Book 7: Ode to the Sovereign
Chapter 118: Changes in the North
"Must go." These four words were not spoken aloud by Wang Zhikun. He merely cast a cold glance at the generals in the command tent, rapped the table, and said with grave sincerity: "This Commander does not care who these Black Knights belong to. This Marshal only knows that the winter training directive from the Bureau of Military Affairs states clearly: three thousand cavalry from the Yanjing Camp are to enter Dongyi, and no one is to obstruct them!"
The three thousand Yanjing troops were merely a probe, a vanguard, the attitude displayed by the court as it step by step pressed down upon the Grand Prince. Wang Zhikun's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold gleam gradually rising within them, his voice compressed into an icy thread: "No matter what, the ten thousand soldiers under the Grand殿下 are, after all, subjects of our Daqing. The Grand殿下 cannot risk mutiny by leading those soldiers to block us. So, the immediate problem is the one thousand Black Knights deployed in the Niutou Mountain area. The day after tomorrow, we will deliver the transfer order from the Bureau of Military Affairs to the other side once more. If they still refuse to yield the path... that can only prove they are no longer soldiers of our Daqing."
"But... His Majesty's attitude towards Lord Fan Xian remains unclear," one general said with deep concern. If the Yanjing Camp truly clashed with the Black Knights, it would be tantamount to openly tearing face with Fan Xian's faction. Given the微妙 atmosphere in the capital right now, the generals in Yanjing City weren't clear on how exactly the person in the palace intended to deal with Fan Xian. If the intention was merely to sideline Fan Xian temporarily, then if the Yanjing Camp's actions were too harsh or heavy-handed, it would be difficult to mend fences later.
The command tent, deep within Yanjing City, was actually an extremely spacious room, merely bearing a name rich with military connotations. The generals present in the room were all Wang Zhikun's trusted confidants, so many words could be spoken with less restraint, and certain matters could be discussed more openly.
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The worry voiced by that general earlier was also a worry in Wang Zhikun's own heart. The Emperor had indeed stripped Fan Xian of all his official positions, yet had never truly accused him of a crime. Who knew how the situation would develop in the future?
Outside Yanjing City, at the foot of Niutou Mountain, that one thousand black cavalry carrying an air of the netherworld were indeed a formidable force. However, Wang Zhikun had commanded troops for twenty years. The Yanjing Great Camp commanded a hundred thousand elite troops. In terms of numbers and equipment alone, it was undoubtedly the foremost among the five border armies of Qing. It was simply impossible that they couldn't break through the blockade of this one thousand Black Knights.
The current problem was that Yanjing couldn't possibly commit its entire force. Once hostilities erupted, Dongyi City was only nominally subjugated; its people's hearts were far from settled. It could truly trigger the first real civil war in Qing's history.
This kind of historical responsibility was something Wang Zhikun absolutely dared not bear, especially since his position in the military had already reached its peak. No matter what further merits he achieved on the battlefield, at best he would, like Marshal Ye, return to the capital to become the Head of the Bureau of Military Affairs, gaining some progress in名誉, but no real benefit. For this Yanjing Grand Commander, there was little room left in life for further striving.
Therefore, he had to consider his own family line and their future. Although His Majesty still dominated the world, he was, after all, growing old... Eventually, the day would come when he passed. If Fan Xian managed to survive this storm... No, even if Fan Xian didn't survive, when the Third Prince eventually ascended the throne, given his friendship with Fan Xian, would he tolerate Wang Zhikun?
Wang Zhikun's brows were tightly furrowed. He was, after all, a military commander, skilled in battlefield strategy, but less adept at noticing subtle movements. The matter of the capital's consort selection hadn't made him aware of the Emperor's intentions. His brows furrowed tightly then relaxed, and he finally made a decision, saying coldly: "We move the day after tomorrow. If anyone still dares to obstruct, disarm them directly!"
… …
All the Yanjing generals, each with their own thoughts and concerns, left the command tent. They were unsure whether the military operation the day after tomorrow would truly lead to conflict with the Black Knights, and they didn't know if the Grand殿下 in Dongyi City would truly lead his ten thousand elites back east to confront the Qing border army head-on. Summarized in one sentence: these loyal Qing generals were worried that Qing's first civil war might erupt right in the area under their jurisdiction.
