When Empress Zhao Shuhua led her army to the outskirts of Chongzhou City, Zhao You’s troops were still in a standoff with the city’s forces. When she was about ten li from the camp, someone came to receive her. The person was Sun Qi, another general under Zhao You who had earned his deep trust, which was why he was sent to receive her.
Upon meeting Empress Zhao Shuhua, Sun Qi immediately asked for a private word. After moving to one side, he spoke in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the General received the news early on. Upon hearing about the incident in Cangzhou, he immediately fell ill. Currently, only the Young General and I are managing the camp. When you see the General later, please counsel him extensively.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned immediately but gave a brief acknowledgment before leading her troops to join Zhao You.
At the camp, Zhao Xing was waiting at the entrance. When the siblings met, Zhao Xing only asked about the situation in Fengzhou before heading to the main command tent. Inside, they found Zhao You indeed lying sick in bed.
Since their parting in Cangzhou several months ago, father and daughter hadn’t seen each other. During their last meeting, Zhao You had been spirited and vigorous. However, now his hair had turned gray, and his complexion was withered, making him appear close to death. Hearing footsteps, Zhao You opened his eyes. Seeing Zhao Shuhua, his face showed no joy, and he let out a soft sigh, “Was your journey safe?”
Though Zhao Shuhua was the Empress, before Zhao You, she was still a daughter. Zhao Xing pulled over a stool, and after Zhao Shuhua sat down, she said, “Father need not 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, scouts reported that the barbarians have moved south.”
It had taken Zhao Shuhua three days to reach Chongzhou, and during these three days, the barbarians naturally hadn’t stood still.
Zhao Shuhua said, “I already know about this. Father, you needn’t worry. Right now, you should focus on recovering. Now that I’m here, along with General Sun and General Cheng, all military matters are being handled. Please rest assured and focus on getting better.”
Zhao You looked at Zhao Shuhua but didn’t respond. Instead, he asked, “What do you plan to do next?”
This question stumped Zhao Shuhua, “This matter… still needs to be discussed with all the generals and father. At present, I haven’t made plans.”
Zhao You stared intently at Zhao Shuhua, and after a while, sighed, “You are my daughter. When you were young, you were my only child, and I raised you. I understand your thoughts best… You don’t need to deceive me. I know you already have ideas in mind. I just need to tell you that I disagree with your thoughts. Now the barbarians number two hundred thousand, and Cangzhou has become a sea of blood. I absolutely cannot let you, at this time, for personal gain… *cough* *cough* *cough*…”
Before Zhao You could finish speaking, he began coughing violently. Though his words were incomplete, their meaning was clear. While Zhao Shuhua had Zhao Xing fetch tea, she sighed, “Since father knows my thoughts, you shouldn’t—”
“Listen to me!” Zhao You suddenly cut off Zhao Shuhua’s words. “When I initially received your letter, I didn’t hesitate, willing to risk the entire Zhao clan without fear. But now, I’ve begun to fear… Shu’er, the Northern Prefecture Army has guarded the northern border for over ten years; when has there ever been such a mishap? The hundreds of thousands of civilians in Cangzhou have all become wandering spirits. When I go to the Nine Springs, I will 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 we make the same mistake again?”
Zhao You pleaded earnestly, refusing even to drink tea. Zhao Shuhua listened and sighed, “Father, we aren’t wrong. The Emperor is wrong.”
Zhao You replied 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 compete for the throne. But now, how can we let the northern territories of Great Zhou fall into barbarian hands?!”
Zhao Shuhua pressed her lips together in silence. Zhao You began coughing violently again. Seeing this, Zhao Shuhua could only say, “Alright, Father, I’ll listen to you. Please don’t get upset. With so many people here, we need to discuss any plans carefully. Don’t get agitated. Che’er and Chaoyu are outside, shall I have them come in to pay their respects?”
Zhao You calmed down for a moment before nodding. Afterward, Yan Che and his wife came in to pay their respects. Zhao You exchanged a few words with them before resting.
After leaving the main tent, Zhao Xing led Zhao Shuhua to the tent prepared for her.
Zhao Xing was Zhao You’s late-born son, not much older than Yan Che. To Zhao Xing, Zhao Shuhua was more like half a teacher. Therefore, usually, Zhao Xing was very obedient to Zhao Shuhua. Upon entering the tent, Zhao Shuhua asked, “How serious is father’s illness?”
