ChangNing’s Imperial Army

Chapter 135 – As a Last Resort
Dou Huainan did not always work for Zhuang Yong from the start. In fact, that person was not even noticed by His Majesty at first. However, he was an extremely important person. If the entire setup viewed as a tactical formation, then Dou Huainan was the core. If the entire setup was viewed as a chariot, then Dou Huainan was the axle.

He appeared on his own accord. At that time, after Bai Shangnian looked for him, he immediately reported it to Zhuang Yong. Thereafter, his existence started being noticed by His Majesty. His Majesty cared about him as much as he cared about the entire setup. That was because, if he was useful, he could be used for several other things in the future.

Who would have expected that more often than not, the person who was capable of changing the entire setup was usually a nobody?

At that time, Bai Shangnian definitely did not expect Dou Huainian to be truly untempted in the face of wealth, or that Huainian was a very good actor. Zhuang Yong was a cunning old fox, and so was Bai Shangnian. It took more than mediocrity to thoroughly fool a person like Bai Shangnian.

Zhuang Yong once asked Dou Huainian, “They promised you a high post and a generous salary, as well as a bright future. Why did you remain unmoved?”

At that time, Dou Huainan answered, “I am one of the successful candidates in the highest imperial civil service examination in the twelfth year of Tiancheng (Note: the name of an era). During the imperial exam, I personally saw His Majesty. Hence, I am very clear with regards to where I should stand. His Majesty has great skills and strategies when it comes to running a country. He is the most powerful monarch since the beginning of Great Ning’s history. Even though I only met His Majesty once, but I believe that firmly, without a single doubt. The things that people like Bai Shangnian want to do are destined to fail. Even if I were possessed and took their side, it will still fail.

Zhuang Yong replied to him, “His Majesty said that you are the most important link in this. His Majesty has always been very accurate when it comes to reading people.”

Dou Huainan shook his head. “His Majesty is the one who’s most important.”

Several years had passed, but Zhuang Yong still clearly remembered that exchange.

Only people who had been blinded by greed would feel that His Majesty was someone who could be easily defeated, and that they could overturn His Majesty’s imperial power. People like Mu Zhaotong, Bai Shangnian, as well as the empress who lived deep in seclusion within the palace.

What was the origin of everything?

The imperial palace.

Zhen Guifei (Note: Guifei means First Lady – highest ranked imperial concubine) stood behind the emperor, and helped him massage his shoulders. She knew the ideal amount of strength to use, and she knew which part of his shoulders she should press to make him feel the most comfortable. If there was one person who was closest to His Majesty’s heart, it would be only her.

Ever since several years ago.

“I might be able to find our child soon.”

The emperor said that, as he was relaxing with his eyes closed. Zhen Guifei abruptly pressed even harder; the emperor frowned slightly. He was not blaming her – he knew how much those words affected her. Hence, the emperor lifted his hand and patted the back of Zhen Guifei’s hand. “If it’s really him, he’s been very lucky to have survived all odds.”

Zhen Guifei’s face turned extremely pale. Her vision became blurry. She suddenly started crying.

The emperor quickly pulled her into his arms, allowing her to sit on his legs as he comforted her

“Up until now, I still don’t dare to believe that a person can be that vicious for the sake of a status. At that time, she knew that the person I like the most is you. The only reason why I married her was because of my father’s decree. Hence, she was afraid when she heard that I was going to enter the capital and that you had given birth to a son as well. She was afraid that her son would be unable to become the successor of the throne. She was afraid that you would steal her position as the empress…I have been very curious as to whether or not she regrets everything that she did, or whether or not she is afraid, after thinking back to what she did that day.”

This was the origin.

What the empress did back then was impulsive. She did not plan far ahead or think it through thoroughly.

But once this matter was done, her entire family would only be roped in by her, and they would do their utmost to support her. Even though for almost twenty years, her family was completely suppressed by the emperor, such that they were unable to lift their heads up high, they could only place all their bets on the empress. If the empress was still the empress, at the very least, they would be known as the family of the empress. If she was no longer the empress, what would they be?

On the surface, what happened in Prince Liu’s residence and the current political situation were not related at all, but in reality, the root cause could be traced back to that night.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. I promised you before, I will not give up.”

“Your Majesty…”

Zhen Guifei seemed to be too emotional – all she did was cry incessantly.

After a long time, the emperor finally managed to console her and she stopped crying. It was about time for him to return to official business. He gave some instructions to the palace maids and also instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare some congee for Zhen Guifei. He also sent someone to call for the imperial physician to take a look at her. After that, he left.

After the emperor left, Zhen Guifei sat all by herself by the window and was in a daze for a very long time. She still had not recovered from the shock and her face was still ashen. She looked at the sky outside the window, as she held onto the window ledge. Her fingers were somewhat pale as well.

“My child, you’re actually still alive. You’re still alive.”

She bit her lip and it bled, yet she was unaware of it.

Jiangnan, Taihu Yanping Island.

Zhuang Yong found himself unable to face Hei Yan. Even though he knew that he did not do anything wrong, he still did not dare to face him.

Before it happened, he was unaware of the details. How could he have expected Ye Liuyun to have such a far outreach, and that he actually dared to plant a spy within a garrison’s troops. If that was ordered by His Majesty, he would have been informed in advance. However, evidently, His Majesty did not know about this – Ye Liuyun decided on it all on his own.

Is there no inside intelligence box within Garrison B?

Zhuang Yong could not help but wonder. Is it because Ye Liuyun speculated that there isn’t one in Garrison B, which is why he made such an arrangement? However, there was an inside intelligence box in Garrison B’s camp. Currently, in all twenty garrisons, there was an inside intelligence box in each of them. How was it possible for any of the garrisons to not have one? It necessary to place one amongst combat soldiers.

