Fish Meat – Chapter 112
by Little PandaThe Eleventh Year of Shenchu
The Lamp Behind the Curtain, the Sword in its Case (2)
The late summer rain had been falling steadily for three days. In Runing City, carriages and pedestrians trudged through muddy streets towards their destinations. Under the gloomy sky, people wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats kept their heads down, all eager to finish their business and return home quickly, avoiding this unlucky rain.
Wei Lun and Zhangsun Yao stood side by side in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, which was filled with countless ceremonial robes and jade crowns. They held official documents, explaining the ancestral rules and rituals for the coronation ceremony to Li Yanyi. Seated on the imperial throne, Li Yanyi tried her best to listen patiently. All the coronation procedures were extremely intricate and complex. She wanted to remember every detail but kept getting distracted.
Wei Lun noticed her restlessness and gathered up the documents. “Your Majesty, do you have any concerns?”
Li Yanyi smiled awkwardly without answering him.
Zhangsun Yao stole a glance at Li Yanyi. He knew that recently, besides being busy eliminating opposition factions and preparing for her coronation, she had been troubled by matters concerning Ah Xin.
Since the great battle at Mengliang, Ah Xin’s health had been poor, with her waist injury even affecting her daily life. Li Yanyi had sent countless imperial physicians to the Xie Mansion to treat her, but Ah Xin had sent them all back, refusing to accept her favor. Now, with the coronation imminent, Xie Fuchen’s family must be eliminated. Ah Xin, being Xie Fuchen’s legitimate daughter, could not be spared.
She couldn’t be spared, if she and Li Yanyi had no connection.
Wei Lun and Zhangsun Yao had urged Li Yanyi countless times, both openly and in private. Xie Fuchen must be killed, and the Xie family must be uprooted to prevent any possibility of resurgence. If anyone were left alive, it would be like leaving a vengeful blade that could strike at any moment, as was the case with the Yi clan.
However, Li Yanyi had not yet issued any orders to eliminate the Xie family. Instead, she kept sending batches of medicine and imperial physicians to the Xie Mansion. Everyone understood what was on her mind and what she cared about, so no one said anything more.
Now, with the coronation ceremony approaching, what troubled Li Yanyi’s heart also troubled Wei Lun and Zhangsun Yao. If this were any other monarch, ministers could persuade them with a simple phrase: “Beauty brings calamity; one should prioritize the state”. But facing the first female emperor in history about to ascend the throne, they found themselves at a loss for words. There was no precedent to follow, and one wrong word could easily offend. Even these two eloquent senior officials were now speechless.
“Continue,” Li Yanyi said, rubbing her temples and forcing her eyes open after a sleepless night, trying to muster some energy.
She recited the coronation speech without missing a word, then went to check the preparations for the ancestral temple ceremony at the peak of Wangjun Mountain. Following that, she walked through tomorrow’s route with the Imperial Household Department, returned to Ziwei Palace to finish the coronation speech once more, and only when she was dizzy with exhaustion did she finally complete everything.
“Your Majesty, the embroidered patterns on the sleeves of the imperial robe have been adjusted. Would you like to try it on again?” The Deputy Director of the Imperial Wardrobe knelt before the carriage to report.
Li Yanyi let out a weary “Mm,” neither agreeing nor disagreeing. The Deputy Director, not hearing a clear answer, didn’t know whether to proceed. He nervously glanced at his superior, Zhangsun Yao. Zhangsun Yao frowned and shook his head, and the Deputy Director coughed and stepped aside.
“Let’s go,” Li Yanyi said.
“The Imperial Carriage departs!” The Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Protocol called out loudly, and Li Yanyi’s imperial procession set off to return to the palace.
As she was coming down from Wangjun Mountain, a young eunuch at the rear of the procession gradually slowed down, falling to the very back. Once he was sure no one was paying attention to him, he took a big step into the forest and immediately vanished.
By the time he reached the foot of the mountain, tumbling and crawling through the wilderness, he had changed into commoner’s clothes. He then discreetly entered the Xie Mansion.
“So, these past few days, Li Yanyi has indeed been focused on preparing for tomorrow’s ceremony,” Xie Fuchen said, taking a sip of tea.
