The Child Emperor

Chapter 113: Arrogant Bandits

Han Ruzi found himself still unprepared to personally kill someone, especially when the person was so scared that tears flowed like a broken dam, even more feeble than a lamb awaiting slaughter. Han Ruzi swung his knife, cutting across the man’s arm, blood staining the blade. He immediately wiped it on the black cloth that passed off as a flag. The man collapsed, fainting.

The sight of the blood temporarily satisfied the fighting spirit of those present. Lin Kunshan immediately ordered someone to drag away the unconscious man.

The blood on the black cloth made it look even more gruesome. It was hung at the entrance of the fishing village, fluttering in the wind. Every newcomer had to pass by this “battle flag.” Their casual curiosity were cast aside, and they went to meet the Emperor with genuine trepidation.

The Jin family, having moved from the Riverside Village, had a particularly strong impression of this flag. Although Marquis Guiyi had long seen the decline of the Chu empire and planned to escape to the steppes, witnessing an actual rebellion with a flag raised left him terrified. Hearing that the blood on the flag was personally applied by the emperor, he was even more astonished. When he learned that his own daughter was now called “Empress,” he couldn’t bear the series of shocks and fainted in the arms of his three wives.

Han Ruzi took a short nap. Not long after dawn, he was awakened to receive one group after another of followers, all righteous individuals who had rushed there upon hearing the news. The small fishing village was already overcrowded, and most people had to camp out, sharing various stories and fantasies about future accomplishments.

Using what little authority he had just acquired, Han Ruzi ordered his men to return the weapons to the Jin siblings.

Before noon, with few newcomers around, Han Ruzi summoned Lin Kunshan. “It’s time to discuss our plan.”

Lin Kunshan smiled, “So far, everything has gone smoothly. Your Majesty has done well. It’s just that there was no need to spare that man during the flag ritual.”

“I know. But I want to establish a righteous army, not a band of bloodthirsty thieves.” Han Ruzi didn’t want to explain further and asked directly, “What is the next step for the fate seers?”

“I don’t understand what Your Majesty means…”

“You understand but are reluctant to say it. You are waiting for me to reveal my thoughts. Since you’ve already told me about the methods of the fate seers, you should be more sincere.”

“Hehe, it’s a habit. Well then, let me guess: the Cui family wants to use Your Majesty to reclaim the legitimate status of the Graceful Emperor’s lineage. Meanwhile, Your Majesty intends to use the power of the Cui family to defeat the Empress Dowager and reclaim the imperial throne. From a timing perspective, Your Majesty is using the Cui family first, and therefore occupies a more advantageous position.”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “No, the Cui family just wants to use me as a figurehead to test the sentiments of the people. There’s no need for me to become emperor. They only need to rally the people in my name. Once the world responds, causing turmoil within the imperial court, they can quietly get rid of me, blaming the Empress Dowager. Then, under the guise of avenging me, they continue to seize power, and Prince Donghai can ascend the throne smoothly. If the world doesn’t react positively, the Cui family will still eliminate me to show goodwill to the Empress Dowager and ensure the safety of the Prince of Donghai. So, in terms of timing, I have no advantage at all.”

“Ah…”

“You’re back to your fate seer tricks. Let’s do this instead then: bring Chunyu Xiao here and let him talk to me. Until he arrives, everything stays the same.”

“This… Your Majesty’s sudden departure from the Capital was too abrupt. My mentor won’t be able to return for a while. With so many people gathered, within three to five days, the authorities will undoubtedly become aware…”

“Then let the authorities rescue me. I’ll return to the Capital and continue to be the Weary Marquis. It would still be safer than my position now.”

Lin Kunshan chuckled and patted his own head, “I always can’t navigate through twists and turns. When I revealed the secrets of the fate seers’ techniques to Your Majesty earlier, it was also at the behest of my mentor. He said I must be open and sincere with Your Majesty. Those who aspire to be emperors have grand ambitions…”

After rambling for a while, Lin Kunshan became serious, “My mentor did leave behind a plan. There are some martial arts experts inside and outside the Capital who owe my mentor favors. As long as I speak up, they will come to protect Your Majesty. Although they may not charge into battle, with them around, the Cui family…”

Han Ruzi directly shook his head, rejecting the idea, “This plan is not good. Cui Hong controls the Southern Army. Once in power, no matter how many martial arts experts there are, they won’t be able to withstand the onslaught of cavalry. What I want is not personal safety within ten steps but assurance beyond ten steps.”

Lin Kunshan pondered in silence.

Han Ruzi urged, “Chunyu Xiao must have left more than just this plan for you. Speak them all out. If we delay any longer, you’ll have to find me at the Weary Marquis’s manor.”

Lin Kunshan smiled, “Indeed, my mentor has one more plan, but he said to use it only in extremely dire circumstances.”

“If you consider circumstances dire only when disaster is imminent, then I’d rather not be involved in this matter.”

“Hehe, Your Majesty is truly cautious. If you’re concerned that the Cui family will act against you preemptively, then ask the Cui family for a hostage to stay by your side. This way, you can be fully assured.”

“Prince Donghai?”

“Exactly.”

“I thought of that earlier, but Cui Hong won’t let Prince Donghai be a hostage. For the Cui family, I am too weak. I even suspect that he might send someone to kill me today and blame it on the Empress Dowager, making it known to the world.”

Lin Kunshan shook his head with a smile, “Your Majesty is overthinking. No one knows what’s on people’s minds, and even my mentor, with his powerful divination skills, can only glimpse a little. Cui Hong is in the dark about many things. As Your Majesty mentioned, Cui Hong is pushing you forward to see how the world reacts. Before that, he is reluctant to kill you.”

“Do you have a way to persuade Cui Hong to hand over Prince Donghai?”

“Cui Hong trusts the fate seers, but of course, I will have to give him some assurance. The martial arts experts previously used to protect Your Majesty will now be used to protect Prince Donghai. But please believe, Your Majesty, these martial arts experts, like the fate seers, truly support you. Once Prince Donghai is in power, the one who benefits the most would the Cui family. We may only receive some rewards, but Your Majesty is different.”

Lin Kunshan stopped there, just smiling. Han Ruzi had nothing. If they could assist him in reclaiming the throne, their merits and contributions would be far greater. Han Ruzi chuckled, “As long as the fate seers are genuine, I am willing to share the world with all of you.”

Lin Kunshan burst into laughter several times, suddenly stopping, “For bigger matters, we’ll wait for my mentor’s return to the Capital. He will handle that discussion. I’ll only do what’s within my duties. When enough people have gathered here, I’ll go meet Cui Hong.”

“No need to wait. I can handle things here. Mr. Lin, please leave immediately.”

“Your Majesty doesn’t need to be too anxious.”

“I must be anxious. Without seeing Prince Donghai, my heart is unsettled, and I don’t want to do anything.”

Lin Kunshan laughed again, “Alright, since Your Majesty has ordered so, I must comply. Today’s newcomers are quite complicated. Your Majesty, please be cautious in all matters. At the latest, before dawn tomorrow, I will bring back Prince Donghai.”

The fate seer took his leave.

Han Ruzi didn’t trust the Cui family, and the fate seers even less. He dismissed Lin Kunshan, intending to carry out his “secret plan.”

After much thought, Han Ruzi couldn’t see a way to win in this mutually exploitative “game.” He was too alone, too isolated, with no one he could truly rely on. He had to find a few genuinely trustworthy individuals, even if it meant taking risks.

His first choice for a trustworthy person was Yang Feng. However, Yang Feng served as the Adjutant of the Northern Army. If he rebelled in the southern part of the Capital, there would be an entire city between them.

He needed to find another trustworthy person to contact Yang Feng. This was what he had to do after dismissing Lin Kunshan.

Several groups of newcomers arrived, with the largest group being a band of bandits gathered from the mountains and forests.

If someone had told Han Ruzi two days ago that there were bandits within dozens of miles outside the Capital, he would find it hard to believe. Now, he was about to witness it firsthand.

