Chapter 311: Chapter 301 Verbal Battle
In the Prince Manor, Xie Jue hosted Grandmaster Zhang and Mr. Zhou in the courtyard. Back then, Xie Zhang had placed a table shaped like a "Qu Shui Liu Shang" stream in the courtyard. Scholars and literati loved its elegance, making it perfect for entertaining them.
Grandmaster Zhang and Elder Lin shared a close relationship. When Xie Jue was a child, Elder Lin had fostered him for several years, during which he often met Grandmaster Zhang and attended his lectures on strategy and arithmetic. Mr. Zhou, who taught at the Imperial College, was Xie Jue’s mentor. Despite his cold temperament, Xie Jue’s upbringing in an established family ensured he observed proper etiquette, welcoming them with due respect.
Over the years, whenever Xie Jue returned to the Capital City, he never neglected protocol—visiting and greeting on festive occasions. Upon his triumphal return this time, Xie Jue spearheaded political reforms in the inner cabinet. He frequently visited the Lin Residence and had met Grandmaster Zhang multiple times. Though Grandmaster Zhang did not entirely approve of the new reforms, his concern wasn’t about the diminishing influence of noble families, but rather the belief that the Marquis Mansion was too hasty in implementing them, urging a more gradual approach.
Xie Jue and Elder Lin both agreed that post-negotiation presented the optimal opportunity. The downfall of the Marquis Mansion was largely due to Yuwen Jing’s personal greed and had little connection to the reforms.
Now meeting in Ningzhou, it inevitably evoked deep sighs.
Grandmaster Zhang couldn’t help but observe the bustling servants and the heavily guarded courtyard within the Prince Manor. Xie Jue and Xie Xun, both young heroes in their prime, were merely in their early twenties. The manor had no female household members; to avoid gossip, the manor’s steward had dismissed all young maids apart from a few older women who managed laundry and kitchen duties. As a result, the manor appeared stark and masculine.
Grandmaster Zhang had visited Marquis Zhenbei Mansion before. With the men off to war, Marchioness and concubines busied themselves tidying the gardens. The courtyard of the Prince Manor was elegantly landscaped, with flowers blooming year-round, making it the most beautiful residence in the Capital City.
"Gentlemen, please enjoy the tea!" Xie Jue brewed tea, placing cups into the flowing stream along with dozens of dishes of desserts and cut fruits.
The scorching heat of August was eased by a gentle breeze, making it the perfect time for sipping chilled tea and savoring fresh fruits.
"Ting Feng, how have you been faring in Ningzhou?" Grandmaster Zhang asked.
"Quite well!"
Reserved as ever, Xie Jue remained indifferent toward people and affairs. The scholars were aware, as was the obvious motive behind Grandmaster Zhang and his companions’ visit. The group quietly drank tea, watched the gentle movement of the stream, and smelled the aroma of fruits for over a moment without anyone speaking.
Under the scorching Ningzhou heat, Xie Jue’s pale, cold face bore no trace of warmth.
The Shadow Guards silently thought to themselves—there existed no heat in this world capable of unnerving their master.
Their master’s character assured no spectacle of verbal sparring with scholars would occur.
Grandmaster Zhang ultimately knew that unless he initiated conversation, Xie Jue would accompany them drinking tea until nightfall. He said, "Ting Feng, the Marquis Mansion has suffered terrible misfortune. With only you and Zhixu left, we and the scholars are deeply grieved. May you find solace."
"Understood!" Xie Jue nodded.
"Zhixu has proclaimed himself king in Ningzhou. What are your plans?"
Xie Jue looked at Grandmaster Zhang and concisely declared, "Rebellion."
The color drained from the scholars’ faces—some fuming, others helpless, yet others in despair. Mr. Zhou was particularly distressed, admonishing, "Xie Ting Feng, you’ve been immersed in poetry and classics since childhood. Where have the teachings of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness gone? Has any book taught you to betray loyalty and filial respect, defy your sovereign, or incite chaos and seize the throne?"
"The enmity born of parental loss can never be reconciled!" Xie Jue calmly replied, "It was taught by you, sir."
Mr. Zhou was rendered speechless, yet he couldn’t deny it. "True, enmity over the loss of parents is irreconcilable. But the suffering of countless citizens? Have you considered them? To avenge your hatred, to raise armies and rebel, how many might lose their families and homes? They, too, have parents—should they seek retribution against you?"
