Chapter 7: Tribute Women

The wooden stick struck the body, producing a heavy muffled sound. It is not an easy task to beat a person to death. The splatter of blood and the sound of bones breaking are chilling. The musician, who had initially held firm, later began to wail in agony, rolling on the ground. Lord Zhu laughed heartily as General Wei Wenqi left the table.

A prosperous and peaceful era

As the words fell, he turned to leave. Zuo Canglang glanced back and saw Wen Qi still standing beside the corpse, her silhouette lonely.

The entire court of civil and military officials has long since lost their appetite, and the timid have already begun to vomit

The musician was not afraid and said solemnly: "What fear do I have in death? It is only a pity that in the great Yan, not a single minister remains unbroken! The autumn cicada has not yet died, still singing high. To flatter and submit is to create false peace!"

This is the true Great Yan State, the grim reality hidden beneath the superficial splendor. The great powers oppress, the common people are displaced, families are broken, and the nation is in disarray

Zhu Wenqing smiled: "Although this person speaks without decorum, he indeed possesses an appearance of righteousness. His surface seems loyal and brave, but I wonder if his bones are truly strong. The King of Yan might as well carry out the punishment here, so that we may observe the bones of the Yan people."

Murong Yan did not even glance and said: "Brave warrior, let your blood be preserved, for there is little left of the Great Yan."

The entire hall was astonished, and Zhu Wenqing laughed heartily, using a knife to cut open his bladder, causing blood and urine to flow together: "I have not seen the bones and joints, but this heart and liver can indeed be served with wine"

The Duke of Yan and Lord Zhu shared another drink, and the tune changed to a different one. Lord Zhu listened intently, and suddenly let out a cold laugh: "What is the name of this tune?"

On the day Zhu Wenqing and his entourage left Jinyang City, the common people gathered in silence. Five hundred Yan women were bound together by ropes around their arms, forming a chain, passing through the Southern Commandant's camp, going past the Martial Temple, and exiting through the West Drought Gate. Soldiers drove them with whips, as if herding cattle and sheep, leaving Jinyang City

Three young men solemnly kneel. To restore the rivers and mountains, to support the holy monarch. To wash the sword in the flowers, to remain true to their original aspirations

The King of Yan and *Tu* were in deep contemplation, while Lord Zhu's smile gradually faded: "What is this? Someone is slandering and insulting the imperial court, yet the King of Yan hesitates so? Does he believe there is some truth to their words? Or is it that someone is instigating him? King of Yan, if His Majesty the Emperor were to learn of this matter and you choose to turn a blind eye, it is likely that he would be displeased"

Lord Zhu drank this cup of wine, his face glowing with health and his spirits high: "Your Majesty has heard that the State of Yan is home to many beauties, and before departing, specifically ordered me to bring back five hundred beautiful women to Jing. Surely, the King of Yan would not be unwilling to part with them, would he"

Wen Qi clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, but slowly sat down as the King of Yan signaled for the execution to be carried out in the hall

The King of Yan smiled as he drank with him, yet there were blue veins throbbing on his forehead—another five hundred Yan maidens. Each year, the women sent from the State of Yan to the Western Jing were treated by the Emperor of Western Jing as casually as cattle and sheep, their lives as worthless as ants. He glanced at the ministers in the court, all of whom were bowing their heads to drink. May heaven protect me; the summons for tribute maidens, an act that would surely draw scorn, must never fall upon me.

Murong Yan sat down in the upper seat, looking at the two young men kneeling on the ground. After a moment, he slowly said: "In those years, I gathered three hundred and seventy children from various places in Dayan." The three of them were all taken aback, and he continued, "Except for A Zuo, everyone else has experienced death. I hope more than any of you that you survive, that the saplings grow into a forest, and that you live in peace for a lifetime. However, what Dayan lacks today is not the common people, but the talented individuals who can turn the tide and change the world. I hope more than any of you that you survive, that the saplings grow into a forest, and that you live in peace for a lifetime. However, what Dayan lacks today is not the common people, but the talented individuals who can turn the tide and change the world. Dayan is already gravely ill; my intention in sheltering you is not merely to save lives, but to rescue a nation, a dynasty.

