Chapter 155: Winning Turns Out to Be a Mistake, The Fourth Prince Meets Bing Wengu

Chapter 155: Victory Became a Mistake - Prince Four and Bing Wengu

Shen Chengzhou, watching silently from below, could not help but admire Bing Wengu's tactics.

Indeed, the hearts of scholars were never pure. Such manipulative skills would likely ensure that these people would be willing to lay down their lives for Bing Wengu in the future. As long as Bing Wengu was present, the frontier army would follow his lead without question.

However, Shen Chengzhou also had to admit that although Bing Wengu was adept at manipulating people, he undeniably possessed genuine talent.

Shen Chengzhou suddenly recalled the rumors he had heard when he first inquired about Bing Wengu. It was said that to avoid disturbing the people, Bing Wengu left quietly. Yet, the people stubbornly waited all night just to see him off.

Reflecting on it now, the people were not fools; they valued practical benefits most. Their deep affection for Bing Wengu must have stemmed from his exceptional abilities, which brought them a better life.

A man who could rise to power within three years was not to be underestimated. Bing Wengu was unlike any official Shen Chengzhou had ever encountered.

Looking up at the man on the stage, who seemed like a deity, Shen Chengzhou wondered how far he could lead Fengzhou.

Though envious of Bing Wengu's achievements, Shen Chengzhou still hoped for the prosperity of Fengzhou.

On the other side, a cavalryman galloped urgently toward Bianjing City. During the morning court session, the Emperor cast a dark gaze over the ministers below, "A bunch of useless scoundrels, I raised you to exploit the people."

Zhan Yu had just executed a major corrupt official. The south had always been a wealthy region, and every official who visited there returned with pockets full. This was bad enough, but upon returning to Bianjing, instead of lying low, they immediately sought to align themselves with a prince. They were already planning his funeral while he was still alive.

Moreover, with Bing Wengu dispatched to Fengzhou, Zhan Yu was already worried, so today's court session saw him berating these officials mercilessly.

The entire court, including Prince Mei Chengwen and others, hung their heads, not daring to meet Bing Wengu's eyes, meek as quails.

Just as all the ministers dared not breathe, the trusted eunuch and chief steward received an urgent report from outside. It concerned news from Fengzhou. The chief steward's face turned grim, knowing well that it must be another disturbance by the Huns in Fengzhou, with no telling what kind of disaster this time.

It wasn't that the chief steward looked down on or doubted Bing Wengu. It was simply that many military officers had failed in Fengzhou. A scholar with no combat experience, sent to fight the Huns in Fengzhou... if it were merely theoretical warfare, the chief steward might have thought he stood a chance.

Zhan Yu noticed the Chief Eunuch's furtive actions and became even angrier, "Fu An, what are you sneaking around for? If there’s something, speak up clearly."

Summoned by name, Su Fu'an had no choice but to step forward, his voice filled with woe, "Your Majesty, just now, a messenger from Fengzhou City rushed in with an urgent report."

After speaking, Su Fu'an lowered his head as if he wished it could burrow into the ground and disappear.

The entire hall fell even more silent, as if the air itself had grown thin.

Mei Chengwen secretly glanced at the Fourth Prince, who also looked back at him. The two exchanged a silent glance, each seeing in the other’s eyes the pride of a well-laid plan coming to fruition.

If not for the oppressive atmosphere in the court, Mei Chengwen would have burst out laughing on the spot.

Mei Chengwen had strongly advocated for Bing Wengu to be exiled to Fengzhou, foreseeing this very outcome.

No matter how learned Bing Wengu was, he was still a scholar, skilled only in governance. A civil official capable of managing a region’s populace, when thrown into a war-torn border, becomes a toothless tiger—possessing great abilities but lacking the means to use them. This is what they call a scholar meeting soldiers.

Now that Fengzhou had sent an urgent report, it must mean that trouble had arisen again. Bing Wengu had only just arrived in Fengzhou; he likely hadn’t even grasped the situation there yet. In such circumstances, let alone a man with zero combat experience like Bing Wengu, even a seasoned general would face certain defeat.

Thinking of this, Mei Chengwen’s gaze grew colder. When Bing Wengu turned into a ghost, decapitated by the Xiongnu, he would surely regret it bitterly, cursing himself for being blind and turning down the favor of the esteemed Prime Minister Mei.

He would realize that the twin daughters of the prestigious Mei family were far more useful than his own wife from the countryside, who was good for nothing. He would understand that writing stories and compiling dictionaries were merely superficial talents, offering no salvation in critical moments.

What a pity he couldn’t witness Bing Wengu’s final moments of bitter regret and tears.

Imagining Bing Wengu’s miserable fate, Mei Chengwen felt a surge of satisfaction, almost unable to suppress a laugh in the court.

Sitting at the head of the hall, Zhan Yu’s eyes were fixed intently on Mei Chengwen. Fortunately, Mei Chengwen kept his head low, preventing Zhan Yu from seeing the expression on his face, or he might have erupted in anger on the spot.

The Left Chancellor remained equally silent, his thoughts mirroring those of Mei Chengwen. Sometimes, being too talented was not a blessing. When a more powerful figure took notice, refusal led to such consequences. One could only hope that Bing Wengu would not meet his end here.

The heart of Secretariat Drafter Shen leaped. He had little interaction with Bing Wengu, but Bing Wengu was a close friend of Shen Qinghe and Jiang Jinghuai. Seeing that Bing Wengu was no ordinary man, the three might support each other in their future careers. If Bing Wengu were to fall now, Shen Qinghe and Jiang Jinghuai would lose a significant ally.

Zhan Yu suppressed his urge to curse, his voice hoarse as he said, "Announce."

"Long live the Emperor, may he reign for ten thousand years!" The cavalryman knelt before Zhan Yu to pay his respects.

Zhan Yu, impatient, said, "No need for formalities. Quickly report on the crisis in Fengzhou."

The cavalryman, unable to contain his excitement after suppressing it throughout the journey, lost composure when asked by the Emperor. Almost in tears from joy, he reported, "Your Majesty, Prefect Bing led the frontier army to a great victory, almost annihilating the Xiongnu soldiers. Prefect Bing himself, amidst the troops, personally beheaded the Xiongnu Third Prince, Uyak."

"Truly?"

"Bing Wengu repelled the Xiongnu?"

"Bing Wengu killed the Xiongnu Third Prince?"

These three questions, almost simultaneous, came from Zhan Yu, Mei Chengwen, and the Left Chancellor.

As for the court officials, they all stared in disbelief at the messenger upon hearing this news.

Even the usually composed Crown Prince lost his composure, jerking his head up so quickly he nearly strained his neck.

Zhan Yu's eyes widened, and he abruptly stood from his dragon throne, accidentally knocking over the inkwell on the imperial desk, splashing himself.

Su Fu'an hurried to wipe him clean but was pushed away by Zhan Yu, "Say that again!"

"Your Majesty, Prefect Bing defeated the Xiongnu and killed the Xiongnu Third Prince!" The soldier, overcome with emotion, wept as he spoke.

This time, everyone heard clearly. Those who had almost doubted their ears now confirmed that it wasn't their hearing that was faulty, but that the soldier was indeed reporting the truth.

Because they heard clearly, everyone found it even more unbelievable. If it were not absolutely impossible, they would have suspected that this news was a fabrication by Minister Bing himself, intended to curry favor with the Emperor.

"Ha ha ha..." Zhan Yu threw back his head and laughed, his foul mood from earlier completely dispelled. "Good! Excellent! Truly worthy of being a trusted minister I hold in high regard!!!"

Zhan Yu could hardly contain his joy. "Quickly, quickly, tell Me in detail. I am eager to hear about Minister Bing's brilliant campaign against the Xiongnu!"

At this moment, the soldier forgot his fear of meeting the Emperor and began to speak enthusiastically about the hero, Minister Bing. Though his narration was somewhat dry and many details were unclear, it did not stop Zhan Yu from listening with great excitement!

"Excellent!" Zhan Yu slammed his hand on the table. "This is the kind of talent Da Yong needs—versed in both literature and martial arts! No matter where he is placed, as long as Da Yong requires it, he can shine and excel perfectly!"

Zhan Yu's eyes swept over the court ministers, seeing unmasked disbelief and astonishment on some faces. His good mood soured once again.

At this moment, these people still had their private interests at heart, unwilling to see Minister Bing achieve such a great victory.

"You useless, selfish scoundrels!" Zhan Yu suddenly shouted at the ministers. "What use are you besides eating for free!"

