Fish Meat – Chapter 202

The Fourth Year of Zhao Wu

Secrets in the Sleeve (22)

The bitter north wind cuts sharp and cold, as the year draws to a harsh and cruel end.

            

Pingcang, located on the northwestern border of Runing, was colder than the imperial capital.

Having arrived in Pingcang, Wei Tingxu, who had just buried her Ah Fu, received news of Eunuch You’s death.

A narrow strip of bamboo recorded the end of a life. Wei Tingxu bowed several times toward Runing City, pouring out a cup of cloudy wine.

            

Zhen Wenjun never imagined that Eunuch You was actually connected to the Wei family.

Word had spread beyond the Forbidden Garden that Li Yanyi had been poisoned and her temperament was becoming increasingly strange. Though Zhen Wenjun’s network of informants wasn’t extensive, she could piece together important information from fragmentary news without Wei Tingxu’s help.

Runing was in chaos due to the emperor’s poisoning case, with everyone speculating who could possess such supernatural abilities to harm the emperor, and Zhen Wenjun was no exception. While she was secretly discussing this matter with Bu Jie and others, Wei Tingxu caught them in the act.

            

Wei Tingxu’s legs hadn’t healed yet. Sitting in her wheeled chair, she remained silent, just listening, her composed demeanor clearly indicating she knew something.

Zhen Wenjun sent Bu Jie and the others to eat first, while she pushed Wei Tingxu around in the enclosed garden.

The poisoning of Li Yanyi was naturally the Wei family’s doing, but how did Wei Tingxu possess such extraordinary means to administer poison in the emperor’s food over such a long period?

            

Zhen Wenjun was curious, and Wei Tingxu didn’t hide anything from her, revealing the truth.

“Eunuch You…”

The moment she got the answer, Zhen Wenjun’s steps faltered, “I always thought he was the Empress Dowager’s man. During Geng Bei’s rebellion, he played no small part in fanning the flames. Does this mean the Geng family’s troubles were also part of your plan?”

            

“I originally planned to use Li Yanyi to destroy the Geng family and split the two houses. In my initial plan, I wanted to drive a wedge between Li Yanyi and Empress Dowager Geng. However, at that time, Li Yanyi’s poisoning was still mild and her mind was clear, so she didn’t fall for it. I continued to wait and approached from another angle. As for Eunuch You, when he was first castrated and entered the palace, he often suffered bullying but received much care from my Ah Fu. Though their relationship appeared non-existent due to the complex palace politics, Eunuch You always remembered my father’s kindness. After my elder brother was killed, Eunuch You actively sought out my father. Back then, my father’s strategy of keeping a low profile succeeded in lowering Emperor Ming’s guard, helping the Wei family escape disaster, and Eunuch You contributed to this. He was always the most crucial part of the plan. Poisoning Li Yanyi in Guang’an Palace was extremely risky, but he managed it. However, Li Yanyi’s visits to Guang’an Palace were irregular, and controlling the amount of poison she consumed was difficult. My father predicted that once the poison took effect, Li Yanyi would kill indiscriminately without regard for consequences, plunging Runing into bloody chaos, so he took his own life to protect the Wei family. Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I’m vicious again?”

Zhen Wenjun shook her head slightly in denial: “I’ve long known what kind of person you are. However, why reveal such important matters to me now? Aren’t you afraid I’ll disrupt your plans?”

Wei Tingxu laughed: “Do you think you wouldn’t have discovered it if I hadn’t told you? The world is about to descend into chaos, and the veil between friend and foe hasn’t been lifted yet. Everyone seeks strong backing and allies, and we’re no exception. With you and Ah Liao, why worry about not controlling the realm? However…”

            

“However what?”

“However, when many heroes pursuing the deer [群雄逐鹿 | qún xióng zhú lù | meaning: competing for supremacy], whether you’ll still stand with me remains uncertain. Perhaps you’ve already made your move before me.”

“Oh?”

            

“Haven’t you already sent Zhu Maosan to assist the exiled Lin family? You saved over five hundred members of their clan, and now the Lin family considers you their savior, swearing loyalty to you.”

“You not only follow me but Zhu Maosan as well.”

“I’m not specifically tracking you all, but I need to be aware of the movements of all forces within the empire. Your choice of the Lin family, could it be because of your past romance with Lin Yue?”

            

Zhen Wenjun’s face reddened: “You’re enjoying bringing up these old matters to embarrass me, aren’t you? I chose the Lin family because they’re a powerful clan of this era. If I want to establish a firm position in the coming age of great conflict, relying solely on my current few soldiers and strategists isn’t enough. I need support from more noble families. The Lin family is the best option.”

“So, once Li Yanyi dies, you’ll no longer ally with me.”

“One learns wisdom from past mistakes.”

