The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 443 This Blade is Offered to Its Master
The next morning, although the snow had stopped, the chill was even greater than the day before.

Under the anxious gaze of the Zhao officials, the gates of Zhenzhou slowly and heavily opened. Xiao Yan rode in first, followed closely by a hundred elite black-armored cavalrymen. Their iron hooves pounded on the frozen cobblestones, producing a dull, rhythmic thud. Each strike seemed to strike the hearts of the Zhao officials and garrison, silencing the entire city.

Of the thousand cavalry that Feng Dao brought from Yingzhou, half also followed him into the city. However, they did not go to the Zhenzhou government office, but instead dispersed and quickly took over the defense of the four gates of Zhenzhou, setting up sentry posts at key locations.

Inside the main hall of the government office, the charcoal fire burned fiercely, its flames leaping with scorching red light as it exerted its heat, yet it could not dispel the deathly pallor on Wang Rong's face, nor could it dispel the chilling despair that permeated the entire hall.

The former King of Zhao now resembled a boneless puppet, practically being carried by two expressionless eunuchs as they lifted a heavy, gilded wooden box. The lid opened, revealing two items on a bright yellow velvet lining, illuminated by the dim, flickering palace lanterns. The gilded glow, however, now seemed to emanate a hollow, lifeless aura.

Inside the box were two items. One was a jade seal carved from celadon, with a coiled dragon knob. The jade was fairly lustrous, but it was clearly a poorly made imitation, bearing a glaringly comical appearance. The other was a well-tanned sheepskin map, on which the mountains, rivers, passes, and fortifications of the entire Zhao state were clearly outlined in fine ink lines. The locations of garrisons and granaries were densely marked, and detailed household registers were attached alongside.

Xiao Yan glanced at the ridiculous jade seal without lingering. Holding the sheepskin map, his gaze slowly swept along the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains, finally stopping at the words "Zhenzhou," before sweeping over Tumen Pass, which borders Zhenzhou.

The latter, as the eastern entrance to Jingxing and a vital passage connecting the east and west of the Taihang Mountains, had always been controlled by the Jin state, allowing it to overlook the Zhao territory. It is worth mentioning that this is the ancient battlefield where Han Xin fought his decisive battle with his back to the river.

"Feng Dao." After a long while, Xiao Yan finally spoke, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

"Your subject is here." Feng Dao rose in response and bowed. After seeing Xiao Yan nod slightly, he first glanced at the pale-faced Zhao state officials in the hall, then took a scroll of black silk from his accompanying official, slowly unrolled it, and began to read aloud in a calm and even tone:
"Disciple:
The Privy Council of the Great Liang Dynasty, acting on the orders of General Tian Ce, issued an edict to the entire Zhao Kingdom:
King Rong of Zhao, whose family has ruled the Zhao vassal state for generations, has always been loyal and obedient. Now, he presents maps and household registers, demonstrating his sincere allegiance, which greatly pleases me. I have already submitted a memorial to the Emperor, who has bestowed upon me special favor, retaining my previous titles of Grand Tutor, Chancellor, and Military Governor of Chengde Army, and Inspector of Ji, Shen, and Zhao Prefectures, and granting me an iron certificate with a red inscription, granting me perpetual jurisdiction over the Zhao territory. However, with the need for reform of the laws and regulations, the following decree is hereby issued—

Firstly, the two counties of Luancheng and Yuanshi in Zhao Prefecture will be designated as Zhenji Military Camps, permanently serving as garrison posts for the Liang army. Any Zhao state officials who dare to enter their territory and interfere will be executed for treason and their bodies displayed in the marketplace.

The entire hall remained completely silent, and Wang Rong merely let his Adam's apple bob violently without uttering a word. Meanwhile, the officials from Luancheng and Yuanshi counties of Zhao Prefecture turned deathly pale, their bodies swaying slightly, almost unable to stand.

"Secondly," Feng Dao continued without even glancing at the Zhao state's ruler and ministers, "starting from the second year of Qianhua, all household registers, taxes, salt monopolies, and other items of the four prefectures of Zhao—Zhen, Ji, Zhao, and Shen—must be reported to the Yingzhou Xingtai of the Hebei Circuit of the Tiance Prefecture for review. Anyone who dares to conceal even a single coin or a single person will be executed along with their entire clan."

Thirdly, the Zhao State garrison was disbanded, and one in ten able-bodied men was conscripted to establish the Iron Forest Garrison, with a fixed strength of three thousand. Li Honggui, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Zhao State government and the first to have rendered meritorious service in surrendering, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Iron Forest Garrison, directly under the command of the Tiance Prefecture. The rest were to be laid off and return to their fields; those who privately possessed armor, bows, or crossbows were to be executed.

