The turmoil in the border commanderies sent intelligence reports flying toward the capital like rain, transmitted along the entire route.
But there was only one place they avoided.
Zhongshan Commandery.
Outside Zhongshan Commandery, troops were stationed, and inside Zhongshan Commandery there were also troops. It appeared peaceful, but in reality, one was guarding while the other remained vigilant.
Previously, Zhongshan Commandery had deliberately intercepted courier messages. Now it was the court that did not send courier messages to Zhongshan Commandery.
Although the intelligence reports from the border commanderies bypassed Zhongshan Commandery, inside Zhongshan Commandery there were also messengers galloping swiftly.
At Prince Zhongshan’s manor, the plaque had now been changed to Prince Zhenguo, but the people here still habitually called it Prince Zhongshan.
This naturally also carried another implication—they did not recognize the little Emperor’s conferment.
At this moment, outside Prince Zhongshan’s manor, besides the galloping messengers, there were also many people coming and going, carriages surging, and the common people on the streets also watched with great interest, pointing and commenting.
“Look, whose carriage is that?”
“The carriage has a sign hung directly on it—it’s the Liu clan of Yuchuan.”
“Wow, the Liu clan has also come to present gifts to the Prince.”
“Of course the Liu clan would come. Our Prince is so good.”
“The Prince is benevolent. When the court faces difficulties, he sends troops and puts forth effort. And the court? It only remains wary of him and even keeps the heir in the capital as a hostage.”
“I still remember when the heir prepared a flower carriage with his own hands for the Prince’s birthday celebration that year. When he leaped down from the flower carriage, I was so frightened I nearly fainted.”
These words stirred even greater clamor among the people on the street. “That’s right, that’s right.” “I remember too.” “The Prince was also startled and said he was risking his life.” “I remember too—the heir said he was thanking the Prince for granting him life and letting him come into this world.”
Laughter erupted on the street. What a lovable and interesting son! While laughing, they also grew more indignant that now this son was imprisoned by the court in the capital.
“Alas, this year for his birthday, the heir can only bow to his father from afar in the capital.”
Someone standing in the crowd, following along with the surrounding people’s sighs, suddenly directed his gaze toward the street. A horse was galloping down the street. Upon seeing the scholar on the horse, he quickly made a hand signal. The scholar on horseback did not look sideways, only nodding slightly.
Seeing the scholar approach, the steward in front of the manor smiled with delight. “Master Ning has returned!”
Ning Kun nodded with a smile. “I had to make it back for the Prince’s birthday no matter what.”
Dismounting, he glanced at the carriages coming and going, with large and small boxes covered by red cloth on them.
“This year, even more people from various places have come to celebrate the Prince’s birthday,” he said.
The steward smiled proudly. “That’s only natural.” Then he added coldly, “Does that little Emperor think that just by sitting on the dragon throne he can make everyone in the realm submit? A petty Grand Tutor, a child Empress, and a maternal relative—pointing fingers at the court, truly laughable. If we really let them be in charge, our ancestors’ legacy would be finished.”
So over this year, Prince Zhongshan had gained the support of even more aristocratic clans. Ning Kun summed it up concisely.
“Correct.” He nodded. “The Prince truly deserves everyone’s confidence.”
The steward said, “You should go in quickly. The Prince misses the heir very much and will certainly be delighted to see you.”
Ning Kun then stepped inside. Before even reaching the main hall, he heard Prince Zhongshan’s hearty laughter, so loud it made the birds in the corridor flutter their wings.
Even without news of the heir yet, the Prince was already very happy. Ning Kun thought this as he walked into the main hall.
The laughing Prince Zhongshan saw him and stopped him from performing the courtesy or speaking. Ning Kun also said nothing more, quietly standing to the side with a smile, waiting for Prince Zhongshan to finish laughing.
“I knew it—the Xi Liang King would definitely give them a heavy blow.” Prince Zhongshan looked at the intelligence report in his hand. “The Xi Liang King has accumulated a lifetime’s worth of strength to fight this battle. How could he be so easily dealt with?”
“Prince,” a military general said, his eyes flickering as he rubbed his hands together eagerly, “taking advantage of this opportunity, let’s make the little Emperor go play in the mud.”
Prince Zhongshan waved his hand. “No need for that. If we make a move now, we’d actually be helping the court.”
How could this be? If they made a move, it wouldn’t be against the Xi Liang King but against the court. How could that be helping the court?
Prince Zhongshan smiled and looked at the intelligence report in his hand. “This battle won’t continue. The Xi Liang King will likely take this opportunity to negotiate peace with the court. Negotiating peace while occupying a Da Xia city—the Xi Liang King can achieve his goal and end the war with dignity. For him, this is a victorious battle.”
“The Xi Liang King will probably use that city as leverage. To preserve the lives of the people in the city, the court will agree to negotiate peace.” Ning Kun picked up the thread, looking thoughtful. “If the Prince uses military force against the court at this time, it would instead force the court to fight desperately—as the common saying goes, don’t pursue a cornered enemy.”
