Not to mention Feng Liao, Feng Yi, Guo Rong, and Gao Shao—even the several Wen clan members behind Wen Muqiao stood there in stunned amazement.

Who could have imagined this handwritten edict would be in Wen Muqiao’s possession?

Who could have imagined that after experiencing so many chaotic events, Wen Muqiao would treasure this handwritten edict, keeping it on his person until now?

Feng Liao, who had been patiently standing behind Han Qian, couldn’t help but step forward at this moment. He took the handwritten edict and examined it carefully before passing it to Han Qian, saying in a low voice, “This is indeed the edict that Duke Han received at Lanting back then…”

With this original, they only needed to obtain any handwritten letter from Emperor Tianyou to compare the handwriting and seal to determine its authenticity—of course, since Wen Muqiao had kept this handwritten edict on his person all these years, Feng Liao couldn’t imagine this handwritten edict could possibly be forged.

Of course, thinking that Wen Muqiao could have been so foresighted as to secretly keep this handwritten edict on himself, Feng Liao gasped in shock but couldn’t help mocking, “Since Lord Wen anticipated there would come a day of misfortune, why did you act as an accomplice to the tiger in the first place?”

“…” Facing Feng Liao’s mockery, Wen Muqiao didn’t lose his temper or retort that if the Feng family hadn’t fallen due to the Imperial Mausoleum case, their choices during the upheaval would have been even more disgraceful. Instead, he bowed apologetically to Han Qian. “The Wen family’s crimes are indeed monstrous and unpardonable…”

Guo Rong, Gao Shao, and others were also shocked into silence at this moment. Not only were they shocked that Wen Muqiao had actually kept this handwritten edict on his person, they understood even more clearly in their hearts that whether or not this handwritten edict existed made an enormous difference.

Some things would become easier—for instance, sparing Wen Muqiao and the Wen clan, not pursuing the evil deeds they committed during the Jinling Incident, would be more acceptable in the hearts of the Tangyi people.

After all, the true culprits who harmed Han Daoxun were Emperor Tianyou and Empress Dowager Xu. Wen Muqiao and the Wen clan could only be considered accomplices to tyranny, or rather, at that time everyone was serving their own masters.

Even if they wanted to settle old scores, could they purge everyone who had followed Anning Palace in launching the rebellion back then?

With this original handwritten edict, Wen Muqiao and the Wen clan could clear themselves of direct suspicion in harming Han Daoxun. Only then could they avoid worrying about being purged or massacred after coming to Tangyi.

The subsequent negotiations with Wen Bo and the Luoshan garrison would then become easy, without the kind of insurmountable trust barrier they had previously worried about.

And looking at it now, the reason Han Donghu was able to smoothly abduct Wen Muqiao and the Wen clan members to “Tangyi” wasn’t entirely due to the “threat of extermination and massacre” and Han Qian’s handwritten letter taking effect.

Guo Rong and Gao Shao exchanged glances, both privately feeling that Wen Muqiao was truly a cunning old fox. Among all those who followed Anning Palace in rebelling and usurping the throne back then, who would have thought Wen Muqiao would leave such an escape route for the Wen clan?

Of course, some things would also become more complicated.

First, this handwritten edict could not be made public, or else it would only further split the relationship between Tangyi and Jinling.

However, if it was said that when Han Qian went on his mission to the Shu state to escort the bride, Emperor Tianyou very early on had a secret edict to Emperor Yanyou warning him about Han Qian, this could undoubtedly also explain why before recovering Jinling City, Emperor Yanyou was so eager to reclaim the military authority in Han Qian’s hands, even attempting to use the marriage arrangement with Wang Jun to prevent Han Qian from returning to Xuzhou.

Or rather, Emperor Yanyou should have long believed in the existence of this handwritten edict, and that it was not forged by Anning Palace’s Empress Dowager Xu and Wen Muqiao and others, right?

The logic behind all this was tightly interlocked.

This would also explain why Emperor Yanyou, after ascending the throne, would be so eager—almost unscrupulously indulgent—in allowing the capital region aristocratic clan forces to attack the military and civilians of Guangde Prefecture!

To put it bluntly, Emperor Yanyou was worried that if the truth about Emperor Tianyou’s harm to Han Daoxun were exposed, there would be no possibility of reconciliation between Jinling and Xuzhou.

