Chapter 53: Stability at the Frontier

Seeing that Emperor Jing remained non-committal, the Minister of Rites was unwilling to be outdone. He stepped out from the ranks once more and said in a deep voice, "Although the Duke of Dingguo's words carry some reason, Heir Zhao Ang has yet to gain any experience in commanding troops. To dispatch him rashly to the borderlands—should any unforeseen disaster occur, wouldn't that jeopardize the stability of the frontiers? Furthermore, a grand marriage is a matter of national importance, involving the dignity of the imperial house. How can it be altered at will?"

The Duke of Dingguo smiled faintly, as though he had been prepared for this. "Lord Minister of Rites, you exaggerate. The so-called battlefield does not necessarily require Heir Zhao Ang to personally lead the vanguard; it will suffice for him to accompany the army, garrison the post, and undergo a trial by fire. Moreover, this move will pacify the hearts of the realm while displaying the might of the imperial house—truly a double stroke of luck."

These words left the Minister of Rites momentarily speechless.

At that very moment, Zhao Rong, the Duke of Zhenguo, standing among the military officials, slowly stepped forward with steady paces and a gaze as firm as a mountain.

He bowed deeply to Emperor Jing and said in a sonorous voice, "Your Majesty, this old subject dares not agree with the Duke of Dingguo. Although the military situation at the border is tense, it is not without capable defenders. Every man of the Black Tiger Army has been trained by the Zhao family for years; why trouble the younger generation with this redundant effort?"

Emperor Jing looked at Zhao Rong, a hint of probing in his eyes. "Lord Zhao, the Duke of Dingguo's proposal may have its merits. As the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's estate, if Zhao Ang can campaign in your stead, it would also serve as valuable seasoning. Why are you so resistant?"

Zhao Rong's gaze flickered slightly before he replied in a deep tone, "Your Majesty, it is not that this old subject is resistant, but rather that border warfare is inherently perilous. Though Zhao Ang has the will, he is hardly equal to such a heavy responsibility. Should a rash decision lead to military defeat, the Zhao family would bear an inescapable blame, and this old subject would have no face to meet our ancestors."

His words fell with the weight of metal and stone, neither humble nor arrogant, yet making the attitude of the Zhao family abundantly clear.

Emperor Jing smiled slightly, shifting his gaze back to Zhao Rong with a trace of profound meaning in his tone. "Lord Zhao's concerns are understandable. However, I believe that since Heir Zhao Ang is a future pillar of the Zhao family, he ought to have both courage and insight. I wonder if Lord Zhao would be willing to hear his opinion?"

A shock rippled through Zhao Rong's heart, and he understood that Emperor Jing was tossing the issue directly to Zhao Ang in an attempt to test him.

Within the Golden Luan Hall, Zhao Rong's gaze hardened slightly, a trace of worry flashing across his brows. He knew Emperor Jing's true intention all too well—this was a trap set for Zhao Ang.

If Zhao Ang rashly accepted, given the scheming minds of the Duke of Dingguo and Emperor Jing, they would inevitably exploit the opportunity to push him into a position of mortal peril.

If Zhao Ang refused, it would brand the Zhao family as cowardly and incompetent, thus giving others grounds for criticism.

On the surface, this was a "trial by fire," but in secret, it was a "fatal blow."

Before Zhao Ang had even shown his face, he had already been forced into the eye of the court's political storm.

Emperor Jing shifted his gaze slightly toward the hall's entrance. "Summon Zhao Ang to the audience—"

Moments later, Zhao Ang's figure appeared before everyone's eyes.

Dressed in a brocade robe with a jade pendant gently swaying at his waist, his stride appeared casual yet carried a certain untamed grace. A lazy smile hung on his lips, while his eyes gleamed with a sharp, imperceptible insight.

Zhao Ang walked to the center of the hall and gave a lazy, cupped-hand salute. "Your subject-by-marriage, Zhao Ang, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes, looking at him with a half-smile. "Zhao Ang, the Duke of Dingguo has proposed that you take the place of the Duke of Zhenguo on the northern campaign. What are your thoughts on this?"

Hearing this, Zhao Ang froze for a split second before raising his head. A look of exaggerated astonishment bloomed across his face. "The Duke of Dingguo actually thinks highly of my meager abilities? This is truly a supreme honor."

This demeanor caused quite a few officials in the hall to frown, while the expression of the Duke of Dingguo grew even gloomier.

Yet Emperor Jing seemed to have grown interested, and he smiled as he said, "I find you youthful and resolute. If you can campaign with the army, it would also be a rare seasoning. Zhao Ang, what do you think?"

Zhao Ang tilted his head, pondering for a moment as if in serious thought, before looking up with a tone of carefree levity. "Since Your Majesty trusts this subject-by-marriage so much, naturally I dare not decline. However..."

He deliberately drew out the ending of his sentence, sweeping his gaze toward the Duke of Dingguo while a meaningful smile curled the corner of his mouth. "Since it is a trial, you must at least let me bring something along, right?"

"For instance, the military command of the Black Tiger Army should be temporarily handed over to this subject-by-marriage. And for another instance, since the Duke of Dingguo made the proposal, shouldn't he also dispatch a few elite generals to accompany us and teach a novice like me how to wage war?"

As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted throughout the hall.

Zhao Ang's words were clearly a strategic retreat used as an advance. Not only did he seize the military command under this pretext, but he also attempted to drag the Duke of Dingguo down into the mud. If the Duke of Dingguo sent men, it would be like carving flesh from his own heart.

If he didn't send men, it would betray a guilty conscience. This counter-move left the Duke of Dingguo riding a tiger and unable to dismount.

A dark shadow flashed through the eyes of the Duke of Dingguo, though he forced himself to maintain an outward calm.

He offered a slight, cupped-hand salute, his tone gentle yet laden with hidden barbs. "Heir, your words truly mark you as a youth of exceptional talent. However, the situation at the border is complex, and the enemy's tricks are numerous. Relying solely on the Black Tiger Army is likely insufficient to control the overall situation."

"In my humble opinion, the imperial court should still dispatch a few capable generals to assist the Heir, lest any mishap occur in the war."

Hearing this, Zhao Ang raised an eyebrow, cast a playful glance at the Duke of Dingguo, and spoke in a voice that was not loud, yet clear enough for everyone present to hear distinctly.

"Oh? Does the Duke of Dingguo believe the Black Tiger Army is useless, or does he believe this heir is useless?"

The expression of the Duke of Dingguo shifted slightly. Just as he was about to offer a defense, Zhao Ang gave him no opening, speaking at a slightly quicker pace tinged with a dash of unbridled arrogance.

"The Black Tiger Army is an elite force forged through the bloodshed of my Zhao family. Having campaigned for years, they strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. If even they cannot control the situation, what could other armies possibly accomplish? As for this subject-by-marriage..."

He paused intentionally, the smile on his face growing even more radiant and uninhibited. "If the Duke of Dingguo feels that I am unequal to the task, he might as well say so directly. A person like me doesn't mind learning a bit more."

The Duke of Dingguo was choked into silence, his face turning alternating shades of green and white.

Zhao Ang was deliberately provoking him, yet he could find no grounds for refutation.

Emperor Jing watched this unfolding scene with rapt interest, a trace of unfathomable meaning lurking in his eyes.

He tapped gently on the imperial desk, cutting short the clash between the two men. "Zhao Ang, since you are so confident, I will entrust the Black Tiger Army to you. You shall take full charge of border affairs."

At these words, the expressions of all the ministers in the hall changed drastically.

Zhao Ang, however, acted as though he had long anticipated this. He immediately dropped to his knees and kotowed, his tone respectful.

"This subject receives the decree, and thanks Your Majesty for the trust. This subject-by-marriage will certainly not fail this commission and will thoroughly pacify the turmoil at the borders!"

***

Upon returning to the estate of the Duke of Zhenguo, the moment Zhao Ang crossed the threshold, he was yanked into the study by Zhao Rong.

Zhao Rong's face was a mask of complex emotions—a mixture of anxiety and simmering anger.

"Ang'er, what on earth were you making a ruckus about in the imperial court?"

Zhao Rong said in a deep voice, "Could you not see Emperor Jing's true intent? He is using a borrowed knife to kill, utilizing the northern turmoil to erode the foundations of our Zhao family!"

Zhao Ang chuckled, slowly seating himself to pour a cup of tea, his tone relaxed. "Grandfather, your grandson is not a three-year-old child; how could I fail to see Emperor Jing's meaning?"

"Since you understood, why on earth did you accept this assignment?"

Zhao Rong furrowed his brow deeply, his tone carrying a touch of exasperation at his grandson's failure to meet expectations. "Although the Black Tiger Army is the lifeblood of our Zhao family, once they reach the battlefield, the situation shifts in the blink of an eye. The slightest misstep means total annihilation!"

Zhao Ang took a calm sip of tea, his demeanor serene. "Grandfather, the northern frontier is indeed dangerous, but the true danger does not lie in the north—it lies in the imperial court. Since Emperor Jing has dared to reach his hand into the territory of the Zhao family, someone must make him understand that stretching a hand out too far invites amputation."

Zhao Rong stared at him in silence for a long while.

He looked at this grandson of his, who wore a perpetually devil-may-care smile, and suddenly a complex surge of emotion welled up in his chest.

"What do you plan to do?" Zhao Rong's voice was low, yet it carried an added measure of seriousness.

Zhao Ang set down his teacup, the smile at the corner of his mouth gradually fading as his eyes grew cold and razor-sharp.

"It is very simple. Emperor Jing wants me to go to the northern frontier, so I will go. But I am not going there to die; I am going to show everyone that the blade of the Zhao family can still kill."

Hearing Zhao Ang's words, a slight gleam flickered in Zhao Rong's eyes. A moment later, he nodded heavily.

"Very well! Since that is the case, your grandfather will support you with all my might. Remember, no matter what happens, the Zhao family will always be your firmest backing!"

Zhao Ang smiled as he stood up, cupping his fists in salute to Zhao Rong. "Grandfather, rest assured. Since I have chosen to play this game of chess, I will never lose."