36: Chapter 36 The King Returns

The carriage sped along the official road for seven full days.

Great Yan calendar, late winter, October 23rd. When Crown Prince Xiao Xuan left the capital, it was still midsummer. Now, upon his return, it was late autumn. The leaves on both sides of the road had turned mostly yellow, and with a gust of wind, they fell rustling, covering the ground.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan lifted the carriage curtain and gazed at the fields rushing past the window. Three months ago, this place was lush green. Now, the rice had been harvested, leaving only bare stubble and busy farmers. He noticed that there were many more commoners in the fields than three months ago, and their faces no longer held the numb sorrow he remembered—some were laughing, some were chatting, and children were chasing and playing on the ridges.

"Stop the carriage," he suddenly said.

General Lu Bu pulled the reins, and the carriage slowly came to a halt.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stepped out of the carriage and stood by the roadside, looking at an old farmer gleaning ears of grain not far away.

"Old man," he walked over, "How is the harvest this year?"

The old farmer raised his head. Seeing a well-dressed young man, he quickly put down the basket in his hand and bowed, saying: "Thanks to the blessing of the imperial court, the weather was favorable this year, and the harvest is thirty percent better than last year."

"Thirty percent better than last year?" Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

The old farmer said: "Doesn't the guest know? After the new Crown Prince took office, he exempted us from taxes for three years. Many of those corrupt officials from before were also arrested. Now, the yamen bailiffs dare not collect money indiscriminately, so naturally, we can keep more grain."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan felt a stir in his heart: "You know about the new Crown Prince too?"

The old farmer laughed: "How could I not know? The whole world knows. The new Crown Prince is named Crown Prince Xiao Xuan, twenty years old. He used to hide in Yongan Ward, and everyone thought he was a good-for-nothing. As soon as he came out, he arrested all those corrupt officials. You know Minister of Rites Zhou Yan, right? A veteran of three reigns, yet he was arrested and executed just like that. The commoners all say that this Crown Prince is the most ruthless one in the Great Yan in hundreds of years."

He paused and added: "However, it is good to be ruthless. If he weren't ruthless, how would those corrupt officials be afraid? If they weren't afraid, how could we commoners survive?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan remained silent for a moment, took a silver ingot from his sleeve, and stuffed it into the old farmer's hand.

"Old man, take this money to buy something for the children to eat."

The old farmer was stunned and quickly declined: "I cannot take this, I cannot take this..."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan had already turned and boarded the carriage.

"Let's go."

The carriage continued forward. Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the carriage, gazing out the window, and did not speak for a long time.

Jiang Ziya looked at him and smiled slightly: "Your Highness, how do you feel?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I did the right thing."

"Hmm?"

"Before, everything I did was to topple opponents, to become the Crown Prince, to unify the world. But what that old farmer just said made me understand something else."

He paused, his gaze becoming firm.

"What I did was not just to help them. It is what I should do. I am the Crown Prince, the future emperor. Ensuring the people are fed is my duty."

Jiang Ziya looked at him, his eyes filled with gratification.

"Your Highness, you have grown up."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled.

The carriage continued forward.

Ahead lay the direction of the capital. The direction of home.

Capital. City gate.

As the carriage slowly drove into the city gate, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan lifted the curtain, gazing at this familiar city. Three months later, the capital had changed a lot. There were more pedestrians on the streets, the shops were doing better business, and even the air lacked the tension and oppression of three months ago.

Crown Princes Mansion. The carriage stopped in front of the mansion.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the shabby mansion. Three months ago, when he left, this was still the Seventh Princes Mansion. Now, the plaque at the entrance had been changed—the three large characters "Crown Princes Mansion" shone brightly in the sunlight.

Standing in front of the mansion gate was one person.

Zhang Liang.

He was still wearing a green robe and holding bamboo slips, but he was thinner than three months ago, with sunken eye sockets, clearly having not slept well these past three months.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Zifang, you have lost weight."

Zhang Liang also smiled: "Your Highness, you have also lost weight."

The two looked at each other, and everything was understood without words.

Underground level one.

Eleven people gathered together.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, looking around at everyone.

Zhao Gao, General Lu Bu, Strategist Jia Xu, Xiao He, Chen Qingzhi, Di Renjie, Master Lu Ban, Zhangsun Wuji, Jiang Ziya, Strategist Guo Jia, Zhang Liang. Eleven people, not a single one missing.

"Everyone, I have returned."

Everyone cupped their hands in unison: "Congratulations to Your Highness for returning safely!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan waved his hand: "No need for congratulations. You have worked hard these three months I was away."

He looked at Zhang Liang: "Zifang, tell me about the matters in the court first."

Zhang Liang nodded and walked to the sand table.

"Your Highness, in the three months you were away, the court was generally stable. After the case of Minister of Rites Zhou Yan, the corrupt officials restrained themselves a lot. General Han Zhong is stationed at the Capital Garrison, and no one dares to act rashly."