Seeing Han Qian remain silent for a long time after receiving the handwritten edict, Wen Muqiao continued:

“When Duke Han came to see me bearing the late emperor’s handwritten edict, Zhao Mingting was waiting at my residence. When Niu Gengru, Yang Tai, and I failed to persuade Duke Han to surrender, the Empress Dowager lost patience and had Zhou Bin send poisoned wine to the prison. But it was Zhang Xinchun who insisted on executing Duke Han in the marketplace as a warning to others. The Empress Dowager’s murderous intent was too strong—we tried desperately to dissuade her but failed. Of course, Your Lordship was able to escape from Fanchang back then using the marriage arrangement as an excuse. You and your wife must have already anticipated these things. Wen has no need to desperately defend himself regarding Duke Han’s matter. Of course, Wen’s complicity as an accomplice to tyranny is indeed deeply sinful…”

Hearing Wen Muqiao say this, Gao Shao, Guo Rong, Feng Liao, Feng Yi, and others all looked toward Han Qian and Wang Jun. Han Qian’s hand holding the secret edict trembled slightly, showing his inner emotional turmoil. But Wang Jun was calmer than they had imagined, so they knew this old fox Wen Muqiao spoke the truth—they had even anticipated the handwritten edict was in Wen Muqiao’s possession!

Many things Han Qian had suspected back in Fanchang, but truly seeing the handwritten edict, the corners of his mouth still couldn’t help twitching slightly. After a long while, he asked in a hoarse voice, “Do Wen Bo, Cao Ba, and Xue Chuan know about the handwritten edict?”

“Wen Bo knows. Cao Ba, Xue Chuan, and the others all don’t know. If Your Lordship wishes them to know, they can know, and they will believe without doubt. But even if we don’t let them know for now, it won’t hinder Your Lordship’s plans.” Wen Muqiao said.

“There’s no need to leave so many troops guarding this place, but necessary guards must remain to protect our special guests and prevent enemy agents from taking advantage…” Han Qian had no intention of negotiating too much with Wen Muqiao at this time. Without picking up on his words, he instead gave instructions to Xi Fa’er, Han Donghu, and other practical personnel, then placed the handwritten edict in his robe sleeve and walked outside with Wang Jun.

“Your Lordship, take care. Forgive Wen for the inconvenience of seeing you off.” Wen Muqiao bowed, watching Han Qian leave.

Seeing Wen Muqiao like this, Feng Yi really wanted to retort with “only if you were able to see us off,” but thinking that this old fellow had kept this card up his sleeve from the very beginning of the Jinling Incident, he privately felt it was better not to provoke him. He turned and followed Han Qian and the others outside.

“You stay behind with General Xi and General Han to properly settle Lord Wen.” Feng Liao, seeing Feng Yi following from behind, quietly told him to stay with Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu to settle Wen Muqiao and the Wen clan members according to Han Qian’s instructions.

Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu were both heavily relied upon by Han Qian. Once they got busy, they might not be able to attend to this side. But at this time, there absolutely had to be someone who knew the secrets who could oversee the Wen Muqiao and Wen clan members’ side at all times.

Feng Liao felt that having the idle Feng Yi take over this matter was just right.

Feng Yi stayed behind with Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu for now. At first, he was still shocked by the handwritten edict matter. Watching Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu call in the officer in charge of guarding this place, ordering the withdrawal of most of the guards outside, leaving only necessary protection and surveillance personnel, and strictly ordering the guard personnel not to show the slightest disrespect to the Wen family, Feng Yi suddenly thought of something. He mysteriously pulled Xi Fa’er aside and asked in a low voice with both shock and delight:

“What old dog Wen just said to Han Qian—does it mean that Wen Bo and the Luoshan garrison can henceforth be used by our Tangyi?”

“Ah, Commander Feng only just realized this?” Xi Fa’er looked at Feng Yi rather astonished.

“Hey, my mind was full of thinking about this old dog’s ruthlessness in secretly hiding the handwritten edict to leave himself an escape route. My brain just didn’t turn the corner for a moment.” Feng Yi slapped his forehead, saying embarrassedly.

“It seems in the future it won’t be appropriate to address him as Old Dog Wen.” Xi Fa’er reminded him.