Murong Yan reached out, closed the eyes of the musician, stood up to look at Wen Qi, and said: "The General did not protect the Great Yan Kingdom well." The warrior Wen Qi, who had been in the military for over ten years, lowered his head in silence

Murong Yan walked over, pulled aside the grass curtain, and said to Zuo Canglang: "Take a look at him, this is... the nation beneath the splendid surface." Zuo Canglang truly took a glance, and the sight of the bloody flesh was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, abruptly waking him from his dream

If the country is prosperous and the people are strong, her father would not have been unable to afford medical treatment, leading to his untimely death. She would not have been offered to the mountain god for a mere couple of silver coins, becoming a wild person in the mountains and forests. As for her mother, she is now in an unknown state. She once thought that as long as her father did not die, she would not become an orphan

The King of Yan rose and, together with the envoy from Xijing, Lord Zhu, shared a cup of wine, saying: "The envoy has traveled a long distance, akin to delivering a message from the azure bird. With this cup of wine, I wish for the eternal peace of His Majesty the Emperor of Xijing, and may the Great Yan and Xijing unite in heart and purpose, ensuring the prosperity of our ages continues forever"

The musician did not cease to pluck the strings, and coldly replied: "The music of the Ge Tian clan is the eighth movement, the ultimate of all beasts!"

The Prince of Yan, having passed his fiftieth year, bore a slight resemblance to Murong Yan, with the faint traces of his youthful handsomeness still visible in his features. Upon hearing these words, he hesitated slightly, and after a moment, forced a smile and said: "It is the fortune of the State of Yan to receive the Emperor's favor. How could one possibly decline such an honor?"

Mu Rongyan could not move, and she could only watch. The blood and flesh of the musician splattered across the hall, yet Zuo Canglang only felt all the blood in his body retreating back to his heart, his limbs cold as ice

For the first time, she thought of these things and suddenly felt a sharp pain

In a state of helplessness, Prince Murong Ruo ordered the capture of all eligible women, regardless of their marital status, as candidates. The entire city of Jinyang was filled with weeping.

The palace of the Great Yan, with its bronze doors gilded, features beast heads holding rings, and a pair of celestial hounds stands at the entrance, undeniably showcasing the majesty of the imperial family. Left Canglang could not help but glance around, and Murong Yan whispered, "Lower your head!" She quickly bowed her head, while Wen Qi, who was nearby, turned to look this way upon hearing the sound. Murong Yan said, "The servants are ignorant of the rules, and I apologize for the embarrassment caused to General Wen."

Zhu Wenqing stood up with a smile and said: "Wait a moment, King of Yan, I have come from afar, let me see the bones and joints of the Yan people"

The tribute maiden has left the city, gradually moving farther away. The sound of crying has yet to cease, echoing throughout Jinyang City. A thousand miles to send off the bride, unable to see her lord return. From now on, there will be no trust across the horizon, and my body is like a drifting reed.

The three children are all orphans, and at the brink of death, they were selected by Murong Yan from a collection of various sources, choosing three out of three hundred children. If it were not for the declining state of the Great Yan, who would be willing to end up on the streets

The hall was enveloped in silence, and many ministers appeared extremely distressed. Guards stepped forward, wrapping the corpse in a straw mat and dragging it out. Within the hall, some began to wash the floor with water and sprinkle it with fragrant dew to mask the smell of blood

That night, Murong Yan took Zuo Canglang directly to the villa in the city. Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting were drinking when they saw him arrive and quickly got up to greet him

The three individuals looked astonished, and Murong Yan said: "I have already explained the matter. If you still harbor resentment regarding this issue tonight, you may leave at your discretion"

Leng Feiyan bows and says: "Feiyan is willing to pledge loyalty to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty will surely become a wise ruler of the Great Yan dynasty."

The King of Yan glanced at Wen Qi and said softly, "Sit down"

The distance was too great for the left Canglang to clearly see the queen's face; he could only see the magnificent jewels and ornaments on her head, radiating a brilliant luster in the bright hall. The palace maids in white garments and pink skirts began to serve dishes like butterflies, while musicians played music and dancers adorned with flowers and brocade gracefully performed. Within the warm palace, there was a scene of harmonious singing and dancing.

The Prince of Yan did not understand as Zhu Wenqing drew the guard's sword, publicly tore open the clothing of the musician's corpse, thrust it into his abdomen, and with a forceful slash, blood spilled onto the ground, exposing his entrails

As soon as he cried, many others followed suit, shouting: "Sir, my child and the book are still nursing; without their mother, they will surely starve to death. Please let her go!"

