The Child Emperor-Chapter 194: Imperial Envoy to Supervise the Battle
CH 194: Imperial Envoy to Supervise the Battle
Chai Yue and Cai Xinghai needed to persuade more people. Their first target was Liu Kunsheng, the Northern Army Captain.
Liu Kunsheng’s army advanced slowly and arrived at Divine Hero Pass nearly a day after Chai Yue. He handed over military duties to his subordinates and found a place to rest. He was tired and apprehensive. Naturally cautious, he had always tried to avoid the political whirlpools of the court, but now he was involuntarily drawn in.
Chai Yue visited him with wine and meat, ostensibly to welcome the Northern Army Captain. After three rounds of drinks, the servants withdrew, and Chai Yue presented a letter written by the Champion Marquis to Chai Zhi.
After reading the letter, Liu Kunsheng couldn’t bring himself to drink the wine in his hand. After a long pause, he asked, “Do you have family in the Capital?”
“My mother and younger brother, currently residing at Marquis Hengyang’s residence.”
For soldiers fighting far from home, the greatest threat was the safety of their families. Liu Kunsheng also had a large family to support. He read the letter again, saying, “The Champion Marquis does not tolerate those who are not his men. I am not his man; obeying him means death, and disobeying him also means death.” Liu Kunsheng returned the letter to Chai Yue, asking, “What do you Chai plan to do?”
“The Champion Marquis, even before ascending the throne, is already acting autocratically. Changing commanders before battle and forcing the Northern Army to attack the Xiongnu under unfavorable conditions—if he becomes Emperor, not only will you be in danger, but the entire Northern Army will be implicated. There’s only one way now…”
Liu Kunsheng raised his hand, signaling Chai Yue to stop. After thinking for a while, he said, “If the Northern Protection General’s negotiations with the Xiongnu go smoothly, there’s a fifty percent chance of success. If the court remains stable in the coming days, the chance increases to seventy percent. If the Northern Army can escort the Northern Protection General back to the Capital in time…”
“Success is assured.”
The two talked for a long time, and by the time they finished, it was late at night.
Cai Xinghai didn’t completely trust Liu Kunsheng. Seeing Chai Yue’s confidence, he couldn’t help but remind him, “Liu Kunsheng once personally received the Founding Emperor’s sword from the Northern Protection General but later credited the Empress Dowager in front of the imperial court. We need to be cautious with him.”
“I will be careful, but I believe Liu Kunsheng has no way out. The Northern Protection General is his only hope.”
“Who else should we bring into the fold?”
“Too many people knowing is not advisable. For now, just the three of us. Next, spread the word that the court advocates for war, and the Champion Marquis is eager to make his mark by immediately waging war against the Xiongnu.”
“That’s the truth.”
“Exactly, it’s the truth. The Northern Army has been on the move for days, physically and mentally exhausted. It’s deep winter now, the interior is in turmoil, and supplies are hard to come by. The soldiers are already weary. Once they lose all trust in the court, they’ll turn to the Northern Protection General.”
Cai Xinghai found this plan brilliant. “General Chai is indeed insightful.”
Chai Yue smiled, “This was Liu Kunsheng’s idea.”
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“Hah, the old fox. I bet he still hasn’t made up his mind and wants to see the reaction of the entire army first.” Cai Xinghai had a different take on the same idea.
Spreading rumors within the army was easy for Cai Xinghai, and the effect was better than expected. Although the Northern Army had appeared belligerent at Shattered Iron City, they were well aware that any battle, even a victorious one against the Xiongnu, would be a pyrrhic victory with many casualties. Having retreated to Divine Hero Pass, no one wanted to march back to the battlefield in the face of wind and snow.
Discontent quickly brewed.
Taking advantage of this, Chai Yue and Cai Xinghai persuaded more people. Chai Yue targeted those ambitious noblemen who were born of concubines like himself. These individuals had no secure future but were eager to achieve distinction. They had shown valor in the previous battles. Chai Yue initially selected five such individuals, who readily agreed.
Cai Xinghai approached a few trusted friends. Over half a meal and some drinks, they swore allegiance, nearly shouting “Long live the Northern Protection General.”
As the sentiment spread, rumors flew within the small Divine Hero Pass. Some even approached Chai Yue directly, hinting at their support for the Northern Protection General.
Chai Yue grew anxious. The secret would soon be out; they needed to act quickly.
That noon, Left General Han Tong led the third contingent of Chu army to Divine Hero Pass. Han Tong was known for his cowardice and enjoyed the Champion Marquis’s trust. He wouldn’t side with the Northern Protection General.
Liu Kunsheng hosted a banquet to welcome Han Tong. After just three cups of wine, Liu Kunsheng’s demeanor changed. He ordered guards to bind the Left General and escort him to the prison, accusing him of failing to maintain military discipline, corruption, and attempting to rescue Zhang Yanghao. While the first charge was true, the second was a bit unjust. Han Tong was terrified and didn’t utter a word in his defense in front of the other generals.
This move cleared an obstacle, tested the generals’ reactions, and served as Liu Kunsheng’s declaration of allegiance. After this, he had no way back.
Han Tong’s sudden arrest surprised the generals, but no one spoke up for him.
Chai Yue and his group grew more confident. With Liu Kunsheng’s help, they won over several more generals. Those in the know gathered to plan: the Northern Protection General was racing to Divine Hero Pass and would arrive tomorrow. Once he entered the city, they would all step forward, shout “Long live the Emperor,” and support him in claiming the throne.
The plan was far from perfect, but these military men were inexperienced in such matters. They felt they had to act now. Even the cautious Liu Kunsheng and the strategic Chai Yue were no calmer than the regular soldiers at this point.
But surprises always happen. As Chai Yue and his group prepared for the next day’s big event, an unexpected guest arrived at Divine Hero Pass.
Shortly after Han Tong was imprisoned, a “guest” from the Capital arrived—not a messenger or an officer with secret orders, but a high-ranking court official.
Chief Censor of the Left Xiao Sheng had arrived at Divine Hero Pass as an imperial envoy to inspect the military situation.
Xiao Sheng held a high position and was considered close to Grand Tutor Cui. He was also allied by marriage with the Chai family. One of his nephews was married to a Chai daughter, while another nephew, Xiao Bi, had been imprisoned in Shattered Iron City for attempting to assassinate Chai Yue.
Such an imperial envoy was a rude shock for the conspiring generals.
An imperial envoy’s arrival should have been announced in advance, but Xiao Sheng did the opposite. He led several hundred men straight to the city gates, ordered the guards to open the gates, rode into the city, went directly to the administrative office, took the main seat, and summoned the generals.
Chai Yue and his group were caught off guard and dared not act rashly. They obeyed the summons to meet the envoy.
Xiao Sheng sat behind a desk, still wearing his cloak, his expression cold. As Chief Censor of the Left, his daily duties included overseeing the civil officials in the Capital. His reputation was formidable. Although the Northern Army was not under his direct control, they had long heard of him. Each general entered, knelt, and greeted him respectfully, not daring to show any disrespect.
Xiao Sheng was unceremonious. Even with the highest-ranking Northern Army Captain, he only nodded slightly. When Chai Yue entered, he didn’t even nod but scrutinized him closely.
Liu Kunsheng, the nominal commander, stepped forward after thirty-some key generals had arrived. He said, “We were unaware of the Chief Censor of the Left’s arrival and failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive us.”
Xiao Sheng coughed and said, “There are still a few missing.”
Liu Kunsheng replied, “The Northern Protection General and the Right General are still on their way. The Left General… has been imprisoned for his crimes.”
Xiao Sheng snorted, “The world is in turmoil, and the roads are unsafe. I traveled from the Capital and didn’t want to reveal my arrival early, so I didn’t send advance notice.”
No one dared to speak. Some even regretted recapturing Divine Hero Pass too early, not letting the imperial envoy encounter any rebels.
