the Emperor’s expression shifted between light and shadow as he weighed the situation.
Cao Feng, as the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence, had committed a capital offense by setting fire to the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion and beating a prince. Yet his performance in court today had been remarkable, leaving the Emperor genuinely impressed.
Though Cao Feng bore the reputation of a wastrel, his literary talent was undeniable.
The Emperor had deliberately delayed naming a Crown Prince in order to raise his sons like fighting insects, encouraging open and hidden rivalry to temper their ruthlessness.
If the Great Qian Empire were to endure for generations, the throne could not be held by the soft-hearted.
He was well aware that the Sixth Prince had schemed to topple the Marquis of Zhenbei Cao Zhen’s family.
Cao Feng burning down the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion did not concern him much.
What truly angered him was that Cao Feng had dared to strike a prince and offend the royal authority.
The dignity of the royal house was inviolable. Whoever touched it must die.
He had even intended to use this matter to make an example of Cao Feng and warn those arrogant military marquises.
Yet talent was rare. His sons would need capable men to assist them. Killing Cao Feng felt like a waste.
How to spare Cao Feng’s life while still preserving royal dignity. That was the question he pondered.
After a long pause, the Emperor finally spoke.
“Regarding Cao Feng’s burning of the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion, in consideration of his evident talent, I shall let the matter pass.”
“But his offense against the royal authority and his assault on a prince warrant execution…”
Cao Feng’s heart skipped violently.
The Sixth Prince and his faction revealed delighted expressions.
So what if you can compose poetry? Offending the royal house means death!
Marquis Cao Zhen’s heart tightened. He was prepared to relinquish his title if necessary to preserve his son’s life.
Before the Emperor could finish, a frantic shout erupted outside the hall.
“Report!”
“Urgent dispatch over 400 kilometers!”
“Heigu and twelve other Hu tribes under the Liaozhou Military Governorship have rebelled!”
“Liaoyang has fallen!”
The announcement stunned the court officials, their faces changing drastically.
A Hu tribes rebellion in Liaozhou Military Governorship?
The sudden urgent report from the Frontier forced the Emperor to temporarily set aside Cao Feng’s matter.
“Summon the messenger into the hall!”
“By royal decree!”
The sharp, high-pitched voice of the eunuch echoed outward.
“Summon the messenger into the hall!”
Moments later, several royal guards escorted a dust-covered messenger into the great hall.
The messenger fell to his knees with a thud.
“Your Majesty!”
“Urgent report from Liaozhou Military Governorship, dispatched over 400 kilometers!”
“Heigu and twelve other Hu tribes raised an army of 50,000 a month ago. They launched a surprise attack on Governor Li during his Frontier inspection. Governor Li fought bravely and was killed in battle. Liaoyang has fallen…”
The entire court was shaken.
Not only had the Hu tribes rebelled. The Governor was dead. Liaoyang had fallen.
Since the Emperor’s ascension, there had never been a rebellion of such severity.
Civil and military officials whispered among themselves, their expressions grave.
Seated firmly upon the dragon throne, the Emperor clenched his fists, his face frosted with anger.
“They dare kill my Governor of the Great Qian Empire. The Hu tribes are too arrogant!”
“The Hu tribes deserve death!”
“They have broken their word and rebelled again. Intolerable!”
“The Heigu tribe has rebelled three times in five years. This time they even killed our Governor. This cannot be tolerated. They must not be spared!”
Led by the Minister of War, officials launched furious verbal attacks against the Hu.
Their outrage shifted the entire focus of the court.
“Your Majesty!”
The veteran statesman Li Xin stepped forward.
“The Hu tribes have rebelled, seized our cities, and slaughtered our people! I am willing to lead the army and crush the rebellion!”
Following Li Xin, several generals stepped forward to volunteer.
“Your Majesty, please issue the order to suppress the Hu tribes rebellion. We are willing to march to Liaozhou and restore order!”
Most officials from the Ministry of War and many generals of the Great Qian Empire favored war. Only through war could they gain wealth and military merit.
Some, however, were genuinely angered by the Hu’s arrogance and wished to uphold the Empire’s authority.
In contrast, most civil officials held an entirely different stance.
“Suppress? How many times has the court already suppressed these Hu tribes in recent years?”
“Every campaign ended in victory.”
“You generals rose in rank and wealth because of war.”
“But no sooner had our army withdrawn than the Hu tribes rebelled again.”
“The court repeatedly mobilizes troops, exhausting the people and treasury, yet gains nothing lasting.”
“Rebellions grow more frequent. More tribes revolt. Why?”
“Your Majesty!”
The Minister of Revenue cupped his hands. “The rebellion of Heigu and the thirteen tribes must have a cause.”
“If we mobilize recklessly without investigating and slaughtering indiscriminately, we will provoke even more tribes to rebel.”
