Chapter 141: A Sovereign Must Walk the Path of Righteousness
Prince Wei’s gaze lingered deeply on Yang Xuan.
His great nephew had never been here before, and he had intended never to come again, yet now it was impossible to avoid entering.
Chen Huagu trembled with excitement. "Please rest assured, Your Highness."
The group entered the “Temporary Prince’s Mansion,” where two guards—one clutching his arm, the other his abdomen—casually discussed their earlier sparring session as if nothing had happened.
"Wang San, you didn’t hold back that slash just now."
"Damn it, Wu Shun, even Grandpa stopped, yet you still landed a blow."
"Just flesh wounds."
When the medic arrived, Wu Shun expressed gratitude, “We’re all used to this. In the past, we’d just use stove ash or spider webs to treat wounds. Didn’t expect a real medic today.”
Chen Huagu set down his medicine box and skillfully prepared to treat the wounds but suddenly paused, turning back. “Mingfu, there are two injured men here. How about trying two different methods, one for each?”
"Excellent idea," Yang Xuan agreed, eager for a case to test methods on.
The two injured men looked confused.
"What methods?" Wang San asked.
Chen Huagu smiled warmly. “I’ll use my own method, and Mingfu has a good method too. Let’s see who recovers faster.”
That was enticing!
The two injured exchanged glances.
"I’ll take your method," Wang San chose Chen Huagu.
Wu Shun sighed helplessly. “Fine, since you picked the medic, I’ll take Yang Mingfu’s.”
Chen Huagu attended to Wang San first, then turned to Wu Shun.
“Wait!”
Yang Xuan called out. “Wash your hands thoroughly, and boil some cloth strips.”
“How could our hands be unclean?” Chen Huagu shook his head with a sigh.
They washed hands, cleaned the wounds, applied medicine, and finally wrapped the injuries with the boiled cloth strips.
Both guards laughed. Wang San, already treated, chuckled maliciously, “Yang Mingfu must have learned some medical skills.”
Wu Shun’s face paled slightly.
Yang Xuan still had to inspect the spring plowing in the countryside and left in a hurry.
Prince Wei said nothing, speaking quietly with Huang Ping in the study.
Outside, a messenger reported, “Your Highness, someone came from the princess's side.”
Huang Ping stood abruptly. “Your Highness, I’m unwell and request a day off.”
Prince Wei nodded. Huang Ping expressed gratitude, “Your Highness is merciful.”
He pushed open the door and left. Behind him, Prince Wei murmured, “The princess understands military strategy.”
Outside, a woman with several attendants entered the mansion.
Her gaze was sharp as she walked, asking, “Where is Huang Ping?”
The leading guard smiled apologetically. “In the study.”
The woman sneered, “Lead the way!”
She was Zhao, the princess’s trusted attendant, a figure of considerable authority in the household.
The guards noticed shadows flickering ahead—Huang Ping was making a desperate escape.
Zhao’s eyes narrowed, swiftly fixing on a corner as she and her people approached.
Huang Ping was preparing to climb over the wall...
Feeling heat behind him, he glanced back.
Zhao, with her group, looked up coldly and said, “Keep climbing!”
“Ah!”
A horrific scream followed.
Later, Zhao went to see Prince Wei.
“The household is calm now.”
“Hmm.”
“The princess worries Your Highness suffers hardships outside, so she sent over ten women.”
“I serve to comfort the army and civilians, not myself. Send them back!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Bowing respectfully, Zhao lowered her gaze. “The princess is grieving deeply over Shang Jue’s departure.”
“So you attacked my men because of that?”
Prince Wei’s eyes darkened.
Zhao slapped herself hard across the face.
Smack!
Her cheek swelled, her speech slurred. “The princess says Huang Ping corrupted Shang Jue. If he weren’t close to Your Highness, he’d already be dead and unburied.”
Prince Wei was silent.
“I wish to see Taiping Yang Mingfu.”
“He’s not here.”
“I’ll wait for him.”
“Get lost!”
“Yes!”
It was a maneuver by the princess, far away in Qianzhou, using her attendant to engage Prince Wei. The guards outside averted their gaze, afraid of involvement.
Zhao came and left hastily.
Half an hour after she left, Huang Ping dared to enter.
Prince Wei fell silent looking at the bruised and battered strategist.
The princess understood military strategy, possessed cultivation, and acted decisively. Prince Wei’s brutality was ineffective against her... You have cultivation, but don’t I?
Soon after their marriage, they had fought fiercely, neither yielding.
Thus Huang Ping knew the beating was in vain.
Yet grievances must be voiced.
“Your Highness...”
Prince Wei was silent for a long moment.
“You should be grateful the princess herself didn’t come.”
...
The next day, Yang Xuan returned and was stunned upon hearing the story.
“That woman came looking for trouble, but who here fears her?”
Yi Niang patted the soft sword at her waist. “With Old Cao, Old Er, and Old Thief backing me, she’s coming to her death.”
