Chapter 917: Ruler and Minister

Zheng Fan reached out and scratched Pixiu’s mane.

The Brocade-Clad personal guards had made camp thirty li east of the Wang River, while the Sword Saint and Xu Chuang waited not far away.

After all, as the mighty Prince Pingxi, Zheng Fan could hardly have truly ridden out from Fengxin City all by himself on Pixiu, dressed in black armor, and galloped all this way in solitary freedom.

There were certain things Old Tian could do.

He, Zheng Fan, for the time being, still could not.

Even so... for him to face several thousand Imperial Guards alone like this... was more than enough to deserve the description:

Riding alone to receive the imperial procession.

If anything happened now, even the Sword Saint and Xu Chuang waiting farther out would not be able to rescue him in time.

One order from the Son of Heaven... would be enough to have Great Yan’s Prince Pingxi... ah, no.

Great Yan’s national traitor Zheng Fan... smothered to death right here in one stroke.

How it happened would not matter.

The important thing was that Zheng Fan had already made his attitude clear.

Once word of this scene spread, the world would inevitably marvel at Prince Pingxi’s frankness.

The ministers in Yanjing, upon hearing of it, would probably be left speechless for a while too.

But to anyone who truly knew Zheng Fan... especially the Emperor standing on the imperial carriage at this very moment... the meaning was different.

How terrified of death was this bastard surnamed Zheng?

For him to do something like this... truly went beyond the ordinary concept of a minister’s loyalty.

Because this fellow... did not actually possess a shred of loyalty.

The Emperor took a deep breath.

Without changing expression, he forced back the faint mist that had just gathered in the corners of his eyes.

Then he laughed and cursed:

“Still so damned sentimental. Still obsessed with appearances. I’m not some flood or savage beast. I’m not a Qian or Chu army either. And he still has to put on this act of standing alone in wind and rain. Dog slave. Do you understand? He’s bullying me.”

Behind the Emperor, Wei Zhonghe wore a smile as well.

The Imperial Guard commanders surrounding the imperial carriage... and even the ordinary Imperial Guards farther out... all released long breaths after seeing the scene.

The farther east they had traveled, the heavier the pressure in everyone’s heart had become.

The Emperor had not mobilized Jin garrisons to reinforce the procession.

That meant if anything happened here, there would be no reinforcements to hope for.

Hold position and await relief?

Relief from whom?

A county magistrate loyal to the Emperor bringing along yamen runners and corvée laborers to rescue them?

Everyone had prepared for the worst.

But the moment Prince Pingxi appeared in this posture... the clouds seemed to split.

The sky cleared.

For a moment, life itself felt unexpectedly beautiful.

It was a strange feeling.

Zheng Fan patted Pixiu on the head.

Pixiu shook himself.

A layer of glittering armor immediately spilled out and covered his body.

Under the evening sky, it competed with the sunset in brilliance.

Then...

Pixiu began walking toward the Imperial Guards ahead.

Naturally, the commanding general at the front was not foolish enough to order his men to level spears, raise crossbows, and shout:

“Who goes there! You dare trespass upon the Son of Heaven’s traveling headquarters—do you know your crime?”

The imperial traveling headquarters was indeed governed like the palace.

Anyone wishing to see the Emperor ordinarily had to report his identity, wait while the request climbed through layer after layer of bureaucracy, then hope the Emperor happened to be willing to summon him.

But obviously...

Prince Pingxi did not belong in that category.

The general looked backward.

The Emperor’s figure had already appeared atop the imperial carriage.

Prince Pingxi continued riding forward on Pixiu.

The eunuch carrying orders from the rear had not yet arrived.

The general drew a breath, stepped three paces aside, then dropped to one knee.

“This subordinate general pays respects to Your Highness Prince Pingxi. May Your Highness enjoy health and fortune for a thousand years!”

Every Imperial Guard nearby knelt as well.

“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Pingxi!”

The Prince inclined his head faintly.

He did not interact with the soldiers.

He simply had Pixiu continue forward.

This truly was not Zheng Fan deliberately putting on airs.

Once a person reached a certain position, the corresponding dignity came naturally.

He had no need to swagger.

But neither was there any reason to belittle himself.

When Old Tian and Old Li went to see the late Emperor, would the Imperial Guards at the Emperor’s side have dared stop them?

Would anyone have dared point at their noses and say:

Wait for the Son of Heaven’s summons?

Old Tian had crippled the Third Prince directly in the capital.

Old Li had roasted lamb legs in the imperial garden.

Yes, they were ministers.

But one still had to look at the weight those ministers carried.

Once one reached this level... being more direct was actually simpler.

The great gentlemen in Yanjing might spend every day shouting “national traitor” at Zheng Fan, condemning him as “arrogant,” “overbearing,” and “violating prohibitions.”

