Coroner's Diary

Yan Che strode swiftly into the room, his eyes already bloodshot with shock!

"How could it be! How could hundreds of thousands of troops suddenly enter Cangzhou City? Where did these hundreds of thousands come from?!"

The man weeping on the floor was already drenched in tears. Hearing this, he turned around and, upon seeing Yan Che enter, could barely contain himself. Someone nearby quickly interjected, "This is His Highness the Crown Prince! Answer him!"

The man's expression shifted, and he continued, "Your Highness, it truly is hundreds of thousands of troops. The army broke through the city gates, and there were so many that the city couldn't hold them all. The rest went to slaughter the villages outside the city. These people... their accents are rough and barbaric, and their attire is different from ours. I suspect... perhaps... perhaps the barbarians from Azure Dragon Mountain have come. If they were mere bandits, how could there be so many? And their appearances and clothing are strange—these men are extraordinarily fierce, each capable of fighting three at once. Cangzhou City never had many people to begin with, let alone facing such demons!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Che's heart leaped into his throat. "Mother! It's the barbarians!"

The moment the word "barbarians" was uttered, even the Empress trembled, nearly unable to remain seated. "It's actually the barbarians—"

The man below hurriedly added, "Before the Grand General left Azure Dragon Mountain, all the defenses in the camp were maintained as usual. Even if scouts came to investigate, they wouldn't have detected anything amiss. But somehow, the barbarians got the news and launched a sudden attack. From what I saw, their numbers were even greater than when they assaulted the Azure Dragon Mountain pass last year. I... I fear I am one of the few who managed to escape."

The soldier's voice trembled as he spoke, revealing the depth of his terror.

Hearing this, the Empress's face turned as pale as paper. Decades ago, Cangzhou City had also been ravaged, but reinforcements arrived quickly then, and the city was not destroyed—only many lives were lost. Now, judging by this man's account, Cangzhou City might be utterly ruined?

South of Cangzhou lie Fengzhou and Chongzhou. The barbarians would not stop there. What should she do next?

Wait in place? Take the initiative to engage? Or retreat elsewhere?

With the Anyang Marquis's army outside the city, retreating south was impossible. But if they held their ground, the barbarians' next target would be her. If the Anyang Marquis then attacked from the south, they would be caught in the middle, and Fengzhou City would likely fall within a day. Regardless of the outcome between the barbarians and the Anyang Marquis, her current military strength would be severely diminished. The Empress drew a sharp breath, almost instantly grasping the direness of the situation.

The soldier below urged, "Your Majesty, you must issue orders quickly! The barbarians will be here soon! They've burned Cangzhou City to the ground and will surely continue southward. I fear they aim to seize the entire northern region of Great Zhou! Your Majesty must prepare at once. At least the troops in the city outnumber those in Cangzhou—we might hold them off for a while!"

The Empress clenched her delicate fists, narrowed her eyes after a moment, and asked coldly, "What was the situation in the city when you left? How long have you been traveling?"The messenger soldier hastily replied, "This humble one fled the city two nights ago. At that time, half the city was engulfed in flames, while small groups of resistance still held out in the remaining areas—though they stood no chance of victory. Those savages commit every atrocity imaginable—burning, killing, pillaging, and violating—as if they were beasts. I fear they intend to strip Cangzhou City bare. I traveled day and night for two days to get here, and by now, Cangzhou has likely been hollowed out and they've probably begun marching south!"

The Empress shut her eyes tightly, and when she reopened them, her gaze had turned icy. "Very well. I understand. You've endured a long journey—go rest now. I shall immediately issue orders for preparations."

Hearing this, the soldier finally relaxed, his body going limp with relief. The Empress commanded attendants to escort him away, then her expression darkened.

Qin Chaoyu stood by the doorway, her palms sweating from fright upon hearing the news, yet she could do nothing.

Yan Che urgently asked, "Mother, should we issue the command at once?"

The Empress narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "First, summon General Cheng!"

General Cheng, named Cheng Wei, was Zhao You's foremost deputy commander. With Zhao You away in Chongzhou, Cheng Wei had been assigned to the Empress. Whenever critical matters arose, the Empress would first notify Cheng Wei. Upon hearing this, Yan Che immediately sent for Cheng Wei. After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Cheng Wei arrived. The moment he entered, Yan Che urgently briefed him on the situation. Cheng Wei's face paled in shock. "How did the barbarians learn of this?! This was the old general's greatest fear! Your Majesty, what shall we do now? Should we march to Cangzhou at once?"

