Chapter 87 |
"I only gave him a shove!"
Duke Lu said, "And who might you be?"
The people from Great Zhou were simply endless; as soon as one left, another arrived, like a swarm of locusts.
Xu Tingfeng did not even look at him directly. After checking Qu Dubian's pulse, he handed the person over to Xia Fuyang: "Young Master Xia, please take Little Seven and leave. Go to the palace and find the imperial physicians."
"Make way! Make way!"
Zhiyi pushed through the crowd, "Brother!"
Xia Fuyang immediately hoisted Qu Dubian onto his back and rushed out, saying to Zhiyi, "Follow me!"
Once the words 'imperial physician' and 'return to the palace' were uttered, even the dullest person should have realized that the child earlier had a different identity.
Duke Lu's eyelid twitched inexplicably, and a vague sense of foreboding subtly welled up in his heart.
"According to the rules of the Spring Breeze Pavilion, purchasing the contract document is the true act of buying the young lady. Duke Lu, the money has now been fully refunded. Matters concerning Miss Yinlan are henceforth none of your concern."
Duke Lu: "In transactions, there is an order of precedence. What right do you have—"
"Now, let us discuss another matter," Xu Tingfeng cut him off directly, his calm words carrying a sharp, cold edge. "Duke Lu, as an envoy, your country was defeated and came to Great Zhou for peace talks. Yet, you have gravely injured our Great Zhou's Seventh Prince. Is this your country's way of conducting peace negotiations?"
Xu Cheng, who had been watching the excitement nearby, was dumbfounded: "That was the Seventh Prince just now??"
The Seventh Prince was also a relative of the Xu family's second branch! But dressed like a commoner, who could have recognized him?
He immediately beat his chest in frustration. Damn it, he really missed a golden opportunity. If he had curried favor with the Seventh Prince, wouldn't his father have looked upon him more favorably?
Duke Lu widened his eyes, doubting his own hearing: "Who did you say he was?"
Not far away, a squad of well-trained soldiers dispersed the crowd.
Ye Xiaoyuan led Left Commander Zuo Tianlang and pointed at Duke Lu, saying, "It's this man!"
Zuo Tianlang rested his left hand on the scabbard at his waist. He had originally come to the Spring Breeze Pavilion to apprehend the Seventh Prince, but unexpectedly ran into Ye Xiaoyuan, who was on his way to the Capital Prefecture Office to call for help, so he brought his men directly here.
In terms of imposing presence, the Prefect couldn't compare to the Imperial Guards.
Zuo Tianlang made a 'please' gesture towards Duke Lu: "We must ask Duke Lu to move to the embassy. We will certainly report this matter to His Majesty and await the imperial judgment!"
Even a fool would know by now that he seemed to have stirred up trouble.
Duke Lu glanced over the Imperial Guards behind Zuo Tianlang, then looked at the cripple in the wheelchair who had startled him earlier. Forcing himself to maintain appearances, he flicked his sleeve and left.
He hadn't used much force, how could it be blamed on him?
-
Zichen Palace.
Emperor Chongzhao had just received news that the negotiations between Nanning and Great Zhou were suspended.
He was closely monitoring the embassy. The matter of Prince Yuruo being pushed, hitting the back of his head, and having a weak pulse, he learned of very quickly.
Today, Grand Tutor Fang and all six Ministers from the Boards were in Zichen Palace, staying with the emperor so they could respond swiftly to any developments at the negotiation table.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat heavy at the moment.
The Minister of Rites said, "Your subject believes it was likely a deliberate act by the Nanning envoys."
Grand Tutor Fang stroked his beard: "The objective is simple: to make Great Zhou, out of concern for propriety, voluntarily concede some benefits—for instance, reduce their compensation in silver or cede less territory."
Emperor Chongzhao: "A simple and crude method, yet effective."
Grand Tutor Fang: "Whether it's effective or not depends entirely on Great Zhou. They are, after all, the defeated party."
If His Majesty decided to be shameless and simply not respond, pressing the Nanning delegation to their limits, the other side would have no recourse. However, in his view, while the Emperor himself could sometimes be shameless, he still cared quite a bit about Great Zhou's dignity.
