The Child Emperor

Cui Teng had rushed in impetuously. He glanced at Yang Feng but didn’t recognize or pay attention to him. He grabbed Han Ruzi’s arm and shouted, “Brother-in-law, you’re amazing! You actually got the Northern Army to return. Quick, let’s escape – people will come to arrest you soon!”

Cui Teng pulled Han Ruzi toward the exit. “I’ve prepared everything – horses, dried food, gold – enough for us to hide for months…”

“Wait.” Han Ruzi braced one foot against the doorframe, using all his strength to resist Cui Teng’s pulling. “Explain clearly first.”

“You want me to explain what you did? If we don’t run now, it’ll be too late.” Cui Teng pulled a few more times, but finding his brother-in-law’s strength considerable, had to let go. He demanded, “Did you order the Northern Army back?”

Han Ruzi naturally wouldn’t admit it. “Start from the beginning – the Northern Army is returning to the capital?”

“Yes, they haven’t reached the capital yet but are on their way. The vanguard is only two or three days from Baiqiao Town. The Southern Army was about to retreat three hundred li when they heard this news. My father is furious and has ordered the entire army to form battle formations to prevent the Northern Army from passing Baiqiao Town. He said he’ll submit a memorial to impeach you – you won’t escape this time.”

Cui Teng reached out again, but Han Ruzi stepped back. “Why would Lord Cui want to impeach me over the Northern Army’s return?”

“Because you called them back!” Cui Teng looked surprised, not understanding the question.

“If I had recalled the Northern Army, why would I come ahead alone? Wouldn’t it be better to return with them?”

Cui Teng was speechless for a moment. “That’s true. I was planning to help you circle around to avoid the Southern Army and join the Northern Army. Then… why are they returning? Who ordered it?”

“Don’t rush. More news should arrive soon.”

“You’re not running?”

Han Ruzi shook his head.

“What about me? I stole quite a bit of gold from my father – he won’t let me off.”

“Stay here with me for now.” Han Ruzi’s expression turned serious. “Cui Teng, when I sent you to seek help from the Southern Army, why didn’t you return to Divine Hero Pass?”

Cui Teng’s face changed as he waved his hands frantically. “Brother-in-law, it wasn’t my fault! I asked my father to send troops or give me an official appointment, but he kicked me instead and had me beaten. He called me an idiot and kept me in the army under watch until yesterday.”

Han Ruzi pondered for a moment. “Very well, I’ll consider it neither merit nor fault.”

Cui Teng sighed in relief. His father’s punishment meant little to him – only his brother-in-law’s approval mattered. “So you really didn’t recall the Northern Army? I thought you were planning something big, so I rushed here…”

“Of course I’m planning something big. Haven’t you heard about the princes competing for the throne?”

“I’ve heard, but isn’t that a joke? Who would take it seriously? Emperors have always chosen ministers, not the other way around.”

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“Does Lord Cui not take it seriously?” Han Ruzi glanced at Yang Feng, who sat silently by the bookshelf.

“My father said regardless of what happens in the Capital, as long as he remains Grand Marshal of the Southern Army, the Cui family has nothing to worry about. He made a mistake before and won’t surrender his command seal again. He doesn’t care who becomes Emperor. That’s why he’s especially angry about the Northern Army’s return – he thinks you’re trying to ambush the Southern Army.”

Before Han Ruzi could respond, Manor Clerk Zeng came running in anxiously. He’d enjoyed some peaceful days, but since the Weary Marquis’s return, he’d sensed trouble brewing, though he hadn’t expected it so soon. “L…Lord Marquis, people are here!”

“Who? What do they want?”

The prefect stood dumbfounded. “It’s… it’s official messengers… let me go ask.”

As the prefect hurried out, Cui Teng pointed at his retreating figure and laughed. “What a muddle-head, daring to report without even finding out who the visitors are! Oh right, my horse and gold are still outside – better not let anyone steal them.”

Cui Teng ran out faster than the manor clerk had.

Han Ruzi turned and said, “We’ll soon know the Champion Marquis’s true nature.”

The Northern Army’s return was the biggest test for the Champion Marquis. If he handled it poorly, he might lose his enormous advantage.

Yang Feng nodded. “That was Cui Teng?”

“Yes.”

“Can he be trusted?”

Han Ruzi considered. “It’s hard to say. He’s my friend today but might become an enemy tomorrow over a small disagreement. But he’s not hypocritical and doesn’t pretend. His coming to ‘save’ me today seems genuine.”

“Good, send him back to the Southern Army.”

“Hmm?”

“He’s no help here, but in the Southern Army he might provide you with information.”

“But he can’t fool Lord Cui…”

“Why deceive? With the Northern Army returning, the Southern Army must stay in Huailing County. Cui Hong will soon contact you himself.”

Han Ruzi understood and added, “Cui Teng said no one takes the princes’ competition seriously…”

The manor clerk came running back, panting, “It’s messengers from the Ministry of War.”

“What do they want?” Han Ruzi asked.

The manor clerk froze again, swallowing. “I’ll go ask.”

