The Sovereign – Chapter 131

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Dancing Fire in Wild Sands

Sworn to follow the Master unto death, even into traps we shall charge

The next day, the Red Armor Army that protected Qin Junlan returned victorious. The military deployments and occupation of Liu City and other areas quickly entered the phase of management and reorganization. After Qin Junlan assigned all personnel to their positions, she returned to Yuzhou.

Jiang Wei had been waiting and reported all recent events to her in detail.

“You say you saw Lady Liu?” Qin Junlan couldn’t contain her joy as she asked excitedly, “Where is she now?”

“She escaped, Your Majesty… We searched the entire city but couldn’t find her.”

“Gone…” Qin Junlan collapsed into her chair with dejection, her face showing worry as her hands gripped the chair’s corners tightly, suddenly breaking into violent coughs.

Jiang Wei, thinking he had handled the situation poorly, quickly knelt to accept punishment, “This humble servant is guilty of failing to deal with the Yu Kingdom spy and instead letting Lady Liu rescue them. I request Your Majesty’s punishment!”

Qin Junlan merely waved her hand weakly. The victory and joy of their triumphant return meant less to her than news of Liu Qianxun. Now, even if she achieved her dream of unification, she had no one to share it with.

Jiang Wei worriedly glanced at Li Yue, who helplessly shook her head, signaling for him to withdraw.

Qin Junlan walked heavily to the map. The world was so vast, Yuzhou so small – where was Liu Qianxun? She must still blame her, blame her for that period of coldness, blame her attitude. She wouldn’t forgive her.

But she had never blamed her at all. She hadn’t even had the chance to explain to Liu Qianxun. She hated herself for her past actions, which must have driven Liu Qianxun to the depths of despair before choosing to leave. At this thought, her heart ached unbearably, and she felt a metallic taste rise in her throat. After violent coughing, a red mark appeared at the corner of her mouth – her health was deteriorating, often accompanied by blood-spitting.

“Your Majesty, please let the military physician examine you. How can this continue?” Li Yue hurriedly wiped the blood from Qin Junlan’s mouth, watching her health deteriorate day by day. If this continued, by the time the war ended, Qin Junlan’s body would likely be destroyed.

“My illness cannot be cured. Heh… Without Xun’er, what’s the point of being cured?” Qin Junlan was now like a shell that only knew how to wage war. Except for her fighting spirit during battles, her emotions were impossible to detect in daily life, and even victories failed to stir any waves within her.

“Your Majesty, this servant has increased the manpower searching for Lady Liu. We should have news soon.”

“It’s useless. If she doesn’t want to be found, you won’t find her. She simply doesn’t want to see me, doesn’t want to see me…” Qin Junlan was dejected like a defeated general. In her heart, even overwhelming victories couldn’t fill the void left by Liu Qianxun.

“Report! Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Qing Emperor!”

Qin Junlan raised her eyes, shed her sorrow, and instantly composed herself, saying sternly, “Present it.”

The messenger presented the letter. Qin Junlan opened and read it – the Qing Emperor was willing to open the city to welcome the Red Armor Army, not wanting to fight to the death in futile resistance.

“Your Majesty, could it be that the Qing Emperor is willing to surrender?”

“The Qing Emperor has proposed two conditions: first, to grant the Nalan family imperial merchant status, and second, to retain the title of sovereign ruler.” Qin Junlan closed the letter. The matter of granting the Nalan family imperial merchant status had been discussed with Yun Jin, and she wouldn’t oppose giving this right to Yun Jin. As for retaining the sovereign title, her original intention was to rename the three kingdoms as prefectures after unification – they could be granted royal titles, but not sovereign status.

There could only be one ruler under heaven, and that was her, the monarch of the Ji Dynasty.

“The sovereign title absolutely cannot be granted. After unification, there can only be one ruler. If all three conquered kingdoms retain their sovereign titles, where does that leave our dynasty?”

Qin Junlan gave a cold laugh and told the messenger, “Reply to the Qing Emperor: Qing Kingdom will be renamed as Qing Province. They may be granted the title of King of Qing Province, but as for sovereign ruler… there can only be one under heaven.”

“This servant understands. There is… there is one more matter…” The messenger’s face showed difficulty.

“What is it?”

“The Wise King, with his princess consort’s permission to participate in the campaign against Qing Kingdom, during a battle two days ago, unfortunately… unfortunately fell from his horse and rolled down a cliff. His fate is unknown…” The messenger lowered his head even further.

Qin Junlan’s expression slightly changed. Her lips moved, but ultimately she remained silent. She closed her eyes deeply, her heart heavy as if pressed by a thousand-jin stone.

“Has the Wise King’s consort been informed?”

“We haven’t yet reported to the court. This servant came specifically to inform Your Majesty.”

“Continue searching. If alive, find him… if dead…” Qin Junlan’s throat choked up, but she managed to say with difficulty, “if dead, find his body…”

“Yes!”

Her royal brother had finally awakened to truth, bringing Qin Junlan both joy and sorrow, but at such a cost. It was all because of his love for Yun Jin, wanting to prove himself as a true man, but alas… Qin Junlan sighed deeply, her eyes reddening with blood vessels as she suppressed her emotions. Qin Junhao’s life was exchanged for by Yi Qinghuan’s death, and she had lost Liu Qianxun because of it, but now…

Heaven truly seemed to be playing jokes on her. While the war progressed smoothly, tragedies kept coming, and Qin Junlan’s heart endured torture after torture. She collapsed tiredly into her chair, head falling back weakly. Her mother was dead, Xun’er had left, and her brother’s fate was unknown.

She didn’t want to be wrapped in these layers of gloom. Now that the Qing Kingdom was within her grasp and the Luo Kingdom was no longer feared, speed was of the essence. Taking the Yu Kingdom quickly was the best strategy. Qin Junlan didn’t want to create more bloodshed, after all, once unified, the soldiers and common people of each kingdom would become her subjects.

However, Ling Yu would never surrender easily. Even if it meant exhausting every last soldier, she would fight to the death. The more this was true, the less Qin Junlan could give her room to breathe.

“Li Yue, convey my military order: The Red Armor Army will launch a full deployment to attack Zhengyi. Command the Four Great Generals to simultaneously attack from all four city gates – east, west, south, and north. Concentrate all weapons, equipment, and elite troops for the battle of Zhengyi. Deploy my personally appointed officials to govern the already captured cities.”

“Yes!”

In the cold winter month, the Ji Kingdom’s army advanced like an unstoppable force, swiftly capturing both the Qing and Luo kingdoms before launching a fierce assault on Zhengyi. The city’s 200,000 defenders were under Ling Yu’s personal command, and their new weapons on the city walls were strong as brass and iron [tóng qiáng tiě bì – meaning an impenetrable fortress], making it difficult for the Red Armor Army to breach.

The new weapons developed by the Nalan family could resist attacks from scaling ladders, siege towers, and catapults. Though appearing ordinary, their defensive capabilities were extraordinary. Qin Junlan had specifically sent people to observe these weapons at the Nalan residence, knowing of Nalan Qing’s friendship with Ling Yu. Rather than approaching directly, she ordered quiet research to find countermeasures.

The first snow fell gently, and the Yu Kingdom in the twelfth month was wrapped in silver, covering the bloodstains outside the city. The Red Armor Army camped twenty li from the city, with 150,000 troops facing 200,000 Yu soldiers – in terms of fighting strength, this was the strongest possible formation.

Attack is harder than defense, and Ling Yu, learning from previous lessons, didn’t easily open the city to meet the enemy, but the current weather provided her great assistance.

“Princess, all white battle garments are ready.”

“Have the strike team change into them.” Ling Yu devised a plan to take advantage of the dark night and heavy snow to burn the Ji army’s supplies.