He paused and added: "But there are a few matters that require Your Highness's decision."

"Speak."

"First, there are some restless people on the side of the Eighth Prince. The Eighth Prince himself is well-behaved, studying in the palace all the time and never participating in court politics. However, the people around him—his maternal family, the Chen family, and some old officials—are operating in the shadows. They have contacted over a dozen officials, intending to push the Eighth Prince to the throne after Your Highness 'meets with an accident'."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Wait for me to meet with an accident? What kind of accident do they think I will have?"

Zhang Liang smiled slightly: "They think that Your Highness's trip to the Holy Land is fraught with danger. With no news for three months, they assume Your Highness will not be able to return."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan laughed: "And then?"

"Then, they started to take action. Contacting officials, winning over hearts, and some even went to find General Han Zhong."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan asked: "What did General Han Zhong say?"

Zhang Liang said: "General Han Zhong said—'This old man only recognizes the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince is here, this old man protects the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince is not here, this old man protects the Great Yan. The Eighth Prince? This old man does not know him'."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan laughed heartily: "Good! I was right about General Han Zhong."

He restrained his smile: "Do you have a list of those people?"

Zhao Gao stepped forward: "Yes. Your servant has investigated them all."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded: "Keep it for now. When I have time, I will deal with them."

Zhang Liang continued: "The second matter, people from the top ten powers are still in the capital."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's gaze sharpened: "They haven't left yet?"

Zhang Liang said: "Some left, and some came. The people from the Great Xia left, the people from the Great Zhou Dynasty left, and the people from the Tianxuan Sect left. But the people from the Great Shang are still here, the people from the Great Qin are still here, and the people from the Renxuan Sect are still here. Moreover—"

He paused and pointed to several new markers on the sand table.

"The Dixuan Sect has sent people again. This time, it is not a spy, but a Grand Elder in the Late Stage of the True God realm, surnamed Chen, named Grand Elder Chen Daoming. He is the Senior Brother of Chen Xuanji. He says that the Dixuan Sect accepts the outcome of the last incident, but hopes to speak with Your Highness in person."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Talk? Very well. Let them talk."

He looked at Strategist Guo Jia: "Fengxiao, what do you think?"

Strategist Guo Jia smiled slightly: "Your Highness, your servant thinks they are not here to talk. They are here to watch."

"Watch what?"

"Watch if Your Highness died in the Holy Land. If Your Highness returns and is even stronger, they will truly talk. If Your Highness does not return, or has become weaker, they will not talk."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded: "That makes sense. Then I will let them see."

He stood up and walked to the sand table.

"Pass the order down, I will attend the morning court session tomorrow."

Everyone cupped their hands in unison: "Yes!"

The next day. Morning court.

Chengde Palace.

The officials stood solemnly, and the palace was silent.

For the past three months, the Crown Prince was not in the capital. Although there were no major disturbances in the court, people were in a state of panic. Those officials who had been intimidated by Crown Prince Xiao Xuan began to stir again. Those who secretly supported the Eighth Prince were even more active. Everyone wanted to know—can the Crown Prince really come back?

"His Majesty has arrived—"

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan walked out from the side hall and ascended the throne. His complexion was much better than three months ago, and there was light in his eyes. Because his son had returned.

"Proclaim the Crown Prince to enter the palace."

The eunuch sang in a shrill voice.

The palace doors opened wide, and Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stepped in.

He was wearing the Crown Prince's court attire today—black base, gold patterns, white jade belt at the waist, and a purple-gold crown on his head. Three months ago, when he wore this outfit, he couldn't quite carry it off. But now, as he stood there, everyone felt an invisible sense of oppression.

That was the aura of the Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm.

The officials changed color in unison. Three months ago, the Crown Prince was still a sixth-grade good-for-nothing. Three months later, Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm? How is this possible?

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan walked to the center of the palace and knelt down: "Your son, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan, pays respects to Father Emperor."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan looked at him, his eyes full of gratification: "Rise."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood up and looked around.

Wherever his gaze fell, those officials lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Father Emperor, in the three months I was away, some people were not very well-behaved."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan raised an eyebrow: "Who?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan took a list from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "This is the list of officials who have been secretly contacting and plotting misconduct over the past three months. There are seventeen people in total. The ringleader—"

He paused, his gaze falling on a person in the court ranks.

"Minister of Rites Chen Wenyuan."

Chen Wenyuan's face changed drastically, and he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, this servant is wronged!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him, his gaze as calm as water: "Wronged? Minister Chen, you sent people to the Eighth Prince's mansion to deliver gifts three times. You contacted seventeen officials to discuss pushing the Eighth Prince to the throne. Did you think I didn't know?"

Chen Wenyuan trembled all over and couldn't say a word.

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan took the list, glanced at it, and said coldly: "Take him away."

The guards stepped forward and dragged Chen Wenyuan away.

