422-425

Chapter 422: The Sea Breeze That Brought A Stench Of Blood

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

A slightly salty, slightly wet, and slightly cold wind blew in from the sea chilling Fan Xian's cheeks. He coldly stared at the densely packed soldiers beneath the stage, but the depths of his heart was gradually becoming calm.

In handling the navy matter, the most important and dangerous time was actually last night. Having reached the morning, the most dangerous time had already passed so he was not overly worried.

The generals and provincial officials who did not have inside information all thought that the imperial envoy was praising first before starting his disparaging comments. To clarify Chang Kun's loss of reason to the naval officers under the bright light of day made them think that he would immediately carry out the cruelest and most inhumane attack. When they actually heard Fan Xian's words, they were incomparably shocked that he did not start flogging the corpse.

Fan Xian voice spread extremely far across the expansive training ground. He only warmly and sorrowfully recalled the meritorious deeds that Admiral Chang Kun had performed for Qing Kingdom. He only commended the dead person. His expression was sorrowful and gaze sincere. He did not bring up the matter of the little island on the East Sea at all or the matter of the navy colluding with Dongyi.

Wu Gefei and the third-ranking general from the old Qin family met each other's gazes and then slowly turned their heads away. Last night, Fan Xian had informed these important figures the intentions of the Palace, so they were not surprised.

Chang Kun was a first-level admiral. There was no strong evidence of who exactly the hand behind him belonged to, although they knew that the Eldest Princess' Junshang Conference played an important role. Under the circumstances, the court did not wish to expose their shortcomings. They were not willing to openly and publicly strike Chang Kun to the ground.

A first-level official and important military figure was colluding with pirates and communicating with the enemy. Once this truth spread, where was the Qing court to hang their face? Where would the Emperor hang his face?

They wanted Chang Kun to never be able to meddle in the Jiaozhou Navy again. As for evaluations of his virtue after his death, the Qing Emperor and Fan Xian did not really care about it. The most important task was to complete this matter at the lowest price possible.

Of course, the Emperor probably could not swallow this anger. However, after a bit of time, when the situation in Jingdou was mostly settled, the Emperor would sweep clean those family clans that dared to meddle behind his back. Chang Kun would also be dug out of his grave, have his bones ground into dust, and completely lose his standing and reputation.

After finishing his string of praises, Fan Xian's face was as cold as a rock in the sea. His expression was very ugly.

"Last night, I arrived in Jiaozhou and wished to have a secret meeting with the admiral to investigate the matter of a portion of the navy colluding with sea bandits…however, without seeing him at all, he had already passed. Who dared to be as crazy as to kill inside the admiral's manor? Who dared to get in before the court investigate the case and to use such savage methods to carry out their rebellion? Who dared, after the incident happened, to try and kill all the officials and generals in the admiral's manor in order to silence them? Who was it last night that dared to secretly mobilize the navy, to incite the navy's heart to try and incite a rebellion to take over Jiaozhou, to swallow all this darkness in blood?"

"Who…"

…

…

The previous night, there had been abnormal movements in the naval camp and the rumors had been spreading. However, it was not until the imperial envoy spoke of it in detail on the stage that the naval officers knew the admiral had not been forced to death by the court, rather he had been assassinated. And, there were generals in the navy that dared to collude with pirates and secretly oppose the court.

Naturally, not everyone believed it. At least, Chang Kun and Dang Xiaobo's trusted aides would not believe, so the soldiers on the field gradually began to clamor. Someone began to shout, "Where is General Dang? Where is General Dang?"

Someone else shouted, "Where did the pirates come from?"

The crowd became angry. The soldiers were stirred up. The crowd gradually surged toward the front of the high stage.

Fan Xian's expression was calm, and he smiled slightly.

Xu Maocai gave a meaningful glance toward his trusted aides below the stage. The minds of those officers among the soldiers spun. They began to yell in loud voices, "Revenge for the Admiral! Kill that bastard!"

As for who exactly the bastard was, the tens of thousands of soldiers did not know, but this yell happened to align with the naval soldiers' anger and suppressed atmosphere. Thus, the calls gradually melded into one, their voices shook the horizons and, whether intentionally or not, they suppressed the incitement of those generals who were not yet resigned and had evil intentions in their hearts.

Fan Xian raised his hands flatly and pressed down gently. With a serious expression, he said, "Heaven is blind, but heaven has a heart, Those crazy evildoers have already been caught last night. After the case is closed, there will naturally be a public sentencing to honor the Admiral's spirit in heaven."

"Who is it?" The navy soldiers all looked at each other. They were all trying to guess who in the navy was so faring. Looking at the stage that was missing a few generals, some clever people began to guess.

As expected, in the names that Fan Xian read out, they were all well-respected generals in the navy in the past. Dang Xiaobo's name was shockingly listed at the top.

The voice on the high stage very clearly told these people that it was indeed these generals in the navy that had played such a rat-sh*t role.

…

…

As he spoke, five bloody generals were escorted forward from the right. These were the generals that had risen in revolt against Fan Xian in the admiral's manor last night. At this moment, these people's expressions were deathly white and spirits dejected. After being tortured, they couldn't even stand steadily. Instead, they fell to their knees directly in front of Fan Xian. No one knew what the Overwatch Council had done. Although these people's expressions were full of indignant hatred, none of them could open their mouths to cry out their injustice.

Below the stage, the tens of thousands of soldiers became silent at the same time. Using a complicated gaze, they looked at this scene on the stage and the usually lofty generals. They knelt in front of the soldiers' eyes with their heads hanging low, with disheveled hair and blood, looking incomparably wretched.

In the death-like silence, Fan Xian looked at this scene. His hands behind his body were preparing to clench into a signal.

As expected, a sharp voice suddenly cried out from among the silent soldiers, "The Admiral was killed by those people on the stage! Treasonous officials meddling in the military! General Dang is innocent!"

Dang Xiaobo had his own trusted aides. The group that had gone to the East Sea had their own thoughts. They all understood what this scene was targeting, so they were not willing to see this matter develop in the way the imperial envoy had arranged it. Following this shout, a few other voices also cried out full of anger and hated. They pointed the blame squarely at Fan Xian and the other generals on the stage.

These people were all directly under Chang Kun and Dang Xiaobo's command, middle- and low-level officers able to influence soldiers below their command. Thus, with this yell, the area below the stage immediately erupted into chaos. The naval officers who had already become a bit anxious from the rumors now did not know who to believe while a thousand soldiers began to push forward.

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes, staring at the people leading the shout. He then clenched the hand he held behind his back into a fist.

The face of the third-ranked general standing behind him dimmed and was forced by Fan Xian to make up his mind. He knew that once a rebellion happened, he, standing on the stage, could only be torn into pieces.

Thus, he came to stand beside Fan Xian. With his eyes glinting brightly, he roared, "You sons of b*tches, are you going to rebel? Will you not even believe our words and the words of the imperial envoy?"

Although he had not been with the navy for long, his status was there. With his roar, the situation below improved slightly, but danger was still lurking beneath. Dang Xiaobo's trusted aides were still hidden in the shadows, endlessly stirring up trouble and taunting in a loud voice.

Xu Maocai, also following Fan Xian's hand gesture, gave a second order with a meaningful gaze. Immediately, a different sound appeared among the soldiers below the stage.

"Kill Dang Xiaobo! Revenge for the Admiral!"

…

…

It was only one and did not create a rolling thunder sound, but Fan Xian still smiled warmly and kindly listened to the will of the people, nodding to his side.

Hong Changqing, along with a few uncomfortable looking navy generals, walked to Fan Xian's side and pulled out the straight knives they wore at their sides. With one foot, they pushed against the backs of those generals that were Chang Kun's trusted aides. They pushed these criminal generals to the ground and then chopped down with their knives.

With four cracks, the sharp knives chopped into those sturdy necks, splitting skin and flesh, releasing the blood, and breaking the bone, forcing the heads away from the body. They rolled around on the high stage as a great pool of fresh blood sprayed out.

The bodies of the headless generals swayed for a moment on the stage then returned to silence and death.

Silence fell on both the stage and below it. The navy officers below the stage stared dumbstruck at this scene…thinking, They died just like this? The case had yet to be tried, yet the imperial envoy just killed these generals like this?

