News of Chuzhou Army’s catastrophic rout east of the Fanchuan River quickly reached Jinling, like a massive boulder crashing into a lake, stirring up shocking waves.

In an inconspicuous teahouse in Jinling, a large crowd of common citizens discussed the latest news in panic and confusion.

“Chuzhou Army is defeated!” A middle-aged man in a blue padded robe sat by the window, speaking with melancholy and shock.

Just days earlier, tea patrons in this establishment had been enthusiastically discussing expectations that the court would quickly deploy troops to join Chuzhou Army in recovering Huaixi and revitalizing Great Chu’s military prestige. Many had even clamored about enlisting to serve the court. None had imagined that within mere days, such freezing cold water would be splashed in their faces.

“How is that possible? Liang forces on the eastern front total at most twenty thousand troops, with large numbers piled up in Tangyi City on the northern bank. How many troops could they use to fight Chuzhou Army? Prince Xin is also one of Great Chu’s most formidable generals since the founding—how could he be so easily defeated?” Some still found such events hard to believe, their questioning voices sharp.

Commoners living at the imperial capital’s feet weren’t country bumpkins. Through constant exposure, even porters and servants could discourse somewhat on current affairs.

“Would I deceive you? Yang A’si was selling ducklings in villages north of Gaoyou and personally witnessed Chuzhou Army being slaughtered and fleeing everywhere like dogs. Yang A’si even had several strings of cash stolen by scattered soldiers and took a blade slash on the shoulder—barely escaped with his life back to Jinling.” Though marketplace rumors were unofficial, some demanded belief.

“Is Prince Xin really so weak? Are Liang forces truly this formidable?” Recently in Jinling, many had been proclaiming Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan’s martial prowess and military skill everywhere. Current news presented too stark a contrast.

“Years ago, the Liang ruler gathered a group of unarmed servants and slaves yet fought Prince Xin to a standstill. Consider how many battles Liang forces have fought against Eastern Liang Army and Mengwu people in the north over these years—how could Chuzhou Army, which has barely experienced warfare for nearly ten years, compare? I heard Prince Xin himself was shot from his horse. Thanks to several loyal brave soldiers protecting his escape back to Dongyang City—otherwise he’d have lost his life on the battlefield, and Huaidong would have been seized by Liang,” some teahouse patrons with leisure time and sources closer to higher circles couldn’t help joining the discussion.

“But can Liang forces really be this formidable?” Some still couldn’t believe Chuzhou Army would suffer such catastrophic defeat.

“I heard the Liang ruler received supernatural teachings from divine beings since childhood—not only possessing unmatched martial skills but able to create all kinds of devices. He’s never suffered a single defeat all these years.”

“Where have Liang forces attacked now? Have they already captured Chuzhou City?”

“Strange thing is, Liang forces suddenly withdrew after reaching Dongyang City walls without even attacking.”

“What’s that about?”

“Who knows? Let’s pray heaven protects us and Liang forces don’t concentrate strength to attack Jinling…”

In Changxin Palace’s main hall, the atmosphere felt oppressively heavy, like lead weights pressing on everyone’s hearts.

Dongyang County Magistrate Li Chaoqing was a court-appointed official. After learning of Chuzhou Army’s defeat, Shen Yang immediately summoned Li Chaoqing to Jinling, allowing senior ministers to learn detailed processes of the Fanchuan River battle.

In the Fanchuan River battle, Chuzhou Army had committed over twenty-six thousand combat troops west of Dongyang County, yet was defeated piecemeal by Liang forces in four separate engagements. Ultimately, nearly half the soldiers were killed or captured on battlefields along the Fanchuan River’s banks, with barely fourteen thousand remnants and wounded escaping into Dongyang City.

Liang casualties were unclear but estimated under four thousand.

Perhaps one could say pre-battle preparations were too inadequate, perhaps they were too contemptuous of the enemy, completely failing to anticipate Liang forces would immediately cross the Fanchuan River for counterattack. Perhaps Prince Xin acted too rashly, immediately being shot from his horse, thus missing the final chance to reverse defeat into victory. However, one point no one in the hall could deny:

Liang forces’ combat effectiveness far exceeded their imagination.

Or rather, what they’d considered Chuzhou Army elite forces had declined far more severely than they’d imagined.

Liang forces’ strength manifested in multiple aspects.

