LF Chapter 18
by VolareThe evening wind was rustling, and the horse’s hooves were clip-clopping. Yan Wanzhi’s cloak fluttered in the wind, carrying a refreshing coolness. She traveled under the stars and moon, without stopping her horse, and finally rushed back to the capital at Yin Zheng hour (around 4 am).
Once inside the capital, returning to her residence would disturb the entire household. So, she turned her horse and headed straight for the newly built hidden spot – a teahouse on the north side of the Imperial City.
It was still early, and the teahouse had not yet opened for business. Yan Wanzhi knocked lightly on the door a few times. The shopkeeper peeked through the crack in the door, respectfully welcomed her in.
“How is it? Any new news yesterday?” Yan Wanzhi took off her cloak, found a seat on her own, and eagerly poured tea for herself to drink.
“There are three dispatches, all saying that the southern line is safe and sound. There is also a messenger who reported that the Prince of Yun’an has also submitted a congratulatory memorial to the capital, and it should be arriving soon.” The shopkeeper stood aside, pondering everything he had seen and heard all day with a serious expression.
“Don’t just focus on the southern line, we need to keep a closer eye on the northern line. Internal and external troubles are both difficult to deal with.” Yan Wanzhi narrowed her eyes, propped her hands on her knees, and looked at the rising water vapor in the teacup.
“Commander, rest assured, the brothers on the northern line are watching, and everything is quiet.” The shopkeeper cupped his hands in reply, and reached out to take the muddy cloak from her.
Seeing this, Yan Wanzhi reached out and held the cloak, “You go ahead and get busy, I’ll rest for a while before entering the palace.”
After the man left, Yan Wanzhi stroked the dense embroidery on the cloak in her hand, but her eyes were dim. The silence of the spies was unsettling.
What’s more, Yan Wanzhi harbored doubts and some prejudice towards that person in the north.
Waiting for the morning court, the officials were good at following the wind. Seeing Yan Wanzhi standing safely back, they all walked past her with smiling faces, exchanging some insipid pleasantries, just to let this Scholar Yan know that no one dared to really underestimate or neglect her.
After the morning court, Yan Wanzhi, as usual, followed Your Majesty into the hall, serving her with writing, ink, and drafting edicts.
The matters discussed in court were complex and made one’s head spin. Time seemed to be stolen away, passing quickly.
“Scholar Yan, don’t return to the Hanlin Academy this afternoon, stay with me, I have something to discuss.” When it was time for lunch, Your Majesty stood up, dismissed the attendants, stretched lazily, and instructed Yan Wanzhi.
“Your subject obeys.” Yan Wanzhi bowed in response, then respectfully withdrew from the hall.
Calculating that Your Majesty should be well-rested after lunch, an hour later, Yan Wanzhi strolled leisurely from the outer court back to Your Majesty’s Chengming Hall.
As soon as she entered the hall, a clear, cold voice came: “Scholar Yan is very leisurely, I suppose the tasks I have assigned you are all too easy?”
Yan Wanzhi was caught off guard by Your Majesty’s sarcastic tone, and was somewhat frightened. Seeing that the person was standing by the window looking out, she realized that her leisurely stroll had been seen.
Yan Wanzhi thought to herself: Careless! In a panic, she knelt down somewhat guiltily, but could not explain herself. She dared not say that the tasks were handled properly and impeccably, so she could only lower her head and beg for forgiveness: “Your Majesty, please forgive me, your subject, your subject was afraid of disturbing your rest.”
Your Majesty snorted coldly, waved her hand, and didn’t intend to pursue the matter, “How is Prince Zhao?”
Yan Wanzhi stood up and followed carefully behind her, “His Highness is well.”
Your Majesty walked to the imperial desk, picked up a memorial and handed it to her, “Take a look.”
Yan Wanzhi reached out to take it. It was the congratulatory memorial presented by the Prince of Yun’an, congratulating Your Majesty on ascending the throne as the new Emperor of Yue, full of respect and lavish praise.
