The Child Emperor-Chapter 324: A Rash Man and a Hot-Tempered Man

The Xiongnu had come to show off again. They had annihilated a Chu army unit that had rushed to rescue the emperor, and were now using horses to drag the corpses back and forth outside the city walls while letting out continuous howls from their mouths.

This act had no practical significance and was purely meant to display their cruelty to prey with no escape route.

The Chu soldiers defending the city could not bear to watch and turned away one after another. Several officers went to report to the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Deng Cui, dressed in casual clothes, received them and said, “Reinforcements should be arriving soon. It’s nothing. They were rather reckless at first, but after suffering a few more losses, they’ll become more cautious.”

The generals were stunned. Fan Zhuangshan could not help but say, “Are we just going to watch like this and do nothing?”

“What can we do?” Deng Cui asked, gesturing for a maidservant behind him to massage his shoulders.

“Well… launch another surprise attack?”

“The Xiongnu aren’t fools. How could they fall for surprise attacks every time? They moved their camp back three miles precisely to deal with such tactics.”

Moving the camp back meant that after the Chu army left the city, the round-trip distance would be longer, making it easier for the surrounding Xiongnu to cut them off. All the officers understood this principle, but found it difficult to accept simply remaining inactive.

“His Majesty entrusted the important task of defending the city to you, yet your strategy is to sit and await death?” Although he had fought a victorious battle alongside Deng Cui, Fan Zhuangshan still did not quite trust this man.

Deng Cui thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly right.”

Fan Zhuangshan flew into a rage. He turned to look at the other officers, but they all hung their heads in silence. Only he dared to speak. “If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be the same no matter who served as General of Chariots and Cavalry? Why did it have to be you?”

Deng Cui showed no signs of anger and still thought seriously for a moment. He pointed the maidservant to the other shoulder, then said, “It’s not the same. While we’re both sitting and awaiting death, I’m more composed. Even if I die, my posture will look better. If it were any of you, you’d inevitably thrash about, still unable to break through, and die in an ugly manner. You’ve all seen how the Xiongnu don’t show much respect for the dead.”

Deng Cui actually smiled. Fan Zhuangshan was furious beyond measure. If not for the difference in rank, he could have strangled this pretty boy with his bare hands. “You are unworthy of being a great general! I’m going to see His Majesty right now…”

Fan Zhuangshan remembered that the emperor was currently ill and should not be disturbed with such matters.

Deng Cui yawned indifferently. “I advise you to avoid stirring up trouble. The situation is clear. Jincheng City hasn’t been breached not because of you or me, not because of the few thousand Chu troops, and certainly not because of the city’s population, but because the Xiongnu, after weighing their options, decided it was more profitable to use the emperor as bait to lure reinforcements from various parts of Great Chu. Now that reinforcements have taken the bait, it means Jincheng City can hold out a while longer. It’s regrettable that the reinforcements were annihilated, and it’s cruel that the Xiongnu are dragging corpses, but for Jincheng City, this is good news.”

Fan Zhuangshan was so angry he nearly spat blood, yet he could not refute the other’s words. He could only turn and leave without even bothering to bid farewell.

Deng Cui closed his eyes to rest, showing indifference to the farewells of others.

Fan Zhuangshan wandered around half the city. The streets were very quiet, with civilians hiding in their homes, afraid to come out. Most soldiers were stationed at the city walls, and even this arrangement was the result of the officers acting on their own initiative. The General of Chariots and Cavalry Deng Cui had not issued any orders whatsoever.

Fan Zhuangshan wanted to lead his troops out for a battle, but without permission from the emperor or Deng Cui, the city gates would not open. Moreover, he knew this battle would surely end in defeat and would not lift the siege of Jincheng City.

Deng Cui was right. The reason Jincheng City still stood was that the Xiongnu were not seriously attacking the city. But Fan Zhuangshan simply could not tolerate the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s indifferent attitude toward the entire situation.

“As a general, shouldn’t one wholeheartedly share His Majesty’s worries?” Fan Zhuangshan shouted loudly. The few guards behind him nodded, not understanding what he meant.

Fan Zhuangshan still went to the prince’s residence, but the person he wanted to see was not the ailing emperor.

Cui Teng was not there. An attendant received the guest. Fan Zhuangshan sat in the reception hall waiting, and no matter how the attendant hinted, he refused to leave.

It was not until after dark when the lamps were lit that Cui Teng returned. Upon seeing Fan Zhuangshan, he could not help but be startled. “General Fan? What an unexpected guest.”

One was a fierce general trusted by the emperor, the other was a confidant by the emperor’s side. They had often met before, but had no private dealings.

Fan Zhuangshan stood up and, without ceremony, cupped his hands and said, “I have something I want to discuss with Young Master Cui.”

“Me?” Cui Teng was even more surprised. Though he usually thought highly of himself, in front of a real general, he had some self-awareness. “If it’s about warfare, I can’t be of any help.”

“It’s related, but not about fighting.” Fan Zhuangshan stepped forward. “His Majesty trusts you greatly, doesn’t he?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

“You’re His Majesty’s brother-in-law. I heard that when Grand General Cui supported someone else for emperor, you would rather be unfilial than betray His Majesty.”

These were all facts, but no normal official would speak them in front of a member of the Cui clan. Cui Teng became even more embarrassed and said stiffly, “General Fan, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to beat around the bush.”

“His Majesty is bedridden, and the army and people of Jincheng have lost their backbone…”

“Isn’t there the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Deng Cui?”

“That’s exactly the problem.” Fan Zhuangshan said angrily, “I’m not good with words, but you must tell His Majesty to be careful. Deng Cui isn’t putting his heart into defending the city.”

Cui Teng was shocked. “What? Deng Cui wants to defect to the enemy?”

Fan Zhuangshan was stunned, feeling like he hadn’t said anything of the sort, but upon reflection, he thought it made sense. “It’s possible. He’s resting comfortably at home, doesn’t inspect the city walls, doesn’t arrange defenses. When a relief force outside was annihilated by the Xiongnu, he remained unmoved. Clearly he’s found himself an escape route!”

“How dare he! Deng Cui actually dares to do such a thing! I’ll go see His Majesty right away. I just came back from there.”

These two men, one rash and one hot-tempered, had condemned Deng Cui for treason in just a few words and were about to set off in righteous fury. Fan Zhuangshan finally remembered his original reason for seeking out Cui Teng and reminded him, “You need to be careful with your words. Don’t make His Majesty angry and worsen his condition. I came to you because I thought you were good with words.”

“You think I’m good with words?” Cui Teng was surrounded by many flatterers, but no one had ever praised him for being “good with words.”

Fan Zhuangshan nodded. He actually didn’t know much about Cui Teng, only that he was a young master from the Cui clan who was deeply trusted by the emperor. “Favored people should all be good with words. Otherwise, how would you have won His Majesty’s favor?”

If anyone else had said this, Cui Teng would have been furious immediately, but Fan Zhuangshan spoke without malice. Cui Teng thought it over and decided to take the comment as praise, which actually calmed him down. “Good with words… you shouldn’t be looking for me. You should find Prince Donghai.”

“Him? Prince Donghai once competed with His Majesty for the throne. Can he be trusted?”

“That was in the past. He’s very well-behaved now. Come on, let’s go find him together. He can definitely manage not to anger His Majesty while explaining things clearly.”

Prince Donghai lived in the courtyard next to Cui Teng’s. After hearing the two men’s “accusations” against Deng Cui, he asked, “What have you heard? Or what have you seen?”

Fan Zhuangshan was taken aback. “Isn’t this obvious? It’s not just me—the things I mentioned, other generals have seen them too. You can ask and find out.”

“Right, but who would ‘obviously’ betray the emperor? No matter how incompetent Deng Cui is, he’s still a great general of Chu. If he wanted to betray, he would either secretly escape from Jincheng or rally others to rebel directly in the city. What kind of betrayal involves spending every day at home with his wives, concubines, and servants?”

The two men were speechless. Cui Teng said dissatisfiedly, “It’s all your fault for coming here with wild accusations without getting the facts straight.”

Fan Zhuangshan scratched his forehead, remembering that he had originally just wanted to use Cui Teng to remind the emperor to be wary of Deng Cui, or perhaps replace him to reorganize the city’s defenses. How had it suddenly turned into accusing Deng Cui of treason? Even he didn’t believe such a thing.

“Uh, sorry…” Fan Zhuangshan left in embarrassment.

“Brave but lacking strategy—but then again, he is a fierce general.” Prince Donghai looked at Cui Teng. “You’re confused too. How could you just listen to his nonsense?”

“I was just… you should rest. I’m going back to sleep.” Cui Teng turned to leave.

“Wait, I was just looking for you.”

“What about?”

“Don’t play dumb. Yesterday you went to see Sister Cui Zhao, and you’ve been avoiding me ever since you came back. Today you were absent-minded in front of His Majesty. Something’s definitely up. You always claim to be a loyal subject—now prove it to me.”

Cui Teng’s face reddened. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Then you have to promise not to spread it around.”

“Am I that kind of person?” Prince Donghai thought to himself. He wouldn’t speak carelessly—he would only speak with purpose.

“The Zhang father and daughter are aphrodisiac musicians.”

“Mm, I know.”

Cui Teng was startled and dared not hide anything further. “They were bought by Marchioness Ping’en to present Third Sister to His Majesty…”

“Heh.” Prince Donghai let out a cold laugh. “Continue.”

“But Master Zhang said His Majesty seems to be practicing some special martial art that resists musical sounds, which is why he falls ill.”

“His Majesty was clearly poisoned!” Prince Donghai didn’t believe musical sounds could have such miraculous effects.

“Marchioness Ping’en didn’t know His Majesty was poisoned. When I told her, she was very shocked and said she would have Master Zhang come explain to me tonight.”

“Which ‘Master Zhang’? The father or the daughter?”

“Marchioness Ping’en didn’t say.”

“I know who you’re hoping will come. You’re not planning to invite me, are you?”

“Uh, after the meeting I’ll come tell you about it.”

“Fool, the mute musician can’t speak—how would she explain to you? It’s definitely going to be Zhang Zhuhe who comes.”

Cui Teng was greatly disappointed. He had only paid attention to the musician girl’s eyes and had long forgotten she couldn’t speak. “She could use hand gestures—I’d understand.”

“Then go back and wait. Control yourself and don’t frighten the old man.”

Cui Teng chuckled twice and turned to leave, still harboring a thread of hope in his heart that the person who came would be Zhang Qinyan. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Prince Donghai had eaten at the Emperor’s place. He called for servants, washed up, and prepared to rest. Regardless of who went to see Cui Teng, he probably wouldn’t come tell Prince Donghai about it tonight.

The Emperor’s illness seemed to be getting worse. Prince Donghai couldn’t help thinking—if he could return to the Capital right now…

He dismissed this unrealistic fantasy and went to bed.

After tossing and turning for over an hour, just as he was about to fall asleep, Prince Donghai was awakened by sounds outside.

Fan Zhuangshan had returned and insisted on seeing Prince Donghai.

Prince Donghai threw on his outer robe and walked to the door, saying somewhat unhappily, “Does General Fan have business?”

Fan Zhuangshan pushed past the servants and walked up to Prince Donghai in a few steps. “I’ve found evidence.”

“What evidence?” Prince Donghai wasn’t fully awake yet.

“Evidence of Deng Cui’s treason.” Fan Zhuangshan said with certainty. “Tonight he’s sending people out of the city to contact the Xiongnu. I’m about to go arrest them and catch them red-handed.”

Prince Donghai was deeply surprised. Just as he was about to say things couldn’t be so simple, Cui Teng actually arrived as well, his footsteps hurried. He ran to the door and said breathlessly, “It’s Meng E. Zhang Zhuhe said it’s definitely Meng E who did the poisoning.”

Cui Teng and Fan Zhuangshan looked at each other, neither having expected to see the other at this moment.

Prince Donghai raised an eyebrow. This was a rare situation: he held knowledge of two conspiracies while the Emperor remained completely in the dark.

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