The Child Emperor

Chapter 234: Up to You

The Champion Marquis refused to meet with the Weary Marquis at such a sensitive time. Han Ruzi had anticipated this but was still surprised – even with disaster looming, the Champion Marquis remained so stubborn.

Yang Feng immediately adjusted his tactics and contacted Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng and Right Chief Censor Shen Mingzhi in the late night.

The Champion Marquis often made poor decisions, so he needed someone clear-headed to persuade him. Chancellor Yin Wuhai would have been the best choice, but that old fox had sensed danger and secluded himself, refusing all visitors. Yang Feng settled for the next best option by choosing the two Chief Censors to convey the message.

Xiao Sheng and Shen Mingzhi were already fully embroiled in the succession dispute with no way to retreat. Even though they sensed danger ahead, they had no choice but to press forward.

These two were also rivals, both eyeing the Chancellor position, but they reacted much faster than the Champion Marquis. With Yang Feng mediating, they immediately decided to set aside their differences – at least temporarily – and jointly persuade the Champion Marquis.

Before dawn, the Champion Marquis finally agreed to meet the Weary Marquis at a small courtyard in the Chai residence.

When Han Ruzi arrived at the Chai residence at daybreak, Yang Feng personally inspected the courtyard before declaring it safe. He remained outside with over ten attendants while Han Ruzi entered alone.

The private meeting was the Champion Marquis’s requirement. As the situation worsened, his hatred for Yang Feng became increasingly apparent, and he didn’t want the eunuch present.

The Champion Marquis was already seated in the main position without any lights lit. When the Weary Marquis entered, he didn’t even greet him and coldly said, “Yang Feng must be very pleased. He once warned me that I must keep control of the Northern Army and be wary of changes in the palace.”

Han Ruzi really didn’t want to take on this task, but between him and the Champion Marquis, only one of them could afford to be emotional. Since the Champion Marquis had already claimed that role, Han Ruzi had to take the rational approach.

He sat opposite the Champion Marquis across the table. After quickly adjusting to the darkness, he said, “Yang Feng told me nothing, not even a word of warning.”

The Champion Marquis was briefly startled, then showed a hint of jealousy. “He thinks you’re clever enough not to need warnings.”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “In Yang Feng’s eyes, no one deserves to be called ‘clever’ – he’s just using me.”

The Champion Marquis’s expression changed, showing less arrogance and jealousy, and more surprise and sympathy. “So you feel the same way. I never understood what Yang Feng’s true purpose was. I asked him, but he wouldn’t say.”

“I don’t know either,” Han Ruzi said. Finding common ground was the first step in persuasion, and their shared topic was Yang Feng. Like two new apprentices mocking a strict shopkeeper behind his back, it could greatly improve their relationship. “Nor do I care. He’s just a eunuch with many tricks, useful when needed.”

“Exactly right. I’ve already used Yang Feng up – he’s of no more help to me, so I drove him away. Since you urgently needed someone, you took Yang Feng in.” The Champion Marquis laughed, his mood notably improved.

“Dealing with the Northern Army is the same principle,” Han Ruzi promptly changed the subject, as disparaging Yang Feng brought no practical benefit. “They should be discarded only after being fully utilized.”

The Champion Marquis’s smile faded. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you know why I despise the Northern Army?”

“No.”

The Champion Marquis fell silent again, his expression growing darker, not even the brightening daylight could soften it. “My father once commanded the Northern Army when it was still the Martial Emperor’s elite force, unlike its current poor reputation. Father devoted tremendous effort to the Northern Army, but when he fell under the Martial Emperor’s suspicion, the officers and soldiers of the Northern Army were the same as the civil officials – none spoke up for him.”

The Champion Marquis clenched his fist on the table. “I was young but old enough to remember when the Crown Prince’s residence was raided. It was chaotic that day. The officials were still polite, treating me as a royal grandson, until…” The Champion Marquis gritted his teeth, then continued after a pause: “A group of Northern Army soldiers burst in and grabbed me out of the mansion, throwing me into a prison cart. They literally grabbed me – this huge officer, built like a bear, picked me up by the neck like I was a dog. I spent six months in prison until the Martial Emperor released me. In prison, I dreamed of that officer every night, always waking up terrified…”

The Champion Marquis’s fist tightened further, his face flushing. In that moment, despite being nearly twenty, he seemed more like an inexperienced youth than Han Ruzi.

“He was probably following orders.”

“Hah! His orders were just to take me from the residence. Who ordered him to grab me by the neck? He did that deliberately, probably feeling proud about humiliating a royal grandson.” ŖАꞐɵ𝐛Ę𝐒

“Did you find him?” Han Ruzi asked. The Champion Marquis had controlled the Northern Army for over a year – finding someone shouldn’t have been difficult.

The Champion Marquis gave a cold laugh. “The Northern Army may be poor at fighting, but they’re fiercely loyal to each other. I’ve hinted several times, but those officers either claim ignorance or say all the records from that time were transferred to the Ministry of War and the Grand Marshal’s Office and can’t be checked. Only… only Chai Zhi was willing to help, but he joined the Northern Army too late to know about those events.”

Han Ruzi could hardly believe his ears. While he sympathized with the Champion Marquis’s experience, seeking revenge against an entire army just because someone had grabbed his neck as a child seemed excessive.

