Chapter 95
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Over the next three days, the Emperor failed to regain consciousness, his pulse growing increasingly worrisome with each passing day.
The imperial and military physicians finally resorted to desperate measures, inviting the charlatan Xue Yao to join the medical team.
Prior to this, Xue Yao used tools sourced from the palace — syringes crafted in a modern design, with needle tips carved from white jade. After sterilization, he assembled and injected them into a wounded soldier’s arms.
Due to the lack of a plunger, the entire medication was squeezed out from the back of the syringe, rendering it impossible to administer.
Remembering acquiring a certain Western medicinal ingredient that came with a complimentary medical rubber dropper, Xue Yao successfully administered the injection by using this dropper in conjunction with the needle.
The condition of the wounded soldier improved.
It was only then that Xue Yao gained the qualification to practice desperate measures on the Emperor.
When Xue Yao saw the Emperor, he sensed trouble.
The Emperor’s symptoms were entirely different from those of the soldier infected with tetanus. His complexion was also different.
The Emperor did not exhibit any typical symptoms of muscle spasms.
In theory, the incubation period for tetanus infection should be over a week, but the Emperor, wounded just three days ago, already showed signs of weakness.
According to the imperial physician’s diagnosis, the arrow wound wasn’t particularly deep, and there were no complications like intestinal adhesion. The Emperor’s symptoms seemed more like poisoning.
Xue Yao couldn’t help but speculate that the imperial physicians’ diagnosis was correct. The arrows used by the Khitans to attack the Emperor were likely tainted with poison, perhaps a slow-acting lethal one.
Though this speculation was disheartening, it didn’t deter him from making a final attempt. He proceeded with the injection treatment for the Emperor.
Xue Yao’s attempt didn’t reverse the Emperor’s condition, but it also didn’t worsen it.
The Emperor remained in a profound state of unconsciousness.
In retrospect, it seemed the Emperor in his previous life also succumbed to poisoning, preventing any arrangements for his succession.
The Khitans tampered with the arrow, orchestrating the Emperor’s slow demise to buy them enough time for a strategic withdrawal. If the Emperor died abruptly, they risked facing a ruthless retaliation.
The court officials, anxious and desperate, proposed to the Seventh Prince to issue orders for Tong Ningzhao’s troops to retreat to Guangdong. The forces of the Northwestern Governor-General were to disband and return to their respective stationed regions, leaving only the Forbidden Army here, awaiting the visit of the Khitan envoy.
The ostensible reason given was that the war had concluded, and the Khitan King suffered devastating losses, making a river crossing for a counterattack impossible. If all three armies remained in this location, there wouldn’t be enough provisions.
In reality, with the Emperor unconscious, the new heir struggled to consolidate the various factions loyal to the Crown Prince. Many factions were likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach for the time being.
A storm was brewing, and the winds filled the tower.
The Tong family’s army might pave the way for the Third Prince at any moment, and the forces of the Northwestern Governor-General were an unstable factor. The only reliable force was the Forbidden Army.
The ministers hoped the Seventh Prince could break free from the influence of the Third Prince, then, holding the imperial edict, lead the Forbidden Army back to the capital. This move would allow the consolidation of forces to defend the capital and establish a firm foothold.
Knowing these ministers were loyal to the Crown Prince, Xue Yao took the initiative to have the Seventh Prince follow their advice.
However, the Seventh Prince’s orders faced an outright refusal from Tong Ningzhao, stating that without a clear imperial decree, withdrawing the troops was equivalent to a rebellious act. He adamantly refused.
The ministers secretly wished he had the courage to face death and take his commanding officers down with him for reassurance.
But Tong Ningzhao had the backing of the Third Prince, and the Seventh Prince’s enthronement ceremony hadn’t been scheduled. Currently suppressed by his elder brother, he couldn’t adopt a strong stance.
On the contrary, the Third Prince, on that very night, became assertive. He detained all the civilian advisors who had been strategizing, accusing them of disturbing military morale.
Xue Yao promptly shielded the chubby cub, preventing him from entangling with the supporters of the Third Prince.
Thinking to plan things out once they returned to the capital, he hoped to at least bring back the Eldest Prince to stabilize the situation.
The system informed him that the Eldest Prince was rescued, meaning he couldn’t have perished in the battle across the river. He would surely return.
On the third day, the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince went outside the military camp to gaze into the distance, anticipating the appearance of the Khitan envoy emerging from the line where the blue sky met the grass.
However, the envoy’s figure was not seen until evening, leaving the two princes disappointed as they returned.
On the way back to their tent, the Sixth Prince bumped shoulders with a suddenly appearing soldier. The soldier apologized repeatedly and proceeded to dust off the dust from the Sixth Prince’s shoulder.
This gesture was quite abrupt, and just as the Sixth Prince was about to push away the soldier’s hand, the man whispered, “Let’s talk aside. I have urgent information to report.”
Subsequently, the two young princes learned a dreadful piece of intelligence — the Khitan envoy had arrived at the camp for negotiations yesterday but was intercepted by Tong Ningzhao’s sentinels on the way, secretly brought back to the camp, and detained.
The Third Prince was unwilling to exchange hostages. What if the Khitan side sent the Crown Prince back alive?
The Crown Prince, unlike his younger brothers, was not an easy figure to deal with.
Hundreds of miles away, the confidant secretly dispatched by the Fifth Prince to pursue the Crown Prince before crossing the river finally caught up to him in the capital. He delivered the ominous news of the Emperor’s ambush to the Crown Prince.
Already fatigued, the Crown Prince urgently rushed back, covering eight hundred miles in haste.
Unfortunately, the two younger princes in the military camp couldn’t wait any longer.
The Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince, clad in silver armor and carrying their sabers, accompanied by the commander of the Forbidden Army, launched a surprise search of the tent where the envoy was being held.
Outside the tent, the Tong family loyalists stood guard.
Seeing the two princes in armor approaching, the guards were caught off guard but still bravely stepped forward with forced smiles. “What brings the princes here?”
While the Sixth Prince was about to explain their purpose, the Seventh Prince countered the guard’s question with, “What brings you here?”
The guard quickly replied, “Just doing my duty, Your Highnesses.”
Seventh Prince: “Then, step aside.”
Alerted by the commotion outside, the tent’s commander stepped out.
Seeing the two young princes barging in, the commander quickly intercepted their path, explaining that the individual detained in the tent was someone to be dealt with by the Third Prince. It involved sensitive matters and couldn’t be allowed entry.
The Sixth Prince frowned and rebuked, “What kind of prisoner is Third Brother holding that we’re not supposed to know?”
The commander, observing the Imperial Guards accompanying the princes, became more convinced that both the Northwestern Governor-General and Tong’s forces were not complying with the orders of the new heir. “If the princes are curious, you can inquire with the Third Prince for details. I’m just following orders. Military commands are strict. If anyone insists on barging in… hehehe…”
The Seventh Prince remained expressionless. “And what if anyone insists on barging in?”
The commander stiffened. “That would be insubordination against the Third Prince’s military orders!”
The Seventh Prince approached, and pointed to the ‘hehehe’ commander’s nose with his finger. “You better watch closely.”
The commander, confronted by an inexplicable fierceness emanating from the young prince, took two steps back, watching helplessly as the Seventh Prince, accompanied by a few Imperial Guard loyalists, forcefully entered.
The Sixth Prince was genuinely surprised. The Seventh Brother, when angry, could be stubborn and rebellious, but rarely did he directly provoke others. It was evident he was highly upset, yet his face remained unreadable, leaving people puzzled.
The two princes, along with the commander of the Forbidden Army, barged into the tent.
The Khitan envoy was gagged and bound to the bed.
The Seventh Prince cast a sidelong glance at his subordinate, who promptly drew his sword and cut the envoy’s bindings.
Bending down, the Seventh Prince removed the cloth wad from the envoy’s mouth.
The envoy erupted in furious accusations, condemning the Han Chinese for being untrustworthy and disregarding rules.
The Seventh Prince swiftly shoved the cloth back in, gripping the envoy’s shoulder and straightforwardly inquired, “Where is the Crown Prince, and where is the Fifth Prince? No nonsense.”
The cloth was once again removed, granting the envoy the ability to speak. He, however, without learning his lesson, began venting, “In warfare, envoys should be spared!”
The Seventh Prince suddenly gripped his dagger and pushed the hilt, unsheathing the blade by three inches, pressing it against the envoy’s neck. With an attitude of “In warfare, envoys are to be executed,” he menacingly threatened, “Don’t… waste… words.”
The envoy’s face showed signs of bruising, indicating he had endured beatings from the supporters of the Third Prince during his captivity. Now, with no time to portray the image of a nation adhering to Great Qi’s etiquette, he decided to dispense with formalities.
Unperturbed, the envoy responded courteously, “I’ve said it numerous times. Your Fifth Prince is across the river. We have set up a camp with three hundred men, awaiting an exchange of hostages. Your Crown Prince is genuinely not in our camp. Please consider, if we captured your Crown Prince, in a two-for-one exchange, wouldn’t we demand additional terms for his release?”
This statement sent shockwaves through everyone present.
The Crown Prince wasn’t in the custody of the Khitan forces?
Just as the Seventh Prince was about to ask further questions, there was a commotion outside, followed by silence.
Shortly after, the Third Prince entered with Tong Ningzhao and a few loyalists.
“Are the Sixth and Seventh Princes not content to stay in their tents and instead decide to visit my restricted area?” The Third Prince, chin raised, strode aggressively toward the two young princes.
“Why did you detain the Khitan envoy!” The Sixth Prince, thoroughly angered, demanded, “Do you want my elder brothers to remain in jeopardy forever?”
The Third Prince sneered. “On the contrary, as you must have asked, this fellow refuses to admit they’ve detained Eldest Brother. If they won’t acknowledge it, I have to interrogate him to uncover the truth before making any plans.”
Sixth Prince: “Even if there’s to be an interrogation, you can’t take matters into your own hands!”
The Third Prince laughed. “With Eldest Brother absent, should I refrain from acting? Do you assume that responsibility? Do you still recognize the hierarchy of elders and juniors?”
Sixth Prince: “How can you take charge? Father Emperor has already recognized Seventh Brother as the heir, even handing over the command token to him!”
The Third Prince feigned sadness. “Father Emperor is confused. His decisions don’t count. Even if Eldest Brother doesn’t return, the rightful heir should be Second Brother. There’s no rationale in appointing Seventh Brother. It goes against traditions. If Second Brother agrees, the court won’t agree. If the court agrees, the common people won’t agree!”
This statement bluntly denied the Seventh Prince’s status.
The commander of the Forbidden Army and two Imperial Guards immediately tightened their grip on their sword hilts.
Tong Ningzhao and his companions swiftly responded, partially unsheathing their blades, compelling the others to refrain from rash actions.
The Seventh Prince, with a wooden face, looked at Third Prince and calmly said, “If Eldest Brother isn’t in their hands, let’s first exchange for Fifth Brother.”
“Ridiculous,” scoffed the Third Prince with disdain. “Even if he’s not in their hands now, who else could have him? They want to use Fifth Brother as a pawn to retrieve their prince first, then complicate matters for Eldest Brother. We mustn’t fall for their scheme. We must insist on a two-for-one exchange, both Eldest and Fifth Brothers must be returned.”
The Sixth Prince stepped forward, glaring at the Third Prince. “Father Emperor has accepted Old Seventh’s command over the three armies. Third Brother, don’t act presumptuously. All actions must adhere to Seventh Brother’s decisions!”
“What decision?” The Third Prince, with a threatening expression, squinted at his two brothers. “Ignoring Eldest Brother and only saving Fifth Brother? Seventh Brother, could it be you’re willing to jeopardize Eldest Brother just to secure your temporary heir position? If that’s the case, don’t blame Third Brother for disregarding brotherly bonds!”
These lofty justifications were taught to him by Tong Ningzhao, allowing him to refuse hostage exchange with an air of righteousness.
A moment of silence hung in the tent.
The Sixth Prince was visibly angered.
The Seventh Prince, still emotionless, suddenly turned to Tong Ningzhao. “General Tong, in the imperial edict, ‘let the civil and military officials unite,’ what’s the preceding phrase?”
Tong Ningzhao paused, thought for a moment, lowered his head without answering, and discreetly glanced at Third Prince, signaling him to intervene.
The Seventh Prince turned to the commander of the Forbidden Army and asked, “You tell him.”
The commander promptly responded in a loud voice, “Designate the virtuous Prince Ning as the heir!”
The Seventh Prince inquired again, “Was it personally sealed by Father Emperor?”
“Yes!”
The Seventh Prince nodded. “Commander Yan Fan of the Forbidden Army, receive the order.”
Yan Fan immediately knelt down on one knee. “I’m here!”
“Immediately escort the Khitan envoy and the Khitan Prince to the west of the river. Exchange hostages as agreed.”
Yan Fan promptly received his orders, pulled up the envoy from the cot, and prepared to send him out of the camp.
Tong Ningzhao’s fists gradually clenched.
But he wasn’t prepared for a direct confrontation just yet.
Engaging with the Forbidden Army might result in losing half of his forces. His initial plan was to make the two young princes believe the Khitans had broken their promise, lead an army to retaliate personally, and in the chaos, kill the princes and pin the blame on the Khitans.
Such a move would allow the Third Prince to legitimize his claim to the throne even more. Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince turned out to be quite troublesome.
As Tong Ningzhao pondered how to deal with the situation, the Third Prince suddenly unsheathed his dagger with a metallic “clang”!
Before anyone could react, the Third Prince took a step forward and severed the Khitan envoy’s throat with one swift motion!
The earth-toned tent curtain was instantly sprayed with blood, creating a skewed red curtain.
The unprepared Khitan envoy’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as he desperately clutched his throat, trying to stem the flow of blood and life. Eventually, he slumped to the ground.
Died with eyes wide open.
A moment of astonishment swept through.
A surge of heat flowed through the Seventh Prince’s dantian. The qi throughout his body burst out of this small tent, cascading outward.
The usually gentle and harmless shallow pupils now harbored a sharp killing intent.
Like an instinct, in the blink of an eye, the Seventh Prince, based on the martial strength and positions of the several opposing forces within the tent, made judgments. Various routes and techniques for each kill flashed through his mind.
As if a lion raised by antelopes, starving to the extreme, the innate instinct for hunting surged through his veins, leaving no room for escape.
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This third prince is starting to annoy me