The Child Emperor-Chapter 264: Plans Starting Early

The palace maid Dong Qing’e’s journey to the southern city triggered a series of major events. Even after everything settled, she remained unaware that many events that night were due to her “contributions.”

First, when Shang-guan Sheng heard about a large group of palace servants escaping, he became furious – even more so than over losing the Imperial Seal. To him, this was an unforgivable betrayal. While the massacre of palace servants had only been a rumor before, he now began to seriously consider it, believing that even the eunuchs and palace maids who remained could not be fully trusted.

Then there were Cai Xinghai and Meng E, who had originally planned to protect the Weary Marquis’s supporters. Upon seeing the Imperial Seal, they immediately changed their objective – they had to get the seal out of the city at all costs. They planned to break through the relatively weakly guarded east gate, after which Meng E would take the seal and circle around the city to rendezvous with the Weary Marquis.

Finally, there were Grand Tutor Cui and Prince Donghai. Though they hadn’t yet heard about the Imperial Seal, they were moved by unexpected news.

The pugilists who had intercepted Meng E in the southern city reported the escape of the eunuchs and palace maids up through the ranks. When the news reached Prince Donghai, he eagerly went to see his uncle, saying “The eastern palace guards are lax – it seems heaven is helping us.”

Cui Hong wasn’t so confident. “Regardless, first send troops out of the city to attack the Weary Marquis, then we’ll make further plans.”

Prince Donghai relied on his uncle’s Southern Army and dared not push too hard, but he had to voice some concerns: “Cousin Cui Teng ignored even his brother’s murder and fled the city to join Han Ruzi. Why didn’t uncle try to stop him?”

Having just arranged the joint attack on the Weary Marquis, Cui Hong appeared tired and casually replied, “That’s just how Cui Teng is. I can’t control him. Let him seek his own death. Cui Sheng left me a grandson – that’s enough.”

“Uncle is truly ruthless.” Prince Donghai took his leave, but felt uneasy, believing Cui Hong was still trying to have it both ways. He needed to find another backup supporter.

Marquis Junyang, Hua Bin, had lost Grand Tutor Cui’s trust. The three assassins he recommended had failed to kill the Weary Marquis and disappeared. When some Southern Army commanders rebelled, he provided no protection. By the time the Southern Army fought the Palace Guards, he had become completely useless.

The dissatisfied Prince Donghai and the out-of-favor Hua Bin met and quickly found common ground.

“Pugilists are not very reliable,” Prince Donghai stared at Hua Bin and said bluntly. “They all boast loudly about their abilities – claiming they can ascend to heaven or burrow into earth, fight hundreds or thousands alone. But when truly needed, they’re all useless. Now there are still hundreds of pugilists captured in the palace, completely defeated by the palace guards.”

“Well, everyone has their strengths. Perhaps pugilists’ martial arts aren’t as formidable as imagined, but they are loyal and will die to fulfill their promises – though sometimes they might fail.”

Prince Donghai gave a cold laugh. Remembering a pugilist who died protecting him outside Shattered Iron City, he didn’t refute Hua Bin’s words. “So you’re saying this palace attack may not succeed either.”

“Man proposes, Heaven disposes.”

“Hmm, why didn’t Tiger King Hua come to the Capital? I rather miss him.”

“He’s too old and lacks other skills. He wouldn’t be able to handle the Capital’s turbulent affairs,” Hua Bin smiled.

“It’s better he didn’t come. Whether we succeed or fail, at least the Hua family has someone safely uninvolved.”

Hua Bin’s smile became forced. “Didn’t Grand Tutor Cui also send Cui Teng out of the Capital?”

Cui Teng had fled on his own, with Grand Tutor Cui’s tacit approval by not stopping him. Prince Donghai smiled, “True enough. Everyone needs a backup plan, it’s understandable. I heard Shang-guan Sheng sent his family to Guandong early on. But I have no retreat, neither does Han Ruzi. We have only one path – to become Emperor no matter what, even if we die trying.”

Prince Donghai thought of his wife Lady Tan and found himself missing her. Now she, like his mother, was in the palace with an unknown fate.

Hua Bin’s smile grew more strained as he remained silent.

Prince Donghai sighed, “When someone has a way out, do they become braver or more cowardly?”

Hua Bin could no longer play dumb. “Does Your Majesty worry I won’t give my all? Please rest assured, since these old bones have returned to the Capital, I don’t plan to leave in one piece.”

Hua Bin had fled once before, with careful preparation. Prince Donghai didn’t mention the past but said seriously, “Pugilists are indeed loyal, but whom do these pugilists in the city follow? Not me, not my uncle, but Marquis Hua and the Tan family.”

Hua Bin’s expression changed slightly. Finally understanding Prince Donghai’s intention and realizing he had no choice, he said, “If Your Majesty doesn’t mind my aged incompetence, I’m willing to lead the charge and be the first to storm the palace.”

Prince Donghai stood and cupped his hands in thanks. “When the heroes from Cloud Dream Marsh see Marquis Hua charging ahead, they will surely follow without regard for their lives.”

Hua Bin gave a short laugh and asked, “What about the Tan family?”

“All fifteen male members of the Tan family, young and old, will lead the attack on the palace.”

Hua Bin had nothing more to say.

“We move at the fourth watch,” Prince Donghai said before taking his leave.

In another room, Prince Donghai met the two chief censors and immediately asked, “Do you acknowledge me as Emperor?”

Xiao Sheng and Shen Mingzhi were effectively under house arrest, unable and afraid to escape. Hearing Prince Donghai’s question, they quickly knelt, “We are utterly loyal, why would Your Majesty ask this?”

“Don’t be afraid, I’m just asking. After all, you once supported the Champion Marquis and were even willing to lead troops into the Grand Marshal’s mansion for him. What have you done for me?”

The two remained prostrate in silence.

“The Champion Marquis is dead, so you turned to support me. How many more times do you plan to switch allegiance?”

“Your Majesty has ascended the throne. We absolutely will not change allegiance again.”

“Gather your men. Join the palace attack later. Succeed, and you two will be Left and Right Chancellors. Fail, and you’ll meet the Martial and Graceful Emperors in the underworld.”

The two kowtowed in acceptance. Xiao Sheng said, “But those scholars and Chai clan members won’t follow our orders.”

“Weapons will make them obey,” Prince Donghai said coldly. He was already at the cliff’s edge – everyone should stand in front of him, not behind. “Attacking the palace requires spilling some blood. The difference is whether blood is shed from loyalty or by force. It may make no difference to you, but for your families, it’s worlds apart.”

While Prince Donghai had negotiated somewhat with Hua Bin, with the two chief censors he resorted to direct threats.

It was still some time before the fourth watch. Prince Donghai, not wanting to remain idle, went to speak with the Chai clan members. Through a mix of coaxing and deception, he promised them numerous official titles in exchange for their loyalty. This loyalty was even less reliable than that of the two chief censors, but Prince Donghai’s expectations were low – he only needed these people to charge into the palace tonight.

Finally, he went to meet the scholars, where he hit an iron wall.

The students from the College of National Scions and Imperial University formed the core of this scholarly group. Even when faced with numerous armed soldiers, they refused to acknowledge Prince Donghai’s claim to the throne. They gathered together, loudly reciting classical texts, and wouldn’t even engage in dialogue with him.

Prince Donghai left with a cold smile, determined to purge these useless scholars once his plan succeeded.

Before the fourth watch, a battle broke out in the southern city. Six to seven hundred people emerged from different locations, all rushing toward the same inn, joining forces with the Weary Marquis’s retainers inside against the pugilists under the Tan family’s command.

The Tan family’s forces were outnumbered and quickly retreated.

The Weary Marquis actually only had about two hundred retainer soldiers, but after infiltrating the Capital, they secretly recruited many relatives and friends from the southern outskirts, multiplying their numbers twice over.

That night, they became the first force to take action.

Cai Xinghai made an incredibly bold move – instead of attacking the East Gate, he led his forces to attack the palace, hoping to draw the palace guards’ attention while a small elite force escorted Meng E out of the city.

Like Dong Qing’e, Cai Xinghai had no understanding of the consequences this action would bring.

The force of seven to eight hundred men advanced toward the palace without much fanfare. They encountered no resistance along the way as civilians hid in their homes. The palace guards had received word but, unable to determine the true situation, dared not leave the palace to quell the unrest, instead remaining inside to defend it.

The pugilist forces gathered by Hua Bin and the Tan family, hidden in various locations throughout the eastern city, had poor communication lines and didn’t understand the sudden shouting outside. Thinking the operation had started early, many emerged from their hiding places to join Cai Xinghai’s forces.

This forced Prince Donghai’s palace attack plan to begin ahead of schedule.

Once the fighting started, only contradictory rumors spread back and forth. Without time to clarify the facts, Prince Donghai immediately ordered Hua Bin, the Tan family men, and the two chief censors to personally lead the attack on the city.

This disrupted the Southern Army’s plan to join with the palace guards in attacking the Weary Marquis. The main palace guard force had already moved near the North Gate, and Shang-guan Sheng immediately ordered all troops to prepare to return to the palace.

When news from the North Gate arrived, Cui Hong flew into a rage. He summoned Prince Donghai and, disregarding his status as emperor, berated him: “How could you be so foolish? Attacking the palace at this time?”

Prince Donghai’s face reddened. “I didn’t give the order. These pugilists must be desperate men who won’t follow commands.”

“It’s over, all over. The Southern Army can only fight to the death with the palace guards now. The Weary Marquis has gained the advantage – he can watch the tigers fight while the Great Chu empire falls into his hands.”

“Why doesn’t Uncle deploy troops separately?”

“If we send troops outside the city, what about inside the city? How can the remaining ten thousand Southern Army troops match the palace guards?”

“Since things are already like this, we might as well take a risk. First, send someone to meet Shang-guan Sheng, assuring him the attack outside the palace has nothing to do with us. Then, let him see the Southern Army leave the city – he can choose whether to join forces against the Weary Marquis or remain to fight within the city.”

“Let him choose? That’s putting our lives in his hands!” Cui Hong still believed the premature attack was his nephew’s ill-conceived idea, though he couldn’t understand why.

“Send those scholars to the palace. Don’t they support the Weary Marquis? Let them shout and cry out.”

Cui Hong understood, “Make Shang-guan Sheng think the attackers are the Weary Marquis’s men.”

“Those pugilists won’t breach the palace anytime soon. Once Shang-guan Sheng realizes they pose no real threat and are all the Weary Marquis’s men, he’ll be more willing to send troops out of the city, right?”

After pondering for a while, Cui Hong saw no other option and called in his commanders to assign tasks according to Prince Donghai’s plan.

Thus, the plan to attack the Weary Marquis also began ahead of schedule.

Large numbers of Southern Army troops left the city, circling to the southwest corner as palace guards exited through the North Gate.

The palace repelled the attack, and Shang-guan Sheng decided the Weary Marquis posed a greater threat, so he chose to believe Cui Hong’s explanation and sent troops out of the city.

As soon as the North Gate opened, Han Ruzi deployed five thousand cavalry who had been waiting in preparation.

Battles began both inside and outside the city.

At that same moment, Meng E, aided by a group of retainer soldiers, broke through the poorly defended East Gate, while several skilled fighters who had previously infiltrated the palace searched for an opportunity to open one of the palace gates.

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