When Empress Zhao Shuhua led her army to Chong Prefecture’s outskirts, Zhao You’s troops were still facing off against the city’s forces. When she was still ten li from camp, someone came to receive her. The greeter was Sun Qi, another of Zhao You’s top generals who had earned his deep trust and thus was sent to meet her.
Upon seeing Zhao Shuhua, Sun Qi immediately requested a private word. Once they were aside, he spoke quietly, “Your Majesty, the General received news early, and upon hearing about Cang Prefecture, he immediately fell ill. Now only the Young General and I maintain control of the camp. When you see the General later, please counsel him well.”
Zhao Shuhua’s brows immediately furrowed, and after a moment she acknowledged this before leading her army to join Zhao You.
At the camp, Zhao Xing waited at the entrance. The siblings only briefly discussed the situation in Feng Prefecture before heading to the main command tent, where they found Zhao You indeed bedridden.
Since parting at Cang Prefecture, father and daughter hadn’t seen each other for months. During their last meeting, Zhao You had been vigorous and energetic, but now his hair was graying and his face gaunt, looking almost at death’s door. Hearing footsteps, Zhao You opened his eyes. Seeing Zhao Shuhua, he showed no joy and merely sighed softly, “Was your journey safe?”
Though she was Empress, before Zhao You she was still a daughter. After Zhao Xing pulled up a chair and Zhao Shuhua sat down, she said, “Father, please don’t worry. The journey was very peaceful. The army has now entered the camp, and General Sun is organizing the troops. Father, how are you?”
Zhao You shook his head, “I’m fine. This morning the scouts reported that the barbarians have moved south.”
In the three days it took Zhao Shuhua to reach Chong Prefecture, the barbarians naturally hadn’t stood still.
Zhao Shuhua said, “I already know about this. Father, you needn’t worry. Just focus on recovering now. I’m here, along with General Sun and General Cheng. There are people to handle all military matters – please rest easy and focus on getting well.”
Zhao You looked at Zhao Shuhua but didn’t respond, instead asking, “What do you plan to do next?”
This question stopped Zhao Shuhua short. “This matter… still needs to be discussed with the generals and you, Father. For now, I haven’t made plans.”
Zhao You stared intently at Zhao Shuhua, then sighed after a while, “You are my daughter. When you were young, you were my only child, and I raised you. I understand your thoughts best… You needn’t deceive me. I know you already have ideas in mind. I only need to tell you that I disagree with your thoughts. Now the barbarians number two hundred thousand, and Cang Prefecture has become a sea of blood. I absolutely cannot let you pursue personal gain at such a time… *cough cough cough*…”
Before Zhao You could finish speaking, he broke into violent coughing. Though his words were cut short, his meaning was clear. Zhao Shuhua had Zhao Xing pour tea while sighing, “Since Father knows my thoughts, you shouldn’t—”
“Listen to me!” Zhao You suddenly cut off Zhao Shuhua’s words. “When I first received your letter, I didn’t hesitate to risk the entire Zhao clan without fear. But now, I’ve begun to fear… Shu’er, the Northern Garrison Army has guarded the northern border for over a decade – when has there ever been such a disaster? Hundreds of thousands of civilians in Cang Prefecture have become wandering ghosts. When I face them in the underworld, I’ll have no face to meet them. Things have reached this point, and the fault lies entirely with me. But you, and Che’er, and the other soldiers – how can you compound error with error?”
Zhao You pleaded earnestly, refusing even to drink tea. Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Father, we aren’t wrong – the Emperor is wrong.”
Zhao You said helplessly, “The current Emperor is wrong, but haven’t we also made mistakes? Shu’er, listen to me. If the barbarians retreat, I won’t object to however you want to fight for the throne. But now, how can we let Great Zhou’s northern territories fall into barbarian hands?!”
Zhao Shuhua pressed her lips together in silence. Zhao You began coughing violently again. Seeing this, Zhao Shuhua had no choice but to say, “Alright, Father, I’ll listen to you. Please don’t get upset. With so many people here, everything needs careful discussion. Don’t get angry. Che’er and Chao Yu are outside – shall I have them come to pay their respects?”
After recovering for a moment, Zhao You nodded. Then Yan Che and his wife entered to pay their respects. Zhao You spoke with them briefly before resting.
After leaving the main tent, Zhao Xing led Zhao Shuhua to the tent prepared for her.
