That single statement infuriated the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian so badly that he blew through his beard and glared, yet he dared to be angry without speaking. Nalan Jian paid him no attention whatsoever. Turning around, he respectfully cupped his hands and bowed to Emperor Huawen. “As for the position of commander-in-chief, this humble subject still recommends Ning Xuan, Bureau Director of the Ministry of War.”
“Eighth Prince is one thing. At the very least, he has been on a battlefield. But deciding the commander-in-chief based solely on the marquis’s word is far too forced, isn’t it?” Having suffered a setback, the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian immediately regained his energy. He stood coldly to the side, waiting to see how Nalan Jian would justify himself. “Could it be that the marquis has a close personal relationship with this Bureau Director and wishes to promote a newcomer? We can understand your desire to support the younger generation, but there is no need to make it quite so obvious. Commanding an army on his first campaign—does the marquis not think he is being somewhat too hasty?”
Nalan Jian acted as though he had heard nothing and did not even glance at him. Calm and neither humble nor overbearing, he said, “One who can command soldiers is called a general. One who can command generals is called a marshal. This subject has led troops for many years and can still distinguish between a general and a commander. Eighth Prince is a rare military talent. He is easygoing and lenient toward his subordinates, yet rigorous in military discipline. Given time, he will surely awe the frontier and raise the might of our Hua Dynasty. The reason this subject remained silent these past days was because I lacked complete certainty and had not found a suitable talent for supreme command. Now, this subject formally petitions Your Majesty. I ask Your Majesty to grant permission.”
Such a forceful attitude was not even being used to seek fame or profit for his own son. For a time, everyone was genuinely bewildered. Seeing that Emperor Huawen had begun to waver, the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian hurriedly bowed and petitioned as well. “Your Majesty, please reconsider. How can such an important military affair be carelessly placed into the hands of an inexperienced child?”
The two sides reached a stalemate. Although Marquis Dingbei had spoken with unquestioned authority on military affairs for decades, conquering wherever he attacked and winning every battle, that record was ultimately based on his own ability. Although no one doubted his judgment, they still had to consider the several points raised by the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian. For a time, everyone hesitated and whispered among themselves, unable to reach a conclusion.
“This subject seconds Marquis Dingbei’s proposal. Your Majesty, please grant permission.” From within the ranks, Xiao He stepped forward, bent at the waist, and bowed as he voiced his agreement loudly.
The agreement of Xiao He, Minister of War, instantly silenced the chaotic court. The stalemate collapsed within moments. Aside from the officials aligned with the Crown Prince, those on Feng Xuanzhe’s side and the so-called neutral courtiers all stepped forward to second the proposal and petition for approval. Faced with an irreversible situation, the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian’s face turned ashen. Crown Prince Feng Xuanmo pressed his thin lips tightly together and lowered his eyelids, leaving no one able to discern his mood.
Thus, when Ning Xuan was summoned by imperial command and crossed the single doorway into the court hall, what he saw was a room filled mostly with elderly officials of high rank, along with courtiers who, though standing, each wore an unfriendly expression. Instinctively, he glanced toward the front right, only to discover that Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhe both wore unreadable expressions. Neither looked in his direction.
“This subject, Ning Xuan, Bureau Director of the Ministry of War, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years.” He knelt, cupped his hands, and bowed, every movement smooth and completed in one fluid sequence, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Rise.” The emperor’s dignified, steady baritone had lost some of its strength because of his illness.
Ning Xuan rose after being excused from ceremony. One hurried glance from the corner of his eye instantly overturned everything he had imagined about an emperor. Not only was Emperor Huawen not oily-faced, powdered, fat-headed, and large-eared, he could even be described as tall, elegant, charming, and handsome. If not for his pale complexion, it would have been difficult to connect such a man with the father of more than a dozen children. In modern times, Ning Xuan could practically have walked up, patted him on the shoulder, and called him “bro”!
