Chapter 409: Northern Frontier Turbulence

Chen Dynasty, Northern Frontier, Sui City.

This place is a key border stronghold, with high thick walls, banners fluttering, and the garrison strictly on guard.

Although hostilities with the Khitan have temporarily ceased and trade continues, vigilance on the border has never truly relaxed.

Today, however, the atmosphere at the city gate is more solemn than usual.

A unit of Khitan cavalry, bright in armor and fierce in bearing, escorted several lavishly decorated carriages to the gate.

The leader was not the usual tribal chief in charge of negotiations, but an envoy dressed in Khitan noble attire, with a haughty demeanor.

The gate commander did not dare neglect, receiving them according to protocol while swiftly sending a fast horse to relay the news to the rear military commands and Bianjing.

Inside the Sui City Commissioner's mansion, the atmosphere was solemn.

Shi Dun, in ordinary attire, sat in the seat of honor, his face calm as water.

Although he had moved into the shadows, becoming one of the 'Guardians,' Chen Wen still ordered him to secretly monitor Northern Frontier military affairs, especially those involving the Khitan, and to contact his old troops directly when necessary, acting at his discretion.

Seated below him were several Northern Frontier core commanders, all former capable subordinates of Shi Dun, now each able to stand on their own.

"Grand Commander,"

A dark‑skinned commander reported in a low voice.

"The Khitan envoy has been settled in the relay station; its leader is Yelü Taliè, a trusted minister of Empress Dowager Xiao, holding the post of Chancellor."

"Observing his retinue, all are elite troops hand‑picked from the palace guard, far beyond an ordinary envoy."

Another commander, his face showing displeasure.

"That Yelü Taliè is extremely arrogant; upon entering the city he ignored the welcoming officials, and at once demanded a redrawing of the border market and adjustment of trade taxes, clearly seeking more concessions from our dynasty."

"Moreover, he said that frequent 'unclear disturbances' on the border in recent years have disrupted trade, demanding that our dynasty tighten controls, and if we are unable, they may 'take over' patrolling the frontier."

Upon hearing this, the several commanders in the hall all showed angry expressions.

"'Take over' patrolling? What a big mouth!"

"This is clearly a pretext to stir trouble, probing our dynasty's bottom line!"

"Has Empress Dowager Xiao, having just firmly seized power, rushed here to flaunt her might?"

Shi Dun raised his hand, stopping the discussion.

He swept his gaze over his old troops, then spoke softly but with an undeniable authority.

"Xiao Chuo (the personal name of Empress Dowager Xiao) is shrewd and capable, with grand ambitions."

"She, upon first grasping great power, has sent her trusted ministers here—not merely for the trivial profit of the market."

"Her purpose is, first, to test whether our dynasty's new ruler has secured the court and whether the border troops are lax;"

"second, to use this occasion to display her authority, pressuring our dynasty, laying groundwork for future negotiations;"

"And third,"

He paused, a flash of sharpness in his eyes.

"Perhaps it also concerns the False Song beyond that light curtain."

"The Khitan border the False Song; although the False Song appears stable now, who knows what lies within, and Xiao Chuo may well have noticed."

"She may wish to use this opportunity to see whether our dynasty, while coping with pressure in the Northern Frontier, still has spare capacity to attend to other matters."

The several commanders, hearing this, grew even more solemn.

If the False Song and that mysterious Iron Crow Army are truly involved, the situation becomes far more complex.

"Grand Commander, how should we respond?"

Shi Dun pondered for a moment.

"Isn't Yelü Taliè here to talk?"

"Then let's accompany him in talks."

"Order all border garrisons: effective immediately, raise alert levels, double patrol rotations, and send out scouts."

"For the market, maintain the status quo for now, but the garrison must covertly strengthen control to prevent any change."

"As for the negotiations…"

He looked at the official in charge of foreign affairs.

"We must hold the line, keeping our attitude neither humble nor arrogant."

"We can argue on principle, state the pros and cons, and let them know our dynasty does not seek to restart war, yet is by no means weak and bullyable."

"Specific terms are to be haggled over; there's no need to rush, and we must never concede lightly."

"Most important is to discern Xiao Chuo's true intent behind this move."

"Yes!"

All replied in unison, receiving the order.

Shi Dun added further.

"Write a detailed memorial of the situation, send it by swift horse to the capital, and present it to the Emperor."

"At the same time… inform the sovereign through a secret channel."

"Understood."

The orders were swiftly disseminated.

The previously relatively peaceful Northern Frontier border suddenly grew taut.

Messengers flew frequently between garrisons, the number of border‑patrol cavalry markedly increased, and armor and weapons gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

The atmosphere in the market also became subtle; trade between the two sides continued as before, yet both could feel that invisible pressure.

Inside the Sui City Commissioner's mansion, negotiations with the Khitan envoy had also begun.

As Shi Dun had expected, Yelü Taliè's attitude was hard‑line, and his demands were quite harsh.

On our dynasty's side, the officials argued on principle, the two sides went back and forth, and the negotiations progressed slowly.

Yelü Talie seems not in a hurry to reach an agreement; instead, he appears to be observing the reactions of Chen Dynasty officials and the movements of the Northern Border garrisons.

Names: Yelü Talie, Chen Dynasty.

Also Northern Border.

A few days later, in Bianjing, the Imperial Palace.

Names: Bianjing, Imperial Palace.

