Yan Han waited less than three days before the scouts he sent out returned with news.
The troops dispatched by the Ministry of War encountered the Northwest Frontier Army's vanguard units coming to investigate after just one day's travel. After some reconnaissance and confirming that over a hundred thousand troops indeed followed behind, they dared not proceed further. Riding almost sleeplessly back to Lin'an, they galloped straight to the palace gates upon entering the city. Flashing the golden-feathered arrow, they entered the palace and poured out their terrified account to Yan Han.
Upon hearing this, Yan Han immediately fainted on the imperial throne, his imperial brush slipping from his hand. He remained rigid and unresponsive for a long while. Yuan Qing, terrified, summoned the imperial physicians. Before they arrived, Yan Han regained consciousness on his own. His face was as pale as paper, yet he remained speechless for some time.
Yuan Qing was also frantic with anxiety, sweating profusely. "Your Majesty, what should we do? Should we summon Commander Zhao? Or perhaps have the Duke of Wei enter the palace as well?"
Zhao Yu commanded the imperial guards, while Peng Huaichu, who hadn't been assigned the northern expedition mission, remained in the capital. Upon learning of Yan Chi's southern advance with a large army, Yan Han had already placed him in overall command of the Nine Gates Garrison. Over the past two days, preliminary deployments had been made with the imperial guards and the Nine Gates Garrison. However, Yan Chi brought a full hundred thousand troops, while the city's imperial guards and garrison forces combined numbered only thirty thousand. How could they possibly withstand such an assault?!
Cold sweat poured layer after layer from Yan Han's palms. For a moment, he couldn't devise any delaying tactics. After a long silence, Yan Han suddenly declared, "Summon Zhao Yu and Peng Huaichu. Then immediately issue an order for Yue Jia and Yue Qing to enter the palace."
Yuan Qing was slightly surprised, wondering why Yue Jia and Yue Qing were being summoned. Before he could turn to leave, Yan Han added, "Have Yan Ze enter the palace as well."
Hearing this, Yuan Qing hurried to relay the orders. Within half an hour, all three summoned individuals had entered the palace.
By now, Yan Han had somewhat regained his composure. Seeing the three, he stated directly, "Yan Chi has rebelled. He's now marching south with a hundred thousand troops and will arrive outside the capital soon. Currently, we only have thirty thousand soldiers in the city. I summoned you three to hear your counsel."
Yan Han's blunt announcement immediately caused the three to pale dramatically.
Among them, Yue Jia and Yue Qing were learning this for the first time, while Yan Ze had known since Yan Han sent scouts north to investigate the military situation.
Yue Jia frowned. "How could Yan Chi be marching south with a hundred thousand troops? Wasn't he fighting the northern barbarians?"
Yan Han sneered coldly. "The barbarians have been repelled. I suspect he joined forces with the Northern Garrison Army, hence the hundred thousand troops. Now, taking advantage of the capital's weak defenses, they advance south together to seize my throne—"
Yue Qing couldn't help interjecting, "That's impossible! My father is still in the north. How could he allow Yan Chi to march south?"
Hearing this, Yan Han's tone turned somewhat enigmatic. "I, too, am very curious about that. However, I trust in the Anyang Marquis's loyalty and righteousness. Perhaps he's merely detained by the remaining barbarian forces—"
Yue Qing, terrified by this implication, didn't dare ask further. Yue Jia's expression also turned grave, while Yan Ze, though stern-faced, showed no panic.
Yan Han glanced at each of them, then looked at Yue Jia. "Yue Jia, you previously requested to campaign north. I didn't grant you that opportunity then. Now, I permit you to join the Nine Gates Garrison in defending Lin'an. Are you willing?"
With the question posed so directly, how could he refuse?Yue Jia immediately clasped his fist and accepted the order. Yue Qing seemed to hesitate but had no alternative. Yan Han then looked at Yue Qing and said, "Yue Qing, you and Yan Chi are of similar age and share a friendship. I command you to leave the city and persuade him to surrender. If he is willing to cease now and return to the Northwest Frontier, I will grant him the title of Prince of the Northwest. Do you dare?"
On one hand, he ordered Yue Jia to guard Lin'an from the city tower, and on the other, he sent Yue Qing out to persuade Yan Chi to surrender. This strategy firmly secured control over Marquis Anyang Manor.
