Chapter 227:Hello Chang’an
Chapter 227: Its Master Has Returned
Just as Chang Suining had predicted, the rebellion in Bingzhou, given the clear state of affairs, was destined not to last long.
At this moment, in Bingzhou—two thousand li away from Xuanzhou—the battle had already entered its final stage.
It all began six days earlier, when Xiao Chuan, the Military Commissioner of Hedong, suddenly led his troops to rebel and attacked Cui Jing.
Xiao Chuan accused Cui Jing of wrongfully executing Dai Cong, the Chief Secretary of Bingzhou, claiming he was the true traitor. As soon as this rumor spread, and with Xiao Chuan’s hidden collaborators fanning the flames, chaos quickly erupted within Bingzhou City.
Throughout history, the title of Grand General was mostly honorary, while the person who truly governed and managed the affairs of a prefecture was the Chief Secretary. Bingzhou was no exception. Those loyal to Dai Cong, manipulated by schemers, soon defected to Xiao Chuan’s side.
However, Cui Jing’s prestige was immense. Though he did not personally manage Bingzhou, more than half still did not believe Xiao Chuan’s slander and chose to defend the city with him, preventing Bingzhou from falling into the rebels’ hands.
Meanwhile, some secretly left the city to seek reinforcements—but most of those messages were intercepted by Xiao Chuan’s men.
All of this proved that Xiao Chuan’s ambition to kill and seize the city had not been a sudden impulse but long premeditated.
On the third day, Xiao Chuan broke through the outer defenses of Bingzhou City, his army advancing like a blade through bamboo, pushing directly to the city gates.
The people of Bingzhou were terrified, closing their doors in fear.
Xiao Chuan did not immediately order an assault; instead, he spread words of benevolence, declaring he only sought Cui Jing’s head to avenge his “virtuous brother,” and that he had no intention of harming the innocent if the city handed him over.
Truly, a performance of righteous vengeance and moral high ground—before even entering the city, he had set his image firmly in place.
Hearing this, Cui Jing stepped forward of his own accord. Without needing anyone to hand him over, he ascended the city wall himself.
When the young man in dark armor appeared, tension gripped the army below. A heavy silence fell—none dared relax.
The reputation of the Xuanzhe Army had long been deeply rooted in people’s hearts. This young commander, who had led countless victorious battles, was known across the Da Sheng Dynasty as its brightest martial star—his record unmatched.
Seated on horseback, Xiao Chuan gazed at the young general upon the wall. Despite a flicker of fear, his heart surged with excitement and ambition.
So what if he was the famous Commander of the Xuanzhe Army? Soon, he would die at Xiao Chuan’s hand!
Once he severed Cui Jing’s head, his own name would resound across all provinces!
Raising his spear, Xiao Chuan shouted, “Grand General Cui, do you dare to face me one-on-one?!”
Cui Jing replied, “That would be unwise.”
Xiao Chuan froze, then sneered. “What’s this? The Grand General doesn’t dare?”
“I mean—” Cui Jing lowered his gaze calmly. “You’re so eager to die, yet it’s still too early. That’s what’s unwise.”
The mocking smile on Xiao Chuan’s lips froze, replaced by anger.
Cui Jing might not curse as vividly as Chang Kuo, who could insult an enemy’s eighteen generations in a single breath, but he had the rare ability to silence opponents with one calm, perfectly-placed line—never needing to utter a single foul word. Combined with the innate arrogance of the Cui clan, the effect was infuriating and devastating.
At that moment, Yuan Xiang beside him burst out laughing, only to quickly stifle it when Xiao Chuan’s furious glare swept over him, wearing an expression that said, “Sorry, couldn’t help it.”
Xiao Chuan’s rage boiled over. He snarled through clenched teeth, “You’re already a dead man—what are you pretending for?! The Changsun family is gone, and your Cui clan’s extinction won’t be far behind!”
