Chapter 313: Presenting Captives, Shaking the Four Nations

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Qingzhi Studio.

In the main hall, silk skirts fluttered, emerald shadows swayed gracefully, laughter like silver bells.

The Qingzhi Studio, silent for half a year, suddenly burst back to life.

Four or five old maids carried five large wooden chests from beyond the second gate, one after another entering Qingzhi Studio.

These were all the belongings Jia Cong brought back from Liaodong, mostly local specialties from that region.

Qingwen beamed as she directed the maids where to place the items; Liu Wuer grabbed a handful of copper coins from a silver box and gave them to the maids to buy wine.

Since yesterday, upon hearing Jia Cong had returned to the capital, the girls of Qingzhi Studio had not slept soundly through the night.

Before dawn, Zhi Shao, Liu Wuer, and Zhen Ying Lady Lian rose, and even woke the lazy Qingwen.

The group, accompanied by young maids, swept and cleaned every corner of Qingzhi Studio until it gleamed spotless.

Yet she did not understand why Jia Cong was so opposed to this marriage.

She asked with concern: "You've returned safely and earned military merit; everyone in the household says you'll be promoted. What's still troubling you?"

With her most trusted brother standing up for her, the lingering unease and fear in Seeing Yingchun's heart vanished instantly, and she grew light and at ease.

In the entire Qingzhi Studio, everyone called Jia Cong Cong Sanye, but Zhen Ying Lady Lian, having first met him in Jin Ling, had grown used to calling him Young Master and never changed.

Her skin was fair as snow, a crimson mole glowed brightly on her brow; her voice carried regret and tenderness: "Young Master, you've grown dark and thin."

Yet all of them knew Jia Cong and Seeing Yingchun shared deep sibling affection; if Jia Cong said this, there must be a reason.

Liu Wuer teased: "Only you're shameless—thinking every day about how handsome Cong Sanye is, you're practically getting styes."

Zhi Shao merely smiled quietly, but noticed Jia Cong's face, though smiling, had slightly furrowed brows—as if burdened by thoughts.

Earlier, in Seeing Tan Chun's room, his words about Seeing Yingchun's marriage had shocked all the sisters.

Jia Cong laughed: "Liaodong's food isn't as refined as home's, the sun is brutal, the snow piles heavy, and even at night, any glimmer of light shines blindingly—of course I'd grow dark and thin."

Qingwen walked in just then and smiled: "A little darkening and thinning won't hurt. Let Liu Wuer prepare more soups and tonics—he'll bounce back. Our Cong Sanye looks good no matter what."

But Jia Cong was busy all day; by noon, he had not shown his face, and everyone grew anxious to see him.

Seeing Yingchun had already feared this hasty marriage.

In the main chamber, Zhi Shao was helping Jia Cong change out of his official robes into casual attire and soft slippers, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, brimming with tender affection and smiles.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian watched, envious, unsure which one to help.

Qingwen's face flushed red as she shot back: "You're not ashamed—you called out Cong Sanye's name in your dreams last night."

Jia Cong smiled gently at her: "It's nothing. I can handle it. When I let you drift to Jiangnan, I vowed never again to let those close to me suffer."

Liu Wuer's face turned crimson as she rushed forward, the two embracing and laughing wildly; Qingwen, ticklish to the core, begged for mercy as Liu Wuer tickled her mercilessly.

Only after noon did Jia Cong return from Seeing Tan Chun's room, having spoken at length with his sisters.

Beside them glided a slender, delicate figure, wearing a crimson floral jacket with a pale pink long skirt and a solid gold necklace around her neck.

But Jia Cong was the brother she trusted most and relied upon most; Seeing Yingchun naturally believed every word he said.

Jia Cong confirmed the two families had exchanged betrothal gifts and names, swapped birth charts; the Sun family had sent their betrothal gifts by late May, leaving only the wedding date to be settled.

It was said the official matchmaker only arrived in early May, yet the entire arrangement moved with such haste—so eager was Sun Sun Shaorong, and so willing was Jia She to seal the match.

Even though Jia Zheng had voiced objections, it made no difference; Seeing Yingchun was the daughter of the main household.

Legally speaking, Seeing Yingchun was already considered a daughter-in-law of the Sun family—she simply had not yet crossed the threshold.

But as long as she had not yet married, Jia Cong believed there was still time; he knew what Sun Sun Shaorong was like, and would never allow what came after to happen.

By his rank, he could not oppose this marriage to Jia Mu or Jia She; marriage was decided by parents' will—where was his place as a brother to speak?

He would use his own methods—even if it meant extreme measures—to prevent Seeing Yingchun from stepping into death.

…

Emperor Jia Zhao Fourteenth Year, sixth day of the sixth month.

Today, the grand ceremony of presenting captives would be held at Wumen, and sacrifices offered to Heaven in the Qiantian Pavilion of Kunyang Palace, proclaiming to Heaven and ancestors the triumphs of subduing the barbarians and expanding the realm!

