The Human Emperor Chapter 2461 - Side Story Chapter 34: Wang Jiulings Advice!
Previously on The Human Emperor...
Time slowly went by. Suddenly, a fierce storm swept through the capital. After it subsided, a scandal involving Assistant Minister Chen Yuan of the Bureau of Personnel sent shockwaves through the Imperial Court.
Although the case directly concerned Chen Yuan, everyone inside and outside the court understood its true target: the War of the Princes, and particularly the fierce contention between the First Prince Li Xuantu, the Second Prince Li Chengyi, and the rapidly rising Third Prince.
As was tradition across countless dynasties, the War of the Princes remained the paramount source of anxiety and dread for the court officials.
In previous administrations, no matter the severity of a mistake, unless it constituted outright treason, the harshest penalty was typically exile to the borders. However, when the War of the Princes and the struggle for the imperial throne entered the picture, everything changed.
Failure in this ultimate contest meant the annihilation of one's entire clan.
Yet, despite the dire consequences, it was universally acknowledged that this confrontation was unavoidable.
With the Tang Emperor gravely ill, the Third Prince was poised to exert every possible effort to secure the allegiance of court officials and consolidate his faction, thereby positioning himself to contend for the Supreme Throne of the Nine and Five.
Chen Yuan had tragically become a pawn in this grand power struggle.
......
The true tempest had yet to fully break, and at this juncture, within the confines of the Eastern Palace...
Li Xuantu, adorned in a resplendent black and gold imperial robe, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Flanking him were the numerous strategists and advisors of the Eastern Palace.
“What is the situation? Are there any movements from Jade Dragon Palace?”
Li Xuantu tilted his head, his gaze fixed on the raindrops streaking down the palace windows as he spoke with an air of indifference.
A deep voice emanated from behind him. “Your Highness, Chen Yuan’s case is already a done deal. It is far too late for the Third Prince to extricate him. Furthermore, Your Highness is the Crown Prince officially appointed by His Majesty, and more than half of the court has already sworn their loyalty to you. Regardless of the Third Prince’s willingness, he will be utterly incapable of posing a threat to Your Highness!”
The speaker possessed a stern countenance and a beard frosted with gray. His very bearing exuded the unmistakable presence of a high-ranking authority. This was none other than the Minister of the Bureau of Punishments, Zhou Yan.
Li Xuantu remained silent, yet a subtle glint flickered within his eyes.
Among the Six Bureaus of the Great Tang, the Bureau of Punishments, the Bureau of Revenue, and the Bureau of Rites were firmly in his camp. In addition to these, numerous other officials had also declared their allegiance. Under normal circumstances, victory should have been well within his grasp. Nevertheless, Li Xuantu could not dispel the profound sense of unease that gnawed at him.
“Zhao Wu, what is the status on your end?” Li Xuantu inquired suddenly.
A young man standing behind Li Xuantu bowed respectfully. “In Your Highness’s stead, I have already established contact with those individuals. However, whether it be Zhang Shougui, Zhangchou Jianqiong, or Wang Haibin, all of them remain steadfastly devoted to the Third Prince and adamantly refuse to shift their allegiance.”
Very few individuals grasped the reality that the battlefield of the War of the Princes was not confined solely to the halls of the Imperial Court. Beyond the officials who had pledged their fealty to Li Taiyi, the Eastern Palace had also extended invitations to the formidable generals who had previously aided Li Taiyi in their campaign against the Turks.
“Is that so?”
Li Xuantu’s brow furrowed, a cold and somber expression descending upon his features.
He was the Crown Prince, meticulously chosen by the Tang Emperor—the rightful and legitimate successor. All the land beneath the heavens belonged to the sovereign, and every soul within its borders was his subject. Whether they resided within the Imperial Court or stationed at the distant frontiers, all peoples ought to have bowed before him.
“Third Brother, there are certain possessions that do not belong to you, yet you stubbornly persist in attempting to claim them. Do not hold me accountable for the consequences that follow.”