Grand Commander Wang seemed to have made up his mind. However, that very night, he went to the Mei Residence and sought out Mei Zhili, the chief civil official of Yanjing City.
Mei Zhili was a student of Duke Liu Guo. Although his ties to the Fan faction weren't deep, he was acquainted with Fan Xian. After hearing Commander Wang's sincere request for advice, Lord Mei calmly asked Wang Zhikun one question.
"Tong'er is still in the capital, right?" Since leaving his post as Prefect of Jingdu in the fourth year of Qingli, Mei Zhili had come to Yanjing City. His military-civilian cooperation with Grand Commander Wang had been harmonious, and he rarely interfered. Commander Wang deeply understood this Lord Mei's insight and strategic acumen. Just the fact that this man had managed to retreat unscathed from the position of Prefect of Jingdu indicated his skill within the official circles. The two men had a good personal relationship, so Lord Mei referred to the Wang family young lady naturally, as a senior would to a junior, using the familiar "Tong'er".
Hearing the name "Tong'er", Grand Commander Wang's expression remained unchanged, but his heart, tempered by the ice and snow of the battlefield to be exceptionally resilient, involuntarily trembled. He knew what Mei Zhili was trying to highlight.
Wang Tong'er had entered the Heqin Prince's mansion in June, becoming the Grand Prince's secondary consort. Furthermore, before the marriage, this young lady had been personally instructed and admonished by Fan Xian for several months. Not just in the capital and Yanjing, but in fact, most people in the world knew that aside from the Four Disciples of Fan, Fan Xian had three other students of noble status: the first was the Third Prince, the second was Miss Ye Linger of the Ye family, and the third was this young lady from the Wang family, the Yanjing Grand Commander's household.
In Southern Qing, the world prioritized Filial Piety, and next in importance was the respect for Teachers. Given the relationship between the Yanjing Wang family and Fan Xian, the presence of that one thousand Black Knights blocking the path at Niutou Mountain seemed somewhat more complex. Wang Zhikun looked at Mei Zhili, remained silent for a long moment, and then said, "There is an imperial decree from the palace, and an order from the Bureau of Military Affairs. Even if it invites some discussion later, this matter must still be carried out."
"Grand Commander, you misunderstand," Mei Zhili said, his eyes fixed on his nose, his mind focused. Having escaped the political whirlpool of the capital for several years, he hadn't intended to get involved in this major affair. However, he hailed from the Duke Guo's residence, and his connections with the Imperial Consort Yi and the Third Prince in the palace were too deep. Although he was now in Yanjing, if he truly wanted to escape in the future, it would likely be extremely difficult. That's why tonight, in front of Wang Zhikun, he decided to spell things out clearly.
"The teacher-student relationship between Lord Fan and Tong'er is certainly a concern, but the most critical point..." Mei Zhili sighed, looking at Wang Zhikun, said: "You are sending troops to Dongyi City, but anyone with clear eyes can see that the Grand殿下 no longer heeds the capital's decrees. And Tong'er... is a secondary consort of the Prince's mansion. Have you considered this issue? If the Grand殿下 truly occupies Dongyi and declares himself king, even if you gather the hundred thousand troops of Yanjing to conquer Dongyi, how will Tong'er position herself within the Prince's mansion?"
Wang Zhikun had guarded the Southern Qing border for many years, enduring bitter cold and hardship. Upon reaching the age of forty, he was blessed with a daughter, whom he naturally cherished like a precious jewel and inevitably spoiled. This indulgence fostered Wang Tong’er’s undesirable habits. Fortunately, Fan Xian forcibly suppressed Wang Tong’er’s bad temper. Whenever Wang Zhikun reflected on this, he felt a secret gratitude towards the young Lord Fan.
But today, prompted by Mei Zhili’s words, he murmured in astonishment, “Could it be that the young Lord Fan had already foreseen the current situation? Is that why, against all expectations and using his position as Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, he facilitated the Eldest Prince’s marriage to Tong’er?”
