The Child Emperor-Chapter 244: Lies within Truths

White Bridge Town was situated at a strategic location but had no natural defenses. After capturing the town, Han Ruzi still needed to figure out how to defend it.

The Southern Army prisoners were gathered together. Cai Xinghai publicly read the imperial edict. Then all the officers and military officials were called forward to take turns to examine the first imperial edict issued by the court in months. Few could tell if it was genuine, but several military clerks responsible for document processing nodded, believing the edict was definitely authentic.

The prisoners were not bound with ropes, but soldiers and officers were kept separate.

Next, over ten high-ranking commanders were brought to a room where Han Ruzi personally tried to persuade them.

“The Empress Dowager and Emperor did fall seriously ill, but they have already recovered. They knew someone intended to rebel, so they secretly issued orders appointing me as Grand Marshal of the Northern Army to lead troops south. Grand General Han Xing has also mobilized troops from various regions to advance from Hangu Pass. The two armies will coordinate with the Eight Palace Guard Camps to suppress the internal rebellion,” Han Ruzi said solemnly, almost believing his own lie.

The commanders looked at each other, especially Cui Sheng, who knew things weren’t so simple but dared not object and had no clear evidence.

“I captured White Bridge Town out of necessity. The Southern Army consists of Great Chu’s elite troops – surely you wouldn’t participate in rebellion?” Han Ruzi asked.

Everyone hurriedly shook their heads.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I can answer on behalf of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty.”

No one spoke up until Cui Teng stepped forward and loudly said, “I have a question.”

Han Ruzi gestured for him to proceed, hoping internally that the second young master Cui wouldn’t ask anything reckless since they hadn’t coordinated beforehand.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

Cui Teng stammered for a while before blurting out: “Brother-in-law, why don’t we just charge into the Capital and make you Emperor? You’re the rightful Emperor anyway.”

“How dare you!” Han Ruzi’s fears were realized. Though he did want to become Emperor, now was not the time to make it public. “Take him away and keep him under strict guard.”

Several Northern Army soldiers came forward to push Cui Teng out.

“Hey brother-in-law, if you disagree just say so, why get angry? I’m only trying to help!” Cui Teng’s shouts could still be heard from afar as he was led away. He became furious and started cursing at the soldiers.

Han Ruzi addressed the others: “I know what you’re thinking, so I’ll answer directly. The rebel is the Champion Marquis. After losing in the succession struggle, he refused to accept defeat and wants to start a rebellion. That’s why he fabricated lies about the Empress Dowager and Emperor being harmed to deceive the Southern Army into entering the Capital. Grand Tutor Cui was fooled – he thought he was leading troops to suppress a rebellion, but he actually returned to the Capital without imperial orders, committing a serious crime. However, the Southern Army is innocent, and you are even more so.”

The room was silent – no one objected or agreed.

Han Ruzi glanced at Cai Xinghai. Before the attack, Cai Xinghai had suggested killing some Southern Army commanders to establish authority, but Han Ruzi had disagreed. Now deep in enemy territory with Northern Army reinforcements still days away, needlessly angering the troops would only isolate him further.

But if these men continued their silent treatment, he would have no choice but to accept Cai Xinghai’s suggestion.

“The Southern Army soldiers are not Grand Tutor Cui’s private forces – you are Great Chu’s army. The imperial court is now in trouble, so make your choice,” Han Ruzi said, not wanting to waste words. Though he didn’t mind lying, fewer lies were better.

After waiting a while, someone finally spoke up – a young officer who was slightly bolder: “Have you left the Capital? Are you no longer competing for the throne?”

“Suppressing rebellion is more important than competing for the throne. Since the Empress Dowager and Emperor have issued orders to me, I must fulfill my duty.”

Once one person started, others followed. Another officer asked: “What are we – captives or criminals?”

“I said the Southern Army is innocent. I request – no, I order you to accept my command and join me in suppressing the rebellion.”

“But if the Southern Army’s Grand Marshal was deceived as you say, why not try to persuade him instead of capturing this town?” An elderly general spoke up. Besides Cui Sheng, he held the highest rank and his words carried the most weight.

Han Ruzi turned to Cui Sheng, “You explain this.”

“What? Explain what?” Cui Sheng looked panicked.

“Cui Sheng, you can hide the truth temporarily but not forever. The future survival of the Cui family now rests in your hands. Grand Tutor Cui made a mistake that can still be remedied, but if he persists, his crimes will be unforgivable and the entire Cui family will be implicated.”

While Han Ruzi lacked confidence with the unfamiliar Southern Army commanders, he was completely certain about Cui Sheng.

Sure enough, just a bit of intimidation had Cui Sheng terrified. After hesitating briefly, he asked: “Has the Grand General really deployed troops from Hangu Pass?”

“Not just the Grand General – the Northern Army’s main force has already secretly departed under orders and will arrive in days.” Han Ruzi had to continue spinning his tale.

The Southern Army commanders believed him, as this was the only way to explain why the Weary Marquis dared to capture White Bridge Town with just three thousand Northern Army troops. Cui Sheng especially had no doubts and trembled as he turned to the others: “An imperial edict from the palace…stripped my father of his position as Southern Army Grand Marshal…”

The commanders erupted in discussion. The elderly general asked: “Who is the new Grand Marshal?”

“No one has been appointed yet,” Han Ruzi told the truth this time. “But I have been ordered to suppress the rebellion and oversee military affairs north of the Capital, so I command you to follow my orders. This is not a request or negotiation – it is an imperial edict. Those who accept will return with me to the Capital to suppress the rebellion, achieve merit, and receive titles and rewards. Those who refuse will be guilty of treason.”

The commanders were shocked again. Though they had seen the imperial edict which made no mention of suppressing rebellion, none could think too deeply about it now. The Weary Marquis’s actions all indicated he was indeed acting on imperial orders.

“My father… our Cui clan…” Cui Sheng lost his composure.

“Grand Tutor Cui was misled by the Champion Marquis. He only returned to the capital without authorization and hasn’t committed any major crimes yet. If he pulls back from the brink now, his life can be spared. As for the Cui clan’s fate, that depends on you.”

“Me?” Though Cui Sheng was the eldest son of the Cui family, he wasn’t prepared to take on such a heavy responsibility.

Han Ruzi let Cui Sheng ponder this while turning his gaze to the elderly general, knowing he was the key figure.

The elderly general sighed, “The Southern Army belongs to the imperial court and we receive state salaries. Since the Weary Marquis has an imperial edict, I will obey.”

Though the elderly general harbored some doubts, he still knelt down. What mattered most to him wasn’t the edict, but the Weary Marquis standing before him who, compared to the fickle Grand Tutor Cui and the weak, incompetent Cui Sheng, clearly knew what he was doing.

The others knelt as well, not thinking too deeply, believing they were accepting an imperial edict.

Cui Sheng also knelt, finally deciding what he should do. “Grand Marshal, please allow me to return to the Capital immediately to persuade my father to change his mind.”

Han Ruzi smiled encouragingly, “Very good. If you can persuade Grand Tutor Cui to abandon darkness for light, you will achieve great merit.”

Cui Sheng smiled too. At the door, Cai Xinghai caught Han Ruzi’s eye, signaling that he shouldn’t let Cui Sheng leave.

Han Ruzi blinked to show he understood and continued: “However, before that, you must first inform the Southern Army troops north of White Bridge about what has happened here and order all camp commanders to come receive orders immediately.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll go right away.”

As Cui Sheng was eager to achieve merit and about to depart, Han Ruzi pondered carefully and decided to go with him. White Bridge Town was temporarily safe, and Cai Xinghai’s Northern Army could watch over the small Southern Army force there. The various Southern Army camps outside were the real problem – if even one camp refused to obey orders, the advantage he had built could vanish instantly.

Cai Xinghai and others insisted the Weary Marquis shouldn’t risk going out, but Han Ruzi stood firm. He knew clearly that if he didn’t take risks now, he wouldn’t have the chance later.

Cai Xinghai remained to guard White Bridge Town while Han Ruzi and Cui Sheng led 500 troops out – half Northern Army, half Southern Army.

Before departing, Han Ruzi personally went to see the imprisoned Cui Teng. Without apologizing, rebuking, or mentioning release, he simply said coldly: “Come with me.”

Cui Teng was overjoyed. “Brother-in-law came to release me personally? How kind. I’ve reflected – I was wrong earlier to say such things in front of everyone. In the future, when you want to hear more, just give me a hint… Where are we going?”

When the group departed, it was just past the fourth watch with the night still dark. Shortly after leaving town, they encountered a Southern Army unit that had rushed there after receiving news, not expecting the situation to have changed so drastically.

Cui Sheng and the elderly general went forward to deliver orders. With these two taking the lead, it was much easier than if Han Ruzi had tried to persuade the commanders. The unit commander rode to the Weary Marquis’s horse and knelt in submission.

Han Ruzi didn’t explain much, simply ordering this Southern Army unit to turn around and accompany him to the various camps.

Now the Southern Army held absolute advantage in the group, but Han Ruzi showed no fear or caution, even allowing Southern Army soldiers to approach him. This made everyone more convinced the Weary Marquis was acting on imperial orders – some even imagined they knew the edict’s contents as if they had seen it themselves.

The Southern Army camps were scattered across an area of over ten miles, with more than twenty camps in total. The further north, the more soldiers each camp contained. The northernmost camp was in a military fortress, easily defended but hard to attack, serving as the Southern Army’s forward position to watch the Northern Army.

When Cui Hong had led his troops back to the Capital, he thought the Weary Marquis had already sneaked back to the city. His main concerns were the capital’s eight garrison camps and the Northern Army’s main force in Mancang City. So he took 60,000 men with him but left 10,000 in the fortress, paying little attention to White Bridge Town. He thought his eldest son Cui Sheng could hold it and the small Northern Army force outside wouldn’t dare act rashly. He never expected the Weary Marquis to appear here.

Han Ruzi continued north, and by dawn had already taken over more than ten Southern Army camps, with his following growing to 6,000 men. Though he and his 200 Northern Army soldiers were now mere decoration, he showed no fear, advancing quickly and ordering all but the old, weak, sick, and laborers to mount up and follow.

By late morning, Han Ruzi’s following had grown to over 20,000, though stretched out over three miles between front and rear. Several camp commanders who agreed to submit hadn’t yet managed to organize their troops to leave camp.

At the fortress, Cui Sheng and the elderly general went forward as usual to persuade them to surrender. While everything had gone smoothly before, problems arose now – the 10,000 troops inside refused to obey orders and wouldn’t even open the gates.

Han Ruzi had to secure this force before noon so he could return to White Bridge Town in time.

If all was normal, Grand Tutor Cui, who had departed two days ago, should have received news by now and sent troops to counterattack.

Han Ruzi needed to fight two hard battles in one day.

If you are reading this on an aggregator site, do consider visiting / to support this translation project by leaving a comment.

← CH 243