Volume 1, Chapter 55: Tit for Tat

As night fell beyond Fengxiang Commandery, Li Xuan’s camp blazed with lights. Contrary to the tense atmosphere one might expect, the camp was curiously relaxed. The soldiers, having received wine and meat courtesy of Governor Liu Chang, were feasting heartily.

Inside Li Xuan’s central command tent, he sat across from Xiao Ningshuang, engaged in a game of chess.

“You don’t seem the least bit anxious,” Xiao Ningshuang remarked, placing a piece on the board and watching Li Xuan’s calm demeanor.

“Why rush?” Li Xuan replied without looking up as he made his move. “The fish hasn’t taken the bait yet; there’s no use in hurry. You, Second Senior Brother, are more patient than I expected.”

Xiao Ningshuang knew he referred to the Second Prince, Li Zhan, and said, “He has always been like that—masterful in exerting pressure, wielding rules and hearts as weapons.”

“Rules are rigid; hearts are fluid,” Li Xuan smiled, placing a piece decisively. “He intends to use the governor to hinder me, to make every step difficult. Then I’ll show him what it means to ‘invite a god easily but send him off with difficulty.’”

No sooner had he spoken than Jing Yun entered the tent, bowing slightly. “Your Highness, all investigations are complete.”

“Speak.”

“Governor Liu Chang of Fengxiang Commandery is a distant cousin of Li Zhan. Three years ago, Li Zhan personally promoted him to this post. This man is utterly greedy; since taking office, he has fabricated excuses to extort, embezzled funds allocated for riverworks and relief payments, exploiting his position to the extreme. The people of the commandery are full of grievances. We even found his private ledgers at his residence, clearly documenting his embezzlement over the past three years—amounting to five hundred thousand taels.”

Jing Yun presented a thick ledger.

Li Xuan flipped through it, nodding with satisfaction. “Excellent. Any movement at his residence now?”

“After nightfall, Liu Chang hosted a grand banquet, inviting all officials and local gentry in a show of celebration, apparently to mark his success in keeping Your Highness outside the city.”

“Celebration?” Li Xuan’s smile turned cold. “Let him enjoy it while he can.”

He turned to Jing Yun. “Take a few men and see this matter through for me…”

…

At midnight, the governor’s mansion was still brightly lit, filled with drunken revelry.

Liu Chang’s face flushed from drink, surrounded by officials and wealthy merchants lavishing him with flattery.

“Your Excellency is truly brilliant! Even the Crown Prince was quietly kept outside the city gates. We admire you deeply!”

“Indeed, not only did this earn merit for the Second Prince, but it also demonstrates your fearless character in the face of power!”

Liu Chang laughed heartily, draining his cup. “The Crown Prince is but a boy! The Second Prince is the true strategist. Li Xuan is nothing but a trapped turtle! Come, everyone, drink up!”

Amidst the joyous laughter, a sudden commotion erupted outside. A trembling servant staggered in, face ashen, voice shaking:

“M-Master! Trouble! Many people have come and are surrounding our mansion!”

“What?” Liu Chang’s drunkenness evaporated instantly as he stood abruptly. “Who dares surround my governor’s residence?”

Before he finished, a flood of ragged villagers wielding sticks and hoes broke through the servants’ defense and surged into the hall.

Leading them was a white-haired elder, pointing at Liu Chang with tears of rage: “Liu Chang! You corrupt official! Return my son’s relief payment!”

“You embezzled the river funds, causing the dike to break and drowning my entire family! I’ll fight you till the end!” shouted a burly man, eyes red, swinging a hoe.

“Beat this corrupt official to death!”

“Return our hard-earned money, you thief!”

Chaos erupted; those officials and gentry who had moments before fawned upon Liu Chang now scrambled in terror, hiding beneath tables.

Liu Chang roared, trying to mask his fear: “Rebels! Rebels! You rabble want to revolt? Guards! Arrest them all!”

Before his guards could act, another force burst in.

At their head was the Iron Bull, followed by dozens of fierce Jinwu Guards.

“By order of His Highness the Prince!” Iron Bull’s voice boomed. “We have heard that unruly villagers have stormed the government compound intending harm against imperial officials. We are here to suppress the disturbance and protect Governor Liu!”

The Jinwu Guards charged in like wolves, but instead of attacking the villagers, they formed a barrier between Liu Chang and the crowd.

The villagers, seeing the soldiers, instinctively retreated in fear.

Liu Chang, spotting Iron Bull, momentarily stunned before seizing the chance to cry out, “Quick! Arrest these troublemakers! They’re plotting rebellion!”

Iron Bull smiled grimly, revealing white teeth, though his smile was bitter as tears. “Governor Liu, that doesn’t seem right.”

