The "Merit Stone" was transported to Leyou Plateau. The Emperor, Mu Wan Yao, and other imperial children ascended the high tower, while nobles and commoners below also craned their necks in anticipation.
The crowd saw a vast plain where a black, mountain-like object was shrouded in cloth. Everyone knew it was the "Merit Stone," but even after straining their necks from looking up for so long, its sheer scale still left them awestruck.
Mu Wan Yao stood beside the Emperor and smiled gracefully. "Your Majesty, please look—"
At her signal, the guards below who had been appointed as "Stone Guard Generals" pulled together to remove the cloth covering the stone. The commoners below erupted in gasps of admiration first, marveling at the stone's majestic height and its cold, bluish-gray surface.
The stone's surface was uneven, densely covered with holes and indentations. From a distance, these holes vaguely resembled carved characters.
In this era, the tallest buildings were only three stories high, yet this stone stood as tall as a five-story structure, requiring a hundred people holding hands to encircle it. Transporting such a colossal stone from the south to Chang'an intact was a feat that must have required immense labor and time.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes at the dense holes on the "Merit Stone" and deliberately asked, "Yao Yao, what characters are carved on this stone?""
The Crown Prince was setting the stage for her, and Mu Wan Yao naturally appreciated the gesture.
She nodded slightly to His Highness the Crown Prince in acknowledgment before clearly explaining, "These are ancient characters, different from those we use today. Let me read them for Your Majesty: 'For a thousand years, destiny awaits; all things bear witness. The four barbarians submit; ten thousand states come to pay tribute. A stone stands majestic at the river's source. This stone serves as its stele...'"
As the princess explained to the Emperor and other royals upstairs, quick-witted eunuchs beside the Emperor immediately relayed her words layer by layer to those below.
The maiden's voice was clear and resonant. People upstairs and downstairs stretched their necks, while eunuchs ran up and down, back and forth, trip after trip—
The nobles below pressed: "What else? What did the princess say?"
A eunuch gasped for breath, wiping sweat: "The first line: 'For a thousand years, destiny awaits; all things bear witness.'"
Scholars and gentlewomen murmured to themselves, nodding repeatedly.
"'The four barbarians submit; ten thousand states come to pay tribute.'"
Noble men and women grabbed the eunuch, their eyes burning with impatience: "What else? What else?"
The eunuch: "This servant will go listen again!"
As those below urged for more, the imperial family above nodded frequently. The envoys following the Emperor and his retinue listened in confusion, as their most skilled Chinese speakers had gone to the "Scholarly Duel." Yet, seeing the eunuchs running drenched in sweat and the people of Chang'an showing admiration, the envoys understood these were auspicious words and hurriedly had their attendants record them.
A flurry of poplar catkins drifted past the pavilion, scattering like gold and silver under the clear sky and flowing clouds.
The Emperor listened quietly to everyone's admiration and his young daughter's explanation. The crowd was fervent, pressing closer to the stone to see it more clearly.
A smile touched the Emperor's lips.
Mu Wan Yao observed him and, seeing his smile, casually suggested, "Your Majesty, this stone is too massive to transport into Chang'an. Why not leave it here at Leyou Plateau? We could build a garden around it, with the Merit Stone at the center. This garden would endure, and future generations would always see Your Majesty's achievements."
The Emperor looked at Mu Wan Yao and said, "You've worked hard, Yao Yao."
Mu Wan Yao smiled. "My maternal grandfather's family also assisted."
The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment. "They've worked hard too."
Mu Wan Yao added, "And with Elder Brother Crown Prince's support—if he hadn't consistently mobilized the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works to clear the way, this stone could never have reached Chang'an."The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince and said, "The Crown Prince has also done well."
The Crown Prince was taken aback, feeling a surge of pleasant surprise, and quickly replied that it was his duty, merely offering birthday wishes to the Emperor, hardly worth mentioning.
The Emperor said, "The Crown Prince has handled matters commendably. From now on, I will hold court only once every five days. The rest of the time, the Crown Prince shall oversee state affairs in my stead."
