Lan Ming Yue

Although Liang Ye appeared casual, he was equally particular. His personal seal was designed with exquisite beauty, fit perfectly in one’s palm, had an excellent hefty wooden feel, and featured an imposing true dragon coiled around it.

It was even a bit cute.

Wang Dian would take it out to play with from time to time, always feeling that the dragon’s haughty and disdainful expression resembled Liang Ye.

Six thousand private soldiers were too conspicuous a target, and they were intercepted halfway across Yunshui by Jiao Wenbo.

The elderly general in his sixties appeared vigorous and energetic, holding a long blade while mounted on his horse, his voice so resonant it seemed to shake one’s ears even from far away.

Liang Ye’s personal seal worked better than official government documents, and Wang Dian could write in handwriting identical to Liang Ye’s. Simply writing anything on letter paper and stamping it with the seal made it comparable to an imperial edict. Every time Wang Dian used it, his feelings were very complicated, making him wonder if Liang Ye had accidentally left it in his sleeve.

With Liang Ye’s naturally suspicious nature, how did he dare to do this?

If Wang Dian had even a fraction of disloyalty, it could have led to his eternal damnation.

Regarding Liang Ye, Wang Dian rarely had things he couldn’t understand, but the more he couldn’t understand, the more he wanted to figure it out. The more he pondered, the more he cared, wishing he could fly to the battlefield immediately and grab his collar to ask what exactly he meant.

But now he could only respond loudly to Jiao Wenbo’s questioning in the increasingly biting cold wind.

In the heavy tent, Jiao Wenbo carefully examined the personal seal on the letter, the lines between his brows deeply furrowed. “Wang Daren, without His Majesty’s tiger talisman, this general has no authority to deploy troops privately, especially since my son Jiao Yan has already led troops toward the capital.”

“May I ask how many troops Young General Jiao took?” Wang Dian asked calmly.

Jiao Wenbo was clearly very wary of him and didn’t intend to tell the truth, only saying, “It’s getting late. Please set up camp and rest early, Wang Daren.”

“General Jiao, the Southern Army reported 326,742 troops before the new year, but in reality, these over 320,000 troops are distributed across nine prefectures along the southern and southeastern borders of Great Liang. Six prefectures border Eastern Chen, four border Southern Zhao. Moving troops from either side would be inappropriate. Southern Zhao’s 90,000 reinforcements are now gathered in their central province. If Eastern Chen dares to attack, Southern Zhao will directly strike their 27th prefecture,” Wang Dian said. “His Majesty took 200,000 troops to Ziyan City in Qingbao Prefecture to face the Loufan army. Yu Polu is now in Eastern Chen’s northwestern 16th prefecture. To attack, he must either pass through Northern Liang’s Chilan Prefecture or through Huadong Prefecture. These two prefectures’ military forces are practically nonexistent. If His Majesty moves quickly, he might be able to intercept Yu Polu in Chuansong Prefecture or Ningming Prefecture. If we let him pass through Chuansong into Anhan Prefecture, once he crosses the He River westward, it’s the capital. So Jiao Yan isn’t actually going to the capital, but to Anhan. Adding to Anhan’s original force of 60-70,000 troops, he must have taken at least 80,000 troops there. Am I correct?”

Jiao Wenbo maintained a stern face, his gaze changing several times as he looked at him. After all, only the emperor and his confidants knew such specific troop distributions, yet Wang Dian had explained the military situation so clearly.

Huadong had been Eastern Chen’s territory for several decades. Chilan had no general and was destined to fall. In the best case, battle might begin in Chuansong or Ningming. In the worst case, fighting would start in Anhan Prefecture, with the capital right behind it. Losing meant the fall of the nation; winning would leave little face.

Jiao Yan had indeed taken 90,000 troops to Anhan Prefecture, but currently only Liang Ye and he knew this.

“I only need 6,000 men,” Wang Dian said, seeing his expression soften. “These 6,000 troops I’m borrowing from General Jiao are just for show. You can give me those old, weak, sick, and disabled soldiers who aren’t useful. If His Majesty questions this in the future, I, Wang Dian, will take full responsibility. But if these 6,000 men can stabilize the capital, then even if His Majesty beheads me, my life will have been worth it.”

