Chapter 277: The Collapse of Ritual and Music in Yan Territory: Four Nations Come Calling

Yan territory!

Jiakangcheng.

Like a pearl set upon the frontier, it borders the Hexi River to the west and adjoins the territory of Han to the east.

A natural hub for merchants!

This city is one of the most vital metropolises in northern Yan, and it commands the third great waterway of the world—the Zhi River.

Its waters surge powerfully, flowing straight through the city.

Upon its surface, boats come and go without end—solitary sails drifting from north to south, and merchant fleets large and small never ceasing to depart or arrive.

Along both banks of the docks, goods pile up like mountains, and dockworkers bustle ceaselessly.

Almost every moment, dozens of merchant vessels enter the harbor.

Dozens of merchant caravans also enter "Jiakangcheng."

But now it should be called "Jiakang Direct-Control City."

A decree issued years ago from Mount Zhongnan changed its name.

The name may be odd, but the tolls on markets and checkpoints throughout Yan territory dropped by one-tenth—naturally, the people were delighted.

So what does the name matter?

At this moment!

It had just passed noon.

The sun blazed fiercely; the river shimmered, and two four-decked riverboats glided calmly into the dock.

On their prows flew banners bearing the character "Yuwen," fluttering lightly in the wind.

Yet they drew no attention!

Upon this river, there were far grander vessels—massive ships seven or eight decks high, like pavilions floating upon the water.

Countless sails competed, a hundred boats vied for passage.

The ships bearing the "Yuwen" name merely looked more refined and elegant.

No one paid them any mind!

The two vessels turned into a side riverbank and moored slowly at the military dock.

"Is this Jiakangcheng?"

A white-robed woman gently pushed open the cabin door, stepped onto the deck, and spoke these words in disbelief, her voice soft.

Behind her followed a beautiful green-clad maid.

At the same moment!

The other ship also opened its cabin doors, and a group of elegant Confucian scholars poured out, their eyes alight with curiosity as they turned their gazes toward this unfamiliar land.

The white-robed woman appeared no older than twenty, her figure graceful as a white lotus blooming in a lake.

Her oval face glowed like snow, her features exquisite; her phoenix eyes carried an innate, untouchable nobility.

At this moment!

Her beautiful eyes sparkled with astonishment and curiosity as she carefully observed everything around her.

She had grown up since childhood within the gilded halls of the imperial palace, long accustomed to luxury.

Traveling eastward along the Zhi River, she had already witnessed the splendor of several great cities.

Yet Jiakangcheng!

This city, historically a vital northern stronghold, had gradually declined after the Northern Wind Rebellion.

Now, with Lu Chen as Prince of Yan, several special great cities have been reestablished and granted priority development.

Jiakangcheng is one of them—and it falls solely under the jurisdiction of the Yan Prince's Mansion.

She had anticipated something grand before arriving, but never imagined the city would be this vast, this prosperous.

Their great ship had sailed into the city; the merchant vessels they passed along the way were countless, and it took a full hour before they finally docked steadily.

Standing at the ship's rail, she gazed across both banks—warehouses stretched endlessly, beyond sight.

Bridges over the Zhi River teemed with pedestrians, carriages and horses in constant motion.

Bustling, prosperous, unceasing noise—this was her first impression!

Even compared to her familiar Han territory, such a great city was exceedingly rare.

Though Han had stood for six hundred years, there were likely no more than a handful of cities that could rival it.

Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Princess!

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

She snapped back to attention and saw seven or eight men awaiting her on shore—officials from Jiakangcheng.

Only a few of them, none wearing official robes.

They observed proper etiquette, yet their demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant.

The white-robed woman gave a slight nod.

The woman's name was Yuwen Liqian, second daughter of Prince Yan of Han, Yuwen Yan.

Two years ago she traveled to Great Chu; last year she journeyed through Qianyuan, and only now returned from Northern Wind.

This trip, bringing numerous scholars to Yan territory, was in truth ordered by her father, as the final leg of a four-nation tour.

Not only Han, but the other three nations had also dispatched envoys and students—officially for scholarly exchange, but secretly to probe the true state of each other's development.

Yuwen Liqian's maid, witnessing this scene, subtly frowned.

During her lady's travels through the first three nations, she had always been treated with the highest honors—whether in Chu, Qianyuan, or Northern Wind, officials lined up to welcome them, ceremonies grand, filling her with pride.

Yet!

In Yan territory, only a handful came to greet them—by comparison, it seemed pitifully meager, stirring resentment within her.

The Yan Prince's Mansion clearly holds them in contempt!

In Han, Yuwen Liqian's reputation rivaled that of any prince.

She was well-read, deeply learned, possessed a photographic memory, and had studied at the famed Bai Lu Academy in Great Chu—renowned throughout the land.

Bai Lu Academy accepted only thirty-six students annually, the sacred destination for scholars across the realm.

