The Blood Crown - Chapter 163

Yan Sikong suppressed his racing heart and asked, “What news have you received?”

Zhu Lanting slammed his palm down on the desk. “A rebel force has appeared in Jiading Prefecture, gathering a large number of disaster victims in Shu. In just one month, they have captured two cities.”

“The southwest is experiencing a severe drought, causing many uprisings. How can you be certain it is Feng Ye?” Last year’s drought in the southwest had left the people with nothing. Since Yan Zilian’s departure, the cabinet’s power had waned, eunuchs were rampant, and Xie Zhongren was deeply corrupt. Relief supplies were severely exploited, causing numerous uprisings that had yet to subside. However, this rebellion was not as significant as the Liang Wang Rebellion, so the court did not take it too seriously.

“This rebel force did not originate from among the people but appeared suddenly. Initially, they were only a few thousand strong. They are well-equipped, disciplined, and composed entirely of cavalry, unlike the marauding masses. They resemble the court’s regular army and have acted with remarkable speed, capturing two cities in less than a month and recruiting scattered soldiers.”

Yan Sikong’s grip on the armrest of his chair tightened. “Where did you get this news?”

No wonder Zhu Lanting was suspicious. If such a force of several thousand cavalry truly existed, their movements would have drawn attention. The local authorities should have noticed, unless they were hiding. Furthermore, a force of just a few thousand could not have captured two cities so swiftly; such formidable combat ability could not belong to mere peasants. This alone was enough to make one think of the missing Feng Ye, who had been absent for three years.

Zhu Lanting said, “To avoid causing panic, the news was reported confidentially to the capital. His Majesty might have just been informed, and I have my own sources.”

For the past three years, the Feng family had become a major taboo for the current dynasty. Even in the midst of indulgent pleasures, whenever Emperor Zhao Wu had a moment of clarity, thinking of the vengeful Little Wolf King still at large would likely give him cold sweats.

To calm the public, the court claimed to have found and killed Feng Ye, but secretly, they had been sending people to track him down. Feng Ye had become a thorn in Emperor Zhao Wu’s side and could become his nightmare in the future.

Yan Sikong’s heart raced with a mix of joy and worry. Feng Ye… has really returned?

For three years, he had longed for news of Feng Ye. He had always believed that Feng Ye was still alive and would come back with a vengeance. He had countless fantasies about Feng Ye returning with an army and storming the capital.

If it truly is Feng Ye, he must have suffered greatly in these three years. Where has he been hiding? How did he manage to gather troops? How did he endure the days and nights of hardship?

Yan Sikong dared not think further.

Seeing Yan Sikong’s complex expression, Zhu Lanting knew he was not as calm as he appeared. “If it is indeed Feng Ye, what will you do?”

Yan Sikong blinked, his expression unchanged. “What can I do?”

“Feng Ye will come back for revenge, as we both know,” Zhu Lanting said seriously. “If what he wants is not just Xie Zhongren’s head?”

Yan Sikong countered, “Didn’t you consider when you let me go that Feng Ye might pose a threat to His Majesty?”

Zhu Lanting replied coldly, “You swore to support the Grand Prince. If Feng Ye wants to overthrow the dynasty, would you break your oath?”

Yan Sikong smiled. “General Zhu, I am a small-minded person. You should only believe half of what I say, correct?”

Zhu Lanting’s expression changed slightly. “What do you mean?”

“You knew that Chen Chun’s rise to power would mean the fall of the Zhu family, so you risked everything, even breaking your duty as commander of the Imperial Guards, to let Feng Ye go. You were not helping me or Feng Ye; you were helping yourself.”

Zhu Lanting clenched his fists, his gaze growing sharper as he looked at Yan Sikong.

“General Zhu, you are otherwise impeccable, but your greatest flaw is indecision. Some things are either done or not done at all,” Yan Sikong said, staring deeply into his eyes. “To be honest with you, whether you believe it or not, I still support the Chu Prince. Feng Ye, being a mere bandit, faces an almost impossible challenge to overthrow the dynasty. Even if he succeeds, he is just a capable general. The Chu Prince is the only legitimate and unique ruler in my heart. Yet, our efforts are but a drop in the bucket compared to the will of destiny. We can only do what we can.” He emphasized, “And we must do everything in our power, because we are on the same boat.”

Zhu Lanting’s chest rose and fell deeply, clearly troubled. Yan Sikong was right; three years ago, he had made a choice, and now he could only move forward. When the Empress Dowager appointed him as a martial arts instructor for Chen Li, it had tied the Zhu family to the Grand Prince’s faction. Now, the Zhu family relied entirely on Emperor Zhao Wu’s favor. Once Chen Chun ascended, they would be the first to fall. So, no matter who it was, as long as it was not Chen Chun…

Yan Sikong then softly said, “General Zhu, I have no allies in court, and you are probably my only one. If General Zhao Fuyi leads troops to Liaodong in the future, who would be the best candidate to command the garrison troops?”

Zhu Lanting had already considered this, but had not dared to speak it out loud.

Yan Sikong voiced it for him: “It must be you.”

Zhu Lanting hesitated. “But Xie Zhongren might…”

“The command of the garrison troops is crucial to the safety of the imperial family. His Majesty will never entrust it to outsiders. You are the Empress Dowager’s relative, His Majesty’s nephew, and the commander of the Imperial Guards. Who else is more suitable than you? I assure you today that I will make sure you take the position of garrison commander.”

Zhu Lanting’s strong body trembled slightly as he looked at Yan Sikong, his gaze intense.

“Once you obtain the garrison command, with you guarding the capital, who enters…” Yan Sikong smiled, “you will have the final say.”

Zhu Lanting suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the room. After a while, he stopped and turned to Yan Sikong. “You and I support the Grand Prince’s succession. Are you willing… willing to swear an oath?”

“Hahaha—” Yan Sikong laughed heartily.

Zhu Lanting, annoyed and embarrassed, asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Yan Sikong laughed so hard that his shoulders shook. “General Zhu, my dear brother, I could swear three oaths a day in front of those eunuchs. If heaven has eyes, I would have already been struck by lightning, died in the streets, and had my lineage cut off. My oaths are as trivial as flatulence, hahahaha…”

Zhu Lanting looked at Yan Sikong, his eyes filled with unspeakable thoughts.

After Yan Sikong finally stopped laughing, he said slowly, “You don’t need to believe my oaths. Just watch what I do. I will hand over the garrison command with both hands, and one day, I will also welcome the Grand Prince back to the capital with you!”

AN – “Please be patient, everyone~~ Feng Ye will appear in a few chapters, and he will have a lot of scenes~~ Don’t worry!” (End of Chapter)