With the crisis averted, Yang Xuan relaxed and went to the kitchen.
“Today, I’ll cook.”
Everyone’s faces lit with anticipation. Previously, Yang Xuan had made ramen, but it was still based on Han Ying’s recipe. Besides that, he hadn’t cooked.
Later, Yang Xuan called out, “It’s ready.”
A clay pot was carried into the dining hall.
The lid was lifted.
A creamy white broth!
“I’ll try some!” Old Er was drooling, only to be slapped by Yi Niang and then Old Thief.
“Try it.”
Yang Xuan sat down.
Each received a bowl of mutton soup, with more than ten slices of lamb inside.
“Is this a dough cake?”
Old Thief bit into the dough and nearly broke a loose tooth.
“Watch closely.”
Yang Xuan tore the dough slowly into pieces and dropped them into the soup.
“It should be boiled longer, but that’s too troublesome, so we’ll try it like this.”
Everyone followed suit.
Later, Old Er eagerly took a bite.
Old Thief looked at him.
“How is it?”
Old Er lowered his head and dug in!
Yi Niang tasted some and found it incredibly delicious.
She glanced at everyone.
Old Cao ate with abandon, disregarding the image of a gentleman.
Nan He silently ate nonstop.
Old Er devoured his food greedily, eyeing Old Thief’s bowl often.
Zhang Siniang also had a bowl, eating while watching Yang Xuan with eyes full of admiration.
Once filled with reverence, Yi Niang swore now there was more admiration.
This lord was gifted even in cooking.
Yi Niang sipped the soup, eyes narrowed.
Ah!
Truly exquisite!
After the meal, Yi Niang felt a bit melancholy.
“I’m useless!”
Yang Xuan smiled. “I’ll teach you later.” Then he stood and left to study.
After he left, Old Er said, “Yi Niang’s cooking is delicious.”
Old Thief: “Yi Niang’s cooking is delicious.”
Old Cao: “Yi Niang’s cooking is delicious.”
Zhang Siniang: “Yi Niang’s cooking is delicious.”
Nan He, slowest to respond: “Oh! Delicious.”
The lord couldn’t cook often; Yi Niang remained the cook. When she got angry, the consequences were severe.
...
In the bedroom, Yang Xuan unrolled a scroll and began recording.
Study complete.
“Zhuque.”
“I’m here.”
“Taiping is gradually reviving. With over two thousand soldiers, I have a foundation. What do you think... if I were to take command of Chenzhou?”
“What about the Pretender Emperor?”
“He’s busy with the Pear Garden, spending his days singing and dancing with his troupe.”
“But his political cunning is formidable!”
“Zhuque.”
“I’m here.”
“Cunning is a tool, yes, but it should serve the Way.”
“A ruler must act in accordance with the Way.”
...
Southern Zhou.
The mountain road wound as the convoy moved slowly.
A curtain was lifted; an official peeked out at the lush greenery on the distant mountain and praised, “The North still suffers biting winds, but the South is already verdant and flourishing. A picturesque land, truly enchanting.”
The convoy’s guards remained alert, while the drivers grew drowsy from the swaying.
An aide rode over, smiling, “I hear the Northern Liao eyes the Tang Empire greedily. We of the Great Zhou will just watch the fun.”
The official smiled, “Northern Liao is no threat. The Tang emperor indulges in pleasures; the Chang’an palace resounds with music and dance.”
The aide sneered, “That’s the sign of a doomed nation!”
The official nodded. “We must watch closely. If there’s a chance to take a share…”
On a small hill ahead, dozens of masked men watched the approaching convoy.
“General, they’re coming.”
“Hm.”
The convoy approached slowly.
“Mount up!”
The masked men mounted horses.
Their leader drew his sword, pointing forward.
“Slaughter them all!”
“Kill!”
The convoy guards looked up, startled. “Bandits!”
“Be alert!”
The official shouted, “What’s happening? What’s happening?”
The aide watched clearly from horseback. “Dozens of bandits.”
The official exhaled. “Dozens of bandits dare attack me? Order: kill them all and take heads.”
Orders given, the guards cheered and charged the bandits.
At first contact, the guards suffered heavy losses.
“They’re experts!”
The aide’s face turned grim. “Not ordinary bandits!”
The official panicked, scrambling down and drawing his sword to survey.
Only a dozen or so guards remained; the bandits looked unharmed.
“Fire arrows!”
Arrows flew; half the remaining guards fell.
The bandits surged forward.
Like a storm, the rest of the guards were slaughtered.
The official shouted hoarsely, “These aren’t bandits; they’re fierce soldiers!”
The aide howled and fled.
The bandit leader looked up coldly. “Seeking death!”
Then a punch landed.
Bang!
The aide’s body fell like a wounded bird, struggling to land.
He propped himself up, just as a warhorse galloped over.
