Chapter 80

Chapter 80

With Fu Daonian dealt with, the performance review banquet was set to continue.

Only after the military officers had regained their boisterous spirits did Emperor Xingwu bring up the vacant position of Yunzhou Commander: "Due to Fu Daonian's negligence, Biao State has likely come to believe over the past few years that all generals of Great Qi are lustful and indolent. The people of Yunzhou, ravaged by Biao State's incursions, also think that I, like the weak and incompetent rulers of the previous dynasty, cannot protect them. Therefore, I must dispatch a formidable general there—one who can both rectify the Yunzhou army's discipline and deliver a crushing blow to Biao State on my behalf, deterring them from ever daring to invade Great Qi's territory again."

A formidable general?

No sooner had Emperor Xingwu spoken than Prince Yong, Deng Chong, Fan Zhong, and Li Yu eagerly stepped forward in the main hall, volunteering to go to Yunzhou. Even the newly ennobled Prince Jing, Qin Bing, and Deng Chong's sons, Deng Kun and Deng Tai, followed suit.

With enough generals already volunteering, Lü Zan, Zhang Jie, and others did not join the clamor. Lü Zan knew he lacked the ferocity and bravery of Prince Yong and the others, while Zhang Jie and other commanders already bore the heavy responsibility of border defense; blindly volunteering would only appear disingenuous.

Emperor Xingwu ignored the younger generation, looking at the four senior generals and reminding them: "The southern regions are humid, hot, mountainous, and densely forested, vastly different from the battlefields of the Central Plains. Whether it's defending Yunzhou or launching an offensive against Biao State, it's a grueling task. None of you should recklessly overexert yourselves."

The four generals scoffed almost simultaneously. Prince Yong was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, whom are you underestimating? If Fu Daonian could defend that place, so can we. If Fu Daonian found campaigning in Biao State arduous and unrewarding, we shall conquer the entirety of Biao State for Your Majesty!"

Deng Chong: "Precisely! When the time comes, I'll bring back the Biao State emperor's head to Fu Daonian and see if he still has the audacity to make excuses!"

Fan Zhong: "Your Majesty, please send me. I am the youngest; no matter how tough it is, I can endure it!"

Deng Chong and Prince Yong immediately moved to strike him.

Li Yu stepped back a few paces, bowing forward: "Your Majesty, I believe that while Fu Daonian is guilty, his repeated campaigns against Biao State yielded little gain, indicating that attacking Biao State is indeed not simple. Therefore, I contend that no matter whom Your Majesty dispatches to defend Yunzhou, we must not underestimate Biao State. Even if we deploy troops, we must first ascertain Biao State’s situation—only by knowing both ourselves and the enemy can we ensure victory."

Qingyang smiled. Look at Li Yu—without uttering a single negative word about Fan Zhong and the other two, he subtly highlighted their shortcomings, thereby recommending himself.

Before Prince Yong and the other two could resume their attempt to beat up Li Yu, Emperor Xingwu interjected: "Li Yu speaks wisely. Deng Chong, have you taken note?"

Deng Chong was overjoyed, proclaiming loudly: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I may not be as eloquent as they are, but when it comes to leading troops, I have followed Your Majesty through countless battles and have never suffered a defeat!"

Emperor Xingwu nodded with a smile, motioning for them to return to their seats.

Qin Bing remained standing, lifting his head to say: "Father, I request to accompany Duke Ding to Yunzhou!"

Deng Kun and Deng Tai expressed the same desire.

Emperor Xingwu: "You three hotheads would only cause trouble for Duke Ding if you went. I have other arrangements for you. Zhang Jian, Zhang Su."

The Zhang brothers, who had been seated steadily, immediately came to the center of the hall. Zhang Jian, who had trained for years in the Jizhou army, was already thirty years old. Although Zhang Su was only eighteen, he was as tall as his older brother, who had begun growing a beard in his thirties. Their resemblance to their father and their reserved demeanor made them look like two younger versions of Duke Wei.

It had to be said—after just observing Fan Zhong and the other rough generals, the sudden appearance of this pair of handsome, slender, bamboo-like brothers brightened Emperor Xingwu’s eyes and significantly lifted his spirits.

With a smile, Emperor Xingwu asked: "I intend to send you brothers to train in the Yunzhou army. Are you willing?"

Zhang Jian and Zhang Su replied simultaneously: "We are willing!"

Emperor Xingwu then turned to the sullen-faced Deng Chong and said: "You senior generals naturally don’t need me to worry, but you are all getting on in years. It’s time to cultivate the younger generation. I plan for you to mentor Zhang Jian and Zhang Su, for Peng Ying to take Deng Kun to the Fuzhou navy to learn naval warfare, for Guo Yanqing to take Li Xingyuan to the Jizhou army, for Chen Chong to take Xue Chuzheng to the Jinzhou army, for Li Yu to take Zhang Heng to the Qingzhou army, and for Xue Ye to teach Meng Changhe in the Imperial Guard... If these young people can master all your strengths, Great Qi will still have capable generals for the next thirty or forty years."

