The Yan Kingdom had invaded the border? Hua Zhi almost thought she had misheard. Of all the borders surrounding the great Qing dynasty, she had always believed the southern border to be the most stable — the Yan Kingdom was not a powerful nation, with a population of barely three million. She would not have credited them with the boldness to lay a hand on the Qing dynasty no matter how many times they were dared.
And yet they had done it.
Hua Zhi cast aside all other considerations and stepped forward immediately to take the urgent report from the Crown Prince’s hands, pressing every word on the page into her eyes. The Yan Kingdom had truly grown bold enough to invade!
She looked at Xue Liang, the head of the Fourth Bureau who had brought the report. “Who delivered this message?”
“When the leader last went to the Yan Kingdom to investigate, he sensed something was wrong and left someone behind to monitor the Yan King Ruan Xijiang. It was that person who sent back this information.”
That was right — Hua Zhi recalled now. Yanxi had gone at the time on account of the Yan Kingdom secretly manufacturing iron arrowheads. He had said that the Yan Kingdom must be in league with someone, though the trail had gone cold and nothing had been found.
What had needed to be trodden around carefully at the time need not be trodden around now. Even so, Hua Zhi did not raise the matter of the imperial family’s dignity in front of the new officials who were present. Instead she raised a different concern: “This official suspects there may be the hand of the Chaoli tribe in this. If that is true, the northern and western borders may not be stable either.”
The Crown Prince, steadied by the Grand Tutor’s composure, collected himself as well. After a moment’s thought, he said: “Does the Grand Tutor mean that the Chaoli tribe has colluded with all of the Qing dynasty’s neighbouring states, and any one of them could make a move?”
“The Yan Kingdom endures burning heat year-round. Apart from an abundance of grain, it has no other strengths, and it lies in mountainous terrain — movement in and out is extremely difficult. According to geographical records this official has read, many people in the Yan Kingdom live and die without ever leaving the place they were born. As for the northern nomadic tribes — they live at the mercy of the sky. Last year brought drought; they had no choice but to slaughter the majority of their livestock, and then a harsh winter followed, in which, as the Prince Regent mentioned, many people perished. To them, the Qing dynasty is a fat prize they have long been salivating over. If someone were to come along and stir them up, they would certainly act. As for the west…”
Hua Zhi paused. “This official does not know that region well — only that its terrain is rugged and treacherous. But putting oneself in their place: if an opportunity arose to leave such a wretched land of jagged mountains, who would not wish to take it? Given the present situation, this official would rather assume the worst and be prepared than be caught off guard.”
The Crown Prince drew in a sharp breath. If it were truly so — if it truly were — how could the Qing dynasty possibly hold against all of them?
The assembled new officials watched Hua Zhi, who could hear one thing and deduce three more, and something clicked into place for them all. The late Emperor had made no secret of his dislike for the eldest daughter of the Hua Family — everyone under heaven had known of it — and yet on his deathbed he had still named her as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. In the space of a brief moment she had already thought this far ahead, while they themselves had just been trying to figure out how to deal with the threat in the south. That was the difference.
“Summon the officials to Baohe Hall for deliberations.” The Crown Prince strode for the door. “Grand Tutor, remain at this prince’s side.”
The new officials exchanged glances. Shen Qi tasted something bitter in his mouth; his mind drifted unbidden to the journey to Yinshan Pass, where his teacher had not spoken a single word of reproach. From beginning to end she had only said, with quiet regret: “Shen Qi, you missed it.”
Indeed. He had missed the finest woman in the world.
If he could have stayed by her side — if he could have stood shoulder to shoulder with her — what a beautiful thing that would have been.
But he had long since lost that right.
Lai Fu re-entered the room. “The Crown Prince commands — all officials present are invited to attend and observe.”
A wave of delight. They hurried to follow.
At this court deliberation, not a single voice raised the matter of the late Emperor’s edict prohibiting the Grand Tutor from participating in government affairs. The Crown Prince’s accession to the throne was now a foregone conclusion, and even the most rigid of officials knew better than to disturb the new emperor’s purpose over an old decree. Moreover, the Grand Tutor’s surname was Hua — which, truth be told, was part of why they were willing to turn a blind eye to this.
