Late spring like wine, midsummer like divine herbs.

In the fifth month of this year, the captured emperor of Later Xia and various royal family nobles were escorted to Jiankang as scheduled. The prisoner presentation ceremony that the people had long awaited was held before Xuanyang Gate in the center south of the imperial city.

That day was bright and clear. The Empress Dowager, accompanied by the young emperor, sat solemnly atop the tower of Xuanyang Gate, with civil and military officials arrayed in order to the left and right below the gate, while commoners were permitted to observe from a distance.

Imperial might was overwhelming, and none dared disobey. At the single word “Execute!” issued by the current Empress Dowager on behalf of the young emperor, dozens of Jie heads instantly rolled to the ground. Popular emotions surged, and the cheers from the crowd nearly shook the entire city.

This was another unprecedented great victory achieved by southerners in the north, following the great battle north of the Yangtze several years ago, in all the years since Dayu’s southern crossing. This northern expedition not only completely eliminated Jie Xia and executed enemy leaders in the capital, but also expanded Dayu’s borders to include the Huainan region in one stroke, ruling eighteen states in total. South Xuzhou, South Yuzhou, and South Yanzhou—these lost territories that had long fallen under northern rule—were thus restored to Dayu.

Several days had passed since the prisoner presentation ceremony, yet the streets and alleys of Jiankang still buzzed with discussion of this topic. The name mentioned most frequently was naturally the current Grand Marshal Li Mu.

Li Mu had not returned to court with his army as everyone had previously expected.

After destroying Jie Xia, in the current north, aside from several barbarian states still occupying frontier regions, only the Xianbei Yan state remained to stand against Dayu.

After Yan captured Luoyang three years ago, Emperor Murong Ti did not relocate the capital to Luoyang, but continued to use the former Yan Prefecture as capital, with Luoyang serving merely as a secondary capital.

Over these years, using the Jie Xia that had fled to Runan as a buffer, the Yan state had occupied the vast Central Plains heartland that had formerly belonged to Jie Xia rule—including Yong, Qin, and Wei west of the passes, as well as North Xuzhou, North Yuzhou, and North Yanzhou—pushing their borders south through gradual encroachment to north of the Huai River. Then they ceased warfare and began encouraging agriculture, constructing irrigation works, and increasing population, apparently single-mindedly focused on establishing their state. They had not launched any military actions in the north since then.

However, just recently, while Li Mu was returning south with his army after destroying Jie Xia, war news came from the north once again.

A great Yan army had assembled at the border and launched an attack toward Tongguan Pass.

After the Murong clan seized Luoyang during the Southern Dynasty’s internal strife, both sides used Tongguan Pass as their boundary. The western part of Huazhou fell under Li Mu’s governance, while the eastern part was attributed to the Yan state, temporarily dividing the territory.

After three years of peace, Murong Ti’s sudden offensive clearly targeted Chang’an.

Since Li Mu became Grand Marshal, Chang’an had continued to be defended by Sun Fangzhi and Gao Huan. They had always maintained vigilance against the Yan state, with heavy troops constantly guarding the Tongguan area.

But Murong Ti’s military action was very sudden and carefully prepared. Compared to the defending forces, they held an absolute advantage in troop numbers. Their initial momentum was fierce, quickly crossing the border and occupying more than ten prefectures and counties in western Huazhou. When they reached Tongguan and encountered strong resistance from defenders taking advantage of the terrain, they finally halted their westward advance, with both sides temporarily in standoff.

The military situation was urgent. Sun Fangzhi and Gao Huan organized defenses while rapidly sending word to Li Mu.

Under these circumstances, Li Mu, who had just finished fighting Xia Jie, temporarily changed his plans. He dispatched people to escort prisoners back to Jiankang as scheduled while immediately leading his great army to turn around and return to Chang’an to respond.

For ordinary Southern Dynasty commoners, during the past three years, not only had heaven blessed them with favorable weather and abundant harvests, but starting from early last year, many livelihood improvement measures implemented by the court had made their lives considerably better than before.

In the people’s eyes, all this came from Li Mu.

Because the Southern Dynasty had such a figure, all the blood that had once grown cold from disappointment became scalding hot once again.

They eagerly anticipated and firmly believed that their Grand Marshal Li Mu would continue his undefeated reputation as a war god. After completely eliminating Jie Xia, he would use this opportunity to destroy the Xianbei Yan state that occupied the Central Plains heartland.

If so, Dayu would completely recover the northern territories and once again rule the nine provinces. This arduous northern expedition that had lasted since twenty years ago, first launched by Gao Qiao, would draw to a perfect close.

Military achievements would establish the royal domain. Decades of Central Plains submersion would be restored in one stroke—what an inspiring and great undertaking this would be!

