Chapter 403: Beacon Fires Rise Again

The matter of the Commandery Princess coming was only a small interlude.

The exact situation would depend on how she came and what arrangements the court made for her.

For example, who accompanied her would be extremely important.

Before any definite news arrived, further analysis would amount to little more than providing fresh material for conversation.

More importantly—

Count Zheng was no longer the insignificant laborer who had once knelt before the Commandery Princess and been forced to choose between becoming a household servant of the Li Clan or accepting the post of Lieutenant Commander of Merchant Protection.

As the barbecue drew to an end—

Hailan Yanggu, chieftain of the Hailan Tribe, arrived and knelt respectfully to one side.

The Savage King had already returned to his prison wagon.

He could not be shown openly.

Monk Kongyuan and Little Monk Liaofan wiped the grease from their hands and silently stood.

Master and disciple almost simultaneously flicked the hems of their kasayas.

In an instant the two meat-eating monks from moments before transformed back into the image of lofty, otherworldly Buddhist masters.

Count Zheng rose and walked before Hailan Yanggu.

The chieftain immediately lowered his head even farther.

There was no helping it.

The Hailan Tribe lived far too close to Snow Sea Pass.

The Naiman Tribe had once grown so powerful, yet Snow Sea Pass had said destroy them and destroyed them.

A little tribe the size of Hailan truly could not afford to suffer the Count’s anger.

“These two eminent monks intend to enter the snowfields and spread Buddhist teachings, delivering all living beings from suffering.

“Take good care of them for me.

“If they suffer the slightest mishap—then there will be no need for the Hailan Tribe to continue existing.”

Using extermination of an entire people as a casual threat was certainly lacking in taste.

But it was genuinely efficient, convenient, and fast.

It was also extremely easy to become addicted to.

Rather like emperors who always enjoyed keeping the phrase *exterminate your nine clans* hanging from their lips.

Hailan Yanggu immediately kowtowed.

“Count, please be assured.

“The Hailan Tribe will spare no effort in protecting the two Buddhist masters.”

Zheng Fan nodded.

He did not bother with any more ceremonial words.

He turned and entered his carriage.

Inside the Sword Saint was already seated.

“You’re leaving those two monks on the snowfields?” the Sword Saint asked.

Zheng Fan nodded.

Today’s outing had partly been for relaxation.

But it had also served as a farewell for Kongyuan and Liaofan.

The Sword Saint smiled.

“Destroying their flesh treats the symptoms.

“Digging out their faith treats the root.”

“Oh?

“Old Yu, I’m impressed.

“You can actually see that much now.”

“The Savage King told me.”

“Heh.”

Zheng Fan had thought the Sword Saint might finally have gained some enlightenment in these matters.

After all, in earlier years the Sword Saint had done quite a few things for his country and his people and almost every one had ended badly.

“Besides,” the Sword Saint continued, “aren’t you Yan people using exactly the same method in my Jin lands?

“The imperial examination alone—is already digging out the roots of the Jin people.”

“We were all descendants of the various Xia peoples to begin with.

“One family.

“Now it is nothing more than the old cycle: long division must end in union, and long union must eventually divide again.

“Forget the smaller states.

“Just look at the four great states. They have been fighting for hundreds of years.

“How many common people have been displaced and ruined?

“Only unification can end the age of chaos.

“Once that happens—the snowfields, the barbarians, the tribal chieftains of Qian’s southwest, the Great Marsh and Shanyue of Chu—none of them will truly be problems anymore.”

“What you say makes excellent sense.

“But if you were not a Yan commander—if you were a man of Qian or Chu—what would you say?”

“I’d say that old bastard Emperor of Yan is dreaming!”

“Hahahaha.”

“Hahahaha.”

Inside the carriage, Zheng Fan and the Sword Saint looked at one another and burst into laughter.

A’Ming, driving the carriage in front, quietly pulled out his wine pouch and drank a mouthful of blood.

“This time Little Sixth almost died.

“To tell the truth—the rabbit getting frightened made this fox jump too.”

The Sword Saint said:

“There truly are many extraordinary people in this world.

“The famous figures known through official channels represent only part of them.

“Among common wanderers there are plenty of hidden experts.

“There are even secluded sects that never appear in the world.

“Even so—the people around that Commandery Princess are indeed extravagantly powerful.”

“I’m worried Li Liangshen may escort her here.”

“Isn’t Li Liangshen a commander of the troops outside Yanjing?”

“Who can guess how our Emperor will arrange things?

“Truthfully, the Empress’s death this time may not be entirely clean either.”

“Affairs inside the inner palace are indeed difficult to keep clean,” the Sword Saint said with a sigh.

Then he asked:

“Speaking of which—now that the Empress is gone, you didn’t go see Tian Wujing?”

“It wouldn’t be convenient.

