Chapter 459: Fog
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Second Prince left Baoyue Brothel. His expression was unusually cold. Regardless of what information he received through this conversation, and how much trust and fear he felt toward Fan Xian's objection, the reality tonight had proved a great deal. His power in the capital had already been mercilessly uprooted by Fan Xian. There were only two paths before him. One, he could determinedly rely on the Eldest Princess' side. Another was as Fan Xian thought, he could sincerely back out of the fight for the line of succession.
Without power, what would he use to fight? However, the Second Prince knew that if this situation developed, if Fan Xian had not swept away his power today, then in the not so distant future, either Qing Kingdom would sink into turmoil or he would be mercilessly wiped out.
But, he would not have a thread of gratitude toward Fan Xian because he had forced him onto this desperate path.
After the Great Prince said a few things with Fan Xian, he also left Baoyue Brothel with worry all over his face. At the same time, he also took away the Third Prince. The conversation between the royal brothers had not been very cheerful. Furthermore, the Third Prince had to go back to the Palace. As the leader of the Imperial Army, it was most appropriate for the Great Prince to take him along the way.
The night was gradually getting darker. If there was such a thick layer of clouds, one would certainly be able to see that the moon had moved to the position it should be in the middle of the night.
Fan Xian did not leave Baoyue Brothel. He sat by himself for a long time and ate the bowl of mutton soup he had made. Eating it made his whole body feel warm. He drank a few more cups of wine. Only then did he slowly stand and walked to the window to glance outside.
Outside the window was a deathly silence. The people from the Jingdou government and garrison had already left. Baoyue Brothel was not open for business tonight, so the girls had already slept. There were only a few agile people serving him.
Inside the building, the red candles stood silently. Fan Xian had Shi Qing'er prepare a bucket of hot water, and he comfortably had a wash.
After washing, he rubbed his slightly red face and asked, "Has the Great Prince gone to Yangcong Alley in the past few days?"
Shi Qing'er listened at the side. She knew that the big boss was talking about the matter of the Hu tribe princess. She shook her head. As she was about to go forward to help him dress, he waved his hand and had her leave.
In a moment, Sang Wen came in. This gentle shopkeeper of Baoyue Brothel bent down slightly and carefully helped him put on his inner clothing. Her fingers slid across his well-shaped muscles and couldn't help being slightly startled but didn't dare move too much. She carefully tied the nearly three fingers-wide secret crossbow to his left forearm.
Putting on his shoes, she slid the black, slender, and long head of the crossbow into the boots. Sang Wen stood and conducted a final tidying of Fan Xian's outfit, ensuring that the black Overwatch Council official robes covered every sliver of skin that could be damaged. Only then did she nod her head.
Fan Xian smiled slightly to show his approval. Confirming that the medicinal pills on him had not been lost, he patted Sang Wen's head and started to leave the room.
Sang Wen started slightly and said, "Sir, your sword?"
Fan Xian turned his head and saw Sang Wen holding Wei Emperor's sword in her hands. He was calm but an irresolute expression flashed through his eyes. A moment later, he said, "This sword is too bright. It's better to not take it. Just leave it here for now."
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…
Lifting the triple leather curtains in front of Baoyue Brothel, all of the main people respectfully saw Fan Xian out of the door. He had already raised the hood on his robe and pulled it over his head, letting the shadows hide his delicate appearance. Stepping down the stone steps outside the building, he couldn't resist raising his head to glance at the heavy night as if he was confirming whether or not it would snow in a while.
The carriage drove over, but he shook his head, indicating that he wanted to walk. He then headed toward the east.
Baoyue Brothel had a feast, so he didn't bring his Tiger Guards, and all of the power of the Overwatch Council in Jingdou had already carried out countless attacks under the cover of night. Even the power of the Qinian Unit had been thrown in. There were only a few Fan manor guards and a coachman beside him.
Everyone knew that Baoyue Brothel was having a feast and had also heard of the disturbance in Jingdou. They all thought the young master needed to walk and think, so they didn't approach and disturb him. They only had the carriage follow him at a distance.
They did not go east for very long before turning into a straight, long street, Chang Street.
Wearing the robe, he suddenly stopped his steps as if he was listening to something. He waved his hand to tell the carriage behind him to not follow him. He walked toward the center of the street.
The night was already dark. A sudden strange fog appeared in the Jingdou alley where the snow had stopped. The fog moved around the air and gradually became heavier. It rolled in from all directions and gradually gathered on Chang Street.
A faintly white fog, it was not very distinct on the lightless Jingdou street, but it effectively obstructed people's vision. One felt blind despite open eyes and fingers could not be seen on an outstretched hand.
At first, the carriage behind him did not let Fan Xian walk alone in this night and was not going to listen to his orders. However, at this moment, they still stopped unwillingly.
The Fan manor guards on the carriage made the wind-proof lantern a bit brighter, but the dim yellow light only lit up the dog in front. Like the clouds at the top of Cang Mountain, they could not see very far. They had long lost sight of the lonely figure in black.
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…
On Chang Street, the white fog gradually thickened. Only the weak sounds of Fan Xian's footsteps could be heard, ringing out like a calm and steady rhythm. Other than this, there was not a single other, sound as if there was not a living thing on this street.
The people the Overwatch Council wanted to kill tonight seemed to have already been killed, and those they wanted to capture have already been thrown into prison with the Seventh Bureau firmly in control. The Jingdou commoners who did not yet know of these things were enjoying the warmth of their beds. The nobles out at night had already staggered home. The people sounding the night watches were being lazy. The 13 city gate guards were watching the gates.
The footsteps constantly moved forward, then, it seemed to sense something and paused in the white fog. A gust of a winter's night's wind blew past and thinned the fog on Chang Street a little. The end of Chang Street could faintly be seen.
There should be no one at the end of Chang Street. However, it felt like there was someone standing guard there. Wearing the robe, he stopped his steps and raised his head. His eyes gazed calmly forward as if he seeing just who was there.
Then, he saw a person.
The person's figure was tall and sturdy with shoulders like steel. He stood like a mountain at the end of Chang Street. There was a longbow behind him, and he carried a quiver with 13 arrows inside.
The wind stopped, and the fog thickened. They were not seen again.
Fan Xian had the Overwatch Council begin their final attack on the Second Prince and his people, but he seemed to have forgotten one thing. When you attacked the most aggressively, often that was also when your defenses were the weakest. At this moment, he had no one beside him he could depend on, only himself.
He was carrying out revenge for the attack in the valley. It was a completely unreasonably revenge, but had forgotten that a certain Governor was also going to carry out revenge for the death of his only son.
Could he dodge the bow opposite him?
Two years ago, he had been shot down from the Palace walls by that bow and had been completely powerless to retaliate. That bow had already become the largest patch of blank space in his martial cultivation.
That was why he stopped behind the fog.
On the other side of the white fog, Yan Xiaoyi slightly shuttered his eyes and felt the qi of the person behind the fog, checking that the other party did not leave his control.
On this side of the fog, there was no sign of movement.
…
…
Yan Xiaoyi, the previous Commander of the Imperial Army, the current Governor of the North of Qing Kingdom and one of the very few ninth-ranked super officials, was not a lunatic. He knew what it would mean to assassinate Fan Xian in Jingdou's Chang Street.
He still did not forcefully suppress his battle rage and bloodlust. When he saw Yan Shendu's body in the Yuantai Camp, he had already decided. A person's life, just what was it for? Even if, in the future, he controlled all the armies under heaven and conquered this kingdom, who would he leave it to?"
Thus, he was not a lunatic, but he had still gone mad.
Jingdou was not peaceful. No one had expected that Fan Xian would carry out a purge so aggressively. At the same time, no one expected that the Northern Governor would actually throw away all his apprehensions and return to his initial hunter's thoughts and would silently watch Fan Xian, observe Fan Xian, and wait for Fan Xian, until his patience brought Fan Xian to the location of his death.
Although there was fog on Chang Street that could obstruct people's vision, it could not stop Yan Xiaoyi's arrow. His arrow did not need eyes in the first place.
He had brought 13 arrows and was going to ask Fan Xian what the Thirteenth Wang on the notice that the First Bureau put up meant. If Fan Xian died, it was fine if this question was not asked. No matter how much improvement Fan Xian had made these years or how talented he was in martial cultivation, Yan Xiaoyi coldly believed that he could definitely kill him.
This matter had nothing to do with the line of succession, and nothing to do with the world. It was not for justice or benefit. It was only because the personal grudge was irreconcilable.
He had already locked into the qi. The two of them, one was at the end of the street and the other in the middle, other than meeting face to face, there was no other way. Fan Xian stood silently behind the fog as if evaluating whether he should battle or retreat.
…
…
After a long silence, Yan Xiaoyi took one step forward. The murderous intent radiating from his body caused the white fog in front of him to move. A patch of empty ground in front of him appeared, and the air immediately became colder again.
He immediately pulled back his hood. He glanced at the roof in the top left corner out of the corner of his eyes and slightly furrowed his brows. Using the stone beast on the roof, he blocked his body.
With his body and the stone beast in a single line, he felt there was a strangely terrifying danger waiting for him at the end of that line.
This was an illogical feeling. He had lived in the woods from a young age, interacted with wild beasts, and developed a sensitivity like that of wild beasts. He could always sense the existence of danger ahead of time.
The longbow had long been in his hand, but an arrow had not been nocked. Yan Xiaoyi lowered his head slightly and felt the strange movements around him—just who was ambushing who?
He was a ninth-ranked extraordinary ace. Other than those four old freaks, Yan Xiaoyi did not have much to fear in this world. Every time his state entered the peak, the thought of challenging a Great Grandmaster always rose up in his heart.
It was also because of his realm that he could clearly sense that on Chang Street. There was only himself and Fan Xian. That was why he dared to coldly use his state of mind to connect with Fan Xian, preparing to fire out that fatal arrow at any moment.
