Wind and sand filled the sky. Heading west out of Daji City, water sources grew scarce and the earth turned parched. Snowmelt from the north passed through this region, bringing the moisture necessary for life. Amidst the vast expanse of yellow sand, Wen Qi was directing his soldiers to dig pits and plant trees. Drought-resistant saplings had been transported from the south to take root in the Great Northwest. If they died, another batch was brought in to be replanted.
This was a long-term endeavor, but in the dozen or so years Wen Qi had spent guarding the border, the city had expanded several times over. People from the Central Plains, West Jing, Guzhu, the Yu State, and various nomadic tribes gathered here to trade. Though the environment was harsh, one could purchase many things here that were unseen elsewhere.
Murong Yan leaped off his horse and stepped forward to ladle water onto a tree. Wen Qi frowned. "Save it; hauling water is no easy task." He looked up and saw it was Murong Yan, then gave a wry smile. "Second Prince, I thought you would need another three to five days to arrive."
Murong Yan made no attempt to hide his state. "I was impatient. I traveled through the night, empty-handed, to reward the troops."
Wen Qi laughed heartily. "Since Your Highness has come empty-handed, it would be poor form for me to be empty-handed as well. Fortunately, while the food in the Northwest isn't the finest, there is enough rice to fill one's belly. This way, please."
The group returned to the military camp. Wen Qi shook the dust from his clothes and handed over a sand mask. "The climate in the Northwest is nothing like Jinyang. I fear Your Highness may not be used to it."
Murong Yan took it. "Having grown accustomed to the lush flowers and greenery of the south, arriving here suddenly makes the sky feel higher and the earth wider. It opens one's heart considerably."
Wen Qi gazed into the distance. "The heavens and earth are boundless; the long river meets the setting sun. The world's most magnificent sights are often born in desolate places."
Walking against the wind and sand, they soon reached the camp. Wen Qi arranged Murong Yan’s quarters next to his own main tent. That evening, a bonfire was lit in the camp. Wen Qi, along with a group of generals, held a welcome feast for Murong Yan. The soldiers were rough and unrefined; they simply held out their bowls and approached Murong Yan for a drink. Murong Yan, however, hesitated. *Had these bowls even been washed?*
Wen Qi’s vice-general, Yuan Xi, saw him smiling without drinking, and his face flushed. "What is this? Could it be that a crude man like Yuan is unworthy of drinking with the Second Prince?"
Murong Yan stared at the bowl and smiled bitterly. *Forget it. When one is down and out, one must discard refinement and make do.* "Since the General offers a toast, I naturally must drink. However, if every one of you toasts me a bowl, I fear I won't be able to handle it."
Yuan Xi tilted his head back and poured the liquor into his mouth, then poured two more bowls. After finishing them, he wiped his mouth. "I’ll trade three bowls for one of Your Highness’s. How about it?"
Murong Yan sighed softly, tilted his head back, and drained the bowl in one go. The soldiers all cheered. Before the cheers could fade, he toppled backward, out cold from the alcohol! Did the Murong clan really have such a low tolerance?
Everyone fell silent. After a long while, Zheng Chu said, "Should we just surrender the city to West Jing?"
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Wen Qi ordered men to help Murong Yan into his tent to rest. Zuo Canglang stood up with a bowl, walked over to Yuan Xi, and said, "I will drink with the General."
Yuan Xi glanced at her and laughed loudly. "Fine! I like drinking with women best." The surrounding men knew there was a show to watch and naturally grew rowdy. Yuan Xi drank three bowls in succession with her, intending to tease her. "Little beauty, do you dare switch to the large bowls?"
Some, eager for more excitement, quickly brought over the large bowls. The two went from bowls to jars, and the surrounding soldiers gradually stopped joking. Someone kept count. In the end, Yuan Xi could no longer smile, but in front of so many people, he couldn't admit defeat.
Just as the situation was becoming impossible to resolve, Murong Yan’s voice suddenly came from the tent. "A-Zuo, fetch me some water."
Zuo Canglang was fuming, but after a moment's thought, she set down the bowl and went to fetch water.
She carried the water inside. The Northwest weather was freezing at night; a thin layer of ice had even formed on the water. Once inside the tent, she added some hot water before bringing it to Murong Yan.
Murong Yan lay motionless on the couch. She wrung out a towel and helped him wipe his face and hands. He finally opened his eyes and took the towel to finish it himself. Seeing her reeking of alcohol with a flush on her cheeks, he said, "They are just soldiers, blunt but harmless. Why get so worked up over it?"
Zuo Canglang waited for him to finish with his face and hands, then removed his socks and soaked his feet in the warm water. Then, as if she could finally no longer hold it back, she rushed out of the tent and vomited everything up.
Murong Yan shook his head. *A newborn calf, foolishly brave, yet she knows how to protect her master.*
After she finished vomiting, Zuo Canglang returned and knelt on the ground to dry Murong Yan’s feet. Murong Yan frowned slightly. He was actually quite fastidious about cleanliness; usually, even his personal attendants did not serve him so intimately. He never touched a dish that someone else had already sampled at the table. But after several days of travel, sleeping in the wind and dew, even a man of iron would be exhausted. He did not push her away.
Zuo Canglang’s hands were not soft or delicate; from drawing bows and wielding blades, they were quite rough. But pressed against his ankles, they were exceptionally comfortable. He closed his eyes, letting her massage them.
Just then, Wen Qi lifted the tent flap and walked in, then paused. "It seems I’ve come at an inopportune time."
Murong Yan sat up, dried his own feet, and sat down with him. "Is there movement from the Yu State?" Wen Qi didn't answer, instead glancing at Zuo Canglang. *In such a situation, it wasn't appropriate for a woman to be present, was it?*
Murong Yan smiled. "General, it is a bad habit to underestimate women."
Wen Qi’s face reddened slightly, but being a man of character, he didn't take offense. However, he could no longer bring himself to tell Zuo Canglang to leave. He said, "Women are not permitted in the camp. Although the Second Prince has come to supervise the army by His Majesty's order, you should not have brought a woman inside."
Murong Yan said, "General Wen, I brought this young woman inside because she has a great gift to present to the Marshal." Wen Qi was stunned. He looked at him, then at Zuo Canglang, and his expression instantly darkened. "What does the Second Prince mean by this?"
The corners of Murong Yan’s lips curled slightly as he asked with a smile, "What does the Marshal think?"
Wen Qi’s tone grew somewhat displeased. "Your Highness knows my character. Earlier, in front of the soldiers, I was a subordinate and could not speak plainly. But when dawn breaks tomorrow, I ask the Second Prince to immediately send this woman away from the camp."
His face was full of anger. Zuo Canglang asked, "Does the Marshal believe that I have come here to offer a 'beauty trap'?"
Wen Qi was no fool; he immediately realized he had been teased by Murong Yan and let out a dry cough. He was an elder, after all, and could not truly lose his temper with Zuo Canglang. He asked, "What is this 'great gift'? Please speak plainly, Your Highness."
Murong Yan’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. "If General Wen were to send a letter to Northern Yu, stating that I wish to cooperate with them to seize the throne of Yan—promising that once Northern Yu sends troops to assist and the deed is done, we will cede several of Yan's commanderies and counties as a reward—do you think Daxi Cheng and Daxi Qin would believe it?"
Wen Qi’s eyes slowly widened. *What did he mean?*
Murong Yan continued, "Daxi Qin should believe it, because he won't believe I would dare use such a scheme to lure him. I do not have my father's favor; if this plan is leaked, I will surely die. Once the main force of his army enters the city, we will find a place to set an ambush. With the advantages of timing, geography, and unity, wouldn't we have a better chance of victory than simply waiting for him to attack? After the battle, let my father send a letter denouncing Northern Yu for an unprovoked invasion, while General Wen leads the army to the Northern Yu border to seize territory."
The more Wen Qi listened, the more solemn his expression became. Murong Yan kept his eyes on the map. "It will be both a great victory and a swift one. Other nations won't dare to move."
Wen Qi fell silent. *It was truly a brilliant plan. So audacious that even I find it hard to believe.*
He said, "Though this plan is bold, 'luring the snake out of its hole' is indeed feasible. Only..." *Only, are you truly doing this just to repel the enemy? Or do you really have the heart to unite with Northern Yu to seize the realm?*
*Heavens, even I am starting to doubt him.*
Murong Yan smiled slightly, ignoring the hesitation in the general's eyes. "But this strategy is indeed too shocking. If my father has even the slightest lack of trust in me, I fear he would never agree to it."
Wen Qi lowered his eyes. Of course he wouldn't agree. Wouldn't the King have the same concerns as he did? But... if they didn't do this, was there a better way? He stood up. "Is Your Highness willing to walk at night?"
Murong Yan followed him out of the camp. Wen Qi led him up onto the battlements of Suye City.
Though the place was impoverished, since Wen Qi had stationed his troops here, he had built the city walls high and thick. Although the soldiers' armor was old and they spent their days farming the land, their combat strength was in no way inferior.
Wen Qi gazed at the flat desert ahead, where stars and the moon were sparse. In the Northern Desert at night, the cold wind was like a blade. He said, "Seven years ago, I achieved merit here and made a name for myself in a single battle." His indifferent and elegant gaze actually held a hint of desolation. "For seven years, I have remained dormant here, never taking another step forward."
Murong Yan turned to look at him. The ambitious Second Prince and the general with far-reaching aspirations shared a look of mutual understanding. He said, "If this matter reaches Jinyang, word will surely leak. If you dare, do not inform my father; I will write directly to the King of Northern Yu."
Wen Qi’s lips were pressed tight. *What were they doing?* A commander-in-chief and a frustrated prince, conspiring to deploy troops privately behind the King of Yan's back—and using the excuse of usurping the throne. Facing the wind and sand, he spoke with difficulty, "Does Your Highness know the risks of this matter?"
