Chapter 238: "What about Han Yang who was offered to him?..."
After the council meeting concluded, Wen Yu retained several trusted veteran officials of Chen State including Qi Simiao and Sikong Wei, and summoned female officials from Liang territory such as Gu Xiyun and Yang Baolin to serve as witnesses. She picked up her brush and wrote on brocade silk an edict stating that if anything were to happen to her during her journey to Gole City, the throne would be passed to A Li.
The atmosphere in the great hall was solemn. After writing the final character on the silk, she took her Jade Seal and stamped it at the bottom corner of the Silk Edict.
Gu Xiyun turned her face away, struggling to hold back the growing redness in her eyes. She understood what Wen Yu's actions signified.
Both Chen State and Great Liang's treasuries had long been depleted by maternal relatives and treacherous factions. Years of continuous warfare had further exhausted them. While Pei Song cared nothing for the common people of Liang territory, squeezing every last drop from their bones, Wen Yu wanted all citizens to survive.
Faced with enormous military expenditures and the devastation of cities reclaimed from Pei Song's control, despite implementing numerous benevolent policies, emphasizing agriculture, and vigorously promoting foreign trade beyond the passes, she could only barely manage by robbing Peter to pay Paul.
They had thought the flames of war burning for years would finally extinguish after the Battle of Luodu, allowing the people to recuperate, but then Western Mausoleum appeared.
With each territory lost to continued warfare, public resentment would only grow heavier.
Particularly in Chen State, ordinary citizens didn't understand the complex interests at court—how Chen's earlier military campaigns against Great Liang were both repayment for Changlian Wang's past military assistance and an opportunity to return to Liang territory.
When Western Mausoleum aggressively invaded, with Great Liang losing Tiger Gorge Pass and struggling for self-preservation, Chen's citizens—stirred by agitators—would likely believe their state's current weakness resulted entirely from previous years' strong support for Liang territory.
All Wen Yu had done for Chen State would be viewed as using Chen's resources to build foundations for Great Liang.
If the alliance between Liang and Chen were destroyed under public resentment, it would only make it easier for Western Mausoleum to defeat them separately.
Pei Song and Western Mausoleum were trying to force Wen Yu into this dilemma where she faced difficulties advancing or retreating, slowly wearing her down.
But she refused to play their game, choosing instead this mutually destructive approach—using herself as bait to fight desperately even at the cost of mutual ruin.
If she won, Western Mausoleum would lose any possibility of invading Liang territory.
If she failed, she would still disrupt Pei Song and Western Mausoleum's plan to dismantle the Liang-Chen alliance, instead binding the peoples of both territories more closely together and making every future city capture impossibly difficult for Western Mausoleum.
Yet Gu Xiyun only felt profound sorrow.
To save this collapsing realm, Changlian Wang and his son had already sacrificed their lives. Now it was Wen Yu's turn to fill the chasm of the shattering land with her own life.
Had none of this happened, had Changlian Wang successfully ascended the throne back then, Wen Yu—as Great Liang's most beloved princess—would likely only have worried about how to debate scholars at court, persuading conservative old ministers to approve establishing women's education in the Imperial Academy and adding female civil service examinations...
But there were no "what ifs" in this world. This shattered realm had long rested on her slender, lotus-stem shoulders that would break rather than bend.
Yang Baolin watched Wen Yu return the Jade Seal to its stand, tears streaming down her face.
Wen Yu alone remained calm. She lifted her gaze to Qi Simiao and said, "If anything befalls me on this journey, you shall act according to this decree."Qi Simiao, his face filled with sorrow, cupped his hands and replied in a trembling voice, "Your subject... obeys the decree."
Wen Yu rose, her brocade skirt trailing behind her as she descended the steps and handed him the Silk Edict.
Qi Simiao extended both hands to receive it, but Wen Yu did not immediately release her grip. Her long lashes lowered slightly, as if pausing for a breath, before she said, "My daughter is still young. If she proves stubborn in temperament in the future, I can only hope you will assist and bear with her. If her ambitions do not lie in the royal court, if she cannot shoulder the weight of this land... you may consult with the loyal ministers of Liang, such as Yu Taifu and Lord Chen, to select another wise ruler. Conceal the truth and send her far from this high hall, allowing her to live as a carefree and wealthy commoner."
Yang Baolin, unable to suppress her grief upon hearing this, let out a faint sob from her throat.
The sorrow on Qi Simiao’s face deepened. How could he not understand? This was Wen Yu’s only selfish wish as a mother for her daughter.
If Pei Song had not died, if Western Mausoleum had not been driven out, this legacy of hatred and responsibility would have persisted.
Yet the heights are cold and lonely, and the position of ruling two nations is not an easy one to occupy.
Her words—that if her daughter lacked ambition for the court or the strength to bear the land’s burdens, they could appoint another ruler—were not reproach but deep affection.
She permitted her daughter to relinquish hatred and duty and live as an ordinary person.
Tears glistened in Qi Simiao’s eyes as he bowed and accepted the Silk Edict, saying, "This old subject... will remember the princess’s instructions."
Wen Yu gave him a profound look, all unspoken words hidden within her solemn gaze, before turning and slowly returning behind the desk. She picked up a previously written letter, sealed it with wax, and looked at Yang Baolin. "After I depart for Gole City, the state of Chen will first select a group of ministers to escort the princess back to Hundred Blades Pass, alongside the female officials of Liang currently residing in the royal court. Cousin, personally deliver this letter to Yu Taifu. Once he reads it, he will know what to do."
Yang Baolin, choking back sobs, accepted the letter.
Wen Yu then turned to her trusted ministers and said, "My journey to Gole City and the escort of the princess back to Liang will require extensive arrangements. Please proceed with the preparations."