These new bandits were different from those forced into banditry in Riverside Village. Regardless of whether the world was at peace or in turmoil, no matter how tight the government’s control was, they persisted in their trade.

These professional bandits were audacious, laughing at the sight of the blood-stained battle flag. Upon entering the village, they demanded to see the emperor and ordered the villagers to bring out wine and meat. Though they were not numerous, only forty to fifty people, they held real weapons—swords, spears, axes—intimidating a large group of people.

Lin Kunshan left, and the responsibility of organizing fell to the Chao family. They prohibited these people from meeting the “Emperor.”

However, Han Ruzi decided to summon them. He first called a dozen people to act as temporary guards—strong and robust individuals who had been quite active the previous night. Even though they did not comply with proper decorum towards the emperor, this was due to their simple and uncultured nature and not understanding proper etiquette. This was different from the arrogance of the bandits.

Han Ruzi gave them some instructions, and Chao Hua was sent to summon the bandits.

Three bandit leaders were brought into the small courtyard of the Chao family, with others waiting outside. The righteous individuals who had arrived earlier also gathered, facing off with the bandits. There was a mutual lack of acceptance between the two groups.

Han Ruzi sat on a long bench in front of the door. In the room behind him, members of the Jin family were engaged in a quiet argument, which soon completely disappeared.

The leader of the bandits was not tall but robust, with a fierce appearance and disheveled hair. He carried a large axe on his shoulder and stood before the “Emperor” without kneeling. He looked up and down, and the two deputy leaders were similarly unruly, wielding long knives and surveying the surroundings. Despite their small number, they showed no fear. They were accustomed to the villagers’ submission and had often robbed villages with populations many times over.

“Are you the Emperor?” the leader asked.

“I am. May I know the name of this distinguished hero?” Han Ruzi replied.

“Haha, did you hear that? The Emperor called me a hero. The name’s is Duan Wanshan…” A murmur of surprise echoed outside the courtyard as Duan Wanshan became more pleased. “So, I still have some fame. Emperor, you have heard of me?”

Han Ruzi shook his head.

Duan Wanshan’s face darkened slightly. “I’ve been a force in the southern part of the Capital for seven or eight years. I’ve fought numerous battles, big and small, against the military. I’ve never lost. I heard there’s an Emperor here who needs help, so I came to take a look. If the reward is generous, we’ll stay and help, maybe become a general. If there’s no reward, we’ll stick to our old ways.”

“The reward comes after the task is completed, and it will be substantial.”

“Haha, I’m not interested in imaginary rewards.”

“Well, there’s nothing I can do then. Leave if you wish.”

However, Duan Wanshan didn’t leave. “Leaving is fine, but we can’t have come here for nothing. We need to take something with us.”

Duan Wanshan took the giant axe off his shoulder, gripped the handle with both hands, and weighed it. “Are you truly the Emperor? How much is your head worth?”

“It’s hard to say. It depends on who you’re selling it to.”

“Haha, this kid has some courage. Whoever offers the highest price gets it.” Duan Wanshan scanned the surroundings, addressing the Chao family and others, “Anyone want to compete with me?”

There were murmurs of discontent in the crowd. The two men behind Duan Wanshan raised their long knives, and dozens of lackeys outside the courtyard lightly brandished their weapons, intimidating the people around them. However, the people still stood between them and the bandit leaders.

The Chao family and the dozen temporary guards looked at the “Emperor,” waiting for his command.

After a while, Han Ruzi said, “No one in the world can offer a higher price than I can.”

“But I want an immediate payment. Can you do that?”

“I can.” Han Ruzi nodded, signaling to the temporary guards. They bent down and picked up the boat oars placed behind them. They pointed them at the bandit leaders, while protecting the Emperor.

Duan Wanshan was puzzled. “What’s going on? Are you planning to paddle a boat with me?”

Han Ruzi had learned this move from the eunuch Cai Xinghai and was about to give the order to attack when a voice behind him said, “Step aside.”

Han Ruzi leaned to the side, using his peripheral vision to see an arrow nocked on the bowstring.

Jin Chuiduo had just had an argument with her father and needed to vent her anger.

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