A disdainful sniff emitted from Pang Xiao. “Do you think that castrated man came up with this idea on his own? He normally throws his weight around in Xihua with his back straight and his head held high, but he puts all that away when he sees me. Even if he inwardly scorns me, he presents an agreeable face on the surface. So tell me, where did he get the courage to publicly accuse me today?”
Huzi’s expression shifted as he gasped. “Your Highness, you mean this was the emperor’s idea?”
Pang Xiao shook his head. “His Majesty is wise. He still has use for me, so he won’t shoot himself in the foot like this. It must be Li Guanwen picking up on something and conspiring with Zhao Yueshui.”
“But that’s also tricky to handle!” Huzi was as white as a sheet.
It wasn’t the first day that the emperor had been careful against Pang Xiao. The fiercer the prince fought his battles, the greater his accomplishments. This further added to the emperor’s obsession. Li Guanwen served by the emperor’s side. To sit so firmly in his eminent position meant that he was both smart and shrewd.
How would such a fellow misread the emperor’s intentions?
Though they’d long since known that the emperor was this kind of person, Huzi still broke out in a clammy sweat when he thought of all the implications.
The tent flap raised at this moment as Zheng Pei, garbed in a navy blue straight robe, walked in urgently. “Your Highness.”
“Sir Zheng is here. Have a sweat.” Pang Xiao lifted his chin at the old man.
Huzi brought over a seat and raised a cupped fist salute to Zheng Pei. His polite yet distantly removed attitude was miles apart from the close friendliness before.
Agonized ruefulness welled up in the old man’s heart. He first bowed to Pang Xiao, but was too worried to wait until he’d fully taken his seat before beginning, “Please think twice, Your Highness. Zhao Yueshui is Li Guanwen’s foster son. If you kill Zhao Yueshui, you’ll offend Li Guanwen to no end! The emperor listens to Li Guanwen — that eunuch makes a poor piece of candy but a very sour pot of vinegar. You can’t be brash in this!
“Killing Zhao Yueshui will surely elicit imperial anger. The emperor holds all the reins of power and hates his people begging for forgiveness rather than asking for permission. He sent Zhao Yueshi to your side, so you must think of the master even when beating the dog. Please consider my words carefully out of concern for your standing at court in the future.” Zheng Pei rose to make another bow.
Pang Xiao smiled reassuringly, his gaze quite gentle beneath the candlelight. “Please sit down and speak.” He didn’t answer the strategist directly.
Further resigned wryness flooded Zheng Pei’s heart. He knew that him reporting all of Pang Xiao’s movements to the emperor had thoroughly pushed the young man away. The prince no longer trusted him, but he couldn’t bear to just wash his hands of the entire matter. The young man was Pang Zhongzhen’s son!
Zheng Pei slowly returned to his stool and looked expectantly at Pang Xiao.
“Sir Zheng makes sense.” The prince responded leisurely, as if they weren’t discussing his future or even life and death! It seemed more like they were discussing the weather. “With Sir Zheng’s intelligence, you should understand that some things are already set in stone, even if I don’t kill the eunuch. Those who are irked by me will still be irritated.”
The strategist caught his breath. He was stumped for an appropriate reply. He knew that the prince was a smart one and wouldn’t be fobbed off with some pleasantries.
Pang Xiao spoke only the truth. Even if he left the eunuch alive, the emperor’s wariness of him wouldn’t decrease one iota, and neither would the old Northern Ji officials change their minds of him.
“This prince knows that Sir Zheng is thinking on my behalf, but I’m sure you already know the foregone conclusions of some of the ins-and-outs. Since some things can’t be changed, why must I continue to imitate a doormat and put up with unfair treatment? As a man, do I lack even the courage to speak loudly? That will only invite more bullying until one day, I won’t be able to even lift my head.”
Zheng Pei was completely won over by these arguments. He couldn’t find anything to refute with and had to nod his head.
Pang Xiao cast a glance at Huzi. The guard didn’t have near as many concerns as Zheng Pei. He’d been raring to go once his master had made a decision. Having received the go-signal, he charged out enthusiastically to take care of Zhao Yueshui.
There was only Pang Xiao and Zheng Pei left in the tent.
The strategist looked at the prince’s sharp gaze in the moonlight, but actually couldn’t meet it. The situation was incredibly awkward.
He’d once thought that he was Pang Xiao’s most trusted person.
He’d also thought that it’d been his betrayal that pushed the loyal prince away from him.
But now it looked like Pang Xiao had never truly trusted him!
The prince had always kept firmly in mind exactly how the old man had used him. He’d played deaf and dumb, fixing his sights on his prey like a patient wolf. Pang Xiao never relaxed his guard and had revealed his fangs when the timing was right.
Zheng Pei could no longer do anything to Pang Xiao. He couldn’t counter the prince, much less control the young man. It was no longer impossible for him to be a trusted confidante.
Or perhaps it’d always been wishful thinking that he could ever become a bosom friend.
Zheng Pei sighed and took his leave.
The prince tracked the old man’s movements, withdrawing his gaze after a moment and closing his eyes to rest.
Huzi obtained some actual intelligence from Zhao Yueshi — the eunuch was the typical person of being all bark and no bite. After a round of interrogation, he just wanted a quick death, of which Huzi obliged.
“Your Highness, that castrated man confessed everything.”
“Mm.”
“You guessed right, my prince. Li Guanwen had indeed mentioned something to Zhao Yueshui before. When the emperor ‘invited’ your mother and maternal grandparents for a stay in the palace, he ordered the empress to fish your thoughts out of them.”
“As expected, but my mother isn’t so easily hoodwinked. The emperor will have next steps in mind.” Pang Xiao toyed with the whip in his hand. “Since that’s the case, we need to end the fighting here as soon as possible. I'm worried something will happen to my family.”
Huzi nodded firmly in agreement as his master bent his mind to considering war strategy over the next two days.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t win, but that attackers were at a natural disadvantage when besieging a city. Their supply lines were long and Great Zhou far away. The country’s coffers were rather empty after cleaning up Northern Ji’s mess, and the emperor had imposed a stringent budget on him. There was no silver and rice to be had, and their supplies were often late.
Meanwhile, the Duke of An evaded battle and hid behind barred gates.
If he couldn’t keep his troops fed, would he have any right to stop them from resorting to robbery?
The same went for the Great Yan soldiers outside the city gates. If they went hungry, they’d have to take their food from someone else’s mouths as well.
Victims of war would be the people in the end if things dragged on. Pang Xiao just wanted to conclude the war as soon as possible.
But at this time, an absolutely astounding piece of news from Great Yan finally made its way to his ears.
Happiest of New Years in the Year of the Pig! This was my family's spread on CNY Eve, more pics on Instagram and/or Twitter!
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Chapter 265: Besieging the Capital
Chapter 265: Besieging the Capital
“Liu Yingshi, Prefect of Bao Chang, in possession of thirty thousand mercenaries, petitioned Emperor Yuankang [1] to move Great Yan’s capital to his city. Upon the emperor turning down the petition, the prefect rebelled and endorsed royal descendent Weichi Xujie as the emperor of Later Yan. Prefect L
iu Yingshi has set himself up as the regent and endowed Weichi Xujie with the title of Emperor Kaiyuan, indicating the founder of the dynasty.
“Many provinces in southern Great Yan have flocked to Emperor Kaiyuan’s banner. Great Yan has lost the majority of its territory and Later Yan controls the waterways. Trade routes have been cut off, and reserve provisions are all being intercepted by Liu Yingshi…”
Huzi slowly finished reading out the secret report and clucked his tongue in amazement. “This Liu Yingshi is crazy! He responds to a rejected petition with putting up a new emperor? He makes off with the grain that the capital had previously gathered and surveils the waterways. Won’t this cause a food shortage for the capital and its surrounding cities and towns?”
