Chapter 713
Chapter 713
The Crown Prince of Chu hesitated, about to say more, but ultimately held his tongue. His meaning, however, was exceptionally clear. While on the surface, the King of Chu’s death appeared to be an assassination plot between Ning Qi and Mount Fudao, the one who truly killed the king was His Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Yan Empire. Without the Emperor’s tacit approval, Mount Fudao would never have dared to make a move.
“Over twenty years ago, my father wavered between Jiang Li and His Majesty the Emperor. After Jiang Li’s fall, he exploited the chaos and devoured two provinces of the Great Qian Kingdom. Though he later coughed one province back up, he ultimately incurred the Emperor’s wrath. To be honest, I believed we should have ended this war when Prince Gong and the King of Wu withdrew their forces. I intended to advise my father to formally negotiate with the State of Yue and simply accept a concession of two or three hundred li of land, wherever it might be. But I never said a word. I knew my father would never have agreed.”
The King of Chu, of course, would not have agreed. His greed for territory was insatiable.
“Your Highness, the world is changing! In the next ten, twenty years, the main struggle will not be for supremacy among vassal states, but for survival through unity.”
The Crown Prince of Chu remained silent at Ning Qi’s words. After destroying Jiang Li, the Great Yan Empire did not immediately unify the world. Instead, it rode the momentum of that colossal victory to implement its New Policies, consolidating the fruits of its triumph. During that period, the Emperor focused on internal affairs, leaving the external vassal states to their own devices. This allowed the states of Chu and Yue to contend for hegemony in the south.
But now that the Empire had completed its New Policies, its attitude toward the vassal states of the world would change completely. The time had come for the Great Yan Empire to unify the world. To directly oppose the Emperor? That would be suicide. To offer no resistance and be swallowed whole by the Great Yan Empire? That was even more unthinkable. Ning Qi was right. The world had changed. In the future, the primary focus for the vassal states would not be conflict and war, but huddling together for warmth, for survival. Their sole mission would be to resist the demonic grasp of the Empire that sought to devour them.
“It would not be a bad thing for Ning Zheng to ascend the throne. He has an iron will and a broad mind, demonstrating that he can uphold great ambitions, resolve latent domestic troubles, and govern the nation with a delicate touch, like frying a small fish without breaking it. But he is too unyielding. If he takes the throne, he will surely choose the path of opposing the Yan Emperor. If that happens, he will not be able to preserve the great legacy of the State of Yue, built over hundreds of years.”
In response to Ning Qi's words, the Crown Prince of Chu said.
“Perhaps Shen Lang…”
“Shen Lang is a prodigy, seemingly capable of anything. But even he cannot change the perilous situation the State of Yue now faces. The power of strategy has its limits. Besides, that man harbors no grand ambitions; as long as he gets his satisfaction, he cares nothing for the consequences. Thus, he is far from being a match for the Great Yan Empire and will ultimately be unable to save the State of Yue.”
The Crown Prince of Chu hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
“The Emperor of the Great Yan Empire is advanced in age. When the crown prince ascends the throne, there will be a period of transition and adjustment. Is that not an opportunity?”
His words hinted at a deeper meaning.
“It is difficult to say. Your Highness, you have shown a flawless performance today, but I expect the Crown Prince of the Great Yan Empire to be even more outstanding. He has been the crown prince for over fifteen years, has he not? I have a different concern. When a new emperor takes the throne, he will want to establish his authority and will likely make an example of one of the vassal states, like killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. If someone resists the new emperor’s will at that time, that state will suffer a great misfortune. I will submit to the Empire’s will, so our State of Yue will never be the first to suffer that misfortune. But if Ning Zheng takes the throne, he will be the first to meet that fate.”
This statement revealed an even deeper layer of intent. If Ning Qi submitted to the Emperor and ensured the Great Yan Empire would never bring misfortune upon them, then who would be the first to suffer? The King of Wu? The new King of Qian? Or the King of Jin, currently the most powerful of the vassal states? Ning Qi did not say it aloud, but his meaning was clear. First, he would submit to the Emperor. Then, when some other state suffered misfortune at the hands of the Great Yan Empire, he would wait until all the vassal states of the world rose in defiance. That would be his opportunity.
