Chapter 97 1...
After the Battle of Shenjingbao, the morale of the Tatars was greatly reduced. Our army took advantage of the victory and pursued them. In less than three days, we annihilated all the enemy troops in Daqi territory. Even the remnants who managed to escape back to Tatars were severely damaged.
The Tatars suffered heavy casualties in this battle, with three Taijis losing their lives. The head of the Hun Taiji was hung outside the Great Wall as a warning to the barbarian tribes: the might of the Great Qi Dynasty cannot be offended.
This battle restored peace to the border and made Prince Yan Chao of Qi famous overnight.
Although she was a novice in border military affairs, her fearless spirit in the face of danger and her remarkable achievements were enough to inspire and convince everyone.
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"Wearing iron armor and covered in snow, they left Chang'an; returning with the sound of bugles and drums, their blood still wet."
A brave man sacrificed himself to serve the emperor; his loyal soul will forever yearn for the imperial palace…①”
Yan Chao and his generals stood on the high platform of the drill ground, listening to the thousands of officers and soldiers below singing in unison. The neat and powerful singing, accompanied by the thunderous drumbeats, sounded particularly stirring and inspiring in the dry and cold winter day.
She sensed a tragic grandeur in the song.
Looking down at the crowd from his vantage point, the ranks were orderly and the soldiers solemn.
She was present during the post-war inventory and tallying, and the number of casualties echoed clearly in her mind once again. She had witnessed the bloody battles on the battlefield and knew that casualties were inevitable in war, and that life and death were only a matter of a moment, turning brave young men into heroic souls.
Next came the military drills. Yan Chao became interested and went to observe with the others. Guo Yuanying dismissed the guards who were leading the way and personally explained the drills.
"...Today, military drills still follow the old system established by General Han, and are divided into five types: individual training, field drills, marching, camping, and combat drills..."
"The number of soldiers in this training ground is not large, and the space is limited, making it more suitable for individual training. Therefore, what Your Highness is seeing now is the 'Hand and Foot Training' section, which is to test the soldiers' basic strength. It includes martial arts, long-range shooting, round shields, waist swords, swords and clubs, and large clubs, etc..."
What came into view was a group of soldiers, full of energy and high morale, six men in a row, each holding a short stick or a four-foot-long stick. Accompanied by the rumbling of drums, they charged forward with a shout, and a fight broke out immediately, with deafening shouts.
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As soon as Yan Chao returned from the training ground and stepped into the courtyard where she was temporarily staying, she saw Feng Jingmo walking towards her, clearly having been waiting there for a long time.
Perhaps due to his excitement, Feng Jingmo even brought out his medicine chest. After bowing to Yan Chao, his first words were: "I have heard that Your Highness has been urgently summoned back to the capital?"
"Yes." Yan Chao nodded, continuing his steps, only slightly raising his head to signal him to follow.
The summons from the capital was extremely urgent, and it also brought news of the death of the Prince of Changle. She guessed that the emperor's urgent return to the capital was probably not his own idea; perhaps the emperor had fallen ill from grief over the death of his young grandson, and the situation in the palace had changed.
Feng Jingmo carefully examined her pulse and inquired about the progress of her wound. Finally, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly: "Your Highness's right hand wound nearly severed a tendon. Fortunately, external wounds only require medication, but the arm needs proper care and won't heal in a day or two. While frostbite may not be a major concern, it cannot be ignored..."
Yan Chao lowered his eyes slightly and saw his right hand, wrapped in thick gauze inside the cloak, barely able to move two fingers. He had been trying his best to get used to his left hand these past few days, but it still felt awkward at times.
She pursed her lips and gave a slight smile: "So many things have happened in the capital this year, it's really been overwhelming. Staying in the Eastern Palace all day has probably made me too pampered."
Feng Jingmo lowered his head and silently put away the pulse pillow. After a long while, he sighed and said, "If I may say something, Your Highness's current physical condition is really not suitable for such a long journey."
