Chapter 35: Li Xuantian’s Plan:
Li Xuantian glanced at him and said coldly, “Since you believe both reports are true, then tell me—how could the bandits of Vulture Mountain surrender without a single attack being launched?”
Shangguan Qi wore a bitter expression. “I truly cannot imagine it, Your Majesty. If I had such a strategy, I would have solved the Vulture Mountain problem long ago. There would’ve been no need to wait until now.”
“Hmph. So if even you had no solution, how could Li Ye manage it with only five thousand wounded veterans?”
Li Xuantian was furious.
“I believe it’s precisely because the Sixth Prince lacks military experience that he may have come up with a method we never considered,” Shangguan Qi quickly explained, trying to cover for both Li Ye and Zhao Wudi.
Until the full truth was known, they had to be protected. Losing either one would be a huge loss for the Great Yuan Empire.
“The Sixth Prince has no interest in political power and is passionate about business. Perhaps it’s because of that he was able to persuade the Vulture Mountain bandits to submit,” he added.
Li Xuantian paused for a moment. “You’re saying he bribed them with silver?”
Shangguan Qi gave a bitter smile. “That’s the only explanation I can think of. As for whether it’s true, we’ll need to ask him directly when he returns. If Your Majesty has doubts about the report, why not send out another fast cavalry dispatch to investigate? It’s not too far—by evening we could have an answer.”
Li Xuantian found it difficult to believe but nodded. “Send the eight-hundred-mile express riders at once. They must confirm with their own eyes that the bandits of Vulture Mountain have surrendered.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Shangguan Qi responded promptly.
The fast cavalry was dispatched once more.
News of this stirred widespread speculation among the people and officials of the capital. Using the empire’s fastest dispatch riders twice in a row clearly meant something serious. First, news had come in, and now they were being sent out again. Many thought something must have happened at the border and began to discuss it fervently.
By nightfall, the riders returned.
Their report confirmed Zhao Wudi’s message: the bandits of Vulture Mountain had surrendered in full. The five thousand soldiers from the imperial army hadn’t suffered a single casualty.
Both Li Xuantian and Shangguan Qi were dumbfounded.
If Vulture Mountain hadn’t existed for two hundred years, they might have suspected Li Ye was colluding with the bandits.
Li Xuantian couldn’t understand it. “I’ve dispatched troops to attack Vulture Mountain many times, and each time ended in failure. And yet, my Sixth Prince managed to take it so easily? And they surrendered willingly? Could he really be a born military genius?”
“This… I don’t know what to say, Your Majesty. If that’s true, perhaps we should let the Sixth Prince lead campaigns against the surrounding nations!” Shangguan Qi still hadn’t fully processed the reality.
Li Xuantian exhaled deeply. “I suddenly find myself unable to see through this son of mine. Until recently, he was the least remarkable among my sons. Then he began trading, despite repeated scoldings—and never changed his ways. But over time, his wealth helped us solve numerous crises. And now, he’s managed to win a major victory without even fighting. Come to think of it, he’s never caused trouble nor made mistakes.”
“I believe this is a good thing. A capable prince can lighten Your Majesty’s burden,” Shangguan Qi said.
Li Xuantian’s face grew grave.
“The Yunlu Pavilion has expanded its influence rapidly these past years. They don’t just support the Great Yuan anymore. Many of their disciples have gone to foreign lands, teaching skills and helping strengthen other kingdoms. Their ambition is clear.
“What’s worse, many ministers have been swayed by them—even my sons hold them in high regard. I cannot allow the Yunlu Pavilion to take control of the court.”
“If the Sixth Prince is truly this capable, why not groom him to be the one who confronts Yunlu Pavilion?” Shangguan Qi finally understood Li Xuantian’s true intention.
“That is indeed my plan. He is the only one who doesn’t care about Yunlu Pavilion.”
Yunlu Pavilion claimed to be the top immortal sect under heaven, above imperial power. Many revered them without question. But that needed to change. The people had to see Yunlu Pavilion’s true face.
But could the Sixth Prince truly shoulder such a burden?
Li Xuantian felt conflicted again.
Even if Yunlu Pavilion’s power was massive, the imperial army could crush it. But the Pavilion’s master was said to be a grandmaster—a cultivator capable of seizing a general’s head amidst thousands of troops. If war broke out, he could assassinate Li Xuantian in an instant.
That was the true threat of Yunlu Pavilion.
Every Emperor of the Great Yuan had feared them, and all had tried to find a way to suppress their strength through martial force. But grandmasters couldn’t be cultivated. Even the techniques they used weren’t available to the court.
They could only train warriors who were just under that level.
The Empire, though outwardly strong, was losing ground to Yunlu Pavilion’s influence. Someday, the Pavilion might truly control the throne.
“If the Sixth Prince truly proves himself and becomes capable of standing against Yunlu Pavilion... what then, Your Majesty?” Shangguan Qi asked boldly.
He had gone all in, daring to raise the unspoken question. If other ministers had overheard, they would’ve been scared witless.
This implied deposing the Crown Prince and naming Li Ye as the new heir—an action that would shake the entire court. All those who supported the Crown Prince would be purged, and everything would be set in motion for Li Ye to inherit the throne.
A glint of sharp determination flashed in Li Xuantian’s eyes.
“If he proves himself worthy, I shall pass the throne to him when my time comes.”
“I understand, Your Majesty. But speculation is meaningless. We must test him. Not only to see if he can fight Yunlu Pavilion, but to see if his fate is strong enough. If they strike back and send assassins after him, survival will be the real test.”
Li Xuantian slammed his hand down on the table.
“Then we’ll test him. Mobilize your shadow guards to protect Li Ye with everything you’ve got. And start stoking conflict between him and Shi Wushuang.”
“I accept the order!” Shangguan Qi bowed.
“Also,” he added, “now that we’ve won a major victory, should we spread the news?”
“Of course. Let everyone know the Sixth Prince is a military genius. And let those demons hiding in the shadows begin to stir.”
Li Xuantian’s eyes gleamed coldly.
Soon, shocking news spread across the capital.
The Sixth Prince had led five thousand troops to a great victory—Vulture Mountain’s bandits had surrendered completely and were being escorted back to the capital.
The news spread like wildfire.
Everyone found it unbelievable.
The most useless of the princes had earned a monumental military achievement?
The first reaction of many was that it must be fake.
It had to be another general who led the battle, with the credit handed to the Sixth Prince.
No one could understand why the Emperor would do such a thing.
Rather than being pleased, the people began to question the Emperor’s motives.