Yun Qing walked out of the house and immediately saw Master Yang and Yu Zhi waiting at the door. Yun Qing was no fool; how could he not know why they had come?
Master Yang said, "Yun Qing, I know that Zijin has made a serious mistake this time, one that is unforgivable. But, I hope you can allow her to redeem herself."
Yun Qing replied coldly, "Redeem herself? Her?" She couldn't even protect Yuxi well, so how could anyone expect her to accomplish anything?
The disdain in his words confirmed Master Yang's worst fear: Yun Qing truly intended to kill Zijin. Master Yang quickly pointed out, "Zijin is highly skilled in martial arts. If you kill her, all those skills will be wasted. Yun Qing, while she may not be fit to serve as a personal guard, is more than capable of killing Northern Barbarians." His meaning was clear—he wanted Zijin to be sent to the military camp to kill Northern Barbarians in exchange for her life.
Yun Qing stared at Master Yang with an icy gaze. Sending a woman into a military camp—was he speaking nonsense?
Although Master Yang had seen a lot in his years and was no stranger to hardship, Yun Qing's emotionless stare still made his scalp tingle. Master Yang continued, "I'll have Yu Zhi go with her. Although the two of them aren't exceptionally talented, their martial arts skills are still formidable. The army is currently short of manpower, and with them there, they could at least kill a few more Northern Barbarians."
Yun Qing glanced at Yu Zhi before turning his gaze back to Master Yang. "If you're willing to hand over the formula for your medicine, I might consider it." Master Yang's wound medicine was incredibly effective. However, he was lazy—unless he was in a good mood, he rarely made any.
Master Yang shook his head, "That formula is a family secret, not to be shared. If I reveal it, my clan will expel me. But I can promise to produce more medicine in the future." He had to put himself in this situation for the sake of his two wayward disciples.
At last, Yun Qing relented. "Fine." Since Yuxi was safe, he had no real intention of killing Zijin. Yuxi was someone who valued old relationships—if he killed Zijin, she would be deeply saddened. Of course, while death could be avoided, punishment could not. If Master Yang hadn't taken the initiative to plead for her, Zijin would have suffered far worse than losing a few layers of skin.
As they returned to their residence, Yu Zhi looked at Master Yang with guilt and said, "Master, I'm sorry." His elderly teacher had to endure hardship for their sake—he truly felt unfilial.
Master Yang waved him off, "What is there to apologise for? It's not difficult to make medicine. But you and Zijin, once you join the army, must do well and strive to earn a future for yourselves." His youngest disciple was much like him—neither of them was particularly ambitious. He wouldn't have agreed to let them join the army if it hadn't been for their dire circumstances. But now that they were going, they had to seize every opportunity to prove themselves.
Yu Zhi nodded firmly but voiced another concern: "What if Zijin refuses to go?" If she refused to leave Madam, all their efforts would be in vain.
Master Yang replied, "She won't." After committing such a grave mistake, she could no longer stay by Han girl's side. Even if Han girl agreed, Yun Qing wouldn't allow it. The military was the best path for her now. Of course, it was because Zijin was unwilling to part with Yuxi that Master Yang had come up with this idea in the first place. If Zijin had been willing to leave, the three of them had enough skills to survive even in these chaotic times.
After hearing the news, Zijin remained silent for a long time, then finally said, "Master, I want to go to the Vanguard Battalion." As the name implied, the Vanguard Battalion was responsible for leading the charge in battle. It was the easiest place to earn military merit—but also the most dangerous.
Master Yang replied, "As long as Yun Qing agrees, I have no objections." He knew that this girl was drowning in guilt. Since that was the case, it was best to let her do as she wished. Otherwise, if she carried this guilt for the rest of her life, she would never find peace.
When General Zhao received word that Yun Qing summoned him to the General's residence, he immediately knew Han Shi must be safe. Though, he wasn't entirely sure whether her survival was good or bad news for him.
Upon arriving at the Yun residence, Xu Wu personally escorted General Zhao into the study.
Yun Qing greeted General Zhao calmly, "General Zhao, please have a seat."
Xu Daniu brought over a freshly brewed cup of Longjing Tea. Although Zhao Feng was a military man, he had a particular fondness for tea, especially Longjing. This was a well-known fact among the upper ranks in Yu City.
Having dealt with Yun Qing for so many years, this was the first time he had ever seen him being so hospitable. Instead of feeling honoured, General Zhao sensed something ominous. "General Yun, you might as well speak directly." Yun Qing had always been a straightforward man—when had he ever started to go round the curves and skirt the corners1?
Xu Wu glanced at Yun Qing before handing General Zhao a confession from a captured spy. If it had not been for his concern for Zhao Feng, he would have sent someone to arrest Zhao Zhuo, who was in frequent contact with the imperial spies.
General Zhao was puzzled at first, but after reading the confession, his heart sank. He looked up at Yun Qing and admitted, "I was aware that the Imperial Court had been in frequent contact with my son. They intend to use me to keep you in check, but I have already refused them." There was no point denying it at this stage—he might as well come clean.
Yun Qing remained silent.
Xu Wu spoke instead. "Since General Zhao knew about this, why didn't you inform our General? Or could it be that you had other plans of your own?"
General Zhao smiled bitterly as he responded, "This was an Imperial Decree—how could I possibly inform General Yun? I could only stall and deal with them as best as I could."