At this thought, a chill ran down Wang Zhikun’s spine. He hadn’t imagined that the young Duke would be so far-sighted and calculating—it was truly unsettling.
Wang Zhikun’s current position was rather awkward. Although the Yanjing garrison was powerful, its military focus was on Dongyi, which had already become the domain of the Eldest Prince and Fan Xian. To complicate matters, these two young nobles were inextricably linked to Wang Zhikun: one was his son-in-law, and the other was his daughter’s mentor.
After a moment of contemplation, Mei Zhili said, “There’s no use speculating now about what the young Lord Fan originally intended. But I must remind you, Commander—if I can see this problem, so can the person in the palace. Yet, the palace has taken no action against Yanjing.”
He lifted his head and glanced calmly at Wang Zhikun. “If the young Lord Fan truly predicted the current situation, it only shows his foresight. You, Commander, are stationed in Yanjing, yet your focus is on Dongyi City. If His Majesty doubts your dedication, replacing you would destabilize the Yanjing army’s morale, thereby securing Dongyi City’s safety.”
“My loyalty to His Majesty is as clear as the sun and moon. If Fan Xian intends to exploit this, he will not succeed,” Wang Zhikun replied without anger.
Mei Zhili nodded. “Clearly, the young Lord Fan’s arrangement has not taken effect. The capital has taken no action against Yanjing. His Majesty, after all, is a wise ruler and trusts you deeply… Even this military order from the Privy Council and the secret decree from the palace are, in fact, a test from His Majesty for you, Commander.”
Wang Zhikun straightened respectfully and bowed. “I am enlightened.”
Yet, Mei Zhili’s expression remained grave. He said slowly, “But will you truly not consider Tong’er, Commander? Or the court of public opinion? If you can subdue Dongyi City in one battle, you will naturally be a meritorious subject of Daqing. But if civil war breaks out and the conflict spreads… the pressure from all sides will fall upon you.”
“But what alternative do I have? If I truly hold back the troops, I would betray His Majesty’s trust.” Wang Zhikun raised his eyebrows and said heavily, “The conflict in the capital will ultimately be settled on the battlefield. As His Majesty’s subject, there are many things… I have no choice but to do.”
“What must be done, must be done. What need not… should not.” Mei Zhili gazed at him calmly, then gritted his teeth after a moment of silence. “To speak treasonously, this is, after all, a matter within the imperial family. As subjects, we must be loyal to His Majesty. But if Daqing truly descends into civil war, how will we answer to the world? The conflict in the capital should be resolved on the battlefield, but it is clear that neither the young Lord Fan nor His Majesty wishes the turmoil to spread too far. Otherwise, His Majesty would not have left the young Lord Fan breathing, and the young Lord Fan would not be idling in the capital as a wealthy man of leisure.”
“Those two are both guarding that bottom line. When you mobilize the troops the day after tomorrow, Commander, remember this line: intimidation is permissible, provocation is permissible, but if it truly comes to bloodshed… I fear it would be unwise. I doubt that is the outcome His Majesty seeks.”
“But the opposing side is the Black Knights. Those wolves of the Overwatch Council do not understand retreat.” Wang Zhikun closed his eyes. “This balance is too difficult to strike. We must send troops, yet we cannot truly fight. We cannot fail His Majesty’s grand plan, yet we must prevent the situation from escalating too severely.”
At this point, Commander Wang sighed deeply. He had spent his life amid the glint of blades, yet he had never encountered such a complex situation. To fight outright would be simplest—even if the opponents were Fan Xian and the Eldest Prince. But if he truly threw the eastern part of the empire into chaos, His Majesty would be displeased.
“Since His Majesty has issued a secret decree, we must fight—at the very least, we must create a genuine standoff and suppress the momentum of the Black Knights.” Mei Zhili lowered his eyelids slightly. “The palace’s decree must be carried out. Press forward like a storm overwhelming the mountains—how many days can the Black Knights hold out? Though they are a group of cold-blooded, murderous cavalry, the Eldest Prince is not, and the young Lord Fan is not.”
