The Child Emperor-Chapter 353: Swarm of Envoys
The Emperor finally issued an imperial edict, joining with the Great Chanyu in demanding that armies everywhere cease hostilities. One of the conditions was that the Xiongnu would allow Great Chu envoys to travel freely to Jincheng for an audience.
Envoys from various regions were eager to see the Emperor, and the Emperor was equally eager to understand the situation outside. So far, everything he had heard was secondhand information, which could not put his mind completely at ease.
Large numbers of envoys had been waiting for a long time, and once permission was granted, they immediately rushed forward. Within two days, their numbers exceeded three hundred, with more than a dozen groups coming from the Capital alone.
The court ministers were even more anxious than the besieged Emperor. Upon meeting him, without exception they all knelt and wept bitterly, bringing news of nothing more than the palace’s worry and the ministers’ loyalty.
Maiden Wang’s status was too low, yet she was the Emperor’s birth mother. After much probing, the ministers finally found an appropriate form of address. In the palace, they had previously used “Empress Dowager” ambiguously, but now there was a distinction: when they said Empress Dowager, they meant Empress Dowager Shangguan; when they referred to “the palace,” they were referring to His Majesty’s birth mother.
Maiden Wang could not help but be anxious. To secure the Emperor’s safety, she would not hesitate even if it meant surrendering the entire Great Chu realm to the Xiongnu.
Han Ruzi felt deeply apologetic toward his mother. During the confrontation and negotiations with the Xiongnu, he had rarely thought of his mother, but he knew that while she might go too far, her love for him surpassed everything else.
He immediately wrote a letter asking his mother not to worry, saying he would soon finish his inspection tour and return to the Capital. He ordered Zhang Youcai to accompany the envoys and ride swiftly back to the Capital to report his safety to “the palace.”
The ministers’ attitude was rather delicate. They were pleased that the siege of Jincheng had taken a turn for the better, but they were also somewhat worried, fearing that the Emperor might settle scores later and investigate their unauthorized establishment of an heir apparent.
The second thing Han Ruzi did was formally issue an imperial edict, changing the title of his cousin in the distant capital to Prince of Linzi.
This was Prince Donghai’s idea. Having been educated in how to deal with distant ministers, he could now put this knowledge to use. “The ministers established a prince in Your Majesty’s name – this cannot be changed, or it would appear that Your Majesty is displeased. But we also cannot acknowledge him as Prince of Qi. The state of Qi has rebelled several times and has a bad reputation, which would make it appear that Your Majesty cannot control the court. Your Majesty could divide the state of Qi into several states or prefectures and change his title to prince of one of them. This would both acknowledge that the ministers’ action was correct while also correcting it, which would put their minds more at ease.”
It was an unspoken understanding – the farther apart they were, the more the Emperor and his ministers needed such tacit agreements. Thus Han Ruzi changed his cousin’s title to Prince of Linzi and converted all other territories of Qi into prefectures.
Yang Feng had not sent anyone separately, nor had Han Ruzi written to him individually. The unspoken understanding between the two did not require ordinary means.
Han Ruzi handed over the remaining envoys from the Capital to Liu Jie for reception. Unless there were special circumstances, they need not seek another audience. He wanted to see envoys from other places.
The envoys from Cui Hong and Chai Yue had arrived relatively early, bringing news that put the Emperor’s mind at ease.
Although the Chu forces in southern Yan had lost their initial positions, after retreating several dozen miles, they had finally stabilized their footing, preventing the Xiongnu army from breaking through. However, the Xiongnu also dared not easily retreat to northern Yan, as they feared pursuit that would scatter their army’s morale.
“Grazing horses in the south” was merely an empty threat. The Great Chanyu had truly run out of options before deciding to negotiate, and his greatest guarantee was the Emperor in Jincheng.
Princes and governors from various regions had almost all sent envoys to express their loyalty to the Emperor and enumerate how many soldiers they had dispatched and how much grain and fodder they had provided.
These envoys were all received by accompanying officials, as the civil officials removed their ill-fitting armor and resumed their former duties.
Han Ruzi was waiting for envoys from Deng Cui’s side. Even the Xiongnu were concerned about this matter, with Jin Chunzhong inquiring several times, hoping to meet the envoys.
The envoys never came.
Deng Cui seemed to have gone berserk, attacking cities and seizing territory in Liaodong with no sign of stopping. Officials carrying the ceasefire edict could not even leave the passes, as all checkpoints east of Mayi had received orders from the General of Chariots and Cavalry not to open their gates to anyone, with violators facing execution.
Reportedly, Deng Cui’s exact words were: “Even if the Emperor himself came knocking at the gates, I would have to personally verify his identity.”
Having taken control of the Chu forces beyond the passes for less than a month, Deng Cui’s prestige had already risen so high that no one dared disobey his orders. First, he truly dared to fight and knew how to fight. Second, everyone believed he was the Emperor’s trusted general, enjoying complete confidence, and could do whatever he pleased.
Chai Yue had followed the Emperor since his humble beginnings, but he kept a low profile, and even now many people had never heard his name.
Deng Cui, however, had a completely different style. His behavior was even more domineering than truly favored imperial relatives and clan members, yet he possessed real ability, leaving others no choice but to believe in him.
The armies within the passes had all ceased fighting, but only the Chu forces in Liaodong continued their massacre. The small number of remaining Xiongnu and Fuyu soldiers were no match at all and fled at the first sight of them.
The passes leading back to the steppes were almost all blocked. The Great Chanyu became truly anxious and suddenly sealed off the only passage in and out of Jin City, besieging the city once again. He sent Jin Chunzhong to tell the Emperor that unless the Emperor could control the Chu forces in Liaodong, the Xiongnu no longer wished to negotiate.
Jin Chunzhong still wanted to return to the Great Chu side, so he spoke freely to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please be careful. The longer the Xiongnu are trapped within the passes, the more serious their internal disputes become. When even the Great Chanyu can no longer suppress them, the peace talks will truly fail.”
“Is it possible for the Xiongnu to surrender?” Han Ruzi received Jin Chunzhong and treated him as one of his own.
The Emperor was thinking about how to subdue the Xiongnu before even securing his own safety. Jin Chunzhong both admired this and felt it was inappropriate. He prostrated himself and said, “Some of the former Eastern Xiongnu might choose to surrender, but the Western Xiongnu probably will not. They would rather die in battle, and most of those besieging the city are Western Xiongnu.”
Han Ruzi was merely pondering and smiled. “What does the Great Chanyu want Us to do? The imperial edict has already been issued, but generals in the field need not accept all imperial commands. Deng Cui’s refusal to accept the edict is understandable.”
“The Great Chanyu says that if the Chu forces in Liaodong do not cease fighting, he can only have Your Majesty personally go knock at the gates to deliver the edict.”
This meant the Great Chanyu would attack the city and capture the Emperor. Han Ruzi certainly could not allow such a thing to happen. “We shall send Chief Overseer Liu Jie to deliver the edict. The Ministry of War also happens to have someone here, so let him go along as well. That should suffice.”
Jin Chunzhong kowtowed. “Your humble servant has been impertinent. I humbly beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
“Hmm, you are working for the Great Chanyu with Our prior permission. What crime is there in that? By the way, when will the Great Chanyu release all the Chu people?”
The envoys previously sent to the Xiongnu, except for Qiao Wanfu, were all still detained in the Xiongnu camp. Additionally, thousands of Chu soldiers who had become prisoners in various battles had not been released either.
“The Great Chanyu says the envoys must escort the Xiongnu out of the passes. As for the Chu soldiers, on Your Majesty’s wedding day, half will be sent back as gifts, and the other half must also escort the Great Chanyu on his departure. He says this too is part of Great Chu’s hospitality as host.”
“Ha! An uninvited guest actually demanding hospitality as host. Go back and tell the Great Chanyu that We shall first send envoys to Liaodong, and as for the marriage alliance…”
“Please do not worry, Your Majesty. The Great Chanyu agrees to select an excellent grandson for Princess Pingjin, and will also send Your Majesty several of the most beautiful daughters or granddaughters.”
“Several? Wasn’t it agreed to be only one?” Han Ruzi had no desire for Xiongnu beauties and was already reluctant to accept even one.