It seemed that this memorial had just arrived, as Yan Wanzhi had not seen it in the documents.
After Yan Wanzhi finished reading, she placed the memorial back on the table, lowering her eyes and remaining silent.
Your Majesty raised an eyebrow and looked at her: “Tell me your thoughts.”
Yan Wanzhi smiled wryly, nodded and said: “The Prince of Yun’an is considerate of the greater good, and the congratulatory memorial must have taken some thought.”
Your Majesty laughed lightly when she heard this: “I think Scholar Yan and he are really alike, not only are you considerate of the greater good, but you both act insincerely.”
Yan Wanzhi didn’t raise her head. If one only listened to the tone of this statement, they would have really thought the person in front of her was in a good mood. However, the irony in these words sent a chill down Yan Wanzhi’s spine. This Your Majesty is truly unpredictable.
She suddenly knelt down, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger, your subject dares not.”
“Yesterday, I sent Prince Zhao six words, and today I think these six words should also be sent to you. Otherwise, it won’t be long before the capable minister I rely on becomes arrogant and fades into mediocrity.”
Your Majesty walked to the table and sat down, speaking slowly, as if joking, but more like a warning.
Yan Wanzhi was now particularly difficult. After all, even if she knew that the Prince of Yun’an had lost an eldest son, he would never really be so forbearing and show loyalty. But at the moment, there was no evidence that could be put on the table. That person, no matter what, was Your Majesty’s uncle. Yan Wanzhi, as an outsider, would be doomed if she said the wrong word.
Serving the Emperor is like serving a tiger. She stays by Your Majesty’s side every day, being cautious in every way. How could she dare to be arrogant for even a moment?
What Yan Wanzhi wanted to do most now was to rush to the northern suburban military camp and ask Prince Zhao what those six words were. Thinking of Prince Zhao’s twisted expression last night, they would not be good words.
Seeing that Your Majesty did not speak again, Yan Wanzhi prostrated on the ground, timidly replied: “Your Majesty is wise, your subject would never dare. But your subject inquired this morning and confirmed that there was no unusual news from the southern line, and dares not speak recklessly before Your Majesty.”
“You should know that I don’t like wasting words. Get up, don’t let this happen again.” Your Majesty ordered coldly.
“Your subject respectfully obeys Your Majesty’s instructions and will never make another mistake.” Yan Wanzhi stood up, standing at the foot of the steps with her head bowed, but her mind was racing, thinking about the current political situation, fearing that she would say the wrong thing again and displease her.
“Last time with the Star Plucking Tower, I took into account your merit in saving Hua’er and did not punish you. But you know very well where the mistake lies. The newly established network of spies must be reliable, but it cannot be completely relied upon. If someone takes advantage of the loopholes again, you know the consequences.” Your Majesty stared at Yan Wanzhi with a serious expression and warned.
“Your subject will do everything in my power to guard against any possible attacks.” Yan Wanzhi’s forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and she replied while trying to steady her mind.
“Now that the troop deployment is proper, I have asked Prime Minister Wei to take care of the follow-up military preparations. Tell your people to be smart and pay attention to the movements.” Your Majesty’s tone softened a little, and she flipped through the documents on the table, ordering other errands.
“Your subject has noted it down.” Yan Wanzhi answered honestly.
“Draft an edict for me, ordering the Ministry of War to prepare, I want to go hunting in the northern capital at the end of the month, and inspect the Northern and Western Five Battalions of the Imperial Guards. Also, order the relevant authorities to draft a plan as soon as possible.” Your Majesty pointed to the position next to her and ordered.
Yan Wanzhi sat down nimbly, rolled up her sleeves, and her elbows moved like the wind. In a short time, she drafted two documents, thinking to herself:
It’s still easier to do my old job. But if there is bound to be a war between Chu and Yue, this old job will not be stable after all, and if you are not careful, you will lose your life.
