Chapter 923 The Yan Emperor's Choice!

"A…tumor in the brain?"

Zheng Fan reached out and pointed to his forehead.

The response was difficult for the Prince to accept and digest.

"Yes, my lord, there's no mistake." The blind man said with certainty, "It's very clear, very obvious.

"In addition, the Emperor said he occasionally experiences inexplicable nosebleeds. Furthermore, when I played chess with him, I subtly applied some mental influence, and he began to experience slight moments of mental distraction. This means the Emperor likely has some mental issues… of course, not the kind of mental illness commonly perceived, but a mental illness nonetheless.

"These can all be considered symptoms of a tumor forming pressure in the brain."

"Can it be cured?" Zheng Fan asked.

"My lord should first ask whether it's benign or malignant."

"So, is it benign or malignant?"

"I don't know."

"........" Zheng Fan.

"I am not a doctor, and..." The blind man tapped his temple, "Even in later generations, only a small group of top-tier, highly specialized doctors would be qualified to determine the nature of this situation."

"If it's malignant, is his life basically counting down?"

"Yes, my lord."

In reality, some diseases have existed since ancient times.

The reason people in later generations think some diseases didn't exist in ancient times is because it's only been twenty or thirty years since old people started choosing to go to the hospital instead of wrapping themselves in blankets at home to endure their illness.

Furthermore, the average lifespan is generally low now; many people don't even have the opportunity to encounter some "diseases of the wealthy" before they pass away.

"Then, if it's benign? I vaguely remember that if it's benign, early removal solves most of the problem, right?"

"Yes." The blind man gave an affirmative answer, but immediately added, "But my lord, that would require a craniotomy."

Zheng Fan narrowed his eyes.

Performing a craniotomy, even in later generations with advanced medicine, is an extremely difficult surgery, let alone now.

"Can it be done?" Zheng Fan asked tentatively.

"Yes." The blind man gave another affirmative answer. "I can use mental power to probe, then establish a mind link with San'er, who will perform the surgery, with Si Niang's assistance in suturing and repairing. A'Cheng and A'Ming can create a sterile environment.

"It can be done."

"It can be done… good." Zheng Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

"But, my lord, the success rate might only be this high."

The blind man held up a hand,

"Fifty-fifty."

Fifty percent success, fifty percent failure.

The blind man added, "But in reality, it's zero or one."

Either it's done well, and the person lives.

Or it's not done well, and the person dies.

Of course, there are other potential problems, but if something goes wrong with the brain… it would probably be a fate worse than death; better to just die outright.

"Fifty percent chance." Zheng Fan fell into deep thought.

"Also, my lord seems to be overlooking a problem."

"What problem?"

"The patient is the Emperor."

The blind man inhaled.

He continued:

"First, how do we convince the Emperor to undergo this craniotomy?

"After all, for people of this era, a craniotomy is akin to flying with a sword.

"More importantly…"

The blind man spread his hands,

He said helplessly:

"If the Emperor's surgery fails and he dies in our Jindong, what kind of…consequences would there be?"

…

"Come, let朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') hold our Great Yan's heir to the Prince of the West."

When there are guests in the home,

The children in the family are often the best "dish" to entertain guests.

It's just that Zheng Lin's temperament is far less pleasing than Da Niu's. This isn't just what others say; even his own father thinks so.

Therefore, even while being held by the Emperor, Zheng Lin displayed a great deal of resistance, instinctively kicking his legs, trying to break free.

The aura emanating from the Emperor made him very uncomfortable.

When someone has been an Emperor for too long, even the most easygoing person will develop that aura of imperial dominance, especially since Ji Lao Liu wasn't one to be confined to a pond even when he was a prince.

And what Zheng Lin disliked the most was this kind of "authority."

"This child has quite a bit of strength." The Emperor said with a smile.

Si Niang and the Princess of Fu were standing beside him.

If his own mother weren't also here, it would be impossible for the Emperor to hold Zheng Lin, given his constitution.

"Your Majesty, the Heir's body is emitting qi fluctuations."

Eunuch Wei discovered this detail.

At first, he thought it was a precious magical artifact protecting the Heir, and those were the artifact's fluctuations.

