The Blood Crown - Chapter 81

As the discussion reached its conclusion, it circled back to the topic of warfare. Liang Guang was deeply concerned about the situation, given that Liang Wang had skilled naval commanders under his command, an abundance of warships, and well-trained sailors. Moreover, they currently held the strategic advantage of Dongting Lake.

 

Despite being at a disadvantage, they had managed to turn the tide, successively capturing Kuizhou and Jingzhou, and now had Liang Wang cornered, preparing for a decisive battle at Dongting Lake. They had exhausted all their resources and suffered heavy losses. Failing at this critical juncture would be a bitter regret for generations to come.

 

“General Zhao and General Di Jiang have petitioned the court for reinforcements again. Troops from Nanchang and Jiujiang will mobilize twenty thousand soldiers to join our forces and launch a pincer attack, which should break the enemy. However, the current issue is…” Liang Guang paused, “They are still in the process of organizing their troops, which will take at least half a month.”

 

“Can our provisions last for another half a month?” Feng Ye inquired.

 

Liang Guang shook his head, “Barely. The rebel forces are unlikely to delay either.”

 

Ge Zhong added, “Prefect Liu and I will spare no effort in procuring provisions to supply the frontline.”

 

“Can you raise a thousand stones of provisions within two days and send them over first?”

 

“This…” Ge Zhong furrowed his brow, appearing somewhat troubled, but he eventually agreed, “Very well!”

 

“There is another matter I’d like to trouble Ge Daifu  with,” Yan Sikong interjected.

 

“Please, Yan Daifu, speak.”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Liang Guang before continuing, “I would like to request Ge Daifu to draft a letter persuading Liang Wang to surrender. What are your thoughts, Chief Secretary?”

 

Ge Zhong sighed, “If persuasion were effective, we wouldn’t find ourselves in this situation.”

 

“Liang Wang has either executed or imprisoned officials from both provinces, yet he has only placed Ge Daifu under house arrest. This indicates that Liang Wang holds Ge Daifu in high regard. This letter isn’t truly meant to persuade surrender but rather to buy time, awaiting reinforcements. Liang Wang’s own nephew, daughter-in-law, and grandson are all in the city, presenting a potential leverage point.”

 

Liang Guang stroked his beard thoughtfully, “I had the same idea. Currently, only Ge Daifu’s words carry enough weight.”

 

“In that case, I will gladly fulfill this duty,” Ge Zhong affirmed. “Time is of the essence. I shall write it immediately. Please wait a moment.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Ge Zhong headed to the study and returned shortly thereafter, holding a completed letter in his hand, which he handed to Liang Guang.

 

Liang Guang unfolded the letter, and the three men read it together. Ge Zhong eloquently conveyed righteous arguments and heartfelt appeals in the letter, which was both convincing and sincere.

 

“Excellent!” Liang Guang praised. “With this letter, Liang Wang will be on edge. I shall dispatch someone to deliver it promptly.”

 

“Liang Daren, might I suggest entrusting this task to the Crown Prince?” Yan Sikong proposed. “I believe the letter should be delivered discreetly to Liang Wang’s hands, without his officers and soldiers being aware of it. Otherwise, Liang Wang may perceive it as an attempt to sow discord, which could backfire.”

 

“Yan Daifu’s foresight is commendable,” Ge Zhong concurred. “We should refrain from sending a messenger directly. Instead, a scout should covertly deliver it to Liang Wang.”

 

Liang Guang nodded, handing the letter to Feng Ye. “Crown Prince, I entrust this matter to you.”

 

Feng Ye bowed respectfully. “Chief Secretary, you have my word.”

 

Ge Zhong invited them to dine at the governor’s mansion, but they politely declined.

 

Upon leaving the governor’s mansion, Yan Sikong feigned dizziness, prompting a scolding from Feng Ye. “Look at you. I told you not to come out, but you insisted. Let me take you back to the inn.”

