Chapter 26 Fine Talent

Chapter 26: A Capable Talent

Since being confined to his residence, Zhou Zhan had begun to feel panicked.

Though he was the Crown Prince, throughout the ages, very few had successfully ascended the throne.

Moreover, he had lost his mother at a young age. While his father, the Emperor, had not yet established an Empress, Consort Chen was favored and held power over the harem. She had a son, Zhou Hao, at her side, and she always knew how to win the Emperor’s favor.

Now that he had angered His Majesty over that matter, it was hard to guarantee Zhou Mingqi wasn’t considering replacing the Crown Prince.

At the thought of this, Zhou Zhan couldn’t sit still, restless and uneasy, wishing he could go to Zhou Mingqi right then and there to demand an answer.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingqi was also plagued with a pounding headache, as the border regions had been growing increasingly unstable.

The Great Zhou bordered three major groups: the Northern Di, the Southern barbarians, and the Western Rong.

The Beidi people were fierce and formidable in battle. In the past, they had formed a marriage alliance with Great Zhou and signed a treaty.

But over twenty years had passed since then. The old Khan of the Northern Di had passed away, and the princess sent for the marriage alliance had lost her influence.

The new Khan of the Northern Di was a man of great ambition, having successively swallowed up several surrounding tribes.

Now, with his power greatly expanded, he was a far cry from the Northern Di of yesteryear.

Now he was restless and eager to act, showing no regard whatsoever for the old alliance treaty, and frequently stirring up trouble and causing incidents along the border.

The Southern barbarians were skilled in using poison and were ruthless in their methods. The Western Rong, though relatively peaceful for now, could not be taken lightly.

Now, with the Northern Di continuously reinforcing their troops at the border, they appeared ready to launch an invasion.

Zhou Mingqi had to handle both court affairs and border conflicts, stretched thin and unable to be in two places at once.

If Great Zhou had been twenty years younger, it wouldn’t have had to fear any of this.

In those days, Taizu Zhou Yan and Prince Zhenbei Cui Shu had carved out the empire together.

Cui Shu had fought alongside Zhou Yan through life-and-death situations. His military genius rivaled that of Sun Wu and Wu Qi, achieving unparalleled feats worthy of the highest honors.

It’s no exaggeration to say he conquered two-thirds of the realm.

But Cui Shu had no desire for power or influence. Once the world was stabilized, he supported Zhou Yan in taking the throne.

Zhou Yan, naturally grateful for his contributions, granted him the title of prince, though not of the imperial clan, and specially bestowed upon him a golden plaque guaranteeing immunity from execution, ensuring protection for his descendants for generations.

Unfortunately, not long after the realm was settled, Cui Shu fell ill and passed away within a few years, leaving no heirs.

But before his death, he adopted his younger brother’s legitimate son to succeed to the title.

It is said that when Prince Zhenbei Cui Shu passed away, Zhou Yan suspended court for three days, shut the palace gates, and did not step out even a single step.

Palace attendants reported hearing sobbing sounds from his bedchamber, a testament to their deep bond.

The descendants of the Cui family seemed to have inherited Cui Shu’s true skills, each generation brave and skilled in battle, guarding the northern borders of Great Zhou for decades without fail.

As long as the Cui family of Prince Zhenbei remained, the northern frontier stood like an unyielding, towering mountain, keeping the Northern Di from advancing an inch.

But perhaps due to the heavy bloodshed they had caused, though beautiful women were sent to them one after another, their family line grew ever thinner.

What no one expected was that on New Year’s Eve ten years ago, Southern barbarian spies who had been lying low in Great Zhou for years had poisoned and killed dozens of members of the Cui family.

The main lineage was nearly wiped out, leaving only a fifteen-year-old second legitimate son, Cui Ji, who narrowly escaped with his life.

The Great Zhou Emperor was enraged. The Southern barbarians had sought to destroy the foundation of his realm.

He immediately sent troops to punish the Southern barbarians, with Cui Ji leading the campaign.

That battle became Cui Ji’s claim to fame. He swept through the enemy like cutting through vegetables, breaking their defenses and forcing the Southern barbarians to retreat step by step. Ultimately, they begged for peace, ceding three cities before he stopped.

