The following day, Murong Yan indeed issued his decrees. He appointed Zhou Xin as the Commander-in-Chief to lead the campaign toward Liangzhou, with Wang Nan serving as the vanguard. Daxi Qin was released from custody and appointed as a military advisor. Jiang Qi was named General of the Front, tasked with reclaiming the former territories of the Yu Kingdom, starting from Liangzhou.
Once Daxi Qin arrived at the front, his intimate knowledge of the terrain proved invaluable. He immediately advised Jiang Qi to hold his position at Jiming County, which sat directly across from Gushu. Gushu had kept Murong Yuan bound to their city walls, making a direct assault ill-advised. However, Gushu only possessed this one "Grand Emperor" as a shield, and he could only protect a single city.
While Jiang Qi maintained the siege below the walls, Zhou Xin, Wang Nan, and the others bypassed the city to strike elsewhere.
In terms of military strength, Gushu was no longer a match for Great Yan. They did not dare to actually kill Murong Yuan—doing so would only give Murong Yan a perfect pretext to annihilate them. Once Zhou Xin brought the surrounding cities under Yan’s control, Gushu would be left isolated in the heart of Yan territory. What use would it be to hold a single city then? At that point, even escape would be impossible.
As expected, after Yan successfully occupied several neighboring cities, the Gushu forces retreated. Upon their withdrawal, the state of Wuzhong considered merging their forces with Gushu, but these two small nations had never once tasted victory in their history of joint campaigns against Yan. They had failed even when allied with Western Jing; what hope did they have now, standing alone?
Lacking confidence and seeing that a prolonged conflict would only drain their resources, Wuzhong also withdrew from the former Yu lands. Since Daxi Qin was a member of the Yu royal family, the local populace felt a sense of stability now that the land had fallen to Great Yan. Thus, this campaign actually aligned with the will of the people.
As reports of victory arrived one after another, Murong Yan was greatly pleased, but Jiang Sanyi lived in constant terror.
Zuo Canglang began attending court again. Whenever Jiang Sanyi spoke to her, he was exceedingly polite. His son, Jiang Qi, was currently in the army and utterly isolated. His only support was Xu Ci, a former confidant of the late Di Lianzhong. If the military leadership wanted him dead, it would require no effort at all.
However, Zuo Canglang made no move against him. In truth, setting aside the fact that he was Jiang Sanyi’s son, Jiang Qi was a capable soldier. For his age, he could be considered quite a strategist.
One day, after the morning court session adjourned, Jiang Sanyi deliberately approached Zuo Canglang. "General," he said, "I have heard that the Duke of Ding’s health has been poor lately. I have some restorative herbs at my manor and shall have them sent over immediately. I hope the General will not find them beneath her notice."
He was truly afraid now. Recalling Jiang Qi would mean abandoning all the merit his son had earned, yet leaving him there kept Jiang Sanyi in a state of perpetual anxiety.
Zuo Canglang replied, "My father-in-law does not lack for supplements, but there is indeed something I wish to discuss with the Chancellor."
Jiang Sanyi said hurriedly, "Please, General, speak your mind."
"My brother-in-law, Yixuan, is sixteen this year," Zuo Canglang said. Jiang Sanyi froze as she continued, "At such an age, it is time he served his country. However, His Majesty has not breathed a word of it, which puts me in a difficult position."
Jiang Sanyi gritted his teeth. He understood. Why had Zuo Canglang remained idle all this time? She had been waiting to frighten him. She waited until he was sick with worry before proposing this trade—Jiang Sanyi would be the one to suggest sending Wen Yixuan to the army for experience.
Now that Di Lianzhong was gone, the likes of Jiang Qi and Xu Ci posed no threat to the boy. With the likes of Yuan Xi and Zhuge Jin looking out for him, she could finally bring Wen Yixuan into the military fold.
What was most galling was that she didn't even have to open her own mouth to the Emperor!
Jiang Sanyi said slowly, "This... this is indeed... This old official is getting on in years and simply failed to remember. Tomorrow at court, I shall certainly bring this matter up with His Majesty."
Zuo Canglang said, "I must trouble the Chancellor, then. My father-in-law has always been worried about his grandson’s future. If His Majesty grants this request, I am certain his chronic ailments will improve significantly. It will be more effective than any medicine. I thank the Chancellor in advance."
