The Child Emperor - Chapter 145: Nighttime Discussions

Yang Feng didn’t come alone; the Champion Marquis dispatched a total of ten generals and officers to discuss the plan of ambushing the Xiongnu.

The overall plan had been formulated by the Grand General, and the Northern Army was secretly mobilizing troops and horses, intending to ambush thirty thousand men in the valleys outside Divine Hero Pass within half a month. The Southern Army led by Grand Tutor Cui continued to apply pressure in the northeast direction, forcing the Xiongnu to have no choice but to retreat westward.

Chai Yue represented the Northern Protection General in coordinating with the Northern Army, while Han Ruzi sat aside observing. He raised only one question: what should he do if the Xiongnu attacked Shattered Iron City within half a month?

A senior officer of the Northern Army responsible for gathering intelligence claimed that the Xiongnu were currently in a dispersed state and could not assemble within a short half month. Perhaps they would harass Shattered Iron City, but their forces would not exceed a thousand men, which could be easily defended against by the thousands of soldiers under the Northern Protection General.

Han Ruzi listened attentively to the discussions among these professional military personnel, occasionally glancing at Yang Feng.

As the Adjutant of the Northern Army, Yang Feng was responsible for logistics and never expressed opinions on military strategy. Therefore, after the first half of the discussion ended, he had nothing else to do. Like Han Ruzi, he stood behind the generals, looking at the map and listening to their discussions on how to attack and encircle.

The Xiongnu to be faced this time were not many, numbering no more than ten thousand, so everyone wanted to annihilate them in one fell swoop.

As the discussion was coming to an end, Han Ruzi couldn’t help but raise another question: wouldn’t the frequent movements of the Chu army alert the Xiongnu?

Upon hearing this question, the generals and officers all smiled, then feeling it was inappropriate, quickly suppressed their smiles. Chai Yue explained, “The Xiongnu are not good at gathering information and do not trust occasional defectors from the Chu army. Moreover, the movements of the Chu army are not only at Shattered Iron City, but also at various northern border cities. The Xiongnu can’t determine which one is a trap, so they will use their usual tactics, probe, then launch a large-scale attack, loot, and retreat immediately.”

Chai Yue was also very young, but he had a very detailed understanding of the battles between Chu and Xiongnu. All the generals and officers nodded in agreement, indicating he was correct.

Han Ruzi smiled.

It was late in the day, and the Northern Army stayed overnight. Chai Yue and others entertained them, so Han Ruzi didn’t need to stay.

After a while, Yang Feng came alone to request an audience.

Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu had received orders and let Yang Feng into the tent without notifying Han Ruzi.

Han Ruzi was sitting on the bed flipping through a book, looked up at Yang Feng, and asked, “How did the Founding Emperor deal with traitors?”

“He had them executed,” Yang Feng answered, walking over.

“But according to historical records, the Founding Emperor spared traitors several times…”

“If you ask me, the Founding Emperor didn’t know in advance that those people would betray him. Look at the records in July of the second year of his uprising; he was surrounded by the former dynasty’s army, escaped alone, and lost the army he had worked so hard to build. Would such a person show mercy to traitors?”

“Some people betrayed him multiple times and still lived after the Founding Emperor became emperor.”

“Because those people were not the Founding Emperor’s trusted confidants; they each represented their own faction. They would lean one way today, and another the next day. They were never truly loyal. Naturally, their actions would not be considered betrayal. The Founding Emperor kept them only to demonstrate that the Chu army was open to all, but their betrayals didn’t have much impact on him. Look again at the records of the fifteenth year of the Founding Emperor’s rise; the last vacillating general was also wiped out.”

Han Ruzi followed Yang Feng’s instructions and found the relevant records in the book, but it did not describe the fate of the army abandoned by the Founding Emperor, nor did it indicate who was the “last vacillating general” who was wiped out.

Yang Feng stood in front of the bed, “When broadening your alliances, you must accept and tolerate all kinds of people to attract true talents. When eliminating dissidents, be swift and merciless, but always provide a justifiable reason. If they are temporarily useless, don’t let traitors get too close to you.”

Han Ruzi closed the book. “After encircling and annihilating the Xiongnu, I intend to eliminate…”

“Don’t reveal these plans to me. I am the Adjutant of the Northern Army. If the Champion Marquis asks about your intentions, I cannot remain silent.”

Only then did Han Ruzi realize that Yang Feng was not under his command, and they hadn’t seen each other for a long time.

“What can we talk about then?”

“Anything that’s public knowledge.”

“Well, should I participate in the Battle of Shattered Iron City?”

“You should.”

“I had my doubts…”

Yang Feng remained as stern and straightforward as before, interrupting Han Ruzi. “I say ‘you should’ because you already are. Instead of hesitating, move forward bravely. Did the Founding Emperor know for sure he could establish the Chu empire in his early years? Of course not. He just kept pushing until he defeated all enemies. He dared not hesitate; any hesitation from a sovereign could be magnified by his courtiers, and any hesitation is fatal. Once a decision is made, follow through to the end. The person walking at the forefront is destined not to see the road ahead clearly. Wherever he goes, he leads a possible path to the future.”

Suddenly, Han Ruzi had no more questions. To him, Yang Feng was not just an adviser but also a teacher.

“I have a fate seer here. Would you like to meet him?” Han Ruzi asked.

“Yes, I would.”

Han Ruzi called Zhang Youcai and ordered him to summon Lin Kunshan.

Yang Feng said, “I recommend two people whom the Weary Marquis can meet.”

“Who?” Han Ruzi was surprised.

“The patrol tonight shouldn’t be too strict; the first person will come to you.”