“If I eagerly ran over there right now, wouldn’t outsiders think Count Pingye had gone to persuade the Marquis of Jingnan to rebel again?”

“You don’t want to rebel?”

The Sword Saint’s expression plainly said:

*Who the hell are you trying to fool?*

“If something really happens—

“I only wait for the Marquis of Jingnan’s military orders.”

“Exactly.

“That is what people are like.

“Moments ago you were talking about unifying the realm, ending the chaos of war, uniting all the Xia peoples against outsiders, and settling both internal and external threats.

“Yet the moment the matter reaches you personally—you’re still thinking about rebellion and seizing power.”

“Slogans are slogans.

“My own life is my own life.

“There’s no contradiction.

“Let’s get back to the point.

“That Commandery Princess is trouble.

“She dared do something like that to Little Sixth.

“Who knows?

“She may try the same thing on me.”

“The man beside the Commandery Princess—the Seventh Uncle Mr. Bei mentioned to me—I remember him.

“His sword path is unusually solitary.

“He follows the way of *hearing the Dao in the morning and dying that evening*.

“Describing him as a man with only one sword beside him would be the most accurate.”

Because the strongest sword of his life could only be used once.

“Go on.”

“His sword appears terrifying.

“But in reality—it is not quite as frightening as it seems.

“As long as you keep someone beside you at all times—someone able to block that one sword—then more than half the threat he poses disappears.”

Hearing this—

Count Zheng instinctively rubbed his chest.

“As for Li Liangshen—

“I once sparred with him.

“His swordsmanship is simple, heavy, and honest.

“His qi flows endlessly.

“His sword is not the sharpest among swordsmen—but his physique can probably be called the strongest.”

“How do you compare with him?”

“This isn’t matching chess pieces on a board. How am I supposed to compare it that way?”

“No helping it.

“Just treat me as an outsider who knows nothing.

“Give me the simple comparison.

“I want a number in my head.”

“Back then, Li Liangshen and I fought to a draw.”

“Oh.”

“After I lost to Tian Wujing—

“I felt I had risen slightly above Li Liangshen.”

“Oh?”

“After Snow Sea Pass—if I could recover fully right now—

“I would be able to defeat him.”

“Oh!”

“But I know my own body.

“Recovering will not be so easy.

“The fact that I could sit there today and eat one skewer of roasted meat already exceeded my earlier expectations.”

“There’s no rush.

“Recover slowly.

“I’m not asking you to immediately run out and fight Li Liangshen to the death.

“As long as you’re here—

“I have something to hold onto.

“It gives me confidence.”

The Sword Saint lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

“Autumn has arrived.

“Winter won’t be far behind.”

“The court is providing plenty of money and grain.

“Yingdu is transporting its share in full as well.

“And our harvest from destroying the Naiman Tribe last time was substantial.

“We’ll have no problem getting through this winter.

“After this winter passes—that will be when everything truly revives and Snow Sea Pass begins moving properly onto the right track.”

“I genuinely admire your ability to manage a territory.

“If the Emperor of Jin had possessed this ability in the past, then even the capital region would never have declined to that extent.”

“Environment matters.

“Back then, the Jin imperial house was surrounded by the three great clans.

“None of them could possibly have allowed the imperial family an opportunity to recover.”

“That is true.”

At that moment, A’Ming called from the driver’s seat:

“Master, we’re home.”

“All right.

“You rest properly.”

Zheng Fan bade farewell to the Sword Saint and let him leave the carriage first.

Afterward, the convoy continued forward.

The prison wagon carrying the Savage King was unloaded and sent into the newly occupied Count Pingye Residence.

A prisoner this important naturally had to be kept nearby.

That was safest.

Besides on the other side of the wall from the Savage King’s prison cell stood the chamber housing Sha Tuo Queshi’s coffin.

With the two of them keeping one another company neither would become too lonely.

Before armored soldiers carried him away, the Savage King lifted the black cloth over his wagon and exposed his head.

He said to Zheng Fan:

“Count, taking this slave outside for some fresh air caused you quite a bit of trouble and effort.

“This slave truly feels guilty.”

Count Zheng smiled and nodded.

Then said:

“Good night.

“Sweet dreams.”

The Savage King, who had clearly wanted to say something more, could only be carried back down into the underground prison.

After being moved into his cage, he leaned against the wall and curled himself there.

Then he slipped one hand into his clothes.

He took out a tiny, exquisitely embroidered shoe.

Silently he raised it before his nose.

And inhaled deeply.

Mm.

Perhaps because she was coming the scent seemed stronger too.

...

“Master, the Commandery Princess is coming.

“How do you intend to receive her?”

Siniang asked while massaging Zheng Fan’s shoulders.

“How else?

“Soldiers come, block them with generals. Water comes, dam it with earth.

“That woman is trouble.

