Turmoil had once again stirred across the grasslands. As Li Chi’s most steadfast ally, whatever happened on the Nalan Grasslands was Li Chi’s own affair — no different from matters of his own. So upon receiving the news, Li Chi immediately led his army toward the Nalan Grasslands.

At the same time, Li Chi’s enemies had no intention of giving him any breathing room. At some point, Li Chi had become the number one enemy of those great powers. Even those who had once completely dismissed him — Prince Wu included — now had no choice but to place Li Chi at the very top of their concerns.

Back then, even Prince Wu had thought Li Chi was nothing more than a band of bandits who had gotten lucky, a pack of Yanshan thieves and nothing more. To say nothing of someone like Yang Xuanji — before Tang Pidi had beaten him to the point where he could barely defend himself, in Yang Xuanji’s eyes Li Chi was worth even less than Li Xionghu, at least Li Xionghu had more men.

And so at this moment, Yang Xuanji was already scheming over how to deal with Li Chi — yet just then, envoys from the Dachu court arrived.

Outside Daxing, Yang Xuanji’s military camp.

The envoy sent by Emperor Yang Jing had clearly not been given any favorable treatment. He had been left standing the entire time without even a seat offered to him.

They had now entered the third month, precisely the period Yang Xuanji had predicted when the city’s grain and fodder would be running critically low — perhaps already at the point of collapse. Seeing the envoy the Emperor had sent, Yang Xuanji naturally felt a degree of smug satisfaction.

The person the Emperor had sent was the elder brother of Empress Yu of Dachu — Yu Wan, who had recently been promoted to Vice Minister of Rites. The Emperor truly showed his affection through those he cherished; because he cared so deeply for Empress Yu, her family had all been elevated to positions of importance. Empress Yu’s father had already been the Minister of Rites, and after the imperial wedding, he had been further granted the title of Duke of the Realm.

Standing there taking in this scene, Yu Wan showed not the slightest indignation. Inside the great tent, a group of Tianming Army generals stood with their hands resting on their sword hilts — an obviously deliberate display of martial might put on for his benefit. It had to be said, though, that the Tianming Army’s equipment, manpower, and even morale all appeared markedly superior to the court’s armies.

Those men glared at him with predatory eyes, clearly trying to pressure him. Yet Yu Wan, though a scholar without a shred of martial ability, showed not the slightest fear. He stood there with perfect composure, his back straight, not losing a trace of the dignity befitting a court official.

He could see the enemy’s superior equipment, manpower, and morale — the soldiers and people within the city were clearly no match. And he had come precisely to resolve that very problem.

“Who are you?”

Yang Xuanji asked, his tone naturally imperious.

Yu Wan replied, “I am the imperial envoy personally dispatched by His Majesty the Emperor of Dachu — Yu Wan, Vice Minister of Rites of Dachu.”

Upon hearing the name, Yang Xuanji glanced at the advisor beside him. That advisor leaned in and murmured, “He is the Empress’s own elder brother.”

Yang Xuanji immediately broke into a smile. “Oh? My nephew has already run so short of capable men that he must send his imperial brother-in-law out of the city to his death?”

Yu Wan replied, “The King of Heavenly Mandate is perhaps unaware — had I not been the Empress’s brother, I might not even have had the chance to serve His Majesty. The common people within the city, every one of them, would willingly die for His Majesty. The queue to volunteer is so long I could not find a place in it. It was Her Highness the Empress who spoke a few words on my behalf that I was given this opportunity.”

Yang Xuanji laughed. “Every last one of them willing to die for the Emperor? Ha ha ha ha… That is probably the finest joke I have heard all year.”

He rose from his seat and walked to stand before Yu Wan. “If I were to have men break your four limbs right now, would you still be willing to die for the Emperor?”

Yu Wan replied, “The King of Heavenly Mandate is welcome to try. If you don’t dare, then refrain from making idle threats in the future — the more you use intimidation as bluster, the less effective it becomes.”

Yang Xuanji felt a surge of fury at these words and immediately declared, “Very well then. Let us try.”

He made a gesture. “Break his four limbs.”

