Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 552 - 352: Military Power in the Court_2

Chapter 552: Chapter 352: Military Power in the Court_2

Once the formalities were concluded, the soft voice of the head eunuch in charge rang out once more:

"Honglu Temple Minister, are there any officials entering or leaving the Imperial Capital to extend thanks or request grace today?"

A side-standing elderly man clad in the Third Grade peacock attire stepped forward and bowed:

"None for today."

Upon hearing this,

the voice of the head eunuch in charge echoed again:

"Are there any officials who wish to report on urgent military matters at the border?"

In the court assembly matters were addressed in a specific order; first to receive those entering or leaving the Imperial Capital, then to discuss urgent border affairs, and afterwards, general political affairs.

As his voice faded, the vast hall fell into a momentary silence...

"Cough."

"Cough."

"Cough."

Three simultaneous coughs sounded almost at the same time.

According to the unwritten rules of the Dayan court, each official would cough beforehand to signal their intent to speak and avoid confusion and embarrassment from speaking over one another.

Since they spoke at the same time, it was up to the head eunuch to mediate.

The python-robed eunuch standing on the side of the dais scanned the three speaking officials, and a sharp light flashed in his somewhat cloudy eyes.

Two from the Crown Prince faction, one from the Second Prince’s.

Subconsciously glancing at the Prime Minister standing at the center of the assembly, he noticed the Prime Minister was calmly standing with his eyes lowered, not giving away any hint with his eyes.

After a moment’s silence,

the head eunuch in charge spoke:

"Vice-Minister Qing, what issue do you wish to report?"

On the side of the civil officials, a middle-aged man in the attire of the Vice Minister of Rites stepped left and bowed:

"Crown Prince, the conflict at the Northern Frontier is drawing to a close, and the Second Prince has already established a command in the capital. He has been with the army for a long time, which is not in keeping with ancestral traditions. I fear he must be summoned back to the Imperial Capital immediately."

Li Yucheng, upon hearing this, did not immediately make a stand but glanced at the officials beneath the dais and pondered for a moment:

"The menace of the Barbarian Tribes has not yet been quelled, and it’s not overly safe for the Second Prince and my third brother to be so far away at the Northern Frontier. What do you all think?"

At his words, the court erupted into quiet whispers.

"The Crown Prince is kind-hearted. There really is danger in the Northern Frontier, and although the Barbarian Tribes’ main force is annihilated, many of their strong have scattered and remain at large. Both the Second and Third Princes are in the Northern Frontier, which is risky for them since they are indeed worth their weight in gold."

"The Second Prince, being of high status, might affect the leaders’ decisions in the army and delay critical opportunities. It’s indeed appropriate to recall him."

"The Second Prince erecting steles for the soldiers of the Northern Border is an act that will be renowned for generations. He should be summoned back to the court for commendation."

"The Second Prince..."

Although the proposer intended to recall Li Zhaoyuan citing ancestral tradition, once the Crown Prince spoke, the court officials immediately grasped the underlying message and steered the topic towards the safety of the Second Prince and the subject of awarding his merits.

Those standing in that assembly were all cunning,

They were well aware of what the Second Prince sought with his trip to the Northern Frontier.

Bring him back to the Imperial Capital first, and his desires can be nipped in the bud.

As for awarding merits?

Just bestow a title and reward with some wealth.

Hearing the one-sided discussion among the officials, Crown Prince Li Yucheng did not immediately respond but first turned to look at the middle-aged man standing solemnly in the center of the court, his temples touched by gray, and asked respectfully:

"Teacher, what is your view on this matter?"

He believed this teacher would stand by him this time, after all, his second brother had recently offended the man.

If his teacher took his side, no one in the assembly would dare to speak against it.

Xu Yinhè, who had been standing silently with his eyes downcast, replied in a measured and peaceful tone:

"On this matter, the Crown Prince and the ministers in court can make the decision."

The Prime Minister’s Mansion does not involve itself in the Imperial Family’s contest for succession, nor does it take sides.

As the Prime Minister’s words concluded, some officials from the Second Prince’s faction lost any hesitation they had.

"Cough."

Without being named by the head eunuch,

a middle-aged man dressed in the attire of the Vice Minister of War directly stepped to the side and spoke:

"Crown Prince, Mr. Liu believes it’s inadvisable to summon the Second Prince directly at this time."

As his words fell,

the Vice Minister of Rites who had spoken first immediately countered with a sardonic tone:

"Vice-Minister Liu, why is it inadvisable? According to ancestral traditions, the Second Prince should be summoned back, and if the Second Prince, with his invaluable life, were to suffer a mishap while away, could you take responsibility for it?"

The Vice Minister of War glanced at him and chuckled lightly:

"Vice-Minister Qing, the Second Prince’s trip to the Northern Frontier was personally decreed by the Emperor. Although the Crown Prince is regent, to summon the Second Prince back abruptly would show neglect for the Emperor’s express edict, wouldn’t it?"

"......"

At that, the court fell suddenly silent.

The face of Vice-Minister Qing darkened, and his fist tightened slightly beneath his sleeve.