The ministers bowed to Wen Yu and filed out of the imperial study with heavy hearts, leaving only Gu Xiyun behind.
Her brow slightly furrowed, Gu Xiyun waited until they were alone before speaking. "Princess..."
—
Royal Tent of Western Mausoleum.
He Yi sat lazily on a tiger-skin chair, her leather military boots propped on a low table in front of her. She idly tossed the jade seal previously presented by Pei Song, listening to the report from the junior officer below on the front-line developments.
"Princess, the Chen army in Gole City is completely surrounded by us, cut off from all contact with the desert. However, General Niru has sent word that they encountered a cavalry unit. These days, the cavalry has been tailing and ambushing them, even using the unpredictable desert climate and complex terrain to nearly lead our troops into a sandstorm..."
He Yi’s hand, tossing the jade seal, paused slightly. Her sharp, intimidating eyes slowly lifted. "Where did this cavalry come from? How many troops do they have? Niru is an eagle of the desert—how could he fail to sense danger in the wind and sand and lead our troops into peril?"
Faced with this barrage of questions, the junior officer swallowed hard under her gaze, sweat slowly beading on his forehead. He replied respectfully,"After multiple verifications by scouts, it was discovered that it was the Liang cavalry previously seen at Heng Lake. Their numbers remain unclear for now. They fly the Xiao banner in Liang territory and seem unwilling to submit to Han Yang's command. Earlier, they breached the royal court but withdrew when reinforcements arrived. There appear to be individuals familiar with desert climate and terrain among this cavalry. Their maneuvers are highly unpredictable—they frequently harass our troops and made multiple attempts to burn our provisions. General Niru nearly led his men into a sandstorm while trying to recover the supplies they had stolen."
After hearing this, He Yi tapped the armrest of her tiger-skin chair with knuckles, her expression unreadable: "The Northern Xiao born from the bones of Northern Wei? This princess has heard of this force. When the Consort was still in Liang territory, that little princess of Great Liang tried to recruit them against him. Have they joined forces again?"
He Yi's gaze turned dangerous: "This princess is curious. Since General Hatu claimed to have completely severed Gole City's connection with the desert, how did that little princess in the distant royal court learn about this princess dispatching troops to Tiger Gorge Pass?"
Sweat beads the size of soybeans rolled down the young officer's temples as he hurriedly responded: "This general swears by Lati Rilang that the intelligence about marching to Tiger Gorge Pass couldn't have been discovered by Chen Jun forces in Gole City and reported to King Chen's court! Moreover, it's said the Xiao Army leader holds old grudges against Han Yang. That's why after he besieged the royal capital, King Chen surrendered Han Yang to him. Precisely because of this deep enmity, the Xiao Army cavalry fled upon seeing the Liang reinforcements arrive at the royal court! They couldn't possibly have collaborated beforehand!"
Lati Rilang was their Western Mausoleum's founding monarch—swearing by this ruler meant every word spoken was true.
His reasoning sounded plausible, so the sharpness in He Yi's leopard-like eyes slightly receded as she wondered: "Was it truly coincidence that this cavalry encountered our main force heading to Tiger Gorge Pass?"
Setting down the jade seal, she rose and examined the terrain map hanging behind the commander's seat. Tracing the route from King Chen's court to Tiger Gorge Pass, she narrowed her eyes: "After capturing the royal court but realizing they couldn't hold it, did they attempt to return to Liang territory through Tiger Gorge Pass along their original route, accidentally encountering our thirty thousand troops?"
As for their repeated raids, the only explanation He Yi could conceive was that the cavalry recognized the thirty thousand Western Mausoleum troops were heading to attack Tiger Gorge Pass. Being Liang people, they naturally wouldn't stand by idly, hence their persistent harassment.
Eager to avoid further blame, the young officer quickly agreed: "That must be it!"
After pondering momentarily, He Yi suddenly asked: "The Xiao Army leader fled with his troops—what happened to Han Yang who was surrendered to him?"
The young officer froze, then comprehended the implication, his expression suddenly excited. He Yi's eyes also sparkled with amusement and anticipation as she immediately ordered: "Send word to Niru—spare no expense to besiege that cavalry and capture their leader!" If any women are found, bring them all to the Royal Tent!"
The young officer hastily acknowledged and turned to leave, but He Yi stopped him again.
Taking a Troop Dispatch Arrow from the command arrow tube on her desk, she tossed it to the young officer: "As precaution, dispatch twenty thousand additional troops to cut off that cavalry's retreat from behind."The young general caught it, bowed to He Yi, and was about to withdraw when the tent flap was abruptly pulled aside. He Yi’s personal guard hurried in and reported, “Princess, news from the front—Han Yang has arrived at Gole City with twenty thousand Liang troops to oversee the battle!”
He Yi raised her fierce, panther-like eyes, frowned briefly, then suddenly let out a scornful laugh. “Of all times?
“This reeks of a clumsy cover-up.”
The guard looked bewildered, but He Yi had no intention of explaining further. She simply ordered, “Send out a challenge. I shall go and see for myself!”
After the guard left to relay the command, the young general also prepared to exit the tent but was stopped once more by He Yi.
The young general asked, “Does the princess have further orders?”
He Yi replied, “First, send word to Niru. The plan to dispatch additional troops is postponed until I return to make the final decision.”
Han Yang’s conspicuous appearance at Gole City immediately struck her as suspicious.
After some thought, however, she concluded that even if this was a foolish scheme concocted by the royal court ministers to conceal the loss of their ruler—even if the one who came was an imposter—she would make sure they became the “real deal” once she captured Gole City.
By then, no matter how much the royal court ministers tried to clarify the truth, it wouldn’t matter. The world would only remember that she had captured Han Yang alive at Gole City!
Author’s Note: Good night~
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