Book 14: Chapter 105
Why I’m Not Afraid
It had been decades since the White Princes had assembled their armies outside a city. The newly-promoted Nine Gates Infantry Commander reacted as fast as lightning, mobilising imperial guards to the exterior of the city before anyone else reacted. While Long Zaitian deserved praise for his quick wits, Emperor’s Entourage’s agents also deserved credit for faithfully fulfilling their duty. As soon as the White Princes made their move, the agents zoomed back to the capital. The military gave Long Zaitian the order to respond the emergency as soon as they caught wind.
While the officials were debating how to respond to the situation, Emperor Yuansheng was away at a palace that could only fit twenty-odd people, tucked away in a corner that hadn’t been renovated or redecorated in ages.
“Finally made their move, huh?” remarked Emperor Yuansheng, slouching in his seat as if he was catching up with old friends. “Ye Yun, is this what you referred to when you mentioned signs of trouble?”
The man in seated in his bamboo wheelchair chuckled under his breath. “They’re doing such a laughable job of trying to lure us out of our base. The more they try to conceal their intentions, the more conspicuous it is.”
“So your opinion is?”
“Bait.” Even though nearly the rest of the world was in uproar, Ye Yun treated it as nothing more than a performance deserving of being panned. “If you sent a messenger, or even a letter, to pose an inquiry, you will soon receive replies along the lines of, ‘It is a misunderstanding,’ or ‘It is just a coincidence’.”
“What are they after?”
“No clue. Jiang Chen’s ace is making others do the dirty work for him; or in this case, taking down a nation for him. He is not a fearsome general on the battlefield; he is a schemer through and through. Doing the heavy lifting is not his specialty, but he is excellent at using the least effort for the biggest result possible.”
The mirage strategy was basically the exact same thing, so there was no room for argument there.
“What do you think, Commander Yi?”
The young commander who was supposed to be hunting down Fiends’ Genesis outside the capital gave a bow and answered, “If what they seek is not outside the city, it must be inside.”
“Do you agree, Commander Ye?” questioned Emperor Yuansheng.
“Yes,” stated Ye Yun.
“Why did you not mention it, then?”
“Because it is unclear what they are after despite knowing what they seek is within the walls.”
“… That makes them even more of a threat. What do you two suppose I do?”
Yi Ya and Ye Yun: “Nothing.”
Emperor Yuansheng bobbed his head. “Continue.”
The commander in armour raised his hands in salute as he bowed his head. “They will show themselves if you stay put. We shall guard the city interior and nothing else to disrupt their plans. You need not worry about security.”
“Guard the city interior… city interior… How are supposed to guard every nook and cranny of this expansive capital city? Do you two truly have no clue what their aim is?”
Ye Yun chuckled as he listened to the forceful questioning. “No.”
Emperor Yuansheng cast his gaze in Yi Ya’s direction.
Yi Ya glanced to Ye Yun, then said, “Please reconsider, Your Majesty. Offence will not last long. Once it is old, it becomes a useless tactic. The enemy wants us to give in to urges. We can force them to reveal their intents if we can just stay patient.”
Emperor Yuansheng turned back to Ye Yun. “Surely you have gleaned more than this. Is it too much to ask you to share?”
Ye Yun chuckled. Even Yi Ya frowned as he recognised Ye Yun was testing Emperor Yuansheng.
“It is but mere conjecture. Conjecture devoid of evidence is pointless chatter. Do you genuinely want to listen?”
“There’s no harm.”
“The simplest way for Jiang Chen to achieve his goal of overthrowing the imperial court is to cripple our manpower. If the goal is in the capital… perhaps it is to assassinate the imperial court council members, secretary, Prime Minister and then the officials.”
Yi Ya shook his head at the insolent things he heard.
“You disagree, Commander Yi?”
“Commander Ye was right; the conjecture is devoid of any evidence.”
“Pause, pause, I know you two aren’t easy to deal with. Commander Ye, what is your opinion?”
“Please enjoy a nice break. Stay out of the public eye for the new few days.” Ye Yun’s gaze gave the impression he was saying, “Just stay out of the way.”
“That’s it?”
“Not really. Please also approve a request for me.”
“And that is?”
“Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor’s crimes are deserving of the death penalty.”
Emperor Yuansheng nodded, then asked Yi Ya, “Commander Yi, you are here on behalf of your grand commander. Since he is absent, you’re his representative. What do you think?”
“In your subject’s opinion… it is not that serious.”
Ye Yun chortled. “You’re nice.”
“What about your shifu, Commander Yi?”
“Do you mean Grand Commander’s opinion, Your Majesty.”
“Let’s say so.”
Yi Ya bowed. “Execute.”
Ye Yun stared at Yi Ya.
“Is what he would say if he was here.”
Yi Ya bent over. His mannerisms reminded Emperor Yuansheng and Ye Yun of the imperial court’s mightiest warrior, who was currently protecting the northern border.
“Kill them. Annihilate the soldiers outside the city, and then annihilate Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor inside the city. Nobody can be spared, and nobody should be spared. The White Princes’ actions already constitute insurrection. Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor may be descendants of the imperial family, but they allied with rebels. Therefore, their actions are also classified as treason. Should you ask Grand Commander for his opinion, there is no doubt he will answer, ‘Kill them all.’”
Emperor Yuansheng had a moment of silence. “… Who should kill them?”
“We are your sword and shield. We shall clear a path for you. Should you give the order, we will put our lives on the line to fulfil your orders.”
“You…” Emperor Yuansheng sighed. “Let me ask: based on the imperial court’s military power, what are my odds of winning?”
Ye Yun immediately responded, “Provided three things do not happen, 100%.”
“Which three?”
“Brilliant Broadsworder does not return. Sword Deity does not emerge. Dark Robe Brotherhood does not turn.”
Emperor Yuansheng spotted Yi Ya’s stiff expression that signified he agreed. Emperor Yuansheng cracked a smile. “If my second brother was here, he’d have a solution to this.”
Ye Yun wore on a long face. “If he was still here, were these legs fed to a dog?”
“If Linglong was still here, she wouldn’t want to exterminate Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor, either.”
Ye Yun had no retort.
Once upon a time, not long after Emperor Yuansheng inherited the throne, the young Emperor would ditch the imperial court council to hold a private meeting with his young vassals in this very palace. Needless to say, there were always differing opinions, but a young man and maiden would always be able to sort out the disputes to form a solution they would all be satisfied with. Unfortunately, the maiden had left with her new family in a distant land, while the young man was no longer with them.
“I’ve come to a decision. Commander Yi, you may leave. Guard the city interior as you suggested.”
Yi Ya didn’t know why Ye Yun suddenly went quiet, but he departed as he was told.
The young monarch who had entered his middle ages smiled at the vassal he had known for half of his life. “I heard her song was performed again at Daren Academy. Don’t you want to see it?”
Ye Yun shook his head. “So be it if she married, but she never got to enjoy peace. Why would she return to the capital? Teaching ‘Magnificent Beauty’ to someone is the same as telling her enemies where she is.”
“This world would be lonely if Li Linglong stayed out of trouble.”
Ye Yun appeared to agree.
Emperor Yuansheng fixed his gaze on the spot Yi Ya stood before. “Yiren, Yi Ya, Dugu, Leng Ling, and even Xian Suiyue, are all decent, but they serve only one Emperor. I don’t need them yet.”
Ye Yun furrowed his brows. “You are not old.”
“Age has nothing to do with it. Despite how long I’ve ruled for, it’s only occurred to me in recent years that an Emperor can only do a few things in his life. Do too much, and the people suffer. Do too little, the people will suffer. I can’t be too fast or too slow. All I need to do is to do a good job of those few things.” Smiling, Emperor Yuansheng wagged his hand. “Don’t worry. I have done a fair amount, and it’s not time for me to abdicate. Look how much I’ve done, and then look at the problems inside and outside the walls. Inside, the imperial exams are a mess. I’m not even sure if Ming Feizhen can help me. The four unorthodox factions are eyeing the imperial court. The Seven Champion White Princes… They count as inside the walls. Plenty of enemies stand in the way outside. Gongsun Chu is one right now. A problem from a previous era is leaving a trail of mayhem. Even so, I can sleep well every night. You know why?”
Ye Yun shook his head.
Although Emperor Yuansheng was a straightforward monarch who never thought about complex things, very few were able to read his mind.
Emperor Yuansheng simpered. “I have all of you.”
Emperor Yuansheng swept his gaze over the building, stopping in the spots his old friends used to be when they held meetings, not missing any of them. “The security of the city is in your hands over the next few days. I’m going to keep Brilliant Consort company.”