The Child Emperor

“The Empress Dowager has gone mad?” Han Ruzi was shocked. “This… this… Have you met with her?”

“Not yet. I can’t enter the palace freely now, but I have my sources,” Yang Feng paused, the cold aura around him diminishing somewhat. “I’m glad to see you back. I thought you might succumb to the temptation and stay at Divine Hero Pass.”

“Temptation? What temptation?” Han Ruzi didn’t understand.

“The temptation to become a warlord. Stay at Divine Hero Pass and you could become a warlord, but you’d lose the chance to become emperor.” Yang Feng spoke in his mentoring tone from the start, patiently explaining, “But being a warlord requires a solid foundation. You’d need at least five years to build relationships with the troops, and even longer to gradually control the surrounding counties to ensure future supplies. Otherwise, those who seem most supportive today might betray you tomorrow.”

“I understand,” Han Ruzi said. For the first time, he felt Yang Feng’s words lacked their usual impact – like tasting a childhood dish after many years only to find it bland despite looking the same. “I’m back… what’s your plan?”

A crucial question hung between them: whom would the Northern Army’s Adjutant support – the Weary Marquis or the Champion Marquis?

Yang Feng avoided this question. “Which fate seer received you?”

“Chunyu Xiao.”

“Him personally?” Yang Feng showed obvious surprise.

“Yes, that’s what he called himself.” Han Ruzi turned and pointed toward the riverbed. From his elevated position, he couldn’t see the fishing elder.

Yang Feng strode forward with Han Ruzi following. The river was right there with the ice hole, fishing rod, and wooden bucket – but the person was gone.

“He was just here,” Han Ruzi said puzzled. Chunyu Xiao definitely hadn’t gone inside; he must have left along the river, quite quickly.

“He said his name was Chunyu Xiao?” Yang Feng asked.

“Yes.”

“He said it himself?”

“Of course.” Han Ruzi didn’t understand Yang Feng’s disbelief.

Yang Feng grew increasingly interested in this matter. “Think carefully, how exactly did he say it?”

Han Ruzi wasn’t particularly pleased to do so but tried to recall: “We chatted for a while. I found him strange, knowing too much about palace affairs, so I asked his name. He first called himself an old fisherman, then said he’d used many names, and then…”

Han Ruzi suddenly realized his mistake. His heart skipped a beat as he dropped his impatient tone and continued: “I asked ‘Are you Chunyu Xiao?’ and he said ‘That is indeed a name I’ve used. If the Weary Marquis likes it, I’ll be Chunyu Xiao.'”

“So you were the first to say the name ‘Chunyu Xiao’?”

Han Ruzi nodded, suddenly blushing. Just when he thought he’d matured beyond needing Yang Feng’s guidance, he’d made a simple yet foolish mistake. “I provided the answer myself, and the fate seer just went along with it. I…”

“One must be careful when talking with fate seers. They each have different methods – some are eloquent, others quiet, some mysterious, others play the fool. But they have only one goal: to make you believe them.”

“Yes, I’ll remember that,” Han Ruzi said respectfully. “But what he said about the Empress Dowager wanting the princes to compete for the throne…”

“That’s true, which is why I say she’s gone mad. The competition must have been the fate seers’ idea, yet she agreed.”

“I’m more surprised the Champion Marquis agreed. Doesn’t he already have the Chancellor’s and ministers’ support?”

“Because the Empress Dowager controls the Palace Guards and the Guanghua Tigers – law enforcement officials loyal to her. She hasn’t been idle – the Palace Guard’s eight camps have expanded to over 50,000 men, and she can summon another 50,000 troops from around the Capital at any time, enough to defend the city. That’s why Cui Hong’s Southern Army dares not enter the Capital, and the Champion Marquis doesn’t want to offend her. Besides, the competition rules favor him.”

Whoever gained the most officials’ support would become the next emperor, and the Champion Marquis had a head start, naturally feeling confident of victory.

“Did you come on behalf of the Champion Marquis?” Han Ruzi asked.

Yang Feng nodded. “I came for two purposes. One was to observe your situation.”

“I returned to the capital alone, with only Meng E and Du Chuanyun. Du Motian and Reckless helped me cross the river, but they must be your men.”

“They now work for your wife.” Yang Feng nodded, indicating he’d seen enough. “The second purpose was to deliver a message: the Champion Marquis hopes you won’t participate in the succession competition. After he ascends the throne, he’ll grant you a princedom and ensure wealth and luxury. This is the future emperor’s promise, which won’t be broken.”

“If he’s already so confident of victory, why worry about my competition?”

“The Champion Marquis wants his ascension to appear destined, without any controversy.”

“What terms did he offer Prince Donghai?”

“To be a regional prince, never required to attend court.”

Han Ruzi thought for a moment. “The Champion Marquis is truly generous.”

“Yes. Neither the Champion Marquis nor the court officials want to resolve the succession through force. He’s also promised Grand Tutor Cui to marry his daughter and make her empress after ascending the throne.”

When Han Ruzi was emperor, he had also married a Cui daughter. “I remember the Champion Marquis is already married with a son.”

“That’s not important. The Champion Marquis and Grand Tutor Cui each have their needs; the marriage alliance benefits both.”

“Did Grand Tutor Cui agree?”

“At least he didn’t refuse.”

“What about the Northern Army? The Champion Marquis kept urging them to fight the Xiongnu. That’s his army – is he giving it up?”

“There are some personal grudges involved.”

