The sun was bright, and another day passed in the blink of an eye. The Xianyang Liu Clan had indeed entered the city five days prior, but afterward, they took the southern route straight to the Liaodong region, donating large quantities of provisions to supply the troops.
Chu Qiao had no idea what Yan Xun was plotting, but rather than waiting in the tense and fearful Tang Capital City, it was better to head to the Liaodong region to find him.
That morning, Chu Qiao bought horses and provisions, and she and Liang Shaoqing ate noodles by the roadside. Both were dressed in men's clothing, clearly prepared for a long journey, so no one came to question them.
After eating and drinking their fill, Liang Shaoqing looked up and said, "Xiao Qiao, when are we leaving?"
"I'm leaving right away. You do as you please."
As she spoke, Chu Qiao set down her bowl and chopsticks and pulled out her purse to pay the bill.
"Don't joke around," Liang Shaoqing said with a laugh. "If you go to my home alone, my father won't let you in."
Chu Qiao sighed helplessly, feeling that her patience had grown remarkably stronger these past few days. She slowly turned her head and asked in an extremely calm tone, "Who told you I was going to your home?"
"Do I need someone to tell me? I already know."
Liang Shaoqing blinked, his eyes showing a hint of emotion. "I could tell that the young master who saved us before has feelings for you."
A chill ran through her body, and she shuddered violently. Chu Qiao was stunned, unable to speak for a moment.
"Don't talk nonsense."
It was a long time before she softly scolded him. Liang Shaoqing sighed. "There's no use denying it, but don't worry, I don't mind. Although he seems to come from a good family and has some status, you still chose to leave with me, didn't you? Xiao Qiao, I understand your feelings. You've suffered a lot these days."
The man was still lost in his own sentimental thoughts. "Although my parents might not approve of your family background, if I insist, they'll likely compromise. Our family is a prominent local clan, but my parents aren't stubborn people. My mother is very kind—you'll definitely like her. Huh? Xiao Qiao, what's that expression on your face? Why do you look like you're about to cry? Are you moved? Huh? Where are you going? I haven't finished eating yet! Wait for me!"
Just as Liang Shaoqing caught up, panting heavily from behind, he saw a group of men ahead, holding clubs and glaring at them menacingly as they slowly approached.
"Xi... Xiao Qiao..."
"What is it?" Chu Qiao frowned slowly and asked in a low voice.
"I'll count to three."
"What now?"
"One..."
"Hey, hey, you bookworm, is there trouble again?"
"Two..."
"Who are those people across from us?"
"Three! Run!"
Liang Shaoqing grabbed Chu Qiao, and the two turned and started sprinting wildly. The men behind them cursed and gave chase.
Chu Qiao's face flushed with anger as she shouted, "Who are those people?"
Liang Shaoqing, who seemed frail, ran surprisingly fast, so much so that even Chu Qiao struggled to keep up. "My enemies!"
"FUCK!" Chu Qiao cursed. This bastard had even more enemies than she did. If things continued like this, she feared that one day, even if she climbed to a high place and shouted, "I am Chu Qiao of Yanbei," no one would believe her.Liang Shaoqing clearly knew the streets and alleys of Tang Capital City extremely well. After twisting and turning through more than a dozen narrow lanes, they finally shook off the pursuers. Chu Qiao was so frustrated she felt like killing someone. As a modern special agent and contemporary rebel leader, she had actually been chased through the streets by a bunch of commoners armed with hoes, shovels, and sticks! If this got out, her lifelong reputation would be utterly destroyed!
"Bookworm, I'm telling you—we split up right now. If you dare follow me again, I'll break your legs!"
Liang Shaoqing froze for a moment, panting as he replied, "Don't be like that. I'd worry if you went off alone."
Chu Qiao was truly furious. "I'm the unlucky one when I'm with you!"
"No!"
Liang Shaoqing grew anxious, instantly casting aside the sage teachings he always held dear. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Chu Qiao from behind, shouting, "You can't go!"
Chu Qiao struggled but couldn't break free. "Let go, you idiot!" she snapped.