Li Honggui, standing in the ranks of military officers, immediately stepped forward half a step with a blank expression and bowed deeply towards Xiao Yan and Feng Dao. Although they had expected this, the eyes of the Zhao generals behind him who had not been named still instantly lost their luster. Some clenched their fists, veins bulging, while others hung their heads in dejection.

Fourthly, the second son of the Prince of Zhao, Wang Zhaohui, was dispatched immediately to Bianliang to serve in the palace. He was appointed General of the Left Thousand Ox Guard to attend to the Emperor.

Wang Rong shuddered violently, nearly dropping the eunuch who was supporting him. He had only two sons; his eldest son had long since gone to Bianliang, and only his second son had been by his side all these years. At this moment, he subconsciously tried to turn around and look for his second son behind him, but in the end, he could only let out a broken sob.

In the crowd, a young figure's face turned deathly pale, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably, but he was held down firmly by the person next to him.

"Fifthly, Tian Daocheng, the Commander of the Palace Guards, is renowned for his loyalty and bravery, and his merits are unparalleled among the elite warriors. He is hereby specially authorized to serve as the Military Commander of Zhenzhou and the Commander of the Cavalry and Infantry of the Zhenji Campaign, overseeing the Iron Forest Garrison, commanding the defenses of four prefectures, and guarding the strategic pass of Jingxing. You shall repair armor and train soldiers to secure our northern gate. All necessary provisions and weapons shall be supplied by Yingzhou. If foreign invaders attack, you shall strike them as you see fit, without being bound by conventional rules."

Standing below Xiao Yan, the burly Tian Daocheng, clad in gleaming armor, stepped forward steadily, knelt on one knee, and declared in a loud voice: "This humble general obeys Your Majesty's decree and will certainly not fail the Prince of Qin's trust!"

The voice of this general sounded somewhat jarring in the deathly silent hall. This was not just in Zhenzhou, but in the entire Zhao region, where the highest military power was now in his hands.

"Sixth, Li Si'an, the commander of the Iron Cavalry, is a spearman who can break through enemy lines with unparalleled skill. He can be appointed as the commander of the Xingming Campaign, overseeing the troops of the three prefectures of Xing, Ming, and Xing. However, you are fierce and lack strategic thinking. You should listen to the advice of Prefect Feng (Dao) and be wary of underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly. If you can repeat the victory at Sanggan, you will be rewarded handsomely; if you repeat the mistake at Luzhou, you will be severely punished without mercy."

The usually arrogant Li Si'an showed no sign of displeasure at this moment, and simply stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting: "This humble general Li Si'an obeys the order! I will certainly remember Your Highness's instructions!"

Feng Dao glanced at him, nodded slightly, and then continued reading: "Seventh, Wang Jingren, the military governor of Xingzhou Anguo Army, is renowned in the Jianghuai region and his prestige extends to Hebei. He may concurrently serve as the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Expeditionary Army and be granted the title of Chancellor. The armies of Zhenji (Tian Daocheng) and Xingming (Li Si'an) shall also be under the command of the Tiance Prefecture. They shall unite with Luo Shaowei of Weibo as a flank to jointly destroy the enemy's fortifications."

Appendix: Luo Shaowei, Prince of Ye and Military Governor of Weibo, has been stationed in Weibo for generations and is loyal to the royal family. He may retain his former title as Military Governor of Weibo, and be granted the additional title of Grand Tutor and the rank of Grand Master of the Three Departments. You previously executed the elite troops to ally with Liang, a meritorious service to the state. Now you shall continue to guard your former fiefdom and annually supply military provisions to aid in the defense of Jingxing.

Yan Bao, the military commissioner of Mingzhou, is well-versed in military affairs and has long been experienced in border matters. He can be promoted to the defense commissioner of Mingzhou and appointed as the commander of the cavalry and infantry of the Xingming military camp, assisting Si'an and participating in military strategy.
Le Congxun, the Prefect of Xiangzhou, is brave and skilled in battle. He is appointed as the Defense Commissioner of Xiangzhou, with the additional title of Acting Imperial Censor. He will also lead the prefectural troops to garrison Fuyang, protect the grain transport, and aid Si'an.

He Delun, the Prefect of Beizhou, is cautious, honest, and capable in military affairs. He is appointed as the Transport Inspector of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, overseeing the grain supply route from Qingyuan to Nangong. All fodder, grain, and weapons must be delivered swiftly to Si'an's army; those who delay will be punished according to military law.