Jiang Sanyi ground his teeth but maintained a smile. "It is only right. There is no need for the General to be so polite." Seeing Zuo Canglang prepare to leave, he hurried after her for a few steps. "General, my son is in the army... I ask that the General looks after him."
Zuo Canglang replied, "That goes without saying."
With that, she strode away.
In Nanqing Palace, Keqing was wiping a table when an internal attendant suddenly came to call for her. Though surprised, she followed him. After several twists and turns, they arrived at a very secluded palace courtyard. She was beginning to feel hesitant about following further when her eyes widened in surprise—she saw Wang Yunzhao.
"Chief Wang?" Keqing was startled, but she stepped forward to salute. "Did the Chief call for me for some important matter?"
Wang Yunzhao hesitated for a moment before asking, "You are aware of the relationship between His Majesty and the General, yes?"
Keqing’s heart hammered against her ribs. She understood the rules of the palace: one must play deaf and mute to what they see. She shook her head repeatedly. "Chief, I know nothing. I..."
"Tsk," Wang Yunzhao frowned. "Don't be afraid. Listen to me. His Majesty... feels a great deal of affection for the General. However, the General is currently residing in the Wen household and still holds the status of the Wen family’s daughter-in-law. It is not appropriate for her to become pregnant. Do you understand?"
Keqing looked bewildered. Wang Yunzhao handed her a small vial. "The General is at the Wen manor. His Majesty acts on impulse and may go there at any time. My reach is limited there, but you are by the General's side; you must share His Majesty's burdens. From now on, every time His Majesty visits, you must add a few drops of this medicine into the General’s food or drink. Remember, she must consume it before noon the following day."
Keqing looked at the exquisite vial and backed away. Wang Yunzhao said, "It is merely a contraceptive; it isn't poison. What are you afraid of?"
Keqing’s teeth chattered for a long while before she managed to ask, "Is it truly... not poison?"
Wang Yunzhao replied, "What kind of talk is that? Would His Majesty ever harm the General?"
Only then did Keqing accept the vial. Wang Yunzhao added, "Be discreet. Do not let the General find out. Do your job well, and His Majesty will not treat you poorly."
Keqing’s hands were still shaking, and her forehead was slick with sweat. But... this shouldn't be a problem, right? It wasn't harmful to the General, and she would be helping the Emperor. She lowered her head, her mind a chaotic mess.
Once she was out of sight, Wang Yunzhao sighed and finally returned to the palace to report to Murong Yan. "Your Majesty, it has been settled."
Murong Yan, his sleeves slightly rolled up, was drafting an imperial edict. He didn't look up at the news. "This time, let there be no more mistakes."
Wang Yunzhao bowed hastily. "It was all this servant's negligence."
After speaking, he stole a quick glance at Murong Yan. *Does it... truly have to come to this? Even if she holds command over a powerful army, she has always loved you deeply, Your Majesty.*
That night, Zuo Canglang returned to the Wen manor. As her maids, Keqing and Vivi naturally accompanied her.
Wen Xingye was getting old, and his aches and pains had increased, but his spirit remained decent. Seeing her return, he grumbled, "Look at you. I told you to be careful, yet you still fell into the hands of those villains!"
Zuo Canglang had been staying in the palace ever since her return from Western Jing; this was her first time back at the Wen manor. Eight months had passed since their last meeting. She didn't want to listen to Wen Xingye’s nagging, nor did she want to recount her suffering. Although she was a member of the Wen family in name, their relationship was not one where she could pour out her heart.
She intended to go straight to her room, but then she heard Wen Xingye say, "You've grown so thin. You clearly don't know how to look after yourself."
She entered her room to find it clean and tidy, exactly as it had been when she left. Old Madame Wen came in and said, "I've put your clothes in the wardrobe. Hurry and bathe, then change for dinner."
Zuo Canglang gave a word of assent, a sudden warmth blooming in her heart.
In the evening, they all ate together.
Wen Yixuan was sixteen now and had grown into a fine young man. He was full of spirit, and his features bore a striking resemblance to Wen Qi. Wen Yirong was now nine years old. Zuo Canglang picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for Wen Yixuan. Wen Xingye glared at her. "He's just a child. Why are you giving him wine?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "He isn't small anymore. By his age, I was already in the army."
