Though the Central Plains Empire was vast, its history was inextricably bound to the foreign tribes of the frontier.
In truth, the chronicle of the empire was a chronicle of war against them.
The Northern Barbarians, the Eastern Savages, the Western Rong, and the Southern Man. Among these, the countless tribes dominating the sweeping grasslands and deserts of the north, alongside the Eastern Savages of the Haedong Kingdom, stood as the most persistent threats.
They were the ancient, enduring nemeses of this colossal empire.
***
Central Plains Empire, Imperial Capital. The Imperial Palace, Main Hall.
The afternoon sun blazed with oppressive heat.
Under normal circumstances, this was the hour the Emperor would be immersed in state affairs with his ministers. Yet now, a heavy, suffocating silence filled the vast expanse of the Main Hall, lying over the assembly like a deep shadow cast beneath the scorching sun.
It wasn’t for a lack of people. On the contrary, the spacious hall was packed to capacity.
The young Emperor sat upon the high Dragon Throne. Chancellor Kang Sang, the “Madman of the Capital,” stood guard nearby. Below them were the heads of the sixteen powerful families who enjoyed immense power, flanked by the entirety of the civil and military officials.
It was a bizarre spectacle—so many powerful figures maintaining such absolute, tomb-like stillness.
They were waiting.
They waited for news of the Battle of Shenyang, the outcome of which had been decided this very morning.
In a tension so thick that the drop of a single needle would have sounded like a thunderclap, Chancellor Kang Sang met the gaze of the figure standing opposite him. Sparks seemed to fly in the empty air where their stares clashed.
Twitch.
Kang Sang’s wrinkled eyes trembled slightly as he looked down from his massive height at his opponent.
Despite his diminutive stature, the opponent’s eyes flashed, refusing to yield a single inch to the Chancellor. And well he might. He was the current Patriarch of the Gongsun Clan—one of the sixteen powerful families—and the Head Eunuch, head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the office that managed all affairs within the Imperial Palace.
“Head Eunuch.”
Chancellor Kang Sang’s incredibly heavy voice echoed, ricocheting off the walls of the silent hall.
Some of the more timid ministers flinched at the sound, their faces flushing with embarrassment at their own jumpiness.
“Even now, before it is too late, how about being reborn as a loyal subject of His Imperial Majesty?” Kang Sang broke the heavy silence with a voice devoid of tremors.
“Ha! Loyal subject?”
Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s scoff was equally steady. He shook his sleeves, feigning offense with theatrical flair.
“Where is there anyone who serves the Imperial Family and His Majesty with more sincere loyalty than this Gongsun Taerang?”
His expressions and gestures were filled with such earnestness, as if there were not a speck of shame in his soul. How could one man be so brazen?
Just as the young Emperor, momentarily forgetting his dignity, was about to burst out in anger, Chancellor Kang Sang let out a thunderous laugh, naturally interceding.
“Hahaha! I hardly think that is something to be said by one of the heads of the sixteen families supporting the lawless Yelü Nuzhucha, who dares to impersonate a king.”
The Dread King, Yelü Nuzhucha. The catalyst for the rapid expansion of the north. It was a probing, deeply piercing remark.
“Support…?”
As expected, the accusation failed to leave even a scratch on Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s thick face.
“I understand what the Chancellor is implying.”
“Then—”
“However.” Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang cut him off smoothly. “That story is nothing but groundless rumor. Merely one of countless whispers meant to insult the loyalty of our sixteen families.”
He continued brazenly, “To speak of such mere rumors recklessly in the Royal Presence…” Clicking his tongue openly, he pushed back against Kang Sang. “I cannot see this as behavior befitting the Chancellor of the Great Central Plains Empire.”
Kang Sang was famous for his eccentricities and hot temper, but he was also a seasoned politician. He did not sway in the slightest.
“If you did not support Yelü Nuzhucha, why did the sixteen families oppose the suppression of that traitor?”
“Hoh…!”
The opponent was also one of the most powerful men in the empire. Gongsun Taerang did not get swept up in Kang Sang’s eloquence. Instead, he scolded the Chancellor loudly.
“Has the Chancellor forgotten the Northern War caused by the Old Demons (former patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families ) in the past?! The result of that war was utterly horrific! The lives of the people were devastated, and countless youths lost their lives in the frozen wastes!”
Gongsun Taerang raised a finger, pointing accusingly.
“Was it not you who threw off your official robes in opposition to the Northern War back then?! And now, such a person intends to wage war against the North?!”
His roar rang through the hall. He reached behind him, and a waiting minister quickly produced a bundle of documents from his robes, presenting it to him.
“Do you see these documents?!”
Gongsun Taerang held the bundle high, shaking it for all to see.
“These are accusations from various quarters stating that Chancellor Kang Sang has suspicious relationships with prominent military supply families of the Central Plains!”
Ministers with deep ties to the sixteen families deliberately raised their voices in feigned shock.
“Oh my, look at that.”
“As expected, with such a background. No wonder he sang songs of suppression.”
“Ha.”
Chancellor Kang Sang simply picked his ear and laughed.
“That, truly, is a story of mere rumor.”
Having served as Chancellor through two reigns, he had suffered all manner of slander for years. Yet, the reason Kang Sang maintained his position was simple: he was the most neutral and incorruptible Chancellor in the history of the Central Plains Empire.
“Do you have a proper accuser or any basis for that claim?”
Whenever he pushed forward honestly like this, opponents without substance eventually had to fold.
However…
“A proper basis, you say?”
A distinct, predatory smile flashed across Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s face. Before Kang Sang, sensing something ominous, could speak, the Head Eunuch continued, “Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon of the Luoyang Sword Clan, whom you pushed for and succeeded in appointing as the Subjugation Commander.”
Gongsun Taerang threw the thick bundle of documents onto the floor and retrieved a single, thin letter from his bosom.
“That is…?”
To Kang Sang, who feigned ignorance despite recognizing the letter at a glance, the Head Eunuch answered kindly.
“It is a document containing testimony proving that you moved according to the ‘directives’ of Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.”
Until now, Chancellor Kang Sang had maintained neutrality, never aligning too closely with anyone, internally or externally. But the current Kang Sang had a patron: the Grand Young Master.
“That public accusation.” Kang Sang’s voice dropped low. “Can you take responsibility for it?”
“Of course.”
The Head Eunuch licked his unusually red lips. “Additionally, let me inform you in advance that the credibility of this witness is very high.”
Murmur, murmur.
This time, the noise wasn’t instigated by those loyal to the sixteen families; all the civil and military officials were genuinely shocked.
“You must have noticed by now,” the Head Eunuch addressed the court. “There are countless families in our Central Plains Empire directly or indirectly involved in the military supply business. But who is the foremost among them?”
Though no one answered, everyone thought of the same name.
The Luoyang Sword Clan.
The largest and greatest family in the Central Plains. There was no business they didn’t touch. In fact, it was an open secret that the Luoyang Sword Clan had enjoyed enormous war profits during the last Northern War.
“No matter how excellent his ability is rumored to be, to seat a figure named Yeon So-hyeon—who is merely in his teens—as Commander. And to attempt to wage a failed war once again.”
He raised the thin letter containing the testimony high, and everyone’s gaze followed it.
“An ambitious young man trying to build merit by causing an unreasonable war to become the next Patriarch. And an old man blinded by greed who reversed his retirement and returned.”
The Head Eunuch’s mouth stretched into a wide, hideous grin.
“Now, everyone. Do you understand what has happened?”
It was a narrative constructed of logical leaps and unverified testimony, but the damage was done.
“…So the rumors were true?”
“…Indeed. Even a pine tree cannot stay green for ten thousand years.”
Accusation in a public setting was a double-edged sword. Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang, at the pinnacle of power, was not in a situation to gamble with something that could send him into the abyss unless he was certain.
It didn’t take long for the murmurs spreading through the hall to return as angry voices.
“Chancellor!”
“Explain the accusation!”
Disappointment is always sharper when expectations are high. The voices of condemnation came loudest from the pro-Emperor faction, the minority who felt betrayed.
“I heard that the influence of the Sword Clan’s Grand Young Master played a major role in your return to the Imperial Palace!”
“Reveal your relationship with the Grand Young Master properly!”
Chancellor Kang Sang’s face was stiff as stone. His jaw was set, and his robust physique remained dignified, but the ministers no longer felt the usual aura of invincibility from him.
Where did it leak? Who? How?
In a short moment, countless thoughts flashed through Kang Sang’s mind. But he couldn’t find a clear answer.
“Chancellor Kang Sang!” Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s voice rose in triumph. “Confess the truth even now and summon Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon to the Imperial Palace!”
Kang Sang closed his eyes, then opened them.
The deliberation was short. There was no need to weigh what was more important.
“…That is impossible.”
“What—!”
“Instead!” Cutting off the retort, he took a big step forward. “This body will immediately suspend all duties as Chancellor and sincerely cooperate with any investigation by any agency.”
“That means…” Gongsun Taerang’s eyes flashed. “Do you admit to all suspicions?”
“No.” Kang Sang shook his head firmly. “I clarify that this measure is solely a voluntary and temporary cooperation to prove my innocence.”
Amidst the shouts of the ministers, Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s brain finished its calculations rapidly.
Half a success.
If he could separate Chancellor Kang Sang from the Emperor at this crucial juncture, it was a sufficient gain.
“Good.” Gongsun Taerang nodded. “I accept your voluntary propo—”
“Wait!”
Normally, Gongsun Taerang would have finished his sentence without batting an eye. But he dared not do so now. Because the opponent was the Emperor of the Central Plains himself.
“It was not the Chancellor who wished to seat Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon as the Subjugation Commander.”
“Your Majesty.”
Like a snake head turning toward new prey, Gongsun Taerang pivoted.
“Does that mean…?” His eyes rolled white as he focused on the Emperor.
“Your Majesty…!” Chancellor Kang Sang shouted in surprise.
The Emperor had to be protected until the very end. The Chancellor could be replaced, and even the Grand Young Master would leave only a large void. But the Emperor of the Central Plains, inheriting the sacred bloodline, was the only one. No one could take his place.
If the Grand Young Master’s Northern Expedition failed, the responsibility had to fall on the Chancellor and the Grand Young Master. Only then could a “next chance” exist.
“I shall make it clear.”
The Emperor raised a hand to silence Kang Sang.
“It was My will to appoint Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon as the Subjugation Commander.”
The eyes of the ministers grew as large as lanterns.
“That means—”
“Also.” Cutting off the Head Eunuch, who was practically vibrating with excitement at the unexpected opportunity, the Emperor continued. “I clarify here that the Northern Expedition is also My will and in accordance with My intent.”
“Your Majesty…!”
The Emperor shook his head at the desperate Chancellor.
I cannot send the Chancellor away from my side at this crucial time.
Through the Emperor’s unwavering eyes, Kang Sang could feel a firm will and steel determination.
If we die, we die together. If we succeed, we succeed together.
“Hoh…!”
Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang stepped forward, feigning a heavy sigh. “Oh my, oh my.”
He rubbed his palms together like a man sitting down to a banquet.
“Then, if I may dare to summarize. May I understand this to mean that if the Northern Expedition fails, Your Imperial Majesty will personally take responsibility?”
“Of course.”
The Emperor held his chin high.
“However, I, and the Grand Young Master of the Sword Clan who acts on My will, will absolutely not fail.”
When had the guts of that young fledgling Emperor grown so large?
But, Your Majesty…
Gongsun Taerang sneered inwardly while wearing a mask of deep concern.
“If that happens, not only Your Imperial Majesty but also the honor of the Imperial Family will be greatly tarnished.”
He raised a hand, pointing dramatically to the vast entrance of the Main Hall.
“If, by any chance.”
The Emperor swallowed dryly, unseen by the court.
“News arrives right now from there, from Shenyang, that the Grand Young Master has been defeated—”
At that moment.
“Your Majesty!”
As if on cue, an old eunuch of the Imperial Palace sprinted in, shouting at the top of his lungs.
“News of victory!”
The old eunuch, a loyalist who had refused to follow the Directorate of Ceremonial and had served the Emperor for many years, yelled with a vigor that defied his age.
“The Grand Young Master of the Sword Clan has won the first battle in Shenyang! It is a Great Victory!”
In that instant, Head Eunuch Gongsun Taerang’s face crumpled.
Simultaneously, bright smiles broke out on the faces of the young Emperor and Chancellor Kang Sang.
“Look here, Head Eunuch.”
The Emperor laughed, looking down at his stunned adversary.
“It seems the occasion for Me to take responsibility has not yet arisen.”