As soon as Jiang Yu and Fang Mingda walked out of the Pingzhou government office, their expressions became uncontrollably ugly.
Fang Mingda said, “This Great Liang princess makes such outrageous demands…”
Jiang Yu interrupted him: “We’ll discuss it when we return.”
Having said this, he strode ahead toward the carriage.
Seeing Liang ministers still trickling out of the government office one after another, Fang Mingda also knew this was not the place to talk. He hurried to follow closely behind Jiang Yu.
Since they had already met with Wen Yu, there was no need for them to avoid meeting Sikong Wei. The carriage swayed along the road and soon arrived at Sikong Wei’s residence.
Sikong Wei’s cold had not yet recovered. After hearing the two men describe the results of today’s negotiations, his vital energy surged and he nearly coughed his lungs out.
With great difficulty he stopped coughing. Slumped in his reclining chair, he said haltingly, “With Northern Wei sticking their foot in, and they’ve researched methods to block our Southern Chen’s northern advance, yielding Xin and Yi prefectures is somewhat understandable. But three million shi of grain—enough to supply all of Southern Chen’s army for a year—how can we agree to such a condition?”
Seeing Sikong Wei getting agitated and about to start coughing again, Fang Mingda hastily patted his chest to help him regulate his breathing: “Don’t get agitated, be careful not to start coughing again.”
Jiang Yu stood by the window with his arms crossed. Having suffered setbacks several times before Wen Yu today, he was also somewhat frustrated. Now hearing Sikong Wei’s reproachful words, his expression grew even more gloomy. He said, “This isn’t a question of whether we agree or not. Southern Chen has been forced to this point—we simply have no choice!”
Sikong Wei seemed to want to speak, but unable to catch his breath, he started coughing again.
Fang Mingda hurriedly said, “Those three million shi of grain aren’t being given entirely to Great Liang. Hanyang Wengzhu has promised that she’s only holding it for us. The military provisions for the northern campaign will all be allocated from this.”
Sikong Wei slapped the armrest of his chair and sighed heavily: “Throughout history in warfare, grain supplies have always been of primary importance. What does Southern Chen rely on to control the border armies? Isn’t it precisely that grain and provisions must be allocated from the court? Now that the Great Liang princess wants those three million shi of grain, it’s tantamount to putting an iron chain around the neck of Southern Chen’s northern army!”
Jiang Yu said, “I know Southern Chen cannot be controlled by others, but if we don’t first placate the Great Liang princess—they already have a poor opinion of Southern Chen because of previous events—what if they turn around and truly ally with Northern Wei?”
Fang Mingda also chimed in to help: “Grand Steward Sikong, you didn’t witness today’s scene. That Great Liang princess truly has remarkable methods and left us absolutely no room to haggle! Not to mention the previous time when you and Commander Jiang didn’t even see her face before being ordered into prison—just this time, this subordinate came at this point after the flood disaster, originally thinking it would work to our advantage. But throughout all of Pingzhou, everything was managed in perfect order. The people this subordinate sent out to investigate all said that because the Pingzhou government responded promptly to this flood disaster, no major calamity occurred. Instead, that Great Liang princess’s reputation among the people has soared, and she enjoys deep support from the common people. Just think—with the Great Liang princess’s shrewdness and methods, would she fight an unprepared battle?”
Sikong Wei had just heard the figure of three million shi of grain and momentarily became overly emotional. Now, after listening to Fang Mingda’s extensive explanation and calming down to think it over himself, he also understood there was no other way. He stopped speaking.
Seeing that his persuasion was effective, Fang Mingda continued: “Right now we’re still on Great Liang’s territory. We absolutely cannot be forceful again. If we truly provoke them into choosing Northern Wei and turning to wage war against Southern Chen, whether or not our group will be taken as hostages is one thing, but with their tactics, they will not only crush our Southern Chen army but also burn up all our military supplies until autumn. That would truly be a loss outweighing any gain!”
Sikong Wei turned his face and sighed heavily: “When this old man returns to Southern Chen, I’ll have no face to see the King and Empress Dowager!”
His words drew an angry glance from Jiang Yu.
Seeing the situation turning bad, Fang Mingda hurried to smooth things over: “When we return to Southern Chen, which of us can save face? But human calculations ultimately cannot match heaven’s calculations. Great Liang relied on Pei Song’s withdrawal from Yi Prefecture to gain this advantageous position—this is also unavoidable, isn’t it? This subordinate thinks that after we truthfully report to the King and Empress Dowager, the court will also hope that we first stabilize Hanyang Wengzhu. After all, even if we concede these benefits, though we will be controlled by Hanyang, Great Liang ultimately unites with us against external threats. It’s better than gaining nothing and being blocked outside Bairen Pass.”
His narrowed eyes flashed with shrewd light: “Moreover, once Hanyang Wengzhu marries to Southern Chen, the heavens are high and the emperor is far away. There will be countless places where our people can operate in Pingzhou and Tao Commandery!”
Undeniably, what Fang Mingda said made sense. Sikong Wei’s expression also eased as he said, “Minister Fang speaks extremely correctly. Those aristocratic families we originally courted within Pingzhou city—although Hanyang eliminated a batch of them, there are still some who hid deep and shifted with the wind. Before this old man entered the city, I had already established contact with some of them. Once Hanyang leaves, these hidden pawns can continue to be used.”
Fang Mingda smiled meaningfully: “Not just those aristocratic families, but also the many Liang ministers who submitted to Hanyang. Choosing between being the former Liang Wengzhu’s trusted confidants or becoming meritorious ministers before the throne after our Southern Chen unifies the realm—among them, there will always be some who can figure out which choice to make. These three prefectures and one commandery can nominally be assigned to Hanyang, but we have countless ways to take them back!”
