with me.”

Yuan Mao paused for a moment, then smiled, “The Young Prince grew up in the military camp. It might be the first time he’s met someone of his age. If he calls you, you should go and not disobey him.”

“I understand, but Xu Bo might be too busy at the horse yard.”

“He will send more people; don’t worry. Go ahead.”

“Yes.”

With his worries eased, Yuan Sikong proceeded to the inn.

—

Upon reaching the inn’s entrance, before he could even notify the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper had already pulled him inside, saying, “You must be Master Yuan’s son, right? You’ve arrived; the Young Prince has been asking for you all morning.”

Yuan Sikong smiled knowingly.

Inside the room, he saw Feng Ye sitting in a large armchair, swinging his little legs, and tilting his chin to look at him.

Yuan Sikong knelt and greeted, “Ca… Yuan Sikong greets the Young Prince.”

“Rise,” Feng Ye said, then hopped off the armchair and walked up to Yuan Sikong.

Yuan Sikong stood up.

Feng Ye tugged on his sleeve, saying, “Follow me.” There was a hint of delight on his face, but he didn’t let Yuan Sikong see it.

The two entered an inner room, and Feng Ye took a small porcelain jar from a cabinet, handing it to Yuan Sikong, “Here.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s a medicinal salve for bruises. I asked my father for it.”

“Thank you, Young Prince,” Yuan Sikong accepted the jar. In his eyes, Feng Ye was not only extraordinarily beautiful but also increasingly adorable now.

“Hurry up and apply it,” Feng Ye urged impatiently, taking the porcelain jar from him. “I’ll help you. Take off your clothes.”

“I applied some bruise-healing medicine for the swelling last night.”

“This salve is very good. Stop talking, and apply this.”

“Okay.” Yuan Sikong reluctantly removed his upper garment.

Feng Ye noticed the extensive bruising on the back of Yuan Sikong’s neck where it met the shoulder armor, and he furrowed his brows slightly. He took some of the salve and gently applied it to the injured area.

The salve instantly seeped into the skin, giving a cooling sensation. Even though there was a fire burning in the room, Yuan Sikong couldn’t help but shiver.

Feng Ye wanted to say something but felt embarrassed, so he pursed his little lips.

After applying the salve, Yuan Sikong hurriedly put his clothes back on.

Feng Ye pouted, “Men of Liaodong, afraid of a little cold.”

Yuan Sikong mumbled, “I’m still afraid.”

Feng Ye tossed the jar into his arms, saying, “Take it with you and apply it morning and night.”

“Thank you, Young Prince.”

Feng Ye sat beside him, staring with big round eyes, not saying anything.

Yuan Sikong couldn’t help but feel like laughing. When he first arrived at the Yuan residence, Yuan Nanyu had been a bit shy, wanting to play with him but not daring to initiate it. Feng Ye’s current expression was exactly like that of Yuan Nanyu back then.

Yuan Sikong was about to speak when he saw Feng Ye about to say something too. They both unintentionally said, “Ah,” at the same time, which was quite amusing.

Yuan Sikong quickly said, “What can I do for you, Young Prince?”

Feng Ye was annoyed, “You go first.”

“Uh, what’s it like in Datong Prefecture?”

“Well… it’s quite cold in the winter, but summers are cool. Datong’s apricots are sweet, and in the fall, there are yellow flowers everywhere. The lamb noodles in Datong are especially delicious. I always eat…” Feng Ye gestured with his hands, indicating a large bowl, “this big.”

Yuan Sikong felt a bit envious, “I’d really like to visit Datong.”

“What about Liaodong?”

“Liaodong has mountains, forests, and snow that’s three feet deep. In winter, thousands of trees are covered in silver flowers, which is incredibly beautiful. However, there’s not much good food in the deep winter. Occasionally, my father would go into the mountains to hunt for game.”

Feng Ye looked at him askance, “You don’t eat horses in the winter, do you?”

Yuan Sikong hurriedly clarified, “We don’t eat horses!”

Feng Ye chuckled, and Yuan Sikong, surprised, also laughed. It seemed like the distance between them had suddenly gotten a lot closer.

Feng Ye’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, “Other than Datong, I haven’t been anywhere else. Liaodong is the second place I’ve been to. I’ve heard that in the south, it doesn’t snow, the fish are bigger than me, the city is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, and the waves in the sea can be several zhang high. Someday, I want to see it all.”

Yuan Sikong felt a longing rise in his heart, “Young Prince, when you grow a little older, you can travel to many places.”

Feng Ye shook his head, “Until the northern nomads are subdued, I can’t indulge in leisure. I must assist my father and brothers in preserving the prosperity and peace of Great Sheng for a hundred years.”

