Cui Xiaojun made no mention of the conflict with Maiden Wang that night. In her account, after leaving her residence, she went straight to the Founding Emperor’s Imperial Regalia Chamber, where the eunuchs still recognized the former empress and opened the doors for her. She then helped to untie Yang Feng’s bonds before they escaped together.

Han Ruzi likewise had no intention of bringing up this matter. He was about to leave the capital to “conquer” his Great Chu, and rather than expose the conflict between his mother and the empress, it was better to keep it hidden.

But he couldn’t just leave like that.

The next day before dawn, the emperor and empress rose early. Cui Xiaojun personally dressed the emperor and put on his crown, maintaining silence throughout, finally saying only: “When you’re outside the palace, don’t stay up too late.”

Han Ruzi smiled and gently kissed the empress’s forehead before leaving the room. He had already decided not to let anyone from the palace see him off.

People were waiting outside. Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu would serve as the emperor’s personal attendants. Ni Qiu, not wanting to be a eunuch, had been living with the soldiers. There were also fifteen other eunuchs and thirty guards, all personally selected by Yang Feng, with only one task – to protect the emperor’s safety within ten paces. These men were led by Director Liu Jie.

Han Ruzi first went to the Empress Dowager’s palace, bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager and his mother from outside the main gate, then went directly to the Ancestral Temple for a simple ancestral worship ceremony. After the rites, he took a sedan chair to the North Gate.

Along the way, he summoned two people.

One was the palace lady Dong Qing’e, now a female official in the Qiuxin Palace managing matters related to the empress. Han Ruzi gave her additional instructions to take good care of the empress.

The other was Yang Feng. They had already discussed everything that needed to be said, but Han Ruzi summoned him again before departure, hoping Yang Feng could maintain stability in the palace. “The Cishun Palace and Qiuxin Palace are of utmost importance. I hope Lord Yang will pay special attention to them.”

That was all Han Ruzi could say.

Yang Feng seemed to understand something, thought for a moment, and nodded in response: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Outside the palace gates, as dawn broke, more people were waiting, including a hundred ceremonial guards, two hundred regular guards, and over forty officials from various departments. These officials were mostly vice ministers and deputy officials, forming a temporary court around the emperor to maintain daily contact with the offices in the Capital, providing the latest news for any contingencies.

The procession departed through the North Gate, then changed direction toward Hangu Pass in the east.

Even more people were waiting outside the city. All officials of fifth rank and above had come to bid farewell, along with a thousand-strong military force – half from the Northern Army in predominantly black, and half from the Southern Army in abundant red. The emperor’s own ceremonial and regular guards wore purple and yellow, creating an impressive display of competing colors.

The flag consecration ceremony was held below the city gate. Three pure white horses were sacrificed, their blood staining the ritual banner. This black and red military flag, together with the emperor’s dragon banner, became the most important symbols in the army.

As daylight fully arrived and the emperor prepared to depart, a small incident occurred.

Over a dozen officials knelt on the bridge over the moat, weeping and blocking the way, beseeching the emperor to reconsider and not embark on the campaign lightly, citing concern for the Empress Dowager above and the officials below, and how the emperor’s safety was tied to all people.

Han Ruzi had read about similar accounts in historical records but thought such things wouldn’t happen to him since he had already “convinced” the officials in the Hall of Diligent Administration. Moreover, with the military banners already consecrated, there was no possibility of abandoning the campaign. Yet still some officials made this scene.

With the procession blocked, Han Ruzi beckoned Liu Jie from behind and asked quietly, “What should we do?”

Liu Jie, having served in the palace for many years and being well-experienced, immediately replied, “Your Majesty need not intervene. I will handle this.”

Liu Jie dismounted and quickly walked to the bridge, personally helping up the three highest-ranking officials and exchanged some words. He then hurried back to the emperor’s horse, nodded and bowed without saying a word, before running back to the bridge to engage in what appeared to be genuine discussion with the officials.

After three attempts, the officials finally made way, watching as the emperor crossed the bridge.

Han Ruzi finally joined up with his campaign army, nominally ten thousand strong but actually numbering around thirteen thousand with support personnel. Since local counties provided hospitality along the way without requiring civilian laborers, the extra three thousand consisted of the emperor’s personal retinue, along with the personal attendants of nobles and other officials. Though not matching the emperor’s entourage in size, each had at least two servants.

There were numerous officers, with over two hundred bearing the title of general. At least fifty were qualified to participate in military discussions before the emperor.

Additionally, twenty scholars from the College of National Scions and Hanlin Academy were recommended to serve as advisors.

Even away from the palace and Capital, Han Ruzi could still feel a web enveloping him, with the officials forming just one crucial part of it.

Near noon, Han Ruzi was finally able to ride forward.

Though ten thousand troops wasn’t many, an imperial campaign still required division into five armies – front, rear, left, right and center. Chai Yue personally led the vanguard, departing at dawn. Fang Daye commanded the center army, forming the emperor’s outer protection layer. The other three army commanders were recommended by the Ministry of War.

Grand Tutor Cui Hong, holding high rank and authority, remained by the emperor’s side overseeing all five armies. To emphasize his status, he was granted the title of Grand General, though everyone understood this was a nominal promotion but practical demotion. Whether the Cui clan could rise again depended on the emperor’s level of trust.

