The guards initially thought that Xiao Rong would be quickly dismissed. However, an hour passed, then two hours…

 

When Xiao Rong finally emerged, the guards outside all saluted him.

 

Xiao Rong: “?”

 

Being the trusted bodyguards of the Northern King, they were naturally reliable men and veterans of the Northern Army. They might not have been old, but their families had served the Qu family for generations.

 

After Xiao Rong left, the guards reported this to their superior, the chief guard, Zhuang Weizhi.

 

Zhuang Weizhi was even more surprised than they were because he had served Qu Yunmei longer and knew how impatient their king was with advisors.

 

Even Chancellor Gao couldn’t keep the king in one place to listen to an hour-long lecture.

 

However, they misunderstood.

 

Was Xiao Rong talking nonsense? No, he was providing a well-crafted plan that deeply resonated with the king!

 

…

 

Qu Yunmei had forgotten Xiao Rong’s initial claim that the strategy was preparation for a future campaign against the Xianbei. After Xiao Rong left, he sought paper and pen and wrote a short letter to Zhangye.

 

Zhuang Weizhi watched him finish writing. Just as Qu Yunmei set down his pen, he suddenly asked, “Has Yuan Baifu sent any military reports?”

 

Zhuang Weizhi shook his head. “No, my lord. Do you wish to issue an order?”

 

Qu Yunmei hesitated. Bringing people from Zhangye or Yizhou wasn’t much different in distance, but the terrain was vastly different.

 

However, since others would be doing the work, not him, why worry about the hassle? With this thought, Qu Yunmei immediately lowered his head and was about to write another letter. Yet, the sight of the characters gave him a headache. So, he simply told Zhuang Weizhi, “Inform Yuan Baifu that in Yizhou, surrendering enemies shouldn’t be killed. Bring all captives back to Yanmen County.”

 

Zhuang Weizhi was taken aback. “Including the natives and commoners?”

 

Qu Yunmei was about to nod but then remembered that Xiao Rong hadn’t mentioned the commoners.

 

Narrowing his eyes, he thought he understood.

 

Xiao Rong, being from a noble family, must have felt compassion for those who were somewhat his peers and didn’t want them doing hard labor.

 

Hmph, why should the natives and farmers do it, but not the commoners?

 

With this thought, Qu Yunmei sneered, “Naturally. Unless you want to plead for them?”

 

Zhuang Weizhi: “…”

 

He had only asked.

 

Meanwhile, Xiao Rong returned to his residence. The first thing he did was ask Ah Shu for paper and a pen.

 

The matter was too important to rely on memory alone.

 

Whenever Xiao Rong requested paper and a pen, it was always for something significant. Ah Shu, not daring to delay, quickly brought them.

 

Then, Ah Shu watched as Xiao Rong wrote while muttering softly.

 

“Temperament fluctuates, mood unpredictable.”

 

“Listens only to things of interest, dismisses what he dislikes.”

 

“Hates foreigners, despises scholars, and has an ambiguous attitude towards common people.”

 

“Surprisingly, can be reasoned with.”

 

“Must be coaxed, not confronted.”

 

“Not superstitious, even dislikes such talk.”

 

After finishing, Xiao Rong held up the semi-dry paper and gently blew on it. “There’s more to observe.”

 

Ah Shu: “…”

 

He stared at Xiao Rong in disbelief. “Master, are you planning to keep this paper?”

 

Xiao Rong was puzzled. “If I didn’t intend to keep it, why would I write it down?”

 

Ah Shu was genuinely impressed. “Aren’t you afraid the Northern King will find out?”

 

Xiao Rong smiled smugly. “No, look at how I wrote it.”

 

Ah Shu looked closer and realized he couldn’t recognize most of the characters.

 

“This…”

 

“This” Xiao Rong said proudly, “is called simplified script. Ordinary people can’t read it.”

 

Not even a great scholar could, because simplified and traditional characters did have common elements, but the Northern King… haha, a brute who only knew fighting, wouldn’t recognize these characters even if he started learning again.

 

Still, to be safe, Xiao Rong kept the notes close to him.

 

Today, he had both proposed his strategy and tested Qu Yunmei’s limits.

 

Xiao Rong was the type to do something thoroughly if he chose to do it. Since he was now aligned with Qu Yunmei, he was determined to elevate him to the throne, even if he personally disliked the man.

 

Moreover, his dislike wasn’t as strong as before.

 

Especially after learning about the inexplicable feud between Qu Yunmei and Yu Shaocheng.

 

From what he saw and heard yesterday, honestly, Qu Yunmei’s desire to kill Yu Shaoxie wasn’t excessive. In an era that valued the king-servant relationship, if the king commanded death, the servant couldn’t refuse. The Northern King, though just a king, had already taken a step towards the throne and at this time, kingship was different from later times.

 

The feudal era was just a few hundred years old. The feudal system was still transitioning. The idea of weakening feudal lords was still far off. At this time, a king had his own fiefdom, which mirrored the royal court. The king lived in a palace and had his own civil and military officials. Even their wives were called queens, not princesses.

 

That’s why warlords, when they gained power, rushed to title themselves king. Even when unable to claim the imperial throne, being a king still gave them a taste of supreme power.

 

However, the Northern King’s title was not entirely self-proclaimed. The young Emperor of Southern Yong had issued an edict to confer the title of King Dai on Qu Yunmei, who was at the height of his power at the time. This was in the region where he had once been stationed. Dai was a historic vassal state, and the young emperor’s move aimed to win over Qu Yunmei and make him an official subject.

