Chapter 735
Chapter 735
Most of the civil and military officials present sensed the danger in the air and shrank back. They realized the king was no longer concerned with reason and was determined to force Ning Zheng’s appointment as Crown Prince.
‘It matters not if you civil and military officials disagree. If you do not, then do not blame my blade for being too sharp. A three-legged toad may be hard to find, but do you think it is difficult to find a two-legged man? After I kill you all, do you truly believe I won’t be able to find others to govern? Will you walk the path to darkness with the Zhu and Zhong clans, or will you willingly change your minds and submit to my will?’
King Ning Yuanxian pointed to Ning Zheng and asked Ning Ji.
“Royal Uncle, what do you think of this grandson?”
A complex look appeared in Ning Ji’s eyes. He had genuinely and impartially believed Ning Qi was a good choice. But now, seeing Ning Zheng, he too seemed suitable. Of course, his heart leaned more toward Ning Qi because he was more adept at political maneuvering; if he inherited the throne, it would likely not cause a major upheaval in the court. In contrast, if Ning Zheng took the throne, it would cause a shake-up of heaven-and-earth proportions. Moreover, Ning Zheng was far too rigid. But was he truly to defy the king’s will entirely?
Royal Uncle Ning Ji immediately prostrated himself and said.
“His Highness Ning Zheng is upright and resolute, a fine son to Your Majesty.”
Ning Yuanxian was overjoyed. He turned to Ning Jiang and asked.
“Royal Uncle Ning Jiang, what is your opinion of Ning Zheng?”
Ning Jiang was different from Ning Ji. He was a man of integrity by nature. While he held Ning Qi in high regard, he also thought very highly of Ning Zheng. When Ning Zheng was previously in the Chu Royal Capital, he had supported Ning Qi. But now that Ning Zheng had returned and the king was so openly displaying his stance, Ning Jiang could no longer voice a dissenting opinion.
“His Highness Ning Zheng is a truly fine prince.”
Following this, leaders from the Privy Council and the Grand Secretariat who supported Ning Zheng emerged. With the addition of Bian Wu, Jin Zhuo, and Zhang Chong, there were now five major figures backing Ning Zheng. Though still a smaller faction than Ning Qi’s, they were no longer a negligible force.
“Come, come, come. All ministers and officials, come and pay your respects to Queen Aruna.”
Ning Yuanxian said with a smile, and the numerous ministers bowed to Queen Aruna.
“We pay our respects to the Queen.”
Aruna merely nodded, not showing much warmth. Her expression was cold, but she was a person with a warm heart.
“We are greatly honored that the Queen has come to participate in our State of Yue’s Grand Rite of Heaven Worship. Let us proceed together to the Altar of Antiquity. Come!”
As Ning Yuanxian spoke, Aruna replied.
“King of Yue, please, after you!”
Queen Aruna walked half a step behind Ning Yuanxian.
“We depart immediately for the Altar of Antiquity.”
Soon, music began to play, and Ning Yuanxian, leading thousands of civil and military officials and the Imperial Guard, set off for the Altar of Antiquity. Aruna walked a bit unnaturally. She was very tall and usually walked quickly, so she could easily overtake the King of Yue with the slightest lapse in concentration. She had to constantly restrain herself from walking too fast, which made her movements awkward.
‘Dammit, I swear I’m never coming back, no matter what they say next time.’
Ning Yuanxian, on the other hand, walked with a remarkably light step, as if his various ailments had greatly improved. Still, he extended a hand to his son and said.
“I’m getting old, and walking is a bit difficult. Ning Zheng, support me.”
Ning Zheng was taken aback but quickly moved forward to support Ning Yuanxian as they walked. Seeing this, many were further convinced that King Ning Yuanxian had made up his mind to name Ning Zheng Crown Prince. Ning Qi, dressed in golden robes, showed no reaction to the scene. He maintained a solemn expression and walked steadily behind them. Zhu Hongzhu, Zhong E, Xue Che, and the others were similarly expressionless. Xue Che, in particular, acted as if nothing had happened, despite having led a group to kill Ning Zheng just days before.
***
Over half a shichen later, King Ning Yuanxian arrived at the Altar of Antiquity with his grand procession. The magnificent Grand Rite of Heaven Worship began once more, but this time, the one presiding was not Ning You, but Ning Jiang. The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, Ning You, had greatly disappointed Ning Yuanxian and was soon to be dismissed, so he was not entrusted with presiding over this ceremony. It was a powerful signal.
The Grand Rite of Heaven Worship was as magnificent and solemn as ever, proceeding according to the prescribed rituals. Ning Yuanxian completed the ceremony without a single misstep, painstakingly suppressing the tremors in his body. First step, welcoming the celestial emperor. Second step, offering jade and silk. Third step, presenting the sacrificial offerings. Fourth step, the initial libation and recital of the prayer. It was now time for Ning Zheng to recite the heavenly prayer. Today, Shen Lang had made no preparations for him, not even medicine. Grand Eunuch Li Mu did not act as his amplifier either, because it was no longer necessary.
At the Grand Rite of Heaven Worship two years ago, Ning Zheng, though Admiral of Tianyue, had just entered the political arena and was far too inexperienced. But in the past two years, he had been through too much. Not to mention the fierce court struggles, he had been viciously attacked and condemned by the masses before the king, and had even been beaten. He had faced life-and-death battles two or three times, and just days ago, he had survived a terrifying assassination attempt. Which of these events was not a great tribulation? Compared to all that, what was a mere stutter?
