Chapter 14: Reactions in the Capital

At this moment, in the imperial palace of the capital city.

Inside the imperial study, Emperor Jing paced anxiously back and forth. His gaze pierced through the numerous palace gates, as if trying to see through countless mountains and rivers, reaching the distant Northern Pass. There, the military commander Zhao Zun had yet to be replaced. Zhao Zun had become a heavy stone pressing on the emperor's heart, causing sleepless nights.

Emperor Jing was in his early thirties, unremarkable in appearance, with a bland temperament and no trace of majesty—hardly the extraordinary aura one would expect beneath the dragon robe.

“By now, there should have been news arriving. Why is there still no sign of anything?” Emperor Jing asked the Prime Minister Wei, who sat leisurely in a chair beside him, his voice tinged with fatigue and dissatisfaction.

Prime Minister Wei was able to sit so boldly in the imperial study because before Emperor Jing ascended the throne, he had been the Crown Prince’s tutor. After Emperor Jing’s enthronement, he was appointed Prime Minister.

The saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a father.” Prime Minister Wei had watched Emperor Jing grow up and was the emperor’s most trusted confidant. In fact, there were times when Wei’s counsel could shape the emperor’s decisions.

“Your Majesty, do not be anxious. Whether or not the second invasion by the Turks after winter is true, we can simply delay the gathering of provisions. The regular supplies from the Ministry of War alone cannot sustain the campaign, and the Prince of Leisure cannot hold out for long. If he refuses to cooperate, we can let him starve and exhaust his forces, then have Cao Xiong use the imperial decree to take control directly,” Prime Minister Wei said calmly, lifting his teacup to sip before setting it down again.

“Hmph! The Turks have always been short of clothing and food. I absolutely do not believe they would launch a second attack after winter. It must be Zhao Zun who is making excuses to delay and avoid handing over power to return to the capital,” Emperor Jing retorted.

The Zhao family, father and son, had guarded the Northern Pass for generations. Now, the Zhao army answered only to Zhao Zun and not the court, raising suspicions of a self-important military force.

The title “Prince of Leisure” was a crafty compromise devised by Emperor Jing. He hoped that by granting Zhao Zun the title of a carefree, unbound prince, he could exchange it for the military command and allow the battle-hardened general to return to the capital to enjoy wealth and honor.

However, the royal decree conferring the title had been sent to the frontier two months ago, but Zhao Zun’s reply was delayed, only an urgent request for provisions from eight hundred miles away. This infuriated Emperor Jing.

Prime Minister Wei understood the emperor’s feelings deeply and also knew Zhao Zun’s predicament at the border.

Stroking his beard, Wei shook his head slightly. “Your Majesty, although Zhao Zun holds great military power and commands fear across the land, he surely understands the danger of overreaching success. If he were to relinquish his command lightly and return to the capital, he might find it difficult to protect himself. Furthermore, the border situation is complex—if he leaves, who will guard it? These are all considerations Zhao Zun must weigh. Give him more time! I believe he will come to a clear decision.”

Hearing this, Emperor Jing’s expression softened somewhat, but he still asked reluctantly, “Then, according to your advice, what should I do? We cannot wait forever, can we?”

The Prime Minister pondered briefly before responding slowly, “Your Majesty, I suggest sending another official with valuable gifts to the frontier to demonstrate Your Majesty’s sincerity and determination. At the same time, this mission could gather firsthand information about the border situation to aid future decisions.”

Require the emperor himself to show sincerity?

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing frowned, feeling constrained. He was the emperor after all—why should those generals all listen to Zhao Zun instead?

“No, that would make me appear to be pleading with him,” Emperor Jing said angrily, clenching his fist. “The two southeastern passes have been smoothly taken over, which shows their stationed marshals are loyal. What is Zhao Zun dragging his feet for? Does he truly intend to rebel?”

“Your Majesty, as emperor, you must always self-reflect. Impatience and rashness are the greatest mistakes an emperor can make!” Prime Minister Wei reminded him solemnly, never forgetting his role as the emperor’s teacher.

“But this is right before our eyes!” Emperor Jing exclaimed, breathing heavily like a bull. “Why can others hand over their command to the court, but Zhao Zun cannot? It clearly shows he is not loyal to the court.”

“Sigh,” Prime Minister Wei sighed lightly, feeling as though he were preaching to deaf ears. He silently cursed in his heart: Such a lack of composure, no sign of an emperor’s bearing—I wonder why the late emperor chose him as crown prince.

“Your Majesty, the marshals of the two southeastern passes are advanced in age. You offered them generous pensions to return to the capital and enjoy their retirement. The harsh conditions at the border made this a welcome arrangement for them,” Prime Minister Wei patiently explained. “But Zhao Zun is in his prime and, given Your Majesty’s suspicion of him as a powerful and self-important commander, he must be considering matters more broadly.”

“Is it wrong for me to be suspicious?” Emperor Jing shot Wei a displeased glance and coldly reminded him, “You, as my former tutor—and now my imperial teacher—should always support me.”

Emperor Jing rarely spoke to Prime Minister Wei in such a tone. The remark unsettled Wei slightly. He straightened, opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it and remained silent.

The emperor resumed pacing, venting his frustration.

“Don’t think I don’t know—there are rumors whispered among the court officials that Zhao Zun is brave and victorious, feared across the land. With him guarding the Northern Pass, no enemy dares to invade. They say if it weren’t for Zhao Zun and his son, our Great Jing Dynasty would have long since fallen.”

Prime Minister Wei said nothing, quietly watching Emperor Jing pace before him.

“His overwhelming achievements are undeniable, but after the great victory against the Turks in autumn, I granted him the title Prince of Leisure and bestowed vast treasures, ordering him to return to the capital and enjoy the imperial favor. He should be grateful and come back immediately,” Emperor Jing said, his agitation growing. He was no longer just restless—he was enraged, itching to draw his sword and personally deal with the disobedient Zhao Zun.

“But Zhao Zun not only shows no gratitude; he falsely claims the Turks have launched a second invasion and demands large quantities of provisions from me,” the emperor continued.

At this, Emperor Jing suddenly stopped pacing, turned sharply, and stepped close to Prime Minister Wei. Like an angry leopard, he fixed his eyes fiercely on Wei.

“What does he want all that grain for? Holding such a large army, yet hoarding supplies under false pretenses. Isn’t this the behavior of a self-important warlord plotting rebellion?”

Startled by the sudden closeness, Prime Minister Wei recoiled slightly.

“Your... Your Majesty, what do you intend to do?” Wei’s lips trembled as he spoke with a slight quiver.

Emperor Jing withdrew his gaze, straightened, and clenched his fists tightly, his face cold.

“No more waiting. You always teach me that an emperor must not be indecisive. I will immediately issue an edict appointing Cao Xiong as the new marshal of the Northern Pass forces, commanding a troop of imperial guards to take over military control. If there is resistance, they shall be treated as rebels,” he declared.

Turning, Emperor Jing strode to the desk, picked up his brush, and began drafting the decree.

His pen flew swiftly across the paper, each stroke revealing his determination and expectation.

Watching the emperor write with fierce resolve, Prime Minister Wei knew further persuasion was useless. He gently patted his nearly frightened heart and thought silently, “Your Majesty’s suspicions are well founded.”

Indeed, they were very well founded.