Just as the nation’s people were immersed in joy and anticipation, they did not know that on this day in late May, an envoy from Luoyang had come to Jiankang Palace, bringing a state letter from his master, Yan Emperor Murong Ti.

This envoy was a Yan royal family member named Murong Yuan, deeply sinicized, eloquent and persuasive. In dress and bearing, he appeared no different from Southern Dynasty people.

In the state letter, Murong Ti referred to himself as a subject, his tone humble and respectful. He said the Murong clan had been subjects of Dayu since their ancestors, only following the current during chaotic times. But he himself had admired Han learning since childhood, regarding Dayu as the superior state. After successfully avenging himself against Xia Jie and fortunately becoming Yan emperor, he had resolved to cease warfare and merely sought self-preservation. These years he had strictly observed borders, not daring to cross the boundaries. The recent conflict between Yan troops and Dayu defenders at Tongguan was absolutely not his wish, much less intentional. The reason was that western defenders had repeatedly violated boundaries without respecting limits. Under pressure from eastern popular sentiment, he had finally ordered troops to assemble for self-defense.

He said that for years, north and south had been mutual enemies, and among northern states, warfare was constant with people suffering hardship. He knew that if he fought Dayu now, both sides would surely suffer mutual destruction, so he wholeheartedly sought peace. As long as Dayu promised not to cross boundaries and invade in future, Yan would not only immediately cease military action but also willingly return Ruyang, which they had previously seized from Jie Xia, to Dayu as proof of sincere peace intentions. Moreover, he was willing to formally dispatch envoys south to pay tribute to Dayu as a vassal state and pledge eternal submission to secure border peace.

This state letter created tremendous upheaval in Dayu’s court.

This day, though Luoshen was on Bailu Zhou, she quickly learned the news and immediately sent someone to deliver a letter to Feng Wei.

That evening, Feng Wei hurriedly came to the island. Hearing of his arrival, Luoshen hurried to the front hall to meet him.

Feng Wei’s expression was grave. Without sitting, he paced back and forth in the hall, appearing somewhat agitated. Seeing Luoshen emerge, he quickly approached and greeted her: “It has been some time since meeting Madam. I trust Madam is in good health.”

Whether by seniority or age, Feng Wei was senior to Luoshen. But in recent years, he had always been quite respectful before her.

Today when she sent him a letter, she hadn’t expected him to personally come to the island so quickly.

This was naturally because of Li Mu. Luoshen understood clearly and offered him a seat: “Elder Feng, to personally visit for this niece’s letter—I am deeply grateful. Please sit quickly.” After he sat, she asked about the day’s events.

Feng Wei sat and said: “After the Yan envoy went to the guest quarters today, court officials argued endlessly over that state letter. When court adjourned, no conclusion had been reached.”

He paused.

“To be frank, in my view, Murong Ti is cunning and his words untrustworthy. He claims this military assembly at Tongguan was because our Dayu defenders crossed borders first. This is clearly sophistry! I also argued forcefully based on reason. But…”

He frowned and shook his head: “Liu Hui and others say one shouldn’t pursue a desperate enemy. Moreover, Murong Ti has strong troops and horses. If fighting breaks out, warfare will certainly be prolonged, exhausting the treasury and arousing popular resentment. Should we be defeated, the situation would become unmanageable, and the Southern Dynasty’s hard-won excellent situation might never return. If the other side truly intends peace, better to use this opportunity to acknowledge north-south division, ruling separate territories for long-term stability—this also accords with popular will.”

The Liu Hui that Feng Wei mentioned was the former General Who Conquers the Caitiffs who had originally replaced Lu Guang’s position, refused to remain during Jiankang’s chaos, and claimed to escort the empress dowager and emperor to Qu’a. He now held the position of Palace Attendant and was a newly risen aristocratic family in court over recent years.

Hearing this, Luoshen fell silent for a moment.

She understood clearly that those aristocratic families led by Liu Hui had appeared silent as cicadas and utterly respectful toward Li Mu these past two years, not daring to disobey, but in their hearts they must hate him to the bone. The most direct cause should be the series of new policies Li Mu had implemented starting early last year.

After Dayu’s southern crossing, over many years, aristocratic families and powerful landlords everywhere had divided and occupied almost all mountains, rivers, lakes and marshes. Besides paying taxes to the government, ordinary people had to pay additional taxes to these scholar-gentry landlords who controlled forests and marshes even for daily activities like cutting firewood, hunting, or casting nets to fish. Under such multiple pressures, even in good harvest years, their gains were insufficient to feed entire families. Life was extremely difficult, to the point they would rather lose freedom and seek refuge in estates for protection. The large and small estates affiliated with aristocratic families everywhere concealed vast numbers of ordinary people as estate workers for profit, leading to situations where the court could draft no soldiers, collect no taxes, and maintain no troops. Various problems created vicious cycles.

