The “Merit Stone” was transported to Leyou Plain. The Emperor and his children, including Mu Wanyao, ascended the tower while nobles and commoners alike craned their necks to watch from below. Everyone could see the massive object draped in cloth on the vast plain, looming like a mountain. Though they knew it was the “Merit Stone,” their necks ached from looking up at its imposing presence.
Mu Wanyao stood beside the Emperor and smiled gently. “Father Emperor, please look—”
At her signal, the guards appointed as “Stone Protectors” worked together to pull away the cloth covering the stone. A wave of gasps and exclamations rose from the commoners below as they beheld the towering stone, its surface a cold, grayish-blue.
The stone’s surface was uneven, covered in dense patterns of holes. From a distance, these holes resembled carved characters. Even the tallest buildings of the era were no more than three stories high, yet this stone stood as tall as five stories, requiring over a hundred people holding hands to encircle it. Transporting such an enormous stone from the south to Chang’an without damage must have required countless laborers and considerable time.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes at the dense patterns of holes on the “Merit Stone” and deliberately asked, “Yaoyao, what characters are written on this stone?”
The Crown Prince was supporting her, and Mu Wanyao naturally appreciated it.
She nodded respectfully to His Highness the Crown Prince before explaining in a clear voice: “Ancient characters are carved here, different from those we use today. I’ll read them for Father Emperor: ‘A thousand years of destiny fulfilled, all things bear witness. The four barbarians submit, that ten thousand nations pay tribute. A mighty stone stands at the head of the great river. The stone serves as a monument…'”
As the Princess explained to the Emperor and royal family members on the tower, quick-witted attendants beside the Emperor immediately relayed her explanations level by level.
The young lady’s voice rang clear, and people on every floor stretched their necks to listen as the eunuchs ran up and down, back and forth, making trip after trip—
The nobles below: “What else? What did the Princess say?”
A eunuch, panting and wiping sweat: “The first line: ‘A thousand years of destiny fulfilled, all things bear witness.'”
The scholars and ladies murmured in approval, nodding repeatedly.
“‘The four barbarians submit, ten thousand nations pay tribute.'”
The noblemen and women grabbed the eunuchs, their eyes red with urgency: “What else, what else?”
The eunuch: “This servant will go listen again!”
While the people below urged them on and the royal family members nodded frequently above, the envoys following behind the Emperor and others listened in confusion, as their best Chinese speaker had gone to the “Literary Battle.” However, seeing the eunuchs running until drenched in sweat and the admiring expressions of Chang’an’s citizens, the envoys knew these must be words of praise and hurriedly had their people record them.
A drift of willow cotton floated past the tower, scattered like gold and silver in the clear sky.
The Emperor listened quietly to everyone’s praise and his young daughter’s explanation as all gathered closer to the stone, trying to see more clearly.
The Emperor’s face showed a smile.
Mu Wanyao observed him, and seeing his smile, continued smoothly: “Father Emperor, this stone is too massive to transport into Chang’an. Why not leave it here on Leyou Plain and build a garden around it? With the garden remaining and the Merit Stone at its center, future generations will see Father Emperor’s achievements.”
The Emperor looked at Mu Wanyao and said, “Thank you for your hard work, Yaoyao.”
Mu Wanyao smiled: “My maternal grandfather’s family helped as well.”
The Emperor made a sound of acknowledgment: “Thank them for their efforts too.”
Mu Wanyao: “And with Elder Brother Crown Prince’s support—if he hadn’t consistently used the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works to clear the way, this stone couldn’t have reached Chang’an.”
The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince and said, “The Crown Prince has done well too.”
The Crown Prince started, feeling unexpectedly delighted, and hurriedly said this was his duty, merely celebrating Father Emperor’s birthday, nothing special.
The Emperor said, “The Crown Prince has handled matters well. From now on, I will hold court every five days, and the Crown Prince will act as regent in my place at other times.”
The Crown Prince hastily agreed.
When he turned away, the Crown Prince looked at Mu Wanyao, who smiled at him. The Crown Prince also showed a slight smile, knowing his efforts hadn’t been wasted.
Then, turning their gazes, the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin exchanged glances.
The Li family had used the Merit Stone to submit to the Emperor, and the Emperor had accepted their surrender. From now on, the tension between the Emperor and the southern noble families would likely ease. Would the Emperor stop pressuring the noble families?
At least at this moment, both the Crown Prince and Prince of Qin hoped the Emperor would stop suppressing the noble families.
The Prince of Qin’s maternal family was from the great households of Nanyang, naturally part of the great noble families; even the Crown Prince, though of humbler birth, had the Yang family’s support behind him. If the Emperor continued to suppress the noble families, it wouldn’t be good for either of them.
The Prince of Jin, however, was unconcerned.
Because the Prince of Jin’s wife was a second wife, her background naturally couldn’t be too noble. The Prince of Jin at least openly didn’t compete with his two royal brothers, so while they probed the Emperor’s intentions, he simply followed behind the Emperor, purely appreciating the characters carved on the Merit Stone.
The Emperor turned back and saw the Prince of Jin instructing his people to record the poems.
The Emperor asked in surprise: “Fifth Son, why are you recording this?”
The Prince of Jin quickly replied: “These poems praise Father Emperor, naturally I should record them to appreciate daily when I return to my residence.”
The Emperor: “It’s just plain speech, not good poetry.”
The Prince of Jin: “Good or bad doesn’t matter—all praise for Father Emperor is precious to your son…”
The Emperor quietly looked at him for two breaths before moving his gaze away.
The Prince of Qin cursed in his heart: Bootlicker.
The Crown Prince naturally wouldn’t let the Prince of Jin divert the Emperor’s attention. He said, “Father Emperor, shall we go watch the real Literary Battle?”
The Emperor turned and walked first, everyone following. Mu Wanyao deliberately stayed a step slower than them all, waiting at the end to watch the Prince of Jin.
Mu Wanyao gave the Prince of Jin a meaningful smile: “Fifth Brother, that flattery just now was a bit much.”
The Prince of Jin asked in confusion: “What do you mean, Sixth Sister? Those were my heartfelt words just now—surely you all haven’t misunderstood?”
When the Emperor had quietly looked at him for those two breaths, he suddenly realized he might have overdone it. Today was Mu Wanyao’s moment, the Crown Prince’s moment, and being so direct with praise… The Prince of Jin silently regretted it, thinking he had indeed been too anxious.
Because the Emperor had given the Crown Prince too much authority, he had ultimately become anxious.
Seeing the Prince of Jin’s dejected expression and knowing he had received her warning, Mu Wanyao simply smiled slightly and said no more. She sighed inwardly, never expecting that one day she would be able to understand what all their hidden, hesitant words and glances meant, and even be able to warn the Prince of Jin.
As she and the Prince of Jin walked downstairs together, she asked, “How is Chunhua?”
The Prince of Jin’s heart stirred, and he smiled: “She’s about to give birth… When will Sixth Sister come to visit my residence?”
Mu Wanyao rested her chin on her hand and smiled mischievously: “When I’m free. Unless Fifth Brother would mistreat her if I don’t come? I’m not worried.”
Speaking together, they left the tower and caught up with the main group, all going to watch the Literary Battle.
Everyone showed great respect to Mu Wanyao, and when mounting the carriages, her vehicle was ranked only slightly below the Emperor’s and Crown Prince’s.
Another dispute broke out during the mounting of carriages. After seeing the Crown Prince board, Princess Imperial of Luling naturally meant to follow, but unexpectedly, the eunuchs arranged the third position for Princess of Danyang instead. Princess Imperial of Luling was certainly unwilling to accept this and made a great fuss, but those attendants remained unmoved, only saying “capital offense” while refusing to let Princess Imperial go first.