Led by Wang Jingren, all the generals bowed and accepted the order. As for the people of Zhao in the hall, they felt even more bitter. This edict was comprehensive, and the entire Zhao state could be said to have completely collapsed. The southwestern part of Hebei was also completely under strengthened control. The so-called re-establishment of the three towns had no chance of turning the tide.

"Finally, it is said: All people of Zhao should uphold their duties as subjects, diligently obey the court's orders, and assist Minister Tian in protecting the land and ensuring the people's safety. If they harbor any disloyal thoughts or harbor two-faced intentions, then wherever the iron cavalry of Ba Du arrives, the palaces of the King of Zhao will surely be reduced to dust!"

The imperial edict is as follows, and shall be carried out upon receipt. On the 24th day of the first month of the second year of Qianhua (1268), Feng Dao, Sima of the Tiance Prefecture and Pacification Commissioner of Hebei Circuit, carried out the edict.

Feng Dao's voice was calm and even, without any inflection, as if he were not reading an edict that would determine the fate of a regional lord, but rather reciting a cold obituary for the State of Zhao.

Every word on the silk scroll, slowly yet forcefully, pierced the hearts of Wang Rong and all the Zhao officials present. Everyone understood that the nearly century-long legacy of the Uyghur Wang clan, from its first ruler, Wang Tingcou, the military governor of Chengde, to the present day, was rendered meaningless by this straightforward reading. Perhaps only when a new dynasty was established would the Zhao vassal state be lost forever.

Wang Rong trembled violently, and the eunuchs supporting him could barely hold his limp body. He was almost crawling as he was dragged to the cold desk. Below, all the officials of Zhao, except for Li Honggui who had already surrendered and was expressionless at this moment, were ashen-faced. They then followed their King Zhao, trembling as they prostrated themselves, their foreheads touching the ground.

"Your subject... Zhao State will forever... guard the borders for Your Highness... with absolutely no disloyalty..."

Wang Rong's voice was dry and hoarse, as if every word was being forced out from the depths of his throat. He stared intently at the ground in front of him, not daring to, nor able to, look up at the figure that had once been sitting in the main seat that belonged to him.

The hall was deathly silent. Only the occasional crackling sound from the charcoal brazier, like the last few weak and futile twitches of the heart of the State of Zhao before it completely stopped beating.

That night, during the banquet, Wang Rong's most trusted eunuch, Shi Ximeng, who had previously advocated for the Hebei alliance to protect itself and the re-establishment of the three towns, was found drowned in the most secluded corner of the government office's latrine. His body was half-submerged in the filthy, cold excrement, his face frozen in extreme terror. No one investigated further, and no one dared to ask.

After the banquet, the officials dispersed. Xiao Yan, who had finally managed to finish his trivial matters in Zhao, took only a few close attendants and went to visit Wen Tao and his group at their villa where they were recuperating.

After summoning everyone, Xiao Yan sat in the main seat, with Gongyang Zuo, Wen Tao, Shangguan Yunque and other surviving members of the Night Scouts sitting on either side. Qing Shi, who had previously been a member of the Jin State's Life Gate, was still unconscious due to his severe injuries. As for Pan Shi, it had been confirmed that he had died, and Xiao Yan had ordered that he be given a proper burial.

After a brief pause in conversation and discussion, Shangguan Yunque, whose arm was in a sling, swayed her hips in the hall, an exaggeratedly fawning smile plastered on her face, her voice high-pitched and thin: "You all saw how pathetic Li Siyuan looked back then—"

He stood on tiptoe, leaned back dramatically, clutched his chest with one hand, and gestured with the other, "When this guy kowtowed, his head was shoved so firmly into the ground. In front of our Highness, he looked exactly like a wilted foxtail grass, standing there straight and stiff. I almost burst out laughing..."

His irritating imitation and voice greatly enlivened the atmosphere in the room. Gongyang Zuo laughed heartily, finding Shangguan Yun Que quite pleasing to the eye for the first time. Even Wen Tao, who was frowning in deep thought, had a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Xiao Yan picked up the small teapot and poured a cup of tea for Shangguan Yunque with a smile, as a response.

On the other side, after Gongyang Zuo finished laughing, he shook his wine flask, poured the last few drops of wine into his mouth, squinted his eyes, and said in a hoarse and fiery voice: "Li Siyuan deserves to die."

Shangguan Yunque, who had been smug, was stunned and then fell silent. The trip had been fraught with casualties, but if it hadn't been for Li Siyuan's prior planning and relentless pursuit, hundreds of people would not have been lost in the Taihang Mountains.

