Chapter 154: Meeting the Prince of Guo (4)

Initially, Li Xuan did not attach much importance to the so-called power of the Prince of Guo faction, nor did she have any intention of depriving Li Chuan of his succession to the commandery prince title. However, after all, she was an exceptionally ambitious and unconventional commandery princess granted by imperial decree. Unwilling to live out her life in mediocrity—marrying, having children, and becoming a so-called virtuous wife and devoted mother—she actively participated in major military and political affairs, and even personally went so far as to assemble an elite thousand-man bodyguard force under the Prince of Guo’s command.

This imperceptibly placed her in direct opposition to Li Chuan. Among the second generation of the Prince of Guo’s household, there could only be one person, one trump card, and one voice. Now that the reputation of the Princess of Fengyang was gradually overshadowing the heir apparent, how could Li Chuan possibly accept this?

Consequently, conflicts between Li Xuan and Li Chuan arose continuously. Li Xuan passively accepted this pattern of strife and was forced to cultivate her own faction behind the scenes. Li Chuan’s repeated opposition to Kong Sheng being heavily relied upon by the Prince of Guo was precisely aimed at clipping Li Xuan’s wings.

The Prince of Guo, Li Ju, cleared his throat with a gentle cough, wore a mild smile, gazed at Kong Sheng, and waved his hand. “Kong Sheng, this prince believes that the imperial court and His Majesty will not misjudge talent. This prince has long heard that the Jiangnan region is a place of boundless prosperity and exceptional scholars. Since everyone shares this sentiment, you need not decline.”

A cold sneer arose in Kong Sheng’s heart. “This is merely coercion disguised in another form. Isn’t it just plagiarizing a poem? It’s not the first time this old boy has done this; could I possibly be afraid of you lot?”

Maintaining a calm expression and a steady heartbeat, Kong Sheng bowed to the Prince of Guo and said, “Since Your Highness has given the command, how could Kong Sheng dare disobey? Please present the topic, Your Highness.”

The Prince of Guo pondered for a moment and smiled. “In the spring of the ninth year of Tianbao, this prince was commanded to inspect the two circuits of Jiangnan. Time flies like an arrow, and several years have slipped away in the blink of an eye. The beautiful scenery of Jiangnan’s water towns—with warbling orioles, dancing swallows, and green hills veiled in mist—remains fresh in this prince’s memory to this day. How about this? Let us take the Spring of Jiangnan as the theme. Since you are originally a scholar of Jiangnan, people, matters, and scenery close to home should be as familiar to you as the contents of your own palm. This cannot be considered making things difficult for you, can it?”

Li Ju looked at Kong Sheng, his gaze seemingly gentle yet concealing a sharp blade underneath.

Unfazed and standing tall, Kong Sheng cupped his fists in a salute. “Not at all. Since Your Highness has set the theme, this subordinate naturally ought to obey.”

Kong Sheng paced forward two steps with a composed demeanor.

Xue Sheng and the others present waited with bated breath, all eyes fixed upon Kong Sheng. As for Li Chuan, he wished nothing more than for Kong Sheng to make a fool of himself on the spot, so as to vent the stifled anger and resentment burning in his chest. In truth, how had Kong Sheng ever provoked or offended him? It was simply inexplicable!

Li Xuan was not overly concerned. She had long since witnessed Kong Sheng’s literary talent and did not believe he would be stumped by this theme, which was not particularly harsh on the part of her adoptive father. The crucial question was whether the poem Kong Sheng produced could win high praise from these officials of northern Jiangsu, and whether it possessed any exquisite verses.

Pondering, Kong Sheng paced forward another three steps.

Having taken these five steps, Kong Sheng couldn’t help but want to laugh inside. He had gotten into character far too quickly; this pretense was truly executed to perfection. Ever since his rebirth, the act of plagiarizing poems itself hadn’t elevated his level much, but his outward persona of arrogant posturing and his acting skills were growing increasingly profound.

Hadn’t there been that someone who composed a poem in seven steps? Today, he, your humble servant, would compose a poem in five steps, which could also be considered breaking the predecessors' record. Since this was what they wanted, then bring it on!