Princess Imperial of Luling trembled with anger: “I’ve always gone first before! I am the Emperor’s sister! You slave dogs, are you bullying me because I’ve lost power? Just wait until I report this…”
“What’s the matter?” A cool male voice followed.
The voice was familiar. Mu Wanyao, sitting in her carriage, lifted the curtain and saw a yellow-robed eunuch with refined features—it was Liu Wenqi, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time.
Liu Wenqi understood the situation and said to the Princess Imperial: “Please, Your Highness, don’t make a fuss to His Majesty. Do you think His Majesty doesn’t know about our arrangements for Your Highness? If we say the palace is a home, then His Majesty is the head of the household, we are all servants, and you are the head’s family members. When we arrange seating for the head’s family members, we naturally consult the head first.”
The Princess Imperial froze: “You mean His Majesty already knew… How could he treat me this way…”
Liu Wenqi lowered his eyes: “That, this servant wouldn’t know.”
The Princess Imperial stood dazed and lost beneath the carriages, watching the forest of banners, as carriage after carriage drove past her. Yet here, like snow in June, her heart grew colder and colder.
She had returned to the Emperor’s side during the grand ceremony, the Emperor had forgiven her, and she could once again socialize in Chang’an. But now her position had been taken by the Princess of Danyang, replaced by that little girl… Why was His Majesty so cruel to her?
Could it be… perhaps… Princess Imperial of Luling’s heart raced, wondering if the Emperor had discovered her collaboration with the Crown Prince.
But… wasn’t the Princess of Danyang also working with the Crown Prince? How could he allow his daughter to meddle in politics but not his sister?
Liu Wenqi said: “This servant offers Your Highness one piece of advice: whatever Your Highness wishes to do, please remain consistent. If you change course midway, don’t blame others.”
The Princess Imperial stood lost in spirit for a long while, her mind empty. As fragrant winds stirred and curtains fluttered, she looked up to see Mu Wanyao’s half-revealed face watching her from among the precious carriages.
The Princess Imperial instantly thought of Yan Shang, realizing that the beginning of her downfall could be traced to that night when she met him… And it was Yan Shang who had suggested she ally with the Crown Prince!
And now in Chang’an, after the South Mountain incident, who couldn’t see the deep connection between Young Master Yan and the Princess of Danyang?
The Princess Imperial gritted her teeth: “Mu Wanyao!”
Mu Wanyao sat in her carriage and smiled down at her. She couldn’t be bothered to say more, dropping the curtain to block the Princess Imperial’s hateful gaze.
Golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, and Mu Wanyao examined her delicate fingers, feeling waves of infinite satisfaction.
With gold leaf and powder adorning her forehead and the corners of her eyes, her beautiful eyes sparkled as she narrowed them slightly, admiring the disheveled Princess Imperial below and the watching commoners. She knew clearly that she wouldn’t need to participate in the marriage alliance anymore, that Father Emperor would listen to her now, that Princess Imperial wouldn’t dare look down on her anymore—
And all this came from power.
All this came from her involvement in politics.
Power was so intoxicating that Mu Wanyao, having just begun to show her potential, was already captivated and wanted more power. This path—she had chosen correctly, and she would walk it even more firmly.
Mu Wanyao’s eyes grew cold and determined—
At the military exercise, Zhao Lingfei was furious and unwilling, having no desire to protect Wei Shu. But when she raised her eyes, intending to glare at the person she was supposed to protect, she suddenly froze upon seeing Wei Shu.
The young lady’s face instantly turned red, secretly thinking how handsome he was while also feeling annoyed at how cruel Second Brother Yan was, seeming to know exactly her weak points and deliberately using this against her. She glared at Yan Shang, but he only looked at her gently.
Unable to bring herself to be angry at Yan Shang, Zhao Lingfei finally kicked Yang Si and ran out of the tent.
Yang Si: “…”
Damn.
Such an innocent victim.
Having used Wei Shu to deal with Zhao Lingfei, Yan Shang went with Yang Si to inspect the troops. They had barely looked around for a quarter-hour when a soldier came to report: “The enemy is charging down the mountain! The scouts have spotted them!”
Yan Shang had someone nearby start keeping time and said: “The Wuman King responds quickly.”
Yang Si said: “Then let’s deploy our troops too. Have the cavalry form ranks to meet them.”
Yan Shang: “Split into several routes.”
Yang Si: “Mm, right. Perfect for probing.”
Yang Si looked up at the hastily constructed tower fort, dissatisfied. He said decisively: “Let’s leave the city and find a good spot on the mountain to observe the battle situation more easily.”
As soldiers moved in and out of the camp, Yang Si showed no intention of joining the battle, and Yan Shang had his thoughts, naturally agreeing.
An hour later, both armies clashed below the city. The Great Wei side had excellent equipment and similar numbers to the opponent. However, the army led by the Wuman King had extremely strong momentum, and as soon as the battle began, Great Wei’s morale was suppressed.
Yan Shang and Yang Si stood on a mountain near the fort tower, at the good position Yang Si had found, where they could see the battle situation.
Seeing Great Wei’s side immediately falter, Yan Shang shook his head and instructed the soldier behind him: “Record this.”
Yang Si crossed his arms and said thoughtfully: “Both sides have the same equipment, horses, and even numbers. Yet Great Wei’s side is still lacking something. Since we’re at a disadvantage, order them to withdraw back to the city.”
Yan Shang looked at him: “What’s your plan?”
Yang Si: “Since we can’t match them head-on, we can only split our forces and harass them from the sides.”
Yan Shang nodded, listening as Yang Si propped his chin: “But the situation between both sides has just begun, yet Meng Zai Shi rushed here so impatiently—could it be simply because the Wuman King is brave and wants to catch Great Wei off guard?”
Yan Shang answered: “It’s because of the environment.”
Yang Si raised an eyebrow.
Yan Shang: “I specifically investigated the Wuman situation before. I even wrote a memorial to my teacher about it, but he hasn’t replied yet. I wasn’t certain in my heart, but now seeing the Wuman King so anxious, my speculation seems more confirmed.
“The Wuman’s terrain and climate are different from Great Wei’s. They can’t fight in Great Wei for long—after extended periods, their bodies become unwell. So for this military exercise, when the Wuman King set the time with us, he only set three days. The fact that he’s charging into battle as soon as it begins further proves he can’t afford delays.”
Standing in the lush green shade, the two watched the dust below the temporary fort tower, seeing Great Wei’s forces withdraw into the city while the Wuman side didn’t retreat but began charging the city gates.
Yang Si casually ordered them to defend the city, not anxious, knowing that on just the first day, with Great Wei well-prepared, the Wuman couldn’t possibly breach the city. Rather than the battle situation below, Yang Si was more interested in Yan Shang’s words.
Yang Si: “You mean if we could drag out our wars with the Wuman, Great Wei would likely win? Because they can’t adapt to our climate?”
Yan Shang countered: “What do you call winning?”
Yang Si answered without hesitation: “Drive them back to their lands. Take the opportunity to pursue, and if possible, simply occupy their territory.”
Yan Shang: “But just as they can’t adapt to our climate, we can’t adapt to theirs. Great Wei people in Wuman territory similarly fall ill—in severe cases, they die within twelve hours of entering Wuman lands. I asked Her Highness the Princess about this matter, and she confirmed my speculation. Many of those who accompanied the Princess for the marriage alliance died from inability to adapt to the environment.”
Yang Si paused, his lips pressing into a sharp line.
Yan Shang concluded: “That’s why we must ally with the Wuman. They can’t defeat us, and we can’t defeat them. Since we’re evenly matched, we might as well cooperate.”
Yang Si: “I hadn’t realized there were so many reasons behind the alliance between our two countries.”
He added: “Fortunately, this isn’t a problem I need to worry about now.”
He gripped his wrist and called Yan Shang to return to the city: “Split some troops to harass their camp. Courtesy demands reciprocation.”
Yan Shang agreed to Yang Si’s plan, having the soldier record it. He didn’t comment much on these strategic matters. However, while descending the mountain with Yang Si, Yan Shang shared his plan: “If we’re going to harass them, why not target their supplies directly?”
Yang Si paused, not usually appearing particularly clever, but at this moment he instantly understood Yan Shang’s single sentence: “Since we can’t defeat them directly, you want to frighten them multiple times? Wait until they lose patience, then concentrate our forces to attack their rear supply lines?”
Yan Shang nodded.
Yang Si: “But if I guess correctly, the Wuman King has the same idea and will also target our supplies.”
Yan Shang said quietly: “Didn’t you say your cousin’s martial arts are good? I have no other requirements—as long as Lingfei can protect Juyuan from harm, that’s enough. If Juyuan can’t hold on, we can simply surrender.”
Yang Si smiled: “But we should only surrender at the very end. In between, we plan to fight properly.”
Yan Shang asked: “Then when does the Third Young Master plan to enter the field?”
Yang Si casually pulled a blade of grass and twirled it in his hand. His shadow was cut extremely long by the sunlight, and Yan Shang followed behind him, watching as he turned back with a playful smile: “Naturally, I’ll coordinate with your final attack on their supplies.
“The central command wants us to lose, but I still want to match wits with Meng Zai Shi. I intend to gauge their military strength—what’s your intention? Second Yan, we’ve come this far, surely you can let me in on your thoughts?”
Yan Shang said softly: “The central command ordered us to lose, but I want the Wuman King to—though victorious, still feel defeated.”—
On the literary competition side, Chang’an’s noble ladies presided, continuing for three days in many rounds, meeting the envoys’ challenges one by one.
To host this competition, Mu Wanyao naturally stayed at Leyou Plain for three consecutive days. During the competitions between both sides, Mu Wanyao often observed from the side, sometimes serving as a judge.
Meanwhile, the rumbling on the ground never ceased, and reports of the military exercise’s situation kept arriving. Even without sending people, others continually arrived on fast horses to report—
“Report to Your Majesty: Today our army made three consecutive raids on the envoys’ rear supply lines. During the chaos, our army shouted ‘Wei troops have arrived,’ causing panic in the enemy camp. Our army gained a small victory!”
“Report to Your Majesty: The Wuman King personally appeared below the city walls and shot down one of our commanders with a single arrow. The commander was dragged by his horse for a li before surrendering and withdrawing from the exercise.”
“Report: The Wuman King was forcibly pulled from his horse by our forces, yet he fought a hundred men alone until reinforcements arrived to rescue him.”
“Report: Third Young Master Yang from the Wei army led only ten men to charge the enemy. They fought below the city walls, and in the end, he brought back a hundred of their men who surrendered to him!”
“Report: The Wei army suffered a minor defeat today and agreed to a ceasefire with the Wuman King, yet both sides went on night raids…”
As reports of the battlefield situation kept coming in, even those at the literary competition were stirred, their poetry, prose, calligraphy, and chess games taking on a martial vigor.
Mu Wanyao also worried about the situation there, constantly sending people to quietly inquire if Yan Shang or Yang Si had been injured, and secretly instructing her messengers to tell Yan Shang not to rush onto the battlefield but to stay back and command…
While Mu Wanyao listened with concern to the unstable battle situation, Chang’an’s young men and women listened with racing pulses, excited and thrilled.
Over two or three consecutive days, the names of the Wuman King and Third Young Master Yang spread throughout Chang’an’s youth. Both were talented young men with such powerful martial prowess that these passionate Great Wei noblemen and women wished they could personally visit the military exercise grounds to see how the two sides fought.
However, warfare wasn’t child’s play—even military exercises weren’t for outsiders to watch as entertainment. These scholars and talents could only wring their hands in regret on the outside.
They lamented not knowing Third Young Master Yang better, lamented not being able to see the Wuman King’s grandeur in person!
The Hanlin Academy responded extremely quickly. Under the Prince of Qin’s arrangements, just as everyone’s spirits were stirred by the battle situation, the Hanlin Academy began writing books, providing real-time reports of the military exercise situation, and composing poetry and prose praising those involved.
The crucial point was that the Hanlin Academy’s books weren’t written for noblemen and women, but directly addressed to common people.
When Mu Wanyao heard this, she immediately frowned, feeling the Prince of Qin was stealing the literary competition’s thunder. Writing about the battle situation? The literary competition side could do that too!
Mu Wanyao sent people to inquire about the situation at the Hanlin Academy, wanting those scholars to stop writing.
Liu Ruozhu had just finished a painting competition with someone and had watched the Princess’s entire angry outburst. After Mu Wanyao had finished cursing the Prince of Qin through gritted teeth, she sent people to the Hanlin Academy, saying she wanted to find some pretext to confine all those scholars and stop them from interfering.
Liu Ruozhu requested: “Your Highness, may I go?”
Mu Wanyao glanced at her, her eyes flashing, thinking the Hanlin Academy wouldn’t dare bully a Prime Minister’s daughter, so she sent Liu Ruozhu along as well.
After Liu Ruozhu left, Mu Wanyao had an idea in mind and, wanting to seek the Emperor’s judgment, also left.
When Liu Ruozhu arrived, the Hanlin Academy had set up like storytellers, with desks laid out where several scholars wrote with flying brushes and paper. A young official sat to one side, and the books these people wrote were handed to him. Only after he nodded would these completed books be passed out for the Chang’an men and women gathered outside the tent to read.
This young official not only reviewed others’ writing but also wrote himself.
The Princess’s messengers entered to call for the Hanlin Academy scholars to stop, while the Chang’an men and women outside the tent blocked them in protest.
Liu Ruozhu stood in the crowd, looking left and right.
The messenger told the young official who controlled everyone’s writing that this was the Princess’s wish. This young official frowned slightly and replied perfunctorily: “Look, these people outside are waiting to read, and the Hanlin Academy is simply conveying information for everyone since they’re all interested in the military exercise. Why should the Princess interfere?”
The young men and women below immediately agreed: “That’s right, the literary competition has already taken the noble families, and we from humble backgrounds can’t join in—surely they can’t prevent us from knowing about the military exercise? We care about the Wei army too.”
Their clamoring voices left the Princess’s messenger at a loss, only able to glare and shout: “Insolent!”
Liu Ruozhu stood in the crowd, watching as that young official who sat calmly on a low stool, stirring up discord, revealed a slight smile as he handed a freshly written book, still fragrant with ink, to a minor clerk beside him to continue distributing.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Liu Ruozhu squeezed to the front and, while others were busy arguing, stood on tiptoe and managed to snatch the new book. Though jostled by the crowd, Liu Ruozhu swayed but determinedly lowered her head to read the book.
She saw the title was “Records of Chang’an Heroes.”
Liu Ruozhu frowned, thinking: What presumption?
She looked up and glanced at him, but started in surprise to see that young official staring at her, clearly having noticed her.
Liu Ruozhu’s heart jumped in panic, and she quickly pretended not to see him, lowering her head to flip through rapidly. This person’s literary talent was excellent, and his writing was very engaging. Scanning, it was hard to find fault, however—Liu Ruozhu forced herself to speak loudly: “Since you’re writing ‘Records of Heroes,’ why only record the military exercise and not the literary competition? Why only record men and not women? In the eyes of Hanlin Academy scholars, is our women’s literary competition meaningless, with only the military exercise being interesting?”
The young official started in surprise.
He had noticed this young lady hiding in the crowd, presumably sent by the Princess to trouble the Hanlin Academy. Yet he hadn’t expected this young lady to dare speak up, staring at him with wide eyes.
Liu Ruozhu hugged the book, gathering her courage and raising her voice to be heard above everyone else: “Your writing is unfair! If your writing is unfair, what right do you have to review others’? We want to read true ‘Records of Heroes,’ not your records that only include men.”
The young official smiled sardonically: “Miss, don’t joke. This is specifically about the military exercise…”
Liu Ruozhu stubbornly persisted: “Anyway, your writing is wrong, and I object!”
The young official said perfunctorily: “Heroes are only men, I’ve only ever seen male heroes, don’t make trouble…”
The crowd glared at Liu Ruozhu, discovering this chattering woman in their midst. Worried the Hanlin Academy would stop writing the book after hearing this lady’s words, they immediately surrounded Liu Ruozhu. Though intimidated into blushing, Liu Ruozhu clutched the book and refused to back down.
That young official stared at Liu Ruozhu in surprise, seeing she still wouldn’t run away.
As the commotion continued outside the Hanlin Academy tent, a clear female voice rang out: “What’s all this noise about? What’s wrong with what Miss Liu said? There’s both military exercise and literary competition, both men and women. How can your grandly titled ‘Records of Chang’an Heroes’ exclude us women?”
Everyone turned around, about to explode in anger, but saw it was the Princess of Danyang who had arrived.
Then they became even more panicked.
Because not only had Mu Wanyao come, but the Emperor had come too.
Mu Wanyao had brought the Emperor to watch the drama—
Both sides argued, each holding their own ground.
The Emperor pondered.
Finally, he said to Mu Wanyao: “Indeed, this is unfair.
“Your women’s literary competition shall be recorded in ‘Tales of Chang’an’s Daughters’;
The military battles shall be recorded in ‘Tales of Chang’an’s Youth’;
And I also wish to join in your young people’s excitement. You…”
The Emperor looked at that young Hanlin scholar, who quickly bowed: “Your subject’s name is Lin Dao, courtesy name Yan Zhi.”
The Emperor nodded: “Then, Official Lin, I shall borrow your title ‘Records of Heroes’ to record today’s grand events.”
Lin Dao naturally agreed.
With brush and ink ready, Mu Wanyao also suggested that the Emperor write prefaces for all three books. The Emperor glanced at her and smiled in agreement—
As night fell at the military exercise grounds, Yan Shang and Yang Si had already split their forces.
A man named Han Shuxing from the Princess’s residence, who closely resembled Meng Zai Shi in build, was originally meant to impersonate the Wuman King for the Princess. Though that plan wasn’t used, Yan Shang had employed this man, several times having him mix with the troops to harass the enemy’s rear camp and intercept their supplies.
However, the previous two days, Han Shuxing had acted together with other soldiers.
That night, Yan Shang led them personally to raid the enemy.
Yang Si hadn’t joined forces with them but had led only about a hundred men to break away, his whereabouts unknown.
The Wuman King left men guarding the camp while he took advantage of the night to raid the Wei army’s supplies, determined to capture the Wei forces in one sweep tonight.
In the Wei camp, as the main force departed, Wei Shu sat in his tent reviewing accounts when he suddenly heard chaos break out among the troops outside as fire began to spread… He slowly put down the accounts, knowing that for this final formation, he would need to help Yan Shang and Yang Si buy time—
At Leyou Plain, cups clinked as various young men and women waited for His Majesty’s brush and ink.
The Emperor closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly recited the same preface for all three works:
“In the spring of the twenty-third year of Youhe, with favorable wind and rain, a hundred envoys came to court to congratulate me on my birthday.
Praises continue without ceasing, brushes recording history never rest, songs and verses flow… To record merit and fault for a thousand autumns, three books are specially preserved: Tales of Daughters, Tales of Youth, and Records of Heroes. May our Great Wei, blessed with the Mandate of Heaven, bestow grace for ten thousand generations!”