Chapter 213
Chu Lishu entered with Lu Yi and Lu Shi. The head of the Wang family recognized Lu Yi from their previous encounter when Lu Yi provided counsel, which led to successful cooperation in rescuing their people. Thus, they had been waiting here for the Eldest Prince. If Lu Yi had been an enemy intending to capture them all, they could have done so when they initially approached for assistance. There was no need for this roundabout approach. So, the Wang family was puzzled about the situation.
Members of the Wang family immediately rushed forward to check on the condition of the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en. Despite their injuries, they were both still alive.
“Who are you people?” The head of the Wang family, who happened to be Wang Tong’en’s grandfather, was still vigorous despite his age and remained calm in the face of such a situation.
“I have seen him before. He is a study companion by the side of the Fourth Prince and is now highly regarded by Prime Minister Li and General Zhao,” said someone from the Wang family, pointing at Chu Lishu.
The crowd immediately became flustered, unsure of the intentions of the newcomers.
“General Huo has already surrounded this place; you can’t escape,” Chu Lishu said calmly as he walked, taking a seat at the main seat in the hall. “I can’t control what you do, but I can save these two.”
“Why should we trust you? Who knows if you’re in cahoots with that kid from the Huo family. The Eldest Prince and Tong’en could have escaped, and you brought them here,” said the speaker, none other than Wang Tong’en’s father, the current head of the family and brother of Imperial Concubine Huang, who Chu Lishu considered to be somewhat sensible.
“General Huo hasn’t stormed in yet because he needs to clear out the guards you left nearby. And we came here because all your people are dead. If it weren’t for us, they would have been captured by now,” Chu Lishu said casually.
The Wang family members immediately became agitated and began to argue. None of them wanted to die here. They were all older, and it was evident that they no longer had the courage to face death with calmness and acceptance.
The head of the Wang family scolded, his face filled with a sense of despair. He knew they couldn’t leave here alive. They had known that this day would come when they made the decision to rebel. However, as long as the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en were alive, the Wang family wouldn’t be completely erased from the history of the Great Zhou. As long as there was hope, they had to let their descendants leave.
For the sake of convenience, Clan Elder Wang ordered everyone else to leave, leaving only the head of the Wang family.
“You said you could save them just now? Are you sent by Prime Minister Li? I don’t understand. Why would you risk saving them?” Clan Elder Wang asked cautiously.
“It’s just a deal, entrusted by Imperial Concubine Huang. If we help her rescue the prince, she can offer up the wealth hidden by the Wang family in the shadows.”
Chu Lishu explained. As he spoke, Lu Shi handed over a document. The head of the family and the Clan Elder glanced at it and were immediately astonished. It contained the accumulated wealth of the Wang family over generations, managed clandestinely for hundreds of years—a final capital reserve left for their resurgence, including underground gambling dens, mines, and more. This was something only a few powerful members of the Wang family knew about. It seemed that Imperial Concubine Huang had indeed struck a deal with them.
It’s a transaction indeed. Indeed, anyone would covet such wealth. Prime Minister Li also knows that even if the E;dest Prince leaves, it will be difficult for him to contend for the throne in the future. So, seizing an opportunity to make a profit seems reasonable. It’s more reassuring than dealing with people of unknown origins.
Imperial Concubine Huang said it’s up to you to decide. Time is limited. If you agree, write down your consent. We’ll take the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en to the hands of the Wang family of Qinghe. They’ll surrender all the contracts and seals listed on the document, completing the transaction.”
“What if you break your word and turn around to deceive the Wang family of Qinghe by leading an attack?” the head of the Wang family asked sternly.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t your people turn around and sell me out? If Prime Minister Li’s private dealings are exposed to the Emperor, won’t it be the end for the Fourth Prince’s faction? We’re sincerely cooperating. If you don’t trust us, then forget it,” Chu Lishu said, standing up.
The Wang family father and son were already in a weak position in this negotiation. Seeing Chu Lishu’s attitude, they immediately felt at a disadvantage.
Looking at the still unconscious Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en, at least what Chu Lishu said was right. These old folks might not have a chance to escape, but shouldn’t they leave an opportunity for their children?
