Chapter 794 If Ruyi were here, that would be wonderful
Despite his deep unease, as always before, Yu Dingxing, after much doubt, still followed the plan. So, he went to the royal tent to ask the emperor for permission.
Just then, someone came to report—
The people from Luoyang have already arrived on the other side.
Upon hearing this news, Yu Dingxing was still taken aback, even though he already had a feeling about it. He thought to himself that Yu Mingyue had once again been right. His astonished expression was similar to that of the other ministers gathered in the royal tent, except that they were more surprised. Only Crown Prince Yuwen Qian stood aside, quietly watching him. His deep gaze made Yu Dingxing feel inexplicably uneasy.
But he still held back and said, "Your Majesty, the people from Luoyang are—"
At this moment, Yuwen Yuan made no attempt to hide his joy. He laughed loudly and told everyone about Jiang Chongen's surrender with his troops. He then took out the half of the map and said, "This is half of the Luoyang city defense map that he sent beforehand. The other half..."
He didn't finish speaking, but everyone knew.
The remaining half of the map was Jiang Chongen's gift to him, and also his capital.
He used to be the emperor's brother-in-law in the Daye Dynasty. After surrendering to Liang Shide, although it is unknown what official position he was given, it is likely that the result of surrendering the entire Eastern Capital would not be too low. Now that he has turned to the Dasheng Dynasty, Yuwen Yuan must show his sincerity.
Thinking of this, Yuwen Yuan slammed his hands heavily on the table and stood up abruptly: "Prepare the carriage!"
Everyone was startled, and Yu Dingxing's heart almost skipped a beat. He hurriedly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, what's wrong—"
Yuwen Yuan said, "I want to cross the river myself!"
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Everything was proceeding according to Yu Mingyue's plan.
Upon hearing that the emperor intended to personally cross the Yellow River to welcome Jiang Chongen and Fan Chengen, all the ministers came to advise against it. After all, this was equivalent to the emperor lowering his rank, which was inappropriate for two surrendered generals. In particular, most of the ministers knew Jiang Chongen's character. However, Yuwen Yuan did not listen to a word and insisted on going.
As for the person who escorted the emperor on this tour, just like when the emperor announced in Chang'an that he would tour Longmen Ferry, he did not say a word more.
And so, the imperial entourage left the camp and proceeded in a grand procession to Longmen Ferry.
Soon, the increasingly dense moisture in the air indicated that they were getting closer and closer to the Yellow River. As the road became more and more rugged, they initially traveled by carriage, but later switched to a palanquin due to the difficult mountain roads. Finally, hearing the thunderous roar of the waves ahead, Yuwen Yuan simply got off the palanquin and walked to the ferry himself.
The Yellow River flows beneath our feet.
Longmen Ferry is located at the throat of the Yellow River. On one side are towering mountains, and on the other side are flat and fertile fields. The river is wide, and although there are no huge waves, you can feel the energy contained in the river. It is like a giant dragon lying dormant in the mountains. Even if it is just lazily moving its huge body, it can make the earth tremble.
Looking at the wide but empty river, Yuwen Yuan frowned slightly: "Where's the boat?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuwen Qian stepped forward and said, "Father, because of the wind that picked up last night, the waves here are big, so they sailed the boat upstream to a place where the current is slow and stopped. I have just ordered them to sail the boat back here immediately. Please wait a moment, Father."
"oh,"
Yuwen Yuan wasn't angry at all, he just smiled and said, "It seems that I was too impatient."
After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, it's not bad to enjoy the scenery here."
Although he was only staying there for a short while, the emperor's entourage could not stand on the riverbank in vain under the scorching sun. A tall shed had been erected on the riverbank, and tables, blankets, and cups had been set out for His Majesty to rest and eat. However, Yuwen Yuan was clearly not in the mood to sit down. Instead, he walked step by step toward the river. Finally, he climbed onto a huge rock on the bank, looking at the surging mud and sand in front of him and the shady green trees on the opposite bank.
Along the way, the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery reminded Yuwen Yuan of his youthful years of conquest, those bloody battles, those victories. Looking back, though many years had passed, it all seemed so close, filling him with countless emotions. Standing on the banks of the Yellow River, with its surging waves flowing for miles beneath his feet, he felt a surge of heroic passion, a feeling that had flowed ceaselessly for millennia. Yuwen Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, facing the wind, which carried the earthy scent and moisture of the river. This almost savage atmosphere stirred a strange, powerful emotion within him.
Yuwen Yuan suddenly said, "If Ruyi were here, that would be wonderful."
He spoke very softly, and because of the rolling waves, even those around him did not hear his soft murmur. Only Yuwen Qian, who had been standing silently behind him, felt a slight ache in his shoulders.
Yuwen Yuan murmured again, "She is quick-witted and intelligent; in this situation, she is sure to produce a masterpiece."
Just then, a voice softly murmured: "Water surges and mountains pile up, where is the young Zhou Yu now? Unknowingly, he has vanished into ashes. This is not the water of the Yangtze River, but the inexhaustible blood of heroes that has flowed for twenty years!"