No, she can’t die, her great revenge has not been avenged, so cowardly, Yan Wanzhi is not willing.
——
As July ends, the heat in the mountains dissipates more quickly. The morning autumn wind in the northern suburban camp is already a bit piercing.
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Yinghua has been in the northern suburban camp for more than ten days. She has been pestering the old General Qiao An every day, asking him to teach her spear techniques and lecture her on practical combat experience.
During the day, she trained with a group of soldiers. At first, everyone thought she was just here to join in the fun, after all, she was just a sixteen-year-old golden and precious girl.
Some officers and soldiers with ranks were respectful to her, but also stayed away from her. The common soldiers without military ranks were even more afraid to approach the current Prince.
Jiang Yinghua knew that what was relied on in the military camp was never one’s background; to gain everyone’s trust and follow, one had to have the ability to win people’s hearts and establish prestige.
Having been used to a pampered life, she was indeed a bit overwhelmed when she first arrived, forcing herself to train day and night. But whenever she thought that if the war broke out, there would be no eyes on the battlefield, and life and death depended entirely on her own ability, Jiang Yinghua would grit her teeth and persevere.
She never regarded herself as a Prince. The first day she came here, she set up a small tent herself as proof of her determination. At sixteen years old, she was a little older than the new recruits, and she also knew a little more about boxing, swordsmanship, riding, archery, and military books than them.
Born as a woman, this could not be changed, and her physical strength was naturally a bit lacking. But other than that, Jiang Yinghua had nothing to fear.
During training, she took the initiative to mingle with the new recruits; when it was time for dinner, she ran to the tents of the officers and shared drinks and food with them. After all, she came to the camp not to learn to be a common soldier, but to control people’s hearts and lead troops to fight.
Drinking and talking is the easiest way to get closer, and then competing in skills with the help of alcohol is the best way to make people admire you.
Jiang Yinghua’s kung fu was not bad, and the military books and laws were personally taught by the old generals in the court since she was a child, so she also had some foundation.
The biggest advantage was her alcohol tolerance, which she had developed by drinking to relieve her sorrows in the manor all day long. She could easily drink half a table of people under the table, and she could still stagger back to her tent, rest for two hours, and then run to the mountain to practice swordsmanship.
Day after day, Jiang Yinghua’s transformation was seen by Qiao An; the soldiers also remembered her sincerity towards them.
Gradually, people would also discuss in private, it turned out that the Prince was not high above, but could also be approachable, have flesh and blood, and talk and laugh with everyone.
Jiang Yinghua stood on the top of the mountain, watching the morning sun break through the fog, shyly and stubbornly climbing up to the sky. She thought to herself that she should have gained a foothold in these three northern battalions, at least she was no longer avoided like a scorpion and kept at a distance.
For more than ten years, she had been hiding under the wings of her parents, brothers, and sisters, never making decisions for herself, nor planning her future life.
She originally wanted to be a carefree, leisurely princess, watching the two countries of Chu and Yue get better and better under her brother’s rule; but unexpectedly, life is full of changes, and now the heavy burden of the two countries is on her elder sister alone.
Jiang Yinghua had never been so worried, never suffered such hardships, but also never been so happy. It turned out that it was so satisfying to have expectations for a goal.
But she was still drumming in her heart. For half a month, the Your Majesty and her mother in the palace had not asked about her, and were unwilling to leave any news. She didn’t know what kind of result this effort would eventually bring.
For half a month, the army had only been entering and not leaving. General Qiao An had smiled and told Jiang Yinghua that if you stepped out of the jurisdiction of the northern camp, you would never be allowed back.
Jiang Yinghua knew that this should be Your Majesty’s instruction. That’s good, stay in the camp with peace of mind, after all, there are still so many aristocratic children who claim to be the sons of heaven who are unwilling to accept it and want to compete with her.
If you don’t press people to the ground and listen to them calling your grandmother for mercy, that’s so boring.