The court’s prohibition could not stop the rumors in Qudu from spreading wildly. In streets and alleys, brothels and teahouses, everyone was discussing the female emperor’s background. The city gates were sealed, but the gossip still spread to the Eight Cities and was even expanding toward Exi.
“Quickly have the Imperial Army close the gates,” Kong Qiu said during the meeting in Mingli Hall. “The news cannot be allowed to spread recklessly! The Imperial Academy is in chaos, and the Imperial Army must also be sent to control it. Cheng Bi is an old minister—he knows discretion.”
Shaocheng Bi knelt before the imperial desk. His newly made official robe fit him well, except his hair was already completely white, making him look unlike a military general. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Student disturbances are not new. It is hard to judge severity. I fear that if troops arrive, it will only add fuel to the fire.”
“Even so, it must be controlled,” Cen Yu stood up. As a censor, he understood the stakes clearly. “When words pile up, they can melt metal; when slander accumulates, it can destroy bones.”
Li Jianting had not slept the night before. She sat behind the imperial desk drinking strong tea, finishing it in a few gulps. “I have a clear conscience,” she said, “but this time the rumors are suspicious. Who exactly wrote that paper? Has the Ministry of Justice found nothing yet?”
“It has been copied everywhere,” Kong Qiu said. “No one knows whose handwriting it is.”
“The handwriting cannot be traced,” Xue Xuan Zhuo said, looking at Cen Yu. “But Minister Cen, look more carefully at this article.”
Cen Yu had been too furious the night before to examine it closely. Now hearing this, he took it back and read it again. After a long moment, he suddenly stood up, holding the paper as he paced. “The last time a paper made Qudu’s paper prices soar was Sighs on Tea Stone. This piece looks like it was written by the same person.”
Kong Qiu vaguely remembered something. “Is it that…”
“‘Sharp Pen’ Gao Shenwei,” Cen Yu turned back. “Gao Zhongxiong!”
Gao Zhongxiong had once been arrogant and superficial, serving as Han Jin’s strategist in Qudu, but had ended up leading the Eight Armies to be played around by Xiao Chiye. When Han Cheng wanted to punish him, he barely escaped to survive in Dan City. Who would have thought he would ultimately defect to Shen Zechuan!
“At present, not only must we suppress the rumors, we must also persuade the Great Commander to send troops as soon as possible,” Kong Qiu said. “Shen Zechuan commands 120,000 Zhongbo garrison troops. In terms of military strength, we cannot confront him directly.”
“I have already sent an edict to Qidong,” Li Jianting said. “Ordering the Eastern King to cross Tianfei Pass and strike directly at Dengzhou.”
With Zhongbo lacking reinforcements, Shen Zechuan moved the Dunzhou garrison to Cizhou and left the Jinyi cavalry in Danzhou. Both Fangzhou and Dengzhou were inevitably left empty.
“Do not panic yet,” Chen Zhen said. “The Zhongbo garrison is newly formed. Right now Shen Zechuan can only deploy troops from Dunzhou and Cizhou. He does not even dare easily move the Chazhou garrison. Cheng Bi, the 40,000 Imperial Army is under your command. We are actually evenly matched with Shen Zechuan.”
“I am worried Shen Zechuan has another plan,” Li Jianting said, standing to support Shaocheng Bi. “I can only entrust Qudu to you now.”
“This old minister will go all out even at the cost of his life,” Shaocheng Bi said. “Without delay, I will ride out tonight toward Dan City, but before I leave, I have one request.”
Li Jianting looked at his aged face and felt an unexpected surge of emotion. She supported him and said, “This battle is dangerous. Win or lose, as long as I remain, I will clear your name.”
“I am already old. To still serve the country is His Majesty’s favor. Whether it succeeds or not, I have no regrets.” Shaocheng Bi looked solemn. “I request access to the military arsenal of the Spring Spring Camp.”
Li Jianting froze slightly.
“The Spring Spring Camp is equipped with bronze fire lances. I want to take them with me,” he said.
“I permit it,” Li Jianting said immediately, then turned and called for Fengquan to bring wine. She personally poured a cup. “I will wait in Qudu for your triumphant return.”
—
Gao Zhongxiong set down his brush and said to Yao Wenyu: “In Yuan Qian’s view, how should Qudu fight this war?”