But after careful observation, he was shocked to find that the sensation of qi was actually coming from the child himself.

Eunuch Wei immediately became agitated. There's a saying among the common folk, regarding one's level of cultivation, that unless one started cultivating in the womb, it's not worth much.

Well, now they've met someone who truly started cultivating in the womb.

"Qi?" The Emperor didn't immediately understand what Eunuch Wei meant. He asked with a smile, "Is our Heir a spirit child?"

"Yes."

Eunuch Wei replied,

"Even a spirit child probably can't compare to the Heir's aptitude."

"Oh?"

This time, the Emperor was genuinely surprised.

He suddenly thought of that indifferent and unconcerned look on Zheng Fan's face when he asked why he hadn't told 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') that his daughter was a spirit child…

The Emperor originally thought Zheng was putting on an act. Of course, the Emperor still thinks Zheng is putting on an act, but he truly has the capital to do so.

A son and a daughter, both spirit children.

The Zheng family's ancestral grave,

Isn't just emitting green smoke, it's on fire!

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') must find Zheng and ask…"

"Ask me what? I'm here." The Prince walked in.

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') wants to ask where your Zheng family ancestral grave is. 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') is planning to move my Ji family imperial mausoleum there."

The Emperor always spoke so unreservedly when talking to the Prince of the West.

"You've really stumped me there. I really don't know."

After Zheng Fan entered, he deliberately lingered his gaze on the Emperor's head for a while longer.

Brain,

Tumor,

Inside?

You, Ji Lao Liu, haven't had an easy life either. You finally waited for your father to pass away and your hardships to end, but this happened.

Eunuch Wei originally thought the Emperor would inquire about the Prince of the West regarding his dragon body, but the Emperor kept chatting with him about trivial matters, not asking about it at all. As for the Prince of the West, he didn't mention it either.

As a servant, Eunuch Wei didn't dare to overstep his boundaries and could only stand there obediently.

"Zheng, you're going to have successors now. These children are going to be extraordinary when they grow up." The Emperor's tone was filled with obvious envy.

If a Jianghu family produces a spirit child, it can ensure the hope of the family's sect during the next generation's inheritance.

If a noble family produces one, as long as the child doesn't go astray, it's the basis for being enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a prime minister, and they can even expect to advance further.

As for the Imperial family, the Xiong and Ji families have had members with spirit child physiques in their history. The Xiong family had two, and they both surpassed their brothers and inherited the throne.

The Ji family had one in their history who didn't inherit the throne, but he commanded the Great Yan army to fight against the barbarians and ultimately died on the battlefield.

These types of people,

Are born to be the favored children of heaven.

If born into an ordinary family, they might be buried and experience some setbacks, but if born into a wealthy family, it's like sending a good piece of jade directly into the hands of a master jade carver.

To this,

The Prince just smiled indifferently.

He said nonchalantly:

"What's so good about it? They eat a lot."

…

The Emperor came to the Prince of the West's manor as a guest, but he didn't just come to stay.

After staying at the Prince of the West's manor for three days, the Son of Heaven's carriage departed again, exiting the east gate of Fengxin City and heading northeast toward Xuehai Pass.

The Prince of the West accompanied the holy presence.

Not only that, but this Eastern Inspection continued with the most meticulous ceremonial treatment provided by Fengxin City. It could be said that everything the Son of Heaven needed for his travels was implemented and arranged.

This showed the Prince's respect for the Emperor.

However,

Wei Gonggong, as the Grand Eunuch, felt somewhat uneasy.

Some things can't be conjured up in two or three days. Even the instruments used by the Imperial Guards in Yanjing City have been passed down through generations in the palace and are almost ancestral objects.

But here,

Everything was prepared.

What are the Prince's intentions in preparing things for the Emperor in advance?

He guessed it,

He thought of it,

But still, that saying goes:

Wei Gonggong could only maintain his smile.

The essence of this world is to cover bloody things with a seemingly warm veil.

Throughout history, those who have been found to be hiding rebellious objects, leading to their families being raided and exterminated, are mostly not truly intending to rebel. Those who truly want to rebel and have the ability to do so will not be found out.

When Li Liangting helped the Emperor put on his dragon robe, he was skilled.

