Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Qin Bing and Fan Huaizhong had already scouted the post station. Though seemingly remote, nestled among hills, it was the closest one north of Fuzhou to the vital coastal city. Consequently, its buildings, doors, and windows appeared nearly new, and the ground was paved with bluestone paths, a welcome change from the muddy official roads after rain.

Space at the station was limited, so today, Princess Qingyang and her brother had to share a courtyard with the Emperor and Imperial Consort.

Qingyang, having avoided the rain, didn't need a change of clothes. After a brief rest, she emerged from her room. Standing under the eaves, she could hear the personal guards outside setting up tents and horse sheds—a well-practiced, disciplined routine, with not a single warhorse neighing out of turn. Still, rain invariably brought inconveniences. This was merely an imperial tour during peacetime; a military campaign would demand far greater hardship from the soldiers.

Thus, though accustomed to a life of luxury in the palace, Qingyang was unperturbed by the simple and sometimes uncomfortable conditions of the southern tour.

Just then, Fan Zhong arrived with two food containers. Seeing the young princess outside, he first moved to a spot sheltered from the rain, then retrieved a bowl of ginger soup from one container and presented it with both hands: "Your Highness, this ginger soup was just brewed at the station. It's damp and chilly; please have a bowl."

The ginger soup was steaming. Qingyang asked Jie Yu to take it inside, then asked Fan Zhong, "Have you had some?"

Fan Zhong, aware of the princess's concern for common soldiers like himself, smiled. "I'll have some later, Your Highness. Rest assured, we brewed four large pots; every soldier will get a share."

Qingyang nodded, and Fan Zhong continued on his way to deliver ginger soup to the Emperor, Imperial Consort, and Prince Jing.

Out of the corner of her eye, Qingyang noticed a figure in light-colored robes appear at the courtyard gate. She turned her head to see Zhang Su standing outside to the left, holding an umbrella. He had dutifully changed into a jade-white brocade robe, his features blurred by the drizzling rain.

Mindful of the ongoing commotion outside, Qingyang gave Jie Yu a quick instruction. Jie Yu promptly walked to the gate with an umbrella to escort the prospective son-in-law inside. Otherwise, even an actual imperial son-in-law would not be granted entry by the guards without the Emperor, Consort, or Princess's explicit permission.

"Bring the chess table under the eaves. I'll play a game with Third Young Master."

Jie Yu acknowledged, closed his umbrella, and went inside.

Qingyang told Zhang Su to close his umbrella and stand beside her. "You haven't had ginger soup yet, have you?" The kitchen would certainly prioritize them before the generals, and Zhang Su had rushed over immediately after changing, likely missing his chance.

Before Zhang Su could speak, Qingyang called for Fu Liu to bring out her bowl of ginger soup and insisted Zhang Su drink it.

Zhang Su began, "Your Highness should have it. I'm used to..."

Meeting the young princess's raised eyebrows, Zhang Su stopped, took the bowl, turned his back to her, and began to drink.

Qingyang, intent on watching him, circled around to his front. The bowl obscured most of Zhang Su's face, but she could see his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.

As if sensing her gaze, Zhang Su slowed his pace, sipping the soup delicately, as if savoring fine tea.

Qingyang's gaze drifted to his waist, where he now wore a different sachet—still one of the four new ones she had given him since early summer. All were prepared by the imperial physicians for her, but she had more than she could use, and Zhang Su spent more time outdoors, so she had shared some with him.

By the time Zhang Su finished the ginger soup, Jie Yu had set up the chessboard and two small stools. Qingyang and Zhang Su sat facing each other.

From under the eaves, they could see the green mountains and mist beyond the post station, but Qingyang's gaze often lingered on Zhang Su's face. When busy with official duties, she rarely thought of her prospective son-in-law. Now, with the leisure brought by the rain, and with him being so handsome, it was only natural for her to enjoy looking at him.

"Since leaving the capital, I've often had you follow Second Brother. Do you think I've been deliberately neglecting you?"

After placing a chess piece, Qingyang asked softly.

