According to the information found, those who ambushed His Highness never came out of the mountains—they simply vanished entirely. Could it be that they were all killed by His Highness’s men?

It’s a complete mystery with no survivors; without anyone alive, there’s no way to know what really happened at that time.

David Warren glanced at Henry Grant, who was sitting on the other side, and snorted. This kid isn’t of one mind with me—he actually pays lip service to my orders and almost got me into trouble. I’ll have to teach him a lesson.

But on second thought, he felt a bit helpless. The struggle among the princes had already begun, and Henry Grant was one of the Seventh Prince’s people. For now, it was best not to interfere—better to watch how things develop.

“Mr. Warren, what is the current situation in Jinling County?” James Carter asked.

David Warren’s gaze sharpened, and he said seriously, “Your Highness, our region is at the southwestern border, and in recent years there have been many bandits. Jinling County is deep in the mountains, and three consecutive county magistrates have been killed when bandits broke into the county seat. The army has tried to suppress them several times, but the terrain makes it difficult to achieve results. Now that Your Highness is here to take charge, I believe Jinling County’s situation will change for the better.”

Before coming, James Carter had already sent people to Jinling County to investigate, so he knew some of the situation. Now, hearing David Warren’s words, James Carter realized that the reason he was sent to Jinling County was because his royal brothers had set a trap for him. If he were killed while serving as county magistrate, at most he’d be given the title of “sacrificed in the line of duty suppressing bandits.”

“Mr. Warren, since Jinling County is so chaotic, I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle the situation. If something happens, it won’t be easy for you to explain to your superiors either, will it?” James Carter smiled at David Warren.

Having studied officialdom, James Carter had already analyzed his current situation. With just his small group going to Jinling County, the danger was great. The only way was to pull the prefect into this with him—at the very least, the prefect couldn’t act against him.

James Carter’s words were also a reminder to David Warren not to go too far.

Even though the prefect wasn’t on his side, if something happened to him in Jinling County, David Warren wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility.

Sure enough, after hearing James Carter’s words, hesitation appeared in David Warren’s eyes. The higher-ups had asked him to make things difficult for James Carter, to leave him with no support, but if something happened to James Carter, as the prefect, he would bear a lot of responsibility if the higher-ups investigated.

Having been in officialdom for many years, David Warren certainly didn’t want to become someone else’s scapegoat.

He definitely couldn’t send people, but if he didn’t, it was questionable whether James Carter could even survive in Jinling County—there were several top experts there.

“Your Highness, things are tense everywhere right now. Especially with another rebellion in Shiqu County, troops are being transferred there to suppress it, so there really isn’t anyone I can send. Sigh, I have my difficulties too! However, since Your Highness has made a request, I do have some magical artifacts and elixirs here—I hope they can be of some help to you.”

He handed James Carter a spatial ring he had prepared in advance.

“Looks like I’ll have to recruit soldiers in Jinling City myself!” James Carter sighed helplessly.

“That’s as it should be. Your Highness, feel free to recruit your own troops. Given the bandit situation in Jinling City, you may automatically conscript up to a thousand soldiers. I’ll have someone handle the paperwork and provide you with equipment right away.” David Warren breathed a sigh of relief, automatically delegating the authority to recruit soldiers to James Carter.

This was exactly what he’d been aiming for. Without the prefect’s approval, recruiting soldiers on his own would be a serious crime. Now, with the prefect’s consent, he could do something to strengthen his forces.

James Carter felt a bit more confident.

Chapter 007: Rebellion Yet to Be Quelled

The singing and dancing had reached its climax, the passionate and provocative dances arousing everyone’s desires.

Gauzy garments fluttered, red beans peeked through, round jade quivered, and soft, coquettish voices…

Most of the officials had drunk too much, and, taking advantage of their drunkenness, their laughter and flirtation with the women in their arms turned the hall into a place of revelry.

Such is a country where strength is revered—so long as you have power, life is one of extreme indulgence. James Carter was not surprised; he’d seen plenty of this before.

James Carter saw the prefect David Warren suddenly open his previously closed eyes after a servant whispered a few words to him. A murderous aura radiated from his whole body, but soon this powerful killing intent was hidden again.

“Leave!” His voice was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

The songstresses bowed and slowly, orderly withdrew.

The hall instantly quieted down.

In a moment, those whose clothes had been in disarray had straightened themselves, and the officials’ dignified appearances returned.

Sweeping his gaze over everyone, David Warren said sternly, “News has just arrived: a group of several hundred rioters broke into Jinling City. After looting the city, they have already retreated.”

Ah!

The hall was immediately thrown into commotion.

Some officials who had seemed drunk now had a sharp gleam in their eyes.

One official said, “Now that natural disasters are everywhere and the land yields nothing, there are rioters all over. With just a little incitement, they’ll follow—only iron-fisted suppression will work!”

“Disaster relief is the right way!”

“The granaries are empty—what do we use for relief?”

...

Jinling City is in such chaos!