Excessive taxation and population loss—these two mutually reinforcing factors directly affected the Southern Dynasty’s lifeline. Gao Qiao had not failed to correct these enormous problems in the past. But in this court dominated by scholar-gentry, laws became mere paper once they reached lower levels, repeatedly prohibited yet increasingly severe.

Luoshen still remembered how difficult Li Mu’s circumstances had been when implementing new policies. Even Feng Wei, while outwardly very supportive and indignant when discussing these court problems, made excuses and was unwilling to assist when it came to specific implementation. Besides his reluctance to offend people, pressure from Feng clan members was also an important factor.

After all, among these scholar-gentry families serving in court, who didn’t own some mountains, forests, lakes and marshes? Who hadn’t received tributes from estates below them? If new policies were truly implemented, Feng clan interests would certainly suffer damage.

Under such difficult circumstances, Luoshen had sought out her uncle Gao Yun, who had retired pleading illness, explained the pros and cons to him, and begged him to take the lead in releasing all estate workers under his estates who should be registered but had been concealed.

Uncle had been quite displeased then. But finally Luoshen persuaded him, and he reluctantly reported all eight hundred-plus people who had been hidden in estates over the years.

After the Gao clan became the first scholar-gentry family to respond to new policies, Li Mu no longer had concerns. He ordered the execution of Liu Xiong, the Kuaiji Prefecture Governor who had hidden over three thousand people in one estate and brazenly led resistance—a case with extremely bad influence. With one stroke, the entire court fell silent, no one dared make excuses anymore, and new policies were finally implemented. People rejoiced, and after just over a year, effects were already beginning to show.

The Liu Xiong executed as an example that day was Liu Hui’s clan relative.

“I don’t know where the Grand Marshal has led his troops, much less when he might receive word.”

While Luoshen pondered, she heard Feng Wei sigh nearby.

“If the Grand Marshal were here today, he could make the final decision. Whether war or peace, court officials wouldn’t argue to such an extent.”

Luoshen raised her eyes, looked at Feng Wei, and said: “Elder Feng, though the Grand Marshal is not in Jiankang, I can answer your doubts on his behalf.”

“People’s hearts seek stability. If Murong Ti truly wishes to cease warfare, even if the Grand Marshal wholeheartedly wants to recover Luoyang, he would never act arbitrarily or risk universal condemnation by continuing warfare endlessly. But Murong Ti is clearly distorting facts. Without the Grand Marshal’s orders, I don’t believe my younger brother would unauthorized cross borders to attack Yan people. His state letter must be deceptive, and his intentions highly suspect. Liu Hui and those people harbor dissatisfaction toward the Grand Marshal and are usually content with shameful compromises—Elder Feng should understand this clearly. Before the Grand Marshal sends word back, I beg Elder Feng not to yield during court discussions!”

“This niece thanks Elder Feng in advance!”

Luoshen performed a deep bow of gratitude toward him.

“Ah! Madam, please don’t do this! This concerns state affairs and is no small matter. Even without Madam’s request, before receiving the Grand Marshal’s word, I wouldn’t dare treat this as child’s play! Madam, rest assured—I will certainly argue forcefully and advise the Empress Dowager not to trust lightly!”

After seeing off her visitor, Luoshen sat alone for a long time, her thoughts heavy. Walking leisurely through the courtyard, she again came to the riverside and stood by the water.

Tonight there were no tides; the river water was calm, flowing gently past the riverside stones at her feet.

She gazed at the pitch-black night sky across the water. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard a slight splash from the water’s edge not far away, as if someone had emerged from the water.

“Who dares trespass on forbidden ground?”

Guards were posted almost every few steps around Bailu Zhou, patrolling day and night without cease. Nearby guards were immediately attracted by this disturbance, quickly gathering and standing before Luoshen with drawn swords, shouting challenges.

A man’s head emerged from the river water, wiping his wet face.

Luoshen recognized him—it was Li Xie, the Metropolitan Guard commander she hadn’t seen for a long time. She quickly ordered people to stand down.

“It’s me!”

Li Xie came ashore and quickly approached Luoshen, saying respectfully in a low voice: “Madam, there are watchers at nearby ferries, so I came by diving underwater. I come under the Grand Marshal’s orders to quickly arrange escort for Madam to leave Jiankang.”

Luoshen had gradually noticed that for the past half year, since Li Mu left Jiankang, wherever she went—whether on Bailu Zhou or in the city—there seemed to be eyes watching nearby. Her heart sank. Before she could respond, footsteps sounded behind her. Turning around, a servant woman came running, saying: “The Empress Dowager has come! She requests conversation with Madam!”