Chapter Eighty-Six: The Young Lord’s Difficult Ascension

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After expressing his gratitude, Guo Jing found himself at a loss for words. Fortunately, just then, the sound of Chen Guan’s footsteps could be heard approaching outside the tent.

“My lord!”

Chen Guan entered the tent with a grave expression, holding several opened memorials in his hand.

Wang Zhen instinctively stood up and asked in a low voice, “Well?”

Chen Guan shook his head. “Cao Nai did not dare make things difficult, but these past few days, there have been no reports from Xuanfu about the fall of Dushi or the incursion of Ala’s troops.”

With that, he handed the memorials to Wang Zhen, who did not bother to read them, but tossed them onto the table behind him and said calmly, “I knew it would be so.” He then fell silent, his face dark and uncertain, clearly deep in thought.

Wang Zhen’s composure took Guo Jing by surprise. Uncertain of Wang Zhen’s intentions, he dared not speak rashly.

After a moment of silence, Chen Guan spoke up, “My lord, should this matter be reported to His Majesty at once?”

Wang Zhen murmured, but Guo Jing turned to Chen Guan and said, “Has Master Chen considered why Yang Hong would conceal military intelligence? Why would his son, Yang Jun, be with Shi Tai of the Prince of Cheng’s household? And how, knowing I was on my way to report to the imperial camp, they would detain me simply on the basis of a few words from Shi Tai?”

“What are you suggesting?” Chen Guan’s face changed with suspicion, yet the facts left him little room for denial. After a long pause, he finally said slowly, “Are you saying that His Highness the Prince of Cheng has colluded with Yang Hong in a plot most treacherous, and Yang Jun, fearing exposure, detained you?”

To falsely accuse a prince of colluding with a border general in treason is a capital offense. Though Guo Jing harbored suspicions, he dared not assert that the Prince of Cheng was truly in league with Yang Hong. Thus, while he led Chen Guan’s thoughts in that direction, he himself would not make so bold a declaration.

Fortunately, Wang Zhen had his own judgment. He shook his head. “The Prince of Cheng is of a benevolent disposition, and His Majesty holds him in close affection. As the saying goes, ‘brothers are friendly, younger brothers respectful.’ How could the Prince of Cheng commit such a crime of treason? As for Yang Hong, there may be another explanation—perhaps he is simply desperate to protect his son.”

Guo Jing had not expected Wang Zhen to exonerate the Prince of Cheng and fell silent in astonishment.

Unexpectedly, Chen Guan replied, “The human heart is the hardest thing to fathom. At this moment, His Majesty leads the army in the field, while the Prince of Cheng rules as regent in the capital. With such power in his hands, it’s not unthinkable that such thoughts might arise.”

At these words, Wang Zhen’s brow furrowed in displeasure. “If the Prince of Cheng truly harbored such ambitions, why has not a single piece of intelligence come from the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Eastern Depot? Neither Xu Xi nor Wang Wen has reported any unusual conduct since the Prince took up the regency—everything has proceeded as usual, with all matters being referred to them and no sign of autocratic decision-making. To accuse the Prince of Cheng of treason solely on account of Shi Tai’s actions is absurd. Not only do I not believe it, but His Majesty would not listen to such nonsense either! As loyal servants, our duty is to our sovereign, but we must not recklessly sow discord within the royal family. To spread such talk would do us no good.”

Chen Guan flushed and lowered his head, not daring to speak further.

Guo Jing, however, said, “If Yang Jun abandoned Dushi and allowed Ala’s forces to invade, he should be beheaded for his crime. If Yang Hong, blinded by love for his son, hid the truth, that is at least understandable. But, my lord, have you considered that Yang Hong’s concealment of the border incursion by the Ala tribe could have dire consequences? If His Majesty decides to lead the army back to the capital, what if Ala suddenly cuts off the army’s route home?”

At these words, Chen Guan’s eyelids twitched. After a moment’s hesitation, he added, “The army’s morale has collapsed due to rumors, and Esen’s whereabouts are unknown. If the army really turns back toward the capital, Esen just might seize the opportunity to strike from behind. With Ala blocking the way ahead and Esen attacking from the rear, the soldiers—bereft of the will to fight—would be trapped, and disaster could be imminent.”