The Wang father and son exchanged a glance, their eyes red with emotion.
Finally, a somber voice echoed in the hall, “We agree!”
After finishing writing the deed of gift, Clan Elder Wang was to take it to the other elders for their signatures. This was tantamount to telling everyone that they couldn’t escape. Even if they sacrificed everything, they could only let the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en leave. Some people silently shed tears in agreement, while others were unwilling and wanted to escape together.
Amidst the chaos behind him, Clan Elder Wang paid no attention. Under Chu Lishu’s instructions, he was writing his daughter a final letter. With Imperial Concubine Huang unable to leave the palace and the rebellion failed, her death was inevitable. He wanted his daughter to feel at ease, telling her that the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en had been rescued, relieving her worries.
Tears streamed down Clan Elder Wang’s face as he wrote, a decrepit old man penning his last words to his daughter, arranging to meet her again on the road to the afterlife. He looked pitiful, but the three people present showed no hint of sympathy.
As the letter was being handed over, Clan Elder Wang was about to bow to Chu Lishu when suddenly the head of the Wang family rushed out, his face filled with suspicion. Halfway through signing the deed of gift, he exclaimed.
“What’s going on?”
“Father, this doesn’t make sense! We just discussed it, and there are several items here that we haven’t even mentioned to our younger sister. How could she possibly know about them?” The head of the Wang family immediately glared at Chu Lishu.
Clan Elder Wang turned around in shock, only to see Chu Lishu looking at them with a cold smirk.
“Young Master Chu, what’s the meaning of this? Are you trying to deceive us? How did you get hold of the list of our possessions, and how could you…”
Unable to contain himself, Lu Shi chuckled. “Your family’s possessions were already seized by our master long ago. The reason the list is so comprehensive is that we would add an item every time we took over a property. Perhaps you’ve been too preoccupied with your rebellion in the capital this past month to realize that the items on this list no longer exist.”
“What! What did you say? How is that possible! How could anyone accomplish such a thing?” The head of the Wang family exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief, unable to fathom that someone could achieve such a feat.
As Lu Shi was about to boast, Lu Yi clicked his tongue. “Don’t interrupt the master.”
“What… what are you planning to do?!” The head of the Wang family demanded angrily.
However, Clan Elder Wang quickly caught on, his expression turning fierce, his trembling arm pointing directly at Chu Lishu. “The letter! You’re trying to deceive me into writing that letter to my daughter. She hasn’t made any deals with you, and she won’t believe you. But if she sees that letter, she’ll think you’re in league with us! Why would you do this? My daughter is already a prisoner. The emperor won’t spare her. How else do you intend to harm her?”
Clan Elder Wang lunged forward, but was kicked away by Lu Yi. “Keep your filthy hands off my master!”
Clan Elder Wang fell to the ground, seething with anger, wanting to kill, but Lu Yi drew his sword, leaving him helpless. The head of the Wang family could only support Clan Elder Wang and repeatedly demand to know what they intended to do!
Chu Lishu slowly rose, looking down at them from his elevated position. “Nothing much, just wanted to learn some things from Imperial Concubine Huang that I didn’t already know.” He couldn’t threaten Imperial Concubine Huang with the presence of the Eldest Prince in the palace, but with this letter, he could prove that the Eldest Prince was in his hands.
“What do you want to know?” Clan Elder Wang’s eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
Chu Lishu had no intention of wasting time on idle talk. With a disdainful smile, he began to walk away.
“Chu Lishu, we have no grievances or enmity with you. Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution for treating us, who have no way out, like this?” The head of the Wang family cursed directly.
Lu Yi and Lu Ten were furious. Chu Lishu paused, turned back to look at the Wang family, and slowly spoke, “Twenty thousand elite troops stationed at Tongji Pass, fifty thousand civilians on the border, three dead cities. Plagues and famines affecting several surrounding cities, totaling a million people. I’ve always been curious, don’t you ever have nightmares? Have you ever thought that today’s events are all just retribution?”