"No!"
"Let go or I'll hit you!"
This time, Liang Shaoqing showed remarkable resolve. "I won't let go even if you beat me to death!"
Just as Chu Qiao was about to give him a fierce shoulder throw, a black cloth suddenly covered her head, plunging her vision into darkness. Her heart lurched in alarm, but when she tried to strike back, she realized the fool was still clinging tightly to her. In that brief moment, the best opportunity for counterattack slipped away. She felt a sudden increase in pressure as if a large group of people had pounced on them from above, pinning them both firmly to the ground.
"Boss! I caught that kid! And there's an accomplice too!"
...
In that instant, Chu Qiao felt despair. She, who had crossed the entire southern blockade of Daxia, evaded hundreds of pursuits and encirclements, and even escaped from the siege of tens of thousands of Biantang's Central Army—this battlefield escape artist had once again, with Liang Shaoqing's "assistance," fallen into the net.
————————
Thud! Thud!
Two dull thumps later, Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing were dumped out. The place seemed to be a pitch-black vegetable cellar—spacious below but with only a narrow exit above. Many people were already inside. The ladder had been pulled up, and anyone wanting to climb out would have to scale the steep, inward-sloping thirty-degree walls like Spider-Man. Chu Qiao admitted to herself that she neither had Spider-Man's adhesive limbs nor life-saving webs in critical moments. Such a high-difficulty task was better left unattempted.
After about two hours, a sliver of light suddenly appeared from above. The people inside hurriedly covered their eyes. With a loud rumble, a pile of something was thrown down. Everyone immediately scrambled forward to grab it—it turned out to be a heap of moldy steamed buns.
Trapped with no way to heaven or earth, Chu Qiao's discouragement was beyond words. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples and leaned against the wall, only to find it damp and slippery. The moment she touched it, a bone-chilling cold seeped into her. Frowning, she hugged her knees and straightened up.
Pat, pat.* Liang Shaoqing tapped his own shoulder. In the darkness, his face was invisible, but his voice sounded close to her ear: "Xiao Qiao, lean on me and sleep."
Chu Qiao was angry but couldn't muster the energy to lose her temper. She sighed helplessly, then slowly closed her eyes, buried her head in her knees, and waited quietly.
"Xiao Qiao, are you mad at me?"Need you ask? But at least you have some self-awareness. Chu Qiao couldn't even be bothered to lift her head, preparing to rest properly while waiting for the right moment to escape this wretched place.
"Don't be angry, I'll definitely rescue you."
She pretended not to hear.
"Ah, but this might be for the best. If we weren't captured, you'd just leave again."
Liang Shaoqing muttered to himself, but Chu Qiao felt slightly moved upon hearing this. She cursed inwardly: This hopeless fool. Yet that spark of anger gradually dissipated.
"Xiao Qiao, it's cold. Let's talk for a while."
Chu Qiao didn't respond, but she was listening and gave a soft "Mm" in acknowledgment. All around them came the loud chewing sounds of people eating steamed buns. These people seemed to have been here for quite some time, each devouring their food ravenously as if they hadn't eaten properly in ages.
"I heard a few days ago that Biantang is going to war, that they'll be fighting Yanbei, and Daxia will join too. Is that true?"
Chu Qiao was slightly taken aback. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Who told you that?"
"Everyone on the streets is saying it."
"Oh?" Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow slightly. "What do those people think? Who do they believe will win? Who do they hope will win?"
"Isn't it obvious? Naturally, Daxia will win. All these years, when has Daxia ever been defeated on the battlefield?"
The young woman curled her lip slightly. "That's not necessarily true. Wasn't Daxia completely defeated in the recent Battle of Zhenhuang?"