“Yes, Sima Xie,” the young eunuch replied. “Li Yanyi even became irritated because of the tedious preparations, almost losing her temper.”
With Li Yanyi and Wei Lun’s group concentrating on the preparations, it seemed certain that the ceremony would take place tomorrow.
Unfortunately, you won’t live to see tomorrow’s sunrise.
The young eunuch took his silver and left, excitedly walking into the courtyard when a black shadow, appearing out of nowhere, pierced his left chest cavity.
After the shadow withdrew the blade, the young eunuch still managed to run a few steps, unaware he had been stabbed. When he finally noticed the increasingly unbearable stinging sensation, he looked down and discovered blood flowing like a river. Shocked by the sight, he died from fright before the wound could kill him.
Xie Fuchen donned a black straw raincoat, tightly fastening the rain-proof lining made of palm bark under his chin. His long hair was tucked into a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, a sword at his waist as he strode into the rainy night. Behind him followed more than ten people in black, dressed identically. Thousands more quickly disappeared into the dark Runing City night, like water droplets merging into the sea. The expert who killed the young eunuch flashed past the treetops, causing them to sway almost imperceptibly, less noticeable than a magpie alighting on a branch.
This person was Hang Lie, the wandering swordsman who had once poisoned Lin Quan, striking fear into the hearts of the Huaichen household. Since the appearance of Lan Ke’er, Hang Lie had no opportunity to use poison or even carry out assassinations. Both the Huaichen and Wei households had set up tight security, keeping him firmly in check. Lord Xie had saved his life in the Northern Frontier, a debt as weighty as a mountain, yet he had been unable to repay it, merely wasting money and food. Tonight was his chance to hold his head high again.
Xie Ah Xun was also among them.
She had always wanted to find an opportunity to kill Alai, but Alai had unexpectedly gone to the Northern Frontier, leaving her without a chance. Hearing that the defeated army had returned to the capital, she planned to strike during their post-battle fatigue and risked going to the Wei Mansion to gather information. To her surprise, she learned that “Zhen Wenjun” had already died. How laughable that she had died in the Northern Frontier without allowing Ah Xun to kill the traitor herself! No matter, she was just a minor pawn. Li Yanyi and Wei Tingxu were her true targets. At this point, there was no room for retreat; they could only take up the butcher’s knife and slaughter these treasonous rebels by the wayside of history!
Xie Fuchen had already sent the women and children of the Xie family out of Runing. He knew that tonight would be a turning point for Da Yu, and he needed to ensure his family’s safety no matter what.
The rain grew heavier, setting the stage for the decisive battle.
As the Xie family’s carriage was about to leave Runing, Ah Xin woke up.
She found herself unexpectedly in the carriage.
“You’re awake,” Third Aunt sat beside her, looking somewhat flustered at Ah Xin’s awakening.
“Why am I here?” Ah Xin painfully sat up, supporting her aching waist, and lifted the curtain to look outside. Runing’s city gate was already within sight.
“What’s going on?” Ah Xin turned back, her question not loud but enough to make Third Aunt tremble all over. Ah Xin, having led troops in battle for years, possessed an intimidating aura, inspiring awe without anger. Third Aunt, who rarely left home, would be frightened by just a glare from her.
“Thisβ¦ this has nothing to do with me!” Third Aunt shrank into the corner.
Ah Xin’s head was pounding, and she nearly fell as the carriage swayed. Third Aunt quickly steadied her.
“Youβ¦ gave me sleeping drugs?” Ah Xin grabbed Third Aunt’s hand, almost twisting her arm off.
“It was Lord Xie’s orders! It wasn’t my idea! I don’t know why he wanted to do this. What could I do? I could only follow his instructions! Ah Xinβ¦ you’re hurting me!” Third Aunt’s eyes welled up with tears as she pitifully begged Ah Xin for mercy. Ah Xin’s thoughts raced, and she immediately understood.
Releasing Third Aunt’s hand, she stood outside the carriage compartment. Behind her were more than ten carriages, all from the Xie Mansion, confirming her suspicions.
Father is making a big move.
The carriage reached the city gate and smoothly exited the city. Ah Xin sat next to the driver, wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat.