Of course, when he had stepped out earlier, he had discovered a strange phenomenon.
At the forefront was that unknown and mysterious source of danger, less so was at the moment his step landed. He felt that the flavor of the fog behind him seemed to have changed slightly. It was a feeling, and it wasn't a feeling.
It was the slightest change in the texture of the wind and fog, and not the feeling after it entered the mouth.
Yan Xiaoyi knew that a very powerful figure had been hiding behind him the entire time. He wasn't sure which specific realm this person's martial cultivation had reached, but to be able to fool him for so long, they certainly had the power to hurt him.
He didn't move carelessly because he knew that once he fired, the three energies he had stored for so long would dissipate and would reveal some flaws. Once there was a flaw in his state of mind, he wasn't confident that he would be able to retreat completely under the joined attack of the ace behind him and the distant danger.
Chang Street remained coldly silent like this. The person on the other side of the fog couldn't move, and Yan Xiaoyi on this side of the fog also couldn't move.
He couldn't move his feet, but he could move his hands.
Yan Xiaoyi took a deep breath of air. His entire figure seemed to expand a bit. His finger slowly fell down and seemed to unconsciously brush across his bowstring.
His fingers were rough and thick, but this movement was very soft like a soft brush sweeping over art paper, slender fingers brushing over qin strings, and orchids blooming.
…
…
With a soft buzz, the bowstring vibrated.
A strange magic seemed to be created by his bowstring. The slightly vibrating bowstring moved the surrounding air, shaking the slightly faint and white fog. Gradually, it converged into true strength and sliced open Chang Street in front. Following this gentle buzzing, it quietly struck toward the other end of the fog and the person on the other end of the fog.
A muffled grunt came from the other end of the fog. Immediately after, there was the sound of someone falling to the ground.
Yan Xiaoyi calmly flipped his wrist, and the bow stood straight. Without seeing him move, an arrow was already on the string. The earlier shot without an arrow already had such power. Now, he already had an arrow on the bowstring.
But, he didn't fire. He only remained silent because he deduced clearly that the person at the other end of the fog wasn't Fan Xian. He had clearly watched Fan Xian leave Baoyue Brothel, so when had he switched? Although he was very confused, he understood that in tonight's hunt, the hunter and hunted had already switched roles.
However, Yan Xiaoyi was not afraid. As long as he had his longbow in hand, even if two ninth-level aces came to attack him, he wouldn't feel any fear. On the contrary, he felt an excitement he hadn't felt in a long time. At any moment, he was prepared to use the arrow on his bowstring to end a life.
He had not aimed with the arrow in his hand, but his heart had already locked onto the location in the distance. However, the two sides were divided by the stone crafted creature, so it was impossible to fire.
Part of Yan Xiaoyi's attention was also on the fog that had changed for an instant and had now returned to normal.
No one would move first.
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After an indeterminable amount of time, the strange fog on Chang Street still did not dissipate. Yan Xiaoyi's mountain-like figure remained standing without any sign of tiredness.
However, he knew that the two hidden people were also not tired. At least, they had not let him sense they had relaxed in any way. To be able to compete with him in patience and willpower was an incredible thing. Yan Xiaoyi determined the other party's realm and strength.
He understood that this attack on Chang Street in the depths of the night had already sunk into a stalemate. He had used that stone creature to protect himself, but it also blocked him. If this stalemate continued, the sky would probably brighten and the two sides would still be unable to move.
,
However, the other party could retreat but Yan Xiaoyi was unable to move. He knew that he was now at a disadvantage.
Another long period of time passed, Yan Xiaoyi still stood steadily at the corner of the street, as unmoving as a sculpture. With his longbow in hand and the arrow nocked, there was not a single waver. There was a strange sense of beauty.
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Suddenly, a coughing sound rang out in the white fog filled Chang Street.
Accompanying this strange coughing sound, a streak of faint light shone in the fog. The light gradually brightened and walked closer to the corner of the street. As it came even closer, only then was it clear that it was two lanterns.
The lanterns were held by two little eunuchs, the little eunuchs' faces were frozen white.
Behind the eunuchs were four workers carrying a little sedan chair. The coughing rang out endlessly from that little sedan chair.
The sedan chair stopped beside Yan Xiaoyi's side. The curtain of the sedan chair lifted slightly and revealed an old and tired face.
This face belonged to Eunuch Hong.
Eunuch Hong blinked his muddied eyes and spoke quietly to Yan Xiaoyi beside the sedan chair, "Coming into the streets to admire the snowy night, the Governor is in a good mood. However, the night is already late, it's better to return home. I will take you back."
Chapter 460: The Snowflakes And Bean Curds Before The Dawn
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The sedan chair slowly left Chang Street. The man with the longbow also followed it and disappeared. All that was left was snow and thick, white fog.
Following the departure of the sedan chair and the gradually fading coughs, the fog on Chang Street gradually dissipated. Although the surroundings were still dark, it appeared much brighter than before. Snowflakes quietly fell down from the blue dome of heaven, softly swaying as if there was an immortal in heaven gently shaking a flowering tree.
The clouds parted. A sudden split appeared in the dark layers of cloud and revealed a silver crescent moon. The clear light gradually gathered and clearly lit up the street.
The repeated corner eaves of the private residences behind the street that extended into the street cast some strange shadows onto the ground because of the illumination of the moonlight.
A streak of shadow suddenly quivered and twisted like some kind of living thing. It then slowly and silently retreated, shrinking back into the large patch of shadow and was impossible to discern anymore.
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Fan Xian lay on the corner of a building in the distance. He wore a black snow coat with a hint of white. He pulled back his gaze from the corner that was hidden by the stone creature and gently let out a breath, puffing out white fog in the dark night. The threads of ice on his eyebrows cracked and broke off. He lay on his back tiredly and relaxed his tense and sore muscles. He gazed at the silver crescent moon in the night sky in a daze.
He stroked the hard chest beside him, unconsciously shaking his head and narrowing his eyes. He had put in a great deal of effort tonight and had prepared sufficiently. Just as he was about to succeed, the situation had been broken by Eunuch Hong. What a failure.
He wasn't planning to use the chest, after all, it was too sensitive. Until the last moment, it couldn't be used lightly. Only, to kill someone like Yan Xiaoyi, who still stood at the peak of human aces, he didn't have the confidence without his palm touching that hard chest. This was an increase in his confidence and the last resort.
Fan Xian lay in the snow on the roof of the building and took two big breaths, calming the emotion of failure and a rage of unknown origins.
Someone crawled over. Fan Xian lifted the snow coat and hid the item. A complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.
Wang Qinian moved closer to his side and said, "It was Eunuch Hong."
Fan Xian nodded, "You've worked hard tonight."
Everyone in the Overwatch Council had been busy with bloody matters while Fan Xian's most trusted aide, Wang Qinian, appeared to have nothing to do. Only Fan Xian knew that the task he had given to Wang Qinian was to watch Yan Xiaoyi's movements.
He knew that Yan Xiaoyi would not pass up this opportunity, so he also didn't want to pass up this opportunity. Furthermore, Wang Qinian's actions had not disappointed him. The ninth-level ace did not even notice that his movements were all under the watch of Wang Qinian.
The Overwatch Council was multi-talented, as expected. The reputation of the most famous tracker in the world was not undeserved.
Wang Qinian's face was very white, even whiter than the snow on the roof and the silver moonlight in the street. Without a question, following Governor Yan was the most terrifying mission of his life. The 40-year-old middle-aged man almost couldn't hold up under that kind of pressure. His state of mind had long been stretched to breaking point.
Furthermore, he wasn't sure whether or not he had seen something he shouldn't have seen.
Fan Xian calmly said, "I trust you, or more accurately, many of my things are built on my trust for you."
Wang Qinian understood what these words meant. Sir Fan junior had run into him when he first entered the capital. With this at the center, they had begun to build the Qinian Unit. With the gradual expansion of the Unit, he gradually controlled the Overwatch Council in his hands.
Furthermore, he was, without question, the person who knew the most of Sir Fan junior's secrets. For example, that night in that year, after he had recited poems in front of the palace, that key…
The next day came the news that there was an assassin in the Palace. Of course, Wang Qinian knew who this assassin was. As for that key, it must be used to open some item.
Wang Qinian was surprised and moved that Fan Xian didn't kill him to keep him silent. He was truly moved. He had an impulse that gentlemen would die for close friends. Clearly, this kind of impulse was dangerous and not worthwhile for him. However, he still kept this wonderful feeling at the bottom of his heart.
Two owl cries came from below the building. Fan Xian listened. After confirming it was clean, he made a hand gesture to Wang Qinian beside him.
A streak of terror flashed through Wang Qinian's eyes because he had vaguely heard of that legend. He also knew the connection between the legend and Sir Fan junior's mother.
He knew that, from today, his life had already completely been handed to Sir Fan junior. This was the trust between them. This kind of trust had always been terrifying and dangerous.
He flipped his palm, and his entire body slid down from the building. His sliding motion was strange and funny. He was like a large praying mantis with long hands and long feet but without a single sound. In a moment, he landed on the ground and walked to the center of the street. He crouched down and checked the breath of the person in disguise. After confirming they were still alive, he made a hand gesture toward the air.
This hand gesture was for Fan Xian to see. Fan Xian looked at this scene and couldn't help but smile. Lao Wang did indeed have some ability. With this qinggong at hand, no wonder the men in the Brocade Guards were unable to pin anything on him despite living in the North for a year.
The person in disguise that had been injured by Yan Xiaoyi was the double Fan Xian often brought along with him when he went on a diplomatic trip to Northern Qi. Back then, the double had been of great help to him. On this day, he brought him out to tempt the enemy.
A few more strange bird cries rang out from below the building. A few black-robed secret agents came out with Fan manor's carriage and took Wang Qinian and the double into the carriage. All of this appeared quiet and natural. The layers of clouds in the sky gathered again. The clear light disappeared, and Jingdou once again sank into darkness.
