Fish Meat – Chapter 97

The Ninth Year of Shenchu

Conspiring for Power (7)

In Zhen Wenjun’s life, there were two years that were scars etched into her bones, impossible to forget throughout her entire life. The ninth year of Shenchu was one of them.

The brief golden autumn season had not yet reached its end, and the beacon fires on the northern frontier, which had not been peaceful for long, rose again.

After half a year of recuperation and preparation, the Chongjin began to unite with the other three major Hu tribes to launch powerful attacks on the border.

The war situation in the north was urgent. The consecutive three days of battle reports not only made Li Ju, who had not yet eliminated internal troubles, frown with worry, but also made the entire Da Yu court deeply anxious.

This time, the four major Hu tribes that launched a large-scale invasion came with overwhelming force. The commanding governor Guo Ru could not hold on for ten days, and the three commanderies that had just been recaptured were taken back by the Chongjin. Guo Ru’s army collapsed without a fight in the face of the fierce Hu tribes. The city gates were thrown open, Guo Ru was captured, and his head was cruelly cut off to be used as a chamber pot for the Chongjin leader. The three commanderies suffered brutal massacres, with women forced to become military prostitutes and young children having their noses cut off to be raised as slaves.

Zhangsun Yao snorted lightly, brushing his sleeves, and bowed slightly towards the emperor, saying, “Your Majesty, this war can only be fought hard and absolutely cannot be negotiated. The Hu tribes have always been greedy and cunning. Even if we sign a peace treaty with them, how can we guarantee that the Chongjin people won’t break their word? Has Your Majesty forgotten the humiliation of Princess Demu, whom you personally bestowed, being killed? Even with sincere negotiations with Chongjin back then, this was the result. If we negotiate again today, how do we know we won’t repeat the same mistake?” After speaking, Zhangsun Yao turned slightly towards Yan Zhen, his face showing mockery, “If we truly negotiate with Chongjin as Lord Yan suggests, I’m afraid in the end, it will all be for naught! Moreover, how can Da Yu have no troops to use? Are the 100,000 elite soldiers under Sima Xie mere decorations?! And what about the other Hu tribes after negotiating with Chongjin? Will they continue to invade our Da Yu borders? By then, Da Yu will be devoured piece by piece by these insatiable barbarians! And you!” Zhangsun Yao pointed his finger at Yan Zhen’s nose, his eyes sharp, “You will be the eternal sinner who caused Da Yu’s downfall!”

“Zhangsun Yao, you!” Yan Zhen’s face changed, anger suddenly surging as he gritted his teeth, “The 100,000 elite soldiers under the Sima are Da Yu’s last hope! Zhangsun Yao, surely you don’t intend to stake all this hope on the front lines? If we lose, Da Yu falls! If we win, it will be a pyrrhic victory. As you just said, it’s not just the Chongjin tribe eyeing our Da Yu. By then, what strength will we have left to counterattack?! This concerns Da Yu’s safety and is not just about your personal success or failure, honor or disgrace. You’re gambling with Da Yu’s future!”

“My Lord, please don’t be angry. I, Xie, also have something to ask the young lord,” Xie Fuchen, who had been watching the commotion for a while, stepped forward. “In the young lord’s eyes, who else among the court officials can lead troops to fight against Da Yu’s cavalry? In recent years, the only one who could match the Chongjin cavalry led by Tuda was the Northern Guardian General, who has now died on the northern frontier. Not to mention Meng Huo who died in Hengcheng and Guo Ru who died in Mingsha. They all bravely resisted the enemy, and even my son died wrapped in horsehide on the battlefield. Without capable generals, how much chance of victory do we have in a hard fight against Chongjin? Does the young lord think not enough people have died for Da Yu? Do you want these 100,000 young men to die under the Chongjin cavalry before you’re satisfied?”

“Sima Xie, these words are condemning the young lord’s intentions!” Li Yanyi had already barged into the court for the second time, standing directly in front of Li Ju. After respectfully bowing to Li Ju, she said, “Your Majesty, I have come specifically to request a mission.”

Li Ju’s face was unsightly, and he didn’t want to deal with her at all. But considering that Empress Dowager Geng was still sitting steadily behind the curtain, and might burst out if something wasn’t said to her liking, making the situation even harder to handle, Li Ju couldn’t directly rebuke Li Yanyi. He only spoke with some impatience:

“You, a princess, show your face in public daily without regard for womanly virtues, and now you barge into the court so casually. Do you think this is your boudoir?!”

