Chapter 411: Thousand-Li Horse, Fierce

Li Li Li Jingxuan did not die.

He had almost thought Wang Yang was going to use this opportunity to kill him!

Though the Prince of Badong was absent, Wang Yang had no authority to enforce military law—but fate had it that before leaving, the Prince of Badong had said: "Grand Coordinator, enforce military discipline well! See anyone with problems, go ahead and cut them down! The more you cut, the more satisfying it is."

This was clearly an outburst of temper, not a genuine authorization for Wang Yang to execute anyone! But this Wang Yang, if given a blade of grass, would treat it like a sword—now that he actually held a dagger's hilt, wouldn't he immediately start swinging it like a long spear?

Logically, he was the Prince's trusted strategist; no matter how arrogant Wang Yang was, he couldn't execute someone without authorization. But that was only common sense. Common sense could measure ordinary men—but it simply could not measure Wang Yang!!!

He had even planned how to counterattack and buy time, how to intimidate everyone with reason and evidence to immediately summon the Prince of Badong, ensuring the soldiers dared not take sides. With Wang Yang forcing the execution of Chen Chen Qiming fresh in mind, he believed that once the Prince of Badong returned, no excuse Wang Yang offered would matter.

Fortunately, in the end, Wang Yang merely glanced at him and did nothing.

Then what did that glance mean?

Had he guessed what I was thinking?

As Li Li Li Jingxuan trembled with relief, he secretly resolved...

Inside the prince's cabin, the curtains hung half-drawn.

The Prince of Badong lay face inward, back outward, arms crossed, legs curled, quietly cultivating qi, contorted like a giant shrimp.

At that moment, the attendant tiptoed in and whispered:

"My Lord—"

The Prince of Badong snorted coldly and turned his head:

"Come to beg for forgiveness?"

"Er, no, it's not Grand Coordinator Wang—it's dinnertime. My Lord, would you like to eat now—or—"

"Get out! Eat a pile of shit!!!"

The Prince of Badong roared like a tiger; the attendant hastily retreated, and the cabin fell back into silence.

After a while, footsteps sounded outside again, faintly accompanied by muffled pleas for audience!

The Prince of Badong strained his ears, heard the attendant enter, and sneered:

"Tell him it's too late to beg for forgiveness now! I won't see him!"

The attendant's voice trembled:

"My Lord, it's... it's Counselor Li seeking an audience."

The Prince of Badong flew into a rage, kicked his leg and sent the quilt flying:

"Get out! All of you get out! Either whispering slander or pretending to be the boss—damn, not one of you is decent! One of these days, if you push me too far, I'll punch one, then another! Whoever you are, I'll pound you all!"

The attendant nervously picked up the quilt, dared not drape it back over the Prince, merely folded it neatly and placed it in the corner of the bed, then slipped out without breathing a sound, face grim as he told Li Li Li Jingxuan:

"Counselor, you heard it yourself—the Prince is in a foul mood. Why not come back tomorrow?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan took four heavy copper coins from his sleeve—worth eight hundred cash—and slipped them into the attendant's hand, his voice calm yet unmistakably commanding:

"Please inform him once more. Just tell the Prince: Li Li Li Jingxuan says, today's matter was not Wang Yang's fault."

The attendant hesitated:

"It's not that I refuse, but truly—"

"Just go in. This time, the Prince will see me. Don't worry—I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

The attendant, unwilling to offend this trusted counselor who often met the Prince privately, and seeing Li Li Li Jingxuan's confidence, returned to the cabin and delivered the message as instructed.

The Prince of Badong sat up instantly:

"Oh my god, so they've formed an alliance? Not Wang Yang's fault—then it's mine? Tell him to come in right now!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan got his audience as planned.

The Prince of Badong sat on the bed, squinting at Li Li Li Jingxuan, voice dripping with mockery:

"Oh, Counselor Li has come! So now you're switching from badmouthing Wang Yang to praising him? Finally changed your nature?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan remained calm, bowed respectfully:

"My past words came from public duty. My words today also come from public duty."

The Prince of Badong scoffed:

"What are you pretending? Do you think I don't know whether it's public duty? Wang Yang pretends public duty too—spouts off about military law and Sun Tzu—but in truth, isn't it just because Chen Chen Qiming offended him?"

"My Lord, in judging men, one should observe their actions, not speculate on their intentions.

Intentions are hidden within and unseen; actions are manifest without and cannot be concealed.

I do not know Wang Yang's intentions, nor need I know them.

But Chen Chen Qiming neglected his post, failed in his duties, and neglected official records—he has already violated military law.

Wang Yang clearly warned beforehand, and before all officers and officials, if he does not punish Chen Chen Qiming, how can he establish authority? How can he command the army, moving or halting as he pleases?"

"Moving or halting as he pleases?"

The Prince of Badong sneered:

"I actually thought you'd changed your nature. Turns out you're just delivering a message again. You say Wang Yang acts to establish authority, and then say he wants to command freely—next you'll claim he's plotting to seize power? And you dare speak of not speculating on intent? Haven't you speculated enough before?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan, caught on his past accusations of "speculating on intent," remained unperturbed:

"My Lord accuses me of past conduct—I dare not defend myself.

But my past speculation and today's argument rest on different grounds.

Previously, Wang Yang had not been entrusted with authority; I feared he might harbor disloyalty—that was prevention before the fact.

Today, Wang Yang has been granted full authority; I judge his actions—that is observation after the fact.

What is before the fact is concern—suspicions are permissible.

What is after the fact is fact—observation is valid—"

"Get out, get out, get out! I don't have time for your rhetorical tricks! Even if you win this argument against me, what good is it? Go argue with Wang Yang if you're so clever! Crows cawing in the imperial hall—why pretend to be phoenixes singing? Don't bore me with 'before the fact' and 'after the fact'—I don't care to think! Just tell me what you mean!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan was shaken, his rhythm disrupted; he quickly adjusted internally and continued steadily:

"My meaning is this: Wang Yang's actions are correct. If I were in his position, I would do the same."

The Prince of Badong was momentarily stunned, unable to decipher Li Li Li Jingxuan's tactic.

Li Li Li Jingxuan spoke calmly:

"A man's actions are sometimes determined not by his intent, but by his position.

When Zhuge Zhuge Zhuge Liang executed Ma Su, did he truly wish to kill him?

No.

He was commander-in-chief; military law was as immovable as mountains—he had no choice but to execute.

When Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, did he harbor grand ambitions as a scholar?

No.

He rose to power and prestige, drew the allegiance of all, and his ambition quietly grew—circumstances pushed him forward, and he could no longer stop.

My Lord, since you have entrusted Wang Yang with high rank and great authority, today's events were inevitable.

If it was inevitable, why are you angry?"

The Prince of Badong laughed bitterly, rolling up his sleeves:

"You're talking in riddles and half-truths, thinking I won't punch you because war's coming? You mean this whole mess is my own fault, so no one else is to blame—only me?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan felt a flicker of fear as the Prince rolled up his sleeves, but this was the moment of truth—no gamble, no victory!

He dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the Prince:

"I have no mockery toward my Lord! I now speak from the depths of my heart. If after hearing me, you deem my words false, I accept any punishment you give—without complaint!"

The Prince of Badong tilted his head forward, eyes gleaming with absurdity, almost sinister:

"You're always at my mercy—I can punch you anytime, whether you complain or not!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan was a skilled debater—not top-tier, but certainly high-ranking. But the Prince of Badong spoke so erratically, repeatedly disrupting Li Li Li Jingxuan's logic; had Li Li Li Jingxuan not been quick-witted, he'd never have reached this point. Now even he was struggling, and dared not reply to the Prince's remark—he cut straight to the point:

"Formerly, Han Feizi said: 'A wise ruler controls his ministers through two handles alone.' These two handles are reward and punishment.

When reward comes from above, men know what to pursue;

When punishment comes from above, men know what to fear.

The entire relationship between superior and subordinate hinges on these two handles.

If these two handles are not held by the ruler, the hierarchy collapses!

Now Wang Yang, with a single word, promoted a subordinate officer; with a single word, executed a registrar. He rewards and punishes at will, without awaiting the Prince's command.

Promotion and demotion rest with him; life and death rest with him. Thus, all officers and soldiers fear and look to him alone.

If this continues, the entire army will know only the Grand Coordinator—and not the Prince!"

