51: Chapter 50 Returning to the Capital

Great Yan Calendar, the ninth day of the first month of Yuanchun.

On the third day of Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's return to the capital, the snow finally stopped.

The skies over the capital cleared up, and the sunlight reflecting off the accumulated snow was so bright that it was blinding.

Icicles hung from the eaves along the long streets, chiming with a tinkling sound whenever the wind blew.

The commoners shoveled away the snow that had accumulated for half a month from their doorways, piling it under the trees by the roadside.

Children rolled in the snowdrifts, only to be dragged back by their ears by adults, scolded a few times, and then laughed again.

The Life Qi of this city was returning, bit by bit.

In front of the Crown Princes Mansion in Yongan Ward, carriages and horses began lining up from early morning.

Officials from the imperial court, representatives of aristocratic families, and envoys from Sects arrived in wave after wave, all here to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.

The news of the great victory in the Northern Territory had reached the capital half a month ago; the lives of one hundred and thirty thousand Northern Di were the Crown Prince's best calling card.

Those who had once secretly contacted the Eighth Prince, those who had embezzled military pay, and those who had once cursed the Crown Prince as a "waste" behind his back, had all come now.

They brought generous gifts, wore smiling faces, and were filled with the utmost caution.

The doorman leaned against the doorframe without even lifting his eyelids: "His Highness has said, he is not seeing guests today."

The visitors looked at each other, but dared not say more, and could only stand obediently outside the gate to wait.

A dense crowd stood in the snow, looking like a group of schoolchildren being punished by standing in the corner.

Crown Princes Mansion, basement level.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, a long list spread out on the desk in front of him.

Zhang Liang had already categorized the names on the list according to the severity of their crimes—those who embezzled military pay, those who formed cliques for personal gain, and those who secretly contacted the Eighth Prince.

The last category was the largest, and the most laughable.

Three months ago, they thought Crown Prince Xiao Xuan would die in the Holy Land and were anxious to find a new master for themselves.

Three months later, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan returned alive, carrying the prestige of the great victory in the Northern Territory.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan didn't need to look to know what those people's expressions were like now.

"Your Highness," Zhang Liang pointed to a few names on the list, "These individuals were the first to contact the Eighth Prince. Not only did they contact the Eighth Prince, but they also secretly passed information to the Great Xia Empire."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's finger stopped on that name.

Vice Minister of Revenue, Qian Wenyuan. A veteran official of three dynasties, with Disciples all over the world, known as "Qian Half-Court."

When Minister of Rites Zhou Yan was beheaded, he had cried the most sorrowfully. Now, his name was in the "colluding with the enemy" column.

"Qian Wenyuan," Crown Prince Xiao Xuan's voice was very calm, "What information did he pass on?"

Zhang Liang said: "He told Great Xia about Your Highness's time in the Holy Land. He also told Great Xia about Your Highness reorganizing the Capital Garrison. And he even told Great Xia about Your Highness's northern expedition."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked up at Zhang Liang: "What is Great Xia's reaction?"

Zhang Liang was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "The Great Xia Empire has increased its troops at the border. Two hundred thousand, stationed three hundred li away from Yanmen Pass. Nominally, it is an 'exercise,' but in reality—"

He did not finish, but the meaning was already very clear.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled. It was not a happy smile, but the kind of smile one has when seeing prey jump out on its own.

"Pass down the order," he stood up, "I will attend the morning court tomorrow."

Zhang Liang bowed: "Yes."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan walked out of the basement and stood in the courtyard. The sunlight shone on his face, feeling warm.

General Dian Wei stood behind him like an iron tower, his iron hammer resting on the ground, the runes on the hammerhead gleaming with a faint light in the sun.

"General Dian Wei," Crown Prince Xiao Xuan suddenly spoke, "Tell me, why are those people afraid of me?"

General Dian Wei thought for a moment and said in a muffled voice: "Because Your Highness is stronger than them."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan shook his head: "It's not strength. It's because they have ghosts in their own hearts. People without ghosts in their hearts would not fear me."

He turned around, looked at the dark crowd outside the mansion gate, and suddenly sighed: "Return the gifts they sent. Tell them I do not want their things. Making them spit out the silver they embezzled is better than any gift."

