Snow filled the sky, drifting down in endless flurries.
Within a short month, people had been dying violently one after another, each death more tragic than the last. Rumors spread throughout the Holy City, with various speculations running rampant. All evidence pointed to Regent Su Dan Gu.
Bisuo and Mo Biduo investigated both openly and in secret, but they could never find the true culprit. Every time they found some clues and followed the trail, it would inevitably break off midway. Both men were burning with anxiety.
The city’s people lived in fear. Civilians wouldn’t dare go out after dark, jumping at every shadow and sound.
On this day, a temple monk burst into the main hall in panic: “Your Majesty, the Temple Master has passed away!”
Bisuo was shocked and went to personally investigate the Temple Master’s quarters.
There were no signs of struggle in the room. The Temple Master’s body lay before the Buddha statue, his expression peaceful, with no external wounds.
Yuanjue stepped forward to examine the body and said quietly: “He died from his internal energy channels being ruptured, affecting his heart and organs…”
The two exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy, and returned to the main hall to report.
A guard lifted the felt curtain. Tanmoluojia sat pale-faced against his couch. After hearing their report, he covered his mouth and coughed.
Since the time he had asked the physician how long he had left, he knew his days were numbered. When Yaoying was here, he had tried his best to hide it, dutifully taking medicine and applying treatments, suppressing his pain. During the days when her eyes were injured, he had rapidly lost weight and become haggard. Fortunately, she couldn’t see that Mondatipo’s words were just meant to comfort her.
Previously he had forced himself to keep going, not wanting to fall. After she left, it was as if a supporting pillar had been pulled from him. He quickly became bedridden, and in recent days had handed over all government affairs to his ministers.
He was tired.
“Have all the people close to him been questioned?” he asked with furrowed brows, his voice weak.
Bisuo sighed inwardly and said: “We’re questioning them now. The young novice said the Temple Master had been going out frequently lately, maintaining close contact with outsiders. It’s possible he provoked some enemy from outside.”
Tanmoluojia shook his head.
All of this was aimed at Su Dan Gu. The deaths of the merchant convoy, the noble family’s sons – everyone who had crossed Su Dan Gu had died violently. That was one thing, but why would the Temple Master, a monk, also meet such a fate?
“Only when the Regent appears will they stop,” he said calmly.
Bisuo raised his head: “Your Majesty, let me go!”
Tanmoluojia was already so ill, that he couldn’t handle any more strain, and he couldn’t be exposed.
“You can’t go, they would detain you… Let Bamir go.”
That afternoon, Bamir donned the Regent’s clothes and appeared at the royal palace in Tanmoluojia’s place.
Since there had been a death at the royal temple, and people kept coming forward insisting they had witnessed Su Dan Gu committing the murders, including several highly respected monks who maintained their testimony under questioning, repeatedly swearing they weren’t lying, the court officials demanded Su Dan Gu submit to interrogation. Given his strict enforcement of the law, now that he was a suspect, he should naturally avoid suspicion and let others handle these major cases.
Bamir was placed under house arrest.
Mo Biduo thought of a plan: “What if we fabricate a few cases? Wouldn’t that clear the Regent’s suspicion?”
Bisuo considered it but shook his head: “They’re deliberately making things difficult. Even if we create perfect fabrications, they won’t release Bamir. And where would we suddenly find bodies? We can’t kill innocent people… We can only find solid evidence quickly.”
Finding evidence would also reveal who was pulling strings behind the scenes.
The two discussed for a while before separating to handle different tasks.
At the royal temple, Yuanjue sat with Tanmoluojia, unfolding a letter from Gaochang to read to him. The letter had arrived two days ago, and he had already read it.
In her letter, Yaoying said the weather was getting colder, and knowing his poor health, reminded him to dress warmly. She also told him that on her birthday, Li Zhongqian had personally made her longevity noodles.
Tanmoluojia reclined, listening to him finish reading, then took the letter, his fingers caressing the paper.
Outside the window, the wind howled. Suddenly, rapid footsteps thundered like drumbeats along the corridor. A guard rushed through the hallway and knelt outside the door, saying: “Your Majesty, there’s an unusual movement among the Central Army Guard!”
Tanmoluojia raised his eyes.
He had ordered the guards to watch the military camps to guard against several army units that had originally belonged to the noble families.
The Central Army Guard was loyal to the royal family. Almost all his guards came from the Central Army Guard – they were his most trusted subordinates.
Yuanjue stood up, his face filled with horror, his body trembling: How could the Central Army Guard betray the King?!
Outside the Holy City.
Mo Biduo rode at full gallop with his followers, pursuing several suspicious individuals. He had been watching these people for days, waiting patiently, and finally caught an opportunity. This time he would capture them all and force them to reveal their mastermind!