Fan Xian frowned and looked at the fresh blood not far away from his feet as well the deathly pale and heavily breathing Dang Xiaobo who was not far from him. Shortly after, he raised his head and smiled slightly. "I've fulfilled your desires, however, Dang Xiaobo is the leading criminal and will be escorted back to Jingdou…I'm afraid only a lingering death will be enough to satisfy the Admiral's spirit."

These words were a bit shameless, but the naval officers below the stage did not think so. They just looked at the young man on the stage wearing a luxurious official robe and felt an evil chill surge up from deep within their hearts.

In reality, the naval officers were not idiots. They would not believe that Deputy General Dang killed Admiral Chang. He had no reason to do so, and everyone knew of their close relationship. However, there were four people's heads on the stage. Everyone knew that the imperial envoy dared to kill people and was willing to kill people. Admiral Chang was dead and Dang Xiaobo was captured. Even if the court was doing a purge, what could they, insignificant soldiers who had not benefited much from these two figures, do?

Were they actually going to surge up and kill the imperial envoy on the high stage, and then take to the bush and become an enemy of the entire world?

Being bloodthirsty did not mean being animalistic and unable to use the brain to consider problems. Thus, the tens of thousands of soldiers below the stage were silent, including those officers who were trying to incite violent action. Lowering their bodies, they thought about how they could sneak out of the navy.

Killing people to establish dominance. Fan Xian looked down the stage with satisfaction. He knew that Xu Maocai's words had indeed been correct.

However, this matter had not yet come to an end. There were still trusted aides of Dang Xiaobo and Chang Kun's diehard followers on the stage. If he didn't bring these people out, how could the Jiaozhou Navy be said to be peaceful?

Fan Xian stood on the high stage and said, "Last night, someone in the navy received a secret order from Dang Xiaobo and tried to lead the navy in attacking the city. Naturally, such crazed and rebellious behavior cannot be let off easily."

The moment his words fell, the thundering of horse hooves came from outside the camp. Everyone turned their bodies and looked nervously in that direction.

A group of knights in completely black armor sped down from a small hill. With crossbows on their saddles and sharp knives at their hips, they controlled the reins with one hand and held hemp sacks in the other. They came into the naval camp with rarely seen horsemanship and control. They brought in a plume of dust and a sense of the netherworld.

The Black Knights!

This was the naval officers first time seeing one of the most powerful cavalries in Qing Kingdom who, legend said, were numb to killing and moved in secret-like spirits. The officers were all shocked. They did not understand why these people were here. If they were here to kill people, 100 riders seemed far too few.

The hundred Black Knights rode to a stop below the stage and bowed to Fan Xian from horseback. They then threw the hemp sacks in their hands on the ground. Closing ranks, they followed the two sides of the stage and formed two half circles, one on each side of the high stage.

At the same time, on a little hill behind and to the left of the naval camp, there silently appeared two lines of Black Knights just like two very hard black lines deeply carved into the ridge. Facing the naval officers below, they were posed as if preparing to charge.

The navy officers exploded into a clamor.

…

…

The hemp sacks were filled with human heads, either with blood covering their faces, missing noses and ears, or had a giant gash on their foreheads. Hundreds of human heads rolled out and piled below the high stage. Such a bloody and terrifying sight had not been seen for a long time in the long peaceful Jiaozhou. The naval officers jumped back a few steps in fright and left a giant empty space, allowing these human heads to adorn this massacre field under broad daylight.

Fan Xian took one step forward on the stage. His luxurious clothing fluttered, and his expression was handsome. Standing proudly with the pile of human heads, he said, "These were the traitorous soldiers who tried to wash Jiaozhou with blood last night. There is no need to panic. The traitorous soldiers have already been caught, and I am not someone fond of revenge."

The naval officers did not dare speak out of fear.

"However…" Fan Xian slowly said, "I will definitely find who organized this in secret. Whoever dares to act against the court and rebel should be prepared to have their entire families wiped out."

"The people, I have already found." He gazed at the people below the stage. "A total of 17 people, no dogs. Seventeen dogs that used the court's salary to grow their wild ambition!"

The range of the purge was not very big. Including the navy generals on stage, the officers below the stage all sighed. At this moment, the sudden appearance of the 400 Black Knights, as well as the heads on and off the stage, had already intimidated the naval officers' state of mind. Since no one dared to rebel, they could only wait and see how the court would handle this. They only captured 17, so it had little to do with most of the people.

They felt unconcerned and let matters rest.

In order to protect themselves, they could sell out the superiors whom they were usually terrified of.

…

…

Following the sounds of the third-ranked general calling out the names on the stage, the naval officers below the stage began to gradually move in fear, wishing the be as far away as possible from the named officers. Suddenly, 17 small circles appeared on the training ground, little empty spaces. In each empty pace there stood a naval officer whose face was the color of earth.

These were all culprits inciting trouble in the camp and causing a portion of the naval officers to battle the Black Knights outside Jiaozhou.

The clip-clop horse hooves rang out as the Black Knights led their horses slowly into the tens of thousands of people. The knights' faces were cold. They paid no attention to their surroundings and were not nervous. Although tens of thousands of people were beside them, it was as if they were entering an empty space.

The navy's courage had all been used up. They all moved aside to make way, allowing in the Black Knights who were here on orders to capture these people.

Three knights captured each person. Although some of the officers bravely resisted helplessly, they were still trapped beasts. With a few slaps, they were flipped onto the ground. They only accomplished pain before they died.

Another 17 bloody and cruel sounds, and 17 human heads returned among their brothers' heads. The blood stained the high stage. The stench of blood drew countless flies.

Although Fan Xian was present, his expression did not change. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the sun that was gradually moving above his head. He knew that the Jiaozhou matter could be considered completed.

He then began to announce the edict.

Fan Xian waved his hand. Without caring for the rules and etiquette of the court, he had an Overwatch Council subordinate complete this task while he returned to his chair and rested a little.

…

…

"According to the will of heaven, the Emperor orders…"

Fan Xian did pay much attention to what the Emperor said. Occupied with his own thoughts, he was only looking at the ant-like naval officers kneeling on and below the stage. In the end, he heard a sky shattering cheer and a mountainous cheering of "Long live the Emperor."

Did the navy officers get another increase in salary?

…

…

By the time the news of the Jiaozhou Navy got to Jingdou, it was already news from half a month ago. Jingdou was located more inland and didn't have the moisture from the sea wind, so it seemed a bit drier than Jiaozhou. The climate was not very comfortable. On the contrary, some people whose bodies were weaker began to feel uncomfortable.

Hong Zhu's fire had been quite big recently…his internal heat, not his anger. He rubbed his nose, thinking, if he still had a nosebleed tonight, he would have to go ask the royal doctors to have a look. The skill level of those doctors really wasn't much. If mistress Fan was still learning in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, how great that would be.

He trotted to the front of the palace, respectfully pushing the door open, and then leaned close to the empress' ear to say something.

He had been in the Eastern Palace for some time now and had successfully won the empress' trust. However, the Crown Prince always felt a bit uncomfortable looking at this little eunuch. For a eunuch to grow pimples and to be so full of internal heat as to often have nosebleeds, how was he like a yin person?

Listening to Hong Zhu's words, the empress furrowed her brows tightly and asked, "It is logical for Admiral Chang to be given a title posthumously…however, for such a startling case, why was it not tried by three ministers and instead was just investigated by the Overwatch Council alone?"

It seemed like the empress did not know the inside story of the Jiaozhou Navy, but she had faintly guessed that this matter had to be related in some way to the Eldest Princess. She smiled coldly and said, "Let's see when that Royal Highness will come knocking on our door."

If the matter was really as she imagined, that Fan Xian had gotten rid of the Jiaozhou Navy, it would be like chopping off one of Li Yunrui's arms. This Eldest Princess would certainly go crazy.

However, this case was somewhat blurry and unclear. Would a Deputy General dare to collude with bandits to assassinate the admiral, and coincidentally on the night that Fan Xian arrived in Jiaozhou? Did the Jiaozhou Navy actually collude with the pirates on the East Sea? Did Chang Kun not know?

All of the court officials were suspicious. The military side seemed to have intentions to counter-attack because no matter what Chang Kun did, he was an important figure in the military.

However, no one dared to say anything. Although the Emperor expressed sorrow and pain at Chang Kun's death—the funeral was handled very grandly and his rewards to the Chang manor were very generous—everyone could see that the Emperor was actually…very happy.

