Perhaps the victory had been too decisive. After reporting the great triumph of the Battle of Menqu Slope, the system fell silent once more.
Before, whenever they suffered a defeat, the system would display troop losses, yet after a victory, no detailed information on the gains appeared.
Wen Yanran: “…”
Her system had indeed only perked up for a brief moment, and it seemed she still couldn’t place too much hope in it.
An attendant poured a cup of warm water for the Emperor to soothe her throat – unlike the late emperor’s habits, the new ruler abstained from drinking tea after the hour of Xu (7PM to 9PM). Upon receiving the news, Chi Yi and others hurried over to attend, but just as they reached the door, a fellow courtier informed them that Her Majesty, after drinking some water, had settled back to rest.
Just then, the Emperor’s voice came from inside the room:
“Is that Ah-Yi? Let them come in.”
Chi Yi entered and bowed toward the direction of the bed, saying, “Your Majesty.”
A palace attendant drew aside one side of the bed curtains. Without getting up, Wen Yanran leaned against the headboard and smiled, “You’ve come quite quickly.” She glanced at Chi Yi’s neat and proper attire, raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked, “You haven’t rested yet?”
The attendants moved the candlelight closer. Wen Yanran had initially intended to judge from Chi Yi’s complexion whether she had stayed up late, but she quickly dismissed the thought – as the “designated powerful minister” praised in the comments section, Chi Yi seemed capable of maintaining abundant energy at almost any hour.
Since the recent military campaigns had been consistently unfavorable, Wen Yanran had just broken her usual routine by rising in the middle of the night and silently pondering over something, which easily gave those around her cause for uneasy speculation. It was no wonder the attending eunuch hastily sought someone who could take charge.
However, while Chi Yi had arrived, Zhang Luo was nowhere to be seen…
After a moment’s thought, Wen Yanran grasped the reason and smiled, “It must have been quite trying for all of you.”
Wu’an was not like Jianping – crowded and full of gossip. To avoid tipping off the enemy, Wen Yanran naturally did not divulge her military strategies. The court officials who had accompanied her, seeing the situation so critical, whether truly loyal to the court or harboring ulterior motives, were bound to take action. Bound by the hierarchical relationship between ruler and subject, even if the Emperor’s authority had suffered some damage due to the defeats, they might not dare to act directly against the sovereign. Instead, they would likely target certain close aides. Among them, Chi Yi and Zhang Luo, both hailing from the inner palace and often disdained by mainstream scholar-officials, became convenient targets.
Under normal circumstances, the pressure should have been even greater. Yet both Chi Yi and Zhang Luo were skilled in political maneuvering. Now working together to suppress the outer court and backed by the Imperial Guard, the court officials were temporarily unable to act. However, with Zhong Zhiwei having led the Iron Cavalry Battalion away from Shangxing Pass, the most vulnerable moment had arrived, and the pressure had multiplied.
Chi Yi bowed her head and said, “This is due to my incompetence.”
Wen Yanran smiled faintly and motioned for Chi Yi to step closer, then reached out to gently grasp her forearm.
Chi Yi was momentarily taken aback. Though the Emperor did not speak, she could sense an unwavering confidence in the sovereign’s gesture.
Ever since ascending the throne, Her Majesty had consistently anticipated events with unerring accuracy. Waking abruptly in the middle of the night likely meant she had formed some crucial, optimistic assumptions about the situation on the front lines.
In that flash of insight, Chi Yi’s expression remained as calm and composed as ever. Yet when she withdrew, she offered the Emperor an especially solemn and profound bow.
The climate of Dan Province was quite uncomfortable for civil officials hailing from Jianping. Though the rain had let up for a rare while today, the sun remained hidden, its light blocked by dark clouds, casting a gloom and chill distinct from the heartlands of the Central Plains.
As Li Zengyu stepped out, the rain began to fall again. The distance wasn’t far, so he didn’t ask a servant to hold an umbrella for him. Instead, he quickened his pace slightly and headed toward Gao Changjian’s residence.