Additionally, the inside intelligence box had also passed on the information about Bai Shangnian’s possible treason to His Majesty. Unfortunately, from the start to the end, Bai Shangnian was very prudent. He did not leave behind any evidence at all.

Zhuang Yong did not know who had the inside intelligence box within Garrison B, and as expected, that person did not know that Ye Liuyun had planted a spy either.

It was complicated, hence resulting in the tragedy today.

However, was Ye Liuyun at fault?”

“I don’t blame you, general.”

Hei Yan took a deep breath. He turned his head towards the outside. “My brother is the one who’s unlucky.”

Zhuang Yong sighed.

Shortly after, Hei Yan took his leave. Shen Leng knew that he would not be able to get over it within a short period of time. It was an extremely difficult feat for him to have restrained himself up until now. He had to look for a place to be by himself; to calm down and cry it out.

“Where is Shen Xiaosong?”

After Hei Yan left, Zhuang Yong evidently seemed more relieved. Often, when someone like that appeared, Zhuang Yong would end up thinking about what happened at Feng Yan Tai at the northern border; that battle, as well as the men who sacrificed their lives. They were heroic and indomitable, yet pitiful at the same time. At that time, His Majesty just ascended the throne and was unable to protect them. They suffered a sullen and unjust death.

Hence, all Zhuang Yong could do was to change the topic and ask Shen Leng where Shen Xiaosong went.

“I have no idea as well.”

Shen Leng shook his head, “Yesterday, sir took Cha’er with him and left. He said that he had something big to attend to.”

Zhuang Yong frowned even more. “What else is more important than your life and death? There is danger everywhere in Taihu. Based on how much Shen Xiaosong cares for you, he wouldn’t have left. If he left, it means that there is something a lot more important than what you just encountered.”

After Zhuang Yong said that, he had a sudden realization. Hence, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Shen Leng knew that Mr. Shen hid several things from himself. Even if Master Cha knew about them, she refused to tell him as well. He could not understand why Mr. Shen brought Master Cha with him and left so suddenly as well.

“I really don’t know.”

Shen Leng looked at Zhuang Yong. “Perhaps, Mr. Shen knows me more than I know myself. So does Cha’er, and you, general.”

Zhuang Yong turned his head around; he avoided Shen Leng’s gaze just like the way he avoided Hei Yan’s earlier. He said in a somewhat unconfident manner, “Just remember that Shen Xiaosong treats you like his son. As for the rest, you don’t have to care. It may be a good thing that Shen Xiaosong and Cha’er are not currently here.”

Shen Leng knew what Zhuang Yong was trying to say. The consequences of killing Mu Xiaofeng will be made clear and obvious soon. If Mr. Shen went to help Cha’er find a place to settle down, that was indeed the best thing he could do.

“His Majesty will be put on the spot too.”

Zhuang Yong’s gaze fell upon Shen Leng’s face. “A subject that makes things difficult for His Majesty is not considered a qualified subject.”

Shen Leng shrugged and did not say anything. He was never a model subject. He would do the right things for Great Ning and the emperor, as well as things he should do. However, when it came to his life and death, or Mr. Shen and Master Cha’s life and death, he would immediately take them away. Far, far away.

Zhuang Yong did not wait for Shen Leng’s answer. He continued, “Don’t forget that you are in possession of the inside intelligence box. Your brush is sharper and heavier compared to your sword.”

Shen Leng lowered his head and looked at both his hands. “Unfortunately, the brush is sharp, but the hands are ineffective.”

Zhuang Yong sighed. “Do you know how to copy word for word?”

Shen Leng started laughing. “That, i should be able to do.”

At the same time, on a ferry on Nanping River, Master Cha did not understand why Mr. Shen insisted on taking her away from Taihu Yanping Island. Leng might be in danger; by moving away, she could not rest assured.

“Nothing will happen to Leng. Don’t tell me you still can’t tell that Zhuang Yong has already planned something in advance? I know this person pretty well. There was no fear or panic in his eyes from the very start. Hence, he has been in active control the whole time. Nothing will happen on Yanping Island. Zhuang Yong will not let anything happen to Leng either. The reason why I took you away, is because Leng is not in danger today, but tomorrow; not in Yanping Island or Jiangnan, but in Changan city.”

”Do you remember I told that there is one person you have to always remember, when we were returning from Mount Tingtai, that once we encounter something we have absolutely no control over, we will have to look for him? He’s the only person who can protect Leng. Mu Xiaofeng is dead – Mu Zhaotong will become like a mad dog…I am taking you to Changan city to meet with that person. In the future…in the future, if anything happens to me, you must remember the way, and remember that person. Leng will be depending on you in the future.”

Mr. Shen lowered his head. “

“Sir, don’t spout nonsense. How can anything happen to you?”

“Of course, nothing will happen to me. Just that in everything we do, we have to make the necessary preparations in advance. That high-ranking person is able to influence His Majesty. Ultimately, the only person who can save Leng is His Majesty himself. Hence, we have to rush to Changan as quick as possible without any delay.”

“But sir, didn’t you say what happened that year was very complicated? Perhaps that person would be unwilling to help Leng as well. She has always been afraid of the empress.”

“She’s not from a good family, back at Prince Liu’s residence, she was very afraid of the princess. She was often beaten and lectured. Prince Liu tried to protect her several times before, but ultimately, there were times when he was not around as well. The empress was intimidating, she did not dare to retaliate.”

Mr. Shen sighed. “We cannot afford to think too much about it. This time, it concerns Leng’s life and death. He was too rash, killing Mu Xiaofeng. As…”

Mr. Shen shook his head. He did not complete his sentence.

As a last resort, I will fight my way into the great scholar’s residence all by myself.