The Blood Crown - Chapter 208

The Chahar were butchering cattle and sheep, singing and dancing to welcome the guests who had traveled from afar.

The scene seemed very warm and enthusiastic, but only those involved could see the looming dangers, especially for Yan Sikong, for whom this was a treacherous banquet.

Soon after Yan Sikong and Feng Ye took their seats, they heard the guards announce, “The Great Sheng envoys have arrived!”

The envoy group consisted of thirteen people, excluding the guards. Leading them was Ren Zhuo, the Vice Minister of the Honglu Temple, along with two censors and several clerks and personal attendants. Ren Zhuo had brought two censors, clerks, and attendants with him to the banquet.

Yan Sikong knew Ren Zhuo from their past dealings in court, but they weren’t close. Ren Zhuo’s achievements were unremarkable, and he wasn’t from the Hanlin Academy, but he was eloquent, smooth in his dealings, and well-versed in Mongolian and Jurchen languages, making him an ideal envoy.

As Ren Zhuo entered the tent, Yan Sikong observed him without showing any emotion.

Ren Zhuo entered the tent, first surveying the area, found Yan Sikong, sneered in disdain, and then greeted Khan Nadan.

After greeting Khan Nadan, Ren Zhuo turned to Yan Sikong with a face full of disdain. “Ah, Yan Fuma, Yan Daren1, long time no see. I trust you’ve been well.”

Yan Sikong stood up and bowed, saying, “Vice Minister Ren, it has indeed been a long time since we parted in the capital. It’s good to see that we are both well.”

 

Ren Zhuo clasped his hands toward the sky and said, “I am blessed by heaven, burdened as if carrying a thousand pounds. Every day I am anxious and worried, afraid of failing His Majesty and disappointing the people. I dare not claim to be well, unlike Yan Fuma, who navigates the world with skill and adaptability, maintaining safety and prosperity. You must be in excellent health.”

Yan Sikong smiled. “You flatter me, Vice Minister Ren.”

“Flatter you?” Ren Zhuo sneered. “A person who betrays their master and their country, colluding with the enemy, how can they be worthy of flattery?”

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “Back in the day, I obeyed Xie Zhongren out of necessity, bearing humiliation and hardship, to completely eradicate the eunuch faction. The world doesn’t understand me, but I have no regrets. Now, my aim is to support the Chu King in reclaiming his rightful position as crown prince, for the good of the people. I may have judged His Majesty, but I have not betrayed the country.”

“Utterly shameless!” Ren Zhuo exclaimed. “Your betrayal of His Majesty is betrayal of the country.”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “The people are paramount, the state second, and the ruler last. I am wholly dedicated to the country and the people, understanding that a country can survive without a ruler, but not without its people.”

“You really…”

“Enough, stop arguing,” Khan Nadan interrupted, displeased. “Everyone, please take your seats.”

Yan Sikong calmly returned to his seat, facing Ren Zhuo from a distance. Their eyes met, both flickering with a cold, murderous glint.

Khan Nadan raised his wine goblet. “Regardless of why you came to the Chahar, you are guests from afar. We must not give the impression that the Chahar do not understand how to host guests properly. Let me offer you a toast.”

Everyone drank to Khan Nadan’s toast.

After the toast, Khan Nadan began speaking about the Chahar’s generations of friendship with the Central Plains. Although every word was nonsense, it was met with enthusiastic agreement. It seemed that while Khan Nadan might not have progressed much in other areas from his interactions with the Han, he had learned a lot about politeness and hypocrisy.

Ren Zhuo both echoed and flattered Khan Nadan, creating the appearance of a close alliance between the court and the Chahar. Yan Sikong remained silent, smiling.

A group of Mongolian women with exposed arms, slender waists, and long legs entered the tent in sequence, performing dances and music to enliven the banquet.

Despite the harsh winter cold, even though large braziers were placed inside the tent, the women wore such thin fabric that even robust men would struggle to endure it. Yet, they appeared unaffected, always wearing spirited smiles. Their dance was not as seductive as the women of the Central Plains but was vigorous and powerful, like galloping horses on the grassland. The Han people applauded in admiration.

Yan Sikong and Feng Ye exchanged glances. Both were deeply troubled and had no time to enjoy the exotic entertainment, for their lives and fortunes depended on this very banquet.