In Li Chuan’s eyes, Kong Sheng was merely putting on airs and playing the fool. Yet just as he was about to open his mouth with a few words of ridicule, he saw Kong Sheng lift his head, throw back his shoulders, and chant in a clear, resonant voice:

“A thousand miles of orioles crying, a lush red and green,
Water villages and mountain walls kissed by wind-driven wine flags.
The four hundred and eighty temples of the Southern Dynasties,
How many pavilions and towers stand in the mist and rain?”

Kong Sheng finished chanting, turned to look at the Prince of Guo, Li Ju, and smiled faintly. “Your Highness, does this humble subordinate’s poem fit the theme?”

Li Ju drew a deep breath, unable to help rising to his feet to applaud and praise, “Truly worthy of being a scholar of Jiangnan, a disciple of the Son of Heaven! This poem unfolds smoothly with a lingering, distant tone, stirring up so many wonderful memories for this prince! My lords, would you not agree?!”

Li Xuan clapped and laughed softly, “Father, I told you so! Kong Sheng’s literary fame shakes the realm, and he is a personal disciple appointed by His Majesty himself. How could it possibly be a fraud?”

Xue Sheng was a civil official and naturally a connoisseur of talent. Facing a quatrain that combined such poetic sentiment with artistic conception, he could not bring himself to speak against his conscience and say no. He also smiled, clapping in praise. Since even he, the head of the civil administration in northern Jiangsu, had offered his acclaim, what did military generals like Du Ping know about poetry? They had no choice but to chime in with reluctant agreement.

Kong Sheng made an all-encompassing bow. “Your Highness and all the lords offer undeserved praise; Kong Sheng truly does not dare accept it.”

Kong Sheng stood up straight, turned toward Li Chuan, and offered a smile that was not quite a smile. “Heir Apparent, does this poem by Kong Sheng pass muster in your eyes?”

Li Chuan’s face flushed red. He casually cupped his fists and said, “It can be considered passable.”

Kong Sheng curled his lips in disdain, chose not to pursue the matter further, turned to bow to the Prince of Guo once more, and returned to his seat. He had long since prepared a countermeasure: if Li Chuan continued to refuse to submit, he would turn the tables and demand that Li Chuan try composing a poem himself. However, since Li Chuan offered no further provocation, he naturally let the matter drop.

He knew when to stop in time. If he failed to grasp the proper timing and measure, it might easily drive the Prince of Guo into a rage of embarrassment, and in the end, the one who would suffer would still be himself.

The Prince of Guo, Li Ju, smiled, swept a glance at his son Li Chuan, and said, “Kong Sheng, at present, the greater part of Henan has fallen into the hands of the rebels. Yongqiu is already indefensible, and Suiyang is likewise in imminent danger. If you proceed to Suiyang to assume office, I fear your prospects are perilous. Therefore, this prince suggests that you temporarily remain in Pengcheng and serve as a military advisor in our prince’s mansion. When the day comes that you render great service to the imperial court in pacifying the rebellion, this prince will naturally petition the court to credit your achievements and grant you promotions and titles.”

“The situation is urgent, and this prince has acted on his own authority. I trust Lord Li will forgive me; in the future, we shall make a formal report concerning this matter to the court and His Majesty,” Li Ju said, bowing to Li Fuguo with a smile.

Li Fuguo’s brows twitched as he let out a chuckle. “Prince of Guo is far too polite. As the Military Commissioner of Henan and Grand Commander of the armies in Henan and northern Jiangsu, Your Highness possesses the full authority to deploy and appoint subordinate officials. Kong Sheng, this old servant holds the same view: there is no need to go to Suiyang. With the Prince of Guo’s high regard and this old servant to bear witness, you shall simply remain in Pengcheng to render service. It shall not be reckoned as fleeing from the battlefield or defying orders!”

Whether in the eyes of Li Ju, Li Fuguo, or the various civil and military officials under Li Ju’s command, this was entirely a gesture of favor, care, and benevolence on Li Ju’s part. Kong Sheng ought to be moved to tears and kneel in gratitude for the immense grace and kindness of the Prince of Guo. After all, this had preserved his life and secured his future political career.

Had it not been for Li Xuan’s strong recommendation, and had Li Ju not wished to curry favor with Li Fuguo while simultaneously providing Li Chuan with a graceful way out, an insignificant Jiangnan scholar and eighth-rank county official like Kong Sheng would never have caught his attention.