But if he truly became cautious and deferential... polite in every detail... walking as though across thin ice... those same people would probably be the first to scare themselves half to death.

The Prince himself did not even sit rigidly upright.

His posture remained somewhat lazy.

Layer after layer of Imperial Guards withdrew and knelt as he approached.

The Son of Heaven stood waiting, smiling.

Once Zheng Fan drew near enough, he could see the Emperor unconsciously rubbing his hands together.

He looked... almost hesitant.

If the setting had been private instead of ceremonial...

Zheng Fan would absolutely have mocked Ji Old Sixth for looking like a little wife anxiously awaiting her husband’s return.

Finally... the Prince reached the imperial carriage.

He did not dismount to perform a formal salute.

During the late Emperor’s reign, Zheng Fan had been granted permission to ride inside the palace.

Back then, the person who personally led his mount into the palace had been His Highness the Crown Prince.

The traveling imperial headquarters followed palace regulations.

So he still did not need to dismount.

And when the new sovereign first ascended the throne, one of his decrees had stated that Prince Pingxi’s knees had been injured through years of campaigning, so he was exempt from kneeling when receiving audience.

For ordinary people, if the Emperor granted them a piece of meat, they might take it home, salt it, and preserve it as a family heirloom.

Any imperial favor would be received with fear and trembling.

Prince Pingxi... took it literally.

You allow me to ride?

Then I ride.

You exempt me from kneeling?

Then I do not kneel.

Whatever the Emperor gives me, I take.

I use it.

I accept it.

Well... with one exception.

If the Emperor ever granted him one of those “iron certificates of immunity from death”... the Prince would absolutely refuse to believe it meant anything.

The Emperor stretched out a hand, intending to pull Zheng Fan onto the imperial carriage.

The Prince glanced at him.

He did not take it.

This was not posturing either.

He was a grown man in heavy black armor.

If he actually borrowed the Emperor’s strength, Zheng Fan had no idea whether the Emperor would fall... but he himself would probably go down with him.

At the steps leading to the carriage platform, the Prince simply dropped down from Pixiu and walked up.

The Emperor stepped forward.

Then wrapped both arms around Zheng Fan.

The Prince left his own arms spread wide.

He did not return the embrace.

Fortunately, heavy armor separated them.

Otherwise... the whole thing would have been uncomfortably intimate.

“All right, all right. Enough. It’s gone too far.”

The Prince reminded him.

The Emperor said:

“When I saw you coming over just now, I kept wondering how I should greet you first. None of the ideas felt right. So I decided to be direct.”

As the Emperor released him, he made a fist and knocked twice against the breastplate protecting Zheng Fan’s chest.

“Zheng. You’ve grown taller.”

“You’ve gotten fatter too. When I caught sight of you from the front just now, I thought Xu Wenzu had rebelled and been draped in the yellow robe.”

Thud!

Behind the curtain farther back, Yingdu Prefect Xu Wenzu dropped to his knees.

Fatty Xu truly had a nimble mind.

But he remained a man of this age.

He had once been loyal to Marquis Zhenbei Residence.

After Marquis Zhenbei made clear he had no intention of fighting for the throne, Xu Wenzu settled down and became an honest loyal minister of Great Yan.

All the awe and reverence Zheng Fan had always sneered at...

Fatty Xu genuinely possessed.

“Come. Get inside and drink something.”

From the moment Prince Pingxi appeared, the Emperor had stopped referring to himself as “We.”

The interior of the imperial carriage was extremely luxurious.

To outsiders, the most magnificent feature was probably the thirty-six Pi Beasts pulling it, displaying the full dignity of the Son of Heaven.

Zheng Fan knew better.

Those thirty-six Pi Beasts were basically decorative idiots bred by the Beast Directorate.

In a charge, they were inferior to ordinary warhorses.

In endurance, they were inferior to pack horses.

Their entire purpose was ceremonial spectacle.

Once his master entered the carriage, Pixiu shook the glittering armor covering his body and began pacing with restrained elegance in front of the thirty-six Pi Beasts.

Zheng Fan lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

The first thing he saw was a mountain of flesh kneeling in one corner.

Zheng Fan walked over and helped Xu Wenzu up.

Even for a peerless Fifth Grade Martial Artist... lifting Fatty Xu was still somewhat strenuous.

The greater problem was that the earlier words about “being draped in the yellow robe” had frightened Fatty Xu so badly his legs had gone soft.

Empress He Sisi stood nearby in a phoenix-patterned dress rather than full ceremonial robes.

When Zheng Fan entered, she gave a slight curtsy.

“It truly is embarrassing. We actually troubled Elder Brother to come personally and receive us.”

The Empress had come from among the common people and possessed a natural aura of approachability.