Several personal soldiers stepped forward and seized Yu Wan, dragging him outside. Yu Wan did not resist or struggle, simply allowing himself to be hauled out. Outside, not long afterward, a cry of pain rang out — Yu Wan’s right hand had been severed with a single blade.

“Bring him back in.”

Yang Xuanji gave the order.

Yu Wan was dragged back inside, his face now as white as paper.

Yang Xuanji looked at his severed wrist and smiled. “I had thought a man of your self-importance would be above feeling pain.”

Yu Wan spoke with the same calm as before. “I feel pain, naturally. Anyone would. Pain makes one cry out — that is simply human nature.”

Yang Xuanji asked, “And do you still hold the resolve to die for the Emperor?”

Yu Wan replied, “A man like me has the will to fight the enemy but not the strength to do so. I long for the might to cut down ten thousand men, to slay demons and monsters on His Majesty’s behalf. So if someone like me wishes to leave his name in the annals of history, it can only be through a moment such as this. The more cruelly you torment me, the more lines of ink will be devoted to me in the history books.”

Yang Xuanji frowned. “You seek fame?”

Yu Wan replied, “I seek loyalty.”

Yang Xuanji said, “Take him out and cut off his other hand.”

The personal soldiers stepped forward at once. Yang Xuanji kept his eyes fixed on Yu Wan, waiting for him to beg for mercy — yet Yu Wan remained as he was, neither resisting nor speaking. And this time, he turned on his own and walked out of the military tent himself.

“Wait.”

Yang Xuanji called to Yu Wan, “The Emperor sent you to see me — what is it you were meant to say? Go ahead and say it first. If you can persuade me, I’ll spare your remaining hands and feet.”

Yu Wan glanced at him. “Let me go outside first and have my other hand cut off, then I’ll come back to speak with you.”

And with that, he stepped out through the door.

He walked to the entrance, placed his hand on the wooden stump, and said simply, “Go ahead.”

Even the battle-hardened Tianming Army soldiers, men who had killed without hesitation, were shaken by this sight. They looked at one another, and not one of them dared to step forward.

Yu Wan’s severed wrist was still bleeding. His face had gone as white as a sheet of paper, yet his bearing remained utterly composed, as though nothing in the world troubled him.

The advisor at Yang Xuanji’s side spoke up quietly, “This man came here to die. If he is killed by the commander — and killed in disgrace — the people within the city will surely be inflamed with hatred. Should that happen, the commander’s next assault on the city will become far more difficult.”

Yang Xuanji was struck with sudden realization, and at last understood the true purpose of Yu Wan’s visit. He had indeed come to die. And he was the current Empress’s own elder brother. Once he died, the people within the city would inevitably be united by a burning shared fury. The Emperor was willing to sacrifice his imperial brother-in-law’s life to forge the resolve of every soul in Daxing — truly a ruthless calculation.

“Someone, come!”

Yang Xuanji immediately called out, “Fetch the military physician!”

At the same time, inside the city, at Shiyuan Palace.

Emperor Yang Jing came rushing back in a great hurry. While inspecting the military camp just moments ago, he had received word that Yu Wan, the Vice Minister of Rites, had left the city.

He had sent someone to inquire, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites said that Minister Yu had gone to his death in order to awaken the fighting spirit of the people within the city. So as he left the city, he had walked and called out all the way, announcing that he was Yu Wan, Vice Minister of Rites, elder brother of the Empress, going on behalf of His Majesty to negotiate with the rebel. The Emperor rushed back to Shiyuan Palace and ran straight into Empress Yu, who had only just learned the news herself — one hurrying back, the other hurrying out, they nearly collided at the door.

“Your Majesty.”

Empress Yu’s face was etched with anxiety. She was by nature a gentle and serene woman, yet at this moment her brow was beaded with sweat.

“I already know. Be at ease — I will think of something.”

Seeing the Empress in such a state, the Emperor understood she had not known of this beforehand either. He bade her return to her quarters to await word, then turned and made his way to the city gates.

By now the streets were already thronged with people, especially near the city gates, where the gathered crowd had blocked the road completely. Over these past months, Empress Yu had come to hold a place in the hearts of the city’s people not unlike the place she held in the Emperor’s own heart — like an immortal maiden descended from the heavens.