Duke Dingguo stepped forward first to declare his position. “The Yan Kingdom has submitted to the Qing dynasty for many years. That they now harbour such presumptuous ambitions is absolutely unacceptable. They must not be let off lightly.”
“This official concurs. If they are not severely punished, such incidents will only continue without end.”
“This official concurs. We must make an example of them.”
“This official concurs.”
“This official concurs.”
“…”
As the Crown Prince had not yet formally acceded to the throne, he could not sit in the dragon chair; instead, a wide seat had been placed below it. Hua Zhi did not follow him up to the elevated position, but stood at the foot of the steps at the side. She watched as the officials below — both civil and military — radiated fierce resolve, and her own heart quickened. This was the Qing dynasty — even when its own people fought each other to the death, the moment an external threat appeared, every fist closed tight. And no one flinched from a fight.
The Crown Prince was evidently roused as well. He rose from his seat and moved to the centre. “Though the Yan Kingdom is no more than a petty territory, a desperate gamble on their part cannot be underestimated. Before the latest intelligence reaches us from New Gorge Pass Commander Zheng Yangcheng, the court must make its preparations in advance. Minister Zhu, the burden falls squarely on your Ministry of Finance.”
“This official will exert every effort.” Zhu Bowen stepped forward in acknowledgement. “This official has one request, and asks for the Crown Prince’s permission.”
“Speak freely.”
“This official humbly requests the temporary secondment of the Grand Tutor.”
The officials found the request unexpected — and yet not surprising. The eldest daughter’s talent for generating revenue was plain for all to see; the late Emperor had relied on it frequently. With war now upon them and the Ministry of Finance shouldering its greatest burden, enlisting her help was entirely reasonable.
And yet…
Zhu Bowen added: “This official does not presume to disregard the late Emperor’s edict. The Grand Tutor need only offer counsel.”
“Granted.” The Crown Prince swept his wide sleeve. “Though the late Emperor instructed that the Grand Tutor was not to participate in government affairs, merely offering counsel can hardly be considered a violation of that intent.”
“This official thanks the Crown Prince for his generosity.” Zhu Bowen stepped back to his place with an expression that betrayed nothing. Zhi’er had stepped forward with some purpose in mind — he would simply lend her a helping hand.
After the court deliberation, the Crown Prince gave the Grand Tutor a command token directly, granting her free passage in and out of all departments. Hua Zhi considered it briefly, then accepted. She might never use it — but she needed to have it for when it truly mattered.
“This official has a matter to raise.”
“The Grand Tutor may speak.”
“On the last occasion when Yanxi returned from the Yan Kingdom, he mentioned that the Yan Kingdom and the Second Prince may have had some dealings with each other — though the trail went cold and nothing more was pursued. The Crown Prince might consider paying the Second Prince a visit. Now that he is aware of the current situation, I imagine the Second Prince would be willing to contribute what he can for the Qing dynasty.”
The Crown Prince’s expression shifted. “Second Imperial Brother?”
“Indeed.”
The Grand Tutor’s health had been greatly damaged in no small part because her injuries had been so severe during the time at Yinshan Pass — and the one behind that incident was his own Second Imperial Brother. The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, his expression unchanged from normal. “I understand.”
The Crown Prince did not go to see the Second Prince himself — he simply sent Lai Fu. Now was not the time to settle old scores.
Lai Fu returned quickly. “The Second Highness says that he did indeed have some dealings years ago with a prince of the Yan Kingdom. If needed, he can re-establish contact with that party.”
The Crown Prince considered for a moment. “Tell him to bide his time. He will be sought when needed.”
“Understood.”
Bad news came faster than expected. The Yan Kingdom’s assault was ferocious, and even with the Seven Lodges Bureau’s advance warning, New Gorge Pass — which had seen no warfare in many years — was thrown into disarray. After losing two defensive lines in succession, the garrison was reduced to holding the innermost pass at all costs. Commander Zheng Yangcheng had been gravely wounded, and casualties among his troops exceeded thirty percent.