 

Liang Guang paused for a moment, apparently feeling uneasy with the intimate tone of Feng Ye’s reprimand.

 

Yan Sikong smiled wryly. “Liang Daren, I am not in good health and feel a bit weak today. It’s best for me to rest and not interfere with official matters.”

 

Liang Guang replied, “Take care of yourself and get some rest.”

 

Feng Ye summoned a carriage and helped Yan Sikong into it.

 

Yan Sikong leaned against his chest and admonished, “Wait until tonight to send the letter, and make sure no one sees you leaving the city.”

 

“Don’t worry,” Feng Ye touched his forehead, “It doesn’t seem like you have a fever.”

 

“I’m just tired, nothing serious,” Yan Sikong sighed, “I haven’t been this exhausted in a long time. It seems it will take some time to recover.”

 

Feng Ye pursed his lips. “Then why did you get up so early today?”

 

“Today…” Yan Sikong hesitated. 

 

“Your bedding was cold, you’ve been up for a while, haven’t you?” Feng Ye had been bothered by this since morning. While it wasn’t a big deal, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that Yan Sikong was hiding something from him, making him overly concerned about even the smallest matters.

 

Yan Sikong calmly said, “I had a nightmare. I dreamt that we were ambushed by the enemy in Qingxu Valley. Both ends of the pass were blocked, and arrows rained down from above. Despite your attempts to break through, we couldn’t succeed, and our soldiers met a tragic end far from home…”

 

Feng Ye hugged him tightly, filled with tenderness, “It’s just a dream.”

 

“Yes, just a dream,” Yan Sikong sighed deeply, “But seeing you covered in blood, it feels like that image will stay in my nightmares forever. I’ve never been so close to swords and blood before. When I charged into the valley, if it weren’t for the soldiers protecting me, I would have been cut down quickly. And you were deep in the enemy lines, it terrified me.”

 

“Don’t be afraid, ordinary people can’t get close to me.”

 

“However powerful you are, you’re still human, not a mythical being.” Yan Sikong nestled closer to Feng Ye, “And then, I couldn’t sleep. I tried to read or calm my mind, but I was too tired and fell asleep at my desk.”

 

Feng Ye gently kissed Yan Sikong’s forehead, “With you looking like this, why didn’t you tell me?”

 

“I didn’t want you to worry,” Yan Sikong smiled faintly, “I’m just really tired. After resting for a few days, I won’t be so anxious.”

 

“Then rest well, I and the Grand Historian will take care of everything.” Feng Ye gently patted Yan Sikong’s back to comfort him.

 

Back at the inn, Feng Ye had lunch brought to their room. Yan Sikong found the dishes too bland and asked Xuebo to bring him a bowl of vinegar.

 

“Bland?” Feng Ye tasted a bit, “I find it just right.”

 

“I’ve had little appetite lately. I want something with flavor,” Yan Sikong said, taking a bite of the meat, “I should eat more. In Qingxu Valley, I felt tired after just a short time on horseback with a sword. I’ve spent too much time reading and neglected my martial skills.”

 

“You’ve been running around in the mountains these past few days, accumulating too much. Once you rest well, you’ll be fine. When we return to the capital, I’ll teach you swordsmanship.”

 

“That’s great. With the Little Wolf King personally teaching me, I might become a great hero…” Yan Sikong spoke with excitement, accidentally knocking over a bowl, spilling vinegar all over Feng Ye.

 

“Oh no,” Feng Ye quickly stood up.

 

Yan Sikong hurriedly grabbed a towel to wipe him, self-deprecatingly saying, “I must be losing my eyesight. Quickly take off your clothes.”

 

Feng Ye grinned, “You want me to undress in broad daylight? Why are you in such a hurry?”

 

“Don’t tease. Take them off quickly. The vinegar smell is strong. If you don’t change clothes, you won’t be able to go out today.”

