Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Choice
Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation
The hall was completely silent, with only the thin, green smoke of ambergris lingering upwards. The emperor sat on his high seat, looking at the memorials on the table, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests.
Looking up at Wang Ziteng standing upright in front of the palace, the emperor's thoughts went back to the time before he ascended the throne.
At that time, although the emperor and Prince Zhongshun were the empress's sons, they were young. The empress was not the first empress, her family was not as prominent as the imperial concubine's, and the emperor did not often go to Kunning Palace. Naturally, the emperor was not as good as his elder brother who was named Prince Yi Zhong early on.
Duke Rong of the court was a brave and loyal warrior. In addition, he was favored by his ancestors and was highly regarded by the retired emperor. Almost half of the military officers in the court had connections with him.
Although Prince Zhongshun, who was still a prince, got a share of the spoils by virtue of his bravery, it was not the emperor's own after all. He knew the cruelty of the royal struggle, so he went to find Wang Ziteng, who was suppressed by Duke Rong because of his youth.
One of them wanted to reach the top and the other wanted to stand out, so they naturally hit it off.
They thought they would have to wait for many years, but the emperor lived too long and delayed in appointing Prince Yizhong as the crown prince. Prince Yizhong became anxious and, instigated by villains, he raised an army to rebel.
Although it was suppressed quickly, the court suffered serious damage, and Duke Rong was seriously injured. He died after being bedridden for several years.
Although the emperor was suspicious, he was quite capable. Wang Ziteng was related to the Jia family. With the emperor's support and the influence left by Duke Rong, Wang Ziteng quickly gathered most of the military generals in the court.
Prince Zhongshun also understood the emperor's intention and took the initiative to withdraw, handing over the military power in his hands. The emperor naturally accepted it with a smile. In order to restrict Wang Ziteng, he promoted several people who were at odds with him.
In addition, the emperor's eldest son was famous for his talent at a young age. He was elegant and easy-going, respected his teachers, and most importantly, valued culture over military power. He had great respect for civil officials and was deeply loved by them in the court.
The emperor had a son who could win over the ministers, Prince Teng who was in charge of the military, and Prince Zhongshun who was good at making friends with the nobles. Naturally, he felt at home. When the retired emperor was ill, he was appointed as regent. Not long after, the retired emperor abdicated and the emperor ascended the throne.
Unfortunately, natural disasters occurred everywhere after he ascended the throne. Those useless people could fight on equal terms with Wang Ziteng alone, but their ability to lead troops in battle was inferior to Wang Ziteng. After much deliberation, the emperor had to promote Wang Ziteng again and again.
I originally wanted to find some people to share power with, but I didn't expect the military officials in the court to be so incompetent. No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anyone who could be used. Fortunately, Wang Ziteng had no involvement with other members of the royal family and had always been loyal to me.
"Your Majesty." Seeing that the emperor remained silent after reading the memorial, Wang Ziteng could not help but remind him, "Your Majesty, please make the decision."
The emperor's thoughts were pulled back. He looked at the memorial in front of him and said, "Is there anyone in the court who can compare to him?"
His voice was emotionless, but Wang Ziteng lowered his head even further and said more respectfully, "Your humble servant, I must say this. Although the Crown Prince is young and full of vigor, he truly possesses... the talent of Wei Huo. Not to mention the others in the court, even your humble servant has taken advantage of his age."
The air in the hall seemed to freeze, even the swirling smoke seemed to stagnate for a moment.
The emperor's voice turned colder: "Go on."
"I have gathered the troops trained by the Crown Prince. I won't talk about their flexible and varied tactics or their tacit coordination, but just their military discipline..." Wang Ziteng said with difficulty, "It is truly as the military manual says: swift as the wind, slow as the forest, aggressive as fire, immovable as a mountain, unpredictable as the shadow, and powerful as thunder."
"Didn't he give us a training method?" Hearing him use the word "military discipline," the emperor's heart tightened. He spoke slowly, each word icy, "Did he deceive the emperor and conceal his own faults by giving us a fake one, or is it that you, Wang Ziteng, are incompetent and can't implement the existing method?"
Wang Ziteng knelt down suddenly: "Your Majesty, the forces in the army are intertwined and complex, and even if I want to move..."
Before he could finish, the emperor said coldly, "If you don't dare to move, how could he dare?"
"Your Majesty, this is why I am risking my life to recommend a member of the royal family to lead the army." Wang Ziteng raised his head and said, "The Crown Prince is the son of Prince Zhongshun and is deeply favored by you. Given his status, nothing is too much for him. Moreover, it was you who put the Crown Prince in this position. If he wants to achieve something, he must demonstrate his amazing ability. Moreover, those generations of military officers have been affected by the interests, so naturally..."
Naturally, he would no longer be friends with him. The emperor instantly understood what he meant, his expression softened, and he motioned Wang Ziteng to continue.
Wang Ziteng knew the emperor was wavering and breathed a sigh of relief. "In the past, they might have ignored the Crown Prince's interference, but now that the border is unstable, it's a good time to kill the enemy and gain merit. Although there is a lack of young military commanders, it doesn't affect their determination to fight for a future for their descendants. If the Crown Prince interferes, he will definitely arouse fear. Besides, the Crown Prince is truly capable. With him in the army, Your Majesty can worry a lot less."
After hearing this, the emperor slowly leaned back in his chair, remained silent for a moment, and said to Wang Ziteng, "I understand. You may leave first."
The army was in great need of talent, so Wang Ziteng, upon hearing this, wanted to persuade the emperor again. However, thinking of the emperor's usual suspicion, and fearing that he might think he was involved with Prince Zhongshun, he suppressed his thoughts and kowtowed, saying, "I will take my leave."
Silence returned to the hall again. The emperor closed his eyes and frowned.
