The Road to Glory

Chapter 93: Alliance Formation

The long wind swept past the watchtowers, causing the banners on the city walls to flap vigorously.

Wen Yu, dressed in the ceremonial court attire of a Daliang princess, slowly ascended the altar platform. Civil and military officials stood in two rows, while the Pingzhou garrison troops formed three inner and three outer layers, separating the observing commoners beyond the main street. At the foot of the stone steps, two rows of enormous horns were each supported by a soldier crouching with the instrument on their shoulder, while horn players behind them sounded the instruments.

"Woo—woo—"

The distant yet resonant blasts of the horns vibrated through eardrums, nearly penetrating the entire city of Pingzhou. The commoners outside the ceremony cheered, their shouts faintly discernible as they hailed Wen Yu by her official title.

Li Xun, holding a silk scroll inscribed with the sacrificial text, proclaimed loudly: "Heaven has decreed, the sovereign receives it. Changlian Wang Yuanji, whose virtue shone brightly and wisdom ran deep. In the sixth year of Shaojing, when the Dian River flooded, he rushed a thousand li to distribute grain and relieve the disaster; in the seventh year of Shaojing, when Qingyang suffered locusts..."

The sun was blazing, its glare almost blinding. The gold-threaded embroidery on Wen Yu's court robes shimmered under the sunlight like rippling waves.

Jiang Yu, serving as the envoy representing Southern Chen at this ceremony, stood in the front row alongside Chen Wei and other important officials of Pingzhou. His gaze lingered on Wen Yu's back for two breaths before shifting to the Northern Wei envoy standing on the other side.

This Daliang princess was remarkably capable—having just signed a treaty with them, she immediately persuaded Northern Wei to cede the provinces of Xin and Yi.

Today, during the posthumous honors conferred upon the deceased Changlian Wang and his son, Northern Wei had symbolically sent an envoy.

Jiang Yu didn't know what means Wen Yu had used to make Wei Qishan concede. In his view, even if Xin and Yi provinces ultimately couldn't be held, Wei Qishan should have fought them first.

After all, on the northern battlefield, Wei Qishan currently held the upper hand and didn't need their Southern Chen to help contain Pei Song. On the contrary, holding Xin and Yi provinces could delay them, preventing them from claiming a share of the spoils. As for Southern Chen, after accepting Wen Yu's numerous conditions to form an alliance, their goal was to exclusively control Daliang's Southern Border, with no intention of letting anyone else take a share.

At this thought, Jiang Yu's brow furrowed deeply. Their Southern Chen grain supplies were due to arrive in Pingzhou in a few days.

If this Daliang princess planned to take their provisions and then break the treaty to ally with Northern Wei, they would truly suffer a double loss. Moreover, he, Sikong Wei, and Fang Mingda were still within Pingzhou's borders. If war broke out, they would inevitably become hostages in the enemy's hands.

This realization instantly soured Jiang Yu's mood. Even now, they remained under surveillance, making escape or sending messages out nearly impossible.

He also couldn't disrupt this posthumous ceremony—compared to marrying a princess from Daliang's imperial clan, the status of a royal princess would bring Southern Chen greater benefits.

Therefore, Southern Chen had strongly supported today's posthumous honors.

The specific terms of the current alliance between Daliang and Northern Wei remained unknown to him. If the Daliang princess had no intention of breaking the treaty with Southern Chen, rashly sabotaging the ceremony would not only harm Southern Chen's interests but also give the other side grounds for retaliation.Moreover... that unknown junior officer who had defeated him in the sandbox deduction that day had not shown up today. Uncertain whether this person was lying in ambush somewhere, Jiang Yu weighed his options repeatedly and grew increasingly hesitant to act rashly. He decided to probe the Princess of Liang later to gauge her intentions. With this thought, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Wen Yu once more.

Li Xun's memorial address had reached its conclusion: "...His merits reached the heavens, his virtue embraced the cosmos. We hereby posthumously bestow upon Yuanji, Prince Changlian, the title Emperor Wenzhao, and upon his consort Lady Yang Yunying, the title Empress Wenhui. Their son Heng shall be honored as Crown Prince Chengjia. Their daughter Yu, who accepted her mandate in times of peril, propped up the collapsing empire, rescued the people from suffering, appointed the worthy regardless of status, personally attended to all affairs, eliminated traitors in Tongcheng, gathered officials from Tao County, established diplomatic relations across the lands, and united the hearts of all under heaven—possessing the virtue of Emperor Mingzong and the talent of Emperor Chengzu—is hereby enfeoffed as Princess Hanyang, Guardian of the Realm. We solemnly announce this to Heaven and Earth, the ancestral temples, and the altars of state..."

