Chapter 245

The firelight and slaughter within Bianliangcheng, the stalemate and loss in the Hebei campaign, and the perilous state of the Jinzhou defense line.

These pieces of news, like dandelion seeds scattered by the wind, although the Chen dynasty had just been established and the courier‑road system had not yet fully recovered its former state, still spread in all directions through various secret or open channels.

Among them, the one most concerned with the situation in Zhongyuan was none other than the Southern Tang, which held sway over Jianghuai and always regarded itself as the legitimate successor of the Great Tang.

Jinling, the Southern Tang imperial palace, the Hall of Clarity.

Emperor Li Jing leaned sideways on the couch, playing with a warm, smooth jade pendant in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed as he listened to the report of the Privy Council Envoy Feng Yansi.

He was approaching forty, his face gaunt, bearing the dignified air of a cultured scholar, yet a hint of indecision and hesitation constantly lingered between his brows.

"Your Majesty,"

Feng Yansi's voice was steady, but a sharp glint flickered in his eyes, hardly noticeable.

"According to the latest news from Bianliangcheng, Hebei, and Jinzhou, although Chen Wen managed to ascend the throne, his foundation is far from secure."

"Inside Bianliangcheng, the Iron Crow Army plotted the 'Blood Moon' rebellion; last night flames rose high and killing cries shook the heavens, and it has not yet ceased, showing internal instability and doubtful control."

"In Hebei, Han Tong and Zhang Yongde suffered an initial setback at the hands of Liu Yanzuo and the Iron Crow Army's sorcerers behind him, losing troops and generals, and have shifted from offense to defense, leaving the campaign in a stalemate."

"On the northern front at Jinzhou, even more so, Liu Jun personally led a massive army in a fierce assault; the city defenses teeter on the brink of collapse, and the defending commander Li Hong has pleaded for reinforcements three times a day, the situation perilous as a stack of eggs."

He paused, slightly raised his head, observed Li Jing's expression, and then continued:

"This truly is a heaven‑sent opportunity."

"The Chen dynasty, newly established, already faces internal and external troubles, surrounded on all sides by enemies."

"Its main forces are either tied down in Hebei or blocked at Jinzhou, so the garrison of Bianliangcheng must necessarily be empty."

"If our great army marches north now, taking advantage of their illness to strike at their life, we could perhaps recover the lost lands north of the Huai in one fell swoop, and even… bring our troops to the walls of Bianliangcheng, which is not impossible."

Feng Yansi's words, like a magical thread, lightly plucked at Li Jing's heart, which was already somewhat wavering.

To recover Zhongyuan and restore the ancient territories of the Great Tang is his, and also his father Emperor Liezu Li Yu's lifelong aspiration.

Now, the opportunity seems to lie right before his eyes.

However, another senior official, Minister of Works Zhou Zong, solemnly shook his head.

"Your Majesty, the Privy Council Envoy's words are perhaps overly optimistic."

"Chen Wen, this man, rose from humble origins and was able to rise swiftly in chaotic times; it is certainly not mere luck."

"At the Battle of Gaoping, he turned the tide and his name shook the world; in the Chen Bridge mutiny, he arrived later yet seized control of the situation."

"Such a person, how could he be easily dealt with?"

"Moreover, although the Iron Crow Army has caused chaos in Bianliangcheng, Chen Wen himself is personally holding the palace and may well be able to quell it; although Hebei has suffered setbacks, Han Tong and Zhang Yongde are veteran generals of a hundred battles, their foundations still intact; although Jinzhou is in danger, reinforcements under Shi Dun are already on the way."

"If our dynasty rashly opens hostilities now, should Chen Wen quickly stabilize his interior and dispatch troops southward, would we not find ourselves in a passive position?"

Zhou Zong's words were like cold water, poured onto the faint enthusiasm that had just ignited in Li Jing's heart.

He hesitated, his gaze drifting between Feng Yansi and Zhou Zong.

"This… both of your opinions, esteemed officials, are reasonable."