Zuo Canglang gripped tightly with both hands; she also wished to leave. It was not that she had never witnessed murder, but to see a person of loyalty and integrity scream in agony was certainly not a pleasant experience

No one stood up, and Leng Feiyan asked softly, "Does the Lord have the intention to contend for supremacy with such words?"

Wen Qi glanced at Zuo Canglang, who was indeed just a half-grown child. He nodded slightly, revealing a faint smile. Although he was a person of military prowess and had seen bloodshed, he exuded an air of scholarly elegance. As a first-rank military general, he did not carry himself with an overbearing demeanor.

And now, the borders of the nation have been trampled by iron hooves, and all the people within will become orphans

Someone beside said: "Your Highness, the Second Prince, your cuff is stained with blood"

The Prince of Yan hesitated and said in a deep voice: "Bold and reckless scoundrel, take him out and execute him with a staff!"

Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting stood among the crowd, not stepping forward. Zuo Canglang approached to pull the old man away. He clung tightly to the stirrup, his hand was cut, leaving a streak of blood on Murong Yan's stirrup

The music of the Ge family is originally a melody celebrating the heavens, earth, flora, and the bountiful harvest..." The King of Yan was patiently explaining, but the musician sneered: "The people of Xijing, relying on the might of their nation, enjoy the offerings of our Great Yan, yet they repeatedly send troops to invade our borders. They slaughter my people as if they were pigs and dogs! If you do not engage in beastly acts, how could you think of being the same as beasts?"

Murong Yan rode at the back of the procession, when an old man in his sixties grasped his stirrup tightly and pleaded, "Sir, please let go of my granddaughter. My son died in battle a few years ago, and my daughter-in-law has remarried. Now, I only have this one granddaughter left..."

The death of the courtier is a cruel torture for everyone. As this mass of flesh and blood falls silent, the expression on Prince Yan's face fluctuates between dark and light: "Drag him away."

The next day, the King of Yan ordered the Crown Prince to recruit five hundred beauties in preparation for accompanying Zhu Wenqing and his party to the Western Capital. Upon hearing this, the common people hurriedly arranged marriages for their daughters. At that moment, there was a sudden shortage of men in Great Yan. However, it proved difficult to gather five hundred beauties in such a short time.

Lord Zhu, in sync with the music and rhythm, said: "As long as King Yan understands, it is good. His Majesty is benevolent, and King Yan is capable. The relationship between Xijing and the Yan Kingdom can be as close as flesh and blood, ensuring peace for generations."

The boys' eyes glimmered with an unusual light, and Murong Yan smiled: "I pledge my word with three cups."

Yang Lianting's expression was solemn: "If it were not for the treacherous ministers in power, the Yang family would not have been completely exterminated. Lianting may be incompetent, but I hope to restore the country and support the rightful sovereign"

The King of Yan surveyed the officials, and a person standing beside him rose, glaring with anger. Lord Zhu happened to recognize him: "So it is General Wen Cai. Does General Wen have any objections?"

After the banquet, Murong Yan emerged from the hall, followed closely by Zuo Canglang, both feeling a chill in their stomachs and lungs. General Wen Qi stood beneath the plum tree, beside a corpse wrapped in a straw mat, which had its intestines trailing on the ground when it was brought out

Murong Yan said: "Currently, my power is weak, and I should not have such intentions. However, since ancient times, the great positions of royal families have not been determined by one's will to contend or not. I can only say that if that day truly comes, I will surely grant you a prosperous and peaceful era!"

Lord Zhu, filled with righteous anger, rose and smashed his cup: "King Yan, I come on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor, for the long-term peace and stability of the two nations of Jing and Yan. How dare you send someone to humiliate me in such a manner? Do you intend to go to war with our Western Jing?"

The hall was enveloped in silence, and Zhu Wen, filled with rage, laughed coldly: "King of Yan, is this how your Yan State treats the superior nation?"

Accompanied by the court officials, the Prince of Yan entered the palace, where a banquet was held in the Changding Hall to honor the envoys from Xijing. Both civil and military officials were present to signify the importance of the occasion. Murong Yan's table was situated farther from the Prince of Yan, with the Queen seated in the phoenix position, the Crown Prince Murong Ruo on the right side of the Prince, and Wen Qi accompanying on the left.

Murong Yan's expression gradually became serious, as he gently stroked the heads of the three, with tenderness and compassion