Chapter 122

Chapter 122

After the general strategy for the campaign against East Hu was settled, Emperor Xingwu assigned his daughter a special task: to personally select three thousand personal guards from the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Army. These three thousand soldiers would be entirely at the Princess's command, with their primary duty being to ensure her safety.

Battlefields are unpredictable. Great Qi planned a covert surprise attack on East Hu, but upon hearing that the court intended to deploy an army of 400,000, East Hu might either retreat deep into the grasslands to avoid battle or preemptively gather 300,000 cavalry to advance south. Therefore, Emperor Xingwu had to provide his daughter with her own troops for any contingency.

Qingyang calmly proceeded with the selection, having already prepared a list of over three hundred names in advance.

The surprise attack strategy was a closely guarded secret, known only to the high-ranking ministers summoned by Emperor Xingwu to the Imperial Study for discussions. The news circulating within the Imperial Guard and the Four Capital Garrisons was merely the public announcement that Emperor Xingwu intended to send a large army to campaign against East Hu.

For this expedition, only the Northern and Southern Garrisons of the Capital Garrisons would be deployed. Most soldiers in the Eastern and Western Garrisons likely felt relieved not to risk going to the battlefield. However, some officers, either driven by patriotic fervor or seeing this campaign as an opportunity for glory, came to Emperor Xingwu to volunteer. Among them were Deng Kun, Deng Tai, Fu Kui, Zhang Su, Fan Huaizhong, Xue Yanzheng, Meng Changhe, and other young nobles in the capital. Even the sixteen-year-old Fan Huaian came, insisting on going to the battlefield to fight the enemy.

Emperor Xingwu stood at the entrance of the Imperial Study, looking at these eager young men with great satisfaction. He selected a few and approved their petitions, ordering them to follow his daughter when the troops set out. Once they reached the border, his daughter would assign them specific military positions based on the needs of the battlefield.

Those selected, such as Deng Kun, Fu Kui, Zhang Su, and Fan Huaizhong, happily accepted their orders. Those not selected, like Deng Tai, Xue Yanzheng, and Fan Huaian, were displeased. It was clear the emperor intended to leave one son from each family in the capital, but they vehemently protested, insisting they were not afraid to die.

Emperor Xingwu glanced at Deng Tai a few more times and said sternly, "You may not be afraid, but I must consider my old comrades. Don’t worry, this time we’ll send one group to gain experience. The next time there’s a war, we’ll send those who stayed behind. As long as you have the ability, there will be plenty of opportunities to distinguish yourselves."

Deng Tai protested, "But Your Majesty—"

Emperor Xingwu cut him off: "Scram! Even if your father were alive, he would listen to me. Do you think I can’t manage you?"

Deng Kun pulled his brother away.

On the way back, Deng Tai was still resentful. Deng Kun sighed and said, "The emperor is afraid something might happen to both of us. He’s already grieving Father’s death. Just behave yourself this once."

The emperor was different from their father and Prince Yong. He usually spoke politely to his officials and rarely lost his temper, even when angry. Only those officials whom the emperor truly regarded as family would occasionally hear him use coarse language. So, when the emperor told Deng Tai to "scram," it was actually a sign of affection, not an intention to humiliate him.

Deng Tai understood this perfectly. His own father, Prince Yong, and even Prince Jing Qin Bing had been scolded like this by the emperor. What frustrated him was not being able to go to the battlefield: "If one of us has to stay, why me and not you? That year when the emperor campaigned against West Hu, he took you. I’m thirty-one now, and all these years I’ve just been rotated through different military camps for training without ever seeing real action. I'm going stir-crazy!"

Deng Kun: "..."

If someone had to be held back, it might as well be his younger brother!

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Prince Yong and his son Qin Liang were both in the Northern Garrison. When the time came, Qin Liang would simply depart with the Northern Garrison troops and did not need to specially request to join the campaign.

Deng Shi could not stop her husband from taking risks, nor was she overly worried about him. But Qin Liang was her only son. The thought of the wolf-like Eastern Hu cavalry terrified her. As soon as father and son returned home, she closed the door and whispered her complaints: "What is the emperor thinking? Other families are leaving one son in the capital. He knows perfectly well that Qin Liang is our only son. Why doesn’t he show some consideration?"

Prince Yong glared at her: "What do you know? A general is a general. What kind of general stays home all day? Qin Liang needs to go to the battlefield to earn merits so he can establish himself among the crowd of military officers in the capital. If he’s as cowardly as you, I’d be the first to disown such a useless son!"