“Princess, let this servant lead the men. You should remain commanding in Zhengyi.” Lin Wuming volunteered, while Ye Ming and Mu Jin also knelt, saying, “We will go too.”

Ling Yu looked at the three of them, her fair hand raised, “Rise. This mission is extremely dangerous, and the Ji Emperor may already be prepared. I will go personally.”

“Absolutely not!” The three exclaimed in unison.

“The Crown Princess is worth a thousand gold. Such raid missions should be carried out by us servants,” Lin Wuming worried endlessly.

“The Ji Emperor is treacherous and cunning. There might be traps waiting. Crown Princess holds the lifeline of the entire Yu Kingdom – nothing can happen to you.”

“This servant will definitely complete the mission. Please give your orders, Crown Princess.” Ye Ming knelt straight, her single arm preventing her from performing a full kowtow, only allowing a slight bow.

“Very well. Position the cavalry five li away on standby. Ye Ming and General Chen will provide backup support. Mu Jin and Wuming will move with me.”

On this dark and windy night, the bitter cold wind howled, with snow flying everywhere, whipping at their temple hair. The white battle garments became camouflage in the night, the strike team blending with the accumulated snow. They quietly exited through the side gate, circumventing the stationed troops, advancing toward the Ji army’s supply area. Twenty thousand cavalry stood as backup, ready at any moment. Though knowing the tiger awaits in the mountain, they still ventured forth.

The Ji army’s supplies were located behind the main camp, divided into several locations. It wouldn’t be easy to set them all ablaze simultaneously. The strike team consisted of fifty people, all Shura Sect members, as regular soldiers couldn’t understand their signals and tactics. Only Shura Sect members excelled at such operations. Each carried three ground explosives, prepared for emergencies.

The silent night appeared calm but concealed turbulence. Around the supplies were over ten guard posts, making it difficult to raid without detection.

Ling Yu raised both hands, using Shura Sect hand signals to arrange how to eliminate the guards and successfully burn the supply camp. The dozens of members passed secret signals, all understanding Ling Yu’s intentions.

Armed with short blades, the snow provided their best hiding place. They set out simultaneously toward the guard posts, each person tasked with taking down three guards. With their excellent training, they moved forward almost simultaneously, covering the guards’ mouths and noses, delivering fatal strikes while throwing hidden weapons to deal with the other two.

Everything happened unexpectedly – dozens of guards died instantly. This supply camp should have held a million dan of grain, so why were there no patrols besides the guards? Ling Yu suddenly felt something was wrong, but having come this far, they couldn’t turn back and had to infiltrate the camp. She led several people inside while others kept watch, all feeling something was amiss.

She cut open a grain sack and discovered it wasn’t rice but straw.

“It’s a trap!” Just as she realized the situation, screams came from outside. She rushed out to see a sudden rain of arrows descending. Her followers fell one by one; even with their martial arts training, they couldn’t withstand this overwhelming barrage.

“Protect the Princess!” Lin Wuming and Mu Jin stayed close to Ling Yu’s sides. “Princess, retreat quickly!”

“Want to leave? Not so easy!” Suddenly the arrow rain stopped, and a large contingent of troops surrounded them completely. Qin Junlan emerged from the crowd, smiling, “Did you think the Yu Kingdom’s snow would help you win? My supplies are distributed among each military camp, with each maintaining their own stores and receiving replenishments from the rear when needed. This supply camp was specially set up to wait for you. I didn’t expect you’d come even faster than I anticipated.”

“Qin Junlan, you despicable wretch!” Ling Yu glared at her. Once she had been the one outmaneuvering Qin Junlan, but now in this war, she was being led by the throat step by step.

“Despicable? How dare I compare in despicability to the Master of Shura Sect. Ling Yu, you’re clever, but unfortunately born in the wrong country.” Qin Junlan sneered, her eyes showing coldness as she stepped forward. “I told you I would make you pay for your past actions.”

