Ji Yu repeated the news he had heard in the military camp and then looked at them both: "What are your thoughts?"
Baili Zan stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and asked back: "How will the released soldiers be determined? Will it be distributed among various camps or directly dissolve one specific camp?"
Ji Yu said solemnly: "It has not yet been decided. The exact implementation method will depend on the Secretariat's report to His Majesty."
Baili Zan nodded and bowed: "If it is distributed among various camps, as the General of the Cavalry, Your Highness holds the command token for seven camps including the Sunflower Camp, accounting for nearly one-third of the capital's forces. If troop reductions happen, the losses will be immeasurable. If this is inevitable, Your Highness should strive to dissolve other generals' camps instead."
Ji Yu thought for a while and then asked: "What if His Majesty disagrees?"
Baili Zan smiled: "Between holding military power in someone else's hands or your own son's, which do you think His Majesty will choose?"
The answer was obvious, and Ji Yu's frown relaxed, his expression becoming much lighter.
"What about the reason?"
"There are plenty. Since Your Highness has already received the news, you can send spies to investigate the training conditions of other camps, especially focusing on certain generals."
Ji Yu looked puzzled: "Certain generals?"
Chi Ying reminded helplessly: "Generals close to the Crown Prince. He uses various methods to suppress Your Highness, so you can return the favor. If he wants to cut troops, let him dissolve the camps under those loyal to him."
Ji Yu's eyes lit up, and he slapped his knee: "Good!"
Baili Zan added: "As for reducing military expenses, it might not necessarily be a bad thing."
Ji Yu's face fell again: "What do you mean? Letting tens of thousands of soldiers starve while training is a good thing?"
"No, Your Highness, why not think of it this way: The Crown Prince cuts everyone's pay, leaving soldiers unable to feed their families. Who will they blame? If someone steps forward to subsidize them, won't they be grateful? When choosing between Your Highness and the Crown Prince later, any soldier with a conscience would choose you."
Baili Zan's words brought an instant glow to Ji Yu's face, almost making him smile broadly. But just then, Xie Yong, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke: "Crown Prince's reduction of military expenses and troops is also for the people to live in peace. Since the founding of Great Chu, continuous warfare has depleted the national treasury. I believe Your Highness leading by example in cutting costs and reducing troops would win His Majesty's favor. Using this as an excuse to target the Crown Prince might—"
Before he could finish, Ji Yu stood up abruptly, roaring: "What do you know! Traitorous dog, come here!"
Chi Ying and Baili Zan both hurriedly said: "Your Highness, please calm down!"
But Ji Yu ignored them: "Drag him out and give him twenty lashes!"
Xie Yong never imagined he would suffer such treatment. While both offered advice, Baili Zan earned praise, whereas he was dragged away to be beaten. Shocked, he protested loudly: "Your Highness! Honest advice is often hard to hear. Everything I said came from my heart!"
Ji Yu's expression was dark, his gaze sharp as a sword, ready to pierce through Xie Yong.
Chi Ying anxiously said: "Your Highness cannot act like this. If you beat Xie Yong, who will dare to advise you in the future? You may choose to listen or not, but never hurt their hearts!"
Ji Yu's anger did not subside: "I've provided him with food and shelter, yet he speaks for the Crown Prince. Such traitors deserve to die!"
Chi Ying tried to speak again, but Ji Yu waved his hand: "Do it!"
The servants dragged Xie Yong to the courtyard but hesitated. Baili Zan glanced around and bowed: "My Lady is pregnant. If Your Highness commits murder rashly, it will harm your karma and affect the little prince. Please reconsider!"
The mention of "little prince" calmed Ji Yu down. Glancing at Chi Ying, who was anxiously clutching his arm, he reluctantly agreed: "Take him to the side yard and confine him for a month!" The servants quickly complied, dragging Xie Yong away.
Ji Yu was still fuming, while Chi Ying sighed in relief and pulled him back to sit down: "Your temper needs to change. Getting angry too often isn't good for your health. Here, drink some water to soothe your throat."
Ji Yu drank the tea in silence. Sensing the atmosphere, Baili Zan knew it was time to leave and excused himself. Ji Yu didn't stop him. After a while, his mood calmed down, and he asked Chi Ying: "Are you alright?"
Chi Ying chuckled: "I'm fine. Your Highness should control his temper. They say children in the womb shouldn't see ugly faces, or they'll grow up with unappealing features. If Your Highness keeps frowning, the child might inherit inverted eyebrows and struggle to find a spouse in the future."
Despite his usual stern face, Ji Yu couldn't help but laugh. Nodding, he said: "Noted, I'll try not to get angry."