She felt uneasy, and the more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.
Years of military service had given Ah Xin a sense of danger that ordinary people lacked. She gazed into the pitch-black rainy night, watching raindrops slide down one by one before her eyes. She continuously scanned her surroundings for the slightest details, seeking any clues to support her uneasy heart.
As the Xie family’s caravan filed out of the city gate and was about to truly leave Runing on the main road, she suddenly jumped off the carriage and ran back the way they had come.
“Ah Xin! Ah Xin, where are you going?!” Third Aunt had been watching her closely, fearing she might do something rash, and her fears were realized. Third Aunt poked her head out of the carriage, her hairdo instantly soaked by the heavy rain. She desperately wanted to jump down and drag Ah Xin back. Lord Xie had specifically instructed her to keep a close eye on Ah Xin and ensure she left the city. The sleeping drug she had given her was enough to make her sleep for an entire day. She knew Ah Xin might wake up early but never expected her to wake up so quickly. If she lost Ah Xin, how would Lord Xie scold her?
After running a few steps while supporting her waist, the sharp pain prevented Ah Xin from sprinting further. She could only grit her teeth and walk back quickly.
There was an ambush.
The rain grew heavier, beating down on Ah Xin’s body and face, making each step forward increasingly difficult.
Father wants to send away everyone in the household, which must mean there’s a grand plan that threatens everyone’s lives. If it fails, the entire Xie family would face a catastrophe that leaves them unable to keep their heads above water, so he’s evacuating the household before the plan is truly implemented. But more than ten Xie family carriages are conspicuous, even if disguised as ordinary merchant caravans, they’d still attract attention. With exit papers in hand, they should be able to come and go freely under normal circumstances, but Li Yanyi is about to ascend the throne, an unprecedented event in history. How many people are watching her, wanting to pull her down from her horse? At this critical juncture, how could she not be on guard? The Xie family is her greatest enemy, and she would surely eliminate them swiftly after her coronation. How could she allow the city-guarding Golden Huben Guards to be so lax, letting more than ten carriages leave at will? Even if Father bribed the Golden Huben Guards, there should be patrolling soldiers on the main road.
Thinking of this, Ah Xin’s heart is in a tangled mess like hemp.
We’ve fallen into a trap, Father must have fallen into a trap!
Leaving the city gates undefended, allowing Father to easily bring in troops and break through the gates, must be Li Yanyi and her people’s plan! As soon as Father launches an attack, he’ll fall right into Li Yanyi’s trap. During the chaos, killing Father or beheading him for treason would be effortless!
Ah Xin walked faster and faster, trying to advance quickly with her usual long strides. However, her body, not yet recovered from severe injuries, couldn’t withstand such exertion. Her legs suddenly gave way, and Ah Xin fell forward. Just as she thought she would hit the muddy ground, she unexpectedly fell into someone’s embrace.
“Liβ¦ Li Yanyi.” The person who caught her was none other than Li Yanyi, dressed in night-raid attire.
Li Yanyi wore a gauze hat and a face mask, with six robust guards behind her. If not for the close proximity allowing Ah Xin to see her eyes, even she might not have recognized Li Yanyi at first glance.
“Let’s go.” Li Yanyi’s hand moved swiftly, tying Ah Xin’s hands together with hemp rope. Usually, Ah Xin would have been strong enough to break free and counterattack in an instant before being bound. But now, the slightest exertion sent sharp pain through her waist, like a needle stabbing her, leaving her powerless.
“Let me go!” Ah Xin raised her elbow, ready to strike Li Yanyi’s face. Li Yanyi showed no intention of dodging, and the elbow strike suddenly stopped just an inch from her face.
Rainwater clung to Li Yanyi’s pink lips as they slowly curled into a smile, as if she had known all along that Ah Xin wouldn’t actually hit her. Annoyed, Ah Xin’s elbow grazed Li Yanyi, making her stagger. The guards behind her immediately rushed forward to restrain Ah Xin.
“Don’t be rough with her. Just escort her out of Runing,” Li Yanyi said, covering her reddening cheek.