The late Emperor once jokingly asked him why he was so familiar with it.

Li Liangting replied: My family has made them and worn them for fun.

The late Emperor laughed heartily upon hearing this.

Wei Gonggong had personally witnessed all of this.

Therefore, the Prince of the West secretly preparing these things,

Wasn't some heinous crime, but rather a hobby.

The Crown Prince remained at the Prince of the West's manor, receiving his final lessons.

The Empress was also left behind at the Prince of the West's manor by the Emperor. The Emperor traveled east with the Prince of the West alone.

Along the way,

The Prince of the West, as a gracious host, introduced the local customs and the battles that had taken place here to the Emperor.

The Emperor listened attentively, and when encountering battlefield ruins, he would stop to set up altars for sacrifices.

Stopping and going,

The carriage finally arrived at Xuehai Pass.

Although the Prince of the West's forces had long since infiltrated the Snow Plains, this was still nominally the northeasternmost territory of Great Yan.

On the afternoon of the second day after arriving at Xuehai Pass,

The Emperor, accompanied by the Prince of the West, ascended the north wall of Xuehai Pass.

Two chairs,

A tea table,

Both the Emperor and the Prince were leaning back, their postures in tacit agreement of laziness.

This time,

Even Wei Gonggong stood far away. No one could approach the two of them.

"I'm tired, Zheng. All this way, I feel like 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') is a male dog, lifting a leg wherever I go, squirting out some pee to mark my territory and declare to the world that this is Great Yan's land."

The Prince chewed on a peach pastry,

Nodding:

"Crude, but true."

The Emperor rolled his eyes,

Sighing:

"Thinking about how you, Zheng, were fighting desperados here back then, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') can't help but feel a sense of poignancy and nostalgia. Things have changed."

"Your Majesty is too serious. There's no need for excessive sentimentality."

"As the ruler of a country, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') still have this much empathy."

The Prince shook his head and said:

"It wasn't on this north wall, but on the south wall. When I guarded Xuehai Pass, because the Grand Prince took a radish carved like an imperial seal to make wishes at the Snow Plains garrison tribes, we weren't attacked from both sides.

"If you want to be sentimental,

"We can switch to the south wall and sit there."

"…" The Emperor.

"Even as a Prince, you still won't yield to 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I')."

"Even as an Emperor, you still haggle over this."

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am the Son of Heaven."

"Oh."

"Zheng."

"Speak."

"Does 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') really have some kind of illness?"

"There are imperial physicians in the palace. If you have any illness, wouldn't they be able to tell?"

The Emperor's health is guarded by imperial physicians. It's a very well-established medical system.

Therefore, most of the time, when a proper emperor suddenly dies from a serious illness, history books may write it that way, but you absolutely can't naively believe it.

In detail, the palace has dedicated personnel responsible for inspecting and recording the Emperor's daily meals, evening life in the harem, and even the Emperor's excrement, forming a very meticulous record of the dragon body's condition.

"You like to joke, but you wouldn't make such a boring joke. You had that blind man of yours examine my body. It must be because you noticed something."

"Hey, I'm not a doctor. Am I that miraculous?"

"When you were just a merchant escort commander, you were able to have the Barbarian Left Guli King do wedding clothes for you before his death. Aren't you miraculous enough?

"Zheng,

"Tell me,

"The one thing Emperors fear most is being kept in the dark.

"All this way,

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') have been waiting for you to tell 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') proactively, but you haven't. That proves the problem is big, right?"

Ji Chengjue looked at Zheng Fan.

He saw Zheng Fan nod.

"What kind of illness?" Ji Chengjue asked.

"A kind of illness that is hard for you to understand. You can think of it as a brain disease."

"Brain disease?" The Emperor's eyes widened. He said, "You mean 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') will go crazy in the future? Become a mad Emperor?"

"People can grow bumps on their bodies. Brains can grow them too."

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') have a bump in my brain?"

Zheng Fan turned his gaze forward, no longer explaining.

The Emperor reached out and gently nudged Zheng Fan's arm, asking;

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') don't believe others when they say these things, but 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') believe you;

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') ask you,

"Is this disease serious?"

