In mid-September, people from the Yang family’s southern estate brought news that Nanzhao had raised an army.

Ji Yingying’s first thought was of Sheng Fengze. Now she understood the meaning behind his previous words. Nanzhao had long coveted Shu’s brocade industry, and Sheng Fengze had been collecting silk-dyeing secrets and brocade-weaving methods everywhere. In his view, this was a peaceful means of bringing prosperity to Nanzhao. Perhaps they had grown impatient with the slow progress.

During their last meeting, he had subtly advised Ji Yingying to accompany the Ji family back to Chang’an. Looking back now, he had hoped she would leave Yizhou Prefecture because it would become a battlefield.

No matter how many times Ji Yingying reconsidered it, she was certain she hadn’t misinterpreted Sheng Fengze’s meaning. The realization that Nanzhao would attack Yizhou left her restless. She instructed Hong You to gather news from the city’s teahouses and taverns, and sent Ji Fu with the property deed back to Sandaozeng, insisting that her mother and brothers’ families move into the city first. Whatever happened, Yizhou was a major city with the Military Commissioner’s office and garrison troops for protection. Sandaozeng didn’t even have city walls.

She turned and went to Bailu Hall.

The Yang brothers and their wives were all there. When Ji Yingying entered, she heard Yang Jingshan discussing the southern conflict. She secretly sighed in relief—at least they were aware of the situation.

“I’ve already ordered our shops to buy summer silkworm silk at higher prices. With Nanzhao’s military action, next year’s spring silkworm silk will surely be affected. With sufficient silk stockpiled, and after we reclaim the Brocade King title in next month’s competition, the Yang family’s brocade revenue will certainly increase by thirty percent next year…” The Yang brothers showed no concern about the conflict, instead displaying excitement.

Both the eldest and second young madams smiled in agreement, the hall filled with jubilation.

The more Ji Yingying listened, the more uneasy she became. Was she worrying needlessly? When there was a break in the conversation, she interjected: “What if Nanzhao attacks Yizhou City?”

Everyone in the hall looked at her in surprise. The eldest young madam’s eyes flashed with contempt as she covered her smile with a handkerchief: “Sister-in-law grew up in Sandaozeng, so, understandably, she doesn’t know better.”

Here we go again. Ji Yingying lowered her gaze to avoid letting Madam Chen see her expression: “I’ve never been further than Yizhou City, so my knowledge is limited. I hope eldest sister-in-law can enlighten me.”

Seeing her submissive manner, the eldest young madam’s lips curled slightly: “Nanzhao is merely a small country dependent on our great Tang. Their ruler is merely the King of Yunnan, appointed by the Emperor himself—a mere vassal king of a tiny territory. Barbarians will be barbarians. From the Zhenguan to the Tianbao eras, whenever Nanzhao rebelled against Tang, they always ended up paying tribute and begging for eternal friendship. Within a month, there will surely be news of victory from the south, with the Xichuan army defeating them at the border.”

Sheng Fengze had visited Yizhou Prefecture multiple times, surely familiarizing himself with the terrain, strategic points, and military situation. Why would he come so frequently if not to attack Yizhou City? Worried, Ji Yingying countered: “What if Nanzhao is well-prepared this time? If the Xichuan army is defeated…”

“Yingying.” Madam Yang couldn’t bear to hear her speak so carelessly about the Xichuan army being defeated by Nanzhao and interrupted her: “Military and political matters are not for women in the inner quarters to discuss.”

Ji Yingying lowered her head, mumbling: “I just thought it would be better to be prepared.”

The second young madam, the youngest in the hall, was still over ten years older than her. She was still just a young woman, no wonder she was afraid and worried. Madam Yang softened her tone to comfort her: “The Jiannan Xichuan Circuit governs several prefectures, and Yizhou Prefecture lies in Shu’s heartland, over a thousand li from the border. Stone Military Advisor has sent word that Nanzhao is merely making a show of force, probably just to extort the court into reducing their tribute.”

Perhaps being threatened by Sheng Fengze had made her overly fearful. Hearing Madam Yang speak this way, Ji Yingying gradually calmed down.

Shortly after returning to Mingyue Residence, Hong You came back.

Yizhou City was peaceful and prosperous. Everyone was cursing Nanzhao’s wolfish ambitions and the untrustworthiness of barbarians, while excitedly discussing how the Nanzhao king would surrender under the Tang army’s counterattack, showing no panic. The city’s people were more concerned about who would claim the Brocade King title on the ninth of the tenth month than about the border conflict.

“Third Young Madam, don’t worry. I heard Nanzhao isn’t even as large as our Jiannan Circuit. The great Tang dynasty will defeat these Nanzhao barbarians easily,” Hong You puffed out his chest, perhaps influenced by the citizens’ discussions as if he were the general who would defeat the Nanzhao army.

Ling’er spat at him: “Look at you, acting all proud. Madam sent you to gather news, not to listen to people boasting.”

“But I was gathering news! Nobody said our Tang army would lose,” Hong You grumbled.

As the two began to bicker, Ji Yingying felt more reassured amid their noise.

In the evening, Ji Fu returned. As Ji Yingying had expected, both her mother and Ji Yaoting opposed moving into the city now. First, they were reluctant to abandon their ancestral property, and second, Zhang Si’niang was due to give birth at year’s end.

Ji Yingying had always trusted her mother’s judgment. Madam Ji had Ji Fu tell her: “Nanzhao is too small; a snake cannot swallow an elephant. Don’t worry.”

Indeed, could Nanzhao’s military action mean they wanted to replace the Tang ruler and claim the throne? Ji Yingying felt she had overthought things.

September winds slowly blew away the clouds, revealing a clear blue sky. The Dadu River’s waters churned with snow-white waves, their sound reaching the heavens.

The forests on both banks of the Dadu River had been painted in autumn’s varied colors, and a group of mounted men stood on the high cliff. The wind lifted Sheng Fengze’s great banner. Below his golden mask, his deep eyes were filled with sympathy.

Days earlier, Nanzhao had routed the Jiannan Xichuan Circuit’s army. Nanzhao’s forces had advanced like an unstoppable force, reaching the banks of the Dadu River. Beyond this natural barrier lay the plains of Shu, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Chihu quietly reminded him: “Master, the boats for crossing the river are all prepared.”

It was time to return to the main camp. Sheng Fengze didn’t move, instead asking: “I spent three whole years plotting in Yizhou Prefecture, yet achieved less than what our king has done in just a few months. Chihu, did I do something wrong?”

Whenever he referred to himself as “I,” he was treating Chihu as his childhood companion. Chihu hesitated before responding: “Master shows mercy toward the soldiers. It’s because the master is kindhearted.”

“It’s not that this prince is kindhearted. This prince misjudged the Tang,” Sheng Fengze said mockingly. “I thought it was still a tiger, but it has become a mere cat. The Xichuan Military Commissioner was once a minister of three reigns, yet upon taking charge of this territory, he lost his wisdom and became greedy and brutal. What a pity that such a magnificent city should be ruined by his hands. Let’s go.”

Sheng Fengze led his guards back to the riverside camp.

In the tent, generals were gathered around a table studying maps. Seeing him enter, they all saluted. Sheng Fengze said flatly: “The army moves out tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Joy spread across their faces—after being stationed by the Dadu River for two days, they were eager to gallop freely across the Chengdu Plains.

It wasn’t until Nanzhao’s army crossed the Dadu River and successively occupied Meizhou and Qiongzhou that news of the Xichuan army’s continuous defeats spread throughout Yizhou City.

Meizhou and Qiongzhou, also situated in the plains, were less than two hundred li from Yizhou.

Amid the panic, reassuring news arrived: the Nanzhao army had halted its advance.