Nearly half Liang soldiers wore new-style plate armor—impenetrable to blades, resistant to arrows, yet far lighter than traditional full-coverage lamellar armor. Besides the large ballista beds first seen during the Ao Island raid, Liang forces were equipped with large numbers of individual combat crossbows with extreme range and penetrating power. When Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan attempted to lead elite forces in surprise attack on Liang forces’ central command, he was shot from his horse by such crossbows. Over two thousand Silver Halberd Guard elites charging with him suffered over half casualties in this battle.

Of course, Liang forces’ small-unit combat capability was extremely strong—the more complex the terrain, the more pronounced Liang forces’ advantages.

Yang Yuanyan hadn’t even anticipated pre-battle that Zhao Wuji would immediately lead Liang main forces across the Fanchuan River. Responses from all quarters appeared hasty and disorderly. Yet on seemingly chaotic battlefields, Liang forces’ advance and retreat maintained far more meticulous, orderly rhythm—clearly Liang forces’ command system far surpassed Chuzhou Army’s.

Thinking about it brought sadness—people like Cao Ba and Li Chi had once been Great Chu’s brave generals, now all become Liang forces’ vanguard soldiers.

Hearing Li Chaoqing elaborate on numerous Fanchuan River battle details, ministers’ expressions all looked grim. Shen Yang hunched his withered frame on an embroidered cushion, tightly pressing dry, bloodless lips together, saying nothing.

During Jinling’s chaos, Chuzhou Army’s military power had been at its peak. Yet even then, it was blocked by Chishan Army north of Langxi, ultimately losing initiative in Jinling’s turmoil and forced to withdraw north of the river in practical separatism.

Afterward, circumstances in Huaidong had remained extremely difficult—constant natural and man-made disasters, once overturned completely by Liang forces, successively losing lands north of the Huai River.

Chuzhou Army had long declined, no longer the Chuzhou Army of before, with soldiers’ morale increasingly deteriorated.

Only no one was willing to admit such facts before tasting bitter fruit.

Of course, had Chuzhou Army faced ordinary forces—like Xuzhou-Si Army or Shouzhou Army—accumulating several small victories could restore soldiers’ morale and potentially rise again as a strong army.

However, Chuzhou Army’s first genuine assault battle in years—Zhao Zhen’s division organized as Right Prancing Tiger Army had attacked northern Xiang, fighting only favorable battles—chose as opponent Liang forces at their sharpest, moreover battle-hardened elite troops Han Qian had deliberately transferred from the northern front. Perhaps at that moment, Chuzhou Army’s dismal fate was already sealed.

Before September, Han Qian had recognized Jianghuai would soon experience upheaval yet dared deploy merely twenty thousand troops on Huaixi’s eastern front—clearly already confident enough to predict such an outcome.

Thinking this, Shen Yang felt utterly powerless and helpless, sitting in the great hall, not knowing what to say.

As for why Liang forces suddenly withdrew from Dongyang City—this presented no mystery to those seated in the hall.

Plainly speaking, Liang garrison forces in Huaixi truly numbered only this many, insufficient for extensive assault and capture of cities throughout Huaidong. After achieving objectives of heavily damaging Chuzhou Army and intimidating Jianghuai, Liang forces might as well withdraw cleanly.

However, Liang forces’ withdrawal didn’t mean the entire matter had ended.

After all, this side had torn up the peace agreement. After all, they had deployed troops and attacked first.

Han Qian’s attention currently remained on the northern front, but after Liang forces captured southern Shanxi and freed their hands to transfer fifty or sixty thousand elite troops to Huaixi?

Yesterday morning, Shen Yang had dispatched Xue Ruogu to cross the river to Tangyi, hoping to meet Gao Shao and Yang Qin for contact. But the boat had barely reached mid-river when dozens of Liang naval warship crossbows shot concentrated volleys, killing several boatmen and sailors who fell into the river.

Had those around him not protected timely, Xue Ruogu might not have escaped with his life.

All this plainly meant that even if Liang forces withdrew west of the Fanchuan River, the warfare they’d initiated hadn’t ended—Liang forces also refused all forms of negotiation…

Empress Dowager Mingcheng clamored about heart pains and hadn’t participated in court deliberations for two days. Qing Yang sat beside the imperial desk, striving to keep her back straight, watching ministers with worried, bitter faces, a fire smoldering in her breast with no outlet for venting.

Not to mention Gu Zhilong, Zhang Chao, Du Chongtao, Zhou Bingwu, and others—even Shen Yang, when Chuzhou Army attacked Huaixi, hadn’t harbored a trace of expectation, hadn’t indulged Yang Zhitang and Yang Yuanyan in their risky actions?

Now creating such a situation, yet all struck speechless?

