The Child Emperor

Chapter 196: The Great Flow

Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng was willing to admit that his moves had fallen short. He had been focused solely on achieving a swift victory without thoroughly understanding the recent changes within the Northern Army. He had also underestimated the deposed emperor. This was evidence that the rumors were true; the deposed emperor was gradually showing his sharpness.

However, Xiao Sheng did not concede total defeat. After a day of rest and investigation, he felt more confident about turning the tables. The deposed emperor did indeed have some skills, managing to almost win over half of the Northern Army, achieving more in a short time than the Champion Marquis had in a year as Grand Marshal. But the Northern Army ultimately belonged to the Chu court, they were not bandits ruling over mountain strongholds. No matter how much they favored this young general, they still had to obey court orders.

Xiao Sheng saw himself as representing the imperial court, with the only issue being the lack of an imperial edict, which made some people reluctant to comply.

After consulting several military scribes, who feared him more than the military generals did, the situation at Divine Hero Pass and Shattered Iron City became increasingly clear to Xiao Sheng. He felt frustrated; the deposed emperor’s actions on the frontier were full of flaws, in excess of legal authority. Any one of them could have been grounds for conviction. Had he known earlier, he wouldn’t have been caught speechless in the hall.

On the afternoon of the second day after arriving at Divine Hero Pass, Xiao Sheng hosted a banquet to entertain the Northern Army generals and some noble youths he knew. The deposed emperor was invited but did not attend, just as he had missed the previous night’s banquet. Xiao Sheng understood that the deposed emperor was gathering his strength. He did not rush his actions either, instead preparing his forces for a decisive strike.

At the banquet, Xiao Sheng deviated from his usual behavior, saying nothing about the Xiongnu. He reminisced about past events and connections, speaking of how the capital valued the Northern Army and how the families missed their kin.

Finally, he brought up the “Chai clan members” still in custody. Everyone fell silent, avoiding the sensitive topic. Xiao Sheng did not press the issue and announced the banquet’s end, leaving only Chai Yue behind.

Everyone thought Xiao Sheng was going to plead to Chai Yue on behalf of the ‘Chai clan members’. Chai Yue was not only a member of the Chai clan but also a confidant of the Northern Protection General. It seemed appropriate for Xiao Sheng to approach him to exonerate his relatives, and Liu Kunsheng, the Northern Army captain, left feeling relieved.

But this was just a diversion. Xiao Sheng cared little for those “Chai clan members.” He had come from afar not to save his nephew from prison—he didn’t even know about the matter when he left the Capital. He understood well that once the Northern Army was taken from the deposed emperor, releasing prisoners would just be a matter of words.

The key to taking the Northern Army wasn’t Captain Liu Kunsheng but Chai Yue, who didn’t even hold an official title. His two battles at Shattered Iron City had earned him high prestige.

Outside, the cold wind howled. Xiao Sheng looked at the messy tables and said, “This winter is colder than usual.”

“The soldiers stationed at the frontier have said the same,” Chai Yue replied cautiously, suddenly reverting to the insignificant lowborn son of Marquis Hengyang, careful in front of someone with high authority.

Xiao Sheng, however, was not the indifferent elder. Smiling, he said, “Perhaps it’s a good thing. The harsh winter might freeze the Xiongnu and the local rebels to death . Meanwhile, the Chu army, well-supplied, need not fear.”

This was something only a civil official would say. Even if the other party weren’t related to the Chai clan, Chai Yue wouldn’t refute it. But he didn’t want to chat idly, so he said, “About the Chai clan members in Shattered Iron City…”

“They deserve their fate for attempting to murder their kin within the army!” Xiao Sheng seemed outraged but then softened, “I got you to stay behind to hear your views on the state of the world.”

Chai Yue looked at the Left Chief Censor in surprise, “I’m just a lowly officer with limited knowledge. How dare I comment on the state of the world?”

“Haha, General Chai, you’re too modest. Do you know what’s been happening in the Capital lately?”