Jiao Wenbo closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh.

The candlelight in the great tent burned for half the night. The next day, Wang Dian set out with a hastily assembled force of 12,000 troops.

When they reached Guangyuan County, Baili Cheng’an saw the dark mass of people outside the city gates and thought Southern Zhao had changed their mind and attacked. Only after Wang Dian explained his identity and intentions did he breathe a sigh of relief.

In the county office, white funeral banners were still hanging. Baili Cheng’an wore mourning clothes and looked quite haggard. Although he had never met “Wang Dian” in person, he had long heard his name – mostly regarding stories of him being a treacherous court official and his romantic affairs with Liang Ye. As news traveled from the capital to a remote place like Guangyuan County, it usually became completely distorted. Baili Cheng’an never believed in rumors, so he maintained a normal attitude toward Wang Dian.

“…When teacher passed away, I was unable to attend to him. Without His Majesty’s orders, I couldn’t go to the capital. As a student, I could only set up a memorial hall here to pay respects to my mentor from afar.” Baili Cheng’an turned his head as he spoke, his voice choked. After a moment, he turned back to Wang Dian and cupped his hands, “This official lost composure, please forgive me, Daren.”

“Baili Daren’s filial piety would surely comfort the Old Imperial Preceptor’s spirit in heaven,” Wang Dian said. “However, the capital is now in imminent danger, which would certainly not be what the Imperial Preceptor would have wanted. Would Baili Daren be willing to return to the capital with me?”

The sorrow in Baili Cheng’an’s eyes hadn’t faded, and he was startled by these words, “Without His Majesty’s decree, this official—”

“His Majesty has written a personal letter, specially granting Baili Daren permission to return to the capital to pay respects to his mentor.” Wang Dian handed him the letter with an unchanging expression.

After reading it, Baili Cheng’an knelt down with reddened eyes, bowed three times toward the direction of the capital, and said chokingly, “This minister, Baili Cheng’an, thanks His Majesty for his great kindness!”

Wang Dian felt pained watching this and helped him up, “Baili Daren, time is of the essence. Let us depart now.”

Knowing the capital’s urgent situation, Baili Cheng’an nodded heavily.

As they traveled further north, the weather grew colder. Wang Dian wrapped himself in fox fur and studied the map of the four kingdoms with Baili Cheng’an sitting across from him.

Baili Cheng’an had gentle features and was even thinner than Wang Dian, appearing to be more sensitive to cold. Wang Dian generously shared a fox fur coat with him. In the snow-white fur, the young master appeared gentle and dignified, truly like a refined scholar who had stepped out of an ancient painting.

“When I was in the capital, I often heard Le Hong speak of you. He praised you greatly in his words. Now that I see you in person, I find that Le Hong was being modest.” Talking about mutual acquaintances was always a quick way to close the distance between strangers.

Wang Dian used this technique skillfully, but unexpectedly, when Baili Cheng’an heard Qi Ming’s name, his expression froze, and his brow showed rare traces of aversion. “My senior brother and I haven’t met for many years.”

Wang Dian tactfully dropped the subject and patiently returned to studying the map with him.

“Although His Majesty’s move wasn’t entirely prudent, it would be hard to find a better solution,” Baili Cheng’an looked at the capital’s position on the map. “However, despite establishing the crown prince, His Majesty gave temporary regency powers to Yan Ze, Cui Yun, and Bian Cang Daren. These three have always had conflicting political views. The Cui family is gone, but other noble families remain. If this continues, trouble will surely arise.”

Wang Dian kept his hands in his sleeves, “Now the Bian and Liang families are rising, the Zeng, Xu, and Feng families remain steadfast in the background, and the Tan family’s influence is at its peak. The relationships are complex, and the capital’s situation remains unclear.”

Baili Cheng’an said, “Daren has forgotten about the Baili family.”

Wang Dian raised his eyes and smiled at him, “That was my oversight.”

Baili Cheng’an said, “Since entering official service, I have sworn to serve the monarch, the country, and the people. My entire official career has relied on His Majesty’s and teacher’s recognition and promotion. Though I maintain blood ties with the Baili family, there is no emotional connection. Daren need not concern yourself with me.”