Yun Qing wasted no words on Zhao Feng as he said, "I am preparing to send troops to eliminate Ji Xuan. Does General Zhao have any good strategies to wipe him out as quickly as possible?" There was no need for all this going round the curves and skirt the corners1.
Zhao Feng's expression grew serious. "General, how can you mobilise troops without an official military order? It is a crime punishable by death."
Yun Qing ignored his protest and asked, "So General Zhao is saying he does not support my campaign against Ji Xuan?"
The word 'rebellion' was too harsh—no one would take that path unless they were left with no choice. However, if they marched under the banner of eliminating Ji Xuan, no one would oppose it. After all, Ji Xuan's actions in the Northwest over the years had made him deeply hated, not only by the ordinary people but also by the 100,000 soldiers stationed in Yu City.
Looking at Yun Qing's impassive face, Zhao Feng asked, "Why does the General suddenly wish to eliminate Ji Xuan?" Then, as if he had realised something, he added, "Could it be that Ji Xuan targeted Madam Yun?"
Yun Qing neither confirmed nor denied it.
Seeing his reaction, Zhao Feng assumed Yun Qing was tacitly admitting it. He found it strange—why would Ji Xuan send assassins after Han Shi? But now was not the time to ponder that question. "General, if we mobilise troops without an official order, the court will not let us off so easily." Such an act would be considered treason, a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire family!
Yun Qing stared directly at Zhao Feng and questioned, "So, does this mean General Zhao is unwilling to send troops?" Zhao Feng commanded 20,000 soldiers, and Yun Qing planned to draw 10,000 elite troops from them. However, those 20,000 men were not entirely under Zhao Feng's control—many of the mid-ranking officers in the Zhao army had been placed there by Yun Qing himself.
Zhao Feng shook his head, "Forgive me, but I cannot agree to this. Yun Qing, I understand your hatred for Ji Xuan for trying to take the lives of your wife and child, but you cannot go to war with him over this! You would be sending the 100,000 soldiers of Yu City to their doom. You cannot do that."
Seeing Yun Qing's impassive expression, Zhao Feng finally realised—this was not just about eliminating Ji Xuan. Yun Qing was planning a rebellion.
Zhao Feng shouted, "Yun Qing, you cannot sacrifice the 100,000 soldiers of Yu City for your ambition!" He had assumed he understood Yun Qing well, which was why he had never even considered this possibility.
Xu Wu said coldly, "General Zhao, the Imperial Court has already delayed the soldiers' pay for three months. If Madam hadn't suggested purchasing extra grain earlier this year, who knows how many of our brothers would have starved to death this winter? If this continues, the 100,000 soldiers of Yu City will have no future." The unpaid wages had left many soldiers unable to provide for their families. In addition to withholding funds, the Imperial Court also refused to supply new weapons and equipment, causing unnecessary casualties. Even if the General didn't rebel now, the soldiers would eventually be forced to.
Zhao Feng fell silent as he thought about the corruption in the Imperial Court and the dire situation of Yu City. After a moment, he uttered, "Even so, rebellion is not the answer."
Yun Qing replied, "I only intend to kill Ji Xuan, that treacherous minister."
Zhao Feng was already fifty years old—he was not so easily fooled. "And after you end Ji Xuan's life? Will you withdraw your troops?"
Yun Qing replied, "That is not something you need to worry about. I will ask you one last time—will you send troops or not?" He had no intention of executing Zhao Feng, only placing him under house arrest.
Zhao Feng knew that if he did not submit, even if Yun Qing did not take his life, he would undoubtedly strip him of his military command. A general without troops was nothing more than an empty shell. Zhao Feng said, "Let me think about it."
Yun Qing had no patience for Zhao Feng's hesitation. "Give me your answer now." Thinking it over was just a waste of time.
Zhao Feng gave a bitter smile and asked, "General Yun, tell me—what is your true goal?" He might not have dared to say outright that this was a rebellion, but the meaning was clear.
Yun Qing replied, "To eliminate Ji Xuan, that treacherous minister, and restore order to the Northwest." The Northwest was already plagued by rebellions and overrun by bandits—all because of Ji Xuan.
Zhao Feng grunted and asked, "You really just want to get rid of Ji Xuan?" He did not ask if Yun Qing intended to seize the throne—those words were too dangerous to say out loud.
Yun Qing indeed only planned to take Ji Xuan's life and take his place as Governor-General of the Northwest—he had no intention of seizing the empire. "Of course not."
Zhao Feng fell silent momentarily, then said, "Let me think about it." Seeing Yun Qing remained expressionless, he added, "Give me a shichen2."
Yun Qing replied, "Half a shichen2"
At this point, he was at Yun Qing's mercy—there was no room for negotiation. Zhao Feng nodded. "Fine." He needed to think carefully about how to minimise the damage.
Xu Wu found Zhao Feng's hesitation irritating. "General Zhao, please rest in the side hall."
As Yun Qing watched Zhao Feng's retreating figure, he shook his head. Zhao Feng was getting old—too hesitant, not as decisive as he once was.
A while later, Fu Tianlei had still not arrived. Yun Qing stepped out and asked Xu Daniu, who was waiting outside, "Has Madam woken up yet?"
Xu Daniu shook his head. "No. I already told Mama Qu to inform me as soon as she wakes up."
Yun Qing let out a quiet acknowledgement and turned back into the study.
Footnotes Full List
- Chinese idiom: to speak in a roundabout way
- 2 hours
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi