Chapter 357: The Old Friend

Night's candlelight flickered wildly, shattering the illusion of an old friend's return.

All the civil and military officials in attendance urged with cold, chilling voices.

Wang's brows remained lowered, unraised.

A heavy air hung like a stone.

"... Wang Yang concealed his tracks, faked his death to deceive the Prince—his scheme is profound. This alone is clear proof of his collusion with the Crown Prince! Even if he is not of the Crown Prince's faction, he is a man with treacherous intent! We once plotted to ambush and kill him but failed; we lamented it then. Now he has walked straight into our net—it is as if Heaven itself has stolen his soul. How could we possibly let him go again? I beg the Prince to decide swiftly, lest you be deceived!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan leapt to his feet the moment he heard Wang Yang was not dead but had come to surrender, insisting with absolute certainty that Wang Yang must be killed.

Though he believed his advice was correct, he could not deny his own selfish motives. Wang Yang was of the Wang clan of Langya, a noble lineage born with everything—discussing scholarship, writing poetry, and he became famous throughout Jingchu; even when imprisoned, people from all corners rushed to rescue him. But what of himself?

In military strategy, tactical flexibility, offensive and defensive maneuvers, he surpassed Wang Yang by more than several times! Yet every step forward required bowing low, exhausting every ounce of cunning.

He had repeatedly risked his life, hanging his head on his belt, countless times teetering on the brink of death, just to earn the Prince's special regard! Yet Wang Yang need do nothing—utter a few jests, and he had everything! He even dared to mock the Prince, to gamble and trick him! How unjust! How utterly unjust!

Among all the Prince's subordinates, whether talented or not, noble or humble, the Prince treated them all with disdain, mockery, laughter, and anger, without restraint. But Wang Yang was treated differently. Even because he had once proposed seizing Wang Yang's property, the Prince had scolded him—those words, "You may leave," still pierced his heart, word by word.

In the past, no matter how harshly the Prince scolded him, it was merely the casual condescension of a lord toward a subject—his nature, nothing more, and he never took it to heart. But that one phrase—he heard in it a deep revulsion. At that moment, he suddenly realized: in the Prince's heart, his own worth was less than that of Wang Yang, an outsider. This only deepened his hatred and envy toward Wang Yang.

Though it had already been proven that Wang Yang harbored treacherous intent, effectively severing the Prince's grace, what if the Prince, moved by old ties, relented and took him back? He might rise again—not only stealing the Prince's favor, but possibly seeking revenge. After all, it was he who first proposed killing Wang Yang.

Guo Wen said loudly:

"Li Li Li Gongyu speaks truly! I recall the public deliberation before our mission entered Jing, when we decided Wang Yang's fate. At that time, Li Li Li Gongyu stated three reasons Wang Yang must die: First, he is proof of collusion with the barbarians—kill him to silence him. Second, he is shrewd but disloyal—kill him to eliminate future danger. Third, his uncle is Wang Yi; should unrest arise, he can communicate with the imperial court—kill him to cut off this threat! Back then, we were struck with dread. Now, as events have unfolded, are not all three proven true?

Wang Yang is a spy for the Crown Prince. If he uncovers secret matters, he will report them to the Crown Prince—is this not proof of collusion with the barbarians? He evaded Zhou Mi's ambush, vanished without trace, faked his death to deceive—does this not prove he is shrewd yet disloyal? As for Wang Yi, he has never submitted; though now trapped in Wenyang, he may yet stir. Could this unrest be centered on Wang Yang? I beg the Prince to follow Li Li Li Gongyu's advice: kill Wang Yang to cut off this threat!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan, hearing Guo Wen cite his own past words, felt great satisfaction. He became even more convinced his plan to kill Wang Yang was right—not merely born of selfishness.

Chen Chen Qiming stepped forward and said:

"Wang Yang previously faked his death to escape; now he suddenly surrenders. His motives can only be threefold:

First, he is desperate and seeks refuge; second, he is drawn by profit; third, he has ulterior designs.

None of these stem from sincerity—they are all insincere. The Prince is now building a great enterprise—how can you harbor a man whose heart is not true, standing at your side?

A great hall about to be built fears only one rotten timber. I beg the Prince to make a thunderous decision, lest you leave behind future troubles!"

Tao Rui, though of a scholarly clan, had no intention of defending Wang Yang:

"Wang Yang is Wang Yi's kin and Director Liu Tan Tan's friend. Now Wang Yi and Director Liu Tan Tan remain unreconciled outside, yet Wang Yang alone surrenders. If genuine, he has abandoned kin and betrayed friends—his character is clear. If feigned, he comes with deceit, acting as an internal agent, linking inside and out—this cannot be ignored.

I believe that at this moment, it is better to lose a talent than to keep a threat.

I beg the Prince to observe the subtle signs and nip evil in the bud—do not let momentary mercy become tomorrow's regret!"

Xue Shao, having just erred and been forgiven by the Prince of Badong, lacked the confidence of others and did not cry out for blood; he merely recalled how he had previously accused Wang Yi and Wang Yang of plotting to seize Jingzhou, incite barbarian unrest, and carve out a warlord domain, warning that failing to punish Wang Yang now would create inconsistency.

Li Li Li Jingxuan, reminded, immediately rallied his spirit and spoke again:

"I dare not claim Wang Yang must be killed, but decrees must be consistent, authority and trust must be unwavering.

If we accept Wang Yang without executing him, yet previously denounced his crimes and now pardon him, we risk making the people doubt our laws are capricious and our words untrustworthy.

They will say: Was the plot to seize Jingzhou not real? Were the Wang uncle and nephew unjustly accused? If so, the Prince's authority collapses! Doubt among the people will arise!

The Prince now holds Jingzhou, his military prestige newly revived—this is precisely the moment to restore order and proclaim the law!

Wang Yang's crimes are as deep as the sea—if he is not executed, how can we enforce orders? How can we intimidate the disloyal?"

All the Prince's advisors spoke in unison: Wang Yang must die. Only Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu dissented.

"Wang Yang has now surrendered—thus he bears the name of submission. If we kill him rashly, we may extinguish the hope of those who wish to submit from beyond, and close the door to the allegiance of heroes. The Prince's great enterprise has just begun; we must widely attract talent from all quarters. How can we alienate the hearts of scholars over one man?

A ruler who governs the world does not slay the banner of the pure; a sovereign who seeks distant loyalty must cherish the feathers of noble lineages.

Wang Yang is a noble son, of the Langya lineage, the model of scholarly decorum; the foremost of great clans, the pillar of scholarly reputation.

He has long borne high renown, his scholarship leading Jingchu, deeply respected among Confucian circles.

To lightly execute him will shock the world!

It will increase the resentment of scholarly clans and dampen the hearts of the elite who wish to join us.

Moreover, Wang Yi has not yet been subdued—what benefit is there in killing Wang Yang?

It merely closes his path to surrender and hardens his resolve to fight to the death!

If we spare Wang Yang, Wang Yi may not surrender, but his heart will waver. This is a strategy of psychological warfare—"

"Master Kong, you are wrong!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan's voice boomed, cutting off Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu:

"Wang Yi's family is in the capital—how could he surrender? If Wang Yang's submission is real, then his familial ties are already severed; if false, his fickle heart is even more dangerous.

Thus, sparing him may not sway his heart, but killing him will surely shatter his courage!

The Jingzhou scholar-gentry now refuse to submit, simply because they rely on their old prestige, believing the Prince, though controlling Jingzhou, dares not slaughter great clans. The execution of Zhang Jue was merely the killing of one Wu—insufficient to break their spirit.

Killing Wang Yang will show that rebels will be slain, regardless of lineage; traitors will be beheaded, no matter their noble birth!

With the head of this Langya man, we crush the pride of a hundred families!

Then the scholar-officials' arrogance will collapse, their rebellious hearts will shrink!

At this moment, we cannot speak of leniency—we must strike with thunderous might!

If we show softness and spare him, we show the clans our weakness.

Indulgence breeds chaos; leniency fosters treachery! This is precisely why Cao Cao executed Kong Rong!

As for Master Kong's claim that killing Wang Yang blocks the path of surrender and loses the people's hearts, I say: the path to surrender is not opened or closed by one man—it is opened by authority and trust; winning the people's hearts lies not in indulging traitors, but in clear rewards and punishments—"

Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu frowned:

"Li Li Gongyu, though your rhetoric is sharp, you abandon the root for the branch, losing sight of the grand scheme.

From the Prince's perspective of hegemony, the life or death of Wang Yang is of little consequence.

But killing one man is easy; winning hearts is hard!

Cao Cao executed Kong Rong, yet tolerated Mi Heng's madness, pardoned Chen Lin's resentment.

Now, Wang Yang's madness is less than Mi Heng's, his talent surpasses Chen Lin's—"

Li Li Li Jingxuan sneered:

"Wang Yang's talent lies in reconciling texts, interpreting classics, engaging in metaphysical discourse, composing poetry—these are the accomplishments of a scholar, not the tools of a warlord's court.

Even ten Wang Yangs would not aid the Prince's great enterprise! Keeping him only invites disaster and disrupts law and order!

When we first debated killing Wang Yang, Master Kong strongly agreed, saying, 'The knife and chopping block know no mercy—blood must be offered,' and 'Wang Yang must die!'

Those words were still ringing in our ears—how can you now reverse yourself so completely?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan's words were restrained—he did not directly accuse Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu of protecting Wang Yang out of ulterior motives. Had he taken a bribe? Was there some secret understanding between him and Wang Yang?

Though unspoken, Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu sensed it; his expression darkened:

"This is one time, that was another. Earlier, we debated killing him because my case had not yet been exposed—I feared Wang Yang would leak my secrets, so we must kill him to eliminate future danger.

Now, as we undertake great matters, Wang Yang has come in submission, with no reason to die. If you suspect deceit, simply reject him.

Jingzhou is already in the Prince's hands; he is alone, without troops or power—what can he do even if he harbors ill intent?

Even if we wish to punish him, imprisonment suffices! Why must we resort to the axe and blade, and earn the name of killing surrenderers?

Whether to kill or spare, both must come from impartial intent, solely for the sake of the Prince's eternal enterprise—not from momentary anger or favor.

This is adapting to circumstances, adjusting to the situation.

Not killing Wang Yang brings more gain than loss, greater benefit than harm—thus he should not be killed!

Li Li Gongyu strongly advocates killing him—it is easy, a mere flip of the hand, satisfying your temper—but it is not the long-term strategy for hegemony—"

Li Li Li Jingxuan's words were restrained; Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu's were equally veiled.

He claimed to act from impartial intent, then said killing Wang Yang was "easy as flipping a hand, satisfying the temper." "Easy as flipping a hand" was clear enough—but "satisfying the temper"? Whose temper was it?

Li Li Li Jingxuan immediately caught Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu's implication and snapped back:

"Master Kong, your argument is utterly mistaken..."

Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu was the Prince of Badong's most senior confidant. Li Li Li Jingxuan was the Prince's new favorite, deeply favored. They traded barbs, clashing fiercely, their debate growing increasingly personal, each refusing to yield. The other advisors, though siding with Li Li Li Jingxuan, dared not speak up now, fearing to make an enemy of Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu.

The Prince of Badong had said nothing from the start, his expression unreadable, merely turning and rubbing a copper coin in his palm. Then, as if lost in thought or drawn by the heated debate, the coin slipped from his grasp, falling silently onto the satin cushion of his seat. The Prince looked down at the coin—and suddenly laughed.

Kong and Li fell silent. All eyes turned to the Prince.

The Prince's laughter grew louder, his movements more animated, until he threw his head back, squinted his eyes, leaned far back, nearly laughing himself to tears.

The others stared at each other, none daring to speak.

Li Li Li Jingxuan, bold as he was, would normally have dared ask the reason—but now, having just clashed with Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu, he feared the laughter was provoked by his insistence on killing Wang Yang, so he dared not provoke further. Finally, Guo Wen ventured:

"Why does the Prince laugh?"

The Prince finished his upward laugh, then bent forward, clutching his stomach, laughing again. When he raised his head, he was still gasping for breath, waving his hand repeatedly:

"I laugh because Wang Yang, so clever a man, has just acted so foolishly! This was a trap to lure him to his death—and he didn't see it! He actually thought I meant to welcome him as an honored guest! So foolish! Utterly foolish! Hahaha!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan and the others rejoiced, shouting, "The Prince is wise!" and showering him with praise.

Only Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu hurried forward:

"My Lord, this matter still requires careful thought—"

The Prince's laughter vanished. He cut him off:

"Jinhua, say no more. Wang Yang must die. Those who betray me, I do not spare."

He slowly raised his eyes, his tiger-like gaze sweeping over every face in the hall, speaking slowly, word by word:

"No exceptions."

Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu fell silent.

Li Li Li Jingxuan, elated, pressed on:

"Wang Yang is skilled in rhetoric, adept at using words and expression to sway crowds. If granted an audience, his eloquence will twist truth and falsehood, invert loyalty and treachery. I suggest we execute him first, without summoning him—do not let a single word enter his ears, lest he sow confusion."

The Prince turned to his advisors:

"What do you all think?"

Aside from Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Kong Zhangyu, everyone else agreed, saying there was no need to summon him—kill Wang Yang immediately. Guo Wen, still unable to contain himself, added flowery words: "The Prince's sword to punish traitors is self-evident; the Regent's court eliminates conspirators without room for argument."

Just as the atmosphere grew heated, the Prince of Badong suddenly sneered and spat out seven words—like seven iron beads—crashing into the hall's pile of ornate rhetoric:

"You guys are fucking ruthless."

Everyone froze. Then came a clang—

A flash of cold light sliced through the air!

The Prince of Badong drew his ring-hilt longsword at random and hurled it with force, driving it straight into the palace floor.

The blade trembled, humming, its icy gleam making the candle flames dance along its edge like golden serpents.

The Prince of Badong's tiger-like eyes blazed as he swept them over the ministers, his voice exploding from his chest:

"I'm gonna meet him first—then kill him! Whoever disagrees, take it up with my blade!"

A tiger's roar. Insects fell silent.

All fell silent, daring not to speak.