Back when Ji Old Sixth had still been a Prince, He Sisi as his Princess Consort had been extraordinarily popular among the noblewomen of the capital.

Everyone found her sincere.

But Zheng Fan understood.

No matter how sincere someone started... after years as a Princess Consort and years more as Empress... how much of that original simplicity could truly remain?

Her family had been butchers, not dyers.

And even if they had run a dye shop... even the strongest original color would have been washed thin by now.

More simply... this imperial couple was extraordinarily skilled at drawing people close through warmth and familiarity.

And when they used that method on Zheng Fan... they spared absolutely no effort.

Unfortunately... the Prince genuinely did respond to it.

The Empress greeted him.

The Prince did not put on airs either.

Kneeling was impossible.

Unless Old Tian returned from the west one day, Zheng Fan genuinely believed there was no one left in all Xia qualified to receive his knees.

But he still smiled, stepped back half a pace, and nodded.

“The Empress looks exceptionally well.”

That was not empty politeness.

Her face was fair... with a healthy flush beneath the skin.

The Empress smiled shyly.

The Emperor, by contrast, was far less restrained.

He sat down, rubbed his lower back, and sighed:

“My watering.”

The Prince nodded.

“Must have been hard on you.”

“What the hell do you mean!”

The Emperor immediately became angry.

“Zheng!”

“Practice more squats when you have time.”

The Prince offered his advice.

The Emperor slapped the dragon seat beside him.

“Come. Good boy. Sit here.”

The Prince did not climb onto the dragon seat.

He looked at the cushions arranged nearby instead.

The interior of the imperial carriage had been laid out like a small audience hall.

Officials summoned along the road normally knelt on those cushions while reporting.

At that moment, Eunuch Wei brought over a chair and placed it behind the Prince.

Zheng Fan did not wait for the Emperor to say “grant him a seat.”

He simply sat.

“I know you’re lazy,” the Emperor said. “Ever since you gained a son and daughter, you’ve been staying inside your Residence playing with the children. It truly was hard on you to travel this far just to receive me.”

The Prince smiled.

He accepted the tea Eunuch Wei offered.

One sniff.

Daze Fragrant Tongue.

Eunuch Wei said quietly:

“Your Highness, His Majesty specially brought this from the capital and kept it for you. His Majesty has always remembered that you favor this tea.”

The Emperor immediately shouted:

“He only favors this one because it’s the only tea he recognizes! Give him Dragon Well or Maojian and see if he can tell them apart!”

The Prince lowered his head and took a sip.

Ever since that time in the Fan residence, when he had treated this tea like cold water and ended up sleeping like the dead for hours... he had learned that Daze Fragrant Tongue genuinely needed to be drunk slowly.

He put down the cup.

Then said:

“I originally wasn’t planning to come receive you. But I was afraid if you crossed the river like this, some of the military heads under me would charge you directly. So I had no choice but to make the trip myself.”

Xu Wenzu felt his heart go weak.

Wasn’t that a little too direct?

If the Prince merely chatted with the Emperor about ordinary matters, Fatty Xu could still accept it.

But openly saying something like this... wasn’t he treating the Emperor far too casually?

Xu Wenzu had always known the Emperor and Prince Pingxi were close.

He had never imagined they were this close.

The court historian responsible for recording ruler-minister exchanges... had already turned to stone.

The Empress also looked worriedly toward her husband.

Not because she feared danger.

She feared her husband might become angry.

The Emperor did not.

Instead, he leaned slightly toward Zheng Fan and asked:

“It has truly reached that point?”

“I have children now.”

Most importantly... a legitimate son.

The Emperor nodded.

Then he pointed at Zheng Fan.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Eastern Jin is still Great Yan territory, isn’t it? So I, the Emperor of Great Yan, travel through my own land... and I have to worry constantly that my own troops might charge me? What kind of Prince are you!”

The Prince rolled his eyes at him.

“Fine. Make up all the grain and military pay the court owes eastern Jin for the last two years. Then I’ll personally lead them in kowtowing and thanking the vast imperial grace.”

“Uh...” Ji Old Sixth.

The Emperor rubbed his hands together.

“You know how it is. We saved a little last year. Then that great war happened and the treasury started growing rats again. I genuinely don’t have a single drop left.”

“You used to run businesses too. If the owner refuses to pay wages, do you still expect the workers below to be loyal to the death?”

Xu Wenzu tried to mediate.

“Whatever else may be said, His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven and sovereign of Great Yan. Even if—”

The Prince spat out a bit of tea leaf.

“Most of the people under me... aren’t actually old-stock Yan people.”

“...” Xu Wenzu.

“Zheng. I haven’t even crossed into eastern Jin yet and you’re already dosing me with medicine?”

“Preventive dosage.”

The Prince did not believe his words counted as an insult.

Their private correspondence had always been even more casual.