Seeing Dongyang County Magistrate Li Chaoqing finish recounting Fanchuan River battle details, all ministers sitting dry-mouthed saying nothing, Qing Yang waved her hand listlessly, indicating ministers could withdraw:

“Since no one has anything to say, all may withdraw.”

“This minister is dull, unable to resolve concerns for the Empress Dowager and His Majesty…” Zhang Chao, Du Chongtao, Zhou Bingwu, Gu Zhilong, and others exchanged glances, stepping forward to plead guilty.

“Go, go, all go! This widow and His Majesty are orphan and widow—previously bullied and ridden over by others with no one speaking fair words. Now we don’t expect you to exert any effort either!” Qing Yang said.

After moments of standoff with repeated apologies, Zhang Chao and others first withdrew. Shen Yang and Yang En remained seated.

That thin-framed youth’s face appeared somewhat pale, lips trembling as if wanting to speak, ultimately never opening his mouth, sitting behind the imperial desk like frost-struck eggplant.

“These princes and senior ministers at this moment lack even sincerity to seize a few scapegoats for atonement. Prime Minister Shen and Minister Yang remain—what matters do you memorialize?” Qing Yang asked with unfriendly expression.

“According to principle, Prince Xin independently deployed troops to attack Huaixi—he should be bound and brought to Jinling for punishment, giving Liang an explanation. But the problem is Liang forces now completely refuse us contact opportunities. Whatever we do now can hardly ease the current situation. Dispatching forces to bind Prince Xin would only make Great Chu’s situation more chaotic while Liang forces watch from across the river…” Shen Yang stood up reluctantly, voice hoarse.

Yesterday when Shen Yang dispatched Xue Ruogu north of the river, he’d prepared for Liang making exorbitant demands. He’d even thought that as long as Liang presented conditions, no matter how harsh, he’d try his utmost to persuade Du Chongtao, Gu Zhilong, Zhou Bingwu, Zhang Xiang, and the Zheng family to accept.

If possible, even deploying troops to “suppress rebellion,” he’d find ways to seize Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan for punishment in Jinling to bring Liang-Chu back to negotiating rhythm.

The problem was Liang rejected negotiations. Their deployment of forces to Chuzhou to “suppress rebellion” now would only create self-inflicted chaos, stirring Great Chu into even greater weakness.

“What about Yang Zhitang, who’s been hiding behind the scenes fanning flames these days—will you let him continue enjoying himself?” Qing Yang strove to calm the fury in her breast, asking sternly in suppressed voice.

“Prince Shou advocated war yet his subordinate generals didn’t deploy troops,” Shen Yang said. “For the present, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty should consider the worst-case scenario for the future rather than pursuing anyone’s culpability!”

“All of you only know balance and compromise. Had it not been for your indulgence initially, could that vile servant in Mingcheng Palace and the Huang family lurking behind have colluded with Yang Zhitang and Yang Yuanyan to create such turmoil?”

Unable to suppress inner fury, Qing Yang stood abruptly, angrily questioning Shen Yang.

“Should we arrest Yang Zhitang, Yang Yuanyan, and the Huang family for punishment and purge the court—would Great Chu definitely fragment completely, definitely become utterly vulnerable?”

“If there were two to three years’ buffer time, this minister would support the Empress Dowager in purging the court,” Yang En stood up, saying haggardly. “However, given current circumstances, Liang ruler Han Qian will very likely dispatch forces southward after recovering southern Shanxi. That is to say, most quickly by mid-next year, Great Chu will face the critical situation of Liang forces’ comprehensive southern invasion across the river. I fear there’s no longer buffer time for court purging.”

“Then according to you, what should be done? So many days have passed—you must have privately deliberated some solution? Surely you don’t want this widow crossing the river to plead guilty before Liang forces?” Qing Yang stared sternly at Shen Yang and Yang En, asking.

“Last night this minister visited Prince Shou’s mansion and met Prince Shou. He agreed to retire to Hongzhou, and Crown Prince Yang Fan will also petition to resign as Runzhou Governor and Right Dragon Martial Army Commander. The Empress Dowager may send him to serve in any prefecture or county,” Yang En said. “Chuzhou Army suffered heavy losses this battle and should be reduced to single army strength. Prince Xin independently deployed troops and should be punished—demoted to commandery prince and ordered to reflect on his errors in Chuzhou City…”

Clearly Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan couldn’t possibly run to Jinling to bind himself for punishment. Even if Chuzhou Army retained only defeated remnants, for the court to capture Yang Yuanyan would definitely not be easy.