“May I ask what brings you here, Your Lordship?” Liu Kunsheng asked, bracing himself.
“I heard that the Chu army was facing the Xiongnu at Shattered Iron City. I was sent to oversee the battle and reward the troops. Since you’ve returned to the Pass, I assume you won a great victory. Tell me, how many heads did you take, how many prisoners did you capture, and who deserves the first merit?”
Liu Kunsheng broke out in a cold sweat. The imperial envoy’s arrival was too sudden, and in their hesitation, they had lost the initiative. Now the courtyard inside and out was filled with Xiao Sheng’s guards. The thirty-some generals were at a loss.
But regrets were useless. Xiao Sheng was a high-ranking court official, above all the Northern Army’s generals. Even if Liu Kunsheng had planned earlier, he wouldn’t dare detain the Chief Censor of the Left.
“Your Lordship, Divine Hero Pass was in peril, so the Chu army retreated to defend it overnight without engaging the Xiongnu. Moreover…”
Xiao Sheng slammed the table, shouting, “A mere few thousand refugees warranted the retreat of eighty thousand Chu soldiers?”
Liu Kunsheng knelt, speechless. Chai Yue stepped forward, “Please calm down, sir. The Chu army retreated not just to deal with the bandits who seized the Pass. The front line situation changed; the Northern Protection General is negotiating with the Xiongnu and likely has already succeeded. The Xiongnu are not an immediate threat, and Shattered Iron City is short on supplies…”
“Who is speaking? State your name.” Xiao Sheng said coldly.
Chai Yue, the son of Marquis Hengyang but born of a concubine, was not favored at home. He had seen Xiao Sheng several times but had never been introduced. He believed Xiao Sheng would have some impression of him.
“I am Chai Yue.”
“Chai Yue? I’ve only heard of Northern Army Provost Marshal Chai Zhi. Since when was there a Chai Yue?”
“Officer Chai Zhi was my elder brother. He was unfortunately killed…”
“Pah! If the elder brother dies, does the younger brother inherits the position?”
Chai Yue was stunned and bowed, “I am a commander under the Northern Protection General, tasked with assisting the Northern Army Captain. I do not hold the position of Provost Marshal.”
“Ha! A mere commander can command the entire army? If I had arrived a bit later, would you have taken the general’s position too?”
Chai Yue knelt, “Forgive me, Your Lordship. I was forced to take command…”
Xiao Sheng didn’t give Chai Yue a chance to explain and turned to Liu Kunsheng, “Captain Liu, the imperial court only recognizes you as the one in rightful command. Now that I’m here, you can hand over your authority. I ask you, where is the Northern Army’s Grand Marshal Seal?”
Liu Kunsheng pressed his head to the ground, “I am incompetent. The Grand Marshal Seal… was taken by Prince Donghai.”
Xiao Sheng laughed loudly, then suddenly stopped and took something from his bosom, placing it on the desk. “Is this it?”
Liu Kunsheng glanced up and recognized it as the Northern Army’s Grand Marshal Seal, his heart sinking. He could only say, “I deserve death.”
“A Northern Army Captain, drawing salary from the court, yet unable to solve the sovereign’s problems, even losing the commandseal—it’s the greatest joke under the heavens. Eighty thousand Chu soldiers retreating without a fight against the Xiongnu, disheartening the whole realm. Do you recognize your crimes?”
Chai Yue, Liu Kunsheng, and the others could only bow their heads. Among the generals, some were quick to switch sides, immediately saying, “We were acting under orders and had nothing to do with the loss of the seal or the retreat. I saw with my own eyes that Officer Chai Zhi was murdered. Left General Han Tong was just imprisoned; there must be a plot behind this.”
Xiao Sheng remained unmoved by their pleas.
A guard rushed in from outside, “The Northern Protection General has entered the Pass and is heading to the administrative office.”
Han Ruzi had arrived at Divine Hero Pass half a day early.
