Chapter 105

The northwest had suffered natural disasters this winter, and several countries were struggling. After the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, problems with the reports from the border regions started to emerge.

The two countries that had become vassals of Great Zhou received aid from Great Zhou, which provided grain production and technical support. Their lives improved much more than those of other countries.

The regent of Yuanling State, which had established the “New Dynasty,” had always admired Great Zhou and paid close attention to it. He envied the two countries that became vassals but didn’t want to pay tribute or submit. So, he tried to convince several kings to start trouble at the northwest border, hoping to expand through plunder to overcome their difficulties.

As a result, the northwest border, which had been peaceful for a short time, began to be in turmoil again.

This time, it wasn’t just one country confronting Great Zhou, but several countries acting together, leading to an extremely rare two-front war.

Great Zhou hadn’t faced a two-front war for over a hundred years. There was one instance during Emperor Zhao’s reign, when he led the army in person, but now the emperor was too old for such a long journey. It would be better for a prince to lead the army.

After the emperor had this idea, he called Ji Yanming to discuss the matter.

From the moment the emperor called Ji Yanming to discuss the candidate, Ji Yanming knew the emperor’s plan.

Instead of consulting the Minister of War or senior officials, the emperor asked for Ji Yanming’s opinion first because he wanted the King of Chu to lead the army.

Once Ji Yanming understood the emperor’s intentions, he immediately suggested making the King of Chu the commander-in-chief.

The neighboring countries had suffered from drought and famine, so their attack was weak. With the help of Dai and Ling, who hated the regent, there was little to worry about.

The emperor likely wanted to give the King of Chu military achievements to help him in the future when he ascended the throne.

“The boss has become more capable and calm in the past two years,” the emperor praised Ji Yanming’s suggestion, “I agree.”

Talking to smart people saves time. After the emperor got what he wanted, he seemed much happier. Ji Yanming continued, “However, with His Royal Highness the King of Chu leaving the capital for the northern border, there might be changes in the capital. Your Majesty, please consider this.”

The tribute oranges sent from the southern provinces this year were especially sweet. The emperor was enjoying the oranges with milk tea, so he simply responded to Ji Yanming’s concerns without much thought.

Even if powerful generals in the capital were transferred to the northwest, the situation would change. 

Two quarters of an hour later, Li Sheng arrived with a bowl of ginseng soup, sent by someone from Prince Rui’s mansion. He said it was to help his father, the emperor, stay healthy during work.

The emperor now understood Ji Yanming’s hesitation.

Ji Yanming’s “changes in the capital” likely referred to Prince Rui, who might act after the King of Chu left. 

There were two possibilities for sending the King of Chu away now.

One possibility was the emperor’s true intention: to give him military merit to help him later inherit the throne.

The other possibility was to make room for Prince Rui to take the throne, fearing that King Chu might oppose the plan.

Prince Rui had always been ambitious and ruthless. No one knew what he might do in response.

The emperor had been wary of Prince Rui recently, so he didn’t want a repeat of the past.

The emperor quickly called Ji Yanming back. “When we spoke earlier, I didn’t pay enough attention. Now that I think about it, your advice is right. We’ll proceed as you suggest.”

Ji Yanming’s idea was simple. The top priority was to resolve the border issue. Military and national affairs couldn’t be delayed for Prince Rui. As for the plans regarding the King of Chu, they were more complex than they seemed.

The emperor’s plan was to mobilize troops from local areas. The King of Chu would oversee the battle, but unlike when King Huan went on a diplomatic mission to the State of Ling, there would be no need to bring too many soldiers and guards this time.

When Tao Sheng heard about this plan, she marked the official document with a deep note.

“His Highness the King of Chu may face risks on his journey.”

“General Qi also said the same,” Ji Yanming replied.

General Qi was the chief guard of the King of Chu. Tao Sheng had met him several times in the King of Chu’s palace.

“High risk, high reward,” Tao Sheng whispered. “I hope His Royal Highness returns safely and victoriously.”

_

The King of Chu’s expedition created a stir, and soon, King Rui learned that the King of Chu was leading an army to the northern border.

King Rui was shocked and called a meeting with his aides to discuss the next steps.

They shared two possibilities that Ji Yanming had predicted. The emperor was unsure about Prince Rui but had used several senior officials around the King of Chu.

The King of Chu had already started his move for the throne. With the emperor’s health worsening, a final decision had to be made.

Prince Rui had made great progress in the past two years and had built many connections, including a Yuanwailang in the Ministry of War, who had received the list of the King of Chu’s entourage and marching route by chance.

Prince Rui didn’t realize that many of his close friends had ulterior motives, and most of them were the emperor’s spies.

However, King Rui, who always thought highly of himself, believed those who surrendered were truly loyal and saw him as the future king.

_

Recently, Ji Yanming had been extremely busy. Su Jia wanted to discuss gift-giving with him, but he was never available.

Feeling down, Su Jia complained to Tao Sheng after dinner: “Everyone knows the Prince of Chu is going to war, but some still think he’s going with them.”

“It will be fine in a few days,” Tao Sheng comforted her. “The Prince of Chu is doing everything himself because he doesn’t trust anyone else. It’s natural he’s handling everything.”

Ji Yanming is reliable, and Tao Sheng understands the King of Chu’s actions.

Su Jia smiled and shook her head: “Okay, I just said it in vain. It’s late, you should rest.”

Winter nights come early. After Su Jia left, Tao Sheng prepared for bed when a sudden knock on the door interrupted her.

She put on her coat and motioned for Qing Xing to open the door.

It was Su Jia’s mother, Tang, who said: “Eunuch Yin from the palace has arrived. The emperor wants to see you at Xuanzheng Hall right away.”

It was unusual to be summoned so suddenly, and Tao Sheng felt uneasy.

In TV shows and books, royal family members and ministers were often taken hostage during revolts.

But the emperor had learned from the Crown Prince’s fall and wouldn’t make the same mistake again. The palace was the emperor’s domain, not King Rui’s, so the chances of danger were low.

As Tao Sheng arrived at the palace, she saw soldiers patrolling the streets, a tense atmosphere everywhere.

Seeing Eunuch Yin’s worried face, Tao Sheng asked what had happened.

Eunuch Yin replied: “The emperor and others are discussing something inside. Just a while ago, Chief Steward Gao Zhen came out and asked me to bring my zither to Xuanzheng Hall to play music.”

Tao Sheng thought quickly. If the emperor was safe and in the Xuanzheng Hall, everything might be fine. Maybe the emperor just wanted to listen to music because of insomnia.

She felt half-relieved.

When Tao Sheng entered the palace and followed Eunuch Yin to Xuanzheng Hall, she met Ji Yanming, who was leaving with some ministers.

Noticing Tao Sheng’s concern, Ji Yanming quietly whispered: “Something happened to Prince Rui.”

Tao Sheng was shocked: “What?”

King Rui had planned an assassination, targeting the Prince of Chu’s carriage. But the Prince of Chu had known about the plan in advance and avoided it. The emperor, worried, decided to visit the scene.

The assassination attempt was smart but cruel. King Rui had chosen an ambush, aiming to kill the Prince of Chu. But if the Prince of Chu had been inside, he would have died.

The emperor was deeply disappointed in his own son, King Rui.

***

If you’d like to show your appreciation, consider buying me a coffee—it really helps me keep going! 𖹭