CCWAD – Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six: Stabilizing the Realm

Prologue:

“When Zhong Shidao’s hundred thousand Western Army arrayed outside the city, I rode out alone. Upon seeing the late Emperor’s secret decree in my hand, the veteran general dismounted with a tumble: ‘Your old servant… is willing to pledge allegiance to the new dynasty.'”

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The new dynasty had barely settled onto its throne when the hundred thousand Western Army arrived at the city gates. Zhong Shidao, a battle-hardened general renowned for thirty years, had pitched camp at Mituo Ridge, west of Bianliang. The elite of the Western Army stretched out along the mountainside, their banners obscuring the sky and their spears forming a dense forest. Before the central command tent, a banner bearing the words “Purge the Emperor’s Entourage” fluttered in the autumn wind, each character like a drawn sword.

Inside Chuigong Hall, the atmosphere was heavy as iron. On the newly laid dragon-patterned carpet, civil and military officials stood on either side, yet none dared to look directly at the new ruler on the dragon throne, clad in simple, elegant blue robes.

“Your Majesty,” Lu Junyi pointed to a large sand table, his brow furrowed, “Zhong Shidao’s military tactics are shrewd, and his hundred thousand Western Army are all seasoned veterans. Observe his formation: the center firmly holds the Mituo Ridge high ground, while the left and right wings form a pincer movement. This is a standard siege formation.”

Wu Yong gently fanned himself, his tone grave: “What’s more troublesome is that many former Song officials within the city harbor ill intentions. Last night, we apprehended three groups of spies attempting to send messages out of the city. If they coordinate inside and out, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Yang Bamei slammed her silver spear onto the ground, producing a crisp sound: “What’s there to fear! At worst, we’ll ride out and fight to the death! The Flying Phoenix Camp is willing to be the vanguard!”

“Absolutely not,” Lin Chong said solemnly. He had clashed with the Western Army in the northwest and knew their prowess best. “The Western Army excels in open warfare, especially Zhong Shidao’s Iron Osprey Camp, which moves like the wind. Our army, facing them in haste, has little chance of victory.”

Dong Ping concurred: “Moreover, our army has just endured continuous battles, and the soldiers are fatigued. If we force a battle, I fear…”

The generals debated heatedly, but Yan Qing, seated on the dragon throne, remained silent. She toyed with a smooth jade pendant in her hand, a token gifted by the abdicated Zhao Ji during their private talk at Yanfu Palace that morning. Engraved on the jade were the four seal script characters “天下為公” (All Under Heaven is for All), which glowed softly in the candlelight within the hall.

“Everyone,” Yan Qing finally spoke, her voice unnervingly calm, “I will personally go to see Zhong Shidao.”

“Impossible!”

“Utterly impossible!”

The hall erupted in immediate opposition. Lu Junyi was the first to kneel: “Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, how can you lightly expose yourself to danger? If Zhong Shidao harbors ill intentions…”

Li Shishi hurried forward, the pearls on her phoenix crown trembling slightly: “Zhong Shidao is a most stubborn man; he didn’t even give Grand Marshal Tong Guan face back then. If Your Majesty goes in person, and something should happen…”

Yan Qing raised a hand to stop their remonstrations and took a roll of bright yellow silk from her bosom: “See what this is.”

The silk unfurled, revealing Zhao Ji’s personal Edict of Abdication, clearly stating, “The Mandate of Heaven has changed, and the imperial authority is transferred.” At the end was the vermillion seal of the Imperial Seal of China. The ink was a special blend of cinnabar and gold powder, giving it a unique metallic sheen in the light, making it nearly impossible to forge.

“This is…” Wu Yong stammered, dumbfounded, “The former Emperor actually…”

“Last night, I spoke with Zhao Ji until the third watch,” Yan Qing said slowly, her gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. “He knows the tide has turned and has seen the suffering of the people. This edict was written willingly by him.”

She stood up, her dragon robe rustling as it trailed on the ground, “Zhong Shidao is most loyal to his sovereign. If he sees the late Emperor’s personal decree, he will surely not dare to act rashly.”

Lu Junyi remained uneasy, his forehead pressed to the ground: “But if Zhong Shidao doesn’t believe it, or pretends to believe it, and takes the opportunity to harm Your Majesty…”

“That is why I must go personally,” Yan Qing’s tone allowed no room for doubt. “Some risks must be taken. If we can win over the Western Army without bloodshed, how much suffering can we spare?”

She walked to the hall entrance and gazed towards the faintly visible Western Army encampment: “Issue the order. Open the Xihua Gate and prepare my horse.”

On Mituo Ridge in autumn, the west wind whistled, scattering fallen leaves. Zhong Shidao sat astride his horse, looking towards the distant, open Bianliang city gate. The old general, clad in silver armor and white robes, still exuded a formidable presence despite being over sixty. Behind him, the Western Army soldiers stood with solemn expressions; these were veterans who had campaigned with him for many years, their discipline strict, their obedience absolute.