In the Imperial Study, Chen Hong finished reading the urgent memorial sent from the Northern Border, his brows slightly furrowed.

Names: Imperial Study, Chen Hong, Northern Border.

He handed the memorial to Zhang Cheng, who was standing aside (although he had nominally retired, Chen Hong often summoned him for advice).

Names: Zhang Cheng, Chen Hong. Also "retirement" is a term meaning retired; not a name.

"Zhang Cheng, take a look at this."

Names: Zhang Cheng – honorific.

Zhang Cheng quickly skimmed through it, then pondered.

Names: Zhang Cheng.

"Your Majesty, General Shi's judgment is not far from the actual situation."

Names: Your Majesty, General Shi.

"Empress Dowager Xiao holds power; she certainly needs to establish authority, and the Northern Border is her first choice."

Names: Empress Dowager Xiao, Northern Border.

"However, her ambitions likely go beyond minor border gains; this is a deeper probe that cannot be ignored."

No specific names.

Chen Hong nodded.

Names: Chen Hong.

"I share this thought."

No names.

"The Northern Border's military affairs have always been handled by Shi… by the old troops; I am reassured."

Names: Northern Border, Shi (referring to Shi Dun).

He almost spoke Shi Dun's name, but caught himself in time.

Names: Shi Dun.

"However, if the Khitan truly intend to provoke, relying solely on the border troops may not be enough to deter them."

Names: Khitan.

He looked at Zhang Cheng.

Names: Zhang Cheng.

"Zhang Cheng believes, how should the court respond so as to appear firm yet not fall into their trap and provoke a major war?"

Names: Zhang Cheng, Imperial Court.

Zhang Cheng pondered briefly, then responded calmly.

Names: Zhang Cheng.

"This old official believes we can pursue a two-pronged approach."

No specific name.

"First, Your Majesty could issue an edict to commend the Northern Border troops for their diligent service and allocate a batch of provisions and armaments, thereby showing the court's support and boosting morale;"

Names: Your Majesty, Northern Border, Imperial Court.

"Second, a steady official could be sent with Your Majesty's handwritten letter to the Northern Border to comfort the troops and, quote, assist local officials in dealing with the Khitan envoy, thereby demonstrating the court's attention."

Names: Your Majesty, Northern Border, Khitan, Imperial Court.

"This would both show Your Majesty's concern for the soldiers and emphasis on border defense, and, through the envoy's mouth, convey the court's bottom line, preventing local officials under pressure from making improper concessions."

Names: Your Majesty, Imperial Envoy, Imperial Court.

"As for the military aspect, trust the border commanders to act according to the situation."

No specific names.

After hearing this, Chen Hong pondered for a moment and then spoke with a pleased expression.

Names: Chen Hong.

"Zhang Cheng, experienced and loyal to the state, this plan is very sound."

Names: Zhang Cheng.

"Then let us follow Zhang Cheng's advice."

Names: Zhang Cheng.

He immediately drafted the edict and selected an official known for his integrity and steadiness to go to the Northern Border.

Names: Northern Border.

The edict and the envoy departed the capital northward that same day.

Names: Imperial Envoy, capital.

The news also traveled through secret channels to Chen Wen at the Hidden Mountain Villa.

Names: Hidden Mountain Villa, Chen Wen.

After reading the secret report, Chen Wen remained calm.

Names: Chen Wen.

He looked at Shi Dun sitting opposite (Shi Dun had returned from the Northern Border).

Names: Shi Dun, Northern Border.

"Xiao Chuo's move was as expected."

Names: Xiao Chuo.

"Having already seized full power, she naturally would not be content with the status quo."

No names.

"Pressure on the Northern Border will likely become the norm in the future."

Names: Northern Border.

Shi Dun spoke in a deep voice.

Names: Shi Dun.

"My lord, rest assured, the Northern Border's defenses are as solid as gold and bronze."

Names: my lord.

"The old troops are wholly reliable; they will not let the Khitan step even a foot beyond the Lei Chi."

Names: Khitan.

Chen Wen nodded.

Names: Chen Wen.

"As for the Northern Border's military affairs, I am naturally reassured."

Names: Northern Border.

"However, this matter is likely not isolated."

No names.

He gazed toward the north, as if he could see through the walls to what lay beyond that curtain of light.

No names.

"The master of the Iron Crow Army has replicated the False Song, maintaining the script; its influence may not be entirely confined within the mirror-image Central Plains."

Names: Master of the Iron Crow Army, False Song, mirror-image Zhongyuan.

"The Khitan's movements, the False Song's 'historical process,' and even within our own dynasty... perhaps there is some connection we have not yet fully grasped."

Names: Khitan, False Song, our dynasty.

"Is Xiao Chuo's current firmness driven by her own ambition, or is she under the influence of some intangible factors?"

Names: Xiao Chuo

Upon hearing this, Shi Dun's expression turned grim.

Names: Shi Dun.

"My lord is worried…"

Names: my lord.

"Just speculation."

No names.

Chen Wen waved his hand.

Names: Chen Wen.

"In troubled times, overthinking helps nothing; only careful response, step by step, will secure our position."

No names.

"Regarding the Northern Border affairs, you should devote attention, keep in touch with the old troops, and report any changes immediately."

Names: Northern Border.

"Yes!"

No names.

Shi Dun solemnly obeyed the order.

Names: Shi Dun.

The winds and clouds have already risen in the northern borders, and this surge is destined to draw in a far broader game.