Though fiercely loyal to the Empress, Cheng Wei had long served with Zhao You guarding the northern frontier, never imagining that Azure Dragon Mountain would fall or that the tragedy of Cangzhou's massacre would recur. His initial instinct was to rescue Cangzhou. The Empress let out a cold laugh. "Return to Cangzhou?! Have you lost your senses? Cangzhou must have already fallen by now. The barbarians are likely already on their way south. If we head north now, how can our fifty thousand troops possibly withstand their hundreds of thousands?"

The Empress's gaze was sharp as a blade, making even a seasoned veteran like Cheng Wei struggle to meet her eyes. She continued, "I summoned you not to prepare for rescuing Cangzhou, but to deliberate on our strategy in this crisis! Though Fengzhou City is sturdy, it cannot withstand attacks from both the barbarians and Anyang Marquis. We are trapped between a wolf and a tiger—our priority must be self-preservation. Otherwise, forget grand ambitions; we will be buried here by tomorrow!"

Cheng Wei broke into a cold sweat, torn between his concern for Cangzhou and his guilt, yet forced to consider survival and the Crown Prince's cause. Hesitation gripped him. "Your Majesty speaks wisely. This old minister was rash. Whatever decision you make, I shall obey."

The Empress studied Cheng Wei for a moment, then lifted her chin, her voice turning colder. "Dispatch scouts north immediately to gather accurate intelligence. The barbarian forces were originally small, yet the young soldier's report made them sound formidable. We must verify their true numbers—that is the first priority. Secondly, we absolutely cannot remain in Fengzhou City. Anyang Marquis is stirring outside the walls—we must not give her an opening now—"After a brief pause, the Empress made her decision. "Issue the order immediately to mobilize the troops. We shall leave Fengzhou before dawn and rendezvous with Father in Chongzhou."

"Does Mother intend to abandon Fengzhou?" Yan Che hurriedly asked.

The Empress turned her gaze to Yan Che. "Fengzhou is now nothing but a shield. How long it can hold is uncertain, but whoever holds this shield will inevitably pay a heavy price. The Anyang Marquis prides himself on his years of military command. Since that is the case, let him be the one to hold this shield!"

A cold smile curled on the Empress's lips as she shot a sharp glare at Cheng Wei. "Why haven't you gone to deliver the order?"

Cheng Wei promptly acknowledged but hesitated, "With the army withdrawing, what reason should we give?"

The Empress was nearly driven to laughter by Cheng Wei's question, her voice icy. "Naturally, it is to evade the advancing forces of the Anyang Marquis. After joining the Auxiliary General, we shall pursue our grand ambitions from the east!"

Cheng Wei's expression cleared in understanding. Wiping the thin sweat from his forehead, he turned and hurried out.

Yan Che spoke again, "It is wise for Mother to retreat, but should we inform the Anyang Marquis about the barbarians' invasion?"

The Empress seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon she shook her head firmly. "Why tell him? The Anyang Marquis is fiercely loyal to the nation and its people. Once we depart, he will eventually learn of the situation in Cangzhou. A man like him would never allow the barbarians' iron hooves to advance southward."

Yan Che appeared to have more to say, but the Empress, as if reading his thoughts, fixed him with a stern gaze. The words died on his lips, unspoken. Only then did the Empress's expression soften. Seeing no outsiders in the room, she relaxed entirely, wearily rubbing her temples.

"The Northern Garrison Army has been marching south for days. News was bound to leak. We delayed for too long. The barbarians have long coveted our northern borders and seized this opportunity to invade. Yet, what fault lies with us?! If not for..." The Empress trailed off, leaving her sentence unfinished, and instead said, "Now, this is also a turning point for us."

Originally, it was a standoff between two sides, but now a third force has emerged. Given the Anyang Marquis's temperament, once he learns of the barbarian invasion, he will not stand idly by. Thus, no one will hinder our movements anymore. Yan Che understood this, yet he could not help adding, "But what of Cangzhou..."

The Empress closed her eyes heavily. "Cangzhou... what's done is done. There's no use dwelling on it! The moment the Emperor deposed you and me, the Northern Garrison Army was relieved of its duty to guard the northern borders. He should have foreseen this long ago. If the people must blame anyone, let them blame their ruthless and merciless sovereign!"

Yan Che fell silent. Throughout their journey north, the Empress had often voiced such sentiments, speaking of his father as if he were a demon from the netherworld. Yet Yan Che remained uncertain, unable to comprehend the depth of his mother's hatred. He had asked before, but how could his mother ever make him understand?