In fact, when the issue of problems with the brain was mentioned, the Emperor felt it resonated with him because in the side hall of the imperial study, the Emperor would often "see" his "father."

Although in this era, there's no concept of "schizophrenia," the Emperor still perceived a sense of…subtle unease and fear.

"Serious." Zheng Fan answered.

"Then, how many years can 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') live?"

"Unclear. The best outcome is ten years; the worst outcome may be just a few years."

This was calculated by the blind man based on the scenes in his daily dreams.

In fact, there's another factor here, which is that the situation Ji Chengjue inherited would have been much worse than it is now, and the pressure he would have faced every day would have been even greater;

It's just that Great Yan's situation has indeed been changed too much due to the appearance of Zheng Fan and others.

King Jingnan ultimately didn't die in the battle of Zhennan Pass, and the chaotic situation in Jin wasn't brought about.

Ji Lao Liu's original "exhaustion and illness" wouldn't exist;

But the problem now is that the tumor is here now. Since the objective has already appeared, it won't be transferred subjectively.

Ten years is really the best-case scenario, but it's likely just half that.

"This is even more mysterious than what qi refiners say." The Emperor laughed. "At this moment, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') wish you, Zheng, weren't some kind of Prince, but a qi refiner instead. That way, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') could dismiss you."

Zheng Fan silently drank some tea.

"Can it be cured?"

"Yes."

"How much certainty?"

"Fifty percent."

"How to cure it?"

"Open up the brain."

"Although 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am not a doctor, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') understand that doing so, if it's not cured, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') will…"

"There will be a national funeral."

"Can your tone not be so casual?"

"Because this matter, because of these words, I have weighed them in my heart for a long time. The sugarcane has been chewed dry."

"Zheng Fan, do you know that in the days after Father Emperor passed away and 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') just ascended the throne, the old director of the Imperial Observatory took the initiative to enter the palace to meet 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I'). He told 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') something.

"He said that after his investigation and combining the traces of Cang Fuzi entering the capital to sever my Great Yan's dragon vein, he came to a conclusion;

"That is, what Cang Fuzi severed may not have been my Father Emperor;

"But…

"Took the opportunity to sever the dragon vein to put a curse on my Great Yan's throne.

"Whoever sits on the throne takes on this curse;

"He also said that the curse may be passed down for three generations.

"That's why 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') sent Chuanye to you. 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') don't believe this, but 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') hope my son can have a better life, a healthier life, because 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I'), as his father, owe it to him.

"After that old director of the Imperial Observatory reported these things to 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I'), he immolated himself at home that night.

"Oh, right, he also said that Grandfather seemed to have been deceived. The fortune from Tianhu Mountain poured in, but it supplemented the wrong place, hehehe.

"These qi refiners, they're all superstitious. As long as you get a little involved, they can forcefully concoct a story to support their claims."

The Emperor spoke a lot.

The Prince silently looked at him,

And asked very straightforwardly and directly;

"Treat it?"

The Emperor was silent.

This silence,

Lasted an hour;

In the eyes of outsiders,

It was the Emperor and the Prince of the West taking an afternoon nap together;

But in reality,

Only those who were in close proximity could understand the solemnity of the atmosphere surrounding them.

The climate of the Snow Plains is changeable. In spring and summer, it's especially prone to wind, creating air spirals.

It's not as exaggerated as a tornado, but it's enough to form a vast and magnificent sight.

At this time,

Looking north from the north wall of Xuehai Pass,

A black air spiral appeared on the boundless edge, gathering and stirring.

The wind wasn't very strong, but the sight was worthy of the word magnificent.

After being silent for a full hour,

The Emperor suddenly complained with a weeping tone:

"Why did it have to be you, Zheng, who told 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') this?"

Because Zheng Fan lived too authentically and too freely.

Therefore,

The words he spoke, especially these words, didn't come with any conspiracy, political subtext, layout black hands, etc., because he disdained them.

And therefore,

Very cruelly,

You can't escape,

You can only accept the fact that what he said is the truth!

"I didn't want to say it if you didn't ask," Zheng Fan said. "Since you asked, I can only tell you."

