Chapter 139: Prince of Donghai
Chapter 139: Prince of Donghai
When he woke up, the plane had long entered Chu State’s territory and was about to land.
He turned on the in-flight internet, intending to check the latest news, and immediately saw the eye-catching headline—
Mysterious Blue Light Appears in Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace!
Ling Yi frowned slightly, thinking to himself that he hadn’t made any blue light outside at the time.
He clicked in to take a look and couldn’t help but laugh.
There was a photo with the Zhao Country Imperial Palace in the background, and a large area of mysterious blue light glowing.
Without a doubt, this was definitely something cooked up by King Zhao’s subordinates after Ling Yi left.
Handing back Eastern Sea City, signing the agreement… whether in Chu or Zhao, there would inevitably be widespread public opposition.
It was a bit better on Chu State’s side, as many recent events had happened, and public opinion kept emphasizing Ling Yi, a Qin People, played a key role in purging Lu Qingming’s rebel group.
So, even though returning Eastern Sea City and those territories made many people unhappy, the opposition wouldn’t be too fierce.
But Zhao Country was different.
Zhao Country hadn’t really been beaten much. Although they fought a battle with Qin State at the border, that battle wasn’t a loss.
Without a reason, if they just signed the agreement to return Eastern Sea City, the Monarch and the Diplomatic Mission would probably be drowned in public criticism.
So, the blame had to be shifted.
And it had to be shifted while Ling Yi was still on the plane!
Otherwise, once he arrived in Chu State, he definitely wouldn’t admit to it!
It had to be said, Zhao Country’s side had thought it through quite thoroughly.
If they were a bit slower, Ling Yi really wouldn’t admit it.
Even so, the Qin State authorities urgently held a press conference, claiming this was Zhao Country’s slander!
Right below the headline news was the related report about Qin State’s emergency press conference.
“Zhao Country’s media is too irresponsible, simply talking nonsense. Can anyone be framed now just by hiring a few lighting technicians? If you like, everywhere in our Great Qin can light up with blue light overnight!”
Zhao Country’s side was naturally furious.
Especially those in the palace.
They knew better than anyone what happened that night.
The large area of blue light in the photo wasn’t real, but did Qin State know how many crazy things your Ling Yi did?
He coerced and blackmailed a nation’s Monarch!
Of course, such words definitely couldn’t be said.
It was too embarrassing.
Even saying the Monarch was threatened by that mysterious blue light figure behind Ling Yi wouldn’t do.
They could only release such a photo and let people imagine the rest themselves!
Ling Yi browsed through the news, thinking to himself: his whereabouts would probably be unhesitatingly revealed by Zhao Country’s side. He might be swarmed by all sorts of media as soon as he left the airport.
Thinking this, he directly sent a short message to Chu Yanyu via the in-flight internet.
It was just a flight number.
He believed Chu Yanyu would understand.
Sure enough, as soon as he got off the plane, he was picked up by staff from the Chu State Imperial Palace.
A low-key car took Ling Yi quietly away from the Capital of Chu airport and sped toward the Imperial Palace.
By then, it was already the morning of December 17th, Qin Calendar year 20.
After many consecutive snowy days, the Capital of Chu finally cleared up. The sunshine was bright. Though not exactly warm, the deep blue sky still lifted one’s mood.
This day drew worldwide attention!
As that tripartite agreement was finally signed, photos from the signing scene were published immediately.
At the same time, the unrest in Eastern Sea City finally reached a peak.
Even the City Lord of Eastern Sea City publicly appeared at a press conference. Facing the camera, he spoke eloquently.
“For over a hundred years, Eastern Sea City has maintained a highly autonomous status.”
“Both Chu State and Zhao Country have cooperative relationships with my Eastern Sea City, not subordinate ones!”
“Including myself, this City Lord, I am a genuine Donghai person!”
“Therefore, we, the tens of millions of people of Eastern Sea City, do not recognize this tripartite agreement just signed by Qin, Chu, and Zhao!”
“If Qin State dares to use force, they can expect mutual destruction!”
The City Lord of Eastern Sea City looked to be in his fifties, dignified. Sitting there, he commanded respect even without anger. His eyes fixed on the camera were filled with determination.
“To take Eastern Sea City, you’ll have to step over my corpse. I will stand united with tens of millions of Donghai people!”
Faced with Eastern Sea City’s not-unexpected stance, reactions from various countries differed.
In Chu State, there were various voices among the people, but the authorities remained silent, prepared to stay silent to the end.
Zhao Country’s reaction was similar. The authorities made no statement, but the public was abuzz, cursing Qin State, cursing Ling Yi, and expressing support for the people of Eastern Sea City.
Qi State’s authorities were quiet, but public sentiment could be summed up in two words—
Haha.
Han State: Haha.
State of Wei: Haha.
Yan State: Haha.
The official media of these countries didn’t say much, but the public watched the drama from the sidelines.
Qin State responded immediately, stating that Eastern Sea City and its affiliated regions had belonged to Qin since ancient times, and advised the people of Eastern Sea City to face reality…
But such a statement held almost no significance for Eastern Sea City.
Over a hundred years, several generations, combined with the influence of Chu and Zhao, had already erased too much.
Qin State had anticipated this. On the 18th, they released another world-shocking announcement.
