[Bonus Chapter 3] A Pledge of Allegiance to the Nation (Part 1)
In the spring of the forty-seventh year of the reign of Emperor Fusong, an urgent message arrived: the nation was in mourning, and the entire country wore mourning clothes to observe a vigil for the emperor. Emperor Li Sucheng, the ninety-seventh emperor of the Great Ruan Dynasty, died in the Minghe Hall at the age of fifty-one. His father had many descendants, but few possessed the qualities of an emperor. His death was sudden. He left no will, and the court officials were in chaos. After several arguments, they forcibly placed his eleven-year-old grandson, Li Ye, on the throne. Li Lingyan, the nineteenth son of the late emperor, was appointed regent.
In the late autumn of the following year, Li Lingyan submitted a memorial to the court, proposing to reduce the power of the feudal lords in the nine provinces, despite the opposition of the court officials.
When this news was announced to the world, the people shook their heads and sighed, saying: "This place has always been a battlefield, but no one has returned."
"Have you heard? Our strategist is truly a master strategist. He's got Li Lingyan's army completely bewildered."
"I've heard about it, I've heard about it, it's all over the place. And also..."
"Ah Li's divination and fortune-telling skills are truly amazing," Zhou Wuhai couldn't help but chime in, overhearing the soldiers whispering outside. He nudged Tang Zhaonan beside him and continued, "Old Tang, don't you think Ah Li is a god descended to earth? From Liao Pu to Mu Xi, he's fought dozens of battles, big and small, and hasn't made a single mistake!"
Tang Zhaonan, who was flipping through a book, looked up at Zhou Wuhai and quickly interrupted, "Nonsense! Where did this god come from? You, a military general, believe in these strange and supernatural things?"
In the third year of the Mingyuan era, the excessive reduction of the power of the princes in the nine provinces led to a growing trend of rebellion among the local princes. In order to suppress the princes, the imperial court dispatched a large number of troops, and the Prince of Yan and his eldest son Li Linglan were sent to Liaopu to suppress them. Unexpectedly, the Prince of Yan, who had always been loyal, turned the tables in Liaopu and launched an attack on Xiling.
Tang Zhaonan, a military scribe, was meticulously recording the details of various battles to prepare for inclusion in history after the establishment of a new dynasty. Suddenly, he stopped writing, looking at Zhou Wuhai, who was removing his armor, with some worry. "This battle at Muxi will likely be a protracted war." Zhou Wuhai, oblivious to such matters, believed that with a sword and a horse, he could fight a hundred men single-handedly and be invincible. Seeing Tang Zhaonan's worried expression, he nonchalantly patted Tang Zhaonan's shoulder. "You're just overthinking things. We still have Ali! Come on, come on, writing this rubbish every day will drive you crazy. Let's go find Ali for a drink."
Although Tang Zhaonan was unwilling, he was no match for Zhou Wuhai's immense strength and was dragged out of the tent like a little chick.
They said they wanted to find Su Zili for a drink, but military orders were strict. Zhou Wuhai simply brought in a pot of tea. "Brother Zhou, Young Master Tang...you're here to see my brother, right?" Su Qiao'er looked at Tang Zhaonan, her cheeks slightly flushed. Before she could even say two words, Zhou Wuhai pulled her aside. "Qiao'er, quickly brew this tea. It's the first batch of new tea of the year; nobody's had it yet! Not even that kid Li Linglan has any. Go brew some and try it." Su Qiao'er smiled, holding the tea. "Alright, just wait! I'll go right now."
"Yin Mountain is in the north, and the river flows in the east. Approaching the winter solstice, it's the first Yang Dun formation. Our position is in the second palace (Kun), while the enemy has set up camp on the eastern slope of Yin Mountain, in the eighth palace (Gen). Hiss... The Eight Gods are Taiyin. Yang Dun follows a clockwise rotation, Yin Dun a counter-clockwise rotation... This won't be easy."
"Ah Li! What are you muttering about again!" Zhou Wuhai slapped Su Zili hard on the back, making him stumble. "Oh! You're here. Come, come, while my compass is still on, let me tell your fortunes and see how many wives you'll marry in this lifetime." Su Zili shook his compass. "Forget about us, let's calculate for ourselves! Why are you the only one in the tent? Where's Li Linglan?" Tang Zhaonan was never one for words, but every word he uttered hit Su Zili's sore spot. Su Zili slowly put down the compass, composed himself, and then jokingly said, "Old Tang, when we do fortune telling, we only calculate for others, not ourselves, otherwise we'll die quickly." Seeing that Su Zili was avoiding his question, Tang Zhaonan sighed. "Never mind, whatever makes you happy. We didn't come for anything else, we just wanted to ask... how did it go this time?"
"What do you mean, 'how will it be this time'!" Zhou Wuhai shoved Tang Zhaonan aside. "You're always asking these questions. You're not Li Linglan, why are you worrying about this?" Su Zili laughed heartily. "No need for that! We've been brothers for years, how could I not know what you're thinking? This time, we might encounter some difficulties." Su Zili placed the compass in the middle of the table and said, "Look, this is the Kun Palace, this is the Gen Palace, the battleground is here." Su Zili pointed to the character Qian. "You all know that in the Five Elements, there is mutual generation and restraint. Qian restrains Kun, Kun is against Gen... it's going to be a fierce battle." At this point, Su Zili frowned. The Nine Stars and Eight Trigrams shouldn't be used as tools for victory on the battlefield. But... Su Zili looked at the commander's seat in the very center of the tent, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes.
