The Prisoner of Beauty

West of Luoyang stood the desolate Wuyan Palace, once an imperial retreat now fallen into ruin. The grounds were overgrown with weeds, draped in cobwebs and dust.

The pitiable Han Emperor Liu Tong had been placed on the throne as a puppet at the tender age of seven, never knowing a day of peace. Once cowed by the tyranny of Xing Xun, he lived in constant fear. Now forced to abdicate and confined to this forsaken palace, he knew Xing Xun kept him alive only as a facade for the public—sooner or later, he would be silenced. With his few remaining attendants, Liu Tong lived in perpetual dread, shrouded in despair. Soon after arriving, he fell gravely ill, with no hope of medical care, left to wither away.

By the following January, the land was frozen, and Liu Tong had been imprisoned for months, his body wasted by illness, cut off from all news of the outside world. One day, as he wept with his attendant Song Qing, sudden shouts and the clang of weapons erupted outside the hall. Convinced Xing Xun had sent assassins, Liu Tong trembled in terror. Song Qing carried him on his back, fleeing toward the rear garden. But before they could get far, the sound of pursuers closed in. They stumbled and fell, bracing for the fatal blow—only to hear a voice cry out, "Your Majesty, fear not! We have come to free you from this cage!"

Liu Tong opened his eyes and recognized the men as Left Capital Marquis Wang Ba and Chief Clerk Dong Cheng.

The previous year, after Xing Xun usurped the throne, his reign of terror had left Wang Ba seething in silent fury, forced to bow like the rest. When he learned the deposed emperor was imprisoned in Wuyan Palace with only a handful of attendants, barely clinging to life, his heart grew heavier still. He had long been close with Dong Cheng, who recently sought him out in secret. With tears in his eyes, Dong Cheng revealed that Xing Xun would soon murder the former emperor and begged Wang Ba to rescue him, to preserve the last flicker of the Han dynasty. Resolved, Wang Ba quietly sent his family away and, today, led a band of loyal guards to storm the palace, slaughter the jailers, and save the emperor.

Kneeling, Wang Ba and Dong Cheng declared, "Xing Xun, that old traitor, defies heaven and man! Learning of his plot to harm Your Majesty, we seized this chance to break you free. Let us first seek refuge with the imperial clan in Yong, then rally the lords of the land to defend the Han!"

Liu Tong, a mere boy of ten, was too weak to walk, let alone make decisions. Carried out by Wang Ba, he saw the corpses of a dozen palace guards strewn about, the stench of blood thick in the air. Realizing these men were true Han loyalists protecting him, his panic eased slightly.

Yet before they had gone far, pursuers from Luoyang appeared—news had leaked. Northern Palace Guard Commander Xu Jian led two hundred soldiers in pursuit.

Wang Ba and Dong Cheng shielded Liu Tong as they fled west along wild paths. But within mere miles, the enemy closed in. Though Wang Ba’s guards fought desperately, they were hopelessly outnumbered. Cornered in the wilderness, Xu Jian advanced, blade raised, murder in his eyes. Unflinching, Wang Ba shielded the sobbing Liu Tong behind him, berating Xu Jian as a traitor’s lackey. With tears, he lamented, "Four centuries of Han rule, destroyed by that old villain! Though I die today, my loyalty remains unbroken!"

As Wang Ba wept, Dong Cheng glanced around anxiously, as if waiting for someone.Xu Jian paid no heed to any of that. Raising his blade, he charged forward, seized Wang Ba by the collar, and was about to bring the sword down when suddenly, a feathered arrow shot from behind, striking Xu Jian squarely in the back. He collapsed instantly, dead on the spot.

Wang Ba had resigned himself to death that day, but fate intervened. From the side emerged a troop of soldiers bearing no banners. At their head was a young man, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old, wearing a red-tasseled helmet and clad in an ornate dragon-scale armor, mounted on a sturdy steed. His face was as fair as jade, his bearing heroic, as he galloped swiftly toward them. Wang Ba was stunned.

The palace guards who had pursued Xu Jian, seeing their leader struck down and this unexpected force charging in, fought briefly before scattering in retreat.

The young man dismounted and strode toward Wang Ba and Dong Cheng.