The Crown Prince promptly agreed.
Once he turned away, the Crown Prince glanced at Mu Wan Yao, who smiled at him. He returned a faint smile, knowing his efforts had not been in vain.
Then, the Crown Prince and Prince Qin exchanged a look.
The Li family had pledged their loyalty to the Emperor through the Merit Stone, and the Emperor had accepted their surrender. From then on, the conflict between the Emperor and the southern noble families might not remain as tense as before. Would the Emperor cease pressuring the noble families?
At that moment, both the Crown Prince and Prince Qin hoped the Emperor would not continue to suppress the noble families.
Prince Qin’s maternal family was a prominent household in Nanyang, a major noble clan in their own right; even the Crown Prince, though of humbler origins, had the support of the Yang family. If the Emperor relentlessly oppressed the noble families, it would be detrimental to both sides.
As for Prince Jin, he remained indifferent.
Since Princess Consort Jin was a second wife, her background was inevitably less prestigious. At least outwardly, Prince Jin did not contend with his two elder brothers. Thus, while they tested the Emperor’s intentions, he simply followed behind the Emperor, earnestly appreciating the inscriptions on the Merit Stone.
The Emperor turned and saw Prince Jin instructing his attendants to record the poems.
Surprised, the Emperor asked, "Fifth Son, why are you recording this?"
Prince Jin hurriedly replied, "These poems praise you, Father. Naturally, I must record them to appreciate daily upon returning to my residence."
The Emperor said, "They are merely plain verses, not fine poetry."
Prince Jin responded, "Regardless of their quality, they all extol you, Father. To me, they are already precious beyond measure..."
The Emperor silently observed him for two breaths before shifting his gaze away.
Prince Qin inwardly cursed: Bootlicker.
Not wanting the Emperor’s attention to be diverted by Prince Jin, the Crown Prince said, "Father, let us go observe the real Scholarly Duel."
The Emperor turned and led the way, with everyone following. Mu Wan Yao deliberately lagged behind, waiting to watch Prince Jin.
She gave him a half-smile and said, "Fifth Brother, that flattery just now was a bit excessive."
Prince Jin feigned confusion, "What are you talking about, Sixth Sister? My words were sincere. Surely you all misunderstood?"
In truth, during the Emperor’s silent scrutiny, he had suddenly realized he had exaggerated. That day was Mu Wan Yao’s and the Crown Prince’s moment to shine, and his overt praise... Prince Jin inwardly regretted his haste.
Because the Emperor had granted the Crown Prince too much authority, he had grown anxious.
Seeing the dismay in Prince Jin’s eyes, Mu Wan Yao knew he had received her reminder. She smiled faintly and said no more. She sighed inwardly, never expecting that one day she would understand the hidden meanings behind their subtle, unspoken words and glances, and even be able to caution Prince Jin.
As they descended the stairs together, she asked, "How is Chunhua?"
Prince Jin’s heart stirred, and he smiled, "She is due soon... When will Sixth Sister visit my residence?"
Mu Wan Yao rested her chin on her hand and teased playfully, "When I have time. Surely you wouldn’t mistreat her if I don’t go? I’m in no hurry."
Chatting, they exited the building and rejoined the main group to watch the Scholarly Duel.Everyone treated Mu Wan Yao with the utmost respect. When boarding the palanquins, hers was only slightly inferior to those of the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
Yet another dispute arose during the boarding process. Originally, after the Crown Prince had taken his place, Luling Grand Princess naturally assumed she would follow. Unexpectedly, the eunuchs assigned the third position to Danyang Princess. Luling Grand Princess, indignant, caused a great commotion, but the eunuchs remained unmoved, merely uttering "death penalty" yet refusing to let the Grand Princess proceed first.
Luling Grand Princess trembled with rage: "It has always been me who goes first! I am the Emperor's own sister! You wretched slaves, now that I've fallen from favor, you dare bully me? Just wait until I report this—"
"What is the matter?" a cold male voice interjected.
Recognizing the familiar voice, Mu Wan Yao lifted the curtain from inside her palanquin and saw a eunuch in yellow robes with delicate features—it was Liu Wenji, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
After understanding the situation, Liu Wenji addressed the Grand Princess: "Your Highness, I implore you not to bring this matter before His Majesty. Do you truly believe the Emperor is unaware of the arrangements we make for you? If the imperial palace is considered a family, then the Emperor is the head, we are the servants, and you are his kin. When arranging seating for the family members, we naturally seek the head's approval."
The Grand Princess was stunned: "You mean... the Emperor has long known... How could he treat me this way..."
Liu Wenji lowered his gaze: "This humble servant does not know."
The Grand Princess stood bewildered and disheartened beneath the carriage, watching the forest of banners and the procession of carriages passing before her. In her heart, she felt a chilling coldness, as if snow had fallen in midsummer.
She had clearly returned to the Emperor's side during the grand ceremony. He had forgiven her, and she had been able to reestablish her social connections in Chang'an. Yet now her position had been usurped by Danyang Princess, replaced by that little girl... Why was the Emperor so cruel to her?
Could it be... Luling Grand Princess's heart raced as she wondered if her collaboration with the Crown Prince had been discovered by the Emperor?
But... didn't Danyang Princess also cooperate with the Crown Prince? Why did he permit his own daughter to engage in politics while forbidding his sister?
Liu Wenji said, "This servant advises Your Highness: whatever you intend to do, remain consistent. If you change course midway, do not blame others."
The Grand Princess wandered in a daze for a long while, her mind empty. A fragrant breeze stirred the curtains, and she looked up to see Mu Wan Yao peering out from a luxurious carriage.
Instantly, Luling Grand Princess thought of Yan Shang—how everything had begun to unravel from that night she encountered him. It was also Yan Shang who had advised her to align herself with the Crown Prince!
Now in Chang'an, after the Southern Mountain incident, who couldn't see that Yan Erlang and Danyang Princess shared a close relationship?
The Grand Princess gnashed her teeth: "Mu Wan Yao!"
Seated in her palanquin, Mu Wan Yao smiled down at her. She couldn't be bothered to say more and let the curtain fall, blocking the Grand Princess's resentful gaze.
Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, and Mu Wan Yao examined her slender fingers, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
Gold leaf and powder adorned her forehead and the corners of her eyes. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she narrowed them slightly, savoring the sight of the disheveled Grand Princess below and the watching commoners. She knew clearly in her heart: the Peace Marriage would no longer concern her, the Emperor would heed her words, and the Grand Princess would no longer dare look down on her—
All of this was brought by power.All of this was gained through her involvement in politics.
Power is so intoxicating. Mu Wan Yao had only just begun to reveal her capabilities, yet she was already captivated, craving more authority. She had chosen the right path and needed to walk it with even greater determination.
Mu Wan Yao's gaze turned cold and resolute—
At the military exercise site, Zhao Lingfei was fuming and reluctant, utterly unwilling to protect Wei Shu. But when she lifted her eyes, glaring fiercely to see who she was supposed to guard, she caught sight of Wei Shu and froze in surprise.
The young lady’s face flushed instantly. While secretly thinking how handsome he was, she also felt annoyed at Second Brother Yan for being so cunning—as if he knew exactly what would affect her and had deliberately used this against her. She glared at Yan Shang, only to be met with his gentle gaze.
Unable to bring herself to vent her anger at Yan Shang, Zhao Lingfei finally kicked Yang Si and ran out of the tent.
Yang Si: "..."
Damn.
Innocent bystanders getting dragged into this.
Having dispatched Zhao Lingfei with Wei Shu, Yan Shang went out with Yang Si to inspect the troops. They had barely been watching for a quarter of an hour when a soldier reported: "The enemy forces are charging down the mountain! The scouts have spotted them!"
Yan Shang immediately ordered the attendant beside him to record the time, remarking, "The Uman King reacts swiftly."
Yang Si said, "Then let’s deploy our troops as well. Have the cavalry form ranks and engage directly."
Yan Shang: "Divide into multiple routes."
Yang Si: "Hmm, right. Perfect for testing."
Yang Si looked up and surveyed the area, dissatisfied with the hastily erected watchtower. He decisively suggested, "Let’s leave the city and find a good vantage point on the mountain to observe the battle more clearly."
Soldiers moved in and out of the camp. Yang Si had no intention of joining the fight personally, and Yan Shang had his own plans, so he naturally agreed.
An hour later, the two armies clashed beneath the city walls. The Great Wei side was well-equipped, with numbers roughly equal to the enemy’s. However, the Uman King’s forces exuded overwhelming momentum, and as soon as the battle began, the Great Wei troops found their morale suppressed.
Yan Shang and Yang Si stood on a mountain near the watchtower—a prime spot Yang Si had found, offering a clear view of the entire battlefield.
Watching the Great Wei side falter almost immediately, Yan Shang shook his head and instructed the soldier behind him: "Take notes."
Yang Si crossed his arms, deep in thought, and said, "Both sides have similar equipment, horses, and even numbers. The Great Wei side still falls short. Since we’re at a disadvantage, order them to withdraw and return to the city."
Yan Shang looked at him: "What’s the plan?"
Yang Si: "Since we can’t confront them head-on, we’ll have to split into smaller units and harass them from the flanks."
Yan Shang nodded, listening as Yang Si rested his chin on his hand and mused, "But the battle has just begun, and Meng Zaishi is already charging in so eagerly. Is it merely because the Uman King is valiant and wants to catch Great Wei off guard?"
Yan Shang replied: "It’s due to their circumstances."
Yang Si raised an eyebrow.
Yan Shang: "I previously made a point to investigate the Uman’s situation. I even wrote a memorial to my teacher about it, though he hasn’t responded yet. I wasn’t entirely sure at first, but seeing how impatient the Uman King is now, my suspicions are somewhat confirmed.
"The terrain and climate of the Uman lands differ from Great Wei’s. They can’t sustain prolonged warfare in Great Wei—over time, their bodies will struggle to adapt. That’s why, for this military exercise, the Uman King agreed to only three days. His immediate assault at the start of the battle further proves he can’t afford to drag this out."Standing amidst the lush greenery, the two watched the dust rising beneath the temporary city tower below. They observed the Great Wei troops withdrawing into the city, while the Black Barbarians did not retreat but instead began charging the city gates.
Yang Si casually ordered them to defend the city, showing no urgency. He knew that on the very first day, with Great Wei fully prepared, the Black Barbarians stood no chance of breaching the defenses. Compared to the battle below, Yang Si was more intrigued by Yan Shang's words.
Yang Si: "Are you implying that if we can prolong this war with the Black Barbarians, Great Wei is highly likely to win? Because they cannot adapt to our climate."
Yan Shang countered: "What do you mean by 'win'?"
Yang Si replied without hesitation: "Drive them back to their own land. Pursue them while we have the advantage, and if possible, simply occupy their territory."
Yan Shang: "But just as they cannot adapt to our climate, we cannot adapt to theirs. When Great Wei people enter Black Barbarian territory, they also fall ill. In severe cases, some die within less than twelve hours. I inquired with Her Highness the Princess about this, and she confirmed my suspicion. Many who followed the princess for the peace marriage died due to failure to acclimatize."
Yang Si was taken aback, his lips pressing into a sharp line.
Yan Shang concluded: "That is precisely why we must form an alliance with the Black Barbarians. They cannot defeat us, and we cannot defeat them. Since we are evenly matched, cooperation is the better option."
Yang Si: "I never realized there were so many reasons behind the alliance between our two nations."
He added: "But fortunately, this problem doesn't trouble me now."
He rubbed his wrist and signaled Yan Shang to return to the city: "Dispatch some troops to harass the enemy camp. It's only polite to return the favor."
Yan Shang acknowledged Yang Si's plan and had a soldier record it. He rarely interfered in such strategic matters. However, as they descended the mountain, Yan Shang shared his own plan with Yang Si: "Since we intend to harass them, why not target their provisions directly?"
Yang Si paused. Though not usually particularly sharp, he instantly grasped Yan Shang's meaning with just that one sentence: "We cannot defeat them outright, so you want to intimidate them through multiple small attacks? When they grow impatient, we concentrate our forces and strike their rear supply lines?"
Yan Shang nodded.
Yang Si: "But if I'm not mistaken, the Uman King has the same idea. He will also target our provisions."
Yan Shang said calmly: "Didn't you say your cousin is highly skilled in martial arts? I have no other requirements—if Lingfei can protect Ju Yuan from injury, that's sufficient. If Ju Yuan cannot hold on, he can simply admit defeat."
Yang Si laughed: "But he must hold out until the last moment. In the meantime, we plan to fight seriously."
Yan Shang asked: "Then when does the Third Young Master plan to join the fray?"
Yang Si casually plucked a blade of grass and twirled it in his hand. His silhouette stretched long in the sunlight. Yan Shang followed behind him, watching as he turned back with a teasing smile: "Naturally, it must coordinate with your final strike against their provisions.
"The central authorities want us to lose, but I must still spar with Meng Zaishi. My intention is to gauge their military strength. What is your plan, Yan Er? We've come this far—can't you give me a clear answer?"
Yan Shang said softly: "The central authorities ordered us to lose, but I want the Uman King—to win but still be defeated."
——
On the side of the Scholarly Duel, noble ladies from Chang'an presided. For three consecutive days, they faced the envoys' challenges in multiple rounds.Mu Wan Yao, in order to oversee this competition, naturally stayed at Leyou Plain for three consecutive days. During the contests between the two sides, she often observed from the sidelines, occasionally acting as a judge.
Simultaneously, the rumble of vibrations from the ground never ceased, and updates on the military exercise were continuously relayed to her. Even without sending anyone, messengers galloped in one after another to report—
"Your Highness, today our forces raided the enemy's rear three times to seize provisions. Amid the chaos, we shouted 'The Wei army has arrived!' to panic them, securing a minor victory!"
"Your Highness, the Uman King personally approached the city walls and shot an enemy general off with an arrow, then dragged him by horse for a mile. The general surrendered and withdrew from the exercise."
"Report: The Uman King was forcefully unhorsed by our side, yet he fought alone against a hundred men until reinforcements arrived and rescued him."
"Report: Yang Sanlang of the Wei army led only ten men to charge the enemy. They clashed beneath the city walls and ultimately returned with a hundred enemy soldiers defecting to our side!"
"Report: The Wei army suffered a minor defeat today and agreed to a truce with the Uman King, but both sides launched night raids…"
As the battlefield updates poured in repeatedly, those involved in the scholarly duel felt their spirits stirred, infusing their poetry, essays, calligraphy, painting, and chess games with a resolute martial fervor.
Mu Wan Yao also worried about the situation there. She repeatedly sent people discreetly to inquire if Yan Shang had been injured, if Yang Si had been harmed, and privately instructed the messengers to tell Yan Shang to avoid the battlefield if possible and just command from the rear…
The unstable battle reports filled Mu Wan Yao with anxiety, but the youth of Chang'an listened with boiling blood, excitement, and exhilaration.
Over two or three days, the reputations of the Uman King and Yang Sanlang spread widely among Chang'an's young elite. Both were talented youths of formidable martial prowess, and the bold nobles of Great Wei, men and women alike, yearned to witness firsthand how these two sides fought in the exercise.
However, warfare was no child's play; even a military exercise wasn't a spectacle for outsiders. These scholars and talents could only sigh in regret, lamenting their inability to observe.
They regretted not being acquainted with Yang Sanlang and not being able to see the Uman King's grandeur with their own eyes!
Meanwhile, the Hanlin Academy reacted swiftly. Under Prince Qin's arrangements, just as everyone's minds were captivated by the war reports, the academy began writing accounts to provide real-time updates on the exercise and compose poetry and essays praising the participants.
Crucially, these writings from the Hanlin Academy weren't aimed at the nobility but were directed at the common people.
Upon hearing this, Mu Wan Yao immediately frowned, feeling that Prince Qin was stealing the spotlight from the scholarly duel. Writing about the war? The scholarly duel could do that too!
She sent people to the Hanlin Academy to investigate and ordered the scholars there to cease writing.
Liu Ruozhu had just finished a painting competition with someone and then witnessed the princess's outburst in its entirety. Mu Wan Yao cursed Prince Qin through gritted teeth and dispatched envoys to the Hanlin Academy, seeking a pretext to detain those scholars and prevent them from causing disruption.
Liu Ruozhu requested, "Your Highness, may I go?"
Mu Wan Yao glanced at her, a flicker of thought in her eyes, reasoning that the Hanlin Academy would be too embarrassed to bully the daughter of a chancellor's household, and thus sent Liu Ruozhu along.
After Liu Ruozhu left, Mu Wan Yao had an idea and decided to seek the Emperor's intervention, so she went out as well.When Liu Ruozhu arrived, the Hanlin Academy had already set up a scene reminiscent of a storytelling performance. Desks were arranged, with brushes and papers flying across them as several scholars wrote furiously. A young academic official sat to the side, reviewing the writings handed to him by these scholars. Only upon his nod of approval would the completed works be circulated outside for the men and women of Chang'an gathered beyond the tent to read.
This young official not only scrutinized others' writings but also took up his brush to write himself.
The envoy sent by the princess entered and called for the Hanlin scholars to halt their activities, while the discontented crowd of Chang'an men and women protested outside the tent, attempting to block the proceedings.
Liu Ruozhu stood amidst the crowd, looking left and right.
The messenger spoke to the young scholar in charge of writing materials, explaining it was the princess's order. The young scholar frowned and responded dismissively, "Look, all these people outside are waiting to watch. The Hanlin Academy is merely transmitting information for everyone's benefit. Everyone is interested in the military exercise. Why must the princess obstruct this?"
The young men and women below immediately chimed in: "Exactly! The scholarly duel has already attracted the noble families. We commoners can't get close to that event—should we be denied knowledge of the military exercise too? We also care about the Wei army's affairs."
Their chaotic protests left the princess's messenger flustered, who could only glare and exclaim, "How dare you!"
Liu Ruozhu, standing in the crowd, noticed the young official sitting calmly on a low stool, stirring up trouble with a faint smile. He handed a freshly written booklet, still smelling of ink, to a minor clerk beside him, instructing him to continue distributing it.
Amid the chaos, Liu Ruozhu squeezed her way to the front. While others were busy arguing, she stood on tiptoe and forcefully snatched the newly written booklet. Jostled by the crowd, she swayed unsteadily but managed to lower her head and open the booklet to read.
The title read "Records of Chang'an Heroes."
Liu Ruozhu frowned, thinking: What audacity.
She lifted her gaze and glanced at the young official, only to startle—he was staring right at her, clearly having noticed her actions.
Her heart raced with panic, but she pretended not to see him and quickly skimmed through the pages. The author's literary talent was exceptional, and the writing was quite engaging. A hurried reading made it difficult to find flaws, yet—Liu Ruozhu raised her voice as loudly as she could: "Since this is titled 'Records of Heroes,' why does it only document the military exercise and not the scholarly duel? Why only men and not women? Does the Hanlin Academy consider our women's scholarly duel meaningless, with only the military exercise deemed worthy of interest?"
The young official was taken aback.
He had assumed this young woman hiding in the crowd was sent by the princess to trouble the Hanlin Academy, but he hadn't expected her to actually speak up, staring at him with wide eyes.
