In the late summer of the fifteenth year of the Lingwei era, the Emperor personally led an expedition to Bijiang. He arrived at Sanmu Pass in the east, driving the Bai rebels back toward the west. Later, he stationed his troops on the eastern bank of the ancient Tianmu Path in Yanxi, strategizing from within his command tent. On the twenty-sixth day of the tenth month, amidst a heavy snowfall, a mist rose from the west and drifted eastward. A solar eclipse occurred at high noon—a dire omen for a sovereign. That night, the Bai rebels secretly dispatched two generals, Yanzi and Kuilang, to raid the royal camp, but they were ultimately defeated at Seqiou.
This was the description of the Battle of Tianmu in the official histories.
After this battle, the tide of war between Tiancheng and Bijiang shifted overwhelmingly. The Bai clan no longer possessed the strength to resist and scattered into the various tribes of Jizhou, though that is a story for later.
At that moment, however, Xiao Nanhui knew nothing of the battle that was about to unfold, nor did she know what role she would play in it.
She stood among a dozen generals, holding her breath as she listened to the latest battle reports. Her face was a mixture of joy and apprehension.
A victory report had arrived from west of Tongcheng in Jizhou. The three hundred thousand soldiers of the Subei Army, led by Xiao Zhun, had swept away the Bai clan defenders across the entirety of Yanxi. The army was now stationed outside Sanmu Pass, awaiting the optimal moment to launch a general offensive.
The moment the report finished, the atmosphere in the command tent grew heated. Although a spy had recently been discovered in their ranks, the news of the Subei Army’s successive victories was heartening. If the timing was handled correctly, Tiancheng might be able to end this rebellion quickly, avoiding years of grueling stalemate.
Xiao Nanhui understood this well, but she was more concerned for Xiao Zhun.
More than a decade ago, when Xiao Zhun was still an unstoppable, hot-blooded youth, he had led the remnants of the former Prince Shuo’s subordinates in pursuit of the Bai clan. He had suffered a crushing defeat at Sanmu Pass. Had General Feilian not led the heavy cavalry of the Guangyao Battalion to his rescue, those hundred thousand elite veterans would likely have been wiped out, and the Subei Army would never have come to be.
That was the only defeat of Xiao Zhun’s life. Others might not have known, but Xiao Nanhui did: for a young man who had lost nearly all his kin at the time, the impact of such a loss echoed like a voice from an abyss; it was something that could never truly dissipate.
Inside the tent, suggestions and strategies were offered in a constant stream. The Emperor listened quietly, his face showing neither joy nor worry. His left hand rested lightly on a small side table, his fingertips tapping the surface rhythmically.
"General of the Right." The Emperor’s gaze suddenly shifted to her. "We have often heard of Bijiang’s prosperity—that a tiny plot of land can yield a thousand stones of grain and a hundred head of cattle. Is this true?"
Xiao Nanhui replied cautiously, "The rumors are somewhat exaggerated, but in years of good harvest, Bijiang can indeed be considered a fertile land. However, the Nanqiang people do not favor agriculture, so there is very little cultivated land." She paused, then added, "During my months there, I also discovered that the soil in many northern areas is the color of ochre, with tung flowers growing luxuriantly in places. These are both indicators of copper and iron deposits."
As soon as she spoke, Lu Ziyue, the Master of the Armory, was the first to react.
"Tiancheng has always strictly controlled the production of copper and iron. If what the General says is true, then the Bai clan truly found an excellent place to recuperate. After all these years, I fear they have long been smelting iron and sharpening their blades. They will not be easy to deal with."
Yan Guang, however, looked displeased. "In my humble opinion, there is no need to lose our composure over a few mere traces of iron. They are but crude barbarians; can they truly withstand the iron cavalry of Tiancheng?"
Lu Ziyue wiped his brow. "The General is mistaken. If it were only the Nanqiang tribesmen, they would be of little concern. But the Bai family was known for producing many talented individuals in their time..."
"Absurd! Mere rebels—how can they be described as 'talented'? Master Lu, have you gone senile?!"
"Enough."
The Emperor finally spoke, ending the pointless bickering. He turned his gaze back to Xiao Nanhui. "A prosperous land, yet its people are fierce. How do you explain this?"