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It was the darkest time before dawn. Snow began to fall again. Fan Xian, by himself, came to a stall in the west of the city. All of the private residences were still deep in sleep. Shops had not begun their preparations. Even the noodle shop that was up the earliest hadn't started preparing the minced meat. Only this stall opened, the alluring bean fragrance spread out in the predawn darkness, waiting for the arrival of the new day.
Under the snowflakes, Fan Xian sat at a small table outside the store with a bowl of bean curd in his hands and slowly drank it. The bean curd tasted pretty good. It did not have a pulpy texture, and the bean smell was not very strong. The light fragrance washed over his nose. It was even better than the one in Danzhou that Dong'er made.
This made a great deal of sense because this tofu shop was the most famous one in Jingdou. This was the young master of Count Sinan's manor's first business after arriving in the capital.
This tofu shop was Fan Xian's.
Fan Xian slowly drank the bean curd. His expression was calm, but he laughed bitterly in his heart. He had been reborn for 20 years and was truly a useless second generation. He had not brought any kind of change to his world. The biggest change was probably how to make tofu.
Mother was too capable and too extraordinary. In that short amount of time, she had fought to do everything that was possible. What was left for him to do?
Just like all those powerful officials in history, playing with power, enjoying the wealth, and not caring about the lives and deaths of those below, was he to pass his life in such a muddled way?
Just like when he thought about this before, Fan Xian's expression gradually became worried. He always felt that there was a great desire deep in his heart, but he was still unable to grasp just what that desire was.
He was irritated and depressed. Thinking of the incident at the end of the street and the longbow on Yan Xiaoyi's back, his mood fell lower.
"F*ck…" Fan Xian cursed with a very gentle and soft tone.
It was actually not good that there was fog tonight. Although this was the environment the Shadow had long predicted, he had not thought that Yan Xiaoyi's state of mind had reached such an extent to be able to accurately judge his position without fearing the layers of fog.
Furthermore, the medicine hidden in the fog seemed to not have any effect at all on this ninth-level extraordinaire. After one's zhenqi had reached a certain thickness, normal medicine did indeed have little effect. Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly. There was indeed nothing perfect in this world. The flavorless white medicinal fog was indeed much less effective.
Even so, Fan Xian would still try to kill Yan Xiaoyi in the environment he had taken great pains to create.
He was not the Emperor. His self-confidence came from his power and the world's best luck, not like the Emperor's mysterious source. He was used to taking the opportunity to strike first, getting rid of all the powerful figures who may be able to threaten him. Naturally, Yan Xiaoyi was at the top of this list.
If there was some great unrest in the Qing Kingdom in the future, Fan Xian still persisted in believing that if he was able to weaken the other party's strength, it would be a wonderful thing for his side. Yan Xiaoyi was not in the military. He was in the capital. Furthermore, he had taken the opportunity to act first, which was a perfect opportunity. If he allowed the other party to return to the camp in the North and then try to kill him, then that would be nothing but a pipe dream.
Thus, Fan Xian felt very disappointed and angry sitting at the table.
Why would Eunuch Hong come out to ruin the situation?
Fan Xian's right hand that was holding the bowl trembled slightly. He furrowed his brows and smashed the bowl in his hand on the ground. The porcelain bowl shattered into countless shards. He rarely showed these angry behaviors when he couldn't control his emotions. From this, it was clear that Eunuch Hong's sudden appearance had indeed angered him to the extreme.
"Why?" He furrowed his brows very deeply. He still did not understand this point. It was clear that Eunuch Hong leaving the palace to break up the situation was the intention of either the Emperor or the empress dowager, but what were the most powerful pair of mother and son in Qing Kingdom thinking? Did they not see the present situation clearly? If he could kill Yan Xiaoyi and wipe out all of the Second Prince's power, the Eldest Princess' side would become weaker. This would, on the contrary, calm down the entire royal family situation.
That rather terrifying fluctuation might also gradually become calm.
Clearly, the Emperor knew about this. Why would he agree to have Eunuch Hong come out and stop his confrontation with Yan Xiaoyi? Was the Emperor a lunatic who liked that his sister was walking step by step down the road to rebellion?
A masochist?
Fan Xian thought rather angrily, and a bitter smile rose to the corners of his lips. Looks like the imperial family is just a bunch of weirdos who think the world isn't crazy enough.
But…was the Emperor not afraid that…he would be chased down from the dragon chair? Repeated questions. The question that had worried Fan Xian for a long time made his expression very ugly. Just what was the Emperor thinking?
Whatever the Emperor was thinking only he and Chen Pingping knew. Just as Chen Pingping said before, depending on what position a person is in, they would judge and make choices that most aligns with their position based on their perception.
Currently, Jingdou was still in the fermenting stage. Fan Xian wanted to brave the dangers to put a stop to this process to prevent the situation from suddenly rising up. However, the appearance of Eunuch Hong showed that the Emperor did not need Fan Xian to worry about this.
Thus, Fan Xian was very vexed.
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The first new batch of fresh tofu was brought out. It was still steaming. The workers in the tofu shop respectfully scooped out two bowls. On each, they placed white sugar and threads of hot pickled mustard tuber along with sesame oil, chopped spring onions, and soy sauce. It was fragrant while both sweet and salty. They brought it to the little table and then retreated.
The people in the tofu shop all know about Sir Fan junior's strange habit. The owner did not toss aside this tofu shop without a care because it didn't earn much money, but he never came to visit during the daytime. Every month or two, he would come in the darkest hour of the morning and order two bowls of tofu. Not many people knew about this hobby of Fan Xian's.
Fan Xian was very tired and had a sense of being both mentally and physically exhaustion. He used the porcelain spoon to randomly pull at the tofu and brought a spoonful to his mouth. The sweetness was very textured. Snowflakes fell into his bowl and made him suddenly think about shaved ice, a noun he had forgotten for a long time. He felt a bit better and ate a few more mouthfuls. It seemed that he had recovered a great deal of spirit suddenly.
There was another bowl that he didn't touch at all.
Three carriages broke the peace of Jingdou and slowly drove to the tofu stall. The swordsmen on the first and last carriages jumped down. They looked cautiously in all directions and set up a defense.
Yan Bingyun lifted the curtain and came down from the middle carriage. After being busy all night, this brain of Fan Xian was clearly very tired. His white face was wan and sallow.
He walked to Fan Xian's table and was clearly shocked that Fan Xian was sitting there eating tofu.
Fan Xian nodded and indicated for him to sit. At the same time, he pushed across that bowl of tofu with spring onions and slivers of pickled mustard tuber.
Yan Bingyun didn't eat. He took out a file and began to speak about the night's situation in a low voice. After hearing that the people he wanted to kill and capture had mostly been carried out, Fan Xian nodded, pleased.
"Huang Yi didn't die." Yan Bingyun glanced at him.
Fan Xian raised his head and asked, "What happened?"
"The agent used a powerful poison, but it seemed that there were some master antidote makers at the Eldest Princess' side manor," Yan Bingyun said. "So, Huang Yi survived."
Huang Yi was the strategist in the Eldest Princess' manor. Up until now, he had not hurt Fan Xian and did not appear to excel in any way. Since Fan Xian was going to make a move, then he would remove the hidden threats so Huang Yi was also one part of the plan.
Fan Xian did not want some melodramatic situation where a hostage was taken or something because of his momentary benevolence.
"It's not a master of antidotes." Fan Xian shook his head. "I am very familiar with the methods of the brothers in the Third Bureau. The great poison master from Dongyi is not of the same faction as us. It looks like the Eldest Princess' involvement in the past with the Overwatch Council was very effective. Other than the dead Zhu Ge, she also prepared a number of anti-poison pills."
Yan Bingyun said, "The agent hidden in the Eldest Princess' side manor had not been exposed. I acted on my own initiative and had him pulled out."
"Very good." Fan Xian nodded approvingly. "You can make your own decisions in these things. Don't let those below us brave unnecessary danger. It's best if they can survive."
Although he said this, Fan Xian knew in his heart that this was the night's second failure.
Yan Bingyun opened his mouth again and said, "The survivor you wanted a confession from died."
Fan Xian raised his head and glanced at him. He knew he was talking about the only survivor in the valley attack, that private soldier of the Qin family. There still weren't any clues and evidence in the valley case. The only hope was that survivor. Since he was kept in the Overwatch Council's prison with the Seventh and Third Bureau protecting him at the same time, it was impossible for him to just die like this.
He forcefully suppressed a thread of strange emotion in his heart and gave Yan Bingyun a not-quite-there smile. Very strangely, he didn't become thunderously angry. "Eunuch Hong came earlier," Fan Xian said to Yan Bingyun. "What do you think of it?"
Yan Bingyun was slightly startled and said in a quiet voice a moment later, "One, master thinks you crossed a line tonight. Two, neither your death nor his death is something the master wants to see."
"Don't say master otherwise I'll think of the old cripple's damned tone of voice," Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said.
Yan Bingyun smiled and said, "Although His Majesty had given his consent for this matter, you've taken the opportunity to make this into a much greater matter. The Council will certainly be attacked by groups of officials tomorrow on the court conference. I'm afraid that Shu the Scholar and Hu the Scholar will both speak under such pressure. Mas—His Majesty will certainly let off some of his attitude. You are best to be prepared."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Fan Xian glanced at Sir Yan's pale face and asked self-mockingly. "The Emperor has long wanted to reduce the Overwatch Council's power, so isn't this giving him a good opportunity? If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have rushed to attack in all directions tonight…before my power is weakened, I have to clean out my enemies."
With a crash, he threw the spoon into the slightly cold porcelain bowl. His expression was icy. "Nothing I really wanted to do succeeded today, what a loss."
Yan Bingyun said, "In a few hours, it will be the court conference. Today, you have to go to court and debrief. You should prepare yourself for the Emperor's criticism."
