The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 16: Return to the City

Chapter 16: Return to the City

“Your Majesty, please immediately strip him of his military power.”

Several officials suppressed their smirks, taking bamboo baskets and grabbing handfuls of cabbage, bending down to place them on spread-out coarse cloth, repeating the routine with practiced ease.

Just then, over a dozen bailiffs rushed over, gripping the swords at their waists, and pinned them down with their hands behind their backs. The officials, faces pressed against the table, had never suffered such humiliation and shouted, “How dare you! I serve His Majesty! If we delay the schedule, can you bear the responsibility?”

The bailiff said apologetically, “Sorry about this, but the county magistrate ordered us to arrest those openly demanding bribes. We heard His Majesty has decreed that no one may accept anything from the common people. You’d better admit it.”

The official was shocked that this had reached His Majesty’s attention how serious must the crime be? He couldn’t possibly confess and hurriedly cried out in a trembling voice, “There’s been a mistake! This was all the county magistrate’s orders! We were just following instructions! This is unjust!”

Ignoring him, the bailiffs escorted the group away and took over their stalls. Picking up the cabbage from the coarse cloth, they held it high and announced, “Whose vegetables are these? By His Majesty’s decree, government officials are forbidden to take even a needle or thread from the people. Violators will be treated as corrupt and severely punished. Whoever owns these vegetables, come claim them. If no one does and others take them, the government won’t handle the case.”

The common people looked at each other, bewildered. An elderly woman with a blue headscarf, clutching a snow-white radish in her arms, stood on tiptoe and stretched her neck, calling out in her loud, clear voice, “These are all grown from our own soil, not worth much. Can’t we even give these away?”

The bailiff sternly refused, “No. The court has issued a strict order: no taking things from the people. Everyone, take your goods home.”

“Whose are these? If unclaimed, they’ll be confiscated and distributed fairly.”

“Hey, those are mine.”

“Take them and leave quickly. Don’t linger. Whose cabbage is this?”

Before long, all the collected fruits, vegetables, and eggs were returned. A few elderly women walking along the road remarked, “How strange. In the past, these officials would pluck feathers from a passing goose only taking, never giving. Today, they didn’t even take a single leaf.”

“Strange? Didn’t you hear them? His Majesty has given a strict order: not a needle or thread can be taken from us. Anyone who dares will be thrown in jail!”

Someone exclaimed in surprise, “Not even a needle or thread? Then when grain taxes are collected, we won’t have to give them extra offerings anymore!”

Everyone was overjoyed and couldn’t help but sigh, “His Majesty is truly benevolent. If only he could stay in Youzhou forever.”

At these words, their spirits sank again.

Yes, His Majesty would eventually return to Chang’an. How would he know what happened hundreds of miles away in Youzhou? Without His Majesty, the officials would cover for each other, and their lives would return to how they were before.

At that moment, everyone secretly wished the Empress could stay a while longer every extra day was a blessing.

While the common people worried, the officials who had been doing their jobs properly and were suddenly imprisoned were also uneasy. As they were led away, one complained bitterly, “What kind of mess is this? I was thinking of making radish soup to warm up tonight, and now I’m here for no reason, taking the fall for that damned county magistrate!”

The official next to him covered his mouth and cautioned quietly, “Watch your words when it comes to our superiors.”

In the past, they had always been the ones escorting others to prison, but now it was their turn. A strange, awkward feeling flushed their faces as several officers sheepishly softened their footsteps, not wanting to disturb those already imprisoned.

Fate, however, had other plans. At a corner, they bumped into the last person they wished to see Sun Zhuo.

Tall and lean, with his hair neatly tied back without a single stray strand, he appeared clean and orderly. His face, with its sharp, cold brows and eyes, emitted a chilling gleam like that of iron armor, and his thin lips were pressed tightly together, giving him a harsh countenance.

At the sight of him, the officials instinctively held their breath.

For good reason Sun Zhuo was notorious in the yamen for his ruthless methods. It was said no one could endure the tortures he inflicted, and many would rather die than fall into his hands.

Often, when prisoners caught a glimpse of him passing by, their legs would instantly turn as weak as noodles, and they would rush to confess.

Sun Zhuo walked past them expressionlessly, not sparing them a glance, yet the officers’ attention was entirely fixed on him. When they noticed the slanting bloodstains on his snow-white robe, their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Indeed, Sun Zhuo had a fondness for wearing white. When donning the official yamen uniform, his inner garments were always white; when wearing official robes, he would layer them with a plain outer coat.

Every day, the conspicuous red on his attire made it impossible to ignore.

After Sun Zhuo had passed, the men whispered among themselves, “I wonder who fell victim to him today.”

“I heard it’s that stubborn fellow with the surname Meng. He still hasn’t broken.”

“So it’s him? To last this long under Devil Sun…”

The guards escorting them rapped on the bars. “Enough chatter. You’re prisoners now too. Be careful, or if the magistrate is displeased, he might send Devil Sun to deal with you.”

The group promptly fell silent.