That was quite an accusation.

It wasn’t just him; no one in the court dared to take up that mantle, except perhaps for the Prime Minister, who had remained silent through the proceedings.

Even the Crown Prince couldn’t handle it.

From the start, Li Yucheng directed the topic from ancestral precedents to concern for the safety of his royal brothers, precisely because he was wary of people seizing the issue to criticize.

Although he was acting as the regent, his father was still not dead.

When the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s commands conflicted, everyone knew in their hearts whose orders to follow.

After a brief silence,

Li Yucheng gave the Minister of War a deep look, smiled gently, and with a warm and mellow voice said,

"Minister Liu speaks sensibly, and Minister Qing is also worried about the safety of the second and third brothers. The Emperor’s orders are naturally not to be disobeyed. Let us discuss this matter further at a later date."

Seeing that the Crown Prince had made a decision on the matter, the chief eunuch in charge of the palace grounds once again raised his voice with a cadence,

"General Huaiyuan, what do you wish to report?"

Upon hearing this,

A bulky man dressed in the uniform of the head of the Imperial Guards took a step to the left from the military officials’ side, bowed, and then spoke in a low voice with his head down,

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince sent a message from a thousand miles away last night, expressing compassion for the lives of the soldiers and concern for the welfare of the populace of the Northern Frontier. He wishes to share the Emperor’s and Your Highness’s worries."

"....."

When he finished speaking,

All the civil and military officials in the hall fell into silence, with acquaintances glancing at one another, communicating in whispers.

Even Xu Yinhè, who had been silent and looking down all along, glanced sideways at the one who had spoken.

General Huaiyuan, one of the ten commanders of Di’an City’s Imperial Guards.

The reason the court was so astounded was precisely because of this Huaiyuan General’s identity.

The Imperial Guards of Dayan could almost be said to be the private domain of the Crown Prince’s faction, where the commanders are all aides from the Crown Prince’s house, not to mention their subordinate generals.

And this Commander of the Imperial Guards, who had been given the honorary title of Huaiyuan, was a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince’s faction.

During the morning court sessions of previous days, he had, on several occasions, nearly come to blows with the aides of the Second Prince.

What then did this sudden advocacy on behalf of the Second Prince signify?

Defection?

Amidst the pervasive scent of incense in the hall, many officials sized up the Crown Prince’s expression.

But unfortunately, no one could discern any clues from his face.

Li Yucheng retained his bright and amiable expression, quietly watching the speaking General Huaiyuan, tapping his fingertips lightly on the desk, and said with a warm smile,

"Commander Jin, feel free to explain further. How does my brother wish to share our father’s worries?"

Commander Jin’s eyes were downcast, his voice steady and measured,

"The Second Prince has bled with the soldiers at the Northern Border City and also inscribed on the southern wall of the Northern Border in memory of the tens of thousands of departed souls. Like Prince Wu Yuan, he wishes to lead troops north to exterminate the remnants of the Barbarian Tribes."

"...."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yinhè, whose temples were touched with white, flashed a look of realization in his eyes, casting another meaningful glance at the throne above the hall.

Different from the realization of Prime Minister Xu was the puzzlement of Li Yucheng.

The tapping on the desk paused, and although Li Yucheng’s face, smooth as jade, remained unchanged, his bright eyes narrowed slightly.

Military power...

This Li Zhaoyuan had not only covertly enticed one of his most trusted Imperial Guard commanders but also dared to directly petition for military authority.

Before Li Yucheng could speak, one of his Crown Prince faction officials had already jumped in, speaking on his behalf:

"Ha... Does the Second Prince not understand the ancestral system?"

"Having already established his own vassal territory, he still dares to seek military power."

"The Second Prince harbors ambitions akin to those of the Prince of Zhou."

The Prince of Zhou, centuries ago, rebelled against his father, the Emperor, using his own armed forces.

As soon as these words were spoken, they were tantamount to accusations of treason.

"Minister Wang, mind your words! My brother is only wishing to help alleviate our father’s concerns," rebuked Li Yucheng to the last speaker, then turned to look at Commander Jin and spoke softly and gently,

"Commander Jin, does my brother wish for you to lead the Sixth Division of the Imperial Guards to march north?"

Li Zhaoyuan was not a military tactician; even with troops, he would need a commanding general.

Upon hearing this, Commander Jin bowed even lower and murmered,

"Your Highness, the Imperial Guards should not move recklessly. The Second Prince merely seeks an army structure to recruit soldiers independently from the populace."

Li Yucheng took a deep breath and smiled lightly,

"And what about you, Commander Jin?"

Commander Jin looked up at Li Yucheng and bowed slightly,

"This subject is willing to take on worries on behalf of the Sacred Mountain and march north."

Li Yucheng understood what his second brother intended to do.

An army structure and a commanding general, as for funds and troops, those would likely be provided by the Sects.

But how could such actions ever be approved?

After taking a deep breath,

Li Yucheng was about to speak,

When a clear, somewhat feminine voice rang out from behind the screen behind the throne,

"The Emperor has arrived~~"