Qiao Chu

When Xiao Xun raised his army, he did not declare himself Emperor.

At the time of the uprising, some suggested proclaiming Xiao Xun as Emperor, while others argued that they should first eliminate the treacherous ministers Xie Yanfang and Chu Zhao to appease the late Emperor’s spirit, and only then ascend the throne.

Xiao Xun adopted a compromise: he abolished the current era name of the Great Xia court and reinstated the Yongning era name to signify his rejection of the current regime. Acting as the Crown Prince of Zhongshan, he vowed to campaign against the treacherous ministers and usurpers, pledging to assume the throne only after eliminating the wicked and restoring order.

Thus, Deng Yi remained the Grand Tutor and Regent, holding the late Emperor’s decree.

Initially, Xiao Xun thought this arrangement was acceptable—with Deng Yi at the forefront, he would bear the infamy. However, aside from capturing cities and territories and publicly denouncing the treacherous ministers for usurping the state before officials, gentry, and commoners in the provinces, Deng Yi also dealt harshly with the officials and powerful families.

Giving and receiving gifts was one thing—after all, everyone knew Deng Yi had this habit, and offering gifts put people at ease.

But even after accepting gifts, Deng Yi did not hesitate to turn against them.

In one commandery, a prominent family was charged by Deng Yi for inflating grain prices. Unwilling to submit, the family mobilized its clansmen, neighbors, and guards to resist the authorities. Upon learning of this, Deng Yi immediately deployed troops using the tiger tally, surrounded the family, and executed ten people on the spot, shocking the entire commandery.

At that time, Xiao Xun was leading troops in the field and only learned of the incident upon his return—by then, it was too late.

Hearing Deng Yi’s words, Xiao Xun felt a flicker of displeasure but quickly concealed it.

"I am not criticizing the Grand Tutor’s actions," he said. "I know the Lin family went too far—they hoarded and profiteered from military supplies, enclosed lands, and kept slaves... but."

He sighed softly, gazing at the map dotted with flag markers.

"During wartime, these powerful families, entrenched locally with extensive influence and resources, are crucial for rallying support and stabilizing the cities."

"If we treat them too harshly now, they may turn against us and defect to the court, which would be disastrous."

Deng Yi smiled. "Don’t worry, they won’t defect to the court. The Prince has spent decades building his power, and these families have long been subdued." He pointed at the map. "Otherwise, how could the Heir Apparent’s call to arms have garnered such widespread response, with so many cities joining and followers flocking to your cause?"

Was he implying that their current territorial gains were all due to his father’s efforts? Displeasure flashed again in Xiao Xun’s eyes.

"Moreover," Deng Yi continued, seemingly oblivious to his displeasure, "rest assured, Heir Apparent, even if these families defected to the court, the Empress would not accept them."

At the mention of the Empress, Xiao Xun also smiled. Chu Zhao—she had raised private guards within the court, spied on and monitored officials, and frequently executed families or pressed charges. This girl had transformed from crude and unruly to ruthless.

"The Empress has been suffering repeated defeats lately," he said, looking again at the map with a slight smile. "Do you think I should write her a letter, inviting her to be my Empress? Isn’t being Empress all she wants? She fights for that child to become Empress—she could just as well come to my side and be Empress."

She wasn’t fighting to be Empress, nor was she fighting for that child, Deng Yi almost retorted, but he swallowed his words. What did Chu Zhao’s motives matter to him?

"Although the court’s forces are in retreat, we should not press our advantage too aggressively," he said calmly, watching Xiao Xun. "These victories are not solely due to our strength."

Xiao Xun’s smile faltered; he understood what Deng Yi meant.The current conflict differs from the Western Liang campaign—these are all Great Xia citizens, the cities being stormed and plundered are Great Xia territories, and the soldiers fighting each other might even be relatives.

This war is fought with bound hands and feet—

Bound are the Empress’s hands and feet.

"So, Heir Apparent, do not rush to crush the Empress and march into the capital," Deng Yi continued, pointing at the map. "First, secure half the empire. With the foundation your father laid and the late Emperor’s sacred decree and final edict, show everyone that you can be a good emperor and make them accept your rule. Then, when the time comes, launch a fierce assault that will sweep all before it."