“Heh… Compared to your hypocrisy, even when I kill someone, I’m more honorable. For your selfish desires, you can massacre cities, swallow territories, invade other nations’ lands. Someone like you should be remembered in infamy for ten thousand years.” Ling Yu’s temple hair danced in the wind, her gaze colder than the icy landscape, filled with hatred, wishing she could personally slaughter Qin Junlan and destroy all Ji troops.

“I advise you to give up resistance. Look at these talented people around you. Think of Chen Qing and He Xi. Your ability to command people is unparalleled, yet these people all met tragic ends, sacrificing their lives meaninglessly due to your reckless resistance. Your soldiers die in countless numbers, your people are displaced. Has the Yu Kingdom truly provided a peaceful and prosperous life for its people? Think carefully, Ling Yu. After unification, I can give your people the same wealthy life as Ji Kingdom citizens. What more can you do?”

“Silence! My nation doesn’t need your judgment!” Ling Yu was struck to her core, grief mixed with helplessness and powerlessness. For a moment, her heart felt pierced by ten thousand arrows. Looking at those around her, none feared death, none retreated.

“Bah! Ji Emperor, what right do you have to speak of our Master! Our lives belong to the Master, even in death our spirits are hers!”

“Yes! Even if we spill our last drop of blood, we’ll take more Ji soldiers with us!”

“We swear to follow the Master unto death!” The strike team shouted almost in unison. Even Qin Junlan was momentarily moved. She shook her head helplessly, “Ling Yu, I don’t want to kill more people. Think carefully – can you bear to watch these loyal warriors leave you one by one?”

“Silence, you dog emperor!” Suddenly her subordinates launched an attack. Ling Yu leaped up, moving with incredible speed, her palm strikes carrying light, like lightning, instantly killing the front-row soldiers.

“Protect the Emperor!” The Red Armor Army reacted swiftly, forming a protective formation around Qin Junlan. No matter how skilled Ling Yu’s martial arts were, she couldn’t harm her.

“Don’t hurt her, take her alive…” Qin Junlan stepped back as a large contingent of Red Armor troops engaged in battle with Ling Yu’s group.

Two fists cannot match four hands [shuāng quán nán dí sì shǒu – idiom: outnumbered in battle]. The fifty-member strike team fell one by one. Blood splattered on the snow like blooming plum blossoms. Piercing screams broke the night’s silence. Even with their last breath, impaled by weapons, they struggled to kill one more Ji soldier. This was the fortitude of Shura Sect members. The battlefield was unlike the jianghu; deadly blades could appear from anywhere at any time. The bodies of the fallen were pierced and mutilated, some dismembered – too terrible to behold.

With only a few fighters remaining, even Ling Yu found herself in crisis. Though Qin Junlan had ordered no killing, the Red Armor Army remained cautious in their attacks, afraid to harm Ling Yu. But Ling Yu showed no mercy – each of her strikes was lethal.

“This attrition can’t continue. The cavalry should arrive soon. Wuming, find a way to break through with the Princess. I’ll hold them off.” After speaking, Mu Jin threw ground explosives to attract the Ji troops’ attention. Taking advantage of this, she pushed several wooden carts from the supply camp, tied them together, and set the straw ablaze, creating a barrier of fire.

She and the few survivors each pressed their bodies against the wooden carts, creating a barrier between the Red Armor Army and Ling Yu, giving her a chance to retreat. “Wuming, quickly take the Princess away!”

“Mu Jin!” Ling Yu tried to grab Mu Jin to escape together but grasped only air. That feeling of despair once again swept through her entire body as she watched helplessly while Mu Jin and the others, with unspoken coordination, pushed their carts toward Qin Junlan’s position.

“Princess, hurry and go! Don’t let our brothers’ sacrifices be in vain.” Lin Wuming’s eyes filled with tears. There was no time for reluctance or sorrow as he dragged Ling Yu away. At the same time, Ye Ming arrived with the cavalry. She raised her hand to pull up Ling Yu, who leaped onto the horse. The Yu Army’s archers launched an attack to provide cover.

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