"It's too late."
She glanced out the window and saw several withered branches broken off from the treetops, a scene of desolation. The cold wind in the border town was even more rugged and fierce than in the capital.
"There are some things I don't want to wait until next year. Besides, leaving the capital is an uncertain matter."
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Another journey of trials and tribulations.
The return to Beijing will take longer than when they left for Xuanfu. With the border troubles temporarily eliminated, the entire army feels a great weight lifted off their shoulders.
As they drew closer to the capital, news from the capital should have become more timely. However, news from the Crown Prince's palace suddenly stopped, and Yan Chao immediately noticed something was wrong.
At that time, the returning army had not yet set foot in the capital. Yan Chao was shocked and a chill ran through him, freezing him in place.
This was not what she had expected; both the timing and the method had completely disrupted her original plans. To make matters worse, her arm injury had not yet healed, which inevitably weakened her momentum.
Yan Chao forced himself to calm down and decisively ordered Wang Zhuo to lead his troops back to the capital as soon as possible.
"Then Your Highness, are you safe...?" Wang Zhuo hesitated as expected. He already felt guilty about the Crown Prince's injury, so how could he dare to leave carelessly now?
"Poyue and Nongying are following me closely, and the Imperial Guards and soldiers are also with me all the way. Nothing will happen."
Yan Chao had already made up her mind and remained unwavering. She glanced at him and gave an unquestionable order: "You must return to the capital immediately. I want you to seize the authority of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Due to the circumstances, you may assassinate Qiu Cong if necessary. Once Qiu Cong is dead, besides Lan Huai'en, you will be His Majesty's only capable person."
Wang Zhuo's heart skipped a beat. He thought the Crown Prince intended to control the Emperor, but this move seemed far too abrupt. He didn't accept the order immediately. After a moment's thought, he spoke up to advise, "Your Highness, shouldn't this matter be..."
Yan Chao frowned and simply showed him the secret letter hidden in his sleeve.
She spoke frankly.
Wang Zhuo's heart trembled involuntarily, his hands quivered, and his bewildered eyes lifted slightly, but he dared not look at her and quickly looked away. After pondering for a moment, he steeled his resolve, bowed, and knelt in obeisance: "Your subject swears to follow Your Highness to the death."
If a palace coup were to occur in the capital, even if Yan Chao was guilty of deceiving the emperor, his chances of ascending the throne would still be the greatest.
Moreover, the impending upheaval concerns his future, and he has no other choice but to seek refuge elsewhere.
Yan Chao told him to rise, and there was no need to waste time being overly sentimental when he spoke again. He then added a few more words: "...The Northern Garrison and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard do not need to confront the Eastern Depot head-on, nor do they need to deliberately pretend to flatter. Although Lan Huaien has committed many evils, he is not an obstacle for us."
Wang Zhuoying was filled with surprise and doubt, but he swallowed his words back. He knew without asking that there must be some connection between the Crown Prince and Lan Huai'en.
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Several hundred Imperial Guards left first, followed by the Crown Prince, who, citing concern for the Emperor and the court, also left the group with a group of his accompanying guards.
Ren Lu and two thousand Beijing garrison soldiers were left behind, puzzled and somewhat at a loss. But soon, they too heard the news coming from the capital.
Ignoring his injuries and disregarding Feng Jingmo's instructions, Yan Chao traveled day and night, sparing no effort to return to the capital as quickly as possible.
Later, she refused to even ride in a carriage, choosing instead to share a horse with the guards. The ride was bumpy and the cold wind of late autumn chilled her to the bone. She nearly fainted several times, but managed to hold on.
Yan Chao gave Lan Huaien a deep look, then turned to his men and instructed them to stop and rest for a while before meeting with Lan Huaien alone.
The two entered an inn. The constant noise still carried the warmth of people talking to each other, and the bustling atmosphere gradually dispelled the chill around them, instantly bringing their souls back to the warmth of human life.
