Chapter 0 - Prologue (1/2)
During the 135th year of Southern Qi, a time when the emperor was weak and with two generations of Queens from the Xu Family, the imperial in-laws 1 held important positions at court. The power of the imperial family was contested.
The Queen wasn’t competent, easy to be jealous, as a result, the imperial heirs were not the best.
While the Emperor was barely handling the imperial in-laws’ situation, the Northern Zhou took the opportunity to wage war. An army of a million soldiers and horses, coming fast and furious was the urgent message from the Southern Qi border.
Since the establishment of the Southern Qi empire, for 200 years, each emperor has advocated in governing the empire by civil authority and serve with virtue, but a lack of focus on military. This resulted in the court having many civil officers, but very few military men. General Su, the only General had also resigned 20 years ago, from the guilt for the death of the Duke and Duchess of Rong-an. Taking his family with him and left the Imperial City.
It is in such a situation, that in the face of the Northern Zhou invasion, the entire Southern Qi court can not choose one person to counter.
The Emperor although angered, had no other solutions, in a moment his hair all turned white from stress.
Guo-zhang2, saw that things were not turning for the better, nominated his own grand son, Xu Yun Chu, to lead the army, but was met with objection from half of the officials that valued the future of the imperial family. The Xu family has brought up two queens, and at the current time, their influence was still high. If they are allowed access to military control, then, even if they fight off the Northern Zhou, it’s hard to guarantee that the Xu family won’t take things into their own hands and take over the Southern Qi empire.
Besides, Xu Yun Chu at the start of the year was just soft crowned 3. Although he is well known across the imperial city to be talented, and hailed as the Imperial City’s #1 Gong-zi 4, but he hasn’t even been to a military camp before, how could he lead an army? or fight a battle?
After hearing so, the Empress Dowager and Queen, also wasn’t happy about it.
The Xu family only had this one offspring that was well equipped with talents and sparkles in a pile of silver, their maiden family was the only pillar that allowed them to cast storms and call upon rain in the harem. How could they just allow him to go to the border to die? It’s known that swords have no eyes, what if he couldn’t make it back and died at the battlefield, then who will carry on the Xu family’s status?
While everyone was arguing, the Prime Minister spoke up, nominating the Shi-zi5 of the Rong-an Wang-fu6, Ye Xiang.
The Rong-an Wang-fu7 was a branch of the Imperial Clan and should be considered a part of the imperial family. The Duke and Duchess of Rong-an were skilled in military tactics. 20 years ago, although they had won big in the battle with Northern Zhou, but the couple had also died at the battlefield. During that time, only leaving behind a young child, and that was Ye Xiang.
The Duchess of Rong-an’s maiden family was the prominent Ye family of Jiang-nan8 with the title of Shi-zi Manor, and Ye Xiang was bestowed the title of Shi-zi, and after his coming of age ritual, would carry on the Duke of Rong-an title.
This year, Ye Xiang was also soft crowned.
When the Prime Minister nominated the only heir of the Rong-an Wang-fu11, Ye Xiang, the entire court also greatly objected.
If one were to say that Xu Yun Chu was the Imperial City’s #1 Gong-zi, then Ye Xiang would be the Imperial City’s # 1 Prodigal.
In the large Rong-an Wang-fu12, Ye Xiang rules the house, makes the decisions, and with the addition of the Emperor’s spoiling, the Empress Dowager’s pitying, and losing his father and mother at young age, the orphan never had anyone to control him. Due to that, he is drinking poems throughout the day, hanging around the gentle caves of the brothel with a group of prodigals, being absurd and ridiculous.
A Ye Xiang like this, of course can not lead an army to battle.
Let’s not say that the military men disapprove, even the Emperor shook his head upon hearing the Prime Minister’s nomination.
The Prime Minister continued, “20 years ago, the Duke and Duchess won the battle over the Northern Zhou, their names sounded throughout the land, there’s a saying: like father, like son. Although Ye Shi-zi13 has always been absurd, but in his body runs the Duke of Rong-an’s blood. If the Northern Zhou hears that it’s Ye Shi-zi leading the army, they’d have to weight it. To add, Ye Shi-zi although he carries his mother’s family name, but he is of royal blood. So, with him leading the army would show that our Southern Qi imperial family is not to be trampled on. “
After the officials heard, some of them thought it made sense, but there were some that still didn’t feel at ease. Even so, could Ye Xiang really lead an army? fight a battle?
The Prime Minister, to sway the majority, yet once again proposed another nomination, that General Su Che to go with Ye Xiang to the border. Upon hearing Su Che’s name, the officials eyes all lit up, but then quickly dim down.
Su Che is Southern Qi’s very few military prodigies. Even the Emperor who advocated a civil rule, commended him. Honoring him the title of Commander General, and bestowing his manor the title of Commander General’s Manor. Although in Southern Qi military men held low rankings, but his position across all the entire court was not low at all.