Everyone else in the hall understood and nodded one after another.
“So there’s no need to rush. When the court negotiates peace with Xi Liang, this battle will be lost.” Prince Zhongshan sneered, lightly flicking the intelligence report in his hand. “The little Emperor, the Grand Tutor, the Empress Chu, and that Xie San will all be disgraced, their prestige in Da Xia plummeting. When that time comes—”
Prince Zhongshan’s prestige would be even greater. With another rallying cry, the realm would naturally fall into his hands. Ning Kun was first to bow deeply and call out loudly, “The Prince is sagacious!”
The others naturally weren’t willing to fall behind and bowed in succession, calling out, “The Prince is sagacious!”
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily again, his gaze falling on Ning Kun with some care in his eyes. “Is Xun doing well?” Without waiting for Ning Kun to answer, he sighed and shook his head. “How could he be well? I ask this question only to console myself.”
Ning Kun hastily said, “The Prince worries too much. The heir is very well. As you know, the heir has always been very patient, and moreover, with his whole heart devoted to the Prince’s great enterprise, he has already adapted very well. This time he also sent a birthday gift for the Prince—”
Hearing this, Prince Zhongshan and the people in the hall all looked him over, seeing his empty hands.
“The heir sent the gift to the Ministry of Rites to be delivered together with the court’s birthday gifts.” Ning Kun smiled. “To show the court his obedience as a hostage.”
This was indeed something Xiao Xun would do. When his father was valiant and determined to fight, he followed along with the same fighting spirit. Now that his father wanted to lie low, he would naturally follow suit and be obedient. Prince Zhongshan nodded with satisfaction.
“Also,” Ning Kun thought of something and asked again, “those people in the capital—should they be used for the heir?”
Prince Zhongshan had been planning for so many years. Although a batch had been purged by the court, there were still dormant and hidden personnel remaining.
Hearing Ning Kun ask this, Prince Zhongshan shook his head. “No need. Him having nothing right now is best for him.” At this point, he added, “When we make our move on the capital, these people will be used to ensure Xun’s safety. If they’re exposed now, I’m afraid it will be disadvantageous for Xun in the future.”
Ning Kun quickly nodded. “This subordinate was thoughtless.” He bowed again. “The Prince is still the most thorough in his thinking.”
While bowing, he concealed a flash of hesitation in his eyes.
Prince Zhongshan clapped his hands. “I originally wanted to stop the court’s congratulatory gifts outside the commandery, but now, with Xun’s gift among them, let them all come in together. I’m very much looking forward to what gift Xun has sent me.”
Ning Kun immediately said, “Prince, the heir specifically instructed me not to tell you—he wants to give the Prince a surprise.”
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily again. “Good, good. This king will await the surprise.”
Laughter rang out in the hall, accompanied by congratulatory gifts being continuously carried to the front of the hall. Stewards from various places and families called out loudly to announce their congratulations, reporting their family names and gift lists. Prince Zhongshan’s manor was even livelier than New Year’s.
At this time, the court in the capital was also very lively.
Only it wasn’t cheerful voices and laughter, but angry questioning and clamor.
“Is the fall of just one Shipo City not serious?”
“This isn’t a problem of one city falling.”
“This is a problem with border defense.”
“The defense is full of loopholes. This time it’s one city, next time another city. How many cities does Yunzhong Commandery have?”
“Don’t forget, at the start of the war, the Xi Liang people broke through and even reached outside Yunzhong Commandery.”
“What exactly has the border army been doing these past two years!”
The officials in the court argued in chaos. With such a major incident, the border army bore inescapable responsibility. Along with the news from the border army came a string of military officers being held accountable—
But no matter how clamorous the court was, the Empress behind the dragon throne on high remained silent.
Wasn’t the Empress unable to bear hearing a single bad word about the border army? Why wasn’t she saying a word of rebuttal now?
The court officials sneered inwardly. It was precisely because she had monopolized power and not allowed others to inquire about the border army that now, with the border army in this state, she had no face to speak.
Not speaking didn’t mean she could escape!
The Empress used control of the border army as her backing, which was why she could be so domineering in the court. This time, the border army must be reorganized, and the Empress must also shut her mouth in the court—not just shut her mouth, but return to the inner palace and stop ruling from behind the curtain.
“Stop arguing about these matters for now.” The silent Deng Yi spoke up, interrupting the clamor. “Let’s talk about what to do right now.”
He produced an intelligence report bearing a seal that clearly did not belong to Da Xia.
“The Xi Liang King has sent an envoy’s message. He wants to negotiate peace.”
Negotiate peace—this was what everyone had been waiting for. Now that they had finally heard it, the officials were just about to speak when a female voice that had been silent all along spoke first.
“Absolutely not.” Chu Zhao’s expression was wooden as she looked at the court. “No peace negotiations.”