Yan Che sighed. "Then let it be as Mother wishes. Since we are to retreat at dawn, we must prepare quickly. Mother, the night is bitterly cold. Please return to your quarters to warm yourself. I will see to the arrangements for our departure. There is no need for you to trouble yourself."

The Empress rubbed her temples once more, her expression finally easing. "Very well, you may go."Thus, Yan Che took Qin Chaoyu to pack their belongings. While military affairs didn't require his personal attention, their personal luggage still needed organizing. Upon learning of the situation, Qin Chaoyu felt her entire body turn cold, her steps growing unsteady as they walked. Though she had witnessed life and death during her northern journey and experienced siege warfare, she couldn't fathom what the soldier described—an entire city fallen, hundreds of thousands of marauders committing rape and plunder, the city reduced to a sea of flames. The mere thought made her tremble with chills.

Noticing her distress, Yan Che instinctively took her hand. "Don't be afraid. We can avoid the war by leaving this place."

Qin Chaoyu nodded, gripping Yan Che's hand tightly as she gradually regained some strength.

After finishing the packing, Yan Che rested briefly. By mao hour (5-7 AM), the city's troops were fully assembled—comprising the Northern Garrison Army and soldiers recruited after the siege. The citizens, having witnessed the fierce siege and swift military actions, now watched fearfully from their homes as the army prepared to depart. None dared venture out to inquire, with many thinking: "Now that the deposed Empress is leaving, we can finally live in peace."

At mao hour's second mark (around 6 AM), the Empress arrived on horseback at the city gate, where the massive army stood in formation below.

Cheng Wei approached and reported, "Your Majesty, the scouts have been out for four hours with no return message yet. They likely haven't encountered anything. Anyang Marquis's camp outside the city remains normal. If we depart now, they won't have time to react even if they notice."

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. "Open the gates! March—"

With this command, the long-sealed city gates swung open. Cheng Wei led the vanguard at the front, followed by the Empress and Crown Prince riding in the center, trailed by tens of thousands of troops. The massive procession departed Fengzhou City in silent grandeur, heading east toward Chongzhou. No sooner had they exited than fast riders were dispatched ahead—naturally to deliver news to Chongzhou.

Watching the fish-belly white dawn emerge on the horizon, Yan Che approached and asked, "Mother Empress, what if the barbarians head for Chongzhou?"

The Empress shook her head. "Impossible. Fengzhou is prosperous and lies directly south—the closest target. The barbarians are crude, bloodthirsty brutes who'd never bypass the nearest prize."

Though troubled by this assessment, Yan Che had no alternative but to gaze toward Cangzhou's direction with a silent lament in his heart.

The procession continued eastward until midday, when finally a messenger eagle returned. A soldier retrieved the message for the Empress, who frowned after reading it.

"The scouts report no barbarian encounters nor signs of large troop movements along the route. However, they met more refugees from Cangzhou who claim two separate forces attacked the city. After capturing Cangzhou, the two sides apparently fell into dispute."

Both Yan Che and Cheng Wei were startled. Cheng Wei exclaimed, "The barbarians have only one Khan—how could they split into two forces?!"

The Empress stored the letter and said coldly, "Regardless. If they're quarreling, it gives Anyang Marquis more preparation time. Consider it heaven's mercy upon him."

Simultaneously, several scouts returned to the Northern Expedition Army camp outside Fengzhou City.

In the strategy tent, Anyang Marquis occupied the central position with Prince Cheng Yan Qi on his left, surrounded by the camp's assembled generals.One person said, "We've already sent over ten scout teams into the city. The Zhao army has truly withdrawn, not leaving a single person behind. The civilians in the city said it seemed they suddenly began mobilizing last night, continued through the night, and left the city before dawn. When our scouts went to check, the military tents in the city hadn't even been taken down."

Another added, "The scouts sent east also reported back that the army headed eastward, likely going to find Zhao You!"

"Why would they do this? All these days she's been holding her position, appearing even more patient than us. If she intended to pull off a secret maneuver, she shouldn't have been in such a hurry. See, they were discovered as soon as they left the city. If we send word to Chongzhou now or pursue them, wouldn't they gain nothing?!"

Everyone began discussing animatedly. Seeing the crowd fall silent, Yan Qi laughed and said, "No matter their reasons, they're gone now. For the moment, let's just occupy Fengzhou City first!"

Some below voiced their agreement, but Yue Qiong suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Send people north immediately to investigate. This matter definitely isn't as simple as it seems."