As Zhao You’s late-born son, Zhao Xing was only a few years older than Yan Che. To Zhao Xing, Zhao Shuhua was almost like a teacher, so he usually showed her great deference. Entering the tent, Zhao Shuhua asked, “How is Father’s illness?”
Zhao Xing replied, “It’s anger attacking his heart, combined with his advanced age. This exertion has also reopened old wounds. All these factors triggered his illness. The camp physician examined him and said it was quite serious. Going forward, he absolutely must not get upset again.”
Zhao Shuhua sat down, her expression dark. Seeing her expression, Zhao Xing knew she didn’t intend to listen to Zhao You. He frowned and said, “Elder Sister doesn’t understand. Father is also proud. Being labeled a rebel is already hard for him to accept, let alone Cang Prefecture being massacred. The Northern Garrison Army has been in Cang Prefecture for years – never mind Father, even I can’t bear hearing this news. Now with Father’s anger and guilt, he naturally can’t get past this hurdle in his heart.”
Zhao Shuhua merely sat with a dark expression, saying nothing. Zhao Xing continued, “Actually… I’ve always had a question. Elder Sister, what is this really about? Is it just for the Crown Prince?”
Zhao Shuhua raised her eyes to look at Zhao Xing. Intimidated by that gaze, he felt quite nervous. Zhao Shuhua withdrew her gaze and said, “You needn’t ask about these things. Just know that I have my reasons.” After a pause, she glanced south, “What’s the situation in Chong Prefecture?”
Zhao Xing quickly replied, “The city now has over thirty thousand troops. We’ve engaged twice before. Their city defenses are very complete. Coming from afar, we lack siege equipment, so naturally, it’s difficult to capture. No matter how we try to lure them out, they won’t deploy troops – they seem determined to hold firm. Father was unwilling to use suicide squads to press the attack, so we’ve remained in a stalemate.”
Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Father is still too soft-hearted toward Zhou people!”
Zhao Xing wanted to speak but held back, saying nothing. Zhao Shuhua waved her hand, “I’ll rest briefly. Go help General Sun settle the troops. We’ll talk more later.”
Zhao Xing accepted the order and left, first checking on Yan Che and his wife before going to organize the troops. They had arrived at sunset, and by the time the army was fully settled, night had fallen completely. Having marched through the night, Zhao Shuhua’s forces naturally needed rest first, but she only slept for about half an hour before rising again.
After a simple meal, Zhao Shuhua convened the generals to discuss matters. Entering the council hall, everyone knew about the barbarians’ bloody massacre of Cang Prefecture. The atmosphere was extremely heavy. Those who followed Zhao You naturally had some conscience and valor – knowing about Cang Prefecture’s massacre, their hearts couldn’t remain unmoved. Seeing this, Zhao Shuhua didn’t discuss future plans, only discussing how to first capture Chong Prefecture.
Whether to resist the barbarians or continue south, they first had to pass through Chong Prefecture.
The generals didn’t object to this, but Chong Prefecture’s walls were very solid. Capturing it without heavy casualties was almost impossible.
Before the discussion finished, suddenly a scout came to report.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Chong Prefecture’s army has withdrawn!”
Everyone was shocked to hear this. The Empress frowned, “Withdrawn? Did they go west?”
Yue Qiong must have been stationed in Feng Prefecture – had he recalled these troops to help resist the barbarians?
The scout shook his head, “No, the army left the city heading south, camping twenty li outside the city!”
Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua’s brows furrowed. Camping twenty li outside the city meant they still intended to watch them, not let them move south. Yet they had oddly abandoned Chong Prefecture itself. This meant…
Zhao Shuhua’s pupils trembled as she laughed coldly. This Yue Qiong was simply forcing her to fight the barbarians!
With those thirty thousand troops blocking them, even if she wanted to move south, it would take days of fighting. By then, the barbarians might be upon them. How could they not fight then?!
Zhao Shuhua laughed coldly, again and again, momentarily speechless!
Yue Qiong had acted exactly as she expected, but she hadn’t imagined he would use such methods to force her to engage!
Zhao Xing didn’t understand the meaning and was still asking, “Elder Sister, what does this mean? What should we do now? Could this be a trap?”
Zhao Shuhua pressed her lips together, “It’s not a trap – this is advancing by retreating!”
Speaking thus, Zhao Shuhua’s expression grew stern, “The Marquis of Anyang knows our intentions. He’s gifting us Chong Prefecture. Since he’s giving it to us, we have no reason not to occupy it. First, send a hundred men to scout the city. The rest will be prepared to enter in separate groups. Whatever comes next, we’re taking Chong Prefecture!”
