Chapter 413: A Forced Melon Isn't Sweet

"Tianyu Sect and Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion of Jinzhou formed an alliance long ago, and they established a pact of mutual offense and defense long ago as well. Unfortunately, Tianyu Sect is weak. Once Hai Wuji moves against Jinzhou, the support Nanzhou can provide will be limited. For that reason, the present three-way division of Nanzhou is undesirable. It disperses Nanzhou's strength. Jinzhou is the greatest obstacle to the State of Zhao attacking the State of Yan. If the State of Zhao wishes to attack the State of Yan, it must first pacify Jinzhou. That is why Jinzhou maintaining its own army makes it the greatest bulwark of the State of Yan. Jinzhou cannot be allowed to fall."

Long Xiu said, "If something happens in Jinzhou, whoever replaces you in Nanzhou could offer Jinzhou support. Jinzhou would agree to an alliance all the same. It doesn't have to be Tianyu Sect."

Had Peng Youzai not come to deliver tribute, had he not come bearing money, and had he not given so much extra, Long Xiu would not have been this easy to speak with. Of course, Peng Youzai had chosen this particular time to lobby him only after careful planning.

Hearing this, Peng Youzai immediately countered, "Does Palace Master intend to have Zhou Shouxian send troops to support Jinzhou, or have the imperial court appoint someone else to send troops there?"

The question went straight to the heart of the matter. Some things were inconvenient to say openly, but everyone understood them. The Yan court's ability to balance and restrain the three major sects represented by Xiaoyao Palace was extremely weak. Their private interests went largely unchecked. Combined with several grave mistakes in the court's major decisions, Yan had been left internally unstable and its national strength badly depleted. Those who understood the situation knew that unless absolutely forced, Yan did not dare initiate war against another state.

Whether Zhou Shouxian sent troops to aid Jinzhou or the court dispatched someone else, it would amount to Yan declaring war on Zhao. One move would affect the entire board.

How had Yan lost Beizhou?

For Beizhou, Xiaoyao Palace, Zijin Cave, and Lingjian Mountain had fought a vicious battle against several major sects within the State of Han. Both sides suffered severe losses. In the end, cultivation forces led by those of Qi called upon Misty Pavilion to mediate. Long Xiu still clearly remembered the fierce verbal battle inside Misty Pavilion. Yan's cultivation factions agreed to cease hostilities, but on one condition: Han's cultivation factions had to surrender Beizhou and return it to Yan. With the situation favoring them, Han naturally refused.

The States of Song and Zhao supported Han. Both were eager to see Yan descend into chaos so they could seize the opportunity to join in carving it up from nearby.

The State of Jin had even darker intentions. It proposed that the State of Yan and the State of Han fight to the bitter end and that Beizhou belong to whichever side won.

The State of Qi and the State of Wei did not want to see the State of Yan partitioned, because that did not suit their interests. They therefore demanded that both sides stop fighting immediately.

Those two states did not care what losses the State of Yan had already suffered. The losses were not theirs. They had only one demand: cease hostilities at once. That had been the state of the dispute among the various countries' cultivation powers inside Misty Pavilion.

Han refused to let go of Beizhou, while the weakened State of Yan had no one in Misty Pavilion willing to support its demand for justice. Under pressure, Yan ultimately had no choice but to accept mediation and compromise. The armies on both sides ceased fighting where they already stood in their respective occupied territories. And just like that, Beizhou was lost. Peng Youzai studied Long Xiu's expression for a while before continuing.

"Of course, under equal conditions it would make no difference who sits over Nanzhou. But Tianyu Sect possesses an advantage other forces do not: the Yingyang and Wulie Guards."

"Those two forces are enough to exert a certain deterrent against Zhao. Zhenling Academy and Feihua Pavilion cannot do that."

"Nanzhou needs to be unified. I ask Palace Master to judge wisely!"