She had seen much and understood much; her nature was calm and reserved.

Prince Yan cherished her deeply and entrusted her with editing Han's legal codes and national historical outlines.

In governance and military strategy, she offered unique insights and accomplishments.

The court had remarked: "Pity she was not born a man!"

Facing this scene, the Confucian scholars aboard the other ship also wore expressions of displeasure, clearly offended by the reception.

They were Han's finest scholars—wherever they went, they deserved honor.

Yet Yuwen Liqian's face remained serene.

Thank you, Your Excellencies.

She thanked the officials with a gentle voice.

The lead official!

A middle-aged, stout man with a kind face.

Your humble servant, Su Beihai, current Prefect of Jiakangcheng, greets Your Highness the Princess.

He apologized with sincerity:

"After receiving Lord Dou's letter, we hurried here to prepare for your arrival. But today, an emergency arose in the city—every official in the government office was dispatched, leaving only us few to welcome you. We are deeply apologetic."

Emergency?

Yuwen Liqian was skeptical—this great city housed tens of thousands of troops.

What emergency could there possibly be?

Su Beihai's expression seemed genuine.

As for this Lord Dou—

Dou Gu!

She knew him well. As Right Minister of State, his power rivaled that of Han's top-ranking officials, perhaps even surpassed it, for the Prince of Yan devoted himself entirely to mystical cultivation.

And the Prince of Yan, Lu Chen, she had heard rumors of.

For ten years he ignored court affairs, devoting himself to Daoist cultivation on Mount Zhongnan; the memorials sent to him piled up with dust, unread for years.

Thinking of this, Yuwen Liqian shook her head silently, comparing in her mind.

Her father, since ascending the throne, had labored tirelessly day and night, never slacking for a moment.

Her father, since ascending the throne, had labored tirelessly day and night for the state, never once slacking.

The difference between them was as moonlight to mud, as heaven to earth.

To have a ruler like her father was truly the great fortune of Han's people.

Mentioning Lu Chen, Yuwen Liqian's heart grew complicated. In his youth, his military genius during the Northern Wind invasion had indeed earned admiration.

Mentioning Lu Chen, Yu Wen Li Qian's heart stirred with complexity. In his youth, his military talent displayed during the Northern Wind's southern invasion had indeed been admirable.

Since Yan's founding, his words and deeds had grown increasingly irrational.

For instance, he once declared: "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, Teacher!"

Lu Chen had said more than once: "You may bow to Heaven, Earth, parents, and teachers—but never kneel to a ruler."

Lu Chen had said more than once, "You may bow to heaven, earth, parents, and masters—but never kneel to a ruler."

He shows no reverence for the sovereign's grace—every rain and thunder, every favor and punishment, is the sovereign's grace.

Above, unaware of the monarch's boundless grace, whether thunderstorm or dew, all is the monarch's grace.

Since ancient times, the hierarchical concept of "rulers as rulers, ministers as ministers, fathers as fathers, sons as sons" has taken deep root, forming a vital cornerstone of social order.

Yuwen Liqian could not understand how Lu Chen could commit such a heretical act, defying the millennia-old hierarchy.

What puzzled her even more was that Lu Chen had openly delegated power, separating military and civil administration.

In her view, this move was tantamount to cutting off one's own hands, weakening the power of central authority.

The Han state had once done precisely that—delegating power to eunuchs.

Once household servants gained authority, they were no longer mere servants; they too sought to become masters, giving rise to the two-century-long eunuch plague in Han.

The generals in Lu's army were battle-hardened veterans, utterly unlike palace eunuchs. If they acquired excessive power, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lu Chen's actions.

Womanly weakness, short-sighted folly!

At that moment, Su Haishai spoke up appropriately:

"Princess, please board the carriage. Banquets and residences have been prepared for all the students."

With that, he made a gesture of invitation.

"Thank you!"

Yuwen Liqian replied politely, then led the group of students down the gangway from the ship.

Su Beihai led the way ahead.

As they walked, Yuwen Liqian asked casually:

"Have the students from Da Chu, Qian Yuan, and other states arrived? Who is leading them?"

She had expected Su Beihai to evade the question.

Unexpectedly!

Su Beihai answered frankly:

"The Qian Yuan students are led personally by Prince Wu Long, the Third Imperial Prince; they are expected to arrive tomorrow."

"As for Da Chu, it is Deputy Dean Xun Li of the Bai Lu Academy who is in charge. As for Bei Feng, there is still no confirmed news, but Da Qing's students have already arrived, led by Minister Xie Chunan and his beloved daughter."

Yuwen Liqian smiled faintly and said: "Then we are still among the first to arrive!"

Her face showed nothing, but her heart stirred.

Her gaze darkened slightly—every figure coming to Yan was no ordinary person, each a key figure from their own state.

Prince Wu Long of Qian Yuan was not only the Empress's trusted confidant but also the foremost of the Nine Pillars of the military; his status and influence were evident.