“I won’t leave! Li Yanyi, our Xie family doesn’t want to owe you any favors! You think letting the gates open wide for the Xie family carriages to leave will make anyone grateful to you? If you’re still an upright person, let me go, and we’ll settle this on the battlefield! If I lose then, I’ll accept whatever punishment you dish out, and I won’t go back on my word!” Ah Xin’s angry shouts sounded weak and pale in the heavy rain. “Do you know what will happen tonight? You think you can lure my father into the city and defeat him with your schemes? You’re so naive! How can a life-and-death battle be won with just a few armchair strategies? How many troops do you have? Five thousand? Ten thousand?! Are you trying to throw your life away? You’re the one who should leave!”
With each word Ah Xin shouted, she was in so much pain that cold sweat poured down her face. Li Yanyi, however, stepped forward and cupped Ah Xin’s face, smiling:
“So you came back to save me.”
Ah Xin pushed her away again.
“Do you realize how many contradictions are in your words? Do you want to help your father kill me or save me? Have you ever asked yourself what you truly want?” Li Yanyi pointed at Ah Xin’s heart. “Ah Xin, one can’t be greedy. You can’t have everything you want in this world; you must make choices. I’ve never forced you, but now that things have come to a head, you must make a choice. Choose me, or your father.”
Ah Xin knew Li Yanyi was right; she had to admit that Li Yanyi understood her so well.
She had always been conflicted. It seemed she had long abandoned her connection with Li Yanyi, becoming a pillar of strength for the Xie family. When she jumped off the carriage and ran back, she kept making excuses, telling herself she was worried about her father falling into a trap. But her innermost thoughts burst out when she encountered Li Yanyi.
She worried about her father, and she worried about Li Yanyi.
She could be Li Yanyi’s enemy, even for a lifetime, as long as Li Yanyi was alive.
As long as this person existed in this world, she could resolutely do anything. She had also seen Li Yanyi’s constant tolerance, allowing her to hit, scold, and make a fuss, never once telling her to “leave the Xie family.” Li Yanyi was the person who understood her best in this world, but why did the person who understood her most, who mattered most to her, have to walk a path opposite to hers?
Seeing Ah Xin gradually lower her head, Li Yanyi saw her tears mixing with the rain, and it nearly broke her heart.
“Ah Xinβ¦ I don’t want to force you, but this is reality. Leave here first, and when everything is settled, I’ll bring you back. With me here, no one can touch a hair on your head. Then, I’ll make you my empress, and we⦔
The four words “make you my empress” froze all of Ah Xin’s expressions. She didn’t speak, and the two stood silently in the rain for the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense (about 15 minutes).
“Li Yanyi,” Ah Xin spoke again, her tone now calm. “I’ve never been able to forget those years when we met among the crabapple blossoms. All this time, I couldn’t face you properly, throwing tantrums and constantly hurting you, but⦔
Ah Xin raised her eyes, gazing at Li Yanyi. Li Yanyi noticed her soft gaze seemed to return to their carefree days ten years ago. Back then, Ah Xin would look at her with admiration and fervor, but now, besides those feelings, there was also an indelible layer of melancholy.
“But, you can’t die. I can’t let you die. I won’t leave. As long as you don’t leave Runing, I won’t leave either.”
Li Yanyi noticed Ah Xin’s downcast face, trying to hide her blushing cheeks, and laughed heartily towards the sky:
“I never thought our years of emotional knots would unravel at this moment! With you by my side and the world in my grasp, heaven has truly blessed me!” Li Yanyi embraced her, pointing in the opposite direction of Runing’s East Gate. On the rain-drenched city wall, a faint light was slowly rising.
The eternal flame (a lamp that burns continuously).
Ah Xin was all too familiar with this eternal flame. No matter how heavy the rain, it couldn’t penetrate the thick oilcloth covering the flame’s core. This type of lamp was the most likely signal for a sneak attack in heavy rain.
“That’s the signal for your father’s attack on Runing,” Li Yanyi said. “His army of 100,000 is secretly stationed around Runing, with the East Gate being the only entry point for the troops. After Xie Fuchen kills the East Gate guards, he’ll open the gates wide to let the army in. My central army indeed has less than 10,000 men. In this battle, Xie Fuchen is as good as victorious.”
A quarter of an hour earlier.