“This stalemate cannot last long. Eventually, the pretense will shatter.” Wang Zhikun reminded him, “His Majesty’s decree is clear. I do not wish for His Majesty to think me incompetent.”
“No, there will surely be an opportunity to stabilize the situation between Yanjing and Dongyi City.” Mei Zhili looked at him and suddenly smiled faintly. “The young Lord Fan invested so much effort in Tong’er and in your relationship with the Eldest Prince precisely to seek the current balance between both sides. As for His Majesty’s decree… I believe he will certainly find a way to resolve this matter.”
“Although the decree is difficult to defy, I truly have no desire to face Daqing’s sons on the battlefield.” Wang Zhikun’s brows furrowed deeply. After a long while, he said slowly, “But I see no way in the current situation to both obey the decree and withdraw the troops from Mount Niutou.”
“That will depend on the young Lord Fan’s methods.” Mei Zhili calmly raised a finger. “To maintain the status quo, a variable is needed. What this variable is, we do not know, but the young Lord Fan certainly does.”
Wang Zhikun sighed. “I do not believe he can achieve this. But if he truly finds this variable within five days, I fear I, like Tong’er, will have to admire him profoundly.”
……
……
Two days later, an atmosphere of solemn killing intent pervaded inside and outside Yanjing City. Border troops gathered from various camps assembled before the city and marched eastward. Within half a day, they joined the three thousand Yanjing camp soldiers previously dispatched and arrived at the foot of Mount Niutou.
An official road passed by the foot of Mount Niutou, skirting the edges of the golden and crimson autumn forests and extending toward the eastern coast. Following this road, the army could proceed directly to Dongyi City.
The dark, massed army gathered here, banners fluttering in the wind, cavalry clad in light armor, emanating a fierce and menacing aura. This force, now exceeding ten thousand soldiers, presented a truly intimidating spectacle.
Yet, this menacing Daqing border army was halted at the foot of Mount Niutou, unable to advance a single step. At the entrance of the official road stood three rows of cavalry clad head-to-toe in black armor, poised and ready.
Only three rows—a mere hundred or so black-clad cavalry—yet they exuded a chilling, sinister aura, blocking the center of the official road. On the gentle slopes to either side, two even denser black lines—also Black Knights—were positioned.
To demonstrate his loyalty to His Majesty, Yanjing Commander Wang Zhikun had invested substantial resources in this probe, dispatching a full ten thousand border troops. The Commander himself, of course, did not personally lead the army; the commanding officer was a trusted subordinate who had received secret orders.
The general gazed at the black cavalry on the distant official road, a chill creeping into his heart. The Qing military had long heard of the Black Knights of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council, and envy had festered just as long. These knights boasted the finest equipment, the best warhorses, and lightweight armor personally forged by the three major workshops of the Internal Treasury—their combat prowess was essentially built on a foundation of gold.
Within military circles, a legend persisted: "If the Black Knights number less than a thousand, they are invincible." This belief stemmed not only from the Qing generals' profound awareness of the Black Knights' prowess, honed through several collaborations over the decades, but also from Qing law and imperial decrees that strictly limited their numbers to under a thousand.
Of course, some military commanders remained unconvinced. The Qing army's elite troops were renowned across the land, whether the Dingzhou cavalry or the Long Arrow Battalion of the Northern Garrison—both forces of formidable reputation. How could they willingly let a mere subsidiary cavalry unit of the Overwatch Council steal all the glory?
Yet, the rebellion in the capital three years ago had served as a brutal awakening. Fan Xian, leading five hundred Black Knights, infiltrated the capital and engaged in a bloody battle beneath the Zhengyang Gate. Before countless eyes, the Black Knights, like grim reapers from the netherworld, utterly decimated the rebel cavalry.
That had been the elite of the old Qin family! Even Qin Heng himself had been slain by a Black Knight's lance! This ironclad fact forced the Qing military to truly comprehend the Black Knights' might. No one dared underestimate them any longer, and an indescribable fear took root in their hearts.