Wang Ba, having narrowly escaped death, could hardly believe his luck. He didn’t recognize the man and was both shocked and wary. As the young general approached, he knelt before Liu Tong, who was still slumped on the ground, and said, “Your servant, Liu Yan of Langya, has come too late to rescue Your Majesty! To have caused you such distress is a crime deserving ten thousand deaths!”

Wang Ba had never imagined that Liu Yan, Prince of Langya, would descend like a god from the heavens to save them in their hour of peril.

He hurried forward to pay his respects.

Liu Yan said, “The Left Capital Commandant is a pillar of the Han court. Though I reside in distant Langya, I have long heard of your deeds. Do not humble yourself before me. I had intended to live in obscurity, but Xing Xun’s tyranny has stirred the people’s wrath. When I learned His Majesty was imprisoned in the cold palace, I was filled with grief and fury. As a scion of the Han, how could I stand idly by? Seizing this chance to rescue him, Heaven has granted us this meeting!”

Wang Ba was overjoyed. Dong Cheng also rose to greet Liu Yan. The group hastily conferred.

Liu Yan pondered and said, “The old traitor has left troops in Luoyang. Once he learns of His Majesty’s escape, he will surely pursue. We must not linger here. Come with me swiftly to Langya, where we may plan our next steps.”

Wang Ba and Dong Cheng agreed without hesitation. Carrying Liu Tong, the group hurried eastward. Disguising themselves along the way, evading pursuers, enduring hardships, and taking circuitous routes, they faced countless trials.

Liu Tong, already weakened by prolonged illness and further shaken by the ordeal, grew gravely ill during the journey.

When they finally reached Yangdu, just days away from Langya, Liu Yan, Wang Ba, and Dong Cheng waited outside Liu Tong’s quarters at dawn for him to rise and continue the journey. When he did not emerge, they entered to find the young emperor had passed away quietly in the night.

Horrified, they exchanged stunned glances before breaking into loud lamentations.

Liang Ji, the magistrate of Yangdu, whose family had served the Han loyally for generations, rushed to mourn upon hearing the news.

After the mourning rites, the group deliberated and unanimously urged Liu Yan to ascend the throne.

At first, Liu Yan adamantly refused, claiming he lacked the virtue to assume such a lofty position. But Wang Ba, Dong Cheng, Liang Ji, and others knelt and pleaded fervently until he reluctantly relented.

They declared Langya the provisional secondary capital, offered sacrifices to Heaven, established a court, and issued edicts proclaiming Liu Yan’s ascension to the realm.

News spread swiftly, and the governors of nearby Mouping, Donglai, Xiami, and other regions pledged allegiance. In Luoyang’s court, taking advantage of Xing Xun’s absence on campaign, over twenty officials—including Grand Historian Dou Wu and Grandee Deng Xun—defected to Langya, rallying behind Liu Yan as emperor.

The fledgling court in Langya was soon regarded as the legitimate Han authority, while Luoyang was branded a den of rebels.

One day, the ministers gathered before Liu Yan to discuss the campaign against Xing Xun.

Wang Ba, Dou Wu, and others vehemently advocated launching an immediate attack while Xing Xun was embroiled in battle with Wei Shao, to reclaim Luoyang and restore the Han.

Their impassioned pleas moved them to tears.

Liu Yan gave verbal assurances and soothed their fervor.After the others had left, Liu Yan kept Dong Cheng behind and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Dong Cheng had secretly become Liu Yan's loyalist two years prior.

He replied, "Wang Ba and Dou Wu are merely flexing their rhetorical skills. Although Your Majesty now has the allegiance of various prefects, they are only minor forces and of little practical use. The troops at Your Majesty's disposal are truly limited. Even if we retake Luoyang, how will we withstand Xing Xun's counterattack should he return? Your Majesty must not heed their advice!"

Liu Yan fell into a brief trance before asking, "What do you make of the outcome between Xing Xun and Wei Shao in this battle?"

At the end of last year, after suffering two defeats, Xing Xun received military support from Yue Zhenggong. At the beginning of this year, taking advantage of the frozen Yellow River, their allied forces crossed en masse.

A major battle ensued at Gaotang. Wei Shao, assessing the situation, retreated his defense line to Muye and then counterattacked, using previously constructed flanking defenses to suppress the allied forces' fierce assault.