“Yes, one, but…” Jin Chunzhong hesitated.
“Speak freely if you have something to say.”
“The Great Chanyu will certainly send one of his own daughters or granddaughters to Your Majesty, but if Your Majesty could take one more… if you could take one more, perhaps my sister…”
If Han Ruzi claimed he had never thought of Jin Chuiduo, that would be a lie, but he would never mix personal feelings into matters of state. He smiled and said, “Some people are naturally wildflowers meant for the outdoors. Why pluck them indoors only to let them wither? One is sufficient. No more.”
Jin Chunzhong kowtowed and withdrew, returning disappointed to see the Great Chanyu.
There was still no news from Deng Cui’s side, but messengers from Cui Hong and Chai Yue’s side had never stopped coming. Zhao Ruosu, the Palace Drafter who had previously been sent by the Emperor to convey the imperial edict, had returned. According to his official rank, he was not qualified to directly offer suggestions to the Emperor, but Han Ruzi appreciated this man’s talent and courage, so he specially summoned him for an audience to inquire about strategies.
Zhao Ruosu also acted contrary to his usual manner and did not decline. After kowtowing, he rose and said, “Your Majesty must not remain in Jincheng City for long.”
“We also do not wish to, but at present We are negotiating with the Xiongnu. If We appear impatient, We fear it will cause Great Chu to lose many benefits.”
“As long as Your Majesty remains, the land remains, and the people remain, what Great Chu loses today can surely be reclaimed in the future. But if Your Majesty stays long in Jincheng City, We fear the realm will become restless again.”
“Great Chu and the Xiongnu have already ceased hostilities, and We will return to the Capital sooner or later. What unrest could there be?” Han Ruzi was somewhat puzzled.
“When the Xiongnu besieged Jincheng City, the Chu people all believed the realm was without a master and feared destruction by foreign tribes. Your Majesty persisted in refusing to submit, so all hearts were united with no other thoughts. Now that warfare has stopped, the Xiongnu are about to withdraw to the steppes, and the Qi rebel forces have been eliminated. This is precisely when major affairs are concluded and minor matters proliferate. Former thoughts will emerge one after another. Has Your Majesty forgotten that there are still displaced people yet to be settled and a court yet to be reorganized?”
Han Ruzi’s heart jolted as he suddenly understood Zhao Ruosu’s meaning. Indeed, his current tour was not to wage war against the Xiongnu, but to stabilize the realm. Being trapped was completely an accident. If he continued wasting time in Jincheng City, all the things he had done before the war—including settling vagrants, encouraging agriculture, and reorganizing official administration—might all come to nothing.
The siege of Jincheng City had caused the Emperor to temporarily set aside many important matters. What he feared most was that local officials would think the same way and thus revert to their old habits.
Carefully recalling the messengers sent from various places and the memorials delivered, almost all regional officials had either explicitly or implicitly suggested that the Emperor should return to the Capital as soon as possible to stabilize the overall situation. This was actually their hope—they hoped to be far from the Emperor and hoped the Emperor would not come to their jurisdictions.
“In your view, what should We do?”
Zhao Ruosu cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty should arrange the marriage alliance as quickly as possible, gain the Great Chanyu’s trust, send the Xiongnu beyond the passes, and then continue the journey to show the realm that agriculture is the primary concern. If Your Majesty wishes to seek revenge against the Xiongnu, it will require five or even more than ten years of recovery and rebuilding before engaging in full-scale war.”
“We wonder if the Great Chanyu can live that long?” Han Ruzi said coldly.
“The Great Chanyu’s children and grandchildren are all present. Does Your Majesty still worry about lacking targets for revenge?”
Han Ruzi laughed heartily and said, “Very well. Within three days, We shall form a marriage alliance with the Xiongnu.”
A marriage alliance required both sides to participate. Han Ruzi would marry a daughter or granddaughter of the Great Chanyu, and would also need to marry off the newly enfeoffed Princess Pingjin.
Cui Zhao had made up her mind. She did not even care whether she was to marry the aged Great Chanyu or a young grandson. In any case, she wanted to leave Great Chu and leave the Cui clan.
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