Chapter 423: Great Things To Be Done

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Summer was bright and beautiful, which was no lie, but to say that the afternoon was humid and hot, that was also true. All of Jingdou was enveloped in the heat of summer, which made everyone uncomfortable. Often, the clear water drunk would not even take half an hour before it seeped out through the skin with the residue in the body. It became an oily moisture that covered an entire person and made them uncomfortable all over and breathing difficult.

Lower-class commoners, who did hard labor carrying large bags up the steps downstream of the Liujing River, were particularly affected. Their sweat soaked their entire body and dripped onto the green stone steps creating countless lines of water, which appeared somewhat shocking. The large trees beside the dock extended their leaves but were unable to fully block out the sun in the sky. The clean wind from the river was also unable to wipe away the heat. On the contrary, it brought humidity.

By the stone steps, a black dog was lying under the shade of a tree with his red tongue extended and panting. It looked with pity at the hard laborers who were almost unable to breathe under life's heavy burdens.

On Liujing River, a plainly decorated boat was floating along. The Second Prince of Qing Kingdom slowly drew back his sympathetic gaze from the shore and turned his body to smile slightly. "Fan Xian is indeed an incredible person. Not even speaking of the silver the palace treasury sent back, he brought a great deal of food from Dongyi and Northern Qi earlier. He must have guessed that this year would be a busy one in repairing the riverbanks. Even if the summer floods did no harm, the grain production in the South has yet to recover. They would certainly need disaster relief."

A number of merchant boats were stopped at the river docks. Hundreds of hard laborers were moving the grain that Qing Kingdom had bought onboard and then using the waterways to send it to the Southern provinces that had not yet recovered from last year's disaster.

The cute girl beside the Second Prince blinked her bright eyes and smiled but did not say anything.

The Second Prince chuckled and continued, "Do you find it strange that I am saying positive things about Fan Xian? In reality, the reason is very simple. Fan Xian is worthy of being praised for some things, particularly in the area of state affairs. Although he has never governed a road or department alone, he…has heart. Perhaps you don't know, but we just found out that when his student Yang Wanli went to the Water Transport Governor's yamen, a large amount of silver was actually secretly put into the Water Transport's yamen. This is why the repairs of the riverbanks this year is progressing so smoothly."

A glimmer of mockery appeared on the Second Prince's face. "If he had the departments in court pull together the silver, and if the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works took their time, who knows how long it would take?"

He continued faintly, "Thus, when governing the world, methods and tricks can all be taught, but thoughtfulness like Fan Xian's…it is very rare. This is all silver he had worked hard to scrape out from Jiangnan, yet he was not miserly at all and threw all into the River Transport. Father is the one who gets the accolades, and the people of the world are those who benefit. What can you gain? This Fan Xian…I understand him less and less."

The day was hot. The manor in Jingdou had also become humid and hot, so the Second Prince had brought his new wife of half a year to Liujing River to relax and find a quiet place to speak intimately. However, seeing the lively scene in the distant at the docks, the Second Prince couldn't help his heart moving. So, he had changed the topic of conversation onto the far away from Jingdou, Fan Xian.

"Fan Xian…who knows what kind of person he is? No one understands him." Ye Ling'er smiled slightly, a complicated expression rose between her brows. How spirited and strange was this girl back then. Now that she had married the Second Prince and had suddenly become a royal wife, she now had to have an aura of nobility. She also seemed much more mature.

"Indeed, I don't understand." A self-mocking smile rose on the Second Prince's face that looked somewhat like Fan Xian's.

"These things he has done since arriving in Jingdou from Danzhou…just how many people could understand them?"

Thinking about it, he shook his head and smiled for some reason. He slowly picked up Ye Ling'er's hand and walked to the back of the boat, looking at the wide mirror-like expanse of the Liujing River as if he wanted to use the spiritual influence of the sky and the expanse to soothe his heart.

The servants of the manor at the tail of the boat saw this scene and all knowingly gave them a wide berth, not daring to disturb the prince's and his wife's quiet. The entire manor, and even all of Jingdou, knew that after the Second Prince and Ye Ling'er's wedding, the two got on very well. Although there had yet to be news of the wangfei's pregnancy, this young couple were often together. The Second Prince was handsome, and Ye Ling'er was a famous beauty in Jingdou. This fine-looking couple was the envy of countless bystanders.

Ye Ling'er leaned at the Second Prince's side and lightly held onto his arm. Her eyes, which were brighter than the surface of the water, gazed at a gull flying in the distance. She was thinking of that distant man, her teacher, and she couldn't stop a glimmer of a smile appearing at the corners of her mouth. "The people in Jingdou all fear Fan Xian. They all think he is sinister and scary to his bones. Because of that, they've caused all these troubles and killed so many people. In my view, this bastard is nothing more than a jokester who likes to mess around."

The Second Prince also smiled. He knew of his wife's frequent visits to the Fan family before she married him and that his wife and the Chen girl referred to each other as sisters. Their relationship was not ordinary. He also knew that his wife secretly called Fan Xian "teacher." However, he would never suspect that his wife and Fan Xian had any romantic relations. Although Ye Ling'er could be childish at times, when it came to the important matters, she was open and honest. If she did not like him, even an imperial edict couldn't have made her marry him. But, when he sometimes heard Ye Ling'er use that familiar tone in bringing up Fan Xian, he still couldn't help a feeling of absurdness and a faint jealousy.

"It is not as simple as messing around and being absurd," The Second Prince said warmly. "A few days ago, I heard someone in the Crown Prince's retinue made a book to see how many people Fan Xian has killed in these two years and how many people he's offended. In the end…he had a very long list of names. This made the Crown Prince unbelievably happy."

Ye Ling'er sputtered with laughter, thinking, How did teacher become like a demon? Including the spring examination's case and the matter of controlling the First Bureau, Fan Xian had indeed already offended most of the powers in court.

"That is why it is said that no one understands just what Fan Xian wants to do. Aunt is his mother-in-law…and she has already expressed her kind intentions. However…he did not accept. I don't need to talk about me. Ever since he returned to the capital, I have been trying to reconcile with him. He has chosen, unusually valiantly, to strike me down." The Second Prince smiled self-mockingly. "I admit, the Niulan Street incident was my fault, but…in the court, it is not uncommon for enemies to become friends."

Ye Ling'er glanced at him and murmured, "His personality is stubborn, and he likes to hold grudges. He's not that easy to convince."

"But how does this benefit him?" The Second Prince furrowed his brows. "To have offended so many people…in the future…I'm saying that once father is not here anymore and the new Emperor takes the throne, he is certain to take back his authority. Without the Overwatch Council in his hand, these vengeful powers will all fall on him. Who could protect him?"

"How do you know that the new Emperor will definitely take back his authority?" Ye Ling'er lowered her head and asked. "I don't see the Crown Prince having too much of a chance, and the Third Prince is Fan Xian's student."

"The Third Prince is too young," The Second Prince sighed and said. "The process of a person's growth will always be broken by a sudden event. It was like that for me back then. When the Third Prince is a bit older, our father will naturally find another way. If, in the future, it is really the Third Prince who sits on that chair, do you think at that time the Third Prince will still be like the Third Prince right now? Do you think he will allow Fan Xian to maintain his current authority?"

"Us brothers, none of us can compare to father. No matter which one of us inherits, the first thing we need to do for sure is to get rid of Fan Xian, that big tiger." The Second Prince smiled slightly. "This is something that must happen. Given Fan Xian's intelligence, he must have thought of this point."

Ye Ling'er glanced at him worriedly and quietly said, "You still haven't given up."

The Second Prince didn't continue this sentence, instead, he slowly said, "Since Fan Xian understands this point and already knows he has offended most of the officials, then what can he do? Unless he is preparing to walk a completely different path, he will never be able to shake off the future chaos."

"What path?"

The Second Prince turned his head around and smiled warmly. "Sitting on that chair himself."

…

…

One's position dictates the topic of conversation. Although the content being discussed on the boat on Liujing River was shocking, in reality, the topic was often discussed in various manors. Ye Ling'er did not fear it. On the contrary, she felt sick of it. She forced a smiled and said, "Given my understanding of teacher, he would not do this."

