Chapter 1153

After Zuo Xingjian handed White Spring City over to Zhu Guanqi, he took his men and fled at the opportunity, thinking that Zu Dacheng's side would launch a major assault on the city. But later, the scout sent to gather news returned, saying only that Zu Dacheng led those people into the city, with no battle occurring; instead, Zu Dacheng and his troops all defected to Hu Xiaotian.

Zuo Xingjian was stunned upon hearing that Zu Dacheng had defected to Hu Xiaotian, thinking, "Doesn't that mean they're fine?" Yet over ten thousand people occupied White Spring City, and he was clearly its governor. Zuo Xingjian felt a bit regretful, thinking that if he had known Zu Dacheng's men were going to surrender, he shouldn't have led his troops away; now returning would make it hard to face Zhu Guanqi. After pondering, he decided to go straight to Dongliang Jun. Since Zhu Guanqi hadn't come to persuade him to surrender, and Hu Xiaotian had that intention, he thought it better to switch from passive to active and go directly to pledge loyalty to Hu Xiaotian.

It is already the 24th day of the twelfth month, yet inside Kangdu there is no festive atmosphere of the New Year; the streets have few horses and carriages, are cold and deserted, and more than half of the shops lining the streets remain closed. The sky over the capital is overcast with dark clouds, no sunlight is visible, and the mood is unusually oppressive and gloomy.

Grand Tutor Wen Chenghuan hurried into the Hall of Nurturing the Heart; today the Emperor canceled the originally scheduled court assembly, and officials whispered among themselves, believing the Emperor's move was related to the missing imperial grain, while some speculated that the Emperor was unwell, but one thing is certain: the Emperor's mood has surely been bad lately.

Upon hearing that Wen Chenghuan had arrived, Long Xuan'en originally did not want to see him and ordered Wang Qian to send him away, but Wang Qian soon returned, saying only that Wen Chenghuan had an urgent matter requiring an audience; thus Long Xuan'en reluctantly left his bed, climbing out from the entwined limbs of his two new favorite beauties.

Wang Qian secretly admired the Emperor; at his age he still possessed such vigor, even suspecting that the person before him seemed like a different individual. Since departing from the Misty Peaks' Lingxiao Palace, he had suddenly regained his youthful vigor; at first Wang Qian thought it was a temporary rally, but later he realized the Emperor's body improved day by day, his complexion becoming much younger—this must be due to the elixirs specially prepared for him by Hong Beimo. Could there truly be an elixir of immortality in this world?

Wen Chenghuan waited outside the Hall of Nurturing the Heart for a full half‑hour before being allowed inside; given his years of service beside the Emperor, he could tell his timing was off. As he followed Wang Qian into the hall, Wang Qian kindly reminded him, "Your Majesty is in a bad mood; Grand Tutor Wen, you must choose your words carefully."

Wen Chenghuan smiled faintly and said softly, "Thank you, Eunuch Wang." Anyone would be upset over the missing imperial grain, but Wen Chenghuan came today to bring the Emperor good news.

Long Xuan'en had finished bathing, straightened his back, and stood by the window. He stretched his arms; his silhouette was straight and sturdy, sunlight streaming through the window enveloped him, outlining his whole figure with a golden edge. He appeared lofty, mysterious, and noble.

Wen Chenghuan stared at Laohuangdi's back and was momentarily stunned; just from the back view he could hardly believe it was Long Xuan'en himself—not even Wang Qian. Nearly all the ministers had noticed the Emperor's change; they did not think he had taken some immortality elixir, but rather believed his youth came from power, having freed himself from house arrest, reascended the throne, and it was his yearning for power that renewed his body and mind. Wen Chenghuan bowed and said, "Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years!"

Long Xuan'en drew a deep breath of fresh air. Somewhat impatiently he said, "All right, speak quickly."

Wen Chenghuan said, "If it were not urgent, this humble servant would not dare disturb the Emperor's rest; I have come to report a great piece of news to Your Majesty."

Long Xuan'en turned, eyeing Wen Chenghuan with half belief, half doubt. "Good news? Even if he racked his brains, he could not think of any good thing left for Dakang." Earlier there had been the great news of Hu Xiaotian offering to donate three hundred thousand dan of grain, but the first batch had not yet reached the capital when it mysteriously disappeared; thinking of this, Long Xuan'en felt annoyed. He scorned Wen Chenghuan's coy manner, saying softly, "Grand Tutor, if you have no pressing matter, I must go eat." Using this as a dismissal was already a great show of respect for the veteran minister Wen Chenghuan.

Wen Chenghuan smiled and said, "Indeed there is great news; Your Majesty, do you still remember having me receive the Da Yong envoys?"

Long Xuan'en furrowed his brows; if Wen Chenghuan did not mention it, he would have almost forgotten, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Those envoys haven't left yet?"

Wen Chenghuan silently cursed, "This man is truly a useless ruler, indifferent to state affairs; is he really preparing to give up, with no plan left to save Dakang?" If so, that would actually be good news. He said respectfully, "They haven't left yet!"

Long Xuan'en said, "I have already refused them; why are they still lingering?"

Wen Chenghuan said, "Because the situation has suddenly changed again."

"What change?"

Wen Chenghuan said, "The Da Yong Long Princess Xue Lingjun went to Dongliang Jun to negotiate with Hu Xiaotian, and they have reached an agreement: Hu Xiaotian promised to return the Eastern Luo Warehouse, which his soldiers had captured through bloody struggle, to Da Yong."

"What?" Long Xuan'en widened his eyes; he had not known of this, and he angrily exclaimed, "What authority does he have to act on his own? Why was such a major matter not submitted to me for approval? Does he still see me as emperor in his eyes?"

Wen Chenghuan seized the moment to provoke, saying, "I do not know what Hu Xiaotian intends, but in privately reaching an agreement with Xue Lingjun he surely did not consider Your Majesty's feelings."

Long Xuan'en snapped, "Impudent brat, thinking heaven high and earth far, do you think I cannot deal with him?"

Wen Chenghuan silently sneered, "What bravado you display—if you truly cannot control him, Hu Xiaotian likely no longer regards you as emperor in his eyes." He said softly, "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty; Hu Xiaotian harbors wolfish ambitions. Since he took charge of Dongliang Jun, he has quietly built up his strength, continually expanding outward, outwardly claiming loyalty to Dakang. After seizing the Eastern Luo Warehouse, many at court have spoken for him, calling him the hope of Dakang's revival, but this humble servant does not share that view."

Long Xuan'en said, "Speak!"

Wen Chenghuan said, "Hu Xiaotian took the tiny Eastern Luo Warehouse only to return it now, meaning he has not seized an inch of Da Yong's territory, yet Wu Xing Jun has already fallen under his control; in fact, during this period he has annexed much Dakang land, swelling his forces, and I have received reliable intelligence that he is now conducting massive conscription—on one hand he has secretly reached a non‑aggression pact with Da Yong, on the other he is rapidly expanding his military; his intentions are self‑evident."

Long Xuan'en nodded and said, "Even if you did not say so, I know he harbors ulterior motives again."

Wen Chenghuan said, "This incident of the missing imperial grain is extremely suspicious; the exact circumstances remain unclear."

Long Xuan'en snapped, "Unclear? How could it become clear? Jiang Zhengyang was escorting the imperial grain; how did it end up in Yunze? I have already received an urgent report from Baiquan City: Jiang Zhengyang and the Yunze water bandits Ma Kongkong had long been colluding; he abused his position to steal the grain, only he did not expect those bandits to also grow greedy and try to keep the entire shipment for themselves."

Wen Chenghuan said, "Your Majesty, however, according to the information I have received, this should not be so simple; it is said that on that night a naval battle took place in Yunze, and the ships sent by the Bixin Mountain water bandits to assist the grain convoy were all destroyed."

Long Xuan'en said, "How reliable is your information? Do you have any proof? Rumors are rampant; all of Dakang is laughing at me, saying I lack judgment in appointing a hungry wolf to escort the grain—outrageous! Simply outrageous!" He pointed at Wen Chenghuan and said, "You were among those who originally suggested using Jiang Zhengyang."

Wen Chenghuan silently cursed, "Foolish ruler, it was clearly you who proposed this; we merely went along, and now you try to push the blame onto me—do you think an old man is easy to bully?" He dared not retort, and said softly, "Back then no one imagined Jiang Zhengyang would be such a wolf‑hearted ambition; the proposal came from Chancellor Zhou, I merely concurred." He also threw in a jab at Zhou Ruiyuan, since Zhou had likewise said Jiang Zhengyang could be used.

Long Xuan'en sighed and said, "You eat the imperial grain and draw your salary, yet you do not know how to share my worries—truly you have disappointed me to the utmost." After this outburst he plopped down onto his chair.

Wen Chenghuan apologetically said, "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty; I bear responsibility for missing this, but after the incident at Yunze, Jiang Zhengyang disappeared, and his remaining twenty thousand troops, which were supposed to return to Yunyang, were intercepted by Hu Xiaotian's forces at Wangchun River; Hu Xiaotian acted with such speed that he must have long sensed Jiang Zhengyang's embezzlement of the grain—Your Majesty, do you not see there is much more to this?"

Long Xuan'en said, "What use is it to tell me all this now? I certainly know what Hu Xiaotian has in mind; are you suggesting I issue an edict immediately to dismiss and investigate him? Or are you willing to personally take my Imperial Sword to Dongliang Jun and help me behead him?"

Wen Chenghuan was left speechless by the question; this old foolish ruler really knows how to leave one choking.

Long Xuan'en wanted to kill Hu Xiaotian more than anyone, yet letting the tiger go back to the mountains makes recapturing it difficult; moreover, this tiger has, through its development over this period, acquired considerable strength—was it not just said that Hu Xiaotian had secretly reached an agreement with Da Yong? Long Xuan'en said, "You just said the Da Yong Long Princess went to Dongliang Jun on a mission?"

Wen Chenghuan nodded: "Indeed that is the case."

Long Xuan'en instantly felt displeased; Da Yong employed a two‑pronged approach, sending two groups of envoys—it seems they had made preparations from the start, but judging by the envoys' status they actually valued Hu Xiaotian more than they valued him, even sending a Long Princess personally to Dongliang Jun; Long Xuan'en said, "Da Yong is indeed trying to drive a wedge between me and Hu Xiaotian." (To be continued~^~)