ROHYX Chapter 700 : Envy (1)

Yan Wushuang captured Jinzhou without even the effort of blowing away dust 1 . Qiu Dashan exclaimed with a face full of delight, "...

Yan Wushuang captured Jinzhou without even the effort of blowing away dust¹.

Qiu Dashan exclaimed with a face full of delight, "Master, at our current pace, we'll reach the capital in half a month at most." He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

Looking in the direction of the capital, Yan Wushuang lamented, "Compared to Yun Qing, I still fall short." Yun Qing had taken Shaanxi and Gansu in less than two months, whereas Yan Wushuang himself had spent over three months on his own campaign.

Qiu Dashan countered, "How can the two be compared? Yun Qing only took the Northwest, while we're attacking the capital." The level of difficulty wasn't even on the same line²—there was no basis for comparison.

While the difficulty of the two campaigns was different, Yan Wushuang had allied himself with the Yu family, benefiting from their assistance—that was why things had gone so smoothly. Yun Qing, on the other hand, had relied solely on himself to bring the Northwest into his pouch³. Compared to Yun Qing, he still fell short.

Yan Wushuang rested his hand on the sword at his waist. "The real danger begins once we reach the capital." The Yu family had granted him such great convenience because they wanted him to be their blade—the dragon-slaying blade. The Yu family were laughable; they wanted both power and reputation, hoping to reap all the benefits for themselves. Unfortunately, there are no such perfect deals in this world.

Qiu Dashan said, "General, once we lead our troops and take the capital, the Yu family won't be able to do anything to us."

As they were speaking, Tang Bo walked in from outside. "A message has arrived from the northwest by carrier pigeon." Yan Wushuang had established intelligence networks in the capital, the Northwest, and the south of the Yangtze, giving him access to timely information—something Yuxi and Yun Qing could not match.

Yan Wushuang took the slip of paper from Tang Bo. Written on it were six words: 'Han Yuxi is governing the northwest'.

Seeing Yan Wushuang's expression change, Tang Bo asked, "What does it say?" Yan Wushuang had experienced many things in his life, and very few matters could cause him to react this way.

Yan Wushuang answered slowly, "Yun Qing has handed over the governance of the northwest to Han Shi." Yan Wushuang knew Yun Qing's weaknesses well. Yun Qing was formidable on the battlefield—a natural commander—but lacked strategic foresight and subtlety. If he were placed in charge of governance, maintaining stability without chaos would be a considerable achievement, but accomplishing anything remarkable would be out of the question. Han Shi was the exact opposite. She understood strategy, was a deep thinker and, most importantly, was not content with the status quo. Simply put, Yuxi was the kind of person who was willing to break old rules and dare to do anything.

Therefore, it was perfectly natural for Yan Wushuang to think this way about Yuxi. An ordinary woman would never incite her husband to rebel, nor would she dare to govern in her own right.

Qiu Dashan exclaimed in shock, "How is that possible? That Han Shi is a woman! Handing political affairs over to her—isn't that far too reckless?"

Hearing the commotion outside, Yan Wushuang remarked, "I've underestimated Yun Qing." He knew that he himself would never have allowed his own woman to discuss state affairs with a group of men. In this regard, he felt genuinely inferior.

Qiu Dashan was dumbfounded. "That can't be right, can it? Even counting generously, Han Shi isn't even twenty yet—how could she possibly have that kind of ability?" Even now, Qiu Dashan found it impossible to believe.

Yan Wushuang shook his head and said, "We'll soon find out whether she truly has that ability." Han Shi was indeed intelligent and capable, but that didn't necessarily mean she could govern the Northwest well. Of course, Yan Wushuang hoped that Yuxi would fail to do so.

Qiu Wanshan stepped forward and said, "Master, there are still matters outside that need handling. I'll step out first." No matter how shocking this matter was, it could not be resolved for the time being.

Once they were alone inside the tent, Tang Bo, who had remained until now, finally said, "Whatever Yun Qing and Han Shi are doing has no real impact on us at the moment." The two of them were far away in the Northwest, and judging by the situation, they had no intention of expanding outward for the time being, so there was little interaction between them and Yan Wushuang's army.

Yan Wushuang commented, "For now, there may be no overlap—but I fear that when the time comes, their power will become too big for us to wag⁴." Once he had stood firmly on his heels⁵ in the capital, the Northwest would surely be completely under Yun Qing and Han Shi's control.

Tang Bo fell silent for a moment, then said, "General, tend first to what lies before our eyes⁶. As for the future, we can speak of it when the time comes." They had to avoid the Yu family's schemes first before they could plan anything further.

When Yan Wushuang heard the words 'the Emperor' and 'the Song family' behind Tang Bo's words, a sinister smile appeared on his face. "I believe that, at this very moment, they can neither eat nor sleep in peace." He would spare not a single one of them, not the Emperor nor the Song family.

Tang Bo felt that Yan Wushuang should not let his guard down and reminded him, "The affairs of the world are hard to predict. Before the capital is taken, no one knows what might happen."

Yan Wushuang nodded. "You're right. Before matters are truly settled, everything is illusory." Back then, he had thought Yun Qing was foolish, knowing full well that, with the Song family around, no amount of military merit would help him since the Song family would never allow him to live, let alone reach the top. Yet Yun Qing had stubbornly risen through the ranks based solely on his military achievements, becoming the Great Zhou dynasty's most formidable young General, so much so that the Song family could no longer suppress him. Yan Wushuang had believed that, given Yun Qing's temperament, becoming commander of Yu City would be his limit. He never expected Yun Qing to marry someone as brilliant as Han Shi. Consequently, Yun Qing took control of the Northwest and became a formidable opponent that even Yan Wushuang had to fear. Thus, human calculations were no match for Heaven's will⁷. Even matters that seem completely secure may still undergo unforeseen changes.

After a pause, Yan Wushuang asked, "Uncle Tang, why do you think Han Shi possesses such abilities?" It would be impossible for her to have learned how to manage state affairs in just a little over three years—she must have laid the groundwork a long time ago. But how did a woman come to learn such things?

Uncle Tang shook his head. "I don't know. Master, I think you are paying too much attention to Han Shi and Yun Qing." He felt that this was not a good sign.

Yan Wushuang said, "Han Shi is no kind-hearted or magnanimous person. Back then, we tried to assassinate her. Someday, we will surely confront each other." For this reason, he did not want Yun Qing and Han Shi to grow stronger; no one wants their enemies to become ever more powerful than themselves.

Uncle Tang had originally opposed Yan Wushuang's decision to send people to kill Han Shi, but he had been unable to stop him. Uncle Tang suggested, "Master, once the capital is taken, you should also consider marriage." Yun Qing already had two legitimate daughters, whereas his own master, who was older than Yun Qing, was still unmarried at this point.

Yan Wushuang did not answer Uncle Tang directly, instead saying, "The Yan family already has heirs to carry on the ancestral line. Whether I marry or not is of no importance."

Before Marshal Yan met with misfortune, Yan Wushuang had been a forthright and open-hearted youth. However, after spending over ten years bearing hatred and hiding in the shadows, his temperament had become far gloomier. Many of his methods were beyond even Uncle Tang's understanding. Take Duan Xinrong's case, for example. Once Uncle Tang realised that she was unfit for intelligence work, he advised Yan Wushuang to release her and ensure the aunt and nephew were properly resettled. Yet Yan Wushuang refused, keeping Duan Xinrong in the brothel the whole time. He even used the child to threaten her after her suicide attempt. To this day, Uncle Tang still could not understand why Yan Wushuang did such things.

Uncle Tang also did not dare to force Yan Wushuang to marry either, as he lacked that kind of influence. Uncle Tang proposed, "Then should we bring the two children back?" Yan Wushuang already had two sons by now. However, the children were living under assumed names, and aside from the two of them and the two boys' sworn guards, no one else knew they existed.

Yan Wushuang shook his head. "Uncle Tang, you yourself said that the future is unpredictable. Letting them stay where they are is actually safer." Even if he were to capture the capital in the future, his own position would still be dangerous. Rather than bringing his sons into that situation, it would be better to let the two children live quietly and peacefully.

After hearing this answer, Uncle Tang questioned him, "Keeping the children in the countryside may ensure them a lifetime of peace, but without proper guidance, they'll never achieve anything when they grow up. How, then, will they inherit the General's robe and bowl⁸ in the future? Why not bring one of the children back?"

Yan Wushuang shook his head. "No need." Seeing that Uncle Tang still wanted to say more, Yan Wushuang added, "Uncle Tang, if I happen to meet someone pleasing to my eye in the capital, I'll marry her."