“First suppress the rumors, then persuade the Great Commander to send troops,” Yao Wenyu said, moving his wheelchair to the map table and pushing it open. “Shaocheng Bi is stationed in Dan City. Xue Xuan Zhuo will certainly use the emperor’s background to make a case—he also needs legitimacy for his expedition.”
“Fangzhou and Dengzhou still have 40,000 garrison troops, but they are all new recruits. They can only wait for Huo Lingyun to reinforce them,” Zhou Gui said worriedly. “Xue Xuan Zhuo redistributed land to the people, and his reputation in Dan City is very high. If the court brings up Shen and Wei, we will have no way to respond.”
Kong Ling said, “They favor three cities, we benefit six prefectures. The achievements of the Duke are real and unmatched. The Chashi River defense line was jointly established by us with Lixian and Qidong. Second Master also has outstanding military merits. In terms of achievements, Zhongbo and Lixian are unmatched.”
Shen Zechuan sat alone, thoughtful.
“Another thing I cannot understand,” Zhou Gui said, pointing at Qudu. “The land reforms have been settled in three cities, but refugees entering Zhongbo are still increasing. Why is that?”
Yao Wenyu explained in detail that this was the lingering corruption of old aristocratic systems—hidden land seizure by non-noble dependents, continuing to burden civilians. He concluded, “If the aristocratic families are called a chronic illness, they are not easily removed.”
Shen Zechuan said, “Exactly. Reforming the Yellow Register is not difficult, but it requires long-term governance. Officials are key. Qudu is currently consumed by factional struggle. When the new emperor rises, the court will be hollow. Even Xue Xuan Zhuo cannot handle it alone.”
Kong Ling said, “Even paying salaries is difficult now. Military expenses for 40,000 troops are unsustainable. The longer it drags on, the poorer they become. Their treasury cannot last through winter.”
“At this point,” Shen Zechuan said, “it is a battle of words. Let us see how Qudu responds.”
—
At night, Xue Xuan Zhuo received Kong Qiu’s approval slip. He needed permission to see Fu Man.
Kong Qiu said, “Fu Man tried to bite off his tongue yesterday. The jailers cut it off. You won’t get anything from him now. But the confession is recorded. If you want it, I can have it sent.”
Xue Xuan Zhuo frowned. “Such a major matter—how can they act without authorization? Who gave the order?”
“It was a young jailer,” Kong Qiu said. “Already under investigation.”
Too coincidental.
Xue Xuan Zhuo went to the prison anyway.
Inside the cell, Fu Man was in rags, terrified, crawling and begging. “I am innocent! I am innocent!”
Xue Xuan Zhuo looked down at him.
Fu Man cried that he had been framed and insisted he only followed orders from “Old Ancestor.” He admitted involvement in replacing grain supplies and using moldy rice in the border army’s provisions.
Xue Xuan Zhuo’s expression darkened further as the implications became clear—systematic manipulation by eunuchs, hidden networks, and possible involvement of Shen Zechuan and others.
—
Meanwhile, Fu Man was being tortured elsewhere by Fengquan, who mocked him mercilessly. “You called yourself Old Ancestor? You’ve lived too long already.”
Fu Man screamed that he was innocent, but Fengquan calmly replied, “Whether it was you or not, His Majesty will decide. You’re finished anyway.”
He later ordered Fu Man’s tongue to be removed to prevent suicide before execution.
—
That night, Xue Xuan Zhuo met Kong Qiu again and learned the prison tongue-cutting incident. He questioned it sharply.
At the same time, rumors spread in Qudu accusing Li Jianting of questionable lineage, destabilizing the court further. Students and citizens began fighting in teahouses over loyalty and legitimacy.
—
Yao Wenyu, suffering from illness, coughed blood while discussing strategy with others. He analyzed the situation: Zhongbo was engaged in a war of propaganda and legitimacy as much as military conflict.
Later, Xue Xuan Zhuo received a letter from Xiao Chiye detailing his northern campaign and missing Shen Zechuan.
—
Meanwhile, urgent military orders reached Qidong, commanding the Eastern King, Qi Zhuoyin, to send troops immediately to attack Zhongbo.
Qi Zhuoyin assessed the situation carefully. Though reluctant, she recognized the inevitability of war. She prepared to move, noting that if she did not strike, she would eventually be forced into submission anyway.
She said calmly: “Whether we fight or not, we will end up either kneeling to Shen Zechuan or Xiao Chiye.”
And thus, she accepted the order.