A single sentence instantly froze both the father and son of the Wang family, as if they were hearing an illusion, their eyes widened in shock, and a distant memory that had been buried resurfaced so vividly. It made them both feel as if it were something from a past life.
The head of the Wang family’s pupils trembled, but he vehemently tried to deny it, “What are you talking about? What… What does any of that have to do with us?”
“Who… who exactly are you? Are you here because of what happened back then…” Clan Elder Wang trembled, as if he couldn’t even catch his breath.
The gaze of Chu Lishu sent chills down the spines of the father and son of the Wang family, as if they were being stared at by an evil spirit. Finally, Clan Elder Wang couldn’t hold on any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, tears streaming down his face, unable to speak.
The head of the Wang family supported his father, immediately shouting, “You must be the real rebels, you’re here for the Eldest Prince, I know it! As long as I inform the Emperor, you won’t get away with this. Yes, I’ll go tell…”
The head of the Wang family supported his elderly father and rushed towards the door, he collided head-on with Huo Luo.
They only realized then that Huo Luo had been guarding the courtyard gate all along.
The head of the Wang family immediately shouted, “General Huo, they are people associated with the former Crown Prince, you must arrest them!”
Confronted with Huo Luo’s cold and disdainful gaze, Clan Elder Wang grabbed his son and yelled, “Stop it! Can’t you see they are in cahoots?”
And so, the father and son of the Wang family were gradually forced into the house, like fish caught in a net, with no way to escape.
“The Ministry of Works matter was orchestrated by you and Yue Chen, and now it’s you and them… Are you… are you doing this for the former Crown Prince? Do you know the truth of what happened back then? Is all of this your retaliation?” Clan Elder Wang couldn’t comprehend it, but the outcome was clear, and he could only think of this point. Were those fervent young people who followed the former Crown Prince back then not all dead?
Huo Luo snorted coldly, ignoring the question. He stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Chu Lishu, saying, “Time is running out, we should leave.”
Chu Lishu nodded in acknowledgment. As they prepared to leave, Clan Elder Wang, sensing his imminent demise, almost crawled to block Chu Lishu’s path, angrily questioning, “What are you doing? Are you causing chaos in the world for the former Crown Prince? Earlier, our three major families suffered greatly. At that time, I found it strange. I thought it was caused by our internal conflicts. But it’s too coincidental. Why did it all happen during this time period? It must have been orchestrated by you, isn’t it? You… you…”
The old man’s eyes transitioned from cloudy to clear and then to confused. He looked at Chu Lishu, knowing that among these people, Chu Lishu was the one in power. He stared fiercely at this young man, as if refusing to die without knowing the truth. “Who are you? Who are you?!”
Chu Lishu suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Wang, on the day the Eastern Palace was raided, was your most cherished treasure, the ‘Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains Congratulations Map’ that you gave me as a birthday gift, taken away? You surely wouldn’t want it to be lost outside, right?”
The “Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains Congratulations Map” was the birthday gift given to Crown Prince Yuan Ran in the past. Later, when the Eastern Palace was raided, he secretly had it taken out. It was still kept in the treasure trove of the old house in Qinghe.
Clan Elder Wang’s eyes widened, and he staggered backward, being supported by the head of the Wang family. Both father and son couldn’t believe their eyes as they looked at the completely unfamiliar person before them. Their legs trembled, and eventually, they even knelt down.
“How is it possible…” the head of the Wang family couldn’t believe it.
Clan Elder Wang stared fixedly at Chu Lishu, suddenly as if he saw the shadow of Yuan Ran on Chu Lishu. “Your Highness, you are… you are the Crown Prince!” After saying this, he began to convulse, as if he would faint the next second.
“Dad, he really is…” The head of the Wang family hurriedly grabbed his father and exclaimed.
Clan Elder Wang was terrified beyond measure, unable to even discern whether the person before him was human or ghost. “You… you’ve come back to retaliate against us? You really didn’t die! No wonder… no wonder the Emperor couldn’t rest easy without finding your body. I thought he was just paranoid, but his worries were justified. As long as you’re still alive, it will be us who will die! So that’s it, so that’s it!”
Clan Elder Wang was deeply shaken, both crying and laughing.
The head of the Wang family finally believed it too, furious, he shouted directly at Chu Lishu, “Your Highness, it’s not our Wang family’s fault for what happened back then. It’s you who was in the wrong, it was your stubbornness that sought to destroy our family. What fault do we have for defending ourselves!”
“Bullshit! When has His Highness ever wanted to destroy you!” snapped Lu Shi.
The head of the Wang family’s eyes were bloodshot, crazily retorting, “Don’t think we can’t see through it. The late Emperor said that once you married, you would ascend to the throne. How many decrees were issued from the East Palace at that time, how many of our interests were compromised behind the scenes. You treated your maternal family, the Chengs, equally, let alone us? When you once aspired to create a more harmonious and beautiful world, advocating for the rights of the common people, you were actually obstructing our path, depriving us of our interests. Why should we cooperate with you?”
Both Lu Yi and Lu Shi were aware of the situation during that time. From His Highness’s support for Yamo Garden, one could discern his attitude toward the people of the realm. However, Huo Luo knew even more. When His Highness encountered trouble back then, both he and Yue Chen were still young. During the regime change, many high-ranking officials who had been supported by His Highness encountered difficulties. Their replacements mostly came from the three major families, to the extent that three of the six ministries were now monopolized by descendants of these clans, and even the harem was mostly controlled by them. At that time, Yue Chen had told Huo Luo that His Highness must have been harmed by the three major families.
At that time, Huo Luo didn’t understand why, but Yue Chen told him that if a country wanted to develop well, clans monopolizing the lifelines of the nation should not exist. During the centuries of the clans’ existence, there had been cases where emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty could be easily replaced, all because of the control of the clans. The clans only cared about their own interests, not the welfare of the nation. Their centuries-old privileges led to situations where they sought to exploit every possible opportunity. To prevent the depletion of resources and to curb the ambitions of the clans was imperative. His Highness wanted to create more opportunities for the common people through reforms, gradually weakening the control of the clans over the nation, which would make the country stronger and better.
In fact, any enlightened ruler would have such thoughts. Suppressing the power that controls the life paths of the lower class, surpassing imperial authority, only leads a country toward corruption and decay.
“Your Highness, you’re right!” Huo Luo recalled those words he had heard and felt that His Highness was truly extraordinary, with a heart for the world.
However, the head of the Wang family refused to acknowledge it. “No! The facts prove he was wrong. Look at this world. Who remembers what he did for the common people? They are ignorant. Only those who inherit their fathers’ legacies and stay in their rightful places can be the most obedient. Consolidating our power and protecting our interests is what a king should do. If one can’t do that, they don’t deserve to be king!”
Huo Luo, seeing his revered Highness being denied, remembered Yue Chen’s questioning and exclaimed angrily, “Throughout the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty, every emperor, including the current one, has taken actions to weaken the clans! No emperor wants their power to be controlled by your clans. Why are you being so cruel to His Highness?!”
“Because only he could do it…” Clan Elder Wang spoke, staring blankly at Chu Lishu, as if seeing the past Yuan Ran in him.
“Every emperor who ascended the throne wanted to weaken us, but how many actually succeeded? In the end, compromises were always reached. But you’re different. Your abilities grew with age, making people increasingly fearful. Youngsters marveled at your talent, eager to catch up with you and even surpass you. They idolized you, winning more and more hearts. You could achieve anything you wanted. Even the Xie family, the maternal relatives of the Empress Dowager, who once dominated us, were eliminated by you before you even came of age. How could our other clans not be afraid? And then, you even wanted to give the position of Crown Princess to a non-clan-born woman. Heh, while other emperors aimed to consolidate power, you… wanted to ensure that the Great Zhou Dynasty would never see the rise of clans like ours again. What else could we do?! How could we face our ancestors otherwise?!”
Clan Elder Wang sobbed as he spoke, as if he were the one who had been wronged. Finally, Chu Lishu looked at him. Initially, memories of the past stirred up anger within him, but in the face of the Wang family’s questioning, he gradually felt numb.