With Zhao Shuhua’s orders, everyone naturally complied. She then went to Zhao You’s camp. Though bedridden, Zhao You naturally knew about Chong Prefecture’s news and Zhao Shuhua’s orders through his loyal generals. Seeing Zhao Shuhua, Zhao You said, “Yue Qiong is also a man of valor. By doing this, he’s giving us room to join him in facing the barbarians. Shu’er, since he’s taken a step back, let’s ally with him.”
Seeing Zhao You’s earnestness, Zhao Shuhua couldn’t help sighing, “Father, even if we turned our blades around now, it’s too late. Having taken this path, everything is too late. Right now in Lin’an, the Emperor surely wants to cut your daughter into a thousand pieces. How can we work for his benefit?”
Zhao You closed his eyes, his breathing becoming labored, “But if we move south now, abandoning the north, I absolutely cannot do it. If you want to go south, then go, but leave me in Chong Prefecture. These old bones no longer seek to be an imperial father-in-law or a new emperor’s maternal grandfather. Just let me stay in the north.”
Hearing Zhao You’s words, Zhao Shuhua felt somewhat uncomfortable, “Father, why speak this way? How could I leave you behind alone?”
Zhao You waved his hand, gesturing for Zhao Shuhua to leave, not saying another word. Seeing his ragged breathing and paper-white face, Zhao Shuhua grew worried, “Father, shall we enter the city first? I won’t rashly move south. Let’s first assess the northern situation, alright?”
At these words, Zhao You finally opened his eyes. He had only feared Zhao Shuhua would use the northern chaos to immediately order a southern advance. If that happened, Chong Prefecture’s gate would be torn open. Zhao You sighed, “That’s more like it. Now that we hold Chong Prefecture, we certainly won’t let the barbarians easily move south. Only, I wonder how Wu Prefecture fares.”
Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Father still has the energy to worry about such things. Father’s health is poor now – you absolutely must not tax yourself. Starting tomorrow, Father’s attendants must not report military matters to you. Whatever news there is, I’ll tell Father.”
How could Zhao You agree? Father and daughter argued another round, but Zhao Shuhua still couldn’t overcome Zhao You’s stubbornness. She had no choice but to give up.
The troops sent to scout the city found no abnormalities after half a day’s search. Thus at dawn, the main army began entering the city. Chong Prefecture’s civilians already knew the Empress had rebelled and that Zhao You’s army watched the city like a tiger. Therefore when the Northern Garrison Army entered, most civilians were terrified, closing their doors and hiding inside, fearing disaster. However, the Northern Garrison Army maintained strict discipline. After a day in the city, they hadn’t caused any disturbances. By evening, everything was settled.
Though ill, Zhao You still ordered Sun Qi and Cheng Wei to personally supervise the reinforcement of the city walls against surprise barbarian attacks. After giving many such instructions, Zhao You finally rested. Seeing Zhao You’s stubbornness, Zhao Shuhua felt somewhat helpless. She could be ruthless to anyone else, but toward this elderly father, her heart held too much respect to be completely cold. At midnight, hearing the city defenses were complete, Zhao Shuhua took Yan Che and Qin Chao Yu by carriage to the city gate.
The three climbed the wall accompanied by Cheng Wei. In the vast night, the wilderness outside Chong Prefecture was especially quiet.
Yet Zhao Shuhua knew deeply that to the south, thirty thousand troops blocked her path, while from the north, wolves and tigers rushed toward them.
“Che’er, what do you think we should do now?”
After a long silence, Zhao Shuhua asked Yan Che. He hesitated before saying, “However Mother Empress commands, your son will follow.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned and shook her head, “I don’t want to hear such things. Just tell me what you truly think.”
Yan Che’s eyes darkened, “Your son’s heart is confused, with no clear decision now.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned, seeming displeased, but Yan Che continued, “All along, Mother Empress’s will has been my will. Therefore now, I can’t distinguish which matters are lighter or heavier. Whatever Mother Empress thinks is what I think.”
Yan Che spoke without a trace of resentment, instead very calmly.
Hearing these words, Zhao Shuhua’s nose inexplicably stung, and the words of rebuke she had wanted to say to Yan Che instantly vanished. She continued gazing into the vast night, and the unwavering hatred in her heart suddenly began to waver.