Fan Xian closed his eyes and slowly said, "A few days ago, the Emperor had you young officials enter the Palace. His intention is clear. However, which of those old people are willing to make way? Tonight, the Overwatch Council carried a thorough investigation. Even if we are punished later, a few of those unclean fellows will have to back down. With some space cleared up in the court, only then will the Emperor be able to place in new people. We are working for the Emperor, so he'll have to admit to this favor."
Yan Bingyun furrowed his brows slightly. He was still not used to Fan Xian referring to the Emperor in this way and was also slightly unhappy. He could only maintain his perfect silence.
However, Fan Xian couldn't be bothered to gauge his reaction and said to himself, "Tonight's matters are almost over. I just feel that it is a pity that the family I've been waiting for still hasn't taken action.
Yan Bingyun knew which family he was talking about, but he had to pretend otherwise. For a moment, his expression was hesitant. He then forced a smile and said, "Do you think this is not enough trouble? You don't have a single person beside you right now. You should be careful of your safety."
Fan Xian glanced at the Overwatch Council swordsmen scattered around and shook his head. "I am not the same as you. You have to bring these people along. For me…whether I have them or not, the difference is not very big."
"If I bring people with me, how will those people dare to take action? They are all a group of cowards who only dare to assassinate people," Fan Xian said mockingly. "I've been sitting by myself in this shop for half an hour, yet still no one dared to come. It's making me look down on the iron-blooded military."
Yan Bingyun shook his head speechlessly. Fan Xian turned his head and glanced at the little alley in the dark. He knocked on the side beside the tofu bowl with his finger and said, "Eat, it won't be good when it's cold."
…
…
In a little alley not far from the Fan family's tofu store were three people wearing night walking clothes. They were moving bodies into a carriage. There was blood slowly dripping from the carriage. It landed in the snow and gave off a faint fishy smell.
Three bodies had been chopped into a dozen large pieces of meat. It was clear that these terrifying injuries were done by a long knife. The leader of the seven nightwalkers sat in the coachman's position. He glanced at the faint and distant firelight of the tofu store and rubbed the reins on the old calluses between his index finger and thumb. He cracked his mouth in a smile and lightly said, "Young master, eat slowly."
Chapter 461: The Great Court Conference
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the early hours of the morning, Fan Xian returned home and changed his clothing. He gave a few orders and took the carriage to the Royal Palace. When he arrived, it was already very lively outside the Palace gates. Officials gathered groups of two and three and were all whispering to each other about something.
He lifted the curtain to glance out and couldn't resist shaking his head. It looked like last night's events were already gossip. Naturally, he was at the heart of the officials' discussions.
After a night without sleep and having dealt with so many things, his spirit was lacking. He accepted a towel soaked in ice water from Teng Zijing's hand and rubbed it vigorously over his face. The skin on his face felt like it was being pierced by needles, but his spirit was finally roused a little. He yawned and stretched. After breathing out some muddied air, he disembarked from the carriage.
He walked along the moss-covered stones in the square before the Palace, drawing the gazes and discussions of countless people. Everyone was watching the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council in official robes.
This was Fan Xian's first time attending a court conference after he went out as an imperial envoy to Jiangnan Road. Logically speaking, the officials in front of the Palace should come forward to exchange greetings and pleasantries with him. For some reason, the officials' eyes were filled with caution. They only watched from a distance and didn't come any closer.
The reason was simple. Although everyone the Overwatch Council killed and captured last night were lower-ranking officials, there were far too many of them and it involved countless court officials. These court officials were shocked, but they were also enveloped by anger. In the court conference, there was certain to be a number of memorials reporting Fan Xian. Since it was so, it was not good to exchange greetings.
Fan Xian did not walk with ease. He felt that he was almost about to become an isolated official that the officials would spit on. Although this was by his own creation, the feeling of not being acknowledged by anyone was like being boycotted by little girls in kindergarten. It made him feel aggrieved.
His face didn't show anything. He smiled calmly and warmly as if he did not feel these fiery gazes.
When he arrived at the Palace gate, the guards and eunuchs still greeted him and bowed. Fan Xian looked at these lower-ranking, favor-currying men and felt his heart warm. He felt extremely comforted, thinking, In this world, it is indeed the handicapped who have a kind heart.
Turning his head, he saw the two leading figures of the civil officials with their noses in the air as if scrutinizing the heavens for abnormalities.
Fan Xian rubbed his nose. He was familiar with the white-bearded old man on the left and knew the middle-aged man on the right. He must be the initiator of the literature improvement movement many years ago, Hu the Scholar. Seeing these two leading officials of the Hall of Departmental Affairs treating him so coldly, Fan Xian knew that he had stirred up too much ruckus last night. In the eyes of these major officials, he had sufficient leaning to become a powerful and treacherous official. Adding to the Overwatch Council's strange movements, this did indeed create a negative effect on court politics. Of course, these two leading officials of the civil officials would not be overly friendly with him, the head of secret agents.
However, he was not having this. Forcefully suppressing the resentment in his heart, he smiled mischievously and moved over. Standing beside Shu and Hu the Scholars, he also didn't say anything. Rather, he strangely lifted his head and looked toward the sky.
For a time, the officials waiting to enter the court looked at this strange sight. Two Scholars and the wretched Commissioner of the Overwatch Council all had their necks stretched out and heads tilted, staring endlessly at the layers of cloud in the sky. They didn't say anything. They only stood in silence.
…
…
After looking for an indeterminable amount of time, Shu the Scholar, who had an open and bright personality, finally could not resist anymore and huffed coldly, "Sir Fan junior, what are you gazing at?"
Hu the Scholar also pulled back his gaze from the sky. Although both of the scholars were clever people, they were not as thick skinned as Fan Xian. They could not endure too many strange gazes. He coughed and didn't say anything.
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Whatever you two were gazing at is what I am gazing at."
Shu Wu furrowed his brows. Gazing at him he began to speak and then stopped. He resisted for a moment, but in the end, he couldn't hold back the anger in his heart and opened his mouth to scold him, "Do you know, because the Overwatch Council has great power, it has to do things in a calm and steady manner. Putting aside just why you did this and acted so wildly within Jingdou, how are the officials to conduct themselves? How will the court carry out business? You may not want the dignity of all gentlemen under heaven, but the court needs it. Tell me, you've taken away so many of the officials from the six departments, how will they carry out their tasks? Not even speaking about conducting business, the hearts of the officials are all chilled. Such muddle-headedness!"
It was fine to not speak of it, but once he started, he couldn't stop. On the contrary, it was Hu the Scholar who gave Shu Wu a meaningful glance before Shu Wu stopped. However, he was still grieved and sorrowful, and couldn't contain his anger.
Fan Xian was no longer just a tutor at the Imperial Academy. He was no longer just an empty prince consort title only able to roll around in Honglu Temple. Although the ranking of the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council was not high, he was also the imperial envoy. Although Shu the Scholar was now the leader of the civil officials, it was still unacceptable for him to point and scold at an imperial envoy in such a way.
"Don't scold me anymore," Fan Xian smiled and said. "No matter how you put it, you are an elder. To be so mean to a junior such as me is not good for the other officials down there to see."
Shu Wu was in a great rage. However, he was also speechless in front of Fan Xian's tired and respectful face and unable to scold. He huffed very coldly and shook out his sleeves. "Just wait for me to report you in the court conference today."
Fan Xian gave a pained expression and bowed. "As expected, please be kind."
Shu Wu wanted to be angry and rage and smile. Suddenly, the Palace doors opened. With the sound of the whip, the ritual music began. He walked in first with Hu the Scholar.
Since it was a great court conference, there were more officials than usual in court. Even so, Fan Xian's official ranking was still not enough to be among those who attended. However, he had the identity of an imperial envoy to Jiangnan and was also coming to debrief, so he didn't need a special edict from the Emperor.
However, officials also had to enter the palace by order of rank. Fan Xian could only be at the end. With him standing at the Palace door, a sinister chill naturally seeped out and made the officials walking past him shiver despite the warmth.
Earlier, when there were more people, they could group together and ignore Fan Xian. Now that they were walking toward the Palace in pairs, the officials assessed that their positions were far from that of Shu the Scholar. They calculated the royal favor Fan Xian bore and thought about his methods. Without any other choice, they could only greet him quietly as each of them passed him.
None of these officials dared to be overly irreverent toward Sir Fan junior, whom they had not seen in a year.
"Sir Fan junior, I trust you've been well since we last met?"
"Greetings, Commissioner Fan."
Fan Xian responded to all with a smile. Although he knew he would certainly be disgraced by these people in court today, the vanity of being greeted at the palace doors felt good. He had to take advantage of the opportunity to scoop up some benefits in terms of face.
Now that he'd received the benefit in terms of face, all that he could gain in court was sour fruit.
Fan Xian stood at the very bank of the link and slanted his eyes to steal a glance at the Emperor on the dragon chair. He felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He looked at the Emperor's calm expression and felt a stomach full of anger, thinking, You've certainly had a good rest. I'm about to drop dead from tiredness after doing your dirty work for you, yet I won't even reap any benefits today.
As everyone expected, after the court conference began—before everything had time to settle and begin in an orderly fashion, and before a few governors standing below Shu and Hu the Scholars had a chance to present their memorials—the great battle to report Fan Xian and the Overwatch Council's actions suddenly began.
Fan Xian didn't listen to the specifics of what the reporting officials were saying. It wouldn't be anything different to what Shu Wu had already said. The Overwatch Council did indeed have the duty to supervise the methods of governance, but an action such as his in which 30 odd officials were captured in one night was indeed something that hadn't happened in many years. It could truly be said to have shocked the court.
