It took Yun Qing more than a month to lead his troops close to Timur's stronghold. Timur was extremely cunning, repeatedly setting trap...
It took Yun Qing more than a month to lead his troops close to Timur's stronghold. Timur was extremely cunning, repeatedly setting traps for them by exploiting the terrain. Fortunately, Yun Qing was cautious and did not fall for them, although his troops still suffered quite a few losses.
Cui Mo clenched his fists eagerly, itching for revenge.
Feng Dajun patted Cui Mo on the back and said, "It's too early to celebrate—there's still a tough battle ahead." Timur also commanded more than twenty thousand elite troops.
Yun Qing pointed to a spot on the map and said, "According to the scouts' reports, this is the weakest point in their defences."
Feng Dajun frowned. "General, this is dangerous terrain—we can't get through." It was precisely because it was so dangerous that its defences were the weakest.
Yun Qing responded, "If we bring enough straw and wooden planks, we should be able to cross." This so-called dangerous ground was actually a deep, muddy pit—anyone stepping into it could easily get stuck. For this reason, armies instinctively avoided this route during battle. Still, Yun Qing deliberately chose to head towards Mount Shu instead1.
Feng Dajun shook his head worriedly. "I'm afraid the straw and wood won't work." If the mud was too deep, laying straw over it would be useless.
Yun Qing said, "If it doesn't work, we can always withdraw—it won't be too late." In any case, there were hardly any defences here, so ambushes were not a concern.
The next day, Feng Dajun and Cui Mo remained with ten thousand troops to await the signal. Meanwhile, Yun Qing led thirty thousand men to circle through the muddy pit, throwing bundles of straw into the mire and laying wide wooden planks over it. After testing it first, they could cross without sinking.
Yu Cong laughed and exclaimed, "General, your idea really works!"
Upon receiving the signal, Feng Dajun led his troops to advance on Timur's stronghold.
While Timur's army was fighting Yu Cong, his enemy forces suddenly appeared behind his army, causing their ranks to collapse completely. It didn't take long before Yun Qing captured Yuze City.
By this point, most of Xihai's territory had fallen into Yun Qing's hands. He handed the remaining unconquered lands to Feng Dajun. Yun Qing then began managing Xihai's internal affairs. In order to maintain peace in the region, the local tribes had to be properly appeased. Even without Yuxi saying it, Yun Qing knew that failing to do so would cause endless trouble in the future. In addition, preparations for horse pastures had to begin—this land produced fine horses, and he needed to gather more of them for breeding.
After setting aside some time, Yun Qing took a trip to Xihai Lake. Standing on high ground and gazing at the vast, flat grasslands stretching endlessly for a thousand miles, his mood lifted involuntarily.
Knowing that Yun Qing intended to build horse pastures there, Yu Cong smiled and said, "General, this is a natural pasture." With such a vast expanse of lush grassland beside a lake, it could hardly be more ideal.
Yun Qing smiled. "This place alone is enough." It could support tens of thousands of horses, so there was no need to build two pastures. With funds tight at the moment, one pasture would suffice for now.
The group rode on horseback to the shore of Xihai Lake. With its misty waters stretching endlessly and its emerald waves meeting the horizon, the lake resembled an enormous, jade-green platter nestled between high mountains and plains.
After taking it all in, Yu Cong sighed with emotion. "No wonder this lake is called the Immortal Lake—this is truly a fairyland on earth!" Such breathtaking scenery was exactly where immortals would live.
Yun Qing was also in high spirits. "If my wife were to come here, she'd probably never want to return to Haocheng." Even he was left staring in awe at the stunning scenery—let alone Yuxi.
After spending three days at Xihai Lake, Yun Qing finally returned to Yanzhou City. Gao Song handed him a letter sent from Haocheng and said, "General, it's a letter from Madam."
Yuxi and Yun Qing corresponded very frequently, almost one letter every two days. Since their discussions were mostly about official matters, there was no concern about wasting manpower, materials, or funds.
Seeing the pleased expression on Yun Qing's face, Yu Cong immediately knew it was good news.
