Chapter 49: Confrontation (2)

It was the hour of Yin, the darkest part of the night. The fires in Shicheng had been extinguished, and the Yangtze River still roared with its ceaseless tides, separating the north from the south.

On the northern bank, the Wei army’s camp lay as silent as a crouching tiger, its movements imperceptible yet vigilant, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce across the river and devour the forces of Great Liang.

Inside the main tent, Gu Juhan sat armored and armed at the head of the assembly. His generals, their eyes gleaming like sharpened blades, waited restlessly, poised to coordinate with Jiang Yong for an assault on Shicheng.

This night, hearts were restless.

Suddenly, a scout rushed into the tent with news. Guo Man, impatient by nature, was the first to lose composure. He stood abruptly and demanded of the scout, “Well? Has the Liang army made any moves to engage us?”

The scout, panting and visibly nervous, stammered. Unable to bear it, Guo Man barked, “What’s making you so flustered? Spit it out!”

The scout swallowed hard, glanced at Guo Man, then at Gu Juhan seated above, and lowered his head fearfully. “Shicheng has fallen under Qi Jingchen’s control. He anticipated our moves and captured our spies. No messages can leave the city now—and, and he also…”

The news was already dire, but the scout’s hesitation hinted at something even worse to come.

Gu Juhan’s face remained inscrutable as he asked, his voice low but heavy with authority, “And what else?”

The scout bowed his head even lower and reluctantly answered, “And… and he personally killed Jiang Yong, cutting off his head and displaying it atop the city gates…”

The revelation shocked everyone into an uproar. Even Gu Juhan hadn’t expected this and couldn’t help but shift his expression slightly. He asked, “Are you certain of this? He killed Jiang Yong?”

The scout replied firmly, “Absolutely certain!”

Gu Juhan fell silent, deep in thought.

After the scout withdrew, Guo Man, both astonished and furious, exclaimed, “What is wrong with these Liang people! How dare that whelp Qi Jingchen kill Jiang Yong! A fourth-rank military officer executed just like that? And isn’t he supposed to be a scholar? How could he pull off such a feat!”

Guo Man’s words were jumbled, and the others began murmuring amongst themselves. As Gu Juhan listened to the generals’ discussions, his brows furrowed, his heart weighed down.

Jiang Yong had been a crucial pawn planted within Shicheng. Gu Juhan had placed immense trust in him for this southern campaign. He had assumed that even if the Privy Council uncovered evidence of Jiang’s defection, they wouldn’t dare act rashly against him. After all, Jiang was a high-ranking officer, a trusted subordinate of Han Shouye, and held significant influence within Great Liang. Yet, he hadn’t anticipated that Qi Jingchen would dare execute him, let alone display his head so brazenly atop the city gates.

Was this a provocation?

Did Qi Jingchen not fear retribution from the emperor or offending the Han family? Even relying on his noble lineage, wasn’t Qi Jingchen’s audacity excessive?

What now? He had believed that tonight would mark the breakthrough for battle. But with Jiang Yong dead, Qi Jingchen now commanded Shicheng. Having already issued seven edicts forbidding engagement, how could he possibly confront them directly now? If he continued to avoid battle, then…

Lost in deliberation, Gu Juhan noticed a servant from the Duke’s residence approaching with a letter. It was reportedly penned by his father, urging him to read it carefully.

Not daring to delay, Gu Juhan opened the letter immediately. The generals had expected it to contain some ingenious strategy from the old Duke, and they were delighted—until they saw Gu Juhan’s already darkened expression grow even grimmer after reading it.

Anxious, they watched as Gu Juhan’s eyes blazed with murderous intent, crumpling the letter in his hand. After a long silence, he suddenly rose and strode out of the tent. Confused, the generals followed, only to see him gazing toward the southern bank, his eyes filled with suspicion.

Liu Shaotang, standing closest to Gu Juhan, faintly heard him mutter, “Qi Jingchen, could it really be you…”

On the hilltop across the river, Qi Yin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing toward the northern bank.

The Yangtze stretched vast, the sky infinitely high. Two of the most brilliant men of their time unknowingly confronted each other across the river—a confrontation that would later engulf the struggles of two nations and persist for over a decade.

Pei Jian ascended the hilltop at the darkest hour of the night. Seeing his superior officer gazing northward, just as he had on the first day of their arrival in Shicheng, Pei Jian recalled the cold reception he had received when interrupting him before. This time, he wisely remained silent, retreating to the side to wait.

As he waited, Pei Jian began to ponder why Lord Qi had summoned him here alone.

After Jiang Yong’s death that night, Lord Qi and Master Xu had begun purging the city of Wei spies, arresting many and causing widespread panic. Upon further investigation, Pei Jian was stunned to learn that those arrested ranged from generals in the tent to cooks in the kitchen—all spies of Wei. The depth of Wei’s infiltration into Shicheng left him astounded, and he felt profound awe for the Privy Council’s far-reaching reach. His mind churned through the night.

Later, the green-clad attendant by Qi Yin’s side came to fetch him, requesting that he meet Lord Qi on the hilltop at the hour of Yin.

