Chapter 102: Political Struggles Are a Very Normal Thing

Back in the Hall of Civilized Governance, Liu Zhiyuan saw Vice Director of the Secretariat Su Yugui approach him. The man's face, which looked very kind and gentle, could not contain its smile, as if something joyful had happened.

"Your Majesty, news has come from the Eastern Capital. That barbarian chieftain Xiao Han has led the Khitan generals and barbarian cavalry of Henan northward, carting away his treasures and saddles—he has returned to his homeland!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan showed slight surprise. Su Yugui's face broke into a wide smile as he began to flatter: "It must be that the barbarian chieftain learned Your Majesty's army had reached the Western Capital, and cowed by Your Majesty's military might, he was filled with fear. When news of the Battle of Luancheng thundered across the realm, he became even more anxious and restless. Knowing he could not withstand you, he fled north in panic."

Su Yugui had clearly filled in quite a few details with his imagination, but Liu Zhiyuan was not much surprised. His focus was obviously not on keeping Xiao Han there. He pondered briefly, then asked: "Since the barbarians have gone, who is in charge of the Eastern Capital now? That Li Congyi?"

Liu Zhiyuan's tone carried naked apprehension.

Li Congyi was the youngest son of Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang. He had been enfeoffed as Prince of Xu and Duke of Xun, a weak-willed youth, one year younger than Liu Chengyou. He had originally been guarding the imperial tombs in Luoyang, living a peaceful life with his foster mother. After Yelu Deguang withdrew north, Xiao Han sent barbarian cavalry to seize him and bring him to the Eastern Capital, using him for his knowledge of southern dynastic affairs.

Not long ago, at Yelu Deguang's command, he was installed as emperor, and the Tang state was re-established. The intent was to imitate the Later Jin's approach—using Han to rule Han, stabilizing popular sentiment while opposing Liu Zhiyuan and intensifying the internal strife of the Central Plains.

Unfortunately, within a few days, news of the Liao emperor's death and the great defeat at Luancheng arrived one after another. A dramatic turn occurred—the Khitan generals and barbarian ministers of the Central Plains and Hebei mourned as if they had lost their own parents, panicked and uneasy, their momentum daily declining. Because Yelu Deguang's death and the Battle of Luancheng were so close in time, by the time the news spread, it had gradually evolved into the story that Liu Chengyou had led troops in a surprise attack on the Liao camp, utterly defeated them, and slain the Liao emperor in battle.

Under such circumstances, Xiao Han could no longer sit still, especially after Liu Zhiyuan's army advanced into Luoyang, sharpening its blades and gazing toward Kaifeng. Just as he was in a flurry of confusion, he received Yelu Ruan's order for a full retreat.

Xiao Han and Yelu Ruan were political rivals, but upon seeing the envoy, Xiao Han felt for the first time that this man seemed much more amiable. He paid no heed to the tone of the order and led his men north in retreat. As for the Central Plains, he no longer dared to harbor any lingering attachment.

Hearing the apprehension in Liu Zhiyuan's tone, Su Yugui immediately said with an easy expression: "Your Majesty, since the barbarians have fled north in haste, there is no longer any obstacle to Your Majesty personally entering the Eastern Capital. As for the Prince of Xu, he is but a child—an orphan with his mother, a puppet installed by the Khitan. He is not worth mentioning. So long as Your Majesty travels east, he will surely offer up the entire city in surrender!"

After hearing Su Yugui's words, Liu Zhiyuan's expression improved considerably. He grinned slightly, pondered a moment, and let out a relieved breath. Su Yugui's words naturally made sense—a single Li Congyi was nothing. Moreover, he was of the Later Tang imperial clan, separated by an entire dynasty. Had the Khitan chosen to install a member of the Later Jin imperial clan instead, that would have warranted attention.

Perhaps seeing that Su Yugui had curried favor before Liu Zhiyuan, Su Fengji, who had remained silent at the side, darkened his expression. His eyes rolled, and he stepped forward, speaking softly: "Your Majesty, according to what Your servant has heard, Li Congyi ascended the throne at Chongyuan Hall, with all ministers paying audience and civil and military officials prostrating themselves. When the barbarians returned north, he personally led the civil and military officials to the northern suburbs to see them off. Furthermore, the Yan general Liu Zuo serves as Commander of the Imperial Guard, commanding troops to patrol and inspect the Eastern Capital, repairing armor and weapons, and fortifying the city walls!"