After this campaign, Cui Ji’s reputation soared. He inherited the title of Prince Zhenbei and continued to guard the north.

However, ten years later, the Northern Di grew powerful again, stirring up new troubles.

The new Khan, named Hutuke, was nearly forty. His rise to power was not due to his own strength but to a fierce general under his command named Wuliji.

Wuliji was immensely strong, said to be over seven feet tall, built like a mountain, and wielded a heavy hammer. He was invincible on the battlefield, serving as Hutuke’s right hand in expanding his territory.

Cui Ji had clashed with him at the border. After a dozen rounds, they barely fought to a draw.

Though Cui Ji wounded the other’s arm, he was thrown from his horse and suffered severe injuries to his legs.

Now, with the Northern Di reinforcing their troops and Wuliji among them, Zhou Mingqi dared not be careless.

But with Cui Ji injured, it would be difficult for him to take the battlefield anytime soon.

The border was currently guarded by Cui Ji’s Deputy General, who had some talent.

However, a few days ago, an urgent report from the border arrived, saying the Northern Di were causing trouble again. The Deputy General alone might not be able to hold them off.

That day, Zhou Mingqi summoned Cui Ji.

Looking at Cui Ji seated below, his legs still covered with a thin blanket, Zhou Mingqi frowned.

“My dear Cui, the Northern Di are reinforcing their troops, and the border is in crisis. Your injuries have not healed. Do you have a good plan?”

Cui Ji lowered his head, twirling the teacup in his hand, and said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, though my wounds are not fully healed, the Northern Di are rampant. I will do my utmost.

Wuliji may be fierce, but he is not without weaknesses. He fights bravely but lacks strategy. We can set an ambush to defeat him.”

Zhou Mingqi looked at him, silent for a moment, then spoke, “My dear, you are injured and not fit to lead troops…”

Cui Ji listened, raised the teacup to his lips, and took a gentle sip. His fingers traced the rim of the cup, his gaze lowered as if in thought, his hands resting on his knees.

“Your Majesty is right. If so, why not send a reliable general to take command of the Cui Family Army?”

The dragon’s breath incense on the low table curled into two strands of white smoke, dispersing in the air, vanishing without a trace.

For a moment, neither spoke, as if locked in a silent standoff.

“The border cannot be without the Prince Zhenbei. Do not speak such words again.” Zhou Mingqi said slowly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Cui Ji looked up, meeting Zhou Mingqi’s eyes. He tilted his head, a cold smile on his lips. “Then Your Majesty may decide on your own. I shall take my leave.”

Zhou Mingqi watched Cui Ji’s retreating figure, his heart heavy with frustration. He raised a hand to rub his brow.

“Send word to the Imperial Household Department to select some nourishing herbs and deliver them to the Prince Zhenbei.” After a pause, he added, “Also, choose a few clever palace maids and send them along.”

“Yes.” The eunuch acknowledged and left.

"How's the Crown Prince been lately? Has he been doing some proper reflecting?" Zhou Mingqi was still somewhat uneasy about Zhou Zhan.

Fu Quan smiled, stepped forward to offer Zhou Mingqi tea, and said, "The Crown Prince studies diligently every day and copies the 'Book of Rites' daily; he's probably got it memorized by now."

A father knows his son; Zhou Mingqi, as his father, knew exactly what Zhou Zhan was like.

That son of his was born lazy. If someone kept him in line, he was fine, but once unrestrained, he'd run wild like a horse with no reins.

"Summon Wang Jin."

Before long, Wang Jin hurried into the hall and promptly bowed, "Your servant pays his respects."

"Rise."

Wang Jin stood up, bowed slightly, and remained in place, unsure of why Zhou Mingqi had summoned him.

"Minister Wang, you now serve in the Hanlin Academy, handling educational duties daily. You must be tired."

Wang Jin, somewhat flustered, knelt again, "It's my duty to lighten Your Majesty's load; how could I complain about being tired?"

Zhou Mingqi was merely being polite and didn't truly think him tired, so he quickly got to the point.

"Minister, you have been instructing the Hanlin Bachelors for over a month now. Have you found any talents?"