The galloping horses and troops in the capital had clearly increased in number, and sensitive citizens immediately became nervous.
What trouble had occurred now?
Pursuing the remnants of the Third Prince and Consort Zhao’s faction? Surely they wouldn’t need to deploy so many troops after all this time? Were there really that many remnants?
Or perhaps it was Prince Zhongshan—
Though the court had never said anything explicitly, the citizens had also noticed Prince Zhongshan’s abnormal behavior. Whether it was the Late Emperor’s burial or the new Emperor’s enthronement, Prince Zhongshan had vanished as if he’d disappeared—neither his person, nor envoys, nor gifts had appeared.
Prince Zhongshan had indeed been absent from the capital for quite some time, but to still be absent at a time like this made the citizens inevitably think of him.
Did Prince Zhongshan have some grievance?
Did the court have some grievance with Prince Zhongshan?
Could it be that having just experienced the turmoil of the Crown Prince and Third Prince, they were about to face turmoil between the court and a prince? Prince Zhongshan wasn’t like the princes without fiefs—he had territory, children, and wealth. If it really came to fighting, half of Da Xia would be stirred up.
Various rumors instantly flew wildly through the capital. Just as citizens were preparing to flee with their families, the court announced that the Xi Liang King had invaded and the Emperor had issued an edict to engage in battle.
War between two nations was an even greater matter than conflict between the court and a prince, affecting all of Da Xia, yet the citizens’ hearts actually settled down instead. First, the border commandery warfare was distant; second, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t fought before—the Xi Liang King was a defeated opponent. Moreover, foreign enemies invading was different from internal brothers fighting behind closed doors. Especially after seeing the young Emperor’s edict—
The young Emperor said he had suddenly encountered great upheaval, the imperial clan had turned on itself, and in one night he had lost his parents and closest relatives. Relatives were no longer relatives, and his imperial grandfather had also passed away from excessive grief.
The Xi Liang King, taking advantage of his family’s misfortune to attack, was utterly devoid of conscience, worse than beasts.
Though he was only six years old, he did not fear engaging in battle.
He would protect the people of Da Xia and defend Da Xia’s territory, just as the Late Emperor and successive ancestors had done.
This edict was written in a child’s tone, and many phrases even revealed childishness, yet no one mocked it or criticized it for not conforming to proper edict format. Instead, people read it with stirred emotions and stinging eyes.
Indeed, this was bullying. Who could tolerate it? Though the Emperor was young, Da Xia was vast and mighty—how could they allow themselves to be humiliated by Xi Liang youngsters?
In an instant, the capital swept away its anxiety and uncertainty, filled with righteous indignation and soaring morale. The lingering fear remaining from the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s turmoil also completely dissipated.
“This is how timing works,” Deng Yi said. “The Xi Liang King thinks this is his opportunity, but actually, this is also His Majesty’s opportunity.”
After this battle, the young Emperor’s prestige among the people would surely soar. The people would cherish him like their own child and respect him as the supreme sovereign.
He looked at Xie Yanfang sitting across from him and smiled slightly.
“Third Young Master wrote the edict well.”
This edict had no literary merit whatsoever, but its childlike sincerity, simplicity, and easy comprehension were extremely wonderful. Deng Yi’s praise was genuinely heartfelt.
He truly admired Xie Yanfang with sincere respect—Young Master Xie’s talent, learning, and conduct were all impeccable.
But it was only admiration, nothing more.
Xie Yanfang smiled: “The Grand Tutor’s decisive judgment was also good.”
Earlier, there had been some dispute in court about whether to announce the border commandery warfare. Most officials disagreed, saying continuous incidents would unsettle the people and easily cause chaos. But Deng Yi made the final decision, allowing no one to object—they would announce it to the realm and mobilize troops.
“Deng Yi!” An old official was so angry he directly addressed Deng Yi by name in court. “Whose court is this? Do your words carry absolute authority?”
Deng Yi looked at the old official and smiled, nodding: “This official was entrusted by the Late Emperor to supervise the state. At this moment, this is indeed this official’s court. This official carries the Late Emperor’s dying command and indeed dares to say his words carry absolute authority.”
Even thinking such things internally was one thing, but to say them directly was truly shocking. Was this what it meant for a petty person to become arrogant when successful? The old official fainted from anger. Deng Yi wasn’t courteous either—he didn’t even summon an imperial physician, directly having the Imperial Guards drag him out—
No one raised any more objections.
Xie Yanfang didn’t either. In fact, when Deng Yi finished speaking, he presented the proclamation he had drafted for the Emperor.
On this matter, Xie Yanfang and Deng Yi were in agreement.
“All for Da Xia,” Deng Yi said with a smile.
Xie Yanfang nodded and smiled: “For His Majesty, even if dangerous, it’s still good.”
Though they said the same thing, it seemed somehow different.
Neither elaborated further. At this moment, Da Xia and His Majesty were equally important. As for the future, if there came a time when one outweighed the other—
They would discuss that in the future.
However, on another matter, their opinions diverged.
Chu Zhao.
Deng Yi wanted Chu Zhao to return.
“The attack on the road is sufficient proof that she’s been targeted,” he said. “Now that warfare has erupted in the border commanderies, the risks on the road are even greater.”
Though in court they had to turn risks into morale, Deng Yi wasn’t ignorant of how severe the situation was—even more severe than what the citizens knew. The greatest danger might not even come from the border commanderies, but from Prince Zhongshan.
“With Chu Ling there, the Xi Liang King can’t easily break through, but Prince Zhongshan is different.”
“Da Xia has suffered successive upheavals—for the Xi Liang King, this is a good opportunity. But the Xi Liang King’s invasion is an even better opportunity for Prince Zhongshan.”
“I don’t want the next news to be that the Xi Liang King has captured the Empress and is standing outside the capital demanding entry.”
At this point, Xie Yanfang couldn’t help but laugh.
Deng Yi didn’t laugh. He looked at Xie Yanfang with a grave expression: “If that really happens, I would suggest the Empress, for Da Xia and for the Empress’s dignity, commit suicide.”
Xie Yanfang nodded with a smile: “Good, that would be very good. Prince Zhongshan’s infamy would be ineradicable.” Without waiting for Deng Yi to speak again, he added: “She personally experienced the attack. She knows the mortal dangers better than we do. So, as for what to do next, I think Miss Chu has her own judgment.”
Deng Yi smiled: “If she truly had judgment, she wouldn’t want to leave the imperial city at a time like this. Filial piety is understandable, but besides being someone’s child, she is also the empress of a nation. If she doesn’t want to be this empress, this official doesn’t mind replacing her with someone else.”