“Meng…”

Yang Feng waved his hand, signaling the Weary Marquis not to speak. He continued, “And there’s another person, surnamed Fang, named Daye. He’s a bit old and not easy to deal with. He’s currently recuperating in Shattered Iron City. If he’s not dead, he might be of great help to you, depending on whether you can win him over.”

Yang Feng gave Han Ruzi yet another problem to solve, this time making Han Ruzi take concrete actions instead of just thinking about of a solution.

Han Ruzi nodded. Just as he was about to inquire about the background of this Fang Daye, Zhang Youcai had already brought Lin Kunshan back.

Lin Kunshan bowed to Han Ruzi. His position in the army was as a strategist, without a specific rank, so he didn’t need to perform a formal salute. When he saw Yang Feng, his eyebrows lifted slightly.

“You recognize me,” Yang Feng said.

Lin Kunshan smiled, “The renowned Yang Feng, which fate seer in the world wouldn’t know? I’ve seen a portrait of you before, so I can recognize you at a glance.”

Yang Feng stared at Lin Kunshan for a moment. “Please deliver a message for me to Chunyu Xiao.”

“Sure, as long as I meet my old mentor, I’ll definitely convey it. What does Lord Yang want to say?”

“Tell him to stop. Relying on sneaky tricks won’t let him seize the realm.”

“Haha, Lord Yang truly respects my old mentor. Alright, I’ll make sure it gets through.”

Yang Feng bowed and took his leave unexpectedly.

Lin Kunshan turned to the Weary Marquis with a smile. ” Lord Yang met me just for this small matter?”

Han Ruzi was also puzzled, especially feeling that his conversation with Yang Feng was not yet over. “It seems so.”

“Well, I was just about to see the Weary Marquis.”

Han Ruzi gestured to Zhang Youcai to leave the tent and guard outside.

Lin Kunshan approached. “How’s the journey been?”

“It’s alright, a bit easier than I expected.”

“While the Weary Marquis is at ease, the common people are not.”

“Mr Lin, speak your mind.” Han Ruzi believed fate seers had some usefulness but one had to remain cautious of their words.

“From Mayi City to Divine Hero Pass, it’s over 300 miles long and the army marches 30 miles a day. The roads are paved, the camps are ready, provisions, servants, everything is prepared. The Weary Marquis has four thousand men, but along this route, at least forty thousand commoners toil for it.”

“Hmm,” Han Ruzi naturally knew these things didn’t materialize out of thin air.

“The rebellion that was thwarted by the Weary Marquis arose from this. It was during the autumn harvest season when many commoners were conscripted by the government to build roads and camps for the army. The army stayed for only one night and then left, but the commoners had to spend at least ten days. Once the autumn harvest was over, most of the harvest would be taken by the government and sent to various border cities. By then, there might be even more rebellions.”

Han Ruzi fell silent for a moment. “Telling me this now serves no purpose.”

“Of course, I just hope that someday the Weary Marquis will remember my words.”

“That ‘someday’ may not come soon.”

“That might not be so. The situation is set, just lacking a trigger.”

“What situation? What trigger?”

“I’m not withholding information from you. Only my mentor can see through these two things. I’m still not quite there yet. Anyway, it’s enough that the Weary Marquis remembers what I said.” Lin Kunshan bid farewell with a bow, then asked, “Is Lord Yang also going to Shattered Iron City?”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “He’s the Adjutant of the Northern Army. Going to Shattered Iron City with me would be equivalent to a demotion.”

Lin Kunshan smiled and left. Han Ruzi had a feeling, though, that Lin Kunshan was afraid of Yang Feng, and this fear was ingrained, not just because Yang Feng had once arrested many fate seers.

Han Ruzi sat alone for a while, then had Ni Qiu call for Chao Hua. “When we reach Divine Hero Pass, everyone can rest for a bit. Only a few guards need to remain at the gates at night. No need for patrols.”

Chao Hua was somewhat surprised by this order but didn’t ask further. He went out to arrange for the night patrol soldiers to rest, leaving only a few soldiers to guard the camp gates.

Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu usually took turns staying in the Weary Marquis’s tent. Han Ruzi, using reading as an excuse, let them retire to the adjacent tent early.

Indeed, he read for a while. With Yang Feng’s guidance, the deeds of the Founding Emperor began to appear inconsistent. Although the national history tried to portray the Founding Emperor as far-sighted and claimed he foresaw his own rise to greatness even when he was still a commoner, more details indicated that the Founding Emperor initially only sought to protect himself. It wasn’t until at least three years into the uprising that he harbored ambitions to conquer the realm.

“Move forward bravely,” Han Ruzi couldn’t help but think. The Founding Emperor’s “moving forward bravely” had caused quite a lot of trouble. Those who survived until the end relied half on vigilance and half on luck.

No wonder everyone hoped to become emperor, but very few dared to try. Those who succeeded were one in ten thousand. In hindsight, that final victorious emperor would seem to have been protected by some kind of force from the beyond.

Suddenly, Han Ruzi understood why he and Prince Donghai were so “popular.” As the sons of the Graceful Emperor, half of the obstacles in their path to the throne were removed. Even so, the other half of the obstacles could claim their lives at any time.

Pfft, the candle burned out. Han Ruzi sighed lightly, closed the book, and contemplated. He realized he shouldn’t emulate the Founding Emperor before and during the uprising but should focus on the Founding Emperor during the contestation between the Three Heroes.

“Have you persisted in your martial arts practice?” a familiar voice, unheard for a long time, asked.

“I have.”

“Good. Let’s have a contest. If I win, I’ll turn around and leave, cutting off all contact from now on. If I lose, I’ll tell you everything, and then we’ll negotiate a deal.”

Meng E was even more peculiar than Yang Feng. Han Ruzi was about to say that he surely wasn’t a match, but a hand had already swooshed through the darkness with a gust of wind.

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