Shortly after Yan Ze left, Yan Han ordered Yan Li imprisoned in the imperial dungeon – without reason or time limit, Yan Li was thus confined. Though Yan Li had joined the court, he had no foundation there. Previously the Empress Dowager had protected him, but now with her gravely ill, naturally no one spoke for him. The court officials generally guessed Yan Li was imprisoned for opposing the Western campaign, and they couldn’t distance themselves fast enough, let alone plead on his behalf.

After imprisoning Yan Li, Yan Han felt somewhat uneasy. He could accept opposition from anyone else, but Yan Li’s reckless confrontation greatly troubled him.

Upon reflection, Yan Han suddenly asked Yuan Qing, “Has the Ministry of War sent no news?”

Yuan Qing hurriedly replied, “Not yet, but it should be within these two days.”

Yan Han nodded, “I wonder if Prince Cheng’s strategy has succeeded.”

Since Yan Han had given the order, Yan Qi naturally sought ways to gain merit. Earlier, he had sent word back, explicitly stating he had a strategy to deal with the Western Army, claiming he would certainly cause their downfall in the northern territory. Thus, the Western campaign would achieve swift victory. Yan Qi didn’t know the details and had been waiting these days.

“Has Yue Qiong not sent any news back either?” Yan Han asked again.

Yuan Qing sighed, “No. The Marquis of Anyang has likely commanded troops for many years and isn’t in the habit of frequent reporting.”

Hearing this, Yan Han snorted, “If I hadn’t wanted to avoid giving him command of the western campaign, I wouldn’t have arranged for him to campaign north. The northern campaign was meant to depose the Empress, but unexpectedly Yan Chi went north again. He and Yan Chi have old ties – who knows if he’ll go soft.”

Yuan Qing said, “The Marquis of Anyang surely won’t go soft, at most he won’t be as aggressive as Prince Cheng.”

Yan Han nodded, “That’s true. Yue Qiong is still a loyal and righteous man, he won’t do anything harmful to Great Zhou. Moreover, with his family in the capital, naturally, we can be at ease—”

Calculating the time, there had been no military reports for over half a month. Yan Han frowned, “If Prince Cheng fails…”

Hearing this, Yuan Qing chose flattering words, “Prince Cheng surely wouldn’t be so careless. Even if he truly fails, the Western Army is all rebels – would the Marquis of Anyang dare side with them? Now the Rong barbarians have been driven back without strength to retaliate, there’s no need for the Western Army’s efforts anymore.”

Yan Han found this reasoning logical, then suddenly seemed to remember something, “Where is the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family now?”

Yuan Qing hadn’t expected Yan Han to suddenly ask about this and was momentarily confused, “This… your servant doesn’t know. Some days ago, I heard they couldn’t bear the capital’s rumors and moved to an estate outside the city. Now, they’re probably still at that estate.”

Yan Han narrowed his eyes, “Send someone to check. Though I spared their lives, I didn’t allow them to leave the capital. Though it was said the Crown Princess died, the North sent more news, so there’s some doubt about who died.”

Hearing this, Yuan Qing hurriedly agreed, “Your servant will immediately send someone to investigate. Your Majesty should rest easy waiting for Prince Cheng’s good news. Secretary Ge and Commander Lin’s surprise attack on the west – by the time they react, it will likely be too late.”

Thinking of this, Yan Han’s heart eased somewhat, “Fine, as long as we reclaim the Western Regions, it’s acceptable if the northern campaign slows a bit.”

With such thoughts, Yan Han paid increasing attention to Western progress. Ge Yang sent reports every three days about their current location, provisions procurement, and Western Regions’ movements. Lin Zhang’s secret letters detailed his close surveillance of Ge Yang. Seeing everything under his control, Yan Han grew increasingly reassured. During the height of summer, Huzhou in the south suffered flooding, causing refugees to scatter. The court was greatly occupied with this matter. While Yan Han handled court affairs, regarding the north, he only hoped for Yan Qi’s secret letter to arrive soon. After hoping for two days without receiving any reports, Yan Han gradually grew suspicious.

However, such underhanded schemes couldn’t be openly discussed in court. He couldn’t help but send more messages to the northern camps.

After that day when he told Yan Sui to come pay respects every two days, Yan Sui indeed followed the instructions very properly. Yan Han hadn’t cared about this youngest son for many days, but seeing him so well-behaved now generated some affection. Additionally, with Consort Jin’s death long past, his reservations had somewhat faded, so he showed more care for Yan Sui. Whether in food, clothing, or gold and treasures, he bestowed many rewards. The palace servants, sensing his inclination, also showed great respect to Yan Sui.