Li Yanyi raised her delicate eyebrows slightly: “Your Majesty, the Chongjin are about to attack Runing. When the capital falls, what use will womanly virtues be? If Da Yu falls, even you, the Son of Heaven, will become a prisoner, let alone me, a princess. I fear we’ll suffer such humiliation that death would be preferable. I’ve heard those barbarians are accustomed to torturing people for fun. By then, what fate will befall the princesses and concubines in the imperial garden, and the wives and daughters in the lords’ households? Can’t you guess from the tragic state of the three northern commanderies today?”

Li Yanyi swept her long sleeve, pointing at the ministers hanging their heads and shrugging below the throne, and raised her voice: “Or do the lords think that one or two women are not worth mentioning? That only their own lives are of utmost importance? This princess advises you all, when the nest is overturned, these one or two women still have value for pleasure. But you? I’m afraid your fate will be the same as Guo Ru’s, becoming chamber pots for the barbarians!”

Li Ju couldn’t bear to listen anymore and stood up to interrupt her: “Silence! What nonsense are you spouting? Speaking such shocking rumors in court, where is the propriety?”

Li Yanyi, contrary to her usual contemptuous attitude towards Li Ju, honestly admitted her mistake: “Your Majesty is right, my words indeed lack propriety, but every sentence is the truth. Now Da Yu is in imminent danger. Once the Chongjin attack Runing City, even dignity will be hard to preserve, let alone the propriety Your Majesty speaks of. What the lords fear is just another defeat, but they shouldn’t forget that the Chongjin always kill those who surrender. Even if Your Majesty sends mountains of gold and silver, the Chongjin won’t stop their iron hooves from trampling Da Yu’s land! Lord Xie says our Da Yu has no generals left to use, so I have come today to request a mission from Your Majesty. I, Li Yanyi, am willing to lead our Da Yu soldiers to battle, to kill the enemy, and drive the Chongjin barbarians back to the north!”

“What did you say?!” Li Ju stood up abruptly, exclaiming in shock, “You want to go to the battlefield?” His flickering gaze quickly fell on Xie Fuchen.

Xie Fuchen didn’t raise his head to meet the emperor’s gaze, but he knew what Li Ju was thinking and worried about at this moment: “Your Highness, warfare is not child’s play, it’s not as simple as you women imagine. Firstly, Your Highness has never had experience in leading troops, how can you command 100,000 elite soldiers to contend with Chongjin? This is no different from throwing eggs at stones, sending troops to die in vain. Secondly, on the battlefield, swords and spears are blind. How can Your Highness, as precious as gold, personally go to the war zone? Both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager wouldn’t want anything to happen to Your Highness. This old minister advises Your Highness to abandon this notion.”

Li Ju agreed: “Sima Xie is right. How can the battlefield be a place for a princess? How can you, a woman, fight on the front lines? This is absurd!”

Li Yanyi replied: “Your Majesty, this concerns the safety of our nation. Not just me, a woman, but even our Da Yu citizens are unwilling to become slaves of a fallen country. Your Majesty hasn’t seen those places ravaged by war; even the elderly, weak, women, and children are determined to fight to the death against the barbarians! Moreover, I am the princess of Da Yu, the eldest daughter of the late emperor. Should I hide in this Forbidden Garden like a coward fearing death? How could I face my father in the underworld? Sima Xie says I have no experience in leading troops, fearing I might hand over these 100,000 lives to Chongjin like vegetables to be chopped. This is correct and reasonable, but Your Majesty, my lords, how can it be that Da Yu cannot find even one capable military talent? To speak of a close example, General Xie’s daughter, Xie Ah Xin, is a rare military talent in this world. In the previous battle of Changshui, she achieved great merit, but unfortunately, being a woman, she didn’t receive due recognition, and instead, useless individuals took the credit. If we had promoted Ah Xin to female general earlier, breaking conventions, Chongjin wouldn’t have been able to step even half a step into our Da Yu!”

“Your Highness!” When he heard Ah Xin’s name, Xie Fuchen’s eyes narrowed slightly. When Li Yanyi spoke of appointing Ah Xin as a general, Xie Fuchen finally couldn’t help but interrupt Li Yanyi’s impassioned speech loudly: “Your Highness, don’t forget, the late emperor once said that our dynasty would not and could not appoint female generals!”

Li Yanyi’s face darkened, then a cold smile appeared: “This princess indeed forgot, truly thanks to Sima Xie for the reminder. But that was many years ago, and as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures. If father were here today, he would surely appoint your daughter, Xie Ah Xin, as Grand General!” She turned to face Li Ju, stepping closer, “Your Majesty, surrender means certain doom, but fighting still gives us a glimmer of hope! Although I have never led troops, as the princess of Da Yu, my presence on the front lines would greatly boost our troops’ morale. It would let Da Yu’s soldiers and people know that we, the Li family, are willing to share their fate, to live or die together! Therefore, I implore Your Majesty, appoint Xie Ah Xin as general, and allow her to go north with me to fight for Da Yu!”

Li Ju heard a light rustling of the pearl curtain behind him; it was Empress Dowager Geng moving.

Empress Dowager Geng was probably somewhat hesitant, just like Li Ju at this moment.

The Chongjin and the four major Hu tribes had been at war with Da Yu for many years, constantly in conflict, but never with such fierce momentum. The recent internal strife in the court had already made this dynasty as unstable as a dangerous building in wind and rain. What Xie Fuchen said today was correct; Da Yu had lost its brave generals skilled in using extraordinary tactics since the late emperor’s time. By his reign, the men within the country had become effeminate one after another, the sons of noble families indulged in pleasure, and the use of Furong Powder was rampant, finally reaching the point where not a single capable general could be found. Li Ju also knew about Xie Fuchen’s daughter, Xie Ah Xin, a woman of both talent and virtue, highly skilled in martial arts and exceptionally adept in military affairs.

But alas, alas, she was a woman!

Li Ju certainly couldn’t agree. If they truly appointed a female general to fight in the war, setting a precedent for women to become officials and generals, wouldn’t it further increase Li Yanyi’s arrogance? And he would become a disloyal and unfilial son who violated the late emperor’s last wishes. How would future history books criticize him? Moreover, once Li Yanyi went to the battlefield, if she repeatedly achieved military merits, by then the hearts of the people and the army would all belong to her. He feared he would have to hand over his position as emperor, which was the situation he least wanted to see.

No, Li Yanyi cannot be allowed to go to the front lines.

Li Ju raised his head, looking at Li Yanyi with determination in his eyes: “I cannot appoint Xie Ah Xin as a general, otherwise it would be defying the late emperor’s dying wish. If we want to boost the morale of our soldiers, there is no one more suitable than myself. I am the Son of Heaven, and at this critical moment of Da Yu’s survival, I should naturally lead by example. You are my imperial elder sister; you shall remain in the Forbidden Garden while I go to the northern frontier!”

“Your Majesty!” Xie Fuchen and other upright ministers hurriedly knelt down and cried out, “Your Majesty must not do this!”

Li Yanyi and Zhangsun Yao exchanged a glance, then immediately led the ministers behind them to kneel down as well.

Li Ju looked at the ministers kneeling all around him and smiled bitterly: “What is there to object to? Even if I die on the battlefield, it will be for the sake of our Yu Dynasty’s realm! You say Da Yu no longer has any generals who can repel the enemy, so I will repel them!”

“Your Majesty,” Xie Fuchen said earnestly, “Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation. If anything were to happen to Your Majesty, what would become of Da Yu? I hope Your Majesty…”

Zhangsun Yao, receiving a look from Li Yanyi, immediately interrupted Xie Fuchen: “If Your Majesty were to don armor and take to the battlefield, it would surely greatly boost our troops’ morale! Consider how Emperor Wu personally led campaigns against the Huanjia, and Emperor Jing greatly defeated the Shixiu. Da Yu’s wise rulers governed with virtue and eliminated troubles, earning the people’s reverence. Now that the Son of Heaven also has the idea of personally leading the campaign, it is truly a blessing for the common people!” Zhangsun Yao knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground, “The Son of Heaven is wise and fearless. This old minister is moved to tears with gratitude. On behalf of Da Yu’s people, I thank Your Majesty for this sacred grace!”

Xie Fuchen tried several times to speak up again, but was repeatedly interrupted by Li Yanyi’s faction of ministers. Seeing Li Ju’s face turning red and his chest heaving unevenly, it was clear he had been carried away by the group’s praises and was now in a difficult position to back down.

“Actually, I understand very clearly,” Li Ju explained about the earlier matter to Xie Fuchen in the imperial study after the morning court session. “This time, my personal campaign to the northern frontier will certainly involve many dangers, but if I don’t go, should I just watch Li Yanyi gain control over the people’s hearts? Moreover, how do you know I can’t repel the Chongjin once I reach the front lines? Although I haven’t received the education of an heir apparent since childhood, I have thoroughly studied military strategies. Countless classic battles from ancient times to the present are in my mind. If Li Yanyi, a mere woman, is eager to take the field and repel the enemy, how can I fall behind her? This time, I will definitely thoroughly annihilate the Chongjin, leaving not even a piece of armor, and completely drive them out of Da Yu’s borders! What Emperor Wu and Emperor Jing could achieve, how can I not?”

