Yan Ze had barely left when Yan Han ordered Yan Li to be imprisoned in the Celestial Prison without any reason or specified duration. Just like that, Yan Li was locked away.
Although Yan Li had entered the court, he had no foundation there. Previously, he had been under the Empress Dowager's protection, but now that she was gravely ill, no one spoke up for him. The court officials mostly guessed that Yan Li was imprisoned for opposing the western campaign, and they avoided the matter entirely, let alone pleading on his behalf.
After imprisoning Yan Li, Yan Han felt somewhat troubled. He could accept opposition from anyone else, but Yan Li's reckless and direct confrontation left him particularly vexed.
Then, turning his thoughts, Yan Han suddenly asked Yuan Qing, "Has the Ministry of War sent any messages?"
Yuan Qing hurriedly replied, "Not yet, but it should be within the next couple of days."
Yan Han nodded. "I wonder if Prince Cheng's strategy has succeeded."
Since Yan Han had given the order, Yan Qi naturally sought to claim credit. Earlier, he had sent a letter stating that he already had a plan to deal with the Northwest Frontier Army and would surely annihilate them in the northern regions. Thus, the western campaign would achieve immediate success. Unaware of the details, Yan Han had been waiting all these days.
"Has Yue Qiong sent any messages either?" Yan Han asked again.
Yuan Qing sighed. "No. The Anyang Marquis, having led troops for many years, likely isn't in the habit of reporting frequently."
Hearing this, Yan Han snorted. "If I hadn't wanted to give him command of the western campaign, I wouldn't have assigned him to the northern expedition. The northern expedition was originally meant to depose the Empress, but who would have thought Yan Chi would go north again? He and Yan Chi have a past friendship—I don't know if he might go soft."
Yuan Qing said, "The Anyang Marquis probably won't be lenient. At most, he won't be as aggressive as Prince Cheng."
Yan Han nodded. "That's true. Yue Qiong is a man of loyalty and righteousness. He wouldn't do anything detrimental to Great Zhou. Besides, his family is in the capital, so he's naturally trustworthy—"
It had been over half a month without any military reports. Yan Han frowned. "If Prince Cheng fails..."
Yuan Qing chose his words carefully. "Prince Cheng surely wouldn't be so careless. Even if he does fail, the Northwest Frontier Army are all rebels. Would the Anyang Marquis dare side with them? The Rong barbarians have already been driven back, unable to fight anymore, so there's no need for the Northwest Frontier Army's assistance."
Considering this, Yan Han found it reasonable. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked, "Where is the Zhongyong Marquis's family now?"
Yuan Qing was caught off guard by the question and hesitated. "This... I don't know yet. I heard some time ago that they couldn't endure the rumors in the capital and moved to an estate outside the city. They're probably still there now."
Yan Han narrowed his eyes. "Send someone to check. Although I spared their lives, I didn't permit them to leave the capital. At the time, it was said the Crown Princess had died, but then news came from the north, casting doubt on who exactly died."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qing quickly assented. "I'll send someone to investigate immediately. Your Majesty, please rest assured and await good news from Prince Cheng. Minister Ge and Commander Lin are launching a surprise attack in the west—by the time the enemy realizes it, it will be too late."
Thinking of this, Yan Han felt somewhat relieved. "Very well. As long as we reclaim the northwest, it's acceptable if the northern campaign progresses slowly."Yan Han harbored these thoughts in his heart and grew increasingly attentive to the progress in the west. Ge Yang submitted memorials every three days, reporting in detail on their current location, the status of military provisions, and the movements of the Northwest Frontier Army. Lin Zhang’s secret letters further kept Ge Yang under strict surveillance. Seeing everything firmly under his control, Yan Han felt increasingly reassured. However, in the midst of summer, floods struck Huzhou in the south, leading to a surge of displaced refugees. The court was now preoccupied with this matter, and as Yan Han dealt with court affairs, he anxiously awaited Yan Qi’s secret letter from the north. After two days of anticipation with no news, Yan Han gradually grew suspicious.
Yet such underhanded tactics could not be openly discussed in court, so he discreetly sent another message to the northern camp.
After instructing Yan Sui to pay his respects every two days, Yan Sui obediently complied. Having neglected his youngest son for some time, Yan Han felt a surge of affection upon seeing his dutiful behavior. Moreover, with Consort Jin long deceased, his lingering reservations had faded, and he began showering Yan Sui with care—bestowing lavish gifts of food, clothing, treasures, and gold. The palace staff, quick to discern his intentions, treated Yan Sui with newfound respect.
