A Clash of Gods - Chapter 199

Chapter 199 Triple Win

Qi Ning said, “Your Majesty has just said that since the founding of Chu, there hasn’t been a duke with a different surname. If it’s for a great merit, and Your Majesty take the initiative to bestow it, of course it’s a happy ending for everyone. But if the subject has the intention instead, it’ll be against the ritual system since the founding of the state. The Marquis of Loyalty couldn’t possibly not understand this.”

“Of course he understands,” Longtai said, “The Marquis of Loyalty is a founding minister who has already lived through three dynasties before me.”

“So Your Majesty can bestow the title at the court. If the Marquis of Loyalty refuses to accept the title, it should be wishful thinking on the part of the Empress Dowager, and the Marquis of Loyalty has no treacherous intention,” Qi Ning said, “At least it shows that the Marquis of Loyalty does not dare to break the ancestral system easily, which proves that the Marquis of Loyalty is still the pillar of Chu.”

Longtai pondered, nodded slightly and said, “If the Marquis of Loyalty gladly accepts it, it means he no longer respects the ancestral system.”

“Secondly, even if the Marquis of Loyalty really accepts the title of duke, Your Majesty don’t have to worry either,” Qi Ning slowly said, “Your Majesty, since I arrived at the capital, though I haven’t seen much, I know that the Duke of Huainan is powerful in influence with his men spread in the court.”

Longtai put on a poker-face and said, “The Duke of Huainan thinks he is the rightful bloodline, whose ambition to usurp the throne is known to everyone. The late emperor appeased him, which was already a great honor, but he didn’t appreciate the royal grace, instead, he was always taking advantage of it. On my way back from Eastern Qi State, I was intercepted many times and even died. I’m clear of who was behind the scheme.”

“Your Majesty, I dare to ask a question. Can you easily eliminate the Duke of Huainan force with your current power?” Yang Ning knew that Longtai was talking to him sincerely, so he hid nothing from him and spoke very frankly.

Longtai answered, “Qi Ning, to be frank, the late emperor had been worried that the Duke of Huainan would one day become a threat to me when he was alive. The late emperor had a long-term vision, and everything went as he expected. It’s just the Duke of Huainan is the son of the first Emperor, the second Emperor and the late emperor had tried to appease the Duke of Huainan in the good grace of the first Emperor, not to demand accountability, even if he occasionally did something improper.” After a pause, he said, “The Duke of Huainan is very cunning. Although there are many people in the court speaking for him, he has been behind the scenes and never easily shows up, seeming like a pleasure-seeking prince. The late emperor hadn’t found a reason to get rid of him.”

“The late emperor made his every effort to rule the state. Plus the series of war, I thought he wouldn’t have time to deal with him.” Qi Ning sighed, “And there has been the war with the Northern Han State these years. The late emperor didn’t want to cause internal turmoil in Chu because of the Duke of Huainan.”

Longtai said with some consternation, “You even know all this?” A smile appeared on his face, he said, “It seems that you don’t just indulge in dissipation after you came to the capital.”

“Your Majesty, you’ve wronged me,” Qi Ning immediately said, “I didn’t indulge in dissipation. I stayed at the Mansion of Marquis of Honor. I naturally got to know these things even if I don’t want to.”

Longtai sighed, “Yes, as the late emperor intended, if the Duke of Huainan won’t go too far, the court shall not find fault with him. The late emperor himself didn’t expect he would suddenly become seriously ill, otherwise it wouldn’t be such a case now.” His expression turned gloomy.

“The late emperor’s death was not expected by many people,” Qi Ning said, “The Duke of Huainan’s power wasn’t removed by the late emperor, so he still has a strong foundation now. Plus the old guy has always coveted the throne. We must keep an eye on people like him.”

“The old guy?” Longtai was stunned, then laughed, “Good, that old guy is my royal uncle, but always treats me as an enemy.”

“Since the Duke of Huainan’s power is deeply rooted, if Your Majesty cannot suppress him with your own power, you may find his opponent to handle him.” Qi Ning smiled, “Your Majesty, don’t you think the Marquis of Loyalty is an excellent candidate?”

Longtai nodded and said, “Of course, I understand this. There is no way I can let the Duke of Huainan do whatever he wants. The late emperor also told me to think much of the Marquis of Loyalty to check and balance the Duke of Huainan. But I am worried that if I let the Marquis of Loyalty go, he will be inflated, and then I will be breeding evil.”

Qi Ning, after all, had lived two lives, with decades of life experience. Plus he also read some books and watched some films about emperors and generals in his previous life and was aware of the art of balance. But the young emperor was unexpectedly sophisticated, not only with an eye to consider the checks and balances of the court, and even the problem of breeding evil. It was quite a meticulous mind too.

“That’s why I say it’s a triple win, this second win not only allows the Marquis of Loyalty to grow in power and be able to counterbalance the Duke of Huainan. The most important thing is that once the Marquis of Loyalty accepts the title of dukedom, it will certainly cause a lot of people’s resentments.” Yang Ning smiled and said, “Those courtiers who stand against the Duke of Huainan will all inevitably take the Marquis of Loyalty as the head to serve Your Majesty at such a time. If the Marquis of Loyalty keeps low-key and cautious, those people will definitely admire his character. Your Majesty, don’t you think this is in turn troublesome?”

The dishes on the table were all made by the palace’s imperial chef, a perfect combination of color, aroma and taste, steaming hot. It’s really a big temptation to Qi Ning. But now the emperor didn’t focus his mind on the meal and he even put down his chopsticks. Qi Ning could only act in a reserved way, feeling restrained to feast.

Longtai got high spirits, looking a bit excited, reached out and grabbed Qi Ning’s arm, said, “You mean… You mean make the ministers get close with the Marquis of Loyalty, but at the same time, resent him?”

Qi Ning laughed, “The more powerful and arrogant the Marquis of Loyalty is, the more he will naturally be resented by the ministers who won’t be completely on the same page with him, so that one day it’ll be easy for Your Majesty to find someone to use when in need.”

Longtai clapped his hands and laughed, “Qi Ning, you are very cunning.” He then asked, “You said it was a triple win. What is the last win?”

Qi Ning said, “This is a good opportunity for Your Majesty. Your Majesty, with all due respect, you said the late emperor suddenly suffered a serious illness and passed away suddenly. Of course you didn’t get much of an opportunity to practice. Since you’ve just ascended to the throne, I guess there won’t be many trusted subordinates for you.”

Hearing this, Longtai said in a quite hopeless manner, “Actually everyone thinks I can do anything now that I’m the emperor. Only I know that it’s not much a comfortable thing to sit in this spot. Not only can’t I go anywhere and do anything like you do, but I have to abide by the rules even while eating and sleeping.” Pointing to the dishes on the table, he said, “In the past, when I was the crown prince, I didn’t think it was a big deal even if I had dozens of dishes for each meal. But on the way back from Eastern Qi State, I saw the hardships of the people, many of whom are even unavailable to have basic food, let alone delicacies.” He smiled bitterly and said, “Before I went to Eastern Qi State, I didn’t expect that the people of Chu would have such a hard time.”

Sensing Longtai’s true feelings and compassion to the hardships of the people, Qi Ning felt a trace of respect and asked, “Your Majesty saw the hardships of the people?”

Longtai said, “In order to avoid obstruction, the messenger team headed three separate ways, all secretly returning to capital Jianye, just to distract the opponents’ attention. Me and Master Xiang went all the way back to the capital with four attendants and encountered assassinations several times along the way. Those four attendants were martyred to protect me. I saw stragglers along the Huai River along on the way…!” Shaking his head, he laughed bitterly and said, “They really had nothing to eat or wear. I thought at that time, the ministers were saying every day that our country was safe and prosperous, but why wasn’t the people even available to a bowl of porridge during the war? Many people died of starvation on the roadside, left to be devoured by wild dogs…”

Qi Ning became stern too. Although he hadn’t been to the forefront of the war, he could already feel the misery of the displaced people in Huize County Seat.

“I swore at that time that if I became emperor, what I would do in this life would be to make the people of the world really free of war and able to have enough food and clothes.” Longtai’s tone became firm, “I used to think it was easy to do. Providing food and clothes don’t seem to be a difficult task, but now I understand this simple wish may take more than my life to fulfil. But I will do my best. What I can’t do, I’ll let my son do. What he can’t do, I’ll make my grandson do, until one day people in the world don’t have to worry about food and clothing anymore.”

Qi Ning’s heart trembled.

It seemed that many emperors had said such things. But it was the first time he personally heard it from an emperor who wasn’t in the least to whitewash his ambitions, but with a sincere tone. It was a young emperor’s most simple wish when first becoming a ruler.

Qi Ning didn’t know what kind of path he would face in the future, let alone what kind of emperor Longtai would become in the future, but to be able to care about the hardships of the people and to set such a simple yet shining ambition truly touched Qi Ning.

He knew that, at least at this moment, Longtai was a good emperor.

“Your Majesty, I believe you will be able to do it.” Qi Ning stared into the young emperor’s eyes, “So Your Majesty should nurture your strength and gradually make yourself strong. Only a strong emperor is able to fulfill his heart’s desire.” Lowering his voice, he said, “So Your Majesty must develop someone available who should be loyal to Your Majesty and help fulfill your wishes.”

Longtai laughed bitterly, “But what I want most now is someone available.” Looking at Qi Ning, he said, “Apart from Master Xiang, I can only talk to you about something personal now. Qi Ning, do you know that I sometimes really feel…lonely. The palace is all glorious, but sometimes I always feel I am the only one in this palace. I’ve known many of the palace servants since my childhood. But…sometimes I feel that they are like tables and chairs when they are around me. They’re all obsequious, afraid to say something wrong when I talk to them. That’s why I don’t like to talk to them anymore later.”

Qi Ning laughed, “That’s quite simple if Your Majesty wants to have a talk. I’m your subject now. If you are bored, feel free to talk to me. But Your Majesty must promise me, sometimes I may say improper things if I’m occupied by thoughts. I may even say some something treacherous. You may not behead me then.”

“You are afraid you’ll be beheaded?” Longtai was stunned, then laughed, “It’s okay, I promise you, as long as you stay loyal to me, even if you really say something improper, I will let it go.”

Qi Ning smirked and said, “Your Majesty, I’m going to say something treacherous now, you may not blame me.”

Longtai seemed interested and said, “Go ahead.”

“To be in the emperor’s company is tantamount to living with a tiger.” Qi Ning sighed, “Your Majesty is in a good mood now and can promise anything. What if one day I happen to make a mistake when you’re in a bad mood and Your Majesty go back on your word and want to kill me?”

“Nonsense.” Longtai was annoyed, “I mean what I said. Why would I go back on my word?” He stood up haughtily. That’s when Yang Ning thought the young emperor was going to flip out, but he walked quickly to the desk, took a brush and ink, wielded it elegantly on the paper, then took a gold seal and pressed it on the paper. After this, he walked back with the piece of paper and handed it to Qi Ning, saying, “Take it. I’m a man of my word.”

Qi Ning took it and glanced over. It was written with the promise of forgiveness that as long as he served His Majesty and worked for the court, he could be forgiven even if he had committed a great crime.