"They may!" Xie Jue sipped his chilled tea, "Anyone whose parents perish due to me may seek vengeance against me."
The crowd, "..."
"Enough of this!" Xie Jue set down his teacup, his gaze sweeping across Grandmaster Zhang and the scholars, "Yuwen Jing’s life—I will take it without fail."
In the sweltering summer heat, an undeniable chill overtook the gathering.
Whether it was Xie Jue’s blunt invocation of Emperor Yuan Hui’s name or his emotionless declaration of intent to kill him, the gravity of the situation was clear—this was a life-and-death struggle. Many present had bonds with Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, leaving emotions conflicted.
"Ting Feng, rebellion and treason pit you against the entire nation. You will bear eternal condemnation, pointed at by thousands," Grandmaster Zhang urged sincerely. "You and Zhixu are still young; do not walk a path of no return. We’ve come to Ningzhou to prevent an internal war in Yanyang, to stop bloodshed and save countless lives."
"Sir, history is written by the victors. Whether Yuwen Jing or I bear eternal condemnation and scorn is yet to be decided." Xie Jue’s eyes lowered slightly. "If Zhixu and I lose, what is eternity’s condemnation but a trifle? My conscience is clear; I chose this path, and I regret nothing. If you wish me to turn back, then revive my parents, sister, elder brother, and aunt, and I’ll reconsider."
Grandmaster Zhang probed, "If the Emperor pens a confession and declares it publicly, would you still rebel?"
"Yes!"
"Xie Ting Feng, why are you so obstinate? The Emperor’s willingness to write a confession and declare it openly should dissolve hatred and dissuade warfare," a scholar sternly rebuked.
"If I slaughtered your entire family and then wrote a confession, would you forgive me?"
The impassioned scholar responded, "I wouldn’t forgive you, but I wouldn’t raise armies, plunging the nation into chaos as collateral damage."
Xie Jue sneered faintly. The scholar grew indignant, "Why are you laughing?"
"You wouldn’t raise armies because you’re merely an educator. You lack both the authority and capability to command the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry." Xie Jue coldly laid bare the harsh truth, "To preach empathy over what you’ve never possessed—it’s unqualified moralizing."
"The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry isn’t your personal force nor your tool for vengeance, Xie Ting Feng." The scholar lamented, "It is Yanyang’s army, and you’ve turned it into a blade against Yanyang’s citizens."
"The battlefield is near Ningzhou. I can escort you to the command tower, and you may advocate to the forces. Whoever chooses to leave, I won’t stop them."
"Stop arguing!" Grandmaster Zhang intervened, halting the scholars who were prepared to continue their verbal attacks on Xie Jue. "Ting Feng, your resolve is set, isn’t it?"
"Yes!" Xie Jue nodded, "Sir, your persuasion changes nothing."
"Marquis Zhenbei Mansion has five generations of loyalty and valor!" Grandmaster Zhang shed tears, "We’ve failed the men who gave their lives for the Marquis Mansion—we’ve failed the Marquis!"
"Indeed!"
The crowd, "..."
Xie Jue thought that, yes, they had failed the five generations of loyal valor from the Marquis Mansion. Though the demise of the Marquis Mansion wasn’t brought by the noble families, its men had perished on the battlefield, securing peace and affluence for generations to come. These aristocrats enjoyed untold opulence, yet dared to come dissuade him. The men of the Marquis Mansion could die on the battlefield without a shred of regret, but they would never accept falling prey to Yuwen Jing’s scheming. A simple confession letter followed by his continued rule as sovereign over the nation?
Dream on!
"Ting Feng, the Emperor has thrice personally invited Lin Helin to lead the inner cabinet, and he has agreed. Lin Helin will soon reshape the administration. He’s also officially enshrined the Crown Prince, with the Empress being from the Lin Family—your cousin. The Crown Prince must even address you as uncle, Ting Feng. Blood ties cannot be severed. One day, decades from now, the empire must pass to the Crown Prince’s hands. To rebel and seize the throne is to snatch his inheritance—he is your nephew," Grandmaster Zhang wielded familial bonds. "The Yuwen Royal Family is rightful orthodoxy. You and Zhixu could become his trusted uncles and right-hand allies. Do not, in a moment of hatred, stray from reason."
Xie Zhang and Xie Jue had previously visited the Crown Princess Consort and Abao. He vividly remembered his elder brother’s gentle smile while holding Abao. He himself had gifted a pair of longevity locks to his little nephew.