"I am deeply concerned for my Lord!"

The Prince of Badong crossed his arms and stood, staring at Li Li Li Jingxuan, his expression unreadable.

Li Li Li Jingxuan hurriedly added:

"I do not suspect Wang Yang—I fear the momentum.

Once momentum is established, even if you wish to reclaim control, you cannot recover it.

Throughout history, powerful ministers never rose overnight—they grew gradually. It began with delegated authority, ended in absolute control.

Wang Yang is indeed a genius—he cannot be ignored.

But authority must not be skewed; the handles must not be transferred!

My Lord may employ his talent—but granting him absolute control is unacceptable."

The Prince of Badong said nothing, walked to the center of the cabin, and punched the air. After finishing, his mood seemed slightly improved; his demeanor was no longer so aggressive. He turned to Li Li Li Jingxuan and said eagerly:

"What if I just kill him?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan was caught off guard: "Er—"

Prince of Badong glared sharply:

"What nonsense! You're dreaming!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan hurriedly said:

"Your servant did not—"

"No need to explain. I tell you this: as long as he doesn't rebel, I won't kill him. Liu A'dou tolerated Zhuge Kongming—do you think I can't tolerate Wang Zhi?"

Li Li Li Jingxuan's heart sank, believing his persuasion had failed. In truth, he had yet to speak his most urgent words: "Your servant observes Wang Yang's lofty stride and far-sighted gaze; his ambition and insight are mighty and clear—he is surely not one to serve beneath another! My Lord, act soon, lest you leave behind future troubles!"

But first, Prince of Badong's relationship with Wang Yang had not yet deteriorated to that point; second, the realm was still unsettled, and Prince of Badong would not act on such suspicions. This speech would carry no weight until the moment was right—speaking it prematurely would only confirm his own slanderous and jealous nature. So he held his tongue, saying nothing of Wang Yang personally, only of authority, rewards, and punishments, hoping to lessen Prince of Badong's resistance. Yet he never imagined the Prince would reject even this—

"Still, Wang Yang has grown far too arrogant. I see he's lost all sense of rank! Then I'll teach him a lesson. Send my order: strip him of all authority, leave him only the hollow title of Military Secretary!"

Prince of Badong's face hardened with the visage of a warlord, and his word was final.

A sudden turn of fortune—Li Li Li Jingxuan rejoiced!

"My Lord, what reason shall we give to strip Wang Yang of his authority?"

Prince of Badong raised his thick brows:

"Do I need a reason to do what I will?"

"... But Wang Yang is like a deputy commander, watched by all troops. Stripping him without cause may alarm the officers and unsettle the army.

Moreover, Wang Yang has just executed Chen Chen Qiming; the troops all believe he acted in accordance with law. To suddenly demote him now would invite public outcry.

Feng Feng Quanzu has just suffered defeat on the frontier, Chen Chen Qiming has broken the law within—both civil and military failings. Could Wang Yang bear no blame for oversight?

My Lord, first order Wang Yang to plead guilty and request his own dismissal; then, My Lord, graciously acquiesce and command him to rest."

"This preserves Wang Yang's dignity while demonstrating My Lord's magnanimity..."

Prince of Badong burst into laughter:

"Good! Good! Good! Just so! Li Li Gongyu, though I've relied heavily on Wang Yang lately, you're still the one who truly understands me! Do you know why I've tolerated him this long?"

"I know."

Prince of Badong paused:

"You know?"

"Feng Feng Quanzu may have lost, but the overall situation in Yingzhou is settled!

From prior conditions, the enemy will surely retreat to Xiakou and fortify the city.

What follows is nothing but brute assault.

Either we take the city at once, or we besiege it for a while—either way, Wang Yang is no longer essential.

No matter how brilliant Wang Yang's military strategy, he cannot make a city collapse by itself;

No matter how clumsy our tactics, we can still command troops.

On open plains, only a thousand-li steed will do; but on narrow paths, even a slow nag suffices.

So My Lord, now that you've tamed that swift, fiery steed, you may replace it with a nag like me."

Prince of Badong roared with laughter:

"You're the clever one!"

Li Li Li Jingxuan smiled bitterly:

"Still, My Lord has more horses..."