Chapter 14: The Wager

The power to act as regent, to everyone’s surprise, fell neither to the Fourth Prince nor the Sixth Prince, but instead to the Crown Prince, long thought to be a simpleton.

“Father, Eldest Brother has only just begun to recover from his illness. Perhaps it would be better to let him…” The Fourth Prince bowed respectfully, hoping to urge the Emperor to reconsider.

The old Emperor’s authority was unassailable; his voice was cold and sharp. “Zhao Yu, hold your tongue. My mind is made up. There will be no further discussion.”

A glint of coldness flashed in the Sixth Prince’s eyes, though he still wore a smile, appearing genuinely pleased at Zhao Su’s appointment as regent. He cast a subtle glance at Yu Wen Chengshun, who immediately understood.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant has a memorial to present,” Yu Wen Chengshun said, bowing deeply.

He had never been fond of the Crown Prince. Ever since he began instructing the Sixth Prince, he had believed Zhao Heng to be the true future sovereign. Though the Crown Prince’s affliction had been cured, Yu Wen Chengshun still wished to advocate fiercely for Zhao Heng's regency.

“If you have a memorial, save it for the court meeting tomorrow. I am about to issue an imperial edict,” the old Emperor cut him off, fully aware of his intentions and giving him no opportunity to speak.

Yu Wen Chengshun, however, would not be deterred. He fell to his knees with a resounding thud and declared in a loud voice, “Your Majesty, the power to act as regent concerns the very foundation of the state. Any misstep may shake the nation itself. It must not be handed over lightly. I beg Your Majesty to continue presiding over the affairs of state. We will devote ourselves to duty until our dying breath.”

He was determined that none of the princes should become regent—certainly not the Crown Prince. Even if it meant exhausting the old Emperor, he would force him to continue, so that he might witness firsthand the Crown Prince’s ineptitude.

“I second the motion,” said Grand Chancellor Li Chengyun and Grand Tutor Yang Rucheng, their eyes lighting up as they knelt in support. As long as the regency could be delayed, they could slowly undermine the Crown Prince. But if he were to gain such authority, removing him would become all but impossible.

The Emperor’s face darkened, his gaze thunderous as he glared at the three old ministers. “I have said my mind is made up. Are you openly defying my decree?”

Yu Wen Chengshun stood his ground, his voice unwavering. “Since ancient times, civil officials have died for their remonstrations and military men on the battlefield. If Your Majesty wishes to kill, so be it. I shall not shrink from speaking out for fear of death.”

“You… you…” The Emperor was so enraged his breath came in short bursts, pointing at Yu Wen Chengshun like a maddened lion. “Do you truly think I would not dare kill you?”

A chilling silence fell over the Hall of Heavenly Purity. When a commoner grows angry, blood may flow within five steps; but when the Son of Heaven is enraged, rivers of blood may follow. If an emperor wished to kill, not only one man, but nine generations could be wiped out.

“Since time immemorial, when the sovereign commands death, the subject must obey. If Your Majesty insists on making the Crown Prince regent, then I beg you to take my head first.” Yu Wen Chengshun removed his official’s cap and placed it on the floor, resigned to his fate.

After all, he was already over sixty; dying now would be a long life. He could at least secure a reputation as a loyal minister.

“Father, your son has something to say.” As the dispute dragged on, Zhao Su bowed and spoke.

The Emperor’s expression eased slightly. “What is it, Crown Prince?”

“Father, Lord Grand Guardian objects to my acting as regent only because he fears I lack experience in state affairs and cannot assist you in governing Great Qin. Am I right, Lord Grand Guardian?” Zhao Su asked, unhurried.

Yu Wen Chengshun straightened and replied bluntly, “Indeed. This old minister does not believe Your Highness is capable.”

“You—” The Emperor was so furious he nearly leapt from his bed to strangle Yu Wen Chengshun. Old scoundrel, you dare question my son’s competence? Do you think I’m too old to wield a blade?

Before the Emperor could burst out, Zhao Su continued, “Father, I understand Lord Grand Guardian’s concerns. Why don’t we make a wager? If I lose, I will relinquish the regency.”

“How do you wish to wager, Eldest Brother?” The Fourth Prince’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Zhao Su replied with confidence, “Let us set the term at one year. If, within that year, I prove unfit for the burden, not only will I forfeit the regency, but I will also abdicate as Crown Prince and yield to the worthy. If I prove capable, I will continue. What do you say?”

At these words, everyone’s eyes lit up.

Today the Emperor was determined to make Zhao Su regent. No amount of protest could stop him. The Crown Prince’s proposal of a wager suited them perfectly.

A prince who had never handled state affairs, who had never set foot beyond the palace walls—how could he withstand the manipulations of experienced ministers? They could easily lead him to ruin.

Once Zhao Su plunged the court into chaos and unrest spread throughout the land, they could legitimately depose him.

The three old ministers exchanged glances, and seeing no dissent, nodded in agreement.

“Your Majesty, we ministers believe this wager is acceptable. However, it must be made public through an imperial edict,” said Grand Chancellor Li Chengyun, wary of the Crown Prince playing tricks.

Such caution was not misplaced; for the throne, even fathers and sons, brothers and kin, could turn on one another. If the wager was not made known to all, and the Emperor or Crown Prince later denied it, to whom could they appeal?

“Do not push your luck,” the Emperor said coldly. Once the edict was issued, there would be no changing it.

Li Chengyun was unyielding. “Your Majesty, if it is a wager, it must be fair and witnessed by all your subjects.”

Zhao Su understood well their malicious intentions, but he was unbothered. With five thousand years of Chinese cunning, how could he possibly lose to them?

“Father, I agree with the Grand Chancellor. Let it be written into the edict so that no one can go back on their word,” Zhao Su said, bowing.

All present looked at him in surprise. They had expected the Crown Prince to object, but he supported it wholeheartedly. Did he truly believe he could manage the affairs of state in a single year?

Arrogant to the extreme, utterly overestimating himself, thought the two princes and three ministers.

Even the Emperor and Yuchi Wei were filled with concern, feeling that this son (or grandson) was taking on too much.

“Su’er, have you thought this through?” the Emperor could not help but ask.

Zhao Su answered with confidence, “As the saying goes, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and the son of a rat knows how to dig a hole. As your trueborn son, if you can handle state affairs, so can I.”

The others secretly ridiculed Zhao Su’s conceit and simple-mindedness. If an emperor’s son could govern simply by birthright, how could there ever be a ruler who brought down his own nation?

After this, they were reassured. Though the Crown Prince’s affliction was healed, he remained mediocre and unremarkable. His glib tongue offered some cunning, but he was utterly ignorant of human affairs and the art of governance.

They could already envision the scene: Zhao Su, in the course of a year, plunging Great Qin into turmoil and unrest.

The Emperor looked long and hard at Zhao Su, then finally declared, “Very well. Li Chengfu, draft the edict and have it sealed by the Grand Secretariat. Announce the wager to the world, and let all bear witness.”