The Minister of War said, "It is currently winter. The tribes in the northern borderlands lack food and are prone to raiding south. General Xia Hong has long since returned to the northern frontier. If war were to break out again, Nanning would surely resist fiercely. The battle would then become deadlocked, bringing hardship to the people."
The Minister of Revenue also said, "Indeed, that is so. Gradually annexing Nanning is Great Zhou's strategy. We truly cannot afford to completely rupture relations with them."
Emperor Chongzhao thought for a moment: "During the negotiations, how far did our side demand their territorial cession reach?"
The Minister of Revenue replied, "Your Majesty, it was the six cities of Youyun and the twelve cities of Jiangzhou."
Their originally hoped-for maximum compensation was the six cities of Youyun and six cities of Jiangzhou. The extra six cities mentioned were meant as bargaining room.
Emperor Chongzhao pondered, then after a moment said, "Concede two cities."
Grand Tutor Fang nodded: "That should be about right."
The Ministers from the six Boards also nodded in agreement, feeling it was acceptable, yet they couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache—although that land hadn't been formally ceded yet, weren't they in the midst of negotiating for it?
They had long since come to regard it as their own territory. Now it felt like cutting off a piece of their own land to give to others.
Two words: agonizing.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Eunuch Bao stumbled in, rolling and crawling, "It's terrible! It's terrible!!"
Eunuch Yu behind Emperor Chongzhao chided softly, "You fool, speak properly."
Emperor Chongzhao: "What is it?"
Eunuch Bao didn't even pause to catch his breath: "The imperial physicians... all the imperial physicians have gone to Shunning Palace! The Seventh Prince just returned from outside. Young Marquis Xia says the Seventh Prince was beaten by Duke Lu until he was gravely injured and fell unconscious!"
Bang!
Emperor Chongzhao sprang to his feet, the chair behind him crashing to the floor.
Grand Tutor Fang's hand trembled, the teacup lid clattering against the rim: "What on earth happened? Explain in detail."
Xia Fuyang had told Bao Youfu about the incident in front of the Spring Breeze Pavilion. Bao Youfu now recounted it faithfully, speaking as if he had witnessed with his own eyes how their Seventh Prince was bullied by the ferocious Duke Lu:
"Just now, the Seventh Prince was moved to Shunning Palace. This slave took a glance; the Seventh Prince had blood on his clothes! It was so horrifying!"
Emperor Chongzhao slammed his palm fiercely on the table, enraged: "Despicable petty state! Do they think Great Zhou has no one?!"
"Where is Zuo Tianlang?!"
Eunuch Bao said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Commander Zuo escorted Duke Lu back to the embassy."
Emperor Chongzhao: "Have the Eastern Depot surround the embassy. Send the Chief Supervisor of the Inspection and Transport Office to keep watch as well. Have them meticulously search every single item belonging to the Nanning envoys and their retinue. Inform them: for each day the Seventh Prince does not wake, the Eastern Depot will surround the embassy for a day. Since they have no regard for face, We shall spare them none!"
Eunuch Bao: "Yes! This slave will go and carry it out immediately."
He wiped the sweat from running in the winter cold and once again scurried out of Zichen Palace.
A charcoal brazier in the hall crackled.
Grand Tutor Fang set down his teacup, his expression calm, subtly wiping the tea stains from his fingers with his sleeve. "Does Your Majesty still intend to concede two cities?"
Emperor Chongzhao sneered: "Concede?"
The Minister of Rites said: "Great Zhou should not only not concede this time, but must also make them disgorge even more."
What of it? Everyone is a creature of passion. It's perfectly normal for minor scuffles to arise during negotiations when true feelings run high.
Your Nanning prince was accidentally injured from a push during the negotiation process. But our Great Zhou's Seventh Prince, how old is he? To bully a child like that, does Duke Lu have no shame!
Emperor Chongzhao could not help but clenching his fist, finally saying, "All my esteemed ministers may remain here. I shall go to Shunning Palace to see." With that, he hurriedly departed.
That little brat has been sickly since childhood. I wonder how he is now now.
