Chapter 3: Departure from the Capital
“Your Highness, it is time to depart,” Captain Xiao Chu of the Guard approached Zhao Bin, clasping his fists in respect.
“Thank you, Captain Xiao, for your efforts this time,” Zhao Bin replied courteously.
“Your Highness is too kind. It is my duty. Please, Your Highness, board the carriage,” Xiao Chu gestured politely.
A convoy of five hundred guards escorted four horse-drawn carriages slowly out of the city gates. Apart from the carriage carrying Zhao Bin himself, the other three were loaded with military supplies—tents, provisions, and drinking water.
In a grand building to the east of the imperial city, a man flashed a token before rushing inside. This was none other than the Crown Prince’s residence.
As Prince Yan Zhao Bin left the city, news was quickly reported to the Crown Prince. In the hall of the Crown Prince’s mansion, the prince sat upright in his seat, surrounded by several advisors, all there to offer counsel.
Among them were officials holding posts in various departments, such as Zhang Ju, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; Zhang Rang, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War; and Pan Ling, Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the Third Prince has just left the city with only about ten attendants. All other personnel have been sent back to the Internal Affairs Department. Even those we assigned to watch him were dismissed,” a sturdy man in plain clothes knelt and reported.
“Moreover, the Yan Prince’s mansion has recently pawned or sold off almost all its belongings at discounted prices,” he added.
“Very well, I understand. You may withdraw now. Station guards at the door; do not allow anyone near,” the Crown Prince Zhao Chong responded quietly.
“Yes, I take my leave,” the robust man said before quietly exiting and closing the hall door.
A gaunt scholar with a pale complexion spoke up: “Your Highness, now that the Third Prince has left the city, should we arrange an ambush along the road...” He made a slashing gesture across his neck.
“You all heard just now. My third brother is clever. By selling off everything in his mansion, he signals he will not return to the capital. This is clearly a sign of weakness,” the Crown Prince said calmly.
“In the past, the Ding family held military power, but after the old Lord Ding died, their old generals have mostly been replaced by us over the years. My third brother has lost his backing and poses no great threat now. The biggest threats are the Prince of Qi and my fifth brother, Zhao Yan.”
“The Prince of Qi is backed by the powerful Xue family from Jingchu, while Zhao Yan has the mighty Dai family from Shu behind him. The Liu family in Jiangnan and the Fang family in Shandong remain neutral for now. The seventh and eighth princes are still young, but that may change in the future…”
The speaker was Zhang Ju, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the maternal uncle of the current Crown Prince and a member of the influential Zhang family from Guanzhong.
“Our father, the Emperor, is in the prime of his life. The seventh and eighth princes are still young. The Liu and Fang families are still being courted. For now, we must deal with the Prince of Qi and the fifth prince first.”
“Though I hold the position of Crown Prince, the Prince of Qi is the Emperor’s eldest son, and many in court support the heir apparent. The fifth prince is fifteen this year; in two years, he will have grown stronger.”
“Our strategy against these two families will be as follows: first, covertly gather evidence of their crimes; second, win over the Liu and Fang families; third, gradually infiltrate the Ministry of War and recruit more generals to ensure that the royal army of two hundred thousand near the capital does not fall into their hands.”
“Uncle, the Ministry of War is in your hands. Fourth, discreetly arrange agents—some matters require instigators, just like the third prince this time,” the Crown Prince concluded thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, in a secret chamber of another royal residence within the capital, conspiracies were also afoot. But the person presiding was not a prince; it was Xue Qing, the Minister of Revenue and overseer of the empire’s treasury, and the maternal grandfather of Prince Qi Zhao Tong.
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A month later, Zhao Bin’s convoy slowly entered the Hebei region. Riding leisurely along the official road, Zhao Bin remarked, “Old Wu, our Great Xia is remarkably stable. We haven’t encountered any bandits on this journey.”
“Your Highness, bandits are not foolish,” Wang Wu smiled.
“What do you mean?” Zhao Bin asked, turning his head.
“This Central Plain region is firmly under the royal domain, with two hundred thousand troops stationed here. Becoming a bandit here is courting death. Moreover, the terrain has few mountains and places to hide,” Wang Wu explained.
“Oh!” Zhao Bin said, suddenly understanding, but something still felt amiss.
Xiao Chu, riding behind, spoke up: “Your Highness, we have now entered Hebei territory, beyond the royal sphere of influence. The situation will be more complicated.”
“In the north, there are bandits and highwaymen. Some nomadic tribes have settled inside the passes. Although they have surrendered to Great Xia and accepted its rule, occasional clashes and bloodshed with local residents still occur.”
“To prevent escalation and maintain stability, local authorities have been very cautious. There have even been attacks on prefectural governments before.”
Curious, Zhao Bin asked, “Are these tribes large in number?”
“While not huge, the larger tribes number about ten thousand, smaller ones two or three thousand. Altogether, they total around two hundred thousand. These are small groups driven out decades ago by the Jie people,” Xiao Chu replied.
“Two hundred thousand is no small force. If used wisely, they could be valuable, but if not controlled, they could cause serious trouble.”
“Fortunately, these tribes are of different ethnicities and scattered across the lands north of the Yellow River. Besides the able-bodied, there are also elders and children. If they ever planned any moves, they would have to consider these factors.”
The three rode ahead of the convoy, chatting leisurely. After many stops and starts, half a month later, they finally arrived at the gates of Yanjing city.