After witnessing tonight’s events, Pei Jian couldn’t help but feel deep reverence for Qi Yin. When he learned that he, a mere junior commander, had been summoned for a private discussion, his heart raced. He began reflecting anxiously, wondering if he had ever said or done anything resembling espionage that might have aroused suspicion. Terrified that Qi Yin might misunderstand his loyalty to Great Liang and execute him, perhaps even hanging his head beside Jiang Yong’s on the city gates…

While lost in these thoughts, he suddenly heard his superior say, “Commander Pei, might you step forward to speak?”

Startled, Pei Jian quickly responded, “Yes,” and respectfully approached, standing two steps behind Qi Yin, bowing his head to await instructions.

Qi Yin did not turn around, still gazing toward Wei’s northern camp. In a conversational tone, he asked Pei Jian, “During last year’s war between our two nations, did you ever face General Gu across the river?”

Pei Jian hadn’t expected Qi Yin to ask about this and was somewhat surprised. He replied honestly, “To answer Your Excellency, I am the commander of Shicheng’s defenses. Last year, during Wei’s siege, I fought alongside the army.”

Qi Yin acknowledged this with a hum, pausing thoughtfully before asking, “I’ve heard people call Gu Juhan the Martial Star incarnate. What do you think, Commander?”

Pei Jian grew even more anxious upon hearing this question.

He didn’t know the purpose of this inquiry or Qi Yin’s temperament, leaving him unsure how to respond.

If he praised Gu Juhan, as a Liang general, he might seem weak and incompetent. But to slander Gu Juhan would be dishonest. That young general wielded his troops like a ghostly apparition, his martial prowess unmatched. He had repeatedly routed the Liang forces, truly a first-rate general. Perhaps he even surpassed his father, the Duke of Yan.

After much deliberation, Pei Jian decided to tell the truth. “General Gu is a natural-born leader, indeed possessing wisdom and courage beyond ordinary men.”

Qi Yin nodded and asked, “Does Great Liang have any military officers who can match him?”

Pei Jian thought long and hard, considering everyone from General Han downward, but found no one comparable to Gu Juhan. It wasn’t that Great Liang lacked talent—it was simply that Gu Juhan was extraordinarily gifted, excelling in warfare.

With a resigned heart, he honestly replied, “In my humble opinion, our nation… likely has no one who can compare with General Gu.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he faintly heard Qi Yin chuckle—a sound impossible to interpret—causing a cold sweat to break out on his skin. Then his superior asked, “Gu Juhan is only twenty-three. If he leads troops for another thirty years, won’t Jiankang inevitably fall into his hands?”

Pei Jian was shocked by his own words, realizing he had misspoken. He quickly bowed deeply and pleaded, “Your subordinate has erred. Please punish me, My Lord!”

Qi Yin remained silent for a long while, as if sighing. The surging tides of the Yangtze accentuated the heaviness of his voice.

He said, “Victory and defeat in this world are never determined by a single person or thing. Your honesty reveals that our nation indeed lacks a general like Gu Juhan. However, the struggle between two nations extends beyond the battlefield—it lies in the boundless court beyond.”

The court was a quagmire, a guillotine, sometimes even more perilous than the battlefield where swords knew no mercy.

Great Liang suffered from factional struggles among noble families, while Gao Wei faced discord between generals and ministers—both were chronic ailments, debilitating to the core.

Recently, Empress Consort Zou gained favor in Gao Wei, and the Wei Emperor elevated the Zou family. This had already drawn the Duke of Yan’s displeasure, deepening the rift between the two houses. Consort Zou Qian, an ambitious man, would not tolerate being restrained by the old Duke. However, with the ongoing conflict between the two nations, the Wei Emperor needed someone to lead the troops, naturally relying on the Gu family. If Gu Juhan were to capture Shicheng today, the Gu family’s prestige would soar to unprecedented heights. Where would that leave the Zou family?

Those wishing to avoid this war were not limited to Great Liang—there were vulnerabilities within Gao Wei as well.

Now, Gu Juhan had stationed his troops on the northern bank for months, constrained by the Privy Council’s edict forbidding battle. This was an opportunity for Zou Qian to exploit. He could easily slander the Gu family to the Wei Emperor, accusing them of hoarding military power. With the Gu family holding significant military authority, the Wei Emperor would inevitably become suspicious. At that point, with multiple parties balancing each other, without Great Liang taking action, Gu Juhan would naturally retreat.

Even if he wished to stay, he would have no choice but to withdraw.

All Qi Yin needed to do was nudge Zou Qian at the right moment. That ambitious new noble of Wei, lacking righteousness, would undoubtedly become an obstacle to the Gu family’s southern advance while simultaneously becoming a boon for Great Liang. Perhaps he had already made his move thousands of miles away in Shangjing, and Gu Juhan might have already received word from his father advising him to withdraw his troops.

If everything unfolded as Qi Yin anticipated, then this military threat to Great Liang would be resolved effortlessly.