Under the table, Feng Ye held Yan Sikong’s hand tightly, applying a firm pressure.

Yan Sikong’s hand was gripped painfully, but this pain provided him with a stabilizing force. It felt as though, even if the heavens and earth were to collapse, as long as Feng Ye was by his side, he would have no fear and would be invincible.

During the banquet, drinks were exchanged, music played, and Khan Nadan laughed heartily while toasting and making merry. He even had the dancers pour wine and feed them dishes, as if the only thing that mattered was whether the wine was strong enough and the women wild enough, completely ignoring the hidden danger and malice beneath the banquet.

The feast lasted for two full hours, and twilight had fully enveloped the earth. Many guests were already red-faced and intoxicated.

Khan Nadan suddenly dismissed the dancers, and with his rough hands, spun the golden and jade wine goblet. “This thing here, it was given to me by the Great Sheng Emperor. I heard one of these can buy a hundred horses. Is that true?”

Ren Zhuo smiled and said, “What His Majesty gives to the Khan is naturally a carefully selected treasure, worthy of the Khan’s noble status.”

Khan Nadan nodded. “Only the Han can produce such exquisite items. Thank you to the Great Sheng Emperor.”

“Though His Majesty lives far in the capital, he will surely feel the Khan’s sincerity. When I return to court, I will report the Khan’s admiration for our Great Sheng to the heavens.”

Khan Nadan laughed heartily.

Yan Sikong clasped his hands and said, “The Khan speaks excellent Han Chinese, and so do the Khan’s princes and ministers. This shows the Khan’s recognition of Central Plains culture. The Chahar borders Dazhou. I see many things here that have a deep connection with Dazhou.”

Khan Nadan replied, “Indeed, our customs and food are most influenced by the northwest.”

“Given this, the Chahar and Dazhou should naturally become good neighbors.”

Khan Nadan smiled but said nothing.

Ren Zhuo sneered, “Yan Fuma, I advise you not to waste your efforts.”

Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow and looked at Ren Zhuo.

Ren Zhuo took out a scroll from his sleeve. “Do you know what this is?”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes.

Yan Sikong remained calm. “I don’t have eyes of fire, so how could I see through the paper? Please enlighten me, Vice Minister Ren.”

“This.” Ren Zhuo glanced at Khan Nadan with satisfaction. “This is the tribute document signed between our Great Sheng and the Khan.”

Yan Sikong felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had anticipated this, he hadn’t expected them to have already signed the document, and for Ren Zhuo to openly flaunt it as a provocation.

Feng Ye’s voice grew dark. “When was it signed?”

Ren Zhuo looked coldly at Yan Sikong. “Before you arrived.”

Feng Ye clenched his fists, his anger palpable.

Khan Nadan had tricked them. He had already signed the tribute agreement with the court before their arrival, bringing them to the Chahar only to bind Yan Sikong and deliver him to the court as a favor!

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, his palms sweating. He had thought Khan Nadan was still hesitating, but he hadn’t expected the court to react so swiftly and sign the tribute document. Their mission was now completely self-destructive.

Yan Sikong stood up, calmly addressing Khan Nadan. “Since the Khan has signed the tribute document with the court and invited us here for talks, is it to present us to the court as a gift?”

Khan Nadan laughed heartily. “To be honest, if the envoy had been you from the start, the outcome might have been different.”

Yan Sikong maintained a neutral expression. “So what is the purpose of this banquet?”

“Naturally, it is to entertain the guests,” Khan Nadan said with a cunning smile. “I had to kill your envoy, and the Han would call me an uncultured barbarian. So this time, I entertain you as if you were envoys.” He leaned forward with a wicked grin. “How is it? Have I been a good host?”

 

Ren Zhuo and the others laughed heartily, and the Mongolian generals in the room followed with wild laughter. Yan Sikong and Feng Ye sat alone among them, like two lambs in a den of wolves, poised to be torn to pieces at any moment.

 

However, Yan Sikong was not one to be a lamb, and Feng Ye was a genuine wolf through and through.

 

Feng Ye stood up and walked to Yan Sikong’s side. The Chahar guards around them drew their swords in unison with a swish that sent shivers down the spine.

 

Yan Sikong met Feng Ye’s gaze, his eyes filled only with determination and resilience. Yan Sikong clasped his hands and said, “Since that is the case, the banquet is not over, and we are still guests of the Khan, aren’t we?”

