Free Web NovelChapter 1108: Chapter 798: Yu Wenye Takes Action! (Part 3)
Everything now is irretrievable.
Watching him shiver uncontrollably, Yu Wenquan’s face alternated between red and white, not just because of the danger—for him, such dangers were nothing new; he had encountered even more perilous situations. What angered him was that he had been deceived by such a plan, almost delivering himself to his enemy’s blade!
This was simply a great humiliation!
If it wasn’t for Yu Wenye appearing...
His brows furrowed slightly as he looked up at Yu Wenye and thought for a moment before saying, "First, escort the major criminal Jiang Chong’en away and await further orders."
"Yes!"
The guards responded and stepped forward, dragging away Jiang Chong’en, who had lost all control like a dead pig. Along the way, they could still hear his continuous pleading and wailing. Yu Wenquan then turned to look at Yu Wenye, cleared his throat, and asked, "However, how did you know about his conspiracy?"
Yu Wenye bowed his head, "I accompanied Ruyi to Dayan Temple to worship Buddha. There, I heard someone say that Jiang Chong’en was a man who forsakes loyalty for profit and is by no means a loyal subject. This time, his allegiance must have a conspiracy."
These words were naturally spoken with restraint because there were so many people around; he couldn’t directly bring up Empress Dowager Jiang.
But Yu Wenquan had already understood and frowned slightly.
In fact, when he saw the corpses on the riverbank and speculated that there might be abnormalities on the opposite shore, he thought of Empress Dowager Jiang. If Jiang Chong’en indeed set a trap to assassinate him, such a heinous crime could not be appeased by killing only Jiang Chong’en. Then Empress Dowager Jiang and the deposed emperor probably couldn’t be spared either.
Yet, he didn’t expect...
While he was lost in his grim thoughts, Yu Wenye continued, "That person and Ruyi both advised me to set out immediately to stop Father Emperor from crossing the river into Jiang Chong’en’s camp."
"Oh?"
Yu Wenquan said, "Then why didn’t you do so?"
"Because I worried that there wouldn’t be enough time."
"Not enough time?"
"Exactly,"
Yu Wenye said calmly, "Father Emperor left Chang An before me and had a smooth journey without much delay. If Father Emperor directly passed through Tongguan and crossed Longmen Crossing, then even if I arrived in time, I might not be able to stop Father Emperor from crossing the river. Moreover, conjecture is just conjecture. If measures are taken without verification, first, it might wound Father Emperor’s sincere gesture to include talents, and second, it could chill the hearts of those surrendering."
"..."
"If he is sincerely defecting, I would merely act as a vanguard, properly arranging things for Father Emperor and respectfully welcoming His Majesty, fulfilling my filial duty."
"..."
"If he harbors ill intentions—"
At this point, his eyes turned cold and he didn’t continue.
But everyone around understood what he meant, as the outcome was already before their eyes.
Upon hearing his words, Yu Wenquan finally suppressed the slight anger that had risen once more after being contradicted by him. Looking again at his blood-covered appearance, he finally sighed deeply and said, "With King Qin present, I am at ease."
Upon hearing this, those around hurriedly knelt down, exclaiming in unison, "Long live the Emperor! May fortune turn calamities into blessings!"
"Prince Qin is indeed valiant!"
"With King Qin here, why fear strong enemies won’t be defeated!"
These praises filled Yu Wenquan’s ears one after another. Looking up again at the blood-soaked Yu Wenye, even if no one said those four words, he understood it as "arduous achievements." With this son around, indeed many things became much easier, not only facing Longmen Crossing at this moment, but even in the future, facing Eastern Capital Luoyang...
He said, "You’ve worked hard."
Yu Wenye immediately bowed his head and said, "It is my duty, Your Majesty."
Yu Wenquan nodded and was about to say something more when a ship following them docked on the shore. Another personal soldier of Yu Wenye brought Fan Cheng’en forward.
Though born a civil servant, years of guarding Song State and the turmoil honed Fan Cheng’en, who had long shed his former frail demeanor. Even if not adept in military affairs, he was no longer struck with terror and shock in the face of such events and battles. He crossed the rugged riverbank and slowly ascended to the embankment, bowing and saluting Yu Wenquan.
"Sinner Fan Cheng’en, pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Cheng’en, you—"
Seeing Fan Cheng’en bowing and saluting him, Yu Wenquan immediately put on a smiling face, stepped forward to personally help him up, and said cheerfully, "I didn’t expect that the two of us would meet again."
A flush of red spread across Fan Cheng’en’s face, undoubtedly recalling his past stand defending Song State, even nearly besieging Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi. He still didn’t know that Yu Wenye’s statement about Yu Wenquan massacring Songzhou City was a strategic lie. In his heart, he assumed that Yu Wenquan would hold a grudge over this matter. Furthermore, having served with Yu Wenquan in the same court, he pledged allegiance to the Da Ye Dynasty. Yet now, not only had Yu Wenquan succeeded to the throne, taking over from Ye, but he had also finally set aside his last bit of loyalty and defected to this emerging dynasty. For him, it might be the right choice but still somewhat embarrassing.
After a moment of silence, he finally said, "This sinner failed to recognize the situation, causing Your Majesty to come personally, which is my fault."
Yu Wenquan laughed, "I am glad you came!"
"..."
"My court needs loyal ministers like you!"
Fan Cheng’en blushed again, shaking his head slightly, but Yu Wenquan didn’t wait for him to say anything more, laughing as he took his hand and patted it repeatedly, nodding continuously, "Good, good, good!"
After saying "good" three times, he pulled Fan Cheng’en closer and said very warmly, "I know you are a virtuous and loyal minister. All these years holding Song State is not just for the former dynasty, but for your heart’s sanctuary."
Fan Cheng’en’s eyes reddened, "Your Majesty knows?"
Yu Wenquan said, "Of course, I know. If not for a similar wish in my heart, I wouldn’t take on this heavy responsibility. You must know, merely surviving in troubled times is hard enough, yet to bear the burden of this vast territory and countless people is even harder."
"..."
"Officials might pursue fame and fortune, which I can use to motivate them, but prioritizing the people in one’s heart is rare."
"..."
"I need ministers like you, and so do the people!"
Upon hearing this, the last trace of unwillingness tore away from Fan Cheng’en’s heart, and he took a deep breath, once again kneeling before Yu Wenquan, bowing his head low, "I am willing to serve Your Majesty, giving my all unto death!"
Yu Wenquan laughed heartily, once again helping him to stand and said, "With such heart, I am content!"
Watching this unfold, Yu Wenye stood silently.
He understood clearly that Fan Cheng’en’s surrender to the Dasheng Dynasty was merely because he could not tolerate Liang Shide, who had always been a rebel, especially after Wang Shaoqiu and his troops defected to Eastern Capital. Further, guarding just Song State, with its shortage of money and grain, was not a long-term strategy, so when Shen Tu Tai opted for a more lenient approach rather than forceful attacks, he surrendered.
But this surrender was largely due to the tides of change.
Yet, Yu Wenquan’s few words convincingly struck a chord within him. Seeing Fan Cheng’en’s reddened eyes, Yu Wenye’s heart was moved—
So people’s hearts are both precious and easily won.
Silently observing this, Yu Wenqian stood quietly, deep in thought, yet a nagging unease still bubbled within him that he couldn’t put aside. Particularly as more people continued to disembark, and others moved onto the riverbank, amidst the chaotic shadows, it seemed... something was amiss.
Suddenly, a terrified and ghastly scream erupted nearby—
"Commandery Prince!"