Subsequently, severe weather struck—a once-in-decades blizzard—claiming countless soldiers and horses on both sides from frostbite. The direct confrontation paused as both sides fortified their positions at Muye, now locked in a stalemate.

Dong Cheng pondered before answering, "The old villain already outnumbered Wei Shao with 500,000 troops against 300,000. Now, with Yue Zhenggong joining forces, his fangs are bared even more. With his army having crossed the Yellow River, in my view, Wei Shao stands little chance of victory. What troubles me is that if this villain triumphs and returns, he will surely lead his forces to attack Your Majesty. Given Your Majesty's current situation, resistance would be difficult."

Liu Yan remained silent in thought. Suddenly, he asked, "Any news from Yuan Zhe?"

Shortly after proclaiming himself emperor, Liu Yan had sent envoys to Qingzhou to meet with Yuan Zhe.

There had been no response from Yuan Zhe thus far.

Just as Dong Cheng was about to shake his head, Liu Shan hurried in, holding a letter tube, and knelt to report that Yuan Zhe's envoy had arrived and was waiting outside the hall for an audience.

Liu Yan took the letter and quickly skimmed its contents.

Yuan Zhe wrote that the Yuan family had long been favored by imperial grace and had always lamented having no means to repay it. Now that the Han dynasty had risen anew with a restorationist emperor, he was moved to tears of joy and wished to pledge his 200,000 troops in service, ready to be commanded to restore the empire.

After reading, Liu Yan's eyes flickered slightly as he passed the letter to Dong Cheng.

Upon reading it, Dong Cheng first erupted in joy but then grew wary. "Your Majesty, Yuan Zhe's offer of allegiance likely harbors ulterior motives. Your Majesty must remain cautious."

Liu Yan walked to the window, gazing into the distance. His back appeared calm and motionless.

Yet his hands gripping the window frame gradually tightened, his knuckles whitening and veins bulging.

Just like the tempest raging within his heart.

After his defeat by Xing Xun two years prior, Yuan Zhe's reputation had been tarnished, and he had since kept a low profile.

But even so, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. His current strength far surpassed anything Liu Yan could achieve through his own painstaking efforts.

Now that he had accepted Liu Yan's persuasion and was willing to pledge allegiance, he undoubtedly had his own agenda—this much was clear.

But what did it matter?

Among the many now surrounding Liu Yan and proclaiming him emperor, who among them did not harbor their own motives?

Some sought eternal fame as loyalists, others coveted wealth and status, and there was no shortage of opportunists who swayed with the wind.

Liu Yan desperately needed Yuan Zhe, just as Yuan Zhe now needed Liu Yan's legitimacy to restore his own prestige.

Given that, why not use him?

As for who would ultimately prevail—that would depend on each one's capability.

For this day, Liu Yan had already endured and waited far too long.He would never let slip such an opportunity—one that, if missed, might never come again in his lifetime.

The hatred for his country, the humiliation of losing his beloved, and that heartless face of the woman he loved telling him "what's past is past" which surfaced in his heart during countless sleepless nights—all seemed to coalesce into a raging fire at this moment, burning from the depths of his soul, scorching his blood vessels until his very spirit threatened to turn to ashes.

"Draft an edict," he said slowly, turning around with calm composure. "Appoint Yuan Zhe as Grand Marshal and Great General, with the golden seal and purple ribbon." Summon him swiftly to aid the king."

...

On the desolate plains of Muye, the north wind howled as heavy snow swirled. The banners atop the military tents flapped violently in the gale, as if they might tear free at any moment.

This place, merely seventy li from Chaoge, was once the site of legends—white banners and golden axes, crimson birds streaming past rooftops.

But now, the land was frozen in bitter cold.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but endless white snow.

It was an exceptionally harsh winter, the likes of which hadn't been seen in decades.

Though the calendar had turned to spring and entered the second month, there was no sign of warming weather.

The severe conditions had drastically hindered the progress of the war.

Reports came daily of soldiers and warhorses freezing to death.

Those suffering from frostbite were beyond count.

These circumstances made it impossible for Wei Shao to organize any effective frontal assaults against the allied forces of Xing Xun and Le Zhenggong.

The same problems plagued Xing Xun and Le Zhenggong as well.

Thus, after the last major battle at Gaotang, neither side had engaged in any large-scale confrontations.

Only a few insignificant skirmishes had occurred sporadically.

