Ling Ziyue's correspondence with the Liao Kingdom, whether it was plotting rebellion or treason, was a capital crime punishable by the extermination of one's clan.
Operas often depict the extermination of nine generations, but in reality, such events rarely occurred. Even for a "grave crime" like Ling Ziyue's, the final verdict was the confiscation of his family's property, with all male clan members enslaved and the women consigned to government brothels.
A lifetime spent on the battlefield defending the nation, only to end with the destruction of his family—it was an endless lament.
Military families were clearly far more resolute than ordinary households. Despite such a brutal confiscation, few cried out in despair, not even the young children.
Ling Ziyue's execution was scheduled for the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month. Half a month prior, Gao Dazhuang secretly transported weapons into Plum Blossom Village, requesting An Jiu and the others to assist when the time came.
After delivering the weapons, Gao Dazhuang left immediately. The group sat in a circle in the hall, silently staring at the pile of weapons on the table.
After a long silence, Sui Yunzhu asked, "Are we going?"
"General Ling is loyal and courageous, a pillar of the Great Song. I will go," Mei Yanran declared first. She had begun to let go somewhat, no longer clinging to the mother-son bond with Mei Jiu. She even regretted her excessive interference in her daughter's life, which had led to her soul inhabiting another body.
Seeing Sui Yunzhu glance his way, Li Qingzhi immediately added, "No need to ask me—I'm definitely going!"
"We won't go," Zhu Pianxian said, including Sheng Changying in her refusal. He had no martial arts skills and would be of little help.
Sui Yunzhu nodded. "What about Shi Si?"
An Jiu sat with her arms crossed. Hearing the question, she slightly raised her eyes. "I'll go."
It was rare to encounter someone she admired. Now that he faced unjust persecution, lending a hand wasn't difficult. Besides, they were already fugitives after escaping the Crane Control Army. Gao Dazhuang could only keep their secret for so long—exposure was inevitable.
"There's no justice in this world. The entire court can't tolerate General Ling alone," Li Qingzhi sighed. "If General Ling truly intended to betray the nation, would he have waited until now? They don't realize that with his death, their good days are numbered!"
"Actually, General Ling may not be entirely blameless," Sui Yunzhu remarked.
"What?" Li Qingzhi glared, as if demanding an explanation or else he wouldn't let it go.
Sui Yunzhu explained, "His mistake lay in his ignorance of political maneuvering and the state of the Great Song."
Li Qingzhi scoffed. "The state of the Great Song is cowardice—even a blind man could see that!"
"The court withholding funds and provisions wasn't entirely due to neglecting the border conflicts. It was likely a temporary shortage while gathering supplies," Sui Yunzhu said with a faint smile. "General Ling assumed the treasury was abundant and planned to wage a prolonged war of attrition with the Liao Kingdom. That wasn't realistic."
"The Great Song is that poor?" Li Qingzhi exclaimed in shock.
Zhu Pianxian interjected, "The Great Song isn't poor—it's the treasury that's empty. The issues of excessive military and bureaucratic bloat have persisted for years. Each official's monthly stipend, land holdings, clothing allowance, horse expenses, charcoal fees, ice fees... all add up to a staggering sum. The Song has always favored granting titles and raises as rewards, leading to countless individuals holding sinecures while drawing salaries. In the end, the officials grow rich while the court grows poor."
The prosperity of Bianjing was unparalleled in the world. Officials, nobles, merchants—the wealthy were everywhere. Yet aside from the merchants, they either lived off the court or exploited the common people.
Beneath this magnificent edifice, the framework had already rotted, teetering on the brink of collapse."But if anything happens to the general now, the Liao Kingdom might retaliate," Li Qingzhi worried.
"They won’t," Sheng Changying summarized the latest intelligence. "It’s said the newly enthroned Liao emperor recently had one foot in the grave. Moreover, Ling Jiangjun’s campaigns this spring and summer disrupted their agricultural production, so this winter will be harsh for them. With the ambitious Northern Chancellor in power, the Liao won’t choose this moment to launch a large-scale counterattack against the Song."
Ling Ziyue’s death would certainly have an impact, but the Song had other generals. The entire army wouldn’t collapse just because one man was gone.
Besides, the emperor had wanted to replace Ling Ziyue for some time now—he must have already made arrangements.
"But you can’t blame Ling Jiangjun for this!" Li Qingzhi couldn’t help defending Ling Ziyue. "Soldiers on the frontier only need to focus on defending their homeland. The Song’s bloated military and bureaucracy have drained the treasury—that’s the court’s mismanagement. Even if Ling Jiangjun didn’t know, it wouldn’t be his fault!"
Had Ling Ziyue understood the political situation, he might have restrained his urge to counterattack the Liao.
Mei Yanran sighed. "In a way, this is for the best. Ling Jiangjun’s successful assault on Nanjing (Xijin Prefecture) dealt a heavy blow to the Liao. At least now the Song people can see that reclaiming the Sixteen Prefectures isn’t just a distant dream."
It was precisely because Ling Ziyue had this capability that the Second Prince was willing to spare no effort to rescue him.
For Ling Ziyue personally, this might not be a bad ending.
"Let’s scout the area around the execution ground these next few days. Ideally, we’ll have a rescue plan within five days," Sui Yunzhu suggested.
An Jiu added, "We’re not the main force in this rescue. Gao Dazhuang hasn’t revealed any details either. We should just assist when the time comes."
They didn’t know the specifics of the Second Prince’s rescue plan and couldn’t coordinate with it. Accidentally disrupting their operations would only make things worse.
"Still, I find this whole situation strange," Sui Yunzhu mused. "Our escape from the palace depths must have relied on external help. Lord Gao shouldn’t know our backgrounds, so why does he trust us so much?"
The Second Prince plotting to secretly rescue a condemned official—such a grave matter—could it really be so casually disclosed?
"Could there be some conspiracy?" Sheng Changying had worked with Gao Dazhuang in the Control Crane Agency for years and knew his temperament well. He was no pushover.
An Jiu suddenly asked, "Do any of you know how to contact Chu Dingjiang?"
After knowing him for so long, it was only now that she realized he had always been the one appearing before her.
"We knew how to reach him in the palace, but not anymore," Sui Yunzhu sighed. "If Lord Chu were here, things might be clearer."
As the group conversed in the hall, the atmosphere in Mo Sigui’s bedroom was decidedly peculiar.
Lou Mingyue’s injuries hadn’t fully healed. Her cheeks were gaunt and pale, hollowed beneath prominent cheekbones. Her striking eyebrows arched sharply toward her temples, lending her usual heroic bearing an additional air of cold melancholy and severity.
"Thank you... for this," Lou Mingyue finally spoke to Mo Sigui of her own accord.
Mo Sigui continuously puffed on his Medicated Smoke, his figure and features blurred within the thick haze. "I made a promise, and I don’t break my word. If you’re ever injured again, you can always come to me."
Lou Mingyue remained silent, fingers tracing the hilt of her sword.
The quiet stretched between them.
Her lips parted slightly as if to say something more, but no words came out.Someone once said that one should look forward, not backward. Lou Mingyue had tried to forget her hatred, but she couldn't. (To be continued...)
Update:
Sleeves is out today and will be back very late. The text isn't finished yet, so the rest will be updated tomorrow. Apologies. (To be continued...)
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