Chapter 108 Drawing the Bow
The teacher is famous.
But it still needs to be initiated by someone trustworthy.
Li Yang is a good candidate, but not enough.
Cen Yan did not step forward.
Naturally, the final choice was no better than Eunuch Feng.
He was a palace attendant and the chief eunuch who had served Emperor Shengwu for many years. Over the years, almost everything he said reflected Emperor Shengwu's own intentions.
"It's like God is on his side."
When Cen Yan was making his plans, he couldn't help but sigh.
Zhuang Dongqing listened from the side, but most of the time he didn't understand. Liu Qi, Hao San, and Xu Si spoke fluently about everything, from which passes to enter, how many days to stay, the number of troops, and how much food was needed. Cen Yan listened, occasionally picking out a few key points. Master Zhao would also come to talk about the medicine, wine, and pills he had brought. But Cen Yan was just sitting there, a mere decoration, listening to gibberish.
But he could strike up a conversation with that.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Perhaps, he will manage the court very well in the future and become a benevolent ruler..."
“Renjun…” Cen Yan thought for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, “Perhaps, this is the best way.”
Before Zhuang Dongqing could ask, she finished speaking, "If he can't do it, there are plenty of other princes and clansmen, so there will always be a suitable person to take his place."
Zhuang Dongqing thought about it and agreed.
Cen Yan did not fully help Li Yang. As he said, the two of them were just getting what they needed. Li Yang still had a long way to go on this path alone. Therefore, Cen Yan left the task of persuading Eunuch Feng entirely to Li Yang.
According to Cen Yan's original words, if Li Yang couldn't even handle this, there was no need for him to come to the capital with him.
If they go back, they will certainly not be able to keep the throne in the future.
It would be better for them to go back and wait for Emperor Shengwu to wake up and make a decision.
Zhuang Dongqing was initially worried, but Li Yang did a great job, and the news of the success came back quickly. Upon hearing this, Cen Yan affirmed Li Yang for the first time, nodding and saying, "Not bad."
With the addition of Eunuch Feng, several more points were added to the original pre-departure speech.
For example, before Emperor Shengwu fell into a coma, he had no intention of establishing a crown prince.
Emperor Shengwu had always favored the fourth prince.
The case of the Third Prince is under investigation, and it is not entirely certain that the Fourth Prince was responsible. Before Emperor Shengwu has awakened, even if the Eighth Prince becomes the Crown Prince, he has no right to execute a prince. In addition, seeking poison pills for Emperor Shengwu and killing his father and brother is an outrage against heaven and earth.
The manifesto was written with great passion and fervor, and Zhuang Dongqing believed most of it after reading it.
However, after the book was completed, Cen Yan did not immediately announce it to the world. Instead, he waited until the imperial edict summoning Eunuch Feng, which was also the decree of the current Crown Prince Li De, arrived in the capital before making the announcement and raising troops to return to the capital.
During this period, he did only two things: first, he trained troops, and second, he conscripted troops from Hangzhou and Suzhou to purge the court of corrupt officials.
It's relatively easier in Hangzhou.
Since the governor had already been taken down, if the generals did not want to be accused of keeping private soldiers, they had no choice but to follow the Prince's Mansion. Obviously, they also chose this path.
Suzhou was originally neutral, and Cen Yan and Li Yang had to travel back and forth by boat several times before they could persuade the local authorities.
At this point, he had a force of over 100,000 men at his disposal.
In addition, the area is located in the Jiangnan water towns, which has always been a prosperous place. After the investigation into the illegal salt problem was completed, the local wealthy merchants made amends for their contributions to the army's pay and provisions. Apart from a few households that had already been arrested and had their property confiscated, and those that had too much involvement with the Eighth Prince, the rest of the wealthy people generously contributed to ensure a sufficient supply of food and medicinal materials for the rear.
Originally, Cen Yan wanted to handle it himself, but Li Yang took the lead, so Cen Yan handed over the task of raising grain to him, and he did an exceptionally good job.
When the Crown Prince's order arrives, Eunuch Feng will be forcibly recalled.
Cen Yan led his men to kill the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, as well as several imperial guards who accompanied him.
Li Yang and Eunuch Feng subsequently issued their manifesto, officially proclaiming the slogan of "purging the court of corrupt officials."
Meanwhile, the Prince's mansion was also tidied up. Grandma led Cen An'an and Zhuang Dongqing to take one last look at the place where they had lived for several months before turning around and getting into the carriage together.
They will accompany the army.
If he couldn't see them all the time, Cen Yan couldn't put them anywhere else with peace of mind.
Liu Qi had mentioned before that Cen Yan seemed conflicted about sending him and Cen An back to their fiefdom first, and had even asked Zhuang Dongqing about it.
Zhuang Dongqing noticed Cen Yan's reluctance.
Let's go together.
"It's best if it becomes natural."
"If anything unexpected happens, the family will always be together."
Zhuang Dongqing said this at the time.
Liu Qi was somewhat moved by what he heard. Cen Yan extended his hand, and Zhuang Dongqing smiled and shook it. He knew that the other party actually thought the same thing.
If it works out, everyone will be fine; if it doesn't, he and Cen An won't be able to hide anywhere.
After the morning oath-taking ceremony, the troops boarded the ships one after another and returned to Beijing.
In order to save as much time as possible, most of the journey was to be by water. However, as they approached the capital, the Eighth Prince was able to mobilize the troops stationed there. At that point, the risk of traveling by water would be too high, so they would switch to a land route.
As Cen Yan had predicted, they encountered no obstacles a few days ago.
Firstly, their announcement was sudden; almost simultaneously with the issuance of slogans and manifestos, their troops set off, leaving the capital city with no time to respond.
Secondly, local officials all knew that this was a battle between gods, a struggle between princes. Before the situation became clear, they were unwilling to take sides easily. If the capital did not issue an imperial decree, they would pretend to be ignorant and not know what this army was doing, and let them pass by with one eye open, so as not to get themselves into trouble, let alone fight to the death to stop them.
"Is your father-in-law certain this person is reliable?"
Inside the tent, Cen Yan asked Eunuch Feng.
Eunuch Feng confidently declared, "My people are trustworthy."
He was no longer tolerated by the Eighth Prince, and his influence in the palace had certainly been purged. Those who were still accumulating power in the shadows, if they did not cooperate with him now, would only be dealt with by the Eighth Prince in the future.
Cen Yan nodded and handed over the antidote prescription that Master Zhao and Zhuang Dongqing had developed. "Please take a look, Eunuch."
"This is?"
"A prescription for treating erysipelas."
Eunuch Feng took it, his hand trembling slightly.
Cen Yan: "Please take a look, sir. Can the person you asked for help get their hands on the medicinal herbs inside? Are there any herbs that are difficult to find? We can give them to Master Zhao now and try to find a way to replace the herbs. Once this list is sent out, it can no longer be changed."
Eunuch Feng asked Cen Yan excitedly, "Are you absolutely certain you can detoxify him?"
Cen Yan shook his head, and the light in Eunuch Feng's eyes dimmed again.
Cen Yan: "Your Majesty knows His Majesty's health better than I do, even without the elixir of immortality..."
Grandpa Feng's eyes reddened, and he nodded, wiping away his tears. "We know this in our hearts."
If that's clear, then there's no need to say more.
After reviewing the prescription and finding no problems, Cen Yan had it sent out.
Once they approach the capital, the Eighth Prince will surely take charge personally. After Li De leaves the palace and his control over the palace weakens, then Eunuch Feng's confidants will have the opportunity to secretly detoxify Emperor Shengwu and awaken him.
When Eunuch Feng left, he glanced back at Zhuang Dongqing in the tent, and Zhuang Dongqing shifted slightly, feeling uneasy.
When Eunuch Feng arrived, he wanted to leave, but Cen Yan stopped him, so he had no choice but to sit down and listen to the whole thing.
Throughout this time, Eunuch Feng kept glancing at him, seemingly casually.
Sure enough, Eunuch Feng asked, "Your Highness, who is Young Master Zhuang...?"
Recently, they have been accompanying the army together, and the attitude of everyone in the Prince's Mansion towards Zhuang Dongqing has not been concealed from the outside world. Even someone as oblivious as Li Yang could be slow to realize it, let alone the ever-sharp-eyed Eunuch Feng.
Cen Yan deliberately left Zhuang Dongqing behind, and now that she was asked about it, he conveniently answered, "She is the future princess of my Dingxi Prince's Mansion."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Eunuch Feng: "..."
Their eyes met, Zhuang Dongqing felt awkward, and Eunuch Feng was a little confused.
"Your Highness, you and Young Master Zhuang..."
Cen Yan picked up the conversation, "When we request the title from His Majesty, we hope you will speak well of us."
"Oh, oh, of course, of course."
Eunuch Feng quickly composed himself and praised Zhuang Dongqing several times, making Zhuang Dongqing blush. Eunuch Feng could still smile and congratulate them on their marriage and wish them a long and happy life together.
Zhuang Dongqing was incredibly embarrassed, but Cen Yan was quite pleased. He sincerely thanked Eunuch Feng, but Eunuch Feng noticed something and said a lot of nice things. Even when Eunuch Feng left, Cen Yan's lips were still twitching with a smile.
Once they were alone, Zhuang Dongqing dug her toes into the ground: "Wasn't this a bit too high-profile?"
Cen Yan, however, said seriously, "That's exactly the effect we want. If it were to circulate in private, who knows what people would think? It's better to make it clear to my face to avoid offending me in the future."
Once Zhuang Dongqing enters the palace and is granted her title, Eunuch Feng will surely train the palace servants who will greet her well, making Zhuang Dongqing's experience of receiving the title much more comfortable.
With this attitude in mind, once the army approached the capital, everyone in the camp knew about the relationship between the two men.
The generals in Suzhou and Hangzhou gradually began to address Zhuang Dongqing as "Young Master Zhuang" or "Young Master Zhuang," following the way the Prince's Mansion was called.
*
After more than a month, the army was about to approach the passes surrounding the capital.
If you cross that line and continue a little further, you'll reach the capital.
The pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It was here that the Fourth Prince Li Ren was captured. Cen Yan and Li Yang discussed it and both felt that it would be a tough battle.
They set up camp near the front lines to rest and recuperate, and also to formulate battle plans.
"You haven't forgotten what you promised me, have you?"
After the plan was almost finalized, as they were putting away the scroll, Cen Yan suddenly said to Li Yang.
Li Yang thought for a moment before replying, "Of course."
Cen Yan lowered his brows and smiled, "Then I'm really looking forward to this battle."
Li Yang wanted to say something, but held back, and instead said, "What if Father wakes up on the way..."
Cen Yan: "What conflict is there? I don't want his life."
Despite her smiling face and cheerful demeanor, Li Yang felt a chill run down her spine.
Especially when Cen Yan said these things with a smile, he subconsciously didn't want to talk back...
It's as if somewhere deep down, someone knows that these things are non-negotiable.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Li Yang finally said diplomatically, "That's good."
"At least it has to look presentable."
Cen Yan also laughed, a laugh that made Li Yang inexplicably uneasy. She replied, "Of course."
After Li Yang left the tent, he stood in an open space for a while.
Cen Yan didn't want his eighth brother's life; he wanted him to suffer a fate worse than death...
Realizing this clearly, Li Yang stayed a while longer, forcing herself to harden her heart before moving away.
After all, without that hijacking, there wouldn't be this scene today.
What goes around comes around.
It is simply a matter of reaping what one sows.
Another day passed, and the army broke camp.
Two days later, the two armies faced off at the pass and city walls.
The Eighth Prince, Li De, stood on the city wall, acting as the Crown Prince, and tried to persuade Cen Yan and Eunuch Feng to surrender. He said that everything was a misunderstanding, and if they shook hands and made peace now, considering that Eunuch Feng and Cen Yan were loyal and that everything was just due to the instigation of villains, they could take them back to the capital to see the comatose Emperor Shengwu.
Li Yang, who should have been furious, showed little emotion when he actually heard these words.
Cen Yan smiled and glanced at Li Yang.
Li Yang calmly looked back.
Sensing the arrogance and condescension in those words, Eunuch Feng's expression darkened.
Emperor Shengwu was still unconscious, and Li De's words made it seem as if the entire Great Sheng Dynasty already belonged to him.
"Have you ever seen my archery skills, my love?"
Turning his head, Cen Yan asked Zhuang Dongqing again.
Zhuang Dongqing shook her head.
Yes, he was also in the lead, riding a horse, following behind Cen Yan.
Cen Yan simply smiled and extended his hand to Liu Qi.
A bow was handed to him.
Zhuang Dongqing noticed that the bowstring was extremely thick, and the bow itself was also much thicker than the wood used for ordinary bows.
Cen Yan drew his bow.
The Eighth Prince, or rather, Crown Prince Li De, who was giving a passionate speech on the city tower, felt a sudden jolt in his heart upon seeing this.
The general beside him quickly said, "Your Highness, do not panic. The terrain here is quite high, and ordinary arrows will not be able to hit it."
Halfway through his sentence, Cen Yan drew his bow to its fullest extent below the city wall, causing Li De's brow to twitch and his pupils to contract.
But then Cen Yan raised his hand slightly again, and after the general finished speaking the last few words, Cen Yan let go.
When Li De finally felt the howling wind, it was too late for him to hesitate about whether hiding would be a loss of face.
call out--
The arrow flew like a meteor, hurtling towards us.
bite--
It created a whirlwind and embedded itself deeply into the city tower behind Li De.
Li De was covered in cold sweat.
Before he could even rejoice at his narrow escape, he noticed that everyone around him was staring at him in horror. When he turned around, he realized that the arrow hadn't hit his head, but it had lifted the feathered cap of his helmet and pinned it to the city wall.
The crest feathers are red, originally for easy identification.
They should fight so that their own people know where he is and can protect him.
Being pinned to the city wall by arrows at this moment is particularly conspicuous.
Cen Yan did it on purpose!
absolute!
Before Li De could react, the only response to his speech was an arrow that came hurtling through the air.
Then, Cen Yan gently waved his bow-holding hand, followed by the military order he uttered.
"kill."
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