Chapter 109: An Important Moment
A platform for welcoming the army was being built outside the city. Whenever an army returned in triumph, it was a custom for the emperor to welcome it with all the courtiers.
And, it was no exception this time. But, the whole court could smell the scent of an approaching storm. It was said that the emperor had no plan to welcome the army himself this time, and the platform was built under Qin Yue’s order. The situation in the city was growing tense.
The army had made camp thirty miles from the city, waiting for the welcoming ceremony. Everyone was speculating if the emperor would appear on the platform on the day the army marched into the city. If he were truly absent, then Qin Yue’s move would be deemed as roping in military ministers without authorization, which was a felony.
So, the people in Qin Yue’s faction were restless with anxiety. If they left the city and welcomed the army with him, they would have committed a felony as well. However, if they did not, they would undoubtedly be kicked out of the faction. Anyone with a pair of keen eyes could see that Qin Yue, who had the support of almost the entire military, was bound to succeed.
Three days later, the construction of the platform was completed.
Qin Yue had taken a bath and changed into a fresh garb. He was clad in a brocade robe embroidered with the pattern of five dragons chasing a pearl and a black rhino belt around his waist. Beaming with energy, he stood with head held high on the platform like a lord who reigned supreme over the world.
Bai Mou was still in her white dress, and her face was still veiled with a thin sheet of satin. She stood behind the prince and watched him with an approving and affectionate look in her eyes.
“Your Highness, it seems His Majesty will not be here today,” Lord Xu’s cautious voice rang out from behind.
Qin Yue threw a glance at the imperial palace in the center of the capital, and saw it blanketed in a shade of dusk, lifeless and almost dying.
According to the laws, no building in the capital could be taller than the imperial palace. However, the height of the welcoming platform was doubled purposely, which made it about ten meters taller than the palace. Standing on top of it, Qin Yue could see the complete landscape of Tianshui.
With a sneer, he walked straight to the nine-dragon throne prepared for Qin Zheng, then turned and sat down on it in front of all the courtiers. “Father is unwell, so I will carry out his duty today.”
“Long live Your Highness Prince Yue!” Lord Xu hurried to the front of the throne and dropped to his knees as he cried out loudly. The courtiers looked at each other. It was a rebellious act to call that out so openly and loudly, but they were no idiots, and they knew it was time for them to choose a side. So, they all knelt and picked up the cry. Their voices soon spread out over the capital.
“Long live Your Highness Prince Yue!”
“Long live Your Highness Prince Yue!”
The cries stunned those courtiers who had chosen to stay in the city, filling their eyes with deep concern and worries. Even the common people in the streets were terrified on hearing that, as if they could sense that something serious would happen soon. Street vendors and shops keepers packed their things and shut their doors in a hurry, and everyone returned to their homes and dared not to come out.
Standing atop the city gate, Long Qing stared at the lofty platform in the distance. At last, he sighed as he spun and ordered, “From now on, the city is under martial law and enters the first level of control. No one is allowed to wear weapons to the streets or gather a crowd to engage in an affray. You may kill any offenders at will!”
In the courtyard of his home, Lan Hong had brewed himself a pot of tea, and was sipping slowly from his cup. He looked up at the sky and murmured, “Has it finally begun?”
Li Chunyang was standing on the platform now. When he saw the group of courtiers flattering the prince, he felt disgusted as if he had just swallowed a fly. While frowning, he said, ‘Your Highness, don’t you think this is not so appropriate?”
Qin Yue was slightly taken aback, but he held up a hand all the same and stopped the cries with a smile. “Alright, that’s enough. You may rise, my loyal subjects!” Then, he turned to the side and said, “Lord Xu, list down the names of all the courtiers who have not come today.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Lord Xu answered hurriedly. He was bursting with joy; by assigning such an important task to him, the prince had clearly taken him as one of the loyal confidants.
The courtiers who had knelt and bowed their heads breathed a sigh of relief. They were glad that they had made the right decision, and at the same time gloated over those courtiers who were about to suffer. Some were thinking about the offices that were about to be emptied, wondering if they could climb higher this time or fill the vacancies with their own juniors.
“How much longer do you think it would take them to arrive, Duke Jingguo?” Unable to contain his joy, Qin Yue asked with a big smile.
Li Chunyang sent out his divine sense as he narrowed his eyes slightly and answered, “About the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.”
“Great! I can’t wait for this historic moment to arrive!” The prince rubbed his palms together in excitement.
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out from beneath the platform, “I wonder what historic moment made you, my brother, excited like a monkey?”
Everyone looked down at the same time and saw Qin Yang, who was holding Qin Zheng with both hands while staring coldly at Qin Yue.
At that moment, a eunuch cried out in a sharp voice, “Here comes His Majesty the Emperor! You are requested to come down the platform and pay your respect!”
All the courtiers looked nervous, and their eyes were fixed on Qin Yue, waiting for his orders.
Qin Yue sneered and said loudly, “Pray pardon me for not paying my respect, Father. The platform is too high, and it is troublesome to come down. It will be better to let Qin Yang help you up here, only then I will pay my respect.”