As dawn's first light broke, the main chamber of Qingzhi Studio bustled with hurried movement.

Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer were dressing Jia Cong in his official robes—not the blue robe of a fifth-rank civil official, but the ceremonial armor of a fifth-rank Wu Ding General, delivered just yesterday by the Ministry of Personnel.

For his decisive role in the victory at Yafu, Jia Cong was promoted to fifth-rank Wu Ding General with honorary rank, and his civil rank was likewise elevated to full fifth-rank.

Since today he was the principal meritorious general in the captive presentation ceremony, he naturally wore the armor of a fifth-rank commander.

Once dressed and prepared, he left the inner courtyard, passed the second gate, and walked through the ceremonial gate.

Along the way, countless people of the Jia household, seeing him in full military regalia, radiant and heroic, gazed at him with burning admiration.

The entire household now knew: Cong Sanye Jia had won the foremost victory in Liaodong, and today he would present captives to the Emperor at Wumen.

After the ceremony, the palace would bestow lavish rewards upon the war heroes; as the foremost contributor, Cong Sanye Jia's rewards would draw the greatest attention.

Once the despised bastard of the East Courtyard, the solitary Qingzhi Studio nestled in the northwest corner of Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

To many, he was an oddity within Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

No one had ever imagined that someone from that courtyard would reach this height.

When servants like Liu Wuer and Qingwen, originally household maids of the West Courtyard, were assigned to serve Jia Cong, many had mocked and ridiculed them.

But over these years, every maid and old woman in the garden envied them to the point of red eyes—for they had stumbled upon such a reliable, formidable master.

Many in Lady Rongguo Prefecture sensed that in just a few days, the household's fate would shift.

…

The Great Zhou Imperial City, Wumen.

One thousand elite cavalry of the Five Armies, clad in gleaming armor, stood in formation atop Wumen's gatehouse, alert and proud, armor shining, blades and spears gleaming.

Two thousand imperial infantry lined the imperial avenue on both sides of Wumen, stretching all the way to the gatehouse below.

Five hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard banner-bearers raised five-colored dragon banners, fluttering fiercely in the wind, as if sweeping the heavens, their flags snapping with mighty authority.

Below the gatehouse, all civil and military officials below third rank stood in strict order by rank, a dense sea of red and blue robes, awe-inspiring in its grandeur.

Following the officials came the splendidly dressed, diverse envoys of foreign nations, summoned to witness the Great Zhou's captive presentation ceremony.

Among them were the envoys of Bulut, Kazakh, Hotan, Goryeo, Japan, Luzon, Ryukyu, Annam, Siam, Sulawesi, and countless others.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao held this grand ceremony.

First, to display the mighty martial achievements of the Emperor Jia Zhao court in subduing the Jurchens.

Second, to demonstrate the empire's strength and assert its military prestige before neighboring barbarian states.

Among these foreign envoys—Korea, Japan, Annam, Siam—there had been recent disputes and friction with Great Zhou.

Above the gatehouse, the Emperor's throne stood at the center, with ministers of third rank and above arrayed on either side.

Beneath the golden canopy, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao wore a black silk winged cap, a bright yellow dragon robe, a belt of nine coiled jade dragons, and imperial court boots.

He gazed down at the courtyard below, where hundreds of blue-silk-clad Embroidered Uniform Guards, wearing black silk caps and carrying embroidered spring knives, marched forward, escorting over a hundred prisoners.

Before entering, the Jurchen captives had been washed, dressed, and groomed to preserve the dignity of the ceremony.

Though after the ceremony, according to protocol, the surviving Jurchen commanders like Li Li Manzhu would be ordered executed and sacrificed to Heaven…

The three leading generals rode their horses toward the base of the gatehouse.

The central young general stood tall and straight, his silver armor gleaming, his features handsome and martial.

The three riders dismounted before the gatehouse, bowed, and Jia Cong raised high the document of captive presentation.

A clear, resonant voice rang out beneath the gatehouse:

"We, your servants, by imperial command, campaigned in the Nine Borders of Liaodong against the Jurchens, fought numerous battles, traversed a thousand li, slain the savage chieftains, crushed the brave rebels, pacified the displaced people, and proclaimed the might of our army."

"We present here one hundred and three Jurchen rebel chieftains, including Li Li Manzhu, to honor Your Majesty's glorious virtue and martial prowess, may Heaven bless Great Zhou with eternal peace!"

As Jia Cong finished speaking, the Five Armies' elite cavalry and imperial infantry on the Wumen square roared as one.

"Honor Your Majesty's glorious virtue and martial prowess, may Heaven bless Great Zhou with eternal peace!"

Thousands of elite soldiers chanted in unison, their voices thundering, shaking the heavens!

Civil and military officials cheered, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

The foreign envoys trembled with awe!

(End of Chapter)