Zhao Xing replied, “It’s anger attacking his heart, combined with his advanced age. This journey has been taxing, and his old wounds have flared up again. All these factors together triggered his illness. The camp’s doctor has examined him and said it’s quite serious. Going forward, he absolutely must not get upset.”
Zhao Shuhua sat down with a dark expression. 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 a proud person. Being labeled a rebel now is already hard for him to accept, let alone the massacre of Cangzhou. The Northern Prefecture Army has been in Cangzhou for many years. Not just Father, even I find this news unbearable. Now father is angry and guilt-ridden; naturally, he can’t get past this hurdle in his heart.”
Zhao Shuhua remained silent with a grim face. Zhao Xing continued, “Actually… I’ve always had a question. Elder sister, what exactly is your reason? Is it just for the Crown Prince?”
Zhao Shuhua raised her eyes to look at Zhao Xing. Intimidated by that gaze, Zhao Xing felt quite nervous. Zhao Shuhua withdrew her gaze and said, “You need not ask about these things. You only need to know that I have my reasons.” After a pause, Zhao Shuhua glanced towards the south, “What’s the situation inside Chongzhou City?”
Zhao Xing hurriedly replied, “There are over thirty thousand troops in the city now. We’ve engaged twice before. Their city defenses are very complete, and since we’ve come from afar without siege equipment, it’s naturally difficult to take the city. No matter how we try to lure them, they won’t send out troops, seemingly determined to hold out. Father was unwilling to use suicide squads to press forward, so we’ve been at a stalemate.”
Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Father is too soft-hearted towards the Zhou people!”
Zhao Xing wanted to speak but held back, ultimately saying nothing. Zhao Shuhua waved her hand, “I’ll rest for a moment. 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 all troops were settled, the sky was completely dark. Zhao Shuhua and her people had rushed through the night, so naturally, the first order of business upon entering camp was rest. However, Zhao Shuhua only slept for just over half an hour before rising again.
After a simple meal, Zhao Shuhua called for a meeting with all the generals to discuss matters. In the council hall, everyone had heard about the barbarians’ bloodbath in Cangzhou, and the atmosphere was very heavy. Those who followed Zhao You naturally had some conscience and integrity; knowing about Cangzhou’s massacre, their hearts couldn’t possibly remain unmoved. Zhao Shuhua saw this and didn’t speak about what was to come, only discussing how to first capture Chongzhou City.
Whether to resist the barbarians or continue south, they first had to get past Chongzhou.
The generals didn’t object to this, but Chongzhou’s city walls were very solid. It was almost impossible to capture it without suffering heavy casualties.
Before the discussion was finished, suddenly a scout came to report.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the troops in Chongzhou City have withdrawn!”
Everyone was shocked at this news. The Empress frowned and asked, “Withdrawn? Did they go west?”
Yue Qiong must be stationed in Fengzhou now. Had he recalled these troops to help resist the barbarians?
The scout shook his head, “No, the army left the city heading south and has set up camp twenty li outside the city!”
Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua’s brows furrowed. Setting up camp twenty li outside the city meant they still intended to keep watch on them, not allowing them to move south. Yet they had oddly abandoned Chongzhou City. This meant…
Zhao Shuhua’s eyes trembled, and she couldn’t help but laugh coldly. This Yue Qiong was simply forcing her to fight the barbarians!
With those thirty thousand men blocking them, even if she wanted to go south, it would take several days of fierce fighting. By then, the barbarians might be upon them. How could they not fight then?!
Zhao Shuhua continued her cold laughter, momentarily at a loss for words!
Yue Qiong had acted exactly as she expected, but she hadn’t anticipated he would use such a method to force her into battle!
Zhao Xing, not understanding the meaning of this, 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 became stern, “The Marquis of Anyang knows our intentions. He’s giving us Chongzhou City. Since he’s giving it to us, we have no reason not to take it. First, send a hundred men into the city to investigate. Others should divide up to organize troops and prepare to enter the city. No matter what happens next, we’re taking Chongzhou City!”
