One
The God of the Sky has become enraged, punishing Qingyang. This is being whispered in private by some.
He withdrew his smile, his face as solemn as water: "My grandfather was one of the three thousand Jinwu Guards under Emperor Fengyan, and he was also a member of the 'Lion's Tooth Society' secretly formed by Emperor Fengyan. If he had not broken his leg on the night of the uprising at Taiqing Palace, he might have been as famous as the later 'Iron Chariot.' Unfortunately, he broke his leg and became a useless person, only able to return home with a salary and wait for news of his colleagues' northern expedition. Yet he never said he regretted it; he always spoke fondly of the things he did that night. Originally, I was supposed to work as a clerk for the royal family, but I met Marquis Liang Qiuhou, and from then on, I walked this path. Now, when I think of my grandfather, I feel that I am the same as him. I do not take risks for any particular reason—not for money, not for women, and not for any status I might have in Marquis Liang's court. I do this because I want to accomplish great things. Just as my grandfather rebelled for the sake of rebellion, I, Luo Ziyan, seek to overturn the political situation in the East Land for the sake of overturning it. There is no special reason; some men are born with this restless blood flowing in their veins, willing to pay any price for power and fame..."
I would like to ask the Luo brothers a question
Iron, you do not understand. Listening to this sound of the flute, my heart feels as desolate as if it were overgrown with weeds; I can never muster the spirit for matters of violence. Reflecting on how we have fought against several uncles for so many years, and how we have exiled Xu Da Han, what have we truly gained? We are all descendants of Qingyang, yet none of us have benefited in any way
Luo Ziyan smiled: "If my fingers are broken, so be it. I am a negotiator, not a warrior; I cannot wield swords and blades, but as long as I keep my tongue, I can accompany the prince in battle."
Bimo Gan did not understand the meaning of his words; judging by his expression, there seemed to be a hint of mischief as he furrowed his brow and said, "Of course, I cannot speak."
"Using a light to roast the fire is ineffective; if you do not want to waste your hands, you must endure the pain and break it apart," said Bi Mogan
Seventeen years ago, there was a snowfall that could be compared to this one, resembling the end of the world. The nobles killed slaves as sacrifices to the heavens, and women hastily aborted the children conceived in summer, for even if they were born, they could not be raised. Among the few children born that year in the Northern Capital, there was the young son of the Grand Duke, Asule Pasur.
The north wind sweeps the snow, passing across the vast expanse in a white haze, while the cold wind whirls and wails around the tent. It is unclear who is playing the horn in the deep of night; the sound is also a low lament, easily confused with the sound of the wind. It seems as if the person playing the horn does not actually exist, but is merely an illusion created by the wind.
What happened outside?" Bimo Gan frowned, "Didn’t I tell you to attend to the lady?"
Only Bi Mogan and Tie You remained in the tent. Bi Mogan lowered his head and pondered for a moment: "When will my three uncles be able to gather all their forces?"
He rubbed fine, smooth mutton tallow in his hands, holding Luo Ziyan's hand by the fire to warm it. Luo Ziyan's hand was completely devoid of warmth, its texture resembling that of stone. Bi Mogan rubbed vigorously, allowing the oil to gradually seep in, and the surface of the skin began to warm slightly. Bi Mogan's movements slowed down as he gently pinched one of Luo Ziyan's fingers and suddenly pulled it straight with force. Luo Ziyan gasped, his face flushed crimson, stifling a cry of pain. As the pain subsided, the previously stiff finger could now bend slightly.
"It sounds truly lonely!" said Mogan again when the sound was cut off.
He tilted the corner of his mouth and smiled again, as if in self-mockery: "This is my fate, I accept it"
Luo Ziyuan also rose and bowed to Bimo Gan: "I have traveled a thousand miles to come here, to convey a matter to the Crown Prince. Anyone who wishes to ascend to the throne of power must engage in the most perilous gamble; victory means dominion over the world, while defeat leaves one without a place to be buried. If one lacks such courage, it is better to remain an ordinary person. If Emperor Fengyan had not risen to power at that time, history would not have the name 'Emperor Fengyan'; he would merely be the thirteenth prince of Emperor Ren, quietly ending his life. He did not wish for that, for he wanted to inscribe his name in the annals of history, and even if it meant death, he would have no regrets. The Crown Prince must make a decision, and he must consider one thing: is the power of the Northern Duke worth risking his life to seize?"
You go over there to serve, and do not allow anyone else to enter here
Bring the oil!" commanded the young female servant of Bimogan.
