Guan Changliang, the defending general of the North, had been swayed to defect by the people of Qi.
With this single betrayal, the Qi army captured a city of Great Zhou with ease.
The urgent report, sent via an eight-hundred-li express, landed on Emperor Taian's desk, leaving his expression colder than the first snowfall drifting outside the palace.
Given the recent turmoil, the imperial court had actually been preparing for war, but Guan Changliang's sudden defection was unforeseen, and the resulting consequences were unacceptable.
Emperor Taian urgently summoned high-ranking officials from various ministries to deploy troops for a northward expedition. This northern expeditionary force had actually been planned long ago, including the cavalry battalion that had been in training; the commander-in-chief had also been decided: the highly decorated General Xu Jing.
However, before the northern army could even set out, an urgent report arrived announcing that conflict had erupted on the border between Great Zhou and Yuliu.
Simultaneously, the faction of Emperor Pingle, who had been hiding in the Southern Lands, suddenly emerged. Taking advantage of the nearby small town's lack of reaction, they seized the location with lightning speed and began recruiting militia under the banner of restoring the legitimate succession to bolster their strength.
For a time, Great Zhou was surrounded by enemies on all sides, swaying precariously. In particular, the fact that two more generals in the North had defected to Northern Qi with their personal guards dealt a blow to morale far greater than any bloody riot.
Emperor Taian, who usually kept his emotions hidden before his ministers, smashed two teacups in succession to vent his rage.
Despite having anticipated the war and making preparations, now that the day had truly arrived, he realized that no amount of preparation was ever enough.
The human heart is often unpredictable.
With the situation in the North becoming dire, the Minister of Personnel offered a suggestion: "Prince Jing has guarded the North for many years and knows the northern generals well. Given the current situation, this official believes Prince Jing could be stationed in the North to resist the great enemy alongside General Xu..."
Although the various princes had been in the capital for over a decade, the veteran officials of the court still remembered that when Prince Jing was in the North, the people of Qi had been relatively well-behaved, and any frictions or disturbances had been minor.
After long deliberation, Emperor Taian accepted the suggestion.
The situation in the North was too severe; the Qi army was advancing like a hot knife through butter, and the morale of his own side was unstable. He needed someone familiar with the region and possessed of prestige to hold the line. Without a doubt, the most suitable person was Prince Jing.
Since the chaos began, Emperor Taian's decision-making had become increasingly decisive. He immediately summoned Prince Jing to the palace.
"I wonder what matter brings your brother here, Imperial Brother?" Prince Jing asked respectfully.
Emperor Taian studied his younger brother, who was a few years his junior.
He remembered that when Prince Jing first entered the capital, he had a slender waist and a lithe frame. Afterward, he had visibly put on weight, and the Emperor had found him more pleasing to look at as a result.
Looking closely today, he seemed a bit thinner than in his memory.
"Fifth Brother has grown lean."
Prince Jing's face showed bitterness: "Once war breaks out, soldiers bleed and the people suffer. Thinking of these things, your brother finds he cannot eat."
Emperor Taian sighed. "I have let Fifth Brother share in these worries."
Prince Jing's heart stirred, and he had a vague suspicion, but he didn't let it show on his face as he offered comfort: "In times like these, Imperial Brother must keep a relaxed mind. You are the stabilizing pillar of our Great Zhou."
"The stabilizing pillar of Great Zhou?" Emperor Taian gave a self-deprecating laugh. "If there were a pillar stabilizing the sea, would it still be in such chaos? Take Eldest Brother, for instance; I truly didn't expect him to still be alive, let alone recruiting soldiers under the banner of restoring the legitimate succession..."
As he spoke, he gazed steadily at Prince Jing.
The moment Emperor Taian mentioned Emperor Pingle, Prince Jing frowned: "He has the nerve to mention restoring legitimacy? Great Zhou was nearly ruined by his antics..."
Prince Jing's reaction was primarily to put Emperor Taian at ease, though there was truth in his words.
Two years. That spendthrift of an Eldest Brother had lost ten cities in the short two years of his reign; one city was even given away during peace talks after he had actually won the battle.
Upon learning the result of the negotiations, Prince Jing had hardly believed his ears. If he hadn't fought that battle himself, he would have thought they had lost. He had been so furious he nearly took a blade to chop off the heads of his own negotiating officials.
Especially while stationed in the distant North with heavy troops in hand, he had felt the impulse to rush to the capital and overthrow that great spendthrift.
However, he only thought about it; he found it more comfortable to live freely and harmoniously with his family in the North.
Generally speaking, while Prince Jing was annoyed by Emperor Taian's deep suspicion, he also understood this ambitious elder brother to some extent.
Prince Jing's reaction undoubtedly pleased Emperor Taian.
"Still, only Fifth Brother understands me!" Emperor Taian sighed deeply, his voice dropping. "Fifth Brother, I have a matter to entrust to you."
Prince Jing's expression immediately became solemn: "To share Imperial Brother's worries is this subject-brother's duty."
Emperor Taian immediately told him about the order to go North.
Prince Jing saw through it clearly; Emperor Taian had spent all that time playing the emotional card just to get him to go North and work hard. If he thought there was room to refuse, he would be tactless.
He had no intention of refusing.
In the North, he had old friends and former subordinates, citizens he had protected, and the people of Qi, whose brutality he had witnessed firsthand over many years.
If he clung to the prosperity of the capital and refused to go, and Great Zhou eventually fell to Qi, that would be a true living hell, and regret would come too late. Even if the final result was the worst-case scenario, at least he would have done his best. As for how to explain the loss of the empire to their Imperial Father in the afterlife, that would be a matter for Eldest Brother and Fourth Brother.
Prince Jing immediately signaled his agreement.
The two brothers ended the conversation in an exceptionally friendly and harmonious atmosphere. Upon returning to his manor, Prince Jing gathered his family and announced his upcoming departure to the North to resist Qi.
"The Prince is going North to fight?" The Princess Consort panicked the moment she heard. "I've heard that the Qi army is in a great position in the North and our casualties are severe. It's too dangerous for the Prince to go to war. Can you not go?"
Seeing the Princess Consort's eyes redden, Prince Jing quickly brought up Emperor Taian: "This is the Emperor's will. If I don't go, wouldn't that be defying an imperial decree?"
"But—" The Princess Consort was full of reluctance but had no way out. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. "We've lived in peace for so many years, why has it become so chaotic? The Prince is already at the age of a grandfather; how could he endure the hardships of the battlefield..."
Prince Jing didn't like hearing that: "The children aren't even married yet; it's far too early for me to be a grandfather. There are plenty of generals my age who campaign across the south and north."
He was only in his early forties; why couldn't he go to the battlefield!
The Princess Consort's tear-reddened eyes widened. "Why does it sound like the Prince is actually quite willing?"
"Cough, cough, cough, that's not the case. It's just that the imperial decree is hard to disobey, so there's no other way." Prince Jing hurriedly gave his three children a look, signaling them to persuade her.
Qi Huan silently took a step back.
His words carried little weight; the heavy responsibility of persuading her should be left to his eldest brother and younger sister.
Qi Shuo spoke up: "We all understand Mother's concern for Father. Not to mention you, we siblings are also uneasy about Father going North to fight."
The Princess Consort nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself that Shuo'er was the most sensible.
"For this northern expedition, I shall accompany Father. I will definitely protect Father and ensure Mother does not worry."
"Mm... hm?" The Princess Consort realized what he said, her voice rising. "Shuo'er, what did you say?"
(End of Chapter)