Chapter 94: The Imperial Study, A Secret Plot
Victory after victory was reported in rapid succession. It should have been a cause for national celebration, yet on the golden throne, the Emperor of Tianwu wore a faintly sallow face, and the civil and military officials could only lower their heads in silence.
After a long pause, the Emperor exhaled a heavy breath, a kingly authority emanating from him as he fixed a sharp gaze on the Chu Family army officer delivering the news. “Which valiant general under my dear brother’s command has shown such bravery? I must reward him generously!”
The Chu army soldier scrambled up from the ground, drenched in sweat. Dropping to one knee, he replied with a steady voice, “Your Majesty, it is Cavalry Captain Chu Xiaoxiao!”
“A rank-eight martial officer…?”
“With the surname Chu.”
“Doesn’t Chu Xiong have only a son who’s not yet nine years old?”
…
The ministers dared not discuss openly, so they whispered to one another in suspicion. Everyone was baffled. Since when had the Chu family produced such a young and formidable rank-eight officer—one who even bore the surname Chu!
The Tianwu Emperor’s expression was one of bewilderment as well. Chu Xiong stood alone in the world with no direct kin. Chu…
Suddenly, the man upon the dragon throne shot to his feet, glancing at the Crown Prince who was observing from the side, then at the Chu army soldier. His pupils shrank in shock as he exclaimed, “Could this be the son of my dear brother?”
“It is indeed the young master Chu, Your Majesty.”
At these words, the entire hall erupted in astonishment. No wonder he was a disciple of Master Cen!
“Good! Excellent! Reward him!” The Tianwu Emperor swept his sleeve and sat back down. “After court, Prime Minister Liu, come to the Imperial Study to discuss affairs.”
“I obey, Your Majesty.”
The assembled ministers eyed Liu Shuming with envy. He was truly the emperor’s favored confidant—his daughter had been chosen as the Crown Princess, and he himself held sway over finances and supplies.
After the morning audience, within the Imperial Study, Liu Shuming was beside himself with anxiety, the Emperor’s face dark with displeasure, while Xiao Shengjie kept his head lowered, fists clenched tight.
Chu Junhan! It was Chu Junhan again!
“I will not allow the Chu family to develop any further. Liu Shuming, you must quickly come up with a plan for me!” The Emperor slapped the table, feeling himself pushed into an impossible situation by Chu Xiong.
If he ordered a withdrawal now, wouldn’t the whole world see him as a petty emperor plotting against his sworn brother? Especially when the Liao Kingdom was under attack from all sides, barely able to defend itself!
Liu Shuming wiped the sweat from his brow. “Your Majesty, as for provisions, I have already delayed with all manner of excuses. For a year now, the Chu family army has received no supply of grain. They cannot hold out much longer—they are spent and exhausted.”
“Father, I beg you to allow me to go to the frontier and make my mark. If I can subdue the neighboring small states, you will have every reason to let General Chu retire and send me to lead the campaign against Liao!”
Xiao Shengjie spoke all in a rush, fists clenched, head bowed so that no one could see the ruthless glint in his eyes.
The Emperor grunted angrily. “But it was Chu Junhan who captured Yecheng, not Chu Xiong! Now Chu Junhan’s prestige is no less than his father’s. If the father dies, do you think the son will spare you?”
Xiao Shengjie lifted his head slowly, a harsh curve to his lips and determination in his eyes. “Then we kill them both!”
Chu Junhan, just you wait!
“Father, please have faith in me. I will seize those neighboring states before the Chu family does. When that time comes, who holds greater prestige remains to be seen!” Xiao Shengjie knelt without hesitation, his gaze unwavering.
“Very well, I grant your request. Liu Shuming,” the Emperor said, turning to the middle-aged man beside him, “go assist the Crown Prince. Help him take several of the adjacent small states.”
Liu Shuming broke out in a cold sweat. Not only did the Crown Prince lack self-awareness, now he was to be dragged into this as well! All these years, the Tianqing Kingdom had never annexed these small states—had the Crown Prince never wondered why?