Before Shao Chengbi left Qudu, Li Jianting asked Feng Quan to help him pack his luggage. In truth, Shao Chengbi had nothing to pack—he only brought a single blade.
Feng Quan washed Shao Chengbi’s hair, then helped him tie it up in a bun before the bronze mirror. Shao Chengbi’s white hair was rough. He said, “On the battlefield, it won’t last long. Cut it shorter.”
So Feng Quan had a small eunuch bring a razor and trimmed Shao Chengbi’s hair short.
“The Emperor sent you to see me off,” Shao Chengbi’s throat had been ruined by medicine, not to the point of being unable to speak, but his voice was completely destroyed, “is heavenly favor.”
The razor made a soft scraping sound as it cut. Feng Quan replied expressionlessly, “What Father says is correct.”
“This parting is without years of reunion,” Shao Chengbi looked at Feng Quan in the mirror, “you and I, father and son, will not see each other again.”
“Father’s command of troops is steady. He will not lose,” Feng Quan carefully cut the hair, “moreover, the Spring Spring Camp’s fire lances are all in Father’s possession. That is enough to make Shen Zechuan suffer.”
“He has inherited the Grand Tutor,” Shao Chengbi said, “he is a warlord.”
“The Grand Tutor, though capable of strategizing and winning without visible moves,” white hair fell in scattered strands to the ground. Feng Quan wiped the blade with his thumb. Shao Chengbi’s side neck was right within reach, “suffers from the illness all clever people have—arrogance.”
Shao Chengbi’s blind eye moved with difficulty.
Feng Quan sheathed the razor and quickly tied up the hair again, fixing it in place for Shao Chengbi.
Shao Chengbi sat quietly. The setting sun pierced through the window, drawing a line between him and Feng Quan. Dust floated in the air. Shao Chengbi said, “In the next life, I will be your son.”
Feng Quan was silent for a long moment, then replied, “Spare me.”
Qudu took half a month to draft the proclamation. Various local offices posted it up, and on it, besides Shen Wei’s defeat, were accusations such as Shen Zechuan raising troops in rebellion and conspiring with factions to commit treason.
“The court has shown favor to the Shen clan, yet the remnants of Shen act like kings of a mountain, intending rebellion!” small clerks from the yamen struck gongs and shouted to the illiterate commoners, “He is now gathering bandits and approaching Dancheng—he is a traitor, a rebel! From today onward, city patrol troops will enforce curfew. After you hour (5–7 PM), no household may go out!”
Well-equipped city troops ran through streets and markets without regard for day or night. Teahouses and taverns where rumors spread the most were all shut down. Anyone gathering in groups would be arrested and imprisoned for slander. In an instant, panic spread through the people, and even the most prosperous East Dragon Street no longer heard music or laughter.
“The female emperor’s ascension has neither jade records nor vermilion approval,” Gao Zhongxiong stood on a stone platform, holding up a document. The sun scorched him, sweat covering his face, “only based on one man, Xue Xiuzhuo’s words, cannot be believed! If she is truly of Qin Prince’s direct bloodline, where is the vermilion seal? The Qin Prince’s descendants were already extinguished—if there were a legitimate daughter, how could she have been allowed to wander among commoners?”
“Since the founding of Taizu’s reign, the Great Zhou has had twenty-one monarchs. In hundreds of years, there has never been such an unclear emperor! Today, who are you kneeling to—Li clan monarchs, or the Xue clan powerholder?” Gao Zhongxiong wiped sweat and spoke solemnly, “Yongyi brought chaos, Xian De suffered defeat, the Li clan has been seized by great families, long unable to reward merit or protect itself!”
In the administrative compound, footsteps were urgent, and the candlelight in Minglitang burned through the night.
“Emergency courier reports that the Eastern Fierce King is preparing to send troops,” military movements were no small matter. Chen Zhen had already been here for four days, eating and sleeping in the compound, “but there is no official military report—when they will depart, when they will arrive, we do not know!”
“The grain is barely scraped together; we cannot wait, cannot delay. Send the fire token again, send it again. If Qi Zhuyin does not move, then send it to Qi Shiyu!” Kong Qiu sat in his seat, anxious, “If Luzhou can end the battle quickly, the Beiyuan training grounds will surely withdraw troops to reinforce. Shao Chengbi can then advance and pursue. But the court has dozens of pens, yet that Gao Zhongxiong still holds the upper hand. Is the Hanlin Imperial Academy without talent?!”
The Grand Minister was enraged, and the hall fell silent for a moment. All officials standing under the eaves lowered their hands and held their breath.