Face dark with rage, Qin Zheng stared at Qin Yue like a venomous snake and mumbled in a trembling voice, “Fine, fine…You are indeed my son!” With Qin Yang’s help, he walked slowly up the platform. It was very quiet as everyone watched the historic moment in silence.
Time made it inevitable for the old to be replaced by the young, and every new sovereign brought his own courtiers. However, when many courtiers saw this with their own eyes, they still had mixed feelings.
Li Chunyang let out a faint sigh. He felt that he was really old, and his heart was filled with sadness when he recalled the harmonious days he had with Qin Zheng.
Soon, Qin Zheng and the others walked up the platform.
“His Majesty is here. Why are you all not paying your respects?” Qin Yang said in a cold voice. “And Qin Yue, don’t you think you should stand up and return the throne to Father?”
Qin Yue snorted, then reluctantly got up from the throne and bowed stiffly. “Greetings, Father.”
As soon as he did that, all the courtiers dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. Li Chunyang was the only one who remained standing like a statue. As a Martial King, he was exempted from kneeling and bowing to the emperor.
Qin Zheng gave Li Chunyang a glance with his cloudy eyes, and there seemed to be a lonely look flashing across his face covered in gray hair. With the careful help of a few people, he sat down on the dragon throne.
Qin Ruxue was here too, following behind Qin Zheng in silence. She knew today would be a special day. As a member of the royal family, she knew this would happen sooner or later. The main reason she came was to have a look at Yunxiao, and she also could not bear to watch her aging father be bullied by his own son.
“Rise!” Qin Zheng said to all the courtiers in an indifferent tone. “You all are very good.”
Nobody knew what he meant by that, but the loneliness and helplessness in his voice were plain to hear. Looking at the dying old man who was once their ambitious emperor, many people sighed in their hearts.
Not long after the emperor sat down, a dark cloud drifted over the bright clear sky, and the earth began to tremble slightly. Meanwhile, numerous figures emerged on the distant horizon, accompanied by tall poles with flags waving in the air.
Qin Zheng sat dully on the throne, and he seemed drowsy. While frowning, Qin Yue walked up and said, “Father, it’s time.”
Only then did he look up and speak softly, “Let’s begin.” His voice was weak, and when he had finished, he fell back into the drowsy state.
When he saw the many tiny green dots in his father’s cloudy eyes, Qin Yue could not help but sneer in his heart, and at the same time, he gave Qin Yang a scornful look. Then, he walked to the front of the platform and cried out aloud, “Let the welcoming ceremony begin!”
Immediately, two columns of cavalry clad in ceremonial outfits blew into their horns and slowly spread out to make a passage. After that, a chariot with several drums was pushed out, and two muscular men beat the drums with all their might, shaking the sky with loud pounding noises.
Riding on horses, Chen Dasheng and others wore grave expressions. They had communicated with Qin Yue, and they knew today would be a historic day for Tianshui.
Chen Zhen said excitedly, “Young Master Yun, your contribution is the biggest in this operation, and I think Prince Qin Yue will at least give you the title of Duke. Tsk, tsk, your family will have two Dukes then!”
Yunxiao gave him a faint smile and said indifferently, “When he ascends to the throne, I will leave Tianshui.”
“Why?” Chen Zhen asked in shock, but then seemed to understand something suddenly, so he fell silent.
Meanwhile, Chen Dasheng gave him an approving look. He knew Tianshui was too small for someone so gifted as Yunxiao, and he would leave the place sooner or later.
Luo Yunshang, on the other hand, felt her heart skip a beat when she heard that. Suddenly, she was seized with fear. Was that man leaving Tianshui? For a moment, she got restless, but then very quickly made up her mind. No matter where Yunxiao planned to go, she would follow, so that she would not be too far away from that man at least.
All the eight hundred thousand soldiers of the army were fully clad in armor, which shone blindingly under the sunlight. It looked as if a sea of armor was pouring over. And what followed them was the murderous air of soldiers, which swept over the courtiers on the platform, making them extremely uncomfortable.
“Stop!”
Chen Dasheng cried out at the top of his lungs when the army was beneath the platform. The soldiers halted at the same time, their footsteps so uniform that they seemed like machines.
“Father!” Qin Yue shouted.
Qin Zheng woke up. With the help of Qin Yang and Ruxue, he walked slowly to the edge of the platform. Looking down at the flashing sea of armor, the old emperor felt a stab of pain in his eyes.
In a hoarse voice, he said softly, “I have brought my courtiers here to welcome the return of our victorious army.” He purposely raised his voice, trying to shout his words out. But, his face looked so tired after trying, and only those stronger martial warriors could clear him.
“Today is not only the day our great army defeated the enemy and returned in triumph, but also the day the state of Tianshui will set a new course for the future.” His words instantly shocked everyone and made them nervous.
Colors and spirits seemed to return to his eyes as he cried out, “Today, I will announce the crown prince for Tianshui!”
Qin Yue’s expression changed drastically as he strode up and shouted, “Hold on!”