After dinner, seeing the fish in the bowl, Ji Yu remembered what Chi Ying had mentioned earlier about the dagger hidden in the fish belly and asked: "What did you mean by the dagger in the fish's belly?"
"It's a story. Someone sought revenge on a monarch by learning to cook fish. Eventually, his fame reached the monarch, who summoned him to serve fish. During the presentation, he hid a dagger in the fish belly and killed his enemy. If we compare the military budget proposal to the fish, the Crown Prince's intention to weaken you is like the dagger inside. Offering the fish means offering the dagger."
Ji Yu accepted the soup bowl silently, blew on it, and said: "His Majesty accepting the fish means accepting the dagger."
Chi Ying smiled: "His Majesty may not willingly accept the dagger; perhaps it's out of necessity. After all, Great Chu is not suited for war with the Northern Di tribes right now."
Ji Yu's gaze turned icy: "With His Majesty's intelligence, how could he not realize the Crown Prince is targeting me? If war is not advisable, keeping me serves no purpose."
This was indeed true. How could Emperor Jianyuan not know his son's capabilities? Since Cui Jie dared to reject the proposal passed by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, it must have been with Emperor Jianyuan's tacit approval. Among his two sons, Jianyuan must have weighed his options, and the result was clear.
After dinner, Ji Yu took down the Star Abyss Sword from the wall and began wiping it. Since Cheng Hu gifted it to him, he had rarely used it, only occasionally practicing in the yard. Seeing him carefully wipe it with silk, Chi Ying knew that Emperor Jianyuan's decision had deeply wounded him. From his position as the eldest legitimate son, he had fallen further and further, yet Cui Jie still targeted him. Was there no familial affection between father and son?
After wiping it gloomily for a while, Ji Yu held the sword upright, staring at his reflection on the blade: "How much silver is left in the treasury?"
"You really intend to use your private funds to subsidize the soldiers?" Chi Ying asked while drinking her medicine.
Ji Yu glanced sideways: "Do you have a better idea?"
Chi Ying wiped her mouth and smiled: "Depends on Your Highness's perspective. The treasury has plenty of silver, but if the Crown Prince says no war for five to ten years, can Your Highness afford to maintain tens of thousands of soldiers for a decade? Even if you're willing, the treasury can't sustain it."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Why not let them support themselves by farming? Since Your Highness has vast lands granted after establishing the dukedom and military achievements, why not utilize them? For the next five to ten years without war, soldiers can farm in the afternoon after morning drills. Each season, the treasury takes ten percent, and the rest goes to them. This way, you gain their loyalty and benefit simultaneously."
Ji Yu frowned, then relaxed, nodding slowly: "Good, this is better than Baili Zan's suggestion."
Seeing his agreement, Chi Ying pushed further: "Although Xie Yong's words were unpleasant, they weren't entirely worthless. If you only dissolve the Crown Prince's troops, he won't accept it, and His Majesty will suspect you. Dissolve some inefficient units and donate a thousand taels. Leading by example, other officials will follow. Any contribution helps the national treasury, easing His Majesty's worries. Comparing you and the Crown Prince, who will appear more filial?"
As a child, one always hopes to be seen as excellent by their parents. Though Ji Yu wasn't interested in the throne, winning Emperor Jianyuan's favor was beneficial. Relieved, Ji Yu smiled: "Good, let him taste failure."
A few days later, the Secretariat submitted the Ministry of Revenue's proposal regarding next year's national treasury expenditures, including substantial cuts to military spending and troop reductions detrimental to Ji Yu. When announced, the entire hall fell silent. Officials shrank back, praying the conflict between the Crown Prince and Wu Wang wouldn't involve them.
However, Ji Yu's response surprised everyone. Not only did he strongly support the proposal, but he also criticized the laziness and misconduct of soldiers in the Eastern and Western camps, emphasizing incidents like last month's hunting by the Wind Camp and lackluster drills by the Black Camp. He volunteered to address these issues and offered a thousand taels to alleviate His Majesty's concerns.
Civil officials were shocked—Wu Wang seemed to echo the Crown Prince but was actually using his opponent's knife against him. When did Wu Wang become so clever?
Military officials were equally stunned—Wu Wang usually spoke little and rarely read books. Why was he so eloquent and logical today? He and the Crown Prince were long-time rivals; why would he support him now?
Even Crown Prince Cui Jie frowned, looking at his brother as if he barely recognized him.
As Chi Ying predicted, Emperor Jianyuan praised Ji Yu for his proactive approach in addressing the national treasury's shortfall and entrusted him with the authority to decide who stays and who goes.
Ji Yu smiled triumphantly.