Chapter 118: Confused or Clear-headed

The assassination of the Governor of Jiangling Prefecture was an event of such magnitude that it threatened to shake the very foundations of the empire. Its repercussions would extend far beyond the single night of chaos within the city walls.

This incident immediately birthed a harrowing dilemma: how was the death of Su Shenchang to be reported to the Imperial Court, and how was it to be announced to the world?

If reported truthfully, the Governor of Jiangling had been assassinated by bandits from the Taihang Mountains—marauders who had exploited the lost territories of the Great Yan—while his own estate had been found to be harboring barbarian spies, a discovery that triggered the ensuing turmoil in the city. To reveal such details to the public would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the realm, inviting endless speculation and potentially destabilizing the entire political order.

The Great Yan was already beset by troubles, both internal and external. Exorbitant taxes weighed heavily upon the people, while barbarian armies ravaged the border towns. Everywhere except for the line at Yonggu City, the frontiers were ablaze. Under the iron hooves of the barbarians, the common folk were treated like beasts, their lives worse than death. In such a climate, if it were exposed that a high-ranking official like the Governor of Jiangling had been colluding with these savages—even going so far as to smuggle their spies into the heart of the city—the consequences would be catastrophic.

Furthermore, regardless of his previous factional allegiances, Su Shenchang was currently draped in the glaring label of Consort Chen. If his scandalous treachery were made public, how would the favorite of the inner palace, Consort Chen herself, weather the storm? What would become of the officials who had hitched their fortunes to her star? And how would the entire scholar-official class of the Great Yan withstand the relentless judgment of the populace?

As the dawn broke, the chaotic night receded, leaving behind only the smoldering ruins of homes burned by the barbarians. Nominally, Jiangling remained under the control of Prince Qi, the military governor of the Ningwu Army. Yet, the worldly-wise prince did not act with arrogance; instead, he sought the counsel of Eunuch Xi Ning, an envoy from the capital, to discuss how to manage this wreckage.

"I am but a servant, Your Highness. What would I know of statecraft?" In the study of a grand mansion, Eunuch Xi Ning sipped his tea, his expression unreadable. "Governor Su’s tragic passing is a matter for Your Highness to decide alone. No doubt the Court will soon appoint a successor to take over these affairs. Why should Your Highness sell yourself short?"

"My dear Eunuch, that is not the way to put it!" Prince Qi looked visibly distressed. The political currents in Jiangling were treacherous, and even he could not fathom what hidden dangers lay beneath the surface. "Governor Su died under such mysterious circumstances, and to make matters worse, barbarian spies were found hiding in his private residence. As a prince, how could I dare to report such a thing?"

In the current Great Yan, the civil service held immense power. Not only the common soldiers, but even the nobility had to bow their heads and tread with extreme caution. Regardless of the ultimate truth, Prince Qi dared not recklessly declare that the Governor of Jiangling had colluded with barbarians.

They say that when a state is on the brink of collapse, monsters will surely appear, and these "monsters" are not always individuals. It is said that when things happen in defiance of reason, it is the work of demons. That Su Shenchang had colluded with the enemy and harbored their spies was a fact supported by ironclad evidence. If even a prince dared not report this to the throne, what was it if not a sign of impending ruin? After all, this empire belonged to his own Zhao family.

Eunuch Xi Ning’s face betrayed a flicker of annoyance, though he kept his eyes lowered. Back when he had studied in the inner library, he had heard rumors that the empire’s nobles were nothing but wine-sodden rice sacks. It seemed those rumors were not without foundation.

"I am afraid I do not follow your meaning, Your Highness," Xi Ning said, his tone as light as a breeze. "How could that house where the spies hid possibly be the Governor’s private residence? I have heard it said that the deed to that property bears the name of a mere merchant. Your Highness would do well to verify your facts before speaking. As for the assassin who struck down the Governor, she is said to have come from the barbarian-controlled territories. Such lawless brigands infiltrating Jiangling—I, for one, would not believe for a moment that she has no connection to those spies."

Prince Qi’s eyes widened in sudden realization. He rose and bowed deeply. "Eunuch Xi, your foresight is truly profound! I shall not forget the favor of your assistance today!"

Prince Qi was, after all, a prince of the blood and an uncle to the reigning Emperor. When he offered such a solemn gesture of gratitude, even the disdainful Xi Ning was forced to set down his cup and return the bow with practiced formality.

"Your Highness, you flatter this humble servant!" With the stage now set, Xi Ning decided to speak plainly. "Your Highness has spent a lifetime in the military; it is only natural that the labyrinthine ways of the world might seem confusing at first. In my view, the events of last night were simply a case of barbarian spies infiltrating Jiangling to incite unrest and assassinating the diligent Governor Su. As the commander of the Ningwu Army, you responded with swift action, mobilizing your troops to hunt down the spies once they were discovered and purging the city of this scourge. While there may have been some oversight initially, you have successfully mended the fence after the sheep were lost."

"If you report it this way, you may face a reprimand from the Emperor. But Your Highness, in this life, who does not have to carry a few burdens? The world is a tangled place, but the Emperor’s eyes are like torches; he will surely see the truth of the matter, and you will undoubtedly earn a reputation for decisive action. Moreover, the senior officials in the capital will know that you acted to protect the reputation of the late Governor, and they will see you as a man of benevolence and honor. You need not worry about your standing among the literati. As for the future of Jiangling... you are the military governor; the minutiae of civil administration are not your concern. Your only task now is to finish purging the city of bandits and restore order to the markets."

Eunuch Xi Ning’s words were airtight, addressing every concern Prince Qi had harbored. As for what truly lay beneath this bizarre situation, the Prince cared not a whit; he wanted no part of it. Even as a prince, some matters were far beyond his reach—he viewed them as battles between gods. He was the Emperor’s uncle, and while he would gladly take any opportunity for profit, he would never risk his neck for something he could neither see nor grasp.

Xi Ning’s strategy was perfect in the Prince’s eyes—a sharp blade to sever the tangled threads. By ending the incident quickly and distancing himself from the truth, he could wash his hands of the affair. Nothing else mattered.

With this mindset, Prince Qi ordered the Ningwu Army to conduct a city-wide sweep. Not only were the hidden barbarian spies rounded up, but even the local riffraff and scoundrels were dragged into the military barracks. Three days later, they were all beheaded outside the city gates for public display. As for the Ningwu Army’s extortion of the wealthy merchants during this time, that was a trivial matter not worth mentioning.

Hiding within the manor of the County Lord, Zhao Hengying watched in astonishment as, only three days later, the gates of Jiangling were thrown wide open. Peddlers, laborers, and common folk alike were once again free to come and go as they pleased, as if nothing had ever happened.