 

Khan Nadan replied with a low laugh, “Yes, yes, how long do you wish the banquet to continue? How about until tomorrow morning?”

 

Yan Sikong did not answer. He looked at Ren Zhuo, “Lord Shao Cheng, since you are also a guest and I am a guest, there is no distinction between host and guest. I will speak freely.”

 

Ren Zhuo raised an eyebrow, “Yan Sikong, you really are persistent. What else can you come up with?”

 

“May I see the tribute document?” Yan Sikong asked.

 

“Have you gone mad with fear? How could a confidential document from the court be shown to a traitor like you?” Ren Zhuo waved the document in his hand. “Moreover, the Khan is here. Could there be any forgery?”

 

“The document’s content is indeed true, but this document is not valid,” Yan Sikong said seriously.

 

“What did you say?” Ren Zhuo stood up abruptly, mocking, “You say the document is not valid? Who do you think you are?”

 

“I, Yan, am insignificant, but having been a loyal minister for ten years, I know that ancestral customs cannot be desecrated, and laws cannot be disrespected. Lord Shao Cheng, do you agree?”

 

Ren Zhuo stared, momentarily speechless. Regardless of Yan Sikong’s notorious reputation, his talents were well-recognized. This was clearly a trap, and he was reluctant to answer lightly.

 

Yan Sikong smiled faintly, “Our land, Huaxia, is a land of propriety. Laws dictate that any document with a foreign state must be in duplicate: one in Han characters and one in the foreign language, to show respect to the foreign state.” He pointed at the document in Ren Zhuo’s hand, “Why is there only one copy of this document?”

 

“You…” Ren Zhuo was momentarily at a loss for words.

 

Indeed, there was such a stipulation in the etiquette of diplomatic relations, but because the Central Plains were powerful and the surrounding tribes had learned Han characters over time, foreign language documents had become quite redundant, and this etiquette had long since become obsolete.

 

Yan Sikong pressed on, “Lord Ren, as the Minister of the Honglu Temple, responsible for foreign relations, you have ignored such a basic rule. Is this dereliction of duty, or intentional disrespect towards the Khan?”

 

“You’re spouting nonsense!” Ren Zhuo was infuriated, “This was merely a momentary oversight, of no consequence. I will add another copy right away.”

 

“Adding another copy, sending it back to the capital by fast horse, having the Emperor seal it, and returning to Chahar, this would take a month.” Yan Sikong mocked, “Lord Ren, having made such a foolish mistake, truly makes one laugh.”

 

Ren Zhuo, trembling, pointed at Yan Sikong, then suddenly turned to Khan Nadan, “Khan, I meant no disrespect, it was just a momentary oversight. This is not a major issue, do not be swayed by Yan’s sharp tongue.”

 

Khan Nadan seemed somewhat dazed. Seeing Ren Zhuo’s fearful appearance, he thought to himself that the Han people were truly finicky. He waved his hand, “It was just a momentary oversight, it can be corrected.”

 

Ren Zhuo sighed in relief and said sternly, “Yan, the Khan has spoken, do you understand?”

 

Yan Sikong clasped his hands and said, “Khan, since Chahar has allied with Da Sheng, mutual respect is required. If Da Sheng’s envoy does not even respect Chahar, how can the Khan expect the court to keep its promises in the future?”

 

“Stop spouting nonsense!”

 

Yan Sikong took a step closer to Khan Nadan and said loudly, “Since the Khan values the alliance with Da Sheng so highly, I do not wish to be the meddlesome one. I only advise the Khan to consider the dignity of Chahar. The Khan should at least punish Ren Zhuo, for it was he who made such a grave mistake.”

 

Ren Zhuo’s chest heaved violently, his plump face covered in sweat. He gritted his teeth, “You shameless Yan, turning black into white in front of the Khan. When you are sent back to the capital one day, you will surely suffer a thousand cuts!”

 

Khan Nadan’s beard quivered, and he squinted at the two of them, “Then how should I punish him?”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Ren Zhuo, each word from his thin lips carrying a chilling coldness: “Kill him.”

 

Khan Nadan was about to speak when Feng Ye suddenly moved like a phantom, grabbing a sword from the nearest guard and swiftly attacking Ren Zhuo.