Li Jianting’s background was already doubtful. It was once said she was the Qin Prince’s legitimate daughter, but a legitimate daughter should have jade records. At the very least there should be the Qin Prince’s writings or a vermilion seal. When Xue Xiuzhuo confirmed the identity of the heir, what he presented was the handwriting of Emperor Tianchen Li Jianheng. The imperial decree on bright yellow silk was stamped with the imperial seal, but at that time Li Jianheng was already dead, and even the senior ministers of the inner cabinet were unaware.
Now Zhongbo insisted that Li Jianting was absolutely not of Li blood. Although all regions strictly forbade private discussion of state affairs, rumors continued to spread. Some even speculated about the female emperor and Xue Xiuzhuo.
“This battle will be difficult,” Cen Yu said, “we should urge the Eastern Fierce King again.”
Shao Chengbi limped up onto the city wall. From here, he could not see Cizhou, only the continuous camps of the Danzhou garrison. Tantai Hu strictly followed Shen Zechuan’s orders, gradually approaching Dancheng amid increasingly intense exchanges of insults between both sides.
“Tantai Hu was originally a general under Xiao Chiye, later transferred by Xiao Chiye to Zhongbo, and began guarding Danzhou. The fact that Shen Zechuan was able to hold Duanzhou was largely due to him.” The official following beside Shao Chengbi was the same one who had gone to Qidong to deliver the fire token that day. He was the son of an old subordinate of the Shao family. After the Shao clan was purged, his rank was removed and he took a minor post at the relay station. He knew the generals of each region very well.
Shao Chengbi moved his lame leg closer to the battlements and said, “What is his relationship with Tantai Long?”
“He is Tantai Long’s younger brother.”
“Tantai Long is steady. If he inherits his brother’s temperament,” Shao Chengbi looked at the vast, dim world as dusk spread, “he will not easily make a move.”
“Shen Zechuan in the six provinces has been using the banner of righteousness,” the official said, “and now also uses ‘Li clan’s injustice’ and ‘divine mandate of the prefect’ as flags. Naturally he does not dare let Tantai Hu assault the city, lest he give others grounds to accuse him. But from what I see, the Danzhou garrison intends to surround the gates, exhaust Dancheng’s grain stores, and force the governor to open the gates.”
“The national treasury is empty, military provisions are scarce. A siege to force surrender is indeed a good strategy.” Shao Chengbi walked along the battlements, “How is Tantai Hu’s military discipline?”
The official thought for a moment, looking outside the city, and answered, “Loose and undisciplined.”
Tantai Hu was eating in the camp. Ever since he arrived at the Beiyuan training grounds, Yu Xiaozao had been eating and living with him. At this moment, night had fallen. Tantai Hu asked, “Any abnormalities in night patrol?”
Liu Kong stood at the entrance of the tent and replied, “All is normal. General, when Shao Chengbi heard your reputation, he was so frightened he did not dare leave the city gate.”
“I heard Shao Chengbi is a cripple,” Tantai Hu finished his meal in a few bites, “I wonder if he dares fight us in mounted battle.”
“They want to defend the city,” Yu Xiaozao was present, and Liu Kong spoke carefully, “If the Prefect gives orders, I will report to the general immediately. General should rest.”
There were many mosquitoes in the camp, so the tent was lowered. Yu Xiaozao soaked his feet in hot water and asked quietly, “This man seems quite clever and capable. Why didn’t I see him during the last inspection?”
“At that time I had not promoted him yet,” Tantai Hu said, “he is a bitter fate case. His family were all honest farmers in Luzhou. In the fourth year of Xian De, they were slaughtered by Beisha cavalry. He spent some time among bandits in Fanzhou, later joined my army—considered a reform.”
Yu Xiaozao took it to heart and thought while wiping his feet.
At night they slept separately on beds. Tantai Hu’s snoring was thunderous. Unexpectedly, at the hour of Chou, he developed diarrhea. At first he thought the food was unclean. His face turned pale from pain, and he endured until the second half of the night before realizing something was wrong.
Outside the tent, Liu Kong urgently said, “General! Brothers are all having diarrhea!”
Tantai Hu held his stomach and shoved on his shoes, pulling open the curtain. Everywhere in the camp people were groaning, and the latrine area was packed. His expression darkened slightly.
“Send for the military doctor first, then immediately report this to Cizhou!” he said urgently.
