Luoyang.
On the seventh day of the eleventh month, in the year of Bingshen, the month of Xinchou, and the day of Yiwei, the Imperial Astrologers reported it to be an auspicious day on the Yellow Path, favorable for all affairs.
On the eve of the Yiwei day, the Lotus Platform was ablaze with light. Xing Xun summoned the court officials who had pledged allegiance to him for an all-night council.
Xing Xun sat high on the platform, looking down upon the assembly with a self-satisfied gaze. Below, the officials held their edicts, awaiting orders, their faces beaming with anticipation.
Suddenly, Gao Zhun, the Minister of the Guards, hurried in and knelt, presenting a yellow silk document.
Unfolded, it was the young Emperor Liu Tong’s abdication edict. It stated that he felt unworthy of his lofty position and wished to follow the ancient sages by abdicating the throne to Xing Xun. The edict was to be announced to the world, sealed with the imperial jade seal.
Gao Zhun further reported that at the auspicious time tomorrow, after the officials had assembled in the hall, the Chancellor would enter the Thousand Autumns Palace. The young Emperor would personally escort the Chancellor to the throne and read the abdication edict.
At this news, cheers erupted throughout the Lotus Platform. The officials knelt in unison, offering congratulations befitting an emperor.
Xing Xun, beaming with pride, graciously accepted. Amidst the chorus of praise, he noticed that Zhu Zeng, a court counselor, remained standing, seemingly hesitant.
Zhu Zeng was Xing Xun’s longtime strategist who had supported him and offered counsel on the journey from Henan to Luoyang, giving him considerable standing. Now, while everyone was celebrating, he alone did not kneel. Xing Xun felt displeased and questioned him.
Zhu Zeng said, “It’s not that the Chancellor is unworthy of becoming Emperor, but the timing is not right! Though the Han Dynasty is weak, they have not been tyrannical. Chancellor, you already hold the highest position below the Emperor. To suddenly take over would invite criticism from the world and fail to win people’s hearts. Even if we set that aside, my real concern is Wei Shao in the north. As long as Wei Shao is not eliminated, he remains a hidden threat to you, Chancellor. I know you are also eager to attack Wei Shao. Why not issue an edict accusing him of treason? This would justify your military action. You could then call upon the other lords to join in attacking him in the name of the Han Emperor. Wouldn’t that be better? If you lead an army in the Emperor’s name, and Wei Shao resists, he would be openly rebelling, losing the first move before the battle even begins. But if you claim the throne and then raise an army, wouldn’t you be giving Wei Shao the righteous cause of ‘protecting the emperor,’ allowing him to openly sway the world against you?”
Xing Xun replied displeased, “Why do you speak such words to dampen my spirits? It is said that those without virtue should yield to those who possess it. The Han Emperor admits his lack of virtue and feels unworthy of his esteemed position, so he abdicates to me. How can I not accept? I command five hundred thousand troops and dozens of fierce generals who can part waters with a whip. Why should I fear a mere Wei Shao? Last month, auspicious omens appeared in the eastern suburbs of Luoyang, foretelling a new ruler for the world, which matches my name. As they say, ‘To not take what Heaven offers is to invite calamity!'”
Zhu Zeng said, “I do not speak idly. The so-called auspicious omens in the eastern suburbs last month are indeed suspicious. The Su clan harbors ulterior motives. Chancellor, you must not be bewitched by a woman, or you may regret it too late!”
Xing Xun, a lifelong ambitious schemer, naturally didn’t completely believe in such omens and dream interpretations. However, he was eager to claim the throne and had been hesitating for lack of a suitable opportunity. Lady Su’s dream interpretation coincided with his desires, like offering a pillow to a thirsty sleeper. His half-belief turned into near-certainty.
Hearing Zhu Zeng’s words, he flew into a rage, “How dare you! What are your true intentions? If not for your years of service and some merit, I would punish you severely! My decision is final. Anyone who speaks further on this matter will be executed!”
At these words, all the officials around him blanched, turning to look at Zhu Zeng with reproachful expressions.
Zhu Zeng begged forgiveness and withdrew, his heart filled with despair.