Yan Sui had been extremely afraid of Yan Han, but seeing this, his fear faded. His expression showed more intimacy, and to demonstrate filial piety, he would either copy Buddhist sutras for Yan Han or grind ink and serve tea. Though the small child’s movements weren’t particularly skillful, he was extremely sincere. Seeing this, Yan Han grew increasingly fond, keeping him in Chongzheng Hall for longer periods each day.

One day, as Yan Han drank the tea Yan Sui had served while examining Yan Sui’s calligraphy practice, he suddenly heard rapid footsteps outside. Just as he was about to rebuke this, Yuan Qing entered with a deathly pale face, saying, “Your Majesty! Disaster! Something’s happened in Ying Prefecture—”

Yan Han had been waiting for Yan Qi’s secret letter but hadn’t expected news from Ying Prefecture. With the north currently embroiled in fierce fighting, what could it have to do with Ying Prefecture?

This thought had barely flashed through his mind when Yuan Qing’s next words struck him like lightning!

“When Secretary Ge left Ying Prefecture, there were twenty thousand dan of military provisions left there, meant to be sent west later by the Ministry of War’s troops. But six days ago, when the Ministry’s troops reached Ying Prefecture, they were detained by the Prefecture Governor. Two clever ones escaped and discovered… discovered that in the dense forest east of Ying Prefecture, over a hundred thousand troops were stationed – it was… the Western Army!”

“What did you say?!”

Yan Han slammed the teacup onto the imperial desk with a bang, instantly shattering even the saucer.

He didn’t care about these things, only urgently asking, “The Western Army?! Over a hundred thousand Western Army troops?! Could they have seen wrong?! Yan Chi is still in the north, Prince Cheng was supposed to make them stay in the north, how could they appear in Ying Prefecture?! Moreover, the Western Army only had seventy thousand troops going north, after fighting these months they surely suffered losses, how could they suddenly become over a hundred thousand troops? This must be false news—”

Yuan Qing smiled bitterly, “Let alone Your Majesty’s disbelief, even the Vice Minister who received the news at the Ministry of War dared not believe it. He’s outside now, Your Majesty will understand when you see him!”

Yan Han urgently summoned the Vice Minister inside, and upon questioning, it was indeed as Yuan Qing had said.

Yan Han’s forehead broke out in cold sweat, “Over a hundred thousand Western Army troops, this is impossible. Immediately send people to Ying Prefecture! Go at full speed to investigate! I’ll only believe the news from this investigation—”

The Vice Minister left with his orders, while Yan Han sank into contemplation looking at the mess on his desk.

“How is this possible? The northern conflict wasn’t resolved, and Yan Chi couldn’t come south. If he came south, what about the Jin Prefecture Army? The Northern Government Army? If they said it was the Northern Government Army, I might believe it, but it’s the Jin Prefecture Army, and over a hundred thousand troops. What about Yan Qi?! Is Yan Qi dead?! Is Yue Qiong also dead?!”

Yan Han’s chest rose and fell rapidly, “Absolutely impossible! This is impossible!”

Seeing this, Yuan Qing smiled placatingly beside him, “Your servant also thinks it impossible. Your Majesty, please calm down and wait for news. It will take at most five or six days.”

The journey to Ying Prefecture took only three days at full speed, but how could Yan Han wait? Thinking of this possibility, Yan Han felt his head might explode!

If Yan Chi truly had over a hundred thousand troops, yet could silently reach Ying Prefecture…

What did this mean?!

Why had no military reports come during his southern journey?

And he was already in Ying Prefecture – what was his target?

Yan Han felt cold sweat pouring down like rain, immediately saying with a trembling voice, “Quick! Send word to Ge Yang, tell him to bring his troops back immediately!”

Yuan Qing also trembled as he spoke, “Your Majesty, Secretary Ge has already reached Ding Prefecture—”

“Then… then mobilize troops, gather from Luo Prefecture and Yu Prefecture, and Chu Prefecture, gather from wherever possible!”

Hearing these words, Yuan Qing nearly cried, “Your Majesty! Have you forgotten? The Northern Government Army and Western Campaign Army have already emptied the nearby garrisons. Now to gather troops, we can only draw from the south, and reaching the capital would take at least half a month at fastest.”

Yan Han heavily struck the table, “Summon the Nine Cities Patrol Camp personnel to see me! Also… also Chaoyu! Quickly!”

With this sudden change, it was clear this was the first time Yan Han had panicked in many years. Yuan Qing immediately went to relay orders, while Yan Sui, who had been standing aside earlier, stood stiffly.

Watching Yuan Qing leave hurriedly with several young eunuchs, his childish face showed no expression, somewhat wooden, and even more chillingly cold. He stood for a moment, hearing something shatter on the ground inside the hall, the sound sharp and piercing. Hearing this, Yan Sui smiled somewhat naively, quickly turning to run toward Shoukang Palace, his eyes, dim for many days, finally showing signs of life.