During this inspection tour to Shangxing Pass by the Emperor, many court officials were left in Jianping to maintain normal court operations. For this reason, many of Li Zengyu’s old acquaintances were not present here.
After the officials from Jianping arrived in Wu’an, the limited available housing forced many courtiers to crowd together. Though the living space per person was somewhat meager, it had the advantage of facilitating visits and coordination among them. Unfortunately, some time ago, Chi Yi and others, acting in the name of the Imperial Household Department, rented additional civilian residences and, citing disrepair due to age, relocated the court officials to separate areas, effectively scattering the civil officials. Although there was no explicit prohibition against mutual visits, the Imperial Guard – tasked with preventing enemy infiltration into the city – had been patrolling day and night recently. Li Zengyu and others, aware of the close ties between the Imperial Guard and the inner palace eunuchs, sensed a hidden intention of surveillance and were compelled to act with even greater discretion.
Many officials friendly with Li Zengyu had been separated, while he himself was kept near the government office.
With no one else to turn to, Li Zengyu had no choice but to personally visit Gao Changjian.
Gao Changjian hailed from the Gao clan, an old aristocratic family in Jianzhou. Having observed mourning rites for many years, he had earned considerable prestige among the scholarly class. His family also had longstanding ties with the Du, Yuan, and Song clans. Though his official rank was not prominent, his status was pivotal. Li Zengyu came hoping to enlist his support in persuading the Emperor.
Li Zengyu was led by a servant into the hall, where he offered a distant bow to the dark-haired young man dressed in white sitting opposite. Despite the simplicity of his attire, Gao Changjian’s refined and transcendent bearing was unmistakable – a testament to his aristocratic upbringing. In this era, due to the limited advancement of dyeing techniques, evenly colored fabrics were mostly expensive, while white garments were more commonly worn by scholars of humble origins.
Due to the frequent defeats on the front lines, Li Zengyu could hardly contain his anxiety. Without bothering with pleasantries, he cut straight to the point. “Wu’an stands on the brink of collapse. I implore you, my worthy brother, to lend me your aid.”
Gao Changjian replied, “What lead you to say this?”
Li Zengyu said, “It is no exaggeration on my part – the situation has truly reached a precarious and turbulent state.” Lowering his voice, he added, “Are you aware, my worthy brother, that the Western Tribes have already advanced to the Menqu area?”
Gao Changjian first poured a cup of tea for his guest before responding unhurriedly, “Precisely because the situation is critical, we must not panic.” He continued, “I know you are loyal to the Sovereign and devoted to the state. However, since Her Majesty has already arrived at Shangxing Pass, it would be unwise to leave lightly before the dust settles.”
Li Zengyu frowned, “Dan Province is now a perilous place. As loyal ministers of the court, how can we stand idly by while Her Majesty remains here?” Then, with sincere earnestness, he said, “Please hear me out. Her Majesty should never have so rashly moved here in the first place. It was due to the unchecked arrogance of the inner palace eunuchs, who obstructed access and prevented the words of worthy talents from reaching the Sovereign’s ears, that such a grave misstep was taken. To be frank, Her Majesty has been unable to sleep at night recently. If we can bring Chi Yi and Zhang Luo to open justice, Her Majesty will be able to move with ease…”
Gao Changjian shook his head slightly, “Given the strength of the Western Tribes, it is unlikely they can breach the pass.”
Li Zengyu said, “I, too, once thought so. But before today, who could have imagined that the Western Tribes would manage to seize half of Dan Province?”
Gao Changjian pondered, “Shangxing Pass occupies a strategically vital and easily defensible position. However, if Her Majesty departs, the morale of the stationed troops will inevitably plummet. Even if the pass could be held before, it might not hold afterward.” He continued, “I have heard that once the Western Tribes advance to Menqu, they could seize Shangxing Pass. If Shangxing Pass falls, where then would Her Majesty retreat to?”
Li Zengyu flushed, “If the enemy truly reaches the city walls…”
Gao Changjian’s expression grew solemn, “If the enemy truly reaches the city walls, do we not possess the courage of even a single man? When the moment of true peril arrives, nobles, ministers, and scholars alike should step forward to defend the city and bolster morale.”
