Chapter 197: Returning to the Capital
It was Du Chuanyun’s arrival which solidified Han Ruzi’s resolve to return to the Capital immediately.
Du Chuanyun had long been ordered to go back to the Capital, but the roads were no longer as safe as before. He had been delayed and only reached the Capital after some time. Rushing back to Divine Hero Pass, he arrived a day later than the Left Chief Censor and brought no letter, only a message: “The lady says, once the border is stabilized, the Weary Marquis should return to the Capital as soon as possible.”
Because of this message, Han Ruzi could no longer stay put.
When Left Chief Censor Xiao Sheng invited the generals of the Northern Army, Han Ruzi changed into the armor of an ordinary soldier and left the city at dusk, accompanied only by Meng E and Du Chuanyun. Few within the city knew of this, and the soldiers guarding the gates did not suspect the trio, never imagining that the Northern Protection General was “hidden” among them.
While Chai Yue was engaging in polite conversation with Xiao Sheng, Han Ruzi and his companions had already reached the first waystation within the pass. Du Chuanyun presented an urgent document, had it stamped by the stationmaster, changed horses, and set off again, pausing for less than a quarter of an hour.
Han Ruzi and Meng E waited on the official road outside. Han Ruzi noticed obvious signs of damage to the waystation’s gate—a remnant of the bandit attacks from a few days earlier. The station had strengthened its defenses, increasing the number of soldiers from fewer than five to over twenty.
“If internal strife continues, it will drag Great Chu into ruin,” Han Ruzi said softly. Since negotiating peace with the Great Chanyu, he had felt uneasy, occasionally thinking he had made a grave mistake. Now, his unease was somewhat alleviated. Internal and external threats could not be resolved simultaneously. There were thousands of waystations within the Chu empire; even if only half of them increased their defenses, it would tie up a large number of Chu troops, weakening their ability to fight external enemies. Conversely, to thoroughly defeat the Xiongnu would require a significant increase in troops, leaving internal defenses empty.
Meng E glanced at him. “If others heard you speak like this, they might think you were the emperor traveling incognito.”
Han Ruzi smiled slightly. Even after abdicating, he maintained the mindset of an emperor, always feeling an inescapable responsibility for the realm.