The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 3: Northern Expedition

Chapter 3: Northern Expedition

“What does Fourth Sister think about relocating the capital to Youzhou?”

“What should we do now?” Xu Lang had always assumed that becoming emperor would solve all problems, never expecting these court officials would feign compliance while secretly defying orders. Instantly torn between fury and anxiety, she found herself at a loss.

Xu Ying, however, had long held a grand strategy. Unhurriedly, she retrieved a memorial from her sleeve and handed it to Xu Lang. “Fourth Sister, look at this. Our opportunity lies here.”

Puzzled, Xu Lang accepted the document. Unfolding it, she read reports of Northern Barbarians harassing border civilians, lamentations of devastated communities, severe losses, and widespread panic all petitioning for military deployment against the enemy.

The Northern Barbarians followed this pattern yearly, and requests for counterattacks were equally routine. Even without involvement in state affairs, Xu Lang knew this memorial wasn’t truly about engaging in battle. It merely reminded the emperor to allocate funds, though whose pockets ultimately received the silver remained uncertain.

This was standard procedure with nothing remarkable. Fearing she might have overlooked details, Xu Lang scrutinized the text character by character several times. After prolonged contemplation still revealed no clues, she lifted her gaze to ask Xu Ying: “What’s wrong? Where lies the issue?”

Xu Ying deliberately kept her in suspense, postponing an answer as she raised another seemingly unrelated matter: “Youzhou connects with northwestern mountains, possessing treacherous terrain that’s easy to defend yet hard to attack. Its heartland contains vast plains suitable for both farming and herding. What does Fourth Sister think about relocating the capital to Youzhou?”

Though unclear about the connection between the two topics, Xu Lang pondered before answering earnestly: “Youzhou is remote and isolated. Its winters are bitterly cold a land of exile where many convicted officials succumb to freezing deaths. If Your Majesty wishes to move north to Youzhou, court ministers will certainly object.”

“Since these ministers disobey imperial decrees, we’ll simply replace them.” Xu Ying’s tone carried casual arrogance as she floated this remark. Retrieving the memorial, she declared solemnly: “The Northern Barbarians repeatedly violate our borders, challenging heavenly authority. We shall personally lead the expedition against them to awe the realm!”

“Your Majesty intends to use the northern campaign to relocate the capital?” Reading the glint in Xu Ying’s eyes, Xu Lang immediately understood, yet new concerns emerged. “But with imperial authority weakened, I fear you cannot command generals nor mobilize troops.”

“No need to worry. I’ve found the Royal Army Tally our late father concealed in his bedchamber. Bringing them to Youzhou will suffice. The rest can be gradually reclaimed after we consolidate power there.”

For a newly enthroned emperor with unstable foundations to rush into border warfare seemed unreliable from any perspective.

Yet after brief reflection, Xu Lang recalled how her younger sister had always been decisive since childhood, and how her strategic planning had secured the throne. Moving the capital to Youzhou must hold profound significance. Resolutely, she voiced her support.

With consensus reached between the sisters, they moved swiftly into action.

Xu Lang’s marital family belonged to an unambitious collateral branch of nobility that had declined for decades. When news of Xu Lang supporting Xu Ying’s ascension reached them, they promptly submitted divorce papers citing incompatibility between spouses.

After consulting Xu Lang’s opinion, Xu Ying readily approved the petition, allocating several estates for Xu Lang’s princess residence. Freed from marital constraints, Xu Lang operated with greater efficiency.

First came the servants each required careful background checks. Xu Lang marked all spies, separating those with clean records for planned relocation. But upon reviewing the list, Xu Ying instructed replacement of most selections.

Baffled, Xu Lang received this explanation: “Known enemies in the dark are easier to control. Keeping these spies will lull the chancellor and others into complacency. Moreover, eliminating this batch would only bring endless replacements no point wasting effort.”

Ridiculous. Every one of these spies was a reserve candidate to send her home for good better to catch her off guard and stab her through the heart. Xu Ying would never let such opportunities slip.

Next were seeds and cloth. Transporting grain was time-consuming and labor-intensive; it was better to be self-reliant for ample food and clothing. In the early stages, she shamelessly requisitioned supplies from all over the country, relying on grain shipments to sustain them temporarily. Later, they could achieve self-sufficiency.

There were other miscellaneous matters too cooks, physicians which Xu Ying couldn’t personally oversee, so she delegated them all to Xu Lang.

Naturally, Xu Ying’s movements didn’t escape the court officials. The Senior Minister of the Right was advanced in years and avoided trivial affairs, leaving his student Zhang Yu as the de facto administrator. The Senior Minister of the Left, Liu Xu, oversaw general affairs.

In Liu Xu’s view, Xu Ying was ultimately a woman with narrow vision no matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t turn the world upside down. He devoted all his energy to the imperial clan, selecting a qualified ruler, and turned a blind eye to Xu Ying’s minor maneuvers.

Zhang Yu, in his thirties, lacked seniority. Though his mentor supported him, Liu Xu’s suppression kept him marginalized in an awkward position. Xu Ying’s ascension ignited his ambition to control the emperor and command the nobles.

He knew Xu Ying was in a precarious state but wasn’t in a hurry to act. Instead, he welcomed her struggles the more desperate she became, the more it benefited him.

With each official harboring their own schemes, they uniformly ignored the seemingly harmless Xu Ying. Thus, when she issued an edict for a northern campaign and fled the capital overnight, she caught everyone off guard.

On that ordinary night, many officials were roused from sleep. Hearing the emperor had fled, they widened their eyes, shed their drowsiness, threw on robes, and rushed to Chancellor Liu Xu’s residence.

Upon learning the news, Liu Xu fumed, “A woman! A woman! She knows not her place she’ll be the ruin of Jin!”

After his outburst, he immediately sent men beyond the city to intercept Xu Ying. He had initially intended to spare her life, but her unruly, absurd actions now revealed her true nature.

This woman was utterly unqualified she could not be allowed to remain.

Liu Xu decided to capture and confine her, planning her execution once he selected a new ruler from the imperial clan.

No matter how furious everyone in Chang’an became, Xu Ying had already left. She traveled light, with only the previously chosen servants a small retinue.

Anticipating Liu Xu’s pursuit, Xu Ying avoided carriages. Everyone carried their own loads and ran, with her deliberately leading them deep into mountainous forests. The system’s database didn’t fail her the maps she exchanged were reliable.

The officers and soldiers first searched the main roads, finding no traces before turning to the woodlands. By then, Xu Ying was dozens of miles ahead.

Zhang Yu remained relatively composed. Among those Xu Ying took with her were his planted informants. He immediately sent word: protect Xu Ying’s safety at all costs.

Xu Ying led a thousand-strong force toward Youzhou. Truth be told, her ability to command the Royal Army smoothly was thanks to her late father. Had he not fragmented various troops into a Royal Army loyal only to the emperor out of caution, she might never have left Chang’an.

After putting significant distance between them and the pursuers, Xu Ying halted to rest the troops. During the escape, she ate and slept like everyone else (largely due to the lack of luxuries), earning some soldiers’ goodwill. When Xu Ying called for an address, the soldiers quickly fell into formation.

It was unclear whether the military rations were inadequate, but the soldiers all appeared malnourished, gaunt and emaciated. After days of forced marches, covered in dust and grime, they looked even more wretched.

Xu Ying sighed inwardly, cleared her throat, and spoke: “After days of rapid marching, you must all be exhausted. Rest where you are I only need to say a few words.”

This was the first time the soldiers had received an order allowing them to sit while listening. They exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to react, and turned their pleading eyes toward the Commander.

The Commander, bearded like a wild man, followed Xu Ying’s command without question. He drove his broadsword into the earth, spread his legs, and plopped down onto the cold, prickly grass.

Seeing the Commander seated, the soldiers hesitated briefly before following suit, though they sat with legs tightly together, maintaining proper decorum.