These words were ruthless, clearly following in Cui Yun’s footsteps. He now understood why Wen Zong and Qi Ming both said Baili Cheng’an was too rigid in his integrity, but he greatly admired this quality.

When they left Hexi Prefecture, along with news of Liang Ye’s victory in the first battle, Wang Dian finally received a letter from the north.

He read the four characters “For Zhongqing’s personal attention” on the envelope several times before pulling out the letter inside.

It was just one thin sheet.

The letter began with “Zhongqing, my wife” prominently written, with that rascal Liang Ye deliberately tracing over it twice with heavy ink, as if fearing he might miss it.

Wang Dian gripped the letter tightly, his breathing inexplicably becoming somewhat constricted. In truth, he didn’t have much emotional attachment to the name “Zhongqing,” since modern people usually didn’t have courtesy names. When used, it was mostly in addressing cultured scholars like Qi Ming and Chu Geng. Liang Ye had always called him by his full name, and when he called Liang Ye “Ziyu,” it usually carried other implications. But now that Liang Ye was formally addressing him by his courtesy name, even if only in a letter, it gave him a sense of authenticity.

It felt as if only now had the name “Zhongqing” truly become his own.

Apart from the opening address, the letter’s content was straightforward – telling him to return to the capital as an expedient measure, and by the way, to retrieve an imperial edict from the place where they had pledged their love.

As if his decision to return to the capital was the most natural thing in the world.

Wang Dian held the letter with mixed feelings, unable to clearly define the emotions in his heart. There was some frustration, yet also some inexplicable joy, all tangled together unclearly. When he reached the final words “Husband is doing fine, don’t worry,” he couldn’t help himself.

He tucked the letter into his sleeve and, meeting Baili Cheng’an’s questioning gaze, calmly said, “A letter from my spouse at home. Baili Daren must find this amusing.”

Baili Cheng’an thought to himself that the rumors about Wang Dian and His Majesty must indeed be groundless, and politely said, “Daren and your spouse must be very much in love.”

“Indeed, he is quite clingy, wanting me by his side for everything,” Wang Dian smiled. “However, he has grown up quite a bit lately, which is quite gratifying.”

Baili Cheng’an’s gaze toward Wang Dian took on a hint of peculiarity.

Wang Dian’s mood visibly brightened, “We’ll reach the capital after passing Danyang. When we arrive, there’s something I’d like to request Baili Daren’s assistance with.”

Baili Cheng’an said, “Please speak, Daren.”

****

Qingbao Prefecture, Zegan City.

The cold wind wailed. Maps hung high, the smell of blood had not yet dispersed from the room, and the dim candlelight cast an eerie reflection on the basin of bloodied water.

Liang Ye threw a cloth into the basin and, hearing the report, curved his lips into a smile, “Wang Dian has left Hexi Prefecture?”

“Yes,” the kneeling spy said. “Daren brought 6,000 private troops from Zhao, borrowed another 6,000 from General Jiao, and also brought Baili Cheng’an Daren. Using Your Majesty’s private seal, they traveled unimpeded straight toward the capital.”

Liang Ye raised an eyebrow and said, “He’s returning so urgently, as if afraid others won’t know he’s trying to usurp power.”

The spy dared not respond to this, only kneeling quietly on the ground.

“Have Chong Heng deal with those traitorous guards before Wang Dian returns to the palace,” Liang Ye threw him the letter. “Spare him from seeing such filth.”

Even the spy was startled, “Those with confirmed crimes?”

There were many who might have been wrongly implicated.

“All of them.” Liang Ye smiled coldly, the killing intent not yet faded from his brow. He hated nothing more in life than being deceived and betrayed, whether it was the bought-off guards or the likes of Wei Wanlin – nothing short of grinding their bones to dust would satisfy his hatred.

The horn sounded again outside the city.

Liang Ye narrowed his eyes, an excited and bloodthirsty smile appearing on his face, “Zhen never knew that warfare could be so entertaining.”

Remembering the tragic scene covering the mountains outside the city and the row of Loufan commanders’ corpses hanging from the city tower, the kneeling spy instantly felt a chill.