"Oh?" The Second Prince was very interested. "Why do you say that?"

"Fan Xian likes to travel the world. Did you not know?" Ye Ling'er smiled and said. "Being sent to Jiangnan this time, everyone knew that it was the Emperor banishing him in disguise as well as not wishing for his past to raise too many waves in Jingdou. He meant it as a way to avoid the publicity. However, as far as I know, Fan Xian did not have any resentment toward this banishment. He went very happily. The opportunity to see different people and scenery, for him, seems to be the greatest joy."

It had to be said, Ye Ling'er did indeed understand Fan Xian very well.

"Sitting on that chair? It would be difficult for him to ever leave the Palace. Fan Xian would suffocate."

Husband and wife smiled at the same time.

The Second Prince thought for a moment and then said, "But if he doesn't fight for this chair…will he be willing to let go? Furthermore, even if he was willing to let go, will other's let him go?"

"Is the chair really that good?" Ye Ling'er frowned and said. "Furthermore…on what basis will Fan Xian fight for it?'

"On what basis?" The Second prince smiled. "On the basis of father's unquestionable trust in him. On the basis of the full support of Director Chen, Prime Minister Lin, and Minister Fan. On the basis of the Overwatch Council in his left and the palace treasury in his right. And, don't forget, he's also surnamed Li. Speaking honestly, in the current situation, if nothing major changes and Fan Xian wanted to take the throne after father passes, he has the best chance."

Ye Ling'er only heard the words "major changes." If what her husband beside her said was true, then there was definitely a lot of people preparing for this major change.

The Second Prince continued, "At the moment, Fan Xian's only blank is support from the military. There is no opportunity for him in the Ye and Qin families, but don't forget my dear brother the Great Prince. I don't know what is up with him recently. He is always putting on an expression of looking at Fan Xian like he's family."

This said, the Second Prince finally revealed a glimmer of resentment. Thinking about it, he and the Great Prince had grown up together and were very close. Who knew that once Fan Xian entered the capital, the Great Prince instead stood on Fan Xian's side. If it had been anyone else, they would not feel very good about it.

"The most important indication of which way the wind is blowing is the Jiaozhou matter," the Second Prince said worriedly. "Although father has always unquestionably trusted Fan Xian, he has never allowed him to touch anything related to the military. However, this time he arranged for him to handle the Jiaozhou Navy. I'm worried that father is preparing to relax his hold on this matter."

Ye Ling'er slowly lowered her head and said a moment later, "After all this, when all is said and done, you're still unsatisfied in your heart."

After a moment of silence, the Second Prince said, slowly and determinedly, "I am indeed not satisfied…if others can sit on that chair, why can't I? If I sit on that chair, I will not do worse than the others. If the world didn't have an extra Fan Xian, why would I be complaining and groaning on this boat?"

Another moment of silence.

"I admit, in my competition against Fan Xian, I was completely defeated." A glimmer of freedom and ease suddenly appeared on the Second Prince's face. "However, sometimes I am a bit unsatisfied. If father had initially given the Overwatch Council to me, given the palace treasury to me, would I have really done worse than Fan Xian? I am indeed not satisfied. To have schemed for all these years and have all this come to nothing because of this brother that suddenly appeared…I still want to fight for it. Even if I lose to him in the end, I want to lose wholeheartedly and satisfactorily."

"Why bother?" Ye Ling'er sighed and gazed at him.

The Second Prince's heart moved. He realized that ever since his wife married into his manor, her previous thoughtless cuteness had lessened a great deal. Perhaps this was the price of marrying him, having to hear about these fights and schemes all day.

Ye Ling'er quietly said, "I know recently that the Eldest Princess wanted you to reconcile with the Crown Prince, and I also know why this is so. Coming back to his topic, I've never liked the Eldest Princess, even though she is Chen'er's mother."

"Aunt is a very incredible person." The Second Prince chose his words carefully. "She has done a great deal for the court. A lot of the time, she is not doing it for her own selfish motives. Taking this matter as an example, if, in the beginning, she had truly only been thinking of her future wealth, then initially she would not have chosen me and educated me. She could have always stood with the Eastern Palace. The Eastern Palace also needed her."

"Then why did she choose you?" A glimmer of cynicism appeared at the corners of Ye Ling'er's mouth. "Is it not because you were born prettier than the Crown Prince?"

…

…

"Enough!" The corners of the Second Prince's mouth pressed together slightly as he roared in a low voice. He had never thought that this wife would had such anger toward the Eldest Princess.

Ye Ling'er huffed coldly and said, "Is that not true? She encouraged you to fight against the Crown Prince and now she wants you to reconcile with the Crown Prince to fight against Fan Xian and the Third Prince. All this fighting back and forth, what purpose is there? Even if she succeeds in the future and Fan Xian loses power, at that time, what about you and the Crown Prince? Who will sit in that chair?"

"That is a matter for the future," The Second Prince lowered his head and said slowly. "Aunt loves me."

"A matter for the future?" Ye Ling'er was angry. She finally recovered her bright appearance when she first rode into Jingdou. Very straightforwardly, she said, "She is only reveling in the process of this matter. As for whether you or the Crown Prince wins in the end, they'll still be her puppet. What need is there for you to still be involved with them? The Crown Prince inheriting is logical and natural. Fan Xian needs to protect himself, which is his matter. As long as you no longer pay attention to this, you can extricate yourself easily. What isn't good about it?"

Suddenly, Ye Ling'er seemed to feel her words were too rushed. She sighed, softening her voice, and said, "Even if you don't think about others, you have to think about me and your mother in the Palace. Fan Xian once said, retreating one step gives you the wide oceans and skies. Is that not a joyful thing?"

Fan Xian again. The Second Prince listened to these words and couldn't help laughing. "Then why doesn't he retreat?"

"If he retreats, he will die. You've said this before." Ye Ling'er gazed into his eyes without any show of weakness. "But if you retreat, who can do anything to you?"

"What can they do to me?" The Second Prince pressed his thin lips together and faintly said. "I've killed Fan Xian's people before. Could he let me go in the future? If the Crown Prince takes the throne, could he let me go? The Third Prince…who knows what kind of person he will become."

Ye Ling'er fell into a disappointed silence.

"The Crown Prince is just a reputation we need at the moment." The Second Prince closed his eyes, smelling the river breeze flowing over his face. In a quiet voice, he said, "Right now, we need the name of his Eastern Palace and grandmother's support."

Ye Ling'er knew there were still many things he hadn't told her and could not tell her. Yet, in these words, she still heard the sound of some kind of danger approaching. She couldn't resist a shiver in this summer's day. In a quiet voice, she said, "The Crown Prince isn't an idiot. How could he not guess the Eldest Princess' thoughts? How could he trust her?"

"This is something aunt needs to think about. How to repair the cracks from before, and how to have the Crown Prince and the Queen completely believe her sincerity. This has nothing to do with me. I only have to wait."

The Second Prince spoke quietly. Slowly opening his eyes, he gazed at the surface of the lake and said each word clearly. "Last year, I didn't manage to endure, and so gave Fan Xian an opportunity. At least now I've learned to be patient and to endure. After all, I am my father's son. No matter how the situation changes, I will also have a fraction of a chance."

Ye Ling'er gazed at him with disappointment and said, "I understand what you mean. You think the Eldest Princess will still choose you to inherit, but…to be helped up by someone else, is that really meaningful?"

"Never mind being helped up. Even if I'm being led to the throne, what of it?" The Second Prince suddenly smiled. "Father was also helped onto the throne by a woman and still became a renowned Emperor. As long as you're sitting on that chair, there are always great things to be done."

…

…

Because of the problem of the Jiaozhou rebellion, Chen Pingping, who had long been nurturing his old age in the Chen Garden, was finally pushed back into Jingdou by the Emperor's three edicts and returned to that square, grey building.

In that dark and secret room in the Overwatch Council, Chen Pingping gently stroked the lamb wool blanket on his lap and couldn't resist giving out a yawn. Using a slightly sharp voice, he said, "What a tiny matter, yet they still had to disturb me."

Miraculously, Fei Jie was not collecting medicine in the mountains. Instead, he was sitting beside Chen Pingping. In a raspy voice, he said, "Most importantly is the problem in the Palace. Fan Xian has made trouble again. Our Emperor likes him more and more, but the people in the Palace are becoming more and more afraid of him…I'm afraid some things will have to be brought ahead."

