Chapter 244.1: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 244.1: Reuniting
Soon, a soldier from the Xu army reported, “Great General… a large force approaches from the southwest. Judging by their banners, they are the garrison of Xuanzhou!”
Xu Zhengye gripped his sword, which hadn’t yet been unsheathed.
The news didn’t surprise him, for he had already learned that Xuanzhou had mobilized troops…
For that reason, he had personally led his army to guard against any contingency.
Yet, until this moment, a sense of uncertainty lingered—he could not imagine why Xuanzhou would send reinforcements to Hezhou…
At this very moment, the question still puzzled him—why would Xuanzhou wade into this mess? This was utterly unlike the conduct of Marchioness Xuanzhou!
No matter what he thought, the fact was evident:
The Xuanzhou army was rapidly approaching.
Even more shocking to Xu Zhengye was the leader of the advancing troops.
The army emerged from the southwest and merged toward the Huzhou army’s position. At the front came two military commanders, alongside the figure of a woman.
The woman rode a horse, clad in armor with a sword at her side, her armor draped with a cloak. She lifted the hood of her cloak, revealing a dignified, serene face under the torchlight.
Xu Zhengye’s expression shifted: “…Marchioness?”
The Marchioness of Xuanzhou herself had come!
She had not left Xuanzhou for years, yet today she led troops in person to aid Hezhou!
Xu Zhengye found this almost incomprehensible—there must be hidden motives he didn’t know…
He furrowed his brows.
The Marchioness of Xuanzhou looked at him: “Great General Xu, long time no see.”
Seeing that face and hearing that voice, Chang Kuo was equally shocked—he jumped slightly—how had she come!
Upon seeing the sudden arrival of reinforcements, Deputy General Jin, though excited, instinctively looked to his general for reaction. Chang Kuo furrowed his brow and glared, his expression difficult to read.
Upon closer observation, Deputy General Jin felt that the general’s response was akin to someone politely receiving a gift from a guest when he didn’t want to prepare a meal—just accept it, why all the fuss?
Meanwhile, Xu Zhengye, maintaining his composure, tested the situation: “I wonder, Marchioness, what brings you to lead your troops personally?”
The Marchioness of Xuanzhou gave a cold laugh: “It is I who should ask you, Great General Xu—did you ever consider my opinion before extending your hand toward Hezhou?”
Xu Zhengye’s brows tightened: “I do not understand your meaning; please speak plainly—”
He did not wish to become the Marchioness’s enemy. Her status was unlike that of an ordinary princess; she was the late emperor’s full sister, favored from childhood, and granted Xuanzhou as her fiefdom upon reaching adulthood.
Among the eighteen prefectures of the Jiangnan West Circuit, Xuanzhou governed the largest territory, with over 120,000 households, making it the wealthiest region of the circuit.
Xuanzhou had no military commissioner, and over the years, other prefectures had implicitly acknowledged Xuanzhou as first among them.
Granting the fief to a princess underscored Emperor Qingfeng’s affection; while she indulged herself, she was rarely held accountable.
In the eyes of many, her long-standing indulgence in Xuanzhou had shaped her arrogant and unrestrained temperament.
After the late emperor’s death, succession turbulence followed. Many officials and royals sought her intervention, all refused.
No matter the chaos in the court, she lived in Xuanzhou, drinking and enjoying life.
Yet her influence was deeply rooted; she held power akin to a regional prince and could not be underestimated.
During the deposed emperor’s reign, an appointed Prime Minister attempted to oversee Xuanzhou on the Marchioness’s behalf, but she rejected him outright, deeming him unbearable to behold. The Prime Minister later hanged himself in shame upon returning to the capital.
Thus, the Marchioness never involved herself in court matters, but no one could cross her boundaries.
After the female emperor ascended, the Marchioness raised no objection and maintained a neutral stance.
Even officials wary of her could find no fault beyond her indulgence in male companions.
When Xu Zhengye rose in rebellion, he had attempted to enlist her support, sending a sincere letter via Luo Guanlin. The Marchioness had casually burned the letter before the messenger, sending him away.
She had rejected Xu Zhengye before.
Yet, refusal did not mean enmity; she was not under the female emperor’s control.
Then why did she come today?
“What do you mean by extending your hand to Hezhou without consulting me? Hezhou is not even part of your Xuanzhou!”
The Marchioness’s voice was cold and commanding: “Hezhou borders my Xuanzhou, only a few hundred li apart. Today you dare kill and plunder at my doorstep—how do I know you won’t encroach on Xuanzhou tomorrow?”
She scolded him: “Great General Xu, remember—when hitting a dog, one must consider the owner!”
Xu Zhengye: “……”
Yun Hui: “……”
Well, as long as she helps, let the dog bark.
“I have always respected the Marchioness. Loyal to the Li dynasty, my actions are righteous. How could I offend Xuanzhou? My aim at Hezhou is forced by circumstances,” he said, looking at the Hezhou army with some pain: “If Hezhou opens the path of righteousness, allowing me to enter the capital to aid the Crown Prince, I would not harm innocents.”
The Marchioness of Xuanzhou scoffed: “Those words may fool the world, but do not attempt them on me.”
“I do not care what schemes you pursue. Since your uprising, countless refugees have crossed Xuanzhou, disturbing the Jiangnan West Circuit. Your forces have plundered trade routes and disrupted local commerce. How can you claim innocence?”
Xu Zhengye’s face turned pale as he said, “If my subordinates acted improperly, I hope you will forgive them; I will restrain them strictly in the future…”
The Marchioness’s anger did not subside: “You destroy one city after another. Hezhou borders Xuanzhou; historically, one-tenth of all paper and ink produced in Xuanzhou flows to Hezhou. Now mountains of paper and ink accumulate in Xuanzhou—can you buy it all or consume it?”
“Better to eat it, since it is all blackened water anyway—should be fed with ink!”
A young female voice sounded. Chang Suining turned to see Li Tong riding up from the rear.
Li Tong’s gaze quickly found Chang Suining, hurrying over.
The Marchioness of Xuanzhou dropped her final words decisively: “Have you thought about Huainan Circuit? If you have the ability, try to take Hezhou by fighting past Li Yi or via the Chaohu Lake route. I will not allow it—come and try if you dare!”
Xu Zhengye’s face darkened. The Marchioness was determined to protect Hezhou…
Trade routes and wealth aside, to discuss them now under these circumstances was excessively domineering!
Soon, a scout returned. The deputy general whispered to him, “Great General, the scout reports that the Marchioness of Xuanzhou brought only 30,000 troops…”
No comments: