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The Regent opened the door to find Chu Zhaoyou standing at the doorstep, a smirk playing on his lips, the distance between them no more than an arm’s length.
It seemed like he knew the Prince would open the door, intentionally standing there as if to mock and annoy.
Why are there people like this in the world? Last night, he forced him to take poison, and today dares to come forward fearlessly.
“The Regent Prince is busy with state affairs. If you don’t wish to see me, that’s fine. I’ll help you bring in these memorials and then leave,” Chu Zhaoyou bent down, moving the memorials on the ground.
The casually draped blanket over him fell as he did so, revealing a slender and elegant figure cinched with a jade belt, as if a rare beauty born in the courtyard.
Chu Zhaoyou picked up the memorials and glanced back, sensing something, and sure enough, he saw two curious generals.
What’s there to see? Do you want to see a sovereign asking the Regent for help with his homework?
Chu Zhaoyou smirked, “Lord Qian, you’ve come at just the right time. Help me collect the money, as per our usual rule, one or two taels from each person. Lord Qian, you’re skilled in martial arts, so don’t forget those on the rooftops and in the trees. General Xie, it’s your first time hearing about this, so I’ll take a hundred taels from you.”
On the rooftops, in the trees: “…”
Xie Chaoyun: “…” Why should I?
Chu Zhaoyou, lost in his own thoughts, entered the study and casually placed the memorials on the table.
A book lay open on the table. The Regent had been leisurely sipping hot tea and reading, leaving me waiting outside?
Thankfully, he was able to sing.
Xie Chaoyun cast an accusatory glance at the Regent, silently questioning, “Can’t you do something about him while you’re here?”
Xiao Heng sighed, “Wealth is an extraneous matter.”
Qian Shicheng quietly pulled General Xie aside and, speaking from experience, said, “Don’t worry, we can retrieve the money from the treasury. We’ve done this before. Just watch the performance and earn.”
Isn’t the young emperor’s singing pleasant?
Perhaps, except for the Regent, everyone present secretly admired the emperor’s professionalism. One might even call it a divine voice.
Even the rough Qian Shicheng could genuinely appreciate it, but alas, the emperor was too costly, and no one dared to make a request.
What’s even more regrettable is that the Regent doesn’t enjoy the performances.
It’s not quite right though. Both times the young emperor sang, it was because of the Regent. The first time, he forced them to attend, and the second time, the young emperor sang for the Regent.
Qian Shicheng always felt the need to stay close to the Regent; there might be opportunities in the future.
Xiao Heng could tell that these two were just here for the spectacle. He walked to the courtyard gate and said to Qian Shicheng, “Speak.”
Qian Shicheng was forced to stand in the northern wind, desolately reporting the tasks assigned by his master.
“The army is ready, and we can depart at any time.”
“Very well,” Xiao Heng nodded, glancing at Xie Chaoyun.
Xie Chaoyun understood. “I came to inform you that I’ll go to the dungeon to fetch Zhang Hui, and we’ll depart this afternoon.”
Xiao Heng nodded faintly, “Stay safe. Whether it’s war or peace, you have full authority.”
“Yes!”
During the negotiations between Great Chu and Yuexu, Xie Chaoyun led Zhang Huiji southward to exchange the Great Chu citizens taken as slaves by Yuexu at the border for the Yuexu royalty previously abducted from Great Chu.
Zhang Huiji had only half a life left, condemned to lie in bed like a stroke victim for the rest of his days. Nonetheless, if this could bring back even a single Great Chu citizen, it would be worth it.
Xiao Heng said, “Go ahead.”
Xie Chaoyun and Qian Shicheng had just entered and left without even getting close to their chairs.
Fearlessly, Qian Shicheng said, “Prince, help collect the money from the performance.”
Then, both he and Xie Chaoyun swiftly disappeared.
Xie Chaoyun, with his arm around Qian Shicheng, remarked, “Do you think the civil and military officials are useless? So many memorials at the morning court.”
Qian Shicheng, honestly, replied, “We can’t say that.”
The team formed by their master? No different.
“I think the same. Without the Regent, the court would immediately fall apart. Perhaps someone is deliberately making the ministers play the fool.”
Chu Zhaoyou just wanted to slip away after placing the memorials; he had already brought everything in. As long as he slipped away fast enough, the Regent wouldn’t have a chance to refuse.
At the study door, Xiao Heng intercepted the sneaky Chu Zhaoyou, “Take the memorials with you.”
Chu Zhaoyou glared, “What does it matter to me, the memorials from the ministers to you?”
I don’t approve the memorials; I’m just a porter.
Xiao Heng’s mouth twitched. The late emperor had painstakingly arranged things before his death, ensuring that Chu Zhaoyou’s words could revive him from the coffin.
Casually, Xiao Heng skimmed through the memorials on the table. As expected, as long as the content was more complex, lacking clear cause and effect, the cautious little fellow wouldn’t dare to make a decision.
For a ruler, a single decision could impact numerous citizens; caution was a good thing.
“The wind is strong. Close the door,” Xiao Heng ordered.
“Okay,” Chu Zhaoyou obediently went to close the door, inadvertently locking himself outside.
He’s gone! He’ll come back for the memorials in the evening.
As the wooden door creaked shut, Xiao Heng, with a stern expression, dragged Chu Zhaoyou back.
“At present, this country is still named Chu. Your Majesty must learn to approve memorials on your own.”
Xiao Heng seated Chu Zhaoyou and handed him a small wolf-hair brush, dipping it twice in red ink before passing it to him.
“Open the first one and read.”
Chu Zhaoyou reluctantly complied, murmuring, “According to the new taxation law, this year the total tax revenue in Chengjun…”
Chu Zhaoyou felt somewhat dazed. He found himself in the Regent’s study, seated in his chair, approving memorials, while the Regent stood by.
Patiently, Xiao Heng explained, “Since last year, the new taxation law has been implemented in Chengjun, aiming to alleviate the burden on farmers and encourage cultivation. If successful, it will be extended throughout Great Chu in the future…”
Chu Zhaoyou read through one, while Xiao Heng explained each one. Most of them pertained to policies he oversaw, with a long time span, emphasizing the importance of not giving up midway.
Like taking dictation, Chu Zhaoyou added the Regent’s subsequent guidance at the end of each memorial.
As he wrote, he grew somewhat disgruntled. Why did the Regent seem to delegate all these matters to him?
Setting down his pen, he hinted, “I can’t remember these all. Great Chu still relies on the Regent.”
Xiao Heng calmly sipped his tea, “Your Majesty said you wanted me to save face. Your aunt is coming. Just to see if you’re still the same as ten years ago, knowing nothing, and if you’re sending her back to Liangzhou?”
“What did you say last night after poisoning me? You asked for a year’s time, and I’ve given it to you.”
Chu Zhaoyou, feeling wronged, put down his pen. That wasn’t what he meant.
Not to give you a year off! It was to let me live comfortably for a year, so that after a year, you would naturally understand my good intentions!
He played the victim, “I can’t remember. I’ve let down the people of the world. I’m guilty.”
Xiao Heng was a patient teacher, making things clear and understandable. Chu Zhaoyou was smart and had a good memory. He had read historical books and news before – how could he not remember?
Even emperors didn’t take time off. How could the Regent just run off?
Chu Zhaoyou suspected Xiao Heng of intentional motives, thinking he wanted to contend for power, deliberately shifting all the political matters onto him, hoping he’d give up in the face of difficulties.
The rumors of usurping the throne were still fresh in his mind.
He reached for the last memorial on the table and, upon opening it, realized it was unfamiliar. It was from Zhao Cheng in Liangzhou, addressed to the Regent, requesting to enter the capital.
Looking at the date at the bottom, the memorials had been there for several days.
Chu Zhaoyou asked straightforwardly, “You won’t let him enter the capital?”
Allowing Zhao’s wife to enter the capital alone was actually quite dangerous. Carelessness might trap both the aunt and the young emperor in the capital.
Xiao Heng replied, “Liangzhou is a key military area, influencing various regions in the northwest and southwest. I wouldn’t have let him leave before the new year.”
Why before the new year? Was there something significant happening this year?
As the sun began to set, Chu Zhaoyou’s stomach rumbled, reminding him that it was time for his third meal of the day.
Surely the Regent couldn’t continue the lesson now.
Chu Zhaoyou rose from his chair, summoned by Xiao Heng to a bookshelf.
“If you can’t remember, it means you don’t understand deeply,” the Regent picked up a thick book from the shelf and handed it to Chu Zhaoyou. “What you need to do is to cultivate yourself in both military and literary arts, and govern the country wisely.”
Soon, Chu Zhaoyou found himself holding “Essentials of Governing the Country”, “Essential Knowledge for Governance”, “Instructions of the Ancestors”, “Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government”…
Each book weighed as much as a water bucket when stacked together.
Chu Zhaoyou grimaced, “Regent, my back is starting to hurt.”
Upon hearing this, the Regent paused. Instead of stacking another book on top, he reached out to support the bottom of the pile and took it from Chu Zhaoyou.
“Back pain?” The Regent’s expression seemed to suggest he thought of Chu Zhaoyou as delicate.
“It’s too heavy, and it’s making my back hurt,” Chu Zhaoyou placed his hands behind him, trying to push the books away.
Xiao Heng handed the books to the guard outside, “Take these to the Funing Hall. They should be read within two months.”
“Two months?” Suddenly, Chu Zhaoyou felt that perhaps singing opera for a living wouldn’t be so bad.
Today was a rare day when Chu Zhaoyou and Xiao Heng didn’t quarrel at all, except for the part where Chu Zhaoyou had to sing to force the Regent to open the door.
Xiao Heng also found himself more patient, looking at Chu Zhaoyou’s distressed expression, feeling an unexpected sense of contentment. “Hmm.”
The Regent understood. The little fellow had been too idle before, deliberately finding trouble with him for no reason.
If the little fellow were like the Regent, with a pile of memorials to deal with every day, he would surely come pleading, subdued and meek.
Apart from his initial purpose, Xiao Heng suddenly found a different kind of satisfaction.
He knew how to deal with Chu Zhaoyou’s arrogance.
“Your Majesty is only nineteen this year, the perfect age for studying,” Xiao Heng said, looking at Chu Zhaoyou, who was spouting nonsense. In modern terms, I would be in university, but in ancient times… “I’m clearly at the age to establish a career and family!”
The Regent’s reaction to Chu Zhaoyou’s statement seemed to have hit a nerve. His expression softened. “Your Majesty, focus on your studies and don’t think about anything else.”
Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t help but recall something the Empress Dowager had once mentioned. He didn’t have much insight into past events, but it was normal for the Empress Dowager and the Regent to have struggled for years, possibly holding some leverage over each other.
So… was it true that the Regent couldn’t have a son? Because he himself was inadequate and too lazy to even take a wife, so he couldn’t stand to see Chu Zhaoyou start a family?
Chu Zhaoyou could fully understand this “I don’t have it, so you can’t have it either” mentality. Furthermore, the other party was the Regent, diligently serving Great Chu. If the days passed without a compliant puppet emperor at his side, the Regent would certainly be uncomfortable and seek trouble elsewhere.
Chu Zhaoyou thought to himself, thankfully he currently had no interest in taking a wife. It was all going according to plan.
Having dinner at the Regent’s residence was a first for Chu Zhaoyou. On the table were dishes like crab meat lion’s head and lotus flower pastries, precisely the dishes he had clamored for that morning after court.
Having been an idle emperor of great Chu for a month, being forced to read memorials all afternoon by Xiao Heng had left him hungrier than usual.
He ate quickly and elegantly, not noticing the meticulousness of the dishes, simply feeling that the Regent’s kitchen suited his taste.
Xiao Heng, holding his chopsticks and bowl, looked at Chu Zhaoyou in silence.
The words “Great Chu doesn’t lack good food Your Majesty. As long as it’s not extravagant, you can have whatever you want from the imperial kitchen. Thinking you’re above eating simple dishes, looking down on the state treasury?” rolled around his mouth a few times before he swallowed them back down.
Perhaps I’m overthinking it.
…
The Regent’s residence wasn’t far from the imperial palace. After passing through one gate and walking along a long street, they arrived at another gate. Some even likened the Regent’s residence to a de facto imperial palace.
Xiao Heng, with a stern face, escorted Chu Zhaoyou to the palace gate. “Tomorrow morning, Lady Zhao is set to arrive in the capital. Will Your Majesty be going to the city gate to welcome her?”
Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes lit up, “Yes.”
His aunt was taking a risk by coming to the capital to help him, so how could he not welcome her? However, he had concerns about being too ostentatious, fearing it might not bode well for his uncle, who held military power.
Since the Regent had given his consent, it was settled.
Indeed, the Regent was a man of his word. He had given Chu Zhaoyou face without any pretense.
The next morning, Chu Zhaoyou donned a bright red cloak, trying to exude an air of youthful joy, as if he were welcoming relatives during a festive occasion.
As he left the city gate, he noticed the Regent was also present.
Xiao Heng was dressed in black, atop a majestic steed, gazing down at the young emperor as he emerged from his carriage.