“It’s not that I won’t kill him.” Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, sat upright in the main seat, looked around at the dozen or so Ye Bu Shou gathered in the room, pondered for a while, and then said calmly, “When we kill this person in the future, you may all take up your swords.”

At this moment, Wen Tao, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke: "Your Highness spared Li Siyuan's life not out of mercy, but to fight poison with poison, letting him go back to covet Li Cunxu's position. With Li Cunren in your hands, Your Highness has become a tool that we can discard at any time, or force him to turn against Li Cunxu. Killing him now would only benefit him."

Xiao Yan glanced at Wen Tao without showing any emotion, then looked at Shangguan Yunque and the others, and nodded, saying, "That is indeed the case. Li Siyuan's head is temporarily on his neck. If we kill him today, Jin will become a unified entity, and Li Cunxu will be able to seize the opportunity to consolidate the Tongwen Academy. It would be too much of a loss for me to exchange the blood of my men for a worthless corpse."

Gongyang Zuo Sui nodded and said, "Let this fellow bark for a while longer. When Your Highness gives the order, I will definitely take out his testicles and feed them to the wolves of Taihang Mountain."

Shangguan Yunque hissed and immediately turned away with a look of disgust. As night deepened, Xiao Yan, after personally checking on everyone, did not linger any longer. He returned to the courtyard where he was staying and sat alone at his desk. The candlelight occasionally crackled, illuminating his silhouette as he held a book. For a moment, only the soft sound of turning pages filled the room.

The door was silently pushed open a crack, and Bago's figure quietly slipped in.

She had changed out of her blood-stained robes, and now wore a dark, fitted outfit that clung tightly to her shapely body. The bandages around her chest were visible through the fabric, making her face appear even paler. Like a silent cat, she walked silently to Xiao Yan's desk, no more than three steps away. There was no bowing, no words spoken; her exotic eyes now reflected only the flickering candlelight and the figure behind the desk.

Xiao Yan paused slightly in his hand holding the scroll, looked up at her, his gaze calm and unsurprised, as if her arrival was expected.

Bago suddenly bent her knees, the movement aggravating her injury, causing her brows to furrow almost imperceptibly, yet she still knelt down steadily. She held up a short dagger in the style of the Shatuo people with both hands and presented it high before Xiao Yan.

“In the past…” Her voice broke the silence, trembling slightly, “I only wanted to be the fastest blade in Prince Jin’s hand. To kill the most people, to take on the most difficult tasks, so that no one would dare to underestimate me.” She paused, her chest heaving, “Later… while serving His Highness, this thought… also drove me to harbor thoughts I shouldn’t have…”

Her voice was even lower, "I've fantasized that perhaps... I could become a concubine in His Highness's inner court, someone who would receive some favor."

She took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the churning emotions in her chest, then raised her gaze to meet Xiao Yan's eyes directly: "But now, I understand. Someone like me, with the blood of my own kind on my hands and countless schemes in my heart... is not worthy. I am only worthy to be Your Highness's slave. A slave who guards Your Highness's camp, spyes on the enemy, and, when necessary, pounces on them until death."

She pushed the hand holding the dagger forward again, her knuckles turning white from the force. "This blade is offered to its master. Women of the grasslands pledge allegiance to their master, remaining faithful to him until death. If Your Highness despises me, use this blade to kill Bago; if Your Highness still has mercy on me, Bago will serve only Your Highness for the rest of his life..."

The sound of the wind outside the window suddenly became clear, whistling as it swept past the windowpane.

Xiao Yan finally put down his book, stood up, and walked over to her with his hands behind his back. His gaze calmly swept over her pale face, past the darker patch of blood seeping from the arrow wound beneath her slightly open collar, which had been parted by her kneeling posture, and onto the ink-black fabric. Finally, it landed on her trembling hand holding the short dagger. His face remained expressionless as he slowly raised his hand.

But the hand didn't reach for the dagger; instead, it turned behind it.

"Changlang——"

With a clear, melodious hum, the Qi King Sword hanging on the wall was lifted, scabbard in hand. The tip of the scabbard, covered in dark sharkskin and carrying the coolness of the night dew, precisely and unequivocally lifted Bago's cold and wild chin, forcing her to tilt her head slightly upward.

In the candlelight, their gazes suddenly met. They were so close that Bago could even see his own pale, stubborn reflection in Xiao Yan's eyes, and the flickering light in Xiao Yan's unfathomable pupils.

"The honey trap," Xiao Yan said calmly, his voice low and even, "isn't it too old-fashioned?"