“Your Highness, the King of Chu had Consort An by his side, and I have Xue Xue by mine. In a way, we are fated to share the same destiny. The Empire has infiltrated our inner circles far more deeply than we ever anticipated.”
Ning Qi was right. The Zhu Clan were subjects of the Great Yan Empire, and the Hidden Yuan Society was a global organization that handled the Empire’s finances. The Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion and Mount Fudao were ostensibly transcendent powers, but they secretly maintained extremely close ties with the Great Yan Empire. The Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion supported Crown Prince Ning Yi, while Mount Fudao, through its branch, the South Sea Sword Sect, supported Ning Qi.
“Your Highness, let us huddle together for warmth! In the days to come, both Yue and Chu must enter a period of recovery and reorganize our nations. Only then can we face whatever crises or opportunities the future holds. To stand against the storm that may destroy our nations in a decade or so, we must gather our strength now. There is no meaning in our two countries going to war. Even if I were to cede Tianxi Province to the State of Chu, what then? Do you think Chu could fend off the Great Yan Empire? On the contrary, Chu would become a thorn in His Majesty the Emperor’s side.”
The death of the King of Chu was the clearest proof of this fact. It was the Emperor’s will to weaken the vassal states of the world. Any nation that tried to grow stronger would face his intense suppression.
“I must give an explanation to my people.”
To the Crown Prince of Chu’s words, Ning Qi replied.
“I will cede two hundred li of territory to you. Is that not a victory of a sort? At the very least, you have no brother within Chu to challenge you, so your throne will be secure.”
“Then what will you do?”
“Me? I have many troubles. My future depends on whether His Majesty the Emperor decides to lift me up.”
Although Mount Fudao was the direct culprit in the King of Chu’s death, the true mastermind was His Majesty the Emperor. Ning Qi was merely an accomplice, but in a way, he was taking the fall for the Emperor. He had not eaten the meat, but his mouth was smeared with blood. If the Emperor wished to proclaim his own innocence, he could crush Ning Qi with a single finger. It was the King of Chu himself who had declared that Mount Fudao had harmed him. But if the Emperor acted tyrannically and cared not for such rumors, he would try to clear Ning Qi of all charges. Ning Qi’s fate now rested on whether the Emperor was willing to bear this minor stain on his reputation.
“If I survive this ordeal, I hope to watch over and cooperate with you, Your Highness, in the future.”
Ning Qi extended his hand to the Crown Prince of Chu. The prince, slightly surprised, reached out and shook Ning Qi’s hand.
“Why don’t we sign a ceasefire agreement right now?”
At Ning Qi’s suggestion, the Crown Prince of Chu nodded.
“Very well. But since my father declared with his dying breath that Ning Qi had harmed him, you must offer me an explanation.”
“Agreed. After we sign the ceasefire, I will accompany you to the Chu army’s barracks alone, submit to any investigation, and leave my fate in your hands.”
Hearing this, the Crown Prince of Chu was astonished. Ning Qi’s move was truly remarkable.
“Very well!”
Soon after, Ning Qi and the Crown Prince of Chu formally signed a ceasefire agreement. It was, of course, only a draft; the remaining detailed conditions would have to be negotiated by the envoys of both nations. But the two of them had set the tone—the war would stop.
***
Inside the Zhong Clan’s residence.
Ning Qi, Zhong Yao, and Xue Che gathered, and Zhong Yao spoke first.
“How should we handle this crisis? The accusation of assassinating the King of Chu is too grave for the Great Yan Empire to ignore. Can we not pin the crime on Shen Lang?”
Ning Qi said.
“That might not be a complete fabrication. The King of Chu’s death was fated, but it may have been Shen Lang who hastened it. As we all know, Shen Lang is a master of poison. The King of Chu died suddenly right after Chu Lin delivered the secret letter, and that letter surely passed through Shen Lang’s hands. Therefore, pinning the assassination of the King of Chu on Shen Lang would be the most logical course of action.”