Li Ju spoke each word with force and conviction. Xie Fuchen understood that he had fallen for the scheme of Zhangsun Yao and others. Although Li Ju now held the esteemed position of emperor, since ascending to the throne, he had always been a puppet of Empress Dowager Geng, enduring the mockery of both the Empress Dowager and Li Yanyi. In recent years, after falling out with Empress Dowager Geng, he had gained some power, but was still overshadowed by Li Yanyi. He was the emperor, yet had been suppressed by two women for years; inferiority was ingrained in his bones. He was eager to prove his ability, and after being praised indiscriminately by his political enemies, he became even more disoriented, overestimating himself.

“Has Your Majesty considered that the northern frontier is unlike Runing, let alone the Forbidden Garden guarded by the Jinwu Guards and Huben Army? On the battlefield, swords and spears are blind. Even with guards protecting you, once the military situation becomes urgent and chaotic, no amount of protection can prevent a hidden hand. Li Yanyi thinks the same as Your Majesty and will certainly not allow Your Majesty to achieve great military merits. She will surely have someone hidden in the army to attempt an assassination at an opportune moment. Even if Li Yanyi fails to find a chance to assassinate you, the Chongjin army is determined to strike directly at Runing this time. If Your Majesty is defeated, in whose hands will the power fall? Don’t you understand this, Your Majesty?” Xie Fuchen spoke as plainly as possible, “Li Yanyi and others don’t truly want to fight the Chongjin; this is a ploy to provoke you! Your Majesty, please don’t fall for it!”

“Sima Xie…” Li Ju leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, and spoke earnestly, “How could I not have thought of what you’ve said? But have you considered that with the nation in peril, if I remain cowering in the Forbidden Garden while those barbarians slaughter our Da Yu people and trample our Da Yu territory, what kind of emperor am I? If one day the gates of Runing fall and the country is lost, with Da Yu’s two hundred years of dynastic rule destroyed in my hands, how could I face our ancestors in the underworld? Fine, if I let Li Yanyi go to the northern frontier, what military achievements could she make? Isn’t she only alive now because the Empress Dowager is protecting her? If she goes, there’s no chance of victory. If I personally lead the campaign, there might still be a glimmer of hope. In this time of national crisis, I should prioritize the people… Sima Xie, during the days I’m away from Runing, I entrust you with the heavy responsibility of governing. If I don’t return… you should nominate King Kang Song of Huai’an as emperor. Kang Song is capable of governing the country. If he succeeds to the throne, he will surely be able to eliminate corruption and govern the country effectively.”

Li Ju’s words had some reason to them. Xie Fuchen knew his mind was made up, and nothing more could be said to dissuade him, so he remained silent.

It was a well-known fact that Da Yu had no capable military generals to use. Xie Fuchen suddenly thought of Wei Zixiu, the eldest son of the Wei family, who had died by his hand.

Wei Zixiu’s unparalleled bravery remains unmatched to this day. His extraordinary valor seemed to embody all the essence of Da Yu’s hundred years. Since his death, Da Yu has never again produced a general who could serve the country with such dedication and be unrivaled under heaven.

Could this be the will of heaven?

“Li Ju actually volunteered to go to the northern frontier to fight. We had planned for this, but at the time, we thought he wouldn’t have the courage to go to his death.”

Wei Tingxu, Zhen Wenjun, and others were waiting for Li Yanyi in a small alley outside the Forbidden Garden.

Wei Tingxu sat in the carriage, and Li Yanyi climbed in. The two had a private conversation inside. Zhen Wenjun, Lingbi, Xiaohua, and others stood around the carriage.

Li Yanyi chuckled, her voice as low as possible: “If he wants to die, let’s grant his wish. Whether he goes to the northern frontier or stays in Runing, we have plans to deal with it. However, there’s one troublesome matter now. Originally, we planned that if Li Ju wanted to personally lead the campaign to the northern frontier, we would send someone to secretly accompany him and find an opportunity to…” Li Yanyi made a slicing motion across her neck, mimicking the action of beheading. “But the person we had chosen has been poisoned to death. We must find another quick-witted and reliable person.”

Zhen Wenjun understood the meaning behind Li Yanyi’s words. Her heart raced as she bowed to Wei Tingxu and Li Yanyi, saying, “May Wenjun speak?”