"Is the Crown Prince an idiot?" Chen Pingping slowly asked. "Of course, he is indeed an idiot. Otherwise, why would he be with that crazy woman again."

"Regardless of the Eldest Princess' craziness, she still has her ways." Fei Jie rolled his strangely colored eyes. Staring at Chen Pingping, he said, "Besides, isn't this what you arranged? I even worked hard to make those medicines."

Chen Pingping sighed. "The Crown Prince is too cowardly. We have to give him a hand."

"It is truly a crime that will wipe out a family clan." Fei Jie sighed. "I am a solitary person, but your old family home still has a large number of distant relatives."

Chen Pingping smiled with ridicule. "You should be concerned about the trouble Fan Xian is going to make for you when he comes back to the capital at the end of the year. You made a medicine for the Chen girl, and in the end, you made an infertility medicine. After Fan Xian has no descendants, watch how he is going to tear you apart."

Fei Jie said angrily, "To be able to cure the tuberculosis is already very good. What else does he want? Will he dare threaten his master and destroy his ancestors?"

"Then, I don't understand. In any case, his recent letters have all be extremely angry, and he's been asking where you've gone," Chen Pingping said coldly.

In reality, Fei Jie always felt remorse in his heart because of this matter, so he had unconsciously avoided his most successful disciple. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but pause. A moment later, he said, "Didn't he take on a girl to share his room? Besides, Haitang is also over there…the body of a Sage girl shouldn't be too bad. It shouldn't have any problems with having a child."

"Haitang Duoduo…is not a mother hen. Be careful that you don't let people of Tianyi Dao hear this thought of yours." Chen Pingping smiled slightly.

Fei Jie couldn't be bothered to acknowledge him and directly asked, "Concerning the Jiaozhou matter, what's your opinion?"

"Opinion?" Chen Pingping huffed coldly. "I gave the Shadow to him. I gave the Black Knights to him. I have the entire Overwatch Council to him…yet in the end, he made such a crude and low-class product to give to me!"

"Idiot." Chen Pingping couldn't stop himself shaking his head. "Without Yan Bingyun at his side, when it comes to such things as scheming and plotting, Fan Xian becomes an idiot. However, I really don't know whether it's because his luck is just better than other people's or because of some other reason…the result of this matter isn't too bad."

Chapter 424: Officials Have Heart

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Chen Pingping pushed his wheelchair to the window. As it has been his habit in the past, he gently lifted a corner of the black curtain and felt the heat outside being separated by the thick glass. He gazed at the corner of the Palace's golden eaves and half closed his spiritless eyes, shrining his entire body into the wheelchair.

"I had Yan Bingyun come over."

Fei Jie was not surprised at hearing this. He knew that each time before the Director did something major, he would always choose to have an escape path arranged. However, it was an escape path for him—it was for the Overwatch Council.

A light knocking sound came from outside the secret room. Chen Pingping listened for a while, and then a look of approval appeared on his face. The person knocking on the door was still just as unhurried and patient. Speaking strictly based on personality, he was indeed far more suitable than Fan Xian. He used a finger on his right hand to knock gently on the arm of his wheelchair.

Receiving consent, the person outside pushed open the door and entered. It wasn't just anyone. It was the current leader of the Fourth Bureau, the person Chen Pingping had been discussing earlier, Yan Bingyun.

Yan Bingyung had already been rescued back to the country for almost a year. He had long recovered from the injuries he had received and recovered his icy appearance. He had the Fourth Bureau well organized. Compared to when his father Yan Ruohai was in this position, the current Fourth Bureau was even more imposing. In a flash, young master Yan had become an important and shadowy figure in Qing Kingdom.

However, the Overwatch Council's works usually did not see much light, so Yan Bingyun's name was not very well known. This did not stop the high and mighty officials, who had inside information, from doing everything they could to send their daughters to Yan manor. Without even bringing up Yan Bingyun's own influence, power, and appearance, considering his good relationship to Fan Xian and the Yan manor's dukedom, who didn't want a son-in-law like this?

After Yan Bingyun entered the room, he bowed to Chen Pingping and reported the recent works of the Overwatch Council. With Chen Pingping retiring in the Chen Garden and Fan Xian far away by the sea, the daily running of the Overwatch Council was handled by him.

Chen Pingping closed his eyes and listened for a while before suddenly opening his mouth and asking, "Did Fan Xian not communicate with you earlier?"

Yan Bingyun shook his head. "The timing was too tight. The Council was only responsible for communicating the Palace's intentions to the Commissioner. As to the specifics, the Second Bureau did not have time to develop a strategy. It was all handled by the Commissioner."

Chen Pingping nodded and suddenly smiled. "How is your wedding being handled? A few days ago, your father came to the Chen Garden to ask me for ideas…only, this matter is not easy to handle."

Yan Bingyun was silent. The elders in the Council were all aware of the matter of Lady Shen, but they had not spoken of it explicitly. The current wedding problem was posed by the Palace, so it was difficult for him to deal with.

The matter of Lady Shen was known to many people in Jingdou. It involved Jiangnan and what Fan Xian was doing in that matter, so it had long been closely guarded. Even if was exposed to the light in the future, for the sake of a good relationship between the South Kingdom and Northern Qi, Yan Bingyun would still not be able to publicly have Lady Shen marry into his manor.

"Drag it out for now," Chen Pingping closed his eyes and said. "For this matter, go ask the thoughts of that person in the prince's family and have her help you stall."

The person in the prince's family was the Great Prince's wife, that Great Princess that married in from the distant Northern Qi. Ever since she married into the South Kingdom, she had been gentle and virtuous. She very much had the elegance of a great family. She was very well-liked by the empress dowager in the Palace. It was very different from the discrimination the Great Prince received.

Yan Bingyun's face remained calm, but he was slightly moved in the depths of his heart. The old Director probably couldn't even be bothered to care about the Jiaozhou matter, yet he was willing to give ideas for the wedding of someone like him. This kind of care toward his subordinates was truly…

"Let's see how Fan Xian will handle it after he returns to the capital." Chen Pingping suddenly laughed sharply. "This guy has a great deal of experience in being a matchmaker and in breaking marriage."

These words were true. In the past few years, the Palace has granted four weddings, and two of them were related to the Fan manor. Fan Xian himself managed to marry Lin Wan'er. He then made 8,000 turns and made an earth and ground shaking noise to create a situation just for the sake of allowing his sister to escape from her granted marriage.

Every time he thought of this matter, Chen Pingping could not help but feel a glimmer of admiration for that kid—he was truly a troublemaker and obstinate person.

It was only now that Yan Bingyun found a moment to bow to Fei Jie and express his gratitude. In this year of recovery, Fei Jie had helped him quite a lot.

Chen Pingping finally coldly said, "The original plan was to have you and Fan Xian switch to have you first handle the First Bureau. However, looking at the recent circumstances…you need to prepare yourself mentally."

Yan Bingyun was slightly startled. He didn't know what preparations he had to make.

"Fan Xian can't be too distracted by Council matters," Chen Pingping lightly said. "After Wang Qinian returns to the capital, either he will be in the First Bureau or stubbornly be stuck to Fan Xian's side. Find someone capable in the Fourth Bureau and prepare them to take your position."

Yan Bingyun faintly guessed something, but he did not become excited and only nodded.

"After I retire, you have to help Fan Xian steady his position." Chen Pingping's voice seemed to be a bit tired, it was like he was entrusting information to an orphan. "Even if Fan Xian became a director, he would probably still not have the patience for these detailed affairs. Once you are Commissioner, you have to help him handle it well."

Yan Bingyun silently knelt down with one leg, wrapping one hand around his other fist and said, "Yes."

Chen Pingping looked at him and Fei Jie, who also looked at him. A moment later, the old cripple quietly said, "Everyone under heaven believes…Fan Xian is the first Commissioner since the establishment of the Council, but the Yan family has always worked in the Council. Of course, you know there was a previous person. You will become the third Commissioner since the establishment of the Overwatch Council. Remember this, it is both an honorable and dangerous position."

Yan Bingyun felt a pressure pushing down on his shoulders, rendering him unable to move.

"That day will arrive very soon, so I want you to listen carefully and understand my following words."

"Yes."