The battle at Muxi three days later was indeed a devastating one, with heavy casualties. The uprising ended in a Pyrrhic victory for the rebels, concluding this horrific war. Su Zili walked numbly through the sea of corpses, looking at Li Linglan standing before her. Su Zili opened her mouth to call out "Linglan," but found her voice hoarse, unlike her own. Li Linglan also saw Su Zili emerge, gave a few instructions to the soldiers, and then turned to Su Zili. "Ali? Why did you come out?"
Su Zili had never witnessed such a scene before. He had only ever commanded troops in the military camp, never having been on the battlefield, and Li Linglan had never allowed him to go. Now, standing amidst the blood, watching the billowing smoke and spilled blood, his clothes stained with blood, staring at the corpses, Su Zili felt a chill run down his spine. Seeing Li Linglan approaching him, he involuntarily took two steps back. "Your Highness!" Li Linglan was somewhat displeased with Su Zili's earlier avoidance, but said nothing. After all, they had won a battle. He then embraced Su Zili and said, "Although it was a Pyrrhic victory, after three months of continuous fighting, you marched straight from Xiling to Muxi in one fell swoop. A-Li's contribution is indispensable! Today, advance ten kilometers and set up camp. A victory banquet will be held for you."
Su Zili looked at Li Linglan, who stood amidst a sea of corpses yet could still smile so calmly. For a moment, Su Zili felt that Li Linglan before him was somewhat unfamiliar. He pursed his lips and said softly, "Zili bears the burden of a million lives; I dare not accept the title of meritorious official. I am not feeling well today and will return first." Zhang Ruoming and Tang Zhaonan watched everything unfold from afar. Seeing Su Zili leave, Zhang Ruoming sighed, "If we compare A-Li to the wind, it could send Li Linglan soaring to the highest heavens, flying thousands of miles, surveying the vast land of China. However... the one who sends the wind is sincere and wholehearted. The one riding the wind, however, does not know this." Tang Zhaonan sneered, "Hmph, does not know? Isn't it obvious? Once you gain the wind's power, you lose yourself; you no longer care whether you are riding a gentle breeze or a turbid one."
In the fifth year of the Mingyuan era, the Yan army approached Muxi, and the two armies clashed. Although Li Lingyan had a geographical advantage, he could not withstand Su Zili's brilliant strategies. In the end, Li Lingyan retreated more than a hundred li, and although the Yan army won a pyrrhic victory, they captured Muxi City.
Hearing the cheerful laughter outside, Su Zili lowered her head and fumbled for the Spirit Control Stone in her hand. "Indeed... I don't belong here, yet I forced myself to stay by your side. Back then, I always thought that staying by your side would bring me understanding, but eleven years have passed, and I still can't see through you, I truly can't understand you! Li Linglan."
"Your Highness, Emperor Jinglian was forced to abdicate. Li Lingyan thought he could use the emperor to command the princes, but his plan has backfired. Now that he's defeated at Muxi, we should press our advantage. The one who will lead the nation in the future will surely be Your Highness!" "Your Highness!" "Your Highness!" A chorus of praise erupted around him. Li Linglan was overwhelmed by the accolades, but without Su Zili, dressed in blue with a compass, who had always comforted him with "There's no need to worry about having children, and no need to worry about having no heirs," he felt a void in his heart. Although Li Linglan cared deeply for Su Zili, he couldn't bear the constant praise. Zhang Ruoming shook his head. "Ali really... he's considered the fate of the nation, the well-being of the people, but he hasn't considered his own. It's not worth it!"
Su Zili was resting in his tent due to illness and did not attend the victory celebration banquet. At this moment, he saw a dark shadow flash by outside the tent. Su Zili's alarm bells went off, thinking it was the remnants of Li Lingyan's faction that he had not finished dealing with. "Who is outside?!"
"Mr. Su..." The newcomer wore a black cloak and removed his hood. Su Zili was startled and quickly bowed. "Your Majesty!" Li Ye shook his head and helped Su Zili up. "I am no longer an emperor, Mr. Su, there's no need for such formalities. Years ago, you said I was destined for a short life and unfit to bear the responsibilities of an emperor. Now it seems that all my predictions have come true. However, I have come to ask you for a favor." Su Zili glanced outside and shook his head. "No, no, we are enemies. The Yan army is furious with you. Your sudden appearance here will surely..."
“I have no intention of returning alive, so please, sir, grant my request,” Li Ye said, looking at Su Zili with a determined gaze. “Sir, I beg you to persuade the Little Yan King not to go north anymore. You saw the scene today: corpses strewn everywhere, rivers of blood flowing! Although he didn’t harm the civilians when he entered the city, weren’t those dead soldiers also citizens of Da Ruan?”
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