Bang!
The aide was thrown aside, coughing blood wildly.
Hooves thundered.
“Ah!”
Horses trampled his body, leaving a pool of flesh behind.
The official staggered backward, screams rising behind him.
A whizzing arrow passed over his head.
The official stopped and slowly turned.
The bandit leader reinined, coldly asking, “Zhang Xin?”
The official inhaled deeply, “That’s me.”
The bandit leader said, “I hear you strongly advocate invading Southern Tang?”
The official paused, then his expression changed drastically. “You’re Tang people!?”
“Chen Zheng!” the bandit leader called.
“General!” a young bandit rode up.
The leader pointed to the official. “Torture him for a confession.”
“Understood!”
The young bandit dismounted, smiling kindly. “You may refuse to confess.”
“Ah...”
Screams continued for ten breaths until the official revealed all.
The young bandit turned, “General, what shall we do?”
“Do you need to ask me?”
The leader rode over and cracked his whip.
The young bandit flinched and bowed his head.
The leader said, “Nothing is ever truly clean. If our traces are found, the army will encircle us. Where to run then?”
The young bandit stood. “Yes!”
Swords flashed, the official’s head fell.
“Finish him!”
The bandits began the coup de grâce.
“One’s playing dead!”
A guard suddenly sprang from beneath the corpses, charging forward without hesitation.
He knew death was certain.
If he was to die, he’d take someone down with him.
He fixed his eyes on the bandit leader.
The leader watched him calmly approach.
“Kill!”
The guard threw a full-power punch.
The leader lightly pushed it aside and countered with a palm.
Bang!
The guard fell, his chest deeply caved in.
“Retreat!”
The bandits fled with their loot.
On the third day, they split into smaller groups and slipped into Apricot Tree Village one by one.
“This haul is good.”
Yang Lue presided over the debriefing.
“We didn’t use arrows first to let you experience close combat. In real battles, we’d first rain arrows to heavily wound the enemy, then break their formation and slaughter them one by one…”
A hand raised.
“Lin Zheng.” Yang Lue nodded.
The slender young man stood. “General, not everyone can shoot a bow on horseback. Also, mounted archery is less effective than longbows; when charging infantry, we’re easily covered by their longbow fire.”
“Well said.” Yang Lue was pleased, signaling him to sit. “You speak of infantry, but Northern Liao fields many cavalry.”
Lin Zheng looked up, anticipation on his thin face. “You mean our future enemy is Northern Liao?”
“Yes.” Yang Lue whispered, “Our greatest foe is Northern Liao.”
“General,” deputy Lei Biao entered holding a letter.
“From whom?”
“From the lord’s side.”
Yang Lue opened the letter and read slowly.
Long after, he looked up.
“The lord has a foundation and has repeatedly defeated enemy forces.”
Over fifty youths had never seen the lord who proclaimed loyalty daily but still looked forward eagerly to joining him in great deeds.
“The Pretender Emperor is building the Pear Garden and indulges in pleasure daily.”
Lin Zheng said excitedly, “A heaven-sent opportunity!”
Yang Lue smiled. “Tell us.”
Lin Zheng said, “The Pretender Emperor grows increasingly dull, while the lord rises steadily. Northern Liao eyes us greedily, Southern Zhou is also scheming. This is a great upheaval; I believe the world will be turned upside down. The Pretender’s folly is his own death warrant.”
Yang Lue nodded. “Well said.”
Soon, only Yang Lue and Lei Biao remained in the room.
“The Pretender Emperor excels in cunning. Tang seems stable, but under the surface roils unrest. The powerful and nobles plunder ruthlessly, and the people suffer. The Pretender thinks this a golden age—ridiculous!”
Lei Biao said, “Five clans sit high above. The Pretender uses cunning to maintain balance. It seems stable but plants seeds of disaster. I think he knows but...”
Yang Lue sneered, “He’s heartless and ungrateful. In his eyes, only himself matters. The world may burn once he dies; he cares not. The Tang dynasty has lasted long, but he and his sons are the most shameless!”
“Also incompetent!” Lei Biao grinned. “General, how is Nan He over there?”
Yang Lue’s expression darkened. “The lord entrusted him with great responsibility, but Nan He says... the lord’s grasp of military strategy is profound; his tactics unpredictable and ingenious. Nan He is somewhat discouraged.”
“Ah!” Lei Biao was surprised. “The lord uses such tactics?”
“I’m pleased!” Yang Lue was comforted. “To suppress rebels, the lord must lead the army. If commanders lead the armies independently, though filled with talent, who listens? Only by the lord becoming invincible can he quell ambitions within the ranks.”
Lei Biao shuddered and bowed. “I would never harbor such ambitions!”
Yang Lue looked at him calmly. “Anyone who harbors ambition will be dealt with thus!”
He tapped the table lightly and rose to leave.
Behind him, the table silently crumbled into a pile of wood chips.