Having said that, Prince Yong fixed his gaze firmly on his son.

Qin Liang tried to reassure his mother: "Mother, I want to go, and I will definitely return safely. Please don’t worry."

Both father and son seemed to dismiss her concerns, so Deng Shi left in a huff.

Prince Yong was very satisfied. This was the kind of son who resembled him, who resembled the Qin family. As for his elder brother’s nephews, only the second one was somewhat acceptable!

Father and son were of one mind. By the end of April, the Northern Garrison’s forty thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry were fully prepared and could set out for Ji Province the next day alongside the Southern Garrison.

On the eve of the army’s departure, Emperor Xingwu summoned the Princess, Prince Jing, and the high-ranking military officers accompanying the expedition to the Imperial Study to offer his customary exhortations.

After the encouragement, Emperor Xingwu kept his children, his brother, and his nephew to join him for dinner.

After the meal, Emperor Xingwu looked at the four before him with reluctant eyes, lingering particularly on Qin Liang. He then said to Prince Yong, "After much thought, I’ve decided to let Qin Liang stay in the capital. With you on the battlefield, seeing Qin Liang is like seeing you. It would ease my worries. Otherwise, I fear I won’t be able to sleep soundly at night."

Prince Yong had sensed this ever since his elder brother decided to keep Deng Tai and the others. After Deng Chong’s passing, his elder brother had truly aged. He no longer had the fierce determination of the old days when he would gather his brothers and charge into battle without a second thought. Now he seemed afraid of everything.

Before Prince Yong could refuse on his son’s behalf, Qin Liang knelt down himself and declared in a firm voice: "I understand Your Majesty’s concerns. However, as a member of the imperial family, and having been privileged to study and train in the palace since childhood under Your Majesty’s guidance, your nephew has cultivated these skills for the sole purpose of serving the court and repaying Your Majesty’s nurturing kindness. Therefore, I earnestly beg Your Majesty to permit me to join the expedition and fulfill my ambitions!"

Emperor Xingwu grasped his nephew’s arms and helped Qin Liang up, saying, "I’m not letting you go not only because you are your father’s only child, but also because among your generation of brothers, you and Qin Bing are the only two with the potential to become great generals in our Qin family. I dare not risk both of you on the battlefield at once. If anything were to happen... In any case, this time only one of you can go."

Qin Bing immediately placed a hand on Qin Liang’s shoulder and said, "Cousin, don’t worry. With Uncle and me there, we’ll surely send the Eastern Hu fleeing in panic. You can rest assured and wait at home for our news of victory!"

Qin Liang: "..."

He looked at his father, hoping he would advocate for him. After all, as a nephew, it was not appropriate for him to openly defy his uncle’s arrangements.

Prince Yong felt that although his elder brother’s words were somewhat pessimistic, they made sense. Who could guarantee that anyone would return alive from the battlefield? His elder brother was the head of the family and had to consider the bigger picture. The Qin family needed to keep at least one promising general in the capital to maintain stability.

"Enough, we’ll do as the emperor says. There’s important work to be done in the capital as well. Doing it well is also a way to share in the emperor’s responsibilities," Prince Yong said, placing a hand on his son’s other shoulder.

Qin Liang: "..."

Emperor Xingwu waved his hand, indicating that the four could leave.

Qingyang exchanged a glance with her father before turning to go.

The sudden decision to keep Qin Liang had not been mentioned to her beforehand. Qingyang was momentarily puzzled, but she trusted that her father had his reasons.

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Prince Yong’s Residence.

As soon as father and son returned, Qin Liang insisted on escorting his father to his study. He ordered the servants to keep their distance and ensure no one approached.

Prince Yong looked at his son in confusion: "What is it? There’s nothing I can do about something your uncle has already decided. Even if you beg me, it won’t change anything."

Qin Liang merely felt frustrated. He sat down beside his father and lowered his voice: "Father, it’s fine if I don’t go. But when you lead the surprise attack against East Hu, you must neither lose nor win. It would be best if you feigned being lost the entire time and returned without accomplishing anything."

Prince Yong frowned, his expression turning severe: "Why?"

At this point, Qin Liang had no choice but to explain clearly to his father: "Father, do you think Qin Hong can be a good emperor after Uncle passes away?"

