Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 73: The Crown Prince

Wei Zhen jogged all the way and stopped in front of Ji Wo’s sleeping quarters. The palace attendants sweeping the courtyard saluted her as she strode inside. She spotted the eunuch who often accompanied Ji Wo and asked, “Where is your Highness?”

The eunuch bowed. “Princess, His Highness left the palace early this morning.”

Wei Zhen asked, “Left? For what purpose?”

“Last night, His Highness received a decree from the Great King, instructing him to go to the border.”

The eunuch went into the inner hall to fetch a letter for Wei Zhen. “Please take a look, Princess. This is the letter sent by the Great King.”

Wei Zhen took the letter, spread it out on the table, and after just a glance, her brows knitted tightly.

The letter stated that Ji Wo was summoned to the front lines, as he was a prince of Jin and should be properly tempered through experience.

The handwriting looked exactly like the Jin King’s. Even those who frequently exchanged letters with the Jin King would not be able to tell it was a forgery.

Before the Jin King left, he had told Ji Wo that he would summon him to the front lines, but only when the war situation had gradually stabilized and the circumstances had become clearer.

But now was definitely not the right time.

Wei Zhen clenched the bamboo scroll tightly.

This letter was almost flawless in its imitation, even the king’s seal at the bottom was perfectly placed.

Wei Zhen had only noticed something wrong because she had spent so much time with the Jin King.

Ji Wo was gentle by nature and would not defy the king’s order, so he would surely obey and set off.

Now, in the capital, only Ji Yuan remained to handle state affairs.

If news of the Great King’s misfortune from the front lines returned at this moment…

The eunuch noticed her pale face and asked, “Princess, what’s the matter?”

Wei Zhen put the letter away and said, “Your Highness has some personal soldiers stationed at his estate outside the capital, right? You must leave the city immediately, gather those soldiers, and go after him.”

If Ji Wo encountered danger along the way, it would all be too late.

Wei Zhen’s thoughts were consumed by this matter all the way back, and by nightfall, she returned to the royal hall.

Tonight, it was her turn to be on duty at the royal hall. Usually, at this time, Ji Yuan would also be working, but today, she did not see him.

Wei Zhen asked, “Where is His Highness Ji Yuan?”

A palace servant replied, “His Highness went out of the palace with the Marquis of Gaoling this afternoon, likely to inspect the military camp outside the capital. They said they wouldn’t be back tonight. Does the Princess wish to see His Highness?”

Wei Zhen smiled, “It’s nothing, I understand.”

She sat down at her own desk, her gaze fixed on the stack of pending official documents. After a while, she looked up at the eunuch standing at the side hall’s entrance.

The Jin King’s palace had several side halls, one of which was used as Ji Yuan’s study, guarded daily by his men, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter.

She whispered to the guard beside her, “I want to go into His Highness’s study. In a moment, find a way to keep that eunuch occupied.”

Before the guard could respond, Wei Zhen had already lifted her skirts and descended the steps.

“Would you be so kind as to open the door and let me in, Eunuch?”

The eunuch apologized, “Princess, you may have forgotten. Since the Great King left, His Highness has been using this side hall as his office.”

“I am aware, but this is also the Great King’s study, is it not? There are many of the Great King’s books inside, and I need to retrieve one of them.”

The eunuch hesitated. “His Highness instructed that no one is to be allowed inside. It’s not me stopping you, Princess. Perhaps you could wait; His Highness will return tomorrow.”

Wei Zhen shook her head. “But what I am looking for is truly important. If I don’t find it, things will be delayed. Besides, His Highness has brought me here before to look for scrolls.”

The eunuch looked troubled.

Wei Zhen said, “How about you come in with me?”

The eunuch pondered for a moment before nodding. “Then please be quick, Princess.”

The eunuch pushed open the door, and Wei Zhen walked inside. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Ji Yuan’s desk, which was piled with many bamboo scrolls.

With the eunuch watching her so closely, she couldn’t search freely.

The eunuch stopped in front of the bookshelf and said softly, “What book are you looking for, Princess? I can help you find it.”

He kept a close watch on Wei Zhen’s actions, as if afraid she might do something suspicious.

Wei Zhen didn’t respond, standing in front of the bookshelf and slowly searching.

After a while, as she reached for a scroll from the highest shelf, it slipped down and struck the sky-blue fish jar by the window.

A crisp clatter sounded, and the eunuch snapped out of his thoughts. Looking closely, Wei Zhen was kneeling on the ground, surrounded by shattered pieces of the fish jar, with several gold and silver fish flopping around on the floor, water splashing everywhere.

The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward. “Princess, were you hurt by the shards?”

Wei Zhen looked at the ground in dismay. “I’m fine. I just broke the Great King’s favorite fish jar. When he returns, he will surely blame me.”

Her clothes were soaked, especially her front collar, with water dripping constantly, the inner layer clearly visible.

Wei Zhen covered her chest with her hand. “Eunuch, could you kindly fetch me a robe? My clothes are soaked, and with so many eunuchs and guards outside, it’s truly improper for me to walk out like this.”

The eunuch hesitated. “But…”

“It’s just for a moment,” she said gently. “Can’t you do me this small favor?”

The eunuch stared at her for a long moment before finally agreeing. “Very well, I’ll step outside and instruct the maids to bring you clothing.”

Wei Zhen replied softly, “Thank you.”

As soon as the eunuch left, Wei Zhen immediately locked the door behind him.

She rushed to Ji Yuan’s desk and quickly began searching.

The documents on the table were mostly ordinary official reports. She went through them all and found nothing unusual.

Hearing voices from outside, Wei Zhen’s forehead started to sweat. From a nearby cabinet, she found several silk scrolls with seemingly simple poems written on them. Initially, she paid them no mind, stuffing them back. But then she realized those might be coded messages.

She took the silk scrolls along with a sheepskin map, spread them out on the table, and saw that the map had three locations circled in red ink.

This discovery made her even more certain that the content of the silk scrolls was related to military matters.

She tore pieces of silk from her clothes and copied the messages.

These secret codes required careful study to decode.

The last scroll she opened made her freeze.

The words “Wei Zhen,” “Princess Wei,” “Jade Pendant,” and “Prime Minister Wei” rushed into her sight…

“Princess, Princess?” The knocking sound from outside the door echoed. Wei Zhen looked up and glanced outside.

The eunuch outside was pounding on the door forcefully. Receiving no response and hearing the sound of a lock turning, he began banging on the door even more frantically, “Princess!”

With a clatter, the door was pulled open. The young woman stood behind it.

She held a bamboo scroll in her hands, smiling, “Gonggong, you’re back?”

The eunuch, his face pale and flustered, stepped over the threshold and surveyed the room, seeing everything in order, especially the desk that appeared untouched.

He raised a sleeve to wipe the sweat from his forehead and said, “Princess, the dress has been brought for you.”

Wei Zhen replied, “Thank you. Then I’ll change inside the room.”

The eunuch, still feeling uneasy, insisted on accompanying her inside, turning his back to her to allow her to change.

Not long after, Wei Zhen finished changing and left. The eunuch inspected the desk and finally exhaled in relief.

Back in her chamber, Wei Zhen dismissed the maids and pulled out the silk scroll from her sleeve.

If there had only been one letter, deciphering the code would be difficult. But she now had four letters sent to the capital one after another. By comparing these letters to the events that had occurred, she could piece together some of the hidden messages.

Having managed her own fiefdom in Chu State, Wei Zhen had experience with encrypted letters and was skilled at handling them.

The red candles burned down inch by inch, and her desk was cluttered with wasted bamboo slips she had written and discarded.

By dawn the next day, she could endure no longer and rested on the bed for a while, but by early afternoon, she was up again.

“This code refers to…” Wei Zhen murmured to herself, struggling to piece together a complete message.

“Lure Qi Yan away and kill him. Jin King’s troops are few; lure Qi’s forces here…”

The general content of the secret letter was that Jin’s army would be divided into three forces. On the day of the great battle, the main force led by Jin’s commander would be in the front, while the remaining forces of Qi Yan and Jin King would be thinly spread. The specific locations had already been revealed to Qi State.

Qi State would bring its main forces to attack these two points.

This was a letter sent to Ji Yuan from the front line, informing him of how the forces would be deployed during the great battle.

For someone to have such a clear understanding of Jin’s battle strategy, they must be part of the upper echelons of the military.