Xiao Nanhui’s heart bled. This old Emperor truly refused to let her off the hook, repeatedly forcing her to speak and incite arguments among the people in this tent. She hadn't even been back in her position as General of the Right for an hour, yet she was already offending all her future colleagues.
Agonizing as it was, she had to brace herself and answer. "Bijiang has lush water and grass; it is the promised land of the gods in the hearts of the Nanqiang people. However, since ancient times, it has been plagued by the fires of war. Consequently, the Nanqiang harbor deep hostility toward outsiders. Furthermore, their language, script, and even their daily customs differ greatly from those of Tiancheng, making them difficult to assimilate. Thus, they often give the impression of being fierce and unruly."
The Emperor nodded. "To conquer their cities, use arms. To conquer their people, use benevolence. Do you generals understand my intent?"
The tent fell silent. Many of the military officers appeared somewhat dissatisfied.
This was not hard to understand. When soldiers went to war, it was to expand territory and protect the nation. Their hearts were only for their own people; when had they ever considered the feelings of foreigners?
However, hearing these words, Xiao Nanhui began to view the Emperor in a slightly different light. She had always thought a man like him wouldn't care much for the lives of others—or rather, that he didn't care for the title of a "benevolent ruler."
But even if he spoke such words, did he truly possess a heart of compassion?
For a man who didn't even seem to care much for his own life, she could only guess that he was born devoid of sentiment. And when a man devoid of sentiment made such a merciful and kind decision, it inspired fear as much as it did astonishment.
Perhaps he was merely playing the role of a benevolent ruler.
Since ancient times, it has been easy to kill but difficult to stop the killing. Everyone was guessing just how much sincerity lay behind the Emperor's words.
The Registrar, Huang Wei, spoke up after some deliberation. "I agree with Your Majesty’s words, but I wonder how this war should be fought to be considered... without great commotion?"
The Emperor tilted his head slightly, as if a thought had occurred to him by chance, and he shared it casually with the group. "If we sent a small team of no more than thirty people to infiltrate the upper reaches of the Tianmu River in Bijiang and destroy the dam built by the Sun family, how many days would it take at the fastest?"
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present understood more or less what the Emperor intended to do.
What "benevolence"? It was nothing more than a scheme to turn the people's hearts.
The Sun family had built the dam to enclose land, harming the people of Suyan, all with the backing of the Bai clan.
The lower reaches of the Tianmu River were home not only to the people of Suyan but also to many Bijiang nomads and native Nanqiang people. The impact of the river being cut off was beyond words, but with the Bai clan holding the military power, the people could only swallow their resentment.
Destroying the dam was a wartime strategy, but it could also be seen as an unintentional favor to the people suffering from the parched winds and drought.
Su Yuanxiu almost instantly grasped the subsequent troop deployment. He said in a low voice, "It is currently the dry season. If the dam is destroyed, the upper reaches of the Tianmu River will surely recede, revealing the riverbed. The heavy cavalry of the Guangyao Battalion could cross the water, and in less than half a month, they could flatten all of the Bai rebels' northern defensive lines."
Huang Wei, the Registrar, seemed to come alive as well, his eyes shining. "I fear the benefits do not end there. The force of the flood from upstream will surely scour the ancient riverbed that has been dry for so long. The sandy rocks are already loose; the current deep chasms and trenches will likely become shallow shoals in the valley. And in a few days, it will snow..."
Yan Guang could hardly wait to take over. "In a few days, it will snow! Jizhou hasn't seen a single flake since the start of winter. If a cold front arrives after the deed is done, the shallow shoals downstream—less than four or five feet deep—will freeze within days. At that time, let alone heavy cavalry, even the infantry of my Yanchi Battalion could cross that natural chasm without breaking a sweat!"
What a brilliant move—striking from above with the force of a thunderbolt.
Such a plan could not have been devised in a short time. He must have intended this several days ago when they retreated from the ancient riverbed; that was why he had moved the camp—to make room for the downstream rush of water.
They had thought the Emperor had lost his mind, but it turned out he simply hadn't been bothered to explain. The generals were revitalized, feeling both a touch of resentment and immense admiration for the Emperor. Each of them was eager to act.
