Chapter 321 - A Traitor and Usurper (1/2)

Chapter 321: A Traitor and Usurper

In the Fang Mansion.

“The garrison of Jiangzhou have picked up speed. They’ll get here in five days.”

“Good! I’ve had all necessary arrangements made in the imperial palace, ensuring the Eighth Prince’s and the Concubine Jin’s safety.”

“But what shall we do with Yuwen Zhi? We’ve been ignoring him for several days.”

“Humph. Don’t worry. I’ll handle him.”

…

In the residential compound of the a.s.sistant Minister of Rites.

“Father, Fang Quan actually expected us to do such a dangerous thing. He clearly doesn’t trust us and is deliberately picking on us!” huffed Yuwen Qi.

Fang Quan had requested Yuwen Zhi to figure out a way to stall the Right Prime Minister and the others when the garrison of Jiangzhou reached the capital city, creating an opportunity for Fang Quan and his men to open the city gates.

“How on earth are we supposed to do that?!” spat Yuwen Qi.

Yuwen Zhi’s face was also quite sulky. Through gritted teeth, he said, “We have to find a way to make it happen. Fang Quan wants proof that we’re trustworthy, and we’re going to give it to him.”

“But how are we going to do that? Chu Liangyan has the whole Northern City Garrison Battalion at his command. How is it possible to hold him back?” said Yuwen Qi.

…

The garrison of Jiangzhou led by its commander was getting very close to the capital city, only a few hundred miles away from the city gates.

Fang Quan was thrilled at the latest intelligence report. “They’re finally here!”

The garrison of Jiangzhou had moved without an imperial edict and was now only a couple of hundred miles away from the city, threatening to launch an attack at any moment. News of this instantly threw the whole city into panic. A lot of officials who’d been taking a wait-and-see att.i.tude began to have second thoughts.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, at the emperor’s memorial service attended by all courtiers, Fang Quan requested that the Eighth Prince accede to the throne.

“The Eighth Prince is of direct descent from the imperial clan. Right now the Great Yue is tottering in a precarious situation and in dire need of an emperor. Only by enthroning the Eighth Prince will we be able to stabilize the political situation, set people’s mind at ease and ensure the peace in this country,” claimed Fang Quan, standing in the hall.

“The Eighth Prince is still young.”

“Chu Liangyan! No matter how young the Eighth Prince is, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a descendant of the Zhou family, the imperial household. Why are you trying to stop the Eighth Prince from succeeding to the throne? What kind of evil intentions are you harboring?”

Standing behind Fang Quan were a group of people, including the Concubine Jin and the Eighth Prince, all of whom were confronting the Right Prime Minister and some other courtiers.

The Right Prime Minister sneered, “Lord Fang, everybody knows you’re just doing this for your own ends, no matter how hard you try to make it sound honorable. The Eighth Prince is too young. He will no doubt end up becoming a puppet on your string if he ascends the throne. Under your control, the Great Yue will sooner or later be subjugated; or maybe some day the Fang family will usurp the power of imperial dominion. If that happens, you think you can keep this country from falling in this crisis-ridden situation? We’ve all worked so hard to get the imperial court where it is. Why should we hand it to you on a silver platter to let you squander it? I think you’re the one who harbors evil intentions.”

“If the Eighth Prince is not the one who should be crowned, who is?! Right Prime Minister, we both know very well for whose gain you’re saying these words. It’s no good trying to pretend otherwise,” said one of Fang Quan’s followers.

“Of course I’m fully aware of why I’m doing this. I’m not as stupid as you are. If this country is to navigate through these trying times, we must select a wise leader, a wise leader who has the abilities and courage required to stabilize the political situation and defend this country against foreign enemies, not someone who’s destined to become a puppet on a string. I’m doing this for the people of this country, who can live in prosperity and contentment only when their emperor is sagacious and visionary. If the imperial court falls into the hands of someone incompetent once again, they will be subjected to endless civil strife and reduced to dest.i.tute and homeless refugees!” said the Right Prime Minister.

“Faugh! Cut the s.h.i.+t. A wise leader? He’s nothing but a traitor and would-be usurper!”

“A traitor and a would-be usurper? It’s so funny you guys are saying this. All of you are fully aware of whom you should thank for being able to stand here alive, not having to worry about when you’d become slaves of a foreign power. You’ve been enjoying his protection all along but you hold him in contempt, which is so despicable.”

“That’s his duty as a servant!”

“A servant? Of whom? As far as I can remember, right now we don’t really have an emperor. He did that for the people of this country, not some unsavory individual. Fang Quan, you want to use a figurehead to have us do your bidding and be the one at the top of the pecking order. Why pretend otherwise? Each and every single one of us has seen through your little game. Today, standing in this hall, I, Chu Liangyan, am saying this loud and clear – I disagree with the Eighth Prince ascending the throne!”

“You–!” Fang Quan was beside himself with fury.

“Right Prime Minister, you’re not the one calling the shots here. You will agree to enthrone the Eighth Prince, no matter whether you want to or not. Otherwise you might die a violent death!”

“Die a violent death? You guys are so foolish. Right now the whole capital city is under my control. Who could possibly kill me? The Jiangzhou garrison? That’d be even more ridiculous. For your information, the garrison of Jiangzhou are never going to make it to this city.” After the Right Prime Minister said this, his eyes coldly raked Fang Quan and those behind him, seeing their faces clearly, not pausing for a split instant when they swept across Yuwen Zhi, as though this person weren’t there at all.

“What do you mean? Your demise is imminent, yet you’re still in the mood for bluffing?” huffed Fang Quan, pointing at the Right Prime Minister.

“What do I mean? If you don’t believe me, just wait and see if the garrison of Jiangzhou will arrive here as you wish,” replied the Right Prime Minister.

“You–You are openly admitting rebellion?! Are you not afraid the people will despise you?! You’re blackening your master’s name!” Fang Quan went ballistic.

“Why should I be afraid? Anyway, eventually someone will have to make the right decision in a sensible and obedient way,” observed the Right Prime Minister, eyeing them flintily.

…