Chapter 255: The Female Rebels

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When Shao Shi, Fang Baihua, and Chen Miao Zhen—the three female rebels—and over three hundred other young maidens presented by Tong Guan to Zhao Yu were led into the imperial palace, many of them, like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, were overwhelmed, their hearts trembling with anxiety yet brimming with curiosity.

The golden and brilliant palaces shimmered under the sun, every tile and brick seeming to speak of the imperial dignity and splendor. The light reflected off the glazed tiles fell upon them like fine rain, causing Fang Baihua, who had grown up in the countryside, to squint slightly, her heart filled with awe and a touch of unreality.

It was not just Fang Baihua, this country girl, who was awestruck—even the young women from prominent Jiangnan aristocratic families, though raised amid luxury, could not help but marvel inwardly at the grandeur and intricate artistry of the imperial city.

The girls lifted their skirts lightly, stepping on the exquisite, heavy palace bricks, each step taken with extraordinary caution, as if measuring the distance from the common folk to imperial power. The elaborate, exquisite palace lanterns, hanging beneath the eaves, swayed gently, casting soft and mysterious shadows that rendered their faces especially delicate, adding an air of otherworldly nobility.

Fang Baihua had imagined one day entering the imperial palace, but she had always thought it would be by leading her troops to storm it—not being captured and dragged in as the Emperor's plaything.

To be honest, when she was captured alive by Yao Pingzhong on the battlefield, Fang Baihua had already clenched her teeth, prepared to display her unyielding spirit before her enemies, to defend her dignity and freedom with her blood. But when Yao Pingzhong's spear pressed against her neck, the cold wind carrying the faint metallic tang of rust and blood into her nostrils, a flicker of hesitation crossed her mind.

Although the Moni Sect Sect taught Fang Baihua that life has a next reincarnation and death holds nothing to fear—that those who believe in Moni Sect in this life will live better in the next—when death loomed, her instinct for survival still prevailed, especially since Yao Pingzhong showed no intention to kill her.

Thus, Fang Baihua was taken alive.

Later, after overcoming her fear of death, Fang Baihua resolved to show unwavering defiance—after all, her brother Fang La might one day become Emperor; when that day came, her family would be imperial royalty, and she would become a Princess. She could not bring shame upon her brother or her family.

But what left Fang Baihua baffled was that the Song soldiers, from top to bottom, neither beat her nor cursed her nor humiliated her; instead, they fed her well and treated her kindly. As long as she did not flee, she could do whatever she wished, and everyone treated her with gentle courtesy, even deference.

This left Fang Baihua utterly confused.

It was not until Fang Baihua met Chen Miao Zhen that she learned from her that this was all because "Zhao Yu wanted to see them."

Fang Baihua stared in shock: "Why would the old Emperor want to see the two of us?"

Chen Miao Zhen rolled her eyes: "Your Majesty is no old man—he is much younger than your brother."

Fang Baihua froze! In her mind, the Emperor should be a man draped in dragon robes, seated high upon the imperial throne, his face stern and aged, his eyes radiating unquestionable authority and the depth of accumulated years—every word a golden decree deciding the life, death, honor, and disgrace of countless souls; every decision shaping the nation's fate; every smile or frown shaking the realm.

Seeing Fang Baihua's expression, Chen Miao Zhen knew she was just like the vast majority of Fang La's rebels—completely ignorant of Zhao Yu.

That was only natural.

In this era of information isolation, news traveled as slowly as a snail.

For people living in remote villages, imperial edicts, the Emperor's name, what the Emperor was like—these meant nothing to them, were beyond their reach. Their daily concerns were merely whether this year's harvest would be good, whether pests would destroy the crops, whether after paying taxes they could barely feed their families. As for the Emperor, to them he was like a distant star on the horizon, having no practical connection to their lives.

What they truly feared were the local gentry and landowners, the magistrates in the county offices—these were their "Emperors."

Even when Fang La rose in rebellion, calling people to resist the court, they joined merely hoping to "get a meal," or "perhaps a better life." They understood none of the deeper political meaning behind the uprising, nor even who their true enemy was.

They had simply been swayed by Fang La and the Moni Sect Sect, convinced that if they killed the vile corrupt officials, gentry, and landowners, they would live well.

It was not only the lower ranks of Fang La's rebels who thought this way—even most of Fang La's own commanders did.

There was no help for it.

For Fang La's commanders had once been nothing but ignorant country bumpkins, knowing little of court affairs and nothing at all of governing the realm. They had raised their banners only because of hardship and resentment, their only desire being to overthrow the corrupt officials, gentry, and landowners who oppressed them, so they too might one day rise up and enjoy the wealth and glory they had never known.