"...!"
Yuwen Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately turned his head away.
Behind him were the guards who were busy preparing for the emperor's crossing of the river. They ran back and forth on the riverbank, their figures bustling about and making a lot of noise. Surrounding him were only Crown Prince Yuwen Qian, Duke of Wushan, Duke of Shenwu, and a few close ministers, all of whom showed a hint of surprise on their faces.
Finally, everyone's gaze, along with the emperor's, fell upon a slender and graceful figure.
It is Yu Mingyue, the corrector of the Jixian school.
After reciting those words with such abandon, she looked up and met Yuwen Yuan's gaze, then immediately lowered her head in alarm.
Yuwen Yuan thought for a moment, then turned around and slowly walked up to her, asking, "What were you reciting just now?"
"Your Majesty, I have spoken incoherently and offended Your Majesty's ears. Please forgive me."
Yu Dingxing, standing to the side, also looked somewhat alarmed. He had been watching his surroundings and hadn't heard what his daughter had said. He was startled when he saw the emperor suddenly walk up to Yu Mingyue, especially since he remembered how she had displeased the emperor with her nonsense at the victory banquet in the Battle of Taiyuan, and how she had just uttered those outrageous words in the tent that could lead to the execution of nine generations of her family. Seeing this situation now, his expression immediately changed.
Yu Dingxing said somewhat flusteredly, "Your Majesty, I have failed to properly educate my daughter. Please, Your Majesty—"
Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Yuan waved his hand, stopping him from continuing. He still stared intently at Yu Mingyue and said, "What you just recited didn't sound like poetry."
Yu Mingyue lowered her head, her long, thick black eyelashes like two small fans, completely concealing the flickering light in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was calmer: "It's not poetry."
What is that?
"Yes—it was just some nonsense I uttered on a whim."
"nonsense?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, he suddenly chuckled and said, "That's right. Throughout history, many fine lines have been nothing more than 'nonsense' uttered on a whim."
Having said that, he turned his head again, looking at the surging, yellow waves before him. The turbid river seemed to truly contain the blood of heroes who had fought for this land for thousands of years. So he softly recited: "The water surges and the mountains pile up, where is Zhou Yu now? The blood of heroes that has flowed for twenty years cannot be exhausted..."
After reciting this line, he suddenly smiled and said, "Yu Qing."
Yu Dingxing hurriedly stepped forward: "Your subject is here."
Yuwen Yuan said, "You just said that you have failed to properly educate your daughter."
"Yes, Your Majesty—"
"If the teaching is inadequate, how could he have won the championship under the name of Guanghan Guest? How could he have served as the Jixian Zhengzi and even recited the beautiful lines, 'The palace gates of the nine heavens open, and the officials of all nations pay homage to the emperor'? Where would such a bold and magnanimous spirit come from?"
Yu Dingxing's heart had been pounding, fearing that a single wrong word might displease the emperor. He was startled by Yuwen Yuan's words, and glancing back at Yu Mingyue, he forced a complicated smile and said, "Your humble servant..."
"You don't need to say anything,"
Yuwen Yuan waved his hand lightly, as if sighing or complaining, and murmured, "How come other people's daughters are all so much better than the last..."
He said those words very softly and in a low voice.
But Crown Prince Yuwen Qian, who was standing closest to him, could still hear it clearly.
For a moment, a complex expression appeared on his face. He glanced back at Yu Mingyue. Although he didn't say a word, his broad shoulders were as taut as a bow stretched to its limit, and he was even trembling slightly.
Everyone around held their breath, especially Yu Dingxing. But what troubled him wasn't Yu Mingyue's sudden ramblings; there was something else entirely—
As soon as they arrived at the ferry, he began to look around. Yu Mingyue had said that she had made arrangements so that when the emperor arrived at the ferry and prepared to cross the river by boat, someone she had arranged would come forward to report the 'oddity' on the other side of the river. But even now, as the eunuchs had gone upstream and guided the ferry that was moored ahead to this place, and the large ship was gradually approaching them, those people had not yet appeared, which made him even more uneasy.
Was everything arranged as promised?
In fact, not only was he covered in cold sweat, but Yu Mingyue's breathing also gradually became erratic at this moment.
According to her plan, when Yuwen Yuan arrived at Longmen Ferry, her people should have crossed the river upstream from the opposite bank to this side. Only in this way could she gain the emperor's trust and make him believe that the Left General of the Valiant Guard was worried about the emperor's safety and specially sent people to cross the river in advance to investigate the situation on the other side.
Now, their boat to cross the river is almost in sight.
Where is she? Why hasn't she shown up yet?!
Not only them, but Yuwen Yuan, who was also deeply moved by the magnificent scenery, suddenly remembered something and turned around to say, "Qian'er."
Yuwen Qian immediately stepped forward: "What are your orders, Father?"
Yuwen Yuan asked, "Prince Qin, have you not arrived yet?"
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