—
Toward evening, the wind picked up.
Accompanied by Zhao Bai, Wen Yu went to inspect the personal guards that Yan Que was training for her.
“According to your instructions, they’ve all been trained using the methods previously used to train the shadow guards at the Prince’s Manor. The outstanding ones, this subordinate has selected. In the future, they can be placed at your side to handle affairs for you.” Yan Que walked a step behind Wen Yu, guiding her tour of the training ground while introducing things as they walked.
Wen Yu looked at the soldiers on the field, some practicing alone at striking posts, others sparring in pairs. Her eyes under the setting sun seemed to reflect a layer of golden glazed light. She brushed aside a willow branch blocking the path, her expression seeming momentarily dazed. She said, “It truly does feel like being back at the former Prince’s Manor.”
Yan Que seemed not to know how to respond to this, and fearing he might say the wrong thing and make Wen Yu sad, he remained silent for a moment.
After watching the sparring soldiers on the field for a while, Wen Yu turned her head toward Yan Que and said, “Speaking of which, Commander Yan can also be considered someone Father Prince personally cultivated, correct?”
Because Yan Que was appointed as the guard commander when escorting Wen Yu from Luodu to Southern Chen, Wen Yu still addressed him this way even now.
Hearing her words, Yan Que quickly nodded and cupped his fists in reply: “Fortunately the Prince showed favor, which is why there is today’s Yan Que. This debt of recognition, Yan Que will never forget as long as I live.”
Wen Yu seemed somewhat moved, saying, “Father Prince and Elder Brother departed suddenly. What they left to this Palace, aside from this broken realm, is only you and Zhao Bai.”
Yan Que hastily said, “As long as this subordinate has life for even one more day, I will protect Wengzhu’s safety for that day.”
Zhao Bai, who was quite taciturn, only nodded along.
Wen Yu smiled and said, “Fortunately, I still have you two.”
She glanced back at the training ground: “The selected elites need not be sent to this Palace’s side first. There’s a hidden chess piece that Former Teacher planted beside Pei Song who needs personnel. Send them to that lord first.”
Yan Que’s face showed delight: “We still have our people under Pei Song’s command?”
Wen Yu said nothing more, only stating, “He who gains the Way has much support; he who loses the Way has little help.”
The joy on Yan Que’s face quickly turned to hatred: “That treacherous wolf-hearted wretch has committed countless evil deeds. With Wengzhu’s marriage alliance with Southern Chen imminent, we will surely soon be able to behead that traitor!”
A maidservant hurried over to deliver a message, saying the evening banquet was about to begin and Li Yao sought Wen Yu as he had matters to discuss.
Wen Yu no longer said much more to Yan Que, only stating: “Since the victory banquet has begun, Commander Yan should go ahead as well.”
Yan Que cupped his fists and took his leave. Wen Yu then led Zhao Bai to depart first with the message-bearing maidservant.
After Wen Yu’s party walked far away, Yan Que lowered his cupped hands and stared thoughtfully in the direction Wen Yu had departed.
—
If he could have found a suitable reason to decline, Xiao Li actually did not want to attend tonight’s banquet.
Sitting together with Fan Yuan, Tan Yi, and the other military generals from the army, the whole group made a ruckus. Before the banquet even began, they had already poured several cups of liquor down his throat.
Xiao Li had a decent alcohol tolerance, but being forced to drink like this on an empty stomach still made his stomach burn fiercely.
When others came over with playful teasing to toast him again, he blocked them all, saying that the feast hadn’t started yet. If he got drunk and Wen Yu saw it, it would look bad, and being seen by people from Southern Chen would also be disgraceful.
With this reason, the military generals finally stopped forcing liquor on him.
After he dealt with this round and returned to his seat, Fan Yuan teased him with a smile: “How does it feel to be the man of the hour?”
Xiao Li said, “Brother Fan, please don’t tease me.”
Fan Yuan laughed heartily, picking up his wine vessel and saying, “You can drink with others later, but this cup of celebratory wine, this older brother must toast you first!”
Xiao Li said, “Tao Commandery was conquered by Brother Fan and Lord Chen leading the soldiers together. Today’s sand table simulation was also planned for me by you, Brother Fan, together with Elder Li and Lord Li Xun. Xiao Li dares not claim all the credit alone.”
Fan Yuan made a dismissive sound, clinking his wine vessel against Xiao Li’s: “This older brother is toasting you, but not for these matters!”
Having said that, he tilted his head back and drained it.
Xiao Li sensed something was wrong and didn’t bring the wine to his lips. He asked, “If not for these two matters, what other joy could there be?”
Fan Yuan chuckled and winked at him: “Naturally, it’s for your lifelong important matter, you lad!”
The slight smile on Xiao Li’s face also disappeared, as if he hadn’t understood the meaning in Fan Yuan’s words for a moment: “What?”
Fan Yuan patted his shoulder and leaned over to say in a low voice: “You lad don’t know yet, do you? This older brother will give you an advance tip—Lord Chen intends to take you as his son-in-law.”
Xiao Li’s hand gripping the wine vessel suddenly tightened. After a pause, he said, “What virtue or ability do I have to be worthy of Lord Chen’s daughter? Lord Chen shows me too much favor.”
Fan Yuan thought he was concerned that as Wen Yu’s personal guard by origin, if he had a familial relationship with Chen Wei’s side, it might displease Wen Yu. He said, “Don’t worry. Lord Chen acts prudently and sought Wengzhu’s approval early on. Wengzhu’s side also agreed to this marriage. When Li Xun met with Wengzhu today to request approval for the list of ministers accompanying Wengzhu south, Elder Li Yao recommended having you escort the wedding party, but was declined by Wengzhu. It seems she was considering your impending marriage with the Chen family.”