The generals assigned young protégés—Peng Ying, Guo Yanqing, and others—immediately declared that they would impart all their knowledge without reservation.

Thus, even if Deng Chong disliked the Zhang brothers, he had to accept the imperial decree.

Qin Bing, who had not been assigned, stood bewildered, asking in a daze: "Father, who will I learn from?"

Emperor Xingwu made no effort to hide his disdain: "You have only just completed your studies. First, focus on learning diligently at the Ministry of War. When I deem you ready to leave the capital, I will find a place for you to gain experience."

Qin Bing turned to look at Zhang Su, who had not yet finished his studies: "But he..."

Emperor Xingwu: "Zhang Su is accomplished in both letters and martial arts, steadfast and prudent. Having him continue as your third brother’s study companion would be a waste of his talent. The battlefield is more suitable for him."

Qin Bing tried to speak further, but Emperor Xingwu glared at him, saying: "You act impulsively. First, temper your character in the capital."

Publicly rebuked, Prince Jing returned in embarrassment to sit beside the Crown Prince.

Emperor Xingwu then announced three transfer orders: Zhang Jie would take over as West Camp Commander after Deng Chong’s departure; Meng Ji would continue to serve as General of Liaozhou; the current General of Liangzhou, Ge Dayong, would be promoted to a full generalship; and Meng Ji’s eldest son, Meng Changchuan, would continue to serve in the Liangzhou army.

With that, all official matters to be arranged at this performance review banquet were concluded. He Yuanjing clapped his hands, and palace attendants summoned musicians and dancers into the hall.

The military officers were each lost in thought. Only Qin Ren was filled with profound reluctance, occasionally stealing glances through the gaps between the dancers to look at Zhang Su. He said sadly to his sister: "Who knows when Zhang Su will return after leaving this time? Since I can remember, we’ve been inseparable—we’ve never been apart for more than half a month."

Qingyang was also reluctant, but Zhang Su was the son of a military family. Her father’s arrangement for him to gain experience was for his own good. She believed Zhang Su would prefer to go to Yunzhou rather than practice martial arts—which he had long mastered—at her third brother’s residence.

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By the time the banquet concluded, it was almost late afternoon. Except for Emperor Xingwu, the Crown Prince, and the little princess, Qin Bing, Qin Ren, and the military officers all had to leave the palace.

It had been a long time since they had enjoyed themselves so heartily. Deng Chong and Prince Yong were seven-tenths drunk, walking with arms around each other's shoulders. In the end, Deng Chong even pulled Prince Yong into his carriage, insisting that Prince Yong continue drinking at his residence.

However, once inside the carriage, as they sprawled on the carriage floor, Deng Chong looked at Prince Yong, and Prince Yong looked back at him. Both could see the sobriety in each other’s eyes.

Deng Chong was somewhat afraid. Though not well-read, he had heard the saying, "When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away." Yuan Zhaoxiong’s attempt to rebel was him seeking death, and Deng Chong hadn’t given it a second thought. But now, having witnessed Emperor Xingwu strip Fu Daonian of his title over the course of a single meal, how could he, also a Founding Meritorious Official, remain unmoved?

"Level with me—what exactly does the Emperor mean?" Deng Chong grabbed Prince Yong by the collar and asked.

Prince Yong had also been pondering this matter while drinking. He reassured Deng Chong: "It cannot be. Big Brother is not a heartless person. Look, even though Fu Daonian committed treason and deceived the Emperor, Big Brother had every reason to sentence him to death but still spared him. I am his blood brother, and you are closer to him than a blood brother. As long as we commit no wrongdoing, what can Big Brother do? Did he not still send you to attack Biao State?"

Deng Chong released his grip and stared at Prince Yong: "Biao State deserves to be attacked, and only you and I dare to venture deep into Biao State. Everyone else is an outsider—who would be willing to cross mountains and rivers during peacetime to gnaw on a meager bone? Fan Zhong is brave but foolish, and Li Yu is too frail—he’d be out of breath after just a few steps. They are simply not up to it."

Prince Yong: "Indeed. Only true brothers are willing to make sacrifices for Big Brother. I believe Big Brother knows this too, so rest assured—Big Brother would never betray our loyalty."

Deng Chong lay back, gazing absently at the slightly swaying carriage roof for a while before frowning and saying: "In the past, the Emperor kept all the younger generation in the capital, under his watchful eye. Now that he wants to give them experience, he won’t allow them to follow their own fathers. Do you think the Emperor’s intentions are as noble as he says, or is there some other scheme?"

Prince Yong scoffed: "At least your sons get to go out and gain experience. My Qin Liang has been in the Northern Camp for three years, and I haven’t heard the Emperor mention giving him any experience."

Deng Chong: "...Perhaps he can’t bear to part with Qin Liang? Look, he didn’t arrange for Qin Bing to go out either. Take this time when I go to Yunzhou—no matter how confident we are, the battlefield is fraught with danger. If something happens to Zhang Jian or the others, the Emperor would at most sigh. But if it were one of your Qin family’s flesh and blood, the Emperor would be heartbroken—especially since you only have Qin Liang as your son."

Prince Yong: "...And whose fault is it that I only have one son? Back then, when Mei’er was six months pregnant, your dear sister still went through with it!"

Deng Chong: "...At least my sister gave you an outstanding son—more accomplished than the Emperor’s three. Besides, I only have two sons myself. Haven’t I endured it too?"

Prince Yong suddenly burst into laughter.

After having a few more bowls at Deng Chong’s residence, Prince Yong was finally supported back to his manor by his son, Qin Liang, where he collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Deng Shi called her son outside and inquired if anything noteworthy had happened at the palace banquet.

Upon hearing that Fu Daonian had been stripped of his title, Deng Shi first felt a wave of smug satisfaction, then couldn’t help but speculate: "Could it be that the Emperor resents Fu Kui for wronging the eldest princess and deliberately targeted the Fu family?"

Qin Liang: "Impossible. Compared to Fu Daonian’s treason, Fu Kui taking a concubine is trivial. The Emperor isn’t a fool who would prioritize personal grievances over public duty."

Deng Shi: "Then Fu Kui won’t have an easy life from now on. First, he offended the eldest princess, and now even his father has been demoted and sent back to his hometown. If you ask me, it’s still related to him taking a concubine. Otherwise, why would the Emperor have waited until this year to punish Fu Daonian when he already knew about him harboring a Biao State beauty? If Fu Kui had behaved himself, the Emperor would probably have tolerated Fu Daonian—after all, Yunzhou hadn’t fallen into disorder."

Seeing that his mother clearly preferred to hear about the Fu family’s misfortunes, Qin Liang simply kept his thoughts to himself.

When the Emperor was in his prime, he naturally had no fear of the Founding Meritorious Officials rebelling against him. But as the Emperor grew older, wouldn’t he have to clear the path for the gentle-natured Crown Prince?

Fu Daonian dared to commit treason—he deserved to be punished. At the same time, by sending Deng Chong away, if his father Prince Yong had any treacherous intentions, which of the new three major capital garrison commanders—Lü Zan of the Eastern Camp, Zhang Jie of the Western Camp, or Hou Wanzhong of the Southern Camp—would still assist his father?

So, in truth, the Emperor was still guarding against their Prince Yong's estate!

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In the palace, after the banquet ended, Emperor Xingwu summoned his daughter to accompany him to the Qianyuan Palace.

On the way, Emperor Xingwu teased his daughter: "I'm sending Zhang Su to Yunzhou to gain experience. Will Ling'er be upset?"

Qingyang: "I'm fine; I'm already used to him not being in the palace. Third Brother will probably be upset for a while."

Emperor Xingwu: "Don't mention your third brother. He gets on my nerves."

Scold the eldest, and he'll cry; scold the second, and he'll feel awkward and wronged. Only the third son, no matter how harshly he's scolded, it never ruins his appetite.

Qingyang shook her father's arm and brought up Fu Kui: "The Fu family has been punished. Why didn’t you divorce Fu Kui for Eldest Sister?"

Emperor Xingwu: "I want the people of the capital to know that I punished Fu Daonian over matters of state, not to back up your eldest sister. If your eldest sister wants to divorce Fu Kui, she can do so in a few years. It’s definitely not the right time now."

Qingyang understood.

Emperor Xingwu patted his daughter’s hand: "What kind of Imperial Son-in-law does Ling'er like? You’re about to become a young lady soon."

Qingyang: "...Can I choose for myself?" She hadn’t forgotten that Eldest Sister, Eldest Brother, and Second Brother were all married off by their father’s unilateral decisions.

Emperor Xingwu laughed: "You choose first, and I’ll screen your choices. If I also think he’s suitable, I’ll certainly make it happen."

His youngest daughter was fortunate to live in better times. Great Qi’s foundation was now stable, and there was no need to use her for a political marriage with meritorious officials.

Qingyang: "Then it’s settled. You must wait for my choice and not go behind my back."

Emperor Xingwu: "Alright, do you have someone in mind already?"

Qingyang: "Where is your mind, Father? I’ll only be thirteen after the New Year. How could someone so young be thinking about an Imperial Son-in-law?"

She would never let Zhang Su face the danger of being suspected by her father of trying to win her over at such a young age!

As for Zhang Su, Qingyang had her own ways to make him wait patiently and loyally to become her Imperial Son-in-law, she thought to herself.