He looked at those three road governors and was not surprised to see Xue Qing at the head. Qing Kingdom's current territory was very large. There were another four roads that were further away and whose governors only returned once every two years. He watched rather curiously. Xue Qing was at Baoyue Brothel last night by edict to watch the fight. Logically speaking, he should have entered the Palace that night to report to the Emperor. He wondered what thoughts the Emperor had toward him.
Fan Xian was truly very tired, so his attention wandered. But, there were many things that he could not avoid hearing because he didn't want to hear it. The attack of the civil and military officials still endlessly surged into his ears. Gradually, the crimes also became more severe. For example, something such as having disdain for the court, immoral behavior, private use of national resources, creating a faction, and so forth.
In the Qing Kingdom court, the Overwatch Council and system of civil officials had always been at odds. Regardless of what factions there were within the civil officials, once they were faced with the Overwatch Council, they would appear to be united. It was so when Prime Minister Lin was present, and it was so now with the Scholars at the head. As long as the Overwatch Council, the Emperor's special service, overstepped its boundaries, the system of civil officials would gather together and carry out a very powerful counter-attack.
Without question, Fan Xian overstepped his boundaries last night. At the court conference, it became a battlefield on which he was attacked.
What was particularly different from previous years was that the military side that has always had a close relationship to the Overwatch Council no longer maintained their usual silence. On the contrary, the two Deputies of the Bureau of Military Affairs also stood out and expressed their displeasure toward the Overwatch Councils' tabooed actions.
Even the Emperor probably couldn't endure the pressure of the uniform attack of the civil and martial officials, much less Fan Xian standing alone at the end of the line.
The atmosphere in Taiji Palace was no longer oppressive. On the contrary, it was filled with an impatient particular to winter. With Shu Wu at the head, the officials all raised their memorials, asking the Emperor to constrain the Overwatch Council and make the final holy decision on the matter.
The multitude of words all pierced Fan Xian's heart and injured his spirit. Dirty water flew in all directions. The atmosphere was multifarious.
If it had been any other official in Fan Xian's position, they would probably have long become angry beyond reason and jumped out to argue with those officials. At the same time, they would have gathered their courage to pull off the beards of those Imperial Censorates. However, Fan Xian continued to stubbornly maintain his silence. He didn't speak or defend himself. Only the corners of his lips tilted up with a mocking smile as he watched the drama on the court conference.
Perhaps it was this hint of a smile at the corners of his lips that made someone uncomfortable, made someone feel that this son of his was overly impetuous and overly arrogant. An angry scolding came from the dragon chair, "Fan Xian! Do you have nothing to say?"
Fan Xian had long been forcefully fighting off his sleepiness. Suddenly, hearing these words, he quivered. Straightening out his official robes, he stepped out and bowed. "Your Majesty, last night, the First Bureau of the Overwatch Council sent for 32 officials to be questioned. It was all carried out according to Qing law and edict. o rules were overstepped in any way. Thus, I do not understand, why is everyone so excited?"
The Emperor smiled coldly and said, "In one night, you captured 32 people. You are truly very…are you saying that the Qing court is filled with corrupt officials?"
Fan Xian replied seriously, "I don't dare to lie to Your Majesty…" His gaze swept across the officials in the Palace and said, severely, "This court is crawling with vermin. Thirty-two people are only a small portion. If Your Majesty will give the Overwatch Council special permission, I will certainly capture more corrupt officials."
The officials felt a chill in his heart. Immediately after, a despicable expression rose on their faces. They thought to themselves, Your words are useless. What was the court? The court was the officials. There was no such thing as an incorruptible official. If you lock us all away, who will help the Emperor govern the world and guard the people? How could the give you this special permission?
As expected, the Emperor flew into a great rage and severely scolded Fan Xian. It was nothing more than scolding him for not thinking about the bigger picture, doing things rashly, fouling the Emperor's heart…
Fan Xian's heart was unhappy. Although he knew it was all an act, he was still unhappy and retreated resentfully back into line.
The court conference raised the deaths of the Second Prince's Eight Generals, the death of Governor Yan's only son, and the matter of the Eldest Princess' strategist Huang Yi being poisoned and vomiting blood in bed because those people were not officials. Furthermore, they belonged to the darkness. No one was that stupid.
However, the events of last night were enough to incite the caution and anger of the civil and military officials, so even this attack needed the Emperor to take action to comfort.
The Emperor, sitting in the dragon chair, coldly said, "Concerning the matter of Fan Xian being attacked in the outskirts of Jingdou, what have you all found?"
Everyone was silent. The officials of the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice stood out with trembling bodies and repeatedly begged for forgiveness.
Fan Xian had no choice and also stepped out to beg for forgiveness. It wasn't his fault that his Overwatch Council was also one of the groups involved in the investigation. However, this was rather absurd. He had been attacked by someone. He hadn't found who it was, yet he had to beg for forgiveness.
The Emperor gazed at Fan Xian and furrowed his brows, "I heard that the last witness died last night in prison. Is this true?"
Fan Xian was startled, he had not expected for the Emperor to receive the news so quickly.
All the military officials across revealed a glimmer of a deeply hidden smile and joy. They waited to see how Fan Xian would explain this matter.
…
…
The Emperor did not need too much explanation. All of the mulling over had mostly been done, and the Emperor made the decision alone. He issued the edict he had already prepared a few days ago.
The first portion of the Overwatch Council gave rise to a feeling of disbelief in the civil and military officials because…the Emperor limited the Overwatch Council's power.
The Overwatch Council's ranking would not be lowered. While their power would be greatly limited, particularly the First Bureau stationed in Jingdou, they still maintained their power to capture people. Now, there were detailed rules for the time limit after having seized someone. In particular, the criminals who overlapped with the Supreme Court, their questioning had to be completed within 48 hours.
Which was to say, the First Bureau no longer had the power to secretly question the capital's officials.
At the same time, the edict also set some general limits on the Fourth Bureau stationed in each province. The specific rules were to be drafted by Fan Xian after he returned to the Council, which was to be later discussed in a court conference.
These two changes looked very small but, in reality, it was like they had put a countdown on the Overwatch Council, bringing them a great deal of inconvenience when they did things in the future.
Hearing these edicts, Fan Xian's heart was as disgusted as if he had eaten flies. He still had to step out and thank the Emperor for his favor.
The civil and martial officials were all overjoyed. At most, they had wanted the Emperor to demote Fan Xian, slightly limit the Overwatch Council, and give their captured innocent subordinates an escape. They had not expected for the Emperor to actually handle it so seriously. If this trend continued, the Overwatch Council's power would be gradually weakened.
Thus, cries of "long live the Emperor" rang out from Taiji Palace and the officials quietly said that the Emperor was indeed wise.
Then, the second portion of the Emperor's edict made the civil and martial officials feel that although the Emperor was wise, he was still too protective of his shortcomings.
It was made clear in the edict that the officials captured last not were limited by the previous regulations. They were entirely handed to the Overwatch Council to interrogate. After which, they were to be handed to the Supreme Court to convict and set a punishment. At the same time, the Emperor used this opportunity to greatly express his rage. He angrily scolded the officials in the Palace for not strictly managing their subordinates, disappointing the grace of the country, only knowing to form factions, and being very shameless.
After the edict came down, the officials were all fearful and didn't know what to do with themselves.
Because the investigation of the attack in the valley was not going well, the Jingdou guards were seen as being pointless and part of the corrupt officials case. The Right Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Qu Xiangdong, was demoted. Qin Heng of the Jingdou garrison was removed and replaced by the previous deputy general of the Western expedition, while Qin Heng was moved into the Bureau of Military Affairs. At the same time, the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice was replaced, the Deputy of the Supreme Court was replaced, and the imperial censor of the Imperial Censorate was replaced.
The people who took their places were all the young officials who entered the Palace a few days earlier.
The officials all paled in surprise. The Emperor's iron fist had truly caught everyone unprepared. If it were not for the recent clashes in Jingdou, it would be impossible for such a large-scale change of personnel to go so smoothly. Everyone knew that this was definitely not over yet and couldn't resist stealing a glance at the young man standing at the very back of the line. A complicated emotion welled in their hearts as they just realized that Sir Fan junior's ruthless actions last night was actually foreshadowing the edict in court today.
Chapter 462: Duke Of Danbo
Translator:Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:Nyoi-Bo Studio
After the edict came down, the officials broke into a clamor. Although none of the leaders of the departments had been replaced, there were now a number of young officials beside them. It couldn't but make the officials feel a glimmer of fear. No one knew when the Emperor would promote these young officials and push out these elders.
Shu the Scholar furrowed his brows and stepped out to argue a bit with the Emperor. He thought that it was too hasty for such a large number of officials to be appointed without first going through a court discussion, and without the Ministry of Appointments and the Overwatch Council first investigating it thoroughly. However, the Emperor had made up his mind firmly and would not even give him face. He lightly pushed it back. Thus, this imperial edict became a firm reality.
The changing of personnel had already become a necessity. Qin Heng was moved to the Bureau of Military Affairs. Although it appeared that this ranking rose, in reality, he was now removed from the crucial Jingdou garrison. He was a bit startled but could only step out to give his thanks.
The other major officials like the Qu Xiangdong, Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, could only helplessly accept. The Emperor had not deeply investigated the valley attack, otherwise, the military side would certainly pay a heftier price.
However, the gazes of the generals turned on Fan Xian were now even angrier.
Everyone knew that of the civil and military factions, the Emperor adjusted the Bureau of Military Affairs and Jingdou garrison as a show of support to Fan Xian and to vent about the attack on Fan Xian in the valley. As for whatever follow-up actions happened after the court was dispersed, they would have to wait quietly. However, presumably, the military's future was not too bright.
While in the civil official's faction, they had the least people being replaced. They were almost all officials that were close to the Second Prince and his faction. What was particularly terrifying was that it seemed like the 32 officials seized by Fan Xian last night did not have an opportunity to come out again.