"Ah, you only know the surface of things." Liang Shaoqing sighed. "Daxia has vast armies and numerous generals, deeply rooted like a great tree. Having established their state for a century, they command over a million troops, possess thousands of miles of fertile fields and countless fertile farmlands, ruling over ten thousand miles of territory with tens of millions of subjects. Their military resources are continuously replenished, and they are the legitimate rulers of Hongchuan. Although Yanbei took advantage of Daxia's internal oversight, Yanbei's advantage is only temporary. Once Daxia catches its breath and stabilizes the local feudal lords and powerful families at court, then marches north with their armies, how could Yanbei possibly resist? To be honest, if Daxia hadn't just recently eradicated the Muhe Clan's influence, do you think Yanbei could stand against Daxia's Imperial Guards? It's laughable."
Chu Qiao was startled, never expecting such words to come from this bookworm. Interested, she said, "Why do you say that?"
Seeing Chu Qiao engage with him, Liang Shaoqing immediately became proud and spoke confidently: "The Muhe Clan held extremely deep influence in Daxia, once nearly capable of opposing the other six great families of the Elder Council single-handedly. Immediately after uprooting this power, numerous official positions became vacant throughout Daxia's court, with some departments even temporarily paralyzed. The Military Department, Elder Council, Inspectorate, Judicial Court, Military Law Division, and Capital Security Bureau—all were left with vacuum-like vacancies. Although other families actively competed for these positions, the royal family was unwilling to relinquish control. The result of their squabbling was that officials for various positions remained undecided for a long time, with influence swaying back and forth amid the competing factions. Thus, when internal turmoil erupted, the empire couldn't mount precise and effective defense or counterattacks, nor could it make rapid deployments and responses. That's the first reason."
Chu Qiao grew even more surprised and said, "What's the second reason?"
Liang Shaoqing said, "The second reason is that the other families, having witnessed the royal house sweep away the Muhe Clan like autumn wind scattering fallen leaves, developed a sense of 'when the hare dies, the fox mourns'—fearing they might share the same fate. Therefore, they intentionally allowed Yanbei to grow stronger."
Chu Qiao was immediately taken aback. "What do you mean?""Xiao Qiao, do you know how many years the Imperial Council of Elders has existed?"
Chu Qiao frowned slightly: "It's said to have risen alongside the empire."
"Yes, when the nation was founded, aside from the Zhao Clan, Daxia had nineteen noble clans, all former subordinates of Pei Luo Zhenhuang. After the founding, because the Pei Luo Clan's power far surpassed the others, they were honored as the royal family. Pei Luo Zhenhuang admired Eastern Continent culture and later changed the royal surname to Zhao, which is the current Zhao Clan. However, after the nation's establishment, whether in military or political power, the other nineteen clans held significant influence—so much so that even the imperial family dared not confront them directly. It wasn't until the appearance of Pei Luo Hehe, the direct descendant of Pei Luo Zhenhuang, that the situation slightly eased. Pei Luo Hehe was an emperor of great talent and bold vision. He enfeoffed his descendants as regional princes, and through decades of effort, gradually built up the imperial family's power. Later emperors followed this example, making the enfeoffment of princes a traditional practice in Daxia."
Liang Shaoqing paused briefly, then sighed: "But no matter what policy, as it's gradually implemented, its inherent flaws and drawbacks will emerge. For instance, this system of enfeoffment not only gradually strengthened the power of the princes but also caused the noble families to band together for survival. They might fight among themselves, but they would never completely annihilate each other, because they knew that once the power of the great clans declined, it would mean their own destruction. So, when the imperial family demonstrated such overwhelming force to swiftly destroy the Muhe Clan, how could the other great clans not feel threatened? Otherwise, just the private armies of the Zhuge Clan and Wei Clan alone would have been enough to save the collapsing fortress of Zhenhuang. So why was there no movement that night?"
The man's voice gradually lowered as he whispered: "They were watching from the sidelines, hoping Daxia and Yanbei would exhaust each other in battle. That way, the imperial family would continue to rely on the great clans, while the clans would take the opportunity to swallow up Yanbei and gain their own territories. So, it's not that Yanbei was so powerful, but rather that the imperial family's strength threatened the interests of a third party. The great clans intentionally indulged Yanbei, giving them the chance to seize this land. That's the second reason.Chu Qiao said defiantly: "What you said isn't necessarily entirely correct." I heard that when the chaos broke out that night, the leaders of the great clans were all inside the inner city's imperial palace and couldn't leave to summon their family armies."
