The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 56 : Incitement

Chapter 56 : Incitement

Yanjie was egging them on from the sidelines.

The replies from their children brought mixed feelings to the familiessome were overjoyed, others distressed. After reading the letter, Hengjiang Prince grew more anxious instead of reassured, sighing repeatedly. Wangfei wore a worried expression, and the couple exchanged glances, seeing helplessness in each other’s eyes.

“We reminded him over and over before he left not to stand out. How did he catch His Majesty’s attention…?” Wangfei rubbed her temples wearily.

Hengjiang Prince drew his wife close, comforting her, “It must have been a coincidence. I heard His Majesty didn’t praise Prince Yong’s Heir at all but instead made a spectacle of Zuoxiang’s embarrassment.”

Wangfei pushed him away and sat up. “I’ll write to Chong’er… No, I must send a trustworthy person to Youzhou to keep an eye on him!”

Hengjiang Prince caught her sleeve. “If you rush around like this, won’t everyone notice something’s wrong?”

“Alright, alright. His Majesty’s birthday is in a month. I’ll submit a memorial requesting to go to the capitalfirst to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday, and second to visit our son. I doubt His Majesty will refuse. I’ll take the chance to see how things stand. Otherwise, I’ll just keep worrying here for no reason, and if we act rashly, we’ll only raise suspicions,” Hengjiang Prince reasoned.

Though still uneasy, Wangfei had no better alternative and reluctantly agreed.

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Academy, Xu Ying’s praise had stirred up trouble. Those of modest ability who received compliments formed small cliques, clashing with the more outstanding students like Prince Yong’s Heir, who had been overlooked. The former accused Prince Yong’s Heir and his followers of being Liu Xu’s lackeys, while the latter argued that the Emperor’s encouragement had inflated the egos of Xu Chong and others, making them overestimate themselves.

Xu Chong, who had always been a background presence, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. After classes ended, as he tried to return to his room to rest, several boys hoisted him up, his short legs flailing in the air.

Terrified, Xu Chong struggled. “What are you doing?!”

Xu Lian popped up from behind, pinning down Xu Chong’s flailing arms. “Today, we’re settling this once and for all. We’ll take Xu Jin and his crew down a pegteach them not to look down on people.”

“I’m not going!” Xu Chong’s face turned pale as he kicked wildly, but he couldn’t break free. Panicked, he yelled at the top of his lungs, “Professor! Assistant!”

Dragged away to “boost morale,” Xu Chong became the unwilling centerpiece. Xu Lian, who loved stirring up drama, rallied a group into a team and brought Xu Chong along to confront their rivals.

Just as Liu Xu was about to head home after his duties, someone from the Imperial Academy rushed over, bruised and frantic. From a distance, the man waved and cried out, “Sir, it’s terrible! The young masters are fighting! The professor tried to intervene but was shoved down and hurt his back. It’s chaosplease come quickly!”

Liu Xu’s eyes widened, and he hurried over.

“Quiet! Quiet!”

Crossing the threshold, Liu Xu heard the uproar from afar and followed the noise. As he drew closer, he saw students and assistants tangled together, some students even biting the assistants’ arms.

Given the noble status of the students and the chaotic scene, the assistants hesitated to act forcefully, overwhelmed by the pack of children.

Striding purposefully, Liu Xu immediately spotted Xu Lian at the heart of the commotion, cheering on the fight. He pushed through the crowd, heading straight for Xu Lian.

But as he squeezed in, someone stumbled and fell toward him. Liu Xu stepped back to dodge, only to bump into someone behind him. Trapped from both sides, he tried to veer left, but once inside the fray, he was caught in the crossfire, surrounded on all sides by the brawl.

Officials standing on the periphery watched as Liu Xu disappeared into the crowd. In mere moments, his robes vanished from sight, causing everyone to gasp in alarm. They craned their necks, urgently shouting, “Your Excellency!”

When Xu Ying heard that a brawl had broken out at the Imperial Academyand that Liu Xu, who had gone to control the situation, had been trampled several times before patrols of the Imperial Guards arrived just in time to drag him out, saving his lifeshe was utterly dumbfounded.

Recognizing the severity of the matter, Xu Ying swiftly issued an edict summoning imperial physicians, tallying the injured, and detaining all those involved for questioning.

“How is it? What’s the situation?” Xu Ying asked the physician.

The physician replied, “Your Majesty, aside from a few young masters suffering minor scrapes and bruises, the others are unharmed. However… Academician Qin has strained his back, and Chancellor Liu has broken a rib. I’m afraid both will require a considerable period of careful recuperation.”

Xu Ying breathed a sigh of relief, but then a sudden inspiration struck her. Feigning anger, she declared indignantly, “Respecting teachers and honoring principlesthey actually injured their instructors in the academy! Defying authority, even if they are imperial descendants, cannot excuse harming their elders without punishment.”

“Go, summon all their fathers here! If no one at court can discipline them, then let their own fathers come and take charge!” Xu Ying resorted to the tactic of calling in the parents.

Xu Lang expressed surprise, “The various princes are stationed across the regions and cannot leave their fiefs arbitrarily. Gathering so many of them in Youzhou at once may not be advisable.”

“What’s inadvisable about it? This is an educational matter! Education is of paramount importance to the state, let alone within the imperial clan!”

Come then, let the princes come to Youzhouit would make killing her all the easier.

Xu Lang pondered this; surely Xu Ying had her reasons for this move, perhaps she was playing a grand strategic game. He fell silent.

While convalescing at home, Liu Xu heard that Xu Ying intended to summon the imperial clan. He hurriedly set out, aggravating his injury in the process. Sweat rolled down his temples from the pain as he struggled out of bed. Supported by attendants, he was carried to the Azure Wave Study.

“Your Majesty, this must not happen!”

Allowing the imperial clan into the capital could easily inflame their ambitions and disrupt Youzhou. He was counting on Prince Yong’s Heir to become crown prince and ascend the thronehow could he stand by and watch the realm fall into the hands of those mediocrities?

Truth be told, those others were likely inferior to Xu Ying. Should any of them take the throne, the Xu family’s empire might change hands within a few years.

“Chancellor Liu, what brings you here?” Xu Ying had a seat brought for him, surprised by his visit. Hadn’t he always wanted to push the imperial clan into power?

Liu Xu refused to sit, leaning on his cane as he said, “Your Majesty, the princes must not lightly leave their fiefsthis is ancestral teaching, meant to prevent the imperial clan from developing treacherous intentions. Summoning them to Youzhou is inviting wolves into the house; the consequences would be endless!”

Had someone else spoken these words to her, Xu Ying would have understood, but hearing them from Liu Xu’s mouth struck her as peculiar.

Seeing the distrust plain on Xu Ying’s face, Liu Xu quickly straightened up and declared solemnly, “No matter how many disagreements this old minister and Your Majesty have had in the past, these words come straight from my heart. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Xu Ying replied, “I understand your concerns, Chancellor, but the education of the heirs and imperial scions cannot be neglected either. Today they disregard their elders and assault the Chancellor; if not severely punished, wouldn’t they overturn the heavens tomorrow? If the punishment is too harsh, the princes may resent itbetter to let them come themselves.”

“We could send the ringleaders back to their fiefs!” Especially Xu Lian, who was corrupting moralemany had started emulating him by neglecting assignments and arriving late or leaving early.

“In that case, wouldn’t those who don’t wish to remain hostages in Youzhou follow this example and use it as an excuse to return? The disturbances will only increase from now onthis doesn’t solve the problem at its root!” Xu Ying used the words Liu Xu had previously deceived her with to shut him down.

Liu Xu choked, unable to refute her. He couldn’t tell Xu Ying about his private selection of an heir apparent.

Xu Ying said, “Sir, rest assured. With the imperial guards here, nothing will happen. Besides, they won’t stay longthey’ll return to their fiefs after a few days. There’s no need to worry excessively.”

Seeing that Xu Ying was unyielding, Liu Xu went to persuade Xu Lang instead, deliberately exaggerating the facts. After much effort, Xu Lang wavered but ultimately shook his head in refusal, gazing at him with distrust. Liu Xu felt a tightness in his chest, stifled and uncomfortable.

Liu Xu then sought out Zhang Yu, whose nonchalant attitude made him doubt whether Zhang Yu had truly submitted to Xu Ying. He emphasized sternly, “Don’t you think the hidden dangers here are significant?”

“With Her Majesty in charge, they won’t amount to anything. What is there to fear?”

Zhang Yu offered a false smile and cast him a strange look, tinged with considerable wariness.

Liu Xu was exasperatedwhy couldn’t he distinguish friend from foe!

“Chancellor Liu, overthinking is futile. You should worry less and focus on recuperating.” After all, it was pointless anxiety anyway.

Zhang Yu waved his hand and had Liu Xu carried away.

“I haven’t finished speaking…”

Four burly men forcibly lifted Liu Xu onto the palanquin bestowed by Xu Ying. Liu Xu spread his arms and turned back to look at Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu cupped his hands in a salute. “Farewell, Chancellor Liu.”

After Liu Xu departed, Xu Ying pondered and decided to use a secret decree insteadveiled and ambiguous, mixing truth with falsehoodto arouse suspicion among some. It might also deceive those who hadn’t received the decree into leading troops to Youzhou. She secretly summoned the Commander of the imperial guards and relaxed the vigilance at the city gates and Duckweed Street.

She had been so considerate; surely someone would manage to break in and kill her now.

Xu Ying picked up the secret decree, puffed her cheeks to blow on the freshly written characters, allowing the ink to dry. After confirming the content and nodding in approval, she began copying the next secret decree.

Yehu Yanjie led the remaining soldiers back to the Northern Barbarians, gathering fleeing former troops along the way and secretly amassing strength. After settling the soldiers, he stealthily infiltrated the Western Rong, striving tirelessly until he finally won the trust of the Western Rong Khan. He advised him, “The Jin Kingdom has just overcome a drought and attacked the Northern Barbariansits people’s livelihood hasn’t recovered. We should strike while it’s weak, or else once it recovers, Jin will turn its attention to the Western Rong.”

The Western Rong Khan pondered deeply, visibly tempted. Just then, news arrived: “Khan, for unknown reasons, the nobles and lords of Jin have left their fiefs and set off for Youzhou. It’s suspected that turmoil has erupted within Youzhou.”

Yanjie urgently said, “Khan, this is a perfect opportunity! Take advantage of their internal strife to crush them in one blow!”

The Western Rong Khan remained hesitant. He looked up and asked, “Are you certain they’ve truly left their fiefs? How many troops are they bringing?”

“It’s not entirely clear, but our spies in Jin report that some nobles have purchased large quantities of military equipment and horsesundoubtedly plotting rebellion.”

The Western Rong Khan furrowed his brows. A sinister glint flashed in Yanjie’s eyes as he whispered ominously in the Khan’s ear, “Khan, if we miss this chance and wait for Jin to stabilize, it will be far harder to penetrate its heartland later.”

With Yanjie egging him on, the Western Rong Khan finally clenched his fist and made a decision: “Dispatch troops. We attack the Jin Kingdom.”

Having achieved his objective, Yanjie curled the corners of his mouth slightly and straightened up with satisfaction, gazing toward Youzhou.

His analysis to the Western Rong Khan held true: the Jin State’s economy had yet to recover and could not sustain a prolonged war. Let the Western Rong wear down the Jin State first. With Jin’s military forces diverted to the western front, their troops would be tied downcreating the perfect opportunity for their Northern Barbarians to launch a direct assault on Youzhou!

Author’s Note:

Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided nutrient solutions between 2023-05-14 02:32:24 and 2023-05-15 21:52:57~

Special thanks for nutrient solutions: Qingqing, User1786 (10 bottles); Yuewu (9 bottles); Bushiren, This Year Today (5 bottles); Late Bell, Huahua (1 bottle);

I am deeply grateful for everyone’s supportI will continue to work hard!