Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 153: The Lone Minister

Xu Qing was currently entertaining a guest in the side hall—the Minister of War, and Duan Changfeng’s father.

Normally, he practically never received guests, but since the other party had come to pay a visit in person, he had no choice but to see him.

"Lord Xu," Duan Changfeng's father looked at him. "Where did you study martial arts with His Highness in the past?"

"My sect is in a very, very distant place," Xu Qing said, knowing what the other man was asking. "His Highness was taught martial arts from a very young age, back when he was still in the State of Wei. That was where he took his master."

Yet, even Uncle Zhong, who had served by the Crown Prince's side for a lifetime, had probably never heard of any such sect or junior martial brother.

Still, he would not speak idly of things best left unsaid.

After all, not even the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess had said much about it.

"The Crown Prince is currently in seclusion, but Yang Hao cannot represent him entirely. I've heard that the Crown Prince's Mansion will be led by you from now on," Minister Duan asked.

If viewed as the Crown Prince's junior martial brother, and having now entered the imperial court to become the Grand Commander before the Throne, he undoubtedly ranked as the second-in-command of the Crown Prince's faction.

Meanwhile, figures like Yang Hao were more akin to political strategists; he could not simply abandon commerce to enter officialdom as an assistant.

"I have just arrived and am still unfamiliar with the rules," Xu Qing sensed the underlying meaning in the other's words, realizing that the man was offering well-intentioned advice. He hastily followed up, "Since Lord Duan is a senior, I hope you will offer your guidance. You are the most familiar with affairs here in Yangcheng—could you point out a few things for me?"

Minister Duan lightly sipped his tea, a natural aura of authority radiating from his face. Yet, he held a very favorable view of the Crown Prince's faction. "The Martial Guard currently has four commanders-in-chief, a fact Lord Xu is likely aware of. They have all grown very close to the Fourth Imperial Prince, and that has been the case for a long time. I imagine this is why His Majesty transferred you to be the Grand Commander. Some people are formidable, and past predecessors have all fallen into their hands. This position naturally cannot be given to someone from the Wu family, and just when His Majesty had not yet found a suitable candidate, you appeared. By the way, I heard you haven't been to the official yamen this whole time?"

"It is not yet the time. Going there now would accomplish nothing, nor am I someone from the Wu family," Xu Qing replied.

"Very well, as long as you know what you are doing," Minister Duan said. "Xu Qing, so many people have pinned their hopes on you—do not let them down. From now on, when there are no outsiders present, there is no need to stand on ceremony."

"The Fourth Imperial Prince has always tried to win you over. Back before the Crown Prince returned, what were your thoughts?" Xu Qing asked him. "Young Master Duan did consider your feelings at the time."

"He is himself, and I am myself. Do not dwell on it too much. Although people will always notice that we are father and son, that connection cannot be erased," Minister Duan said. "He has grown up and will walk his own path from now on. As for me, I am old, and I simply wish to make my own choice. The future belongs to your generation."

"I understand. That is because His Majesty has always placed high hopes on you," Xu Qing said. "Years ago, when the Fourth Imperial Prince entered politics, he spent a very long time courting everyone he could win over. Many people both inside and outside the court support him. Although the Crown Prince later returned, and Yang Hao proved remarkably resourceful, nothing fundamentally changed. The Crown Prince never truly cared about these matters anyway; it seems he possesses his own resolve."

"Even though I am now the Grand Commander, the ranks below the commanders-in-chief likely lean toward supporting the Fourth Imperial Prince, which is why I have yet to go there. Furthermore, there are still figures in the court like you, Lord Minister—a faction solely loyal to His Majesty. Even after all these days with His Majesty in seclusion, our imperial court continues to move forward." Xu Qing nodded silently upon hearing this, then suddenly sneered. "Yet there are still those who wish to cling to the next era, hoping to retain their lofty positions, and so they threw in their lot with the Fourth Imperial Prince's faction."

"Xu Qing, I finally understand why you were able to take charge after the Crown Prince went into seclusion," Minister Duan said with a gratified smile. "I shall simply wait and watch your performance."

"If the Crown Prince were to seek you out, what would you do?" Xu Qing asked. "You, My Lord, are a pillar of the nation."

"I would assist him wholeheartedly, enabling him to ascend the throne and accomplish the grand enterprise that so many have hoped for," Minister Duan said.

"Why? Would you be willing if it were His Highness Wang Chuan?" Xu Qing asked in surprise.

"I am waiting as well. If he truly comes to seek me out, it will mean he is willing to shoulder this great responsibility, and such a person is worthy of assistance. If it were His Highness Wang Chuan, he would do a fine job," Minister Duan concluded.

Xu Qing sighed silently.

If it were himself, he simply could not do it.

...

"Come, drink, let the anger go..."

Wu Song could throw his weight around in front of powdered courtesans, but in the presence of the Heir Apparent, he dared not overstep. "Just a mere Xu Qing, and he blocked our path! In the end, His Majesty merely brushed me off with the post of Vice Minister of Revenue. Do you know how much money our Wu family poured out this time?"

"The Ministry of Revenue is the Ministry of Revenue; it is entirely fitting for your family to take it. Right now, the entire capital is watching us. If we make too much of a fuss, it will be bad for your future and mine alike. Under the emperor's feet, we aren't afraid of you lording it over others; what we fear is you generating a negative impact." At this, the Heir Apparent drained a cup of wine and propped both feet on the table. "The Crown Prince's faction is no simple matter either. He went into seclusion, yet out pops a junior martial brother. Meanwhile, the Fourth Imperial Prince is still outside, bitterly fighting off enemies."

"If we speak of the past, the Crown Prince did nothing, and thus made no mistakes; he simply waited to inherit the supreme rule. But things are different now. If he continues to do nothing, his prestige in the hearts of the common people will decline day by day, and that might eventually sway His Majesty's decision," Wu Song smiled. "Could it be that he really was severely injured, to the point where he can no longer make a move?"

"These matters are not for the likes of you to ponder," the Heir Apparent said. "My father has also written a letter to scold me. The Crown Prince and his people are not only local tyrants in the capital; they are formidable dragons crossing all seas. To fight them openly is an absolute joke! Even Xu Qing looks down on us—he couldn't even be bothered to step down from his carriage!"

"The might of the Crown Prince is beyond what we can imagine," Wu Song acknowledged, having learned a fair amount. "But why should some outsider ride roughshod over our heads? I simply cannot swallow this!" He kept his piercing gaze fixed on the Heir Apparent, his tone shifting. "Are you truly content, My Lord? The Duke is out there risking his life in battle, and how much in taxes does our Wu family pay every year? Yet, merely because of a single word from the Crown Prince, such a crucial position as the Martial Guard was handed to an outsider. His Majesty truly makes people's hearts grow cold."

"Silence! How can you discuss His Majesty so frivolously!" Enraged, the Heir Apparent smashed his wine cup. His body trembled slightly before he regained his composure and spoke. "His Majesty has merely been blinded by others."

"Indeed! What about the Fourth Imperial Prince? Is he no longer going to help us?" Wu Song asked. "Everyone is saying he is afraid. Didn't he run away when the Crown Prince first returned? What is His Highness thinking?"

"Rubbish! I went to see the Fourth Imperial Prince earlier. Although matters concerning the Crown Prince cannot be brought up in his presence, who doesn't know that the majority of the imperial court supports the Fourth Imperial Prince right now? Having operated here for many years, he has actually done an exceptional job. No matter how formidable the Crown Prince is, his foundation is unstable. He cannot intervene in state affairs at all, and apart from martial arts, he is entirely useless," the Heir Apparent said with contempt. "We have a grievance with them, but this is not yet the time to talk about revenge. Our top priority is to establish a firm foundation in the capital so that we can plant our feet securely. Only then can we expand our own sphere of influence and trample Xu Qing underfoot! Originally, I had decided to host a banquet for numerous officials, but today only the two of us are here. Yet Xu Qing is no better off; he has no control over the Martial Guard whatsoever right now. Countless eyes are watching him, waiting to make a fool of him. Every day he knows only to cower in the Crown Prince's Mansion, not even knowing the direction of the Martial Guard yamen's gates."

Wu Song sighed and nodded. "Understood."

The Heir Apparent turned around and gazed out the window. "I have one more thing to impress upon you: if we want to move against Xu Qing, we cannot clash with him openly. We must act quietly. Moreover, before we make our move, not only must we swallow our anger, but we must also put on a smiling face for him. My father has repeatedly instructed that a person like the Crown Prince is capable of making a mountain out of a molehill over the smallest trifle! The State of Jin has remained so peaceful for so long precisely because the Fourth Imperial Prince has not yet found an opportunity to strike at him. The two have yet to truly clash, but that day will inevitably arrive. Once it does, it will be a fight to the death!"

"The current Crown Prince may seem like a colossal entity that cannot be shaken, but in reality, he is merely a pavilion in the air. The moment we knock down one or two of his pillars, this beautiful pavilion will collapse with a resounding crash, shattering into dust. Of course, the strike must be ruthless and precise—severing his support with a single blow. Whether it is Xu Qing or the Crown Prince, they lack deep foundations, backgrounds, and powerful clans, unlike us. It would be best if he continues to do nothing for now; weeds will eventually wither on their own."

If a single strike failed to crush Xu Qing, the ensuing counterattack would bring severe consequences.

Wu Song finally revealed a rare smile for the night. Although he still did not know how to deal with Xu Qing to vent his anger, with the Heir Apparent's staunch support and the combined might of their two clans, crushing him would simply be a matter of time.

Tonight finally held a glimmer of good cheer.

"My Lord, I heard that the captain who cleared the way for us yesterday seems to have taken a fall..." Wu Song probed cautiously.

"Indeed. It took some effort, but he was transferred to the Western Army. Once he earns some military merit, he can return and rise through the ranks," the Heir Apparent said.

"The Heir Apparent is truly considerate," Wu Song remarked. "However, even if it is a critical juncture, it wouldn't be good for the city guards to inspect things quite so strictly on a daily basis, would it?"

The Wu family also engaged in some gray and black market businesses, which invariably yielded the highest profits.

A day or two of this was manageable, but keeping it up indefinitely was more than they could endure.

They also had to spend money to grease palms.

And so, he poured out his grievances to the Heir Apparent.

"Do you know who His Majesty trusts the most?" The Heir Apparent offered a bitter smile, setting down his wine cup.