Chapter 69: Rescuing the Son of Heaven

Dim twilight hung over the southern outskirts of Anyi City.

The Emperor’s temporary imperial carriage was stationed within a rural community. At this moment, General Yang Feng approached outside the settlement, leading troops and carrying torches, only to be intercepted at the gates by a dozen Tiger Warriors and Feathered Forest Guards.

Fu Wan, the General Assisting the State, called out across the caltrops, "General, why do you bring troops here in arms?"

"Zhao Ji, the Tiger Warrior of Hedong, has gathered troops in rebellion, ambushing and slaying Li Le and Han Xian! I am leading my army to enter and protect the Emperor. Pray, open the gates and let me pass!"

Yang Feng retorted angrily. In the flickering torchlight, Fu Wan appeared utterly bewildered. "You jest, General! General of the West Li and General of the East Han are both veteran generals of the state. How could they be harmed by a mere foot soldier?"

"I am in no mood for jests! Quickly announce this to the Emperor and let His Majesty decide!"

"Very well, General, wait a moment."

Fu Wan reined in his look of astonishment, stepped back a few paces, and whispered to his son Fu Defu, who was holding a torch, "Defend this gate to the death!"

"Understood!"

Fu Wan took the torch, leaving Fu Defu with a deep-voiced reply, and hurried alone into the settlement.

Along the way, he encountered Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Minister of Works Zhang Xi, Minister of the Masses Zhao Wen, and Imperial Attendant Liu Ai. Yang Biao immediately asked, "Why has Yang Feng raised troops?"

"He claims that the Tiger Warrior Zhao Ji has rebelled, killed Li Le and Han Xian, and presumably seized Wenxi."

Fu Wan answered quickly, cupping his hands to Yang Biao. "Lord Wenxian, go and pacify this man with soothing words. If my calculations are not wrong, the Tiger Warriors are already heading toward us!"

"Good!"

Yang Biao resolutely agreed, leading the two senior ministers, Zhang Xi and Zhao Wen, straight toward the main gate.

Liu Ai held a torch and accompanied Fu Wan to see the Emperor. Outside the imperial quarters stood Commandant of the Guards Zhou Zhong and Imperial Attendant Yang Qi, both clad in armor and holding halberds. The two old men had greying beards, and Yang Qi glared as he demanded, "Why has this mutiny arisen?"

Liu Ai replied, "The Tiger Warriors are marching south. They have already slain Li Le and Han Xian, seized their troops and horses, and are now at Wenxi. They could arrive at any moment!"

"Splendid!"

Yang Qi and Zhou Zhong also turned and followed them inside. Within the chamber, two bundles of torches were currently burning.

The Emperor, who was about to turn fifteen, sat unmoving. Empress Fu Shou sat beside him, Lady Dong stood on the other side, and further back stood the two Imperial Concubines, Song and Zhao.

Since Emperor Liu Xie was only fifteen years old, one could well imagine the ages of Fu Shou, Lady Dong, and the other consorts.

At this moment, all wore solemn expressions, and their brows bore no trace of childishness.

As Yang Qi, Liu Ai, and Fu Wan entered, Yang Qi reported, "Your Majesty, Yang Feng has raised an army, claiming that Zhao Ji, a Tiger Warrior of Hedong, has revolted and slain Li Le and Han Xian. He has now gathered a mob at Wenxi and will arrive by dawn or dusk."

Hearing this, Liu Xie clutched his fists secretly and asked, "What of Wang邑?"

"Unknown. Yang Feng has brought torches to surround the imperial quarters, and Wang邑 would never sit by and watch. We might summon Yang Feng, observe his courage, and then make a decision."

Seeing that Yang Qi prepared to subdue Yang Feng, Fu Wan immediately rejected the notion. "No. The Tiger Warriors may arrive at any time. Yang Feng’s momentum is spent, and he is merely making a desperate, cornered resistance out of lingering hope. Better to let the commotion be; once the situation turns desperate, he will naturally lead his troops away."

With that, he bowed deeply to Liu Xie once more. "Your Majesty, I believe we can draft an imperial decree to enfeoff Yang Feng, acknowledging his merit in guarding the carriage, and appoint him to rule over a region as a bulwark for the state."

No matter how wicked Yang Feng was, he could not be worse than Li Jue and Guo Si, and he genuinely possessed military talent.

If they truly gave Yang Feng no way out, the thirty-odd Tiger Warriors and Feathered Forest Guards here could never stop him.

Liu Xie looked at Liu Ai. "How should the decree be drafted?"

Liu Ai had once served as Dong Zhuo's Chief史 and replied without a moment's hesitation, "Your Majesty, when a position is too high, it is hard to command trust; when too low, it fails to stir the heart. Better to appoint him as the Administrator of Henan, letting him cultivate the regions of He and Luo for our future convenience."

Liu Xie pondered this. It meant easing Yang Feng into a prestigious and noble post, and the Henan Administrator held substantial authority.

Yet the problem was glaring: Yang Feng's official title had been granted under abnormal circumstances. Even if the court recognized it, the local gentry would not, rendering it useless.

Even if Yang Feng were appointed Grand General, who among the various factions across the realm would take him seriously?

High-ranking positions aside, ordinary posts would certainly fail to satisfy Yang Feng, nor would they appease his subordinates.

Yang Feng's forces had expanded excessively, resulting in the current dilemma where no suitable placement could be found.

Liu Xie recognized this issue as well, but it was so thorny that it defied resolution.

At this moment, Yang Qi spoke again, "Your Majesty, delay breeds trouble. Please summon Yang Feng swiftly."

Once Yang Feng was dealt with, Hu Cai would be easy to handle.

The only reason Yang Feng and Hu Cai could get along day and night was simply because Hu Cai possessed a lenient temperament and could endure grievances.

Relatively speaking, Hu Cai was a reasonable man.

Once Yang Feng was taken down, Hu Cai could step forward to rein in the majority of the rebellious soldiers.

Yang Qi was dead set on cutting down Yang Feng, but Liu Xie was reluctant to kill him. On one hand, he remembered Yang Feng's merit in escorting the carriage; on the other hand, he wished to avoid clashing swords.

Along the road from Chang'an, the hundred officials had truly dwindled to a mere hundred; they could no longer endure turmoil and bloodshed.

At this moment, the Administrator of Nanyang, Zuo Ling, donned his armor, stepped outside the door, and bowed with cupped hands. "Your Majesty, the various bureaus of the Gentlemen-at-Arms have all gathered."

Hearing this, Liu Xie looked toward Imperial Attendant Liu Ai.

Liu Ai bowed slightly, stepped back a few paces, and went outside. He saw the courtyard packed with Gentlemen-at-Arms, including quite a few forty-year-old Gentlemen of the Five Official Offices, nearly half of them wearing crude armor, some gripping swords, others holding spears and halberds.

Scattered torchlight provided illumination; these gentlemen were the Emperor's final guards.

Court Gentleman Dong Zhao and Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Zhong Yao stood in the front row. Zhong Yao leaned on an iron halberd, looked up, and asked, "Lord Zifang?"

"No clamor allowed," Liu Ai instructed before turning back into the chamber.

Inside the room, four bundles of torches burned. Seeing that the Emperor still could not make up his mind, Yang Qi closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

Another flurry of rapid footsteps approached. It was the Prefect of the Hook Shield: "Your Majesty, Anyi has dispatched troops, approaching with torches ablaze!"

Immediately following, Fu Defu hurried up as well. "Your Majesty, Hu Cai has sent an envoy to report that the Right Worthy King, Qubei, has rebelled and attacked and burned the estates of the Wei clan!"

Liu Xie asked Yang Qi, "What does this mean? Is Yang Feng trying to frighten the court?"

Yang Qi’s brows furrowed. "I fear this is not Yang Feng’s doing. In my view, the Xiongnu are greedy for the Wei clan’s wealth and are taking advantage of the chaos to plunder."

While the monarch and ministers fell silent, Minister of Works Zhang Xi rushed into the chamber and bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, Yang Feng claims he will lead his troops south toward Hrnong, demanding the post of Administrator of Hrnong from the court."

Liu Xie looked again at Yang Qi, then at Liu Ai. Yang Qi spoke up: "Give it to him. Dispatch an envoy quickly to summon Hu Cai to guard the carriage."

Liu Xie turned his head to look at Imperial Secretary Feng Shuo, who immediately took up a roll of white silk and began writing rapidly in the standard *Zhangcao* cursive script.

Confirming everything was correct, he immediately stamped it with the Emperor's seal.

As for the Imperial Jade Seal, it remained in the hands of Yuan Shu.

"Summon Gentleman of the Yellow Gates Zhong Yao to proclaim the decree."

Hearing his name, Zhong Yao tossed his battered spear to a nearby gentleman and was about to enter the room when Minister of the Masses Zhao Wen hurried in with a joyful expression. Passing Zhong Yao, he went straight into the chamber and bowed deeply, "Your Majesty! Yang Feng has wheeled his horses and fled; the rebel troops have suddenly scattered!"