Yue Qing dared not refuse and promptly accepted the command. Seeing this, Yan Ze stepped forward with a slight smile and said, "Your Majesty, when it comes to familiarity with Yan Chi, I am actually more acquainted with him than Yue Qing. Why not entrust the task of persuasion to me?"
Yan Ze's voluntary acceptance of the mission demonstrated his loyalty and righteousness. In such a critical moment, Yan Han was deeply moved.
"Yan Ze, have you thought this through? Are you truly willing to replace Yue Qing and go out to persuade Yan Chi to surrender?"
Yan Ze met his gaze firmly and replied, "Your Majesty, I have made up my mind. Please believe that even if I cannot persuade Yan Chi to surrender, I can at least buy us two days."
If they could buy time, there was hope for Ge Yang and others to return. Yan Han's eyes lit up, and he immediately declared, "Excellent! Very well! Since you are willing, I grant your request!"
Yan Ze clasped his fist and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will spare no effort!"
Yan Han breathed a slight sigh of relief. In such perilous times, the feeling of having someone steadfastly supporting him was truly comforting.
After leaving Chongzheng Hall, Yue Qing still wore a tense expression. Yan Ze, noticing this, said, "Yue Qing, there's no need to be nervous. Return to attend to your duties. I will handle the persuasion."
Yue Qing replied apologetically, "Third Brother, you're doing this for me. I truly..."
Yan Ze smiled faintly, "It's not just for you, but also for myself."
Yue Jia frowned anxiously, "Rather than having Third Brother go to persuade him, why not release Yan Li? It was unjust to imprison Yan Li in the Celestial Prison..."
Yan Ze waved his hand dismissively, "In truth, it makes little difference who goes. But if I go, I can indeed delay for two days."
Yue Jia glanced around and whispered, "Third Brother, with Prince Rui leading a hundred thousand troops, how can we possibly delay?"
Anyone would think there was no chance of success, especially since Yan Chi's Northwest Frontier Army was the most formidable elite force of Great Zhou. Yet, upon hearing this, Yan Ze merely smiled calmly, showing no sign of tension. "Whether this battle will even take place is still uncertain."
Yue Jia raised an eyebrow, "It would be best if it doesn't happen, but given Yan Chi's temperament—once he decides on something, he never changes his mind—how can he be persuaded?"
Yan Ze patted Yue Jia's shoulder, "Don't worry. If the battle doesn't happen, that would be ideal."
Seeing Yan Ze remain as composed as ever, Yue Jia grew even more puzzled. However, Yan Ze offered no further explanation. The three parted ways at the palace gate. Yan Ze's faint smile faded as he returned to the royal residence. Upon arriving, Tan Xiang said, "Heir Apparent, the prince is waiting for you in the study."
Yan Ze nodded and turned toward the study. There, he found Prince Yi, Yan Xiang, standing by the window. Hearing footsteps, Yan Xiang turned and asked, "How did it go?"
Yan Ze's expression turned cold, his smile tinged with mockery. "Yue Jia was assigned to the Garrison Battalion to defend the capital, and Yue Qing was sent to persuade Yan Chi to surrender. Seeing this, I took on the task of persuasion myself."
Yan Xiang sighed, "Why trouble yourself like this? At this point, wouldn't it be better to let Yan Chi enter Lin'an? Who can stop him?"Yan Ze shook his head, "What Father says is true, but I don't wish to end it like this. Mother's spirit in heaven is still watching, and Yan Han has yet to pay the price."
Yan Xiang looked at Yan Ze with a hint of pity in his gaze, "Yan Chi has entered the city, and the throne is lost—that is the price."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ze laughed again, though the smile didn't reach his eyes, "How could that be enough? It's far from matching the suffering Mother and I endured."
"Ze'er..." Yan Xiang hesitated, "Even the Empress can let go, why must you cling to it so?"
Yan Ze snorted coldly, "I overestimated the Empress. I thought she had an unyielding will, but it turns out she's no different. She abandoned her chance, allowing Yan Chi to march south unhindered. With his over a hundred thousand troops, I couldn't stop him, but that small imperial city—I still have a way. Father, rest assured."
Seeing Yan Xiang's worried expression, Yan Ze added, "Father need not worry. Once this matter is settled, I will accompany you to cultivate the Path in the Eastern Sea."
Yan Xiang gazed at Yan Ze's mask-like, unreadable face and could only let out a long sigh.
