The Blood Crown - Chapter 205

When Yan Sikong found Feng Ye at the yamen, Feng Ye was in the middle of a meeting with several key generals. Yan Sikong entered smoothly and saw Yuan Nanyu, Yuan Shaoxu, Feng Ye’s trusted aides, and Feng Ye’s uncle—Feng Jianping’s sworn brother, Feng Changyue. Years ago, Feng Changyue had valiantly led two thousand loyal soldiers from the Feng family army out of Dazhou, thus laying the foundation for Feng Ye’s future comeback.

Feng Changyue, an orphan adopted by Feng Ye’s grandfather, was already in his 50s but remained robust and upright, known for his loyalty and righteousness. Although Feng Ye commanded the Feng family army, he held Feng Changyue in great respect.

Upon seeing Yan Sikong, the expressions of everyone in the room were quite complex. Yan Sikong’s notorious reputation was well known, and the fact that Feng Ye still had personal relations with him was indeed disgraceful.

While others did not like Yan Sikong but dared not speak out, Feng Changyue was different. With a disdainful snort, he said, “What brings the prince consort here?”

Yan Sikong, always courteous, cupped his hands and replied, “General Feng, I came to speak with the Wolf King on a matter.”

“If you need to speak with the Wolf King, you should wait at the residence. Why come all the way here?”

Yuan Nanyu frowned slightly, and Yuan Shaoxu smirked coldly to himself.

Feng Changyue’s mockery was blatant, implying that Yan Sikong was intruding on Feng Ye’s private affairs. Yan Sikong, however, remained unfazed and responded calmly, “If I had known the Wolf King was in a meeting, I would have waited at the residence.”

“Wait a moment,” Feng Ye said, looking around the room. “We’ve discussed enough for today. Uncle, let’s adjourn.”

Feng Changyue sighed heavily and said loudly, “Ye’er, you must pay attention to the matters I’ve raised.”

“I understand.”

As everyone left in turn, Feng Ye placed his hands on the table and fixed his gaze on Yan Sikong. “What do you need?”

“What matters did General Feng raise?” Yan Sikong asked.

Feng Ye avoided the question, saying, “You don’t need to know.”

Yan Sikong did not press further. He walked to the table and looked down at the map of the northwestern region. “You’re not discussing a military campaign against Chahar, are you?”

“That group of barbarians dares to kill my emissaries. If I don’t fight them, won’t I be laughed at by the world?”

“Attacking Chahar now is unwise. They are in a precarious position and winter is approaching. Launching a campaign into barren land at this time is a major military taboo. Besides, once you move your troops, you’ll be attacked by both the court and Chahar.”

“If negotiations fail, we must fight,” Feng Ye said coldly. “Otherwise, leaving them be will always be a lingering threat.”

“Actually, Chahar and the court might be as anxious as you. The court promised to open trade with Chahar, but you’ve occupied the Hetao region. Chahar covets Hetao but can’t do anything about it. The court can’t fulfill its promise, and now Khan Nadan is using the threat of tribute. At this point, it’s a matter of who can remain patient.”

Feng Ye raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that Khan Nadan is demanding tribute from the court?”

“I not only know this, but I also know that Chahar has specifically demanded that I be sent as an envoy for negotiations.”

Feng Ye’s face suddenly darkened, and his tone turned harsh. “Who told you this?”

“Even if I were living in seclusion, I would still find a way to obtain intelligence. Besides, I am right here in Dazhou,” Yan Sikong said nonchalantly. “There’s no need to investigate who informed me. Do you not want me to discuss this matter because of what I know?”

Feng Ye turned away, saying coldly, “With your disposition, you would certainly want to go as an envoy.”

“Indeed.”

“Impossible,” Feng Ye said firmly. “Don’t even think about it. Sending you to your death is meaningless.”

“If it’s truly a death sentence, I would not go. But if I go, there might be a chance for a solution.”

“Khan Nadan knows who you are. He’s demanding someone from the court, clearly not someone he needs personally!” Feng Ye said sharply. “You’ve committed the grave crime of treason. Once you fall into their hands, not only will you lose your princely title, but even if you were a prince, your head would roll.”

“Feng Ye, why are you so certain that Khan Nadan will hand me over to the court?”

“He wants to use you to negotiate for the court’s tribute.”

“Given that you can offer Khan Nadan trade and the court can offer tribute, it seems you and the court are on equal footing,” Yan Sikong said calmly, “It’s still uncertain which side Khan Nadan will ultimately support.”

“My father killed many of Chahar’s people. Khan Nadan killed my emissaries. Given his attitude, do you still think negotiations are possible?”

“Negotiations are possible,” Yan Sikong said firmly. “Firstly, Khan Nadan fears you might attack him. With their scattered troops and obsolete weapons, they are no match for you, but the court can’t reach them. Secondly, even if the court agrees to their demands for tribute, given the current state of the treasury, it’s unlikely to satisfy their greed. However, once trade is opened in Hetao, it will be enough to support them. Thirdly, Khan Nadan is already wavering. If we make the situation clear to him, he might very well switch sides.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “I may not be as eloquent as you, but I understand that someone who wavers between decisions is unpredictable and thus more dangerous. It would be better to eliminate Chahar completely and end the threat once and for all.”

