Chapter 1705: A Weight Lifted

Worry and toil harm the body and drain the spirit; speaking of those vexing court matters, Liu Yang felt boundless fatigue sweep over him. Xiao Chuo was quite considerate toward Liu Yang—seeing that his interest in conversation had passed, she did not press him further, but helped him to the couch to rest.

However, getting a sound sleep in Yuehua Courtyard was something not easily obtained. He had not been lying down long when a figure appeared beyond the curtain and called out softly: "Has Your Highness retired for the night?"

Hearing the voice, Xiao Chuo could not help but glance sideways, then looked down at the drowsy Liu Yang, rose and stepped out with small strides, controlling even the sound of the beaded curtain so that it was extremely light.

Outside stood a palace eunuch, around forty years of age, with a kindly countenance—it was Wang Yue, Liu Yang's personal attendant. Perhaps owing to the Crown Prince's temperament, most of those around him were gentle and benevolent in appearance; this Wang Yue, at least, looked very much like a loyal and upright man.

"His Highness has just lain down. What is the matter?" Xiao Chuo asked.

Glancing at Xiao Chuo, Wang Yue bowed at the waist, still not daring to speak loudly: "Academician Murong seeks an audience with His Highness; it seems there is something urgent."

"Academician Murong..." Xiao Chuo murmured, then immediately said: "Have him wait a moment—I will go wake His Highness!"

"Yes!"

There were not many surnamed Murong in the court, and the one who could be called Academician Murong, and who could enter the Eastern Palace directly to seek an audience with the Crown Prince, was only Murong Defeng, currently serving as Academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

Under Liu Yang's arrangements, Murong Defeng had been tempered in the provinces for seven or eight years, holding posts across two circuits and three prefectures, before being transferred back to the capital, and with Emperor Liu's approval, appointed Academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

This position was no simple matter—it was now a rank of the fourth grade, counted among the notable posts in the Bureau of Military Affairs. It served as the role of liaison, attendant, and advisor between Emperor Liu and the Bureau of Military Affairs—neither lowly in status nor light in power. At the founding of the state, Duke Wei Renpu of Yu had once held this post; however, its status and importance had been established through successive military reforms after Emperor Liu ascended the throne.

Clearly, whether on the Crown Prince's side or Emperor Liu's side, Murong Defeng was held in high regard. And with Murong Defeng rushing over for an audience in the dead of night, Xiao Chuo immediately judged that this was no trivial matter, and dared not show any negligence.

Moreover, even setting aside Murong Defeng's official title and his relationship with the Crown Prince, just on the strength of the surname "Murong" alone, she had to pay it additional heed. For the Xiao clan to stand in court nowadays, besides the Crown Prince's favor, the Murong family had also provided much support—otherwise the pressure and attacks they faced would be even more severe, for who else could blame her for having borne the Crown Prince a son?

Turning back inside, she approached the brocade couch and was about to speak when she saw that Liu Yang had already opened his eyes. Liu Yang said: "Something else has come looking for me, hasn't it?"

"Academician Murong has arrived!" Xiao Chuo nodded.

"Sigh—" Liu Yang sat up with a start, letting out a deep breath: "You rest. I'll go see what it is!"

Xiao Chuo did not try to detain him, but quickly helped Liu Yang into his shoes and clothes, and saw him off with respect: "Go slowly, Your Highness!"

Liu Yang waved his hand without further words.

Before Yuehua Courtyard, a thin layer of mist hung in the air, looking cold to the touch. Murong Defeng was waiting there, and seeing Liu Yang emerge, he immediately stepped forward to bow in greeting.

Liu Yang asked: "What has happened?"

Murong Defeng's expression was grave as he reported at once: "Your Highness, word has just come from Yulin—Yanzhou has rebelled! The traitor Yuan Ke has colluded with the local Tangut people, gathered a mob to raise chaos, attacking towns and villages, killing officials, and striking at the salt fields. The rebels have coerced the common folk—many people, deceived or threatened, had no choice but to follow—and with local strongmen joining the rebels, according to reports, the rebels already number over ten thousand."

After Murong Defeng finished his rapid explanation, Liu Yang was stunned for a moment—not overly shocked, but a clear look of complex emotion flashed across his face. He smiled bitterly at Murong Defeng: "When I heard you sought an audience in the dead of night, I knew tonight would be hard to sleep well!"

Taking a deep breath, he asked: "What is the situation in Yanzhou now?"

Murong Defeng said: "The rebel leader Yuan Ke led his mob to attack the prefectural seat at Dingbian, but was driven back by Wang Yuanzhen, the Patrol Inspector of the Northwest. Yet outside Yanzhou city, all is chaos, and the rebel force cannot be brought under control for the time being. According to Wang Yuanzhen's report, the government currently controls only the prefectural seat, the salt ponds, and a few fortresses—the rest of the area cannot yet be suppressed."

"To prevent the rebel force from expanding and spilling into other prefectures and counties, Wang Yuanzhen has already requested reinforcements from Ling and Xia to exterminate the rebels. The Yanzhou rebellion broke out on the twenty-seventh day of the ninth month; nearly ten days have passed since. As for the current situation, further word is needed, but in my humble opinion, I fear it is not optimistic!"

Liu Yang sniffed, drawing in the chill of early winter with force, as if trying to calm himself with it, and said: "When Li Jiqian rebelled in Xiazhou, at the height of his power he had no more than a few thousand followers. But with Yanzhou rebelling, the rebels easily number over ten thousand. If Yanzhou falls into chaos, how can Yulin not be affected? Even the Guannei region will surely be shaken!"

"Your Highness speaks truly!" Murong Defeng said: "His Majesty is greatly angered by this, and has specially ordered me to summon Your Highness for counsel!"

"Prepare the carriage—I'm going to the palace!" Liu Yang immediately ordered the eunuch Wang Yue at his side.

"Yes!"

He strode out of Yuehua Courtyard with large steps, his pace unavoidably hurried. Murong Defeng followed closely, continuing: "Additionally, at the time of the Yanzhou disturbance, Li Jiqian of Xiazhou once again led his men out, striking south to attack Zhen'an Fort. The Duke of Yan dispatched Commander Meng Xuanzhe to relieve it, but he was defeated by Li Jiqian—Zhen'an Fort fell, and all two hundred garrison soldiers were slaughtered!"

Although the situation of the Yanzhou rebellion was clearly more serious, Liu Yang was visibly more shocked by the news from Xiazhou. One had to know that Li Jiqian had been making trouble in Xiazhou for a year, suffering repeated blows without ever once defeating the government army. The rebels had attacked forts and stockades several times, and every single time they had come away bloodied. But this time, not only had they defeated the government army, they had also breached Zhen'an Fort.

A single small fort wall was nothing in itself, but the impact it created was enormous—it could very likely embolden the rebels' arrogance, entice the Tangut rebels, and Yulin might very well slide into an unpredictable and dire situation.

Liu Yang could barely contain himself and demanded: "How did Meng Xuanzhe fight this battle? Failing to break the rebels and slay Li Jiqian is one thing—but how could he lose to the enemy?"

Clearly, there was something wrong in all this. A slightly odd expression appeared on Murong Defeng's face, and after weighing his words, he said: "According to what I have heard, upon learning that Li Jiqian was moving south, the Duke of Yan forcibly ordered Commander Meng to sally forth, giving him only one battalion of troops. He had to race two hundred li to the rescue, and being outnumbered, he was defeated.

Moreover, after Commander Meng's defeat, the Duke of Yan had him seized and reported the matter to the court, intending to punish him for the crime of losing his army. In my humble opinion, the generals of Yulin are at odds, their contradictions already deep, and the Duke of Yan's action is truly... truly improper!"

Hearing this explanation, Liu Yang's face was full of disbelief. He was silent for a moment, then, abandoning all pretense of composure, his anger erupted and he cursed: "Has Wang Shen lost his mind? Matters of war—how can he be allowed to act so recklessly? Even if there are contradictions between general and commander, does he not understand the principle of forbearance for the sake of the state? In my view, if the Yulin troubles are not settled, Wang Shen bears the primary blame!"

As for Wang Shen, Murong Defeng did not intend to say more—the Emperor and the Crown Prince would handle it themselves. What he was more worried about was the chaos in Yulin.

Once Liu Yang's anger had subsided somewhat, he continued: "From the information obtained so far, Li Jiqian of Xiazhou and Yuan Ke of Yanzhou—these two rebel forces have very likely already linked up with each other. Otherwise, the timing of Li Jiqian's sortie and Yuan Ke's rebellion would not be so coincidental.

If that is the case, the situation in Yulin will become even more perilous. What is even more concerning is that when Li Jiqian rose in revolt, his force was always suppressed by the government troops—though many Tangut people followed him, the overall situation remained under control.

But now with Yanzhou in chaos, the number of Tangut people joining the rebels is great. I fear that all the Tangut in Yulin will be influenced by this. Once the Tangut rise up en masse in response, the situation in Yulin will be completely beyond recovery!"

"This is what I have been worried about all along!" Liu Yang could not help but feel a surge of irritation.

After pondering for a moment, he raised his eyes toward the northwest and sighed deeply: "Since things have come to this, we can only respond with all our strength. His Majesty has long prepared for the worst. Since Yulin is in chaos, then let us clean it up properly—"

At this moment, Liu Yang was already quite clear in his heart: given how the situation was developing, Yulin would inevitably see rivers of blood. Since it could not be avoided, the only option was to respond actively.

Murong Defeng carefully observed Liu Yang's expression, wondering if it was an illusion—the Crown Prince seemed somewhat relieved.