Long Xiu was silent for a while before asking, "If the court loses control of Nanzhou, it will also lose a large share of tax revenue. How could the imperial court possibly let the matter go?"

Joy stirred secretly in Peng Youzai's heart. He knew the other man was beginning to yield.

He hurriedly said, "The taxes Nanzhou owes the court will still be paid in full. They will absolutely not be less than before. On this point, I can guarantee Palace Master on Tianyu Sect's behalf!"

Long Xiu said, "Are you trying to turn Nanzhou into a second Beizhou?"

The implication was obvious. What if Tianyu Sect seized Nanzhou and then defected to Zhao? He simply would not say it so directly.

Peng Youzai immediately answered solemnly, "That could never happen! Leaving aside how difficult Dachan Mountain's present survival is, caught between powers as it is, how could Jinzhou possibly sit by and watch Nanzhou join Zhao and leave Jinzhou attacked from both front and rear? If Jinzhou then turned against Nanzhou, wouldn't Nanzhou be courting its own destruction?"

Wu Calendar, Year 528, beginning of the year. In Nanzhou's five lower commanderies, troops and horses began moving in secret. Yet however covertly they acted, how could the movement of several hundred thousand soldiers escape the eyes of those who were watching? For a time, Provincial Inspector of Nanzhou Zhou Shouxian repeatedly sent urgent appeals to Yanjing for reinforcements. The attention of powers throughout the various states instantly focused on Nanzhou in the State of Yan.

Outside Maolu Villa, Niu Youdao saw Shang Shuqing off. A great battle was imminent. Shang Chaozong had been ordered to report to the joint command center of the five-commandery army, where he was to obey orders and assist Feng Lingbo with strategy and planning. At a time like this, Shang Shuqing could no longer remain here. She had to follow her elder brother. Niu Youdao watched her disappear into the distance, then raised his head toward the clear blue sky. The gray haze had finally vanished.

The Artisans' Camp had already relocated with the army.

Guan Fangyi sighed. "It seems a great battle can't be avoided."

Niu Youdao said calmly, "It's time for us to relocate as well."

Not far away, Gongsun Bu swiftly skimmed over and presented a decoded secret letter with both hands.

"Master Dao, a letter from Qi."

Niu Youdao did not need to look to know who had sent it. He opened it. As expected, it was another letter from the Princess Consort of Prince Yu in Qi, repeatedly asking him to persuade Shang Chaozong to stop the attack on Nanzhou. This was already the third letter. Niu Youdao knew Hao Yuntu's will had to be behind the matter.

"What does this woman mean? Haven't I made myself clear enough? Why keep asking again and again?" Niu Youdao frowned.

Guan Fangyi reached over, took the letter, and read it.

After considering it for a moment, she said, "Compared with the earlier letters, this one sounds more pleading. It may not be Hao Yuntu's intention. My guess is that she herself wants to accomplish this from Prince Yu's standpoint. It may even be Prince Yu's own idea. Perhaps he wants to demonstrate his ability to Hao Yuntu."

Niu Youdao was silent for a moment, then told Gongsun Bu, "Have everyone pack. Prepare to withdraw."

"All right!" Gongsun Bu answered and left.

Just then, three figures skimmed up from below the mountain. They were Fei Changliu, Xia Hua, and Zheng Jiuxiao. All three looked travel-worn. They had just returned from Tianyu Sect and had not even gone back to their own sects before coming here first.

After exchanging greetings, Niu Youdao smiled and asked, "Tianyu Sect summoned you. What's the situation?"

The three exchanged glances.

Xia Hua sighed. "What else could it be? They want all three of our sects to join the war."

Niu Youdao smiled. "Is that worth sighing over? Didn't they promise you any benefits?"

The three caught one another's eyes.

Fei Changliu said, "They promised that after the war, each of our three sects will be given territory spanning one commandery. We just don't know whether they'll honor it."

"If this war is won, Tianyu Sect probably won't break its promise for quite some time," Niu Youdao said.

