Chapter 104: Overbearing!

Inside the spacious carriage, a brazier burned, giving off the occasional soft crackle.

A middle-aged man sat beside it, holding both hands over the coals for warmth.

Du Juan sat opposite him. With a pair of tongs, she held a sweet potato over the brazier to roast. A rich, sweet fragrance gradually filled the carriage.

The carriage was moving, yet inside, there was scarcely any jostling at all.

“Has it been confirmed?”

“Marquis, it has. Of all the forts and stockades in Yinlang Commandery, only Willow Fort is missing four hundred cavalrymen.”

“It’s that brat?”

“Yes.”

“So after the matter at Huaiya Academy was settled that day, he never returned to Willow Fort.”

“Yes, Marquis. Based on the reports sent back by our eyes and ears inside Qian, we can roughly conclude that after the matter at Huaiya Academy ended, he most likely led his men directly into Qian.”

“Heh.”

“Marquis, why did he do it?”

“Why? He’s young and resentful. He took the blame for the academy affair on our behalf and felt wronged, but he didn’t dare vent his anger at this Marquis, the one who arranged the matter for him. So he decided to vent it on the people of Qian instead.”

“Only that?”

The Marquis of Jingnan shook his head.

“Of course not. There certainly are fools in this world who act purely because their heads get hot, and there are plenty of them. But a fool cannot become a garrison commander.

“This Marquis thinks the brat probably caught sight of the way the wind was blowing.

“We purged so many people in Yinlang Commandery and dealt with so many aristocratic clans. Perhaps he already realized we intend to use force against the south. He wanted to seize the first merit and place his bet ahead of everyone else.”

“Marquis, this subordinate feels it may not be that simple.”

“Did you uncover something? Oh, right. Did you find out who helped him build his fort?”

“Marquis, you’ll be very surprised.”

“Fine. Then let this Marquis guess. If it’s enough to surprise me, it certainly isn’t a connection to the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate. That brat once shamelessly told me to my face that he was one of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s dogs, but I imagine Li Liangting has so many dogs at home that he can’t even remember them all.

“At the very least, the leash around this brat’s neck definitely isn’t held by Li Liangting personally. The brat’s face isn’t worth enough for Li Liangting to leash him himself.

“And it shouldn’t have been paid for by the brat himself. He had only just come south from the north to take up his post. Even if he had silver on him, he wouldn’t have had the connections to purchase everything and smooth over every relationship so quickly.

“It couldn’t have been one of the aristocratic clans either. An aristocratic clan funding a local military strongman because it values his prospects and wants to bring him into its fold is nothing surprising.”

At this point, the Marquis of Jingnan looked toward Du Juan.

He turned one palm over the brazier and continued, “A prince.”

“Marquis, you are wise.”

The Marquis of Jingnan accepted a roasted sweet potato from Du Juan. It was too hot, so he tossed it back and forth between his hands.

“The Eldest controls the commandery troops of Tiancheng Commandery, so it can’t be him. The Second nominally commands the Imperial Guards in the capital, so it won’t be him either.

“Those two haven’t even sorted out the military affairs already in their own hands. They aren’t greedy enough to start planting flowers outside their walls.

“The Third walks the civil path and has long enjoyed a literary reputation. He is the most accomplished writer among the princes. He won’t touch military affairs. If he did, the persona he spent years building for himself would collapse.

“The Fourth Prince’s maternal family is the Deng Clan of Sanshi, an old military household. If he wanted to interfere, the Deng Clan would support him. There would be no need to look for outsiders.

“The Fifth was punished by His Majesty at the beginning of the year for misconduct before the throne and ordered to remain confined at home for a full year. He won’t make moves outside during this year. He isn’t that stupid.

“The Seventh is still too young.

“So that leaves… the Sixth.”

“Exactly. His Sixth Highness.”

“Heh. That can’t have been easy for him either. I wonder what kind of bewitching potion that Zheng brat fed the Sixth to make him lose control of himself.”

“Marquis, you believe His Sixth Highness…”

“When the Sixth was only seven, His Majesty once summoned me into the palace to drink with him. The Sixth was there as well. His Majesty said something to me that day.

“He said that among all his sons, the Sixth was the one most like his father.”

Du Juan lowered her head.

“Actually, I thought the same. The Sixth was clever from childhood. In him, I really could see the shadow of His Majesty when he was young.

“Unfortunately, the Sixth isn’t as fortunate as His Majesty was. The late emperor was a middling ruler. Perhaps the proudest thing he ever accomplished in his life was emerging victorious from the succession struggle among the princes, and even that was only so much.

“So His Majesty didn’t face that much pressure.

“But the Sixth is different.

“He resembles His Majesty too much.

“And our Great Yan Dynasty cannot accommodate two generations of the same emperor at once.”

