Chapter 1568: The King of Goryeo

After roughly understanding the situation, Xu Xi did not say much more—their Goryeo Crown Prince had already lost face, and they could not let this minor steward see further amusement. Therefore, he merely said flatly that gold and silver would be sent over shortly, then with a cold face, calmly led Wang Zhou away.

Before leaving, Wang Zhou still stirred up some trouble, hoping Xu Xi could help redeem the maidservant who had been pawned. At this, even with Xu Xi's composure and wit, he nearly lost his composure, and replied blandly that according to Han law, private trade in human beings was strictly prohibited—surely His Highness did not intend to violate Han law.

Wang Zhou hastily insisted he would not dare break the law, that it was merely a "talent rental," and incidentally letting the Great Han's people appreciate the song and dance of their Goryeo beauties. Though everyone knew the truth of the matter, in the end Xu Xi resolutely refused and directly dragged Wang Zhou away, leaving red marks pinched into Wang Zhou's wrist.

"So this is the future king of Goryeo?" Inside the Peony Pavilion, the steward watched from upstairs as the young Goryeo Crown Prince was "escorted" by Xu Xi onto the carriage, and could not help but click his tongue in amazement.

Though to the Peony Pavilion, Wang Zhou was truly a perfect customer, looking at his behavior from start to finish, the steward could not help but feel curious about the future of the Goryeo nation and sympathetic toward its people.

"Report today's events upward!" Having uttered this remark with little sincerity, the steward turned and instructed a young attendant who had remained silent throughout.

"Yes!" The attendant clasped his hands in salute, and as he moved, the arm exposed from his sleeve revealed a sinewy, powerful limb—this was clearly no ordinary servant.

Everyone knew the Peony Pavilion had deep connections reaching to the heavens, yet most people did not know who its backer truly was, merely following hearsay and the crowd. And people always harbored great curiosity toward such mysterious background stories.

Many might not believe it if told, but behind the scenes, the Peony Pavilion was controlled by Wang Shouzhong, Chief Eunuch of the Palace City Office, who was also the eldest son of Zhang Dejun, Commissioner of the Palace City.

The Great Han's most infamous secret service agency, a secret department run by eunuchs, yet it quietly supported the Great Han's cultural endeavors and could even produce the Peony Poetry Gathering—an event of such high refinement that it had become a cultural symbol of the Eastern Capital. If those literati and scholars who flocked to it by reputation ever learned the truth behind it, their moral integrity, conduct, and beliefs would surely all come crashing down.

"So this is the future king of Goryeo?" Likewise, inside the carriage compartment, somewhat dim and enclosed behind its curtains, Xu Xi looked at Wang Zhou, who still wore a languid expression, and sighed silently in his heart.

The answer was clearly predetermined—ever since Goryeo's Crown Prince Hyohwa had died young, Wang Zhou had been Wang Zhao's only son, legitimate and proper, and more importantly, there was no other choice left at present.

Even if he were utterly thick-skinned, under Xu Xi's gaze Wang Zhou felt somewhat embarrassed, even anxious. Of course, what made him anxious was the fear that Xu Xi might ask how he had come to owe so much money—if that got back to his homeland, to the ears of King Wang Zhao, the consequences made Wang Zhou shudder.

"Director Xu, this is not the time for tribute missions—why have you come to the Eastern Capital in person?" Perhaps to break the awkwardness, Wang Zhou took the initiative to speak and shatter the silence.

Hearing this, Xu Xi's brows furrowed slightly as he countered: "Has His Highness not received news from home?"

"What?" Wang Zhou was momentarily stunned.

Seeing his utterly bewildered expression, Xu Xi felt doubt, and at the same time, a surge of anger rose in his heart. Suppressing his disappointment and dissatisfaction, Xu Xi explained in a low voice: "At the end of the fifth month, His Majesty has already passed away!"

"Oh!" Wang Zhou responded, and then it was as if a thunderbolt flashed through his mind, his face turning agitated: "What did you say?"

Perhaps satisfied with Wang Zhou's shocked reaction, Xu Xi solemnly repeated the words once more.

"How could this happen?" Wang Zhou muttered in disbelief, yet his eyes gradually brightened, becoming animated.

In that instant, even Wang Zhou's mental journey went through complicated twists and turns. Though he feared Wang Zhao, the man was after all his father, his most relied-upon pillar—without that formidable father, how could he have enjoyed his carefree life in the Eastern Capital?

When he suddenly learned of the news of the emperor's passing, Wang Zhou was truly caught off guard, and intense unease began to well up in his heart. But Xu Xi beside him seemed to bring him a measure of reassurance.

After calming down, Wang Zhou slowly realized—Wang Zhao was dead, so what would happen to Goryeo? With tearful eyes, he looked imploringly at Xu Xi and tentatively asked: "Then Director Xu has come to the Great Han to..."

Xu Xi also observed Wang Zhou's demeanor, and seeing his expression of both anticipation and anxiety, he gave a light sigh, then with a solemn countenance said: "A nation cannot be without a sovereign for even a single day. Your servant has come on behalf of the court to welcome Your Highness back to the country to hold mourning and attend the funeral. The people of the capital await Your Highness's return to ascend the throne and carry on the great enterprise of Goryeo!"