When people within the city fell ill and the Empress learned of it, she would personally accompany the imperial physicians to treat them. When families within the city ran short of grain, the Empress would bring the palace guards to deliver food, and would ask after their welfare with warm concern. Whatever popular support the Dachu court had lost, the Empress had clawed back a considerable portion through her own tireless efforts.

The people said she was a celestial being moved by the suffering of mortals, sent down from the heavens to deliver the common people from their hardships.

Now, many within the city had learned that the Empress’s elder brother had gone out through the gates to negotiate. And so they had all come running here to wait.

“Your Majesty!”

When the people saw the Emperor arrive, they all dropped to their knees.

“Rise, rise, all of you — quickly, rise.”

The Emperor was helping the people to their feet while turning to address the soldiers guarding the walls. “Open the city gates!”

How could the soldiers dare to open them?

The general guarding the gate bowed low. “Your Majesty, it is too dangerous beyond the walls. We cannot open the gates.”

“Publicly speaking, the man who has gone alone into danger is one of my most trusted and valued ministers. Privately speaking, he is my elder brother. I must go.”

“Your Majesty.”

The general knelt on the ground. “Please, Your Majesty, reconsider. Please, Your Majesty, rescind this order.”

Inside the Tianming Army camp.

Yu Wan refused to submit to the military physician’s treatment. Having lost so much blood, he was already swaying on his feet, yet he still forced himself to remain standing.

“Hold him down!”

Yang Xuanji roared.

The personal soldiers surged forward, restraining Yu Wan exactly as they had when they severed his hand. Only then could the physician step forward to apply medicine and tend to his wound.

Yet Yu Wan laughed and said, “So the King of Heavenly Mandate fears the hearts of the people after all. I had thought the King of Heavenly Mandate believed himself chosen by heaven, and therefore feared nothing.”

Yang Xuanji said coldly, “I will not let your scheme succeed. You wish to die here and earn the name of a loyal and upright man? You will be disappointed.”

He turned to instruct his subordinates, “Send men to the area outside the city, and inform the people near the walls that Minister Yu has pledged his allegiance to me and is willing to serve under my command — that he will not be returning.”

Yu Wan burst into laughter. “Before I came, I proclaimed to the people all along the way that if I did not return, it would mean either that I had been killed, or that I had been detained. I also told them in advance that you, Yang Xuanji, the treacherous rebel, would claim I had surrendered in order to break apart our common resolve… Yang Xuanji, you are welcome to try.”

Yang Xuanji’s face went pale. The pain in his chest came in wave after wave.

Yu Wan continued, “A minister who has the ability to fight on the battlefield should naturally die with his boots on. I do not have the ability to fight, but I have other ways to repay His Majesty, to repay the court. My death — one man’s death — in exchange for the united resolve of every soul in the city. That is a great gain.”

With that, he suddenly began to struggle. To the physician’s shock, he wrenched himself free and charged out through the door. Outside, there was a wooden post anchored in the ground for tying horses. He threw himself headlong into it with every last ounce of his strength. The blow was so forceful that even the post, buried deep in the ground, was knocked sideways.

Yu Wan collapsed to the ground. Lying there, he appeared to have no strength left in him.

“You want to die — I shall not let you die!”

Yang Xuanji burst out from the great tent, took one look at the man on the ground, and declared, “Physician — treat him and bring him back. If you cannot save him, I will kill you.”

The physician went pale with fright and rushed forward to kneel beside Yu Wan and examine him — but by now, the whites of Yu Wan’s eyes had already rolled back.

On the city wall, a sentry holding a far-seeing glass witnessed this scene, and his eyes instantly turned red.

He ran down from the wall to where the Emperor stood, and threw himself to his knees. “Your Majesty… Minister Yu… Minister Yu, inside the enemy camp… has died by throwing himself against a post!”

“What!”

The Emperor cried out in shock, freezing in place as if he had been turned to stone.

Not long after, the news reached Shiyuan Palace. When the Empress heard it, the garment she had been holding in her hands — a robe she had been mending for the Emperor — fell to the ground.

—