The guards below the East Gate were killed before they could even cry out. The heavy rain muffled the sound of their bodies falling to the ground, while on the city wall, over thirty Golden Huben Guards patrolled leisurely with spears in hand. In the heavy rain, flames were hard to light, and visibility was severely limited. They could only strain their eyes to observe any movement inside and outside the city.
Just as they were about to finish their shift, there seemed to be some activity outside the city wall.
“Hey! Come look!” The young Golden Huben Guard who spotted the movement immediately called everyone around. They all looked down and indeed saw a dark shape moving back and forth below the city wall in the pitter-patter of the rain.
“Enemy activity!” One of the young Golden Huben Guards was about to sound the alarm bell, but was pulled back by an older zhong hou (δΈδΎ― – a military rank).
“Are you crazy? You can’t just ring that alarm bell on a whim! Moreover, the Emperor is set to ascend the throne tomorrow. If you ring the bell without confirming the situation and disturb the central government, even ten heads wouldn’t be enough for you to lose!”
“Butβ¦ what if there really is enemy activity?”
“We’ve received no battle reports from any villages or towns around Runing. How could there suddenly be trouble out of the blue? It’s most likely just some brainless beasts coming to forage again.” The zhong hou found an oilcloth, wrapped it around a piece of wood, lit it, and threw it down. Before the torch extinguished, it illuminated the area below the wall, revealing a group of wild foxes causing a disturbance.
“See? I told you, every summer these beasts try to sneak in during the rain⦔ The zhong hou’s words were abruptly cut off by a sharp blade.
A group of black-clad figures rushed up the East Gate’s wall, engaging in fierce combat with the Golden Huben Guards stationed there. These attackers came silently and were highly skilled in martial arts, quickly gaining the upper hand. They struck first, killing the zhong hou, throwing the other young soldiers into panic. More than half were swiftly cut down.
The young Golden Huben Guard who first spotted the movement below the wall had been slashed twice in the chest. He desperately tried to ring the bell, but each time he fought his way through and was about to reach the bell hammer, he was dragged back.
Countless swords, spears, and axes clashed. Blood mixed with rainwater slowly flowed down the stone steps of the city wall. The sounds of battle were muffled by the heavy rain, making them difficult to distinguish.
Another patrol of 120 Golden Huben Guards passing by the East Gate seemed to hear something. They strained to look and listen up at the city wall. In the pitch-black darkness, they thought they saw and heard something, but it could have been an illusion created by the heavy rain.
“Go check it out,” the patrol leader ordered, and the inspection team was about to head towards the East Gate when suddenly a flame rose from the city wall.
They were all drawn to the flickering light ascending through the heavy rain. Just as the patrol leader shouted “Not good!”, a thunderous sound of horse hooves erupted from the darkness, instantly surging before them. Like tiny fishing boats in a massive wave, they were shattered without even a whimper.
Xie Fuchen stood atop the blood-drenched East Gate wall, watching his army, which had long lain in ambush and galloped through the night, pour into Runing city in one fell swoop. In the blink of an eye, they covered all the streets, like his own hand firmly grasping Runing’s throat – grasping Li Yanyi’s throat.
Xie Fuchen’s army advanced like an unstoppable force (ζ§ζ―ζζ½ – idiom meaning “to topple something as easily as breaking dead wood”), and Runing’s newly established and fragile central army was like a helpless infant before them, retreating step by step.
Runing’s central army soldiers had no idea where this strange army had come from. The troops in black armor were like an army of spirits from the netherworld, suddenly appearing in the pitch-black rainy night and wreaking havoc. This plunged Da Yu’s heart into unprecedented panic.
The central army and troops from neighboring counties quickly rushed towards the East Gate to provide support and close the gap. Just as they arrived at the East Gate, other gates were being harassed.
“It’s those Huangtu rebels!” The Golden Huben Guards at the main gate were exasperated. These locusts (θθ² – metaphor for destructive forces) that couldn’t be dispersed or killed off had come again, taking advantage of the chaos to roam between city gates. Xie Fuchen, standing at a high vantage point, noticed that Runing’s army was running around in confusion, showing no signs of preparedness. He made a bold decision and ordered his troops to charge into the Forbidden Garden!
