Three

The long princess collected for General Bai twenty pairs of blood fungus, twenty pairs of old ginseng, ten taels of pearl powder, ten taels of crystal dragon saliva, and ten taels of white birch incense... Bai Keqin spoke incessantly, and he had memorized this prescription thoroughly as per the long princess's instructions

"General Xi, that is... that is a gift from General Bai. Yours will arrive shortly, shortly." Bai Keqin wanted to stop him but found it inappropriate to speak up.

"General Xi, is General Bai feeling unwell?" Bai Keqin asked softly

We have neither food nor medicine, and this desolate land stretches hundreds of miles before the Yangguan Pass. Our loyal troops cannot resort to plundering. What use is there for the jade bi at this time? If it were replaced with some cakes, Bai Yi might be a bit happier. Xi Yan chuckled, placed the jade bi back on the tray, and turned to follow Bai Yi away

Bai Yi took a step back and returned the gesture: "I dare not, the esteemed envoy from the imperial capital has arrived, and I did not have the opportunity to welcome you from afar, I apologize for the offense. May I ask how the esteemed envoy is addressed?"

Time is running out, every moment someone is dying

Bai Yi was slightly taken aback, his expression softened, and he unconsciously looked towards the back of the delegation: "Oh? May I ask what kind of medicinal herbs these are?"

"Not good, very bad, this person has hardly any moments of happiness in their life," Xi Yan replied with a smile, taking the purple jade ring from the tray and playing with it in his hand

General Bai, a prominent minister of the state, was granted a fief of 4,800 households, permitted to enter the court riding a horse and bearing a sword, and to sit in on the affairs of state. He was also bestowed with a blue jade sword set, an amber screen, a purple silk belt, and a blood-patterned ornament. The general's offspring, his eldest son, was conferred the title of baron and granted a fief of 800 households

Xi Yan lowered his head with a bitter smile, slowly stepping forward to greet Bai Keqin

He took a few steps forward and leaned close to Bai Yi's ear, smiling ingratiatingly: "Your Majesty has expressed a strong desire to meet the esteemed General Bai, the foremost military leader in the world. Before General Bai served the State of Chu and Wei, he was once a member of the Imperial Capital's Jinwu Guard, which truly reflects a deep connection with the royal family. However, it has always been a convention that the troops of feudal lords do not enter the royal domain. This has been a long-standing practice. General Bai's troops, known for their valor, have recently engaged in battle, and their entry into the capital at this time may disrupt the harmonious atmosphere of the Imperial Capital. Many ministers are also quite concerned. Therefore, the Emperor's intention is for General Bai to formally request three times according to ancient rites, and for the Emperor to summon the Astronomical Bureau to calculate the stars and select an auspicious day. This will also help silence those elderly ministers."

As he recited, he observed the changes in Bai Yi's expression, which shifted like storm clouds in the sky, with a surge of what seemed to be anger in his eyes. He could not comprehend what was happening; his voice grew softer as he continued, until he finally stopped in a daze, staring at Bai Yi

"Whether you see me or not is not a significant matter," Bai Yi interjected, "Since the imperial envoy has already arrived, let us issue the decree immediately"

Is this all there is? Bai Yi suddenly asked

Qin Shi is a middle-aged eunuch, clearly a castrated man, with a plump, fair, and delicate face, arched eyebrows, and drooping eyes, presenting a pleasing countenance. Upon seeing General Bai Yi, he approached with his large sleeves fluttering, hurriedly bowing deeply and saying: "This humble servant has met General Bai!"

"The issue of medication for the soldiers must be resolved within three days! If the supplies do not keep up, our army will first withdraw from Shangyang Pass," Bai Yi said after a long silence

The sky was shrouded in gloom, with iron-gray clouds drifting in from the north, sweeping across the entire expanse of the sky with a chilling desolation. A solitary wild goose traced a graceful arc at the edge of the sky, seemingly on the verge of falling between the mountains. In the end, it exerted itself to flap its wings and dove into the dense dark clouds. Bai Yi, Xi Yan, and Gu Yueyi walked beneath this sky, all three silent. Bai Yi suddenly stopped to gaze at the lone goose, as the fierce wind lifted his white robe.

Bai Keqin sensed the coldness in those words and muttered to himself, recalling that before leaving, the inner court officials had all said that Bai Yi was a cold and rude person. It seems that this was indeed true; he likely still harbored some dissatisfaction with this bountiful gift. He did not dare to show it, instead maintaining a beaming smile: "This edict contains only these matters; it is in His Majesty's cursive script. The formal award document will likely have to be drafted by the ministers before it is sent. General Bai is the pillar of the empire, and this cannot be treated lightly." He still maintained a beaming smile: "This edict contains only these matters; it is in His Majesty's cursive script. The formal award document will likely have to be drafted by the ministers before it is sent. General Bai is the pillar of the empire, and this cannot be treated lightly."

Bai Keqin slapped his forehead and said: "This matter was indeed a momentary oversight on my part, and I forgot about it. Your Majesty has a few words that are not suitable to be included in the edict, and has entrusted me to convey them to General Bai."