“I genuinely do not want to provoke her.”

“Master, this servant feels the Commandery Princess was the first woman of status you met after waking in this world.

“When you first saw her, she was even disguised as a man and wearing armor.

“This servant thinks—that is fate.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“This servant only thinks—why not simply take the Commandery Princess for yourself?

“Then she could come into the household and call this servant Elder Sister.

“For example—right now, she should be the one carrying a fruit plate inside and feeding us grapes.

“This servant eats one.

“Then spits it back out.

“Looks at her.

“And deliberately makes trouble:

“‘Too sour. It hurts my teeth.’

“Then the Commandery Princess kneels on the floor and says:

“‘Elder Sister, please forgive me.’

“Aiya, aiya.

“Wouldn’t that be interesting?”

“Heh.”

“This servant is not speaking in reverse.

“I genuinely mean it.”

“Enough.

“Aren’t you extremely busy?

“How do you still have time to imagine nonsense like this?”

“Work exists so we can live better.

“There’s no contradiction, Master.”

“Forget it.

“You really think I’m Pan An?

“You’re about the only woman who can stand looking at me.

“The others?

“Heh.”

“Master is being too modest.

“With your current status—and adding in your future prospects—if this servant were the Commandery Princess, I would think taking Master beneath my skirt would be an exceptionally worthwhile bargain.”

“She may no longer become Crown Princess.

“But casually marrying someone else would still be difficult.

“She can’t be in such a rush to put a green hat on the Ji family, can she?”

“How did Xiaozhuang treat Hong Chengchou?

“How did she treat Dorgon?”

“That was television.”

“Having no formal status is not only convenient for men.

“Sometimes—women find it convenient too.

“Only—what a pity...”

“What’s a pity?”

“It’s a pity the Commandery Princess never actually married.

“So she does not seem to fit Master’s tastes quite as well.

“Hehehe.”

“Siniang.”

“Mm?”

“Can we stop talking about that Commandery Princess?

“Talk about something else.”

“For example?”

“For example—what color is it today?”

...

Zhennan Pass had once been the first defensive line used by Jin’s Situ Clan against the State of Chu.

But when the savages entered the passes and swept through Dacheng, this strategic fortress had naturally been taken by the Chu army in the resulting chaos.

Its former commander, Xue Rang, had then surrendered to Chu.

The Regent of Chu enfeoffed him as Marquis of Guiyi.

The thirty thousand troops who had originally guarded Dacheng’s southern gateway remained under his command.

Two additional Chu formations were added as well bringing the total force to fifty thousand.

Naturally, there had been an exchange.

Xue Rang had already sent his entire family—old and young—into Chu territory to live.

Hostages, more or less.

At this moment, beneath the night sky, Xue Rang stood atop the walls and gazed north.

“Standing in this direction still feels unfamiliar, doesn’t it?”

A middle-aged man appeared behind him.

“Grand General Nian, you’re making fun of me again,” Xue Rang said with a smile.

The newcomer was Nian Yao known as the foremost military hawk and hound beneath the Regent of Chu.

In Great Yan, Count Pingye served as the inspirational example of a laborer who had risen to the nobility in only a few short years.

In Chu—

Nian Yao, who had begun life as a household slave, was the military’s model of meteoric advancement.

And because Chu was a state that placed extraordinary importance on birth, clan pedigree, and inherited family standing—

Nian Yao’s rise was even more remarkable.

Nian Yao had teased Xue Rang about facing the wrong direction because, when Xue Rang had guarded Dacheng’s southern gateway, he had spent most of his time standing on the walls facing south and watching for Chu troops.

Now he stood facing north.

Watching for Yan.

“You understand the Regent’s intention this time, General Xue?” Nian Yao asked.

Xue Rang nodded.

“I understand.”

“Good.

“General Xue, I, Old Nian, am a rough man.

“I don’t like twisting words or doing things in circles.

“This time—

“Great Chu owes you.”

“Grand General speaks too seriously.”

“Not seriously.

“Not seriously at all.

“The Yan people broke faith first and slaughtered forty thousand soldiers of our Azure Luan Army.

“That blood debt must be repaid.

“There is one thing General Xue can feel secure about.

“Back then, Wang River froze. The Great Chu navy was restricted and unable to reinforce Yupan City.

“Today, at this Zhennan Pass—

“Great Chu stands behind you.

“And the one hundred thousand Imperial Clan Guards under my personal command—also stand behind you.”

“Grand General—there is one matter this subordinate does not understand.”

“Speak freely.”

“When two states confront one another, then if we fight, we fight.

“If we make peace, we make peace.

“Why does Chu always...”

“Look petty?”

Nian Yao chuckled.

“I see it the same way.

“The destruction of the Azure Luan Army last time happened for exactly that reason.

“But there is no helping it.

“The Regent has his difficulties.