Two cups of hot tea were served, the waiter withdrew, the door closed, and the chaotic light and shadow outside were obscured. Yan Chao's heart suddenly relaxed.
She nodded to Lan Huaien, who was about to bow, and said, "Sit."
Lan Huaien expressed his gratitude, a faint smile spreading across his face. He lifted his robe and sat down calmly opposite her, gazing at her intently with a surge of emotion in his heart.
It had been almost a month since I last saw him, and the person I longed for day and night still looked the same. Only, he was covered in the frost of time, and his face showed signs of vicissitude, as if he had also developed a certain sharpness. Those open and steady qualities were set in his brows and eyes, and he never dared to show them off easily.
She hadn't removed the cloak over her robe, and her right hand, hidden inside, moved occasionally, but it was clearly stiff and clumsy. When I tried to take it off for her, she shook her head and refused.
Lan Huaien felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He had so much to say, but for a moment he didn't know whether to ask about her injury first or comfort her about her hardships.
Suddenly, I felt that it didn't matter what I said at that moment.
He stood up, walked over to her, and quietly took her left hand. The moment their hands touched, he noticed some rough and distinct marks.
His throat tightened. Just how much suffering had his prince endured at the border?
Lan Huaien breathed softly, not daring to touch her gently anymore, but holding her hand tightly, trying to transfer his warmth to her.
She leaned closer, tilted her head, and silently nestled into his arms.
Lan Huaien carefully put his arm around her, lowered his head, and rubbed his chin against her temple, breathing softly: "I thought Your Highness was going to forget me."
“Lan Huaien…” she gently closed her eyes, sighing with emotion, “When I met you, I realized I had truly returned.”
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Regardless of the uproar in the capital's court, Yan Chao, the only one still bearing the title of Crown Prince, returned safely. He entered the city through Desheng Gate, in accordance with his intention of "winning through virtue," and to celebrate his triumphant return.
Around 7:00 AM, Desheng Gate opened.
The Crown Prince rode into the city on horseback, looking radiant and composed. Behind him were the Eastern Palace guards, as well as people from the Eastern Depot and the Directorate of Ceremonial. Lan Huai'en followed closely beside him, seemingly offering a dutiful escort.
The main force of the Beijing garrison had not yet returned to the capital, and its scale should not have been large at this time, but it was the ceremonial guard of the Eastern Palace that was displayed, so the scene was quite spectacular.
A moment later, the emperor and his ministers met.
The officials gazed at that familiar figure and felt a sudden sense of bewilderment. They lowered their heads, exchanged glances, and then looked at the leading cabinet ministers.
Yang Ren, who had been mostly silent these past few days, was the first to bow down, preparing to pay his respects.
It opened its mouth only briefly before being swallowed up by the soft sound of the wind.
Intermittently, many people knelt down, following Yang Ren in paying their respects: "Your Highness, we respectfully welcome your triumphant return! Long live Your Highness!"
The voices were uneven, with one or two particularly prominent ending notes.
Instead, a couple of spirited neighs rang out, as Yan Chao's horse was behaving inappropriately. Lan Huaien turned around, casually stroked the horse's mane, and secretly glanced at her.
It was extremely quiet around. The sparse sunrise at the end of the year cast a soft, pale light that made the bright areas appear as if they were sparkling with fire.
Yan Chao's furrowed brows relaxed again. He lowered his head slightly and glanced at the kneeling crowd, then suddenly chuckled.
Her expression remained unchanged, and she spoke gently, "Lan Huaien."
"Your subject is present."
Without turning his head, Yan Chao asked, "Does His Majesty have an imperial edict to depose me from my position as Crown Prince?"
Lan Huaien replied respectfully, "No."
Author's Note:
① I just wrote it down.
②Refer to Qi Jiguang's "True Records of Military Training".
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