Li Xuantu narrowed his eyes, an alarming chill emanating from their depths.
“Issue the commands. Proceed according to the established plan.”
......
Concurrently, within Jade Dragon Palace, Li Taiyi had convened his trusted subordinates and advisors. Among those present were Zhang Shougui, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Wang Jiuling, and others of considerable importance.
“Has the investigation yielded any results?” Li Taiyi inquired.
“Not yet. We have dispatched our operatives, and Eunuch Li is cooperating with our efforts, but we are all at a loss regarding His Majesty’s ailment. Moreover, we have examined the medicinal concoctions. While we have not detected any overt irregularities, we have meticulously weighed the dregs of two doses administered in close succession. Though the composition of the dregs remained identical, their weights differed significantly.”
After a moment of profound contemplation, Wang Jiuling declared with a grave expression, “If our hypothesis is correct, something within that medicine was deliberately removed prior to its administration. Our adversary is proving to be far more cunning than we had initially anticipated!”
A palpable heaviness descended upon the hall. Li Taiyi’s brow twitched, and a sinking feeling settled in his heart.
Zhang Shougui interjected abruptly. “Your Highness, this must surely be the machination of the First Prince and the Second Prince! We can no longer afford to delay. We must accelerate our actions. A definitive decision must be reached before this situation solidifies!
“It will be far too late to take any meaningful action once the First Prince ascends the throne.”
The assembled officials, including Abusi, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Wang Jiuling, and Gao Lishi, who had pledged allegiance to the Third Prince, all turned their gaze toward Li Taiyi, united in their unspoken query. "How shall we proceed?" they collectively wondered. Li Taiyi conveyed his apprehension with a shake of his head. "My elder brother holds the position of Crown Prince, a designation bestowed by our Imperial Father. Furthermore, the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor hold sway in the imperial court. Should I make a move now, it would undoubtedly be construed as treason." A profound silence descended upon the group. They recognized the inherent legitimacy of the Crown Prince inheriting the throne, a significant obstacle they currently couldn't overcome. Yet, within Jade Dragon Palace, it was widely understood that the Tang Emperor's resolve was wavering. Their previous attempt to install the Third Prince as Crown Prince had been met with a swift and firm rejection from the Virtuous Empress Dou. In reality, the very fact that the Third Prince was permitted to engage in court deliberations signaled the Tang Emperor's growing consideration of alternatives to the First Prince. At the very least, it indicated the Emperor perceived the Third Prince as possessing the requisite qualities for the throne. The annals of history, after all, dictated that the sovereign's seat was reserved for the most capable, not merely the firstborn. Most critically, the Emperor's declining health bore an undeniable connection to the Eastern Palace, or at the very least, the Eastern Palace possessed knowledge of its cause. For a Prince to stand idly by in such a situation would constitute an act of treason, disqualifying the First Prince from succession should evidence emerge. As their discussion continued, the distant sound of flapping wings grew closer. Soon, a messenger bird descended, a swift silhouette against the sky, before it entered through the window and landed in Li Taiyi’s waiting hand. "A dispatch from the Eastern Palace!" the herald announced. Wang Jiuling and the others exchanged uneasy glances, a collective shiver running through them. The intelligence from their informants within the Eastern Palace bore a distinctive, covert marking, known only to the inner circle of Jade Dragon Palace. Li Taiyi extracted the scroll from the bird's leg. A mere glance was enough to darken his expression. "Inform everyone," he commanded, his voice grave, "that the Eastern Palace is poised to make its strike!" ...... The eruption of this political storm proved far more immediate and tempestuous than anticipated. Mere three days later, Zhang Shougui, who had been instrumental in formulating strategies within Jade Dragon Palace, abruptly received transfer orders. Reports indicated renewed unrest from the Turks in the northwest, necessitating his immediate redeployment to the volatile borderlands. During the prior campaign against the Turks, Zhang Shougui had been bestowed the honorary title of Left Commandant and assigned to the northwestern frontier. Though this title was largely symbolic, the Eastern Palace had leveraged it as a pretext to remove him from the capital. One day passed, and further news arrived from the palace. An assassination attempt had been made against the First Prince within the very confines of the Eastern Palace, an act that incensed him. Seizing this opportunity, he initiated a reorganization of the Imperial Army. Furthermore, since the would-be assassin had ultimately fled into the territory overseen by Wang Haibin, the latter was consequently stripped of his rank as Marshal. The Eastern Palace subsequently assumed command of the Imperial Army division under Wang Haibin's jurisdiction, reassigning it to another Marshal. As for Wang Haibin himself, he was relegated to the distant post of Lingnan, tasked with the training of new recruits for the Imperial Court, a path intended for his eventual redemption through service. Within a mere ten-day span, Zhangchou Jianqiong, Abusi, and a host of other officials in the imperial court who favored the Third Prince found themselves either removed from the capital, demoted, or exiled to remote frontiers under various pretexts. The swiftness and ruthlessness of these maneuvers suggested meticulous planning, like a perfectly executed assault. The most devastating blow, however, landed several days later with the entanglement of the Wu Menglong case. Wang Jiuling, Li Taiyi’s trusted advisor, was implicated in a bribery scandal and subsequently confined to a prison cell pending interrogation. More significantly, it was revealed that the Second Prince was the architect behind the scheme to frame Wang Jiuling for bribery, leading to his incarceration. The winter solstice had arrived. Despite the brilliant sunshine, a biting, cold wind swept through the air, an ominous harbinger of unsettling times. Outside the imposing structure of the Court of Judicial Review, few pedestrians were visible. A tall, slender figure stood in quiet anticipation at the road's terminus. Amidst the resonant clang of metal, a figure of authority emerged. "Jiuling!" Li Taiyi exclaimed, his face alight with relief. He hastened forward to greet his subordinate. However, Wang Jiuling himself appeared remarkably composed, seemingly having anticipated the encounter. "Your Highness!" Wang Jiuling responded calmly. "The matters within the Imperial Court have been resolved. The Wu Menglong affair has concluded. Come, allow me to escort you back!" Li Taiyi quickly advanced, gently supporting Wang Jiuling’s body, which bore the marks of his ordeal, and guiding him towards the waiting bronze carriage.Just a few days had passed, yet Wang Jiuling appeared significantly thinner, his hair disheveled, and his prison garb marred by dried blood, a clear testament to the brutal torture he had endured. A closer inspection revealed his clothes still adhered to his exposed skin, damp and sticky in patches, indicating a recent torment that hadn't even allowed the blood to fully dry.
Li Taiyi felt a pang of pain seeing Wang Jiuling’s state but suppressed his urge to speak.
The carriage proceeded into the Imperial Palace. Upon reaching the Jade Dragon Palace, they disembarked, and Li Taiyi finally broke the silence.
“It’s the winter solstice; I’ve brought some dumplings.”
Li Taiyi understood Wang Jiuling’s pride, which was why he had remained silent from the prison all the way to the Jade Dragon Palace.
However, Wang Jiuling offered no words, his head bowed, his messy hair concealing his face and making his expression unreadable.
Abruptly, without any prelude, Wang Jiuling turned and knelt solemnly before Li Taiyi.
“Your Highness, before heaven bestows high office upon a man, it tests his resolve with suffering and strengthens his sinews and bones. Your subject can endure this minor pain.
Currently, all of Your Highness’s loyal subordinates have been eliminated, with only a handful remaining in the capital. These individuals have shared life and death with Your Highness, and I believe Your Highness carries a burden heavier than anyone else.
Your Highness must understand why the First Prince acted so boldly against us. Furthermore, if this continues, Your Highness will soon find it difficult to protect yourself.
This subject irrevocably tied his life to Your Highness long ago, vowing to protect you until death! I implore Your Highness to make a firm decision soon!”
Li Taiyi was taken aback by this display.