“You self-righteous nobles—all of you are hypocritical snakes! My virtuous brother worked tirelessly to govern Bingzhou for years, only to die unjustly for another man’s crime! Last night, he came to me in a dream, crying his grievances—”
He forced a mournful look onto his face. “Today, I shall take your head myself and avenge my brother!”
Just as he raised his arm to command the attack, his eyes widened as though he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
“I was busy with city affairs last night and never once closed my eyes. How could I have appeared in your dream, Brother Xiao?”
The man in a dark cloak standing beside Cui Jing removed his hood—it was Dai Cong.
Xiao Chuan’s face twitched violently. Dai Cong wasn’t dead?!
The “wrongfully slain brother” looked at him coldly. “So the man who stole my private seal and forged my letters with Xu Zhengye, framing me for treason… was you, Brother Xiao.”
He sighed, tone faintly regretful. “You went to such lengths, setting this trap to seize Bingzhou and kill the Grand General. But since I’m alive, I suppose I’ve disappointed you.”
As Dai Cong appeared alive, chaos erupted in Xiao Chuan’s army.
By now, Xiao Chuan fully understood: Dai Cong’s death had been faked. He had allied with Cui Jing to lure the snake from its hole. And if Dai Cong had been “busy with city matters” all night, then the city was already secure.
“Cui Jing, that treacherous dog!” Xiao Chuan roared. “He’s found some impostor to pretend to be my brother!”
He refused to acknowledge Dai Cong, and instead gave the order, “Attack! Whoever brings me Cui Jing’s head will be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold!”
If his brother had faked his death, then he would make that fake death real.
His troops—many of whom had never seen Dai Cong—blindly followed the order. The army advanced like a storm of black clouds, rolling dust into the sky.
The assault was fierce. Ladders were raised, soldiers fell and climbed again, and the city gates thundered under the rams.
Watching from the wall, Dai Cong’s heart ached. “Grand General, let me lead our men to fight!”
Cui Jing lifted his gaze to the sun.
Then came the command: “Open the gates—prepare to fight!”
The soldiers roared in unison, “Prepare to fight!”
When the gates swung open, the attackers lost balance for an instant. Bingzhou troops surged forth—shields in front, pikes and crossbows behind—marching in tight formation.
Xiao Chuan frowned deeply.
If they had stayed inside, they could have lasted two days. Now, opening the gates with only ten thousand men against his eighty thousand—were they seeking death?
But Cui Jing was no fool. To have uncovered Dai Cong’s framing without leaving a trace meant he was far from reckless.
Something was wrong. There had to be more to this.
Yet the situation left no room for hesitation. Xiao Chuan spurred his horse and charged.
As the armies clashed, a sharp, piercing whistling sounded above.
Unease crept into Xiao Chuan’s chest. Moments later, a panicked soldier rushed up behind him: “Commander Xiao! The Xuanzhe Army is approaching!”
“What?!”
Xiao Chuan’s eyes widened. “Are you certain? How many troops?”
“At least fifty or sixty thousand—maybe more!” the soldier stammered.
Impossible! The Xuanzhe Army had gone north under Cui Jing’s command. They should have been on the Inner Pass route—how could they suddenly appear in Hedong?
But disbelief turned to horror as the rear of his army began collapsing.
“The Xuanzhe Army is here!” the cry spread, shattering morale.
“Capture the enemy general first!” Xiao Chuan shouted. “Kill Cui Jing! Seize the city and close the gates!”
But before he could finish, Cui Jing’s arrow pierced his right arm.
Cui Jing’s bow was no ordinary cavalry weapon—it was a Nine-Strength War Bow, requiring superhuman power. The arrow struck with enough force to pierce armor, knocking Xiao Chuan from his horse.
Dai Cong seized the chance, leading the main force forward to slay Xiao Chuan’s guards.
Wounded, Xiao Chuan barely rose before countless spears surrounded him.
Yuan Xiang shouted, “Xiao Chuan has been captured alive! Those who surrender will be spared—those who resist will be executed as rebels!”
