The Blood Crown - Chapter 24

Almost a month after the Battle of Guangning, the awaited imperial rewards finally arrived. Han Zhaoxing personally led the soldiers to the eastern city gate to greet the imperial envoy. Yuan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu rushed to the city wall, just as they had sneaked a peek at the Péng family’s army that day, eagerly awaiting the moment when their father would receive his promotion and rewards.

The city wall was still under repair, with remnants of broken walls and rubble scattered about. Under the light snow, the dried pools of blood had a dark, ominous hue. Standing on these spots, they could still recall the ferocity of the battle that had taken place on that very ground, leaving an indelible mark on their memories.

The procession from the capital had reached the city gates, where officials like Han Zhaoxing, Qian Anrong, and Yuan Mao went to receive them.

From one of the carriages, a court official disembarked. He had a pointed mustache, sharp eyes, and a nose like an eagle’s beak. He exuded an air of unpleasantness, and it was evident he was not someone easy to deal with. He adjusted his robe and offered the customary greetings to the officials before getting straight to the point, “I am Ge Zhong, an imperial censor from the Censorate, dispatched by the emperor to inspect Liaodong and commend the merits of the soldiers in the Battle of Guangning.”

The officials exchanged puzzled looks, sensing that something was amiss. Imperial censors were typically dispatched by the emperor to assess local conditions, oversee officials’ performance, or investigate major cases. If it was about commending the soldiers, why send an imperial censor?

Qian Anrong spoke first, “Lord Gé, you must be weary from your journey. We have some light wine prepared at the inn…”

“No need, colleagues. Let’s proceed with the imperial decree,” Ge Zhong said, extending his hand, and one of his attendants respectfully handed over the decree.

The officials promptly knelt down.

Ge Zhong unfolded the imperial decree and began reading, “The foundation of the realm lies in the people, and one shall govern with benevolence, suppress turmoil, and administer justice to barbarian tribes with military might. The rites and music guide the code of conduct, and the laws of governance uphold constitutional governance. Such achievements should not be understated. However, the barbarians have breached their trust and violated treaties, disturbing our borders. The nature of the Yi and Xia people is like that of beasts. Han Zhaoxiong, the general of Liaodong Prefecture, who has defended the border for seven years, has organized the army, established military regulations, devoted himself wholeheartedly, shown unparalleled loyalty, and although he initially lost Huáng River, he later held Guangning and repelled the Jurchen barbarian tribe over a thousand miles away. He saved the people and revived the might of Dasheng Xiongwei. His achievements exceed his mistakes, and therefore he is granted…”

Yuan Sikong listened to Ge Zhong’s voice carried by the wind and couldn’t help but doubt his own ears.

“Second… Second Brother?” Yuan Nanyu pushed Yuan Sikong. “What’s going on with this person? Why is the emperor rewarding Han Zhaoxiong? He hasn’t done anything except for losing battles.”

Yuan Sikong pricked up his ears and carefully listened to the recitation of the emperor’s rewards. The names of Chen Yulong, Hu Baicheng, and Liang Huiyong had been read, but the names of Yuan Mao and Yuan Shaoxu had yet to be mentioned.

Yuan Mao knelt on the ground, his expression obscured, but the stiffness of his posture was evident, reflecting his doubt.

Yuan Nanyu was becoming anxious, “What about Father? All these achievements he’s talking about belong to Father. How did they become Han Zhaoxiong’s?”

Yuan Sikong forced a breath and said with difficulty, “Perhaps Father’s achievements are the greatest, so they’ll be mentioned last.”

Yuan Nanyu hesitated, “Really? That would be best.”

Ge Zhong finished reading a long list of rewards and punishments. Yet from beginning to end, he did not mention the names of Yuan Mao and Yuan Shaoxu. He closed the imperial decree and declared, “Yuan Mao, the Captain of Guangning Garrison, where are you?”

“Oh, it’s Father’s turn!” Yuan Nanyu excitedly slapped the wall.

Yuan Sikong, however, couldn’t find it in himself to smile. Ge Zhong still wore a cold expression, nothing like someone who was about to announce rewards.

“Yuan Mao, reporting for duty,” Yuan Mao said in a deep voice.

“Ge Mo has been entrusted by the Emperor to investigate the case of Yuan Mao, Captain of the Guangning Garrison, who has abused his power, stolen military orders, and conspired to harm the Liaodong Grand Commander,Li BoyunBoyun. Arrest this person!”

A bolt from the blue!

Yuan Mao suddenly raised his head, his expression pallid.

“What?” Yuan Shaoxu’s voice trembled, “Imperial Censor, what are these accusations? My father was wrongly accused!”

Yuan Sikong’s heart felt like it had been struck by a flying boulder, and he momentarily forgot to breathe.

The soldiers and officers in Guangning were in disarray, shouting, “Lord Ge, this must be a misunderstanding.”

