#100: Mount Jun’s Burning (Part 2)

The war came suddenly and swiftly. In just ten days, before the reinforcement army had even arrived, two more urgent reports were sent from the border.

Over the years, Song Lan had always been a little wary of the Yan family army, who were completely loyal to the Empress. He had intentionally and unintentionally tried to dismantle the Yan army’s power by sending more generals and cutting their military pay.

When the Yan father and son left the capital and went north, their army was still 100,000 strong. Over the years, due to various edicts, the army had been reduced by half. The Yan family had no choice but to obey the Emperor’s orders and train the remaining 50,000 soldiers with all their might.

His rule was strict and conscientious. The 50,000-man army was like an impenetrable wall. Over time, the capital became more and more at ease with the border defense in the north. More than ten generals were sent to the northern border in an attempt to divide the military power.

Old General Yan accommodated some brave and skilled generals, while he found ways to deal with many of the greedy and corrupt officials who only cared about military achievements and embezzlement of military funds. When Yan Lang killed Wang Fengshi and returned to the capital to confess his crime, it was done with Old General Yan’s tacit approval.

This year, there were many incidents in the capital, and it was also the year of the severe drought in the Central Plains. At the beginning of the year, Yan Lang risked being suspected of rebellion and secretly recruited 20,000 soldiers. He also willingly took on the crime of being unfilial by keeping the news of Old General Yan’s death a secret and not holding a grand funeral for him. This was because he was worried that the northern tribes would hear the news and take advantage of the situation.

No one knew how this news had been leaked.

Zhou Chuyin spread a military map on the table. The flags of the northern army were placed all over the map.

Bo Sen Sen handed him a cup of cold tea. Zhou Chuyin took it and drank it all at once. His voice was a little hoarse, either because of the heat or his anxiety.

“Yan’s defense over the years was more than enough to deal with the northern army. Although the northern tribes have a larger territory than Xishao and their cavalry is stronger, the three most powerful northern tribes—the Wuerhui, the Chahali, and the Ezhen—have been in constant dispute over their interests. They have rarely been able to unite. Over the years, most of the border conflicts have been led by a single tribe, so they have never been able to take an inch of our great Yan land.”

Luo Wei added, “The discord among the three tribes has always been a major taboo for military strategists. The last time the three tribes united their forces was during the Battle of Wancheng at the beginning of Jinghe. At that time, I sent the Yan family to Youzhou, and they defeated the allied forces in just three months. After that, I sent many spies out of the country to sow discord among the three tribes in the northern grasslands. But...”

“I was careless. I always thought that the plan had worked. Now that I think about it, the failed peace talks among the three tribes over the years were very likely a show for us. The Ezhen tribe has been sending spies into our court for more than ten years. Some of them are deeply hidden in the forbidden palace, and even I and Atang couldn’t find them.” She let out a bitter laugh. “300,000 troops... they have used the full strength of their country to raise this army. It’s not something that happened overnight. Yan didn’t anticipate this and was naturally caught off guard.”

Zhou Chuyin looked down at the military map. “The Yan army has 50,000 soldiers. Although they are elite, it’s too risky to face an enemy several times their number. The army sent from the capital to reinforce them is said to have 100,000 soldiers, but it’s not certain if that number is accurate. The capital’s main camp has been neglected in training over the years, so it’s better than nothing. Even if they rush there day and night, they may not be able to provide much reinforcement. Furthermore, with Chang Zhao in the army, he will probably find ways to delay their advance.”

Bo Sen Sen finally understood what he meant. “Then, leading the army there would be a thankless job? No wonder I heard that the people in the capital were all declining the offer. In the end, an old general had to take command. And Chang Zhao offered to be the military advisor at a time like this...”

Luo Wei said, “If I’m not mistaken, even though he is a member of the Hua clan, he has been working for the Ezhen tribe. He is their biggest spy. Although I sent a letter to Yan to be cautious, if Chang Zhao delays the army on the way, there is nothing I can do. Besides, a few months ago, I made a bet with him at the Fengle Tower. He said that if he didn’t win this round, he would kill Song Lan, Atang, and me. After that—”

She suddenly stood up, drew the short sword at her side, and pointed it at the capital. “He will slaughter the entire capital.”

Ye Tingyan was silent for a long time. At this moment, he finally spoke. He caressed the white cloth that he had used to cover his eyes and said slowly, “Just now, I was thinking... The military report said that the three tribes’ offensive was fierce and that they had used the full strength of their country. But an attack on Youzhou with 300,000 soldiers is not their usual military strategy.”

He held Luo Wei’s hand and guided the sword in her hand to a different direction. The tip of the sword slid west from Youzhou, passed over the Yinshan Mountains, went south along the middle of the great river, and stopped over Chang’an.