Yuan Sikong sincerely said, “Your dedication to the realm is a blessing for all its people.” It seemed that Prince Jingyuan had been an effective teacher, and Great Sheng might indeed enjoy a century of stability.

Feng Ye smiled contentedly.

“I heard that you grew up in a military camp?”

“Well… not entirely.”

Yuan Sikong looked at him with curiosity.

“When my mother gave birth to me, she couldn’t produce enough milk, so my father found a she-wolf to nurse me. One night, during an enemy attack in heavy fog, my nurse carried me away. I lived on the mountain with a pack of wolves for almost three years until my father found me.”

Yuan Sikong was astounded, finding it hard to believe that someone could truly live alongside wolves, especially as a newborn baby. He stammered, “Th-th-that’s truly legendary…”

Feng Ye shrugged, nonchalant, “They treated me as one of their own, and I thought of myself as a wolf. I didn’t speak until I was five.”

“…Your mother must have missed you terribly.”

Feng Ye’s expression darkened slightly, “I’ve never seen my mother. After I went missing, she became despondent and, not long after…”

Yuan Sikong understood the pain of losing a loved one all too well and spoke softly, “Your mother is watching over you from heaven. When you’re doing well, she’s happy.”

Feng Ye nodded silently.

“So… you really understand the language of wolves?”

Feng Ye grinned, “I understand. I raised many of them in Datong Prefecture…”

“My wolf cubs!” A robust voice came from outside.

“Father,” Feng Ye replied loudly. He waved to Yuan Sikong, “My father’s back, let’s go.”

Yuan Sikong had both respect and fear for Prince Jingyuan and wasn’t very eager to meet him.

Feng Ye sensed his hesitation, “Don’t be afraid.” He walked up to Yuan Sikong and pulled him along.

When Feng Jianping saw Yuan Sikong, he was somewhat surprised and cast a humorous glance at Feng Ye.

Feng Ye pretended not to notice, while Yuan Sikong knelt down and bowed respectfully.

“Get up,” Feng Jianping said, “I just saw your father. He’s accompanying Lord Li and General Han to inspect the muskets. Why didn’t you go?”

“Your Highness, I’m still young and not fit to participate in such important matters.”

Feng Jianping chuckled, “I heard you became a scholar at the age of nine. You might be young, but your mind isn’t small.”

Feng Ye looked at Yuan Sikong in astonishment.

“Credit for this belongs to my father; I merely followed the standard curriculum, and it was a stroke of luck.”

“The imperial examination selects scholars based on true talent and learning; there’s no luck involved. Someday, when you attain an official position, we might serve in the same court together.” Feng Jianping smirked, “The younger generation is formidable.”

“Your Highness is too kind.”

Feng Jianping laughed heartily, “Alright, I won’t tease you further. It’s rare for our little wolf to meet a suitable playmate of the same age. You don’t need to worry about rank, and there’s no need to call him ‘Young Prince.’ Just have fun.”

“Yes.”

Feng Ye’s face lit up with joy.

“Wolf cub.”

“Father.”

“Did you review today’s military strategies?”

“I did.”

Feng Jianping patted his son’s little head, “I test you every day. If you can answer today’s question, I’ll take you to see the muskets, how about that?”

Feng Ye’s eyes sparkled, “Muskets! Father, please test me!”

Feng Jianping thought for a moment, “What if two armies meet in open field?”

“Open field…” Feng Ye pondered, “In open field, the one who defends their own territory has the advantage; it’s not easy to engage in battle.”

“Why is it not easy?”

“The soldiers are close to their homes, attached to their land, families, and not willing to die needlessly. If they retreat, they have a place to return to.”

“What if the enemy insists on fighting?”

Feng Ye blinked, sweating as he thought hard.

Yuan Sikong stood behind Feng Jianping, anxious to see the muskets. He couldn’t wait to take a look and wished he could answer for Feng Ye.

Feng Ye suddenly remembered, “If the enemy wants to fight, we won’t. We defend, let them attack, and undermine their morale. If there’s no fortified city to defend, multiple battles are not advisable. We should conserve our strength, use ambushes in strategic locations, and aim to settle it in one decisive battle.”

Feng Jianping glanced back at Yuan Sikong, and Yuan Sikong quickly lowered his head, appearing obedient.

Feng Ye anxiously watched his father’s reaction.

Feng Jianping didn’t reveal the truth and stood up, saying, “Let’s go, take me to see the muskets, my little wolf.”

“Wow!” Feng Ye happily hugged Feng Jianping’s waist.

Yuan Sikong’s face was filled with excited anticipation.