“I’m just cursing him a few more times now to satisfy my mouth. I understand in my heart,” Feng Yi said gleefully. “If Wen Bo can truly be used by Tangyi, with how formidable these father and son are, I’ll be too busy avoiding them—why would I provoke them? I truly never imagined this, truly never imagined! When Han Qian previously had Han Donghu lead people to secretly go to Xuzhou to abduct people, I thought at most we could constrain Li Zhigao, Chai Jian, and others from rashly conducting military operations in Guanzhong. I never imagined we could gain such a huge harvest…”

“What are Commander Feng and General Xi chatting about?” Han Donghu, having finished giving instructions about guard and surveillance matters, walked over and asked.

Feng Yi, seeing Wen Muqiao, Wen Zhanyu, and others also looking this way, loudly replied to Han Donghu, “There are a few mansion compounds on the neighboring street that have just been renovated but haven’t been assigned to anyone to move in yet. Old Xi told me to temporarily use them for this side, to let Lord Wen and his family live more spaciously. I’m discussing with him whether we should furnish them with more refined furniture—we can’t let our Tangyi appear too shabby…”

“Many thanks for Young Commander Feng’s consideration.” Wen Muqiao clasped his hands in thanks.

…

…

Feng Yi, Xi Fa’er, and Han Donghu quickly finished giving instructions on these trivial but important matters, then hurriedly crossed the bluestone streets shrouded in thin mist, rushing toward Lian Garden.

At this time, the sky had not yet fully brightened. They saw from afar Huo Li leading two people out with horses. They stopped him at the Lian Garden entrance to ask what they were rushing to do.

“My lord ordered us to immediately rush to Dongguan Town and have Lord Guo escort Cao Gan to Liyang.” Huo Li replied.

Feng Yi asked puzzled, “What, is Han Qian really going to help the Marquis of Changxiang usurp the throne? But according to Han Qian’s previous analysis, even if Wen Bo is willing to lead the Luoshan garrison to surrender to us, even willing to send troops to reinforce Shu in urgent situations, it wouldn’t be of much use, would it?”

Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu also looked confused.

The Luoshan garrison numbered over fifteen thousand men, of which Wen Bo’s direct forces numbered less than ten thousand.

If things truly developed as previously predicted and the Shu situation completely deteriorated, with Wen Bo’s ten thousand elite troops plus three to five thousand troops transferred from Xuzhou, going far away to unfamiliar Shu territory where logistical support wasn’t guaranteed, joining forces with the Marquis of Changxiang’s Yuzhou troops, they absolutely couldn’t play any decisive role.

Huo Li said, “Commander Feng and Lord Guo are also puzzled. My lord said for now to first activate this chess piece Wen Bo, then discuss other matters. He said nothing else.”

“That’s true. You hurry and deliver the message, don’t delay.” Xi Fa’er and Han Donghu let Huo Li and his men quickly leave.

They walked with Feng Yi in large strides into Lian Garden. Walking to the front of the study, they saw Han Qian standing in the corridor in front of the council hall, looking up at the dark blue-black eaves and courtyard walls faintly visible under the thin mist, while instructing Feng Liao, Guo Rong, and Gao Shao at his side:

“Draft a memorial on my behalf to send to the capital, saying that although we have myriad concerns about the development of the Central Plains war situation, since His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the court officials have already decided to ally with Shu to attack Yongzhou, Tangyi absolutely cannot stand by with folded arms. However, the Wen traitor stubbornly refuses to change, leading over ten thousand rebel troops to defend Luoshan without surrendering, constraining over one hundred thousand of Great Chu’s elite forces unable to advance or retreat freely—this is a great harm to military operations. Request His Majesty’s permission for me, Han Qian, to lead Tangyi’s elite forces to jointly attack Luoshan with Marquis of Xinjin. Whether surrender or annihilation, within one month we must resolve this problem first, to eliminate the rear concerns for our Great Chu troops attacking Wuguan and Shangluo, and also to avoid unexpected changes in the situation!”

“This method is good—we should directly give these people an ultimatum to see if Li Zhigao can capture Luoshan City within one month. If he doesn’t have that capability, we should take over.” Feng Yi walked into the courtyard, laughing heartily.

