The Child Emperor

Chapter 159: Before the Chaos

Han Ruzi’s list recorded eleven “Chai clan members,” but twenty-three had gathered this day. Family ties could be cultivated, and some hoped to pass rigorous tests to gain the Chai family’s recognition and join one of the most powerful noble circles in the Capital.

Tonight’s task was such a test. Participants were proud, believing they were handling a “family matter.”

Since the Northern Protection General had reformed the noble camp, there had been no more nightly revelries. The camp quieted down soon after dark, just like any regular military camp.

Around the third watch, figures emerged silently from various barracks, converging on a single point, nodding to each other in greeting as they met.

They were going to see Xiao Bi.

Xiao Bi was the nephew of the Chief Censor of the Left, Xiao Sheng. Xiao Bi’s elder brother had married a woman from the Chai family, making the two families closely allied, and they were considered “one family.” Even though he didn’t share the surname Chai, he became the leader of these “Chai clan members.”

He silently counted the figures in the dark; all twenty-three invited were present, which pleased him. He whispered, “Let’s go.”

The group lined up in two columns, following Xiao Bi toward the camp gate, without swords or knives at their waists, resembling soldiers heading to the warehouse to collect equipment.

But they didn’t leave the camp. Instead, they stopped at the door of the first room on the right. The others stood against the wall while Xiao Bi raised his hand to knock.

“Who is it?” a voice called from inside.

“Xiao Bi. I have urgent business with Deputy General Chai.”

After a while, the door opened. Xiao Bi pushed in, and the others followed in single file. The person who opened the door was Chai Yue’s attendant, who was so frightened that he crouched in a corner without daring to shout. Another attendant, who did not live there, escaped this ordeal.

Chai Yue sat up in bed, wearing armor, his sword at hand.

The deputy general’s room was slightly larger, but it was still crowded when over twenty people entered. Xiao Bi stood at the bedside and clapped his hands lightly. Someone lit a small candle, brightening the room enough to see each other’s faces.

Xiao Bi looked at the man on the bed and said, “We didn’t bring weapons.”

Chai Yue hesitated and then moved the sword beside him.

“Have you made up your mind?” Xiao Bi asked.

Chai Yue hesitated again, “Can’t we wait until after the Xiongnu are annihilated?”

“It has nothing to do with the Xiongnu,” Xiao Bi said coldly. “This is to prove whether you are truly a member of the Chai family.”

“I bear the surname Chai,” Chai Yue, by blood, had more right to call himself a “Chai clan member” than most in the room.

“But you betrayed the Chai family and the princess Hengyang,” Xiao Bi said, leaning slightly closer, staring into Chai Yue’s eyes. “Everyone is here. Explain why you went to rescue the Weary Marquis ten days ago.”

“Cui Teng found me. Rescuing the commander is my duty.”

“And the duty to the Chai family? Were you not present when the princess swore vengeance?”

Chai Yue was speechless. After a while, he knelt on the bed, sincerely saying, “At that time, there were rampant rumors. But now it is clear: the one who killed Little Marquis Chai was the daughter of the Jin family, and it had nothing to do with the Northern Protection General. He was just present.”

“He just happened to escort the Jin siblings north, just happened to let them enter the steppes, and the Jin siblings just happened to lead the Xiongnu to attack the Chu empire. Chai Yue, we’ve made it clear: the Jin family are enemies, and so is the Weary Marquis.”

Chai Yue remained silent.

Xiao Bi took out a letter, “This arrived the day before yesterday, written by the princess. She doesn’t know yet that you saved the Weary Marquis but is already very angry because you seem determined to serve the Weary Marquis loyally.”

“This is a war between the Chu empire and the Xiongnu, not a time for the Chai family to seek personal revenge,” Chai Yue made a last attempt.

Xiao Bi sneered, handing over the letter. Chai Yue shook his head, not accepting it. He believed it was genuine and could guess what it said.

Xiao Bi put the letter away, “Enough nonsense. You have one more chance: come with us to attack the general’s residence, or use your sword to kill yourself and make amends to the princess. We will testify to your honor.”

“Attack the general’s residence?” Chai Yue’s first reaction wasn’t about his life but about the audacity of these “Chai clan members.”

“Do you think we won’t succeed?” Xiao Bi asked coldly.

“Since the assassination attempt, there are at least a hundred guards patrolling the general’s residence every night. It’s impossible; you can’t succeed.”

“Everyone says Chai Yue is good at assessing situations. How have you become so foolish? The Weary Marquis still thinks he’s an emperor, treating nobles like grass. He caused the deaths of several nobles on the mountain, bringing great trouble. News from Divine Hero Pass says General Feng Shili is coming to avenge his nephew. He’ll soon lead an army to Shattered Iron City. The Chai family is just taking revenge first. As for the guards at the general’s residence, we have ways to handle them.”

“You don’t share the surname Chai, so why get involved?”

Xiao Bi sneered. Someone behind him said, “Enough talk. Chai Yue, you don’t have the guts to exact revenge, do you also not have the guts to kill yourself in apology?”

Chai Yue sighed deeply, took his sword, and held it across his chest, drawing it. Xiao Bi and the others leaned back, fearing Chai Yue would fight desperately.

