The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 97 I Have a Method to Cleanse Mi River

Upon hearing this, Du Yuan, mimicking him, put her hands behind her back and asked with a smile:
"Nonsense? Alarmist talk? Hahaha! Your Highness, you're two-faced, your eyes dart around faster than a spinning top, and that 'mudfish dragon' in your belly is growling with hunger. Do you really think I can't see it?"

Upon hearing this, some of the quick-witted people present immediately changed their expressions.

Although it's a mudfish dragon, how can a vassal king be called a dragon? And why is it howling with hunger?

Could this be referring to the prince...?
Anqing Wang, who was exposed to his face, panicked instantly.

The great undertaking has not yet begun, and the hearts of others are not yet there.

The people still sided with his younger brother, who had seized the throne by chance.

If this dead Taoist priest continues, all our efforts will likely be in vain.

So he immediately rebuked:
"Nonsense! I was appointed by the late Emperor to govern Qingzhou and oversee this region! Since the decree to reduce the power of the princes, I have been dutiful to my duties as a subject, and my land holdings have not increased by a single inch. The powerful local clans have kept their distance from me! My intentions are clear as day! How dare you, a mere outsider, spout nonsense and slander the imperial family?"

The word "slander" was emphasized heavily, not only questioning Du Yuan but also aimed at the ears of those around them, each word ringing out, trying to drown out the malicious words of the "mudfish dragon".

Du Yuan, however, paid no heed. Surrounded by the menacing armored soldiers, she laughed even harder, bending over so much she couldn't straighten up.

"Reduce the power of the princes? Deny land ownership? Sever ties with clans? Hahaha! Your Highness, Your Highness—"

His laughter abruptly stopped, and he pointed at Prince Anqing without any politeness, saying:

"The mountains of gold and silver piled up in your treasury could probably fill half of the Mi River, right? And how many of your advisors and retainers aren't from clans? Furthermore..."

As Du Yuan spoke, she looked out of the city, stood on tiptoe and gazed for a long time before suddenly turning back and saying:

"Why do I see tens of thousands of acres of fertile land outside the city being influenced by your influence?"

These words were like knives, each sentence cutting to the bone!

King Anqing felt as if he had been stripped naked in public, thrown out into the open under the bright sun, under the watchful eyes of everyone!

A surge of rage mixed with shame and fury shot straight to his head, his lips twitched uncontrollably, and the muscles around his eyes twitched wildly.

However, he immediately suppressed it by relying on his years of self-cultivation skills.

His chest heaved several times before he managed to steady the "wise king" mask, but his voice was unusually sharp as he suppressed his anger:
"Insolence! You dare to spout nonsense and spread heresy! I have always lived a secluded life, free from worldly desires! All my expenses are covered by the court's salary and the Emperor's favor, and my accounts are clean and verifiable by the authorities! You must not listen to this sorcerer's incitement!"

After he finished speaking, King Anqing was surprised to find that his chest was heaving and his breathing was heavy.

The surrounding people looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure of whom to believe.

Meanwhile, the look of pity on the face of the dead Taoist priest opposite him grew even stronger:
"Does Your Highness truly intend to remain obstinate?"

Anqing Wang's anger intensified, and he shouted angrily:
"You are the one who is stubborn!"

As soon as the curse left his lips, King Anqing's heart sank—this was bad! Wouldn't this make him appear to be in a fit of rage and speaking recklessly?

He quickly composed himself, suppressing his anger, and changed the subject:
"The Mi River has been disturbed, and I should have gone to investigate immediately, but you, you sorcerer, have repeatedly obstructed me with such wicked words! Could it be that this disturbance at the Mi River is your doing?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, countless gazes instantly turned towards Du Yuan.

Du Yuan simply shook her head slightly and slowly dusted off her sleeves:

"How could the upheaval at Mishui be the work of this humble Taoist? This humble Taoist has a kind heart, a playful heart, a sincere heart, and all sorts of other hearts, but he has never had such a heart to harm others!" He changed the subject, a final scrutiny flashing in his eyes. "However, this humble Taoist does have a method that will surely help Your Highness quell the Mishui upheaval and restore peace and tranquility to the people of Qingzhou!"

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint of surprise crossed Anqing Wang's face, which quickly turned into a cold laugh:
"If you have a way to control the floods, why didn't you say so earlier? It's clear that everything you said before was false! Hmph, since you want to speak now, I'll listen for now. I want to see what kind of nonsense this sorcerer can spew!" Du Yuan said, hands behind her back, looking at King Anqing with utmost seriousness.
"This method is both difficult and simple. It all depends on whether Your Highness is willing!"

King Anqing merely sneered without replying.

Du Yuan raised her hand and pointed to the Mishui River behind her:
"That means throwing all the gold and silver in your palace into the Mi River. Then, distributing all the fertile land outside the city to the people. Finally, dismiss your retainers and advisors, imprison yourself in the imperial prison, and petition the governor of the capital to abolish your position!"

Every word he uttered made the surrounding people's eyes widen, and every sentence made King Anqing's heart pound wildly.

"In this way, the Mi River will surely be calm, and the Prince will be safe and sound."

These words left the common people speechless, feeling that the other party was extremely arrogant, yet also as if a celestial being had descended to earth.

In the end, King Anqing was left with only a sense of absurdity in his heart.

What nonsense is this guy spouting?
After all I've done, forget about the throne; my damned brother will take everything from me, including my life and fortune!

He knew all too well how ruthless and heartless the guy on the dragon throne was.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard the dead Taoist priest suddenly say:
"Your Highness, I must tell you, my method is your only way to survive!"

This was Anqing Wang's only way out, and also Du Yuan's last attempt to save him.

It is certainly worth trying to avert a major event that could potentially affect millions of people.

Of course, killing Anqing King on the spot would also be an option, but that would make it unclear what the person who caused the upheaval in Mishui was really planning to do.

Therefore, if Anqing Wang can repent and return to the right path, Du Yuan is willing to help him, after all, once his land is distributed, more than just the people will benefit!
If he remains obstinate, then we'll make use of him and use him as a scout.

Du Yuan looked at An Qingwang and shook her head repeatedly, and An Qingwang also looked at Du Yuan and shook his head repeatedly.

He had been expecting some kind of master, but it turned out to be such a fool.

So he felt neither anger nor interest. He simply raised his hand and said:

"Capture this evil Taoist priest, and I will cut off his head to offer as a sacrifice to the river."

Zhang Sandao, who had been unable to contain himself for a long time, immediately rushed forward with his knife, intending to put it to Du Yuan's neck.

But as soon as he raised his knife, before he could even get close, a flash of golden light sent him flying.

The surrounding soldiers were terrified, and then they all raised their spears and thrust them at Du Yuan from all directions.

Another flash of golden light appeared.

The armored soldiers who attacked Du Yuan were not only overthrown, but the tips of their spears were also broken off.

This scene drew gasps of surprise from countless people.

This also reminded King Anqing that this fellow seemed to be immune to weapons!
However, he remained calm and shouted loudly:

"Please, sir, help me!"

Having been waiting for this line to be the grand finale, Master Gufeng, who had captured that wild Taoist priest to boost his prestige, immediately burst into laughter and leaped up from the carriage behind.

(End of this chapter)