Before Yu Cong could ask, Yun Qing said with a smile, "The gold mine has already yielded a batch of gold. It's good quality and quite a large amount." These golds would greatly ease their financial pressure. When he first took control of the northwest, he hadn't given it much thought. However, Yuxi had repeatedly reminded him to act in accordance with his position. Now that he was in this position, he had to consider not only the soldiers but also the ordinary people and their welfare. Hearing this over and over again had put considerable pressure on him.
Yu Cong was also delighted. "That's truly great news." He knew very well how tight their finances were, especially for Madam, who wished she could split every single coin into two2 just to make ends meet.
The corner of Yun Qing's mouth lifted slightly. In truth, the substantial yield from this gold mine was partly thanks to him. In the past, he would have executed prisoners immediately upon capture. However, due to Yuxi's constant nagging, all prisoners captured during this campaign were spared and sent to work in the mines instead. The gold and copper mines urgently needed manpower, and these prisoners solved the problem.
While the smooth progress of the Xihai campaign was good news for Yun Qing and Yuxi, it was nothing short of a headache for the Emperor. Then, upon seeing Lu Boda's memorial, which requested funds, his mood plummeted further still.
Noticing the Emperor's displeasure, Yu Chen refrained from asking questions. She simply brewed him a cup of Maofeng tea📹 and said, "Have some tea—take a moment to calm down." The Emperor was fond of Maofeng tea📹.
The Emperor took a sip, then set down the teacup, and expressed, "Yun Qing has taken over Xihai." With every new territory he occupied, Yun Qing's power grew further. Once the Imperial Court's internal affairs had stabilised, trying to pacify the northwest would become exponentially more difficult.
Recalling what Yuxi had written in her reply, Yuchen's expression darkened. She hadn't expected Yuxi to not only want control over the northwest, but also for the Emperor to grant Yun Qing the title of Wang3. Yu Chen knew all too well how dangerous an unrelated vassal king could be. There was no way she could agree to such terms. After considering the matter at length, she spoke, "Your Majesty, if Yan Wushuang could be sent to pacify the northwest, the situation would surely improve." Both Yan Wushuang and Yun Qing posed a major threat to the throne. If Yan Wushuang led troops to the northwest and the two sides fought until they were both badly weakened, the court could sit back and gain the fisherman's profit4.
The Emperor responded, "It's a good idea, but it would be very hard to carry out." Yan Wushuang was no fool—there was no way he would accept such an assignment.
Yuchen replied, "Your Majesty, success depends on human effort. Just because Yan Wushuang refuses now doesn't mean he always will." If one dismissed the idea without even trying, then there would be no chance of success.
At this moment, Momo Gui reported from outside, "Your Majesty, Empress Niangniang5, Yu Niangniang5 requests an audience." This 'Yu Niangniang5' referred to Yu Xiyu. Following Zhou Xuan's death, she fell ill and spent her days in bed crying.
The Emperor said coldly, "Invite my Huang Sao6 in." Everyone—except the Emperor—was convinced by Yu Xiyu's display that her dead child was real; no one suspected the child to be a substitute, not even Yan Wushuang.
Yu Xiyu had come this time to bid farewell to the Emperor and Yuchen. She knew she could not simply disappear without reason, or Yan Wushuang would grow suspicious. Therefore, she proposed going to Lingshan Temple to take religious vows and pray for blessings for the late Emperor and Zhou Xuan. She was not being overly cautious; she was genuinely afraid of Yan Wushuang. Apart from Zhou Xuan, who had been sent away, all of the late Emperor's other children had met with 'accidents'.
Yuchen did not speak, merely looking at the Emperor.
The Emperor nodded in agreement and said to Yuchen, "You make the arrangements." In truth, the Emperor was also helpless. Although he had not personally ordered harm to come to the late Emperor's children, he had tacitly allowed it. This action of his had been one of Yan Wushuang's conditions. That was why, upon returning to the capital, he had immediately replaced Zhou Xuan. As for Zhou Xuan's double, that child had been prepared long ago by the late Emperor.
