CH 247: The Grand Tutor is Reassured

Shortly after daybreak, as Han Ruzi was racing to gather support from various Southern Army camps, Cui Hong received news that White Bridge Town had fallen.

Sixty thousand Southern Army troops set up camp on high ground a dozen miles from the Capital. Cui Hong had no intention of attacking the city – he merely wanted to exert tremendous pressure on the imperial court, especially to prevent the Empress Dowager and Shang-guan Sheng from acting rashly. More importantly, he wanted the new Emperor to understand the Southern Army’s significance. Therefore, the camp was extremely vast, with encampments connected one after another, stretching over three miles from east to west. They had even leveled a forest to make space.

From afar, outsiders would think the Southern Army had brought not just a hundred thousand troops but had received considerable reinforcements as well.

The civilians living outside the city were terrified. Families attempted to flee into the city for refuge, but the gates had long been closed and would not open for them. They had no choice but to return home, seal their doors, and pray to the gods.

Cui Hong sent troops to block all routes north of the capital, then waited calmly in the central command tent. He expected the court would send someone to negotiate and felt no urgency, until news from the rear shattered his composure.

When Cui Hong first heard the report, he refused to believe it. How could a mere few thousand Northern Army troops, separated from its main force at Mancang City by a hundred of miles, attack White Bridge Town? It would be suicide. He initially thought his son Cui Sheng’s poor military discipline had caused internal chaos in the Southern Army, which was mistaken for a Northern Army attack.

Soon, Cui Hong received more news that he found even more unbelievable – the Weary Marquis, who was supposed to have returned to the Capital, had appeared at White Bridge Town with an imperial edict!

Cui Hong detained all messengers and sent others to investigate. Then he summoned Zhang Youcai.

Though technically a prisoner, Zhang Youcai was treated well – unbound, with his own tent and four guards to bring him food and water. He couldn’t help thinking how nice it felt to be waited upon.

As soon as Zhang Youcai entered the central tent, Cui Hong slapped the desk. Guards on both sides shouted and thrust their spears forward, the tips pressing against Zhang’s clothes.

Caught off guard by this treatment, Zhang Youcai fell to his knees, face pale. “Spare me, Grand Tutor!” As a eunuch, it was natural for him to kowtow before the Grand Tutor, especially since the latter was the Weary Marquis’s father-in-law.

“Audacious servant! Tell me, where exactly is the Weary Marquis?” Cui Hong demanded.

Zhang Youcai replied bewilderedly, “He should… be in the city.”

“Did you personally see the Marquis enter the city?”

Zhang Youcai shook his head.

“Did you hear him say he was returning to the city?”

Zhang Youcai nodded.

“Then why are there rumors he’s appeared at White Bridge Town?”

“My master is at White Bridge Town?” Zhang Youcai was genuinely surprised. After thinking for a moment, he realized, “My master said he would return to the Capital, but he didn’t say when. Perhaps in a few days…”

Cui Hong flew into a rage and slammed the desk again, frightening Zhang Youcai into prostrating himself. He couldn’t even beg for mercy, only thinking to himself, “Master, Zhang Youcai has been loyal to you till death…”

Cui Hong waved his hand, signaling the guards to drag Zhang Youcai out. There was no point in killing this ignorant little eunuch.

After the guards withdrew, Cui Hong looked at Hua Bin.

“This news cannot reach the Capital,” said Hua Bin.

Still angry, Cui Hong replied harshly, “Of course. The messengers from White Bridge Town are all detained, and all routes to the Capital are blocked. But how long can we keep this secret? There are sixty thousand troops in camp – the news will spread eventually. Can you silence them all?”

Hua Bin smiled, “We don’t need to hide it for long. Within days, matters in the Capital will be settled. Prince Donghai will become Emperor, Grand Tutor will dominate the court, and the White Bridge Town rebellion can be quelled with a mere proclamation, without deploying a single soldier.”

Cui Hong frowned, “That fool Cui Sheng couldn’t even hold a small place like White Bridge Town. The Weary Marquis… sigh, our combined ages are several times his, yet how did he manage to fool us? We actually fell for his feint.”

“The Weary Marquis… has some skill,” said Hua Bin, who had encountered him once before and was deeply impressed. “Too bad he’s not Prince Donghai and doesn’t have the backing of the Cui clan. Everything in his hands is temporary. He can only seek advantages through tricks, but ultimately it will all be for nothing. He’s not worth fearing.”

“You make it sound so easy. Think of something – we can’t let him occupy White Bridge Town, not even for a day.”

“The Grand Tutor can’t send troops back – that would disturb morale and make the news spread faster.”

Cui Hong coldly snorted. He understood this reasoning perfectly, which was why he asked Hua Bin to think of a solution.

“There are dozens of Southern Army camps north of White Bridge Town. We only need a few to respond to retake it. At worst, Zhao Mengli from Windy Fort can defeat the Weary Marquis.”

Cui Hong trusted his loyal hound, but he didn’t want to be careless again. “We already lost White Bridge Town by underestimating the enemy. Let’s not underestimate the Weary Marquis again. What if he takes Windy Fort too and the Northern Army returns south in full force?”

Hua Bin smiled and shook his head, disbelieving this possibility. Seeing the Grand Tutor’s displeased expression, he replied, “Even if the Weary Marquis has heaven-defying abilities, he can’t make the Southern Army in White Bridge Town loyal to him overnight. I can send assassins to finish him – once he’s dead, the threat will naturally disappear.”

Cui Hong finally gave a slightly satisfied grunt, but his gaze didn’t waver. “Don’t wait. You gathered many extraordinary pugilists when you ruled over Cloud Dream Marsh – put them to use now.”

“I was merely a guest at Cloud Dream Marsh, not ruling over it,” Hua Bin quickly explained. He still wanted to return to court and absolutely didn’t want the reputation of “ruling over” anything. “Most of my people are in the city. I only have three with me, but these three have exceptional martial arts…”

“Bring back the Weary Marquis’s head and you can have whatever you want. If you can’t bring it back, don’t speak of these so called exceptional martial arts anymore.”

With White Bridge Town’s fall, Cui Hong felt equal parts anger and shock, and wasn’t so polite with Hua Bin anymore.

Even when Hua Bin was still Marquis Junyang, he couldn’t afford to offend the Cui clan, let alone now. “White Bridge Town isn’t far. Within three days, five at most, I’ll definitely bring back his head. Grand Tutor should focus on dealing with the Capital and not worry about the Weary Marquis.”

After Hua Bin left, Cui Hong’s anger hadn’t lessened at all. He wished he could have the Weary Marquis’s head that very day. As for his daughter Xiaojun’s feelings, he hadn’t given them a single thought.

That noon, Han Ruzi killed Zhao Mengli at Windy Fort, and Cui Hong received an official sent by the court.

Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng had always maintained good relations with the Cui clan, so he volunteered to leave the city for negotiations. But his first priority wasn’t to persuade Grand Tutor Cui to withdraw his troops – it was to clarify whom the Southern Army actually supported.

“The Capital is in complete chaos,” said Xiao Sheng, who left his deputy and attendants outside and entered the tent alone. This was extremely improper, but he didn’t care anymore. “Grand Tutor, your return comes at the perfect time. The court needs your strength.”

When the Cui clan had fallen from power, Xiao Sheng had switched allegiance to the Champion Marquis. Cui Hong was displeased about this but maintained a neutral expression, sighing, “I was forced by circumstances. I couldn’t bear to watch the court’s continued chaos. I fear people won’t understand my sincere intentions and will instead suspect me of ulterior motives.”

Xiao Sheng replied seriously, “Those who accomplish great things don’t count temporary gains and losses. Even if people misunderstand now, it will eventually fade away like smoke and clouds.”

Xiao Sheng flattered him to the best of his ability, and Cui Hong enjoyed it thoroughly until he grew somewhat tired of listening. “Let’s discuss the important matters,” he said.𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Xiao Sheng also felt it was about time. “To put it simply, the court exists in name only. All officials have shut their doors and stopped attending court. Shang-guan Sheng is now in charge.”

“Shang-guan Sheng is brave but lacks wisdom. He’s barely any better than Shang-guan Xu. What did he say?”

“Shangguan Sheng ordered the Grand Tutor to immediately withdraw troops to White Bridge Town and enter the city alone to accept punishment.”

Cui Hong snorted coldly. “What are Lord Xiao’s own thoughts?”

“It’s difficult for you to remain impartial. On one side is your nephew, on the other your son-in-law. The entire Capital wants to know which one the Grand Tutor prefers.”

“Which son-in-law is Lord Xiao referring to?” Cui Hong deliberately played dumb.

“The Champion Marquis, of course.” Xiao Sheng paused briefly. “The Weary Marquis has left the Capital and withdrawn from the succession dispute. Court matters no longer concern him.”

Cui Hong grunted in acknowledgment, knowing the news hadn’t leaked yet. He had made arrangements – the court envoys outside were under strict supervision and forbidden from speaking to anyone.

“As an elder, I naturally favor successful juniors. But having been away from the Capital so long, I’m out of touch. I don’t know which is more outstanding – my nephew or son-in-law?”

Hua Bin had been urging Cui Hong to support Prince Donghai, but Cui Hong was cautious. Knowing his nephew held grudges, he didn’t want to reveal his true stance until the last moment.

The question returned to Xiao Sheng, who smiled. “They each have their strengths.”

“Please elaborate.”

“Prince Donghai is clever, using the Weary Marquis to charge into battle and carve out territory. As for the Champion Marquis, he has considerable support from officials. Though he’s suffered two defeats, his position remains stable.”

They continued probing each other until Xiao Sheng grew more anxious and said, “To be frank, the Champion Marquis has a plan. He only wants to know one thing – if the plan succeeds, can he gain the Grand Tutor’s support?”

“Of course. He is my son-in-law after all. Besides, as the court’s Grand Tutor, I’m not qualified to choose the Emperor. I only hope the court can make a swift decision so the realm isn’t left without direction.”

“Your words are enough.”

Xiao Sheng took his leave contentedly, eager to bring the good news to the Champion Marquis. As for Shang-guan Sheng, he had his own explanation ready.

Cui Hong felt increasingly at ease. Through Hua Bin, he had expressed support for Prince Donghai, and through Xiao Sheng, he had gained the Champion Marquis’s trust. Regardless of the outcome, the Cui clan would be safe, and his position would be even more secure.

There was just one matter – the Weary Marquis’s capture of White Bridge Town left the Grand Tutor Cui restless and uneasy. By nightfall, he received news that the Weary Marquis had somehow won over tens of thousands of Southern Army troops around White Bridge Town, while Zhao Mengli’s situation remained unclear.

Cui Hong was furious and somewhat frightened. He summoned Hua Bin. “Have your men departed?”

“They should be near White Bridge Town by now. I heard the Weary Marquis went to Windy Fort. The three of them will travel through the night and act before dawn. If all goes well, they’ll return with news tomorrow night, along with his head.”

“Can just three men really infiltrate a military camp and take a head?”

“Not in a heavily guarded camp, but the Weary Marquis’s newly acquired Southern Army must have many vulnerabilities. They can’t stop the three I sent.”

“Prince Donghai and the Tan family will also act tonight?”

“Yes, we’ll have results by dawn.”

Cui Hong was truly reassured now. In just one night, he would return to the peak of power. Looking across the entire court, no one’s position would be more secure than his. “Good. Please rest, Lord Hua. We’ll await tomorrow morning’s news.”

After Hua Bin left, Cui Hong called a trusted commander and ordered him to guard Hua Bin’s tent. If the Champion Marquis won, they couldn’t keep Hua Bin, who supported Prince Donghai.

Cui Hong couldn’t sleep and sat up by candlelight.

At that same moment, various forces within the city stirred restlessly. Assassins headed north while Cui Sheng headed south, both galloping furiously on their way.