Prince Yong blinked. Even though this was his own son, he instinctively resisted discussing such matters, feeling somewhat unfaithful to his elder brother.

Qin Liang continued: "Even if you won’t say it, I can guess your thoughts. You think I’m more suitable. Then, Father, guess this: while Uncle is still alive, is it possible for him to depose Qin Hong and appoint me as crown prince instead?"

Prince Yong had hoped for it but held little expectation. No matter how incompetent his three nephews were, they were his elder brother’s own sons. What father would disregard his own sons and hand over the family estate to a nephew?

Qin Liang: "Uncle won’t do it. Then, Father, consider this: if I want that throne, would it be easier to seize it from Uncle, from Qin Hong, or from Qin Ren?"

Prince Yong slapped his son across the face: "If you dare plot against your uncle, I’ll kill you first!"

The slap was not particularly hard, but his eyes held a murderous glint.

Qin Liang understood. His father meant that harming his uncle was forbidden, but scheming against Qin Hong or Qin Ren was acceptable.

Qin Liang said with a bitter smile: "Father, you give me too much credit. Even if you held no respect for Uncle and entertained thoughts of harming him, I would still stop you. Because we are no match for Uncle. Moreover, this empire was won by Uncle. I admire him deeply and dare not show him any disrespect. The reason I covet the throne is that Qin Hong and the others are incompetent and will only squander what Uncle painstakingly built. It would be better for me to take over and protect Uncle’s legacy."

Prince Yong clenched his fists: "How does this relate to East Hu?"

Qin Liang: "Father, answer me first: would it be easier to seize the throne from Qin Hong or from Qin Ren?"

Prince Yong snorted: "Qin Hong is the crown prince. After your uncle passes, Qin Hong will succeed him. What does the third one have to do with it?"

Qin Liang: "Father, you really haven't seen at all. Qin Hong is frail and sickly. Uncle has already considered deposing him. First, he published books to boost Qingyang’s reputation. Then, he sent her to the border as Military Supervisor. All this is to pave the way for Qin Ren. If this surprise attack on East Hu succeeds and Qingyang distinguishes herself with military merits, Qin Ren will have a talented sister accomplished in both civil and military matters to assist in governance. Uncle would then be justified in deposing Qin Hong and installing Qin Ren. By then, if you and I still aspire to the throne, do you think we could evade Qingyang’s detection?"

From the day Qingyang first appeared in court wearing official robes, Qin Liang had never underestimated his younger sister.

Prince Yong thought of his eldest nephew’s incompetence. The third nephew might be lazy, but at least he dared to speak up in front of his father and the officials. As for the niece, although she was a girl, her authoritative demeanor was the very image of his elder brother.

But no matter how capable my niece is, she's still a woman who will marry. Once a woman marries, her loyalty will shift to her husband's family. The Zhang family holds military power...

No, I can't let big brother appoint Qin Ren. It's better for the eldest nephew to succeed. With his temperament, I can just intimidate him a bit and he'll willingly hand over the throne to Liang.

Thinking this, Prince Yong said, "You're right. If your uncle really intends to appoint Qin Ren, I'll be the first to oppose it!"

Qin Liang: "...Father doesn't need to oppose it. As long as we make sure Qingyang returns without any achievements this time, uncle will have no reason to depose Qin Hong."

Prince Yong: "That won't do. The East Hu are practically in our faces. The court has allocated so much provisions and horses. Returning with nothing to show for it would not only damage my reputation and waste our Qin family's resources, but also boost the East Hu's arrogance. So we must win this battle in a decisive victory."

Deng Chong defeated the Biao State, but if I lose to the East Hu, how will I ever share a drink with Deng Chong in the afterlife? Holding back in battle would be even more dishonorable!

With a loud "smack," Prince Yong slapped his son even harder: "Hong'er and the others might be useless, and I won't stop you from coveting the throne. But if you dare to help foreign enemies harm our own people, I'll disown you first, you worthless son!"

Our family can fight among ourselves all we want, but when enemies come, everyone must unite against them!

Qin Liang kept his head turned for a long time without looking back.

It wasn't until his father's footsteps faded outside the door that Qin Liang finally turned, expression dark, to look out the window.

Father is unreasonable. What about Deng Kun...

No, Deng Kun isn't that cunning. Like father, he hates foreign enemies more, and there's not enough time anyway.

So, did uncle figure something out? Did he deliberately keep me in the capital tonight at the last moment?