The army of 100,000 broke through the Forbidden Garden’s gates, their battle cries instantly shattering the century-old tranquility of the garden.
The palace maids and eunuchs were scared out of their wits. The Huben Guard troops defending the Forbidden Garden’s entrance put up a stubborn resistance, but ultimately couldn’t hold out for even the time it takes to burn two incense sticks (about an hour) before being overwhelmed.
Xie Fuchen finally broke into the Forbidden Garden.
The main hall of Taiji Hall was right before his eyes, brightly lit inside. He had long received intelligence that Li Yanyi was constantly preparing for the grand ceremony inside. Now, before even ascending the throne, her head was to fall. Heh heh heh⦠Misfortune is what fortune leans on, fortune is what misfortune lurks beneath. Joy and sorrow gather at the door; fortune and misfortune dwell in the same place. (A classical allusion from the Tao Te Ching by Laozi)
“Old thief Xie, this young master has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Through the pouring rain, a young, vigorous voice pierced through the wind and rain, reaching his ears. The speaker stood at the top of the palace steps, shouting at Xie Fuchen. It was none other than Wei Jing’an, the second young master of the Wei family.
“Old thief, you dare to collude with rebels and raise an army in rebellion. Do you know how grave a crime this is?!” Wei Jing’an pointed his spear at Xie Fuchen, shouting loudly, “Men below, listen well! This Xie Fuchen, who held the position of Sima, once deeply received the Emperor’s favor. He should have assisted the new ruler in supporting the state, but after the Emperor’s passing, he raised an army against us, vainly attempting to usurp the throne! He is truly a wolf-hearted, dog-lunged villain (ηΌεΏηθΊ – idiom meaning “cruel and unscrupulous”), whose crimes are unforgivable! All citizens should kill him! Those who aid this tyrant will be charged with treason! When the time comes, you will also forfeit the lives of your parents, wives, children, and entire clans! This young master advises you all to lay down your weapons and surrender immediately. The court can then forgive your past transgressions! In the future, killing enemies on the battlefield to gain military merit is the right path!”
Xie Fuchen found this amusing: “How many men do you have left to speak such wild words? You know in your hearts who the real rebels are and who’s trying to usurp power!” With a command, Xie Fuchen ordered his army to charge towards Taiji Hall. “Seize the witch and cut her into a thousand pieces!”
The army quickly applied pressure, with the vanguard commander Guo Meng leading a fierce advance. Wei Jing’an’s troops numbered less than 10,000. Xie Fuchen calculated that he could take the Forbidden Garden in less than half a shichen (ζθΎ° – traditional time measurement, about one hour).
At first, events unfolded as expected.
The main hall of Taiji Hall, which usually looked extremely spacious, now seemed cramped and narrow with both armies squeezed together in chaotic battle. The situation was unclear. He only felt that his army was gradually swallowing the enemy.
Soon, Wei Jing’an’s soldiers were no longer visible. They should have already wiped out the enemy, so why was Taiji Hall still standing unscathed in the rainy night, as if mocking Xie Fuchen’s arrogance and overconfidence?
The vanguard commander Guo Meng rode out of the melee on horseback, charging towards Xie Fuchen. Xie Fuchen waited for him to report on the battle situation, but unexpectedly, Guo Meng swung his large blade at Xie Fuchen’s head.
If not for Xie Fuchen’s early years as a light cavalry commander with extensive battle experience, allowing him to instinctively leap back and dodge the fatal slash, his head would have already hit the ground.
With a deep, bloody gash across his chest, Xie Fuchen clutched his wound, struggling to stand. He watched as Guo Meng’s horse suddenly halted mid-air, and the rider tore off his human skin mask, laughing wildly at him.
This wasn’t Guo Meng at all, but clearly Zhen Wenjun, it was Alai!
“Old thief Xie!” Zhen Wenjun pointed at Xie Fuchen, “Today, I’ll take your dog head to console my mother’s spirit in heaven!”
The battle behind Xie Fuchen also took a strange turn.
The 100,000-strong army he led began to slaughter each other.
The enemy had infiltrated the army!
In an instant, friend and foe became indistinguishable, and the tide of battle turned with a shocking reversal.
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