“These Hu tribes are also subjects of the Great Qian Empire.”
“We should focus on pacification, not further military campaigns.”
“Endless fighting only breeds more hatred. The more people die, the more resentment grows. If this continues, the Empire will cease to be an Empire.”
An official from the Ministry of Personnel added, “Strong enemies surround our borders and eye us like tigers.”
“If our forces become entangled in Liaozhou and the war drags on, how will we conclude it?”
“I suggest dispatching a high-ranking official to Liaozhou for pacification.”
Hearing this, Li Xin, Duke of Zhen and Cavalry General of the First Rank, glared angrily at the civil officials advocating peace.
“Pacification?”
“Have you not pacified them enough?”
“Each time our army suppressed the Hu, we could have wiped them out entirely!”
“But you submitted memorials asking for mercy, urging Your Majesty to grant them opportunities for reform to display royal benevolence.”
“Did the Hu tribes appreciate it?”
“Every time we let the tiger return to the mountain. Once they regained strength, they rebelled again. The people of Liaozhou have never known peace!”
“This time they killed our Governor and challenged royal authority!”
“If we do not raise troops and instead speak of pacification, do we not appear weak and embolden their arrogance?”
The civil officials remained unmoved.
“Excessive killing harms heavenly harmony…”
“To hell with heavenly harmony. That is because the Hu tribes have not killed at your doorstep!”
The court erupted into fierce debate between the pro-war and pro-peace factions.
the Emperor’s brows knotted tightly.
The Hu tribes problem in Liaozhou had long been a persistent one. Even in previous dynasties, they had rebelled repeatedly.
The killing of the Governor was outrageous. If left unpunished and met with pacification, where would the Empire’s face be?
After contemplation, the Emperor made his decision.
His gaze swept over the court. The arguing officials fell silent.
His voice rang through the hall, heavy with killing intent.
“In past rebellions, the court repeatedly showed leniency. We pardoned their crimes and granted them high positions and generous rewards. We showed utmost benevolence.”
“This cannot be tolerated!”
His voice turned icy. “The court shall raise troops to pacify the realm!”
The pro-war faction was invigorated.
“Your Majesty is wise!”
The pro-peace officials looked grim.
If war began, the generals would rise again.
“Which of my ministers can offer a strategy to defeat the enemy? I shall reward handsomely!”
“Speak freely!”
As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Li Xin responded.
“Your Majesty! The Hu tribes rely on superior cavalry. We should follow our previous strategy: strengthen city defenses, clear the countryside, and confront them from fortified positions.”
“Once their supplies are exhausted, we strike and defeat them.”
the Emperor shook his head slightly, dissatisfied.
The Hu tribes cavalry moved swiftly and unpredictably. Each time they fortified cities and waited, the Hu tribes looted freely before retreating. Though territories were eventually reclaimed and isolated enemies killed, it inflicted no decisive blow.
Cities might not fall, but each campaign resulted in massive loss of people and livestock. The devastation was severe.
“Your Majesty! We should gather all cavalry and engage the Hu tribes in open-field battle!”
Again, the Emperor shook his head.
Ten years ago, his late father had gathered all 30,000 cavalry to eliminate the Hu tribes once and for all. After three days and nights of bloody battle, the entire cavalry force was annihilated.
His father fell ill from anger. The Empire’s cavalry had never fully recovered.
To attack their strength with one’s weakness was unwise.
Officials continued offering strategies, but none satisfied him.
Seeing the court at a loss, disappointment flickered across the Emperor’s face.
Cao Feng decided to gamble.
Though he had no battlefield experience, he had read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms many times.
The Emperor had forgiven the burning of the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion, but striking a prince remained unresolved. It was clear the Emperor was unwilling to let him off easily.
Now that the Hu tribes were in rebellion, he needed to seize this opportunity and present a strategy to save his life.
“Your Majesty! This humble subject has a strategy to defeat the enemy!”
All eyes turned to Cao Feng.
the Emperor looked at him in surprise.
“Foolish child, matters of war are not to be spoken of lightly!”
Marquis Cao Zhen pulled at Cao Feng’s sleeve, urging him not to cause trouble.
“Father, I know what I am doing.”
Cao Feng gave him a reassuring glance.
His earlier poetry had already earned the Emperor’s admiration.
Now claiming to have a strategy to defeat the Hu tribes made the Emperor frown.
What could a mere youth offer?
He assumed it was a desperate attempt to survive.
Still, since none of his ministers satisfied him, he decided to hear Cao Feng out.
“Cao Feng,” The Emperor said after a brief pause, “what is your strategy? Speak in detail.”
Cao Feng felt a surge of relief.
Finally, the Emperor had relented.
It was truly difficult to survive in this court.
He had to seize this chance.
“I have three strategies: superior, middling, and inferior. May I ask which one the Emperor wishes to hear?”