The Luo brothers are not the powerful ministers of the Chun state, nor are they well-known in the court of Marquis Qiu of Liang, so their support is likely not very generous. However, every time the Luo brothers travel thousands of miles to the northern capital to find me, they risk losing their heads. Over the years, the Luo brothers have consistently urged me to train troops and raise horses, to manage state affairs, so that one day, when my father passes away, I can ascend to the throne. This time, the Luo brothers nearly froze to death on the way, and when they arrived at my tent, instead of tending to their own hands first, they told me this story. Bi Mo Gan paused, and for all these years, the Luo brothers have been urging me to train troops and raise horses, to manage state affairs, so that one day, when my father passes away, I can ascend to the throne. This time, the Luo brothers nearly froze to death on the way, and when they arrived at my tent, instead of tending to their own hands first, they told me this story. Bi Mo Gan paused again, looking directly at Luo Ziyan, "Have the Luo brothers thought clearly about why they are doing this?"
How did the Wind Flame Emperor make his decision? When Bi Mogan was deeply engrossed in listening, the conversation suddenly came to a halt, leaving him feeling as if he were suspended in mid-air, unable to find relief
If we gather the three banners of cavalry and all the slaves who can fight, there will be a total of 70,000 people, which will take about five more days. However, if we only wait for the three banners of cavalry to assemble before taking action, it will take at most three days! On the side of the Ninth Prince, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry encountered a snowstorm at the mountain pass, and traveling with horses is slower than walking. It is feared that there are still seven days of journey ahead. Brother, now that we have lost external support, our lives and deaths are in our own hands, we cannot wait any longer
"Good! Good! Good!" Luo Ziyan suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "This question is excellent, I can answer it."
There are guests, the guests from Donglu have arrived
Luo Ziyuan chuckled and said, "What the prince said somewhat reflects the idea of the rightful path of kings that we Easterners speak of. Therefore, I shall share with the prince an anecdote from the East."
Luo Ziyan sat back by the brazier, stretching his fingers one by one. Each time, his knuckles emitted a brittle sound as if they were breaking, and the intense pain contorted his face, yet this young scholar remained silent, quietly watching the flames, his movements showing no sign of pause. Tie You listened to those alarming sounds, glancing at the silent and downcast Bimogan beside him, anxiously rubbing his hands.
Bi Mogan nodded heavily: "I know that Tie You said I am weak, and I have accepted that. However, my father is now bedridden, and he has not yet tied the leopard tail around my wrist. If I punish the Khan now, it will be rumored that I have killed my kin and usurped the throne. This way, I cannot intimidate the other tribes externally, nor can I persuade the several noble families of Qingyang internally. Even if I capture the Northern Capital, in the end, I will still need these people to acknowledge me as the great lord at the Kurik Conference. I cannot pass this hurdle and will never gain the recognition of everyone on the steppe."
During the summer, there were ominous signs. The once healthy Great Khan fell from his horse while hunting and has since been unable to stand. News from the golden tent indicated that the Great Khan had lost his sight, and all state affairs fell into the hands of the Crown Prince Bimogan. Furthermore, reports emerged of disputes between several Khans and the Crown Prince within the golden tent, which nearly escalated to drawn swords. From that point on, the Khans each guarded their own encampments and no longer convened in the golden tent for discussions. News from the golden tent indicated that the Great Khan had lost his sight, and all state affairs fell into the hands of the Crown Prince Bimogan. Furthermore, reports emerged of disputes between several Khans and the Crown Prince within the golden tent, which nearly escalated to drawn swords. From that point on, the Khans each guarded their own encampments and no longer convened in the golden tent for discussions
"It sounds so lonely." The Grand Prince, draped in a sable coat and with his hands behind his back, stood at the entrance of the tent, murmuring to himself
It has been entrusted to the Crown Prince! Luo Ziyan straightforwardly extended both hands immediately.
As soon as the voice of the young female servant faded, someone had already lifted the curtain with a swift motion, and a figure stepped in with swirling snowflakes. The one who lifted the curtain was Banzhalie, the most trusted companion of Mogang. He followed the Eastern guest into the tent, drove the young female servant out, and then turned to tightly pull the tent curtain shut.