Han Ruzi could hardly believe his ears. At this crucial moment of succession, the Champion Marquis would abandon an entire army over personal grudges. “What grudge could be worth the Champion Marquis cutting off his own arm?”

“I don’t know the details. What is your answer?”

Han Ruzi stepped forward and turned around. “Please tell the Champion Marquis that while he may not care about the Northern Army, the soldiers remember him. At this moment, barring any unexpected events, 80,000 Northern Army troops are marching south from Divine Hero Pass to save their lord.”

For the first time since their meeting, Yang Feng showed surprise. “The Champion Marquis doesn’t need the Northern Army to return…”

“I know that, the Champion Marquis knows that, but the Northern Army soldiers don’t know that. That’s my answer. At least I haven’t ‘refused.'”

“Good.” Yang Feng smiled rarely, turned to his horse, mounted, and seemed about to say something but just called out “Hya!” and rode away.

Han Ruzi walked toward the house where Meng E, Du Chuanyun, Du Motian, and Reckless were emerging from their rooms. “Back to the Weary Marquis’s manor,” he announced loudly. After all the talk, the fate seer and Yang Feng had really only told him one thing: the Capital was safe.

Yang Feng followed the river to Baiqiao Town first. The Southern Army guards had withdrawn from here to nearby Huailing County, awaiting court orders.

A child in a red jacket ran across the bridge, jumping and skipping with a candied haw stick, chasing after his parents. Yang Feng suddenly remembered the New Year was approaching – the tumultuous “Wuwei” era would actually continue into its second year.

A group of soldiers waited at the bridge head to join the Northern Army’s Adjutant in riding toward the Capital.

Night fell quickly. They stayed at the closest relay station to the city. The station was large, able to accommodate four or five hundred people if crowded. Being winter, over half the rooms were empty. Yang Feng chose one and read by lamplight, unable to sleep.

Around the second watch, new guests arrived at the station, led by Cui Hong who came directly to visit Yang Feng.

Grand Tutor Cui didn’t plan to stay – after meeting Yang Feng, he would return to Huailing County that night. Unlike the Champion Marquis, he trusted and relied on the Southern Army and would never easily let them go.

“Prince Donghai has returned,” Grand Tutor Cui skipped the pleasantries.

“Yes, I’ve already met with him on the Champion Marquis’s behalf and offered very good terms.”

“Prince Donghai won’t agree to withdraw from the competition – he was born for the throne. This time, I won’t stop him, but please have the Champion Marquis understand: I’m a man who accepts outcomes fairly. The Southern Army will soon withdraw a hundred miles from the Capital, absolutely not interfering with military force in the succession. There’s only one condition – he must quickly fulfill his promise to marry my daughter.”

“Does the Cui family have enough daughters?”

“Haha, we manage. The Cui family had three daughters – two married, one still waiting.” Cui Hong seemed confident as he walked to the table and looked down at the eunuch in the lamplight. “When the Southern Army withdraws from the Capital, the Northern Army will stay at the frontier, right?”

Yang Feng considered for a moment before nodding solemnly, “The Champion Marquis promised this. He will definitely keep his word.”

Cui Hong cupped his hands to leave but couldn’t help asking one last question: “Is the Weary Marquis really joining the succession competition?”

“At least he hasn’t refused.”

Cui Hong laughed then sighed, “The Cui family wasted a good daughter. If we had known… ah, this was Xiaojun’s fate.”

No one at court was better prepared than Cui Hong. All three princes competing for the throne had deep connections with the Cui family. He could safely lead his army away from the Capital.

The news of the Northern Army’s southward march hadn’t caught up to the hurrying Han Ruzi, and Yang Feng didn’t plan to mention it.

Early the next morning, Yang Feng returned to the city.

The Champion Marquis no longer needed to hide his movements. Visitors crowded his manor gates early – the cautious ones left calling cards and departed, while the persistent ones stayed, trying to curry favor with the doorkeepers in hopes of personally congratulating the Champion Marquis.

The Champion Marquis had formally sent betrothal gifts to the Cui family and would marry their daughter after the New Year. As for his current wife – all visitors understood it was better not to ask about this matter.

As Northern Army Adjutant, Yang Feng couldn’t see the Champion Marquis immediately but didn’t have to wait outside. He could enter the front courtyard and wait in the side rooms, even sharing lunch with the household steward.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that Yang Feng gained an audience.

The Champion Marquis was ruddy-faced and in very good spirits, smiling as he asked, “Did the Adjutant meet with the Weary Marquis and Cui Hong?”

“Yes. Things went smoothly with Grand Tutor Cui. The Southern Army will withdraw a hundred miles and absolutely not interfere in Capital affairs.”

The Champion Marquis shrugged, unconcerned. “I hear all the Cui daughters are beautiful. Is that true?”

Yang Feng shook his head. “I wouldn’t know.”

“Ah right, you’re a eunuch. What about the Weary Marquis?”

“He neither refused nor accepted your proposal.”

The Champion Marquis laughed. “You know what? I’m not surprised at all. The Weary Marquis is… strange. Probably because he spent those few days in the palace, he thinks the throne should be his. Same temperament as Prince Donghai. No matter – it’s better if they don’t accept. Now I can act freely.”

Yang Feng still didn’t mention the Northern Army’s return. He took out a small package from his robes and respectfully placed it on the table beside the Champion Marquis.

“What’s this?” the Champion Marquis asked in surprise.

“The Northern Army Adjutant’s seal. The Champion Marquis’s path to the throne is now smooth and no longer needs my advice. Please allow me to retire from office.”

The Champion Marquis’s expression darkened.

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