With everyone properly seated, Xu Ying took the opportunity to relax as well, cross-legged at the front, and began her address: “You all know you are the Army of the Son of Heaven, but not all Sons of Heaven are the same. I have received the Mandate of Heaven to claim the throne, and as my soldiers, you will be held to higher standards. Later, I will have Princess Huaiyang explain my rules in detail.”

“What you must know is this: all who slay the Di tribesmen will be rewarded, with merits accumulated through military achievements. The most exceptional may even be enfeoffed as nobles or appointed as ministers. Should you fall in battle, I will ensure your families are cared for. Your children, regardless of gender, may attend school free of charge and will receive priority in imperial examinations. In this northern campaign, I expect you to demonstrate the might and dignity of the Royal Army, to make the name of the Royal Army resound across the four seas and eight wildernesses. Can you do this?”

Among the ranks were veterans who had followed great generals into battle, as well as commoners hired by wealthy families to avoid conscription. Regardless, most came from impoverished backgrounds, their ancestors having toiled in the fields for generations, never imagining their children could receive an education.

Xu Ying’s words instantly ignited fervor in many eyes. Dull, listless gazes suddenly sparkled with vitality, brimming with an upward-striving energy that seemed inexhaustible.

A thunderous roar shook the heavens, startling birds into flight: “We can, we can, we can ”

Xu Ying nodded in satisfaction. Though the soldiers now burned with fighting spirit, her real trump card lay ahead the rules Xu Lang was about to announce.

She had completely reorganized all officer positions below the Commander and decreed equality between officers and soldiers. Soldiers could now bypass the chain of command to report directly to Xu Ying. She also established a long list of regulations, with particular emphasis on the prohibition of visiting prostitutes violators would be beaten to death regardless of rank.

Moreover, Xu Ying’s promises of enfeoffment, ministerial appointments, and free education remained empty pledges until she fully consolidated power.

Weighing the two aspects, discontent was inevitable. Would there be deserters, or would someone dare to mutiny? Xu Ying awaited both outcomes with anticipation the former would cost her nothing, while the latter would be ideal. After all, the essence of destroying a state lay in relentless upheaval.

Sure enough, after Xu Lang finished explaining the rules, the crowd buzzed with discontent. Many petty officers leaped up in fury. Though their families possessed modest wealth, they lacked real capability and had purchased prestigious titles to idle through life. Accustomed to lording their superior rank over others and enjoying privileged comfort, they naturally resented Xu Ying for obliterating their preferential status. Their faces darkened with unmistakable hostility.

“Indeed, having a woman in charge just doesn’t work. She’s not someone worth risking our lives for. I’ve heard General Lu in the west treats his subordinates quite generously. Rather than following some clueless woman to our pointless deaths, why don’t we flee west tonight and join General Lu!” one squad leader instigated.

Several other squad leaders echoed the sentiment, while the others clearly hesitated. For them, Xu Ying’s offers were too tempting, and having equality between officers and soldiers was a good thing – they would no longer have to suffer under the squad leaders’ oppression.

The young soldier Niu Liu had just joined the Royal Army this year as a Cook Soldier. Young and not yet sixteen, he came from a poor family where a single string of copper coins had made him willingly enlist under someone else’s name. He understood nothing and didn’t even know when he offended people.

Fortunately, when squad leaders ganged up on him, a passing Commander rescued him. He then shamelessly asked the Commander to be his sworn elder brother, knowing that staying by the Commander’s side meant he wouldn’t be bullied.

He understood why the squad leaders wanted to flee, but he couldn’t comprehend why some of his fellow villagers were also preparing to escape. When he asked them, his companions’ eyes all tilted downward in an oddly uniform manner, revealing inexplicable smiles as they patted his shoulders and spoke to him with grave concern: “You’re still too young to understand these things. Just know that for your future happiness, you should come with us elder brothers.”

Completely bewildered, Niu Liu simply walked to the Commander’s tent, intending to ask him. But the tent was unexpectedly empty. Niu Liu’s heart sank as he thought to himself: “Has Big Brother already run off at this very moment!”

Author’s note:

Cook Soldier: ancient military cook