Wang Zhou's eyes grew even brighter, but soon he said with some lack of confidence: "I... I... am I up to it?"

This reaction—clearly he yearned for it, merely suppressing it.

Xu Xi largely understood his feelings and said in a low voice: "Your Highness is the Crown Prince of Goryeo, the sole heir of His Majesty. For you to ascend the throne is legitimate and proper—even the Great Han will support it!"

Hearing Xu Xi say this, Wang Zhou finally felt much more at ease, even letting out a gentle sigh of relief, and then asked: "Then what should we do now?"

Xu Xi said directly: "The Great Han court should have received the news by now. The matter is urgent and cannot be delayed. Your servant will accompany Your Highness into the palace to take leave of the Han Emperor and obtain the investiture edict. Only in this way will Your Highness's return to the country and ascension to the throne be stable and smooth!"

"Director Xu speaks wisely!" Wang Zhou nodded repeatedly, adopting an attitude of deferring to Xu Xi's opinion: "Everything is entrusted to Director Xu. In the future, Wang Zhou will surely repay you handsomely!"

Because Xu Xi came from a distinguished family, had multiple experiences as an envoy to the Great Han, was well-versed in Han learning, and had rendered outstanding service in the suppression of rebellions within Goryeo, he had already gained considerable prestige among Goryeo's upper echelons—otherwise, he would not have become a high-ranking minister of Goryeo at just over thirty years of age.

As for Xu Xi, Wang Zhou trusted him relatively well—not only because of Wang Zhao's promotion of him, but also because the Great Han Emperor held Xu Xi in high regard. With this connection, Wang Zhou, who had long resided in Kaifeng and was deeply enamored with the Great Han's prosperity, naturally felt a sense of closeness to Xu Xi.

Of course, what was more important was that although he was the Crown Prince of Goryeo, ascending the throne would still require the support of ministers, and at present, the only one he could reach was Xu Xi.

Once matters were settled, silence fell within the carriage, and both men quietly pondered.

Xu Xi considered Goryeo's future and the direction of relations between Han and Goryeo. Though somewhat difficult to accept, Wang Zhao's death was, for the Goryeo nation, a benefit.

The domestic political environment would improve, the atmosphere would become more relaxed, people would no longer have to tread on eggshells as they had in the past, and Goryeo's court politics would return to normal and become healthy.

At the same time, the Great Han court would presumably also relax its wariness and hostility toward Goryeo. In these past years, under the court's tutelage, Goryeo had suffered too much and endured too much pain, and the source of it all lay with that forceful monarch, Wang Zhao.

It could be said that with Wang Zhao's death, the whole world rejoiced. As far as Xu Xi knew, even though Kaizhou was still in mourning for the king's passing, many people were already secretly celebrating—it would not be an exaggeration to say they wept for joy.

As for Goryeo's future, thinking of this, Xu Xi could not help but glance at Wang Zhou, silently comforting himself that a relatively weak monarch might not necessarily be a bad thing for Goryeo. Even if somewhat dissolute, as long as he did not harm the people, it would be fine...

As for Wang Zhou, he too was immersed in the shock of Wang Zhao's death. After a brief moment of sorrow, his mood could not help but surge with excitement. He certainly had no grand ambitions, but becoming the king of Goryeo was clearly something worth getting excited about and celebrating. At this moment, even the splendor of the Eastern Capital could not stop his urgent desire to return home.

And thinking of Kaifeng, listening to the unceasing clamor outside the carriage, Wang Zhou felt somewhat listless and murmured: "What a pity, I'll have to leave the Eastern Capital soon. I wonder when I'll be able to return..."

Sensing the reluctance in Wang Zhou's tone, Xu Xi could not help but say: "Your Highness, the Eastern Capital is certainly beautiful, but after all, this is the Great Han, not Goryeo! The people of Goryeo await you, and the rivers and mountains of Goryeo need you to bear responsibility—you must not linger here!"

"Director Xu speaks wisely, I understand!" Wang Zhou replied somewhat perfunctorily.

However, his eyes rolled around—Xu Xi's words had given him an idea. The Eastern Capital was, after all, the Great Han's territory. Though it was fine here, there were too many restrictions. He, a crown prince of a nation, actually had to endure the insolence of mere merchants.

If he could develop Kaizhou in imitation of the Eastern Capital, then on his own turf, would he not be free and carefree? Thinking of this, Wang Zhou seemed to have found a goal, and even his young face gained a few traces of excitement.

Xu Xi observed from the side and thought silently: "The Eastern Capital truly lives up to being the imperial capital of a heavenly dynasty, the capital of a great nation—yet it is not a good place..."

A dignified Crown Prince of Goryeo had been "corrupted" into such a state—this was hardly a good thing for the Goryeo nation. And in fact, in recent years, people like Wang Zhou were not uncommon in the Great Han's capital; too many foreign nobles lingered amid the dazzling extravagance, unable to tear themselves away.