Chu Chen said calmly, "If the Prince does not trust me, then there is no need for us to continue talking. After all, the Prince has so many soldiers under his command; any few chosen from them would be enough to kill me."
"Very well, I hope Chu Chen, you will not go back on your word." The Prince of Nanyang narrowed his eyes. He knew that his strength was superior to Chu Chen's, so he was not afraid of Chu Chen playing any tricks.
"That is natural," Chu Chen said with a calm expression. "The Prince can have them summoned."
"Please be patient, I will have someone notify them immediately," the Prince of Nanyang said.
"Mm, I will await the Prince's news." Chu Chen nodded.
About half an hour later, the Prince of Nanyang summoned two middle-aged men. One was named Zhao Gang, and the other was Yang Tiexiong.
"Your Highness, this is Young Master Chu Chen. Then, you will return and gather the troops. We will depart the city this afternoon and annihilate the rebels in one fell swoop!" the Prince of Nanyang said.
"As you command!" Zhao Gang and Yang Tiexiong replied in unison. Both were the most loyal subordinates of the Prince of Nanyang, and they would do whatever he asked.
"Your Highness, I heard that you have three thousand elite cavalry. Wouldn't it be better if this force were placed under my command?" Chu Chen asked.
"Hmph!" the Prince of Nanyang snorted. "You dream too sweetly! Three thousand elite cavalry are the apple of my eye; how could I possibly give them to you?"
"Your Highness, that is where you are mistaken," Chu Chen said with a smile, shaking his head. "While the three thousand elite cavalry under your command are formidable, my plan also requires such a force, because my plan must be paved with blood!"
"Oh? Your plan?" The Prince of Nanyang stared at Chu Chen with great interest.
Chu Chen nodded. "That's right. This is a very grand plan. Once successful, we will gain infinite glory! And we will also be able to avenge our grievances!"
"Hahaha!" The Prince of Nanyang burst into laughter. "Chu Chen, I must say, you have quite the ambition, young man. But on what basis do you believe that with your mere few hundred rabble, you can overthrow the Qin Dynasty?"
"A mere few hundred rabble? I have other methods!" Chu Chen said with soaring arrogance.
"Oh? What methods can you possibly have?" the Prince of Nanyang asked with keen interest.
Chu Chen took out paper and brush and wrote a letter, which he handed to the Prince of Nanyang. "Your Highness, you only need to do as the letter states. I will handle the rest."
"Heh heh, very well. I shall humor you this once," the Prince of Nanyang said with a faint smile, taking the letter. He left the study directly, eager to see what tricks Chu Chen could conjure.
Watching the Prince of Nanyang depart, a cunning glint flashed in Chu Chen's eyes.
After leaving the study, the Prince of Nanyang immediately returned to the rear courtyard and entered his bedroom. He took out the letter Chu Chen had given him and read it carefully.
"So that's how it is..." The Prince of Nanyang stroked his beard, a cold curve forming on his lips. A thought surfaced in his mind. He folded the letter and put it away.
Time passed, and it was soon night. The Prince of Nanyang sent a group of experts, all of whom were commanders from his personal guard. These experts were dispatched to the Prefectural Governor's mansion, led by the Prince of Nanyang himself, to suppress it.
In the dead of night, the Prince of Nanyang returned to the study and handed the letter back to Chu Chen.
"Your Highness, what is this..." Chu Chen looked at the Prince of Nanyang in confusion.
"Read it first. I trust your character and believe you would not deceive me," the Prince of Nanyang said.
Chu Chen's expression faltered slightly. He then lowered his head to look at the letter and was immediately stunned.
"Your Highness actually agreed?" Chu Chen looked up at the Prince of Nanyang in utter astonishment, seemingly unable to believe it.
"I believe you are not so foolish as to deceive me," the Prince of Nanyang said with a faint smile, not worried about Chu Chen breaking his promise.
"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness!" Chu Chen said with a solemn bow. This gift was incredibly valuable, especially the Prince's elite cavalry. Each of them was battle-hardened and possessed great combat prowess. With these three thousand cavalry, conquering the Chu family would be as easy as flipping one's hand!
"Alright, hurry back and prepare. Remember, this is a gamble. If you lose, then it's all over. Tomorrow morning, I will personally lead the army to lay an ambush outside the city!" the Prince of Nanyang said.
"Farewell!" Chu Chen cupped his fists and then left with Yang Tiexiong.
After leaving, a mocking smile played on the Prince of Nanyang's lips. He muttered to himself, "Chu Chen, Chu Chen, do you really think I don't know your hidden intentions? Do you think I'm a fool? If you die at the hands of the rebels, you can't blame me. You can't blame me! But rest assured, I will not only save you, but I will also treat you as an honored guest and give you whatever you desire. I will also treat your parents and wife and children well!"
Chu Chen was unaware that he had fallen into the Prince of Nanyang's trap. Otherwise, he would not have so readily revealed his entire plan.
Leaving the Prince's mansion, Chu Chen returned to the inn. In the inn's lobby, Ye Xuanji was sitting and drinking tea. Seeing Chu Chen return, he quickly stood up and asked with concern, "Master, did the Prince agree?"
"The Prince has agreed to cooperate with me, but I have conditions," Chu Chen said with a slight smile. "I need the Prince to help me improve my strength."
"Strength? How does Master plan to improve his strength?" Ye Xuanji asked.
"You don't need to worry about that. The Prince will lead his troops out tomorrow. Find an excuse to leave the inn then, and I will find a way to get you into the Prince's army," Chu Chen said calmly.
"Your subordinate understands," Ye Xuanji replied respectfully, nodding.
"Alright, I am tired. You may withdraw now," Chu Chen waved his hand, and Ye Xuanji bowed and left.
The next morning, as dawn broke. The Prince of Nanyang personally led ten thousand elite troops and departed from the Prince's mansion in a grand procession.
"Chu Chen, I am leaving. Remember, if you dare to betray me, you will die a terrible death. I keep my word." As he was leaving, the Prince of Nanyang specifically warned Chu Chen before leading his ten thousand elite troops towards the woods near the city gate.
And in a dense forest not far from the city gate, three thousand black-clad martial artists were ready. They wore black, their faces smeared with paint, and exuded a chilling aura. These three thousand martial artists were the Prince's private soldiers, responsible for his safety. Now that the Prince had dispatched them, it was clearly time for a secret operation.