In the Imperial Study, Jiang Sanyi, having failed to receive a response from Murong Yan, sought another audience. "Your Majesty, Yuan Xi and his cohorts wield immense influence within the army, yet you turn a blind eye. If I may speak plainly, a man like Yuan Xi..."
Before he could finish, Murong Yan looked him directly in the eye. "The generals and soldiers under Yuan Xi’s command are the veterans of a hundred battles who followed Wen Qi for years. Though Yuan Xi is a mere martialist, his title as Great Yan’s foremost brave general was not earned for nothing. If it comes to a hard-fought battle, what do you think the consequences will be? Currently, Western Jing’s predatory ambitions remain alive; any internal strife on our part will grant them an opportunity. Do you truly believe I am unaware that Yuan Xi and his ilk are a thorn in my side?"
Jiang Sanyi felt a slight chill in his heart, followed by a surge of joy. As expected, Murong Yan’s suspicion toward Yuan Xi and the others had never faded. He said, "Your Majesty, this thorn in Great Yan’s side will cause pain if pulled, but if left alone, its poison will spread at any moment."
Murong Yan sneered. "I have my own plans. Speak no more of it."
As Jiang Sanyi bowed his head, Murong Yan suddenly added, "Jiang Sanyi." The official trembled. Murong Yan continued, "I know exactly why you are so intent on having me eradicate the remnants of the Wen clan. But you must also understand: the moon wanes once it is full, and things reverse when they reach their extreme. When anyone’s roots stretch too far, they never meet a good end."
Jiang Sanyi’s knees weakened, and he knelt on the floor. "Your Majesty, the Jiang family is different from the Wen clan. If the day comes when Your Majesty desires this humble official’s head, I shall only stretch out my neck for the blade; I would never dare harbor a treacherous heart. But the Wen clan is different."
Murong Yan’s heart sank, and he turned away. Jiang Sanyi said, "I risk my life to remonstrate only because I fear that what happened before was merely a beginning, not an end."
Murong Yan lowered his head. "I wish for silence. Withdraw."
Jiang Sanyi was still waiting for Murong Yan’s decision, but that very night, Murong Yan actually visited the Hall of Prolific Splendor—the quarters of Jiang Biyao. Everyone in the palace was quite surprised. Jiang Sanyi let out a long sigh of relief; regardless of what happened in the study, Murong Yan had ultimately taken his words to heart.
In the Southern Clear Palace, Wei Wei was fuming. "What is this? That Jiang Biyao committed the crime of deceiving the monarch! His Majesty merely stripped her of her title as a light punishment, and now, after so little time, he’s staying in her palace again!"
Zuo Canglang watched Murong Xuan. The child was toddling back and forth on the thick cushions, trying to snatch the bell from Zhitong’s hand. She said, "Jiang Biyao is also his consort. There is nothing strange about him staying there."
Wei Wei said, "But General, didn't you tell us to prepare a meal? You even specifically chose the dishes His Majesty likes..."
Zuo Canglang replied, "If he isn't coming, we shall eat them ourselves. It won't go to waste either way."
"But..." Wei Wei started.
Zuo Canglang said, "Lord Jiang went to see the Emperor this afternoon, didn't he? Our King... never mind. Let us eat."
The next day, Jiang Biyao’s rank was restored; she was once again the Virtuous Consort.
The first thing she did after her restoration was go to the Phoenix Nest Palace to thoroughly humiliate Jiang Bilan. Jiang Bilan knew she no longer had any standing before Murong Yan and had no choice but to endure it.
Ban Yang had requested to move her quarters several times, and Murong Yan finally granted it, allowing her to move to the Colorful Moon Pavilion.
A few days later, Murong Yan issued another decree, swapping the defensive positions of Yuan Xi’s group and Zhou Xin. Yuan Xi and his men were sent to guard Jade Throat Pass, while Zhou Xin was transferred to Pingdu Pass. Subsequently, Murong Yan sent a letter to Western Jing to renew their alliance. The Emperor of Western Jing, Jian Yang, gnashed his teeth in hatred for him, but for the time being, he could do nothing against him.