Despite his years of experience as an official, he’d never been so scattered.

Cui Teng returned carrying a package that looked small but heavy. Passing the prefect, he laughed, reached the study door, and dropped the package with a sigh. “Gold is really heavy! Brother-in-law, everything’s fine. I explained it to them. They were just minor officials from the Ministry of War asking about the Northern Army’s return. I told them what you said, and they were dumbfounded. They’ve left and asked me to apologize to you.”

“Cui Teng, you need to return to the Southern Army.”

“What? Why? I escaped from there – Father will beat me again when I return.”

“Your sister was summoned to the palace yesterday and reportedly won’t be out for a long time. I need…”

Cui Teng’s face filled with anger. “Is the Empress Dowager using my sister as a hostage? That won’t do! I understand now. I’ll go back, even if I get another beating, I must make father intervene and get my sister out!”

“If I’m right, you won’t be beaten this time.”

Cui Teng took a deep breath and lifted the package, struggling toward the exit. In the courtyard, he met the manor clerk again. Exhausted, he dropped the package and shouted, “Store this here – it’s valuable and you must return it to me later!”

After Cui Teng left, the prefect stared at the package before rushing to the study door. “The Ministry of War people have left.”

“I know.”

“But some palace servants have arrived requesting the Weary Marquis’s presence.”

“At the palace?”

“At the Hall of Diligent Administration.” The manor clerk had gotten clear information this time.

“Do they have an imperial edict?”

The manor clerk shook his head. “They say the Chancellor requests your presence.”

“Fine, tell them to wait.”

The prefect, exhausted from running and fear, walked away holding his robes.

Han Ruzi returned to his study and sat down. “Any advice?” he asked Yang Feng.

Yang Feng thought for a moment. “The ministers who react most strongly might be the Champion Marquis’s most loyal supporters.”

Han Ruzi nodded and read for a while. The manor clerk returned three times, each time just looking in without daring to hurry him.

When Han Ruzi finally left, it was nearly dark. The palace servants outside were anxious and immediately asked him to mount, escorting him to the Hall of Diligent Administration.

Candles were lit in the hall, and several high officials wouldn’t be retiring on time tonight.

Chancellor Yin Wuhai, Chief Censor of the Right Shen Mingzhi, Minister of Rites and Decorum Yuan Jiuding, Minister of Personnel Feng Ju, Minister of War Jiang Juying and others were present. There were several other officials Han Ruzi recognized by sight, ten in total, discussing something but falling silent when the Weary Marquis entered.

The throne was empty, and no eunuchs or palace maids guarded the audience chamber, indicating the Empress Dowager’s absence.

“Why have you summoned me, ministers?” Han Ruzi asked.

Chancellor Yin Wuhai, who had openly supported the Champion Marquis, showed no intense reaction but approached smiling. “Just a small matter. There were some misunderstandings, but they’re cleared up now.”

“We’re far from complete clarity,” one minister said harshly.

Yin Wuhai stopped, looking bewildered at his colleague.

The speaker was Chief Censor of the Right Shen Mingzhi, who had a stern, thin face now looking particularly grim. “The Weary Marquis must have heard that the Northern Army, supposed to be guarding the frontier, has suddenly returned without orders, claiming to seek justice for their Grand Marshal. They also say that they are escorting Xiongnu envoys for peace talks.”

“I’ve heard some rumors,” Han Ruzi was surprised – Shen Mingzhi had always been known as an upright official who rarely formed factions, yet he had apparently submitted to the Champion Marquis.

“Has the Weary Marquis heard rumors that someone incited the Northern Army to rebel while framing the Champion Marquis?”

“Is that so?” Han Ruzi showed surprise, then sighed heavily. “It’s as I suspected.”

“What did you suspect?” Shen Mingzhi stepped forward, even closer than Yin Wuhai.

“Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng suddenly went to Divine Hero Pass without an imperial edict, behaving strangely. I found it suspicious then, but he had documents from the Grand Marshal’s Office and Ministry of War, so I could only leave. I never imagined his ambitions were so great that he would incite the Northern Army. I was also wrong to leave Divine Hero Pass so easily, allowing the Northern Army to fall into treacherous hands.”

The assembled ministers were dumbfounded. Yin Wuhai smiled helplessly. “There’s another explanation. It certainly wasn’t Lord Xiao’s doing.”

“With the Chancellor’s guarantee, Lord Xiao must be innocent. I must have guessed wrong. I hope the ministers won’t take it to heart or mention this to Lord Xiao.”

Shen Mingzhi’s expression grew darker. “Has the Northern Army’s return nothing to do with the Weary Marquis?”

“As a member of the imperial clan who once defended Shattered Iron City with the Northern Army, I must bear some responsibility. Do the ministers want me to persuade the Northern Army? They might listen to me.”

“I’ll go with you,” the Champion Marquis strode in from outside, fully armored but unarmed. “I invite all ministers to join us. The truth about the Northern Army’s return will soon become clear.”

The Champion Marquis walked to Han Ruzi’s side and stared at him coldly.

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