Yu Shaocheng was quite famous…

 

…because he was the only confirmed madman of the late Yong dynasty.

 

…

 

According to historical records, he initially worked for the young Emperor of Southern Yong. Then, one day, he killed his superior, defected with five thousand soldiers, and sought refuge with a local governor. Before long, he killed the governor too and defected to a provincial governor.

 

The provincial governor didn’t trust him from the start but had to accept him out of fear. As expected, within a month, Yu Shaocheng turned against him and tried to seize his territory. The governor was prepared, so he survived, but Yu Shaocheng took over his land and soldiers.

 

With these resources, Yu Shaocheng didn’t establish his own kingdom. Instead, he found another boss: Huang Yanjiong, the future Chenliu King, who massacred Qu Yunmei’s entire family.

 

Serving under Huang Yanjiong, Yu Shaocheng was finally satisfied and began leading troops to constantly attack the Northern Border Army. No matter where the Northern Border Army went, he followed. He didn’t care if his subordinates died, if Huang Yanjiong was displeased, or if supplies ran out, he was determined to fight the Northern Border Army.

 

It’s said that Yu Shaocheng often talked in his sleep and woke up wanting to kill. When alone, he would talk to the air, laughing and crying, which terrified people, and even the guards dared not get too close to him.

 

Huang Yanjiong appreciated his abilities and initially wanted to foster a good relationship with him. However, upon realizing how truly abnormal he was, Huang Yanjiong gave up and used him purely as a tool against the Northern Border Army. Ironically, Yu Shaocheng wasn’t even involved in the battle that led to Qu Yunmei’s capture. He had been sent to Ningzhou to fight others for disobedience. By the time he returned, everything had already been settled.

 

Furious, Yu Shaocheng wanted to kill Huang Yanjiong, but Huang Yanjiong, having just defeated the Northern Border Army and dreaming of becoming Emperor, no longer hid his ruthless nature. He had Yu Shaocheng locked in a steam chamber and steamed him to death.

 

Steaming people alive was a form of torture, one of the cruelest. Before the feudal era, this punishment was common, but it was abolished at the start of the feudal period under Confucian influence. Huang Yanjiong’s actions were meant to declare his dominance and his enjoyment of absolute power.

 

The late Yong Dynasty was full of talents, like meteors streaking across the night sky. Yu Shaocheng was remembered not just for his madness but also for his military genius, being the only one capable of rivaling Qu Yunmei.

 

In the later period, Qu Yunmei was easily defeated, but in the earlier stages, Yu Shaocheng was his only worthy opponent.

 

…

 

Yu Shaoxie had been gone for a long time, yet Xiao Rong still sat dazed against the bed.

 

Now he finally understood why Yu Shaocheng had relentlessly pursued the Northern Border Army.

Given such talent, he should’ve urged Yu Shaoxie to bring his brother over quickly to prevent him from joining others.

 

Yet considering his brother’s disturbed mental state… Xiao Rong wondered if it was triggered by his brother’s death or if he was already unstable and it worsened afterward.

 

Never mind, he would take things one step at a time. As long as Yu Shaoxie was fine, there was no need to worry about Yu Shaocheng becoming an enemy of the Northern Border Army.

 

…

 

The next morning, Jian Qiao stretched lazily, rose from his bed of luxury, and headed to the training ground.

 

Qu Yunmei had risen an hour earlier and finished his warm-up. Jian Qiao quickly ran to him, saluted, and called out, “Your Majesty” before heading to his own troops.

 

Normally, Qu Yunmei would ignore such greetings, but today was different. He actually turned and called out to him.

 

“Wait.”

 

Jian Qiao immediately turned back, puzzled.

 

“…That Xiao Rong, is he still alive?”

 

Jian Qiao: “…”

 

Your Majesty, your concern is truly unique.

 

He chuckled dryly. “He’s still alive. The doctor said it was anger affecting his heart. Master Xiao himself said he’s been weak and often coughs up blood. It looks scary but is actually quite detoxifying.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

It was such an absurd statement, Jian Qiao couldn’t have made it up. It must have been the spy’s exact words.

 

Feeling a bit frustrated, Qu Yunmei thought about how many people were frightened yesterday, while this person was joking around. It made those who were scared seem overly dramatic.

 

He wasn’t defending himself, as he hadn’t been frightened. He just felt bad for his subordinates.

 

…

 

Asking that question was already his limit. He no longer paid attention to Jian Qiao, who understood and left without further words.

 

After another hour on the training ground, with no battles in sight and tedious paperwork waiting at home, Qu Yunmei felt bored and considered leading a troop out.

 

Yizhou had Yuan Baifu, Anding City had Gao Xunzhi, and Zhangye had Wang Xinyong, whom he had recently appointed. There seemed no place left for him to attack.

 

As he pondered this, Qu Yunmei returned to his palace. Just as he was about to enter, a guard stopped him. “Your Majesty, Master Xiao wishes to present a plan.”

 

Qu Yunmei blurted out, “With his deathly appearance, he still wants to present a plan?”

 

The guard: “..”

 

He was stunned, then instinctively looked inside. Qu Yunmei followed his gaze and saw Xiao Rong already seated inside.

 

Holding a cup of tea brought by the guards, Xiao Rong paused before smiling at Qu Yunmei. “As long as there is life left, there are plans. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I can survive for at least two more days.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

…

 

Moments later, they sat facing each other.

 

In truth, this wasn’t proper etiquette. Advisors shouldn’t live in the palace, and meetings shouldn’t involve everyone having a seat. The palace itself was shabby, giving an impression of illegitimacy, but there was no choice. The Northern Border Army didn’t know how a true prince should live, and even if they did, Qu Yunmei didn’t want to live that way.