Throughout history, the right to grant posthumous titles had always belonged solely to the sovereign. With Liang currently lacking a ruler, and the Wen clan having no surviving members besides Wen Yu and her young niece, the situation was unprecedented.

Wen Yu needed to marry into Southern Chen to secure their military support, while her brother's daughter remained in Pei Song's custody. Even if Li Yao and others wished to appoint a female sovereign, there were currently no suitable candidates.

Thus, this posthumous conferment could be considered unprecedented. However, given Wen Yu's status as the future Queen of Southern Chen, combined with Southern Chen's need for her to hold the title of Princess of Liang to fully support this conferment, it was technically beyond reproach in terms of protocol.

After Li Xun finished reading the memorial address, Wen Yu accepted the incense offered by an attendant and slowly ascended the sacrificial platform. Her gold-woven robes trailed long behind her on the stone steps, the sleeves embroidered with intricate cloud patterns so heavy that not even the wind could stir them.

Beside the bronze cauldron, she lit the incense from a candle flame and held it between her fingers. As banners on the city towers snapped in the wind, she declared to the vast heavens and earth: "I, Wen Shi Hanyang, swear before all that in this life I will surely slay Bandit Pei and eradicate all traitors, restoring peace to the world and stability to the people's lives. Let heaven and earth, mountains and rivers bear witness!"

The sacrificial platform echoed on all sides, while the common people outside the venue began shouting Wen Yu's title in acclaim.

She bowed three times to heaven and earth before planting the incense in the bronze censer. With this, the posthumous conferment ceremony was completed, followed by banquets for the officials and envoys from Southern Chen and Northern Wei.

The government offices had long prepared the feasts. Wen Yu first returned to the secluded courtyard to change out of her cumbersome court attire, having Chen Wei and Li Xun lead the officials to the banquet beforehand.

The seating for Southern Chen's envoys was not far from that of Northern Wei's representatives. Fang Mingda had barely contained himself upon spotting the Northern Wei delegation during the ceremony. Now seated, his expression turned grim as he whispered to Jiang Yu: "How has Northern Wei also formed an alliance with Liang? What exactly are they plotting in Liang?"

Being shrewd, his question clearly reflected the same concerns Jiang Yu had earlier contemplated.

After exchanging a glance with the Northern Wei envoys across the room, Jiang Yu averted his gaze and murmured while holding his wine cup: "Let's wait and see. Liang should provide an explanation later. Breaking their agreement with us so abruptly wouldn't benefit Liang either."

Sikong Wei, frail with age, had contracted a chill during recent heavy rains and was currently bedridden, leaving only Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda to attend today's ceremony.

Fang Mingda pondered this, yet still found the situation deeply unsettling.In this game of chess between Southern Chen and Great Liang, Southern Chen had suffered defeat after defeat. They had originally thought that once the princess married into Southern Chen, their Queen Mother would keep her occupied, leaving her no time to attend to matters within Great Liang's borders. However, the other side quickly drew Northern Wei into their camp as well. From then on, if they wished to strip Wen Yu of her control over the three provinces and one commandery, it would likely become even more troublesome.

He couldn't help but remark, "I'm afraid this Great Liang princess—for she should now be addressed as such—will stir up quite a commotion after marrying into the royal court."

Jiang Yu did not respond. He scanned the surroundings and noticed that the young general who had bested him that day was still absent, deepening his suspicions. During the previous victory banquet, that young general had even been assigned a seat, and Han Yang had personally toasted him. Yet now, there was no trace of him at all, making it impossible for Jiang Yu not to speculate.

Either the young general had been secretly assigned some task, or... something unexpected had happened!

As Jiang Yu pondered this, his knuckles unconsciously tapped on the low table.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the door. Jiang Yu looked up and saw Wen Yu entering, now dressed in casual attire. The previously noisy officials immediately fell silent.

Jiang Yu thoughtfully observed the Great Liang princess a moment longer. During the grand ceremony, she had been adorned in full regalia for the sacrificial rites, but he had only glimpsed her from afar, seeing little more than her back. Now, upon closer inspection, he sensed a newfound steadiness in her that was difficult to put into words.

Not only did she conceal her emotions, but she also restrained her authority, much like a forged blade. The most intense phase of tempering had passed, and now only a gentle flame continued to refine it, awaiting the moment of unveiling.

For the first time, Jiang Yu understood what it felt like to be completely overwhelmed by someone's presence, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation.

After taking her seat, Wen Yu said, "There is no need for restraint, esteemed guests. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

Jiang Yu exchanged a glance with Fang Mingda, who understood the cue and immediately spoke up: "With the northern campaign imminent and Your Highness having gained the support of Northern Wei, this humble official offers early congratulations. However... Your Highness formed an alliance with our state of Chen first, and now you befriend Northern Wei as well. Although we of Chen have long been beyond the passes, we are aware of a saying in the Central Plains: 'A virtuous woman does not serve two husbands.' This move by Great Liang truly baffles us as to its intent!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Yao, seated slightly below and to the side of Wen Yu, sternly rebuked, "How dare you!"

Although Fang Mingda knew his sarcastic remarks would anger the Liang officials present, Li Yao's harsh reprimand still drained some of his courage. Struggling to maintain his composure, he said, "Our Chen general was impolite before, and we have come this time to apologize, hence our continual deference. Our king has agreed to all of Great Liang's demands, and 1.5 million dan of provisions are already on their way through the passes. Yet now Liang has also courted Wei Qishan. Should you not offer our state of Chen an explanation?"

Before her subordinates could respond, Wen Yu replied personally, "Has the envoy, having long resided beyond the passes, never heard of the art of vertical and horizontal alliances?"

There was no mockery in her tone, yet Fang Mingda's face flushed bright red with shame.

Jiang Yu was taken aback and interjected, "Your Highness means that we should negotiate peace with Northern Wei?"

Vertical alliances unite the weak to resist the strong; horizontal alliances rely on the strong to conquer the weak.Wen Yu nodded: "The states of Xin and Yi that Chen promised to me have already been ceded by Marquis Shuobian. Your state of Chen only needs to deliver the three million dan of provisions as agreed to fulfill the alliance between our Great Liang and your Chen. Today, I have gathered everyone here to act as an intermediary and discuss the matter of a three-party alliance to conquer Pei Song."

Jiang Yu asked: "What are the terms?"

Wen Yu replied: "Marquis Shuobian surrenders the states of Xin and Yi. Chen's army must not harm the Wei troops stationed at Great Liang's Southern Border. During the campaign against Pei Song, neither side shall initiate hostilities. The number of cities captured will depend on each party's capabilities."

Jiang Yu immediately rejected this: "Our Southern Chen army can march through the passes and seize those two states ourselves. There's no need to negotiate peace with the Wei clan."

His words showed no consideration for others' feelings, yet Wen Yu displayed no anger on her face, merely asking: "How long do you estimate it would take for Chen's main army to conquer Xin and Yi?"

Jiang Yu said: "No later than after autumn."

Li Yao, seated slightly below Wen Yu, snorted at this point, his contempt unmistakable.

Jiang Yu felt slightly irritated and asked: "May I ask what the old gentleman finds amusing?"

Li Yao lifted his eyelids: "Do you know what autumn and winter are like in the northern regions?"

Jiang Yu had never been to Great Liang's Northern Border, having only heard that the area experiences continuous blizzards after winter sets in. The old man's disdain clearly stemmed from his belief that Jiang Yu was ignorant of the northern climate.

He said: "Of course I know."

The Northern Wei envoy shook his head with a quiet laugh upon hearing this.

Fan Yuan couldn't resist retorting: "You don't know your limits! Marching north after autumn - even if we capture a city or territory, given Pei Song's methods, he would have long harvested all the crops in the fields, leaving us no supplies. Just the effects of climate sickness and typhoid alone could cause widespread deaths!"

Jiang Yu said: "That's no concern for Great Liang's generals. The royal court is already sewing winter clothing for the troops entering the passes."

Li Yao asked: "Will the horses get clothes too?"

Jiang Yu had never heard of making winter clothes for warhorses and assumed the other was deliberately being difficult. He sneered: "Does Great Liang's army sew clothes for their warhorses in winter?"

Li Xun thought to himself that this nephew of Southern Chen's Queen Mother was still too young, arrogant from being praised for his modest talents, having never faced real setbacks that would break his pride.

Knowing Li Yao's temperament, he feared his sharp tongue might say something that would completely humiliate the Southern Chen delegation and ruin Wen Yu's plans. He quickly interjected: "As the saying goes, 'Oranges grown south of the Huai River are oranges, but become trifoliate oranges when grown north of it.' Climate differences are no small matter. Consider, envoy, that in the northern cold where water freezes instantly, humans can add clothing and light fires for warmth, but how will livestock accustomed to southern climates be managed? Both cavalry and supply transport depend on these animals. Should heavy snow block the roads, cutting off supplies or reinforcements, it would mean sending soldiers to their deaths for nothing."

Jiang Yu retorted: "If we campaign against Pei Song before autumn, then these problems you mention wouldn't exist by autumn's end?"