Li Yanyi let her in and lowered the curtain.

As soon as Zhen Wenjun entered the carriage, she directly requested to go to the northern frontier, assuring that she could certainly accomplish the task of assassinating Li Ju.

Her mother had been cruelly killed by Xie Fuchen, and she could not live under the same sky as him. But given the current court structure and the forces surrounding Xie Fuchen, it would be extremely difficult to completely eradicate the Xie family. However, there was one way to uproot the Xie family entirely, and that was to eliminate Li Ju. Once Li Ju was dead, taking the heads of Xie Fuchen’s entire clan would be as easy as reaching into a pocket.

Li Yanyi was certainly pleased with Zhen Wenjun volunteering for this task. In fact, from the moment she began seeking the next assassin, she had considered Zhen Wenjun the best candidate. However, it was too dangerous, and she feared Wei Tingxu might have reservations. Now that Zhen Wenjun had volunteered on her own, it was exactly the outcome Li Yanyi had hoped for, but she couldn’t agree immediately.

Li Yanyi said with concern: “Sister Wenjun, I understand your thoughts, and you are indeed the most suitable candidate, but I don’t want you to go. Assassinating Li Ju is no small matter. Regardless of his current power in the court, he is still the emperor of Da Yu. Do you know the punishment for assassinating an emperor? It’s the execution of nine clans…”

“Your Highness, Wenjun’s entire family is left with only me. Wenjun has made up her mind, please grant my request!” Not mentioning “nine clans” would have been better; once family was mentioned, Zhen Wenjun’s anger rose from her heart. Her mother was already dead, and emotionally, she had no other family. In fact, her true identity was that of Xie Taihang’s daughter. If the assassination attempt were exposed, the truth about her being Suichuan Alai would also be revealed, and her nine clans would naturally include Xie Fuchen.

She hated Xie Fuchen and the Xie family. Whether or not this assassination attempt on Li Ju while accompanying the army succeeded, it would certainly result in taking Xie Fuchen’s life. She vowed to avenge her mother, and if her death could shatter the entire Xie clan, why not do it?

Seeing Zhen Wenjun so determined, Li Yanyi felt reassured. She turned to look at Wei Tingxu; as long as she agreed, everything would be fine.

Zhen Wenjun also looked towards Wei Tingxu, waiting for her to speak in agreement.

“Sister,” Wei Tingxu said, “Why are you so insistent on taking this risk? Do you have any reason why you must go?”

“Yes,” Zhen Wenjun stared into Wei Tingxu’s eyes, making Wei Tingxu feel as if she would reveal some shocking secret in the next moment.

Zhen Wenjun said: “For the sake of sister, for Lingbi, for the safety of all who are important to me, I must go.”

Li Yanyi laughed and said: “Sister Wenjun truly has deep feelings and a strong sense of duty towards Zizhuo. Wenjun, I know you are exceptionally intelligent, but this mission is no small matter, and the hardships of military life may exceed your imagination. You must be mentally prepared.”

Wei Tingxu secretly glanced at the delighted Li Yanyi.

“Thank you, Your Highness, for granting my request and for your concern! Wenjun will certainly not fail this mission!”

Zhen Wenjun came out of the carriage. Li Yanyi left, and she rode a white horse to escort Wei Tingxu’s carriage back to the residence.

As the carriage exited the alley, unexpectedly, they came face to face with Xie Fuchen’s carriage and horses.

This was the first time Zhen Wenjun had seen the legendary Xie Fuchen in person.

If not for Lingbi quietly saying something beside her, she truly would not have believed that the handsome man about to step into the carriage was her enemy with the heart of a beast beneath a human face.

Zhen Wenjun coldly observed him—indeed, he bore some resemblance to Xie Taihang, though Xie Fuchen appeared more refined than Xie Taihang. If she didn’t know how he had secretly harmed her mother and how he had brutally attacked the young, defenseless Wei Tingxu, she might have truly believed him to be an elegant scholar.

One day, I will take your dog head!

Zhen Wenjun vowed in her heart.

As the carriage passed by Xie Fuchen, Zhen Wenjun withdrew her gaze, but Xie Fuchen, contrary to his usual behavior, had a very strange expression and found it difficult to shift his attention from the person on horseback.

“Who is… she?” Xie Fuchen asked his attendant.

The attendant replied: “She is Wei Zizhuo’s person, from the Zhen family.”

“Zhen family? Zhen Wenjun?” Xie Fuchen seemed as if struck by lightning, his features frozen. After a long moment, he muttered as if in a dream, “It’s her… could it really be her?”

---

---