An unprecedented unease made Emperor An’s heart race, and the mysterious object mentioned by Di Tao sent a chill through him.
Suppressing his urge to probe further, Emperor An feigned anger. “What exactly did Shang Qin say that day?”
Di Tao, seemingly unaware of the emperor’s underlying tone, knelt and replied, “Shang Qin said that when Emperor Taizu founded the Dragon Court Guards and the Zhenan Army, he declared that only the holder of the Dragon Jade Order could command them. The Dragon Court Guards are the imperial family’s private army, and only the Dragon Jade Order can compel him to act. Without it, no one can order him to deploy troops.”
“The Dragon Court Guards operate independently, outside the court’s authority and above local garrisons. My father had no way to deal with Shang Qin.”
“The Dragon Jade Order, passed down by Emperor Taizu, is supposed to be in the hands of the emperor. Before I came to the capital, my father and I discussed requesting Your Majesty to issue a decree, using the Dragon Jade Order to make Shang Qin support the northwest campaign.”
“But my father said Shang Qin is arrogant and uninterested in the northwest. Forcing him to send troops to Luoyan Pass might cause trouble. Moreover, since Your Majesty has never mobilized the Dragon Court Guards, my father assumed you have other plans for them and forbade me from troubling you.”
Di Tao’s explanation wasn’t entirely clear, but Emperor An gleaned the information he needed.
The Dragon Jade Order, a relic of Emperor Taizu, could command the Dragon Court Guards and the Zhenan Army’s over 200,000 troops in the northwest. Di Shuangcheng and others assumed it was in the emperor’s possession, but since ascending the throne over a decade ago, Emperor An had never heard of it.
He didn’t suspect Di Tao of lying, but where was the Dragon Jade Order?
Why had the late emperor never mentioned such a critical object, and why did no one in the imperial clan know of it?
Di Tao, noticing the emperor’s shifting expressions, knelt uneasily and looked up. “Your Majesty, I truly spoke out of carelessness. I would never reveal the Dragon Jade Order to others.”
“I know,” Emperor An said, forcibly suppressing his inner turmoil.
Relieved that the emperor wasn’t angry, Di Tao ventured, “Then, about my return to the northwest…”
“The northwest has General Di; that’s enough for now. You will stay in the capital for the time being.”
“What?” Di Tao’s face filled with confusion.
Looking at the bewildered young man, Emperor An saw no suspicion about the Dragon Jade Order—only puzzlement over why he couldn’t return to the northwest. While this eased his mind, it also weighed heavily on him.
He had been unaware of the Dragon Jade Order before. With constant wars in the northwest and no need for the Dragon Court Guards or Zhenan Army in the capital, Shang Qin and Di Shuangcheng had assumed the order was in his hands.
Di Tao had made it clear: the Dragon Jade Order, passed down by Taizu, was meant to be handed from the late emperor to him to command the northwest forces. Yet he had never heard of it, let alone seen it. Such a thing, akin to a “tiger tally,” was missing.
How could Emperor An be at ease?
If he had let Di Tao return earlier, it wouldn’t have mattered. But now, with such a significant hidden threat, how could he let him leave?
Di Shuangcheng had only one son and one daughter. Keeping Di Tao in the capital could serve as a “hostage” to control Di Shuangcheng if necessary. With the Zhenan Army as a check, the Dragon Court Guards wouldn’t be entirely unmanageable.
If he could find the Dragon Jade Order, that would be ideal. If not, he needed to resolve this threat quickly.
Emperor An’s mind raced, but his expression softened. “The northwest is important, but winter is two months away. The Beiling people, who live by herding, won’t invade Great Wei in freezing weather. Luoyan Pass is secure with your father in charge, and I trust him.”
“You haven’t been in the capital long, but you must know of recent events. The court is plagued by chaos, noble families are eroding imperial authority, and many martial officials collude with civil officials. Even the palace guards are unreliable. With wolves circling me, how can I rest easy?”
Di Tao scratched his head. “But I only know how to lead troops and fight. I’m useless at anything else.”
Kneeling, he muttered, “People in the capital are hard to deal with and look down on a rough martial man like me. While staying at the guesthouse, aside from Princess Xiangning occasionally sending food and clothes because I saved Supervisor Xiao’s life that night, I’ve been alone. The guesthouse doesn’t even have a place to practice martial arts…”
Emperor An chuckled. “You and your father guard the border, killing enemies and protecting the nation. Who dares look down on you? Besides, if you stay in the capital, I won’t keep you in the guesthouse.”
“I’ll grant you a residence and an official post. Stay in the capital and serve me.”
Di Tao shook his head like a rattle. “No, no, I really can’t do anything else.”
“When I was a kid, my father chased me with a stick, and I still couldn’t memorize the Four Books and Five Classics. I grew up on the border, used to no rules, and I’m clueless about capital etiquette.”
“I can lead troops and fight, but if you make me work in the capital, I’ll offend everyone within half a month and cause trouble.”
“No, no, I can’t do it…”
The young man knelt, his face full of resistance, vehemently rejecting the idea of staying in the capital as an official.
Emperor An, however, was delighted. Someone who offends others is perfect—a brash young man causing trouble is better than one who gets too close and colludes with others.
Skilled only in leading troops, lacking cunning, young, and easy to control, Di Tao could stay under his watch to restrain Di Shuangcheng while serving his purposes.
Emperor An said, “Who said I’m keeping you in the capital to do anything but lead troops?”
Di Tao blinked. “Are there troops in the capital?”
“Who said there aren’t? Without anyone guarding this vast capital, wouldn’t anyone dare to cause chaos?”
Amused by Di Tao, Emperor An’s earlier gloom lifted, and his mood improved.
“I know you grew up on the border, trained by your father in the art of leading troops and fighting. I won’t waste your talents by keeping you idle in the capital.”
“The four suburban camps had issues recently; their leader committed a crime. I need someone skilled in commanding troops. The capital has been peaceful for years, and the camp soldiers have grown lax and complacent. You’ll take the post of Cavalry Commandant, train them for me, and ensure those mediocre talents don’t forget how to wield a blade.”
Di Tao’s heart stirred at the mention of leading troops. “What rank is Cavalry Commandant?”
Emperor An, seeing his youthful enthusiasm, laughed heartily. “Fifth rank. It’s not as high as your father’s, but for someone your age in the capital, it’s top-notch.”
Di Tao’s eyes sparkled at “fifth rank,” his face brimming with excitement, but after a moment, he slumped. “No, my father won’t agree. He says I’m too young and inexperienced. In the northwest, I’m only a ninth-rank captain…”
Emperor An laughed. “I’m the emperor. Even your father has to obey me.”
Di Tao hesitated.
Emperor An pressed, “What, you don’t believe me?”
“No, I trust Your Majesty, but…” Di Tao lowered his voice. “I’m just afraid I don’t know the capital’s rules. If I cause trouble, Your Majesty might blame me.”===================
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