I have gone to sleep after drinking a bowl of meat porridge before bed, and I am probably already asleep now
This time, in order to meet the Grand Prince, I nearly lost half my life!" Luo Ziyan shook his head, tossing off his wind hat, revealing a face that was pale and gaunt, with his eyebrows starkly whitened by the snow. Years had passed, and he had grown a thin beard; the warm breath escaping his mouth melted the snowflakes, leaving several fine icicles hanging from his beard, making him look extremely disheveled
He parted the sheepskin curtain slightly, and the snowflakes rushed in, blinding his eyes. He gently closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them to silently gaze outside, his expression one of melancholy
Brother, even if you harbor compassion in your heart, the khans show us no mercy! Tie was even more anxious, as the scouts sent out reported that in recent days, the khans' camp was filled with the sound of sharpening knives. All the sheep have been slaughtered and roasted, and the wine cellar has been opened for round-the-clock drinking. They are preparing to take action, brother...
Brother Luo! Grab the guest's forearm and pull them up.
To know is to speak without reservation
Late at night
Bimo Gan trembled slightly, lowering his head in contemplation
After three days, Bi Mogan pondered and nodded, "Let our people remain vigilant and wait for the arrival of the people from Chunguo."
Luo Ziyuan smiled and said: "Your Highness, the Second Prince is actually not wrong. Although I am not in the Northern Capital, based on my conjecture, the several Khans will not leave the Northern Capital. They are all your uncles, surnamed Pasur, and they can consider themselves the masters of the Northern Capital. Moreover, if they were to leave the Northern Capital, relying on the population and livestock they have, they would merely be a small tribe on the grasslands, easily swallowed by others at any time. How could such astute individuals as the Khans make such foolish decisions?"
Luo Ziyan smiled, his smile containing three parts nonchalance, three parts arrogance, three parts ruthlessness, and one part confidence: "He instigated a rebellion in the palace with three thousand Imperial Guards, killing his brothers!"
I have encountered many persuaders, but there are few like the Luo brothers who are unafraid of death. How did they end up in such a predicament?" Bi Mogan also laughed. He quite liked this envoy from Chungu, who was different from the common Eastern merchants found on the grasslands. This Luo Ziyuan, clearly a scholar with no strength to crush a chicken, possessed a wild spirit akin to that of the nomads. He enjoyed strong liquor, spoke loudly, and when persuading others, his eyebrows danced with excitement and his eyes sparkled with clarity. He quite liked this envoy from Chungu, who was different from the common Eastern merchants found on the grasslands. This Luo Ziyuan, clearly a scholar with no strength to crush a chicken, possessed a wild spirit akin to that of the nomads. He enjoyed strong liquor, spoke loudly, and when persuading others, his eyebrows danced with excitement and his eyes sparkled with clarity.
Is she asleep?" Bimo Gan ignored his younger brother and turned to ask the little maid beside him
Bi Mogan nodded: "This year's snow is terrifyingly heavy, and there has been no news from Beidu City or the outside for several days. However, if it weren't for this snow, Beidu City might not be so peaceful. The Luo brothers probably do not know yet that several khans have fallen out with me in the golden tent, swearing that if my father ultimately passes the throne to me, they will take their people, cattle, and sheep and leave Beidu City. But now, with the heavy snow blocking the roads, they can only endure." The Luo brothers probably do not know yet that several khans have fallen out with me in the golden tent, swearing that if my father ultimately passes the throne to me, they will take their people, cattle, and sheep and leave Beidu City. But now, with the heavy snow blocking the roads, they can only endure.
I have been taught. It is more respectful than Bimo Gan.
He silently stood up, adjusted his large sleeves, and bowed to Brother Luo in the manner of the Donglu people, saying: "Please teach me, Brother Luo!"
In the winter of the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Yin Dynasty, in the northern capital of Hanzhou
Bimo Gan stood silently, lost in thought as he gazed at the charcoal brazier. Everyone else had fallen silent, and the sound of the flute outside the tent became clearer, intertwining and then unraveling in the wind. The vastness of the world felt desolate and mournful
Suddenly, chaotic voices came from outside the tent, and the young female slave who had just exited the tent ran back in.
Lo Ziyan's expression became solemn: "We disembarked at the southern mouth of the gorge and traveled northward. At first, it was only light snow, but halfway through, the accumulated snow reached the horses' chests, and the vast expanse of white snow made it impossible to discern the path. Fortunately, we brought the Night North horse, which indeed is cold-resistant. Following the words of the Crown Prince, we also brought the old horse that had lost its foal, and it was thanks to it that we found the course of the Tainale River. We followed the frozen river surface all the way to the Northern Capital, and out of the fifty people we brought, only seventeen survived.
Luo Ziyuan opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue: "Your Highness, do you see if my tongue has frozen off?"