 

In the blink of an eye, a head flew into the air.

 

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. Ren Zhuo, whose body and head were separated, died without ever knowing what had happened, his eyes and mouth still open as if ready to rebut Yan Sikong, but now he had no chance to speak any more.

 

Wu Lu was the first to come to his senses, shouting angrily, “Daring!” Generals and envoys were not allowed to carry swords into the banquet, and he rolled up his sleeves, charging at Feng Ye.

 

The censors and scribes that Ren Zhuo brought screamed in fear, and a group of guards also rushed forward.

 

Feng Ye, holding Ren Zhuo’s head, threw it in front of Khan Nadan and snatched the tribute document from Ren Zhuo’s hand.

 

Feng Ye shielded Yan Sikong and slashed down a guard, engaging in combat with Wu Lu, who was charging at him.

 

Wu Lu, the brave and fearless vanguard general of Khan Nadan, was no match for Feng Ye. Yan Sikong had never seen anyone who could defeat Feng Ye.

 

In just three moves, Feng Ye kicked Wu Lu in the mouth, knocking out half of his teeth, and blood splattered all over Wu Lu’s gray beard.

 

Wu Lu fell, and other generals and several guards pounced on Feng Ye. More armored soldiers surged in from outside the tent, filling it to capacity. Facing the countless blades, Feng Ye used his body to block them, keeping Yan Sikong protected behind him.

 

“Stop——” Yan Sikong shouted loudly.

 

Khan Nadan’s eyes widened, “Stop, stop!”

 

Yan Sikong held the tribute document above the fire pot, glaring fiercely at Khan Nadan.

 

Everyone stopped, and the tent fell silent. No one dared to breathe.

 

Khan Nadan, trembling and nearly spitting blood, pointed at Yan Sikong and Feng Ye, “You, you are insane, all of you are insane. I will have you boiled, boiled!”

 

Yan Sikong sneered, “Khan, if you boil us, Chahar will be close to the extinction of its clan.”

 

“You’re talking nonsense!” Khan Nadan roared.

 

Feng Ye threw down the sword in his hand and held up Ren Zhuo’s bloody head with the other, taking measured steps toward Khan Nadan. His imposing stature, the blood-stained head, and the mysterious mask made him look like a hellish demon, each step bringing bloodshed.

 

The soldiers, facing him with their swords drawn, retreated in fear, backing up to stand in front of Khan Nadan.

 

“I, unworthy as I am, have punished the one who disrespected the Khan. This is the head of Da Sheng’s envoy. Please accept it, Khan,” Feng Ye said, throwing the head directly at Khan Nadan’s feet.

 

Khan Nadan, accustomed to battlefield bloodshed, was still shocked, and he trembled as he said, “You actually dare to kill a court envoy…”

 

“Khan, you are mistaken,” Feng Ye coldly replied. “The envoy was clearly killed by you.”

 

“Nonsense, it was clearly you who killed him!”

 

Feng Ye grinned savagely, “The envoy died on the Khan’s territory. If not you who killed him, then it is still you who killed him.”

 

Yan Sikong sneered, “Khan, this tent is filled with your people. If you say we killed him, who would believe it? Besides, this is not the first time you have executed envoys. How will you explain the death of Da Sheng’s envoy to the court?”

 

Khan Nadan glared at Yan Sikong, his eyes nearly bursting with blood: “You… you…”

 

Yan Sikong suddenly loosened his grip, and the tribute document fell into the fire pot, immediately consumed by the flames.

 

Khan Nadan, futilely reaching out his hand, could not save it.

 

Yan Sikong shouted, “Khan, the matter of the tribute has been turned to ashes along with this fire and Ren Zhuo’s death. If the Khan were to have me bound and sent to the court for an apology, whether the court believes you is uncertain. The Wolf King is preparing his troops and could reach the frontier in three days. The Khan is a wise man.

 

1 – In Chinese, “Fuma” (夫妈) is a term used to refer to the husband of one’s elder sister or the son-in-law. It’s not a common term in daily conversation, so it’s often used in a more formal or traditional context. “Daren” (达人) means “expert” or “master” and is a more respectful title. 

 

So, “Yan Fuma” would mean “Yan, the husband of an elder sister” and “Yan Daren” would mean “Master Yan” or “Expert Yan.”