Fan Xian listened closely to the edict. It was clear that this edict was prepared by the Emperor last night. After listening for a long time, he was a bit surprised to not hear Yan Bingyun's name. After thinking about it for a moment, he got it. Even if the Emperor wanted to promote Yan Bingyun to a higher position. He wouldn't move him to a different department. Never mind the fact that it violates Qing law and the rules of the Overwatch Council, if the Emperor wants to use Yan Bingyun, he has to give Chen Pingping some face.
As for promoting Sir Yan, it was also impossible. If Sir Yan rose any higher, he could only take Fan Xian's Commissioner position. Fan Xian shook his head. He quietly thought that unless the Emperor was going to completely flip the Overwatch Council, he wouldn't do something like this.
However, Fan Xian was very surprised to hear Cheng Jialin's name.
He tilted his head slightly and forcefully resisted the impulse to look at the middle-aged man on the dragon chair. A great confusion welled in his heart. Jialin was his student and an official in a different place. How could he have caught the Emperor's eye? Furthermore, he was to enter the Ministry of Appointments. The department that he had long been unable to stick his hand into. He was promoted two levels at once. This rate of promotion was a bit too quick.
When the officials in court heard Cheng Jialin's name, they also couldn't help but be surprised. Everyone knew he was one of Fan Xian's four students. He had taken his appointment less than two years ago, so how could be moved back to such an important place as Jingdou already? Everyone turned their gazes toward Fan Xian. There was some wariness in those gazes.
It was a strike, but they didn't know where it landed.
"…Shen Chongwen to become the imperial censor in the Imperial Censorate, the Imperial Censor of the Left He Zongwei will also supervise Overwatch Council business and aid Fan Xian, reporting to the inner court."
…
…
The strike had come so quickly.
Fan Xian suddenly raised his head and a faint light flashed through his eyes. He glanced at the young man who stood out to give his thanks. The Imperial Censor of the Left to enter the Council? Although the Overwatch Council had always been managed, in name, by the inner court, the Qing royal family always prohibited eunuchs from holding power. Adding to that fact was that Chen Pingping was overly powerful, so the Overwatch Council was like its own independent nation.
However, having the Left Imperial Censor watching the Overwatch Council and, at the same time, reporting to the inner court, this was like having the Overwatch Council directly under the gaze of the Royal Palace.
Fan Xian's back was a bit cold, and the fingers of his right hand were a bit shaky. He knew that because of his identity, it was impossible that the Emperor would trust him as he trusted Chen Pingping. But, he didn't think that the Emperor would be so ruthless as to hook a rope around his head, tight to the point of pain, long before this matter was over.
What kind of person was He Zongwei? Back in the day, he was a talent equal to that of his own student, Hou Jichang. He was one of the men who had chased after his sister, Ruoruo. He was first under the Crown Prince's banner and then defected to the Eldest Princess. Now, he had become a student of the Emperor. Without going through the examinations, he was directly promoted into the court and took the position of an Imperial Censor. Because of his meritorious deeds, he took the position of Left Imperial Censor and was responsible for investigating the Ministry of Revenue case.
Excluding Fan Xian, He Zongwei was definitely the most popular figure in the Qing court the past two years. it was him, who Fan Xian loathed greatly, that would become the Emperor's eyes that watched the Overwatch Council. Fan Xian felt unreasonably angry, strangely angry.
"Your Majesty!"
Fan Xian stepped out and stood beside He Zongwei. He faced the man on the dragon chair and said in a heavy voice, "I object."
He Zongwei glanced warmly at Fan Xian beside him. Although he felt an incomparable anger in the depths of his heart every time he thought about the beating he received from the other party in the Fan manor, he still hid it very well. His eyes perfectly revealed a glimmer of strangeness and admiration as if he was expressing his emotions to the officials in the Palace. He was very admiring of Sir Fan junior for daring to clash with the Emperor head on.
There was already a great deal of clamor in the Palace. When the Emperor had an order, officials were to accept it. Other than elders like Shu Wu, who dared to oppose the Emperor, no one had ever directly expressed their objection and resentment on the appointment of officials.
The Emperor furrowed his brows and said, "What objections do you have?"
Fan Xian raised his head and spoke with a blank face, "The Overwatch Council doesn't need an Imperial Censor to criticize or give orders."
"How dare you!" The Emperor smacked the dragon chair and roared in anger. "The enforcement of the law is to the side, and the Imperial Censor is to the back. The country has clear laws, and my mind is made up. There is no room for juniors such as you to talk so much."
A fire of rage grew in Fan Xian' heart. He knew that he couldn't back down. Otherwise, the Overwatch Council would really fall at his hands. If that were to happen, how could he explain it to that woman and the old cripple in Chen Garden?
He straightened his body and straightforwardly said, "Your Majesty, the Overwatch Council is responsible for investigating the governance of other officials, with the inner court watching the Overwatch Council. Now that there is suddenly an Imperial Censor, if this Imperial Censor becomes corrupt and abuses the law, should the Council investigate? If yes, how should it investigate?"
The officials broke into a clamor while, on the contrary, the Emperor smiled coldly and said, "You've always been clever, yet you forcefully pretend to stupidity here. Step back."
Beside him, He Zongwei insincerely tried to persuade him a little, but Fan Xian couldn't be bothered to look at him properly. He also didn't step back. His mind spun and suddenly in a high voice, he said, "I object!"
Now, he had stepped over the line. Once the Emperor decide something, there was no place for an official to object. This was not a lawsuit in a court of law. Fan Xian was not Song Shiren, and the Emperor was not a mere Zhifu.
The Emperor was enraged. The beard on his chin quivered. He pointed down at Fan Xian from his lofty position and scolded, "I want to see, just how will you object?"
Fan Xian set his heart and said, "Naturally, I dare not defy the edict. However, I am only a Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, Director Chen is still in Chen Garden. Logically speaking, it is not my place to debate this edict. However, I am the leader of the Overwatch Council in the Palace today. If I accept it, there are problems. If I don't accept it, there are also problems. After thinking about it…I…can only quit my position as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. Your Majesty can directly send the edict to the Overwatch Council. That would be for the best."
Quit the position of Commissioner of the Overwatch Council?
Quit?
All of the officials broke into a clamor. No one understood how the situation at the court conference today become what it was right now. They had originally thought the Emperor was using the Overwatch Council to deal with the court. How was he now bullying Sir Fan junior? However, Sir Fan junior was indeed worthy of being an immortal poet and the pride in his bones was not something anyone could compare to. He actually…dared…to quit his position in the court conference as a threat and not accept the edict.
The officials had never seen such boldness since the beginning of their country. For a moment, the noise of discussion rose. In the gazes that were cast toward Fan Xian standing in the center, other than the initial fear, there were also a few begrudging glimmers of absurdness and admiration.
Shu the Scholar and the Hu the Scholar couldn't just look on. They stepped out, one playing the bad cop and one playing the good cop. Shu the Scholar took the lead and harshly scolded Fan Xian for not knowing his place as an official and speaking out of turn. While Hu the Scholar spoke in an even and comforting voice from beside Fan Xian and helped the Emperor explain the edict.
In any case, Fan Xian just stood straight, refusing to accept the edict and also refusing to do anything else.
This scene was like an older kindergarten child whose lunch box was missing fruit and was being comforted and tricked by two teachers.
The Scholars Shu and Hu then turned and asked forgiveness from the Emperor on behalf of Fan Xian, saying that Fan Xian was very young and such. They guessed that it was rare for the Emperor to hit on such a headstrong case in a court conference and was likely about to go crazy with anger.
On the dragon chair, the Emperor laughed with anger. Cold light spilled from his eyes and he said, coldly, "Fan Xian, are you using quitting your position to threaten me?"
"I dare not."
"OK, OK, OK." The Emperor repeated it three times and faintly said, "You're depending on the fact I cherish you and think that I will not dare to punish you…you want to quit then I will…"
The Emperor hadn't yet finished speaking when Fan Xian was already expressing his thanks with sincerity, "Thank you, Your Majesty, I am willing to return to the Imperial Academy to teach."
The Emperor choked badly on his extremely quick response and said in a great anger, "I refuse to let you quit!"
…
…
In a flash, the Palace sunk into a shocked silence. No one had expected to see such an exciting show at the great court conference. Everyone knew in their hearts that the Emperor's trust and favor toward Fan Xian had not weakened. They were just afraid that he would not mete out any substantial punishments to Fan Xian. However, they didn't know how to break this stalemate.
The officials didn't understand why Fan Xian would be so angry and rash about the Imperial Censorate watching the Overwatch Council. If it was to maintain the Overwatch Council's power, given Fan Xian's tricks, there would certainly be methods in the future. Furthermore, the Overwatch Council still had a senior that hadn't come out yet.
It was clear that the Emperor also didn't know what exactly Fan Xian was thinking. He furrowed his brows and said to Fan Xian, "Get back here."
Fan Xian didn't roll [JW1], but he eagerly ran forward and moved closer below the dragon chair. His expression was stubborn and ruthless.
The Emperor lowered his voice and asked, "Are you accepting the edict or not?"
"I'm not."
The Emperor furrowed his brows and said, "Why not?"
Fan Xian answered very directly, "I don't like He Zongwei."
The Emperor roared in anger, "Last night, you had already made the court lose face. Do you also want me to lose face today? Step down!"
Fan Xian sighed and retreated.
To the side, Eunuch Yao had a pained face. He held his horsetail whisk, resisted smiling, and felt very unhappy.
Fan Xian retreated back into the Palace. The officials on both sides looked at him a strange gaze. To whisper with the Emperor on a great court conference, this kind of favor…was truly…ahem.
The Emperor did not give Fan Xian any more chances to talk and ignored the fact he wasn't accepting the edict. He directly nodded at Eunuch Yao, who immediately used Eunuch Dai's distinct low and raspy voice to call out, "Jiangnan Imperial Envoy Fan Xian, come forward to listen to the edict."
Fan Xian started. He lifted the front of his robe and knelt down.
The edict was slowly read. It didn't bring up the matter of the Imperial Censorate entering the Overwatch Council again, rather, it gave a general summary of everything Fan Xian had done this year in Jiangnan. The matter of the palace treasury transport company was particularly highlighted. It commended the contribution Fan Xian made to the national treasury and also mentioned the matter of Fan Xian helping Governor Xue Qing to investigate Jiangnan's style of governing. It also talked about some other trivial matters.
In the middle, the Emperor opened his mouth to say, "I think, Fan Xian has been loyal and considerate to the nation and should be heavily rewarded."
The officials were all silent. Although no one liked Fan Xian being rewarded again, the 10 million liang of silver the palace treasury shipped back to Jingdou was true. This true and honest meritorious service was on par with military merit. If it wasn't heavily rewarded, the court didn't know how to explain it to the people under heaven.
Xue Qing stepped out and gave some additional information about what Fan Xian did in Jiangnan. He was filled with praise. Hu the Scholar also stepped out and thought that Sir Fan junior should receive a heavy reward.
However, Shu Wu, this old man, thought for a while and glanced at Fan Xian again. Finally, he couldn't resist it anymore and stepped out, "Your Majesty…half a year ago, the Hall of Governmental Affairs once suggested that given Sir Fan junior's reputation and solid learning, he is capable of joining the Hall to handle matters. However, officials of the Overwatch Council could never take on another official position, as there is a previous old precedent. However, earlier, Sir Fan junior had the intention of quitting his position as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council…"
The Emperor coughed.
Hu the Scholar also couldn't resist glancing at Shu Wu with a strange gaze, thinking, This old man was indeed stubborn. Clearly, he knew that the Emperor would not allow Fan Xian to enter the department or allow him to leave the Overwatch Council. Yet, he still had the idea that the two of them had entertained half a year ago.
Shu Wu had already spoken, so he could only express the same hope and was willing to recommend Fan Xian to enter the department.
In the past, Fan Xian heard of this matter from Council reports. Seeing it in person, he couldn't help feeling a bit surprised. He thought to himself that he was only 20 years old, it was a bit absurd to enter the Hall right now.
As expected, the Emperor still did not allow it. He only had Eunuch Yao finish announcing the edict. After hearing the edict, Fan Xian was frozen in shock. It took him a moment to remember to express his thanks. He thought to himself that being a scholar was indeed absurd, but the Emperor's reward was also very absurd.
Duke of Danbo.
The court was filled with sounds of shock and approval. Fan Xian stood in a daze thinking, How could he suddenly be given a dukedom? Didn't this mean that this position was higher than his father's? The Emperor struck hard, but this reward was also quite a size. He was only one step away from Marquis, the incomparably honorable position. He tilted his head and glanced at the awkward He Zongwei, thinking, In the future, could he beat him whenever he wanted for fun?
[JW1] The phrase "get back here" and "roll" share a common character, hence the second comment.
Chapter 463: There Are Enemies Under Heaven
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fan Xian's previous title was a first-ranked baron, second-class, while a dukedom was a super rank. In between there were still the two ranks of High Official and Count. It was a rare honor to be directly granted the title of duke at his age, so he couldn't react at once.
By the time everyone present had realized, they understood why. One reason was that the court had to reward his work in Jiangnan. However, everyone knew that the most important reason was that the Emperor wanted to compensate his illegitimate child.
The Great Prince and the Second Prince had long been given the title of Prince, while Fan Xian was only a Duke of Danbo. How could this compare? In the space of a thought, the officials who were going to stand out to strongly protest this grant all became quiet. This was the royal family's domestic matter, not the court's national matter. There was no place for them as officials to chime in.
After Fan Xian's initial flash of joy, he immediately calmed down. For most of the people in the Palace, a dukedom was indeed a shining title. For him, the power in his hands had long surpassed this boundary. Furthermore, the Emperor had not notified him before having the Imperial Censorate squeeze into the Overwatch Council's jurisdiction. It was this problem that Fan Xian was truly concerned and worried about.
Thus, he was willing to throw away his usual appearance and even pester endlessly if he didn't want the Emperor to so easily stuff sand in him.
Furthermore, he was faintly aware that the position of Duke was the final one he could reach in Qing Kingdom. The Duke of Danbo was a third-ranked dukedom, so there were two more levels he could climb. After, it looked like he would have to retire at a young age.
For a moment, he couldn't help being dazed and felt it was rather absurd. He couldn't help but stand in this Palace and laugh involuntarily.
Everyone's gaze looked at the youngest duke since the beginning of Qing Kingdom. They looked at his loathsome smile with complicated emotions in their hearts and felt that this laugh was incomparably piercing.
The great court conference didn't end until after lunch because the proper business of the three roads governors had been placed at the end. The Emperor took some decisive actions and decided on much of the issues on his own then let the officials leave.
The officials had long been starving. They all passed through the Palace gates back to their own manors. However, there were still many people who couldn't leave. The officials in the Hall of Governmental Affairs, the governors from the three roads that hadn't returned to the capital in a long time, and the ministers of various departments all carefully followed the Emperor to the royal study. Fan Xian followed behind them with a helpless expression.
Just like a year ago, when he had come back to the South Kingdom from Northern Qi, there was still a seat left for Fan Xian in the royal study. Last time, it was because of Zhuang Mohan's carriage of books. This time, it was because of the silver that the palace treasury sent.
Fan Xian sat on the round embroidered chair with a slightly unsteady state of mind. The talk in the royal study about national matters didn't interest him much at all. In any case, politics had never been his strong suit, and he also couldn't give any ideas. He could still only play the role of pointing out omissions and correcting errors.
It was very clear that, on one hand, the Emperor understood his capabilities. On the other, he did not wish for Fan Xian to express too many opinions toward the topic of national matters. So, he didn't call his name.
However, the new duke still had a place to sit, and it was beside the Emperor's soft couch. The Crown Prince and the other princes still had to stand and listen closely like students. Fan Xian felt pretty good. He thought to himself that he was practically the royal brothers' teacher.
The Emperor and many officials talked about the overly heavy snowfalls in the South, the situation in the North, and the auspicious signs in the garden. They then began to hand out food.
Fan Xian had been busy all last night, so the lamb pieces and tofu curds he had eaten had been digested long ago. Hearing, at this moment, about giving out food, he couldn't help his interest perking up. A joy rose in his heart, like a bit actor finally about to receive lunch. He accepted the lunchbox the eunuch handed over. Without speaking, he swept through the food like a hurricane.
…
…
The important matters had already been decided during the great court conference, and there was no new content being discussed in the royal study. When Xue Qing brought up the first-rate actions of the Hangzhou Conference in providing disaster relief in Jiangnan, many of the officials in Jingdou expressed a glimmer of surprise. They had heard of the Hangzhou Conference, but they didn't know that the Hangzhou Conference had such wealth and power to be able to do so many things outside of the government's disaster relief.
The Emperor had Fan Xian rise and make an explanation. Hearing Fan Xian's explanation, only now did Shu Wu and the others understand that behind the Hangzhou Conference were the concubines in the Palace, with the leader, in name, being the empress. No wonder the Hangzhou Conference could have so much power. However, everyone knew that the Palace was just taking the credit for being tender toward the people. The person truly doing things and spending money was probably still Fan Xian.
The Emperor smiled and said, "The person who is truly working hard isn't Fan Xian, it's that Chen girl of mine."
The officials laughed and said some flattering words. Immediately after, they praised the nobles in the Palace loudly and, naturally, praise of the Emperor could not be avoided. The Emperor looked at Fan Xian's slightly unfocused expression and furrowed his brows slightly.
The Great Prince watched this scene from the side and opened his mouth to say, "The princess returns to the capital today."
The Emperor "oh-ed," and his gaze on Fan Xian became gentle. He smiled and didn't say anything, but he also didn't let Fan Xian leave the Palace early. He only immediately ended the discussion in the royal study and, on the contrary, held back Fan Xian who wanted to return home the most.
The calming incense in the royal study floated through the air. The white smoke was not quite the color of milk, and the fragrance was very light.
There was only the Emperor and Fan Xian left in the royal study. Fan Xian was slightly uneasy because he didn't know what the Emperor was about to say.
The Emperor drank a mouthful of swallows nest and raised his head to glance at Fan Xian, asking whether he wanted some again. Fan Xian quickly shook his head.
"One cannot have high ideals without simple living, and one cannot have lofty aspirations without transcendence," the Emperor put down his bowl and slowly said. "Without irritations and worries, without losing the simple life…this was your explanation to the people when you opened that bookstore in Jingdou two years ago."
Fan Xian nodded. The name for the Danbo Bookstore had come from here. However, only his sister Ruoruo knew the true meaning. Unlike others, it had the meaning of "floating in Danzhou." Thinking of this, he suddenly missed that kid and wondered whether or not she was happy living in the North.
"I like these two lines very much. You should know what I mean by having you be the Danbo Duke." The Emperor quietly looked at his most accomplished illegitimate child.
Fan Xian lowered his head to think for a moment then said, seriously, "I should be sincere and worry less."
"Correct," the Emperor calmly said. "You need to be clear about what you should do and worry less about what you can do.
A pure official? An isolated official? The meaning was actually very simple. As the official of the Emperor, don't worry, just live life simply.
Who knew what Fan Xian was thinking his heart. The smile on his face appeared very sincere and relaxed. He opened his mouth and said, "I know."
In a conversation between a ruler and an official, the person saying "I know" should be the Emperor, yet Fan Xian just said it like so very clearly that it did not seem very strange. The Emperor did not appear to be unhappy. Eunuch Yao, waiting to the side, had a very calm expression. In these two years, he had long become used to the Emperor treating Fan Xian differently from others.