Chai Yue shook his head, standing even more cautiously, “I don’t know.”

“Sit.”

Chai Yue hesitated before sitting sideways on a stool opposite Xiao Sheng.

“To be honest, no one knows exactly what’s going on in the Capital. The root lies in the palace: His Majesty has not attended court for many days, and the Empress Dowager only occasionally goes to the Hall of Diligent Administration to listen to government affairs, without making any comments or approvals on memorials. This is why I didn’t bring an imperial edict.”

Chai Yue responded with a vague “mhmm”.

“Rumors abound, speculating that both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are gravely ill and unable to write. Privately, people say something unusual is happening since the Empress Dowager can still listen to government affairs and should be able to approve memorials. There must be a reason behind her actions, perhaps… she is planning another upheaval.”

Directly discussing the Emperor and Empress Dowager was taboo for officials. Chai Yue felt their relationship wasn’t close enough for such frankness and remained silent, staring at a cup of leftover wine.

“Great Chu cannot endure more turmoil,” Xiao Sheng sighed, treating Chai Yue as a long-time friend. “In just a few years, we’ve had the Graceful Emperor, the Thoughtful Emperor, the deposed emperor, and the current emperor. The palace has been in constant upheaval, squandering the Martial Emperor’s hard-earned foundation. That is the flow of the tide, Chai Yue—the Emperor represents the great flow.”

“What can a loyal subject do? We can only remain faithful and wait patiently,” Chai Yue had to say something.

“Of course, a subject must not overstep. No matter what happens in the palace, a subject can only accept it. But some people have special status and are not bound by the etiquette of subjects. These people are few, and there are only three at present. What do you think, Chai Yue?”

Switching from “General Chai” to “Chai Yue” was not a sign of coldness but of closeness.

“The Champion Marquis, Prince Donghai, and… the Northern Protection General,” Chai Yue replied.

“Correct. Although there are many royal family members, only these three are different, each with their followers. Chai Yue, who do you support?”

Chai Yue looked up, “I’m just a minor deputy general, subject to the whims of the great flow. Lord Xiao, you are one of the Five Trusted Officials appointed by the Martial Emperor. Whom do you support?”

Xiao Sheng chuckled coldly, “I am a minister appointed by the Martial Emperor, but first and foremost, I must consider the Xiao and Chai families’ interests. Whom do I support? I support the one most likely to ascend the throne.”

“The Champion Marquis?”

“That’s the great flow I want to discuss with you, Chai Yue. To outsiders, the court seems unstable, but the great flow is already set in motion. The Champion Marquis was the first to receive the news, immediately returned to the Capital, planned for many days, and his strategy has taken shape. I can tell you this: the Champion Marquis has already gained Chancellor Yin’s support.”

Chancellor Yin Wuhai was highly respected and influential in the court. With his support, the Champion Marquis had indeed taken a significant lead.

Chai Yue remained silent for a while, “What about Prince Donghai?”

“Prince Donghai is on his way to the Capital. We met him on the road. He still has some hope, not because of himself but because of the support of Grand Tutor Cui and the mediation of his mother. I received news that a month ago, Prince Donghai’s mother was brought into the palace, which might indicate something. It doesn’t matter; whether the Champion Marquis or Prince Donghai ascends the throne, the Xiao and Chai families will remain secure.”

“What about the Northern Protection General?”

Xiao Sheng chuckled, “The Northern Protection General? Chai Yue, you and your men have been away from the Capital for too long, and your vision has become short-sighted. Do you really think the deposed emperor can become emperor again? You are all mistaken. That he is a deposed emperor is precisely why he cannot be emperor. When he abdicated, not a single official stood up for him. Who would support him now? Would he not retaliate against the officials if he returned to the throne?”

“The Northern Protection General would not do that.”

“It doesn’t matter what the Northern Protection General would do; what matters is what people think he would do. Chai Yue, if you want to establish yourself, you must first learn to think independently. Don’t be influenced by the Northern Protection General or me. Observe calmly, and you will reach the correct conclusion.”