A few days later, Xia Chenglie returned to the city with Tanmuhu bound. He had rushed back ahead of schedule specifically to capture Tanmuhu, leaving the Khan in the custody of a former general from the Xia Family Army, a process that would take some time.

When news of Xia Chenglie’s return reached Xu Ying’s desk, she instructed Xu Lang to arrange a welcoming ceremony upon learning the exact date.

As soon as the higher-ups made a move, rumors began to spread. By that afternoon, word of Xia Chenglie’s return had swept through the entire city.

Households stayed up all night, lighting cooking fires. Braving the cold moonlit wind, they carried hot meals and filled soup bowls, gathering quietly at the city gates to await Xia Chenglie’s army.

As dawn broke and the sound of hoofbeats drew near, the people rose, stamping their numb legs. With a wave of their hands, a cacophony erupted gongs clanging, drums beating shattering the stillness.

Xia Chenglie, holding the reins, slowly approached the city gate. The orange glow of torches illuminated every face old, young, handsome, beautiful all sharing one thing in common: their eyes were filled with him.

“General Xia, have some hot soup.”

“The march must have been hard. Here’s a bowl of steamed rice eat up, General. It’ll warm and fill your belly.”

“General Xia, I made your favorite Crescent Wontons. Try one before you go!”

Seated on his tall horse, Xia Chenglie was baffled by this unexpected remark. Since when did he love Crescent Wontons?

With the young and old of the city blocking the entrance, Xia Chenglie couldn’t proceed and had no choice but to dismount. His soldiers were also pulled down one by one, served bowls of densely packed millet rice. For those who didn’t care for millet rice, there were alternatives like soup noodles and steamed buns.

Soup noodles are not flatbread, but long slender strands of dough, while steamed buns are not pancakes, but plump, pillowy mounds of bread.

Taking a bite of steamed bun and sipping a bowl of soup, the cold of Youzhou felt a little warmer in the flickering firelight.

Once the soldiers had eaten and drunk their fill, the common folk crowded around them and escorted them into the city. By then, the flames of the torches had spread to the eastern sky, burning into a round disk of sun.

Xu Lang had prepared a welcoming banquet for Xia Chenglie at Caoyuan in the eastern part of the city. Knowing that Xia Chenglie would return today, Xu Ying had risen in the middle of the night and gone with Xu Lang to Caoyuan.

All the arrangements for the banquet were handled by Xu Lang himself. Xu Ying only needed to glance over them, take note, and indicate her approval.

As dawn broke in the east, a few attendants rushed back to report that Xia Chenglie was held up outside the city. He had sent someone to relay a message, saying that he was disheveled and unfit to appear before the emperor, and would come to offer his apologies after washing up.

All the officials of Youzhou were present at the banquet. Xu Lang had also extended an invitation to He Chongguang, who had finally “recovered from his illness” and attended.

Xia Chenglie had won a battle, earned the emperor’s favor, and was so beloved by the people. He Chongguang couldn’t help but feel a surge of sour envy in his heart. It wasn’t just that military men didn’t feel jealousy even scholars looked down on one another.

Feeling uncomfortable, He Chongguang thought bitterly, With such minor achievements, he’s already caught the emperor’s eye and won the people’s hearts. If I had been sent to the front, the Northern Barbarians’ Khan wouldn’t have survived I would have crushed them completely.

It was a pity that Xu Ying, being a woman, couldn’t see his bravery and hadn’t dispatched him. Otherwise, it would have been him returning in triumph now.

“Your Majesty, Xia Chenglie has merely captured a few Northern Barbarians, yet he dares to act arrogantly and show disrespect to the throne. I implore Your Majesty to immediately strip him of his military power.” He Chongguang stood up, striking a righteous and solemn pose. Though he appeared to have Xu Ying’s interests at heart, in truth, he coveted Xia Chenglie’s military authority.

Xu Ying’s eyelids felt heavy, but with all the officials watching, she couldn’t rub them. So many eyes were fixed on her it was terribly uncomfortable.

Just then, He Chongguang stepped forward to speak. Xu Ying’s mind was too tired to think, so she instinctively cast him a cool, sidelong glance and said evenly, “I do not see any disrespect from Xia Chenglie. Perhaps General He is projecting his own feelings onto others.”

Xu Ying’s reply was far from courteous. He Chongguang’s face burned with shame, and the unspoken implication in her words sent him into a fluster as he hurriedly begged for forgiveness.

If the emperor herself saw no disrespect in Xia Chenglie’s actions, what was He Chongguang trying to achieve by overstepping his authority?

No matter how much he looked down on Xu Ying, she was still the nominal ruler. If anyone with ill intentions seized on this, he would surely pay a heavy price.

As for He Chongguang’s half-hearted apology, Xu Ying waved it off without giving it much thought.

Sun Wanyun, standing beside her, brought over a bowl of hot soup and said softly, “Your Majesty, the chill is heavy after the morning dew. Please have a bowl of hot soup to warm yourself.”