Zhang Su was usually quiet and reserved, his eyes particularly demure. Yet, from his initiative to carry her and his refusal to release her wrist even under the Emperor's glare, Qingyang sensed his deep affection for her. Thus, she felt she should explain, lest her chosen consort misunderstand her "aloofness."

Zhang Su glanced at the young princess and said, "I have never harbored such a thought. Your Highness possesses profound insight into officialdom and sees things with piercing clarity. With Fan Huaizhong as your guard, it is more than sufficient. Even if I were to accompany you, I would be of little help. Instead, by remaining with the Prince, I can offer timely reminders and share the burdens of both His Majesty and Your Highness."

Qingyang smiled, praising him, "I knew you'd understand everything."

Zhang Su's words were indeed one reason for her arrangement. Another was that if Zhang Su accompanied her to meet local civil officials, even if he remained silent, those officials would be distracted, speculating about her relationship with him and wondering if her confidence stemmed from having a prospective son-in-law from the Duke of Wei's household…

This was something Qingyang wished to avoid. She wanted these officials to submit entirely to her alone.

And her affection for Zhang Su did not need to be demonstrated through constant companionship over these few months.

***

The rain lessened as evening approached. The sound of galloping horses echoed from outside the post station—Fuzhou Commander Peng Ying and Fuzhou Prefect Huang Ruqi had arrived with a contingent of guards to welcome the Imperial Carriage. Accompanying them were Duke of Cheng's heir, Lü Chaoguang, who was gaining experience in the region, and Peng Ying's two sons.

Fuzhou required both civil administration inspections and naval reviews, so the Imperial Carriage would remain for five days.

On the eve of the naval review, Qingyang followed her father to the coastal camp. The young princess, born in the heartland, saw the sea for the first time.

Peng Ying first showcased twenty new warships, built four years prior with funds requested from the court. In fact, over a hundred had been constructed and distributed to various coastal camps, with only twenty assigned to Fuzhou.

"Your Majesty, this is the ironclad ship that destroyed dozens of pirate vessels last year."

Facing the sea breeze, Peng Ying pointed to a warship, his voice brimming with more pride than when introducing his own sons.

Qingyang stood beside her father, meticulously examining the warship with him. It was about ten *zhang* (approx. 33 meters) long and one and a half *zhang* (approx. 5 meters) wide, with iron plates riveted along both sides for protection, gleaming with a cold, formidable light in the setting sun. Its bow was fitted with a plow-shaped iron ram, resembling a rhinoceros from the Western Park's exotic animal garden.

Emperor Xingwu meticulously inquired about the Fuzhou navy's engagements with the pirates, including the types of pirate ships.

Peng Ying recounted the details one by one, concluding with a sigh, "Your Majesty, in naval warfare, the quality of warships accounts for at least half of our combat power. Without ships capable of charging into battle at sea, even elite soldiers and fierce generals are like sea beasts without sharp teeth or powerful tails, or cavalry without fine steeds. Therefore, the innovation of our Great Qi's warships must not fall behind foreign adversaries."

Emperor Xingwu declared, "Not merely 'not fall behind,' but 'must lead.' I do not understand how to innovate warships, but you naval generals should devote yourselves to this task. As long as you can devise more advanced warships, the court will never shortchange your military funds."

The naval generals, led by Peng Ying, were delighted.

***

Naval forces cherish warships, cavalry prize fine steeds. In the capital, Prince Yong was equally delighted to learn that the West Hu envoys had arrived once more to deliver this year's tribute of two thousand horses!

The Four Capital Garrisons were primarily infantry, but each garrison also maintained two battalions of cavalry, totaling over ten thousand, bringing the combined cavalry strength across all four garrisons to over forty thousand. Soldiers aged, but warhorses aged even faster. Under optimal conditions, warhorses could retire at fifteen, but the dynasty's best horses were prioritized for the border armies. While the Four Capital Garrisons had trained soldiers as elite as those on the frontiers, warhorses were perennially in short supply. Each garrison had over two thousand horses older than twenty, and this was despite West Hu having presented tribute horses for six consecutive years; otherwise, the number of aged horses would be even greater.