Lu Songping took a step forward. "I am willing to share Your Majesty's burdens, even at the cost of ten thousand deaths."
Sun Zhuo, the General of Martial Law, had already been dissatisfied with Lu Songping, and now he didn't even bother to hide it.
"Master Lu is overstepping his bounds, isn't he? As a dignified Provincial Governor, you should stay in your tent and drink tea. If you run to the front lines and something happens—swords have no eyes, after all—the position of Governor of Jizhou will be vacant again. This matter is better left to us rough men."
Sun Zhuo’s words were laced with blatant contempt. A few people laughed along after he finished, but Xiao Nanhui secretly shook her head.
*General Sun, oh General Sun... it seems you’ve never crossed paths with that lad Lu Songping. His swordsmanship and the strength of his archery are enough for him to be a commandant in any camp...*
As she was thinking this, Lu Songping bowed. He dropped to one knee, his left hand on his waist and his right hand touching his forehead—the salute of a warrior or a swordsman.
"I, Lu Songping, Commandant of the Black Feather Camp, currently serving as the acting Governor of Jizhou. Now that Jizhou is pacified, I request to return to my camp."
Xiao Nanhui’s eyes widened.
No way. He really was a commandant?
She had always felt something was off, and now, looking back, she finally understood where the problem lay.
Lu Songping’s methods of managing Prince Kang’s traveling palace were not like those of a governor at all; they were like those of a commandant from a military camp.
She believed she hadn't caused any stir when she infiltrated, and the Heart-Binding Pavilion was in a remote location, yet Lu Songping had found her very quickly. Aside from his high martial arts skills, he must have been meticulous and observant. These traits were rarely found in a governor accustomed to giving orders, but they perfectly fit a commandant who often had to handle every detail personally.
Moreover, he was a commandant of the Black Feather Camp.
The Emperor nodded slightly, and Lu Songping stood to the side, his expression remaining neutral throughout.
"You have worked hard during this time. This matter requires coordination with the Subei Light Cavalry; it is an urgent mission. However, the affairs of the Black Feather Camp have piled up like a mountain and also need to be reorganized. Weigh the situation before making your decision."
Lu Songping didn't rush to speak, but Xiao Nanhui’s ears perked up the moment she heard the word "Subei."
*If I take this urgent mission, will I be able to fight side-by-side with Xiao Zhun?*
Sun Zhuo, realizing the situation, felt he had lost face. However, he was a man who could adapt. He cleared his throat and simply requested, "I was dull and did not know Your Majesty’s arrangements. I am willing to lead my elites day and night to strike the enemy camp directly and secure the overall situation. It can be done in ten days."
Ten days.
That was a bold military pledge.
Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly fast.
Xiao Nanhui was lost in thought when she was suddenly called upon by the Emperor again.
"The General of the Right is silent. Do you have another clever plan?"
*Are my thoughts written on my face?* she wondered. This man managed to catch her off guard every single time.
Even though she knew speaking up would thoroughly offend Sun Zhuo, Xiao Nanhui still spoke.
"I believe it can be done in five days."
The generals erupted in an uproar.
Sun Zhuo, having been slighted repeatedly, was now truly angry. He said resentfully, "The terrain of Bijiang is complex. Setting aside the fact that the Bai clan won't just let you charge through, even the most well-trained soldiers moving at full speed would only cover ten li a day. Has General Xiao been blinded by the desire for glory, to speak such arrogant words?"
Xiao Nanhui tried her best to maintain a polite and respectful expression, not daring to show even a hint of arrogance. "What I speak of is not by ordinary means. As the General says, the terrain of Bijiang is complex and cannot be covered by a single type of landscape. Avoiding danger means taking a long detour; taking the direct route means facing treacherous paths. I once observed the routes used by the locals during their migrations and identified many secret paths. These paths were carefully carved out by someone; traveling them requires skill. Many passes are very narrow and difficult for many people to pass through at once, so they are unsuitable for a regular army. But if it is as His Majesty said—only a few dozen people—then they are the best choice."
After hearing this, Sun Zhuo knew he couldn't prove her words were false, and for a moment, he couldn't find anything to say in rebuttal.