The army stopped after less than two hours of marching, settling into prepared camps while it was still daylight. They hadn’t even left the Capital region.

Han Ruzi summoned Cui Hong, expecting an awkward meeting. But Cui Hong, a veteran official who had served three emperors, maintained perfect composure. He performed proper courtly etiquette without pride in his status as the emperor’s father-in-law, nor panic over his past opposition to the emperor.

“Grand General, can we reach Hangu Pass within three days?”

“Your Majesty, military situations are fluid. Stability is paramount. With Hangu Pass’s situation unclear, we can speed up, slow down, or halt as needed once the vanguard reports back.”

With only a few guards and eunuchs present in the tent, Han Ruzi ignored them, leaned forward in his chair and said, “We have made it very clear – we must reach Hangu Pass within three days. If Shang-guan Sheng flees, pursue without letting up. If he holds the pass, we can eliminate him there.”

Cui Hong nodded repeatedly, “Your Majesty speaks wisely. However, as Your Majesty holds the most exalted position, if anything were to happen, even the slightest mishap, we officials would become eternal sinners. Living, we could not face returning to the Capital; dead, we could not face your late father.”

Cui Hong knelt with a thud and earnestly said, “Though I am foolish, I’ve led armies for decades and know some military strategy. Even if I prove incompetent, I have dozens of veteran generals under me who have won countless battles. We will not delay Your Majesty’s great undertaking.”

Not wanting conflict with Cui Hong so soon after leaving the Capital, Han Ruzi said, “Very well, the Grand General may make arrangements. Inform me of any news from the advance army, regardless of time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Cui Hong withdrew, Director Liu Jie reminded the emperor that on the first day of campaign, he must show concern for the entire army. This didn’t mean walking out of the tent as before, but rather receiving different groups in turns.

Representatives – two or three each from the generals, officials, advisors, imperial clansmen, nobility, and relatives of officials – had to visit the tent to pay respects and express gratitude, then “convey” the emperor’s concern to others.

By the time this procedure finished, night had fallen. Han Ruzi finally understood why they had stopped so early on the first day.

After dinner, Han Ruzi kept Liu Jie behind for a chat.

“Lord Liu seems very familiar with these court matters?”

Liu Jie, who had once glared at the Empress Dowager and officials in the Hall of Diligent Administration, maintained a humble, bowed posture like an ordinary eunuch around the emperor. Han Ruzi initially thought he might be another Yang Feng, but quickly realized Yang Feng was unique – Liu Jie was simply a deeply loyal eunuch.

“I know a little. I served the Martial Emperor for a time and witnessed several of his interactions with officials.”

Han Ruzi’s interest immediately grew. “So you served the Martial Emperor? Tell me about him.”

Liu Jie knelt and kowtowed, saying seriously, “Would Your Majesty want those around him to later become loose-tongued and speak nonsense?”

Han Ruzi was stunned, then burst out laughing. Liu Jie was indeed an honest eunuch, refusing to discuss the former emperor’s affairs.

“Then tell me about the officials. Those people kneeling on the bridge to stop the imperial procession – what was that about? For fame? Loyalty? Profit?”

“It’s simply a custom, Your Majesty.” Liu Jie stood up. He could answer this type of question without reservation. “Customs are good things, especially for self-preservation.”

“Kowtowing on a bridge and shedding a few tears is enough for self-preservation?”

Liu Jie smiled slightly. “Your Majesty finds them strange, pedantic, even hypocritical and incompetent, but you don’t hate them, or even particularly dislike them, do you?”

Han Ruzi remained silent. Of course he didn’t hate officials who knelt before him. As for dislike, there was a little, but not strongly so.

After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Why didn’t the other officials participate in stopping the procession?”

“Each has their own strengths. Your Majesty will see all kinds of customs in time.”

“I’ve already seen quite a few.” Han Ruzi shook his head, from Cui Hong to the officials’ relatives, everyone was dealing with him according to “custom.”

“Your Majesty is supreme, you must not misspeak,” Liu Jie reminded him earnestly.

Han Ruzi was startled again, realizing that before trusted subordinates, he often referred to himself as “I” instead of the royal “We,” which was also what he was accustomed to.

“We understand,” Han Ruzi replied seriously. He regarded Liu Jie as his first loyal subject, though he didn’t know him well yet. As they were getting to know each other, his initial impression was that this eunuch was an unyielding rock who refused to go with the flow.

“Can the officials’ customs be changed?”

“Habits are established by emperors. Of course they can be changed if Your Majesty wishes. But Your Majesty must be careful – changing these customs requires much time and effort. Does Your Majesty have such leisure now?”

Han Ruzi nodded. Liu Jie was right – matters had different priorities and urgencies. Changing court customs wasn’t urgent, but they couldn’t remain trapped by them either. “If we can’t change them for now, surely we can work around them?”

Liu Jie remained silent for a while. “If I say it’s possible, I would be a sycophant. If I offer suggestions, I would become an enemy of the entire court. So my answer is no, these customs cannot be circumvented. They were gradually established by successive emperors, and even if they have no other benefits, they are very advantageous for Your Majesty’s safety.”

Han Ruzi laughed heartily again. Even the loyal Liu Jie had his “customs.”

He still decided to work around them, because these “customs” weren’t established by him.

“Summon Prince Donghai,” Han Ruzi would start from here.

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