Yue Jia and Yue Qing returned together to Marquis Anyang Manor and headed straight for the Grand Princess's quarters. As soon as they entered, the Grand Princess asked, "The Emperor knows?"
Yue Jia hurried forward, "Grandmother, is it true? Has Yan Chi rebelled?"
Only then did the Grand Princess take out the letter she had received days earlier and show it to Yue Jia and the others.
After reading Yue Qiong's letter, Yue Jia and the others were momentarily stunned. In just a few days, they hadn't expected so much to happen in the north, nor had they imagined that the Emperor had not only sent people west but also employed such tactics in the north. The Northwest Frontier Army suffered heavy casualties—no wonder Yan Chi suddenly led his troops south!
Previously, Yan Chi had returned to the northwest for many days and, though he established a small court, had not marched north with his army. This sudden change in behavior now made sense.
Yue Jia said thoughtfully, "If it truly comes to battle..."
The Grand Princess looked at him and said, "What has your father done? The letter has arrived—do you still not know how to act?"
Yue Jia suddenly understood and immediately agreed.
Since the report arrived three days prior, Yan Han had ordered the city defenses to be on high alert. In no time, the common people in the capital knew something was amiss. Though the fighting was in the north, they were puzzled but didn't think the capital would face war. However, on the very night the Emperor received the confirmed news, countless rumors spread like wildfire through the capital's streets and alleys. They detailed how the Emperor had secretly harmed Prince Rui, how he had ordered Prince Cheng to use underhanded schemes in the north to harm loyal soldiers of the state.
Along with this, secret cases from years or even over a decade ago—involving officials' demotions, wrongful executions, and more—were also revealed. Even the case of Consort Jin was spread with vivid detail, all claiming she died at the Emperor's hands, while Prince Jin Yan Yu was merely a scapegoat. This, in turn, implicated Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Shen Yi and others. Thus, accusations of plotting against princes, wrongfully executing loyal ministers, poisoning consorts, and harming his own son fell one after another upon the Emperor.
In just one night, the rumors left the lofty Son of Heaven teetering on the brink.
The noble families in the capital dared not make a show of it, but in their hearts, they had their own calculations. Among these matters, a small portion involved wronged court officials—most official households had heard some of it but never seen it spread so widely. And in all the land, who would dare to expose the Emperor's scandals and secrets so brazenly?!The Son of Heaven, being the supreme ruler above all others, though not a sage, should not compound errors with such cruelty and betrayal of righteousness. As the saying goes, even a vicious tiger does not devour its own cubs. Yet the current emperor could frame his own flesh and blood, proving he had long strayed beyond human ethics. Though ordinary folk lack the historian’s nuanced brush, their countless voices carry weight. When news reached the palace, Yan Han shuddered with dread and hastily summoned Yan Ze for counsel. Yan Ze advised that rather than resorting to widespread suppression, it would be wiser to ignore the rumors, thus demonstrating a clear conscience.
Yan Han found this reasoning sound and promptly acted accordingly.
Another day passed, and Yan Chi finally arrived with his army of over one hundred thousand troops outside Lin’an City.
Rumors had already thrown the capital into turmoil. With the army’s arrival, those with insight guessed what was afoot, and anyone with a modicum of discernment understood the situation: Yan Chi possessed overwhelming military force. Driving the emperor from his throne was merely a matter of his whim—whether it took one day, two, or three.
And Ge Yang, far in the western regions, could not easily return to reinforce.
Yan Chi, leading a formidable army, could have stormed Lin’an directly. But mindful that the centuries-old capital might not withstand the ravages of war, he first ordered his troops to encamp outside the city. Raising the banner "Oppose the Tyrant, Uphold the Heavenly Path," he sent a surrender demand into the city.
No sooner had Yan Chi dispatched the missive than the city gates creaked ajar, and a single rider emerged from Lin’an—none other than Yan Ze.
Alone on horseback, Yan Ze traversed the wild expanse dozens of yards beyond Lin’an, advancing leisurely toward the Northwest Frontier Army camp under the cold, gleaming gaze of archers lining the Path. Learning his identity, Yan Chi ordered no hindrance. Yan Ze proceeded unimpeded into the camp, where the vast, starry sprawl of tents and the elite discipline of the Northwest Frontier Army eased a fraction of his resentment.
With measured steps, Yan Ze entered the camp. Upon seeing Yan Chi and Qin Guan, he was struck by a poignant sense of how much had changed.
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