Episode 3 The Show

Qin Xiuyan glared at them. Just one stare hushed them. They had no idea what His majesty was thinking since he heard about himself in the gossip. They just stood there for a few minutes as if time in the world was frozen. The minister didn't dare say anything until the king moved away from their trembling stares and went to the throne to get his winter coat. He smiled at them and even waved goodbye but his stare earlier obviously said I will remember you. They were scared with fright by his sudden change of behaviour. It would be okay if the king punished them or said something bad to them but doing none of them only meant one thing. Worse things will arrive upon their families' doorsteps. From the king's personality, it couldn't be anything other than that. They could only hope the king forget what they said earlier.

Minister Cao was observing the situation beside his majesty. He tried to stifle his laugher at how they reacted. After Qin Xiuyan retrieved his coat and turned to go back, Cao Leihao's slight smile vanished, replaced by a serious minister Cao.

Minister Cao was troubled whether to ask him his question or not. Qin Xiuyan as if seeing a layer of curiosity suddenly spoke, "I didn't punish them badly because that wouldn't stop them from speaking of me completely. Only with fear, can they keep their mouths shut. Don't you think so, Cao Leihao?" Minister Cao didn't answer. The King seemed okay with the answer.

They had to walk around the whole palace before finally reaching the stable in which horses and stacks of hay were. Minister Cao was tired and breathing irregularly but his majesty wasn't, he seemed calm and tested the horses by riding it one by one. After a few hours, he picked out 100 strongest horses in order to go with his soldiers and gave it to minister Cao to handle the rest of the affairs. He went back to his bedroom chambers for sleep.

During the night

The king clutched his chest as if he was suffocating. "I am going to defeat you, Chu Fenlan!" The Chu Fenlan in in his dream replied, "In your dreams."

The next morning

"Your majesty, your majesty, please wake up." The eunuch exclaimed urgently. "The refugees are complaining that we are trying to starve them to death before we defeat the Chu state."

"I guess this was what my dream meant." Qin Xiuyan's head drooped and his shoulder trembled, "Hahahaha, Chu Fenlan, what a brilliant move."

"Your majesty, do you mean that Chu Fenlan had finally made his move?"

"Yes, I am in a good mood, so I will explain it to you stupid heads. Prepare for the morning court and summon all the present ministers and my three brothers." The King smiled, thinking to himself, I don't think I can invite my other brother who is under house arrest. If I do, my mom and grandmother both are going to nag at me.

The eunuch was dumbfounded for a while before snapping out of it and summoned all the present ministers and the three princes for the court.

In the morning court, the king sat on the throne.

"His majesty is here," the eunuch exclaimed. The ministers all greeted dully and uniformly as usual with "Long live, long live, long live his majesty." Except three new voices in the court rang loud.

"Enough, enough, you don't need to do this tradition every day. My ears are going to bleed hearing this every single day. Drop that tradition out of the book or at least stop that tradition in front of me."

"Your majesty, you must never erase that tradition from the record. This is a serious matter. Please think twice." All ministers bowed, frowning seriously.

"I just said it casually. Why take it so seriously? Then take the latter choice. Okay, I am hearing no more of that boring traditon. Let's move onto why I am so happy today." The king asked, getting impatient.

The ministers shook their heads at each other, indicating they have no idea. Seeing that His Majesty was happy meant only one thing - war.

Like the previous day, Minister Lu stepped forward and valiantly, "Is it war with the Yang State?"

"Good guess. And the rest of you. Is minister Lu the only one who understands my mind? Think with your little brains. I also mentioned it in the court yesterday." Crontrolling his loud voice and his rising temper, he stated, "This time, why don't we give them a warning today? Since the rebels in the refugees were instigated by Yang Changmin, why don't we show him a bit of our force again?"

"But Your majesty, doing it now would have severe impact on the public opinion of us." Minister Lu replied.

"Chu Fenlan is manipulating the people's foggy mind that are starving and want to survive so it won't change no matter what we do. He will just have to list the disadvantages we have and the refugees will just have to exaggerate." Qin Xiuyan explained, his right leg crossed on the left leg. "All we have to do is win the war and shut their dear mouths. I will lead the army personally. What do you think?"

Minister Cao was surprised. He didn't think that a king would voluntarily lead an army to a dangerous place. He has heard rumours before entering the palace that he was ruthless in killing people whether in wars or executing his own people. Cao Leihao thought to himself as he watched his mrning show fold out, he is kind of interesting because he is indeed, different from the image of the king I had in mind.

Minister Lu knelt again.

"What's wrong again?"

"A king must stay in his palace to govern the country, you must never leave here. I hope your majesty can think twice."

Some ministers stood to show their agreement, some who disagreed like Minister Lu, knelt, bowing their head so low that it almost touched the ground.

"Ah-yah, Minister Lu, what trick are you playing here? I will lead the army personally. What? The army doesn't welcome me?"

"Of course not". Minister Lu said with his head down.

"Fine." Qin Xiuyan reluctantly gave up. " Then, let's make a deal. You try to find the former Saint Doctor to rescue those refugees outside the palace and at the north. I will give you 6 months. How about it? As long as you find him, I will not lead the army. A general will do it. How's it?"

Miniater Lu raised his head and lowered it again, "I dare not."

The king finally lost his temper. "Either you strike a deal with me or I am going to personally lead the army. You only have to say yes or no."

After a while, it seemed that Minister Lu finished his train of thoughts and agreed.

That time, the three brothers thought that it was their chance to dethrone their youngest brother, but as from 5 years ago, they didn't any courage to do so. They haven't improved even one bit.

The court was dismissed.

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