The Child Emperor

Han Ruzi was on his way to the Capital Prefectural Office when a horseman galloped up, whispered something to Yang Feng, and quickly departed. Yang Feng then informed the Weary Marquis: “The Champion Marquis has appointed Chai Yue as Provost Marshal, and the messenger delivering the appointment has already left.”

Han Ruzi felt greatly relieved. After all his efforts persuading the Champion Marquis, this had been his most important goal. Although the appointment still required court approval, for the Northern Army soldiers, Chai Yue had finally become truly “one of their own.”

Yang Feng added: “The two chief censors ask the Weary Marquis not to worry, the appointment will proceed smoothly.”

Han Ruzi was slightly surprised, but then understood – the changing situation greatly affected them too. Xiao Sheng and Shen Mingzhi were trying to curry favor with him, hoping to facilitate this alliance.

Just as they reached the entrance of the Capital Prefectural Office, Prince Donghai caught up with them and asked somewhat irritably, “Why didn’t you call for me?”

Han Ruzi smiled, “Because I knew you would come without being called.”

Prince Donghai dismounted, avoided Yang Feng, and moved close to Han Ruzi, asking quietly, “What help do you need?”

Han Ruzi thought for a moment, “You’ll need to write to Grand Tutor Cui again. Previously we wanted him to attack the Northern Army, but now we want him to cooperate with them.”

“It is more difficult to discern friend from foe in the imperial court than ever before,” Prince Donghai remarked thoughtfully, then said, “No problem, I think I can convince Cui Hong.”

Inside the office, the judicial clerk Lian Danchen was already waiting outside the main hall and directly led the Weary Marquis to the Internal Punishments Department. The Prefect himself avoided meeting them.

Though not prisoners, the Du grandfather and grandson were being kept under strict watch, with over a dozen guards at the door preventing anyone from approaching.

Lian Danchen led the Weary Marquis inside and said, “The situation is rather complicated. The Weary Marquis can take Old Master Du, but young Du… will need to stay here for a few more days.”

The Internal Punishments Department was where Lian Danchen usually worked, with an added small bed against the wall. Du Chuanyun lay there seemingly asleep, while Du Motian sat beside him. He stood up, first bowing to the Weary Marquis, then said to Lian Danchen, “My grandson has told you everything he knows, how much longer must he be detained?”

Lian Danchen smiled wryly, “Why use the word ‘detained,’ Master Du? You are both my guests, it’s just… the matter is too significant for me to decide.”

Lian Danchen had been very courteous throughout. Du Motian could say nothing more and turned to the Weary Marquis, bowing, “Thank you for coming to visit, Weary Marquis. Chuanyun has barely escaped with his life but hasn’t fully recovered yet. He cannot rise to pay his respects – please don’t take offense.”

“No matter, I just wanted to see for myself that he’s alright.” Han Ruzi then asked Lian Danchen, “Who actually has the authority to decide?”

“That’s the problem – no one can make the decision. Unless the assassins are caught, I’ll have to transfer young Du to the Palace Guard Camp the day after tomorrow…” This was Lian Danchen’s difficulty.

The Guanghua Tigers had nominally submitted to the Weary Marquis and Prince Donghai, so they were naturally courteous to the Weary Marquis’s followers, but once the “guests” were in Shang-guan Sheng’s hands, the judicial officials would have no control.

“But you let Prince Ying go,” said Du Motian.

“Prince Ying… is still Prince Ying after all.” Lian Danchen could only smile bitterly. The Guanghua Tigers’ power and boldness came from the Empress Dowager – once her position was uncertain, they too became uncertain.

Han Ruzi asked, “May I speak with them privately?”

“Of course, I’ll wait outside. Just call if you need me.” Lian Danchen left the room.

Just as Han Ruzi was about to speak, Du Motian waved his hand and said, “Weary Marquis, this isn’t fair. Chuanyun is the victim – why can’t he leave?”

“Please understand, Master Du. The assassination attempt on Prince Ying has shocked the entire court. Du Chuanyun happened to be right beside Prince Ying – everything and everyone he saw could be important. What did he see?”

Du Motian shook his head, “Chuanyun was riding quite fast at the time. When he noticed the ambush, he only managed to dodge slightly before seeing shadows moving, then quickly lost consciousness.”

Du Motian stepped forward and grabbed the Weary Marquis’s right hand, saying emotionally, “Chuanyun is my only grandson. I cannot leave him – wherever he is, I must be there too. If the Weary Marquis has a way, take us both out. If not, then we’ll accept our fate.”

“Don’t worry, Master Du. I will certainly find a way to bring you both back to my residence.”

After chatting briefly, Du Motian released his hand. Han Ruzi called Lian Danchen back in, thanked him for taking care of the Dus, and took his leave.

Halfway out, Lian Danchen asked quietly, “What did Old Master Du say?”

Obviously someone was listening from next door to the Internal Punishments Department. Lian Danchen’s question was just for show. Han Ruzi pretended not to notice and sighed, “He said Du Chuanyun didn’t notice anything – it happened too suddenly, and the assassins were well hidden.”

“Yes, I believe Du Chuanyun, but I’m worried about what will happen when he’s in the Palace Guard Camp…”

“That’s why we need to find the assassins quickly. Has there been any progress on your end, Lord Lian?”

“We’ve arrested many people, but to no avail. Either they’re too tight-lipped, or they’re unrelated to Prince Ying’s assassination – just various pugilist world grudges.”

“If you find any leads, please let me know immediately.”

“Of course, Weary Marquis. Rest assured, if we catch the assassins, you’ll be the first to know.”

They politely bid farewell at the office entrance.