The Emperor of the Great Yin issues a decree to General Bai Yi of the Chu Wei Kingdom

"What kind of authority is this!" Bai Keqin said with a stern expression, vigorously waving the sleeves of his formal attire, "A young man, where does he get such arrogance? He is not even as worthy as I, a middle-aged man! If it weren't for someone recommending him, how could a mere first-class clerk be appointed to this deputy position? He does not know how to conduct himself; when he falls ill, he dares not come to pay his respects to General Bai?"

These are merely superficial matters, and they will not take long. Your Majesty, however, wishes to sprout wings and fly here to see the mighty army that has defeated the treacherous minister Ying Wuyi! Bai Keqin was startled and felt a chill in his heart from those two gazes, and he unconsciously spoke in an increasingly flattering manner, completely disregarding the Emperor's earlier admonition in the side hall to maintain dignity and uphold the royal decorum.

I have heard the general's good news, which has been conveyed to all the ministers, and none are not filled with joy; the imperial capital is in an uproar. This time, the feudal lords have united their efforts, causing the traitorous ministers to retreat in fear. The victory at Shangyang has been achieved, honoring the legacy of the late Emperor above and relying on the loyalty and bravery of the soldiers below; my heart is greatly comforted

The Imperial Guard accompanying the group stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Deputy Envoy Baili mentioned feeling unwell, so after entering the city, he went directly to rest and did not follow along."

You do not know! Bai Yi's voice was cold and crisp like ice

Bai Yi furrowed his brows slightly, and before he had a chance to say anything, Bai Keqin had already stepped back, straightened his back, and his smiling face suddenly turned as rigid as iron. He unfurled the scroll in his hand, and his soft voice became full of vigor:

I understand! I am aware that this task is of great importance, and I have pondered over every detail repeatedly. I have memorized both the imperial edict and the prescription. Ever since leaving the imperial capital, I have been reciting them in the carriage, fearing that I might make any mistakes in front of General Bai.

I am the Minister of Ceremonies of the Taiqing Palace, Your Majesty has bestowed upon me the name Bai Keqin, and I am the chief envoy of this delegation. I also have a deputy envoy, Bai Li Moyan, who is a first-class scribe of the Ministry of Ceremonies." He turned his head to look behind and shouted in a sharp voice, "Bai Li Moyan, Bai Li Moyan, where have you gone?"

Aren't you still waiting for the Qintianjian to calculate the astrological signs to see whether your journey to the capital will be auspicious or not?" Xi Yan chuckled, "Paying respects at the Grand Ancestral Temple, that is the honor of your General Bai!

I am not inquiring about the rewards; I am asking about the matter of our army's request to enter the imperial capital for the supply of food and medicine. I wonder if Your Majesty has any instructions on this matter

Bai Yi suddenly turned and left, while Bai Keqin stood there at a loss. He saw Xi Yan and Gu Yueyi standing not far away with their hands behind their backs, their expressions quite gloomy. He truly could not understand where he had gone wrong to upset these high-ranking generals, so he could only seek help by casting his gaze towards Xi Yan. He and Xi Yan had once met in the imperial capital.

However, contrary to his expectations, Bai Yi maintained a consistent lack of expression throughout. If one must say there was a change, it was merely that he appeared colder and harder, which made him look somewhat unpleasant

Approaching the capital, it feels truly cold. Xi Yan subtly implied something beyond the words.

The remaining generals will also receive rewards, and they will arrive shortly. I have already sent a swift horse to inform the vassal lords to choose a day to transcribe the memorial, listing the names of the generals, to be presented in the ancestral temple to the spirits of the former emperors. The great nation of the Great Yin shall endure for eternity

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot one thing. Bai Keqin racked his brains and suddenly thought of something, his face lighting up with a smile as he approached in a flattering manner. "Your Majesty, I have heard that General Bai is in need of medical supplies, and I specifically asked the Princess to search for medicinal herbs for the General. The medicines have already been sent over with the envoy!"

"Do you know what you are talking about?" Bai Yi asked quietly

"General Bai?" His voice trembled slightly

General Bai is indeed correct, indeed correct," Bai Keqin turned around, his face beaming with a smile, and in a tone full of flattery, he said, "General Bai, His Majesty's edict this time... you will know once you hear it... I have served in the palace for so many years, and I have truly never heard of such a commendation for a minister in an edict!

Bai Yi silently gazed at him for a long time, and finally shifted his gaze towards the horizon

He secretly gave a thumbs up to Bai Yi from his sleeve, saying: "From now on, General Bai, among the Eastern Land soldiers, this is what you are!"

"Please respectfully request three times, and choose an auspicious day?" Bai Yi coldly looked at Bai Keqin

As Bai Keqin recited, the warriors of the envoy stepped forward one after another, presenting various gifts before Bai Yi. The sword set made of blue jade was a ceremonial item reserved for the royal family, while the purple silk disc and the blood-patterned ornament were two ceremonial vessels used by the Emperor for sacrifices to heaven, traditionally bestowed only upon unparalleled ministers of the State of An. The amber screen was an exquisitely crafted object, intended for display on a writing desk, carved from a solid piece of amber, and it is unknown which Emperor had treasured it, as it was also drawn from the royal treasury as a gift. The soldiers were astonished by the preciousness of the gifts, yet due to Bai Yi's imposing presence, they refrained from exclaiming in admiration. Bai Keqin also wore a smile, occasionally diverting his gaze from the edict to glance at Bai Yi, hoping to discern the excitement of having received such favor from his expression.