Chapter 28: Order the Emperor to Lead the Officials Out of the City to Kneel and Welcome Me

Morning.

The number of pedestrians on the streets of the capital had increased compared to yesterday. Most people were already aware that the imperial court had surrendered to the Prince of Qian. Since yesterday's skirmish had lasted only half a day without significant casualties, and given the rumors that the Prince of Qian had governed the Jiangnan region for over a year with clear rewards and punishments—earning him a reputation for virtue—it was generally believed that there would be no looting or slaughter once he entered the city.

Prince Zhongshun, the Prince of Beijing, Zhuang Jin, and others arrived at the East Gate. Wang Ziteng pointed toward the stairs leading to the ramparts and said, "Your Highness, please."

"Can the city gate not be opened?" Prince Zhongshun asked, sounding somewhat displeased; descending via a cargo basket was hardly dignified for a man of his status.

Wang Ziteng explained, "The last time we could open the gate, it was because the moat was still intact and the drawbridge was raised. But after yesterday's siege, the moat has been filled in; we cannot open the gate again."

Zhuang Jin, the Minister of War, began climbing the stairs first and said coolly, "Your Highness, please ascend the ramparts. If the Prince of Qian’s cavalry charges through the gate, everything will be lost."

Since everyone agreed it could not be opened, Prince Zhongshun had no choice but to yield. This city wall was now their only bargaining chip in negotiations with the Prince of Qian.

"Uncle! Uncle!"

Just as the group was ascending the wall, Jia Lian arrived on horseback. After dismounting, he bowed to the princes and ministers, stating that he too needed to see the Prince of Qian.

"Why are you going?" Prince Zhongshun asked coldly, still harboring deep resentment toward the Jia family because Jia Baoyu had once harbored Jiang Yuhan, an actor from his household.

Jia Lian looked awkward, casting repeated glances at Wang Ziteng.

"The Prince of Qian requested to see someone from the Jia family."

With Wang Ziteng invoking the name of the Prince of Qian, Chu Yan, the others had nothing more to say, and even Prince Zhongshun dared not object. Only then did Jia Lian heave a sigh of relief. He dared not claim that seeing the Prince of Qian would save the entire Jia family, but at the very least, it might save him.

A quarter of an hour later, the group descended the wall in cargo baskets, with several horses lowered by ropes. Because there were so many people, most had to walk, and by the time they reached the gates of the Prince of Qian's military camp, they were drenched in sweat.

Upon entering the camp and meeting the officer in charge, the man simply said, "The Prince of Qian has no time to entertain you. Wait!"

The group felt suspicious but had no choice but to wait. An hour later, as noon approached, they were finally summoned into the Prince of Qian’s command tent.

Not daring to express their dissatisfaction, they stepped forward one by one to pay their respects to the Prince of Qian, who sat in the main seat, and introduced themselves. The Prince did not rise; he merely gestured for them to be seated.

Unexpectedly, the Prince of Qian looked at Jia Lian and smiled, asking, "How is the Jia family faring now?"

Jia Lian grew nervous and hurriedly stood up, replying, "Thanks to your benevolence, my family is doing well. Yesterday, when we heard the court had surrendered, everyone in the household breathed a sigh of relief, waiting to welcome the Prince of Qian into the city!"

"Hahaha." Chu Yan laughed, pointing at him. The others were confused as to why the Prince was laughing.

"Are you lying?" Chu Yan asked in good spirits. "I won't speak for others, but I suspect the young ladies of your household are not exactly welcoming my arrival!"

Chu Yan knew, based on his knowledge of the classic *Dream of the Red Chamber*, that the group of young ladies, maids, and matrons in the Jia household were not people to be trifled with.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare..." Jia Lian stammered with a forced smile.

Wang Ziteng was puzzled. How did the Prince of Qian know so much about the Jia family? Did he intend to take the Jia girls into his palace? He did not know that Chu Yan had read *Dream of the Red Chamber* and knew more about the Jia family than they did themselves.

"Sit down," Chu Yan signaled, then addressed them, "Speak your minds. I’ve just woken up and have time for idle chatter."

What? Just woke up? And... idle chatter? Wasn't this supposed to be a negotiation? Ignoring their confused stares, Chu Yan picked up a cup of tea and sipped it slowly.

Chu Ming smiled and added, "The Prince of Qian has matters of personnel to arrange after his tea. You only have a quarter of an hour."

Prince Zhongshun suppressed his confusion and said hurriedly, "This humble prince is Chen Ruiqing, the fourth younger brother of the current Emperor."