Wei Zhen’s heart felt as though it was crushed by a massive stone, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Just the previous night, she had dreamed of Qi Yan’s past life, of him being hunted down by Jin soldiers, wandering alone with his horse through the desolate desert.

Wei Zhen immediately stood up, walked to the cabinet, took out a few robes, and began packing her belongings.

Liang Chan watched her from the side and asked, “Princess, why are you so flustered? What’s wrong?”

Wei Zhen’s trembling hands packed the bundle as her breathing grew rapid. “I have to go to the front lines, to see Qi Yan.”

A letter from the border to the capital, even sent by urgent dispatch, would take at least two days to arrive. That meant the letter had been sent from the border at least two days ago.

She didn’t know if it was still possible to make it in time.

Her eyes were red as she looked outside. The sun was about to set, and the time left for her to leave the palace was running out.

The capital was shrouded in prosperity, while hundreds of miles away from the capital, Jin’s military camp lay crouched like a beast under the glow of the setting sun.

Tomorrow would be the day of battle between Qi and Jin.

Dusk settled. On a high hillside, three figures stood still.

The King of Jin sat on his horse, overlooking the soldiers training below, while the bleak aura of the ancient battlefield filled the air.

“The sights of the past have turned to dust. The vast wilderness stretches endlessly, the heroes’ souls are severed, and the road ends here.”

The long wind blew, dispersing the Jin King’s sigh into the air.

Hong Shuo laughed and said, “In the battles between Qi and Jin, the young general has returned victorious many times. Your Majesty should be pleased.”

The Jin King fixed his gaze on the figure below. A young man dressed in black martial attire stood there, his figure tall and graceful, seemingly cloaked in a shimmering glow under the setting sun.

“Whether it’s military strategy or commanding tactics, Qi Yan excels in all of it. He is truly a natural-born star of generals. Even when I was young, I would probably fall short compared to him. If only he were my grandson, how wonderful that would be.”

Hong Shuo glanced at the man standing beside the Jin King, another of the two marshals appointed before the expedition—Pang Zhen, a man in his fifties.

The Jin King squinted his eyes and sighed again, “If only one of my grandsons had even eighty percent of his ability, I wouldn’t be worried about having no successor to the throne.”

The other man slowly spoke, “General Qi’s talents are acknowledged by everyone in the army. But Your Majesty, such words should only be spoken among us. They must not be heard by others.”

The Jin King said, “What if I adopt Qi Yan under my name…”

“Your Majesty,” Pang Zhen interrupted, “You are mistaken. How could you imitate the mistake of the Juyu extinguishing the Zeng State?”

The Juyu extinguishing the Zeng State referred to the former ruler of the Zeng land allowing a grandson of the Juyu family to inherit the throne. In the eyes of the world, with a foreign surname as successor, the Zeng family line was considered extinct.

The Jin King said, “Doesn’t Qi Yan have my blood running through his veins? How can that be considered imitating the Juyu extinguishing the Zeng State?”

“Your Majesty, Jin State bears the surname Ji. Qi Yan cannot win the people’s loyalty.”

“He has the ability to make everyone submit,” the Jin King’s gaze was sharp. “If I decree him as the heir, then of course, the matter of etiquette must be properly justified. Let him change his surname to Ji, and who in Jin State would dare to disobey?”

The two men beside him immediately tried to dissuade him, “Your Majesty…”

The Jin King let out a long sigh. “I was merely speaking my mind.”

The Jin King looked up at the sky. “Tomorrow’s battle, Qi State will surely defend heavily.”

Pang Zhen said, “The commander Qi State sent is Your Majesty’s old rival.”

A hint of coldness flashed in the Jin King’s eyes.

For Qi State to have survived in this chaotic era for so long, it was naturally not an easy opponent.

The Jin King extended his hand toward Hong Shuo while staring at Qi Yan below. “Bring me my bow and arrow.”

Hong Shuo presented the carved bow.

The Jin King drew the bow like a full moon, his skill and grace undiminished from his youth, aiming at the dark figure on the hillside below.

“Whoosh.” The dark arrow pierced through the glow of dusk, shooting forth like lightning.

As the arrow was about to reach the young man, he swiftly turned around, drew his sword, and struck upward, splitting the arrow into two halves that fell to the ground.