Yan Sikong, trying to persuade him, said, “You might defeat them, but you can’t entirely eradicate them. Even if it’s possible, it could take five or ten years. The highest realm of military strategy is to make the enemy surrender without fighting. Going as an envoy carries risks, but isn’t fighting risky as well? Since both are dangerous, we shouldn’t be deterred. Why not give it a try?”

Feng Ye turned his head away. “No.”

Yan Sikong raised his voice. “Feng Ye, I am confident I can persuade Khan Nadan. My words can be as effective as a thousand troops.”

“I said no!” Feng Ye turned around with an unmistakable tone. “I will not let you risk your life.”

Yan Sikong’s heart softened. He approached Feng Ye, hesitated for a moment, and said softly, “Are you… worried about me?”

Feng Ye’s gaze wavered slightly. He maintained a stern expression and replied stiffly, “You are still of great use to me. I won’t let you die needlessly at the hands of barbarians.”

“I’ve faced countless dangers in my years, and I’m still alive. How could I die at the hands of these barbarians?” Yan Sikong looked up, meeting Feng Ye’s eyes. “Feng Ye, let me go. I will return, and I will bring good news.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “Fine. If you insist on going, I will accompany you.”

Yan Sikong was startled and blurted out, “Are you mad?”

“I think it’s you who’s mad,” Feng Ye said through gritted teeth. “Insisting on going to your death.”

“I have unfinished business. I have no intention of dying. If I go, I am confident I can handle it. If you go, you will be the one at risk!” Yan Sikong said, suddenly fearful. Feng Ye was known for his daring and boldness. When the Liang King rebelled years ago, Feng Ye was just nineteen but dared to use the most dangerous tactics and fight the fiercest battles. He was fearless and willing to take risks. Yan Sikong had thought that after experiencing major upheavals and commanding tens of thousands of troops, Feng Ye would be more composed, and outwardly he seemed so. Yet at his core, he was still a wolf.

“Who says I’ll go as the Wolf King?” Feng Ye snorted. “Everyone knows I have a masked general who is my right-hand man.”

“You… you want to go in the guise of Que Wang?”

“Yes. You are determined to go as an envoy, which is not without reason. But I must accompany you. Firstly, you don’t know Chahar well, but I have dealt with the Mongols for twenty years and understand their nature. Secondly, if anything happens, there’s no need to wait for messages to come back and forth to Dazhou. It’s much faster than dealing with the court. Thirdly…” Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong. “With me there, you’ll be safer.”

“No, you are the commander of the army. You can’t take such risks,” Yan Sikong insisted.

Feng Ye raised an eyebrow. “How did you persuade me earlier? Do you want me to repeat it word for word?”

Yan Sikong was momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected Feng Ye to turn his own argument against him.

Feng Ye continued, “Khan Nadan, in his correspondence with me, stated that he also agrees with the Central Plains’ customs of not killing envoys in wartime. He beheaded my emissaries out of anger because they had offended him. This time, as an envoy, it’s only you who will be in danger. With tens of thousands of troops stationed in Dazhou, he wouldn’t dare to kill us.”

Yan Sikong frowned slightly. Aside from the danger Feng Ye might face, this was a good strategy. The court’s emissaries were coming to negotiate tribute, but the amount of tribute was beyond their control. Negotiating strategies from a thousand miles away would take at least a month or so to yield results. However, they could make immediate decisions, which was advantageous compared to the court.

Nevertheless, he was still concerned about Feng Ye’s safety. If something happened to Feng Ye, everything would be ruined.

Feng Ye stated firmly, “If you insist on going, I will go with you. Otherwise, no one will go.”

Yan Sikong hesitated for a long time before reluctantly agreeing, “Alright.”

Feng Ye extended his hand and lifted Yan Sikong’s chin. “Are you truly confident?”

“Indeed.”

“Good,” Feng Ye said. “Tomorrow I will reply to Khan Nadan, agreeing to send you as an envoy to Chahar. In a few days, I will pretend to have injured my leg while hunting and stay in the residence to recuperate. All military affairs will be handled by my uncle.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. In his youth, he had traveled extensively and seen much of the Great Sheng’s territory, but he had never been beyond the pass. This mission, as Feng Ye had said, was fraught with danger. If negotiations failed, Khan Nadan would surely hand him over to the court for reward.

Although the court had no concrete evidence, rumors were rampant. Without Princess Wanyang, he would have been dismissed and his family confiscated long ago. Fortunately, his only “relative” was an infant princess, not someone who could be used to threaten him. Thus, the court’s desire was for him and his head.

However, if Chahar could be subdued, it wouldn’t be long before Feng Ye led his army into the Central Plains. When they brought millions of troops to the capital, who would dare to criticize Yan Sikong?

Feng Ye began preparations, and Yan Sikong meticulously studied the tribal relations of Chahar and the correspondence between Khan Nadan and Feng Ye to be fully prepared.

A few days later, Feng Ye took his men to the mountains for a hunting trip. Hunting was his greatest hobby, and he went often. This time, however, the skilled Wolf King “accidentally” fell from his horse and broke a leg. The doctor diagnosed that he would need to stay in bed for at least a day and should not move around freely. Feng Ye’s uncle would take over the military affairs, while Feng Ye handled internal matters at the residence.

At this time, Shen Hexuan and Feng Xiang were finally escorted to Dazhou and imprisoned in the city’s jail. Upon receiving the news, Yan Sikong wasted no time and ordered the preparation of fine wine and food before going to visit Shen Hexuan.