“Lord Ge, Lord Yuan must have been wronged…”

Ge Zhong shouted, “Take this man into custody!”

The two guards were also from Guangning, and they looked at each other, hesitating.

Ge Zhong sneered, “What’s this? Are you defying the imperial edict? It seems in the territory of Guangning, an imperial decree isn’t as effective as Yuan Mao’s authority.”

The guards turned ashen, their faces aghast. They had no choice but to step forward and bind Yuan Mao.

Han Zhaoxing stood to the side, wearing an expression of indifference, as if this matter had nothing to do with him. Yet, there was a subtle curl to his lips, and his eyes gleamed with malice.

Yuan Mao had calmed down by now. He gazed intently at Ge Zhong and said hoarsely, “Lord Censor, I have been accused without knowing my crime.”

“You will know soon enough,” Ge Zhong said. “Take him away.”

“Second Brother…” Yuan Nanyu cried in fear. He gripped Yuan Sikong’s hand tightly. “Second Brother, what’s happening? Why was Father arrested? Didn’t LordLi Boyunbravely sacrifice himself? How could Father conspire against him?”

Yuan Sikong trembled, “Father… Father has been wronged, Father…” Overwhelming fear consumed him like an irreversible darkness, and his thoughts were in disarray. Leaving aside the accusations of abusing power and causing harm, the charges of stealing military orders and conspiring against an imperial official were grave. Conviction for even one of these crimes could result in a death sentence.

“I know, Father must have been wronged. What should we do, Second Brother?” Yuan Nanyu cried.

“I…” Yuan Sikong felt his head was burning, confusion enveloping him. He slapped himself hard twice, causing his cheeks to swell. His eyes, red from tears, were fixed on Yuan Nanyu. “Father has been framed. It must be the work of Han Zhaoxing. We need to find our elder brother, and also Lord Qián… and find a way to see Father.”

Yuan Nanyu wiped away his tears and pulled Yuan Sikong, “Second Brother, let’s go.”

The two rushed down from the city wall and headed to Yuan Mao’s government office. There, they found Yuan Shaoxu, along with many officials from Guangning, all strategizing on Yuan Mao’s case.

“How could Lord Yuan be falsely accused like this? We were all present when LordLi Boyunwillingly went to the Jin camp.”

“Yes, we were all there to witness it. How could Lord Yuan be accused of conspiring against Lord Lǐ? It’s absurd!”

“That’s right. Those military orders were given by LordLi Boyunto Lord Yuan. Where does ‘usurping’ come from? It’s an outright fabrication!”

“Who could be behind this? Lord Yuan was the last person LordLi Boyunwould be unhappy with. It must be…”

The speaker was quickly silenced by a colleague, who covered their mouth, “We already have Lord Lǐ’s example before us. You should be careful.”

Qian Anrong let out a series of sighs, “I also can’t believe that Lord Yuan could be responsible for such deeds. Lord Gé will begin his investigation today. He has already ordered the retrieval of the letter from Lord Lǐ’s residence for handwriting analysis. Later, he will interrogate Lord Yuan. This is… troublesome.”

Yuan Sikong clenched his fists tightly and felt an intense hatred toward Han Zhaoxing. Han Zhaoxing must have set up Yuan Mao out of revenge for his power grab and for the sake of claiming the credit. This man, who had lost Qíngzhou, lost the northern borders, and lost Huáng, was still managing to survive. It was nothing short of an injustice!

Yuan Shaoxu knelt down and choked out, “Lord Qián, please save my Father.”

“Lord Qián, you must save Lord Yuan!”

A few months ago, the Prefect of Liaodong had retired due to illness, and the court had not yet appointed a new prefect, leaving GovernorLi BoyunBoyun in charge as acting prefect. Now thatLi BoyunBoyun had met an unfortunate end, Qian Anrong, the county magistrate of Guangning, was arguably the most influential civil official in Liaodong and the only one with any say.

Qian Anrong helped Yuan Shaoxu to his feet, “Shaoxu, I’m from the same hometown as your father and have been friends for many years. I will do my best to help him. I trust in his character, and we will find a way to clear his name.”

“Yes! We cannot let those villains harm Lord Yuan!”

Yuan Sikong tightly held Yuan Nanyu’s hand. In the winter chill, their palms were sweaty. He leaned in close to Yuan Nanyu’s ear and whispered soothingly, “Nanyu, don’t worry. We will definitely rescue Father.”

Yuan Nanyu stared with reddened eyes and nodded vigorously. “Father is a good person, a loyal subject. Lord Gé will surely thoroughly investigate this.”

Yuan Sikong’s lips trembled slightly, his heart feeling as heavy as lead. He was terrified, full of hatred, and overwhelmed by anger, yet he felt utterly lost. Seeing all the adults in the room, he wondered… what could he do? No matter what, Father, I will save you!