“Marshal,” his副将 (fùjiàng – deputy general), Zhong Hao, whispered. He was Zhong Shidao’s nephew. “The city gate has opened.”

A single white horse slowly emerged from the city. Astride it was a person in simple blue robes, unarmored. It was Yan Qing. Alone, with a single sword, she rode calmly under the gaze of a hundred thousand soldiers. The autumn wind billowed her robes, and from afar, she seemed like an immortal descending to earth.

Zhong Shidao narrowed his eyes, his hand resting on his sword hilt: “Such courage.”

Yan Qing reined in her horse a hundred paces before the formation and called out loudly: “General Zhong, are you well?”

Her voice was clear and carried far across the open plain. A slight stir rippled through the Western Army ranks; they clearly hadn’t expected the new ruler to dare ride out alone.

Zhong Shidao said sternly: “Yan Qing, you usurped power, a crime punishable by death! If you open the city and surrender now, this marshal might spare you a whole corpse!”

Yan Qing calmly took the Edict of Abdication from her bosom: “General, do you recognize this?”

The edict unfurled in the autumn wind, the mark of the Imperial Seal of China clearly visible in the sunlight. That small vermillion square seemed to carry the weight of a thousand pounds.

Zhong Shidao’s expression changed drastically, his beard trembling slightly: “This… This is impossible! The former Emperor he…”

“This was written by the former Emperor’s own hand,” Yan Qing’s voice carried clearly to the entire army. “The Mandate of Heaven has changed, and the imperial authority is transferred. General, do you intend to defy the late Emperor’s dying wish?”

A commotion arose in the Western Army ranks. Most of these soldiers were loyal to Zhao Song. Now, seeing the former Emperor’s Edict of Abdication, their morale wavered. Some whispered, others exchanged glances, and the once-rigid formation showed a hint of looseness.

Zhong Shidao forced himself to remain calm: “An edict can be forged, an imperial seal can be stolen…”

“General speaks wisely,” Yan Qing nodded. “Therefore, I have invited someone.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the city gate opened again. A swift horse galloped out from the city. The rider, dressed in a Daoist robe with a refined face, was the abdicated Zhao Ji. He arrived before the formation, slowly dismounted, and bowed deeply to Zhong Shidao.

“Minister Zhong,” Zhao Ji’s voice was hoarse, “This edict was written by my own hand. This realm… it is time for someone else to rule it.”

Zhong Shidao dismounted with a tumble, kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down his face: “Your old servant… your old servant…”

Seeing this, the Western Army soldiers behind him put down their weapons and knelt in unison. The hundred thousand strong army thus submitted to the new dynasty without a single drop of blood shed.

Returning to Chuigong Hall, Yan Qing immediately convened a court. The hall was brightly lit, and the civil and military officials of the new dynasty stood on either side. The atmosphere, however, was vastly different from before.

“Zhong Shidao, receive your appointment,” Yan Qing sat on the dragon throne, her bearing majestic. “I bestow upon you the title of Duke of the Realm, commanding all the armies of the land.”

Zhong Shidao kowtowed in gratitude: “Your old servant shall exert himself to the utmost and serve until death!”

Yan Qing then turned to the other officials: “The new dynasty is newly established, and a myriad of tasks await. I intend to implement new policies. Do you gentlemen have any good strategies?”

Li Shishi stepped forward and reported: “Your Majesty, the most pressing matter is to stabilize the hearts of the people. Recently, rumors have been circulating in the capital that the new dynasty intends to increase taxes. I suggest dispatching imperial envoys immediately to various regions to announce the new policies and appease the populace.”

“Granted,” Yan Qing nodded. “Lu Junyi, Wu Yong, this matter will be entrusted to you. Remember, the people of the realm must know that the new dynasty is different from the old.”

She then looked at Lin Chong and the others: “The reorganization of the army is urgent. The Western Army and the Liangshan Army must be integrated as soon as possible, weeding out the weak and supplementing with elites. General Zhong, I will need your diligence in this matter.”

Zhong Shidao bowed: “Your old servant obeys the decree.”

One by one, decrees were issued, and the new dynasty began its journey. Yan Qing handled state affairs until late into the night before finally returning to her chambers at Li Shishi’s repeated urging.

That night, Yan Qing and Li Shishi stood on the palace wall, gazing at Bianliang, its myriad lights twinkling. The autumn moon was a hook, its clear radiance spilling over the land.

“We have finally reached this point,” Li Shishi said softly, draping a cloak over Yan Qing.

Yan Qing held her hand, her gaze distant: “This is only the beginning. The road we have to travel is still very long.”

Yes, this was merely a beginning. A brand new era was dawning in their hands. The road ahead might still hold difficulties and dangers, but at this moment, at least, hope shone like the lights of the city, illuminating every corner.

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(End of Chapter Thirty-Six)