Chapter 741 – Changshou Wang Claims the Throne (Part 1)
Feng Zhen pinched his pen, using the candlelight to illuminate the bamboo slips, burning the midnight oil, feeling like his eyes were about to squint into a chicken’s glare.
“I had a nightmare last night; I dreamed that our Lord wore women’s clothing.”
Yang Si, still working without any midnight snack, heard this and replied, “Ah, what a terrifying nightmare.”
Feng Zhen and Yang Si often sparred with words, both finding each other annoying.
Only one person could make them set aside their grievances and unite— their Lord.
The news from Chenzhou’s imperial city reached Changshou Wang and the loyalist alliance in no time, but their reactions were quite different.
Changshou Wang looked up and laughed heartily, feeling more relaxed than ever.
However, at that moment, Meng Zhan unexpectedly poured cold water over his excitement. “Your Highness is too early to rejoice.”
Changshou Wang’s mind was already filled with thoughts of the coronation ceremony, abruptly interrupted by Meng Zhan, leaving him slightly irritated, but he couldn’t show it.
“Why do you say that, sir?”
Meng Zhan replied in a cold tone, “With one Emperor dead, they can just promote another.”
Changshou Wang’s expression stiffened. He had intended to keep the Emperor under house arrest until he wrote a decree of abdication.
Now, with the Emperor dead, the loyalist alliance and other high officials had the right to support a new ruler’s ascension.
The thought of the throne he coveted falling into the hands of some unknown young whippersnapper made him furious.
Meng Zhan said, “Your Highness need not be angry; if the Emperor cannot give you the throne, why not declare yourself Emperor!”
Upon hearing this, Changshou Wang’s body trembled, as if a thunderclap had exploded in his ear, leaving him dazed.
“Declare myself… Emperor? Isn’t that treasonous?”
Changshou Wang wanted a “legitimate” throne; he had never considered becoming Emperor himself.
Meng Zhan sneered inwardly.
What “legitimacy,” what “treason”? Which of the things Changshou Wang did ever adhered to legitimacy?
“Your Highness, time is of the essence; make a decision,” Meng Zhan urged, “delay, and you might miss this chance.”
Changshou Wang felt flustered, yet deep down, he was inclined to support Meng Zhan’s proposal.
Become Emperor!
Meanwhile, the alliance was equally stunned by the news.
Changshou Wang sent elite troops to sneak attack and besiege Chenzhou’s imperial city?
Yang Jian and Liu Xi’s armies arrived just in time, saving countless officials and their families?
The Emperor died during his escape?
When the Emperor passed, the whole nation mourned.
Lords couldn’t continue their drinking and revelry; instead, they begrudgingly donned dull-colored garments as a sign of mourning.
Some focused on the Emperor’s death, while others paid attention to the forces of Liu Xi and Yang Jian.
Xu Pei felt a burden lifted from his shoulders.
Finally, he didn’t have to hide the news any longer, nor bear the slings and arrows of criticism from other lords. He could hold his head high in front of Xu Fei.
To outsiders, it seemed all of Liu Xi and Yang Jian’s actions were orchestrated by Xu Pei.
After their great achievements, Xu Pei intended to take credit.
Unbeknownst to him, this fortune had simply fallen into his lap, free for the taking.
Besides Xu Pei, Liu Zhi, as Liu Xi’s father, also received congratulations from the crowd.
Huang Song secretly remarked to Liu Zhi, “Congratulations, Governor; Liu Xi’s feat in saving the Emperor is unmatched.”
Fortune favors the bold; while many lords indulged in pleasure, Liu Xi led his troops to Chenzhou’s imperial city—a feat envied by many.
Liu Zhi wore a smile, handling the congratulations of fellow lords.
“Liu Xi is still young and reckless; he doesn’t deserve such praise yet—he needs more experience.”
He spoke humbly, but everyone could see Liu Zhi’s good mood.
Another who shared his good mood was Wu Ma Shang, the governor of Hu County.
The Emperor was dead, and he had left no decree for succession, which meant what?
It meant his opportunity had arrived!
With the world in chaos, a dignified and capable ruler was needed to restore order. Who among the Eastqing royal family was more suitable than him?
He knew that the Emperor had sons and grandsons, but Wu Ma Shang didn’t regard them as threats.
In critical times, one must adapt; the throne’s succession should be flexible, and only the worthy should claim it!
An Huan watched Wu Ma Shang’s changing emotions coolly, chuckling inwardly.
As for the loyalist alliance hoping for Wu Ma Shang’s ascension, it appeared to consist of just Wu Ma Shang and An Huan.
If one doesn’t act for oneself, they will perish; what tangible benefit would supporting Wu Ma Shang provide for the other lords?
The answer was, none.
Which is why Wu Ma Shang was celebrating a bit too early.
An Huan kept this thought to himself and instead showered Wu Ma Shang with flattery, spinning a heap of compliments.
In high spirits, Wu Ma Shang waved his hand, borrowing more men, horses, and grain from An Huan.
The loyalist alliance marched with pride toward Chenzhou, originally expecting to engage Changshou Wang’s main forces in battle, but surprisingly, they encountered no resistance on their way.
After days of scouting, they finally confirmed the news—Changshou Wang had retreated to the borders of Chenzhou, harboring some sort of plot.
“Why did he withdraw his troops out of the blue?”
Everyone was puzzled, except for a select few who could see the bigger picture.
“Storm clouds are gathering,” Feng Jue glanced at the weather outside the tent and sighed, “Changshou Wang is employing the old a feigned retreat tactic.”
Huang Song was confused. “Feigned retreat?”
Cheng Jing chimed in, “It’s not just a feigned retreat; I imagine he has other plans.”
Huang Song looked at Feng Jue and then at Cheng Jing—both had the same expression while he was still completely baffled.
Sighing, he felt his IQ had been crushed again today by those two strategists.
For the alliance, Changshou Wang’s retreat was undoubtedly good news; at least they wouldn’t need to expend more troops for a fight.
Chenzhou’s imperial city, now scarred by war, had a desolate and dilapidated appearance, with the private residences hastily tidied but still showing signs of conflict.
The loyalist alliance chose not to camp within the city but set up outside, to keep the people at ease.
With many officials and their families taken away by Changshou Wang, the current court was in dire need of manpower.
Seizing the opportunity, Feng Zhen, Yang Si, Yan Lin, and others took on nominal positions.
“Once we enter the city, Wu Ma Shang, the governor of Hu County, has been acting rather frequently. He’s courting lords and court officials almost without disguise—what a fool!”
Jiang Pengji slouched in her main seat, face down on the table, looking utterly drained.
She thought next time she ventured out, she could bring along a few more strategists, at least securing some extra labor.
Liu Zhi calmly sipped his clear wine.
“He’s still too eager for success. Had he schemed step by step, he might have had a chance.”
The more impatient Wu Ma Shang appeared, the less likely people would choose him.
An ambitious Wu Ma Shang was far easier to handle than a puppet Emperor.
Just then, a soft patter of footsteps approached, and Hui Jun’s gentle voice rang out.
“Young Master, may I come in now?”
“Come in.”
Liu Zhi took a glance at Hui Jun, his gaze calm.
Hui Jun resembled her former self by about fifty percent; if her earlier beauty had captivated nations, she was now merely a graceful young lady at best.
Even when a familiar face appeared, one could only recognize that she looked familiar, without suspecting she was the late enchanting consort.
Jiang Pengji couldn’t transform someone’s face, but the audience in the live stream could teach makeup techniques, achieving effects comparable to a face swap!
