Chapter 5: The Emperor Wields a Scalpel (The Guards and the Gold)
Li Feng (the Emperor) took a deep breath, the lingering scent of jasmine from the Empress's retreat providing a strange sense of grounding. He needed to strike while the court was still reeling from his display of affection and his demands for accountability.
He pointed a finger at Lord Yan Ping (Minister of War).
Li Feng:
"Minister Yan. The preliminary borderland reports were delivered last night. I read them."
A tense silence fell. The ministers had expected him to defer reading the stacks of documents for weeks.
Li Feng continued, his voice calm but authoritative. "The reports state that banditry incidents have increased by fifteen percent over the last fiscal quarter. Serious, yes. However, the budget requested by the Ministry of War—ten million taels—represents a one hundred percent increase over last quarter's allocation."
He looked directly at the Second Prince, Li Ren, whose easy smile had momentarily frozen.
Li Feng:
"Prince Li Ren recommended this extraordinary allocation. I must ask: Is the fifteen percent increase in banditry now considered an invasion, worthy of doubling the budget, or is this excessive request an attempt to obscure... something else?"
The challenge was direct, public, and based on facts Li Feng had just memorized.
A ripple of nervous murmurs swept the hall. The noble faction ministers frowned, realizing Li Feng had done his homework. The Empress Dowager Liu Yan watched the exchange with heightened intensity, her hand resting delicately on Li Ren's sleeve.
Second Prince Li Ren (recovering swiftly, bowing):
"Your Majesty is sharp-sighted. However, the cost increase is necessary not merely to address banditry, but to establish strategic reserves and reinforce infrastructure against future threats. We must be proactive."
Li Feng shook his head.
Li Feng:
"Future threats are addressed by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Treasury, not by doubling the war budget overnight. I propose a temporary freeze on the budget increase. The current allocation is sufficient for the reported threat. Further funds will be released only after the Minister of Treasury, Lady Hua Rong, personally verifies the proposed strategic infrastructure."
He had achieved a perfect stall: he denied the funds, appeared fiscally responsible, and put the burden of proof on the Second Prince and his allies.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"A solid counterpunch. You didn't just dodge the spear, you used its momentum to trip him. Eight out of ten, little Emperor."
The Emperor Takes His Guard
Li Feng shifted the focus before Li Ren could launch another defense. This was the moment for the second, more daring move.
Li Feng:
"Now, security."
He let the word hang in the air.
Li Feng:
"The recent assassination attempt on me, followed by my subsequent illness, has demonstrated a severe lapse in Imperial Guard protocol."
Li Feng was never assassinated, but claiming it adds weight to his security concern.
Li Feng:
"Therefore, effective immediately, I am separating one thousand elite Imperial Guards from the existing roster, drawn equally from all four banners. They will form the Dragon's Shadow Corps."
He fixed his gaze on Commander Yu Shan (Imperial Guards), a stoic man known for his rigid loyalty to the throne, not any particular faction.
Li Feng:
"Commander Yu Shan. These thousand men will be under my direct, personal command only. Their sole duty is the physical protection of the Dragon Throne and Her Majesty, the Empress Wan Qing. No exceptions, no secondary orders."
Li Feng's tone was final. This was not a budgetary request; it was a military restructuring. He was taking control of a loyal armed force—small, but vital—right out of the palace's central security.
The reaction was instantaneous.
The Second Prince Li Ren's jaw tightened. This was a move to secure the most valuable asset—his life—and create a personal army the Second Prince could not infiltrate or control.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan, however, gave a slight, almost invisible nod of approval. Securing the Emperor's safety is securing the dynasty. This was a traditional, justifiable move, and it aligned with her overall political purpose of preserving the royal line (even if she wanted Li Ren to hold the throne).
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Ah, the tiny army. A sensible move. Though I personally would have asked for a thousand archers and a trebuchet. More spectacular."
Li Feng ignored the god and waited.
Li Feng:
"Commander Yu Shan, do you understand your new orders?"
Commander Yu Shan, trained only in absolute loyalty, dropped to a knee.
Commander Yu Shan:
"I receive the sacred decree, Your Majesty. The Dragon's Shadow Corps will be established immediately."
The Collapse
Back in the throne room, Li Feng rubbed his forehead, exhausted by the sheer mental effort.
The Divine Emperor Xuan Tian clicked his tongue.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"You look like a chicken about to faint. Your dignity lasted exactly four minutes."
"You roasted me enough for the entire dynasty today."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Nonsense. I roasted you lightly. Anyway, listen—this is important."
Li Feng looked up, surprised. The Divine Emperor's tone had turned serious—a rare, alarming sound.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"The Second Prince is dangerous. Old. Experienced. Cruel. He has over a century of networks and loyalists. He moves against his own mother for power."
"I know. I'm not stupid."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Debatable. But the Empress, Wan Qing... That girl genuinely has goodwill toward you. I have no idea why. Even I am confused."
Li Feng nearly brightened.
"That's… great news."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Don't get cocky. You're still a 5% influence Emperor. She could just be using you as a stable shield."
"...can you ever say one encouraging sentence?"
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"No."
Suddenly—a soft gasp behind him.
The Empress Wan Qing wobbled. Her knees trembled, complexion pale.
Empress Wan Qing:
"Your Majesty…"
Before she collapsed, Li Feng caught her instinctively, steadying her gently against the throne.
Li Feng:
"Have you eaten anything today?"
She blinked rapidly, her cheeks warming slightly.
Empress Wan Qing:
"I—I… It was a busy morning…"
Li Feng sighed. "Eunuch Gao Ming, water."
Gao Ming rushed over, trembling. Li Feng took the cup himself and lifted it to the Empress's lips with surprising tenderness.
The entire court… stopped breathing. The Emperor feeding the Empress water? In open court? This man was either bold or insane.
The Divine Emperor Xuan Tian floated behind them, smirking.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Oh? The Emperor is quite the flirt. I thought you were a eunuch."
"Shut. Up." Li Feng whispered through his teeth.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Fine, fine. I'll leave the lovebirds alone."
The Empress gently pushed the cup down, her face red like a steamed tomato.
Empress Wan Qing:
"Your Majesty… this is improper…"
"It's fine," Li Feng said softly. "You look exhausted. Return to your palace and rest."
Her eyes softened—truly softened—for the first time. In the cruel world of imperial politics, a small act of kindness carried impossible weight.
She bowed, voice barely a whisper.
Empress Wan Qing:
"As you command… Your Majesty."
And for the first time, she left the court with a shy smile.
The Divine Emperor Xuan Tian stretched midair.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Mortals have short lives, you know. Royals live around four hundred years… nobles maybe two hundred… But emotional moments like this? They blink and disappear."
Liang Feng exhaled.
"...Are you telling me to cherish her?"
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"I'm telling you to stop being stupid and use that kindness to your advantage."
"...Old ghost."
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Trash Emperor."
Liang Feng grit his teeth. At least he wasn't alone. Even if his companion was a celestial troll.