But Chai Yue had no such intention. Staring at his sword in the dim candlelight, he said, “I can kill myself, but please stop here. The Chu empire cannot endure more turmoil. We should unite against the Xiongnu…”

“Don’t excuse your cowardice,” Xiao Bi interrupted.

Chai Yue sighed again, held his breath, and was about to cut his throat when there was a knock at the door. He hesitated; the others were startled. The person at the door asked, “Who is it?”

“Chao Hua.”

Everyone was shocked. Chao Hua was the main general of the Northern Protection General’s personal army. They had generally kept out of one another’s way. His arrival couldn’t mean anything good.

Xiao Bi angrily said, “Chai Yue, did you betray us?”

Chai Yue looked confused, “It wasn’t me. Even if I didn’t care about my own life or the Chai family’s reputation, I wouldn’t abandon my mother and brother in the Capital.”

Because his mother and brother were still in the Chai residence back in the Capital, Chai Yue had no choice but to “apologize” with his life. Xiao Bi and the others dared to threaten him because of this.

“What do we do?” someone whispered.

“Kill Chai Yue and charge out.”

“Don’t be reckless. We aren’t fully gathered. Let’s ask what he wants.”

The person at the door tried to stay calm, asking, “General Chao, what brings you here?”

“Message from Divine Hero Pass. The Northern Protection General sent me to fetch Deputy General Chai to the general’s residence for a meeting. Hurry up; the matter is urgent.”

The twenty-some people in the room quietly discussed again.

“He’s lying. He’s not the usual messenger.”

“It’s the middle of the night. Maybe he’s on duty.”

“What do we do? Charge out now?”

“Can someone check if there are others outside?”

“It looks like…he’s alone.”

“Shh, keep quiet.”

The room fell silent. The knocking outside grew impatient, “Deputy General Chai, hurry up. The Northern Protection General is waiting.”

Xiao Bi raised his arms, signaling everyone to stay quiet, loudly saying, “Coming right away,” then whispered, “Let Chai Yue go to the general’s residence. We’ll contact the army officers and attack before dawn.”

Xiao Bi was the leader; no one opposed his decision. Even if someone had doubts, they kept silent.

Xiao Bi told Chai Yue, “Don’t talk too much, or else…”

“I’m willing to die; I won’t talk,” Chai Yue said.

Xiao Bi moved aside, signaling others to make way. He suddenly remembered the candle and hurriedly blew it out. He then realized it was unnecessary but it was too late to relight it.

Chai Yue, fully dressed, walked through the crowd, opened the door, and said to Chao Hua outside, “Thank you for waiting, General Chao.”

Chao Hua stood a few steps away, coldly saying, “I can wait. It is the Northern Protection General who should not be kept waiting.”

One was a noble deputy general, the other a fisherman-turned-leader. There was no friendship between them.

Chao Hua led the way outside, casually asking, “What’s going on? No one guarding the noble camp?”

“They’re probably hiding somewhere to rest. I’ll investigate in the morning and see who’s on duty,” Chai Yue had to cover for those inside.

His quarters were near the camp gate, just a few steps away. As he stepped out, he froze.

The street was filled with soldiers, looking like the Northern Protection General’s troops.

Chai Yue hesitated, wondering if he should warn Xiao Bi and the others.

Chao Hua made the decision for him. He pushed Chai Yue on the shoulder, saying, “Move quickly. The Northern Protection General is already impatient.”

Half-pushed, half-willing, Chai Yue walked toward the general’s residence, but anxiety gnawed at him. His actions now betrayed the Chai family, albeit under coercion. Lady Hengyang wouldn’t care about that; she wouldn’t spare him, his mother, or his brother back in the Capital.

“I can’t meet the Northern Protection General’s,” Chai Yue turned and bolted toward the noble camp, drawing his sword. Not for self-defense, but to die in front of Xiao Bi and the others, to protect his mother and brother.

Without a word, Chao Hua charged, tackling Chai Yue to the ground. Several soldiers rushed forward, disarming him and dragging him swiftly toward the general’s residence.

Chao Hua didn’t follow but signaled with hand gestures. The soldiers, armed with swords and spears, entered the unguarded noble camp.

Chai Yue was brought into the main hall of the general’s residence. An oil lamp burned inside, casting light on the gathered officers and soldiers. Prince Donghai and Cui Teng were among them, with the Northern Protection General seated at the head. Han Ruzi spoke, “The Chu empire or the Chai family, you must choose.”

Kneeling, drenched in sweat, Chai Yue pleaded, “My mother and brother are in the Chai residence in the Capital…”

Han Ruzi leaned forward, “If you die, they remain at risk. Alive, you have a chance to achieve merit, be ennobled, and save them. Chai Yue, the world is about to fall into chaos. Will you protect your country or your clan? Decide now.”

“Chaos?” Chai Yue didn’t understand.

Han Ruzi held a government document. He had already planned to capture the “Chai clan members” but this document was unexpected. “Rebellion has erupted in many counties around the Capital. The Grand General orders Shattered Iron City to march immediately to eliminate the Xiongnu and then return to quell the unrest.”

The autumn chaos predicted by the fate seer Lin Kunshan had indeed come to pass.

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