Use him? If he really has the talent of Wei Huo, and then gathers all the forces in the army, wouldn't that be a great help to King Zhongshun?
If he is not used, the border will be unstable and there will be many incompetent people in the army. Wang Ziteng is also old and his old injuries have recurred frequently in recent years. If a successor is not found, the country may be shaken.
In the end, the stability of the country and the responsibilities of a ruler prevailed, and the emperor called to Cai Rang, "Come here, Prince Zhongshun."
Cai Rang hurriedly took the order.
Not long after, he came in to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Zhongshun has arrived."
"Xuan."
The emperor had just finished meeting with Wang Ziteng when he sent someone to look for him. He was afraid it was because of Yue'er's group of soldiers. Prince Zhongshun thought nervously as he hurried into the palace: "Your Majesty."
"Sit down."
Prince Zhongshun listened and half-sat on the chair Cai Rang had brought him. "I wonder what your majesty wants me to do?"
"There is indeed something I want you to do." The emperor struggled for a long time and came up with a way to test Wu Tianyue's ability without letting him interfere too much with military power.
Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I will do as you command."
Seeing him so respectful, the emperor felt much more at ease and said gently, "Did you know that Wang Ziteng came today?"
"Eunuch Cai has been ordered to inform this minister."
"Yue'er's troops are well-trained. They work in perfect harmony and obey orders." The emperor nodded and continued, "I used to think the military career was too arduous and life-threatening, so I didn't want him to take any risks. But I didn't expect him to be so talented. If I didn't let him join the army, it would be a waste of talent."
Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun was terrified, believing that the enemy was about to kill him. He quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, that wasn't really Yue'er's work. He simply copied the ancient military training methods he found in ancient books."
The emperor laughed and said, "Even if he's just copying, he's been able to train these scattered soldiers to such proficiency in just a few months, which shows he's truly capable. Furthermore, he's been practicing martial arts since he was a child, regardless of the harsh winter or heat. Even if he were to abandon literature and pursue military service now, he'd certainly be quite capable."
Prince Zhongshun looked at the smile that didn't reach his eyes and became even more frightened: "Yue'er was just doing a little trick, how can he compare to the generals in the court..."
Before he could finish his words, the emperor sneered, "When the border is unstable, even ordinary people have a duty to serve their country, let alone a prince from a marquisate supported by the people? Now that he has the opportunity to serve the country, are you still going to refuse?"
"I dare not," Prince Zhongshun kowtowed heavily. "But I only just received the axe at such an old age. The sword has no mercy. If anything happens to him... Your Majesty, please grant my loving heart to your son."
"Your youngest son is quite talented and famous outside. Wouldn't he be a better match for you?"
After the emperor finished speaking, he saw Prince Zhongshun looking up in fear and said with a smile, "What are you afraid of? Yue'er is still my nephew, and I raised him under my care. How could I let him take any risks? I called you here today to give him a chance to choose."
Prince Zhongshun breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again, "Your Majesty, please speak."
"Since Yue'er doesn't want to listen to you and me, and honestly take the imperial examination to become a counselor, why not just let him go to the army to gain some experience?"
Hearing this, Prince Zhongshun subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then he saw Cai Rang coming over with a jade pendant.
The emperor's calm voice echoed in his ears again: "This is my token. With this jade pendant, I can directly command the Jiedushi of the Northern Frontier."
The jade pendant in his hand suddenly felt extremely hot, and cold sweat instantly dripped down his face. He raised it high above his head and said, "This item concerns the foundation of the country. Your Majesty, please reconsider."
"What are you afraid of?" The emperor said with a smile. "I'll give Yue'er two choices. One is to join the army under an assumed name and start as a soldier. There haven't been any major battles in the northern border yet, but the Di people have been harassing us year after year, so it's easy for him to make military achievements. I want to see his achievements within two years. Of course, the battlefield is full of dangers. If Yue'er can't hold on, take this jade pendant to Jin Lang, and he will arrange for someone to send Yue'er back to the capital."
Seeing that Prince Zhongshun remained silent, the emperor continued, "If Yue'er doesn't want to go to the Northern Frontier, then don't even think about pursuing a military career. Just study hard and take the imperial examinations."
After that, he waved his hand and said, "There has been no fighting on the border recently. I'll give him half a month. After half a month, he can either go north to join the army alone or enter the examination hall."
He made the final decision directly, and Prince Zhongshun had no choice but to withdraw.
Wu Tianyue was still unaware of the decision made by the three. Ever since he decided to pursue a career as a civil servant, he spent his days either studying at home or discussing articles with the students at the Imperial College.
Today, he had just returned home from attending a literary gathering when he heard Chang Jian reply, "Prince, Liu Xianglian wants to see you."
Wu Tianyue was a little dazed. Only a few months had passed, and he seemed to have forgotten the days on horseback. After coming to his senses, he asked, "Where is he?"
"I've taken him to the study and he's waiting."
Wu Tianyue nodded and went to the study.
"Greetings, Prince." As soon as he entered the door, Liu Xianglian came forward to pay his respects.
"Get up." Wu Tianyue sat on the chair and asked him, "What do you want from me?"
"I'm here to say goodbye to the prince," Liu Xianglian said with a smile. "Everyone on the farm has been recruited into the Imperial Guards, so I have nothing to do here. It just so happens that the weather has been nice lately, perfect for traveling outside the capital."
After hearing this, Wu Tianyue exchanged a few pleasantries with him, gave him some silver, money and clothes, and then ordered someone to send him out.
After Liu Xianglian left, Wu Tianyue sat in the study for half a day. Seeing that it was getting late, he got up and went to visit Princess Zhongshun.
As soon as he reached the second gate, he met the chief historian: "Sir, the prince is waiting for you in the inner study."
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