The Marquis of Jingnan peeled back the sweet potato skin, brought it to his mouth, took a bite, and said, “Sweet.”

“His Sixth Highness made no effort to conceal this move. Isn’t he afraid?”

“He isn’t. The brat knows his imperial father trusts this Marquis and has handed all affairs of Yinlang Commandery to me. Naturally, he knows the Secret Intelligence Department in Yinlang Commandery is in my hands. If I want to investigate him, I certainly can.

“But he is certain that I won’t expose him.

“In fact, he knows I’ll even help conceal it.”

“Why?”

“This Marquis owes him.”

“Marquis, you mean…?”

“In the autumn of the third year of Wu’an, the Min Clan was implicated in treason, and the Imperial Court issued an edict condemning them. It was this Marquis who led one thousand Jingnan troops and crushed the Min Clan.

“That was the maternal clan of our Sixth Prince.”

“That was His Majesty’s decree. It had nothing to do with you, Marquis.”

The Marquis of Jingnan took another bite of sweet potato and chewed slowly.

“In the winter of the third year of Wu’an, Consort Min, who had been cast into the Cold Palace because of the Min Clan’s treason, was granted a length of white silk and ordered to take her own life.”

Du Juan opened her mouth, but for a moment did not know what to say.

“And all of it began on the night marking the start of autumn in the third year of Wu’an.

“His Majesty brought the Sixth Prince into the imperial study that night. It is said he asked the Sixth for his thoughts on Great Yan, the barbarians, and Qian.

“His Majesty was greatly pleased by his answers. He rewarded the Sixth Prince with gold and silver vessels and elevated his stipend to that of a Prince.

“The very next day, this Marquis received His Majesty’s decree ordering me to exterminate the Min Clan to the last member.”

The Marquis of Jingnan placed the last piece of sweet potato in his mouth, even licking the skin clean before tossing it aside.

Looking rather satisfied, he sucked his fingers twice and accepted a hot towel from Du Juan, wiping his hands and mouth.

“Perhaps His Majesty really was happy that night in the imperial study. The Sixth Prince’s performance pleased him.

“Any father who sees a son who resembles himself so closely would naturally feel joy and satisfaction.”

“Then why…”

“Why?

“This Marquis already said it before.

“His Majesty has his own arrangements and designs for what Great Yan is now and what Great Yan will become in the future.

“He has already chosen the road Great Yan must walk.

“He will not allow anyone to alter it.

“Not even his own son.

“His Majesty is not merely a father.

“He is also the Emperor of Great Yan.

“So after being pleased with the Sixth, he ordered me the very next day to wipe out the Min Clan, cutting off the Sixth Prince’s support from his maternal family.

“Then he confined Consort Min and ultimately forced her to die, severing whatever support the Sixth Prince might have received from the inner palace.

“After the third year of Wu’an, the Sixth Prince began indulging in wine, women, hunting, and horses.

“And he started selling roast duck.”

“Then this time, isn’t the Sixth Prince afraid of you?”

“He’s smart. That’s why he understands me.

“He knows that even if this Marquis learns about the matter, I’ll help him hide it.

“First, I do indeed owe his grandfather’s family a blood debt.

“Second, he knows this Marquis has no interest in involving himself in a struggle over the imperial succession.”

“Marquis, the Second Prince is your own nephew.”

“My own nephew?

“Yes, the Second is indeed my sister’s son, my own nephew, and also His Majesty’s legitimate son. His Majesty’s desire to make the Second Crown Prince is already obvious. I estimate that by next year, the Second should enter the Eastern Palace.

“But so what?”

“Marquis, won’t you consider your nephew’s interests?”

“You really do dare ask anything.”

“That’s because you dare tell this subordinate anything, Marquis. You’ve made me prepare myself to be ordered to death the moment I step out of this carriage.”

“Hahahaha! This Marquis isn’t the same sort of person as His Majesty. I couldn’t do something like…”

Abruptly, the Marquis of Jingnan fell silent.

“Marquis, what is it?”

“Nothing.”

At that moment, a report came from outside the carriage.

“Marquis, a letter has arrived from home.”

“Pass it in.”

“Yes.”

A letter was handed through the curtain.

Du Juan reached out and accepted it. Before she could pass it to the Marquis of Jingnan, he said, “Read it.”

Du Juan took a deep breath and opened the letter.

“Read it through yourself first, then tell this Marquis what it says.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Du Juan finished reading the letter and lowered it.

“Marquis, this is a letter from the Old Master.”

The Old Master was naturally the head of the Tian Clan.

The Tian Clan was not one of Great Yan’s foremost aristocratic clans, but in terms of honor and prestige, even the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate could not compare with it.

The head of the Tian Clan had a daughter who was the current Empress and had borne His Majesty a prince who would very likely soon enter the Eastern Palace.

