Feng Zhen held his pencil tightly. He used the candlelight to brighten the bamboo slip and worked through the night. His eyes squinted until they became crossed.
“I had a nightmare yesterday. I dreamed of the lord dressed in female clothes.”
Beside him stood Yang Si, who had worked overtime but had yet to enjoy his supper. He commented, “Ah, that’s indeed a terrifying nightmare.”
Feng Zhen and Yang Si squabbled daily. They couldn’t agree with each other.
Only one could convince them to abandon their differences and form an alliance with one another—their lord.
Immediately, news of Chenzhou, the imperial city, reached Prince Changshou and the alliance army. His reaction upon hearing the news was in complete contrast to what they had expected.
Prince Changshou looked towards the heavens and laughed. He had never felt so relieved before.
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Unexpectedly, Meng Zhan was a wet blanket at this critical juncture. “It is too early for my prince to rejoice.”
Prince Changshou’s mind was already filled with thoughts of his ascension to the throne. They had been forcefully interrupted by Meng Zhan. He felt rather displeased, but he had to control himself.
“Why does the master say so?”
With a voice devoid of emotion, Meng Zhan commented, “An emperor has passed on. They can raise up another emperor easily.”
Prince Changshou’s face stiffened. He had originally planned to hold the emperor hostage and force him to write an edict of abdication.
Now that the emperor had passed on, the alliance army and the high-ranking officials possessed the rights to enthrone another emperor.
When he thought of how the throne he desperately desired was about to be given to an unknown young punk, he fumed with anger.
Meng Zhan noted, “The prince has no need to be angry. Since there is no way for the emperor to abdicate in your favor, you should instead proclaim yourself as the emperor!”
When Prince Changshou heard, his entire being trembled. As if a thunderous sound had exploded in his ears, he lost his senses.
“Proclaim myself as emperor... Isn’t that immoral and rebellious?”
Prince Changshou wanted to “legitimately” win the throne. He had never imagined proclaiming himself as the emperor.
Meng Zhan laughed mockingly in his heart.
Who cared about “legitimacy” or even “despicable rebellion”? With the things Prince Changshou had done, which of them was worthy to be deemed legitimate?
“Prince, this matter must not be delayed. You must make a decision quickly,” Meng Zhan said and added, “If you are late making your decision, I’m afraid you’ll not have any more opportunities in the future.”
These words frustrated Prince Changshou, but in the depths of his heart, he approved of Meng Zhan’s suggestion.
Proclaim himself as the emperor!
On the other end, those in the alliance army were shocked by this news.
Had Prince Changshou sent his elite troops secretly to ambush and surround the capital city of Chenzhou?
Yang Jian and Liu Xi’s had armies arrived in time. Had they managed to rescue countless important officials and their family members?
Had the emperor died while trying to escape?
The emperor had passed on. It demanded nationwide mourning.
It didn’t reflect well on the officials and marquis if they continued to drink wine and be merry. They grudgingly changed into dull-colored mourning clothes to express their condolences.
Some of them were interested in how the emperor had passed away. Others were focused on Liu Xi and Yang Jian, two people with power.
Xu Bei felt that a heavy burden had been taken off his shoulders.
Finally, he no longer needed to continue hiding the news. Neither did he have to be the common enemy of the other officials and marquis. Moreover, he could boast of his works in front of Xu Fei.
From the outsiders’ point of view, Liu Xi and Yang Jian’s actions had been commanded by Xu Bei.
The credit Liu Xi and Yang Jian had won from this incident was largely attributed to Xu Bei.
Many were unaware that, from Xu Bei’s point of view, this credit was a gift. It was unexpected.
Other than Xu Bei, Liu She, Liu Xi’s father, similarly received praises from the people.
Huang Song secretly directed these words at Liu She: “Congratulations, Magistrate. Liu Xi has accomplished great things in saving the Emperor. I’m certain none can compare to her.”
Money presented itself amid danger. When the masses were blinded by entertainment and enjoying themselves, Liu Xi led her troops and headed to the distant Chenzhou, the imperial city. This wasn’t a task to be envied.
His facial expression appeared more joyous to entertain the marquis and officials who congratulated him.
“Lanting is still young and inexperienced. She must not be overly praised. She needs more training and to undergo refinement.”