"Do you think each great clan has only one leader?"
Liang Shaoqing laughed: "Let me put it this way—our family is just an ordinary noble house. But aside from my father, the uncles, older cousins, and even half-brothers in the clan all have a say. If the clan head is absent, there are inevitably other capable people who can take charge of major affairs. Each great clan is like a small empire, with its own ruler and council of elders, its own treasury and household departments, and its own armed forces. Among the six remaining great clans in the empire, the Zhuge Clan has remained evergreen. Although they never enjoyed the same glory as the Muhe Clan, they have never declined. Having controlled the empire's power for three hundred years, do you know how vast their assets are?"
Chu Qiao shook her head, then suddenly realized he couldn't see her, and quickly said: "How vast?"
"The wealth of the Zhuge Clan is likely dozens of times greater than that of Huai Song, the wealthiest among the three kingdoms.""How is that possible?"
"Why wouldn't it be possible?" Liang Shaoqing said, "The state collects taxes, but it must pay the salaries of court officials, support all levels of government officials across the nation, manage river systems, maintain the military, and during famine years, even deplete the national treasury to purchase grain from other countries to aid disaster victims. In contrast, noble families not only receive salaries from the state annually but even have their private armies funded by the state. The nobility pays no taxes, contributes no grain, yet occupies the most fertile land for free, operates tax-exempt businesses, and monopolizes various economic lifelines of the empire. After three hundred years of only taking without giving, just imagine how much wealth they've accumulated."
Chu Qiao was inwardly astonished as she listened to Liang Shaoqing continue, "My father once said that the empire's greatest flaw lies not in the division of power, nor in the feudal lords maintaining private armies, but in the noble families hoarding wealth. When wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, it becomes a grave danger. Yet the empire currently has no means to shake their foundations, and any misstep could lead to backlash. Noble families are different from feudal lords, which is why Daxia would rather fight ten Yanbei campaigns than provoke one powerful clan. Because feudal lords' power is independent and still considered an internal matter of the royal family, while if the noble families are pushed too far, they can unite in opposition. At worst, they could overthrow and reestablish the regime—after all, there are so many princes from the Zhao Clan that installing a puppet ruler wouldn't be difficult."
"From what you're saying, the empire's power is actually divided among the noble families."
"You could say that," Liang Shaoqing nodded. "But most noble families remain relatively low-key. They're like rocks along the riverbank, while feudal lords and the royal family are like the flowing water in the river. Though the water may surge and appear spectacular, creating impressive scenes and wielding influence during its glorious moments, have you ever seen a river that flows turbulently forever? The water eventually moves eastward—political figures cannot remain powerful indefinitely. The rocks, though silent, remain steadfast. They develop quietly, accumulating vast wealth generation after generation. Therefore, when feudal lords rebel, it's always earth-shattering and known to all, while when noble families rebel, it happens gradually, changing dynasties in silence."
Chu Qiao found herself looking at Liang Shaoqing with newfound respect and sighed, "What you mean is that this war shouldn't be fought at all, and if it breaks out, Yanbei is doomed to lose."
"Not exactly," Liang Shaoqing corrected, "It will definitely be fought, and Yanbei will certainly lose. In previous conflicts with Daxia, there might have been victories and defeats for both sides, but once the noble families send their troops, that will signal Yanbei's destruction."
Chu Qiao nodded slowly and said, "You're absolutely right, and it makes perfect sense. I never expected you to articulate such insights."
Liang Shaoqing grinned sheepishly at this and scratched his head, "Just things I've picked up from reading books and debating with other scholars during my travels."
"But you've overlooked one thing."
Liang Shaoqing looked surprised and quickly asked, "What have I overlooked?"
"You've calculated the strength of the imperial family, the feudal lords, other nations, and the noble families, but you've missed the most significant force of all."
"Who?"
"The common people."