Wen Yu stared at him and said: "With Chen and Wei armies jointly attacking Pei Song, he would be hard-pressed to defend himself. If we break his forces now, even if we cannot eliminate the traitor, when winter comes and Marquis Shuobian is forced to withdraw troops to defend against northern tribes, Pei Song will launch a major counterattack against Chen's army. With limited forces at his disposal, this would mean fewer casualties among Chen's soldiers who are unaccustomed to fighting in northern snow and ice."Jiang Yu was immediately rendered speechless by Wen Yu's rebuttal.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Xun added fuel to the fire: "Had we purchased more warhorses from Jizhou earlier and replaced the cold-intolerant southern warhorses, our disadvantages in the northern expedition would have been even fewer. If Your Chen State insists on attacking Pei Song only after conquering Xin and Yi provinces, three disadvantages will arise: first, your own military strength will be depleted; second, you will miss the optimal window for battle; third, your campaign will have already lost popular support before even beginning!"

Jiang Yu frowned. "How so?"

Li Xun explained: "After capturing Xin and Yi provinces, Your Chen's forces will inevitably suffer losses. By then, your soldiers will be physically and mentally exhausted from marching long distances through severe cold, while Pei Song's main army will have conserved their strength and fortified their cities. In such circumstances, Chen's forces would hold no advantage in timing, terrain, or popular support. Furthermore, Your Chen's military expedition is meant to assist my lord in punishing the traitor Pei Song. If you attack the Northern Frontier Marquis—who shares the same goal of eliminating the traitor—before even dealing with Bandit Pei, how would our Great Liang's citizens view your military intervention?"

With his silver tongue, Li Xun had laid out all advantages and disadvantages with utmost clarity, while still preserving both face and substance for Southern Chen.

Jiang Yu's reluctance to temporarily ally with Northern Wei stemmed from his desire for Southern Chen to monopolize control over Great Liang's Southern Border after their military intervention. Yet Li Xun's warnings were hardly alarmist.

Persisting in antagonizing Northern Wei was clearly no longer a wise course of action.

After some consideration, he said: "This matter is of great importance. I must send word to the royal court and await my king's decision."

Wen Yu responded: "Agreed."

Seeing this, Fang Mingda realized the tripartite alliance was practically sealed. Recalling his earlier provocative remarks against Wen Yu, he knew he wouldn't escape unscathed. Immediately slapping his own face hard, he knelt in a ridiculous posture—neither crying nor smiling—and shamelessly begged for mercy: "This humble official deserves death! In my earlier panic, I spoke recklessly and offended Your Highness. I beg for Your Highness's punishment!"

He paid no mind to the surrounding spectators, single-mindedly playing the sycophant to seek forgiveness.

No emotion showed in Wen Yu's eyes—she truly held no anger toward this man.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites needed to be flexible when required, and to put on airs and show displeasure when necessary. Crudely put, they were the dynasty's dogs—every bark was authorized by their superiors.

Naturally, they were also the most frequently discarded pawns.

Wen Yu said: "The envoy has long been stationed beyond the borders, unaware that my Liang territory is no longer the Central Plains of old. This is not blameworthy. However, since the envoy mentioned 'a virtuous woman doesn't serve two husbands,' I shall explain our Liang customs. Great Liang enjoys liberal social norms—it's not uncommon for women to remarry after divorce, nor do we judge a woman's virtue by whether she 'serves two husbands.'"

Her response carried subtle implications. Fang Mingda had used "a virtuous woman doesn't serve two husbands" to criticize Great Liang for seeking alliance with Northern Wei after allying with Southern Chen. Wen Yu's words clearly indicated that even if she married into Southern Chen, she could still pursue other options if she wished.

The assembled guests exchanged varied expressions, while Jiang Yu's eyelid twitched when he looked at Wen Yu.

Though inwardly shocked, Fang Mingda dared not utter further disrespectful words and meekly acknowledged: "Understood."

Wen Yu acted unaware of any impropriety in her response and routinely invited everyone to continue feasting. After three rounds of drinks, weariness crept between her brows, and she departed early, supported by Zhao Bai.As soon as Wen Yu left, Li Yao, with his old bones, naturally didn't linger at the banquet either. However, before he could leave his seat, a Shadow Guard disguised as a servant entered from outside, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something. Li Yao's expression remained unchanged, but he quickly took his cane and followed the servant out of the main hall.

Jiang Yu had been discreetly observing the key officials of Pingzhou. After Li Yao's departure, he pensively twirled the wine cup in his hand, then turned to Fang Mingda beside him and whispered something.

Fang Mingda nodded and soon raised his cup to mingle with the martial generals of Pingzhou, seeking to share drinks.

When he returned after making the rounds, he leaned in while pouring wine for Jiang Yu and said quietly, "I asked around. That young General Xiao who bested you—it's said he's been suppressing bandits for the better part of the month. Today, he couldn't make it back because he went into the mountains on another bandit-suppression mission."

Jiang Yu tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, stating with near certainty, "Something's off."