            

Wei Tingxu smiled.

The entire Wei clan was vast – in Pingcang alone, the main branch had fifteen mansions. Their territory stretched for hundreds of li [50 km or 31 miles], with just their hunting grounds spanning two mountains. Regardless of thunder and rain outside, within the Wei residence, it remained as pleasant as spring all four seasons.

Zhen Wenjun originally didn’t want to come to Pingcang, but her wounds hadn’t been treated in time. In Zhao County, she had been tense for days due to pursuit by the Imperial Guards, and with her exhausted body, her wounds hadn’t properly healed. After developing a fever, she remained unconscious for several days, which truly frightened Wei Tingxu. When she regained consciousness, they had already arrived in Pingcang. Zhen Wenjun, worried about her Ah Mu’s safety, wanted to return to Runing quickly, but Wei Tingxu stopped her.

            

“Runing is extremely dangerous now. Forget about whether you can find your Ah Mu – it’s uncertain if you’d even survive the journey back,” Wei Tingxu advised. “I’ve already sent people to Runing to search for your Ah Mu. Once found, we’ll help rescue her immediately.”

Zhen Wenjun insisted on going: “My Ah Mu is no longer the formidable female general she once was; she can’t even hold a bowl of rice steady. When I was young, she gave everything to protect me. Now that she’s old, it’s my turn to protect her. How can I let her face danger alone while others search for her?”

Wei Tingxu said: “If Li Yanyi wanted to kill your Ah Mu, she would have done so already. Your Ah Mu is merely bait – we both know this well. You’re just seeking peace of mind.”

            

Zhen Wenjun laughed from anger.

“How about this: at least wait until your wounds have healed before leaving? Look at all your injuries – if you die on the rough journey, wouldn’t all our efforts be wasted?” Wei Tingxu looked at her own legs, gently pinching them, and let out a soft sigh.

“Still unable to stand?” Zhen Wenjun asked.

            

Wei Tingxu nodded: “But it doesn’t matter.”

Thinking the doctor had treated her and the leg injury would naturally heal with time, who knew she would continue: “I’ve been sitting in this wheeled chair for so many years anyway, I’m quite used to it even if I have to keep using it.”

Zhen Wenjun: “…”

            

After staying in Pingcang for two more days, besides helping Wei Tingxu recover from her leg injury, Zhen Wenjun heard that the Chongjin army had reached Runing’s walls, and noble families from various regions were rushing to support the emperor.

While Zhen Wenjun was worrying about how to establish her own power base, she didn’t know that a great gift was about to fall from heaven.

Early that day, someone arrived at the Wei residence gates, asking to see Zhen Wenjun. This woman, wearing official robes and covered in snow, had clearly traveled a long distance. With a passage token hanging from her horse’s head, it seemed she had urgent military intelligence to report, yet she was looking for Zhen Wenjun.

            

At this time, Zhen Wenjun had already prepared swift horses, planning to return to the central government. Her Ah Mu must still be in Runing city, and once the Chongjin army breached the city, she could take advantage of the chaos to rescue her.

Ah Zhu came to the courtyard saying an official from Runing was looking for her. Zhen Wenjun couldn’t think who it might be, but upon meeting, she discovered it was Ah Yin.

“The Son of Heaven commands the General to enter the capital immediately for an imperial audience, to discuss urgent matters.”

            

Sure enough, another threat. But with the nation on the brink of collapse, how could the emperor still have such leisure?

Seeing her displeased expression and slight anger, Ah Yin knew she harbored resentment toward the emperor. Looking around to ensure no eavesdroppers, she spoke in a low voice: “The General must have heard about the emperor’s poisoning. Indeed, Her Majesty is poisoned and mentally confused. Now, with national crisis at hand, defeated troops have scattered everywhere. The General surely understands better than this humble official what those rushing to Runing to ‘serve the emperor are really planning. When this humble official risked death to break out of Runing, the Chongjin army was already approaching the capital, and surrounding counties were completely destroyed. These hu bandits are all uncivilized savages. If Runing falls and Da Yu collapses, it’s the common people who will suffer most.”

“Get to the point.”

            

Ah Yin’s face, weathered by years of travel, wind, and frost, looked ten years older than her actual age. Her brows furrowed, showing even more distress: “Her Majesty commands this official to summon the General back to the capital, bestow the tiger tally, and take command of all armies under heaven!”

Zhen Wenjun laughed: “What scheme is this? Runing is as precarious as eggs stacked up – anyone who returns is courting death. The emperor has always been suspicious of me, how would she hand over the tiger tally to me? You speak without proof – do you have any evidence?”

Ah Yin produced the tiger tally and unrolled a delicate piece of sheepskin, asking her to receive the imperial edict.