In previous years, Emperor Xingwu would select about ten of the finest tribute horses for his personal use or to reward favored officials. A hundred would be sent to various horse breeding stations for selective breeding. The remaining thousand would be equally divided among the border armies of Liangzhou, Jinzhou, Jizhou, Liaozhou, and Qingzhou. Eight hundred would be distributed among the Four Capital Garrisons, and nearly a hundred assigned to the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Security Bureau.

But rules are rigid, and people are adaptable. With the Emperor away, Prince Yong set his sights on the four hundred prairie horses designated for Liangzhou and Jinzhou this year!

Before the West Hu envoys even reached the capital, Prince Yong approached his nephew, Crown Prince Qin Hong, who was overseeing state affairs. He said enthusiastically, "Hong'er, your uncle has a proposal: let's give this year's four hundred horses meant for Liangzhou and Jinzhou to the Northern Garrison. Anyway, West Hu has been docile these past few years and hasn't dared to invade us. The border armies in Liang and Jin are primarily defensive—they won't even use the horses if they get them. Better to give them to Uncle, so I can forge a truly elite Northern Garrison cavalry. Then, next year, during His Majesty's military review, Uncle can make a grand showing."

The forty-eight-year-old Prince Yong had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, bearing a sixty to seventy percent resemblance to his full brother, Emperor Xingwu. However, due to their differing temperaments, while Emperor Xingwu exuded imperial authority yet appeared reasonable, Prince Yong was fiercely imposing and clearly disliked being contradicted.

If Qin Hong held more respect for Yan Xizheng and Yang Zhimin, he felt more awe towards this uncle. Meeting Prince Yong's tiger-like eyes, Qin Hong quickly averted his gaze, saying hesitantly, "But... the distribution of West Hu's tribute horses has long been established. Father..."

Prince Yong interjected, "Look at you, already a father yourself, yet you still bring up the Emperor over trivial matters? His Majesty left you in charge, meaning that while he's away, all matters in the capital are for you to decide. Uncle isn't being unreasonable. I want these horses for the strength of our capital garrison cavalry, don't I? Besides, I'm not taking horses from the Southern, Eastern, or Western Garrisons, nor from Jizhou, Liaozhou, or Qingzhou, which defend against East Hu. Liangzhou and Jinzhou have indeed been peaceful these past few years, haven't they?"

Qin Hong: "But..."

Prince Yong: "But what? If you don't agree, I'll write to the Emperor and ask for the horses! Honestly, His Majesty is already burdened with the southern tour. When I oversaw state affairs, I never troubled him with bigger matters. Now I have to write over four hundred horses? Sigh, nephews are a step removed—I'd have to ask my own brother."

With that, Prince Yong laughed self-deprecatingly and turned to leave.

Qin Hong hurriedly stopped his uncle, saying uncertainly, "Uncle, don't rush. Allow me to discuss this with the Left Chancellor and the Minister of War..."

Prince Yong sneered, "Ridiculous! I'm asking my own nephew for horses—do I need their approval? Suit yourself. I'll ask my brother!"

Qin Hong dared not truly trouble his father, who was on a southern tour, over such a minor matter. He had no choice but to agree to his hot-tempered uncle for now.

Prince Yong's anger turned to joy, and he praised his nephew heartily before leaving, satisfied.

But Qin Hong's heart could not calm down after his uncle's departure. Since horse distribution fell under the Ministry of War, he had to justify his breach of protocol to them.

Qin Hong wasn't very familiar with the Minister of War, Tan Shixun. After some thought, he summoned Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng, hoping Yan Xizheng would inform the Ministry of War.

Feeling guilty, Qin Hong avoided Yan Xizheng's gaze as he spoke.

Yan Xizheng was deeply disappointed. Something with established precedent every year, and the Crown Prince still allowed Prince Yong to pressure him?

He could go along with the Crown Prince, but could this matter be kept secret? When the Emperor returned, he would still scold the Crown Prince and would also be deeply disappointed in him, the Assisting Prime Minister.

