Chapter 289 - Decision

'This is why politics are so….'

"Your Highness, Strategist Yang is here."

"Enter."

Walking into the study room, Wei Liuying noticed Gao Ling was sitting not far from Prince Ji Sheng. On the other hand, Prince Ji Sheng was sitting behind his table with a few books in front of him. His right hand was holding onto a brush that he had just dipped to ink.

"Yang Xian (Liu Ying) greets His Highness."

"Enough with the formality." Prince Ji Sheng waved his hand and looked at the two people who had come. "I'm sure that you know why I called for you, right?"

"It's about the one who should come to the capital city, am I right, Your Highness?" Yang Xian asked.

"Yes. I'm thinking that I should be the one to…"

"With all due respect, I can't agree. It's too dangerous for you to leave the border, Your Highness."

Prince Ji Sheng looked at his right hand. "And do you think that it'll be less dangerous if you're the one who leave, Xian?"

"At the very least, there' still chance for the final victory if I'm the one who leave, Your Highness," Yang Xian responded.

Their target was never the throne. It was good if they could get it, but the hope was not high. Raising the rebellions would not be easy because there were a lot of people with conflict of interest. In addition, there was no way for them to control everything when it was in chaos.

The only reason why both Yang Xian and Wei Liuying thought that it was better for Yang Xian to be the one to leave was simply because they could not afford to lose Prince Ji Sheng.

Losing him meant they had lost the right to the throne.

Prince Ji Sheng looked at Yang Xian. "You could have played the card 'Chosen by the Heaven.'"

"It's not a good decision when there's someone more suitable," Yang Xian responded.

Change of dynasty was occurred when rebellions started. The leader of the rebels would claim that they have the order from the Heaven directly to stop the leadership of their current Emperor and that he was the one chosen from the Heaven. However, very few rebellions ended up successful as many failed in their attempt.

Yang Xian didn't have any interest to take the throne too. Even though it was tempting with so many power, glory, and wealth that was offered, he disliked it all. The only reason he chose to follow Prince Ji Sheng in the first place was to help him obtain peace at the northern border and stop the wars that have been going for years.

"You don't have any interest for the throne?"

"Never in my life I have an ounce of interest in the throne, Your Highness."

If it was possible, Yang Xian wished that he would be able to have a normal life just like what he did back in the past. Wars have been going on and on for a long time, so it was very tiring for him to be the one in charge of facing them.

"You can obtain peace by becoming the Emperor."

"After a long and brutal war of succession?"

"Yes."

"I don't want to," Yang Xian said unhurriedly. "Besides, what are you going to do with your wife if you were to lose your life?"

Prince Ji Sheng and Gao Ling got married just a few weeks prior. The celebration was a bit toned down compared to the usual custom, but it was all they could do. War had just finished and Prince Ji Sheng still have to go to the frontline, so this was the only option that they could take.

Gao Ling nodded. "If you were to leave, I'll follow you wherever you go, Ji Sheng."

"Ling'er, it's very dangerous."

"Do you think it's not equally dangerous for me to stay here all the time?" Gao Ling asked back, glaring at Prince Ji Sheng.

In the entire world, she might be the only person who could act insolent in front of Prince Ji Sheng without having her head leaving her neck. Other people who acted without thinking in front of Prince Ji Sheng and infuriate him would die shortly after their meeting.

"It's…"

"I'll not die so easily," Yang Xian added. "If the situation got any worse, I'll return back to the north almost immediately."

Prince Ji Sheng looked at Yang Xian and sighed. "Ji Shu might lock down the entire capital on the day he made his move."

"I'll find loophole."

"He will not let anyone on different sides alive."

Yang Xian nodded. "Who do you prefer to sit on the throne, Your Highness?"

At this question, Prince Ji Sheng couldn't answer directly. It was not like he didn't know the advantage and disadvantage of each prince, but he knew that his position was at risk no matter who it was. He could accept having his position restricted, but he didn't want to see so many people have to die.

In addition, he also didn't want to die. And the best option out of the two bad options would be…

"Ji Tian."

It was an answer that Yang Xian had expected. Prince Ji Tian was the rightful heir to the throne and certainly had been learning to be the Emperor. However, he was lacking in his temperament and ability compared to his three other siblings. If not because he was the oldest and came from the Empress, he would not be given the position as the crown prince.

The others could only stay silent, but not everyone wanted to stay silent.

The fourth prince was an ambitious and willful person. He wanted the throne and will do whatever it takes for him to be the one to inherit it. Since it was hard for him to make the Emperor look in his direction and give him the throne, he would have to pick the path with swords.

The second prince was also a good option. He was low key and only have a few officials supporting him. However, Prince Ji Sheng noticed that all of them were officials who have important position and very capable. The reason why they picked Prince Ji Shao Yang should have been very clear.

Unfortunately, he was not an option right now.

"If he failed, would you take up the throne for yourself?" Yang Xian asked.