 

However, Qu Yunmei didn’t comply. Instead, he settled in Yanmen County and wrote a letter to the young Emperor, stating that he didn’t want to be the King of Dai, he wanted to be the Northern King.

 

The young Emperor had little authority and couldn’t control such matters. Southern Yong officials, fearing Qu Yunmei’s growing power and potential aggression, decided to acquiesce to his demands. Thus, even with the somewhat unconventional title of Northern King, Qu Yunmei had an official seal, an imperial edict, and a tally, making him an absolutely legitimate king conferred by the Emperor.

 

Given such a privileged position, his eventual outcome was particularly disappointing. Let’s not dwell on that for now.

 

In the eyes of contemporaries, Qu Yunmei’s status was just slightly below that of the young Emperor. Even the Emperor’s uncle, Sun Renluan, would have to show him respect. Yet Yu Shaoxie not only disregarded him but also insulted him to his face, hitting him where it hurt the most. His death wasn’t unwarranted.

 

After his brother’s death, Yu Shaocheng sought revenge above all else. Honestly, this was understandable.

 

In the end, it was a muddled situation where everyone acted impulsively, leading to the final outcome.

 

Who could be blamed? Xiao Rong thought they were all just too unlucky.

 

…

 

Due to Yu Shaoxie’s early and inconsequential death in history, Xiao Rong didn’t know if he had real talent. Yu Shaoxie appeared passionate in front of Qu Yunmei but was shy and courteous in private. Since it would be a while before the captured soldiers arrived, Xiao Rong decided to use this time to learn more about the Northern Border Army. He often sought out Yu Shaoxie for conversations, primarily to understand the interpersonal relationships within the Northern King’s forces.

 

Yu Shaoxie, having been there for eight months, knew more than Xiao Rong.

 

The civil officials were unremarkable. Except for Chancellor Gao, the rest were merely passing time.

 

As for the military, Xiao Rong knew the key figures: Yuan Baifu, Jian Qiao, Gongsun Yuan, and Wang Xinyong.

 

These four were Qu Yunmei’s top generals, having fought alongside him. The first three were from the Northern Border Army, while the last, Wang Xinyong, was a Southern Yong general stationed in Huainan. Qu Yunmei had defected and returned North with his men, defeating Wang Xinyong and bringing him and his troops North.

 

…

 

After some adjustments, Wang Xinyong remained in the Northern Border Army, but Qu Yunmei never fully trusted him. Wang Xinyong represented soldiers who wished to return to more prosperous lands, unlike the loyal Northern Border Army veterans. These men followed Qu Yunmei for survival and career advancement, not out of personal loyalty to him.

 

Qu Yunmei might not have noticed the morale issue within his troops.

 

Yu Shaoxie, however, clearly sided with Wang Xinyong, believing that Qu Yunmei shouldn’t establish his palace in Yanmen. With the entire North under his control, why remain there?

 

Xiao Rong noted that while Yu Shaoxie was shy and cute in private matters, he became fiercely passionate about public affairs.

 

…

 

In Yu Shaoxie’s view, Wang Xinyong was too timid, Gongsun Yuan lacked good conduct, Jian Qiao had no independent thoughts, and as for Yuan Baifu… 

 

Yu Shaoxie paused and reluctantly found a flaw: He was too close to Qu Yunmei.

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

In your eyes, there’s no good person, is there?

 

Xiao Rong remained silent, just listening without sharing his own views. Unlike Yu Shaoxie, who disregarded his own life, Xiao Rong was cautious for his own survival.

 

Moreover, some things couldn’t be spoken of. Predictions about future events wouldn’t be believed.

Having had no one to talk to for a long time, Yu Shaoxie shared everything he could, feeling exhausted. After a sip of tea, he suddenly remembered something important and shared it with the enthusiastic and righteous Xiao Rong.

 

“General Yuan and his men have returned.”

 

Xiao Rong was startled. “Returned, so soon?”

 

Yu Shaoxie said, “It was merely a suppression of unrest. It couldn’t have taken long. Knowing the King, he wouldn’t consider sending someone to govern Yizhou. The governor there is just a drunkard—”

 

Before he could finish, Xiao Rong had hurriedly stood up and headed out.

 

Yu Shaoxie was stunned. “Where are you going, Brother Xiao?”

 

Xiao Rong replied, “I have some matters to attend to at the palace. Please excuse me, Brother Yu!”

 

Yu Shaoxie: “…”

 

Watching Xiao Rong leave, he felt deeply conflicted. When he first arrived in Yanmen County, he was just as spirited and fully committed to assisting the Northern King.

 

Alas, how long will Brother Xiao last?

 

Xiao Rong hurried back, eager to see what Yuan Baifu looked like, but when he arrived, the guards said the King was in a meeting with General Yuan.

 

Xiao Rong nodded but didn’t leave.

 

The guards watched as Xiao Rong, feigning weakness, coughed twice and leaned against the door, ears pressed to the crack.

 

The guards: “…”

 

Xiao Rong barely heard a refined voice inside say, “They confessed it was Li,” when a stern guard pulled him up.

 

“Master Xiao, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

 

Xiao Rong clicked his tongue, about to argue when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

 

Turning around, he saw an old man with a glowing face and a strange smile, speaking in an eerie, almost kidnappy tone, “Xiao Rong?

 

“You’re Xiao Rong, aren’t you?

 

“Come, come to me.”

 

The old man led him to a side hall, opened the door, and beckoned with a smile, “Come, I have something good to show you.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

Support translation: