"The Crown Prince is hereby appointed as the Great General of the Northern Expedition. He is granted the golden seal of a general and command of three hundred thousand Wolf Troops. He shall depart on a set date and march towards Yunzhou."
This simple imperial edict held a subtle change in wording that only the most astute officials of the Great Ming would notice.
Previously, when Wanli had journeyed to Yunzhou, he had been granted the title of "Prince-General."
This time, he was merely a "Great General."
Although he still commanded three hundred thousand troops, the elite Wolf Troops of the southwest, Emperor Jiajing's treatment of Wanli was undeniably less favorable.
Had the Emperor's favor waned?
Or was this simply a chance for Wanli to redeem himself?
Within the Hall of Careful Living, Emperor Jiajing sat in meditation, while his loyal eunuch, Lü Fang, stood beside him.
"Lü Fang."
"Your servant is here."
Their conversations always began with the Emperor's summons.
"Have you heard? The Three Kingdoms Alliance in Yunzhou has made a new move."
"Your Majesty is referring to the three new generals?"
Lü Fang asked cautiously.
He noticed the Emperor's approving gaze and continued.
"Xiahou Mao, courtesy name Zilin, from Qiao County in Pei Commandery.
He is the son of Xiahou Dun, a renowned Wei general. He currently serves as General Who Pacifies the West. He holds the rank of marquis.
Xiahou Mao achieved fame at a young age. He is incredibly talented. He has reached the first rank of the Unity Realm. He wields the divine sword, Qinggang. He has defeated seven opponents of higher cultivation!"
"Zhuge Ke, courtesy name Yuanxun, from Yangdu in Langya Commandery.
He is the eldest son of Zhuge Jin, the Wu Grand General. He is the nephew of Zhuge Liang, the Han Chancellor. He was a renowned child prodigy. At the age of twenty, he was already serving as an Assistant Commandant.
Zhuge Ke wields the divine sword, Guding. He has defeated six opponents of higher cultivation."
Lü Fang paused, his expression grave. He seemed to be remembering a legendary figure, a terrifying existence. He continued, his voice deep and solemn.
"Ma Su, courtesy name Youchang, from Yicheng in Xiangyang Commandery.
He served the Han Dynasty as Magistrate of Mianzhu, Magistrate of Chengdu, Governor of Yuexi, and Military Advisor.
He comes from a prominent family. He is a brilliant military strategist. He was also a disciple of Zhuge Liang, the Han Chancellor.
Ma Su wields the divine spear, Dragon Gallant Silver Spear, a gift from Zhao Yun, the renowned Han general. He has defeated thirteen opponents of higher cultivation…"
Emperor Jiajing raised his hand, silencing Lü Fang.
"Excellent.
The Five Kingdoms have united against the Great Ming. And talented individuals are constantly emerging. Perhaps… my plans for unifying the land should be postponed?"
Lü Fang didn't understand the Emperor's intentions, but he knew he had to respond.
"Your Highness has achieved a breakthrough, reaching the first rank of the Great Vehicle Realm. He commands three hundred thousand Wolf Troops. Surely he has a good chance of defeating the Three Kingdoms Alliance?"
Jiajing nodded.
"A chance of victory, and a chance of defeat. In war, there are no guarantees."
Lü Fang was even more confused.
Did the Emperor want Wanli to succeed, or did he want him to fail?
"Lü Fang!"
Jiajing's voice boomed.
The old eunuch immediately knelt, his head bowed. "Your servant is here!"
"Tell me, Lü Fang.
If Wanli fails again at Yunzhou, if I strip him of his title, will the people still accuse me of persecuting him, of holding a grudge against his past life as King Jie?"
The eunuch was speechless.
Before he could answer, Jiajing continued.
"Or… if Wanli dies in Yunzhou, will the people suspect me… of using the Three Kingdoms Alliance to eliminate him?"
Thud!
Lü Fang collapsed to the ground, his forehead pressed against the floor. Sweat dripped from his face, his body trembling uncontrollably.
He couldn't answer those questions. He didn't dare answer them!
Even Yan Song and Xu Jie, the Grand Secretaries, wouldn't be able to offer a satisfactory response.