“There’s no time now for any ultimatum,” Han Qian sighed, then said to the people around him. “Gao Shao, immediately draft orders for He Liufeng, Tan Xiuqun, and Su Lie’s three forces to pack and stand ready immediately upon receiving military orders, waiting at any time for my new commands! Also send people to see Tian Cheng, have him deploy more personnel to the embankment, make sure to complete the Anfeng Canal before early December. Also send people to see Yang Qin—first transfer three thousand naval forces to Anfeng to stand ready. Don’t worry about the river channels freezing over afterward. Just gather people to cut ice…”

Currently, Kong Xirong, Lin Sheng, Guo Xiao, Zhao Wuji, and others led over sixteen thousand infantry and cavalry assembled at Lean and Huangchuan cities in eastern Guangzhou.

At this time, if they also transferred the elite soldiers of He Liufeng, Tan Xiuqun, and Su Lie’s three brigades, already in a semi-assembled departure state, to Lean or Huangchuan, it would mean they would assemble thirty thousand elite forces on the western flank fifty to eighty li from Luoshan City.

Han Qian doing this was naturally not to give Great Chu’s court any ultimatum together with the memorial.

Once the troops were assembled, he would directly lead them westward, forcing Li Zhigao to withdraw from beneath Luoshan City, ensuring that in the fastest time possible, Wen Bo’s forces could mobilize rather than continue being trapped in Luoshan City.

If they played the “ultimatum” game, they would be trapped too long in mutual scheming, negotiating, and haggling, wasting too much time.

Time was precisely what he could least afford to waste now.

If they dragged things out for one or two months, ultimately gaining the support of some people in the court before their side sent troops to force Li Zhigao to withdraw, things would still be far from over.

Even with the handwritten edict proving that his father Han Daoxun’s tragic death wasn’t Wen Muqiao’s direct fault—would Wen Bo unconditionally and unreservedly accept anyone they randomly sent over just because of this, because his family and clan were under Tangyi’s control?

Even if Wen Bo agreed and he had nothing to worry about, without making the handwritten edict public, were all those subordinate officers under Wen Bo puppets who would blindly follow Wen Bo to the bitter end without question, not worrying about being purged, not causing mutiny?

Things weren’t that easy. They still needed time to negotiate conditions with Wen Bo and his core officers like Cao Ba and Xue Chuan, provide necessary reassurance, and also use military force for intimidation. Afterward, they still needed to conduct necessary reorganization and consolidation of his forces.

However, going through this entire process, by the time these troops were barely usable, the opportunity would have long passed.

Therefore, they must pursue dual approaches simultaneously—or rather, the work on the Jinling side was merely surface work, mainly to create momentum, conversely isolate Li Zhigao, Lü Qingxia, and others, and also facilitate everyone having a way out later.

By the end of November, both the northern and southern Fei River would basically freeze solid.

At this time, deploying large numbers of naval warships near Anfeng Fortress—where there was no heavily defended naval base and the warships would stop in the Anfeng Canal waterway—they would easily become targets for Shouzhou Army surprise attacks.

However, if they were willing to invest more manpower to excavate river ice along the banks daily, the naval warships could still maintain some mobility in the northern Fei River channel.

Of course, this required first completing the Anfeng Canal.

The more important significance of doing this was to make Lü Qingxia and Li Zhigao believe that when necessary, after the river ice melted at the end of next January, the Tangyi naval forces would break through the Left Tower Ship Army’s blockade near the lower river mouth of the northern Fei River at the first opportunity regardless of cost, enter the upper Huai River, rendezvous with garrison forces defending Luoshan or Huangchuan, and simultaneously force the Xiangbei Army to be unable to establish a foothold in any city near the upper Huai River channel!

Not to mention Feng Yi, Xi Fa’er, and Han Donghu who had just rushed back—even Feng Liao, Gao Shao, Guo Rong, and others at this moment were shocked by the handwritten edict matter and secretly pleased at having the opportunity to directly recruit the Luoshan garrison to surrender. Their thoughts were unsettled, and for a moment they couldn’t quite keep up with Han Qian’s thinking. They couldn’t help but ask, “What specific plans does my lord have going forward?”

They were all people with their own opinions. Even when following Han Qian’s orders, they at least needed to first understand Han Qian’s true intentions.