He pointed at the villagers in a low, somber tone: “His Highness says the people are the foundation of the nation. If they weren’t grievously wronged, would they risk execution to storm the government? There’s more to this—truth must be uncovered, and justice served.”

Liu Chang was speechless with rage.

He understood perfectly—this was plainly Prince Li Xuan’s scheme. These ‘rebels’ were incited by him to meddle under the guise of protection.

Caught in his predicament, Li Xuan strode into the hall, flanked by the Eastern Palace guards.

He glanced at the chaotic scene and the trembling Liu Chang, feigning surprise: “Ah, Governor Liu, what a lively gathering here. I heard the news outside the city and feared for your safety, so I came to see. Are you well?”

Liu Chang’s face turned ashen. Staring at Li Xuan’s kindly smile, he wished he could leap forward and tear him apart.

“T-thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I’m unharmed. Just some unruly peasants causing trouble. I will handle them,” Liu Chang said through clenched teeth.

“Oh? Is that so?” Li Xuan’s gaze shifted to the villagers.

The elderly leader immediately knelt, sobbing, “Your Highness, please champion our cause! Liu Chang is corrupt and oppressive. We can no longer live like this!”

He drew a bundle of papers from his bosom, raising them high. “Your Highness, here is the evidence we have gathered over the years of Liu Chang’s crimes! Please examine it.”

Jing Yun stepped forward, taking the ‘evidence’ and presenting it to Li Xuan.

Without even looking, Li Xuan tossed the bundle along with the ledger Jing Yun had found onto Liu Chang’s feet.

“Governor Liu,” Li Xuan’s smile vanished, replaced by an icy coldness, “do you recognize these?”

Liu Chang stared at the ledgers, feeling all blood drain from his body. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

He knew it was over.

Li Xuan ignored him, turning to the officials and gentry present. His voice rang out clearly: “By imperial decree, I am charged with inspecting the northern borders and overseeing officials. Liu Chang is proven guilty of corruption and abuse of power. Effective immediately, he is dismissed and imprisoned pending judgment.”

He then addressed the villagers kindly: “Fellow countrymen, please rise. I promise that every tael embezzled by Liu Chang will be returned to you in full. Starting tomorrow, the Eastern Palace will establish a Complaint Drum here. Anyone with grievances may come forward, and I will ensure justice is done!”

A hush fell, then a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd.

“The Crown Prince lives!”

“Justice prevails!”

Tears welled in countless eyes as they knelt in gratitude.

Li Xuan accepted their bows calmly. From this moment, the hearts of Fengxiang’s people belonged to him.

He approached the now ashen Liu Chang, crouched beside him, and whispered so only they could hear: “Go back and tell your master, this is the first gift. The game has only just begun.”

Rising, he strode out of the governor’s mansion amid the roaring cheers of the people.

Xiao Ningshuang followed, watching his tall figure bathed in firelight and moonlight, as if a deity.

She had expected him to break the deadlock with thunderous force, yet he had chosen a strategy of light—winning hearts instead of bloodshed.

Without drawing a sword, he transformed the Second Prince’s obstruction into a masterful political spectacle that rallied the people and established his prestige.

That night, Fengxiang’s gates were thrown open. Li Xuan’s troops marched grandly into the city, taking up residence in the commandery’s military camp.

Li Xuan and Xiao Ningshuang settled into the governor’s mansion formerly belonging to Liu Chang.

The next day, Li Xuan ordered the five hundred thousand taels seized from Liu Chang’s estate to be piled at the government office’s doorstep, publicly returned to the people.

Fengxiang Commandery was awash in joy.

Three days later, the army resumed its journey.

As they left the city, tens of thousands lined the streets, spontaneously seeing them off, with tables laden with fruits and wine.

“Farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

The cheers echoed like thunder beneath Fengxiang’s skies.

On horseback, Xiao Ningshuang gazed at the scene, deeply moved. She turned to Li Xuan and asked softly, “Aren’t you afraid your success will unsettle the throne?”

Li Xuan faced the rising sun, eyes on the winding road ahead, smiling faintly.

“Afraid? Why fear?”

His voice brimmed with supreme confidence.

“Water can carry a boat or capsize it. Only those who win the people’s hearts can rule the realm. Father is a wise ruler—he will understand.”

“Besides…” He glanced at Xiao Ningshuang, eyes shining with fierce light, “everything I do is not just for this land, but so that I may peacefully watch these vast rivers and mountains with my Crown Princess.”

Xiao Ningshuang’s heart skipped a beat.

Meeting his ardent gaze, her cheeks flushed like rosy clouds. Yet she met his eyes bravely, a radiant smile blooming like never before.

In the distance, the outline of Jinyuan City in the northern borders came into view along the official road.