Li Zengyu looked at Gao Changjian for a moment, sighed, and then clasped his hands in salute before rising directly to leave. He did not bother urging the other man to keep their conversation confidential – after all, Gao Changjian hailed from the prestigious Gao clan of Jianzhou. Even if they were not aligned in purpose, he would not stoop to reporting their words.
After his guest had left, Gao Changjian returned to work at his desk – he had been recommended to serve as a Supervisor in the Ministry of Revenue, handling numerous logistical details daily. Once he had sorted the documents and placed them in a wooden case, he personally carried it to the government office.
Following procedure, he needed to hand over the documents to Wang Youyin. However, after completing the transfer today, Gao Changjian did not leave immediately.
Wang Youyin glanced at him twice before turning to enter the inner chambers. Moments later, she returned with a message: “Her Majesty summons Supervisor Gao for an audience.”
Gao Changjian adjusted his headpiece slightly before following Wang Youyin inside.
The back office was not particularly spacious. Upon entering and turning a corner, Gao Changjian saw the Emperor, dressed in a crow-blue robe, seated in the corridor reviewing a letter of recommendation.
When he was still about ten paces away, Gao Changjian stopped and offered a deep bow to the Sovereign ahead.
Wen Yanran’s gaze swept briefly over the visitor before she smiled, “Minister Gao, is Du Daosi from the Du clan of Yong Province your cousin?”
This was a topic Gao Changjian had never expected the Emperor to bring up suddenly. He paused for a moment before replying, “…Indeed, she is.”
Wen Yanran gave a slight nod, “No wonder there’s a faint resemblance in your demeanor to Minister Cui.”
The Minister Cui she referred to was not Cui Xinjing, but Cui Yi.
Leaning back against the soft cushion, Wen Yanran remarked casually, “Since you are here, tell me about your cousin.”
Gao Changjian replied, “Du Daosi of the Du clan and Cui Xinbai of the Cui clan have long been mentioned together in the southern regions. Though they did not meet often, they regarded each other as close friends. In the ninth year of Changxing, my aunt passed away unexpectedly, and my cousin returned home to observe mourning…”
As Wen Yanran listened, she compared his words with the contents of the recommendation letter – Du Daosi was a friend of Cui Xinbai. Having completed her mourning period, she should have come to serve at court alongside her cousin. However, moved by her friend’s untimely death, she first detoured to pay her respects, which delayed her arrival until now.
After discussing the topic of Du Daosi, Wen Yanran dismissed Gao Changjian, who left the office without further comment.
Cai Qu watched Gao Changjian’s retreating figure with a rather puzzled expression.
Noticing this, Wen Yanran smiled and said, “Don’t overthink it. He didn’t come to persuade me to leave. On the contrary, he was concerned that I might waver and abandon Shangxing Pass, so he came specifically to admonish me.”
Outside the back office.
Standing beneath the corridor, Gao Changjian raised his head to look at the curtain of rain in the sky. All the anxieties in his heart, like stones cast into a lake, settled completely after meeting the Emperor.
He had long known that the Emperor possessed an exceptionally sharp and resolute temperament. Only now did he realize that, beyond that sharpness, the Emperor was also unwavering and steadfast. Despite the repeated reports of defeats from the front lines, there was not the slightest intention to retreat even half a step.
Gao Changjian had actually prepared many things to say. However, upon realizing that the Emperor still had the leisure to inquire in detail about Du Daosi, he understood that the Sovereign’s mind remained unshaken. Her resolve to hold Shangxing Pass was so firm that there was no need for anyone to persuade her.
Although Li Zengyu had failed to draw Gao Changjian into his camp, he remained determined to join other court officials in submitting a joint memorial.
Perhaps due to the large number of people involved, the Emperor – who had recently only summoned individual officials to the back office for private discussions – actually agreed to organize an impromptu court assembly.
Today’s rain seemed heavier than usual.
The Emperor sat at the front of the hall, while the officials of Wu’an stood on either side according to their ranks. According to normal procedure, it would fall to the inner palace eunuchs to ask if any ministers wished to present memorials. Yet today, Chi Yi and the others remained completely silent, and Wen Yanran herself simply closed her eyes.