The Qin State Monarch had conferred the title of Prince of Donghai upon Ling Yi!
This news caused an uproar worldwide.
Especially in Eastern Sea City, countless people were dumbfounded on the spot.
Being vocal didn’t mean they weren’t afraid of death.
If someone else were to govern Eastern Sea City, they would surely continue to protest, and do so for a long time.
But Ling Yi… this name, in just a few months, had already become thunderously famous.
He had become a Great Demon King in many people’s minds.
Especially that photo released by Zhao Country’s official media, which people had dubbed—the Blue Light flashing in Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace.
Even though Qin State had issued a denial, and shortly after, countless Qin citizens posted similar blue light photos and videos.
People still preferred to believe that on the night of the 16th, Ling Yi must have gone to Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace!
Otherwise, why would Zhao Country sign the tripartite agreement?
That agreement was seen by many Zhao people as a humiliating national betrayal!
They didn’t care that Eastern Sea City had always been Qin State’s territory. In those Zhao people’s eyes, Eastern Sea City belonged to them and Chu State!
Your Chu State backed down, but our Zhao Country will not!
So, if that Great Demon King’s person behind him hadn’t threatened the Monarch, why would our Diplomatic Mission sign the agreement?
Now, with Ling Yi being conferred Prince of Donghai, this matter was pushed to an unprecedented level.
Even though the New Year was approaching, the news headlines across the continent’s Seven Nations were almost entirely dominated by the name Ling Yi recently.
As for Ling Yi himself, he never stepped forward to make a statement.
At that moment, inside the hotel where the Qin State Diplomatic Mission was staying.
Qin Hao was apologizing to Ling Yi.
“Ninth Brother, please don’t be angry. You know Qin State’s situation best. Other than you, who else can control Eastern Sea City?”
“Though it’s a bit unfair to push you forward at this time, truth be told, you are the most deserving of being Prince of Donghai!”
“You don’t know, after signing, my father cried alone in his room…”
Ling Yi looked at Qin Hao and sighed. “Actually, with or without this Prince of Donghai title, I’d be pushed into the spotlight. But since I’ve already done so much, being Prince of Donghai doesn’t make much difference.”
A look of relief appeared on Qin Hao’s face. “Ninth Brother, it’s great that you understand!”
Ling Yi said, “There’s nothing I can’t understand. I am a Qin People, so naturally I have feelings for Eastern Sea City. Moreover, the Monarch has treated me well, not only conferring me a princely title but also promising never to tax Eastern Sea City. One could say I became a true top-tier billionaire in the blink of an eye.”
Gu Tong sat nearby, looking at Ling Yi with a smile. “Yeah, I’m considering whether to follow you in the future?”
Ling Yi glanced at him. “If you come, any position is yours to pick.”
Qin Hao smiled wryly. “Ninth Brother, please don’t poach someone right in front of me…”
Ling Yi looked at him and said, “I won’t be Prince of Donghai for many years. Although when the Monarch conferred it, he said it was hereditary, I don’t need that. Eastern Sea City is Qin State’s Eastern Sea City, not my Ling Yi’s Eastern Sea City. Later, I’ll take my rightful share from Eastern Sea City, as I need to cultivate too. When I leave one day, I will completely return Eastern Sea City to Qin State.”
Gu Tong glanced at Ling Yi, wanting to say something, but finally just gave a thumbs-up.
Qin Hao shook his head at Ling Yi. “Ninth Brother, there’s no need for that. Although I am the Crown Prince of Qin State and shouldn’t say this, you alone recovered Eastern Sea City. As long as it belongs to Qin, that’s enough. Gaining control of Donghai Port means we regain the sea route. That significance is far greater than any benefits Eastern Sea City itself can bring.”
Ling Yi smiled. “Don’t worry, brother. I’m just someone forced into this role. I said before, I have no interest in these things. But now, if I don’t go, the chaos there probably can’t be quelled by anyone else. So I’ll take this Prince of Donghai title. For the rest, let’s do as I said.”
Qin Hao took a deep breath and looked at Ling Yi. “Ninth Brother does not fail Great Qin, and Great Qin will never fail Ninth Brother!”
He extended a hand.
Ling Yi looked at it. “You didn’t wash your hands after using the restroom earlier.”
Qin Hao: “…”
That night, in the Imperial Palace.
Chu Yanyu looked at Ling Yi. “You said you’ll return Eastern Sea City to Qin State in the future?”
Ling Yi nodded. “Merit, when too high, isn’t actually beneficial.”
Chu Yanyu looked at him deeply, then said softly, “I didn’t mention it before because, from my position, it wasn’t appropriate to talk about such things. But since you see it so clearly, I have no reservations. That Aged Monarch of Qin State… really is an old fox. His son is quite frank, though, telling you the truth.”
Chu Yanyu snorted unhappily. “Handing Eastern Sea City completely to you at this time, in the end, shows they lack confidence in truly reclaiming that city. Right now, only you have that terrifying deterrent power. See, as soon as this news came out, the unrest in Eastern Sea City decreased significantly. Although some stubborn people still persist, the truly smart ones are probably already thinking about how to welcome you.”
Then, Chu Yanyu smiled again. “It’s actually good that you become Prince of Donghai. It’s close by, so we can meet often in the future!”
Ling Yi looked up at her speechlessly. “Sister, you are the Chu State Monarch!”