Free Web NovelChapter 1065: Chapter 257: Curtain Rises! (Part 3)
And the Fifth Prince of Chu, Xiong Tingshan, fifteen years ago, which was the year he came of age, was assigned by the Chu Emperor to govern in Wutong County, located in the northwest of Great Chu.
Wutong County corresponded to one of the last stubborn strongholds of the Shanyue in Chu, even the hardest bone to crack.
However, Xiong Tingshan is very capable and adept; he does not carry the airs of a prince. On one hand, he has maintained excellent relations with the stationed military in Wutong County; on the other hand, he treats the Shanyue tribal chief there as a brother. Eventually, he married a Shanyue maiden as his primary wife.
The hardest bone of Great Chu softened under his touch. The details could be talked about for three days and nights; in conclusion, Xiong Tingshan spent fifteen years consolidating Wutong County and surrounding Shanyue tribes, transforming himself into a bond that tied them together, making an immense contribution to the stability of Chu.
If the Chu Emperor had died naturally, the crown prince position was clear, without the outbreak of princely succession crises, and Chu continued stably, then perhaps hundreds or even thousands of years later, there would be a statue of Xiong Tingshan in Wutong County, honored as a symbol of ethnic harmony, far more impressive than Princess Wencheng.
But the problem is,
due to the sudden demise of the Chu Emperor,
the carriage of Great Chu eventually went out of control.
The Regent Prince took the reins of the carriage back in his hand, but without his Fifth Brother’s nod, he dared not ascend the throne.
They are all princes,
who wouldn’t want the seat?
Why should it be you sitting and not me?
As for the other brothers, the Regent Prince did not take them seriously; some are manipulated by powerful nobles as puppets, and some naively believe they can stir waves just by waving a flag. Dealing with them poses no difficulty.
But this Fifth Brother, he is different.
Not to mention the ten thousand Wutong County soldiers who follow his command; if he wished, he could rally tens of Shanyue tribes to send their young men to help him seize the empire.
From this starting point, it may even incite the Shanyue people from various regions within Chu to rise.
The Regent Prince does not doubt his ability to quell a rebellion; he holds the support of great nobles, controls the court, and commands the royal guards. If he couldn’t win under such circumstances, then sitting on the throne would have no necessity nor face.
But the problem is, once such a situation arises, Great Chu will become consumed with internal strife, likely prolonged and enduring.
Currently, Chu faces Yan people in the north, eyeing with malice, sharpening their blades, and Qian people in the west, strengthening their armies and preparing for war. Can Chu afford such consumption?
"Fourth Brother, we brothers haven’t seen each other for years, have we? The last meeting was at father’s birthday, when I brought my wife to Ing Capital City to celebrate father’s longevity."
The Regent Prince nodded, saying, "Indeed, it has been a long time."
"At that time, father didn’t want to see me or my two children, due to me marrying a Shanyue woman; it was you, fourth brother, who intervened and arranged, allowing father to reluctantly agree to meet us as a family, and let us enter the palace to visit.
Fourth Brother, you don’t know how many years I have told my wife about the splendid magnificence of my Chu palace, my two children grew up hearing it. If we hadn’t made it to the palace that time, I would have been quite embarrassed as a husband and father, hahaha."
Lord Zheng watched the scene, finally understanding the situation.
Indeed, the Regent Prince was here for "house cleaning."
But why bring me?
Xiong Tingshan sighed and continued:
"My mother was of servant status, favored by father when he drunkenly lost himself. Being lowly, I have never been favored by father, who always felt I defiled the Fire Phoenix lineage. Thus, upon adulthood, he dispatched me to Wutong County, intending for me to fend for myself or to die, using my death as an example for the Chu people.
Luckily, I have a tough life; I did not perish, nor did the poisonous fog and insects of Wutong County kill me.
Perhaps, as the elders say, a lowly life is often easier to sustain."
The Regent Prince looked at the Fifth Brother and said:
"I actually don’t consider those others my brothers, but I have always regarded you as my brother. A brother should not be judged by matriarchal clan background but by merit. Those few worthless ones have all been captured by me and held in the water prison now."
"Hahahahaha."
Xiong Tingshan laughed heartily, slapping his thigh.
The brothers were communicating across quite a distance, like reminiscing, but both knew that the real drama was yet to come.
Xiong Tingshan’s laughter gradually faded, he looked at the Regent Prince, saying:
"Ing Capital City is in your hands, fourth brother; the Clan is in your hands, fourth brother; the Witch Masters support you, and the prominent nobles have mostly acknowledged you.
Fourth Brother, why have you not ascended the throne?"
"Because there is still you."
"Fourth Brother speaks so frankly, doesn’t he? This makes it very awkward for me to respond. Could it be that I should grab a knife right now and slit my throat in front of you, Fourth Brother?"
The Regent Prince shook his head, "If you were to die just like that, sister-in-law will be angry, the soldiers of Wutong County will be angry, the Shanyue people will be angry, Yan people will be very happy, and lastly, I will be angry."