Even Ning Zheng himself didn't know when his chronic stutter had disappeared. This time, the heavenly prayer was not written by Shen Lang, but by Ning Zheng and Madman Lan together. Though not as brilliant as the last one, it was still a very fine piece of writing. The recitation of the prayer went smoothly. After experiencing two miraculous great victories, it was as if a halo naturally shone behind Ning Zheng’s head. Even if the prayer was an eight-out-of-ten, when Ning Zheng recited it, it had the effect of sounding like a ten.
Many secretly prayed, ‘Let there be thunder and lightning from the heavens, let it rain. A little earthquake would be nice, too.’ That way, it could be interpreted as a sign of heaven’s wrath. But such prayers were useless. Throughout the Grand Rite, the sun shone beautifully, the wind was gentle, and the weather was clear. Though it was the sweltering seventh month, it didn't feel particularly hot. It was a perfect ceremony in every way. The fifth step, the sixth step… Soon, the ninth step was performed, and by noon, all the procedures of the Grand Rite of Heaven Worship were successfully concluded. Ning Yuanxian, once again supported by Ning Zheng, returned to the royal palace.
***
Inside the royal palace.
King Ning Yuanxian stared at Ning Zheng for a long time before finally speaking.
“You’ve worked hard.”
In public, Ning Yuanxian treated Ning Zheng with great affection, but when they were alone, there was a certain awkwardness. How coldly had Ning Yuanxian treated Ning Zheng in the past? He had looked upon him as an insignificant weed. To suddenly act like a close father and son was simply impossible.
“How do you see the situation unfolding from here?”
Ning Zheng replied to Ning Yuanxian’s question.
“We must endure hardship once for the sake of long-lasting peace. The external environment for the State of Yue is currently very favorable. His Majesty the Emperor has shifted from a kingly way to a hegemonic one, and there is not a single monarch under heaven who is not trembling before the Great Yan Empire. The King of Wu is likely not thinking of coveting our State of Yue again; at this moment, he is probably focused on how to protect himself. The King of Chu and Lord Gong are even less likely to wage war against us. Therefore, even if a civil war breaks out in our State of Yue, we will not be threatened by external enemies.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuanxian nearly jumped in surprise.
‘Civil war? Would they really act so boldly?’
Ning Zheng said, “Governing a large state is like frying a small fish; it must be done with meticulous care. I believe some matters should be approached slowly, but others must be swept away with the force of a thunderclap. A mighty flood is alarming, but it can wash away the filth accumulated in the riverbed.”
“Are you saying you want to take this opportunity to eliminate the Zhong and Xue clans?”
Ning Zheng was inwardly surprised. His royal father had many flaws, but he was undoubtedly an intelligent man. He had not mentioned eliminating the Zhu Clan just now. The Zhu Clan, being civil officials, held power that could cover the heavens in the court, but they had no military authority. Thus, by eliminating the Zhong and Xue clans, Ning Qi would lose his power to overturn the heavens.
Ning Yuanxian closed his eyes. He had given Xue Che a chance, but Xue Che had not seized it. Perhaps he never intended to seize it in the first place.
“A few days ago, did Xue Che personally lead men to kill you?”
“Yes. The outcome was tragic. To protect me, Li Qianqiu, Big Dummy, Gao Duhuan, and Li Qianqiu’s wife all suffered grave injuries. If the people from the White Jade Capital had not arrived in time at the critical moment, the masters from Wu Daozi and Mount Budao would have unleashed a great slaughter, and in the end, only Big Dummy would have been left to escape with me. The rest would have all died.”
Recalling that memory, Ning Zheng’s heart trembled, and his spirit faltered. He couldn't be sure how devastating a blow it would be to his heart if Li Qianqiu and his wife, Gao Duhuan, Tang Yan, and the others had died for him. In that respect, Ning Zheng was not yet a prince with a heart of steel.
Upon hearing this, Ning Yuanxian smiled bleakly.
‘Does Xue Che have any regard for me, his king?’
Xue Che was truly a man of supreme intelligence. Having long since risen to a high position and established ties with the Great Yan Empire, he had come to hold the king in little regard. Originally, Ning Yuanxian had hoped to avoid a civil war at all costs, but if Ning Zheng ascended the throne, the Zhong and Xue clans would never just sit back and wait for death. To think that just after emerging from a war that nearly toppled the nation, they would face a civil war.
“If the Xue and Zhong clans are eliminated, what do you intend to do with Ning Qi?”
“Cripple his martial arts and imprison him for life.”
A pained expression flickered across Ning Yuanxian’s face, but he ultimately nodded. Ning Qi was different from his other sons; he was exceptionally intelligent and formidable. He would certainly not be content to live a life of leisure in noble status. If Ning Qi were allowed to build up a powerful force at will, he would surely stir up trouble. Therefore, Ning Zheng’s proposal to cripple his martial arts and imprison him for life was a relatively merciful one. After all, Ning Yuanxian had not spared Ning Yuanwu back then, but had him killed directly.
Ning Yuanxian unfurled a map. If a civil war broke out, the battlefields would likely be Tianxi Province, Raging Tide City, and the South Sea Sword Sect. The capital, Tianyue City, might or might not become a battlefield. After this civil war, how long would the State of Yue need to recuperate? But without destroying the old, one could not build the new. The Zhong Clan was the largest military power in Yue; eliminating them would be greatly beneficial for the country's future. It might even allow the four nations of Chu, Yue, Qiang, and Daynan to unite as one when the Great Yan Empire prepared to swallow the world.
“If I name you Crown Prince, how do you think Ning Qi will react? Will he immediately flee and rebel to establish his own rule?”
Ning Zheng looked as if he wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to.
“Speak. We’ve come this far, what is there that cannot be said?”
“Royal Father, I believe they will make a move against you.”
Ning Yuanxian’s expression changed drastically.