The Jin King laughed heartily.

Hearing the laughter, the young man below turned his horse and galloped toward him.

The Jin King watched him with a smile. Qi Yan had just finished his training, and beads of sweat clung to his cheeks as he asked, “Did Your Majesty call for me?”

The Jin King raised his hand to pat him on the shoulder. “Tomorrow, the army will attack. You should rest early tonight.”

Qi Yan replied, “I’m fine. I don’t feel tired.”

The Jin King nodded. “You remember the route for tomorrow, correct? Do not forget. Marshal Pang Zhen’s army will be at the front as the main force to face the enemy. You will lead your troops to lure part of the enemy deep into the canyon and use the terrain to launch an ambush. I will be in the rear, ready to assist you at any moment.”

Qi Yan hesitated.

He remembered Wei Zhen’s advice before they departed, urging him not to separate from the main force. He said, “Your Majesty, perhaps the plan should be adjusted somewhat…”

“Haven’t we discussed this many times? Making use of the terrain here is best. I trust you.”

After a long pause, Qi Yan said, “Could I perhaps take a few more troops tomorrow?”

In general, once battle formations were decided, they couldn’t be easily altered, as even the slightest change could affect the entire plan. But the Jin King, looking at his grandson, said, “I will assign you another five thousand troops, so you can be more assured.”

Qi Yan cupped his hands and smiled. “Thank you, Grandfather.”

The Jin King conversed with him a while longer, urging him to rest early.

The setting sun was blood-red, dazzling and magnificent. Dust rose from the horse’s hooves as the young man rode away.

The glow of dusk highlighted the wrinkles on the Jin King’s face. He gazed at the receding figure for a long time.

“This child will not disappoint me,” he said softly.

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck him. The Jin King raised his hand to clutch his chest, his body collapsing forward.

Hong Shuo caught him. “Your Majesty!”

The Jin King’s vision darkened intermittently, sweat beading on his forehead, his chest pounding like a drum.

He was supported by the two men until he sat steadily. Once he regained his composure, he laughed and sighed, “It’s nothing, no need to worry. I’ve just been overworking myself recently. Hong Shuo, help me to my tent to rest.”

Hong Shuo led the Jin King’s horse down the hillside and said, “Your Majesty, the injury from the beginning of the year still requires care. You shouldn’t have rushed into battle.”

After a long while, he added with deep concern, “I must say, Your Majesty, at this point, you should name an heir.”

The Jin King raised his head and saw Qi Yan’s tent in the distance.

He closed his eyes, feeling fatigue seep into his very bones from the cold wind, and said helplessly, “I understand.”

Jin Palace.

At dusk, the golden sun sank in the west, casting a layer of amber light over the world.

Before the royal hall, the palace servants saluted, “Greetings to the Seventh Prince.”

Ji Yuan motioned for them to rise and returned to the hall. As soon as he entered the side hall, the eunuch approached him. Ji Yuan sat down at the desk and asked, “I was not in the palace yesterday. Did anything happen?”

“Nothing major. From the eastern battlefield, Commander Pang has not sent any word.”

Ji Yuan knelt before the desk, opened the bamboo scroll, and his brows furrowed tightly.

The eunuch’s back stiffened, sensing the chill in Ji Yuan’s eyes. “Your Highness?”

Ji Yuan opened a nearby cabinet and carefully examined the maps and letters inside. “When I was away yesterday, did you allow anyone to enter here?”

The eunuch bowed his head. Hearing that tone, he knew something was terribly wrong.

A chill crept from his feet to his heart, and he stammered, “Yesterday, the Princess of Chu came by.”

Ji Yuan’s eyes narrowed coldly, and he let out a faint laugh before tossing the letter onto the desk.

Rising tall like a mountain, Ji Yuan strode toward the door.

The guards at the entrance turned to him. Ji Yuan asked, “Where is the Princess of Chu?”

“Your Highness, the Princess is in her chamber.”

Ji Yuan walked down the steps, his eyes glinting with icy determination. “Seal the palace gates immediately. Do not allow anyone to leave.”

“Juyu extinguishing the Zeng State, appointing a successor with a foreign surname, is the path to destruction.” —From The Guliang Commentary