His son had been ennobled as the Marquis of Jingnan and commanded fifty thousand soldiers of the Jingnan Army.

In the present dynasty, unless the young lady of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate someday married the Crown Prince, no family could rival the Tian Clan in prestige.

“Mm. Tell me what the old man back home has to say to this Marquis. Leave out the nonsense.”

Du Juan hesitated before speaking.

“Marquis, the Old Master says tensions between the Zhenbei Army and the Imperial Court have grown sharper by the day. He wishes to ask for your opinion and attitude.”

“What else?”

“The Old Master also says he heard that a woman from the Secret Intelligence Department has been constantly at your side of late.

“He says you may play with that woman if you like, but the Secret Intelligence Department of Yinlang Commandery is another matter. As a subject, you ought to know what to avoid. Even if His Majesty lets you hold it in your hands, you should not truly take hold of it.”

“Heh.”

The Marquis of Jingnan smiled, took the letter from Du Juan, and without even reading it himself, threw it into the brazier.

“Marquis, you aren’t replying?”

“There’s no hurry. It won’t be long before this Marquis returns home and has a good talk with my old man face-to-face.”

“Report!”

“Marquis! The scouts report large-scale movements of Qian cavalry near the beacon forts ahead!”

“Oh?

“Du Juan, tell me. Do you think that brat is still alive?”

“That depends on whether you want him alive, Marquis.”

“He’s an interesting brat, and he has ties to the Sixth. If the Sixth was willing to spend the favor this Marquis owes him on that fellow, then if he really died, this Marquis would have some trouble explaining it to the Sixth.”

“Marquis, you never used to think about things that way.”

“Oh? Is that so?

“Then let’s use a simpler reason.”

“Mm.”

“A soldier of my State of Yan can punch a hole straight through the heavens, and it still isn’t the place of Qian men to point fingers at him!”

With that, the Marquis of Jingnan stood and spread his arms.

“Armor.”

Du Juan rose and personally helped the Marquis of Jingnan put on his armor.

The gilded armor covered his body and made him look extraordinarily heroic and imposing.

“Marquis, it’s done.”

A short while later, Du Juan took a step back.

The Marquis of Jingnan suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Du Juan gave a soft gasp but did not resist.

“The old man has already agreed to our marriage.”

“Marquis, the Old Master only said you may play with me.”

“Isn’t life simply something you pass while playing along the way? The old man agreed.”

“Marquis, you’re joking. How could the Old Master possibly agree to let you marry a female agent of the Secret Intelligence Department?”

“Why not?

“Still, the Emperor of Qian is generous. The Imperial Court even issues women to its officials.

“That fine tradition is something this Marquis thinks Great Yan ought to learn from.

“As for the old man, don’t worry.

“Next time this Marquis goes home, I’ll take you with me. The old man won’t say anything.”

“This concubine will leave everything to the Marquis.”

“That’s more like it.”

With that, the Marquis of Jingnan lifted the carriage curtain.

His Pi Beast had already moved alongside the carriage of its own accord, allowing the Marquis of Jingnan to mount directly onto its back.

The two great eagles that had been standing atop the carriage took to the sky and began circling overhead.

The next instant, the Marquis of Jingnan raised one hand.

In a deep voice, he declared, “The world knows that Great Yan’s northern army is unmatched beneath the heavens.

“Today, let the men of Qian see that Great Yan’s southern army is also among the finest elite forces of this age!”

The order went out.

More than ten thousand cavalrymen of the Jingnan Army began accelerating.

Warhorses thundered into a gallop.

“Warriors of the Great Yan Dynasty swear to die before surrendering!”

“Long live His Majesty, Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty!”

“Long live the Marquis of Jingnan!”

From far away, those cries drifted toward them.

A smile appeared at the corner of the Marquis of Jingnan’s mouth.

He gave the order, “Form ranks!”

“TIGER!”

“TIGER!”

“TIGER!”

……

The sudden appearance of the Jingnan Army immediately threw the Qian forces into disorder.

In a battlefield clash, presence and momentum truly mattered enormously.

The stern, murderous discipline of the Jingnan Army created an overwhelming sense of oppression the instant it appeared, while the Qian command structure immediately seemed much slower to react.

The Qian cavalry did not know whether they should form ranks to defend against the Jingnan Army’s charge or continue maintaining the encirclement around the three hundred or so Yan cavalrymen before them.

At the same time, the Qian cavalry present belonged to three separate military commands. Forget coordination—there were even plenty of grudges among them.

Equally flustered were Grand Commandant Yang and the three Military Commissioners standing behind him on the command carriage.

No matter how composed Grand Commandant Yang normally appeared, no matter how splendid his beard, he was ultimately a eunuch with no balls.

The instant a real crisis arrived, the deficiency in his yang energy was exposed.

The three Military Commissioners were all civil officials.

