The clamorous sounds came from the Imperial Street, while Huang Cheng's expression grew increasingly grim as he stood atop the city tower.
The officials below the city gate were evidently spurred into fervent discussion by the markedly louder commotion, casting frequent glances backward. Meanwhile, most officials atop the gate had already been informed by the Imperial Guard.
They had heard that tens of thousands of refugees from the northern lands had surged into the capital, their expressions deeply troubled.
Refugees, disaster victims, civil unrest—in the minds of the officials, these were one and the same.
This was why many prefecture offices chose to shut their gates to refugees.
What's more crucial was that there hadn't been the slightest report about this matter beforehand.
The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, had already regained his composure. Though no trace of anger remained visible, it was also clear to everyone that there wasn't a hint of happiness either.
Yet, Duke of Chengguo's procession grew closer and closer, forcing the Ministry of Rites officials to brace themselves and step forward.
"Your Majesty, Duke of Chengguo has entered the city, and the auspicious time has arrived," one of them said, bowing his head in petition.
The emperor seemed to awaken from a dream, his face displaying a trace of excitement.
"Ah, has it arrived? Good, good," he repeated, patting the armrest, though he did not rise.
"Your Majesty." Huang Cheng abruptly stepped forward, his expression grave, with undisguised anger. "I implore Your Majesty to return to the palace."
Return to the palace?
This shocked the officials present.
At this moment, returning to the palace would undoubtedly humiliate Duke of Chengguo in front of the entire world.
Of course, this was something Huang Cheng dreamed of, but if he was expecting the emperor to take such action, there had to at least be a justifiable reason.
The emperor evidently realized this as well, showing a mix of astonishment and unease.
"Lord Huang, what do you mean by this?" he asked, frowning as he stood. "Duke of Chengguo is almost here. I, with imperial decree, promised to praise his achievements. The civil and military officials, and the citizens of the entire city await eagerly. Do not jest."
As he spoke, he stepped forward, signaling the eunuchs.
"Prepare to summon him."
The eunuchs responded affirmatively and were about to leave when Huang Cheng suddenly knelt with a thud, blocking the emperor's steps.
"Your Majesty, this must not happen," he said hoarsely, pointing toward the city gates. "Duke of Chengguo has brought tens of thousands of refugees from the northern lands into the capital without authorization. This is extraordinarily dangerous. These refugees, having traveled such distances, are of uncertain background and origin. If spies are among them, and Your Majesty is harmed, our great Zhou would be doomed."
This argument was certainly reasonable.
The tens of thousands arriving were far too suspicious and abrupt.
This mass wasn't like the capital's citizens on the Imperial Street, whose numbers, despite being large, had undergone thorough checks. Moreover, these refugees had unverified identities, and if they incited chaos all at once, even the Imperial Guard stationed on the Imperial Street might not be able to maintain order.
If, additionally, Jurchen spies were disguised among them...
The Jurchen people had previously breached the Imperial City and kidnapped the emperor.
Everyone present thought of this dreadful possibility. That event had been the royal family's nightmare, causing the emperor's complexion to instantly pale.
Yet he still didn't turn back but instead gritted his teeth and took another step forward.
"Lord Huang worries too much," he said firmly. "I trust Duke of Chengguo. With him overseeing matters, such blunders will not occur."
With that, he continued descending toward the city gate.
Huang Cheng crawled forward on his knees, bowing and crying bitterly.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this cannot happen!" he shouted. "It is not my petty heart at fault—it is Duke of Chengguo. After negotiating peace, he first refused imperial orders to return, then went outright into Jurchen Territory. Who knows the circumstances of his return? Your Majesty, this must not be overlooked!"
The surrounding officials gasped in shock.
These words were practically accusing Duke of Chengguo of defecting to the Jurchen people, bearing the heart of a wolf!
Such a crime was truly...
The emperor was visibly startled by these accusations. Timid by nature and always refraining from assuming ill intent, he was at a loss for how to refute Huang Cheng's claims.
"Don't speak nonsense, don't speak nonsense!" he waved his hands repeatedly, speeding his descent to escape the implications. "I will go greet Duke of Chengguo. I trust him."
The officials followed uneasily, while Huang Cheng caught up and, staggering along the ground, lunged forward to grab the emperor's leg.
"Your Majesty, I would rather die a thousand deaths than let you enter danger!" he cried out.
By now, they had reached the base of the city walls. This scene was witnessed by all civil and military officials, leaving them dumbfounded.
The eunuchs and palace attendants were startled. Even the Jinyiwei unsheathed their waist knives.
Luckily, the emperor intervened just in time, preventing Huang Cheng from being cut to pieces as a traitor.
"Lord Huang, what are you doing?" Looking at Huang Cheng's hair, now white with age, the emperor didn't have the heart to push him away and stomped his foot in frustration.
The other officials crowded around—some pulling him away, others attempting to dissuade him.
But Huang Cheng simply sat on the ground, refusing to rise.
"Lord Huang, if you think it's too dangerous, why not just prevent the refugees from entering the city?" an official suggested.
"That's dangerous too! The one who brought these refugees into the city is the real threat. I am willing to face the scorn of the world, I am willing to be cursed as a public enemy, I am willing to let others see me as a wicked traitor. But I will never let His Majesty enter danger!" Huang Cheng shouted.
These words, coupled with the scene, stirred debate among the civil and military officials, who quickly learned the reason behind all of this.
Standing at the back of the group, Ning Yunzhao smirked.
"This is nothing but theatrics," he remarked, adding with a trace of admiration, "Lord Huang is fortunate to be dealing with a righteous emperor."
The official beside him had no time to dwell on this, lowering his voice with an edge of urgency.
"What are we supposed to do now?" he asked softly.
As his voice fell, over half the officials simultaneously knelt.
"Your Majesty, please return to the palace," they implored in unison, loudly kowtowing. "Your Majesty must not be endangered."
Watching the throng of kneeling officials and hearing their disordered pleas, Huang Cheng, still sitting with his head bowed, revealed a subtle, cold smile.
Humiliating? If a servant refuses to humiliate himself for the emperor, should the emperor himself be the one to leave and return to the palace?
An emperor's word is law; if he changes his mind, it can only be that he was forced to do so.
Without even lifting his head, Huang Cheng already knew that the kind-hearted emperor would soon have no choice but to return to the palace.
Duke of Chengguo would then be left standing on the Imperial Street—
So you've entered the city? So you've relied on public sentiment? Regardless, what you aim to accomplish, you will not achieve!
Having overcome three obstacles doesn't mean you're free from harm. As long as Huang Cheng remains, there will always be a fourth, a fifth…
For Zhu Shan, the traps and hurdles throughout the capital shall be cages, and since you've broken in, you'll never escape.
Amid the noise of pleas and petitions, the officials near Ning Yunzhao grew increasingly anxious.
"What should we do?" one asked again.
To kneel or not to kneel? To petition or not to petition?
"Of course we kneel," Ning Yunzhao replied, shaking out his sleeves and striding forward.
The officials beside him instinctively followed, unsure of his intentions.
"I congratulate Your Majesty, I celebrate Your Majesty," Ning Yunzhao declared in a crisp, melodious voice that pierced through the chaotic murmurs, soothing and refreshing all who heard it.
But to congratulate and celebrate now?
Everyone turned toward him, including the emperor. They watched as an elegant, handsome young official advanced gracefully, both hands raised, bowing deeply as he knelt.
Behind him, the seven or eight officials following wore perplexed expressions. Was he congratulating the emperor for having such a loyal guardian like Huang Cheng?
This wasn't what they expected...
Yet, given the circumstances, they could only kneel alongside him.
"I congratulate Your Majesty, I celebrate Your Majesty," Ning Yunzhao reiterated, looking at the emperor with a smile. "Three provinces and tens of thousands of citizens have returned to Zhou, and tens of thousands of refugees have traveled miles to express their gratitude for Your Majesty's benevolence. While Your Majesty intended to commend Duke of Chengguo, it appears Duke of Chengguo and the northern populace wish to praise Your Majesty."
With that, he bowed once more.
"Your Majesty has not only subdued the Jurchen people, secured the annual tribute, reclaimed vassal territories, and appeased the spirits of the royal ancestors; the tens of thousands of refugees who chose to come to the capital bear witness to Your Majesty's virtuous reign. The heavens and earth themselves recognize Your benevolence. There has never been anyone like Your Majesty before, nor will there be after—Your Majesty exceeds even Yao and Shun."
This claim left the civil and military officials blushing red with embarrassment.
This level of flattery truly had no equal!
Huang Cheng's faint smile vanished as he raised his gaze, glaring darkly at the young official kneeling in the center.
Unexpectedly, this wasn't some harmless rabbit—it was a tiger.
The emperor's expression shifted, shedding his anxiety and fear to shine brightly.
Ning Yunzhao lifted his head, his demeanor genuinely sincere as he gazed at the emperor.
Indeed, His Majesty cared about his dignity. He wouldn't personally act in ways that humiliate himself; that would be left for others. But if there was an opportunity for His Majesty to enhance his reputation, he would naturally seize it rather than give credit away.
Ultimately, between humiliating others and taking the credit, the choice would be based on what brought the greater benefit—there were no absolutes.
"Your Majesty," Ning Yunzhao said once more, bowing deeply. "This is Your Majesty's tremendous achievement—it should be celebrated by all under heaven. I congratulate Your Majesty; I celebrate Your Majesty."
The officials behind him no longer hesitated; they bowed and followed suit.
At this point, they were already drawn into Ning Yunzhao's faction. Whether they offered congratulations or not, in the eyes of both the officials and the emperor, they were now aligned with Ning Yunzhao.
"I congratulate Your Majesty, I celebrate Your Majesty," they shouted together.
At least this was a compliment.
Indeed, this was His Majesty's achievement. If he were to return to the palace now, the northern populace would only recognize Duke of Chengguo and would only hold him in gratitude.
The world is vast, but all land belongs to the sovereign. All within the boundaries are subjects of the sovereign.
This achievement was his. He must take it for himself.
Standing tall, the emperor cast off Huang Cheng and raised his hand high.
"Summon him." He declared loudly.
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(I may need to make slower updates for a while. Please believe me when I say it saddens me more—more updates mean more earnings. Anyway, I hope everyone stays well.)