Pang Xiao nodded thoughtfully. “These kinds of people always rear their heads in chaotic times. Liu Yingshi is a crafty individual, and what he’s done puts us at a great disadvantage.”
“Why does it?” Huzi asked, baffled. “Later Yan is cutting off all supplies for the capital. Isn’t that perfect for our siege?”
“That’s true, but I set my gaze on the entirety of Great Yan. Previously, we’d only needed to conquer the capital to subdue the nation. However, Liu Yingshi’s antics have broken Great Yan into two, and we’ll need to deal with Later Yan even after taking the capital.”
The prince rose to pace. “Great Zhou’s coffers are stretched too thin. We could’ve grit our teeth and endured if we’d controlled Weichi Yan after taking the capital. But even if we do so now, we only close our hands around those in the capital city. We’d be destroying only the former Yan Dynasty. This isn’t a good development.”
Things had become clear to Huzi. “Liu’s got some really great timing huh!”
“Let’s set all that to the side for now. We can worry about things after we take the capital. Even if Later Yan bears Yan in its name, Great Yan must die in Great Zhou’s hands.”
“Precisely! The capital city now is a lonely island cut off from supplies. It won’t hold out for long.” Huzi brimmed with pride and confidence.
“We need to do so as soon as possible.” Pang Xiao drew close to the map to peruse an appropriate strategy. He had to end the war as quickly as possible, because Qin Yining was located in the capital, a city now suffering from shortage of food.
He didn’t want her to go hungry.
……
Pandemonium reigned in the capital.
The government had just auctioned off large numbers of ceremonial titles to improve the merchants’ standings. Grain was being continuously carted into the capital, but the people had a scarce few days of joy before news came that the supply carts were being ambushed and Later Yan had formed with Bao Chang as its capital.
Bedlam gripped the people!
This city was the heart of Great Yan, and their emperor was Emperor Yuankang. What the hell was this Later Yan??
It was plainly a bunch of traitors and thieves up to no good, making up excuses to steal food from those in the capital and the defending army!
Panic-stricken commoners flooded the yamen and Xuan Su Temple, wanting someone to give them comfort and guidance. But no matter which they visited, both places had their doors firmly shut.
The people then turned to grain merchants to stock up on food, but all of the stores were closed as well. Meanwhile, the official granaries of the city were under heavy guard.
Charged emotions sent the people charging into the streets and disappointment drove them back home. After a few days of upheaval, some started leaving the capital with family in tow.
But three days later, heavy guard was imposed on the outer gates as well. Entry and exit were strictly regulated, and all those attempting to flee with their family were forcefully sent back.
Someone clashed with the soldiers, shouting, “The capital is about to fall and us commoners have nothing to eat or drink! Are we supposed to just sit here and wait to die?? We’re going to Later Yan in the south!”
He was dragged away before he finished, stripped of his pants, and caned forty times. Now hanging to life by a thread, his wife and children wailed and sobbed as they carried the man back home.
Scenes like these happened at every city gate. Filled with terror and anxiety, the people started resenting the government.
The government couldn’t protect them and didn’t allow them to run away, no matter some were saying that Great Yan deserved to die…
Weichi Yan was in a sorry state.
He charged into the emperor emeritus’ residence. “Royal father! Chaos engulfs the streets! Weichi Xujie’s pronounced himself emperor and claimed all land along the coast, south of Bao Chang! He’s set himself up with some Later Yan Dynasty! Royal father, if you still refuse to tell me where that silver is, Great Yan really will fall!”
The former emperor was on his side in bed, leisurely puffing hookah and squinting in enjoyment at clouds of smoke.
“You’re the emperor of Great Yan. You’ll hold things up whether or not the nation falls. What does that have to do with me?”
Weichi Yan stared incredulously at his father. “Royal father, do you not care at all about this country? You were once its ruler! What use can you possibly have for such a large sum of money? Do you still want to go out and start a country of your own? Or do you want to use it all yourself? How much money can one use in a lifetime? Will your conscience stand for this?? The thing to do now is to bring it forth to safeguard Great Yan!”
“Pah! Even if it falls, it’s not I who was the ruler that brought it death! What am I worried about? Stop bothering me, get out!” The former emperor took another puff and waved Weichi Yan off like he was shooing a fly.
A furious hum filled Weichi Yan’s mind as the room grew dark in front of him. If it wasn’t for Lu-gonggong’s quick reflexes, the emperor would’ve stumbled to the ground out of rage.
Such was his royal father!
This was the real reason why he’d handed over the throne!
Not because of Weichi Yan’s talents or education, and not because the emperor emeritus had truly wanted to. It was because there’d been no one else to be the scapegoat for the fall of a dynasty!
Unable to hit or curse his father, impossible to win in argument or persuasion, a dispirited Weichi Yan shuffled down the long passageway. He tilted his head to an azure blue sky, his eyes full of miserable despair.
Did the heavens really want to end Great Yan?
“Tell me, should We have agreed to moving the capital?” He turned to Lu-gonggong at his side.
The eunuch quickly responded, “Your Majesty, you might’ve been met with an ambush at Bao Chang! There’s nothing good about Liu Yingshi. Perhaps he doesn’t really want to move the capital, and just wanted to lure you there. He wants to be the master of Great Yan!”
Weichi Yan smiled wryly. “I know that, of course. That’s why I turned him down. But had I agreed, the nation might be fine. I might not have to be the ruler of a conquered nation, and the historians wouldn’t write so ill of me.”
Lu-gonggong lowered his head. As a eunuch, there were many subjects that weren’t his place to touch upon.
A guard sprinted over at this time. “Your Majesty! The Valiant Tigers have commenced their ultimate attack! The Duke of An is keeping the city gates shut and refuses to meet them in battle, but the Valiant Tigers have imposing momentum and have surrounded us on all sides!”
White as a sheet, Weichi Yan howled at the sky. “The heavens wish to end us! The heavens wish to end us!”
As Qin Huaiyuan helped the Duke of An steady the defenses, Qin Yining had gathered all of the Qins to announce her decision.
“Move? Daughter Yi, where are we moving to at this point in time?”
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Weichi Yan’s official title
Chapter 266: A Fallback Position
Chapter 266: A Fallback Position
Qin Yining continued with a grim expression. “The situation outside is very tense. Steward Zhong sent word
just now that the capital city has been surrounded by the Great Zhou army. It was our army guarding the gates before, not letting people leave. But now our men have been scared back inside, the gates shut up tight. They wouldn’t be able to let anyone out even if they wanted to.”
Color drained from the family’s faces as they heard the dire news. It was an oppressive feeling of thunderclouds looming over the city walls, of towering buildings about to collapse.
“But what should we do? Is our country about to be destroyed?” Tears swam in the frightened old dowager’s eyes. Qin-mama quickly offered a handkerchief to wipe away tears.
The second madame asked, “Niece Yi, if this is the case, we should defend the manor with everything we’ve got. Where would we move to?”
“Second aunt, what we should do now isn’t defend the manor unto death. We need to leave. Think about it. The city gates are sealed off and what rations we have left are earmarked for the troops. Even so, how long do you think the rations will last us given the 320 thousand soldiers we have?
“The people will be far worse off than the army. They can’t afford to buy food and they can’t escape. The emperor can’t give us a concrete plan. I’m afraid we’ll have revolts soon! When the commoners turn into mobs, where do you think they’ll head for first? The granaries? The offices of government? Or the rich families in the city?”
“That’s, that’s too frightening.” Née Sun wrung her handkerchief with shaking hands. “We still have guards…”
“A single pair of hands will be hard pressed to defend against two others. Our guards won’t be enough.” The fourth miss pursed her lips. “My father is a famous official and I’m a nun with official providence. Our family has too bright a target painted on our backs. When the mobs form, none of us will be able to get away. Besides, there’s another matter at hand.”
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