Murong Yan stood at the top of the wall; the desert was now only a deep black shadow. "Once the letter is written, regardless of success or failure, I will not escape the label of 'rebellion.' My father will not trust me. Those in the palace will only add fuel to the fire. But when the rivers and mountains are in danger and the nation is suffering, how can our generation sit idly by? If I do not die after the battle, I ask the General to bear with me a little." *Do you still not understand? He sent me to the Northwest indeed hoping I could solve some problems. But no matter what, he will not give me the chance to establish military merit. Therefore, my arrival can only be in the name of rewarding the troops. If we win, the glory goes to you; if we lose, the accountability falls on me.*
Wen Qi looked anew at the handsome man standing before him. Perhaps it was the shadow of Consort Rong; he possessed a bit more tenacity and sharp aura than the other members of the Murong clan. It made one subconsciously fear and obey him. He had the natural temperament of a leader.
He bowed with hands clasped. "That the State of Yan has the Second Prince is the fortune of the altars of soil and grain."
*I have served His Majesty for fourteen years; how could I not understand his mind? The one in a difficult position is the Prince—with wolves in front and tigers behind, he still marches forward fiercely.*
The next day, Murong Yan wrote a letter and sent a secret envoy to the King of Northern Yu, Daxi Cheng.
Wen Qi and Murong Yan stayed in the central command tent, the two of them secretly studying the map over and over. Which places were best for an ambush, who would lead the troops, and how they would be distributed.
Murong Yan marked out the entire city pass. "Once they pass through Suye City, they will reach Daji City. We will lead them into the pass first. Daji City is the heart of Yan; before them, the State of Yan will appear as an open plain. They will surely no longer be suspicious. We will pre-bury oil and charcoal in Daji City. Once the Northern Yu army enters the city, we will have soldiers fire fire-arrows, and they will surely fall into chaos."
Wen Qi nodded, but then his brow furrowed. "How will the civilians in the city be settled? If the arrangement is improper, I fear it will arouse the Yu people's suspicion. Moreover, if you and I do not show ourselves and enter the city first, I fear the Northern Yu soldiers will not fall for it."
Murong Yan had already thought of this. "General, give me two thousand cavalry. I will lead them into Daji City first—firstly to settle the civilians, and secondly to familiarize ourselves with the terrain."
Wen Qi shook his head. "Once you enter the city and the fire-arrows are launched, it will be impossible to distinguish friend from foe. Fire and water are merciless. Your Highness is a person of precious status; how can you risk yourself so lightly?"
Murong Yan smiled. "If I do not enter the city and instead let the General take the risk, how will the soldiers under your command ever follow my orders? There is no need for further words. I will do my utmost to minimize our army's casualties. A man should carry a blade to serve his country; if one is timid and hesitant, how can anything be accomplished?"
Even a soldier like Wen Qi was slightly moved. "I will send several capable generals disguised as soldiers to protect Your Highness!"
Wen Qi received a reply from Northern Yu. The King of Northern Yu had thought for several days and finally decided to send an envoy into the camp to have a secret discussion with the Second Prince and Wen Qi.
Wen Qi did not leak any news regarding this matter. He had commanded the army for fourteen years and his word was law in the camp. Here, the mountains were high and the Emperor was far away; the soldiers' loyalty to him was far higher than their loyalty to King Murong Yuan in the royal city.
He was fully capable of making the decision.
Northern Yu sent a secret envoy to meet with Murong Yan and Wen Qi. The other party knew Wen Qi was shrewd and experienced, so he spoke at length with Murong Yan. He probed in every possible way, but Murong Yan handled him flawlessly. The envoy’s suspicions were dispelled, and he finally revealed the main purpose of the trip—the marching route and the final treaty for ceding land.
Murong Yan signed the treaty with him, promising to cede four commanderies and twenty counties of the Northwest to Northern Yu after the deed was done. The envoy haggled repeatedly, but Murong Yan did not yield an inch. The war of words lasted for two days before the envoy finally compromised.
Both sides signed the treaty, with Murong Yan and Wen Qi jointly providing their signatures and seals.
Zuo Canglang naturally followed Murong Yan. In just three days, the two of them had walked through almost the entirety of Daji City. Inside a simple civilian house, Zuo Canglang said thoughtfully, "There are many civilians in Daji City. If My Lord is to burn the city, how will they be settled?"
Murong Yan sat in a chair, a cup of fragrant tea and two plates of simple fruit on the table before him. Hearing this, he seemed unconcerned and said, "Is this not something you should be considering?"
Zuo Canglang said, "If we have them evacuate, the Yu army will surely become suspicious upon entering. If they don't evacuate, they will inevitably suffer as 'fish in a scorched pond.' We must find a way for them to neither evacuate nor lose their lives..." She looked over Daji City again, from the sky to the ground, not missing an inch. Finally, she clapped her hands and said, "Almost every household here has a cellar. Once the battle starts, have them immediately hide in the cellars."
Murong Yan didn't speak. Zuo Canglang asked, "My Lord, would this work?"
Murong Yan pointed to his shoulder and said, "Knead this for me. I'm tired."
Zuo Canglang didn't know why the topic had suddenly shifted there, but she still lowered her head and began to massage his shoulders. Her hands were strong, and Murong Yan found it very comfortable. Perhaps it was the months of being together day and night, or perhaps it was a sincere appreciation; he didn't mind her touch.
He closed his eyes and actually drifted off to sleep.
***