"Your Highness, you should not have agreed to Prince Yong. Although West Hu is unlikely to engage in war with Great Qi again in the short term, East Hu is currently at the peak of its power. Once East Hu launches an attack, we will inevitably need to deploy troops from Liangzhou and Jinzhou for reinforcement. Therefore, the combat effectiveness of the cavalry in the northern provinces must be maintained at all times. How can we rashly withhold the warhorse allotments for these two provinces?"

If the Crown Prince had used this argument to refute Prince Yong, he would have held the moral high ground. Then, even if Prince Yong complained to the Emperor, and even if the Emperor foolishly sided with his brother, the Crown Prince would still have a justified position.

Qin Hong lowered his eyes, furrowed his brows, and said, "I know, but Imperial Uncle would not listen to reason. I... I have already promised him. Please inform the Ministry of War, Left Chancellor, and make it clear that this is only for this year. Next year, we will not shortchange Liangzhou and Jinzhou of their warhorses."

Yan Xizheng replied, "With respect, I must disagree. Your Highness, this is your first time acting as regent. Rather than allowing the Ministry of War, the generals of Liangzhou and Jinzhou, and other military officials to criticize Your Highness for unfair governance, and rather than letting the Emperor become disappointed in you, it would be better to recall Prince Yong before this matter is officially documented. Reason with him and dissuade him from his selfish intentions."

In Qin Hong’s mind, several faces appeared simultaneously: the Minister of War Tan Shixun questioning him about the unfairness, his father scolding him for his incompetence, his Imperial Uncle Prince Yong furious at his broken promise, and the figure of Yan Xizheng standing before him at that very moment.

Yan Xizheng watched as the Crown Prince broke into a cold sweat from his indecisiveness and simply made the decision for him. He sent someone to summon Prince Yong to the Council Chamber. As Left Chancellor, he had the authority to summon any official for political discussions.

Now, Qin Hong no longer had to hesitate, but he was afraid—afraid that his Imperial Uncle would bear a grudge against Yan Xizheng for ruining his plans. Prince Yong was a rough man; what if he resorted to violence? Or even if he only verbally abused Yan Xizheng, the Old Prime Minister might suffer health consequences.

"Left Chancellor, I will explain things clearly to Imperial Uncle. Please return to the Secretariat for now," Qin Hong said anxiously.

The sixty-four-year-old Yan Xizheng stood firm and unmoving. "Your Highness, if you find it difficult to speak frankly with Prince Yong due to your uncle-nephew relationship, I am willing to explain the reasoning to Prince Yong on your behalf."

That brute Prince Yong, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, had now pushed the Crown Prince around. Today, he must make Prince Yong understand the hierarchy between himself and the Crown Prince.

Qin Hong could not persuade the Old Prime Minister to leave. Moreover, he realized that the impending conflict between Yan Xizheng and his Imperial Uncle was entirely his own doing. Overwhelmed by regret, shame, worry, and fear, and as time slipped away like sand, with Prince Yong likely to return at any moment, the Crown Prince paced back and forth until a sudden, splitting headache struck him. Clutching his head, he staggered and collapsed into a nearby chair.

"Crown Prince!" Yan Xizheng rushed over in panic. "Crown Prince, are you...?"

Qin Hong clawed at his scalp, buried his face, and barely managed to say, "The imperial physician... summon the imperial physician..."

Prince Yong, the imperial physician, the Imperial Consort, and Crown Princess Lü Wenrong arrived one after another. When they learned that the Crown Prince’s headache had been triggered by Prince Yong’s demand for horses, the Imperial Consort angrily rebuked Prince Yong: "For shame, as his uncle, for pressuring the Crown Prince to serve your selfish interests! If anything happens to the Crown Prince, how will you account for yourself to the Emperor?"

Prince Yong glared back. "What do you mean, serving my selfish interests? Is the Northern Camp cavalry mine alone? Besides, what evidence do you have that I angered the Crown Prince? Wasn’t it your father who was last with him?"

Yan Xizheng retorted, "Prince Yong, how dare you make excuses!"

Lü Wenrong, who was keeping vigil at the Crown Prince's side, cried out, "Enough! Let the Crown Prince have some quiet!"