Yan Sui, who had once been deeply fearful of Yan Han, gradually shed his apprehension and began displaying affectionate gestures. To demonstrate filial piety, he either copied Buddhist sutras for Yan Han or served him by grinding ink and offering tea. Though his small hands and feet were not particularly deft, his sincerity was evident. Witnessing this, Yan Han grew even fonder of him, allowing him to spend more time each day in Chongzheng Hall.
One day, as Yan Han sipped the tea Yan Sui had brought and admired his calligraphy, hurried footsteps echoed outside. Just as he was about to reprimand the disturbance, Yuan Qing rushed in, his face ashen, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty! Disaster has struck! Something has happened in Yingzhou—"
Yan Han had been awaiting Yan Qi’s secret letter, never expecting news from Yingzhou. With fierce battles raging in the north, what could Yingzhou possibly have to do with it?
The thought flashed through his mind, but Yuan Qing’s next words struck him like a thunderbolt!
"When Minister Ge left Yingzhou, twenty thousand dan of military provisions remained there, intended to be transported westward by the Ministry of War’s troops later. However, six days ago, when the Ministry of War’s men arrived in Yingzhou, the prefect detained them. Two clever ones managed to escape and discovered… they discovered over a hundred thousand troops stationed in the dense forests east of Yingzhou—it’s the Northwest Frontier Army!"
"What did you say?!"
Yan Han slammed his teacup onto the imperial desk, shattering the saucer in an instant.
Ignoring the mess, he urgently demanded, "The Northwest Frontier Army?! Over a hundred thousand of them?! Are you certain it wasn’t a misidentification? Yan Chi is still in the north, and Prince Cheng is supposed to keep them there! How could they appear in Yingzhou?! Besides, only seventy thousand Northwest Frontier troops marched northward. After months of fighting, they must have suffered losses—how could they suddenly number over a hundred thousand?! This must be false intelligence—"
Yuan Qing replied bitterly, "Your Majesty, not only do you find it hard to believe, but even the vice minister who received the report dared not trust it. He is waiting outside—you will understand once you speak to him!"
Yan Han hastily summoned the vice minister, and upon questioning him, confirmed everything Yuan Qing had said.Yan Han’s forehead was suddenly beaded with cold sweat. “Over a hundred thousand troops from the Northwest Frontier Army—that’s absolutely impossible! Send someone to Yingzhou immediately! Dispatch a fast horse to investigate! I will only trust the news brought back this time—”
The minister accepted the order and departed. Yan Han stared at the mess on the desk, lost in thought.
“How is this possible? The northern campaign is still unresolved—Yan Chi couldn’t possibly head south. If he did, what about the Jinzhou Army? The Northern Garrison Army? I might believe it if it were the Northern Garrison Army, but the Jinzhou Army? And with over a hundred thousand troops? What about Yan Qi?! Is Yan Qi dead? Is Yue Qiong dead too?!”
Yan Han’s chest heaved rapidly. “Absolutely impossible! This is absolutely impossible!”
Seeing this, Yuan Qing chimed in with a flattering smile, “This humble servant also finds it impossible. Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Let’s wait for the news—it should arrive in at most five or six days.”
A fast horse could reach Yingzhou in just three days, but Yan Han couldn’t bear the wait. The mere possibility made his head feel as if it were about to explode!
If Yan Chi truly had over a hundred thousand troops, how could he have reached Yingzhou so quietly?
What did this signify?!
Why had no military reports been sent along his entire journey south?
And now that he was already in Yingzhou, what was his target?
Cold sweat poured down Yan Han’s back like rain. Trembling slightly, he immediately said, “Quick! Send a message to Ge Yang! Tell him to bring his troops back at once!”
Yuan Qing’s voice also trembled, “Your Majesty, Minister Ge has already reached Dingzhou—”
“Then… then mobilize troops! Gather forces from Luozhou, Yuzhou, and Chuzhou—wherever we can, gather them!”
Yuan Qing nearly broke into tears at these words. “Your Majesty! Have you forgotten? The Northern Garrison Army and the western expedition forces have already emptied the nearby garrisons. If we want to mobilize troops now, we can only draw from the south. Even at the fastest, it would take over half a month to reach the capital.”
Yan Han slammed the table heavily. “Summon the Nine Gates Garrison to see me! And… and Zhao Yu! Quickly!”
The sudden turn of events revealed Yan Han’s panic for the first time in years. Yuan Qing hurried off to relay the orders. Meanwhile, Yan Sui, who had been waiting outside, stood there in a daze.
Watching Yuan Qing and a few young eunuchs rush away in panic, his youthful face showed no expression—only a dull numbness and an eerily chilling indifference. He stood for a moment, hearing the sound of something shattering inside the hall, sharp and piercing. Yet, upon hearing it, Yan Sui smiled with a touch of innocence. He quickly turned and dashed toward the Longevity and Health Palace, his eyes, dull for many days, finally gleaming with life.
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