Although Fang Baihua was Fang La's sister, she lived a reclusive life, studying military texts and practicing martial arts at home, with few opportunities to interact with the outside world. Her actual knowledge was hardly greater than that of the country bumpkins. Her understanding of the court came mostly from Moni Sect sermons and the rebel army's tales of a corrupt, inept court and cruel, oppressive officials. Her view of the world was pieced together from Fang La's stories and fragments of folk rumors, thickly colored by personal bias and subjective conjecture.

As for the true affairs of the court, power struggles, governance—these complex, subtle details remained a blur to Fang Baihua.

She did not even know Zhao Yu was only in his twenties—barely ten years older than her.

After a moment's shock, Fang Baihua shrugged: "So he's a young Emperor. No wonder he's so foolish—no beard, no sense."

Chen Miao Zhen shook her head: "Your Majesty is no fool. Quite the opposite—he is not merely no fool, but a rare sage ruler…"

Then Chen Miao Zhen detailed everything she knew of Zhao Yu: how he reclaimed Qingtang Tubo, how he reclaimed Western Xia, how he reclaimed the Eleven Prefectures of Yan-Yun; how he personally led campaigns to seize back the tribute payments extorted by the Liao for over a century; how he signed a favorable peace treaty with the Liao; how he governed the north, bringing prosperity and peace to its people. She told Fang Baihua how Zhao Yu actively supported his concubine Ye Shi Yun in advancing medicine, his concubine Ma Xiao Jiao in developing technology, and his concubine Yuan Qing Cheng in breeding high-yield crops.

Fang Baihua was stunned! She had never imagined that the famed Lady Ye and Lady Yuan were Zhao Yu's concubines—and that it was Zhao Yu's support that made them so great.

And all those new, practical tools and machines that had emerged in recent years were also developed under Zhao Yu's support of his concubine Ma Xiao Jiao.

Fang Baihua grew confused: If Zhao Yu was so good, why were they rebelling against him? And if he was so good, why were his people so poor?

Seeing Fang Baihua's doubt, Chen Miao Zhen volunteered to explain the conflict between the Emperor and the gentry landowners, emphasizing Zhao Yu's vigorous enforcement of the "Equal Taxation for Gentry and Commoners" and "Land Tax Absorbed into Landholding" policies, and why these reforms succeeded in the north but failed utterly in the south.

Fang La and the Moni Sect Sect deliberately downplayed Zhao Yu's achievements while magnifying the crimes of corrupt officials and gentry landowners, convincing the common people that the court itself was the source of all evil—that only by overthrowing the court could they live well. They never mentioned Zhao Yu's persistent efforts to reform, to purge corruption, to break the gentry's monopoly on land, to lighten the people's burdens, and to let more people eat, wear clothes, and live with dignity.

Fang Baihua asked skeptically: "Really?"

Chen Miao Zhen did not answer, but asked: "Do you know what banner your brother raised when he started the rebellion?"

Fang Baihua replied without thinking: "Clear the Emperor's side!"

Chen Miao Zhen smiled: "Do you know why he chose 'Clear the Emperor's Side' instead of 'Comfort the People, Punish the Tyrant'?"

Fang Baihua replied uncertainly: "The Emperor… is innocent?"

Chen Miao Zhen nodded: "Not just innocent—he is profoundly wise. That is why your brother dares not raise the banner of 'Comfort the People, Punish the Tyrant'—he dares only raise 'Clear the Emperor's Side,' directing blame solely at corrupt officials and gentry landowners."

Fang Baihua finally understood the reason.

But then she asked indifferently: "What does this have to do with me? And why does the Emperor want to see you and me?"

In Fang Baihua's view, whether Zhao Yu was wise or not had nothing to do with her. Her family had rebelled—she had to follow. She could not betray her family or the brother who had raised her just because the Emperor was virtuous.

Besides, Fang Baihua's ears were worn out from hearing it—how could she not know rebellion was a crime punishable by nine familial exterminations? If her family failed, she would suffer too: at best, she'd be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau to become a common prostitute; at worst, she'd be flayed alive alongside her kin. For a traditional country girl raised on the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, what choice did she have?

Chen Miao Zhen spoke calmly: "This may actually concern you."

Before Fang Baihua could ask how, Chen Miao Zhen volunteered: "Your Majesty is profoundly wise—but he has one vice."

"What vice?" Fang Baihua asked casually.

"He loves women," Chen Miao Zhen answered. "Especially the wives and daughters of his enemies."

Fang Baihua's heart tightened! She had a suspicion now—how this concerned her.

Indeed!

Chen Miao Zhen continued: "When Your Majesty reclaimed Qingtang Tubo, he took the Zanpu's Jue Meng, Wang Fei, concubines, maids, and daughters; when he reclaimed Western Xia, he took the Western Xia Empress, all imperial princesses, royal daughters, and countless noblewomen; when he defeated the Liao, he took the Liao Emperor's Wen Fei, three Khitan princesses, and many Liao imperial, royal, and noble daughters."

Here Chen Miao Zhen paused, then added: "General Liu Guangshi, who captured me, said Your Majesty wished to see me. I suspect he intends to present me to him. Since you were held with me, you are likely the same."

Hearing Chen Miao Zhen's analysis, Fang Baihua grew anxious.

Fang Baihua had long reached marriageable age; her sister-in-law Shao Shi had even tried arranging a match for her.

But as soon as potential suitors heard she stood over eight feet five inches tall, had trained in martial arts since childhood, and could beat ordinary strong men, they fled in terror.

Because she was so tall, few men of this era could appreciate Fang Baihua's beauty; many even saw her as a tigress, avoiding her as if she were plague.

This made Fang Baihua wonder: Would she ever be able to marry at all?

Unexpectedly, after mountains upon mountains and rivers upon rivers, when the path seemed to end, a new village appeared beyond the willows and flowers.

Fang Baihua never imagined the Emperor—not some pretender like her brother, but a true Emperor, and one whom Chen Miao Zhen called a sage ruler—wanted to marry her?!

Though she knew she would become merely one of Zhao Yu's many women, Fang Baihua, who had never married and remained unwed, could not help but feel her heart ripple with emotion.

More importantly, if this truly came to pass, she, Fang Baihua, would have to share a husband with Ye Niangniang and Yuan Niangniang!!!

Fang Baihua quickly comforted herself: "This young Emperor probably doesn't even know my height—once he finds out, he'll surely change his mind!"

With this thought, Fang Baihua's heart calmed considerably.

At that moment, Fang Baihua remembered that Chen Miao Zhen was also to be given to Zhao Yu. She immediately turned to Chen Miao Zhen and asked, "You're also being sent to that young Emperor—aren't you afraid?"

"Not at all," Chen Miao Zhen said calmly. "Not only am I not afraid—I look forward to it."

"Why?" Fang Baihua asked, puzzled.

Chen Miao Zhen spoke frankly: "Only Your Majesty can ensure the people have enough to eat and wear, live in peace and contentment. I wish to see if I can assist him."

"???!!!"

"Only this young Emperor can make the people live well—then what about my brother?"

After a moment's shock, Fang Baihua's eyes flashed: "Are you defecting?!"

Chen Miao Zhen met Fang Baihua's fierce gaze and said matter-of-factly: "I have never betrayed the court. I merely joined you and your brother in killing corrupt officials, greedy gentry, and cruel landlords—how is that treason?"

"This…"

Fang Baihua fell silent.

Indeed.

Chen Miao Zhen had made it clear: not only herself, but even Fang La, had never rebelled against the court or Zhao Yu—they merely gathered to kill these wicked officials, gentry, and landlords.

One could even say Chen Miao Zhen was not Fang La's subordinate; they merely cooperated, united by shared ideals to kill officials and landlords, and parting when their ideals diverged.

Seeing Fang Baihua's defiance fade, Chen Miao Zhen smiled: "Rather than worrying about me, you ought to worry about yourself."

"What do you mean?" Fang Baihua frowned.

"If you truly become a consort of Your Majesty, he becomes your husband. A daughter obeys her father; without a father, she obeys her brother; after marriage, she obeys her husband. What will you do then?" Chen Miao Zhen countered.

Fang Baihua's face turned pale; her knuckles whitened as she gripped her sleeve, forcing herself to say: "I have already risen with my brother—I have placed life and death beyond concern. How could I waver for the sake of petty emotions?!"

Fang Baihua turned her back to Chen Miao Zhen, yet her voice trembled unconsciously: "At worst, I die!"

Chen Miao Zhen sighed softly and stepped beside her: "Dying is easy. But if you preserve your life to save the masses, live to benefit ten thousand families—isn't that far greater than perishing in the wilderness?"

Chen Miao Zhen gazed at Fang Baihua's dark, uncertain eyes and added: "You followed your brother to kill officials and landlords—not to plunge the people into chaos, but to bring them peace and prosperity. If Your Majesty truly possesses the ability to govern and save the realm, bringing abundance and security to all, then staying by his side to atone for past sins, begging his mercy, and securing a future for your Fang clan—this is truly the wisest path."

Fang Baihua was somewhat moved by Chen Miao Zhen's words.

Yet Fang Baihua had not yet made up her mind—crucially, she still did not know whether Zhao Yu would still want her once he learned how tall she was.

For the next several days, Fang Baihua pondered this endlessly.

Until over a dozen days later, her sister-in-law Shao Shi was captured and brought here, imprisoned with her and Chen Miao Zhen.

Fang Baihua immediately realized: she and Chen Miao Zhen were to be given to Zhao Yu—and Zhao Yu especially loved seizing the wives and daughters of his enemies.

Fang Baihua looked at the still-graceful Shao Shi and felt a chill: "Damn it—my brother's going to wear green…"

…

(End of Chapter)