Selecting Personal Guards

Three hundred it was, then. Xiao Qianyu wasn't about to turn them down; it was better than nothing.

He curved his lips into a smile. "Then I'll go choose them myself."

Emperor Yongchang could hardly wait for him to leave. "Go on, go on. I'll have Zhao Jun, the commander of the Imperial Guards Army, assist you. Defu, accompany the Crown Prince."

The chief eunuch, Defu, immediately stepped forward to accept the order. "This servant obeys."

Prince Gong also tactfully bowed and took his leave. "This old servant will take his leave first."

Xiao Qianyu glanced lightly over the assembled ministers and bowed before withdrawing as well.

Those whose faces his gaze swept over felt an immense aura of authority and instinctively lowered their heads a little in deference. Emperor Yongchang watched, secretly gnashing his teeth. Those were his ministers—don't go seducing them at will!

Once they left the inner study, Defu first sent someone to inform Zhao Jun that the Crown Prince would be selecting personal guards from the Imperial Guards. He then led the way.

Xiao Qianyu walked alongside Prince Gong, while Shumo and the others followed behind.

Prince Gong first asked after the Crown Prince's well-being since returning to the palace.

"Thank you for your concern, Great-Granduncle. Though everything feels changed, it can't be worse than being in prison."

Prince Gong sighed inwardly. The Crown Prince's experiences had indeed been extraordinary and full of twists and turns. He spoke gently. "Have you not heard that when Heaven is about to entrust someone with a great task, it first makes their heart suffer, their sinews and bones toil, their body go hungry, and their life become impoverished; it throws their plans into disarray, so that it may temper their resolve and strengthen their nature, adding to what they cannot do? Your Highness has Heaven's favor. You are destined to become a wise ruler of your age and accomplish an unprecedented feat. Who can say today's hardships weren't Heaven's test? I ask you to put your mind at ease and not let trifling matters trouble you."

The Crown Prince of old had never been like this. Though exalted in rank, he never bullied the weak. He treated people with warmth and ease, greeting everyone with a beaming smile that could melt the heart.

He was kind to those who served him. Even when they made mistakes in their duties, he would simply laugh them off.

He had been especially considerate toward his brothers and sisters. Though furious when they bullied palace servants, even his threats to beat them were meant to make them mend their ways. No matter how angry he was, he would never go so far as to take their lives.

He simply wasn't someone who would kill.

His personality had changed so drastically because he had been wronged and tormented. He harbored resentment toward Emperor Yongchang and the Empress, but could do nothing to them, so he took it out on the Imperial Princes and Princesses instead.

In Prince Gong's view, if he were in the Crown Prince's shoes, he might have been even more extreme and his methods even more ruthless. The Crown Prince of an empire had nearly died on the Execution Platform, while not one of his own parents or kin believed him. They had gone on living in luxury as before. Anyone would turn out twisted after that.

The Grand Princess and the Third Prince had brought their deaths upon themselves. If they were sentenced to die, so be it. Prince Gong was utterly loyal to the imperial house. He genuinely hoped the Great Xi Empire would endure for a thousand generations, and that his descendants would share in the empire's prosperity and enjoy riches and honor forever.

He saw Xiao Qianyu as the leader who could restore the Xiao imperial clan to its former glory. Part of his motive was personal: to draw closer to him. But he also wanted what was best for the court. He hoped Xiao Qianyu would let go of his resentment soon and repair his relationship with Emperor Yongchang, rather than making enemies on every side.

Xiao Qianyu smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Great-Granduncle. I know what I'm doing."

Afraid that saying any more would make himself tiresome, Prince Gong fell silent.

As they chatted, they arrived at the square in front of Wuying Hall. Zhao Jun, commander of the Imperial Guards Army, had already assembled the three thousand guards who weren't on duty.

The moment he saw Xiao Qianyu, Zhao Jun hurried forward to bow. Every movement was precise and proper.

After what had happened yesterday, he no longer dared underestimate the Crown Prince.

Prince Gong went to wait off to one side. Defu had already arranged for someone to set out chairs and tea, so he could sit and wait at his leisure.

That left Xiao Qianyu to handle the selection of his personal guards himself.

Zhao Jun asked carefully, "I report to Your Highness: all the guards currently off duty are gathered here. How would you like to select them?"

He thought that if the Crown Prince wanted him to make recommendations, he would have to call forward the strongest and most capable guards. Whether the Crown Prince chose them or not wasn't up to him.

Zhao Jun seemed to have some ability. At the very least, the guards stood straight, tall and sturdy, with strict discipline. They weren't just a bunch of pretty faces.

Of course, it was hard to say how much fighting strength the Imperial Guards Army actually had.

Xiao Qianyu clasped his hands behind his back and swept his gaze over the rows of faces, smiling. "First, I don't want to force anyone. It's entirely voluntary. Those who want to become my personal guards, stand to one side. Those who don't, stand to the other."

A look of surprise crossed Zhao Jun's face, but he said nothing and called out the order to the guards.

The Imperial Guards Army was the emperor's personal force, responsible for protecting the palace and the emperor. Most were sons of respectable families, though quite a few were descendants of powerful nobles and meritorious officials.

Some were content to coast through life without ambition; others hoped to distinguish themselves and, one day, win the emperor's favor.

They had all heard about the Crown Prince. He was favored by Heaven and without a doubt the next heir to the throne.

Becoming the Crown Prince's personal guard meant securing a share of the merit for supporting the future emperor. Ambition flared in the eyes of some.

At the order, the ranks immediately split into two groups.