He pondered that Xing Xun was no longer the man who had first entered Luoyang, eager to employ talented individuals. Now he was arrogant and self-important, surrounding himself only with sycophants. Those he trusted—Feng Yi, Zang Chang, Feng Zhao, and Ding Qu—were all small-minded men. He was impatient to force the young Emperor to abdicate and take his place, with war against Wei Shao imminent. Assessing the situation, Zhu Zeng feared the outcome was already sealed.
Returning home, Zhu Zeng was filled with worry. By dawn, he received secret intelligence that Xing Xun, heeding Lady Su’s advice, had sent men to arrest and execute him. Greatly alarmed, and fortunately having no extended family in Luoyang, he immediately fled through the South Gate. He initially thought of seeking refuge with Wei Shao but then recalled Wei Shao’s ruthless methods of dealing with enemies and shuddered. After some hesitation, he changed course and headed for Hanzhong to join Marquis Yue Zheng Gong instead.
…
Xiao Qiao was now four months pregnant, suffering from severe morning sickness. At its worst, she could barely keep down even a sip of water and spent most of her time lying in bed. Fortunately, she had Chun Niang to care for her, and half a month ago, Madam Zhong had also arrived from Yuyang to Xindu.
Madam Zhong said that upon hearing the good news, Madam Xu was overjoyed. She had specifically sent her to assist Chun Niang in caring for Xiao Qiao, instructing her to rest assured and take good care of herself.
With these two attentively caring for her, and Wei Shao being extremely considerate—treating her as if she were made of glass—Xiao Qiao felt peaceful and content despite her physical discomfort. Although Wei Shao was increasingly busy with military affairs, he returned to her side whenever he had a moment to spare. She had sent a letter to Yanzhou, informing her father of her pregnancy.
During the day, a messenger from Yanzhou arrived with a reply from her father.
Qiao Ping was overjoyed and instructed her to take good care of herself. He mentioned that Qiao Ci was busy training troops outside, and when he returned, he would share the good news with him.
He also said that everything at home was fine and that she shouldn’t worry. He told her to get along well with her husband.
Xiao Qiao read her father’s letter several times.
Though the written word had its limitations and her father hadn’t explicitly stated it, the mention of her brother being busy with military training indicated that her father had never abandoned the plans for strengthening their position that they had previously discussed.
Her initial motivation for urging her father to build strength was to avoid being like birds nesting in the eaves, unaware of impending disaster.
Now, with Wei Shao’s assurances, although Xiao Qiao’s guard hadn’t completely dropped, she felt much more at ease than before.
Even so, Xiao Qiao still believed that Yanzhou should strive to become stronger.
In such chaotic times, only with a strong army could one have room to maneuver when faced with invasion, regardless of who the aggressor might be.
It was always better than having to rely on others for help every time.
Reading this seemingly casual remark from her father gave Xiao Qiao a sense of reassurance.
Having slept through the afternoon, she felt refreshed by evening and got up to write a reply to her father.
After finishing the letter, as winter approached and the days grew shorter, it was already dark by mid-evening. Chun Niang entered the room to light the lamps.
Madam Zhong directed two servant women to bring in a food tray and place it on the couch, smiling as she called Xiao Qiao to have her evening meal.
Xiao Qiao asked about Wei Shao.
She asked because although he had been increasingly busy lately, he usually returned by this time.
Since becoming pregnant, she ate six or seven meals a day, and if dinner was too early, she couldn’t eat. So in recent days, they had been waiting for his return to dine together.
Today, however, there was no sign of him.
Madam Zhong said, “Just now, the lord sent a message saying he would be back late and asked the lady to dine first without waiting for him.”
Since Wei Shao had specifically sent word, Xiao Qiao assumed he must have important matters to attend to.
She ate by herself. Fearing she might vomit again, she stood in the room for a while to aid digestion before Chun Niang urged her to lie down.
Wei Shao was still not back.
Since becoming pregnant, Xiao Qiao was not only prone to morning sickness but also easily fatigued.
Her days passed in a haze. Lying in bed, alternating between sleeping and waiting for Wei Shao, she drifted off into slumber.
When she woke up, all was quiet around her, and she wasn’t sure of the time.
Without opening her eyes, she sensed a warm body beside her and knew Wei Shao was in bed.