Prince Donghai had borrowed paper and brush from the office and written a letter, which he showed to Han Ruzi, asking casually, “How did it go?”

Han Ruzi shook his head, glanced at the letter’s contents, and returned it to Prince Donghai, “Very good, send it to Grand Tutor Cui.”

Prince Donghai called an attendant to deliver the letter, then continued following Han Ruzi until they reached the Weary Marquis’s residence, where Han Ruzi finally had a chance to speak quietly with Yang Feng.

“Find Hu San’er,” Han Ruzi whispered. When Du Motian had grabbed his hand, he had unmistakably written the characters for “Hu San.”

Yang Feng nodded, escorted the Weary Marquis back to his study as normal, and left without saying goodbye to Prince Donghai.

Prince Donghai watched Yang Feng’s figure disappear, then turned to Han Ruzi with a serious expression. “What are you doing?”

“Clarifying the situation and looking for the assassins.”

Prince Donghai closed the door and walked to the desk. “The Empress Dowager has already made her move. We can’t wait any longer – we must counterattack.”

“How do we counterattack?”

“Haven’t we already made plans?”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “Without the full cooperation of the Guanghua Tigers, our plan cannot succeed. And can we even trust people like Lian Danchen anymore?”

“That’s exactly why we need to strike early. If we wait longer, everyone will side with the Empress Dowager.”

Han Ruzi continued shaking his head. “No, the timing isn’t right.”

“What should we do? Just keep waiting?”

“The Empress Dowager relies solely on Shang-guan Sheng and the Eight Palace Guard Camps. As long as the Southern and Northern Armies remain near the Capital, we haven’t completely lost.”

“So you’re genuinely allying with the Champion Marquis?”

“When facing great danger, preserving strength is most important. The alliance must be sincere – otherwise, how can we oppose the Empress Dowager?” Han Ruzi stared into Prince Donghai’s eyes.

Prince Donghai avoided his gaze and sighed. “You make sense. I’m just worried about one thing – the entire court is full of fence-sitters. Once the Empress Dowager announces that the Emperor has recovered and that she’s well enough to resume governing, not only will the officials obediently kowtow, but the Southern and Northern Armies might switch sides too – Cui Hong certainly will.”

“Even so, we can’t rush. We must wait for a better opportunity.”

“Fine, I’ll follow your lead. I’m prepared anyway – you have 400-500 private soldiers, and the Tan family can provide an equal number of death-sworn warriors. Even if Lian Danchen can’t be trusted, there are still people in the Guanghua Tigers who will help the Tan family without hesitation.”

“Mm. I won’t delay too long.”

Prince Donghai found a place to sit and after a moment of silence spoke again: “Have you considered framing the Champion Marquis for Prince Ying’s assassination?”

“I considered it,” Han Ruzi said without looking up, “but there’s no way.”

“If we just had an assassin identify him…”

“No,” Han Ruzi flatly refused.

“Aren’t you afraid the Champion Marquis will frame you first?”

“If the Champion Marquis did that, he would be extremely foolish.” Han Ruzi looked at Prince Donghai. “What the Empress Dowager wants most is to see us panic and frame each other. That way, she can escape suspicion.”

“You’re right, we can’t fall for it.” Prince Donghai deflated.

As noon approached and Prince Donghai was about to order lunch, the manor clerk came to announce that Marquis Piyuan, Zhang Yin, had arrived with a guest requesting an audience.

“Marquis Piyuan is laughably naive. Does he really think he can earn merit in the Western Regions to redeem his grandson?”

However, Han Ruzi respected this inarticulate old general, and was somewhat surprised that he dared to actively seek out the Weary Marquis at such a time.

Marquis Piyuan seemed completely unaware of the court’s political climate, focusing solely on what he had decided to do. Although the Weary Marquis hadn’t agreed to send him to build fortifications in the Western Regions, the Marquis had already begun preparations, including learning more about the “enemy.”

Today he had brought a Xiongnu envoy.

The Xiongnu envoy had been in the Capital for a long time but had only met with a few minor officials from the Ministry of Rites, unable to see any high officials or have an audience with the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Marquis Piyuan was his only visitor, and that was in a private capacity.

“Jin Chunzhong!” Prince Donghai was startled to see the visitor. “You dare enter the city? Aren’t you afraid the Chai family will tear you to pieces?”

“I am now a Xiongnu envoy,” said Jin Chunzhong. With Princess Hengyang dead, he had less to fear.

“The entire Xiongnu are nothing but homeless dogs. What’s so special about being their envoy?” Prince Donghai showed his contempt, refusing to greet the guest and sitting down on the other side.

Marquis Piyuan stepped forward to address the Weary Marquis: “The Western Regions must… must prepare early… the Xiongnu…”

Jin Chunzhong gestured to the Marquis that he could speak on his behalf, and the Marquis nodded in agreement.

Jin Chunzhong first bowed deeply to the Weary Marquis, then rose and said: “When we departed, the Great Chanyu instructed that if peace talks showed no progress by spring, we should abandon them. Since Chu refuses to ally with us, the Xiongnu have only one choice: move south to graze our horses and use Chu’s fortifications to resist our powerful enemies from the west.”

Before Han Ruzi could speak, Prince Donghai jumped up angrily: “Shameless traitor, you dare threaten Great Chu?”

Jin Chunzhong responded in surprise: “If war breaks out between our nations, I would rather stay on Great Chu’s side. I only wish to warn that the frontier should prepare early.”

Prince Donghai coldly assessed Jin Chunzhong with complete distrust.

“Indeed, we should warn the court – this is more important than Prince Ying’s assassination!” Han Ruzi had a sudden thought – if handled properly, he might be able to resolve both internal and external crises at once.

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