Song of Adolescence

Chapter 169 A Ruler’s Abilities

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White Prince Residence.

Xiao Chong was sitting in the front courtyard with the sun shining on his face. He sat there quietly while Xuan Tong served at his side, also sitting there without a word. He tapped the chair lightly with his fingers, again and again, without any rush.

A long time later, the sound of hurried steps broke the silence.

It was the ninth prince, Xiao Jingxia.

"Chong-ge, there is news from Jin Yu Gonggong!" Xiao Jingxia shouted loudly.

"Speak." Xiao Chong raised his finger.

"Today, after the court was dismissed, a total of thirteen ministers went to seek an audience at the Directorate of Astronomy, but they were all turned away by the State Preceptor. Only when Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan went, then the State Preceptor met with him. Afterwards, Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan met in a secret conference with the Five Grand Eunuchs. It turns out that His Majesty had discussed the matter with the State Preceptor and the State Preceptor had really given his opinions," Xiao Jingxia said.

"What were his opinions?" Xiao Chong looked calm.

"He had sixteen words, which could have been an opinion, but when spoken by the State Preceptor, they sounded more like a decree." Xiao Jingxia breathed deeply. "The White can settle the country, the Red can open up new territory. But if there is a dragon in the wild, all under Heaven will be precarious!"

Xuan Tong was stunned for a moment. "Is that statement an advantage to us, or a detriment?"

"Naturally it is an advantage!" Xiao Jingxia said joyfully. "An Emperor who opens up new territory has always been a founding emperor, and descendants of that emperor will focus on settling the country. Opening new territories will only lead to wars, and people will lose their way of life. This will only harm our country instead of helping it!”

"That’s not true." Xiao Chong shook his head slightly. "Nanjue has been eyeing Beili for a long time. Wu Qinghuan, the new emperor of Nanjue, ascended the throne last year. He is a man of war. Within the next ten years, there will be war between our two countries."

Xiao Jingxia was stunned for a moment. "Then this statement is not good for us?"

"Not necessarily so either." Xiao Chong still shook his head. "What you just said makes some sense. If we open up new territories, but cannot settle the country, the country will fall apart."

"Chong-ge, so in the end, is this advantageous to us or detrimental?" Xiao Jingxia was somewhat exasperated.

Xiao Chong rubbed his temples lightly with his fingers, and slowly said, "Today is the day of the Heroes Banquet?"

"That's right. Tang Clan and the Hidden River have already set off. Whether we succeed or fail will be decided today!" Xiao Jingxia replied.

Xiao Chong rubbed his head again and muttered, "If there is a dragon in the wild, all under Heaven will be precarious."

"The White can settle the country, the Red can open up new territory, but if there is a dragon in the wild, all under Heaven will be precarious." A frail-looking youth asked as he pulled a large bow armed with a large arrow, "The State Preceptor only said these sixteen words?"

The young man with a moustache standing behind him replied, "According to Jin Yan Gonggong’s message, there were indeed only these sixteen words."

This was naturally the Red Prince Residence.

The Red Prince, Xiao Yu, let go lightly, and the arrow burst through the sky and instantly penetrated the bullseye. He put down the bow and arrow and said with a smile, "That Jin Yan, don’t look at how he’s so docile and submissive all the time. When he speaks, Long Ye, you have to pay attention. He hides as much as he says. That’s how he is."

"This subordinate understands." Long Ye nodded.

"But this time, naming the heir to the throne is a big deal. I suspect he wouldn’t dare to talk nonsense. Long Ye, what do you say? How would you understand these sixteen words?" Xiao Yu asked.

"The first eight words are easy to understand. The White Prince Xiao Chong would be an emperor who defends the country, probably because of his calm personality and prudence when dealing with matters. You, the Red Prince, would be an emperor who opens new territories, meaning your bravery and martial prowess are commendable. In the future when we go to war with Nanjue, we would need an emperor like my Prince to be a natural commander on the battlefield. However, the last eight words are variables. With the addition of the last eight words…" Long Ye frowned.

"Then the first eight words become superfluous?" Xiao Yu smiled.

Long Ye lowered his head. "Exactly."

"Not just the first eight words, but actually, all sixteen words are superfluous." Xiao Yu shrugged. "This is State Preceptor Qi Tianchen’s style. He never gives a definite answer, but leaves everything to you to ruminate on your own. This sentence is meaningless to us. We can only observe my imperial father and see how he ruminates on this himself."

"What does the Prince feel His Majesty is thinking?" Long Ye asked.

"My father doesn't like the army, so this sentence is not good for me. You see how much Langya Prince did for the army back then, yet things didn’t end well for him. But, if you want to settle the country, how would a blind man settle a country?" Xiao Yu sneered. "Father is not the sort of person who takes risks. Unless I die, Xiao Chong will never get a chance to be the emperor. By the way, I heard that Lanyue Marquis left the city alone?"

"Yes, on the same day His Majesty returned to the capital. I heard he’s running an errand for His Majesty," Long Ye replied.

"The Golden Lanyue Marquis. In Heavenly Revelations, he’s also a somebody. We must find a way to win him over." Xiao Yu frowned slightly.

"The jewels I sent over last month were accepted," Long Ye said.

"But I heard that all the calligraphy and paintings that Xiao Chong sent were also accepted?" Xiao Yu asked.

"Yes," Long Ye replied.

Xiao Yu shook his head. "This type of person is the most terrifying. We need to find his weak point. Get Yan Sen to investigate him. By the way, where’s Yan Sen? I haven't seen him in a few days."

"Yan Sen received a message from Bai Xiao Hall a few days ago. Now, he just sits in his house all day. I don’t know what he’s thinking…" Long Ye spoke after a brief hesitation.

"Bai Xiao Hall? Who sent him the message?" Xiao Yu asked in surprise.

"I heard it was from the Hallmaster of Bai Xiao Hall." Long Xie lowered his head.

"Ji Ruofeng? Is he still alive? Didn't they say he’s been long dead?" Xiao Yu was shocked. "Take me to see Yan Sen!"

Directorate of Astronomy.

Sky Observatory.

Qi Tianchen was still sitting there, looking at the sky. Now that the sky was getting darker, a few stars were starting to be visible. He sighed softly and took another sip of tea. Then, light footsteps sounded behind him. Qi Tianchen didn't turn his head, and called out, "Shidi?"

It was a rather young Daoist priest with straight brows and bright eyes, and the appearance of a noble young master. He bowed his head and said, "Shixiong is sitting here while he drinks tea and watches the stars. It's been hard on us. By noon, we’d already stopped those thirteen distinguished guests, but in the afternoon, after shixiong met with Jin Xuan Gonggong, another wave of tens of important officials from the court came. I am afraid that after today, the entire court will be offended by our Directorate of Astronomy."

"Hahaha. Since they didn’t get to see me, they can go to see the Grand Eunuch." Qi Tianchen smiled. "I have told him what I was going to say anyway."

"But they must know that the Grand Eunuch’s official residence is not a place anyone can just visit as they please. But now, since Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan knows about it, then the other four Grand Eunuchs should also know. And since they know, then as far as this matter is concerned, the two Princes who are the most concerned about this should know too. That was your objective, wasn’t it, shixiong." The young Daoist walked forward and stood beside Qi Tianchen.

"Yes, since they wanted so badly to know, I gave them sixteen words of nonsense to think about," Qi Tianchen said lightly.

"Nonsense?" The young Daoist was taken aback.

"Nonsense." Qi Tianchen smiled. "Settle what country, open what new territory. There is only one true dragon and only one emperor. The victor will stand on the highest platform, and the rest can only prostrate below the dais while blood flows like a river. Generation after generation, from one reign to the next, as the constellations fluctuate day and night. Dynasties may fall and be replaced, but this is the one thing that has never changed."

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