Wen Xingye fell silent. Zuo Canglang said, "Come, have a little."
Wen Yixuan hesitated for a moment before finally raising his cup. He touched it lightly against hers and drained it in one gulp. However, he drank too fast and the wine was strong; he immediately began to cough violently.
The wine was from the old man’s private collection, something he only brought out because she had returned. Naturally, it was incredibly potent.
After Wen Yixuan finished coughing, Zuo Canglang said, "If you can't even handle this much wine, people will laugh at you in the army."
Wen Yixuan looked up at her. As if making a firm resolution, he refilled both their cups, tilted his head back, and drank it all.
The next day, during the morning court, Jiang Sanyi strongly recommended that Wen Yixuan enter the military to serve the state. Murong Yan was quite surprised and stared at him. Jiang Sanyi kept his head bowed but pressed on. "Your Majesty, Wen Yixuan, the son of Commander Wen, has harbored the ambition to serve his country since childhood. The Duke of Ding has also raised him well. He has now reached the appropriate age. This official believes he should be allowed to inherit his father's legacy and serve the imperial court."
With Zuo Canglang supporting the motion from the military side and Jiang Sanyi recommending it from the civil side, what could Murong Yan do? He could only agree. "I did not expect Chancellor Jiang to be so mindful of the Wen household. Since that is the case, let Wen Yixuan join Zhou Xin’s command to help recover the Yu lands. Let it serve as his training."
Zuo Canglang knelt to express her gratitude. Murong Yan glanced at her and said, "Your health is not good; do not worry yourself overmuch."
His words sounded like concern, but there was a faint, underlying hint of a warning.
Zuo Canglang naturally did not take those words to heart. The following day, Wen Yixuan received his official appointment and prepared to head toward Liangzhou. That night, Wen Xingye did not sleep, and Old Madame Wen could not find rest either. Though the two elders stayed awake, they wanted the boy to sleep well, so they sat in the main hall.
Zuo Canglang was preparing for bed when she saw them. She couldn't help but say, "There is no need to worry. Zhou Xin is not a bad man. Though he wasn't one of the Commander's men, he will certainly look after Yixuan. Besides, Wang Nan is there as well."
Wen Xingye said, "I'm not worried. He has to go out and gain experience sooner or later."
Despite his words, he took puff after puff of his tobacco pipe. Zuo Canglang said, "It is good that you think so. In the future... the Wen manor will finally have someone to hold it up."
Both Wen Xingye and his wife were stunned. Zuo Canglang said no more and went straight to her room to sleep.
The next morning, before dawn, Wen Yixuan was already up. The youth was surely more excited than the elders; he had barely slept half the night. Yet he was full of energy now. As he put on his brand-new armor and military boots, Wen Xingye’s eyes reddened, and Old Madame Wen wiped her eyes.
He likely looked exactly like the young Wen brothers of years past.
Wen Yixuan walked to the manor gates. Just as he was about to mount his horse, he suddenly turned back, walked to the elderly couple, knelt, and kowtowed three times. Old Madame Wen covered her face, tears seeping through her fingers. Zuo Canglang did not cry; she simply smiled and patted his shoulder.
The youth whipped his horse and rode off, his heart full of heroic ambition. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the familiar scent of dust, tossing his hair as he rode. He was a solitary rider, gradually growing distant under their long, lingering gazes, until he vanished at the end of the long street.
Zuo Canglang suddenly remembered the first time she had left the orphan camp. She had sat in a carriage, watching the crisscrossing paths stretch out without end. Back then, the youth in the carriage had no idea where she was going, yet her heart, too, had been filled with soaring ambition.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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鸡鸣郡 | Jiming County | A strategic location near the border of Gushu.
孤竹 | Gushu | A small state holding the retired Yan Emperor hostage.
无终 | Wuzhong | A small state allied with Gushu.
温以轩 | Wen Yixuan | Wen Qi's son (or nephew, referred to as Zuo's brother-in-law).
温以戎 | Wen Yirong | Wen Yixuan's younger brother.
避子药 | Contraceptive medicine | Literally "child-avoiding medicine."
太上皇 | Grand Emperor | Also known as the Retired Emperor (Murong Yuan).
