Upon seeing the Crown Prince appear, the court officials all scrutinized his complexion, unable to discern anything from Yan Huisheng’s countenance.
Yan Huisheng never made a show of his emotions in front of the court officials, leaving them unable to guess his thoughts. As usual, the court officials implored him to proceed promptly to the Council Hall for strategic deliberations concerning the matter of Zhang Ping’s rebellion.
This was a matter related to the fate of Great Liang’s Rivers and Mountains and the lives of everyone involved.
Unusually, Yan Huisheng saw the officials all in a hurry, so he accompanied them to the Council Hall.
The Head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was indeed competent; as he predicted, the Emperor woke up towards the evening.
When the Emperor woke up, he saw the dim lit palace and the Empress sitting by his bed, seemingly lost in thought, he called out her name.
The Empress hurriedly helped the Emperor up while the palace maids and eunuchs gathered around to assist the Emperor in drinking water and taking his medicine.
After these busy moments, the Emperor finally regained some strength, leaning on the pillow while lying on the bed, he asked the Empress, "How long have I been unconscious?"
"Not too long, Your Majesty fell unconscious at this morning’s court, and now it is just about dusk." the Empress replied.
The Emperor thought to himself, being unconscious for nearly a day was indeed a long time. However, compared to the last time, it was indeed shorter. Because his mind was preoccupied with the important matter of Zhang Ping’s rebellion, even in his unconscious state, he couldn’t rest easy and thus woke up.
He asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince stayed with you for a good while, but then the court officials urged him to attend the council meeting." The Empress let out a sigh, "I heard he even didn’t have his lunch, and I’m afraid he’s still in the Council Hall."
The Emperor nodded, "Send someone to summon the Crown Prince."
The Empress nodded in agreement, ordering someone to go and call the Crown Prince.
After the young eunuch left to find the Crown Prince, the Emperor, pale in complexion, asked the Empress, "Do you think I’ve failed terribly as an Emperor?"
Even though the Empress truly believed that he had failed miserably as an Emperor, she didn’t want to further burden his already distressed heart. Especially, as now she didn’t wish for the Emperor’s early demise, and her son’s position was secured.
So, she shook her head, "Your Majesty, don’t overthink. The Imperial Doctor said you need to rest properly."
The Emperor was insistent, "I’m asking you a question."
The Empress shook her head, "There are also successful parts about Your Majesty. The Crown Prince has never disappointed you."
The Emperor gazed at her, "I can feel that you spoke those words genuinely." He nodded in acknowledgment, "Indeed, your son, whom I conferred as the Crown Prince since childhood, and throughout these years, in spite of my suppression, I never thought of dethroning him. Undeniably, there are also merits in him."
As he spoke, he began to cough, "I was stubborn and fond of power. I failed to comprehend people correctly and have let down my predecessor’s trust. I am not a good emperor."
The Empress thought to herself; many people don’t acknowledge their mistakes until the end of their lives, especially those who are emperors. Countless inept rulers throughout history, but the Emperor before her, also had commendable aspects. He acknowledged his mistakes when he still hadn’t reached the end of his life. Moreover, he spoke honestly.
The Emperor added, "I’m also not a good father."
The Empress didn’t know how to respond, so she just listened to the Emperor talking to himself. Perhaps, he didn’t need her to chime in. He just wanted to speak his thoughts to her, so she just had to listen.
Yan Huisheng arrived very quickly. After he arrived, the Empress left the Hall of Fostering Inner Peace, leaving the father and son alone to talk.
Yan Huisheng stood in front of the bed, looking at the Emperor, feeling that he had aged tremendously within a day.
The Emperor was also looking at Yan Huisheng. Lately, he had been frequently observing his son, trying his best to mend their father-son relationship. Setting aside imperial power, he looked at his most outstanding son, feeling both gratified and emotional. He even felt that his temper had grown considerably larger than before, often speaking brusquely, irritating him and subtly unleashing his irritation, but within bearable limits. However, he still tolerated it. If it were in the past, this would’ve been impossible.
He didn’t speak, but reached into his robe. His hands appeared weak and slightly trembling, he searched through his robe for a while before retrieving a Tiger Talisman and handing it over to him, "This is the Tiger Talisman of Jinglu Troops, I’m entrusting it to you now, you can command the troops as you see fit!"
Yan Huisheng didn’t take it, "Father-Emperor, are you sure you are giving it to me?"
Both he and the Emperor knew how tightly the Emperor had been holding the Jinglu Troops, consisting of a hundred thousand soldiers. This was his life-securing power as an emperor, how much he treasured the imperial power. Both father and son were well aware of these matters. Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have been fearful and suppressed his son’s power and reputation, and encouraged Yan Li and Yan Lin to compete against him.
After walking this torturous path for so many years, surprisingly, he was going to delegate his power to him so quickly.
"I don’t want my kingdom to fall while I’m still alive, and I don’t want to face my imperial grandfather in the afterlife without dignity. Now that I realize how ridiculously wrong I’ve been, I naturally want to hurry up and fix things. I know that my current condition can’t take anymore blows, I’m all burnt out. The Emperor pulled Yan Huisheng’s hand and thrust the Tiger Talisman into it, "I’m fortunate that I still have you to clean up this mess I’ve made. As a ruler, I have made countless mistakes and as a father, I have also wronged you. I cannot continue making these errors."
Yan Huisheng clasped the Tiger Talisman, his gaze steady, "Rest assured, Father-Emperor, since you trust me, I will not disappoint you."
"I know." The Emperor withdrew his hand, apparently clinging onto the warmth of the Tiger Talisman. After all, he had kept it with him day and night for many years.
He dragged his hand over the blanket as if wanting to wipe off the yearning for the Tiger Talisman, "I heard from your mother that today, you and the court officials have been deliberating in the Council Hall about Zhang Ping’s rebellion. Do you have a strategy in place yet?"
Yan Huisheng replied, "The national treasury is not abundant, and provisions and military salary are scarce. The total military strength of the court is barely equivalent to that of Jibei. However, out of fear that Dawei may attack due to Su Rong’s relationship, the Ministry of Housing has been looking for ways to replenish the treasury since a month ago. Currently, the treasury can support three months’ worth of military salary. Hence, it is necessary to suppress Zhang Ping’s rebellion within these three months. Zhou Che and Zhou Shen each lead a hundred thousand troops to Nanping. With Zhou Gu and Su Rong in Nanping, they should be able to hold the fort. As for the second batch of Zhang family’s troops from Longxi County, I’m afraid Zhang Ping is leading them himself. The court officials and I have discussed this, and we plan to lead one hundred and fifty thousand troops to directly counter Zhang Ping. We will send fifty thousand troops from Jinglu and add the remaining one hundred thousand troops from the Duke Residence."
The Emperor’s face changed drastically at these words, "You want to leave the capital personally? No!"
"Father-Emperor, rest assured that I..."
"No." The Emperor decisively said, "You must stay in the capital. What about Zhou Wei from the Duke Residence? Send him instead."
Without waiting for Yan Huisheng to speak again, he continued, "Did the court officials agree to you going? Even if they agree, I don’t."
Yan Huisheng remained silent. Of course, the court officials had agreed to his going. When hearing that he intended to go personally, they panicked like the Emperor and firmly opposed it.
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