"The appearance of the first Commissioner was to watch me," Chen Pingping said very lightly, without any trace of unhappiness. "Of course, he had that ability. His Commissioner identity is very unconventional. Usually, he doesn't do much. However, even though he no longer manages Council affairs, if you have the opportunity to see him in the future…no matter what he orders, do as he says."

This time, Yan Bingyun did not directly reply with "yes." Instead, he was silent for a moment then said, "Even if it contradicts an edict?"

Chen Pingping opened his eyes. The light in his eyes was like that of an eagle on a stone precipice, incomparably sharp. After a long moment, he coldly said, "Yes."

Yan Bingyun breathed in deeply twice and forced down the glimmer of confusion and unease in his heart. He tried his best to calm down and asked, "How will I know who he is? The Commissioner token is on Sir Fan junior."

Chen Pingping smiled, "We all call him Sir Wu…of course, some call him Lao Wu. However, you don't have the right to call him this. As long he is in front of you, you will naturally know he is him. This is a very simple matter."

Once you see him, you will know he is him. This was an awkward and mysterious saying, however, Yan Bingyun cleverly understood.

"His existence is the Overwatch Council's greatest secret," Chen Pingping said coldly. "On this point, the Emperor has given strict orders, so you have to know to keep it secret. As long as Sir Wu is around, even if the situation changes greatly in the future, at least this broken yard of ours, this abnormal existence, will continue to struggle on whilst at death's door."

Yan Bingyun knelt with his head lowered. He understood what the Director meant. The Overwatch Council was the Emperor's Special Forces, yet it was not restricted to just this. It was one of the sharp swords held across the Qing Kingdom's official, and the Emperor was the hand that held this sword. If this hand suddenly disappeared…this sword, the Overwatch Council, would immediately become the opponent that everyone wanted to break. However, who was this Sir Wu who had a deterrent power close to that of the Emperor?

Chen Pingping raised two fingers and coldly said, "Fan Xian is the second Commissioner of this Council, however, you know about his identity. The Overwatch Council can only be one portion of his journey, and it cannot forever limit him within it. You will be the Council's third Commissioner. What you need to do is not the same as the previous two."

Chen Pingping sighed tiredly and said, "Your task is…if one day I am dead and Fan Xian has gone crazy, you have to ignore everything and endure. If you have to bear humiliation to save your life or must make great compromises to protect the whole, you must protect this Council. Even if you can't protect it on the surface, you must save the networks we have always hidden in the shadows."

Yan Bingyun could no longer pretend to calmness. He gazed at the old man in the wheelchair with shock because the old man's explanation of the three generations of Commissioners clearly contradicted each other, particularly Sir Wu and his tasks. If Sir Wu didn't die, the Overwatch Council would not fall. What about his task? Furthermore, the old man was speaking so seriously and sorrowfully.

There was only one possibility: the Direction estimated that in the near future, either Sir Wu would die or a power that the Overwatch Council was completely unable to stand against would fall down out of the sky. For example, the hand holding the sword could easily let go and allow the sword that was the Overwatch Council to fall into the yellow mud.

Why would the Emperor bring down the Overwatch Council? Why did the Director seem like he was entrusting this to an orphan?

Yan Bingyun was always intelligent and calm, however, he couldn't help but be greatly troubled. He did not dare to think deeply about this problem and or continue asking questions. He didn't know what the old man in the wheelchair was going to do, and he didn't know what was going to happen or how it would impact everyone's lives.

"Say, why do you think the world has an Overwatch Council?" Chen Pingping's words seemed like he was asking Yan Bingyun, but it was also like he was asking himself.

Yan Bingyun's forehead was furrowed tightly. His mind was actually still stuck on his earlier shock. The Director's loyalty to the Emperor had never been doubted by anyone, and the Emperor's favor toward the Director was a rarely seen honor. Why was it like this?

"For the Emperor…" Yan Bingyun opened his mouth unconsciously to speak but immediately closed his mouth.

"I hope that everyone in Qing Kingdom will be able to become uninhibited. To not surrender when being mistreated by others, to not be frustrated when assailed by disaster, to not be afraid to fix things when seeing injustice, to not ingratiate oneself like jackals and beasts…"

Chen Pingping suddenly laughed out loud.

Yan Bingyun was too familiar with these words. Every member of the Overwatch Council had seen these words as they grew up. These words were inscribed on the stone tablet in front of the Overwatch Council, golden and shiny, unfaded over the years. Inscribed at the end were three characters—Ye Qingmei.

Everyone under heaven knew that Ye Qingmei was the Mistress of the Ye family back in the day and Sir Fan junior's birth mother.

"Actually, there are two more lines after these words," Chen Pingping closed his eyes and slowly said. "Except, no one dared to bring them up again after her death. Go home and ask Ruohai. He will tell you what those two lines are."

"Yes."

The tens of thousands of words in Yan Bingyun's heart only became this one word.

…

…

Young master Yan sat in the carriage and hurried back to Yan manor. Maybe it was because the temperature was too hot or because he was overly fearful in the depths of his heart, but sweat had completely soaked through his always white shirt.

Passing through the small back garden, he didn't acknowledge the greetings of the servants along the way. With a serious expression, he entered the study.

In the study, the still retired Yan Ruohai was playing Go against a woman. The pieces landing on the stone platform did not make much noise, yet the matte pieces exuded a killing aura.

Seeing Yan Bingyun entering the room and sensing that his son's state of mind was strange today, Yan Ruohai smiled warmly at the person opposite and said, "Today, Lady Shen's mind is not on the game."

Lady Shen, the only surviving daughter of the previous Commander of the Northern Qi Brocade Guards Shen Zhong, who had escaped to Qing Kingdom, gave an embarrassed smile and rose. Giving Yan Ruohai a bow, she glanced with concern at Yan Bingyun and slowly walked out of the study. As she left, she carefully closed the door.

Yan Ruohai looked at his son and gently said, "What happened?"

After a moment of silence, Yan Bingyun recounted Director Chen's orders in the Overwatch Council.

"Sir Fan junior is certain to become Director." Yan Ruohai looked tenderly at his son. "In the future, his attentions will have to be placed in the court. He will certainly need someone to handle specific Council affairs. You've worked very hard these few years and have done a lot for the court. Although, in my opinion, you are still a bit too young, however…since Sir Fan junior trusts you so, you'll have to help him well as the Commissioner."

For this old man, Fan Xian' plans in the future of the Overwatch Council were clear. In the Overwatch Council, other than his Qinian Unit, the person he most trusted was Yan Bingyun. His plans for Yan Bingyun were not surprising.

"However…" Yan Ruohai changed the topic and sighed. "Why would it be Commissioner? Your experience, your ability…are all still very distant."

He mockingly laughed, "You aren't Sir Wu."

"You also know…about Sir Wu?" Yan Bingyun anxiously asked.

"I've been in the Council for many years," Yan Ruohai smiled slightly and said. "No matter how you put it, this is a good thing. Our family social status has honor again, so why are you so distressed?"

"That saying…what are the following two lines?" Yan Bingyun worriedly asked.

"Oh," Yan Ruohai faintly said. "Those are two very treasonous lines…no matter who says it, they will die."

Yan Ruohai smiled slightly and said, "Back then, someone once said those words and even she…died."

"Don't think too much," Yan Ruohai sighed and said. "There is no need to doubt the Director's loyalty to the Emperor. I think he is worried about what will happen after the Emperor. Enduring humiliation as part of an important mission means to protect your own power under impossible circumstances and wait for the future."

He stared into his son's eyes and said each word clearly, "Perhaps…you will become a shadowy thief that sells out their master for glory, a shameless bastard that tens of thousands will curse heartily. Have you prepared yourself mentally for these things?"

Yan Bingyung did not reply to his father's words. He calmly asked, "Father, if…and I'm saying if, you had to choose between the Palace and the Council, which would you choose?"

What was he choosing? It was self-evident.

Yan Ruohai used an amused gaze too look at his son and sighed. "Silly child, naturally I will choose the Council…if the Director did not have this confidence in me, how could he tell you so much?"

Yan Bingyun forced a smile. He hadn't expected that his father would reply so simply and clearly. He was silent for a moment and then calmly said, "I am your son, so…I have made those mental preparations."

"It'll be hard for you, child."

Out of the blue, Yan Ruohai suddenly said, "These years have indeed been hard for him."