"The common people?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao nodded. "They are the most numerous group in the world, occupy the most land, and possess the greatest potential power—the common people."Liang Shaoqing waved his hand dismissively. "Don't joke about this. Common people? You might as well say slaves. They have no freedom, no weapons—what would they fight with? Hoes? Besides, do you really think commoners would dare to support Yanbei? Such a thing has never happened throughout history."
Chu Qiao's gaze sharpened as she slowly replied, "Why not? Liang Shaoqing, you were once captured and made a slave too. You should understand the minds of slaves best. They aren't foolish livestock or mindless blocks of wood—they're people, just like you nobles, with thoughts and feelings. They also want to survive, to have their own land, their own homes, their own families. Why should they be treated as beasts of burden, serving others like dogs or cattle? Maybe they don't dare now, but that's only because they have no hope. If one day, a regime openly raises the banner of the people, what do you think they would do? Take up arms to protect their own interests, or continue bowing down to lick the nobles' boots?"
Liang Shaoqing was stunned. This was a topic never discussed among his scholar peers. Though surrounded by darkness, he seemed to glimpse a flicker of light.
"The people are the foundation—the interests of commoners represent the true legitimacy of the world. The will of the people is the rightful path. Bookworm, one day you'll witness the immense power of an enraged populace. Before such force, all powerful families, clans, and imperial households will be as fragile as withered trees in autumn."
The cellar fell silent. Liang Shaoqing's breathing grew rapid as he repeatedly muttered "the people are the foundation," as if possessed.
Suddenly, crying emerged from nearby, gradually growing louder. Those who had been frantically scrambling for steamed buns moments earlier now stopped, turning toward the source. Though they could see nothing, a fire seemed to ignite in their hearts.
"Miss... will we truly have our own land someday?"
An aged voice trembled with emotion through the darkness. No longer concealing her gender in the blackness, Chu Qiao's voice had naturally revealed her identity.
Hearing the weeping, Chu Qiao felt an indescribable grief and indignation in her chest. She nodded firmly. "Yes. Absolutely. In Yanbei—once you reach there, you'll be your own masters."
"Yanbei... Yanbei..."
Someone whispered the name repeatedly, like travelers spotting a lighthouse at sea, silently gazing northwestward.
There, amid swirling snowflakes and constant warfare, upon that pure white land, a new regime was rising—holding high the banner of the people, illuminating those lost in darkness.
"Xiao Qiao, now I know who you are."
A resolute voice suddenly sounded beside her. Startled, Chu Qiao heard Liang Shaoqing enunciate each word deliberately: "You're a follower of the Great Alliance Society, aren't you?"
Chu Qiao smiled. "Wrong. I don't believe in the Great Unity."
"Ah?" Liang Shaoqing frowned in confusion. "But your rhetoric sounds very similar to theirs."
"Yes, it does resemble theirs," she acknowledged. "Only mine is more grounded in reality."Chu Qiao smiled faintly and said, "I only hope that the poor can have their own land, clothes to wear, houses to live in, a place to voice their grievances and sufferings, and that there are slightly fairer laws representing the interests of the majority—killers must pay with their lives, and debts must be repaid. That is all."
Liang Shaoqing remained silent for a long moment before suddenly saying, "I'm sorry, Xiao Qiao, but I cannot accompany you any further."
Chu Qiao was taken aback and asked, "What did you say?"
"I'm going to Yanbei. I can't travel with you anymore."
"You're going to Yanbei?"
"Yes," the bookworm said gravely, "Although I don't know if what you said is true, I need to go see for myself."
Chu Qiao immediately smiled and patted his shoulder: "I hope to see you in Yanbei."
"You're going too?" Liang Shaoqing was overjoyed and quickly said: "That's great, let's go together."
"No," the young girl slowly shook her head: "I still have very important matters to attend to."
Just then, the cellar door above was suddenly thrown open. A strong beam of light abruptly shone down, and a woman's cold voice rang out: "Bring everyone inside out."
Chu Qiao was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, because the voice was so familiar!
————Divider————
Fell ill with a cold and fever, so this is a bit late. My apologies.
OpenNovel