ChangNing’s Imperial Army - Chapter 87 - New Toy
Chen Ran walked as he muttered, “Military officer, why are you letting Mu Xiaofeng taking credit?”
“Take credit?”
Shen Leng laughed and said, “Do you really think that the imperial officials are easy to be trifled with? Even though I am one rank higher than the magistrate, I am in the military. I have no authority to meddle with this. If they were to pursue the matter, I will be convicted of a heavy crime.”
“But if they were to investigate, isn’t it easy for them to trace it back to us?”
“It is easy. If His Majesty were to ask Zhuang Yong or Cen Zheng, he can easily find out that I’m the one behind it.”
“In that case, what should we do?”
Chen Ran looked flabbergasted. “How heavy is the crime?”
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“Death.”
Shen Leng shrugged. “In the best case scenario, we will still be executed. Because this matter is more about its consequences, instead of how unreasonable it is. Even if the civil officials in the imperial court knew that the magistrate of Qingya committed a crime, they would still frantically appeal to His Majesty to punish me. That is because I created this precedence. If His Majesty were to close one eye, the civil officials would be worried that the military would start to interfere in their businesses.”
Chen Ran looked even more flabbergasted. “Why are you still laughing? What should we do? We should not have been so open in the first place. We should have worn masks and beat them until they become crippled. It would have been a cleaner job.”
“That’s not my style.”
Shen Leng said, “Even though it would be very serious in the event it gets pursued, not to forget the fact that it can easily be traced back to us. However, precisely because of this, it would not be that easy at the same time.”
His words contradicted. Naturally, Chen Ran could not understand.
“Think about it…”
Shen walked as he explained, “What is the reason why we came out? It’s because of Cen Zheng’s secret order. And where did this secret order come from? Do you think it came from Yanta Academy’s head? The academy head is almost entirely nonchalant about the imperial court’s affairs. Several years ago, he mentioned that he wanted to focus on educating the scholars…so why did the academy head suddenly write Cen Zheng a letter?”
Chen Ran was about to go insane. “I beg you, military officer. Can you please be more direct? You keep asking me questions. If I had a brain like yours, I would have been a military officer too.”
“The reason is simple – if I am right, His Majesty knows about this.”
Shen Leng said, “We are going to Feng Yan Tai to help Meng Changan. Who is Meng Changan helping? This matter is not as superficial as we see it to be. Nobody knows the complexity of it. However, since we are heading to Feng Yan Tai in secrecy, if His Majesty were to ask about it, naturally, Cen Zheng would not say that he was the one who arranged for it. Of course, Zhuang Yong would not say anything either, because theoretically speaking, he is not supposed to know anything. They can betray us, but they cannot betray the academy head or His Majesty.”
“Do you understand?” Shen Leng asked Chen Ran.
“I don’t understand.”
Chen Ran shook his head. “But judging from your facial expression, it doesn’t seem as severe as I think.”
“It is indeed severe. But you don’t have to be too worried. We just need to do three preparations.”
“Three preparations? Quick, tell me.”
“Firstly, prepare to pretend nothing happened, and if anybody asks anything, just say that you don’t know.”
“Secondly, prepare for death, in the event it becomes extremely severe.”
“Thirdly, prepare to flee.”
Chen Ran carefully pondered. It was as good as Shen Leng not saying anything. In other words, he meant that they should resign themselves to fate. However, Chen Ran felt that this matter was definitely something they should not leave to fate. He looked at Shen Leng and said earnestly, “Why don’t we kidnap the commander after we get back and use him as a hostage?”
Shen Leng was speechless.
At this moment, Shen Leng and his men was about to leave Jiangnan and enter Hexi. Approximately thirty miles ahead was the border between Hexi and Jiangnan. Qingya county was rather small – there was not anything worth taking note of. However, Dongchi, which was adjacent to it, was different. There was a special place, as well as some special people, in Dongchi.