…

…

In the Royal Palace of Qing Kingdom, in an inky darkness, the layers of Palace eaves emanated a cold and strange scent. The Emperor wore light clothing. He stood in the night wind in front of the Taiji Palace and looked coldly at the square in front of the Palace, enjoying the rare coolness.

In the corner of Taiji Palace, the eunuch and serving girls were silently standing there while the guards responsible for the Emperor's safety carefully maintained their distance to ensure they could not hear the Emperor's conversation with the person beside him.

Chen Pingping sat on the wheelchair gently stroking the lamb wool blanket on his lap. He sighed and said, "Go slowly. The resentment in a child's heart…I think it has already been much smoothed over these years."

The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Actually, in that little tower…the child has already forgiven me…however, there is always a feeling of deficiency."

Chen Pingping laughed in a slightly high voice and replied, "Of all the princes, currently he has the greatest power…what should be given to him has all been given to him. Although he is stubborn, he is not stupid. He understands Your Majesty's intentions."

"What I'm afraid of is that he doesn't care about these things." A glimmer of a smile rose between the Emperor's brows. "At the end of the year, he insisted on going to the Fan family's ancestral temple. Isn't that him showing his resentment to me?"

The Emperor didn't wait for Chen Pingping to open his mouth before continuing, "I…can give him a name, but…not right now. Tell him this for me."

Chen Pingping understood what the Emperor meant. The empress dowager was still alive, so the Emperor had to consider her face. However, given these words, it seemed like all that Fan Xian had done these two years, his daring to be a solitary official, already made the Emperor have enough trust in him.

"Your Majesty has heart," Chen Pingping smiled and said.

In reality, words like "have heart" should never be used to describe a ruler, however, he and the Emperor had grown up together. In addition to all that had happened since, it made their official and ruler relationship unusual.

"Having heart is one matter." The Emperor slowly shook his head. "What is important is that this child has heart, furthermore, he has this ability…the Northern Qi matter, the Jiangnan matter, the Jiaozhou matter…they all gave the court face as well as substance. Furthermore, this child is not greedy for wealth or fame. It is truly very rare."

Chen Pingping was silent for a moment and then said, "Should he be transferred back?"

"No rush," The Emperor said lightly. "The Ming family still has tails that have yet to be chopped off, and the Junshang Conference that you spoke of when you entered the Palace a few days ago…have An Zhi sweep for them again in Jiangnan."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor suddenly turned his hand, grasped the wheelchair, and began to push it. He walked along the long corridor in front of Taiji Palace. As he pushed, he smiled and said, "Your age isn't that advanced, yet these years you are really showing your age. How could you still need a lamb's wool blanket on such a hot day? Are you not sweltering? Has Fei Jie given you medicine or not?"

"I'm someone who is about to die. What's the point in wasting that medicine money?" Chen Pingping's white hair flew above the wheelchair. "Your Majesty, let go, your old servant is not worthy."

Only when it was just the two of them would Chen Pingping refer to himself as "old servant."

"If I say you are worthy, then you are worthy," The Emperor said calmly. "Thinking back to King Cheng's manor, you were a little eunuch sent over by the Palace. From that moment on, you served me every day. Now, we are both old. You've broken your leg in your service to me. What is it that I push you a little?"

Chen Pingping shrank his body and sighed. "Sometimes, when I think back, it seemed yesterday is still before my eyes. Your servant seemed to still be accompanying Your Majesty, fighting with Prince Jing and Minister Fan…"

The Emperor was silent for a moment. He sighed and said, "Yes…I was thinking a few days ago. It would be good to go back to Danzhou to visit sometime."

For the Emperor to go on an inspection tour was no simple matter, so Chen Pingping didn't even think and directly said, "No."

The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "What are you worried about now?"

Chen Pingping knew that behind the Emperor's visit to Danzhou there would certainly be something big. He lowered his voice and slowly said, "You've made up your mind?"

The Emperor thought for a moment then shook his head. "Not yet."

Without waiting for Chen Pingping to open his mouth, the most powerful person in the world coldly said, "You and I are both people who crawled out from under piles of corpses back then. These little fights and arguments of these little clowns are not enough to move me to clean them up. However, sometimes I am greedy. If Yunrui truly has the ability to convince those two bastards to take action, I can use it to complete that matter we have long wanted to finish. Wouldn't that be marvelous?"

"Too dangerous." Chen Pingping sighed. He was thinking how to make the Emperor's thoughts more determined.

The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Under heaven, is it not to gain through risk?"

In the distance, the serving girls and eunuchs watched this scene. Seeing the Emperor personally pushing Director Chen's wheelchair for him, they couldn't help feeling incomparably shocked as well as incomparably warm. Such a legendary story between rulers and officials was truly rarely seen.

Chapter 425: The Son Of Heaven Has A Sickness

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

"Actually, I don't have any other intentions in going to Danzhou."

The Emperor pushed the wheelchair to the corner of Taiji Palace. The railing in front of him reflected a faint white light, giving it the sense of there being a few meters difference in height to the square. The most terrifying official and ruler pair, who also made Qing Kingdom and the world cooperate for the longest time, sighed at the same time. Although the walls of the Palace were tall and large when compared with the expansive square, they didn't seem so tall. The southern night sky in the distance had pinpricks of starlight streaming down.

"I just want to go visit," The Emperor said very casually. "It's been a long time since I've gone. I wonder if it's still the same as before, with that many fish."

"If I remember correctly, the last time you visited Danzhou, that place wasn't yet completely part of our Qing Kingdom's borders."

"Yes. Taking a boat from Dongyi to Danzhou seems closer. If to the north of Danzhou wasn't that large swathe of ruthless and dangerous forest…I think Sigu Jian would not have given up such a good port."

"Fortunately there is that swathe of forest," Chen Pingping smiled and said. "Only then she would have taken the boat, so we could meet her on the sea."

The Emperor fell silent. It was clear that he did not want to continue this recollection. Chen Pingping sighed and turned the subject around. "Your Majesty stands higher than people under heaven and sees further. I don't dare to doubt your judgement and decisions, however…I can't think of how, if the Eldest Princess really has that intention…how will she persuade those two people?"

The Emperor didn't think more. He directly said, "There is no need to persuade. If there is a chance to be able to pierce me through with a sword, such a large lure, no matter whether it is Ku He that Ascetic Monk or Sigu Jian that idiot, I trust none of them would want to miss it."

If Fan Xian had been listening at the side, he would certainly have sighed in admiration that the Emperor's analysis right aligned with the analysis of that old Prime Minister in Wuzhou. Qing Kingdom lost a Lin Ruofu. He wondered whether the Emperor felt it was somewhat of a pity.

Chen Pingping's hand that had been stroking the blanket on his lap slowly stopped, like he was digesting the Emperor's words. A moment later, he slowly said, "If the two of them really staked everything all on one throw, what will Qing Kingdom use to stop them?"

"When the soldiers come block them with generals," the Emperor said coldly.

"Who are the generals?" Chen Pingping calmly asked. "Ye Liuyun chopped down half a building in the South. Other people can mistake him for Sigu Jian, that idiot, but I think so. It will be impossible to count on him to strike. I'm also afraid that he will become mad in his old age."

"An Zhi also spoke of it in a letter," the Emperor coldly said. "After all, he is a person of the Qing court. It's not good for him to collude with outsiders."

"As for those two people, in the end, they are not gods. I hold the world in my hands, so why would I fear those two ordinary people? As for the question of generals…" The Emperor lightly continued, "Lao Wu is the best killing general of this time."

Very calm words, very strong confidence, but a glimmer of an unfathomable smile hung from the corners of Chen Pingping's lips. Since he was sitting in front of the Emperor, the Emperor could not see his strange smile.

"I will give Yunrui an opportunity," the Emperor said coldly.

Chen Pingping was silent, but in his heart, he was thinking, I'm afraid…Your Majesty is only giving yourself an opportunity, an opportunity to convince the empress dowager and yourself.

Up to now, Chen Pingping still did not know where the Emperor's great confidence came from. Although he had been working toward the side closest to the truth, because of Fan Xian's interference in the Hanging Temple, the show he wanted Wu Zhu to see was still not yet finished.

"Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"I want to know what plans you have made for future matters." Chen Pingping sighed, asking a question he would certainly not ask again.