The palace was dead silent. Those who had participated were now pale and trembling. But Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not name anyone else. He turned around and looked at Emperor Xiao Yuanshan: "Father Emperor, I would like to keep these people."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan raised an eyebrow: "Keep them?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan said: "Yes. Keep them. Let them watch how I turn the Great Yan into the strongest country in the world."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Good. Then keep them."

After the morning court ended, the news spread throughout the capital.

The Crown Prince had returned. Not only did he return, but he also went from Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm—no, from Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm? No, that's not right, he jumped directly from sixth-grade to Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm? Three months, from sixth-grade to Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm? How is this possible?

But no one dared to ask. Because everyone knew that this Crown Prince was no longer the Crown Prince of three months ago.

East of the city, Yue Lai Inn.

The people of the Great Shang Empire were still staying here.

Seventh Prince Shang Lie sat in his room, his face ashen. The person he sent to inquire about the news had just returned—the Crown Prince had not only returned alive but had also broken through to the Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm.

"Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm?" Seventh Prince Shang Lie looked at his subordinate in disbelief, "Three months ago, he was still a sixth-grade good-for-nothing. Three months, from sixth-grade to Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm, you believe this?"

The subordinate said: "Your Highness, it is absolutely true. Your servant saw it with his own eyes. His aura is indeed at the Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm."

Seventh Prince Shang Lie was silent. After a long time, he slowly said: "Pass the order down, prepare. Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Crown Prince."

The subordinate said: "Your Highness, aren't we here to observe?"

Seventh Prince Shang Lie smiled bitterly: "Observe? What else is there to observe? Three months from sixth-grade to Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm, can you observe such a person?"

North of the city, Great Qin Empire embassy.

A middle-aged man sat in the courtyard, drinking wine. His name was Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire—of course, not the Ying Zheng on Earth, just the same name. He was the Fourth Prince of the Great Qin Empire, in the Early Stage of the True God realm, ordered to come to the capital to "observe".

"Your Highness," a man in black walked out from the shadows, "The Crown Prince has returned."

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire put down his wine glass: "Oh? What is his cultivation?"

The man in black said: "Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm."

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire raised an eyebrow: "Three months ago, he was still sixth-grade?"

"Yes."

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Interesting. Pass the order down, tomorrow I will also visit the Crown Prince."

West of the city, Renxuan Sect residence.

A white-haired old man sat in a secret room, with a game of chess in front of him. His name was Grand Elder Renxuanzi, a Grand Elder of the Renxuan Sect, in the Late Stage of the True God realm.

"Elder," a Disciple pushed the door and entered, "The Crown Prince has returned."

Grand Elder Renxuanzi placed a piece: "Cultivation?"

The Disciple said: "Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm."

The chess piece in Grand Elder Renxuanzi's hand paused slightly: "Three months, from sixth-grade to Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm?"

"Yes."

Grand Elder Renxuanzi was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "It seems that the Holy Land has already accepted him."

He raised his head, his eyes deep: "Pass the order down, prepare a generous gift. Tomorrow, I will personally go to the Crown Princes Mansion."

South of the city, an inconspicuous small courtyard.

This was the new residence of the people of the Dixuan Sect.

Grand Elder Chen Daoming sat cross-legged in the courtyard, closing his eyes to rest. He was a Grand Elder of the Dixuan Sect, in the Late Stage of the True God realm, the Senior Brother of Chen Xuanji. This time coming to the capital, on the surface, it was to "make peace", but in reality, it was to probe the bottom line.

"Elder," a Disciple walked in from outside, "The Crown Prince has returned."

Grand Elder Chen Daoming opened his eyes: "Cultivation?"

The Disciple said: "Perfection of the Heaven-Human Realm."

Grand Elder Chen Daoming was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Good. Tomorrow, I will go and meet him."

That night. Crown Princes Mansion, underground level one.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood in front of the sand table, listening to Zhao Gao report the reactions of various forces.

"... The people from the Great Shang are coming, the people from the Great Qin are coming, the people from the Renxuan Sect are coming, and the people from the Dixuan Sect are also coming. Tomorrow, I am afraid it will be very lively."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded and looked at Zhang Liang: "Zifang, what do you think?"

Zhang Liang smiled slightly: "Your Highness, they are coming, nothing more than wanting to see how much weight Your Highness has. Then let them see."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan asked: "How to let them see?"

Zhang Liang said: "Your Highness does not need to do anything tomorrow, just wait in the mansion. If they come, Your Highness will receive them. Whatever they ask, Your Highness will answer. If they want to probe, let them probe."

He paused, his gaze deep: "After they finish probing, they will discover—Your Highness is much deeper than they imagined."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Good. Then let them come."

He turned around and looked out the window. Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Tomorrow will be a very lively day.

"Come on," he muttered to himself, "No matter how many come, I will receive them all."

Behind him, Jiang Ziya sat cross-legged in the corner, slightly opening his eyes. That fishing rod with no bait and a straight hook lay across his knees. The brilliance on the fishing rod flickered slightly.