To the Champion Marquis, this was perfectly normal.

“When you become Emperor, you’ll have people to investigate whatever you want,” Han Ruzi said.

“Me, become Emperor?” the Champion Marquis said mockingly. “Have you given up competing?”@@novelbin@@

“I want to compete, but fairly, and I won’t be anyone’s pawn.”

The Champion Marquis pondered for a long while before asking, “Did you really not send someone to assassinate Prince Ying?”

“Why would I do that?”

“There’s a theory that you have a very tense relationship with the Empress Dowager – to put it bluntly, that you hate her. Since Prince Ying was her recommended candidate for the throne, therefore…”

To someone as vengeful as the Champion Marquis, this “theory” made perfect sense.

Han Ruzi thought for a moment. “Fine, let’s say I did send someone to assassinate Prince Ying. The result is that I’ve caused trouble – Prince Ying survived, and now we face the ‘Guanghua Tigers’ and the Eight Palace Guard Camps. Unfortunately, this disaster affects you too.”

The Champion Marquis laughed loudly. “It wasn’t you, definitely not. You don’t have that… never mind. Prince Ying’s assassination attempt is indeed a big problem. Unless the culprit is found, the Eight Palace Guard Camps will soon be arresting people throughout the city, targeting whoever Shang-guan Sheng names. What do you plan to do?”

This was a sign of agreement to work together. Han Ruzi said, “First, I ask that you contact the Wu family and learn about the Emperor’s condition.”

The Emperor had three uncles on his mother’s side – one was sent to the Northern Army while two remained in the Capital.

“Does you suspect the Emperor’s illness is fake?”

“It’s better to verify it.”

“Yes, that won’t be a problem.”

“Then we need to reconcile the Northern and Southern armies, have them jointly station at White Bridge Town, within range of the Capital region, putting pressure on the Eight Palace Guard Camps so Shang-guan Sheng won’t act rashly.”

“Yes, I think I can persuade the Southern Army’s Grand Tutor Cui. As for the Northern Army, we’ll both need to pacify them.”

This was Han Ruzi’s main purpose in meeting the Champion Marquis. “I hope you can issue an appointment letter to Chai Yue.”

The Champion Marquis wasn’t foolish in such matters and immediately became alert. “Why must it be Chai Yue?”

“Among the Northern Army commanders, I trust Chai Yue more, and you trust the Chai family. Chai Yue’s mother and brother live in the Chai Manor. This makes Chai Yue someone we both can trust. Your appointment of Chai Yue will show the world that we are truly working together, which will dispel many doubts.” Han Ruzi had planned to slowly direct the Champion Marquis’s attention to Chai Yue, but after their conversation, he felt it was better to be direct.

“The Weary Marquis is asking me to hand over the entire Northern Army to you. Although I don’t particularly like the Northern Army, I can’t just give it away as a gift.”

“You misunderstand. You will remain the Grand Marshal of the Northern Army, and the positions of Captain, Adjutant, Left and Right Generals need not change. Chai Yue just needs an official position.”

Chai Yue wasn’t part of the Northern Army – he was an Unattached General under Grand General Han Xing, and his subsequent positions were all informally authorized by Han Ruzi, which strictly speaking wasn’t quite legitimate.

The Champion Marquis stared at the Weary Marquis for a while before finally deciding, “Fine, let Chai Yue be the Provost Marshal. That position belonged to the Chai family anyway.”

“It’s all up to you.” This appointment was exactly what Han Ruzi wanted, but he didn’t show it. “The next thing is to find the real culprit. The Guanghua Tigers alone won’t be enough – we need to find our own way.”

“Yes, I’ve already sent people to investigate everyone. Within two days, before Shang-guan Sheng can interfere, the truth will come out.”

“That would be perfect.”

The Champion Marquis laughed, “In that case, we won’t need to work together, and I won’t need to appoint Chai Yue, right?”

“Of course, it’s all up to you.”

The Champion Marquis stood up, looking down as he spoke: “Honestly, I don’t quite trust you. This has nothing to do with your sincerity, but rather because of Yang Feng. With him by your side, I must remain cautious.” After a pause, he continued: “But I can distinguish between urgent and trivial matters. If the Guanghua Tigers can’t catch the real culprit and Shang-guan Sheng starts to interfere, then I’ll agree to work with you and appoint Chai Yue as the Northern Army’s Provost Marshal.”

Han Ruzi didn’t stand up and patiently said: “As long as you don’t think it’s too late.”

The Champion Marquis narrowed his eyes slightly, “I’ll give you an answer before noon.”

Han Ruzi didn’t rush or continue persuading. He had a feeling that the Champion Marquis had already been convinced and would issue the appointment to the Northern Army today. The apparent hesitation was just to show that everything was under his control.

Han Ruzi had no intention of disrupting the Champion Marquis’s feeling.

The Champion Marquis left first, and Han Ruzi sat for a while before leaving. He nodded to Yang Feng, and they returned to the Weary Marquis’s manor together.

On the way, Yang Feng said: “I’ve already arranged to meet Lian Danchen. You need to get Du Chuanyun out.”

Du Chuanyun had traveled in the pugilist world for many years and might know something about the assassins, but he would never easily reveal anything to those law enforcement officers.

Han Ruzi took a deep breath, feeling like he was back on the battlefield again.

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