Chapter 1515 - 817: Dare to Kill the Crown Prince (Double-Length)

On the seventh day of February, people came and went, drums and gongs were loud, and thus a bird startled from the alley without anyone noticing.

Its wings pierced through clouds and mist, flying over streets and alleys, over thirty squares, only landing when it reached Wuding Square.

The plaque bore the large characters "Han Prince Mansion."

A guard dressed in tough clothes reached out to catch the bird. The bird landed steadily and pecked his palm, indicating it wanted food, but the guard unhurriedly took out the note tied to its leg, and upon seeing it, his face changed instantly. He threw the bird aside and turned away, even forgetting to feed it.

The guard passed through the long corridor, the road wide and straight, unlike the winding water pavilions of Jiangnan, with Da Jin scholars traveling between the two countries, seeking scripture and learning, mocking East Yu people for being small-minded and unable to last long.

This statement has been laughed at for over three hundred years.

Passing through a courtyard filled with hay and armor, under the corridor hung bows and quivers. The Han King, born in Shangjing, loved by various Prince Xians, never forgot archery even in Chang'an. The guard continued walking, passing through the entire guard room, not greeting other guards, and went straight into the inner courtyard.

The guard walked through, reaching the depths, and heard a lecture from the study room.

The voice of Wang Shenzhi, the renowned scholar from Hedong, was clear and resonant, teaching the "Essential Governance of Zhen Guan."

"Emperor Wen of Tang Taizong, his acquisition of the country is debatable, yet his governance was remarkably benevolent. 'Lord, the boat; people, the water. Water can carry the boat, but also overturn it.' This is not mere rhetoric. During Zhen Guan, light corvee and thin taxation, curbing extravagance and reducing expenses. What's more, advice was accepted as it came. Wei Zheng, merely a minister against a captive, was harsh in court debates, critiqued fiercely, often touching the dragon's scale, yet Taizong could tolerate, use, and respect him. Not only Wei Zheng, but Ma Zhou, Cen Wenben and others were employed for their straightforward advice. Hence, politics were clear, people harmonious, foreign states compliant, forming the prosperous era of 'Zhen Guan.' Your Highness, benevolence isn't empty talk; it's practical politics, accommodating people, having a heart that fears public opinion and embraces advice."

However, silence filled the study, initially interpreted as contemplation but, as time passed, something odd emerged.

Wang Shenzhi inside seemed to notice, paused slightly, and tentatively called out, "Your Highness?"

"…What Tang Taizong, what Emperor Wen, can't explain clearly."

The Han King's voice finally sounded, heavily accented, still not fluent in Han language despite being in the capital for over ten years.

The guard discreetly inhaled, bowed outside the door, and raised his voice, "Your Highness, urgent news has come from outside."

He spoke in the northern dialect.

"Enter." The Han King's voice immediately replied.

The guard pushed the door open and entered, first catching sight of Han King Yu Wen Yuan seated behind the large rosewood desk. He had his hair down in three strands, holding something with his right hand, pinching the tip of his thumb and forefinger, gripping a robust cricket of glossy green-black.

A slight force and the cricket chirped loudly.

Wang Shenzhi stood beside the desk, his face somber, yet dared not be angry, only persuaded, "…Your Highness should earnestly study Han culture."

"Shut up. I am listening to someone speak."

Wang Shenzhi's complexion had already turned ashen.

The guard glanced at him. Wang Shenzhi trembled subconsciously, suddenly starting to shake for no apparent reason. The guard soon retracted his gaze and spoke, "Your Highness, our people have been targeted."

"Who dares to target? Gudu?" The Han King's face instantly grew stern, casually pinching the cricket in his palm to death, and slapped the table to rise.

Gudu is the Xianbei name of the current Crown Prince.

"No, it's a Han from a foreign place, quite skilled in martial arts, claiming to know Taoist Skill, wanting to emulate Monk Huipu's path to present themselves before Your Highness."

"Find someone to kill him."

"His martial skills are high, it's hard to kill, the cost too great, moreover, the Great Khan is returning to Chang'an in a few days, Your Highness's actions might displease the Great Khan."

"…Reasonable, Gudu is cunning like Han, can't be underestimated."

Spoken in the northern dialect, Wang Shenzhi found it surprising to see the usually fierce Han King deep in thought.

"Also, this person possesses abnormal techniques. It's reported… that Monk Huipu was defeated by him and thus burned to death by Karmic Fire."

The Han King's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, sweeping aside with a regal demeanor.

Wang Shenzhi saw this, couldn't help but sigh inwardly, fortunately the current Your Majesty is saintly and knowledgeable, using Prince Zhou as Crown Prince. If such a barbarian ascended to the throne, it wouldn't be feared for incompetence, but feared as a barbarian's reign, Da Jin's centuries of Han customs would be for naught.

There was a common rumor in Chang'an City, it was said that because the prairie Prince Xians loved the Han King dearly, intended to crown him Taiji, yet Your Majesty mostly supported Prince Zhou, so to prevent offending the Prince Xians, Your Majesty often indulged them in targeting Han.

Hence, ordinary Han people dared not pass through Wuding Square.

"Hanes… hardly any aren't treacherous, don't know if this is Gudu's spy. You said from outside, where from?"

"His accent seems like a Yu Ren."

The Han King's eyes brightened like an eagle falcon, "Then definitely not Gudu's man, summon him."

The guard came to report, not expecting such straightforward decisiveness from the Han King.

Without waiting for persuasion, the Han King continued, "Qiao Tumen told me these days, Gudu's Western Regions monk died, they must be plotting, what do they say in Han, courtesy present lower, courtesy present lower."

"Yes."

The guard received orders and left immediately, nimble in movements, oblivious to the increasingly dangerous atmosphere in the study, the door closing silently behind him, isolating inside and outside.

Yu Wen Yuan casually tossed the now silent dead cricket onto the spread-out "Essential Governance of Zhen Guan," he slowly stood up, bypassed the wooden desk, and walked towards Wang Shenzhi to the side.