In the morning court hall, the officials’ expressions were grave.
Before attending court, they had already heard the news.
Alas, the era name had changed, a new year had arrived, but it seemed there would be no new fortune.
The first news of the new year was that Chu Ling had died.
This second piece of news was also expected.
Even with the Grand Tutor present, he couldn’t stop the officials from discussing in low voices. The hall buzzed with murmurs until Xie Yanfang entered accompanying the Emperor.
Xie Yanfang wasn’t even wearing court robes—clearly he had come directly from the rear palace.
Seeing Xie Yanfang like this, the officials were both surprised and unsurprised—Xie Yanfang rarely entered the inner palace, even less than Grand Tutor Deng Yi, let alone staying overnight in the rear palace. However, now that such events had occurred, as the Emperor’s only family member, it was natural for Xie Yanfang to enter the palace at midnight to accompany the Emperor.
After the Emperor took his seat and the officials completed their prostrations, Deng Yi said, “Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops, one hundred thousand strong, have come to defend the capital. Currently they are still five hundred miles from the capital.”
Not all officials had advance knowledge. Some were momentarily stunned, and one person who had been drowsing awoke and blurted out, “One hundred thousand troops—this is wonderful! The capital has nothing to worry about!”
After he finished speaking, he found everyone looking at him with strange expressions.
What was wrong? He blinked, his body stiffening as he became fully alert.
Prince Zhongshan—where did he get troops, one hundred thousand of them!
When imperial princes were enfeoffed as princes and given territories, they could only receive clothing, food, and tax revenue. They had no military, political, or financial authority. Even manor guards had fixed quotas.
One hundred thousand manor troops equaled the entire capital garrison.
Prince Zhongshan—what did he want to do!
Deng Yi said calmly, “What he wants to do, we all understand in our hearts. His reaction since the incident has made it very clear.”
Not attending the funeral, not coming to court, maintaining silence—when a prince behaved this way, it indicated treasonous intentions.
“Now that Chu Ling is dead and the Xi Liang King poses an even greater threat at the border, he finally has the opportunity to declare his intentions to the world.”
The court officials fell silent. Actually, they had all guessed this earlier. It was just that with the nation so unstable, there could be no more turmoil. They had only hoped Prince Zhongshan would remain silent.
Wait until the nation stabilized, wait until the young Emperor grew older—
But how could Prince Zhongshan wait?
Prince Zhongshan would only wait for Chu Ling’s death, for the border regions to be too preoccupied with their own troubles, then advance on the capital unhindered and unstoppable—
“This is treason!” An official stepped forward and declared sternly, “Your Majesty, please immediately issue a proclamation!”
The court officials all chimed in: “Subjugate Prince Zhongshan!” “Prince Zhongshan has one hundred thousand manor troops, but our capital also has one hundred thousand soldiers, plus other prefectures.” “The troops from other prefectures have remained unmoved, not supporting the border, precisely to guard their territories and prevent the emergence of treasonous subjects like Prince Zhongshan!”
“Prince Zhongshan’s troops have spread rumors along their route that Chu Ling is dead and the Xi Liang King’s great army has invaded, causing panic among the people and drawing tens of thousands of civilians to follow them,” Deng Yi said, looking at the officials. “These civilians are at the very front of their formations.”
With this statement, the clamor throughout the court suddenly ceased.
Everyone understood what this meant.
To repel Prince Zhongshan’s troops, they would first have to kill these common people. How could the court slaughter civilians?
“Prince Zhongshan—how despicably shameless!” The court officials ground their teeth.
What could be done? Should they just let Prince Zhongshan’s troops advance step by step toward the capital, toward the imperial city?
“Grand Tutor, I shall issue an edict,” the young Emperor’s voice rang out. “Command Prince Zhongshan’s manor troops to divide and garrison, defending the capital together with the capital forces. Would this be acceptable?”
The officials quickly looked toward the young Emperor. Yes, this was a delaying tactic. Their gazes shifted to Xie Yanfang—this must be Minister Xie’s idea.
Deng Yi didn’t care whose idea it was. He nodded. “Since Prince Zhongshan claims to be defending the capital, Your Majesty should let them defend the capital. To defend the capital, they must obey court orders. If they refuse—”
Then they would be treasonous subjects whom everyone had the right to execute.
When fighting broke out then, civilian casualties would be Prince Zhongshan’s evil doing.
“We have long been prepared for Prince Zhongshan’s treacherous heart. Troops from all regions did not aid the border precisely to prepare for this day,” Xiao Yu continued. “When the nation is in turmoil, many will inevitably stir up trouble. The Xi Liang King is thus, and Prince Zhongshan is also thus. I have experienced life and death, experienced upheaval, yet I still sit here today. I believe Da Xia will surely weather this crisis once more.”
The child on the dragon throne spoke these words in a childish voice with a calm expression. The court ministers’ hearts stirred with emotion. If even a child was not afraid, what did they have to fear! They all bowed and declared loudly, “We ministers shall devote ourselves entirely until death, standing with Your Majesty, standing with Da Xia!”
……
……
After the officials dispersed to attend to their duties, only Deng Yi, Xie Yanfang, and the young Emperor remained in the court hall.
Some news could be shared publicly; other news only they could know.
Though they had long prepared for this day, when it actually arrived it was still unexpected.
“Prince Zhongshan’s private army isn’t one hundred thousand,” Xie Yanfang said, looking at Deng Yi. “Two hundred thousand.”
Deng Yi’s expression remained calm. “Prince Zhongshan wages an unjust war. The court’s troops can fight ten to one.”
Xie Yanfang said, “Two hundred thousand troops, only discovered at five hundred miles—this means the courier stations, relay posts, and checkpoints along the route have already been cut off by them. The Empress at the border likely doesn’t know the news yet and cannot provide support.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yu on the dragon throne clenched his hands.
Deng Yi said, “The court sent no reinforcements to the border campaign. Naturally, the border need not divide forces for the court’s battle. There is no need for the Empress to know.”
Xie Yanfang nodded. “It’s good that the Grand Tutor has decided. I believe the court will certainly prevail in this battle.”
Deng Yi nodded without saying more, bowed to the Emperor, turned and strode away quickly.