Chapter 70: "We Refuse."
These words were a blatant threat.
The officials of former Liang grew even more indignant. Although they had long anticipated that Southern Chen would not be courteous after Great Liang's collapse, they never expected such brazen disrespect.
Chen Wei maintained a composed facade, cupping his hands in salute as he said, "What does the envoy mean by these words? We merely wish to extend our hospitality, offering you a few days' rest within the city to recover from your journey. Such inflammatory remarks damage the harmony between our nations. If word spreads, people might think Southern Chen is the one seeking to break the marriage alliance!"
The Southern Chen martial general in charge of the wedding escort snorted disdainfully. "Harmony between our nations? What two nations? Are you claiming that occupying this single prefecture and commandery at the southern border qualifies Great Liang as an independent state now?"
His curved horsewhip pointed toward Pingzhou's towering city gates. "If not for the Queen Mother's benevolence in ordering our king to honor the agreement, gates like these—I could topple ten of them in a single day!"
Fan Yuan immediately shouted, "How dare you!"
The soldiers behind him leveled their spears outward, clearly ready for battle if the envoy uttered another offensive word.
Chen Wei's expression darkened. "It appears Southern Chen truly has no intention of pursuing this marriage alliance!"
The Southern Chen general showed no restraint, sneering, "It's not that Southern Chen lacks intention, but that you defeated dogs—driven to this remote corner, clinging to survival—still dare to put on airs from your former glory while depending on our protection for refuge. How laughable!"
He chuckled maliciously, adding, "Or perhaps, with the Wen imperial clan slaughtered, your Hanyang Princess fancies herself a rare commodity and puts on these pretenses?"
The former Liang officials turned livid with rage, angrily retorting, "Savages! Utter savages! Such discourtesy proves you've assimilated with the southern barbarians after generations in the Southern Border—where is the legacy of the Pingyang Chen clan now?"
Generations ago, the Southern Chen royal family had been a prominent central plains clan from their ancestral home in Pingyang. Defeated when the Zhongshan Wang clan seized the throne, they were forced southward, where they had remained for over a century.
Later, when the Wen clan dominated the central plains, they established trade through Pingzhou with Southern Chen, strengthening ties between the regions.
During the old King Chen's reign, the desire to return to the central plains had already taken root, leading to repeated overtures to Great Liang.
When the Queen Mother sought Wen Yu as a bride for her son, how humbly had her envoy pleaded at Changlian Wang's residence?
That they dared speak so arrogantly today showed how much had changed.
Xiao Li's cold gaze swept over the Southern Chen general as he clasped his fists toward Chen Wei. "Sir, this subordinate requests permission to capture this insolent man."
Chen Wei remained silent. A messenger hurriedly rode through the city gates, whispering something in his ear. Chen Wei gave a slight nod and dismissed the messenger.
Fan Yuan, observing this, murmured to Xiao Li, "Wait. That's the messenger returning from reporting to the Princess."
Xiao Li's eyes followed the departing messenger. He slightly tightened his jaw, suppressing the violent energy threatening to spill forth.
Chen Wei let out what sounded like a soft laugh, then spoke deliberately, "Defeated dogs? Driven to the southern lands? Clinging to survival? Requiring others' protection for refuge?"
With an expression of genuine puzzlement at the Southern Chen general's arrogance, he continued, "Why does the envoy debase yourselves so? Although Southern Chen has struggled to establish firm footing after a century in the southern territories, and needed Great Liang's military intervention two years ago to preserve your sovereignty from barbarian invasions, we of Great Liang have always been benevolent—we've never considered you defeated dogs."The Old Liang officials, who had been thoroughly enraged, burst into raucous laughter upon hearing this.
"So the barbarian was cursing his own people all along!"
"Claiming that Pingzhou owes its current standing to the protection of Southern Chen? What audacity! From guarding Xinzhou to capturing Tao Commandery, did Pingzhou ever borrow a single soldier from Southern Chen?"
"Daring to insult our lord like this—do they truly believe no one remembers how their King Chen once wept and kowtowed at Changlian Wang's residence, begging for a marriage alliance?"
"Such vile hypocrisy is an affront to decency! The Pingyang Chen clan has been away from the Central Plains for too long—they've forgotten all about propriety, righteousness, and shame!"
The Southern Chen martial general, less silver-tongued than Chen Wei, found his arrogance crumbling under the barrage of mockery. Burning with humiliation, he sneered coldly, "What sharp tongues! I wonder how well those tongues served you Liang ministers when Pei Song captured Fengyang—how many axes did they catch? Since your Great Liang is determined to break the marriage alliance today, I shall return to Southern Chen and report this to our king and the Empress Dowager!"