"The drought in Fengzhou, you told Me it was My fault, demanding that I issue an edict of self-reproach. In the end, I sent Minister Bing, who was then looked down upon by all, to solve a problem that almost cost you your lives. Not only did he resolve the issue, but he also helped the entire Da Yong overcome the drought. Now, Da Yong no longer fears great droughts."

"Now you tell Me that the Xiongnu are a formidable enemy of Da Yong, that the threat posed by the Xiongnu is unsolvable, and that peace can only be bought by ceding territory. But I sent Minister Bing again, a man of letters who had never been to battle before, someone who might not have even held a sword or killed a living thing before arriving in Fengzhou.

And what happened? Upon reaching Fengzhou, without fully understanding the situation there, he defeated the Xiongnu and executed the third prince of the Xiongnu!"

Zhan Yu felt a deep satisfaction, not only because they had finally won against the Xiongnu, but also because Minister Bing had truly lived up to his expectations.

"The facts prove that everything, every single thing, is due to your incompetence! Your worthlessness!"

The court ministers fell silent, no one daring to speak.

Mei Chengwen's emotions churned like a stormy sea. He could not believe that a man of letters like Minister Bing could defeat the Xiongnu, and he was even less willing to accept that it was true.

If Bing Wengu really defeats the Xiongnu and returns to court, wouldn't I, Mei Chengwen, become a great joke?

No, absolutely not. I cannot let Bing Wengu have his way.

Mei Chengwen glanced at Zhan Fuxian and noticed that Zhan Fuxian was also looking at him with a questioning gaze, asking what to do next.

Mei Chengwen secretly signaled to Zhan Fuxian, who nodded slightly in response.

Zhan Fuxian stepped forward, "Father, it is not my intention to dampen the mood, but Prefect Bing's actions in this matter are indeed highly inappropriate."

Emperor Zhan Yu's face was as cold as ice, "I see no impropriety. Is it that the Fourth Prince must have Minister Bing lose to feel secure?"

Zhan Fuxian knew he shouldn't continue, for the Emperor was truly angry, addressing him as the Fourth Prince in front of all the court officials. This was a veiled warning.

"Fourth Prince, do not make Me disappointed!" Emperor Zhan Yu narrowed his eyes, half-threatening.

At this moment, Zhan Fuxian felt a surge of hesitation and involuntarily looked toward Mei Chengwen. Mei Chengwen's eyes urged him to continue, leaving Zhan Fuxian unable to back down. Mei Chengwen was his maternal grandfather's family, the only force in the court that followed him wholeheartedly. Moreover, although Mei Chengwen no longer held office, his connections were extensive, and Zhan Fuxian still needed his support; he could not afford to alienate him.

Facing Emperor Zhan Yu's almost devouring gaze, Zhan Fuxian steeled himself and said, "Father, your son has no such intention. Of course, I hope Da Yong will prosper. However, in handling the Xiongnu issue, Prefect Bing has indeed acted improperly."

Daring not to look up at Emperor Zhan Yu's expression, Zhan Fuxian continued, "Prefect Bing could have captured the Xiongnu Third Prince and used him to negotiate a non-aggression treaty with the Xiongnu. Now, by directly executing the Xiongnu Third Prince, he has completely offended the Xiongnu. The Chanyu of the Xiongnu will certainly not let this go and will launch a fierce counterattack."

As he spoke, Zhan Fuxian suddenly realized that his arguments made sense. He wasn't just trying to cause trouble for Bing Wengu but was genuinely concerned for Da Yong.

"Bing Wengu is, after all, a scholar without combat experience. His victory this time is likely due to the Xiongnu's underestimation. Next time, when the Xiongnu take it seriously, they will surely seek revenge for their Third Prince, and the people of Fengzhou will suffer."

There were indeed some court officials who supported the Fourth Prince's view.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The Governor of Fengzhou's actions were ill-considered. Although it appears he won the battle, it may bring countless disasters to Fengzhou!"

"Your Majesty, the Governor of Fengzhou is a capable administrator, and he might not have overlooked this point. Could it be that his personal ambition led him to act recklessly, disregarding the lives of the people of Fengzhou for his own glory?"

Emperor Zhan Yu's expression darkened, "So, you mean to say that Minister Bing's victory over the Xiongnu and the execution of the Xiongnu Third Prince are not meritorious but rather a fault?"