Sun Wanyun shifted to block the officials’ view. Meeting her gaze, Xu Ying immediately understood. Bending over as if to pick up a spoon, she quickly rubbed her eyes, then took the offered soup and took a small sip. The drowsiness faded somewhat, and her thoughts gradually cleared.

Xu Ying gave Sun Wanyun a slight nod. Sun Wanyun seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then bowed her head and stepped back.

Turning her gaze to the officials in the hall, Xu Ying waited as the palace attendants served them hot soup. Scanning the room, she realized she wasn’t the only one feeling tired some were half-closing their eyes, nodding off. For some reason, the scene reminded her of her old math classes.

“Huaiyang, this soup is perfectly seasoned and quite delicious. You should try it.” In front of the officials, she had to refer to Xu Lang by his title. Suppressing a smile, Xu Ying turned to Xu Lang to distract herself.

Xu Lang smiled slightly. “As long as Your Majesty is satisfied.”

As he spoke, a palace attendant entered to announce: “Your Majesty, General Xia requests an audience.”

Xu Ying waved a hand. “Granted.”

Soon, a broad-shouldered man strode into the hall. Having removed his armor, he now wore simple earth-toned robes. His sword-like eyebrows stood sharply, his gaze burned intensely, and his previously unkempt beard had been trimmed neat and tidy. With those thick eyebrows, large eyes, and an aura of upright integrity, Xu Ying almost failed to recognize him as Xia Chenglie.

“This guilty subject Xia Chenglie arrives late. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

These words confirmed Xia Chenglie’s identity. Xu Ying maintained a smile but inwardly thought, You should’ve cleaned up like this long ago then I wouldn’t have chosen you to fight the Northern Barbarians.

Suppressing her inner grumblings, Xu Ying smilingly excused him from formalities and invited him to take a seat. Following protocol, sovereign and subject exchanged pleasantries, with Xu Ying inquiring whether Xia Chenglie had been injured and how many soldiers were lost.

To her surprise, Xia Chenglie reported: “In this battle, ninety-three perished and over eight hundred were wounded. Additionally, eighteen enemy generals surrendered. It was with their assistance that I successfully located the Northern Barbarians’ royal court.”

So there were traitors among the Northern Barbarians. Xu Ying was startled.

“This battle holds extraordinary significance for our Great Jin. All casualties shall be recorded as meritorious deeds in the registry, and their families shall receive generous compensation. Note the names of any children and instruct local officials to provide extra care they shall receive priority in imperial examinations.” After arranging honors for the fallen, Xu Ying asked about the surrendering generals: “What of those eighteen defectors?”

Xia Chenglie considered before responding: “Your Majesty, they had long admired our culture and surrendered willingly out of genuine respect.”

The veteran general who had campaigned with Xia Chenglie silently raised his bowl and gulped hot soup, not daring to recall the scenes of capturing those defectors.

This was no admiration for Great Jin’s culture it was submission to Xia Chenglie’s iron fists.

Of course, the civil officials must never learn this, lest they seize upon it for accusations.

Xu Ying found this somewhat hard to believe, but Xia Chenglie spoke so earnestly that she couldn’t openly doubt him. She finally said: “In that case, calculate their military merits. Let Minister Xia determine appropriate promotions.”

He Chongguang immediately leapt to his feet in protest: “Your Majesty, this must not be! It violates regulations. If troop promotions fall solely under the commander’s control, it risks favoritism and factionalism.”

If Xia Chenglie decided all promotions, who would remember the emperor? Wouldn’t all simply follow Xia Chenglie’s whims? Should this continue, they would know only Xia Chenglie, not their sovereign. With one rallying cry, Xia Chenglie could don the imperial yellow robes!

Xu Ying stared coldly at He Chongguang. “General He, you repeatedly fabricate accusations against meritorious officials. What exactly are your intentions?”

The civil officials, including provincial inspectors, bowed their heads this was not their conflict to join, especially with charges of false accusation now raised.

He Chongguang’s lips trembled, sweat beading on his temples. He admitted previous jealousy had made him exaggerate minor faults, but this time was different. Xu Ying’s approach was dangerously improper she was nurturing a tiger that would devour her.

Xia Chenglie too was shocked by the immense authority Xu Ying granted him a blessing that could easily become a curse. He urgently declined, repeatedly insisting it was inappropriate.

Through three rounds of insistence and refusal between Xu Ying and Xia Chenglie who feared overshadowing his sovereign he steadfastly declined.

As the deadlock persisted, Xu Lang intervened to mediate: “Perhaps General Xia and I could deliberate together. General Xia understands the soldiers’ merits, while I share deep bonds with Your Majesty. Our collaboration would be most fitting. What does Your Majesty think?”

This is the best plan. If Xu Lang intends to rebel, joining forces with Xia Chenglie would make success almost effortless. After brief consideration, Xu Ying agreed and said, “Then I shall entrust this matter to Huaiyang and Minister Xia. The promotion and demotion of military ranks is also of great importance do not neglect it.”

Xu Lang and Xia Chenglie responded in unison, “As you command.”

Author’s Note:

No major changes, just corrected two awkward sentences.