Yu Xiaozao, still half-asleep, got up at the commotion, putting on his clothes and going out, shocked, “What is happening?!”
“Poison—”
Before Liu Kong finished speaking, another round of vomiting erupted nearby. The soldiers all began vomiting. With such identical symptoms, if not poison, what else could it be? Tantai Hu’s heart sank—there was a spy in the army.
“Quickly send for the military doctor!” Tantai Hu shouted.
By the time the message arrived, Shao Chengbi was already asleep. Without even washing up, he went to wake Shao Chengbi. He led him up to the city gate and said, “Governor, the garrison is in chaos!”
Shao Chengbi looked at the distant bright lights and heard the noise.
The official was overjoyed: “Scout report says the garrison ate something unknown and the whole army is suffering—vomiting and diarrhea. Tantai Hu is like an ant on a hot pan right now.”
Shao Chengbi remained cautious. “Is the situation confirmed? If this is a trap to lure troops, there may still be ambushes.”
“Tantai Hu is also sick. The camp is collapsing. It does not look fake. Moreover, Zhongbo has no reinforcements; he would never use twenty thousand garrison troops as a trick.” The official gripped his sword, emotions rising, “Governor, if we win this battle, when we return victorious, our grievances can finally be cleared!”
Shao Chengbi’s breathing grew heavier. He held the battlement, still hesitating. A messenger rushed up the steps and reported to Shao Chengbi with clasped fists: “Governor, emergency courier—The Eastern Fierce King has sent troops!”
Shao Chengbi narrowed one eye. In the firelight, he threw his head back and laughed loudly. Then he turned sharply and said, “Heaven helps me. Bring the horses!”
Tantai Hu was also vomiting and having diarrhea, his legs shaking. The military doctors were insufficient, and the makeshift tents were filled with soldiers. Even Liu Kong had vomited several times.
“Did the message get out?” Tantai Hu asked with a pale face.
Yu Xiaozao slapped his thigh, “How would I know!”
At this moment, forget forming ranks—even standing troops were barely possible. Tantai Hu extinguished half the campfires, trying to disguise the situation. But his eyelid kept twitching; he felt something would happen tonight.
Liu Kong said to Tantai Hu, “The grain transport troops are all our own people. There should be no problems on the road. We have eaten the same rice and flour for a month without issue—why did it happen tonight…”
Tantai Hu gritted his teeth. “There must be a spy from Qudu in the army.”
Yu Xiaozao tried to change the subject, but at this point he was the only one in the entire camp unaffected. Cold sweat seeped down his back as he already guessed what the enemy intended. His mind raced, expression unchanged. He only said, “Right now do not panic. If—”
Before he could finish, hoofbeats thundered from the west side of the camp. On the watchtower, soldiers beat the drums for alarm. The word “enemy attack” instantly swept through the entire camp.
Liu Kong shouted in panic, “General!”
Tantai Hu abruptly stood, chest rising and falling, then grabbed the slightly better soldiers and shouted, “Form ranks!”
The imperial cavalry used light cavalry as vanguard—able to strike and also probe. If the Danzhou garrison was a trap, they could immediately withdraw.
The light cavalry of the imperial troops charged from the west. The drums on the watchtower were nearly shattered. Tantai Hu raised his arm and roared, “Archers!”
Danzhou troops often dealt with Beisha cavalry. To counter them, Tantai Hu had replaced the army bows with the strong bows used by Beili cavalry. They had been highly effective in previous battles, but at this moment, only a few soldiers could still draw their bows.
The arrows failed to thin the light cavalry. The enemy had already seen the weakness of the Danzhou garrison. The infantry behind advanced rapidly with shields, armor gleaming in the moonlight—elite equipment of the Eight Great Camps.
The wooden barricades of the camp were smashed apart. The garrison could not even run in time. Tantai Hu drew his blade and fought. Before the infantry even arrived, the light cavalry was already upon him. He smelled gunpowder and felt a chill in his heart, rolling aside on the ground.
Bronze fire lances suddenly exploded, sparks flying everywhere.
Tantai Hu narrowly dodged, but his arms burned with pain. He rolled up his sleeves and gasped sharply.
“Anyone willing to surrender tonight will be granted imperial mercy. The court will not pursue your grave crimes.” Shao Chengbi rode into the camp, “Three hundred thousand Qidong garrison troops have already passed Tianfei Pass. The Shen clan rebellion has reached its end. I advise you all to submit early!”