It was the fief of a prince, just like how Yunxiao was Prince Liu’s fief.
Prince Li Chengdong was way beneath his brother in terms of government affairs, military affairs or connections. To put it crudely, he was the most useless one out of all the brothers of His Majesty.
Perhaps, because he was very clear about the fact that he never would have the chance to ascend the throne, he had accepted his fate a long time ago. He lived a life of pleasure and did not dabble in serious matters. However, he was well-versed in poetry and literature. Even the scholars commended him on that.
He had also completed the magnificent feat of staying in the brothel for three days and three nights. He spent a lot of money recklessly in the brothels, sparking heavy criticisms in the imperial court. He was the least favorite son of the previous emperor. But at the same time, he was the son that he was least worried about.
The prince thought that he would continue to live the rest of his life in pleasure, until his brother, emperor Li Chengyuan, who had been deemed as a genius since childhood, met his demise, causing that damned old man, Mu Zhaotong, to invite his son, Li Xiaoran, to make a trip to Changan city. That was when he knew that things were taking a turn for the worse.
Right from the start, he did not feel that it was a good thing.
However, Li Xiaoran did not think that way. At that time. Li XIaoran was only eight years old. Even though he was young, he had his own thoughts and ideas. At that time when he was stopped outside of Changan city by Pei Tingshan and his 9,000 soldiers; it was the darkest and most humiliating moment in his life.
At one point, he was so close to being Great Ning’s emperor.
Hence, Li Xiaoran and his father, Prince Li Chengdong did not have a good relationship. The former did not wake up from his dream, while the latter insisted on waking him from his dream.
The princes of Great Ning were different from the princes of the other empires – they had their own fiefs, but they were not allowed to have their own troops. If they were to get discovered, it was a serious offense. Even blood relationships would not be able to save them. Of course, that offense was put in place in the first place because of blood relationships.
In order for Shen Leng and the rest to leave Jiangnan, they would have to go through Dongchi.
And at this moment, in a manor below the mountain in Dongchi, Great Scholar Mu Zhaotong had sent someone over, who was currently meeting with the crown prince, Li Xiaoran.
The person sent over by Mu Zhaotong was named Yuan Zhidong – he was one of the advisors in the great scholar’s residence. Most of the time, advisors were made to do dirty businesses. That was because they were people who displayed their talents in the dark.
The crown prince Li Xiaoran sat on his seat. He was currently twenty years old – in his prime. He was well equipped with scholarly knowledge, and adept at handling tasks. Everyone in the imperial court wondered how a muddle-headed man like his father could have an outstanding son like him. It was mainly due to his wife.
That was something that should not be pondered about – pondering about it would make one feel despicable.
Li Xiaoran was blessed with the Li family’s good looks. He also had a majestic air to him, as a result of high expectations of himself over the past several years, except that it was somewhat deliberate and artificial.
He was refined and reserved.
Next to Li Xiaoran was a middle-aged man, who looked like he was in his forties. He had a mustache, and he was a man of few words. However, he had a pair of bright eyes.
He was named Xun Zhi, a famous scholar in Jiangnan. When he was younger, his talents were known to all. Later on, he was invited to the palace by the empress to mentor prince Li Zhangze. He spent five full years in the palace. After that, for some reason, he left Changan city and started to travel everywhere. When he was on his way back to Jiangnan, he was invited over by the crown prince, Li Xiaoran. It had been two years ever since.
Yuan Zhidong said politely, “The reason why I’m here to meet the crown prince, is mainly because of the great scholar’s family matter. The great scholar has always been very respectful towards you. Before I came, he made sure to get me to send his regards to you.”
Li Xiaoran laughed and said, “There is no need for formalities between the great scholar and I. Since you’re here on behalf of the great scholar, you may spare the formalities too. Please go ahead and tell me what the great scholar wants to convey to me.”
Of course, Li Xiaoran respected Mu Zhaotong too. After all, he was someone who almost made him the emperor.