The most dangerous secrets in the world were the secrets of the imperial family.
…
In the imperial palace, within the Zhongcui Palace.
Crown Prince Wanli had come to see Consort Rou. It was an unusual request.
According to protocol, Consort Rou was Wanli's stepmother. And she was incredibly beautiful. For Wanli, a young and virile man, to visit her would surely invite gossip and speculation.
But the imperial harem wasn't a place governed by rules.
Protocol?
Ancestral traditions?
Laws?
They were all insignificant.
Since ancient times, only one thing truly mattered in the harem: the Emperor's favor.
Consort Rou, Xue Susu, enjoyed the Emperor's absolute favor. Despite her relatively low rank, she was the most powerful woman in the harem.
"Remember this."
Ah Chang addressed the maids and eunuchs of the Zhongcui Palace.
"Today, the Crown Prince didn't visit us. If a single word about his visit leaves this palace, you will all die."
She returned to the main hall.
The servants outside knelt, their breathing shallow, afraid to make a sound.
Report the Crown Prince's visit?
They wouldn't dare.
To betray their masters and achieve advancement through gossip?
Even the most ridiculous plays wouldn't dare depict such a thing!
Those who betrayed their masters would simply be silenced.
The servants scattered, afraid to remain near the main hall, worried that their presence might be misinterpreted and their lives forfeit.
"Why has the Crown Prince come to see me?"
Xue Susu, dressed in her finest palace attire, her demeanor elegant and graceful, was the picture of a favored consort.
Wanli smiled. He shook his head. "The Crown Prince of the Great Ming has no business with you. But Emperor Jie of Xia wishes to discuss a collaboration with the Painting Sage and the Archery Sage."
Xue Susu's demeanor changed instantly. Even Ah Chang was no longer an ordinary maidservant. Her gaze, sharp as an arrow, locked onto Wanli's vital points.
"You…" Xue Susu paused, then finally asked, "So the rumors are true. You are the reincarnation of King Jie?"
"I am the Emperor of Xia. Heaven and Earth can bear witness."
Within the Great Ming's imperial palace, the Crown Prince had declared himself the Emperor of Xia.
If word of this reached the outside world, even if Emperor Jiajing hadn't intended to depose Wanli, he would have no choice but to consider public opinion.
"Excellent."
Xue Susu believed him. She abandoned her consort persona. "Your Majesty has come to see us. Surely you intend to rebel against Emperor Jiajing?"
"Yes, and no."
Wanli stood tall, his confidence undeniable.
"I need to reestablish my authority within the Great Ming. The battle for Yunzhou City… I must lead the army.
Once I return victorious, I will require Empress Yao Guang's assistance to ascend the Great Ming throne."
Xue Susu's face paled. For the Crown Prince to ascend the throne meant the Emperor's death.
But Wanli had said he would require Yao Guang's assistance.
Did this mean he wanted her to kill Jiajing?
His plan aligned with Elder Sister's.
Negotiations were a game of give and take.
"Your Majesty's words are well-reasoned, but how does assisting you benefit my Elder Sister? The Great Ming, or even the Xia Dynasty, will never be a friend of Great Ci, will they?"
A simple truth:
Once Emperor Jiajing died, the Five Kingdoms Alliance would crumble.
Then, Great Chu, Great Ci, Great Han, Great Wei, and Great Wu would inevitably clash, each vying for control of the land!
"Hehehe…"
Wanli laughed, as if mocking Xue Susu's naivety.
"If five kingdoms can form an alliance, why not six?
I represent the Xia Dynasty. I propose an alliance between us and the Five Kingdoms. We will join forces to eliminate Emperor Jiajing. What do you say?"
The Xia Dynasty?
A kingdom that had perished ten thousand years ago. Was Wanli truly its sole representative?
It sounded ridiculous, but Xue Susu had to consider his proposal seriously. And her conclusion: she had no choice but to agree.
"I am empowered by Elder Sister to make decisions on behalf of Great Ci. I accept your proposal on behalf of the Great Ci Dynasty. Now, tell me, Your Majesty, what are your plans?"
Wanli seemed to have anticipated this outcome.
He smiled faintly. "I would like to borrow the Archery Sage. She will accompany me on my expedition."