 

They started as a ragtag group and remained so. Stability was their current priority. As for proper decorum, that could be established when they needed to embellish their success. 

 

…

 

The nomads invaded the Central Plains more than once. During their first invasion, they introduced their chairs and beds, but traditional seating still existed, though it became more private, only appearing in bedrooms.

 

A regular person might not have been accustomed to this way of sitting, but Xiao Rong didn’t mind. There wasn’t a posture in the world that could challenge him.

 

Qu Yunmei stared at Xiao Rong, and Xiao Rong stared back at Qu Yunmei.

 

After a night, the blood at the corners of Xiao Rong’s mouth had been wiped away, making his lips look even paler. Qu Yunmei had only seen such a bloodless appearance on dying people, who usually looked quite unattractive.

 

However, Xiao Rong didn’t have an overly thin face or sunken eyes. He merely looked unwell; his features remained handsome, and his eyes were still bright.

 

Perhaps they were too bright.

 

He blinked rapidly, looking at Qu Yunmei as if observing a rare sight.

 

Qu Yunmei’s patience ran out. “Weren’t you going to offer a strategy?”

 

Xiao Rong thought, ‘He truly couldn’t hold back, wasting his imposing and majestic appearance.’

 

Secretly pouting, Xiao Rong looked up again. “Indeed, I intend to offer a strategy. I boasted to the Great King that I would prove myself, and this is how I’ll do it.

 

“Has the Great King captured the rebels in the army?”

 

Qu Yunmei glanced at him. “Only two or three small fries.”

 

Xiao Rong smiled. “Then, the Great King understands that small fry can’t accomplish great things.”

 

Qu Yunmei looked at him and suddenly smiled. “Someone informed Jian Qiao about the rebellion in the army, and now you might as well go all the way and directly tell me who harbored such filthy thoughts.”

 

Xiao Rong looked down and pursed his lips. After a moment, he said, “I’m afraid I must disappoint the Great King. I don’t know.”

 

Qu Yunmei squinted. “You can predict a rebellion, but not who is behind it?”

 

Xiao Rong admitted frankly, “No, I can’t.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

“Your abilities aren’t as extraordinary as people say.”

 

Xiao Rong listened to Qu Yunmei’s sarcastic tone and smiled slightly, using his sincere trump card, “People always exaggerate. The Great King should know that fortune-telling and predictions are all fabrications I used to deceive people, to make a name for myself and seek opportunities. When my fame grew, the Northern Border Army didn’t recruit me, so I had to use another trick to catch General Jian Qiao’s eye.”

 

Shaking his head, he continued, “If I were truly able to predict everything, I wouldn’t be revealing my talents just now. If I could foresee the grand trends of the world, wouldn’t it belong to me already?”

 

Xiao Rong spoke casually, but Qu Yunmei was taken aback.

 

These words sounded familiar…

 

Qu Yunmei was the one who initially called Xiao Rong a fraud and a spy, but now he doubted himself upon hearing his confession.

 

“So you’re saying you can’t predict the future, but you knew about the unrest in Yizhou and the betrayal in my army.”

 

Xiao Rong was quiet for a while, then shamelessly nodded. “Yes, I’m that smart.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

Whether Xiao Rong had true abilities or not, Qu Yunmei was certain of one thing.

 

No one could surpass his thick skin.

 

…

 

Seeing Qu Yunmei’s disbelief, Xiao Rong continued, “The rise and fall of the world are determined by three things: timing, geography, and harmony among people. ‘Timing’ refers to uncontrollable factors, ‘geography’ refers to the land and resources, which are controllable but unpredictable, and ‘harmony’ refers to people, the hardest to predict. The heavens are always indifferent, but people can change from being indifferent to affectionate and vice versa. Failing to control people’s hearts means failing to understand the world’s changes and the shifts in power.”

 

Qu Yunmei laughed. “So you’re saying you can control people’s hearts?”

 

Xiao Rong humbly shook his head. “No, people’s hearts are hard to predict. I can only see some superficial things.”

 

“Like what?”

 

Xiao Rong replied, “For example, if I’m not mistaken your Majesty plans to attack the Xianbei this autumn.”

 

Having his plan revealed, Qu Yunmei immediately looked at Xiao Rong, his previously smiling expression now replaced by a cold vigilance.

 

Xiao Rong acted as if he hadn’t noticed, continuing, “The reason for an autumn campaign is to gather newly harvested grain and firewood for warmth before the army moves. The Great King usually likes swift battles but seems to plan a comprehensive attack on the Xianbei this time, so this battle won’t be quick. By October, the weather in the Murong tribe’s main city in the grasslands will be extremely cold, hindering the army’s movements. Thus, the Great King plans to return within two months.”

 

Qu Yunmei had no reaction on the surface, but inside he felt complex, as Xiao Rong had predicted his exact thoughts.

 

“And then? What else do you want to say?”

 

Xiao Rong said, “I want to say that there are always those who can see through your Majesty plans. Many have already noticed from your actions over the past year.”

 

Qu Yunmei sneered, “So what? With our current troops and supplies, even if the Xianbei Emperor notices, it won’t change our plans. Are you trying to persuade me to think twice before acting?”

 

Qu Yunmei couldn’t hide his anger, detesting scholars who avoided combat yet meddled with their lives for personal gain.

 

Xiao Rong was puzzled by Qu Yunmei’s sudden outburst, but blinked and said, “No, the Xianbei must be attacked. Their vast and resource-rich lands are wasted in their hands. My strategy is to ensure thorough preparations so that your territory remains secure after the army departs.”

 

Qu Yunmei paused. “What preparations?”

 

Xiao Rong smiled. “There are many, but the most urgent is Yizhou. How does the Great King plan to deal with the rebellious people and farmers there?”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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