Hooves thundered like lightning, spraying snow mud. As the two groups passed through a canyon, a unit of horsemen suddenly leaped out from both sides of the mountain path. The riders wore blue robes with white garments – the uniform of the Central Army Guard.
They effortlessly blocked the people Mo Biduo had been chasing, bound their hands and feet, and dragged them before him.
“Prince, we’ve been lying in ambush here for a day. Were you also investigating these people?”
Mo Biduo nodded in response, exchanged greetings with the Guard captain, dismounted, and walked toward the captured men.
A cold wind swept past from behind.
Mo Biduo reacted with lightning speed, immediately drawing his sword to block. With a crisp clash, the captain’s long sword locked against his blade sparks flying.
With a squelch, a dagger pierced his arm.
Mo Biduo’s grip weakened, his sword falling to the ground. The other Guard riders pounced, ropes sliding from their sleeves to bind his hands and feet, forcing him violently into the snow.
“My apologies, Prince,” the captain sighed, raising his head to look back toward the Holy City.
The snow and wind raged.
…
For several days the heavy snow continued, coating the earth in silver. The wasteland and desert stretched endlessly in silvery white, the snow-covered forests extending to the horizon, wild winds roaring and howling.
Under the gloomy sky, the majestic snow-peaked mountains still stood silently, vast and magnificent.
Yaoying hadn’t returned to Gaochang but had gone directly to a frontier garrison city near the Jiazi nation. Upon entering the city, she ordered the garrison to strengthen defenses and dig trenches.
A few days later, Yang Qian arrived with his troops, eager and impatient: “Once I lead the army to conquer Jiazi, let’s see if they still dare to hold people captive!”
Yaoying stopped him and asked: “How many tribes like Jiazi are there?”
Yang Qian calmed down and answered: “There are at least dozens or hundreds of such small tribes and states. They’re different from us – they still use a feudal tribal system. They pay tribute to us while also being dependent on other powerful suzerain states, regularly paying taxes to their suzerains and sometimes providing troops when the suzerain state goes to war. These small states have loose systems and remain uncivilized. Once faced with a powerful external enemy, they often surrender en masse.”
Yaoying pondered.
Great nations have their way of living, small nations have their way of surviving. Jiazi was just a small tribe, with nothing to lose, relying on geographical advantages to live in false peace, perfecting their unscrupulous methods. Great nations wouldn’t expend the effort to attack them: too many troops meant insufficient provisions, and too few troops meant they couldn’t defeat Jiazi.
Such small tribes would pay regular tribute while secretly defying authority. If an army conquered them, they would immediately surrender, denying responsibility for the raids and claiming no involvement. But once the army withdrew, they would return to their old ways. And now the Western Regions’ forces were insufficient – they couldn’t spare troops to garrison the trade routes.
“Send a few more edicts to Jiazi, we can double the ransom gold and silver…” Yaoying frowned and said, “As long as they release the people.”
Yang Qian said angrily: “The King of Jiazi favors shamans and is insatiably greedy. When we previously sent envoys requesting to ransom the captives, he agreed readily, but after taking the money and goods, he went back on his word! They allow the nomads to raid our merchant caravans and force-dependent tribes to give all their young women to him and his shamans. Many tribes were forced to migrate to escape his evil clutches, only to be captured and enslaved when he caught them. Jiazi imposes harsh levies, the King is cruel, and they can’t be trusted. If we increase the ransom, they’ll only make more outrageous demands!”
Yaoying smiled faintly: “Send another diplomatic mission to Jiazi, increase the ransom.”
Yang Qian asked in confusion: “Isn’t this too lenient toward Jiazi?”
Yaoying shook her head: “After the diplomatic mission departs, spread the word of this matter. Issue broad edicts, and let every tribe and state along the trade routes know about this. Have the scouts in the merchant caravans spread the information – it should reach every corner.”
Yang Qian fell silent.
Hearing his rapid breathing, clearly suppressing anger, Yaoying explained, “Diplomacy before force will mean fewer casualties. Today it’s Jiazi, tomorrow it might be another state. We can’t fight tribe by tribe – we need a solution that will resolve this once and for all.”
Yang Qian’s teeth ground audibly as he voiced his agreement.
Half an hour later, dozens of light cavalry scouts carried the Western Army’s edicts requesting ransom for displaced people to various tribes, charging on horseback into the vast snow and wind, heading in different directions.
The Western Army’s edicts quickly spread throughout states large and small. As Yang Qian had said, the King of Jiazi was indeed greedy and shortsighted. Not only did he demand double the ransom while returning only the old, weak, sick, and disabled, but he also demanded half of all taxes from passing merchant caravans.
Yang Qian was furious, wanting nothing more than to immediately lead troops to crush Jiazi, again requesting permission to attack.
Yaoying again dissuaded him, ordering several merchant caravans loaded with goods to go to Jiazi to trade for furs and meat with local tribes at high prices.
She specifically instructed: “Use silver coins for transactions. Jiazi collects taxes in silver coins – use silver coins as much as possible.”
The merchant caravans followed orders and went to Jiazi. Soon news returned: local tribes that had obtained silver coins from the caravans were being raided and robbed, leaving the tribal herdsmen filled with grief and anger.
After Li Zhongqian read this letter, Yaoying called her guards and instructed: “In my name, invite the chiefs of all tribes. Tell them we’re holding a great assembly in Liuhe City to discuss merchant taxes.”
Liuhe City was where the major tribes conducted their annual trade.
The Western Army now controlled most of the trade routes. Regardless of their private feelings, nearby tribes dared not openly offend the rising Western Army. Various tribes came in response to the summons, whether to test the waters and gain advantages, out of fear of offending Yaoying, or due to contempt, all bringing their troops.
On the day of the assembly, Liuhe City was packed with people shoulder to shoulder. Chiefs from twenty-eight nearby tribes and envoys from twelve small states gathered in Liuhe City, all bringing their tribal elite warriors, their attitudes quite arrogant and proud.
Someone asked quietly: “The King of Jiazi didn’t come?”
“No, the King is too proud. He only sent a favored minister to attend.”
Everyone discussed it among themselves.
When Yaoying appeared in the great tent with cloth covering her face, the tent fell silent.
The crowd was stunned by Yaoying’s appearance. The Jiazi envoy, intending to humiliate her, stepped forward and joked: “Princess Wenzhao’s beauty surpasses even the singing girls beloved by our King.”
Xie Qing drew his sword and struck.
The envoy retreated screaming, clutching his bloodied face.
Xie Qing sheathed his sword and said expressionlessly: “If anyone else speaks disrespectfully to the Princess, I’ll tear out their tongue.”
Everyone’s hearts trembled.
The Jiazi envoy was furious with shame, his face turning purple. Just as he was about to step forward, someone lifted the tent flap, bringing an urgent report: “Princess, envoys from Jiazi have arrived.”
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. The Jiazi envoy was also bewildered – he was the envoy personally appointed by the King, who else could be coming?
A series of hurried footsteps approached. Several young men wearing Jiazi military uniforms entered the tent, first bowing respectfully to Yaoying and presenting a document, then walking toward the confused Jiazi envoy. Without a word, they drew their long swords.
In an instant, cold light flashed, blood sprayed, and the Jiazi envoy fell dead.
Everyone was shocked, drawing weapons and surrounding the young men with shouts.
The young men wiped blood from their faces and cupped their hands in greeting, saying: “Please forgive us. I am the King of Jiazi’s guard. This man was a treacherous villain unworthy to be Jiazi’s envoy. The King ordered us to kill him to prevent his nonsense from damaging Jiazi’s reputation. The King has already appointed new envoys.”
Having said this, they withdrew respectfully.
Two richly dressed Jiazi officials came forward to greet everyone.
Someone demanded: “Are you truly new envoys appointed by King Pilu?”
The two showed pained expressions and said: “King Pilu imposed harsh levies, was deceitful, and lost the people’s hearts. He has died violently in the palace. The Crown Prince has succeeded as King, renewed old friendships with the Wei Dynasty, and will pay tribute to Wei.”
Everyone was dumbfounded, their thoughts racing, countless gazes converging on Yaoying.
Her expression remained normal, as if not at all surprised. She waved for everyone to be seated, looking around unhurriedly. Though her eyes were covered, everyone felt her gaze pass over them.
“In the past when the Northern Route was peaceful, trade routes were smooth, tribute from various states and tribes was constant, and merchants gathered. Later, after several wars, connections between the Central Plains and tribes were cut off. Now that our Wei Dynasty has pacified chaos, the population prospers, goods are abundant, and we extend kindness to all directions. We should naturally reopen trade routes and restore commerce with the tribes. What benefits the tribes also benefits our Wei Dynasty. I hope the tribes will follow the people’s wishes and join our Western Army in protecting the trade routes.”
Yaoying spoke each word deliberately, her tone suddenly dropping: “If anyone dares to raid merchant caravans or kill civilians without cause, the Western Army will surely punish such crimes.”
Looking at the Jiazi envoy’s corpse on the carpet and thinking of the Jiazi King’s death, everyone broke out in cold sweat, their earlier arrogance completely gone. They quietly wiped their sweat, grateful they hadn’t tried to flirt with Princess Wenzhao, and voiced their agreement with her.
“The Princess speaks truly.”
“Our tribe has long had relations with Han territories and has been hoping to restore trade! We would never dare disobey imperial orders!”
Yaoying smiled slightly and ordered the covenant to be brought out, agreeing with everyone on tax collection.
The tribes were surprised to find her terms quite fair, and after a moment’s shock, privately approved.
Yaoying didn’t demand immediate answers from the tribes. She clapped twice, ordered the musicians to play, had her officials entertain the guests, and withdrew from the tent.
The tribes hurriedly inquired about what had happened in Jiazi. After hearing the envoys’ accounts, their hearts went cold.
…
Just a few days ago, an internal rebellion had erupted in Jiazi.
The tribes dependent on Jiazi had long harbored rebellious thoughts due to Jiazi’s oppression. Seeing winter approach, if the tribes couldn’t store enough food, they might not survive until next year. With the King still increasing taxes and seizing their silver coins, rather than starve to death, they simply rebelled.
After the Western Army pacified the Western Regions, some major lords in Jiazi had prepared to return displaced people to Gaochang in exchange for money and goods but were blocked by the King. They could only get one-tenth of the money the King extorted and were also dissatisfied. When the tribes rose, they took the opportunity to revolt.
Nearby tribes heard that Jiazi had extorted large amounts of money from the Western Army. Seeing Jiazi in chaos, they immediately attacked to take advantage.
War engulfed all of Jiazi. The Jiazi shamans were beheaded by angry herdsmen. The King hid in the palace while the Prince fled the city in disgrace, sending several urgent messages requesting aid from their suzerain state and nearby states. The suzerain state ignored them.
The Western Army also received requests for aid. Princess Wenzhao, putting aside past grievances, sent Yang Qian to lead troops to their rescue.
Yang Qian led several hundred elite troops straight to Jiazi, resolving their crisis in less than two days.
The rebels withdrew, the King died violently, and the Prince succeeded as King. He presented credentials to the Wei Dynasty, sent a tribute mission, and promised a merchant tax rate of one-twentieth.
Those rebellious tribes knew they had nowhere to go. Hearing that the Western Army was buying back displaced people and had very low taxes, they surrendered en masse, requesting to submit. Yang Qian brought them back and settled them properly.
…
In just one short month, Jiazi had been completely transformed.
The tribes were terrified.
In this campaign, the Western Army had suffered almost no casualties. Jiazi lost a King, the palace was completely looted, large numbers of tribal herdsmen fled to join Wei, morale completely collapsed, the nobility suspected each other, and the newly enthroned King had to be grateful to the Western Army. From then on, they never dared to pay lip service while secretly defying authority.
Yet all this appeared to have no connection to the Western Army – everything resulted from the Jiazi King’s insatiable greed leading to his destruction.
The tribes trembled in fear.
Over the next few days, Yaoying had merchants and officials fluent in tribal languages take the tribal envoys and nobles to browse the market. Seeing the dazzling array of goods just arrived from the Central Plains, the tribes were bewildered and tempted.
On the final day of the assembly, the tribes signed covenants with Yaoying, promising to restore trade, setting tax rates, and agreeing to exchange envoys.
From then on, the Northern Route was fully connected.
…
By the time the Jiazi affair was settled, Yaoying’s eyes had also mostly healed. The day she removed the cloth happened to be bright and clear, with snow light reflecting brilliantly before the hall.
She rested in the hall, picking up a brush to write to Tanmoluojia.
Her previous letters to him had been dictated with Xie Qing writing them. He knew her handwriting – seeing her script would let him know her eyes had healed.
Just as the letter was sent out, Xie Qing brought in another letter: “Princess, a letter from Queen Manda of the Malu nation.”
Yaoying took and read it, her smile fading, expression tightening.
“Princess, what’s wrong?”
Yaoying turned to look at the snow-covered mountain ranges in the distance and said: “Haidu Aling might be coming.”
Li Zhongqian and Yang Qian hurried over. “Haidu Aling is coming?”
Yaoying nodded: “Queen Manda’s letter says Haidu Aling went to Samarkand. The late Wahan Khan had sent people to establish connections in Samarkand. He joined with the Northern Rong people there, married a princess from a local suzerain state, borrowed a large army, and swore to lead his remaining forces back east to restore his nation.”
“Where is Haidu Aling now?”
“Queen Manda isn’t sure. We need to prepare early.”
Li Zhongqian nodded and ordered security strengthened everywhere. The news was quickly sent out, causing immediate alarm. Border garrison cities closed their gates and maintained strict guards.
Yaoying wrote a letter to Tanmoluojia.
A bully picks on the weak. Haidu Aling was now desperate to restore his nation but wouldn’t dare rashly attack the royal court. Still, taking extra precautions couldn’t hurt.