The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 543: Two Sons Fighting
Outside the city of Chengdu, flags fluttered. Qin Chengji rode on a snow-white warhorse, looking at the officials of Bashu kneeling before him, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

"Your Highness the Second Prince is welcome!"

The heads of Shu's noble families, led by Dong He, bowed to the ground and saluted in unison. Qin Chengji dismounted and personally helped Dong He up: "Mr. Dong, please stand up. All the gentlemen, please stand up. I have been ordered to march south, and I still need your help."

Dong He looked up and met Qin Chengji's sharp eyes that were exactly the same as Qin Shou's. He was startled and said quickly, "Your Highness, you are too polite. The Shu noble families have prepared 100,000 dan of grain and grass, 5,000 able-bodied men, 1,000 doses of anti-malaria medicine, and 1,000 mountain guides, all waiting for Your Highness to dispatch them."

Qin Chengji's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he smiled and said, "Mr. Dong is indeed very efficient in his work. In this case, we will discuss the matter in the government office tomorrow and discuss the plan for the southern expedition."

That night, the city of Chengdu was brightly lit. Qin Chengji met with Dong Yun, Qiao Zhou and other nobles in the temporary camp. After three rounds of wine, Qiao Zhou said under the influence of alcohol: "Your Highness is extraordinary and brave. This southern expedition will surely be successful. However, some people in the court are just sitting there doing nothing. I'm afraid they may not be happy to see your Highness achieve success."

Qin Chengji played with his wine glass, calmly saying, "Oh? What do you mean, Lord Qiao?"

Dong Yun took over the conversation: "Your Highness, you are wise. The prince has lived in Chang'an for a long time, but he is on good terms with some poor children, but he looks down on my Bashu family. If Your Highness can make the decision for us..."

"How dare you!" Qin Chengji suddenly slammed the table and broke the wine glass. He snorted coldly, "The crown prince is the heir to the throne. How can you let him make irresponsible remarks?"

The hall fell silent for a moment. Qiao Zhou and the others knelt down hurriedly to plead guilty.

Zhuge Liang on the side hurriedly persuaded: "Your Highness, the gentlemen are also concerned about the court affairs and have no other thoughts. Please understand clearly."

Qin Chengji glanced at everyone coldly, and after a while he softened his tone: "Your loyalty is commendable, but you must remember the distinction between the monarch and his subjects. The southern expedition is imminent, and the affairs of the state should be the most important."

After everyone left, Qin Chengji sat alone in front of the desk. Under the candlelight, his expression was uncertain. The attendants picked up the broken porcelain gently, but heard him whisper: "Pass the order down, send an extra messenger tomorrow to report the support of the Shu family to the emperor in detail."

"Your Highness is wise." Zhuge Liang nodded repeatedly and praised: "The affairs of the world today do not depend on you gentlemen, but on the emperor. Your Majesty knows everything we have done in Bashu. If you don't report it, someone else will. Therefore, Your Highness should serve the emperor with sincerity and not deceive His Majesty. Only in this way can you gain His Majesty's trust."

"Of course. I have so many soldiers and horses in my hands. If I don't get my father's trust, someone will soon spread rumors about me in front of him." Qin Chengji snorted coldly.

Such a big thing happened in Chengdu city, and the noble families of Bashu came together to entertain the troops. The emperor must know about such a big thing. In this case, it is better to report it to the emperor honestly.

"Now that you have the support of these people, your highness's southern expedition will surely go smoothly." Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and smiled. He looked very relaxed, and it was obvious that he was very confident about the southern expedition.

Half a month later, Chang'an City.

At the Taiji Hall, Chen Qun stepped out with a memorial in his hand: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince has arrived in Chengdu. The Shu nobles have enthusiastically supported him and raised more food, fodder, and troops than expected. Now the Second Prince has won his first battle and has recovered three counties in Zhuti County. The southern barbarians have fled at the sight of him."

There was a burst of admiration in the court.

Qin Chengqian sat on the dragon throne, his face calm, and said lightly: "Second brother, you have done a good job. The southern barbarians have been a nuisance for many years, and this time we must put an end to them once and for all."

Chen Qun took the opportunity to say: "His Royal Highness the Second Prince is a master in military operations, and what is even more rare is that he is deeply loved by the people of Shu. I heard that the local people welcomed the royal army with food and drink, and they all said that the Second Prince has the style of Your Majesty in the past." As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the palace became subtle. Several officials from aristocratic families echoed and praised Qin Chengji's talents. The crown prince Qin Chengqian clenched his fists in his sleeves, but maintained a gentle smile on his face.

After the court was dismissed, Qin Chengqian returned to the East Palace and immediately ordered people to close the palace gates. He paced around the study room in a restless manner, and the tea on the table had already gone cold.

"Your Highness, Doctor Jia has arrived." The eunuch reported softly.

"Please come in! No, I'll go out to greet you myself." Qin Chengqian cheered up and walked out quickly.

When the gray-haired Jia Xu saw Qin Chengqian coming out to greet him, he was moved and hurriedly prepared to step forward to pay his respects, but Qin Chengqian couldn't wait to hold him back and said, "Mr. Wenhe, have you heard about what happened in the court today? Chen Qun and others are clearly trying to build momentum for my second brother!"

As Jia Xu got older, he seldom attended court and mostly stayed at home to recuperate.

Jia Xu stroked his long beard, and a gleam of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes: "Your Highness, please be patient. I have heard about the situation in Shu."

Qin Chengqian ordered someone to serve new tea, dismissed his attendants, and said in a low voice: "My second brother has received full support from the noble families in Shu, and the southern expedition is progressing smoothly. In the long run, the noble family officials in the court will definitely be more inclined to him. Sir, teach me, how should I deal with it?"

Jia Xu took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Your Highness, do you know why His Majesty is so wary of the noble families?"

Qin Chengqian was startled, and immediately snorted, "My father once said that the aristocratic families controlled the local areas and threatened the imperial power. The aristocratic families were to blame for the fall of the previous dynasty."

"That's right." Jia Xu nodded and replied, "Your Majesty was born in a humble family and rose to prominence through military merit. You are most afraid of the power of aristocratic families. The second prince is now too close to the aristocratic families in Shu. It seems glorious on the surface, but in fact..."

Qin Chengqian's eyes lit up, and with a look of joy on his face, he said, "Sir, are you saying that Father will feel resentful towards my second brother because of this?"

Jia Xu smiled meaningfully: "Your Majesty is a wise ruler and will not abandon public affairs due to suspicion. But if someone uses the power of the aristocratic family to seek an undeserved position..."

A gust of wind blew past the window, and the candlelight flickered. Qin Chengqian seemed to be thinking about something, and asked hurriedly: "Then according to your opinion, what should I do?"

"Just wait and see what happens, and concentrate on government affairs." Jia Xu put down his teacup and advised, "Your Majesty values ​​the ability to govern the country the most. You only need to manage the government affairs in an orderly manner, let His Majesty see your ability and determination, and the rest will fall into place naturally."

Qin Chengqian's brows relaxed, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he said with a cupped hand: "Sir, your words have opened my eyes."

Jia Xu stood up and saluted, saying, "I, an old minister, would like to say one more thing. Your Highness may wish to pay more attention to the political affairs of Xuzhou, Jiangnan, Hebei, Xiliang and other places. The power of the aristocratic families in these places has been weakened by Your Majesty, but they can be used by Your Highness."

After seeing Jia Xu off, Qin Chengqian stood in the corridor and looked at the starry sky. His anxiety gradually subsided. He suddenly remembered what Qin Shou taught him when he was a child: "As a king, you should always put the world first."

(End of this chapter)