The Child Emperor

Han Ruzi had never felt so nervous before. Despite being surrounded by thousands of people, their allegiance was uncertain. They could become powerful allies or suddenly turn against him with weapons raised. The outcome might hinge on a single word, a single action, a single sound, or even a single snowflake…

Han Ruzi looked at the three corpses on the ground, unsure of what to say first.

Inside the central military tent, a dozen generals slowly emerged. They had previously hidden in the furthest corners out of fear of those who wanted to avenge Chai Zhi, and only now dared to show themselves.

Liu Kunsheng, the Captain of the Northern Army, hesitated repeatedly. When he made eye contact with the Northern Protection General, he knelt down for the second time. The young man had appeared at the most unexpected moment.

The other generals also knelt, even those who had previously supported Chai Zhi.

Han Ruzi accepted their kneeling calmly, not asking them to rise as he usually did. He turned around, removed his cloak, and began to take off his armor. Cai Xinghai had already dismounted and stood by, stepping forward to help the Northern Protection General remove his armor.

Han Ruzi’s movements were slow, and no one knew what he was doing. Liu Kunsheng and the others glanced at his back and quickly lowered their heads again.

Chai Yue led a group of people over and knelt on either side of the Northern Protection General. Han Ruzi still said nothing, nor did he ask the generals to rise, continuing to remove his armor piece by piece.

The surrounding soldiers were initially confused but gradually felt fear. Drawing weapons in front of the central tent was a capital offense, and disturbing the army’s morale in the face of the enemy was even more unforgivable.

“It was Prince Donghai…” someone shouted, trying to justify their actions, but stopped mid-sentence, feeling even more fearful.

Han Ruzi didn’t know what he was doing either. He just wanted to attract attention and buy time. When he had removed all his outer armor and was about to speak, a voice suddenly rang out nearby, “Safe… safe!”

The sentry at the tent entrance was still dutifully on guard. The voice from across the river was not loud, but it seemed abrupt to those near the central tent. After shouting, the sentry stood tall, looking straight ahead.

This shout had a far greater impact than he had imagined, significantly reducing the fear among the soldiers in front of the central tent. Finally, someone shouted, “Prince Donghai’s followers Provost Marshal Chai! We are avenging him!”

Han Ruzi waved his hand, ordering Cai Xinghai’s soldiers to retreat, facing the troublemakers directly.

He took a few steps closer to them. Chai Yue, Cai Xinghai, and others were taken aback, not having received any hint, and did not dare to follow. Only Meng E, disguised as an ordinary soldier, followed closely behind.

“We just want revenge…” said an officer closest to the Northern Protection General, nervously.

“I am here,” Han Ruzi stopped within five steps of the man. “Without armor, without weapons. If you want revenge, strike now.”

The officer became even more nervous, shaking his head hastily. “It was Prince Donghai’s followers…” He realized he was holding a knife and quickly threw it to the ground. “It was Prince Donghai’s followers…”

“Prince Donghai is my brother,” Han Ruzi preferred to reveal this himself rather than let someone else do it later. He raised his voice, “How many descendants of the Han family are here?”

Some people lowered their heads in shame. Indeed, the Northern Army had many members of the imperial clan, the highest-ranking being Right General Han Tong, who was also kneeling in front of the central tent with the others, beside the three corpses.

“How many of you are imperial relatives or descendants of meritorious families?”

More people lowered their heads. The Northern Army had many noble descendants, especially in front of the central tent.

Words alone couldn’t quell the dissatisfaction in their hearts. Han Ruzi finally thought of a way: only one thing could make the soldiers temporarily abandon their disputes and conflicts—facing a common enemy.

Han Ruzi pointed north. Snowflakes were still falling, obstructing the view, making the distant horizon even more mysterious.

“A hundred thousand Xiongnu soldiers are waiting on the other side, another hundred thousand have already attacked the city of Mayi, waiting for the orders of the Great Chanyu to storm the city. More Xiongnu are hidden in the north, ready to support at any time.” Han Ruzi doubled the number of Xiongnu attacking Mayi, making it sound more intimidating.

As expected, everyone was shocked by these words. The main reason the generals dared to cause trouble was the “great merit” waiting on the other side. If the Xiongnu were stronger than expected and the Chu army had no certainty of victory, their actions would not be “foolishness” but “serious crimes.”

“You are soldiers of Great Chu, elites of Great Chu. Facing a strong enemy, if you fall into chaos before even fighting, how will you return?” Han Ruzi walked among the crowd, and the soldiers stepped aside, dropping their weapons.

Han Ruzi climbed to the highest point, looking north. “The Eastern and Western Xiongnu have united, but the Chu army is divided. Even if you don’t care about Great Chu’s survival, don’t you care about your own lives?”

These words were a bit harsh. Most of the soldiers were from noble families, more afraid of being labeled “disloyal” than military law. More and more people knelt, and eventually, everyone knelt, shouting for battle.

Han Ruzi felt slightly relieved. He walked to the central tent and gave his first order: to move the three corpses inside the tent. Then he had all the senior generals form a circle around him to discuss military affairs in front of everyone.

Only then did Chai Yue have a chance to remind the Northern Protection General that Prince Donghai had taken the Grand Marshal’s seal.

“The seal is not important,” Han Ruzi had to downplay the impact of this matter. Otherwise, it could trigger another chaos. He didn’t even immediately send someone to chase Prince Donghai, treating the Grand Marshal’s seal as nothing. “Captain Liu will continue to command the Northern Army.”

Liu Kunsheng felt deeply ashamed. “I am incompetent and unworthy of this responsibility.” He then tried to kneel again.

This time, Han Ruzi stopped him. “I allow you to atone for your sins with meritorious service. Gather the whole army and take a defensive stance. Without my order, no one is to cross the river.”

A general asked in surprise, “Are we not fighting the Xiongnu?”

“At least not today,” Han Ruzi had just quelled the disturbance, and the Chu army’s stability was still fragile. It was impossible to fight the Xiongnu at this time. “Right General Feng and Left General Tong will assist Captain Liu in escorting the central tent back to Shattered Iron City. General Chai will stay at the front line…”

Han Ruzi issued several orders in succession, finally saying, “I must return to negotiate with the Great Chanyu.”

This decision surprised and shocked everyone even more than the Northern Protection General’s solo return to camp.

“Northern Protection General, you must not…” Liu Kunsheng and others did not want the Northern Protection General to leave at this time. None of them had the confidence to control the entire army.

Han Ruzi waved his hand to stop their persuasion. “You have your duties, and I have mine. No matter what happens during the negotiation, whether I return or not, the Chu army must not cross the river today. Understood?”

Liu Kunsheng and the others looked at each other and finally nodded in agreement.

Having lost the Grand Marshal’s seal, Liu Kunsheng and the Left and Right Generals had to personally deliver the orders. Han Ruzi left Chai Yue behind and said in a low voice, “Try to keep as many soldiers at the front line as possible. That is your duty.”

Chai Yue nodded but still felt uneasy. “Are you really going back to negotiate?”

“The generals are not united, and the ranks are divided. Do you think this battle can still be fought?”

Chai Yue was silent. After receiving five thousand reinforcements, the Chu army’s combat effectiveness had actually declined, making it unsuitable for launching an attack.

Cai Xinghai, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward and said, “I will escort the Northern Protection General back…”

Han Ruzi shook his head. “It must be me alone. Cai Xinghai, take a hundred men and head to Divine Hero Pass immediately. Write a letter to the Grand General, warning him of the danger to Mayi City. Also, if possible, persuade Prince Donghai to return.”

Cai Xinghai accepted the order and left. Han Ruzi then said to Chai Yue, “Across the river is the Xiongnu army. The Chu army now has no Grand Marshal seal and no true commander. You have proven your ability. Now you must secure your position.”

“Me?” Chai Yue felt deeply uneasy.

“If I don’t return, the Chu army will need a great general. If I return safely, I will need a capable assistant. Chai Yue, if you want to achieve great success, this is your best opportunity.”

Chai Yue blushed, not knowing what to say.

Han Ruzi motioned for his horse to be brought over, mounted it, glanced at Meng E, nodded to her, and slowly rode towards the river bend.

The soldiers had heard that the Northern Protection General was going back to negotiate with the Xiongnu and were puzzled. Gradually, someone provided an explanation: “The Chu army is in turmoil and cannot fight the Xiongnu. The Northern Protection General has to negotiate to protect the Chu soldiers by stalling the Xiongnu.”

This explanation convinced many and made them feel deeply ashamed.

Chai Yue stood dazed for a while. Meng E stepped forward and said, “General Chai.”

Chai Yue snapped back to reality and summoned a group of officers from Shattered Iron City, assigning tasks. “The Xiongnu’s attitude towards the Northern Protection General depends on the strength of the Chu army. The Chu army must withdraw to the south bank and reorganize for further battle.”

Chai Yue slightly modified the Northern Protection General’s words, not mentioning the internal strife or the weaker strength of the Chu army, nor the withdrawal and taking of a defensive posture. He admired the Northern Protection General but had his own ideas about commanding the army.

In Chai Yue’s orders, the retreat of the ten thousand Chu soldiers at the front seemed more like preparation for a new offensive.

He then led a dozen officers to Liu Kunsheng and the others, who were slowly directing the soldiers to carry out the bodies and dismantle the central tent.

Chai Yue approached Liu Kunsheng and cupped his hands. “The central tent is returning to the city. Please leave the Northern Army soldiers at the front line.”

“All of them?” Liu Kunsheng asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

“Northern Protection General made it clear that we are not to cross the river today,” said Right General Feng Shili.

“Precisely because we are not crossing the river today, we must make a show of readiness to fight, so the Xiongnu won’t dare act rashly. I will immediately have all bridges constructed, and the entire army will gather at the riverbank.”

Liu Kunsheng was dumbfounded. “Aren’t you… forcing the Xiongnu to attack the Northern Protection General?”

“On the contrary, the Xiongnu proposed negotiations because they saw the Chu army as strong. The weaker we appear, the worse it will be for the Northern Protection General.”

Liu Kunsheng was speechless. Feng Shili and Han Tong scrutinized Chai Yue, not understanding why this young noble had suddenly become so assertive.

“The Northern Protection General appointed me to command the front line,” Chai Yue said.

Feng Shili snorted and was about to speak when Liu Kunsheng said, “Do as General Chai says.”

Liu Kunsheng realized he was not the Northern Protection General’s confidant and lacked the ability to command the entire army. Giving power to Chai Yue might be a better choice.

Having just experienced chaos, the Left and Right Generals did not want to oppose the Northern Army Captain.

As the tent was being dismantled, Chai Yue escorted the Northern Army Captain and the Left and Right Generals back to the city. Along the way, he issued orders to the various camp leaders below, instructing them to obey General Chai’s commands.

Liu Kunsheng became the living Grand Marshal’s seal.

Across the river, Han Ruzi, now without armor, was galloping back to the negotiation tent.

The Xiongnu sentries had already detected something unusual and relayed messages back. The orders they received were to ignore it, as the Great Chanyu saw it as the Northern Protection General’s “promise of retreat.”

Han Ruzi returned to the original site without incident but couldn’t enter immediately. A Xiongnu went in to report, and only after receiving the Great Chanyu’s permission was the strange soldier allowed inside.

Inside the tent, the Great Chanyu and Fang Daye had also removed their armor and were drinking and feasting.

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