Chapter 4: The Qing Emperor's Empty Promises

“Enough. Rise.” The Qing Emperor sighed softly. “I understand what you mean.”

Li Che raised his head and looked intently at him.

He knew he had cleared this hurdle, at least for now. The emperor no longer meant to kill him.

By now, the Qing Emperor’s expression had returned to its usual indifference.

“Do you know why I have no plans to develop the lands beyond the pass?”

Li Che considered for a moment, then offered two words.

“Chicken ribs.”

“Chicken ribs?” The emperor looked at him in puzzlement. “What do you mean?”

“Too little meat to be worth eating, yet a pity to throw away.”

The emperor’s eyes brightened.

An excellent comparison. It captured his thoughts exactly.

“Precisely. The lands beyond the pass are difficult to control. Even if We forced them under Our rule, Great Qing would pay more than it gained.”

“Better to relocate rioters and convicts there and use it as a buffer between the empire and the barbarians.”

Looking at this Li Che, so utterly changed from the son he remembered, the emperor suddenly felt an urge to test him.

“Since the lands beyond the pass are such ‘chicken ribs,’ why have I granted them to you and charged you with developing Ninggu Commandery?”

This time, Li Che thought for considerably longer.

That question could get him killed.

The emperor did not press him. Instead, he watched with interest as his son stood deep in thought.

After a while, Li Che looked up and answered steadily.

“If I may venture a guess, Father, you have charged me with developing the north to prepare for a campaign against Goryeo.”

The emperor’s look became more interesting still.

Was Li Che correct?

Of course not! The Qing Emperor had named him Prince of Ninggu because he thought the boy was dead. He had picked a fief at random to preserve his own reputation for benevolence and righteousness.

Li Che’s answer was wrong, but it was enticing enough.

A campaign against Goryeo. On the surface, the previous dynasty had fallen because its people could no longer survive and rebel armies had risen throughout the land.

In truth, it had fallen because Emperor Yang, obsessed with grand achievements, had thrown the might of his entire realm into conquering Goryeo. The crushing defeat had squandered the dynasty’s fortunes.

As a founding emperor, the Qing Emperor considered himself far superior to Emperor Yang.

What Emperor Yang had failed to do, he might yet accomplish!

The only obstacle before him was the land beyond Shanhai Pass: bitterly cold, mountainous, and distant.

An invading army’s greatest enemies would be the climate and its own supply lines, rather than Goryeo’s soldiers.

“Three years. I shall give you three years.” A keen light shone in the emperor’s eyes. “If, after three years, Ninggu Commandery can provide logistical support for an army marching against Goryeo…”

“I shall make you a Prince of the First Rank. Your line shall inherit the title in perpetuity, without reduction in rank, and forever guard Great Qing’s northeastern frontier as its princes!”

Burp.

Li Che belched silently to himself.

That promise was so lavish he felt stuffed just looking at it…

Empty promises or not, these came from the emperor. He would have to swallow them. No shame in that.

“I shall do all that I can, Father!” Li Che replied with clasped hands.

The emperor nodded in satisfaction. His gaze was no longer as cold as before.

“Now that you have received a princely title and may establish your own administration, you will need men of your own.”

Under Great Qing’s rules, Li Che was now an enfeoffed prince. Even a Prince of the Second Rank had the right to establish his own princely government.

That meant he could set up an administrative office in his fief, freely appoint and dismiss subordinate officials, levy taxes, and even enact certain laws and policies.

He would, in effect, have a miniature court of his own.

Great Qing had a policy of stationing imperial sons on its frontiers. Princes assigned to defend the borders also held a measure of military authority and could raise private armies.

“I authorize you to recruit fifteen hundred personal guards. You may choose them from any troops in the capital except the imperial palace guards!”

“Choose the officials for the principality of Ninggu from officers of the seventh rank or below in the Six Ministries.”

“Though you are a Prince of the Second Rank, you may draw the stipend of a Prince of the First Rank. I shall have the Ministry of Revenue make the arrangements with you.”

Perhaps Li Che’s earlier words had awakened what little paternal affection the Qing Emperor possessed. His grants were reasonably generous.

“Beyond that, I shall give you not a single soldier. Whether you can establish yourself beyond the pass depends entirely on you.”

Having finished, the emperor looked at Li Che.

His son continued to meet his gaze with clear eyes. There were no tears of gratitude.

Any other prince would already be kneeling on the floor, loudly thanking him for his grace, surely?

The emperor suddenly found the whole thing rather tiresome. He leaned back in his chair and waved a hand.

“Go and make your preparations.”

“Your son takes his leave.”

Li Che turned and left without hesitation. The Qing Emperor watched him go.

Even after Li Che disappeared through the doors, the emperor continued staring at the empty entrance.

After a while, he spoke quietly.

“Do you also believe I wish to murder My own son?”

Thump!

Huang Jin dropped to his knees, cold sweat instantly covering his face.

“This servant… This servant…”

“I merely dislike his cringing manner. He is still My son. No one but Me may touch a hair on his head.”

The emperor narrowed his eyes at Huang Jin, kneeling at his feet.

“Tell the Crown Prince that he is not emperor yet. There is no need to be so eager to turn on his own brother.”

……

Meanwhile, Li Che left Yangxin Hall and quickened his pace toward the gates of the imperial city.

Only after he passed through Xuanwu Gate did he feel his soul settle back into place. The terror of having an executioner’s blade poised above his head finally faded.

He turned to look at the dark gateway. The longer he stared, the more it resembled a yawning abyss that devoured souls.

Li Che swore to himself that he never wanted to return to this damned place for the rest of his life.

From now on, he was a bird with the whole sky before him!

His home was in the Ten Princes’ Residence, just one street away from the imperial city.

After taking the throne, the Qing Emperor had ordered the Ministry of Works to build the great compound outside the imperial city. Several underage princes had lived there in separate courtyards, moving out only after receiving their titles and establishing households of their own.

Now, Li Che was the only prince left in the Ten Princes’ Residence. Even his younger brothers had moved away.

As he approached, he spotted an old man waiting anxiously at the main entrance, peering this way and that.

Uncle Yang—the old steward Consort Yang had left him. Ever loyal, he had been one of the people the body’s original owner trusted most in this world.

“Uncle Yang,” Li Che called.

The steward turned at once. Seeing Li Che return safely, he finally breathed out in relief.

Then he noticed the wound on Li Che’s head and hurried over in alarm.

“Your Highness, what happened to you?”

“It’s nothing.” Li Che shook his head. “Let’s talk inside.”

Uncle Yang knew this was no place for a conversation. He quickly ushered Li Che through the gates.

They returned to Li Che’s courtyard.

“Uncle Yang.” Once the courtyard gate was closed, Li Che caught the steward’s hand. “His Majesty has ordered me to take up residence in my fief. Hurry and pack. We’re leaving right away.”

Uncle Yang stared for a moment, then his face lit with wild joy.

At last… His Highness’s ordeal was finally over!

“Your Highness, where is the fief His Majesty has granted you?” he asked eagerly.

“The Northeast! Beyond Shanhai Pass. Ninggu Commandery,” Li Che replied, excited.

“What?”

At the name, Uncle Yang went utterly still.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t go! How can the emperor be so heartless? He’s sending you to your death!”