Having struck the Liang officials' sore spot once more, he wheeled his horse around and barked, "Let's go!"
Before his entire entourage could turn, the sound of crossbows being loaded echoed behind them.
The Southern Chen general glanced back and saw two rows of Pingzhou soldiers armed with crossbows stationed at the city gate and atop the walls, their cold-gleaming bolts aimed directly at his party.
At this distance, they were well within range—a single command would turn them all into sieves.
The general narrowed his eyes, never expecting that Pingzhou, cornered by Pei Song, would dare to defy them so boldly. He said coldly, "Do you know who I am? Harm but a hair on my head, and Southern Chen's army will trample Pingzhou beneath their iron hooves tomorrow!"
Chen Wei stood with his hands behind his back. "Envoy, you are well aware that this is Pingzhou territory, not Southern Chen beyond the passes?"
His voice turned icy. "Commandant Xiao, capture this fool alive."
Xiao Li's armor gleamed under the sun as he urged his horse forward, his gaze languid yet frosty as he fixed it on the man ahead. "As you command."
The duel ended with Xiao Li's victory, leaving no room for doubt.
When the Southern Chen general was knocked off his horse in just a few strokes, coughing up blood, he still wore a look of defiance. He sneered and threatened sharply, "If you have the guts, kill me! Let's see how you explain yourselves to Southern Chen then!"
Xiao Li pressed his black boot down on the general's hand, looking down at the wretched figure beneath him. Beneath his slightly lowered dark lashes, a frosty disdain seeped out. "Kill you? That would be letting you off too easily."
He applied pressure, and a faint crack echoed—likely the sound of shattering bone. The fallen Southern Chen general arched in agony, letting out a heart-rending scream.
Xiao Li maintained eye contact, his voice cold and grim. "Remember this: not just scum like you, but even your King Chen must tread carefully in our Great Liang's domain!"
The general, pale as death and drenched in sweat, could only glare at Xiao Li with eyes full of venomous hatred.
The Pingzhou soldiers behind Xiao Li cheered at his victory, while the Southern Chen wedding escort troops, still under the aim of crossbows, grew visibly uneasy.
Yet, among the crowd, a dozen or so men stood out—far calmer than the ordinary soldiers around them. From start to finish, they had merely watched Xiao Li's duel with their general with cold detachment.A scrutinizing gaze that made Xiao Li feel as though needles were pricking his back came from that direction. When he glanced sideways, however, he only saw numerous panicked faces, as if the earlier probing stare had been nothing but his imagination.
Xiao Li subtly furrowed his brow.
At that moment, an elderly man dressed as a common laborer emerged from the other side of the wedding procession. Cupping his hands respectfully, he said, "I beg the young general to be lenient. Our general is young and impulsive. Hearing that Pingzhou boasts many fierce generals, he grew eager to test his skills. Fearing that your generals might hold back, he deliberately spoke provocatively to anger everyone. For this disrespect, I offer my apologies on his behalf."
Xiao Li cast a sidelong glance and coldly asked, "Who are you?"
The old man introduced himself: "I am the Senior Counselor of Southern Chen."
Having spent little time in the military, Xiao Li was only familiar with military ranks and had no knowledge of court official positions. He didn’t know what a Senior Counselor entailed, but it sounded important.
Yet, the other party’s attempt to smooth things over was utterly clumsy.
Having trampled Great Liang’s dignity underfoot, they now claimed it was merely their martial general’s impulsive desire to spar? Did they take the people of Liang for fools?
Xiao Li stared coldly at the old man and increased the pressure under his foot, causing the Southern Chen martial general—who already resembled a dead dog—to scream in agony once more.
This was his response to the other party’s explanation.
The old man’s expression shifted, and he demanded, "What is the meaning of this, young general?"
Chen Wei sneered, "Is the alliance through marriage between our two nations such a trivial matter to Southern Chen? How dare you insult Great Liang like this? This alliance might as well be called off!"
The old man exclaimed, "Gentlemen, please calm your anger! How can such an important alliance be abandoned over a youth’s mischief? Once I report to King Chen and the Empress Dowager, he will surely be punished!"
Fan Yuan, being straightforward, mocked, "Indeed! That reckless fool may be mischievous, but are you, old man, also foolish? You claim to be a Senior Counselor? Since when does a Senior Counselor disguise himself as a wedding servant to playact? Truly an eye-opener! Is Southern Chen running an opera troupe?"
The barrage of words left the old man’s face shifting between shades of green, red, and white.
Chen Wei shouted, "Arrest them! Take them all to prison!"
The old man retorted, "I urge you all to reconsider! Testing Great Liang’s strength with such a farcical move was my mistake, and I alone bear the blame. But Great Liang and Southern Chen have long been on friendly terms. With powerful enemies surrounding the Central Plains, only through alliance can our two nations face these threats together. If you let momentary anger drive you to wage war against Southern Chen, remember that tens of thousands of Southern Chen troops are stationed beyond the pass. My death matters little, but can you bear to see the people within the pass suffer? If Great Liang and Southern Chen fight like the snipe and clam, won’t Pei Song or Wei Qishan profit from it?"
Fan Yuan muttered to Xiao Li, "This old fox is quite the smooth talker! He knows all the right arguments, yet he had to step on us first to assert dominance. What a shameless bastard!"
Xiao Li remained silent, quietly observing the two confronting sides.
Today’s farce was, in truth, a game of strategy.
Southern Chen wanted to test Great Liang’s limits. Had Great Liang not responded with such firmness, Southern Chen would have grown increasingly arrogant.
Only after Great Liang countered with force did they shift to discussing the bigger picture.Xiao Li tried to put himself in Wen Yu's position to consider the situation. Whether to preserve their strength or to prevent the people of Pingzhou and Tao County from suffering the ravages of war again, engaging in conflict with Southern Chen was not a wise choice.
That left only seizing upon Southern Chen's mistake and extracting as many concessions as possible from them.
Having seen through this situation with perfect clarity, even though they now held the advantage, Xiao Li felt no joy whatsoever.
He still had no way whatsoever to prevent Wen Yu from marrying into Southern Chen.
Knowing full well it was a pit of fire, knowing she would be surrounded by wolves, he could only watch as she continued down this path.
Everything Wen Yu carried on her shoulders, everything she sought to protect—he still couldn't shoulder any of it for her now.
The only thing he could do was continue walking this dangerous path alongside her.
When Chen Wei ordered his men to bind the Southern Chen Senior Counselor and turned back to the residence to see Wen Yu, Fan Yuan rode alongside Xiao Li. Noticing his still-gloomy expression, Fan Yuan nudged his elbow and laughed: "Brother Xiao, still angry about those scoundrels?"
Xiao Li gathered the reins in his hand, looked up at the sky and said: "No. Just thinking about when we'll get to trample those scoundrels underfoot."
Pingzhou Government Office.
Wen Yu sat behind the sandalwood desk, listening to Chen Wei's report of everything that had happened at the city gates. Before she could speak, Li Yao had already erupted in furious curses: "This insults all propriety! Insults all propriety! How dare some barbaric bandit from the wilds treat our Great Liang like this?"
Chen Wei bowed and said: "The Senior Counselor is currently waiting in the courtyard. Does the Lady wish to see him?"
The incense trail from the Boshan censer had grown thin, nearly burnt out. Wen Yu's slender, pale fingers lifted the censer lid as she added more incense, answering: "No."
Unable to discern Wen Yu's thoughts, Chen Wei could only exchange a look with Li Xun standing nearby.
Li Xun carefully said: "Southern Chen daring to employ such a foolish move is truly beyond insulting. But what the Senior Counselor said also holds some truth—if we go to war with Southern Chen, they certainly won't gain anything, but Pingzhou and Tao County... might cease to exist."
"When did I ever say I wanted war?" Wen Yu raised her eyes from behind the desk. The hand resting on the desktop was perfectly proportioned and pale, almost the color of jade.
Li Xun asked: "Then what does the Lady mean to do..."
Wen Yu's long fingers pressed down on a pre-written Letter of Marital Dissolution on the desk, pushing it forward two inches as she said: "Send this divorce letter to Southern Chen."
Li Xun and Chen Wei exchanged glances, both greatly shocked.
After pondering for a moment, Li Yao said: "This can be done."
Author's Note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me with their霸王票 or irrigated me with nutrient solution between 2024-02-14 21:14:26~2024-02-16 12:12:03~
Thank you to the little angel who threw landmines: 南野的貓 1个；Thank you to the little angels who nourished me with nutrient solutions: Sangyu Feiwanwssy 20 bottles; Xiaoping 19 bottles; 25887198 16 bottles; 70039786, 41065437 10 bottles; Gengyan Mianmian, Cuihua 7 bottles; Liyu 3 bottles; White Tea Night Wine, Crab Boss, ., Career-Successful Third Miss 2 bottles; Qiqi Baby, Future Bamboo Lover, kfpy_L, 70549078, Moyue Nina, Riri Riri Ri, Jiji, Zhaoxi Chi, 71336051, Mingyun, 27428371, Jiangyu Jiang, Mouse Lin, Treat You to Lettuce, Shede 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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