Recalling that he had already announced his title when bowing, Chu Yan asked him, "You have an actor in your household named Jiang Yuhan?"

"The Prince of Qian knows of him?!" Prince Zhongshun was startled. He had not expected his actor to be so famous that not only did Jia Baoyu want him, but even the rebellious Prince of Qian knew his name! Thinking this, he quickly added, "If the Prince of Qian fancies him, I shall send him to the palace immediately to perform for you!"

"Forget it, I have no taste for men." Chu Yan rejected the offer outright. In the ten years since his transmigration, he had seen enough of how men in this world, especially the elite, pursued such relationships—from royalty and nobility down to scholars, all treating it as a refined pastime.

"Yes, yes." Prince Zhongshun gathered his thoughts and attempted to speak, "I have come this time to discuss with the Prince of Qian, and to respectfully welcome your arrival into the city to ascend the throne."

Chu Yan gestured for him to continue.

"Last night, the Emperor sent us a decree. He is willing to surrender to the Prince of Qian, provided that you treat the royal house of the Shun Dynasty with the traditional rites of old."

"Traditional rites?" Chu Yan laughed. "What are those?"

"Just as Emperor Xian of Han abdicated to Cao Wei..." Prince Zhongshun respectfully outlined the terms of favorable treatment he had discussed with the Empress Dowager and the Empress the previous day, carefully observing the Prince of Qian’s expression. However, he saw only a man drinking tea, his face calm and unreadable.

The other Shun officials who had come to negotiate also felt the pressure emanating from the Prince of Qian. He held the lives of every official in the capital in his hands, and his calm, unhurried demeanor left them on edge, terrified of provoking him.

When Prince Zhongshun finished speaking, the tent fell silent.

The Prince of Qian remained indifferent, while his subordinates merely smiled, saying nothing.

"Oh." Chu Yan set down his teacup, looked at them, and laughed. "Your Emperor wants a fiefdom of ten thousand households, a rank above all other princes; you, the princes, want five thousand households, a rank equivalent to a Prince of the Second Rank; and you ministers want to retain your property and official positions, serving the new dynasty?"

Prince Zhongshun felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, but he braced himself and said, "I am willing to mediate further for the Prince of Qian; perhaps we can reduce the numbers."

"No need. Let me show you someone." Chu Yan signaled to Chu Ming, who shouted toward the outside, "Bring General Song in!"

None of them knew who it was. A moment later, a general wearing the armor of the Shun Dynasty walked in and knelt on one knee before Chu Yan.

"It is you...!" Wang Ziteng stood up in shock. Prince Zhongshun and the others did not recognize him, but seeing his armor, they had a grim premonition.

Wang Ziteng smiled bitterly. "I did not expect it would be you who opened the city gates."

"What?!" The Shun officials were struck with horror.

"Lord Wang," Song Mao bowed to Wang Ziteng, keeping his head lowered. "Since the imperial court has already surrendered to the Prince of Qian, the world has changed hands. I was loyal to the old sovereign, and now I am loyal to the new one."

Wang Ziteng knew this was merely an excuse. The city gates had been in turmoil last night; even if Song Mao hadn't opened the West Gate, his subordinates would have forced him to. Last night, Wang Ziteng's own subordinates had suggested the same, but they were hindered by the court’s supervisors.

The West Gate, however, had fallen, seized by the Prince of Qian’s forces during the night. They had suppressed the news, leading these men to come before the Prince of Qian this morning to attempt negotiations.

They had only made themselves a laughingstock!

"Do you still want a fiefdom of five thousand households?" Chu Yan asked with a smile.

Cold sweat broke out on Prince Zhongshun's forehead. He hurriedly left his seat and prostrated himself. The other Shun officials looked at one another and then followed suit, kneeling before the Prince of Qian.

They dared not raise another objection.

"Tomorrow morning," Chu Yan commanded, "tell the Emperor of the Shun Dynasty to bring his hundred officials out of the city to kneel and welcome me. They shall surrender according to the Rites of Zhou!"

The Rites of Zhou?

Seeing their confusion, Chu Ming explained, "The *Records of the Grand Historian: The Hereditary House of Weizi of Song* records that when King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang, the nobleman Weizi surrendered by baring his shoulders, binding his hands, leading a sheep on his left, holding a bundle of grass in his right, and approaching on his knees."

The group was struck with terror. If they were to perform such a surrender, what dignity would the Emperor have left?