With Zhao Shuhua’s order, everyone naturally carried out their duties. Zhao Shuhua then went to Zhao You’s camp. Though Zhao You was bedridden, since all in the camp were his trusted generals, he naturally knew about the news from Chongzhou City and Zhao Shuhua’s orders. Upon seeing Zhao Shuhua, Zhao You said, “Yue Qiong is also a man of integrity. His actions give us room to join him in fighting the barbarians. Shu’er, since he has taken a step back, let’s ally with him.”
Seeing Zhao You speaking so earnestly, Zhao Shuhua couldn’t help but sigh, “Father, even if we turn our blades around now, it’s too late. Once we started down this path, everything became too late. Right now in Linan City, the Emperor must want to cut your daughter into a thousand pieces. How can we serve as his wedding clothes?”
Zhao You closed his eyes, his breathing becoming somewhat labored, “But if we head south now, abandoning the northern territories, I absolutely cannot do it. If you want to go south, then go, leave me in Chongzhou City. This old pile of bones no longer seeks to be the Imperial Father-in-law or the new Emperor’s maternal grandfather. Just let me stay in the north.”
Hearing Zhao You’s words, Zhao Shuhua felt somewhat uncomfortable, “Why must father speak this way? How could I leave father behind alone?”
Zhao You waved his hand, indicating Zhao Shuhua should leave, not saying another word. Seeing his irregular breathing and paper-white complexion, Zhao Shuhua felt worried, “Father, shall we enter the city first? I won’t rashly head south. Let’s first see the situation in the north before deciding, alright?”
At these words, Zhao You finally opened his eyes. He only feared Zhao Shuhua would take advantage of the chaos in the north to immediately order a march south. If that happened, the gateway at Chongzhou would be torn open. Zhao You sighed, “This is more reasonable. Now that we have Chongzhou, we certainly won’t easily let the barbarians move south. Only, I don’t know how Wuzhou is faring.”
Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Father still has the energy to worry about those things. Father’s health isn’t good now; you absolutely must not tax your mind. Starting tomorrow, the father’s attendants must not report military matters to the father anymore. If there’s anything, I’ll tell Father.”
How could Zhao You agree? Father and daughter argued another round, but Zhao Shuhua still couldn’t persuade Zhao You, so she had to give up.
As for the troops sent to investigate the city, after half a day, they found no abnormalities. Thus, at dawn, the main army began entering the city. The civilians of Chongzhou had long known that the Empress had rebelled and that Zhao You had troops outside watching the city. Therefore, when the Northern Prefecture Army entered the city, most civilians were terrified. In what had been a fine city, everyone now closed their doors and hid in their houses, fearing catastrophe. However, the Northern Prefecture Army maintained strict discipline. One day after entering the city, no disturbances occurred. By evening, everything was settled.
Although Zhao You was ill, he still ordered Sun Qi and Cheng Wei to personally go to the city walls to reinforce the defenses, guarding against sudden barbarian attacks. After giving many such instructions, Zhao You finally rested. Seeing Zhao You so stubborn, Zhao Shuhua felt somewhat helpless. She could be ruthless towards anyone else, but towards this elderly father, the respect in her heart was too great. She ultimately couldn’t be completely cold-hearted. At midnight, hearing that the city defenses were complete, Zhao Shuhua took Yan Che and Qin Chaoyu by carriage to the city gate.
The three, accompanied by Cheng Wei, climbed the city wall. In the vast night, the wilderness outside Chongzhou City was particularly quiet.
But Zhao Shuhua knew deeply that to the south, thirty thousand troops blocked her path, while to the north, wolves and tigers were rushing towards them.
“Che’er, what do you think we should do now?”
After a long silence, Zhao Shuhua asked Yan Che. Yan Che hesitated for a moment before saying, “However Mother Empress commands, your son will do accordingly.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned and shook her head, “I don’t want to hear these things. Just tell me what you truly think.”
Yan Che’s eyes darkened, “Your son’s heart is confused, with no clear decision at present.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned, seemingly displeased, but Yan Che continued, “All along, Mother Empress’s will has been my will. Therefore now, I can’t distinguish which is lighter and which is heavier. Whatever Mother Empress thinks is what I think.”
Yan Che spoke without any resentment; on the contrary, he was very calm.
Hearing these words, Zhao Shuhua’s nose inexplicably stung, and the words of rebuke she had wanted to say to Yan Che instantly dissipated. She continued looking out at the vast night, and the unwavering hatred in her heart suddenly began to waver.