The river breeze was cold, causing Qi Yin’s sleeves to flutter. His eyes were icy, devoid of joy despite having cleansed Shicheng tonight and seeing initial success in his negotiations with Zou Qian over the past month. Deep concern still lingered in his gaze.

He knew that this retreat of the Wei army relied on the art of checks and balances. While conspiracies might secure temporary peace for Great Liang, they were not a long-term solution. Gu Juhan was a natural-born leader; perhaps for the next few decades, Great Liang would not produce anyone capable of matching him. How long could Qi Yin rely on the treacherous currents of the court to restrain him?

He didn’t know.

At this moment, Pei Jian heard his superior sigh deeply and say, “Commander Pei, the Privy Council can accomplish many things, but ultimately, the fate of two warring nations will be decided on the battlefield. At that time, stratagems both overt and covert will lose their effectiveness. Great Liang ultimately needs a military genius—even if not victorious, at least not defeated.”

He turned around, his phoenix-like eyes carrying the weight of countless miles of mountains and rivers, and asked solemnly, “Five years from now, Commander, will you be able to shoulder this responsibility?”

Before coming to Nanling Commandery, Qi Yin had already heard of Pei Jian’s name. The Privy Council’s reach was vast; nothing involving military or political affairs escaped its notice. He knew that this young general hailed from humble origins, and despite a decade of distinguished service and numerous battlefield achievements, he had not yet risen to prominence due to his low birth, remaining only a junior commander.

However, Pei Jian was both valiant in battle and upright in character—a man capable of shouldering great responsibilities. That night, during the confrontation with Jiang Yong, he had been the only one among the assembled officers to see the situation clearly and dare to oppose Jiang Yong directly.

He might just be a talent worth cultivating.

Pei Jian had spent nearly a decade in the military, accustomed to the sounds of war drums and neighing horses on the battlefield. Yet, never before had his heart surged with such intensity as it did at this moment. Within him burned a fervent desire to defend the people of Jiangnan, ready to wield his sword for their protection. Bowing deeply, he replied earnestly, “Though I may lack the courage to launch a northern campaign, I possess the ability to hold our defenses. As long as I, Pei Jian, stand guard at the border for even a single day, Gu Juhan will not set foot south of the Yangtze.”

His words rang out with resolute sincerity, embodying loyalty and righteousness.

Qi Yin studied him for a moment, his expression unchanged, but a flicker of approval passed through his eyes. He nodded slightly, then paused to consider before addressing Pei Jian again. “In a few days, I will assign another general to take command of Shicheng—one loyal to General Han. Due to the matter with Jiang Yong, he may treat you unfairly. I hope you can exercise patience.”

Though Qi Yin left his words incomplete, Pei Jian understood. By executing Jiang Yong tonight, Qi Yin had provoked the faction loyal to General Han, inevitably drawing their ire. To appease Han Shouye, Qi Yin would elevate one of Han’s protégés to replace Jiang Yong. This new general would surely know that Pei Jian had opposed Jiang Yong’s call to arms and might harbor resentment toward him. Pei Jian’s future would not be easy.

Though young, Pei Jian was sharp. He recognized that Qi Yin intended to groom him, and this advice to endure was more like guidance. Grateful, he replied solemnly, “My lord, rest assured. I will remain steadfast in my duties and avoid contention with the general.”

Seeing that Pei Jian understood his meaning, Qi Yin’s eyes reflected satisfaction. He continued, “Commander Pei, your intelligence tells me you already grasp the rationale behind the Privy Council’s edict forbidding battle. After the new general arrives, if there are still those inclined toward war, I trust you will dissuade them.”

The unexpected courtesy from his superior left Pei Jian flustered. Composing himself, he replied, “I will do everything in my power. As long as the Wei forces remain, Shicheng’s gates will not open.”

Qi Yin nodded, a faint smile appearing in his phoenix-like eyes. At that moment, dawn approached, the darkness gradually receding as the horizon began to glow with the first light of day.

Pei Jian heard him ask, “What is today’s date?”

Caught off guard, Pei Jian quickly calculated and replied, “It should be the 19th day of the second month.”

Qi Yin acknowledged this with a hum and asked further, “Do you have any siblings at home, General Pei?”

Pei Jian was taken aback by the sudden personal question. After a brief pause, he answered, “Yes, I am the eldest son. I have five younger siblings.”

Qi Yin nodded, pausing thoughtfully before asking, “Do you have any sisters?”

Pei Jian, puzzled by the inquiry, nodded again. “Yes.”

“How old are they?”

“My second sister is fifteen, and my fourth sister is twelve.”

As soon as Pei Jian said “twelve,” he noticed his superior raise an eyebrow slightly. Qi Yin then asked, “When your fourth sister celebrates her birthday, what kind of gifts does she usually enjoy?”

Pei Jian scratched his head and replied, “Our family is modest, so we celebrate birthdays simply. Generally… we eat soup noodles, that’s all.”

After finishing his response, he saw his superior nod but noticed that his brow remained slightly furrowed, deep in thought.

Pei Jian didn’t know what Qi Yin was thinking at that moment, but he vaguely sensed that his superior’s expression carried a hint of gentleness.