On the surface, he spoke humbly, but it was evident to all that Liu She was in a good mood.
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Another person was likewise in a good mood. This man was Shanghai County’s chief, Wuma Shang.
The emperor had passed on. He hadn’t left behind any edicts to dictate who should inherit the throne. What did this mean?
This meant his chance had arrived.
Now that the world was in chaos, there was an urgent need for an awe-inspiring and capable emperor to bring about peace. If one surveyed the entire Dongqing family, who was more deserving than him?
He knew how many princes and grandsons the emperor had, but Wuma Shang did not take them into consideration.
In critical times, special measures were needed. The process of choosing a successor to the throne should also be flexible. The virtuous one deserved the position.
An Cui followed Wuma Shang. With a chilly stare, he noticed how Wuma Shang’s emotions changed, and he laughed inwardly.
Amongst the alliance army, those who presently wished for Wuma Shang to ascend the throne were only Wuma Shang himself and An Cui.
If one didn’t fend for themselves, they were doomed to be destroyed. What practical advantage was there for the other marquis if they supported Wuma Shang as the emperor?
The answer was that there was none.
Therefore, Wuma Shang was rejoicing far too early.
An Cui did not utter these words. Instead, he went against his instincts and praised Wuma Shang. He spoke many pleasant words.
Wuma Shang was in high spirits. He signaled with his hands, and again he borrowed some troops, horses, and rations from An Cui.
The alliance army overcame the hurdle of the Jia city gates. They sounded their war cries, and they marched towards Chenzhou in high spirits. They initially thought they’d engage in a difficult battle with Prince Changshou’s main military force, but unexpectedly, their journey thus far had been smooth. They never met Prince Changshou’s armies.
The scout investigated for days. Finally, he could ascertain one piece of information: Prince Changshou had retreated to the borders of Chenzhou. One wondered what schemes he was plotting.
“Why did their troops suddenly retreat without a reason?”
The people didn’t understand. Only a few could see the situation clearly.
“A storm is approaching.” Feng Jue glanced at the skies outside the tent. He spoke with emotion in his voice. “Prince Changshou employed the tactic of letting his enemy off, only to catch him later.”
Huang Song didn’t understand. “Let his enemy off only to catch him later?”
Cheng Jing explained, “It isn’t only that. I’m certain he has other plans.”
Huang Song looked at Feng Jue and then at Cheng Jing. Both wore the same expression, but he was still confused.
He was exhausted. He felt that his intelligence had been insulted by both his strategists.
With regards to the alliance army, it was indeed good news that Prince Changshou’s army had retreated. They didn’t have to fight anymore.
The imperial city of Chenzhou had experienced the cruelty of war. The city gates appeared desolate and damaged. Although the households within the city had been organized, traces of the war were still evident.
The alliance army did not set up their camps in the city. Instead, they chose to establish their campsites outside to put the people at ease.
Because a large proportion of the officials and their families had been snatched by Prince Changshou, the court was desperately lacking in manpower.
With this opportunity presenting itself, Feng Zhen, Yang Si, and Yan Lin were given exclusive titles.
“After they entered the city, Shanghai County’s chief, Wuma Shang appeared to be busy. He has poached various officials and marquis without being discreet about it. What a fool!”
Jiang Pengji was lazing in her seat of honor. She did not care about how she appeared as she lay on the tabletop. It was as if her body was hollow.
She decided that she should bring along more strategists in her next endeavor. At least there would be more manual labor.
Liu She wore a serene expression as he sipped his rice wine.
“He still chose to attain his goals quickly. If he planned it step-wise, perhaps it’d be possible.”
The more anxious Wuma Shang appeared, the less the people would choose him.
How could the ambitious Wuma Shang be easily controlled compared to a child emperor?
As they conversed, a series of light footsteps were heard from outside, along with Huijun’s gentle voice.
“Langjun, may your servant enter?”
“Please enter.”
Liu She looked at Huijun. His eyes were peaceful.
Huijun’s appearance was only 50% of what it had been before. If she had been devastatingly beautiful, now she was at most a pretty lady.
Even if someone who knew her came, he’d only deem her someone familiar. No one would suspect she was the seductive, evil empress.
Jiang Pengji didn’t have the skills to change a person’s face, but the viewers in the live streaming room had equipped her with the makeup skills. The effect was akin to a face-change.
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