Clutching the booklet, Liu Ruozhu mustered her courage and raised her voice above the din: "Your writing is unjust! If your own work is biased, what right do you have to critique others? What we want to see is a true 'Records of Heroes,' not one that only includes men like yours."
The young official scoffed, "Young lady, don't jest. This is solely about the military exercise..."
Liu Ruozhu stubbornly insisted, "Regardless, what you've written is incorrect. I refuse to accept it!"
The young official dismissed her, "Heroes are only men. I've truly only ever seen men. Don't cause trouble..."
The crowd of men and women glared angrily at Liu Ruozhu, realizing this chattering woman had appeared among them. Fearing the Hanlin Academy might halt the booklet's distribution due to her words, they turned on her. Liu Ruozhu flushed with embarrassment under their intimidation but held onto the booklet, refusing to yield.
The young official stared at her in surprise, noting she still hadn't fled.
As the commotion outside the Hanlin Academy tent escalated, a clear, resonant female voice cut through: "What's all this noise? Is there anything wrong with what Lady Liu said? There is both a military exercise and a scholarly duel. There are both men and women. How can a work with such a grand title as 'Records of Chang'an Heroes' emerge without including us women?"
Everyone turned around, ready to vent their anger, but saw that it was Princess Danyang who had arrived.Then they grew even more panicked.
For not only had Mu Wan Yao arrived, but the Emperor had come as well.
Mu Wan Yao had brought the Emperor along to watch the show—
Both sides argued, each sticking to their own version of events.
The Emperor pondered deeply.
Finally, he said to Mu Wan Yao, "Indeed, this is unfair.
"For the women's Scholarly Duel, the book 'Chronicles of Chang'an Maidens' shall be written;
For the battles in the Military Exercise, the Imperial Academy shall write 'Chronicles of Chang'an Youths';
And I too wish to join in your youthful festivities. You..."
The Emperor looked at the young Academician of the Imperial Academy, who quickly bowed and said, "Your servant is named Lin Dao, styled Yan Zhi."
The Emperor nodded. "Then, my dear Lin, I shall borrow your title 'Records of Chang'an Heroes' to document today's grand event."
Lin Dao naturally agreed.
With ink and brush prepared, Mu Wan Yao further suggested that all three books bear the Emperor's inscription. The Emperor glanced at her and agreed with a smile—
As night fell, on the Military Exercise grounds, Yan Shang and Yang Si had divided their troops.
A man named Han Shu Xing, who came from the Princess Residence, bore a striking resemblance to Meng Zaishi in stature. Originally intended by the Princess to impersonate the Uman King, he was now of no use. Yet Yan Shang employed this man, repeatedly sending him to infiltrate the enemy's rear camp with other soldiers, causing disturbances and intercepting their supplies.
However, in the first two days, Han Shu Xing had acted alongside other soldiers.
On this night, Yan Shang led them personally to launch a surprise attack on the enemy.
Yang Si did not join forces with them but instead took only about a hundred men and broke away, his whereabouts unknown.
The Uman King left some men to guard the camp and, under the cover of darkness, went to attack the Wei army's supplies, determined to wipe them out completely that very night.
In the Wei army camp, with the main force gone, Wei Shu sat in the tent reviewing accounts when he suddenly heard chaos outside—horses and soldiers in disarray, a fire blazing... He slowly set down the accounts, knowing he had to buy time for Yan Shang and Yang Si in this final stand—
At Leyou Plateau, cups clinked and wine flowed, as young men and women from all sides waited for His Majesty's inscription.
The Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, then softly recited the same inscription for all three texts:
"In the spring of the twenty-third year of Youhe, with favorable winds and rains, envoys from all lands came to court, celebrating my longevity.
Praises never ceased from artisans, brushes never paused from historians, singing and chanting... Merits and faults span a thousand autumns, thus three books are specially left to record: Chronicles of Maidens, Chronicles of Youths, and Records of Heroes. May our Great Wei uphold the mandate of the nine and five, bestowing blessings for ten thousand generations!"
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