In an instant, the oppressive atmosphere within the room vanished entirely.

Even the four bundles of torches seemed to dance joyfully. Liu Xie’s expression relaxed, and he immediately ordered, "Draft the decree, summon Hu Cai to guard the carriage."

"Understood."

Several officials from the Secretariat replied, immediately seizing their brushes to write swiftly.

"Report—!"

Feathered Forest Guard Hou Zhe ran up to the door. Commandant of the Guards Zhou Zhong turned to the entrance and demanded, "What is it?"

"The Tiger Warrior Zhao Ji has scattered the rebel troops! After leaving behind a squad of Tiger Warriors, he is leading his forces in pursuit of Yang Feng! This is Lord Zhao’s handwritten letter!"

"Quickly dispatch an envoy to stop him, lest something go amiss!"

Ordering this, Zhou Zhong took the silk scroll from Hou Zhe's hands and turned back into the chamber.

The silk scroll was quickly passed to Yang Qi, who scanned it rapidly. "A blessing for the state! Such heroes exist within the wilds of our dynasty!"

He handed the silk scroll to Liu Xie with both hands. Liu Xie unfurled it; indeed, it was Zhao Yan’s personal handwriting.

It briefly described how the Tiger Warriors had encountered the ambush, defeated the Xiongnu in turn, and executed Li Le. As for minor deeds like subjugating the clan bandits of the Hou family or killing the traitor Mashi Zhi, they were not worth wasting ink on; instead, it detailed Zhao Ji’s humble origins.

Seeing this, Liu Xie let out a long breath of relief, sitting heavily and securely upon his couch. "Splendid! Most splendid! Summon the Tiger Warriors for questioning."

He passed the silk scroll back to Liu Ai for everyone else to peruse.

The several dukes and ministers gathered together, and upon seeing Zhao Ji's background, they all sighed in relief.

Once bitten by a snake, one fears well-ropes for ten years.

The sudden appearance of Zhao Ji, coupled with the exceptionally formidable combat prowess of the Tiger Warriors, had initially filled them with anxiety.

Yet a Zhao Ji with such origins dispelled their misgivings.

Yang Qi turned immediately to Zhong Yao at the door. "Go at once to recall the Tiger Warriors and forbid pursuit. The rebel minister Yang Feng is cunning and deceitful; we must prevent them from falling victim to the rebels."

"Understood!"

Zhong Yao had no choice but to comply. What did it matter if he came from one of the four prominent surnames of Yingchuan? In the current court, it was not his turn to speak.

Before long, Jia Tong was led in, carrying a human head in his hand. He knelt on one knee and bowed, "Your humble servant, Jia Tong, Central Commander of the Tiger Warriors, is late in coming to save Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Liu Xie glanced sideways at the head Jia Tong had placed before him, unfazed. "Whose head is this?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, it is the rebel general Hu Cai. When he crossed paths with our army, he was shot dead by Commander Zhao with a single arrow, and the rebel horde surrendered."

In an instant, everyone drew in a sharp breath.

Yang Qi even felt that perhaps he could call Zhong Yao back now.

Liu Xie felt a slight pang of discomfort—he had actually rather liked Hu Cai—and asked, "Where was he executed?"

"West of Anyi City. Hu Cai was leading dozens of horsemen to return home when he abruptly encountered us without time to evade. He was shot dead by Commander Zhao."

As Jia Tong answered, Yang Biao led Tang Xian inside. Tang Xian carried a washed head in each of his hands; they were the somewhat dried-up heads of Li Le and Han Xian.

At this, the chamber fell completely silent.

Yang Qi gave two dry coughs and asked Imperial Secretary Pei Mao, "Juguang, do you know this man Zhao Ji?"

"I have a slight impression."

Pei Mao stepped out from the ranks of the Imperial Secretaries and bowed in reply. "When I returned to my hometown, I did not meet him, but I heard he was tenacious in his youth, high-spirited, and possessed of extraordinary courage and strategic daring beyond ordinary men."

Pei Mao gazed at the three heads lined up on the ground. In life, they had kept the court paralyzed; at this moment, laid out on the floor, they could no longer stir.

He indeed had some impression of Zhao Ji. Even a bad name was still fame.

For a moment, he merely felt that Zhao Lian had exercised restraint after all. A father knows his son best; had he not suppressed Zhao Ji early on, heaven knows what kind of havoc he would have wreaked upon the countryside over the years.