Guo Jing, his face full of worry, said, “If Yang Hong dares hide such a matter as Ala’s breach of the border, who is to say he would not stand by with his troops when the army is caught between Esen and Ala, and refuse to come to the rescue? After all, we cannot be sure whether the Prince of Cheng has been in contact with him. If we consider the worst-case scenario, were His Majesty to suffer misfortune, who would benefit? Even if the Prince of Cheng has no ambitions now, should anything happen to His Majesty, could he truly remain free of ulterior motives while serving as regent?”

Chen Guan said, “The only solution now is for His Majesty to return to the capital immediately, to avert disaster.”

“But…”

Guo Jing and Chen Guan’s arguments left Wang Zhen at a loss. His confidence shaken, he began to feel that if the army remained any longer at Yanghekou, calamity might indeed befall them. Yet, to go to His Majesty with nothing but speculation and say, ‘if you do not return, your brother may try to take your place,’ seemed preposterous.

As he hesitated, Chen Guan delivered a deadly blow with eight words.

He said, “The crown prince is young; the heir is hard to establish.”

These eight words struck Wang Zhen like a heavy blow to the chest, draining all color from his face. If the Prince of Cheng were to ascend the throne, would there be any future for Wang Zhen?

Guo Jing, watching closely, saw that Wang Zhen was wavering, and seized the moment to urge him, “My lord, to hesitate at a crucial moment only brings disaster. Now that Xuanfu is unstable, regardless of whether Yang Hong harbors treasonous intent, the army should return to the capital as soon as possible. Every day His Majesty remains in the field, the risk increases.”

“As for returning, His Majesty has just punished Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo with long kneelings for suggesting it. How can I now persuade His Majesty to retreat?” Wang Zhen was completely shaken, but recalling today’s court debates, he hesitated.

Chen Guan pressed, “What is more important: Esen or the fate of the dynasty?”

“Very well!”

Wang Zhen hesitated no longer, gritting his teeth. “I will go at once to urge His Majesty to return—the army cannot remain at Yanghekou a day longer!”

As he moved to leave, Guo Jing called out, “My lord, wait!”

“What is it?” Wang Zhen turned, puzzled by Guo Jing’s intervention.

Guo Jing asked, “If His Majesty agrees to retreat, may I ask, from which route shall the army return to the capital?”

Wang Zhen answered without thinking, “Naturally, through Juyong Pass.”

“Xuanfu is no longer safe—how can we return through Juyong Pass?”

“What do you mean?”

“The army must not go back through Juyong Pass. We should take the route through Zijing Pass.”

“That would do. The road through Zijing Pass is actually shorter than going through Juyong Pass,” Chen Guan agreed. Even if Yang Hong remained loyal, the breach at Xuanfu meant it was no longer a safe flank. Should Guo Jing’s fears prove true and Ala’s forces block their path, they would be in dire straits.

Wang Zhen was still considering, not immediately replying. Seeing this, Guo Jing pressed, “Returning through Zijing Pass is surely the safest. Moreover, that route takes the army through your hometown of Weizhou. Perhaps, my lord, you could arrange for His Majesty to rest at your ancestral home along the way. That way, you could also fulfill your longing for home.”

“Hmm…”

Guo Jing had spoken tactfully, but Wang Zhen understood his meaning. Was this not an invitation to return home in glory? Indeed, since entering the palace, he had not returned to his hometown in many years. If he could use this opportunity to have His Majesty visit his ancestral village, his life would not have been in vain.

If the army returned through Zijing Pass, the route would be peaceful and untroubled, and a brief visit to his hometown would be of no inconvenience to the march. What reason could there be not to return home in triumph?

Wang Zhen gladly accepted Guo Jing’s suggestion, glanced at him, and said, “Come with me to see His Majesty.”

Guo Jing was delighted, but looking down at his ragged, filthy clothes, hesitated. “My lord, in this state…”

“No matter,” Wang Zhen waved him forward. “Come just as you are.”

Guo Jing was startled, but immediately understood Wang Zhen’s intention. Arriving before the throne in such a state would only make his loyalty all the more apparent.

(To be continued…)