“The northwest military situation is urgent. In accordance with Marquis Dingbei’s petition, Ning Xuan, Bureau Director of the Ministry of War, is hereby appointed General Who Pacifies the West. Prince Yu Feng Xuanzhen and Han Fei, Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, shall serve as his deputy commanders. Three days from now, they shall lead fifty thousand troops on campaign.”
Although Emperor Huawen had accepted Nalan Jian’s request and entrusted great responsibility to an unknown Bureau Director, he had also sufficiently considered the Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian’s feelings by appointing his nephew, Han Fei, as deputy commander to accompany the campaign. The Crown Prince’s Grand Guardian reluctantly accepted. The entire hall shouted praise of the emperor’s wisdom and tearfully thanked him for his grace. Only then did Ning Xuan react. He had met Marquis Dingbei only once several days ago and had not even left a favorable impression, yet through the marquis’s vigorous recommendation, he had unexpectedly obtained the position that had been disputed for so long. Furthermore, both of his deputy commanders were powerful figures he could not afford to offend. Ning Xuan’s face fell miserably, and he felt as though he were sitting upon needles, unable to remain still.
Regardless of the reasons, intentions, or motives involved, the important ministers of court passing him on either side were the same people who had barely acknowledged him a few days before and had regarded him with contempt. Yet now, one after another, they approached with smiling faces, cupped their hands as they passed, congratulated him, praised the emergence of a young hero, and sighed over his youthful accomplishments. Ning Xuan remained wooden and caught off guard, yet had no choice but to accept this scorching hot potato that made others’ eyes burn with envy.
Although he was not so weak that he could neither lift nor carry anything, in Ning Xuan’s understanding, the word “war” had always been far too distant. Even after transmigrating into an ancient era where cold weapons still prevailed, he had never imagined such a word would ever become connected to him.
The flood of congratulations buzzed deafeningly in his ears. When Nalan Jian passed him, he merely patted Ning Xuan on the shoulder, as though signaling that he need not mind or feel pressured. Before leaving, he added only, “Do what you wish to do. I believe you can,” then walked away. Ning Xuan was left completely confused. Even he did not know what kind of material he was made of, so how could an outsider—and one who was practically a stranger with whom he had some friction—be so absolutely certain that Ning Xuan possessed the ability?
When he returned to the residence, he happened to encounter Xiao He and the others, who had come after court to discuss matters and were waiting outside Feng Xuanzhe’s study. When they saw Ning Xuan enter, they first froze, perhaps still unable to process when Prince Yi’s faction had gained someone whom Marquis Dingbei admired and recommended so highly. Then they hurried forward with smiles covering their faces, bowed respectfully, and addressed him as General Who Pacifies the West. Even Xiao He, who had been his direct superior these past days, was no exception.
Only at that moment did Ning Xuan understand just how illusory, unstable, and fleeting so-called power, identity, and status truly were—and why, even though they were so unreliable, countless people still sharpened their heads and rushed forward desperately to climb higher.
For those who pursued power, if one did not risk everything to seek a higher position and instead remained where one was, there was no guarantee that some parachuted outsider would not suddenly appear. If that outsider were someone like Ning Xuan, completely unrelated to oneself, then one merely had to greet him with a smile, flatter him, and cultivate a little relationship between ranks. As long as he did not obstruct one’s own official prospects, all would be well. But if one encountered someone with whom one was already at odds or shared some fresh or old grudge, then even kneeling and begging might not preserve one’s life. Thus people formed factions and shielded fellow officials, all so that a group who shared the same views, thoughts, conduct, and methods could twist themselves into one body, relying upon and supporting each other. So-called neutrality was merely a group of people who had not yet determined which way the wind was blowing and remained hesitant.
Even Ning Xuan, a new-generation intellectual educated in modern ideas who knew perfectly well how corrupt and degenerate all this was, could not completely ignore the superiority of being revered and respected, of standing high above others and looking down upon them. The desire to stand above other people remained the same regardless of era, gender, or education. Only its degree differed from person to person.