Currently, they could not afford to fight, and a ceasefire between Western Jing and Great Yan benefited both sides. After its failure against Yan, Western Jing had not abandoned its offensives against other nations. Now that Murong Yan sought peace, he likely had other schemes in mind.
Though forced into an alliance, Jian Yang still brooded over Murong Yan’s previous intentional humiliation. This time, he did not come in person—he never wanted to see the King of Yan again. However, he harbored no good intentions either; he sent a beautiful woman named Luosha, claiming she was his most beloved daughter. He demanded that Murong Yan take her as a consort, or else the alliance would be deemed insincere.
The officials of Great Yan were exceptionally furious. "This Jian Yang! He dares claim Luosha is his most beloved daughter? He is barely twenty-nine this year, yet this beauty is seventeen. Did he have a daughter at the age of twelve?"
Furthermore, Great Yan’s spies in Western Jing sent back word that Luosha was merely a prostitute from Western Jing. The officials slammed their tables in rage, but Murong Yan’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing the news. He simply said, "She is but a woman; why fuss so much?"
He then took up his brush and wrote a reply to Jian Yang, stating that he never imagined the princesses under His Majesty’s rule were so capable of making their own living—no wonder Western Jing enjoyed such peace and prosperity. He added that having sampled Princess Luosha today, he found her beauty and talents unparalleled. If he ever found the time, he would surely visit Western Jing in person to test the skills of the other princesses.
Jian Yang was so enraged he nearly tore the treaty to pieces on the spot.
Fortunately, as both sides had their own objectives, he managed to swallow his fury. Murong Yan conferred upon Luosha the title of Pure Consort.
Shortly after the alliance was finalized, Murong Yan ordered Yuan Xi and the others to attack Mount Yilu and Liao City near Jade Throat Pass to clear out the foreign tribes that frequently harassed the border.
The Tuhe people had always been fierce, and with the examples of Wuzhong and Guzhu before them, how could they not fight with their lives? Yuan Xi, Zhuge Jin, Zheng Chu, and others led over forty thousand men into the Mount Yilu area to engage the tribes. Zuo Canglang was initially worried, but when Murong Yan appointed Da Xiqin to handle the military supplies, even Yuan Xi felt at ease.
When Zhou Xin led his troops toward Suye City, he came to bid Murong Yan farewell. Murong Yan asked, "Has Yuan Xi’s group already departed for Jade Throat Pass?"
Zhou Xin reported, "They have arrived. All military supplies have been inventoried and handed over. Shen Yucheng has also reached Mayi City and is leading the soldiers to familiarize themselves with the terrain."
Murong Yan asked, "Besides Shen Yucheng’s group, how many troops do you have on hand?"
Zhou Xin was puzzled, but Murong Yan said, "Report truthfully."
Zhou Xin replied, "I ordered Shen Yucheng to lead sixty thousand men ahead; I currently have about thirty thousand with me."
Murong Yan nodded. "Yuan Xi and the others have just arrived at Mount Yilu. The terrain there is complex; they won't adapt so quickly."
Zhou Xin said, "I left a few trusted subordinates to guide General Yuan and the others to familiarize them with the terrain. The generals are veterans of the battlefield; in a month or two, they will surely be enough to repel the Tuhe. Your Majesty can rest easy."
Murong Yan turned his head, looking at him with a faint, inscrutable smile. He said softly, "No."
Zhou Xin froze. Murong Yan said, "I want you to secretly return to Jade Throat Pass. While Yuan Xi and the others are up in the mountains, surround Mount Yilu."