The Emperor also seemed to be surprised. He smiled slightly. The beard on his chin slowly fluttered in the night wind, and the worldly gaze particular to middle-aged people softened slightly. This was the first time in many years that Chen Pingping had taken the initiative to ask this. The Emperor's heart was slightly moved.

"I thought you didn't like to acknowledge these things?" The Emperor mocked. "In the past, when I asked for your opinion, you were like an old rabbit running as far as you could."

Chen Pingping pursed his mouth and said, "The matter of a bunch of children, but in the end, they are the Emperor's children."

The Emperor understood the meaning in these words. After thinking for a moment, he said in a calm and determined voice, "I haven't decided."

Now it was Chen Pingping's turn to be surprised. He couldn't resist shaking his head, sighing like an old man from a village.

The Emperor slowly said, "Chengqian is too weak, the eldest is too kind, the Second…" He furrowed his bros, "The Third is too young."

Chen Pingping sighed again.

The Emperor suddenly laughed and released the hands from the back of the wheelchair and placed them behind his back. He walked to stand in front of Chen Pingping. He gazed at the expansive square hidden in the depths of the Palace across the white jade railing as if he was watching thousands of troops and tens of thousands of horses, as if he was looking at everything under heaven.

"I know many people think that I've pushed these children too harshly." The Emperor's back appeared somewhat desolate. "One time Shu Wu had drunk too much alcohol and directly said it to my face."

Speaking of this, there was a glimmer of anger in the Emperor's tone.

"But, can just anyone be the Emperor?" The Emperor turned his head back and looked at Chen Pingping's clearly aging face like he was asking him. It was also like he was asking himself, or perhaps he was asking those restless sons of his inside and outside the Palace.

In the distance, the serving girls and eunuchs looked in their direction. They couldn't hear what the Emperor and Director Chen were talking about. They had no idea that the Emperor and Director Chen's conversation involved the future ownership of the dragon chair.

…

…

"As an Emperor, one cannot be emotionless or overly emotional." The Emperor turned his face away. "Those without emotion would treat the world without emotion, and the world will certainly fall into chaos. Those with too much emotion are certain to be hurt and be the one to bring sorrow to the world, and there will also be chaos."

"I am not a muddled ruler. I want to achieve great deed, but I also need someone to inherit. Choosing an Emperor cannot just be based on personal favorites." The Emperor smiled coldly and said. "I have watched the Crown Prince for 10 years. He is an overly sentimental person among the merciless. He is suitable for guarding the city, however, when I go, I think the world will have just become united with chaos still existing. He has neither a stone heart nor ruthless methods. How will he guard this united world for me?"

"The Second Prince?" The cold smile on the Emperor's face still did not abate. "In the beginning, I had favored him. In his battles with Chengqian these years, he did not come off at a disadvantage. However, later he disappointed me slightly. He blindly walked toward the road of mercilessness under the guise of being overly sentimental. If he ascends to the throne, he is certain to be a humane Emperor. However, these sons of mine…I'm afraid not one will be able to survive."

Chen Pingping was silent, but he thought that the ways of the world were not something that could be explained or understood. Back then, the Second prince was a handsome young man that only knew how to read books. If he had not been forced by you to this degree, had not been subjected to such pressure and temptation, how could his personality become like it is today? Your Majesty, ah, Your Majesty…the ways of raising a lion were truly not suitable to use in raising someone to take over the position of Emperor.

The Emperor's thoughts these years in allowing his sons to compete for the position of heir were simple. It was difficult to rule the world. Whoever could endure, this world would belong to them. He never thought that not all young people were like him, used to standing in a current as dark as ink and appreciating the scene on the riverside. He had changed his sons a great deal, but the final results of these changes might not be something he wanted.

"What about the Great Prince?" Chen Pingping's words tonight had far exceeded the beliefs he usually held.

When the Emperor heard these words, he was surprised again. He smiled more brightly. It seemed that he very much liked that Chen Pingping was once again speaking the whole truth like he had in the past. "I am not surprised you would bring up his name."

The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "The lives of the mother and son were both rescued by you and Xiao Yezi, naturally you have extra affection toward him. I also love him…but he is overly sentimental. In this dangerous battle, whoever has a soft heart will likely be consigned to eternal damnation."

The Emperor sighed. "In addition, he is half Dongyi after all. It will be difficult to convince the people. More importantly, if we have to massacre Dongyi in the future. Do you think he has the determination?"

'

Chen Pingping sighed. The Director seemed to have sighed more tonight in this Royal Palace than at any other time.

"Thus, there is no need to consider him," the Emperor slowly said. "The Third Prince…he is still young, I can still watch him for a few more years."

Chen Pingping suddenly smiled strangely and made a suggestion that would perhaps make the entire world tremble.

"What about…Fan Xian?"

The Emperor slowly turned around and gazed at Chen Pingping with almost a smile. After an indeterminable amount of time, he still not answer the question. After a long time, the Emperor suddenly roared with laughter. His laugh echoed through the long empty corridor in front of Taiji Palace. It scared the serving girls and eunuchs at the end of the long corridor witless.

The sound of the laugh gradually quieted, and the Emperor slowly reined in his smile. He calmly, yet unquestionably, said, "Without question, he is the most suitable."

Overly sentimental was always more annoying than mercilessness. The aura Fan Xian had exhibited in this world coincidentally aligned with the Qing Emperor's requirements for his heir. Appearing warm and sentimental, but in reality, cold and merciless, along with a glimmer of sorrow for the universe and mankind in the depths of their bones.

The Emperor still thought that glimmer in Fan Xian's bones should have been inherited from his mother, right?

If these words of the Emperor got out, the entire Qing court would probably be shocked, and a powerful change might even happen across the entire world.

"He has no title," Chen Pingping said with a strange smile.

The Emperor's smile was also somewhat strange. "A title is just a word from me…there will eventually be a day when everyone from that time is dead."

Chen Pingping knew that the Emperor was talking about the empress dowager in the Palace. He gently coughed a couple of times and said, "I think you should let it be."

The Emperor gazed at him. "Why? I always thought you didn't like Fan Xian, but judging by these two years, you truly love him greatly."

"Love is one matter," Chen Pingping smiled insincerely and said. "Fan Jian and I not seeing eye-to-eye is another matter…however, in my opinion, given Fan Xian's personality, he would not want the Fan and Liu families to become white bones under the earth because of their connection to him."

The Emperor smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.

Chen Pingping understood this Emperor in front of him too well. He sighed in his heart. If the Emperor really wanted to support Fan Xian onto the throne, then before he died, he would definitely completely wipe out the Fan and Liu families. He would stop at nothing to wipe them all out, and this was something that Fan Xian would certainly not accept. What made Chen Pingping slightly tired was that he finally confirmed that the Emperor had not placed Fan Xian on the inheritance list at all.

Chen Pingping stood in the middle and knew that the road was not passable, so he could only go through a different path—the Emperor had a sickness, a sickness of the heart.

…

…

"I like the eldest and An Zhi because I like their hearts." The Emperor stood in the night wind in the Royal Palace and made a determined choice for the ownership of the dragon chair. "What I want to see are the hearts of these sons…if they have none, then this matter can be put aside. If they have them, I want to know whether the Crown Prince and the Second Prince's hearts value me, this father of theirs."

Chen Pingping didn't make a sound. He just coldly thought, As a father, if you don't treasure your sons, what right did you have to ask that they treasure you?

"The Emperor's gaze should look further than ours."

…

…

Fan Xian thought, at this moment, he was just like a monkey. Having climbed to the top of the mast, he looked at the sun rising to his right. Welcoming the slightly wet and salty sea wind, he yelled loudly and happily.

What satisfaction to travel on the ocean. There was no need to pay attention to the vat of dirty water in Jingdou, or the troubles in the officialdom, and no need to look at those dead heads in Jiaozhou. Fan Xian seemed to have returned to the restless youth he was when he arrived in Danzhou. Every day, he climbed up and down the boat until he finally climbed to the top of the tallest mast on the boat.

He built an awning and looked at the swathe of warm red in the distance. He thought, he was already looking far enough, except, he still didn't know just what step the Emperor had already seen.

The boat came from Jiaozhou and followed the winding shoreline on the east side of Qing Kingdom heading slowly north toward Fan Xian's hometown.