The command spread rapidly.
In chaos, Dai Cong seized Xiao Chuan’s banner. Without their flag and with their leader captured—especially as the Xuanzhe Army arrived—the troops began to surrender en masse.
Those still resisting soon realized it was hopeless.
Cui Jing left the wall. Yuan Xiang followed, and as he glanced at the general’s weapon, he frowned. “Grand General… where’s your Crescent Bow? I haven’t seen you carry it for some time.”
“In storage,” Cui Jing replied.
“In storage?” Yuan Xiang was puzzled, but duty soon called him away.
Cui Jing gripped his bow, looking south.
The master of the Crescent Bow had returned. He could no longer use it. He would keep it safe—until the day he could return it to its rightful owner.
The rebellion lasted until dawn the next day before being fully quelled.
That night, Cui Jing interrogated Xiao Chuan. The man confessed that his co-conspirator was Xu Zhengye. They had plotted together—one to rise in the south, the other to seize Bingzhou in the north, then march on the capital to enthrone the Crown Prince.
To achieve this, they sought to eliminate Cui Jing—the Holy Emperor’s most trusted commander and greatest obstacle. Thus, Xu Zhengye had given Xiao Chuan real letters and seals, allowing him to deceive the court and frame Dai Cong.
Cui Jing ordered the confession recorded and dispatched to the capital, along with reports of the rebellion’s suppression to restore public confidence.
After everything was settled, Cui Jing stood alone in his study. He thought perhaps he should write to Chang Suining—to reassure her of Bingzhou’s safety.
But then he realized he didn’t know where she was. She had told Yuan Xiang she planned to leave the capital; she might no longer be there.
Just then, Yuan Xiang entered, holding a stack of letters. “Grand General, these were the letters sent to Bingzhou but intercepted by Xiao Chuan’s men. I picked out those addressed to the General’s Residence. Most were opened, but here they are.”
Cui Jing began sorting through them and soon found one envelope marked in familiar handwriting: To Cui Jing, Personal.
He opened it.
Chang Suining had written to warn him that Bingzhou might be a trap, urging caution. She mentioned she was heading to Xuanzhou to stay at Princess Xuan’an’s residence for a few days.
At the end, she reminded him: If you’ve already realized the truth, do not reply—to avoid leaks.
“Grand General, is something wrong?” Yuan Xiang asked, seeing him stare at the letter.
“…Nothing,” Cui Jing said softly.
Yuan Xiang exhaled, noticing the rare calm warmth in his commander’s eyes. “That’s from Miss Chang, isn’t it?”
Cui Jing’s lips curved slightly. “Mm.” He folded the letter neatly and set it aside.
Yuan Xiang suddenly understood—no wonder the Grand General had read that letter so many times.
When the rest were finished, Yuan Xiang offered, “Should I grind ink, so you can write her back?”
Cui Jing didn’t reply—just laid out fresh paper.
Yuan Xiang grinned and started grinding the ink.
But what followed left him stunned.
His ever-composed Grand General—who never misspoke nor wrote a wrong word—wrote and discarded sheet after sheet, at least seven or eight, none to his satisfaction.
Seeing Yuan Xiang’s curious stare, Cui Jing said quietly, “Burn those.”
Yuan Xiang nodded.
“And don’t peek.”
“Y-Yes!”
Carrying the ruined letters out, Yuan Xiang bumped into Dai Cong.
“Is there urgent business?” he whispered. “If not—come back later.”
Dai Cong frowned. “I came to apologize. It was my negligence that gave Xiao Chuan an opening—”
“That’s not important,” Yuan Xiang cut him off.
“…Then what is?” Dai Cong asked, confused.
He glanced at the crumpled papers in Yuan Xiang’s arms. “And those?”
Dai Cong: What are those?
Yuan Xiang: The Grand General’s love letters! Enough to sell by the pound!
P.S. The Grand General is still writing through the night…
Good night, everyone! And thank you for your votes and support!
No comments: