Chapter 0244: The Calculating Local Official, Da Guiren in Military Attire
On the other side, Xie Shoujun and Sheng Shihai intercepted the Crown Prince’s faction.
“Your Highness, the battle is already lost. It would be best to surrender peacefully.” Sheng Shihai narrowed his slender eyes, the faint trace of mockery hidden beneath his seemingly amused gaze. “If you cease resistance now, perhaps I could persuade the Prince Regent to spare your life.”
Of course, he was merely saying this casually.
“I never expected Commissioner Sheng to conceal his intentions so deeply. I wonder if those officials who pledged allegiance to Second Brother know who truly harbors wolfish ambitions.”
Xie Jinyu met Sheng Shihai’s gaze with a sarcastic tone. “But do you truly believe that by turning Xie Shoujun against me, you can rest easy?”
His eyes shifted between Sheng Shoujun and Sheng Shihai, letting out a meaningful scoff. “Since he dares to betray me, he could just as easily eliminate you afterward.”
Sheng Shihai chuckled in retort. “Your Highness need not attempt to sow discord. I have no conflicts of interest with the Grand Prince. What reason would he have to eliminate me?”
“Oh?” Xie Jinyu replied unhurriedly. “If not for your collusion with the Ministry of Revenue, which emptied the state treasury, chronically deprived the border garrison armies, and sent advisors to warn that Xie Shoujun holding heavy authority was a grave taboo—leading Father to grow suspicious and deliberately suppress the border troops, leaving them without provisions to march to the capital…”
“Then Elder Brother wouldn’t have had to endure such harsh conditions at the border for so long, would he?” His gaze swept over Xie Shoujun standing nearby, the ambiguous smile on his lips deepening.
The amusement on Sheng Shihai’s face faded slightly. “Your Highness’s talent for spouting nonsense truly leaves me in awe.”
“It pales in comparison to Commissioner Sheng’s ambition and scheming.” Xie Jinyu gave a slight nod. “Although Xie Shoujun’s elite troops are fierce, they are far outnumbered by the Imperial Guards. The outcome of this battle remains uncertain. How about we make a wager? I say you will inevitably lose this battle. What do you think?”
“Your Highness is stalling for time,” Sheng Shihai bluntly exposed the Crown Prince’s scheme. “Waiting for the Imperial Guards and auxiliary troops from Jizhou?”
At this, the composure on Xie Jinyu’s face wavered, clearly surprised that Sheng Shihai knew about his prior orders for the Jizhou Imperial Guards to march to the capital and protect the throne.
“What a pity.” Sheng Shihai shook his head, sighing as if genuinely regretful for Xie Jinyu. “Unexpected incidents are unavoidable during marches—such as boulders blocking the path, or provisions suddenly catching fire…”
Xie Jinyu’s expression darkened completely. “The Prefect of Jizhou is actually your man?”
Sheng Shihai smiled and shook his head. “Your Highness is still too young.”
Wise local officials know that in palace coups like this, to maximize their chances of survival, they must either remain neutral bystanders or assess the situation carefully, biding their time until the critical moment to strike and secure the most crucial assist.
Those with even a hint of ambition would choose the latter. For instance, at this moment, the Prefect of Jizhou, having received the imperial decree to march to the capital, could not guarantee the Crown Prince’s faction would succeed in the coup. If he rashly supported the Crown Prince, he might be branded a rebel and executed. Hence, he deliberately delayed his advance to the capital.
By delaying long enough, if the Crown Prince’s faction failed, he could simply return to his post as a local official. The new emperor would not trouble him and might even reward him to compensate for the manpower, resources, and funds expended in the march to the capital.
The timing of the delay was perfect. If the Crown Prince’s faction only held a slight advantage or disadvantage, he could provide charcoal in snowy weather, becoming the greatest aid in the Crown Prince’s successful palace coup, thus rising with the tide and soaring to great heights.
But if the Crown Prince’s faction was completely at a disadvantage, even with his help, it would be impossible to turn the tide. In that case, he could use the excuse of roadblocks and provisions to arrive “fashionably late” and then pledge allegiance to the new emperor.
“Since Your Highness the Crown Prince is willing to wait, I don’t mind waiting with you,” Sheng Shihai said calmly, brushing his sleeves. “Let’s see whether the elite troops from the border are more formidable or the imperial guards are more powerful.”
At this moment, they were standing in the left courtyard of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Just behind them to the side was the main hall, where the sounds of clashing armies occasionally erupted, interspersed with sharp, clear screams that were particularly jarring.
“There’s a guard sneaking away by the seventh pillar on the left! Kill him quickly!”
“There’s a guard pretending to be dead in the second bush! Finish him off! Don’t let him suddenly jump up and ambush this prince, winning the MVP of the battle!”
“Wuhen! Wuji! Quickly take this prince to that artificial hill! The vantage point there offers a clear view!”
“Brothers! With this prince giving you coordinates, we must eradicate the imperial guards completely! Let the Cao family be cut off for three to five generations!”
In the left courtyard, Cao Que’s eye twitched involuntarily.
Though he didn’t understand what “MVP” or “giving coordinates” meant, and was already somewhat familiar with the Prince Regent’s eccentric tactics, he still felt he had underestimated the Prince Regent’s mental state.
Taking a deep breath, he gripped his sword and faced Sheng Shihai solemnly. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Majesty the Empress, you and the ministers should go first. I will stay behind to cover the retreat!”
Then he said to the ministers, “If the Crown Prince dies, you will surely face the extermination of your nine clans. So you must protect the Crown Prince at all costs!”
After all, the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir. Some loyal old ministers of the court would protect and support him even at the cost of their lives. They unanimously declared, “Rest assured, we will definitely ensure the Crown Prince’s safety!”
With that, they surrounded the Crown Prince and retreated, planning to join forces with the imperial guards on the other side.
Seeing Cao Que charge forward, Sheng Shihai calmly took a step back. “Grand Prince, it’s your turn to take the stage.”
Xie Shoujun gave him a faint glance, then drew his sword to engage Cao Que.
Cao Que’s martial prowess was indeed not to be underestimated, and even Xie Shoujun’s eyes flashed with a hint of admiration. However, compared to Xie Shoujun, who had spent years on the border clashing with the Xiongnu, Cao Que was clearly outmatched. It didn’t take long for him to fall into a disadvantage.
Just as Xie Shoujun’s spear was about to pierce Cao Que’s chest, a silver-white whip suddenly wrapped around the spear tip. With a fierce tug, the spear tip scraped against Cao Que’s armor with a sharp sound, veering off its intended trajectory.
Both Xie Shoujun and Cao Que looked toward the source of the whip. There stood Da Guiren in full military attire, with Xie Shu beside her, dressed in simple riding and archery attire, brandishing the whip with heroic grace.
“Young man of the Cao family, this consort is here to lend you a hand!” Da Guiren shouted sharply. “Treacherous rebels, prepare to meet your end!”
Xie Shu also raised her voice, “This princess is here too!”
“Thank you for your assistance, Guiren and Princess,” Cao Que said, raising his sword to join Da Guiren and Xie Shu in confronting Xie Shoujun.
Xie Shoujun frowned slightly, clearly showing some restraint in his moves due to his concerns about Da Guiren and Xie Shu. After watching for a while, Sheng Shihai simply led his men to pursue the Crown Prince himself.
Noticing this, Da Guiren wanted to give chase but was entangled by Xie Shoujun. She could only spit in frustration and continue dealing with Xie Shoujun.