She never imagined he would come to Yan!

And Xun Li, Deputy Dean of Bai Lu Academy, also held the post of Minister of Personnel in Da Chu, controlling the nation's appointments and hailed as the true Heavenly Official.

All four states place such high importance on Yan!

This level of attention far exceeds what Bei Feng would receive on an official mission.

Su Beihai had prepared carriages. When Yuwen Liqian saw them—

Her tone changed!

"This is the Emperor's ceremonial standard!"

The carriage's opulence, from materials to decoration, radiated extraordinary grandeur—but the most astonishing feature—

Was the number of horses: the lead carriage was drawn by six horses, the following three by five each.

This sight stunned Yuwen Liqian; even the Korean scholars accompanying her exchanged glances, unable to believe it.

The Emperor rides six, ministers ride four, doctors ride three, commoners ride one—this ancient, unbreakable ritual symbolized the supreme authority of the throne.

Any violation of this rule was a grave crime, potentially leading to the extermination of nine clans.

Yuwen Liqian involuntarily halted, her mind churning with complex emotions.

In Korea, especially after the eunuch rebellion, sensitivity to this hierarchy had reached its peak. Even her princely uncle dared not exceed the five-horse limit when riding in a carriage.

What was the meaning of this arrangement?

Was it Su Beihai's oversight—or deliberate provocation?

"Master Su, what does this mean?"

The maid behind Yuwen Liqian also furrowed her brows!

Lu Chen had been granted the Emperor's ceremonial carriage in Da Qing, so he could ride six horses.

But she—a foreign princess—could not possibly do the same!

The Confucian scholars around them glared angrily!

"What is Yan's intention?"

Seeing this, Su Beihai was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood, and chuckled in explanation:

"Princess, do not be alarmed. Yan North has no such rigid formalities. Here, the number of horses one uses depends entirely on personal preference and wealth—no need to cling to outdated rules."

He pointed to the street, where all manner of carriages passed by—some drawn by six, seven, even nine horses.

They moved calmly through the marketplace, openly passing by without shame.

Hooves thundered in waves!

Leaving the students stunned.

Yuwen Liqian was also bewildered. She looked again at the people on the street—everyone regarded the horse-drawn carriages as perfectly normal.

She sighed helplessly.

No wonder, when she studied in Da Chu, some teachers who had traveled to Yan North had said:

"Yan North is a land where rites have collapsed, filled with filth and chaos!"

They had submitted memorials to Da Chu's court repeatedly:

"Da Chu must launch a campaign against Yan North to punish the unjust!"

But with the White Horse Covenant in place, all such petitions sank without a trace.

Yuwen Liqian had once found this strange—but now she finally understood.

Rulers are not rulers!

Ministers are not ministers!

Commoners are not commoners!

Without rules, it is like dry tinder—ignite it, and it burns.

Su Beihai continued: "The Prince of Yan is far-sighted. He encourages livestock development, believing that carriages are drawn by horses owned by noble families and wealthy merchants. The ritual restrictions suppressed demand, so he decisively abolished them."

"This not only boosted the prosperity of livestock, but also allowed these horses to be swiftly converted into military strength during wartime."

He smiled and added:

"Once, the Prince of Yan toured the realm in a carriage drawn by twelve horses. It caused a sensation at the time, and Yan North's people eagerly imitated it, making it a fashion trend."

Everyone then boarded the carriages. The cabins were spacious and comfortable, gliding with extraordinary smoothness.

The Korean students were slightly excited—such a five-horse carriage was rare in Korea.

Yuwen Liqian sat inside her carriage, her royal status guaranteeing her a private vehicle.

"Twelve horses? How can they pull it?" her maid grumbled:

"Princess, this must be the Prince of Yan—truly decadent, wasteful, and extravagant!"

Yuwen Liqian nodded in agreement.

Her own father ate only three dishes and one soup per meal, promoting frugality.

The northern study in the palace had leaked several times, yet no repairs were made.

Yuwen Liqian's estimation of the Prince of Yan sank further.

She noticed the carriage's uncanny smoothness—even smoother than in the Korean capital—and grew curious.

So—

She gently pushed open the window and looked out. The road outside was entirely paved with blue stone slabs, flat and sturdy—no wonder the carriage rode so smoothly.

Yuwen Liqian sighed again.

How much manpower and resources must this have cost—oppressing the people for no good reason.

She asked the mounted guard outside: Su Haishai.

"Master Su, are all roads in Jiakangcheng like this?"

Su Beihai replied with pride:

"Every road in Jiakangcheng is like this!"

"The Prince of Yan said: only when roads are well-built will merchants from all over come to invest. Jiakangcheng must lead by example as a shining economic hub!"

Yuwen Liqian merely smiled faintly, then lowered the curtain.

…

…

Yu Ke slowly opened his eyes.

【Claim reward?】

(End of chapter)