The Emperor waved his hand, and Eunuch Yao bowed before retreating from the royal study.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor coldly said, "As for the matter today of the Imperial Censorate entering the Overwatch Council, you will understand in the future. I know your heart is good, but in court politics, it cannot revolve around one's heart."
Fan Xian knew there were very few people here at the moment, so he couldn't make an unreasonable scene, act like a spoiled child, or be stubbornly unyielding. He could only be silent.
The Emperor spoke again, slowly, "It's as I said before, I know your heart, thus, I very much like what happened last night…however, I had not expected you to work so hard. I was a little surprised."
Fan Xian's throat was a bit dry. After some consideration, he said, seriously, "Before the riverbanks burst, I had already directed the water away so that the people did not suffer."
The Emperor looked at Fan Xian's face and didn't speak. After a long time, he nodded with approval. "However, have you thought about the fact that although you have drained all the water, if there is flowing water again in the future, who knows whether or not the water will once more spill over the riverbanks? Thus, I believe that we'll have to keep watching until the day that the mountains fall, the ground caves, and the banks break. Only then will we know whether the water will obediently flow downstream or…shamelessly break through me, this large riverbank. You, child, act fierce, but your heart is always soft."
The Emperor's face became cold and he continued, "In my life, I only want two things. The world and something to pass on. If I don't see their hearts clearly, how will I be able to let go to conquer the world? Stop moving and watching with me."
Fan Xian was silent and cautious, not daring to reply. The Emperor's words earlier were filled with warning. The Duke of Danbo could only forever be a duke. He also wanted him to stay and watch with him as well as staying calm and no longer attacking the Second Prince and the Crown Prince's faction. This was essentially giving him a lifetime of wealth and boundless trust.
"Furthermore, leave Xiaoyi alone," The Emperor stared into his eyes and said. "Xiaoyi has been a credit to the country and a heroic general in the army. I don't wish to lose him in this matter."
Fan Xian was slightly startled, thinking, He and Governor Yan had formed an irreconcilable hatred against each other, so how could it be resolved? Besides, even if Yan Xiaoyi had been a credit to the country, his connection to the Eldest Princess goes too deep. Was the Emperor not afraid at all? At this moment, he finally confirmed that it was the Emperor himself, and not the empress dowager, who had sent Eunuch Hong last night to ruin the situation and so felt very confused.
"What if the Governor challenges me on the martial conference?" He glanced at the Emperor and asked worriedly. The Qing Kingdom revered martial ability and this year, the conference was being held again. If Yan Xiaoyi challenged Fan Xian in the Palace, the Emperor couldn't say such things like Fan Xian was a prince and could not be injured in front of all the officials
"Yan Xiaoyi will leave before the martial conference," the Emperor said.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, "But the Governor has deemed me accountable for his son's death…"
The Emperor glanced at him with a not-quite-there smile and said, "Did you kill him?"
Fan Xian replied sincerely, "This matter truly has nothing to do with me. I don't dare to secretly kill the son of an official."
The Emperor laughed loudly, "What a joke! Then, were last night's killings…public?"
Fan Xian flushed red and said, "Last night's people were all jianghu people, unrelated to the court."
The Emperor was silent for a moment then said, "The person who struck in the Yuantai Camp was someone from Dongyi, so I am curious if something went wrong over there. I want to see whether or not Xiaoyi is a clever person."
Fan Xian's expression was calm, but he was grumbling in his heart. Thirteenth Wang, ah, Thirteenth Wang, you've really fooled the Emperor. It was clear that the Emperor had made a wrong deduction because of this incorrect information, but Fan Xian could not, under any circumstances, remind him.
"As for the problem concerning Xiaoyi, I still must remind you, the military…must not have great unrest." The Emperor's gaze became serene and distant. "The Hu tribes to the West…have started to make trouble again."
…
…
The Hu people in the West were making trouble?
Fan Xian suddenly raised his head and looked at the Emperor's worried face. For a moment, he was shocked speechless. Twenty years ago, the Emperor had taken soldiers on an expedition to the West and had almost wiped out the people living in Xi Hu. Additionally, a few years ago, the Great Prince swept through the West with an army and completely shattered the lives that had been built of great difficult by the Xi Hu.
How could the Hu people be making trouble again? Furthermore, even if they were making trouble, given the strength of the Qing army and its numerous generals, the Emperor shouldn't be worried about the instability of the army because of an external problem.
Fan Xian had grown up from a young age in Qing Kingdom. He knew that at the beginning of its formation, they had been bullied and humiliated for a time by Xi Hu. Even now, the Hu people were still a great plague on Qing Kingdom. However, in these 20 years, it was only because of the great pressure that the Emperor exerted over them that they became unworthy for the Qing people to talk about.
The Emperor saw Fan Xian's shocked expression and mockingly laughed, "The Qing Kingdom has suffered consecutive years of disasters, floods, and droughts, as well as heavy snow. However, it just happened that there has been favorable weather in Xi Hu these years. The grass grows long, and their horses grow fat…of course, if it was only because of mere Hu savages, it would not be enough to make me so worried. However…did you know, before the heavy snows devastated Qing Kingdom, the savages in the North of Northern Qi also suffered the first freeze in dozens of years?"
Fan Xian furrowed his brows. He suddenly remembered a scene by the lake in Hangzhou half a year ago. Haitang Duoduo had worriedly raised this matter to him once. The Northern savages had indeed suffered from heavy snowfalls. Countless cows, sheep, and horses had been frozen to death. However, the Northern savages were very far away from Xi Hu, so what did this have to do with Qing Kingdom?
The Emperor said, "No wonder the Northern Qi royal family dared to keep Shang Shanhu in Shangjing and not worry about the savages coming South. It turns out that god is giving them a hand…the Northern savages were unable to survive the freeze and combined with Shang Shanhu's might of many years, they didn't dare brave a journey South. The could only travel around Qilian Mountain and find another way to survive. The Hu people move with the water plans, and those Northern savages, after half a year of massive migration, have not finally reached the Xi Hu territory. Although only 40,000 people survived of the 200,00, those who managed to survive the snowstorm and dangerous journey…were all elite warriors."
Fan Xian's eyes were narrowed. He saw before him the sight of countless tribes herding sheep and horses, and carrying tattered and rolled up tents looking for a path in the snow and wind toward the West along the spine of the Qilian Mountain. It disappeared into the clouds with frozen bodies left along the path and the strange cries of vultures.
What a majestic and tragic sight. What a mighty migration.
"How could Xi Hu tolerate the Northern tribes coming over?" Fan Xian asked worriedly.
The Emperor laughed. The laughter held endless confidence and pride. "Xi Hu has long been broken by us. How could they dare to bite at these foreign snow wolves? Although there are many more Xi Hu people, after a number of large battles, the two sides still reached an alliance."
Fan Xian sighed. If the Hu people really formed an alliance, then Qing Kingdom, which neighbored Xi Hu, would be the most threatened. No wonder the Emperor was so careful about the punishment of the military.
Seeing Fan Xian's worry, the Emperor calmly asked, "What are you thinking?"
"I am thinking, these reports are probably still considered top secret…however, it seems that a great battle is about to arrive, I…am willing to lead an assault." Fan Xian was not just saying pretty lies, he truly wanted to satisfy his craving of horses and prairies. However, no one seemed to have explained the problem of the internal department of the court.
The Emperor laughed mockingly. "Don't think that because you are a martial ace you can lead soldiers into war for military merit. Once the battle starts, millions will be slaughtered. Unless you are Uncle Liuyun, your fate will still be to be sliced into pieces."
Fan Xian forced a laugh.
The Emperor paused and then calmly said, "The Hu savages are enough to fear. I have never considered them seriously…however, since the Northern savages have migrated, the pressure on Northern Qi from that side has immediately lessened. I have no choice but to keep an eye on the North."
Fan Xian immediately understood. The Emperor's gaze had indeed moved much faster than his. In this world, only the Northern Qi truly dared to be an enemy of Qing Kingdom. Particularly now that the Northern savages had gone and Northern Qi no longer had fears of trouble to their rear, who knew whether or not the little Emperor would have some ideas.
In the end, the Emperor slowly said, "Xiaoyi is returning to the North within a day because that little Emperor in the North finally persuaded the empress dower to let Shang Shanhu rise again. The great camp is directly pointing at Yanjing."
Shock appeared in Fan Xian's eyes and was immediately restrained.
…
…
Inside the black carriage outside the Palace, Fan Xian rubbed the spot between his brows and felt a bit unwell. For one, he was excessively tired. For two, he had heard too much bad news today in the Palace. Just as the Emperor said, without a few years of rest and recovery, it was impossible for Xi Hu to be a true threat to Qing Kingdom. However, in Northern Qi, Shang Shanhu was coming out again.
Shang Shanhu. Fan Xian's head began to ache when he thought of this name. Although he had not personally witnessed the assassination that rainy night on Chang Street, he had always deeply understood the power of that famous general.
Could Yan Xiaoyi going North hold back Shang Shanhu? Furthermore, brother Xiaoyi was newly in morning, and his heart may gradually grow distant from the court. Was the Emperor not worried that Yan Xiaoyi might be crazy and defect to the enemy?
As to why Fan Xian was so cautious about Shang Shanhu's re-involvement, the reason was actually very simple. In Shangjing, he had viciously tricked Shang Shanhu once and caused the tragic deaths of countless of his subordinates. The cry of "Fan Xian is my murderer," in the depths of the night might still be echoing in Northern Qi's Shangjing. Furthermore, Shang Shanhu's godfather was Xiao En, who had been captured repeatedly by him, and killed repeatedly.
In this matter, it was Fan Xian who was Shang Shanhu's greatest enemy. Shen Zhong played only a small role, yet in order to get revenge, Shang Shanhu killed Shen Zhong one rainy night. In the future, if they were really to meet on the battlefield, how would Shang Shanhu deal with him?
In the carriage. Fan Xian sorrowfully thought, under heaven, how could he have so many enemies?