These three seemingly ordinary words, however, were like silver needles, instantly piercing through the calm that Bago was trying so hard to maintain.

A surge of emotion, a mixture of shame at being seen through, the sting of contempt, and something deeper and sharper, suddenly exploded from the depths of her heart, rushing straight to the top of her head. Bago's brown eyes narrowed abruptly, and the wildness of her steppe blood and the stubbornness in her bones erupted. She didn't retreat; instead, she lunged forward.

Her slender, calloused fingers, with a ruthless determination, gripped the cold scabbard that supported her chin, then she pushed it forward with a sudden thrust.

The hilt of the sword pressed heavily against Xiao Yan's chest with a muffled thud.

The distance between them instantly closed to the point where they could hear each other's breaths. Bago could even see her own pale, stubborn, and disheveled reflection in Xiao Yan's eyes. His steady, warm breath brushed against her flushed cheeks, bringing a slight, ticklish shiver. The scent emanating from him, a mixture of cold iron, ink, and worldly dust, domineeringly overwhelmed all her senses.

No, given her appearance, how could she possibly push the sword in his hand?
His chin was supported by the cold scabbard, and his body was almost pressed against Xiao Yan's tall figure as he leaned forward. The wound under his ribs was tearing with pain, but all of this was overwhelmed by something more turbulent and unfamiliar.

Bago's breath was hot and unsteady, pressing against Xiao Yan's wrist as she gripped the sword. A faint blush crept onto her ears in the dim candlelight, yet she stubbornly refused to look away, her gaze fixed on those unfathomable black eyes. Her voice was extremely low, carrying a defiant arrogance and a subtle tremor she herself was unaware of.

“Then…” Each word seemed to be squeezed out from between her lips, with a strange, broken hoarseness, “…Your Highness…teach me to use the new one?”

Xiao Yan's gaze remained unmoved even after her broken provocation. His deep, pool-like eyes reflected her pale face, her stubborn gaze, the faint blush suppressed at the base of her ears, and her hand gripping the sword sheath, her knuckles taut and white.

Time seemed to stand still in their intense confrontation, with only his steady breathing brushing against the stray hairs on her forehead.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's wrist, which was gripping the sword, twitched slightly.

The scabbard pressed against her chin, its force sinking slightly downwards. Undeniably, it pressed her head, which had been tilted back slightly in excitement, down an inch.

Bago's body froze instantly. His fingers, which were gripping the scabbard, loosened, and the layer of bravado that he had been maintaining cracked, revealing the bewilderment beneath.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over her trembling hand, then fell on the dagger she held in her other hand. He then reached over her hand that was holding the sheath and lightly touched the inside of her wrist where she was holding the dagger with his fingertips.

The warm touch made Bago's wrist skin tighten instantly.

The hand then slid down, its fingertips precisely tracing the cold bronze hilt of the dagger, scrutinizing it as if sensing the bloodstains and her presence. Finally, it closed the hilt.

Instead of retracting it, he gently pressed the cold metal against the back of her hand that was gripping the scabbard.

The contrast between ice and heat made her shudder again.

"The knife is too sharp." Xiao Yan's voice rang out softly, carrying a subtle meaning in the close proximity of their breaths, striking her eardrums. "It is easy to break, and easy to hurt its master. You must learn to grasp the right balance."

His gaze lifted again, locking onto her eyes once more. This time, something profound seemed to be slowly flowing in those deep, still eyes; it was no longer a mere scrutiny, but more like a silent declaration, or perhaps acceptance.

"Keep it."

Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the dagger, slowly retracting it along with the scabbard that was supporting her chin.

The power vanished abruptly, and Bago swayed. She still looked up at Xiao Yan, watching him casually tuck the dagger that belonged to her into the belt around her waist.

He looked down at her, his voice regaining its usual calmness, yet carrying an unquestionable tone.

"You're still injured, so I won't keep you on night watch."

As soon as those words fell, Bago's tense body seemed to have all its bones pulled out by an invisible force, and her whole body suddenly relaxed. The courage and despair that had supported her vanished instantly, replaced by a near-exhausted bewilderment and an indescribable, burning palpitation that spread from her wrist, which had been touched, all the way to her heart.

Her throat bobbed, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

In the end, she simply lowered her head deeply, pressing her forehead against the cold ground, her light brown hair falling loose, obscuring her complex and turbulent expression that she could no longer control.

In the deathly silence, a voice, deliberately cold yet exceptionally clear, squeezed out from between her lips, carrying an almost obsessive sense of sacrifice.

“Bago…even though he is wounded, I am willing to…keep watch for the King.”

(End of this chapter)