-
North City Gate.
Inspection and Transport Office.
Wen Xiaochun had changed into his dark blue chief eunuch's uniform and was straightening his collar. A moment later, he pushed the door open.
Outside stood ten capable agents from the Inspection and Transport Office.
Eunuch Bao was also standing nearby. "Chief Xiaochun, are you ready? Then you may proceed. The Eastern Depot is likely already on its way. Your arrival will allow both parties to join forces."
Wen Xiaochun nodded, sweeping his gaze over the group. "You intend to use this set of inspection tools?"
The Inspection and Transport Office possessed several sets of inspection tools. The most meticulous set essentially involved dismantling and scrutinizing every item down to its smallest components—it was the most thorough and also the most face-depriving method.
The deputy chief cautiously said, "Chief, we thought... since it's a diplomatic envoy..."
Wen Xiaochun said flatly, "Switch to the most detailed set. I'll count to fifty. Anyone who hasn't switched is expelled from the Inspection and Transport Office."
The ten men below immediately scrambled to change their tools. Everyone in the Inspection and Transport Office knew that Chief Xiaochun was usually easy-going, but when his face was expressionless, one must never, ever defy him. It was no different from seeking death.
They changed their tools within the allotted time.
Wen Xiaochun tilted his head slightly. "My apologies for the spectacle."
Eunuch Bao: "Not at all. Please go attend to your duties. Your hard work is appreciated."
Wen Xiaochun: "Might I ask, for your convenience, how the Seventh Prince is faring now?"
Eunuch Bao: "Ah... it's unclear. But when he was brought in, he could not be roused no matter how much we called to him."
Wen Xiaochun nodded and asked no more.
-
Diplomatic Residence.
Yuruo sat on the bed, covers pulled up, pressing against his throbbing temples.
He had originally been feigning illness. The fall had caused bleeding on the back of his head, leading to dizziness, but it wasn't serious. Now, however, he genuinely felt a headache so intense it was maddening.
When a person is suppressing extreme rage, they might laugh. "You went carousing at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, and you also injured the Great Zhou's Seventh Prince?"
Duke Lu sat on a stool, pouring himself a cup of hot water.
"I told you! I didn't hit him, I just gave him a shove. And before I pushed him, I didn't know he was a Great Zhou prince. He was dressed no differently from the common folk around him; his head wasn't labeled with a name."
He grew more self-righteous as he spoke. "Besides, didn't they hit you too? That makes us even."
"If both sides are even, can Great Zhou really keep making an issue out of it?"
"......"
Yuruo closed his eyes, his whole body trembling. After a long moment, he suddenly threw off the covers, walked barefoot to stand before Duke Lu, grabbed his collar, his eyes faintly reddening:
"You fool, have you forgotten that this time, Nanning is the defeated party! Only parties of equal status can speak of fairness. What do you think we came here for? To receive gifts?"
"Do you know why I'm putting on this act? It's so Nanning can cede less land, so fewer of our Nanning people feel that Nanning has abandoned them!"
"You... you..."
Duke Lu broke free from his grip. "Let go of me!"
"Why are you so frantic? I really didn't lay a hand on him. On the way here, I heard that their Seventh Prince has been frail and sickly since childhood. He might be on the verge of death anyway, trying to pin it on us."
"You can pretend; they can pretend too. Just tell the Great Zhou officials to let the physicians we brought examine the Seventh Prince in the palace."
Looking at Duke Lu's somewhat flustered but not overly concerned face, Yuruo felt suffocated.
He braced himself against the table, taking a deep breath.
Nanning's defeat wasn't solely due to military blunders. He was beginning to detect the faint stench of decay emanating from the very roots of the imperial court.
In contrast, look at Great Zhou: a nine-year-old prince could step forward on the street to shield a Great Zhou commoner from the whip of an enemy state.
The gap was simply too vast.
Silence fell in the room.
However, the sound of armored soldiers forming ranks soon came from outside.
A sharp, thin voice coolly drifted in:
"Might Duke Lu and His Highness Yuruo be present? This humble servant leads the Eastern Depot under orders to come and make some inquiries. Could you please come out for a word?"