“Your Highness, I’m sure you’re also aware that the great scholar’s only son is currently in the Navy, and he’s not doing very well…”
Yuan Zhidong briefly told him what happened to Mu Xiaofeng, and naturally, Li Xiaoran understood what Mu Zhaotong meant. Why did Mu Zhaotong send his son to the Navy? Of course, it was not merely because he wanted him to gain experience, or that he wanted him look good. If Mu Zhaotong’s intentions were that plain and obvious, there was no way he could become a senior figure in the imperial court for three generations, as well as the leader of civil officials.
What he wanted to be was not merely the leader of civil officials…His Majesty held the Navy in high regard; from the very start, Mu Xiaofeng had been with the Navy. If, just if…if something huge happened to Zhuang Yong, causing him to be unable to be the commander of the Navy, the next person in line to take over his position was most likely Mu Xiaofeng.
If the Navy was in their hands, the father and son would have power and authority over the imperial court.
“Great scholar, you mean you want us to find out who the inside intelligence box in the Navy is?”
Li Xiaoran sighed, “Even though Dongchi is not that far from Anyang, you have overestimated me. I don’t have the ability to interfere with the Navy’s affairs. If His Majesty were to know about it, I might not be able to survive his wrath.”
His words were a little sour.
Yuan Zhidong quickly said, “If you can help our young master seize the Navy, isn’t it a good thing for you?”
Li Xiaoran’s eyebrows twitched. “What you said is rather heinous. I am doing my part as the crown prince, what does the Navy has to do with me?”
Xun Zhi looked at Yuan Zhidong. “His Highness has to meet with a very important guest. Why don’t you take a rest first at the dwelling place he specially arranged for you?”
He got up and walked over. He supported Yuan Zhidong as he stood up before patting him on the back lightly. “I will accompany the crown prince to meet the guest first. I will treat you to dinner tonight.”
Yuan Zhidong immediately reacted. He hurriedly nodded. “In that case I will wait for Mr. Xun.”
After Yuan Zhidong left, Xun Zhi looked at Li Xiaoran and said, “Your Highness, the great scholar is asking for too much. It’s better not to agree to his request.”
“I know.”
Li Xiaoran snorted. “He still treats me like a child. He thinks that I will work for him just because he casually said a few sentences? However…the Navy’s matter is truly rather interesting. If Mu Xiaofeng really becomes the commander of the Navy, it is not necessarily a bad thing to me.”
He asked Xun Zhi, “Sir, when he first saw you yesterday, what did he say to you?”
“His main purpose was to use us to get rid of Mu Xiaofeng’s enemy – a military officer named Shen Leng. It’s not a big thing. Naturally, you can agree to it. However, you have to ensure that the conditions you make are good. In a while, I will meet with Yuan Zhidong and tell him that the few people by your side are rather capable, and that they want to become an official in one of the six ministries. If the great scholar were to agree, you will end up benefiting.”
Xun Zhi said, “Let the great scholar know that we have the ability to get rid of the people he wants to get rid of. Mu Xiaofeng will pin the hope of getting rid of Zhuang Yong on you. The order of business will possibly be even bigger.”
Li Xiaoran laughed out loud. “Sir, you are capable. With you by my side, nothing is too difficult.”
At this moment, someone came in hurriedly from the outside and whispered something into Li Xiaoran’s ear. Li Xiaoran was taken aback, “Something like that actually happened? Too coincidental…”
He looked at Xun Zhi. “Something happened in Qingya. A military officer forcefully removed the clothes off of the magistrate of Qingya and thrown him into prison. That military officer called himself Mu Xiaofeng.”
Xun Zhi was quiet for a moment before he laughed. “From Anyang to Qingya…and this piece of news is traveling to Dongchi and then to Changan. You should meet this fake Mu Xiaofeng. Perhaps he’ll be fun to play with.”
Li Xiaoran smiled. “New toy?”
