Before her departure, Di Nian repeatedly cautioned her, and also had Luo Bitao personally escort her and Huang Bo to the Northern Jian forces at Jin Gorge Pass.
From a distance, the mountains looked like blades; up close, they formed peaks, creating a narrow, dangerous pass between the two armies. Green trees obscured the sky, wild flowers wafted their fragrance, and dust covered every step of the way.
The Northern Jian envoy was quite tall and dignified. The silk armor he wore made him look less like a military official and more like a noble family’s son who occasionally practiced archery and horsemanship. Upon seeing her and Huang Bo, he ordered soldiers from a distance to come hold their horses in welcome, his attitude exceedingly respectful.
Meng Tinghui didn’t think much of it, but Huang Bo was somewhat surprised by the demeanor of these Northern Jian officers and soldiers, taking a long time to regain his composure. He turned and ordered Luo Bitao and the others who had escorted them to the pass not to proceed any further.
“Envoy Meng,” the visitor greeted her with refined courtesy, dismounting and bowing deeply to her. “I have been commanded by General Zhao Hui, the Northern Emissary of the Xuanhui Office, to welcome you into our camp for discussions.”
Meng Tinghui’s gaze was calm and mild. She accepted his grand gesture without the slightest humility, remaining motionless on her horse, simply looking down at him and asking: “May I know your honorable surname?”
“Yue,” the man straightening up. “I am Yue Linxi.”
She nodded slightly, raising her chin toward the distant gray-black dots of the camp, “Let’s go.”
The Northern Jian main camp was pitched beside the mountain, a neat and orderly array of crescent-shaped encampments. Their display of battle readiness and military discipline was no less impressive than that of the Great Ping Imperial Army. Soldiers standing along the camp paths merely lowered their heads when they saw their group approaching, not daring to stare insolently.
Upon entering the commander’s quarters, she immediately saw Zhao Hui sitting behind the general’s desk.
He stood up quickly and said in a resonant voice: “Envoy Meng.”
Meng Tinghui’s steps faltered slightly, and her voice grew faint: “When we parted before, I never imagined we would meet again like this. Has General Zhao been well?”
Now, recalling the grand court assembly held six months ago during the New Year, it seemed he must have already known her identity then, and his intentions at that time were not simply to discuss reducing yearly military forces.
Zhao Hui smiled and invited her to be seated. “Envoy Meng still maintains her composure and impressive bearing.”
She sat down with natural grace, unwilling to engage in empty pleasantries with him, and said directly: “I have come on behalf of the Great Ping Imperial Army to discuss ending the war. May I ask where the envoy from the Northern Jian court is?”
Zhao Hui gave a look to the others in the tent, and everyone withdrew, except for Yue Linxi, who remained standing at one side.
Meng Tinghui glanced at him, then looked back at Zhao Hui and asked: “What is General Zhao’s intention?”
Zhao Hui said: “This is Minister Yue, the Southern Emissary of our Xuanhui Office. He has been ordered by imperial edict to come to Jin Gorge Pass to negotiate peace with the Great Ping Imperial Army.”
She nodded in understanding, frowning slightly, then turned to Huang Bo and said: “You go outside as well.”
Huang Bo was extremely reluctant, but had no choice but to obey her order. With a black face, he withdrew to wait outside the tent.
Once there was no one else in the tent, Meng Tinghui raised her eyes and stared intently at Yue Linxi, her gaze sharp and her expression solemn. “With no outsiders present, there’s no need to play any games. Which side are you on?”
Upon hearing this, the smile completely disappeared from Zhao Hui’s face. He said slowly: “Envoy Meng is indeed no ordinary woman.” He turned to face Yue Linxi and said: “Since that’s the case, you might as well speak plainly.”
Yue Linxi took two steps forward to stand before her, bowed deeply, and said in a low voice: “Your subject Yue Linxi pays respects to the Sovereign.”
Despite being prepared, Meng Tinghui was still somewhat startled upon hearing these words. She stared at Yue Linxi’s face in astonishment, unable to speak for a long time.
Yue Linxi raised his head and said: “Matters are not yet fully prepared. After the Sovereign moves to Shuzhou on the Jiankang route, and after our forces recapture the three strategic strongholds, we will certainly hold a grand ceremony for the Sovereign’s enthronement as Emperor.”
Meng Tinghui remained silent for a long while, then suddenly laughed.
Emperor?
She hadn’t expected these former officials of Zhongwan to be so impatient yet confident, as if the northern three routes, or even more territories, were already completely under their control.
She did not answer Yue Linxi but turned to look at Zhao Hui instead. “Before I left the capital, I heard from Yin Qing that if Zhongwan were restored, one-third of the occupied territories would be ceded to Northern Jian. Is this true?”
Zhao Hui nodded. “That is correct.”
Only then did she turn her gaze toward Yue Linxi, smiling coldly. “The uprising was your plan, the agreement with Northern Jian was your arrangement, even when to be enthroned as Emperor, it was for you to decide. What need do you have for me as Sovereign? After all, the imperial throne is but one position, and surely among you there must be capable individuals qualified for it. Perhaps many have coveted this position for a long time.”
Yue Linxi was momentarily speechless, not having expected such a reaction from her. After considering for a moment, he said: “Zhongwan has been a fallen nation for twenty-seven years. The former officials and people in all territories eagerly anticipate its restoration, yet despite plotting in secret for many years, no action was taken because no one could unite the hearts of the people. Now, knowing that the imperial descendant still exists in this world, we dare to raise an army and execute this grand plan of restoration. We hope only that the Sovereign, as the imperial descendant, can attract the displaced people from the old territories under your banner. This imperial throne cannot be occupied by anyone but the true imperial bloodline. Now that we have found the Sovereign, all future matters concerning the nation’s restoration will be respectfully decided by the Sovereign, and we shall all follow the Sovereign’s lead.”
Meng Tinghui’s lips curled slightly, her expression seeming somewhat satisfied. She turned to Zhao Hui and asked: “Regarding the previous agreement, was any treaty established?”
Zhao Hui glanced at Yue Linxi, then frowned and said: “No.”
“Then it doesn’t count,” Meng Tinghui said decisively, leaving no room for negotiation. “Although Northern Jian is currently assisting in our restoration, once they’ve secured their advantages, how can we be sure they won’t turn against us and invade our territories?”
Zhao Hui pretended to be angry. “My Northern Jian has sent a large army southward this time. Could it be that all our effort and bloodshed is for nothing?”
She laughed softly. “General Zhao, don’t be hasty. I haven’t finished speaking. Currently, the northern three routes are largely controlled by our forces, and with tens of thousands of Northern Jian troops pressing the border, restoring all the territories of my former Zhongwan is not difficult. But since we have already raised armies, how could we not seek further advancement? In my view, besides reclaiming our former territories, we should take the opportunity to seize dozens more prefectures. Only in this way can we avenge the destruction of our nation and families. If the Northern Jian army is willing to advance and retreat with us as one, then half of the additionally occupied territories will be given to each side. What do you think?”
Zhao Hui’s face darkened. “I cannot make this decision on my own. I must report to the capital and let our Northern Jian Emperor decide.”
“No matter,” she lowered her eyes. “I have plenty of time. I can wait.”
A look of suspicion spread across Zhao Hui’s face. “How can I know that you sincerely intend to cooperate with Northern Jian? If you’re now speaking false words to deceive me, what will happen in the future?”
Meng Tinghui’s gaze flickered slightly. “To demonstrate my sincerity and to earn General Zhao’s trust, why don’t I have the Great Ping garrison outside Jin Gorge Pass retreat thirty li, returning the pass to the Northern Jian army? What does General Zhao think of that?”
Zhao Hui was shocked. “How could you possibly have such authority?”
Her eyes were unfettered, and her words were even more audacious: “I have my means. Why should General Zhao question further? If there are more doubts, don’t blame me for changing my mind.”
Zhao Hui’s throat tightened, and he just stared at her with furrowed brows.
Yue Linxi also hesitated somewhat and said: “The Great Ping Imperial Army has always been valiant. If our army were to invade prefectures and counties beyond the northern territories, it might be disadvantageous.”
Meng Tinghui glanced at him and said: “Who here could know more about the Great Ping Imperial Army than I do? The reason for the reduction of troops in the northern three routes earlier was that the camps were too scattered to defend properly, and the soldiers in each unit had become lazy and worthless. Apart from a few large camps in certain prefectures, the Great Ping Imperial Army is no longer what it once was.”
She raised her eyebrows at Zhao Hui and continued: “I shouldn’t say too much about the new Emperor of Great Ping, but General Zhao has seen with his own eyes. He is not skilled in warfare or strategy and has relied on those old ministers in the central government for many years. If the northern territories suffer consecutive defeats, the new Emperor of Great Ping will certainly grow weary of war. Perhaps in the future, without our two armies attacking forcefully, he might cede territory to sue for peace.”
Zhao Hui’s face grew increasingly dark. “Aren’t you and the Great Ping Emperor…”
Meng Tinghui impatiently interrupted him, saying coldly: “General, you hardly need me to explain what kind of reputation I, Meng Tinghui, have in the Great Ping court. Orphaned and alone from childhood, all I have sought in this life are high official positions and wealth of gold, silver, and fine silks. In all these years at court, these two things are all I have pursued. As for the Great Ping Emperor, I have known that the destruction of my nation and family was inflicted by his father. How could the bitterness and resentment of over ten years be easily erased? Between him and me, there was never true love, and from now on, there will be only hatred, with no lingering sentiment.”