The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 59: Emergency

Chapter 59: Emergency

Jade Gate Pass is in critical condition.

While Youzhou remains calm, the Western Rong have completed preparations for a surprise attack. However, just before departure, they were intercepted by the Khatun. The Khatun said to the Khan, “That man named Hushili is suspicious; his words must not be lightly trusted. The Khan may not know that the newly enthroned Empress of Jin has a strong personalityshe is no delicate woman.”

“She first cultivated her own influence in Youzhou through the northern campaign, then decisively returned to Chang’an during the epidemic, winning the people’s hearts. When constructing palaces, she did not forcibly conscript laborers, avoiding disruption to farming while paying those in service with silver, thus restoring livelihoods. Her prestige among the Jin people is very high. If the Khan attacks Jin at this time, it may incite public outrage and fail!”

The Khan was unconvinced. “Jin is currently in internal turmoil. If we miss this opportunity, it will be difficult to attack later.”

“If the Khan truly wishes to attack Jin, it would be better to wait a while. Let the horses grow and become strong and well-fed before fighting. Now, with grass just sprouting, there isn’t enough forage, which is unfavorable for our cavalry. It’s better to wait until autumn to send troops,” the Khatun advised.

The Khan also regretted not sending troops last year. At that time, he had intended to watch Jin and the Northern Barbarians weaken each other, but unexpectedly, the Northern Barbarians, accustomed to comfort, were defeated by Xia Chenglie.

“We can’t wait. The internal strife in Jin won’t last long. You also said the Jin Emperor is constantly working to restore livelihoods. If we delay further, it will be harder to fight.”

Seeing that the Khan would not listen, the Khatun had no choice but to say, “If the Khan insists, then please let Aguhun lead the army. The Empress values Xia Chenglie, and having just ascended the throne, she may not appoint others. Aguhun is also the most familiar with Jin and can help the Khan achieve his goals.”

The Khan’s expression darkened slightly, hesitating. “Aguhun is old. His contributions to the Western Rong far exceed mine, and many support him for Khan. If he defeats Jin, the hearts of the Western Rong will all turn to him.”

“Aguhun’s loyalty can face the heavens. He has absolutely no intention of betraying the Khan. Even if others forced him to become Khan, he would draw his sword and kill himself. What is the Khan still uneasy about?” the Khatun did not understand.

The Khan and Aguhun had grown up together, eating and living side by side, their bond very close. How had they grown apart over the years?

The Khan turned away, silent for a long time before saying, “Let it be Aguhun then. He has defeated Xia Chenglie before, and if Jin knows Aguhun is leading the army, Xia Chenglie will surely be impatient to wash away the shame, making it easy to fall into Aguhun’s trap.”

The Khatun nodded in agreement. With Aguhun present, she breathed a sigh of relief, her anxious heart easing slightly.

To enter Jin, the Western Rong must cross the Great Wall. Aguhun led elite cavalry to strike unprepared, fiercely attacking Jade Gate Pass.

Jade Gate Pass is a crucial fortress connecting Jin to the northwest, with all trade passing through it. The Western Rong have long coveted Jade Gate Pass; Aguhun once captured this pass, but fortunately, it was quickly retaken by Xia Chenglie’s father, Xia Qiyuan.

The defending general at Jade Gate Pass is Dingyuan General Lu Ang. Faced with the Western Rong’s surprise attack led by their strong commander Aguhun, Lu Ang felt apprehensive and immediately sent messengers to Youzhou to report.

An eight-hundred-li urgent report: Jade Gate Pass is in critical condition.

Xu Ying was roused from sleep in the middle of the night for an emergency council meeting. Everyone was still bleary-eyed until they heard that the Western Rong were attacking Jade Gate Pass, which instantly jolted them awake. They hastily threw on their robes and rushed to Azure Wave Study to deliberate.

The critical question was: who dared to face Aguhun in battle?

Xu Lang proposed, “Your Majesty, Xia Chenglie is a brilliant military strategist. Why not issue him an order to lead troops in reinforcing Jade Gate Pass?”

“Absolutely not!” Liu Xu immediately objected.

Xu Ying was still weighing the situation. The Western Rong’s attack on Jade Gate Pass at this moment likely meant they had caught wind of something and were determined to penetrate deep into the Central Plains.

Seeing Xu Ying deep in thought and considering deploying Xia Chenglie, Liu Xu raised his voice urgently: “Your Majesty, Xia Chenglie has previously been defeated by Aguhun. Appointing him as commander would destabilize military morale and dampen the soldiers’ spirit. He cannot be used.”

“Then whom does Minister Liu believe can overcome Aguhun?” Xu Ying looked up and asked with genuine sincerity.

She could accept dying at the hands of anyone within Great Jinbe they nobles or servantsbut she had to minimize the damage. Allowing the Western Rong to invade was unthinkable; it would lead to atrocities so severe that history textbooks would only mention them in passing.

Xu Ying felt tremendous pressure. Previously, the campaign against the Northern Barbarians had been feasible because the region was already heavily garrisoned. She had merely used it as an excuse to leave Chang’an, not out of genuine conviction. Thus, when Xia Chenglie departed, she had instructed him to retreat if the battle turned hopeless. But the Western Rong’s current aggression was clearly serious.

After a brief pause, Liu Xu raised his hand and said, “The only one confident in holding off Aguhun is probably Xia Qiyuan. Although Xia Chenglie is his son, in terms of military command, he falls far short of his father.”

It was a pity that Xia Qiyuan had died due to the late emperor’s suspicions; otherwise, the Western Rong would never have dared to act so boldly.

Zhang Yu added, “Your Majesty, we truly cannot use Xia Chenglie. He is currently stationed in the Northern Barbarians’ territory. If we transfer him away now, it might incite unrest among them.”

Although the Khan of Beidi had signed a surrender agreement, many dissenters had fled north with their followers, leaving only ordinary Northern Barbarian civilians behind. If Xia Chenglie departed, those who had escaped might seize the opportunity to return.

“Your Majesty, He Chongguang once fought alongside Xia Qiyuan and is familiar with his military strategies. He also has experience resisting the Western Rong. He could certainly stall Aguhun,” Liu Xu suddenly recalled another candidate.

“He Chongguang?” Xu Ying was astonished. That old man who feigned illness every other day?

She remembered sending He Chongguang to prison to keep his grandson company. He should still be incarceratedshe had forgotten about him, and no one had reminded her.

As Xu Ying immersed herself in selecting a commander for the battle, officials favoring appeasement hurriedly interjected: “Your Majesty, this year we have already launched a northern expedition and conscripted laborers to construct palaces. This may overburden the people and stir public resentment. Perhaps we should send an envoy to negotiate peace with the Western Rong, cede some territory, and focus on recuperating and building strength to reclaim the lost lands later.”

During the late emperor’s reign, many cities had been voluntarily ceded. Losing and retaking territory repeatedly made it more practical to seek peace through territorial concessions and avoid unnecessary losses.

As soon as the official finished speaking, Xu Ying hurled an inkstone at his chest. “Cede one city today, another tomorrowwhen will it end? Should we hand over Chang’an and Youzhou to the Western Rong as well?”

“You speak so lightly of retaking lands in the future. After several years, who will fight to reclaim them? Will you?”

The official promptly dropped to his knees, bowing his head to the ground and repeatedly begging for forgiveness.

“Your Majesty, I believe we can dispatch He Chongguang to reinforce Jade Gate Pass and hold back Aguhun, while having His Highness Qing Wang take a detour to attack the Western Rong. His Highness once quelled bandits in the southwest with merely a hundred menhis prowess is no less than any general’s. If Your Majesty can trust Qing Wang, he will not disappoint.” Someone among the court officials proposed in a hushed tone, seemingly afraid of angering Xu Ying.

“Is there no one else?” Xu Ying found it strangewhere had all the capable military commanders gone? Even Qing Wang was being dragged into this.

The officials fell silent. There had indeed been many renowned generals in the past; even Xia Qiyuan would have paled in comparison. But… this line of thought bordered on disrespect toward the late emperor and couldn’t be voiced aloud.

Xu Ying had someone in mind: Niu Pengnan. But she wasn’t sure if he was readyinexperienced and seemingly not the brightest, she couldn’t take the risk.

“Summon Qing Wang and He Chongguang,” Xu Ying conceded helplessly, deciding to first assess the recommended candidates.

In the prison cell, He Chongguang sat disheveled and grimy, filled with deep regret. Had he known Xu Ying wouldn’t be easily manipulated, he wouldn’t have presumed on his seniority and deliberately acted out.

Initially, he thought Xu Ying had merely imprisoned him as a warning, never expecting her to be so ruthless. She appeared reasonable but possessed an iron will.

The cell was dark, damp, and stifling, with ants and rodents scurrying about. He Chongguang could only vent his frustration on his unfilial grandson to barely endure each day.

During another sleepless night, He Chongguang tossed and turned until hurried footsteps echoed nearby. He immediately sat up and rushed to clutch the bars, hoping for any development.

A jailer indeed arrived to unlock the cell door, bowing respectfully as he uttered the words He Chongguang had long awaited: “General He, Her Majesty requests your presence.”

Overjoyed, He Chongguang exclaimed, “Her Majesty summons me? For what purpose?”

His elation quickly turned to confusionwhy would she call for him in the dead of night?

“You will know when you see Her Majesty,” the jailer replied.

He Chongguang was taken to be doused with several buckets of water, hastily scrubbed clean, and dressed in fresh robes before being rushed to Azure Wave Study.

The study was packed with high-ranking officials, all wearing solemn expressions. He Chongguang’s heart skipped a beatwere they discussing stripping him of his position?

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he formally paid respects to Xu Ying. Just as he finished, footsteps sounded behind him, and a man stepped forward to bow. He Chongguang was utterly bewildered.

Xu Ying dismissed their formalities and cut straight to the point: “Jade Gate Pass is in crisis. I wish to ask General He to reinforce it against Aguhun, while Qing Wang circles to assault the Western Rong. Can you two accomplish this?”

Both He Chongguang and Qing Wang looked astonished, especially He Chongguang, who never expected Xu Ying to reinstate him.

Misinterpreting He Chongguang’s hesitation, Xu Ying stepped down and apologized: “General He, I was previously arrogant and disrespectful toward you, only seeking your help now in desperation. This is my fault, but I beg you to forgive me for the sake of the nation and its people.”

She bowed deeply, startling He Chongguang into flustered gestures as he hurriedly supported her elbows and clasped his hands: “Your Majesty overstates this. This is an opportunity for your guilty subject to atone. I would go through fire and water without hesitation.”

Everyone was stunned, partly because Xu Ying was apologizing to He Chongguang, and partly because of He Chongguang’s reaction. He Chongguang had always been such a proud manhe’d even dared to show disrespect to the late emperor, arguing until red-faced and thick-necked in court. While others were promoted, he was demoted and sent out to battle, only to rise again through military merits, then be demoted and transferred once more. When had anyone ever seen him so humble? It was truly extraordinary.

The reason for He Chongguang’s humility soon became clear. He awkwardly said, “…But Your Majesty, this guilty official is advanced in years and cannot endure long, arduous journeys. I fear I shall require assistance.”

Having spent years in Youzhou dealing with Northern Barbarians’ harassments, he hadn’t commanded large-scale battles for a long time. In his youth, he could afford failures, but now that he was old, without absolute confidence, he couldn’t afford arrogance. If he lost Jade Gate Pass, never mind Xu Ying tearing him aparthe himself would have no face to meet his ancestors.

He Chongguang needed someone to share the responsibility.

Author’s Note:

“I failed to employ you earlier, and now in urgency I seek your helpthis is my fault.

Zuo Qiuming, “Zhi Wu Repels the Qin Army”

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