"Tianyu Sect's own strength is limited. Controlling all of Nanzhou is somewhat beyond its reach. Its strength will also suffer losses in the war, so finding others to help shoulder part of the burden afterward is only reasonable."

"As for what happens later, once Tianyu Sect has built up its own strength, that's harder to say."

"The three of you should understand all this perfectly well. Why ask me when you already know the answer?"

The three looked somewhat embarrassed. Everyone still understood the real reason.

Xia Hua quickly smoothed things over. "We wanted to hear Master Dao's opinion before making a decision."

Niu Youdao said, "This is good for your three sects. Of course you should agree."

The three looked doubtful.

Zheng Jiuxiao probed, "You truly want us to accept Tianyu Sect's deployment?"

"Of course." Niu Youdao nodded, then asked, "When are your three sects leaving?"

Xia Hua said, "They want our people assembled immediately and sent over to await orders. Master Dao, when are you leaving?"

"You go first. I'll leave tomorrow and meet His Highness."

Then Niu Youdao added, "And don't forget to prepare all the manpower I asked you for."

The three nodded repeatedly.

Fei Changliu assured him, "Don't worry. There won't be any mistake."

Niu Youdao said, "Good. Go handle your affairs. We'll see each other again soon."

"Farewell!" The three cupped their hands and departed.

Watching them go, Guan Fangyi frowned.

"You're just letting them leave like that?"

"Tianyu Sect is plainly buying them over with benefits. If Tianyu Sect really moves against Shang Chaozong after the war, those three sects may stand aside for the sake of their own interests. That would leave you with even less strength to counterbalance Tianyu Sect."

Niu Youdao said, "Could I keep them if they wanted to go? A forced melon isn't sweet. Tianyu Sect wants to develop, and those three sects want to develop too. Now that an opportunity has appeared, how could they let it pass?"

"If matters truly reach that point, it would only be natural for them to stand with Tianyu Sect. You can't force people in something like this."

Guan Fangyi said, "You share benefits with them every year, and this is the repayment you get. You're really willing to swallow that?"

Niu Youdao replied calmly, "There's nothing to swallow or not swallow. Keeping score over this is meaningless."

"Circumstances are stronger than people. Where they ultimately stand depends on us."

"If we cannot even protect ourselves, then demanding that they accompany us to the grave makes no sense either."

"When the water comes, the channel forms of itself."

Guan Fangyi rolled her eyes. "You really are broad-minded."

Niu Youdao said, "What else should I do? Fall out with them now?"

"That would solve nothing. It would only push them completely to the other side, and once that happened it would be very difficult to pull them back."

"Is that the result we want?"

Just then, Lei Zongkang skimmed over and reported, "Master Dao, someone requests an audience."

Niu Youdao asked, "Who?"

Lei Zongkang came closer and lowered his voice. "People from the Yan court."

Niu Youdao frowned. "How many? What do they want?"

"One man and one woman. Only two people. The woman is very beautiful."

"As for why they're here, they didn't say. They only said they wanted to see you."

"Invite them up," Niu Youdao said with a nod.

After Lei Zongkang left, Niu Youdao glanced toward Guan Fangyi, signaling her to stay alert. Before long, two people wrapped in black cloaks entered Maolu Villa. Lei Zongkang led them to the waterside pavilion. Inside, Guan Fangyi and Niu Youdao were already waiting. Uncle Chen and several others stood behind them, watchful. The two visitors had their heads hidden beneath the hoods of their cloaks, making their faces impossible to see. After meeting Niu Youdao, however, both removed their hoods one after another.

They were indeed a man and a woman. The man was thin, pale-faced and beardless, with frost-white hair at both temples bound beneath a jade-green hairpin. His nose was hooked, and his gaze was cold and heavy.

The woman possessed a beauty that could eclipse the moon and shame the flowers, carrying an unmistakable air of nobility, though fatigue lingered faintly on her face.

[End of Chapter 413]