Imperial Guards clad in iron armor stood silently on both sides, and the hall fell into a deep quiet.
Just as Li Zengyu was about to step forward to present his memorial, the sound of galloping hooves suddenly rang out from outside.
According to the city’s temporary regulations, unless it was urgent military intelligence, no one was permitted to gallop on the main streets.
Li Zengyu paused his action – if there were news of another defeat from the front lines as evidence, his following words would naturally carry more weight.
Several cavalrymen dismounted before the hall and hurried inside. When they caught sight of the Emperor’s silhouette from afar, they dropped to their knees. The man at their head raised the dispatch in his hand and cried out loudly, “Your Majesty, a great victory at Menqu Slope!”
The speaker was none other than Tao Jing. As soon as he finished those words, tears spilled from his eyes despite himself.
Wen Yanran finally opened her eyes. She rose from her seat and, braving the rain, walked toward Tao Jing, helping him to his feet while his bloodstains had yet to be washed away. Smiling, she said, “I said before that the matter of the Western Tribes could be entrusted to no one but Minister Tao.” She then ordered that his armor be removed and draped a brocade robe over him with her own hands. “This robe was prepared for your father. Since Minister Tao remains at the front, you shall receive it on his behalf for now.”
Overcome with emotion, Tao Jing found himself unable to speak. He could not help but kowtow heavily, choking back tears as he said, “That we were able to rout the Western cavalry is entirely due to Your Majesty’s divine foresight. I and my father would not dare to claim any merit.”
Quite a few court officials noticed that Tao Jing had not used the word defeated, but routed.
Li Zengyu and the others were naturally at a loss, unable to grasp its meaning. Gao Changjian, however, seemed to understand something, though he could not yet be certain.
Tao Jing was overwhelmed with gratitude. In the Sovereign’s plan, the vanguard army had been meant to continually feign weakness before the enemy, a task Tao Jia had carried out to perfection. In the end, it was the Iron Armor Battalion led by Zhong Zhiwei that delivered the crushing blow to the Western Tribes host.
By rights, the Emperor could have assigned the greatest merit entirely to Zhong Zhiwei, and Tao Jia himself fully agreed. In his view, so long as the Western Tribes were defeated, whether or not he was credited as the foremost contributor was of no importance. Yet the Emperor had publicly repeated that line – “In the matter of the Western Tribes, none but Minister Tao would suffice.” To be recognized so by a discerning sovereign – how could one not be willing to give one’s life in return?
Tao Jing proclaimed in a loud voice, “Your Majesty employed ingenious stratagems, conveyed in sealed instructions to the commanders in the field. At the time, the Western Tribes were at the height of their momentum, and we could show weakness to avoid their edge, luring the enemy ever deeper. Though the vanguard forces withdrew at every turn, our troops suffered little loss. Eager in pursuit, Li Huaidao was led by us to Menqu Slope, where, under cover of night, we cut down more than three thousand cavalry and took over five thousand surrendered prisoners. Thereafter, General Zhong acted in accordance with Your Majesty’s design, setting fire to the encampments – the wind fanning the flames – so that within a single night, more than half of Tai Province’s five-hundred-thousand-strong army was destroyed by our hands.”
As his words fell, the government hall sank into dead silence.
Li Zengyu and the others were shaken to the core, so much so that they could scarcely hold on to the ceremonial tablets in their hands. Only after a long while did someone speak, his voice trembling, “So the earlier defeats were all part of Your Majesty’s stratagem to lure the enemy…”
Wen Yanran swept her gaze across the assembled ministers, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. “The withdrawal of the vanguard was indeed my ruse to draw in the enemy. However, when word came that hostile troops were approaching, the commanders of the various cities of Dan Province hurriedly abandoned their posts and fled – that was not of my design.”
Many of the officials who had been intent on urging the Emperor to return to Jianzhou nearly fainted on the spot. Recalling their own conduct, they realized with chilling clarity that they were precisely the sort who had ‘abandoned their posts and fled’ of whom the Emperor spoke.