The Emperor’s dark eyes were locked onto her, his lips curved in a satisfied arc.
"Very good."
Although she wasn't surprised by the praise, Xiao Nanhui felt a bit smug.
Her days in Bijiang hadn't been spent in vain. These Tiancheng soldiers had come from afar; though brave, they weren't as nimble as she, who was half a local.
*Well, even though destroying a dam isn't a great job, being able to coordinate with Xiao Zhun makes it a wonderful thing for me.* With her heart set on it, she didn't feel it would be a hardship at all.
Before Xiao Nanhui’s pleasant thoughts could even settle, the Emperor turned to Ding Weixiang beside him. "However, Commandant Ding just told me it could be done in three days. Let Commandant Ding select the men to carry out this mission."
*What? Three days?!*
How could it be three days? You couldn't even fly there in that time!
"Commandant Ding, have you clearly understood the situation in Bijiang? Moreover, we are still on the eastern bank of the Tianmu River. Whether crossing the river or the dry chasms, it will take more than three days..."
"Suyan is high in the east and low in the west, and Bijiang’s terrain is the lowest in all of Jizhou. That is why water vapor and rivers gather there, and vegetation grows so densely. May I ask General Xiao, if one could use the terrain to their advantage, could the travel time be shortened?"
She frowned. "What do you mean, 'use the terrain'? Explain yourself clearly."
Ding Weixiang didn't speak. He unfastened something from his waist and placed it on the table.
Xiao Nanhui looked closely; it looked familiar.
It was a Flying Shuttle Chain. She had used one once at the Pengxiao Tower in Huozhou.
Using shuttle hooks to infiltrate by night—what kind of assassin tactics were these? Weren't they fighting a war?
Looking up again, she saw Ding Weixiang watching her with a clear look of triumph, as if asserting his position as the most useful person by the Emperor's side.
*Fine, fine, you’re the most useful, you’re the most capable, alright?*
Despite her internal grumbling, she frowned for a long time, unable to find a reasonable way to question him. Finally, she could only say, "Didn't you say back then there was only one..."
Before she could finish, Ding Weixiang shot her a fierce glare.
She belatedly remembered that they hadn't been the only two people in Huozhou.
Yan Guang, however, had already sensed the hidden meaning in her words. He said quickly, "Oh? General Xiao has actually seen a Flying Shuttle Chain? Commandant Ding treats that treasure of his with great care; none of us in the same camp have ever seen him take it out."
Xiao Nanhui was instantly speechless. She stammered, "I... I haven't really seen it, I just heard him mention it..."
In the next instant, the Emperor’s cunning gaze swept over. He interjected at a most inopportune moment, "My dear official, there is no need for modesty. I saw you use it quite well that day."
The moment the Emperor spoke, the generals turned curious and probing gazes toward Xiao Nanhui. Those burning stares felt like they were going to bore a hole through her face.
This was the first time she realized that military men were no less meddlesome than civil officials when it came to gossip.
Fortunately, Su Yuanxiu spoke up at the right time, rescuing her from her predicament. "I have heard that using a Flying Shuttle Chain requires great finesse. Without training, it might be difficult to master in a short time. I wonder if Commandant Ding intends to go personally, and if he has considered the candidates for the mission?"
*This thing requires training?*
Xiao Nanhui instinctively felt a phantom pain in her backside. That damned Ding Weixiang hadn't even bothered to give her an instruction manual. It was a miracle she hadn't fallen to her death when she slid down from the Pengxiao Tower that day.
The culprit actually looked at her and said shamelessly, "I believe it doesn't take much time at all. After all, the General of the Right only took a moment to become quite proficient with it."
She wanted to argue a few more points, but the Emperor suddenly spoke.
"Since that is the case, this secret raid will be the full responsibility of Commandant Ding. The General of the Right will assist by drawing the topographical maps. The rest of you shall remain and await further orders."
Ding Weixiang seemed not to have expected the Emperor to send him personally. Thinking of something, he said urgently, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. It may be inappropriate for me to go personally..."
*Exactly, exactly! Wouldn't it be better to send me?*
"Your Majesty, I also believe Commandant Ding might not be suitable. I am willing to share Your Majesty's burdens..."