Feeling his touch on her cheek, she let out a soft, sleepy “mmm” and stretched lazily like a cat. She raised her hand to his shoulder and nestled against his chest, eyes still closed, and murmured, “When did you return, husband?”
“Some time ago,” he replied.
Xiao Qiao finally opened her eyes and propped herself up on one arm to look at the water clock in the room. She was surprised to see it was already the wei hour of the second half of the night.
She turned to Wei Shao and asked, “It’s so late, why aren’t you asleep, husband?”
Wei Shao didn’t answer. He just gazed at her face.
After her nap, her cheeks were flushed. Unaware of her allure, she exuded an utterly captivating charm.
Moreover, on this particular night, he already felt his blood boiling.
Resisting the urge to embrace her, he gently laid her back on the pillow and placed his hand lightly on her slightly swollen belly, smiling as he asked, “Did our little one give you much trouble today?”
Xiao Qiao, lying back on the pillow, shook her head, “I’ve been sleeping all day, so it’s been much better.”
She looked into Wei Shao’s eyes, “Has something happened? Why are you back so late?”
And she felt that the way he was looking at her was somewhat different from usual.
“Manman, for some time to come, I won’t be able to stay with you and our little one,” Wei Shao said, gazing at her intently.
Xiao Qiao was startled. She was about to ask what had happened but changed her mind.
“Is there going to be another war?” she asked softly.
“Xing Xun has usurped the throne and proclaimed himself Emperor. He’s amassing troops, claiming to have five hundred thousand, preparing to cross the Yellow River and attack us,” Wei Shao said.
As he spoke these words, his tone was calm.
But Xiao Qiao detected a glimmer of excitement in his deep eyes like a wild beast catching the scent of blood.
Xiao Qiao was stunned.
She knew there would be a decisive battle between Wei Shao and Xing Xun.
This would be a world-changing, thunderous battle that would determine the course of the empire.
The victor would undoubtedly have an unstoppable path to ruling the world.
Just like in her dream of her previous life.
She naturally knew the outcome of the battle.
But unlike in the dream of her previous life, Xing Xun’s ascension to the throne and the great battle he launched against Wei Shao for the key to the empire came much earlier than expected.
It had arrived suddenly, years ahead of schedule, at this unexpected moment.
…
Xindu became Wei Shao’s temporary military command center for intercepting and engaging the enemy before the battle.
The atmosphere over the city suddenly became tense.
A few days later, the populace finally noticed the seemingly endless stream of armor-clad, weapon-bearing generals with solemn expressions arriving from all directions.
They began to anxiously discuss whether a new war was about to break out.
The people’s guesses were not wrong.
Li Dian, Li Chong, Zhang Jian, Wei Liang…
These battle-hardened generals under Wei Shao’s command, upon receiving the news, made arrangements for rear defense and then rushed from places like Youzhou and Bingzhou to Xindu within days.
The army began to move south in succession, positioning themselves on the north bank of the Yellow River.
From dawn to dusk, and even in the dead of night, meteor-like swift horses frequently galloped in and out of Xindu’s four gates, delivering various reports and messages.
The lights in the main hall of Xin Palace often burned late into the night, sometimes until dawn.
There, Wei Shao and his advisors, generals, and logistics officers discussed strategies and planned their approach.
They had long been prepared for this great battle.
Thus, although the atmosphere was tense, everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
However, Wei Shao suddenly became extremely busy.
Xiao Qiao could no longer see him during the day.
Even at night, he always returned very late.
Sometimes it was already dawn, and he would barely lie down before being called away by a new report from the Yellow River front.
Half a month later, on this day at the end of the eleventh month, Wei Shao finally decided on his battle strategy.
Using Liyang Ford on the north bank of the Yellow River as the main battle camp, they would build stockades and form a pincer attack position with Gaotang and Fanjin. Two hundred li to the southwest, Huangchi would serve as the supply base. They would construct a defensive line and wait in battle formation to intercept Xing Xun’s great army on the north bank of the Yellow River for a decisive battle.
Three days later, he would leave Xindu and lead the army to Liyang.
On the same day, Xiao Qiao received a letter from Madam Xu.
Madam Xu’s letter was very simple, containing only one sentence.
She said: On behalf of his grandmother, I send Shao’er off to war.