758 Eight-Hundred-And-Nine Men! (1/2)
On that very night, Yun Yang laid within his room, his eyes shimmering as he gazed at the night sky beyond the windows, a complex expression upon his face.
After a long, long time, he mumbled to himself, ”Bao'er… he is truly worthy to sit on the throne as the rightful heir. He is competent enough to assume such a role!”
Yun Yang was not the only person who had such thoughts.
The next day at dawn, the emperor gave out his orders without losing another moment. ”The Mediocre King should no longer remain in the capital — he should set out to the fief right away!”
The Mediocre King was a current royal title referring to the former crown prince — the second prince himself!
Compared to Bao'er's wit at such a young age, the former crown prince's title as the 'Mediocre King' was a fitting title indeed!
The next royal edict that was passed down was of a slightly different nature.
'It is hereby proclaimed that Yu Qiankun, son of the eldest crown prince, is the royal grandchild, legal heir to the throne; a nation-wide celebration is in order, all sentences shall be reduced or pardoned!'
The ministers and officials received the orders all at once.
Yutang's dominion had thus begun, seemingly taking the winning stance of domineering the world. Choosing to confer the crown prince's title at this point in time was the perfect move to eliminate any problems that could arise in the future.
There was no trace of doubt in His Majesty's swift and decisive style.
The same day, at dusk, the Mediocre King began his journey, his convoy only eight-hundred-and-eight men strong. They would soon leave Tiantang City, the capital of Yutang, together.
Specially requested by Wu Ying of the military department himself, after the assessment by the Ministry of Rites, any implements brought along by the Mediocre King shall be inspected once more by the military department to prevent any ill-intended infiltration.
The Ministry of Rites dare not lax. After the assessment, they sent it over to the military department immediately.
Wu Ying did not slack one bit while personally overseeing this matter. The whole procedure was strictly monitored, and those who were uninvolved were completely removed. Even if his consort, the palace maids, the concubines, and accompanying eunuchs were included, the total sum would only amount to the stipulated number.
Including the Mediocre King himself, it would be an exact total of eight-hundred-and-nine men.
Hence, he gave out the order to commence their journey.
Eight-hundred-and-nine men!
The Mediocre King was momentarily stunned when he got wind of the headcount. He choked out a crazed laugh as if he was struck by a moment of epiphany and he spat out a spittle-full of blood.
”Hahaha… eight-hundred-and-nine! Eight-hundred-and-nine! Is this a form of revenge? Hahaha…”
Before the city gates, only a few officers showed up to see him off. Instead, the person whom he could never see eye to eye with came forth to send him away — Wu Lie, the President of the Board of Punishments.
Garbed in green robes, the Mediocre King looked back at the city gates, his handsome face etched with desolation and despair. Facing the city gates, he dropped to his knees and bowed nine times.
”Father, after thy humble son bid his farewell today, he will never see you again.”
The Mediocre King's face was covered in tears. ”Please do take care of yourself. I pray that you will be blessed with a long life.”
The Mediocre King's consort comforted him gently, ”Your Majesty, the journey might be long, but there is no certainty that you will not have the chance to return. Don't give up or feel sad about it.”
The Mediocre King shook his head, grief-stricken. Unwilling to say another word more, he mounted the carriage and rode south.
Nobody knew better than he did the reason why his accompanying convoy was so few in number, or why it numbered eight-hundred-and-nine men!
Although he was being relegated, and it was not unusual for rats to leave a sinking ship, or even if the situation was blatantly taking advantage of his predicament, still, how could he be accompanied by a convoy of only eight-hundred people? Where were his aides? Even if only the staff in the crown prince's suite came along, the total headcount would definitely not just be only within eight-hundred-odd people.
However, the convoy of exactly eight-hundred-and-eight men made the former crown prince recall an event that happened in the past.
During the battle at Tianxuan Cliff, the accompanying convoy during the accident involving the Nine Supremes was also comprised of eight-hundred-and-nine men!
The Nine Supremes traveled alongside an army of eight-hundred men!
Eight-hundred-and-eight men perished during the battle at Tianxuan Cliff — almost the entire army was wiped out. Supreme Cloud was the only lucky survivor of this calamity and had stirred up a big melodrama upon his immediate return. However, the Nine Supremes had since concealed themselves within the shadows!
The count was inclusive of those who had perished and those who had survived!
In the event of his existing relegation, the numbers of his accompanying personnel — including himself — was coincidentally eight-hundred-and-nine!
What did this symbolize?
What did this mean?
The Mediocre King knew the reason behind this more than anyone else!
He and his convoy were bound for death. There would not be any stroke of luck this time — there would never be any fortunate survivors like Supreme Cloud!
Connecting one event to another, if they could make such arrangements, clearly — and surely — they were very aware of his involvement in that incident at Tianxuan Cliff.