Luo Wei’s hand suddenly trembled.

“The Ezhen tribe replaced their Great King with a new one named Wumang in the first year of Jinghe. I met him once when I was out of the pass. This person is young, ambitious, and killed his father to usurp power when he was a boy. He is very good at military strategy,” Ye Tingyan said behind her. “If I were him, I would use the 300,000 troops heading to Youzhou as a distraction and lead an elite army myself. Not many, 10,000 would be enough.”

“While the northern war is fierce, I would lead my army through the most dangerous part of the Yinshan Mountains, avoiding our court’s surveillance. Then, I would pass through Yanzhou and, along the great river, launch a surprise attack on Chang’an. If all goes well, after ten days of marching, I can take the city in one day and one night. Taking Chang’an would cut off the path of reinforcements from the northwestern prefectures. At that time, I would lead my army directly to the capital. The whole thing would take no more than fifteen days. Do you think Song Lan can withstand his sneak attack from the rear?”

Zhou Chuyin clenched his fists and remained silent. Qiu Xuechu frowned and asked, “Although the northern army has a lot of cavalry and moves very fast, why are you so sure, Your Highness, that this Wumang will be able to sweep through everything within fifteen days?”

“Chang Zhao’s father was originally the governor of Yanzhou. The Chang family must have some influence there. They can pass through Yanzhou without being stopped, that’s one thing. Second...” Luo Wei said hoarsely. “The Central Plains is experiencing a severe drought this summer. Except for large cities like Chang’an, the other prefectures have to deal with farming and refugees. They can’t even take care of themselves. Even if they hear about the enemy attack, they will mostly just stand by and watch.”

“If that happens, Wumang will attack both Chang’an and the capital. The main army will be recalled before it reaches Youzhou, but the journey is too long, so they will probably not make it in time. If he takes the capital, even if Yan can temporarily stabilize the army’s morale, he will not be able to withstand the siege of 300,000 troops. Furthermore, with the severe drought this summer and the lack of provisions, who would send troops to help Song Lan after he used the ‘Two Phoenix Sacrifice Case’ to accuse all the feudal lords? Once the capital falls, the world will descend into chaos—this is a chess game that the northern tribes have been playing for twenty years.”

The room was silent for a moment, and no one spoke.

After a long time, Luo Wei finally said slowly, “No wonder I couldn’t find the Ezhen tribe’s spy in the palace. Who would suspect... the Empress Dowager?”

At this, everyone was shocked. Qiu Xuechu’s face turned pale. She stood up and slammed the table. “How can that be... how can that be...”

She thought for a moment and then sat back down dejectedly, muttering, “No wonder... If it was her, I would never have found her. But if she was a spy, from the time she served the late Empress, the late Empress’s miscarriage, her death, Song Lan, Yu Qiushi... and Atang! As long as the Empress Dowager told Song Lan everything at that time, even if she was Song Lan’s blood relative, Song Lan would definitely kill her to vent his anger.”

“Her death was the signal for the northern tribes to act. And Song Lan, instigated by Chang Zhao, used the pretext of ‘disrespect’ to cause trouble, offending all the feudal lords and leaving the capital isolated and helpless. We have only just figured this out. With all the blows Song Lan has suffered recently, how could he possibly have the mind to think about these things?”

She frowned and called out hesitantly, “Weiwei—”

Luo Wei, however, asked, “How many soldiers do we have now?”

Zhou Chuyin said, “A little over 50,000.”

Luo Wei pondered. “That should be enough. Fortunately, we had them disguised and come here a few days ago. Otherwise, if we were to urgently transfer them from Jiangnan now, it would not only be difficult but also too late.”

She put down her sword, took a Great Yan royal banner, and placed it on the Chang’an marker. “We will set out for Chang’an tomorrow. If we calculate the days, we should be able to stop Wumang from entering the city. After leaving a garrison in Chang’an, we will return to the capital and fight to defend it.”

A faint smile finally appeared on Ye Tingyan’s face. “Very good.”

The two of them decided to send out troops to rescue them in an instant. Everyone silently agreed, without even considering that if they used this opportunity to attack the capital directly, they could avenge the grudges of the past five years.

The northern army was known for killing, looting, and raping. If they were to enter Chang’an, they would surely slaughter the city. No matter what, this was something that had to be done.

Everyone began to discuss the route of the army. Zhou Chuyin suddenly said, “Have you ever thought...”