Chu Zhaoyou was taken aback when he realized the city gate was under strict guard. Ordinary people had to use three other gates to enter and exit the city. Outside the city, soldiers stood in formation, including a formidable cavalry, each with a stern expression, holding their reins, all beneath the chilly northern winds.
Was this show of force a bit too much?
When Xie Chaoyun returned to the capital, the Regent only brought a few people to greet him a short distance outside the city.
Chu Zhaoyou had already sent word to his aunt about which city gate to enter, and soon, a dozen or so carriages and horses appeared in the distance, carrying a substantial amount of goods. Their progress wasn’t swift, and a cloud of dust trailed behind them.
Chu Zhaoyou felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. He wanted to see his only relative, but he also feared being recognized as an impostor.
He couldn’t help but glance at the Regent.
If even Xiao Heng couldn’t tell, then perhaps his aunt wouldn’t either?
Xiao Heng squinted. His eyesight was keen, and he could already see Lady Zhao leaning out of the carriage, eagerly gazing in their direction.
Was this Chu Zhaoyou’s aunt?
There was indeed a resemblance in their features. Chu Zhaoyou didn’t resemble the late emperor; his appearance took after his mother, whom Xiao Heng had never seen. Yet, in seeing Di Yan, he could imagine a resemblance.
Chu Zhaoyou’s personality before his disappearance had also taken after his mother. After vanishing, he looked even more like his aunt.
Xiao Heng tugged at the reins. Upon his signal, over a thousand soldiers on the open ground swiftly mounted their horses and turned around in unison.
Chu Zhaoyou suddenly turned to look at the Regent.
Xiao Heng gazed forward. “Wei Shi, a governor from Youzhou, is plotting a rebellion. I’ll be leaving the capital for two months. If everything goes well, I’ll return before the new year.”
If things don’t go well, the situation wouldn’t be as simple as estimating the time from a distance.
The situation wasn’t as straightforward. The provincial governor of Prezhou had a shortage of supplies, and there were internal traitors in the court. Prezhou bordered Youzhou, and if Xiao Heng aimed to eradicate Wei’s final support, he would have to engage in a conflict between the two provinces, directly supplying the front line with provisions from Prezhou.
Upon learning about the supply shortage in Prezhou, Xiao Heng had investigated and, after careful consideration, decided to deal with Wei Shi as a last resort.
The unexpected, combined with Xiao Heng’s own limited time, prompted this decision.
The court kept things under tight wraps, not even informing Chu Zhaoyou. Yesterday, Xie Chaoyun had already headed south with Zhang Huiji. It wasn’t worth Xie Chaoyun handling such matters personally, but it was primarily to prevent unrest in Youzhou, as Yuexu might also cause trouble. Therefore, Xie Chaoyun had been sent to keep watch.
Chu Zhaoyou stared at him in a daze, suddenly at a loss for words. His excitement about meeting his aunt had disappeared.
Just yesterday, he had been unwilling to handle the memorials, but now someone had to lead troops to the front lines.
“So suddenly?” he managed to ask.
Xiao Heng didn’t want to engage in a lengthy conversation with Chu Zhaoyou and simply said, “It’s nothing major. Your Majesty can handle state affairs for the next two months. If you don’t understand, consult with the ministers. I’ve refrained from acting against the Empress Dowager, but since Wei Shi has rebelled, Your Majesty and Lady Zhao can deal with it as you see fit.”
For a moment, Chu Zhaoyou had the sudden thought that the Regent was intentionally leaving the Empress Dowager’s fate for his aunt to resolve, possibly because Lady Zhao might have evidence of the Empress Dowager’s involvement in the late emperor’s mother’s demise and wanted to settle old scores.
Upon second thought, “Keeping the Empress Dowager to stabilize Wei Shi, but now that Wei Shi is rebelling, there’s no need to keep the Empress Dowager,” seems to be more in line with the Regent’s style.
Without a farewell, not even a “take care,” as if casually finishing a sentence, Xiao Heng swiftly rode off, the cavalry following in an orderly fashion, soon blocking the foremost figure.
Unconsciously, Chu Zhaoyou tiptoed, only to see a billowing cloud of yellow dust.
The author has something to say: When a certain Regent Prince said something to make Chu Zhaoyou welcome his aunt, he actually wanted him to see him off for deployment. →_→
Don’t just focus on the low tone at the end; you need to understand this is the “time flies” law! Can’t stand growing slowly, can you? Let’s fast-forward two months.
I’ve noticed many readers misunderstood. “Zuoshou” is an abbreviation for a collection, referring to a column collection, not an article collection. I’m not stalling to avoid updating, okay?!