            

Zhen Wenjun knelt with mixed feelings. After Ah Yin finished reading the proclamation, she presented her with the tiger tally and the imperial edict ordering her return to Runing.

The tiger tally was genuine, and the sheepskin was indeed the type exclusively used for imperial edicts, but when unfolded, the handwriting inside wasn’t Li Yanyi’s.

“You dare bring a forged edict?”

            

“Her Majesty has lost her sight. This edict was written by this humble official at Her Majesty’s verbal command.”

“What? You say Li… you say the Son of Heaven has gone blind?”

Ah Yin prostrated herself in grief and pleaded: “What benefit is there for the General if the central government falls and warlords fight among themselves? Now only the General can mend heaven and earth! General! Even if not for the emperor’s sake, please consider the fate of all people under heaven!”

            

Zhen Wenjun held the imperial edict, hesitating.

When Ah Yin received no response from Zhen Wenjun, she raised her head, a tear track marking her face, but her expression had turned fierce.

“Though the General may not care about the lives of all under heaven, surely you cannot disregard your Ah Mu’s life.”

            

Zhen Wenjun gave a cold laugh: “Even now you resort to threats. Everyone knows how few troops remain at our disposal. How can we repel the Chongjin? How can we protect the people? You’re merely sending me to my death.”

Ah Yin said: “Whether this is a threat, the General surely understands. Though it seems few troops remain, the main force that went north last time wasn’t the entirety – Her Majesty still has hidden forces.”

Zhen Wenjun’s brows twitched slightly: “How many hidden forces remain?”

            

“The General can discuss this matter with Her Majesty personally in Runing. Besides the hidden forces, the tiger tally can also command the noble families’ private armies of Da Yu! Possessing the tiger tally means commanding all armies under heaven – this is no exaggeration.”

“Indeed, the tiger tally can command private armies, but silver is also essential. After this war, the national treasury is empty, let alone for a mere irregular general like myself.”

“No, you are no longer an irregular general.”

            

Zhen Wenjun’s heart stirred as Ah Yin produced another imperial edict. Li Yanyi was appointing her as Third-Rank Loyal General, Marquis of Zhongshan, Military Commissioner of the Northern Ning Region, commanding the tiger tally to eliminate the bandits!

“Even for your own sake, this is an excellent opportunity to establish merit and achievements.” After Ah Yin finished proclaiming both edicts and Zhen Wenjun received them and stood up, Ah Yin said, “This humble official has said all there is to say. The General must consider the advantages and disadvantages yourself.”

With that, Ah Yin mounted her horse without even taking a drink of water.

            

Zhen Wenjun asked her: “Where are you going?”

“Naturally, back to Runing.”

“That’s a road to certain death.”

            

Ah Yin smiled faintly against the setting sun: “When this humble official was young, I had one wish – to serve the emperor like a man, willing to die wrapped in horse hide. General, do you remember your childhood ideals?”

Ah Yin’s words struck deep in Zhen Wenjun’s heart. She said no more as Ah Yin raised her whip and galloped away, merging into the twilight landscape.

In Yanxing County near Runing, two armies faced each other, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

            

The closer to Runing, the more fierce the Chongjin army became. Before battle, each soldier drank a large flask of strong wine, fighting to the death for their warm new homeland, for women, for wealth and treasures!

The private armies from several great noble families were quickly defeated, collapsing like water.

The decisive battle at Yanxing carried the central government’s last hope. They had hoped to hold out for ten days, but who knew it would fall in less than half a day.

            

When news of Yanxing’s defeat reached the central government, Li Yanyi, who had remained in the imperial study, removed the ice pack from her eyes and opened them, barely making out blurry shadows through a slight gap.

“It came so quickly… How many Zhuiyue soldiers remain?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, four hundred in total remain.”

            

“Send three hundred to escort the Empress Dowager and the two princes south from Runing. Ensure their absolute safety – they are Da Yu’s only hope now. There is also one important prisoner who needs to be exiled to the frontier. The remaining hundred will be responsible for escorting this prisoner.”

The soldiers looked at each other in confusion: “Then what about Your Majesty?”

Li Yanyi took down the long sword hanging on the wall, which she hadn’t used since ascending to the throne.

            

“We shall naturally remain with the Forbidden Garden, living and dying alongside Runing’s people and soldiers.”

“Your Majesty…”

“We won’t repeat ourselves,” Li Yanyi said calmly.

            

Everyone was deeply saddened. Wiping away tears, they asked: “Who is this important prisoner Your Majesty speaks of? Who requires a hundred-man escort?”

“Ah yes, this person is still being intercepted outside. It’s time to let her in.”

Li Yanyi cut off the begonia pouch at her waist, crushed it forcefully and placed it on the ground. After taking a deep look, she knelt down and slowly closed her eyes.

            

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