It was said that a man kneels but rarely, and yet, shortly after his release from prison, with his body still weak, Wang Jiuling had bowed and spoken with such directness.
His unwavering loyalty moved Li Taiyi deeply.
There were certain actions that one simply had to take, regardless of the cost.
“Haaa, Jiuling, I comprehend your meaning, but he is the Crown Prince!
It isn’t that I am unwilling, but if I do not ascend the throne through legitimate means, even if I succeed, the realm will not grant me recognition.”
Coming to his senses, Li Taiyi let out a profound sigh.
“Jiuling, you may rise.”
Li Taiyi extended his hands to help Wang Jiuling to his feet.
Yet, Wang Jiuling remained rooted, as if one with the earth.
“Your Highness, you once told me in the Bureau of Punishments’ jail, ‘Within a few centuries, the civilization of the Central Plains will vanish. The Han people will be subjugated by another race, living a life worse than death, like ants struggling for survival, and the lands of the Central Plains will be turned into pastures.’
“Your subject remembers Your Highness’s resolve to alter the fate of the Central Plains at any cost, to forge a prosperous and powerful Great Tang, bestowing blessings upon its people, even if it meant being scorned by all and suffering utter destruction. Has Your Highness forgotten these words?”
Wang Jiuling’s voice resonated with force, striking Li Taiyi’s mind like an alarm bell.
Li Taiyi's eyes flickered as the grim visions of his past life surfaced—the tragedies, the suffering, the widespread famine that had plagued the land.
“Because we placed our faith in Your Highness, because we felt Your Highness’s sincerity and conviction, whether it was myself, Wang Haibin, Zhang Shougui, or any of the others, we chose to follow Your Highness and entrust our very lives to you.
“It is true. As Your Highness states, the First Prince holds the title of Crown Prince bestowed by His Majesty and has committed no cardinal sins. However, the War of the Princes is a brutal struggle where only one can survive. Either he dies, or you do.
“Moreover, observing the First Prince’s conduct, does Your Highness genuinely believe he will be a wise ruler upon ascending the throne? A sovereign’s actions have profound consequences for the nation's welfare, each decision impacting the land and its people. Even if the First Prince claims the throne and becomes Emperor, his obstinate nature will undoubtedly bring ruin to the Great Tang.”
Wang Jiuling’s words stemmed from the depths of his heart.
Li Taiyi immediately understood, a torrent of thoughts flooding his mind.
In his previous existence, the First Prince, Li Xuantu, should have become a sagacious ruler, but his greatest downfall was his arrogance.
Not long after he assumed the throne, the Turks launched an assault. He had previously repelled them and thus did not treat the threat with sufficient gravity. However, it wasn't merely the Turks; Ü-Tsang, Mengshe Zhao, and Goguryeo had joined forces, converging on the Great Tang.
Underestimating his adversaries, even once, plunged the nation into dire calamity.
Beyond that, with the Great Tang engulfed in calamity, Li Xuantu perceived his errors and resolved to storm the enemy stronghold with his chosen warriors, aiming to decapitate their leader. However, this sudden surge of audacity left the Great Tang without a ruler, plunging it into prolonged internal conflict. The territories of the Great Tang diminished swiftly, ushering in the dark age that Li Taiyi had foretold. "Your Highness," a concerned voice echoed, "the First Prince has abandoned all fraternal affection. There is still an opportunity to alter our course, but once the outcome is decided, it will be irrevocably too late. Furthermore, if Your Highness holds no regard for your own safety, surely you must consider the Virtuous Empress Dou? Should the First Prince achieve his objective, he will show no mercy." Li Taiyi was profoundly affected by these words. "One who aspires to achieve grand endeavors disregards trivial matters. Have you forgotten the actions of Taizong? Currently, it is only me, but soon it shall be Your Highness. If Your Highness abstains from launching a counteroffensive, then you are truly resigning yourself to death." At last, Li Taiyi's gaze intensified with a newfound determination. "Jiuling, I grasp your meaning!"