Chief Registrar Ling kept his face expressionless and said nothing. Zou Yanzheng, however, couldn’t wait to speak first. He was different from Chief Registrar Ling. Although he had once possessed some scholarly integrity, after following Han Zhengqing in Xibei for several years, it had completely vanished. Moreover, given his relationship with Han Zhengqing and Prince Gong, and considering what he had done, there was no possible retreat for him anymore.
Since retreat was impossible, he couldn’t care less about his posthumous reputation. Enjoying wealth and glory in the present was what mattered now. Besides, Han Zhengqing had said something absolutely correct—since ancient times, victors became kings while losers became bandits. It had always been this way. Although the historian’s brush was like a knife, imperial commands were also inviolable. As long as Prince Gong ascended the throne, there would be plenty of ways to whitewash his reputation.
He paused for a moment, placing his gaze on Han Yang for a while before asking him: “The Marquis told me back then that assisting Your Highness involved only two matters—making chaos both inside and outside the court. But although the Marquis has now rebelled, the previously agreed-upon plan to bring the Tartars across the border to deal with Cui Shaoting still hasn’t been realized. As for internal chaos, there’s even less to mention.”
His worry was genuine. Looking at Han Yang’s furrowed brow, he asked with immense concern: “He sent you here—did he have any other instructions?”
Han Yang was an old military hand. Facing Prince Gong, however, he dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous. His father had made it very clear that from this point forward, his life would depend on Prince Gong.
Recalling his father’s instructions, he waved his hand: “Father does indeed have instructions, but now is not yet the time to speak of them.”
When Han Zhengqing sent him here, he had warned that once he came, traveling back and forth would certainly become inconvenient. Cui Shaoting was not an easy person to deal with. With the court’s imperial edict, the first thing he would do was cut off communication between Taiyuan and Datong. If he dared to lead people running back and forth between Taiyuan and Datong to relay messages, Cui Shaoting’s people would make sure not a trace of him remained.
Precisely because communication would certainly be obstructed in the future, Han Zhengqing had already told Han Yang everything he needed to teach Prince Gong, for Han Yang to relay to Prince Gong later.
But now, it was still far from the right time.
Prince Gong couldn’t help but frown: “We’ve reached this point, and you still say it’s not the right time. Then when exactly will be the right time?!”
Han Yang could see Prince Gong’s anger and felt somewhat afraid and confused, momentarily at a loss.
Zou Yanzheng sighed. Seeing the difficulty on Han Yang’s face, he couldn’t help but advise: “We’ve already reached this point, Young Master, so stop playing games. Why don’t you just tell us what exactly the Marquis’s plan is, so we can have peace of mind?”
The court had already dispatched Naval Commander Huang Yiqing to Jin region to assist Prince Zhennan, and had openly issued an edict to suppress Prince Gong. The court had already torn off all pretenses first, taken the initiative in establishing their narrative, painting Prince Gong as a disloyal and unfilial person. Now the court both held the advantage of moral legitimacy and was originally more powerful than Prince Gong. If Han Zhengqing’s side didn’t act according to what was previously agreed upon, it would be like forcing Prince Gong to his death!
Therefore, even Zou Yanzheng could no longer hold back. Seeing Prince Gong’s fierce glare while Han Yang remained silent, he continued: “Moreover, before I returned, the Marquis clearly stated repeatedly that he would definitely make the Eastern Palace completely lose power and lose their legitimate status. This is what the Marquis called external and internal chaos. But now, external chaos has fallen short. There’s been no news from Hubei, and even the Marquis himself shows no signs of movement.”
Chief Registrar Ling, however, felt that no movement was actually good. If there really were movement, he, who had once followed Prince Gong, would truly bear unshirkable responsibility even unto death.
Just as he was lost in chaotic thoughts, a scout outside suddenly came running urgently to report. Prince Gong jumped in alarm and immediately stood up—Huang Yiqing had led troops to Jin region, proclaiming he would suppress the treacherous subjects. Could it be that Huang Yiqing had already arrived at the city walls?
It wasn’t quite that fast yet. The arriving scout bent over, gasping for breath before immediately reporting to Prince Gong: “Your Highness! The Tartars are attacking Datong, using as their pretext that the Datong Right Guard unjustly killed twenty Tartars and refused to engage in border trade!”
Attacking Datong! It had finally come! The gleam in Prince Gong’s eyes simply couldn’t be suppressed as it burst forth. He urgently pressed: “And then?!”
It had finally begun. Han Zhengqing’s side had finally started. He had thought Han Zhengqing was going to renege on his promise, since there had been no movement for so long. But now it seemed Han Zhengqing still kept his word.
Joy filled Zou Yanzheng’s face, and he nearly jumped up. Han Zhengqing had previously spoken of internal and external chaos. Now that external chaos had arisen, surely it must finally be time.
Han Yang stood up and looked around in all directions, frowning without speaking. He really didn’t like the Tartars. After all, the Tartars had killed his third elder brother. Although his father regarded his third brother’s life as worthless as grass, he himself had quite a bit of feeling for his third brother—only this unremarkable third elder brother had been willing to look after him a bit when they were young.
Chief Registrar Ling’s complexion was even worse. After hearing the scout’s next words, his face turned iron-blue.
The scout said: “The Second-Rank Loyal and Martial General, Marquis Jinxiang Han Zhengqing, however, because he was being obstructed by Lord Cui and Marquis Dingyuan, was unable to don armor and go into battle. With no one to defend Datong, the city was caught off guard. Right now Datong Pass has fallen—the Tartars have attacked into Datong City!”
The corners of Prince Gong’s mouth couldn’t help but curl upward. This move of Han Zhengqing’s was truly vicious indeed. Bringing the Tartars inside the border to deal with Cui Shaoting would tie up all the forces of the Three Borders Supreme Commander, and expose the capital’s gateway—Datong and Shanxi—completely to the Tartars. The capital must now be too busy protecting itself with everyone in danger! As for the court—he had originally been terrified when the court dispatched troops to suppress him, but now, what did he have to worry about? The people under his and Han Zhengqing’s command were enough to make those people at court unable to eat or sleep peacefully.
This was exactly what he wanted. Prince Gong’s eyes flashed with bloodthirsty light. From the moment he fled from the capital in disgrace, he had sworn that he would make those people also taste what it felt like to live in constant peril. Now, his revenge had officially begun.
“Excellent!” Prince Gong couldn’t help but shout his approval and declared with soaring spirit: “This Prince has finally achieved his wish!”
Chief Registrar Ling was jolted back to his senses by this shout. Looking at Prince Gong, he lowered his eyes. This time, there wasn’t even disappointment left in his eyes. The greatest sorrow is when the heart dies. Toward this person who had brought in foreign tribes to harm his own people and was still smug and proud about it, he was completely disappointed. When one is utterly disappointed, there’s no point in talking about further disappointment.
Zou Yanzheng was even more anxious than Prince Gong. Hearing the scout’s report, he immediately pressed further: “Then what is Marquis Jinxiang’s current situation?!”
Han Zhengqing bringing the Tartars across the border was naturally to resist and deal with Cui Shaoting. So had Han Zhengqing already led the Tartars straight to Guyuan?