“If everything proceeded according to Marquis of Changxiang Wang Yong and their schemes, it would only cause the overall situation in the realm to completely decay beyond recovery. If they truly want to plot, they must let us directly participate—follow me inside.” Han Qian wanted everyone to follow him in. Using the maps would make it easier to more clearly explain the plan he and Wang Jun had worked through all night…

…

…

From Dongguan Town via the southern foothills of Xuru Mountain to Liyang City was a round trip of only one hundred ten li.

The mountain ponies from Nanzhao and Qianzhong had good endurance and could eat bitterness and endure labor, but using them for forced marches was too slow. Traveling a hundred li daily was about their limit. For long-distance cargo transport or serving as mounts for infantry and cavalry, they basically maintained a steady speed of fifty to sixty li per day to avoid injuring the horses.

However, the finest Western Tibetan warhorses could set records of covering two hundred li in three hours.

The “clip-clop” of hoofbeats rolled like thunder across the courier road in front of Xuru Mountain’s southern foothills.

Huo Li led people in a rapid gallop to Dongguan Town to deliver the message. In the thin morning mist, Guo Que again led over ten cavalry with Huo Li to escort Cao Gan to Liyang City. The morning mist had just dispersed, and the pale, powerless sun had just climbed above the treetops.

Yesterday they had clearly met at Yuxi River mouth and rushed together to Dongguan Town to garrison, but during the night, aside from seeing Feng Liao and Guo Que, Han Qian suddenly said something had come up and left Dongguan Town without even showing his face again. Cao Gan’s heart was also extremely uneasy.

He didn’t know if Tangyi had truly encountered some sudden situation, or if Han Qian had guessed his intentions and, having no desire to support their plot, suddenly decided to avoid seeing him.

At this time in Liyang, it was already severe cold weather. After galloping all the way, Cao Gan, wearing a padded robe and merchant’s attire, had his forehead covered with dense beads of sweat. Before he had time to wipe them away, he followed Guo Que and Huo Li somewhat anxiously into Lian Garden, Han Qian’s residence in Liyang City.

In the study, only Feng Liao and Guo Rong stood to the side discussing some matter. The others were nowhere to be seen, presumably each busy with their tasks.

Feng Liao, seeing Cao Gan and Guo Que walk to the corridor, came over to invite Cao Gan and the others inside. Han Qian was bent over the desk personally writing a letter, not having Guo Rong or Huo Xiao do it for him.

Cao Gan hesitated for a moment. Seeing Han Qian look up, he clasped his hands and asked, “Your Lordship suddenly left Dongguan Town last night. I wonder if something sudden happened at Tangyi?”

“Yesterday there was a very special guest in Liyang City who suddenly said he had a handwritten letter left behind by Great Chu’s late emperor years ago and wanted to personally deliver it to me. Yesterday I was eager to verify the authenticity of the late emperor’s handwriting—I apologize for any discourtesy, Administrator Cao.”

Han Qian put down his brush. After stamping the completed letter and placing it in an envelope, he had someone take it to seal with wax. He also indicated for Feng Liao to bring the handwritten edict from Emperor Tianyou that had harmed his father from the desk to show Cao Gan.

“Oh yes, I’d also like Administrator Cao to help me examine whether this handwritten letter from Great Chu’s late emperor is genuine or fake…”

Cao Gan was about to say he couldn’t possibly authenticate Emperor Tianyou’s handwriting, but as he took the handwritten edict and looked down at the content inside, his entire being froze there as if struck by lightning.

Regarding how Han Daoxun was harmed by Anning Palace, Cao Gan had naturally heard many rumors of dubious authenticity. But he never imagined there would truly be such a handwritten edict, much less that this handwritten edict would fall back into Han Qian’s hands at this time.

“Administrator Cao, can we now open the windows and speak plainly?” Han Qian’s pupils darkly fixed on Cao Gan as he asked.

At this moment, Cao Gan felt as if a thousand-pound weight pressed on his palms. He had already hinted at his intentions to Feng Liao, and he believed Han Qian had no need to use a forged handwritten edict from Great Chu’s late emperor to trick any words out of him.

If this handwritten edict was genuine, the significance it represented was far too complex and momentous—so complex that even with his vast experience, he couldn’t help his mouth going dry.