“In truth, I understand it too,” the Emperor said, shaking one leg. “You can’t expect a horse to run while refusing to feed it. Anyway, you, Zheng, are damned good at governing territory. So you keep an eye on them for me. These words don’t scare me. Back then, even if my father had gone to Beifeng Commandery, he probably would have had to worry about being charged by the arrogant soldiers and fierce generals of the Zhenbei Army. Hahaha.”

“...” Xu Wenzu.

Fatty Xu felt as though an arrow had struck his knee.

The Emperor continued:

“Zheng Fan. Once we cross the river, take me around eastern Jin. I want to stand atop Snow Sea Pass. I want to see the battlefield of the national war at Zhennan Pass. The land Father, my two uncles, you, and so many soldiers of Great Yan bled to seize... I want to see it. I’ll look at this place first. Later... take me to see Ying Capital. Take me to see Shangjing...”

At that point... the Emperor suddenly frowned.

“Damn it. You bastard surnamed Zheng destroyed both of those famous capitals!”

The Prince stretched lazily.

At that moment, an Imperial Guard commander entered and reported that the ships were ready.

“All right,” the Emperor said. “Anyone waiting on the opposite bank?”

Zheng Fan nodded.

“My personal guards.”

“Then let’s cross first. Leave the Imperial Guards here. No point dragging thousands of extra people over and making things troublesome.”

Eunuch Wei hesitated when he heard that.

He looked ready to step forward and advise against it.

Before he could speak, the Emperor beat him to it.

“You surnamed Zheng have always been stingy. I won’t bring several thousand extra mouths along and make you feed them. Otherwise afterward you’ll probably send the Ministry of Revenue an IOU.”

The Prince nodded.

He stood as well.

“Then let’s go.”

The ships were large.

The Wang River Navy had specially dispatched three major vessels for His Majesty’s use.

When the Emperor said the Imperial Guards would remain behind, he meant it.

But the palace maids, eunuchs, and accompanying officials naturally still had to cross with the imperial procession.

The Secret Intelligence Department contingent had to follow as well so communication between the Emperor and Yanjing remained open.

In truth, every day since leaving the capital, memorials had continued being delivered to the imperial carriage.

If the Emperor had really been carefree enough to cross the river with nothing but the Empress and Prince Pingxi... the outside world would immediately conclude Prince Pingxi had kidnapped the Emperor and Empress.

Once aboard... the Emperor and Prince stood together on deck, looking across the river.

The Son of Heaven ordered the ship to stop in midstream.

He wanted to make offerings to the Yan soldiers who had died here during the Battle of Wang River.

Eunuch Wei stood slightly farther away, beside the Sword Saint.

He asked curiously:

“Sir, where is Longyuan?”

The Sword Saint answered:

“I gave it to my disciple.”

“Congratulations. Congratulations.”

Once the memorial rite ended... the Emperor held a wine cup and watched thin incense smoke curl upward.

A melancholy expression appeared on his face.

“I used to travel all over the place. But after becoming Emperor, coming out again and seeing these beautiful mountains and rivers... it feels completely different. They’re beautiful. But they’re too heavy.”

The Prince said nothing.

He stood there letting the river wind blow over him.

He himself loved becoming sentimental in places of beautiful scenery.

Naturally, he had no interest in playing supporting actor for the man beside him at this moment... even if that man was Emperor.

Fortunately... the Emperor had long since grown accustomed to it.

After a short silence... the Emperor waved one hand and ordered the ship to continue.

“A lot of people are watching. Watching to see whether I truly dare cross this river.”

“I knew you would,” the Prince said.

The Emperor rested both hands on the railing.

He watched layer after layer of ripples spread from the ship’s passage.

Then he asked:

“How much worse am I than my father?”

“About the same.”

“Don’t brush me off.”

“I’m not. I truly think you’re about the same. I never had that much contact with the late Emperor. I only went to the capital a handful of times.”

The Emperor laughed.

Then said:

“Everyone beneath Heaven thinks Father uprooted every thorn while he reigned. External thorns. Internal thorns. He pulled them all out. He left me a Great Yan that was somewhat damaged... but at least safe. I don’t deny that. But in one matter... I have things harder than Father did. And I’ve handled it better than he did. The Princes of North and South. Trusting them. Letting them act freely. Supporting them. Was that really so hard? Truly hard? Li Liangting. Tian Wujing. What Emperor wouldn’t love ministers like those?”

Zheng Fan looked at the Emperor.

“So you’re saying I’m less lovable?”

The Emperor reached out and grabbed Zheng Fan’s arm.

“Zheng. Ask your own heart. If we switched places... If you were Emperor... and I were Prince Pingxi... What would you do to me?”

“Me? I’d probably have slapped you to death years ago.”

“Hahahahahahaha!”

[End of Chapter 917]