Ask them to write frontier poetry and they would have no trouble at all.

Every few days, even if they didn’t write the poems themselves, they would have clerks and private secretaries beneath them compose verses about sacrificing their lives for the country, being wrapped in horsehide upon death, and enduring the hardships of defending the frontier, then send those poems back to Shangjing.

Naturally, the poems would bear the Commissioners’ names.

There were two advantages to doing this.

First, it continually polished their literary reputations.

Second, it demonstrated their loyal devotion to sovereign and state, along with the hardships they endured while defending the frontier.

But the Qian frontier had genuinely gone nearly a century without war.

Even the actual soldiers and military officers had grown unfamiliar with battle formations, let alone these civil officials.

Grand Commandant Yang’s first reaction was actually to order the rear ranks to become the front ranks and escort the command carriage carrying him safely away.

Fortunately, Grand Commandant Yang retained at least some reason.

He understood perfectly well that if he actually did that, the morale of the Qian army could collapse in an instant.

At that point, the Yan army would need only make a casual pursuit and slaughter to turn it into a rout!

“Someone!

“Go convey a message from this Commander to the Yan commander opposite us.

“Ask him whether he intends to disregard relations between our two states!

“Ask whether he dares shoulder the consequences of war breaking out between our countries!”

Grand Commandant Yang practically roared the final sentence.

The messenger’s expression turned bitter.

He had seen perfectly clearly what happened to the civil official who had gone forward with a message earlier and been shot into a pincushion.

These Yan men apparently had no rule whatsoever about not killing envoys in wartime.

But military orders were military orders.

The messenger could only ride out, pass first by Zheng Fan’s position, and continue north.

Grand Commandant Yang clenched both fists.

Turning around, he saw the three Military Commissioners behind him looking equally panicked.

Trash.

Trash!

What a damned pack of trash!

Inwardly, Grand Commandant Yang savagely despised these civil officials who normally boasted that both civil strategy and military wisdom rested in their bellies.

Now that something had actually happened, not one of them was as steady as a eunuch like him.

Damn their mothers.

This Commander was sent here by His Majesty to restrain these civil officials—to drag at their heels, make trouble for them, sow a little discord, strain their relationships.

Who could have guessed that when a real crisis arrived, he would somehow be the one forced to shoulder responsibility?

Some time later, the messenger returned on horseback.

“Reporting to the Grand Commandant: the opposing commander is the Marquis of Jingnan of Yan himself.”

“The Marquis of Jingnan?”

Grand Commandant Yang’s lips moved several times.

“What did the Marquis of Jingnan say?”

“The Marquis of Jingnan said he demands that we withdraw the encirclement and allow that Yan force to return.”

“Impossible!

“That Yan force trespassed into Qian territory without permission, killed our people, and slaughtered our officials. How could we possibly let them leave just like that?”

“Reporting to the Grand Commandant, this lowly one already said as much to the Marquis of Jingnan.”

“Good.

“Then how did the Marquis of Jingnan reply?

“This Commander refuses to believe that he, merely a Marquis and not the Yan Emperor himself, would dare casually tear apart a century of peace between Qian and Yan!”

At these words, embarrassment suddenly appeared on the messenger’s face, as though he had no idea how to speak.

Grand Commandant Yang immediately glared at him.

“Speak!

“What exactly did the Marquis of Jingnan say?”

“The Marquis of Jingnan said…

“He said that ever since Qian launched a surprise attack on Yan a century ago while Yan was resisting the barbarians, Yan has never concluded any peace treaty whatsoever with Qian.

“From a century ago until this very day, Great Yan and Qian… have always remained in a state of war.”

“…”

Grand Commandant Yang.

“The Marquis of Jingnan also said… he also said…”

“What else did he say?”

“He said that in recent years, His Majesty the Emperor of Yan has continually reduced palace expenditures and has not taken in new eunuchs for several years. The palace is already short of attendants.

“If we do not release their men within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, then he will invite… invite you, Grand Commandant, into the Yan imperial palace to resume your old profession.”

“Outrageous!”

“The Yan bandit is insufferably arrogant!”

Military Commissioners Meng Changqi and Wu Yingwu immediately roared in fury.

Grand Commandant Yang opened his mouth.

He drew in a deep breath, then slowly released it.

He pressed one hand downward, signaling the Military Commissioners to remain silent.

Then Grand Commandant Yang pointed at the messenger.

“Go deliver another message.

“Tell them we will release their men immediately.

“And tell the Marquis of Jingnan one more thing:

“This old slave is advanced in years and frail of body. I fear I could not serve the Yan Emperor attentively enough.

“Once this old slave returns to Shangjing, I shall select a batch of clever young lads, have them castrated, and send them to the Yan imperial palace to await commands in this old slave’s place.”

(End of Chapter)