“The me from back then never wanted to destroy the clans. After all, you were also my subjects,” he said.
Upon hearing this, the Wang family father and son were stunned, gazing at Chu Lishu in disbelief.
“I just wanted to find a balance between the influentials and the common people. But for you, perhaps restraining your growth is equivalent to destroying you. After all, the reforms have not yet been implemented, and no one knows how things will turn out. It’s pointless to say more. I understand why you’re targeting me, I just didn’t expect that to consolidate the interests of your few, you would sacrifice millions of people!”
Chu Lishu’s icy gaze froze the Wang family father and son from their hearts outward, causing their blood to run cold.
“We never anticipated such consequences. When Prince Ning’s envoy came to persuade us, our Wang family already knew that the Cheng and Pei families had agreed to cooperate, while the Yue family chose to stay out of it and retreat. If we refused, after they changed dynasties, our Wang family would undoubtedly suffer. Besides, my daughter is the concubine of Prince Ning. Naturally, I couldn’t refuse. Whatever he needed, we provided. Our Wang family officials obeyed his orders without knowing the consequences.” The head of the Wang family vehemently defended himself, as if unwilling to bear the burden of so much bloodshed.
Chu Lishu chuckled. “I have to die with infamy, while Imperial Uncle ascends the throne with honor, so that the people of the world can be convinced and obedient. It’s all about making fortunes in chaos, reshuffling the powers that I had previously organized. Without a massive blood sacrifice and a profound lesson ingrained in the people’s bones, how could success be achieved? Did you really not anticipate what the consequences would be?”
The last hint of color drained from the faces of the Wang family father and son. All their noble pretenses and righteous words were shattered, unable to conceal the greed and ugliness beneath the scent of blood.
“We… we did the least… really the least,” the head of the Wang family dared not look directly at Chu Lishu anymore. The gaze felt like staring into the eyes of millions of lost souls. Tears streaming down his face, he could only plead that they were not the most sinful.
Chu Lishu let out a cold laugh, each word dripping with murderous intent. “Is that so? Well, I won’t spare a single one of you!”
The Wang family father and son had nothing to say. Clan Elder Wang finally kneeled before Chu Lishu, bowing deeply at his feet. “Your Highness, we admit our wrongs. We apologize to you and to those innocent people. But Yuan Shuo has always admired you since childhood. He has never harmed you. Neither he nor Wang Tong’en knows about the events of that year. These grievances have nothing to do with them. Please spare them.”
Chu Lishu sneered contemptuously and asked, “And how many of those who stood by my side in the capital back then were harmed by you? Are their families involved in these grievances?”
The expressions of Clan Elder Wang and the head of the Wang family turned desperate once again. They finally understood that they were no longer facing the benevolent heir apparent of the past, but a avenger who had crawled back from hell. Even if they were to give their lives to repay, the Wang family wouldn’t be enough to settle the debt.
They wept in despair. If they hadn’t acted as they did back then, their family’s hegemony would gradually have dissipated, but everyone would still have lived comfortable and prosperous lives. But now… the Wang family was gone, completely gone.
After an incense stick’s worth of time, a fierce fire erupted in the secret place of the Wang family. Huo Luo led people to extinguish the flames, and only a few young members of the Wang family managed to escape capture. The rest perished in the flames. Among them, two bodies were found matching the characteristics of the Eldest Prince and Wang Tong’en. They were brought back to the palace by Huo Luo.
Late at night, in the quietness, the crates at the bottom of the Chen Lan Merchant Agency’s merchant ship rocked gently. One person opened the wooden lid and looked at the two inside. “Awake? Stay quiet. We haven’t left the vicinity of the capital yet. Remember, you’re already dead, and the Wang family is gone. From now on, you’ll change your names and identities. This is your elders’ last resort to save your lives. Cherish it.”
Inside the Wenbo Pavilion, Lin Qingyang sat in the courtyard near the entrance, waiting until a weary figure draped in moonlight walked in.
Lin Qingyang immediately stood up, approaching with concern. “You’re back?”
Chu Lishu smiled with relief, nodding. “Yes, I’m back.”
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