General Dian Wei nodded and turned to pass on the message.

Half an hour later, more than half of the people outside the mansion gate had dispersed. Those whose gifts had been returned looked worse than if they had eaten a fly.

But they dared not stay, because the Crown Prince's words had already been spread—spit out the embezzled silver.

A restaurant in the west of the city.

Grand Elder Renxuanzi stood in front of the window, watching the crowd in front of the Crown Princes Mansion opposite disperse, and suddenly smiled.

A Disciple stood behind him and asked cautiously: "Elder, the Crown Prince returned everyone's gifts, what does this mean?"

Grand Elder Renxuanzi stroked his beard and said: "The meaning is very clear—he does not want these small favors. He wants their lives."

The Disciple's expression changed: "Whose lives?"

Grand Elder Renxuanzi did not answer, only looking at the snowy scenery outside the window. The sunlight shone on the accumulated snow, blindingly bright. He narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself: "Qian Half-Court, your good days are over."

In the north of the city, the Great Qin Empire embassy.

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire sat in the courtyard, a thin layer of snow resting on the chessboard in front of him. He did not brush it away, just watched it quietly.

An old servant stood behind him and whispered: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is attending the morning court tomorrow."

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire nodded: "This Prince has heard."

The old servant said: "Your Highness, how do you think the Crown Prince will deal with those people?"

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "He will first deal with the biggest one. Kill the biggest one, and the small ones will kneel down on their own."

The old servant was thoughtful: "Your Highness is referring to Qian Wenyuan?"

Prince Ying Zheng, 4th Prince of Daqin Empire did not answer, but picked up a black piece from the chessboard and placed it on the Tianyuan position. That move was called "Dragon Slaying."

The next day. Morning court.

Chengde Palace.

Before dawn, the officials were already waiting outside the palace. The atmosphere today was different from usual, and everyone was guessing—what would the Crown Prince do in court? Who would he impeach? Or who would he arrest?

Those with ghosts in their hearts were as pale as paper. Those without ghosts in their hearts were also secretly calculating—the time to choose sides had arrived.

The bells and drums rang in unison, and the palace doors opened wide. The officials filed in and stood on both sides.

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan sat on the dragon throne, his complexion much better than three months ago, and there was a glint in his eyes.

His son had returned alive from the Northern Territory, and had brought back a great victory. This pride could not be hidden.

"His Majesty has an edict, summon the Crown Prince to the palace."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan walked in. Today he wore his Crown Prince's court attire—a black base with golden patterns, a white jade belt around his waist, and a purple-gold crown on his head.

Three months ago, he couldn't quite carry off this attire. But now, as he stood there, everyone felt an invisible sense of oppression.

That was the aura of the heaven-man realm Perfection, the Killing Intent piled up by the lives of one hundred and thirty thousand Northern Di in the Northern Territory.

"Your son Xiao Xuan pays respects to Imperial Father."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan raised his hand: "Rise."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood up, turned around, and faced the officials. His gaze swept over everyone; those with ghosts in their hearts lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Imperial Father," Crown Prince Xiao Xuan took a memorial from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, "Your son has a matter to report."

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan took the memorial, opened it, and read it page by page. The palace was silent, and everyone was holding their breath.

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan finished reading, closed the memorial, looked up, and his gaze fell on a person in the court ranks. "Qian Wenyuan."

Vice Minister of Revenue Qian Wenyuan trembled all over and fell to his knees with a thud.

Emperor Xiao Yuanshan looked at him, his voice very calm: "The Crown Prince impeaches you for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, with conclusive evidence. What do you have to say?"

Qian Wenyuan lay on the ground, shaking all over: "Your Majesty, this subject is wronged! This subject is loyal to the Great Yan—"

"Wronged?" Crown Prince Xiao Xuan interrupted him, "Minister Qian, you told Great Xia about my time in the Holy Land—is that also being wronged? You told Great Xia about me reorganizing the Capital Garrison—is that also being wronged? You told Great Xia about my northern expedition—is that also being wronged?"

Qian Wenyuan's complexion turned from white to green, and from green to purple. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan walked up to him and looked down at him: "Minister Qian, I will not ask how much you embezzled. I will not ask how many cliques you formed. But you colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, causing the deaths of so many soldiers in the Northern Territory—I will settle this account with you clearly."

He turned around and faced Emperor Xiao Yuanshan: "Imperial Father, your son requests an edict—behead Qian Wenyuan, confiscate his assets, and exile his clan. Those who collude with the enemy shall not be pardoned."

There was a deathly silence in the palace. Everyone's gaze fell on Emperor Xiao Yuanshan. Emperor Xiao Yuanshan was silent for a long time, so long that some thought he was hesitating.

Then he spoke, with only one word: "Granted."

Qian Wenyuan collapsed on the ground and was dragged away by the guards. His screams echoed in the palace, gradually fading away.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood in the palace, looking at the trembling officials, his voice as calm as if he were speaking of an insignificant matter: "I only kill those who collude with the enemy. For those who embezzled, spit out the silver, and I will spare your lives. For those who formed cliques, dismantle them yourselves, and I will pretend I didn't see it. But if anyone dares to collude with the enemy again—"

He did not finish, but everyone understood.

After the morning court dispersed, the news spread throughout the entire capital. Qian Wenyuan was beheaded, his assets confiscated, and his clan exiled.

This veteran official of three dynasties, known as "Qian Half-Court," had nothing left overnight.

Those who had once embezzled, formed cliques, and colluded with the enemy with him were all trembling at this moment.

The Crown Prince had said, he only kills those who collude with the enemy. For those who embezzled, just spit it out. For those who formed cliques, just dismantle them. But who knew if what the Crown Prince said was true?

Crown Princes Mansion, basement level.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, with Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu sitting opposite him. A new list was spread out on the desk, much shorter than the previous one.

Qian Wenyuan's name was crossed out, but there were still a few names with red circles next to them.

"Your Highness," Zhang Liang pointed to those names, "These people also colluded with the enemy. The evidence is conclusive."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan took a look, was silent for a moment, and slowly said: "Let's not move against them yet."

Strategist Guo Jia was stunned: "Your Highness, why?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood up and walked to the map of the territory: "After killing Qian Wenyuan, they are afraid. Once afraid, they dare not act. If they dare not act, they will be obedient. What I want is not to kill a certain number of people, but to make the remaining people dare not commit the offense again."

Strategist Jia Xu stroked his beard and said: "Your Highness is wise. Making an example of one is more effective than killing them all."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded, his gaze falling on the north side of the territory map. That was the direction of the Northern Di Royal Court, the direction of Yanmen Pass, and also the direction where the Great Xia Empire had increased its troops.

"What moves does Great Xia have?"

Zhang Liang said: "The two hundred thousand-strong army is still at the border. Nominally, it is an exercise, but in reality, they are waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for Your Highness to make a mistake."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled: "Then they have a long wait ahead of them."

He turned around, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness into his mind. The screen of light was floating quietly.

[System notification: Current Luck: 900 / 1000. 100 points of Luck are still needed for the next summoning.]

900 points, still 100 short. He opened his eyes, and he had already made a plan in his heart.

The capital, late at night.

Outside the Crown Princes Mansion, a dark figure flashed out of an alley. He was wearing night-traveling clothes, his face masked, and his footsteps were as light as a cat's.

He looked in the direction of the Crown Princes Mansion for a long time, then took a bamboo tube out of his bosom and placed it under the stone lion. He turned and disappeared into the night.

The next morning, the doorman discovered the bamboo tube while sweeping the snow. He dared not open it and sent it directly to the basement level.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan took the bamboo tube and pulled out the stopper; inside was a note. There was only one line of words on the note—Great Xia envoy, arrives in the capital in three days.

Zhang Liang took the note and read it once, his brows slightly furrowed: "Your Highness, what is the meaning of Great Xia sending an envoy at this time?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan placed the note on the candle flame to burn it, watching the flames consume the words on the paper: "They are coming to test the waters."

Strategist Guo Jia said: "Will Your Highness see them?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded: "I will see them. Let them come. I would like to see what kind of tricks they can play."

Outside the window, the snow began to fall again. It was fine and dense, like countless eyes, watching this city.