Squinting at the solitary figure at the vanguard of the Black Knights, the Yanjing general immediately recognized the identity of the silver-masked rider: Jing Ge, the Silver-Faced Commander of the Black Knights from the Overwatch Council's Sixth Bureau!
A cold dread gripped the Yanjing general's heart, for he knew this very commander was the fierce warrior who had slain Qin Heng with a single lance.
After a moment's contemplation, the Yanjing general, accompanied by a few personal guards, spurred his horse forward. The clip-clop of hooves echoed as he approached the Black Knights' defensive line.
"Commander Jing," the Yanjing general said, motioning for a subordinate to present the transfer order from the Bureau of Military Affairs. "I must ask your forces to stand aside."
Jing Ge silently took the order, scanned it briefly, and replied, "Our unit answers only to the Overwatch Council. We have yet to receive any directive from the Council. Therefore... I regret we cannot comply."
The Grand Prince, leading ten thousand elite troops, was actually stationed in the Song Kingdom not far from Ox-Head Mountain. However, to avoid scrutiny from the court, he couldn't personally lead the interception and had instead entrusted the task to the Black Knights.
Jing Ge's silver mask gleamed coldly as he surveyed the densely packed Yanjing troops before him. "I have orders to garrison Dongyi," he stated firmly. "Unauthorized personnel are strictly forbidden from entering. Should anyone dare to cross the line... they will be executed without mercy."
His words were clear, calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
Orders to garrison Dongyi? Whose orders? Lord Fan's? But Fan Xian was no longer the Director of the Overwatch Council. And the claim that they only followed Council directives was laughable. If Yan Bingyun were to send an Overwatch Council official with a transfer order, these Black Knights would likely cleanly behead the messenger and reduce the order to ashes.
This statement sent a chill of anger through the Yanjing general. "This is an imperial decree!" he retorted coldly. "Are you planning to defy the Emperor's will?"
Jing Ge didn't respond to the question. Having concluded the necessary exchange, he simply added a warning: "Do not consider bypassing us to enter Dongyi. We have no desire to trek through mountains to disarm you." With that, he tugged his reins and returned to the ranks of the solemn black cavalry. The iron lance resting at his saddle shimmered with a cold light.
The Yanjing general took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage in his heart, and narrowed his eyes to observe the black cavalry up close. After a moment, he had to admit their equipment far surpassed his own. Just the weight of their gear indicated that both the individual skill of these knights and the quality of their steeds exceeded that of the officers in the Yanjing garrison...
Though they numbered only a thousand, facing these thousand killing gods and attempting to break through with minimal bloodshed was easier said than done.
...
...
The true standoff between the Yanjing garrison and the Black Knights entered its third day, which also marked the fifth day in Grand Commander Wang's calculations. Minor skirmishes had occurred sporadically. While battle fervor and temper on the Yanjing side had risen, the outnumbered Black Knights remained as aloof and unmoved as ever, their demeanor almost inhuman.
With tensions reaching a breaking point, Grand Commander Wang felt he could wait no longer. These Black Knights needed a lesson. The Emperor's decree was clear. Having waited five days, he had already given Fan Xian and the Grand Prince ample time to respond. If the Yanjing forces remained deadlocked, unable to enter Dongyi, he feared the Emperor in the capital would be furious.
Just as Wang Zhikun was about to issue the order to forcefully advance through the Ox-Head Mountain line and charge the Black Knights, a commander, his expression grave, rushed into the headquarters with a military report.
Wang Zhikun squinted at the contents of the report, a cold dread settling in his heart. He hadn't anticipated that Fan Xian could actually stir up trouble in the north of Great Qing, and this particular variable was one he had never even considered.
He knew his troops could withdraw now. He had neither disobeyed the Emperor's decree nor allowed civil war to erupt within his jurisdiction. This should have been a perfect outcome, yet, for some reason, Wang Zhikun's eyes held no trace of peace, only deep anxiety.
The military report came from the Northern Garrison at Cangzhou. It stated clearly that Shang Shanhu, who had been recuperating in Shangjing of Northern Qi, had suddenly returned to the border. Leading a mighty army of a hundred thousand, he was pressing southward and had already advanced to a location just seventy li north of Cangzhou!