“I’m not the only one supporting the Northern Protection General.”

“Even if the entire Northern Army supports him, what good would it do? The capital is two hundred miles away, with many checkpoints in between. Besides, you’re already late.”

“Late?” Chai Yue didn’t quite understand.

“When I left the Capital, the Southern Army was on its way back. By now, they should have arrived. Without an imperial edict, the Southern Army can’t enter the Capital. Grand Tutor Cui is a smart man and will likely station the army at Huai Tomb north of the Capital, close but not quite entering the city. It also has another advantage.”

“It cuts off the Northern Army’s route back to the capital.” Chai Yue’s expression changed.

“Exactly. As long as the Southern Army is at Huai Tomb, the affairs of the Capital have nothing to do with the Northern Army,” Xiao Sheng paused, “or with the Northern Protection General.”

Chai Yue looked somewhat bewildered, “In that case, why did Lord Xiao come to Divine Hero Pass?”

“Most court officials now support the Champion Marquis, with a few leaning towards Prince Donghai. To stand out, one must achieve something significant. The Champion Marquis first hopes the Northern Army can defeat the Xiongnu, enhancing his prestige. Second, he doesn’t want any potential threats—none at all. The Northern Protection General is one such threat, and Prince Donghai is another. But before dealing with Grand Tutor Cui’s Southern Army, Prince Donghai can’t be touched, so we must first deal with the Northern Protection General.”

Chai Yue remained silent.

Xiao Sheng stood up, walked around the table, and stood beside Chai Yue, “Not everyone has such a good opportunity as you. Establishing yourself means you can stand equal to the Chai family. Birthright will no longer matter, and everyone in the Chai family will curry favor with you.”

“Does the Champion Marquis know of me?”

“Not yet. Once you accomplish something great, become famous, and receive my recommendation, the Champion Marquis will certainly reward you richly.”

Chai Yue slowly stood up, “Is the great flow truly already set in motion?”

“Everyone in the Capital knows it.”

Chai Yue, still young, blushed as he changed his position, “I received news that in three days, several Xiongnu envoys will arrive at Divine Hero Pass to continue negotiations with the Northern Protection General. Does this count as…”

Xiao Sheng was overjoyed, “That means success for us and the Champion Marquis will be worry-free. Nephew Chai Yue, you don’t need to do anything for the next few days. When the Xiongnu envoys arrive in three days, bring them to see me first, and it will be a great merit.”

Chai Yue nodded, his brow furrowed, still seemingly indecisive. Xiao Sheng patted his shoulder, “You are a general of Great Chu and a descendant of the Chai family. Be loyal to the country and filial to your family. Beyond that, nothing else matters.”

Early the next morning, Xiao Sheng began to win over the officers at Divine Hero Pass using his position as Left Chief Censor. He didn’t aim for everyone to side with him; soldiers were often short-sighted, believing they should support whoever could lead them to victory. Xiao Sheng only wanted enough support to counter the deposed emperor when he made his decisive move.

Colluding with foreign enemies was a sufficient charge to bring down the deposed emperor. While the previous negotiations had some justification, continuing them would be blatant betrayal.

Three days later at noon, Chai Yue kept his promise and brought the newly arrived Xiongnu envoys directly to Xiao Sheng’s residence.

Xiao Sheng was well-prepared and, without further questions, led a large group of soldiers to the office, inviting the Northern Protection General to speak.

The leader of the troop camp, Chao Hua, stood at the door, bowing to everyone and finally addressing Xiao Sheng, “The Northern Protection General is not here.”

“Not here? Where did he go?”

Chao Hua glanced at Chai Yue, then smiled at Xiao Sheng, “The Northern Protection General left for the capital several days ago. He should be arriving soon.”

After meeting Xiao Sheng, Han Ruzi immediately understood: fighting Xiao Sheng at Divine Hero Pass was a waste of time.

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