As Su Fengji spoke, he watched Liu Zhiyuan's expression. Seeing his countenance turn gloomy, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Su Fengji's own mouth as he continued: "Your servant has also heard that the Khitan have loudly proclaimed the Prince of Xu as emperor, successor to the Tang throne. For a time, the scholars and commoners of the Eastern Capital were all at ease. When Xiao Han's main force departed north, the righteous armies of the Central Plains did not rise in rebellion again, nor did they obstruct—they let them leave..."

Halfway through the speech, Liu Zhiyuan's dark-complexioned face seemed to be shrouded in something called "killing intent." He coldly flicked his sleeve and gave a short, forceful order: "Issue an edict—have Shi Hongzhao send troops to the Eastern Capital! Anyone who does not recognize the Mandate of Heaven and resists the imperial command shall be killed!"

"Yes!" Su Fengji responded eagerly with downcast eyes.

Su Yugui, who had been listening to the exchange from the side, looked at Su Fengji with some trepidation—the man's lips still carried a smile. But seeing Liu Zhiyuan's grim expression, he shrank his stature somewhat and carefully changed the subject, asking: "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of the empress, consorts, palace women, and officials relocating south from Taiyuan, we await Your Majesty's wise decision."

At this mention, Liu Zhiyuan indeed shifted his attention. Almost without thinking, he waved his hand and commanded: "It is time. Have Taiyuan prepare the relocation arrangements, and have Li Hui, Commissioner of the Wude Office, take charge of protecting the Empress and escorting the palace women and ministers south!"

Just as he finished handling these two matters, a palace eunuch entered the hall and excitedly whispered something in Liu Zhiyuan's ear. Liu Zhiyuan's eyes lit up, and his smile returned: "My brother has come."

Murong Yanchao was Liu Zhiyuan's half-brother through their mother. Previously, he had been sentenced to death for a crime, but was saved by Liu Zhiyuan's intercession and exiled to Fangzhou. Now that the Central Plains were in great chaos, upon hearing that Liu Zhiyuan had ascended the throne and come south, he felt his day of redemption had arrived and came trotting over to pledge his service.

"Fengji, what you said before His Majesty just now—you mean to send the Prince of Xu to his death!" After the two Sus withdrew, they exchanged words in low voices, Su Yugui's brows carrying a trace of worry.

"Chancellor, don't put it so harshly!" Su Fengji glanced at Su Yugui, then said unhurriedly: "The Central Plains already have His Majesty as sovereign—how could there be another son presuming to occupy the imperial throne?"

At this, Su Yugui showed a hint of the good-natured man's lament: "He is merely a puppet installed by the Khitan. What threat could he possibly pose to His Majesty?"

"Li Congyi is, after all, a prince of the former Tang. His identity is sensitive. In this sensitive situation, sitting in a position he should not occupy—he can only blame his bad luck!" Su Fengji revealed a smile: "As ministers, you and I naturally should offer counsel, eliminating all calamities for His Majesty!"

Frowning, Su Yugui said: "The Prince of Xu is ultimately innocent. If he is killed, I fear the people will pity him and invite criticism!"

Hearing this, Su Fengji's expression immediately turned cold, and he said in a sinister tone: "If there are indeed those who pity him, then he must be eliminated all the more!"

As he spoke, he fixed Su Yugui with a cold, dark gaze: "Chancellor, you are His Majesty's minister—how can you make excuses for this Li Congyi? You had best be careful, lest His Majesty misunderstand your intentions..."

Hearing Su Fengji say this, Su Yugui could not help but shudder. Glancing at Su Fengji's face with its sinister smile, he cursed inwardly—this man was truly vicious and ruthless; why had he opened his mouth so much before him? He quickly let out a chuckle and very naturally changed the subject.

Falling behind, watching Su Yugui hobble off on his old legs toward his office, Su Fengji smiled contemptuously. During this period, with no Yang Bin or Wang Zhang pressing down on them from above, the two Sus had become the ministers Liu Zhiyuan relied upon most. And as the situation gradually became clear, Su Yugui, who had always kept a low profile, had begun to grow in prominence, vaguely seeming to compete with Su Fengji for favor.