The Emperor took a deep breath,

And said:

"Ten years, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') don't dare to hope for it. Five years is enough."

"You're not treating it?" Zheng Fan asked.

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am afraid of death." The Emperor gave a very direct answer. "朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am afraid of death."

"Good."

Zheng Fan nodded, expressing his understanding. In this world, the reason of fearing death is always very persuasive.

"Five years, according to our agreement, is there still enough time, right?"

"Perhaps."

"At a time like this, can't you give 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') some confidence?"

"If the treatment is successful, you can live longer, really."

Zheng Fan believed in the blind man's and the others' skills, and he believed in their ability to create miracles.

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') believe it," the Emperor said. "Zheng, my Empress, including Wei Zhonghe behind, and even my son, my family members, they are all very clear.

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I'),

"Ji Chengjue,

"How much 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') believe in you, Zheng Fan."

"Mm."

"But 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am the Son of Heaven."

"Ah?" The Prince looked at Ji Chengjue in confusion.

"Up until now, from when 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') asked you about my body to now, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') feel like 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am dreaming, but 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') can't avoid it;

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am the Son of Heaven,

"Do you know why you, Zheng, have always been loath to rebel?

"Because you just want to enjoy yourself,

"But you don't want to take on responsibility.

"You're just like those men who like to go to brothels,

"You just want to whore,

"And after you're done, you tighten your belt,

"And either start persuading the girls to reform,

"Or you buy a pot of wine on the way home and get drunk until dawn.

"You haven't been an Emperor,

"But 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') know,

"You have always had a very clear and profound understanding of the concept of 'Emperor.'"

"It's a bit far off, isn't it?" Zheng Fan asked.

"No, no, you might think that 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am the type of person who is afraid of death, so 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') don't want to be treated.

"Let's not talk about the consequences of you, the Prince of the West, treating 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') and either killing 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') or driving 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') mad. Let's not discuss those.

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am just saying,

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am different from you,

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') have sat in this position, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') have become the Son of Heaven, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') have taken on this responsibility, you understand?"

"I understand."

"Father Emperor had many ways to extend his life back then, but Father Emperor rejected them all."

Back then, first, the Pixiu in the palace appeared, wanting to be like the Regent of Great Chu, using the Fire Phoenix Spirit to forcibly stimulate and extend his life.

Furthermore, the Red Robe Little Eunuch suggested borrowing the fortune of He Chu, who had good fortune, to replenish His Majesty;

But without exception, they were rejected by the late Emperor.

"Zheng Fan, after becoming Emperor, this life is no longer just one's own. Let's not talk about living for the common people of the world, that's too fake, and you don't believe it, but the burdens and responsibilities are really too many.

"You say that if it's cured, I can live a long time;

"朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am afraid that if it's not cured, 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') will be gone;

"Afraid that 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') will die before finishing things.

"If things are really accomplished, done well, and a good situation is left for future generations, then death is fine.

"Ministers, when they get old, seek a reputation after death, to have their names recorded in history.

"But as for the Emperor,

"From the moment you sit on the dragon throne,

"Whether you're a three-year-old child sitting on it, or a young and strong person, or someone who has been a Crown Prince for decades before finally making it;

"As long as your butt touches that chair,

"You're already considered dead in the living world, living in history."

"If you change your mind one day, you can always come find me," Zheng Fan said.

"Change what change? 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') am the Son of Heaven, whose words are divine pronouncements. An Emperor doesn't go back on his word!"

Then,

The Emperor got off the chair,

Stood up,

Pointed at the dark air spiral in front of him,

And scolded:

"By Imperial Decree: 朕 (zhen, imperial 'I') command you to disperse!"

Perhaps it was truly a coincidence that happened at this moment,

The air spiral that had just formed suddenly ran out of steam and gradually began to dissipate.

He, Ji Lao Liu, wasn't an expert and had no relation to qi refiners, so naturally, he couldn't possess the power to move mountains and fill seas. It was just luck.

Ji Lao Liu was extremely excited. He had blindly stumbled upon a dead mouse, but he truly experienced the thrill of a peerless expert changing the world;

Immediately, he slapped the crenellation forcefully,

Ignoring the pain,

And shouted:

"Hey, give me some face!"