Zhou Xin’s expression slowly petrified. Murong Yan continued, "Last time at Suye City, they knew the terrain like the back of their hands. With Ah Zuo there and Yuan Xi’s bravery, you had little chance of victory. Now, they have lived in the border cities and deserts for a long time; they are strangers to the climate and mountains of Jade Throat Pass. They will be no match for the Tuhe tribes for the time being. When you strike from behind, they will be attacked from both sides. With the advantage of time, place, and people..."
Zhou Xin finally gasped in horror, "Your Majesty, doing this... is sending General Yuan and the others to their deaths!"
Murong Yan slowly ground an ink stick into a square inkstone until it turned to dust. He said, "Leave none alive."
"But... Your Majesty..." Zhou Xin stammered.
Murong Yan said, "What? Are you too going to defy my decree?"
Zhou Xin knelt. "I would not dare. Everything I have was bestowed by Your Majesty; I would never forget my roots. But Your Majesty, I simply feel..."
Murong Yan said, "Do not make me say it a second time."
Zhou Xin looked up, staring directly into his eyes for the first time since his enthronement. Then, he suddenly understood that Murong Yan was serious. He intended to wipe out Yuan Xi and all the remnants of the Wen clan, leaving not a single soul. The withdrawal at Suye City had merely been a stalling tactic!
In that moment, cold sweat soaked through his clothes, layer by layer. He said, "I... I obey your command."
Half a month later, Yuan Xi and his men were engaged in battle with the Tuhe on Mount Yilu. The terrain was treacherous, and the Tuhe people mostly lived by hunting; once they vanished into the forests, they were extremely difficult to find. Furthermore, they were skilled at setting traps, making the pursuit very difficult for Yuan Xi’s forces.
The beginning of the first lunar month was the height of winter, and Jade Throat Pass was bitterly cold. Yuan Xi cursed as he pursued them, "These rats have no courage, but they certainly have plenty of tricks."
Behind him, Zhuge Jin looked worried. "The snow has blocked the mountain passes, yet His Majesty insists we hunt down the Tuhe now. It truly makes one uneasy."
Yuan Xi said, "What if we are uneasy? Are we to defy orders again?"
Zhuge Jin replied, "True. There is no war in the west now, and these Tuhe people have harassed our borders for a long time. It would be good to eradicate them."
Just then, a scout came from down the mountain to report: "General Yuan, Grand Marshal Zhou has arrived with his army at the foot of the mountain."
Yuan Xi asked, "Zhou Xin? Isn't he supposed to be at Suye? Why has he returned so suddenly? How many men did he bring?"
The scout reported, "About thirty thousand. Grand Marshal Zhou says His Majesty was worried the generals were unfamiliar with the terrain of Mount Yilu and sent him to assist."
Yuan Xi said, "Very well. This Mount Yilu is a godforsaken place. Let’s drive the Tuhe out quickly so everyone can go back early—maybe we can even make it in time for the Lantern Festival. Brothers, the reinforcements have arrived! Follow me and slay the Tuhe!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, "Yes!"
With their worries gone, the forty thousand soldiers plunged deep into the forest. Zhou Xin followed behind at a measured pace. A lieutenant beside him whispered, "Grand Marshal?"
Zhou Xin gritted his teeth. "Are the traps all set?"
The lieutenant replied, "Reporting to the Grand Marshal, they are ready."
Zhou Xin raised his right hand, then slowly lowered it. After a long silence, he clenched his teeth and commanded, "Release the arrows!"
In an instant, arrows fell like rain!
Chaos immediately erupted in Yuan Xi’s rear. Yuan Xi noticed and roared, "What is happening? Do not break formation!"
After a long while, a soldier came to report: "General Yuan! Grand Marshal Zhou suddenly ordered his men to fire on us! The brothers were caught off guard—the casualties are devastating!"
Yuan Xi was stunned. It took him a long time to ask, "What?"