Talented? Li Ju considered his subordinates to have fierce generals like clouds and strategists like rain; adding one Kong Sheng made no difference, and removing one made no difference. Exceptionally brave? That would be an even greater joke. Among the northern Jiangsu armies, countless numbers were skilled in battle. Kong Sheng was merely a youth, and the claim that he was the reincarnation of Xuanba was nothing more than an exaggeration—how could it be taken seriously?

Kong Sheng slowly rose to his feet and bowed deeply.

A soft sigh escaped Li Xuan’s heart; she knew that Kong Sheng would undoubtedly decline this offer. Given her adoptive father Li Ju’s temperament, if Kong Sheng failed to appreciate favors, Li Ju might not necessarily vent his anger upon him immediately, but at the very least, Li Ju would form an unfavorable impression of him, cutting off any chance of future advancement. As long as Li Ju held control over the military and political affairs of Henan and northern Jiangsu, Kong Sheng would never receive any favor and would never be able to make a name for himself under the Prince of Guo.

“This subordinate deeply feels Your Highness’s grace of care and patronage, and is moved to tears of gratitude,” Kong Sheng said, raising his head resolutely, his gaze burning bright. “However, Kong Sheng has received the imperial summons and His Majesty’s personal appointment. If I were to shrink from difficulties and cower out of fear upon encountering the war in Suiyang, first, it would make the people of the world hold us in contempt; second, it would fail the court’s grace of recommendation and selection; and third, it would run contrary to the imperial court’s original intention of calling upon the ambitious men of the realm to rush to the nation’s hour of need.”

“Therefore, Kong Sheng remains willing to risk death to assume office in Suiyang. With this journey, I shall devote my utmost strength to the imperial court until my dying breath!” Kong Sheng declared, looking up boldly. “Furthermore, Suiyang may not necessarily fall to the rebel forces. As long as Suiyang can be held, the various lands of Henan will possess hope of recovery at any moment, and millions of common folk will be spared from perishing entirely at the hands of the rebels!”

Li Ju frowned, thinking to himself that this brat truly did not know what was good for him. His words sounded high-sounding and righteous, but in reality, he was merely naive, impulsive, and ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.

Li Fuguo was also quite surprised. He frowned, glanced at Kong Sheng, parted his lips as if to speak, but closed them again. After all, he had no deep friendship with Kong Sheng, and seeing that Kong Sheng failed to recognize the boundaries of advancement and retreat, he couldn't be bothered to say anything more.

Xue Sheng and the other prefectural officials of Pengcheng sneered inwardly, each casting a look of contempt. Youthful arrogance and hot-headedness—what use was a bit of literary talent? Since he wished to court death in Suiyang, let him go; why waste breath on him?

The slight favorable impression that Xue Sheng and the others had formed moments earlier due to Kong Sheng’s display of poetic talent vanished into thin air instantly because of Kong Sheng’s “overestimation of his own capabilities.”

Li Chuan finally could restrain himself no longer. He stood up and openly reprimanded, “You scoundrel truly do not know what is good for you, failing to understand advancement and retreat—arrogant and impudent!”

Li Chuan abruptly rose to his feet, pointed a finger at Kong Sheng, and declared boldly, “You mere yellow-mouthed fledgling, what virtue or ability do you possess that you dare speak wildly on major state affairs and military secrets, boasting without shame that you will save the common people?”

Given Li Chuan’s status as the heir apparent, theoretically, he ought not to have reacted so violently. Especially having just experienced the awkwardness of Kong Sheng’s counterattack, he should all the more not have pushed his luck by repeating the same trick.

Yet there were deeper reasons for this.

Although Li Chuan and Li Xuan were half-siblings born of different mothers and shared the same father, they had constantly been at odds. Li Chuan had always believed that Li Xuan’s presence imperceptibly diminished his authority as the heir apparent by half, making his position insecure.

Usually, the more Li Ju favored Li Xuan, and the higher Li Xuan’s prestige grew within the Prince of Guo faction, the more Li Chuan resented her. Anything or anyone related to Li Xuan became a target that Li Chuan would spare no effort to trample down to his heart’s content. Over time, through repeated trampling, it had transformed into a sort of subconscious inertia.

To put it plainly, what he was trampling was not Kong Sheng, but Li Xuan. Whatever Li Xuan supported, he would inevitably oppose, regardless of right or wrong; whatever Li Xuan favored, he would inevitably detest, regardless of justice or fault.