 

Feng Ye first took out the letter from Ge Zhong and put it aside, then took off his clothes. His room was next door, so he wiped the vinegar off his abdomen and walked back to his room.

 

Yan Sikong quickly opened the scroll tube and took out the letter, then used a brush dipped in vinegar to write two characters below Ge Zhong’s writing.

 

The white vinegar quickly permeated the paper, and Yan Sikong listened to the movements next door while continuously blowing on the writing. As the vinegar evaporated, the moist writing gradually disappeared. Yan Sikong heard the sound of the door opening next door, so he quickly rolled up the letter and put it back in the tube.

 

When Feng Ye came back after changing his clothes, he saw Yan Sikong wiping the scroll tube with a cloth.

 

“Did you dirty it?”

 

“It’s just a little bit, no harm done.” Yan Sikong handed the scroll tube back to Feng Ye.

 

Feng Ye took it, stuffed it back into his embrace, and wrinkled his nose, sniffing, “I’m afraid I still smell of vinegar.”

 

Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow, “Whose vinegar are you jealous of?”

 

“Besides you, who else could make me jealous?” Feng Ye said playfully, “I hope you’ll let me be jealous this time.”

 

Both couldn’t help but laugh.

 

In the afternoon, Feng Ye went to handle military affairs in the city and discreetly sent away a trusted subordinate with Ge Zhong’s letter.

 

It wasn’t until nightfall that Feng Ye returned to the inn.

 

Yan Sikong was nestled in the bed reading a book.

 

Feng Ye closed the door, walked to the bedside, and took the book from his hand, “Didn’t we agree you’d rest?”

 

“I slept all afternoon, so I’m feeling energetic now.” Yan Sikong smiled, “Is everything taken care of?”

 

“Everything’s done, don’t worry.”

 

“I wonder if Ge Daifu will be able to procure provisions.”

 

“Ge Daifu oversees the military and political affairs of the twenty-seven provinces of the Two Lakes. Since he dared to promise, he won’t go back on his word.” Feng Ye removed his shoes and got into bed, holding Yan Sikong in his arms and lightly kissing his forehead.

 

“But provisions are scarce everywhere now.”

 

“Even so, worrying won’t help.” Feng Ye tightened his grip around Yan Sikong’s waist, planting warm kisses on his cheek and neck.

 

“Why do you think Chen Huan didn’t kill Ge Zhong? Keeping him alive, isn’t that inviting trouble?”

 

“It’s hard to say. Anyway, it probably isn’t out of friendship.” Feng Ye rolled over, pressing Yan Sikong onto the bed, his eyes shining, “You’re in my arms, but you can’t focus on me. Shouldn’t there be a punishment?”

 

Yan Sikong gave a lazy smile, “What punishment do you have in mind?”

 

“I’ll punish you…” Feng Ye lowered his head, lightly nibbling on his earlobe, “Tonight, you’re only allowed to call me husband.”

 

Yan Sikong chuckled, “I won’t call you that.”

 

Feng Ye tugged at Yan Sikong’s clothing, wild yet gentle as he kissed his lips. Amidst their entwined lips, he mumbled, “When you cry and beg for mercy under me tonight, we’ll see if you still won’t call me.”

 

“Feng Ye… I… I still have some doubts…” Yan Sikong’s voice trailed off as Feng Ye bit him.

 

Feng Ye smirked, “Dare to mention another man.” He paused, “Or anything gender-neutral.”

 

Yan Sikong chuckled, and Feng Ye silenced him with another passionate kiss, filling the room with their love and desire… (End of this chapter)

 

“Daifu” (大夫) 

 

**Official Rank:** Historically, “daifu” was also a title used for government officials, particularly those in lower to middle-ranking positions in the imperial bureaucracy. The exact rank and responsibilities associated with “daifu” varied throughout Chinese history and could be different in different dynasties.

 

**Master or Expert:** In some contexts, “daifu” can also refer to a master or expert in a particular field, such as arts, crafts, or literature.