Zhou Xin’s troops knew Mount Yilu perfectly, and with their preparations, it took only half a day to utterly defeat Yuan Xi and Zhuge Jin. The Tuhe people, sensing something was wrong, took the opportunity to counterattack. Yuan Xi’s forty thousand men were completely annihilated at Jade Throat Pass.
Yuan Xi’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Zhou Xin, who slowly walked out from the forest. He asked, "Why?"
Zhou Xin lowered his head. "I do not know. It was His Majesty’s intent."
Yuan Xi said, "The withdrawal at Suye City... it was a lie?"
Zhou Xin replied, "He cannot tolerate those who have drawn a blade against him."
Yuan Xi said, "But that was only the order given by Zhuge Jin and me! This time, we brought forty thousand brothers up the mountain! They were equally loyal to Great Yan, loyal to the Murong clan! Does Murong Yan insist on slaughtering them as well?"
Zhou Xin turned his face away. "I do not know. Do not ask me."
Yuan Xi nodded. All around him lay corpses in every direction. He himself had been struck by a bamboo arrow from a trap. Yet he still held his long halberd. "I understand. I finally understand why, that day, Commander Wen insisted on leaving Suye City to die under the arrows of the Jing army."
Zhou Xin looked up. Yuan Xi clutched his wound and said, "Because dying at the hands of one's own people... is truly a heart-wrenching thing."
Zhou Xin said, "I... I could only follow orders."
Yuan Xi nodded. "I know. Does the Grand Marshal wish to kill me with his own hands?"
Zhou Xin remained silent. Yuan Xi said, "Since the Grand Marshal has no such intent, let me follow Commander Wen’s example and spill my blood against the foreigner."
Zhou Xin looked up. "General Yuan."
Yuan Xi carried his long halberd and walked, step by step, into the dense forest. The Tuhe horses neighed, and in a moment, the sounds of battle rose. Zhou Xin did not step forward. Across the desolate mountains and thick woods, he listened to the earth-shaking cries of slaughter. A long, long time later, the mountains and rivers fell silent.
*A general of a hundred battles, his body and fame destroyed. Toward the river bridge, looking back ten thousand miles, old friends are gone forever. The Yi River soughs, the west wind is cold; the assembly is filled with robes and caps as white as snow. The hero’s tragic song has not yet ended.*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
百战 | A Hundred Battles | Refers to veteran soldiers or the toll of many conflicts.
姜散宜 | Jiang Sanyi | Prime Minister/High official, relative of Jiang Biyao and Jiang Bilan.
袁戏 | Yuan Xi | A general formerly under Wen Qi, loyal to the old guard.
临华殿 | Hall of Prolific Splendor | The palace residence of Jiang Biyao.
姜碧瑶 | Jiang Biyao | A consort of Murong Yan, daughter/relative of Jiang Sanyi.
贤妃 | Virtuous Consort | A high-ranking title for imperial concubines.
彩月阁 | Colorful Moon Pavilion | A palace building.
周信 | Zhou Xin | A high-ranking general/Grand Marshal under Murong Yan.
平度关 | Pingdu Pass | A strategic military pass.
简炀 | Jian Yang | The Emperor of Western Jing.
罗沙 | Luosha | A woman sent by Western Jing, purportedly a princess but actually a prostitute.
淑妃 | Pure Consort | A high-ranking title for imperial concubines.
伊庐山 | Mount Yilu | A mountain near Jade Throat Pass.
僚城 | Liao City | A border city.
屠何 | Tuhe | A fierce non-Han ethnic tribe/group.
诸葛锦 | Zhuge Jin | A general associated with Yuan Xi and the Wen clan remnants.
郑褚 | Zheng Chu | A general associated with Yuan Xi.
达奚琴 | Da Xiqin | An official/general tasked with logistics.
马邑城 | Mayi City | A border city.
沈玉城 | Shen Yucheng | A general under Zhou Xin's command.
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 121 | A Hundred Battles' End | Novela.app | Novela.app