Facing survival crisis, if Great Chu didn’t mutually compromise now, did they have capital for civil war?

Even without Liang forces watching covetously from the side, if they forced Prince Xin Yang Yuanyan, Prince Shou Yang Zhitang, and the Huang family to unite in counterattack, could they certainly control the situation and prevent palace coups from recurring?

For the present, Yang Zhitang and his son Yang Fan’s willingness to accept demotion was already a decent outcome.

“Is that all?” Qing Yang asked.

“Empress Dowager Mingcheng’s health is poor—she should properly recuperate and no longer be troubled with state affairs. Recent sycophants ingratiating themselves around His Majesty should also be exiled,” Yang En said. “Of course, these are all preliminary discussions with Prince Shou’s mansion, Duke Du, Administrator Zhou, Prime Minister Zhang, and Duke Gu. Whether ultimately feasible still requires urgent dispatch of envoys to Chuzhou and Yueyang…”

Hearing that vile servant Dong E agreed to cease interfering in court politics, Qing Yang’s expression finally softened slightly:

“Since you’ve all arranged everything so clearly, then proceed. Those sycophants around His Majesty need not be exiled to frontiers—give each one hundred rod strikes, expel them from court, stop them from offending this widow’s eyes and misleading His Majesty.”

Yang En hesitantly glanced at Shen Yang. If those most actively jumping young militant officials each took one hundred rod strikes, death if not disability.

The youth mumbled as if to speak, but meeting Qing Yang’s cold gaze, sat back down dejectedly.

“This minister obeys the Empress Dowager’s gracious decree,” Shen Yang said in muffled voice.

He understood clearly—if Great Chu avoided chaos and stabilized the situation, perhaps future negotiation possibilities remained. Of course, planning for the worst, they should now consider relocating the capital.

Naturally, capital relocation involved broader implications and couldn’t be hastily proposed in such chaotic circumstances…

Shen Yang and Yang En withdrew. Zhang Ping and attendant eunuchs clustered around the young emperor returning to Chongwen Hall for rest. Qing Yang sat behind the imperial desk, magnificent phoenix robes splendidly spread across wool rugs, watching flickering candles in the great hall.

Lei Cheng appeared increasingly aged, hunched as he entered the hall: “The hour grows late—the Empress Dowager should also rest…”

“Three days ago this widow summoned Cai Chen back to Chamberlain for Ceremonials service, but today he still lies abed unable to rise. If this widow dispatches someone across the river to Tangyi with a message, will they also be shot to death by random arrows?” Qing Yang looked at Lei Cheng and asked.

“How to handle subsequent matters—His Majesty hasn’t sent edicts yet. We dare not presume,” Lei Cheng said. “Perhaps the current status must be maintained for some period.”

“So when Han Qian frees his hands from the north, a Liang-Chu battle ultimately proves unavoidable?” Qing Yang asked.

“Since the previous dynasty’s fall, the realm has been divided for nearly thirty years. Who knows how many people have been displaced and died in warfare? This nearly let barbarians re-enter the Central Plains, repeating Five Barbarians chaos. Does the Empress Dowager truly hope such turmoil continues endlessly?” Lei Cheng asked. “Regardless of how others criticize His Majesty, since he received the late Emperor’s entrustment of family and state, what has the Empress Dowager to worry about?”

“This widow is but a woman—how am I qualified to consider such profound matters?” Qing Yang wearily waved her hand, indicating Lei Cheng should withdraw.

Lei Cheng bowed and hunched his way out of the hall.

Though the hall’s walls contained passages for heated air circulation, keeping the interior warm as spring even in deep winter, sitting in the empty hall, Qing Yang inexplicably felt internal cold. She drew the magnificent phoenix robes tighter for warmth, yet the inner loneliness couldn’t be dispelled…

When Gu Zhilong returned to his mansion, darkness had completely fallen. Dense clouds and howling winds made one suspect Jinling’s first snow this year might fall at any moment.

With such fierce wind risking fire hazards, no lanterns dared hang in courtyards—everywhere pitch black. When Gu Zhilong descended from his carriage, several servants carefully carried lanterns to light the way. Passing through the hanging flower hall and taking side passages toward rear quarters, he felt increasingly desolate and lonely.

Chuzhou Army’s rout had splashed cold water on Jinling’s clamorous young militants. The Gu mansion had suddenly grown cold these days—even the Xi family father and sons stopped visiting.

Countless people felt panicked and uneasy. Who at this moment couldn’t see clearly how the situation would develop, or when Liang armies would cross the river to attack?