"Nevertheless, such an opportunity is rare; if we simply ignore it and wait for the Chen dynasty to recover, then…"

He did not continue, but the worry implicit in his unfinished words was obvious.

Seeing this, Feng Yansi immediately added:

"Your Majesty, even if we do not launch an immediate major northern expedition, we should still make preparations to show deterrence."

"We can order the various garrison troops on the borders to move toward the front lines, making a show of force."

"At the same time, order the envoy stationed in Bianliangcheng, Zhong Mo, to closely observe and report back at any time on the Chen dynasty's true and false situations."

"If the turmoil in Bianliangcheng continues, or if either Hebei or Jinzhou collapses completely, that will be the time for our great army to march north!"

This compromise proposal seemed to persuade Li Jing.

He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Then let it be as Minister Feng says."

"Issue orders to the borders: strengthen vigilance, move the troops toward the front lines, but without my explicit command, do not initiate hostilities on your own."

"Furthermore, secretly order Zhong Mo: he must ascertain the true situation in Bianliangcheng and report back swiftly!"

……

At the same time, south of Bianliangcheng, the Capital Guesthouse, specially used to receive foreign envoys,

the Southern Tang envoy Zhong Mo stood on the uppermost pavilion of the guesthouse, leaning on the railing to gaze into the distance.

Last night's soaring flames and the faint cries of killing carried on the wind, he heard them clearly.

Since this morning, although Bianliangcheng has superficially restored order, the number of patrolling soldiers on the streets has markedly increased, and the atmosphere remains tense.

On the faces of passersby, panic has not yet faded.

He even saw a large corps of laborers, under the direction of government troops, clearing debris and scorched marks from certain streets.

"What a 'Blood Moon' plan…… the Iron Crow Army truly lives up to its name."

Zhong Mo muttered softly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He is about forty years old, his face slender, with three wisps of long beard, dressed as an elegant scholar, but his eyes are sharp as an eagle's, adept at reading words and expressions and analyzing the situation.

My lord,

A deputy envoy silently came up behind him and whispered:

Just now we received an internal secret report: His Majesty has ordered the border Jun Ying to move toward the front lines, commanding us to closely watch and wait for an opportunity to act.

Zhong Mou nodded, his face showing no surprise.

His Majesty is wise and enlightened.

Although Bianliangcheng appears calm on the surface, there are actually turbulent undercurrents.

Although Chen Wen has barely suppressed the turmoil inside the palace, what about outside the city? What about Hebei? What about Jinzhou?

He is like a firefighter, with fires breaking out everywhere, exhausted from running about.

The deputy envoy was somewhat worried:

"My lord, how should we respond to the homeland? Should we suggest……using troops immediately?"

Zhongmou shook his head, his gaze still scanning the streets of Bianliangcheng.

"Not urgent."

"Chen Wen is unfathomable."

"Last night, amidst that chaos, he actually managed to quickly stabilize the situation inside the palace; his methods were decisive, out of the ordinary."

"What we see may perhaps be only what he wants us to see."

"Wait a bit longer."

"Wait for definite news to come from either Hebei or Jinzhou."

"If Han Tong and Zhang Yongde are completely defeated, or Jinzhou city falls……"

He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Then it is heaven blessing our Great Tang; the opportunity for the northern expedition has truly arrived."

He turned and ordered the deputy envoy:

"Go at once to try to contact those former Zhou officials who have had dealings with us, and sound them out."

"See just how solid the foundations of this new dynasty really are."

"Remember, keep it secret."

"Yes, my lord."

The deputy envoy took his leave and departed.

Zhongmou once again turned his gaze toward the distant, faintly visible outline of the imperial palace.

"Chen Wen, Chen Wen,"

He whispered softly, as if speaking to that palace.

"The stage you have just erected has countless explosives buried beneath it."

"It all depends on whether you……can see this play through to the end."

The Southern Tang, a tiger crouching in Jianghuai, has quietly raised its claws and honed its fangs, waiting for the possibly wounded beast of Zhongyuan to reveal its most fatal flaw.

All of this proceeds silently beneath the lingering gunpowder smoke and tense atmosphere that still hangs over Bianliangcheng.