He moved the royal banner and said to Ye Tingyan in a low voice, “You said 10,000 elite soldiers. That’s just our most favorable guess. I went out of the pass with you. You know what kind of person Wumang is. He’s even more cautious than you. Are 300,000 soldiers the full strength of the northern tribes over the past twenty years? If he has another army of over 100,000 and declares war after his 10,000 elite soldiers arrive in Chang’an, will our forces be able to stop him?”

Before Ye Tingyan could speak, Luo Wei sighed. “Brother Chuyin, why did you have to say it so bluntly?”

In fact, everyone probably knew this in their hearts.

Zhou Chuyin said, “Wumang wants the capital, but he doesn’t necessarily have to take Chang’an. If he sees you making a move, he might bypass Chang’an and go straight for the capital. You would leave a garrison there and return with your army. As long as he has an army of over 50,000, defending the capital would be a fight to the death!”

“Yes,” Ye Tingyan replied calmly. “So before we set out for Chang’an, I will raise the Crown Prince’s royal banner again and summon the world to come to the capital to protect the Emperor. They don’t care about Song Lan, but what about me?”

Bo Sen Sen was shocked. “If you raise the royal banner before entering the capital, what will you do if Song Lan goes mad and doesn’t open the city gates for you? And... the Crown Prince has been dead for too long. Are you so sure that they will believe you and come? Even if we win this battle, are you so sure... that no one among those who come to protect the Emperor will have other thoughts and try to seize power?”

Ye Tingyan looked up and glanced at Luo Wei. There was a surge of emotions in his eyes, which were exactly the same as before, but he did not say a word.

Luo Wei’s heart moved, and she held his hand.

“I believe.”

He recalled some of the words he had heard from Pei Xi, who said that they believed in some ethereal emotions and some universally accepted principles. Even if the principle was simply that doing good would be rewarded and doing evil would be punished, and even if the principle was simply that everyone agreed with punishing evil and promoting good, the morals and qualities that the ancient books spoke of, as beautiful as the riverside orchids, were never a deception.

In the middle of the night, everyone had left. Ye Tingyan was still sitting in front of a red candle and the military report. Luo Wei had him drink the warmed medicinal soup. The red candle let out a “crack” and its wick bloomed.

Ye Tingyan looked up and said, “Does it still have a strong smell of blood this time? Lingcheng said he added some other herbs to cover it up. Speaking of which, the first time I drank it, I couldn’t taste any blood at all. Why are you so sensitive?”

Luo Wei leaned over, cupped his face, and kissed him. “There’s no smell of blood, just a little bitterness.”

Ye Tingyan’s dark eyes were full of a smile. He pressed the back of her neck and kissed her back, saying in a feigned manner, “Really? To me, it tastes sweet.”

Luo Wei grabbed his hand, but she accidentally touched the scar on his wrist. She was stunned. Following the scar, she saw new bloodstains on his arm, which were likely from taking the medicinal guide for her.

Her nose tingled with a sour feeling. She suppressed the tears in her eyes and joked, “You’ve shed so much blood for me.”

Ye Tingyan kissed the corner of her eye, and his tongue tasted the salty bitterness of her tears. “Didn’t I say, no more tears when we kiss?”

He tilted his head and examined her, joking, “The beautiful eyes of the past, now a fountain of tears...”

Luo Wei glared at him and suddenly asked, “Tell me the truth, how confident are you in this battle?”

Ye Tingyan replied without hesitation, “Ten out of ten.”

Luo Wei said, “I want the truth.”

“So you’re not worried about me getting hurt, but you’re afraid?” Ye Tingyan squeezed her face. “You look just like you did when you were young. That year in Xuzhou, after we came out of Juhua Temple, you asked me ‘Can we get rid of the locusts for Xuzhou?’ twelve times on the hundred and eight steps of the mountain path. That night, you tossed and turned, held a jade pillow, knocked on my door, and asked several more times...”

Luo Wei reached out and squeezed his face back. “I’m a grown-up now!”

Ye Tingyan laughed. “Yes, we’ve both grown up.”

He reached out and intertwined his fingers with hers, holding her tightly.

Luo Wei suddenly felt a familiar sense of security. On many sleepless nights in the past, she had held her own hand, imagining that he was still by her side, and that just holding hands could give her an unshakable determination to win.

“Lingcheng asked me if I was sure, but I wasn’t completely sure in my heart,” Ye Tingyan said, leaning in close to her ear. “But you said you believed, so now I can be sure. I’ll ask you again, how confident are you?”

Luo Wei was amused and replied without hesitation, “Ten out of ten.”

Ye Tingyan said, “Whether it’s against the northern army, Chang Zhao, or Song Lan... we will definitely win. With you and me united, we will be invincible, just like when we were young.”

Luo Wei wrapped her arms around his neck. “Of course, the Crown Prince is invincible!”