Yuchen walked over and helped Yu Xiyu sit down. "Huang Sao6, you are still very unwell. It won't be too late to go to Lingshan Temple once you've recovered." Given Yu Xiyu's status, there were only two paths: she could either remain confined to her residence for life, never stepping outside, or spend her days in the company of an oil lamp and the Buddha. In essence, the two choices were the same. This option not only applied to Yu Xiyu, the former Empress, but also to the other consorts, who could never remarry—they could only endure and live out their lives this way.
Yu Xiyu shook her head and said, "Empress Niangniang5, it is inconvenient for me to stay in the inner palace for long. I've already had my belongings packed—I will leave for Lingshan Temple tomorrow." She planned to remain there for a time. Once Yan Wushuang's suspicions had faded, she would fake her own death and reunite with her son. Her only wish was to raise her son to adulthood, find him a wife, and let him live a peaceful, ordinary life.
Seeing that Yu Xiyu had already made up her mind, Yuchen said nothing more.
After seeing Yu Xiyu off, Yuchen sighed and remarked, "The affairs of the world are hard to predict." Even as a young woman, Yu Xiyu had been famous, and after marrying the Ninth Prince, she had become the envy of many. Yet no one could have imagined that this would be her fate.
Momo Gui said, "Niangniang5, don't overthink it. Master Liao Tong once said you are destined for great wealth and high status!" By this, she meant that Yuchen would not suffer the same lack of fortune as Yu Xiyu.
However, Yuchen no longer trusted Liao Tong's words. "Didn't he say Yuxi had a doomed fate? Do you think what he says is believable now?" Yuxi was now living more comfortably than anyone.
At this, Yuchen recalled something Qiu Shi had once said. "I remember Eldest Aunt saying that Master Huiyuan read Yuxi's face too. Master Huiyuan said Yuxi would suffer first and enjoy sweetness later." Compared with Liao Tong's assessment, Master Huiyuan's assessment seemed more accurate.🦊
While they were speaking, Shiqin reported that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Duke's household had entered the palace and was waiting outside. The visitor was Gao Shi, Jianjun's wife. Years earlier, Jianjun had been harmed by the Qiao family. Though he survived, he was left with a crippled leg. With no official rank and a disability, it was naturally difficult for him to find a wife. Gao Shi's background was not low—her father was a seventh-rank official—but as a concubine-born daughter, she married Han Jianjun. Gentle in temperament and neglected by her natal family, she bore no resentment after the marriage, and the couple lived together in harmony.
Yuchen had accepted her calling card the previous day and summoned Gao Shi today. "Please invite Da Nainai8 Gao in." Yuchen felt neither dislike nor particular fondness towards this sister-in-law.
Gao Shi had come this time regarding Jiancheng's marriage. He was already seventeen and had reached an age where matrimony could be discussed.
When Yuchen heard that Han Jingyan wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Yu family, she immediately rejected the idea. "Grand Chancellor Yu is gravely ill. If a Yu daughter were chosen, Jiancheng would have to wait three years to marry." Although Gao Shi was a decent person, she lacked the ability to run a household. As for Wen Shi, she was even less suitable. Thus, delaying the marriage for three years was absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, Grand Chancellor Yu had little time left, and no one could predict what would become of the Yu family in the future.
Gao Shi was only responsible for conveying the message. She had no say in any other aspect of the process.
Rubbing her temples, Yuchen said, "I already have a plan for Jiancheng's marriage." She had someone in mind, but had not yet found the right opportunity to speak to the Emperor about it.
Footnotes Full List
- 偏向蜀山行 (piān xiàng Shǔ shān xíng): An idiom meaning to choose the more difficult or unconventional path deliberately.
- 恨不得一分银子掰成两瓣花 (hèn bù dé yì fēn yín zi bāi chéng liǎng bàn huā): to be extremely frugal due to financial strain
- 王 (wáng): king
- 坐收渔翁之利 (zuò shōu yú wēng zhī lì): benefit from others' conflict without getting involved
- 娘娘 (niángniang): addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine
- 皇 (huáng): imperial, 嫂 (sǎo): elder brother's wife; sister-in-law
- Huiyuan? Who is this character? When did this person meet Yuxi? When did Qiu Shi say this? 😵💫
- 大 (dà): eldest, 奶奶 (nǎinai): young mistress of the house
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