Neither was willing to launch an offensive rashly, yet neither was ready to retreat either.

Now, separated by the old course of the Yellow River, they camped opposite each other, waiting for the weather to improve—and for an opportunity to strike a fatal blow.

This stalemate had lasted over half a month.

...

By the hour of You (5-7 PM), darkness had already begun to fall.

Wei Shao's boots crunched through snow that reached his calves, leaving deep footprints behind as he walked.

He had just returned from scouting the terrain along the old Yellow River bed. As he approached the camp gates, the last faint light of day revealed a soldier standing rigidly against the corner of the wooden palisade, gripping a spear, motionless.

A thick layer of snow had accumulated on his helmet and shoulders.

Wei Shao paused.

Lei Yan hurried over to investigate.

When he returned, his expression was grim. "He's dead," he said quietly.

Wei Shao gazed at the soldier who had died standing at his post. After a moment of silence, he turned and entered the camp.

Upon reaching the central command tent, he had just removed his snow-covered helmet and cloak when footsteps approached outside—Gongsun Yang and Wei Quan had arrived.

Gongsun Yang's coughing had worsened recently.

Fearing the old advisor couldn't withstand the extreme cold, Wei Shao had ordered double the usual amount of heating charcoal for his tent.

Seeing him enter, before the man could speak, another coughing fit seized him. "The weather is severe," Wei Shao said. "If you have matters to discuss, you could have sent word—I would have come to your tent instead."

Gongsun Yang waved a hand dismissively. "News came today," he said between coughs. "The deposed emperor has died. Liu Yan has been proclaimed emperor by Wang Ba, Dong Cheng, and their faction. Yuan Zhe has pledged allegiance and been appointed Grand Marshal."

Wei Shao remained seated behind his desk, his figure unmoving. Only his eyes narrowed slightly.Wei Quan said, "Logically speaking, with Liu Yan declaring himself emperor and having the support of Yuan Zhe's two hundred thousand troops, he should seize this opportunity to attack and occupy Luoyang. Yet according to our scouts, he shows no signs of movement and seems uninterested in capturing the city."

Wei Shao replied indifferently, "What's there to puzzle over? If Liu Yan attacks Luoyang now, Xing Xun would surely retreat to defend his own territory. Wouldn't that give me an opening? His plan is simply to wait until Xing Xun and I have weakened each other in battle before swooping in to reap the rewards."

Wei Quan nodded. "You speak wisely, my lord. Though the weather is bitterly cold, once the blizzard subsides, we can commence battle—likely no later than the end of the month. Liu Yan and Yuan Zhe are not worth worrying about. Your priority should be to focus entirely on confronting the allied forces of Xing Xun and Le Zhenggong."

Wei Shao rose from his seat and paced briefly around the central command tent before stopping. "Regarding the current battle situation, what are your thoughts, Master and Chief Secretary?"

Gongsun Yang and Wei Quan exchanged glances before the former spoke. "With Le Zhenggong's support, Xing Xun now far outnumbers us in troops. Their commanders are arrogant from their advantage. This confrontation isn't about seizing a city—a direct assault would be unwise."

Wei Shao pondered and said, "Your thinking aligns with mine. Earlier, I went to the old Yellow River course and surveyed the enemy camp from high ground. Though Xing Xun and Le Zhenggong's tents sprawl across the field, their forces remain distinctly separated by barriers. Scouts also report that just days ago, soldiers from both sides clashed in brawls..."

He trailed off, then strode swiftly to the table. Dipping a chopstick into a wine cup, he drew a line on the table's surface before splitting it in two.

"If Xing Xun can ally with Le Zhenggong, then I'll make sure they turn against each other!"

Wei Quan clapped his hands and laughed. "Brilliant, my lord! The military advisor and I came to see you precisely for this reason. We've heard Le Zhenggong recently acquired an adviser named Zhu Zeng, whom he greatly values. This man was formerly Xing Xun's strategist. There's much we can exploit regarding this Zhu Zeng!"

Author's Note: Seeing readers going out of their way to leave me bonus points in the comments truly moves me~~

However, JJWXC has rules against point farming, so if you don't have anything particular to say, there's no need to deliberately give me extra points.

You're welcome to add me to your author collection—that's allowed~~

Thanks again, group hugs ^_^