He shook off Bi Mogan's hand, hurriedly walked to the side of the fire pit, and sat down, extending his hands from his sleeves towards the flames: "My fingers are frozen stiff; if this continues, they might end up getting necrotic."
Bimo Gan sat beside him, watching as his fingers curled and could not stretch out, almost deformed, undoubtedly a result of holding the reins in the severe cold
The Wind Flame Emperor's eldest son is known to be a murderous demon in the hearts of the nomads, yet in our Eastern Land, he is an unparalleled hero. Historical records speak of this 'Martial Emperor' in terms of endless praise. However, if one were to examine the genealogy of the Bai royal family, it would reveal that the Wind Flame Emperor was a son of a concubine, and he originally had no chance of ascending to the throne. At that time, several of the Wind Flame Emperor's brothers held significant power, with their influence extending across all the vassal states of the Eastern Land, and the royal ministers were also divided into factions. Yet, the Wind Flame Emperor was of lowly status and still young, with only a few thousand Imperial Guards truly supporting him. Relying on these few thousand Imperial Guards to challenge his brothers seemed a slim prospect for success. Even if he could achieve victory within Tianqi City, he would still have to face the Eastern Land's noble families and vassal states that secretly supported his brothers. At that time, several of the Wind Flame Emperor's brothers held significant power, with their influence extending across all the vassal states of the Eastern Land, and the royal ministers were also divided into factions. Yet, the Wind Flame Emperor was of lowly status and still young, with only a few thousand Imperial Guards truly supporting him. Relying on these few thousand Imperial Guards to challenge his brothers seemed a slim prospect for success. Even if he could achieve victory within Tianqi City, he would still have to face the Eastern Land's noble families and vassal states that secretly supported his brothers. However, at this moment, the Wind Flame Emperor's father, the Benevolent Emperor, was on the verge of passing away. It can be said that if the Benevolent Emperor's last will did not bear the name of the Wind Flame Emperor Bai Qingyu, he would never again have the opportunity to grasp the power of the Eastern Land. "" Luo Ziyuan fell silent.
The second prince behind him, Tie You, became anxious: "Brother! This is not the time for us to lament; the swords and spears of the Khans are almost at our throats. You must think of a solution!"
"Yes." The young maid replied and went out
According to the Barbarian Calendar, this year is the Year of Wind. The north wind arrived extremely early, followed by a violent blizzard, and the sky rarely cleared. The Qinyang herdsmen on the Shuo Fang Plain have all taken their livestock into the Northern Capital for refuge. Two months have passed, and the thin sheep have nearly all been slaughtered; they have begun to kill the fat sheep. The lambs could not survive the harsh winter and have all been slaughtered, yet the sky remains a gloomy iron gray, resembling the furious face of the Pan Da deity. Outside the city, the snow is deep enough to trap a person, making it inconvenient to ride horses and difficult to find the way. No one ventures out of the city easily, and it has been several days since any news from the outside has returned, leaving everyone feeling uneasy. Two months have passed, and the thin sheep have nearly all been slaughtered; they have begun to kill the fat sheep. The lambs could not survive the harsh winter and have all been slaughtered, yet the sky remains a gloomy iron gray, resembling the furious face of the Pan Da deity. Outside the city, the snow is deep enough to trap a person, making it inconvenient to ride horses and difficult to find the way. No one ventures out of the city easily, and it has been several days since any news from the outside has returned, leaving everyone feeling uneasy.
Brother, are we still waiting for the people of Chunguog at this time? The people of Donglu are all cunning like foxes, and that Luoyiyan is probably no exception!
Bi Mogang was momentarily taken aback, inhaling sharply. He was moved. Recalling the bloody turmoil in the Eastern Palace several decades ago, where brothers turned against each other and blood stained the throne, he suddenly realized that he was still too young and had underestimated the complexities of wielding power, failing to grasp the cruelty and peril involved. He understood that Emperor Fengyan must have succeeded, achieving his goals through such violent means in a time of crisis, a notion Bi Mogang had never dared to entertain before. It required immense courage and profound wisdom, the extent of which Bi Mogang could not fathom
"Enduring?" Tie let out a snort, "How can the great kings endure? They sharpen their knives in their tents every night, waiting to take the heads of our brothers! Mr. Luo, please persuade my brother; he never takes action, and it makes me anxious beyond measure."
"It has only just healed a finger, endure a little pain, take it slow. If these joints do not loosen up, you will be stuck in the posture of holding the reins for the rest of your life," said Bi Mogan.