Chapter 2201: Seeking Revenge

Old General Sun chuckled, pleased with himself.

“You’re still young. There’s much more for you to discover in the future, hahaha!”

The Sun Family, convinced that Shao Yunduan’s downfall was inevitable, hadn’t paid him much mind. They were content to sit back and watch the spectacle, waiting for his eventual demise.

As for the Second Prince, he believed Shao Yunduan was loyal but didn’t immediately seek his allegiance due to his disdain for House Sun. Instead, he hoped Shao Yunduan would strengthen himself in Huaixi Province, becoming a powerful ally in the future without any strings attached.

In the Second Prince’s eyes, Shao Yunduan was becoming increasingly inconspicuous, and no one dared provoke him.

Upon learning of Shao Yunduan’s land acquisition, the Fourth Prince felt a twinge of apprehension. He had never underestimated Shao Yunduan, neither in the past nor now. However, being in the distant capital, he lacked the means to confront Shao Yunduan, even if he wished to.

Furthermore, Shao Yunduan wasn’t the only one claiming territory and adopting royal titles in Huaixi Province. The Fourth Prince had to set him aside for the time being and concentrate on dealing with the Second Prince.

Shao Yunduan’s assessment of Huaixi Province was accurate.

The Prefect of Hangzhou proved to be as arrogant as expected. True to form, he set his sights on Jinhua, attempting to reclaim it.

Zheng Sangge, seething with anger, led his troops into battle. Over the past half-month, they engaged the enemy several times, employing cunning tactics to ensnare them. They not only repelled the enemy but also captured Lishui and Yong’an.

He sent a warning to the Prefect of Hangzhou, cautioning him against disrupting the Zhao Family’s enterprises, or he would march into Hangzhou one day and make him pay.

At Shao Yunduan’s behest, the Prefect of Hangzhou’s brother-in-law was sent to the frontline, courtesy of Zheng Sangge. There was no use keeping such an individual; he was merely a drain on resources. Returning him would force the Prefect of Hangzhou to deal with him, adding to their mutual discomfort.

However, by abandoning him and showing disregard for his life, a permanent rift had formed between him and his brother-in-law. It remained to be seen how this schism would deepen and what repercussions it would bring.

The Prefect of Hangzhou seethed with fury.

He refused to believe it! How could he have been so careless? Losing Jinhua and Quzhou was one thing, but to lose Lishui and Yong’an again was unacceptable.

Even the flimsiest excuse wouldn’t hold up.

Failure to reclaim Lishui and Yong’an would destabilize his rule.

Zheng Sangge was all too eager to oblige.

He relished the opportunity for another confrontation. In a fierce battle, not only did the Prefect of Hangzhou fail to retake Lishui and Yong’an, but he also lost Wenzhou City and Tai City.

The capture of these two cities was relatively straightforward.

The County Magistrates of the two provinces had long held grievances against the Prefect of Hangzhou. Despite Zhejiang Province’s wealth, they were repeatedly demoted to the province’s periphery and served as County Magistrates for two consecutive years. With nowhere else to turn, they acquiesced to Shao Yunduan’s authority.