Removing court robes and changing into light, warm fur garments, Gu Zhilong sat in his study, staring blankly in thought. Hearing knocking sounds, he suddenly awakened to see his son Gu Xiongchang pushing the door and peering in.

“Father, Minister Fu has arrived.”

Seeing Chuzhou Army slaughtered in rout, Gu Zhilong naturally felt no schadenfreude. But having avoided direct involvement, he still felt considerable relief.

Hearing Fu Gengwen visiting late at night, he quickly stood intending to go to the front hall, but reconsidering, instructed Gu Xiongchang: “Please have Minister Fu come speak in this study…”

Though the Gu mansion in Jinling wasn’t extremely extravagant, front hall and inner quarters remained clearly separated, with dedicated courtyard halls for handling official business—privileges enjoyed by ministerial-level figures.

Gu Zhilong wanted to converse with Fu Gengwen in the inner quarters’ study, appearing more intimate.

Regardless, Fu Gengwen had dissuaded him at the critical moment from participating in Yang Zhitang’s conspiracy.

Otherwise, even if Yongjia Army never had deployment opportunities, merely preparing for warfare and unusual movements couldn’t escape perceptive eyes.

Currently from Shen Yang and Yang En’s intentions, to avoid internal chaos, they temporarily had no intention of severely pursuing responsibility for independent troop deployment and peace agreement violations. But this matter’s lingering troubles would absolutely be endless.

Fu Gengwen followed Gu Xiongchang into the study, also asking with concern about court developments: “When Duke Gu entered the palace today with senior ministers to meet the Empress Dowager, were any countermeasures deliberated?”

As a director-level official, Fu Gengwen naturally lacked qualification to participate in Bureau of Military Affairs meetings.

“Yesterday Xue Ruogu crossed the river to the northern bank, shot back by volleys of arrows. Liang forces show absolutely no willingness for contact now—what countermeasures can the court deliberate?” Gu Zhilong no longer treated Fu Gengwen as outsider, speaking less cautiously. Inviting him to sit, he said, “Entering the palace today, we said little before withdrawing from Changxin Palace. Prime Minister Shen and Minister Yang remained for private memorial. I believe the Empress Dowager, having weathered storms before, should accept their counsel—now it depends whether Chuzhou and Yueyang can temporarily accept such conditions.”

“Since Prince Shou has admitted fault, Administrator Huang and Prince Xin should now see the situation clearly,” Fu Gengwen said. “However, even if the Huang family and Prince Xin can compromise, after Liang forces capture southern Shanxi with tens of thousands of elite troops following the Liang ruler southward—such circumstances won’t be easy to handle…”

“Indeed…” Gu Zhilong sighed lightly.

“But Liang forces may not easily capture southern Shanxi either,” Gu Xiongchang said. “Mengwu people left so many elderly, weak, women, and children in Jincheng and Luzhou precisely to fight Liang forces to the death. If Liang forces suffer setbacks on the northern front, Father and senior ministers won’t remain so dejected and disheveled.”

Gu Zhilong glanced at his youngest son, sighing: “Mengwu people left so many elderly, weak, women, and children in Jincheng and Luzhou mainly hoping we could recapture Huaixi, inflicting heavy damage on Liang forces from the southern front, thus forcing Liang forces to withdraw from southern Shanxi. Who could know Chuzhou Army would prove so vulnerable? Whether Mengwu people can hold southern Shanxi until autumn next year remains questionable!”

Fu Gengwen smiled inwardly, feigning anxiety: “Regarding Duke replacing Zhou Bingwu to control the Bureau of Military Affairs—has this been settled?”

“The Bureau of Military Affairs is now a fire pit. From appearances, the Empress Dowager should continue leaving Zhou Bingwu to prop things up temporarily. Of course, replacing him with Du Chongtao or Zhang Xiang for this position also works—I won’t compete for this fire pit,” Gu Zhilong shook his head, completely changing from previous eagerness. Now he wished nothing more than to recuperate at home for a period.

Liang forces currently displayed an unmistakable stance of unceasing warfare. Whoever replaced Zhou Bingwu now as Chief of Bureau of Military Affairs would bear responsibility for organizing defensive operations against Liang along the river.

From all perspectives now, this was a fire pit.

Would Gu Zhilong willingly jump into a fire pit?

Fu Gengwen mainly tested changes in Gu Zhilong and others’ thinking. Before Great Liang’s northern forces could disengage, the south temporarily wouldn’t make other rash moves. He then spoke some consoling words before taking his leave from the Gu mansion…