Ning Qi closed his eyes and remained silent for a long while before speaking again.
“No, do not touch him!”
The death of the King of Chu was ultimately the Emperor’s doing, and Ning Qi was taking the fall for him. Therefore, Ning Qi must not take any action himself; he had to quietly hand over all authority to His Majesty the Emperor. If Ning Qi were to shift the blame for the king’s assassination onto Shen Lang, the Emperor might think:
*‘Ning Qi, are you unwilling to take the fall for me?’*
In that case, Ning Qi’s value in the Yan Emperor’s eyes would plummet. Thus, Ning Qi had to take this risk and obediently place his neck under His Majesty’s sword.
*‘So everyone says I assassinated the King of Chu? I will not argue, I will not struggle. I will simply wait for His Majesty the Emperor to decide.’*
This was a crisis, but it was also an opportunity. If His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Yan Empire chose to protect Ning Qi, the rewards would far outweigh what he had paid. At this critical juncture, Ning Zheng had achieved an unparalleled military feat, and his father, Ning Yuanxian, had always supported Ning Zheng’s ascension. Therefore, Ning Qi had to risk his life to gain the Emperor’s full support.
Ning Qi continued.
“Say nothing, and do not frame Shen Lang. We must wait for His Majesty the Emperor to make his final decision. I, Ning Qi, am willing to submit to every decree of the supreme Emperor!”
Xue Che and Zhong Yao exchanged glances. They had never before realized what a formidable person Prince Ning Qi truly was.
***
The Crown Prince of Chu could not stay long in Zhenxi City. To do so would fuel rumors that he had been taken prisoner, whether it was true or not. The next day, before the sun had risen, the Crown Prince of Chu, his face pale, staggered out of Zhenxi City on foot.
“Your Highness.”
“Your Highness!”
The Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, Li Xuanji, led several dozen generals and rushed to greet the prince. But then they noticed that the Third Prince of Yue, Ning Qi, was following behind him.
*‘What… What is the meaning of this? Is he personally escorting His Highness all the way to the Chu army’s camp?’*
At that moment, Zhong Yao stood atop the city walls with a large contingent of troops, silently watching everything unfold. Many of the Yue soldiers were shocked.
*‘What… What is going on? Why is His Highness Ning Qi entering the Chu army’s camp? Even if he’s escorting the Crown Prince of Chu, there’s no need to go this far.’*
Li Xuanji and the others were inwardly puzzled, but fearing that any delay might cause problems, they focused only on getting the prince back to the Chu camp. After entering the Chu army’s barracks, Ning Qi looked at Li Xuanji and then bowed to the Chu generals.
“As the King of Chu fell, he said I tried to assassinate him, but I did not do it.”
Hearing this, the Chu generals seethed with anger.
*‘If you didn’t do it, who did? Your cunning sophistry is useless.’*
“However, I will not argue or make excuses. I will remain here in the Chu army’s camp alone and willingly submit to any investigation. Of course, if someone tries to kill me to avenge the King of Chu, I am capable of fighting back! You number in the hundreds of thousands, while I am alone. You can kill me at any time.”
The Chu generals were perplexed by Ning Qi’s words.
*‘Could his conscience truly be this clear?’*
The Crown Prince of Chu spoke.
“Generals, this is a matter of great importance. We must form a joint investigation team to thoroughly look into my father’s assassination. If it was truly Ning Qi’s doing, I will personally behead him. No, whoever assassinated my father, I will personally tear them to shreds! What say you?”
The Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, Li Xuanji, knelt and kowtowed.
“We humbly accept the King’s will.”
Everyone was startled by his words. Then, the dozens of generals present knelt in unison and shouted.
“We humbly accept the King’s will.”
Li Xuanji, still prostrated on the ground, said.
“A nation cannot be without its ruler for even a single day. In times of urgency, one must take extraordinary measures. We implore Your Highness to ascend the throne immediately and become the King of Chu.”
“We implore Your Highness to ascend the throne and become king!”
“We implore Your Highness to become king!”