Xiao Xun listened attentively and nodded. "The Grand Tutor is right. I must not underestimate the enemy because of temporary victories." With that, he stood up. "Grand Tutor, please make yourself at home. I will explain the matter of the Lin family to everyone, clarify the current situation, and warn them not to think they can do as they please just because we are at war."

Deng Yi bowed to him and watched as Xiao Xun walked out. As Xiao Xun exited, a clamor erupted outside.

It seemed many people were waiting for him.

"Heir Apparent—what did he say?"

"How dare he act first and report later! Does he even respect Your Highness?"

"What does he think he’s doing?"

"Who does he think he’s fooling, playing the righteous sage? Does he think we don’t know how he served as Grand Tutor in the capital?"

"He even confiscated others’ properties? The Empress—no, that woman from the Chu family—almost seized his own estate!"

Amid the uproar, Xiao Xun’s voice could be heard: "Everyone, please calm down." "Listen to me, everyone." "The Grand Tutor has deeper intentions."

After a moment, the noise faded as the crowd followed Xiao Xun away.

Or rather, they went elsewhere to continue speaking ill of him.

Deng Yi pursed his lips and smiled faintly. It didn’t matter. He had never reached this point by being likable.

As long as he remained useful—even if only as a foil to highlight Xiao Xun’s virtues—he would not be cast aside.

As long as he was not cast aside, he could naturally do as he pleased—

All under heaven are united by mutual benefit.

The late Emperor had made him Grand Tutor because of his utility as a solitary, scheming villain—such a man was more useful in times of turmoil and in supporting a new emperor.

Xiao Xun allied with him because he could serve as a banner of advantage.

Officials and noble families flattered and curried favor with him to exploit the benefits of his status.

Deng Yi gently stroked his temple. He should rein in his thoughts now, but for some reason, he lazily let them wander.

Chu Zhao had allied with him because he held the advantage of seizing the initiative…

Initially, he had been investigating her as an official, and then…

"Lord Deng, why are you sending gifts?"

"Lord Deng is so impressive!"

"In that case, let me treat you to a meal this time."

The girl’s clear voice echoed in his ears, and before his eyes shimmered the image of her delighted smile in a capital city tavern.

This voice and this smile interrupted his thoughts.

Deng Yi raised his hand and waved, dispelling the illusion.

……

……

The Zhongshan Prince’s Mansion remained unchanged, except that the person seated on the white tiger-skin chair was now Xiao Xun.

The officials and elders of noble families who had gathered earlier had taken their leave.

Ning Kun personally brought Xiao Xun a cup of hot tea.

"Deng Yi is truly arrogant, no wonder he and that woman from the Chu family ended up in such a state," he said. "He’s clearly a fugitive here with us, yet he shows no remorse."Xiao Xun smiled faintly. "This is precisely why the late Emperor appointed him as Grand Tutor to oversee state affairs. A man like him makes life difficult for everyone. Whether that child sits on the throne or we seize it, we cannot escape being constrained by this vile character."

With that, he waved his hand dismissively.

"Pay him no mind. Such conduct is his very means of survival."

Ning Kun frowned. "So we truly follow his suggestion and switch from offense to defense, confronting Chu Zhao's main forces? Although the imperial court has reinforced their troops, our cities are united in spirit and strongly fortified. Our position is highly favorable—at the very least, we could drive the imperial armies back south of the Yellow River."

Xiao Xun remained silent, his fingers lightly stroking the tiger pelt. Suddenly, he chuckled. "What if we send a letter to Chu Zhao for negotiations?"

Ning Kun was taken aback, feeling somewhat resigned inwardly. For the Heir Apparent, that woman from the Chu family was truly an obsession.

"Doesn't she just want to be Empress? And not just any Empress—one who holds real power," Xiao Xun said. "I can promise her that when I ascend the throne, a curtain may be drawn behind me for her to govern from."

Ning Kun hesitated slightly. "This... she might actually be tempted by such an offer."

Xiao Xun immediately grew more enthusiastic and was about to summon someone for writing materials when Tie Ying rushed in urgently from outside.

"Heir Apparent," he reported anxiously, "The local gentry clans in Han County have rebelled. They killed the garrison commander, opened the city gates, and pledged allegiance to the Empress."