"I have made up my mind; there is no need for further thought." The Emperor’s voice was somewhat cold. His gaze seemed to pierce right through Xiao Nanhui. "Is the General of the Right willing to share my burdens, or the burdens of the Marquis of Qinghuai?"
At those words, sweat began to bead on Xiao Nanhui’s forehead.
She had forgotten—this man had a heart of glass and a mind of silk. Her thoughts could not be hidden from him.
She immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness. "I would never dare. I only..."
In her haste, she didn't know how to defend herself.
The tent fell into a dead silence, and she felt as if she were sitting on a bed of needles, the agony unbearable.
Su Yuanxiu watched quietly before finally speaking to smooth things over. "The General of the Right is silent, likely because she does not wish to bring up old matters. Had the Bai clan not betrayed the country, the case of Prince Shuo would never have happened. The General was born in the Marquis’s manor; it is understandable that she would be more concerned with this matter." He paused, then added, "The rebel Bai clan deserves ten thousand deaths. However, there are still many doubts regarding the Yu’an Rebellion. I implore Your Majesty to spare their lives so that the truth of that year may be uncovered."
Among the dozen or so people present, only Su Yuanxiu would dare to say such words.
The Yu’an Rebellion was a forbidden case of the imperial court. Even Xiao Zhun had sought the truth for many years without finding an answer. Who had killed the entire Xiao family? Was it truly the work of the Bai clan? And for what reason? Was it really as the case files stated—that they killed to silence witnesses after their rebellion was exposed? The rebellion and the flight occurred so close together; if they had already revealed their hand, why was it necessary to slaughter the entire family to hide their intent?
When Xiao Nanhui had wanted to go east to seek the Secret Seal, Yao Yi had warned her: if the answer was hard to find, it was because someone did not want the truth to appear in the world.
With such methods, if there were no high-ranking individual pushing from behind, how could the truth still be so murky and chaotic to this day?
Bringing up this matter was both taboo and dangerous. Xiao Nanhui was willing to involve herself for Xiao Zhun’s sake, but that didn't mean others felt the same.
Therefore, Su Yuanxiu’s words were truly rare and precious.
She breathed a secret sigh of relief and cast a grateful look toward Su Yuanxiu.
The Emperor seemed to have taken the words to heart, but his gaze never left Xiao Nanhui from beginning to end.
After a long while, he seemed to no longer care about the various points discussed and lazily closed his eyes.
"So be it. Let it be as you say. Pass my decree: all generals, hear my command. In future battles with the Bai clan, you must capture the rebel leader, Bai Heliu, alive. He is not to be killed."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 灵微 | Lingwei | The era name of the current Emperor's reign. |
| 碧疆 | Bijiang | A region, likely a borderland or frontier area. |
| 三目关 | Sanmu Pass | A strategic mountain pass. |
| 天沐古道 | Ancient Tianmu Path | An old road or passage near the Tianmu River. |
| 燕紫 | Yanzi | A general of the Bai clan. |
| 奎郎 | Kuilang | A general of the Bai clan. |
| 色丘 | Seqiou | A geographical location, likely a hill or mound. |
| 肃北军 | Subei Army | The army commanded by Xiao Zhun. |
| 飞廉 | Feilian | A general's name/title. |
| 光要营 | Guangyao Battalion | An elite heavy cavalry unit. |
| 吕子越 | Lu Ziyue | The Master of the Armory (武库令). |
| 孙灼 | Sun Zhuo | The General of Martial Law (典武将军). |
| 黄圩 | Huang Wei | The Registrar (主簿). |
| 宿岩 | Suyan | A location or district within the region. |
| 雁翅营 | Yanchi Battalion | A military unit, likely infantry. |
| 丁未翔 | Ding Weixiang | A Middle Commandant (中尉) and the Emperor's guard. |
| 飞梭链 | Flying Shuttle Chain | A specialized tool/weapon used for climbing or zip-lining. |
| 青怀侯 | Marquis of Qinghuai | Xiao Zhun's noble title. |
| 雨安之乱 | Yu’an Rebellion | A historical rebellion and massacre involving the Xiao family. |
| 白鹤留 | Bai Heliu | The leader of the Bai clan rebels. |