“The late Emperor died too quickly and too suddenly, throwing Great Chu into turmoil for far too long.

“We were never able to commit our full strength outward.

“Even now—speaking from the heart—

“Great Chu still has not completely settled its internal affairs.

“Those hereditary noble clans all carry far too many private thoughts.

“As for this time—autumn has arrived, hasn’t it?

“So we’ll find something for the Yan people to do.

“No matter how fierce Yan cavalry may be—surely horses cannot smash through a fortress wall?”

Xue Rang shook his head.

“This subordinate still does not believe the purpose is merely to exhaust the Yan people.”

After all following the massacre of the Azure Luan Army, Chu had still accepted the treaty.

That meant Chu had not yet been prepared to launch a full-scale national war.

Yet now it had suddenly become aggressive again.

It even intended to take the initiative and create trouble.

Xue Rang might be a surrendered general, but he had still climbed through army camps to reach his current position.

If he could not sense this much change in the wind he would never have risen so far.

Nian Yao was also straightforward.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

“The Emperor of Qian sent an envoy to meet the Regent.

“They discussed joining forces against Yan.”

“The Qian people have that kind of courage?”

If the destruction of the Azure Luan Army could be blamed on a long chain of objective circumstances—the savage main force being annihilated, Wang River freezing, and so forth then Qian had simply been pinned to the ground and rubbed raw by Yan again and again.

“The Qian people do seem to have learned from the pain.

“After all—having enemy cavalry ride all the way to the walls of your capital and water their horses beside the Bian River is humiliation even people who adore flowers beneath the moon cannot accept.

“That Emperor of Qian is interesting too.

“He says the various armies of Qian are still being rebuilt and trained.

“Great Chu is also still cleaning up its internal affairs.

“For now—neither side possesses the strength to launch a northern expedition against Yan.

“But we cannot simply allow Yan to swallow the lands of the Three Jin and then leisurely rest and recover.

“We need to find something for them to do.

“The Regent agreed.

“Yan appears powerful, but its territory is spread wide and its foundations are thin.

“Before the true great war begins—we can exhaust them using methods like these.

“Oh, right.

“There is something I should mention even though General Xue certainly understands it already.

“If Yan raises troops and comes to attack Zhennan Pass, my Imperial Clan Guards will be holding the line behind you.

“No matter what happens, we will not allow the Yan army to break through.

“But General Xue must also restrain yourself when you act.

“You know perfectly well that Yan’s Marquis of Jingnan is currently stationed at Fengxin City.

“Do not become greedy for military achievements and advance recklessly.

“If you truly do—

“General Xue, do not blame me when Old Nian refuses to rescue you.”

“Grand General worries too much.

“This Xue Rang knows exactly how much he weighs.

“No matter how conceited I became, I would never imagine myself equal to Yan’s Marquis of Jingnan.”

“Exactly.

“That is how it should be.

“Our main force should avoid leaving the territory around Zhennan Pass whenever possible.

“Best of all—lure the Yan army here and make them waste strength against the fortress.

“As for field battle—as long as that Southern Marquis of Yan remains here for even one day—

“I refuse to face him.”

“Grand General is being far too modest.”

“No.

“This is the same as General Xue knowing his own measure.

“We both know ourselves.

“Qu Tiannan didn’t know his.

“That is why he died.

“We must not be as stupid as he was.

“Besides—once fighting begins here and the situation becomes lively, the Regent will have a proper excuse to transfer the private armies of those great clans inside Chu and integrate them.

“We can simply use the Yan people to train our troops.

“I imagine the Emperor of Qian is probably making the same calculation.”

Nian Yao smiled.

“Enough.

“Marquis Xue—heh.

“After dawn, I suppose I’ll have to address you as Prince Xue.”

...

In the autumn of Yongping Year Two of the Great Yan Dynasty—

Xue Rang, commander of Zhennan Pass, enthroned Situ Yong, a collateral descendant of the Situ Clan, as Emperor.

He proclaimed himself Prince of Changping.

And restored the State of Dacheng.

The following day three military orders left Fengxin City.

One went to Yanjing.

One to Yingdu.

One to Snow Sea Pass.

Because the distances were immense and military intelligence required time to travel by the time Snow Sea Pass received word of the incident at Zhennan Pass, another report had already arrived first.

Xu Wenzu, Garrison Commander of Nanwang City, reported to the court:

Zhong Tianlang, newly appointed Military Commissioner of Liang Circuit in the State of Qian, had led eight thousand cavalry across the border without provocation.

He captured two fortified strongholds then withdrew.

Qian’s deliberate provocation had actually begun even before the incident at Zhennan Pass.

And so for the State of Yan, which had only just suppressed the savage uprising and was preparing to rest and recover beacon fires rose once more along two separate frontiers.

————

[End of Chapter 403]