Uncle Tang felt suspicious; the sudden change in Yan Wushuang's attitude struck him as odd. Still, he didn't think too deeply about it—there was no point, since he couldn't figure it out anyway.

When Qiu Dashan returned to his tent, he saw Tie Kui waiting inside.

Tie Kui was there to report the casualties. "General, this time we've had nine hundred and thirty-five casualties." Very few were killed; most of them were wounded.

Qiu Dashan nodded. "You handle it." Tie Kui had once been nothing more than a common soldier. However, after saving Qiu Dashan's life, he was taken under Qiu Dashan's wing and gradually became his trusted confidant.

Tie Kui nodded. Seeing that Qiu Dashan didn't look well, he asked, "General, is something troubling you?" Although there had been obstacles along the way, the journey had gone relatively smoothly overall. Tie Kui couldn't understand what Qiu Dashan was worried about.

Qiu Dashan replied, "It's nothing major. Yun Qing has let his woman, Han Shi, take charge of the northwestern administration. A woman actually sticking her hand into government affairs⁹—she's got some nerve!" This information wasn't exactly a secret; news would spread soon enough. Despite being his trusted aide, Qiu Dashan still kept many confidential matters from Tie Kui.

Tie Kui froze on the spot. Only after a long moment did he recover, exclaiming, "General, letting a woman be in charge—what on earth is Yun Qing trying to pull?"

Qiu Dashan cursed under his breath, then responded, "Who knows what Yun Qing is thinking? Never mind—let's drop it." In his view, Yun Qing must have lost his mind; otherwise, how could he have done such a thing?

Sensing it was best not to continue, Tie Kui changed the subject. "General, the capital is a place where gold is everywhere. Once we take it, the brothers will all strike it rich. Everyone says that the first thing they'll do after getting rich is find a wife." It wasn't just the Northwestern Army—many soldiers from Liaodong were bachelors as well.

Qiu Dashan liked what he heard and said, "Come to think of it, you're not married either. What kind of wife are you planning to take?" Qiu Dashan himself was married; his wife, Hao Shi, was the niece of his adoptive mother.

Tie Kui said cheerfully, grinning in a rather lewd manner. "I want to marry a well-educated girl so that my kids won't end up like me—blind even with their eyes open¹⁰." Tie Kui was twenty-five this year, but in Liaodong, being unmarried at that age wasn't unusual.

Qiu Dashan burst out laughing. "You've got big ambitions, kid, wanting to marry a girl from an official family. Fine. Once we reach the capital, I'll make sure your wish comes true."

After chatting for a while, Tie Kui returned to his own tent. He waved his two attendants away and remained inside alone. He murmured to himself, "Yuxi… Han Yuxi…" As he spoke the name, his expression grew complex, revealing traces of sorrow, longing, and inner conflict.

Footnotes Full List

1. 不费吹飞之力 (bú fèi chuī fēi zhī lì) — Literally 'not even the effort of blowing away dust'. An idiom meaning to accomplish something extremely easily, equivalent to 'without lifting a finger' or 'with effortless ease'.
2. 不在一条线上 (bú zài yì tiáo xiàn shàng)— Literally "not on the same line." A figurative way of saying not on the same level or not comparable in difficulty or scope.
3. 收入囊中 (shōu rù náng zhōng)— Literally 'taken into one's pouch'. Means to seize something completely or bring it fully under one's control.
4. "尾大不掉 (wěi dà bù diào)" is a classical idiom meaning something has grown so large that it can no longer be controlled, originally referring to a beast whose tail is too heavy to wag.
5. "站稳了脚跟 (zhàn wěn le jiǎo gēn)" literally means to stand firmly on one's footing, metaphorically to secure one's position or power.
6. "眼下的事 (yǎn xià de shì)" literally matters before one's eyes, meaning immediate concerns.
7. "人算不如天算 (rén suàn bù rú tiān suàn)" is a classic idiom meaning human plans cannot rival fate or Heaven's designs.
8. "继承衣钵 (jì chéng yī bō)" literally to inherit robe and bowl, a metaphor meaning to inherit someone's position, authority, or legacy.
9. 插手政务 (chā shǒu zhèng wù/"stick one's hand into government affairs"): implies improper or unwelcome interference.
10. 睁眼瞎 (zhēng yǎn xiā)/"blind with eyes open"): self-deprecating slang for illiteracy or lack of education.

きつね's Musing

And we hit 700 chapters!

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