Chapter 516: Grassland and Poisonous Dragon

When the steppe envoy spoke these words, he felt the gazes of Chen's civil and military officials fixed upon him—these true ministers and generals of Chen now looked at him not with their former sharpness, but with a heavy, ruthless ferocity.

As if arrows, they seemed ready to pierce through the steppe envoy, Que Tekin.

Que Tekin was not afraid of such gazes.

He knew well what such looks meant—they were the eyes of wolf packs that had lost all hope of survival, hyper-vigilant and brimming with extreme hostility; that Chen's ministers and generals bore such looks did not surprise him.

Over the past year and more, the Qin King had subdued the surrounding regions, slowly carving away territory like a dull knife, largely pacifying Chen's lands; because his strategy was gradual—occupying while developing civilian life—there had been few rebellions.

Naturally, within this broad pacification, there had been clan uprisings and assassins who feigned surrender only to strike treacherously.

Such things were unavoidable.

Yet the tide of heaven's will could not be defied.

In this process, all clan members who deliberately fomented rebellion and chaos, stirring the Fire Qilin Army to attack cities, met with near-total liquidation.

Especially three months ago, the Sun Clan—one of the Eight Great Clans of Southern Chen—secretly assassinated the Qin Wang Fu's chief administrator, who had come forward to survey the situation.

The Qin Wang Fu's chief administrator wore soft armor and was guarded by the Furious Sword Immortal of the Kunlun Sword Sect.

The Furious Sword Immortal was a famed figure in the Jianghu, already a Master, who had long trained under the Sword Madman's guidance; though his Eighth Heaven realm remained an insurmountable barrier, within the Master realm he walked with unchallenged authority.

In the five to six years since entering Jiangnan, he had already reached the peak of Seventh Heaven, his sword qi flowing at will, slicing the Sixth Heaven assassin to death on the spot.

The Qin Wang Fu's chief administrator, Yan Daiqing, suffered only shock, no real danger.

Choosing Yan Daiqing was the result of careful deliberation by Chen's clans: first, Yan Daiqing controlled the Fire Qilin Army's logistics; killing him would sever its supply lines, and even if restored, it would take over a month.

Second, Yan Daiqing was originally from Chen; killing a traitor from one's own homeland carried no moral condemnation.

Third, Yan Daiqing's Wu Gong was low.

Moreover, he had come from Chen to Jiangnan as a former surrendering minister.

Hence, he was targeted for death.

Yet for reasons unknown, after Yan Daiqing's assassination, the entire Tiance Prefecture seemed to enter a special state—Master Wen Qingyu personally went to the Sun Clan, and both Tiance Prefecture and the Fire Qilin Army turned hostile, applying pressure on all Chen clans.

Like a thousand tigers bursting from the mountains, the Sun Clan's patriarch committed suicide on the seventh day after Yan Daiqing's attack; the young master, consumed by despair, drowned himself; the senior elder poisoned himself—all suicides, all loyal ministers dying for their country.

The mighty Sun Clan collapsed from within.

This caused the Fire Qilin Army to escalate its methods against Chen's clans by one full level; over the past year, Chen's clans had been scattered or turned against each other, gradually losing all momentum, while the Fire Qilin's reputation spread across all directions.

And after securing Chen's territories, the Fire Qilin Army did not return home.

The elite Fire Qilin Army, hardened by over a year of rigorous training, merged into five great armies and joined the Qin Wang at Yicheng, forming six columns that advanced toward Beicheng with slow, yet overwhelming grandeur.

Towns under Beicheng's control all surrendered at the mere rumor of their approach.

From governor down to commoner, all feared their surrender came too slowly.

The invisible tide of heaven's will, made manifest through these reactions, became real—so tangible it left men dazed.

At this point, Chen could be considered utterly destroyed.

If one spoke of traitors and rebels,

the Qin Wang opposite controlled the vast majority of Chen's territories and held the southwest, the western regions, and parts of Ying's land—his domain, population, and territory far surpassed Chen's peak.

In comparison,

the current Chen Huang, Chen Dingye, now looked more like the rebel traitor.

After seizing most of Chen's territories, the Qin Wang had no intention of retreating, nor did he seek fame; instead, he pressed forward with his remaining strength, determined to crush Chen in one decisive blow before considering anything else.

And Chen's territories were not taken by forced morale or brute force.

They were won through prolonged warfare.

The Fire Qilin Army had long grown accustomed to battle, its morale as solid as a mountain, showing no decline, rolling steadily toward Zhenbei Pass; all could see clearly: Chen's fate was spent, the Chen Huang's fate was spent.

This army of over two hundred thousand occupied hundreds of li around Beicheng.

It would not hold out long before becoming a footnote in the Qin Wang's annals.

At this moment, the Great Khan, Gudulu, extended his hand—unlike before, even the most proud monarch, facing annihilation and death at another's hands, would utterly abandon his principles.

He would grasp desperately at any branch that might save him.

"People are like this—their principles shift with circumstance; even gentlemen commit vile acts, and villains sometimes display heroic spirit."

"What matters is not to woo someone when his will is strongest, but to watch quietly, let the flood and tide of heaven's will strike him, polish him, wear down his edges, let his inner blood grow cold."

"Then, and only then, extend a hand."

This was the very source of his courage to come as envoy.

Otherwise, Chen Dingye's recent bloody campaign of personal conquest still lingered; the white bone pipa in his hand, carved from the thigh bone of a past steppe noble, still emitted a hollow, haunting tone—Que Tekin, though brave, would never come here to die pointlessly.

To give his own bones to this mad Central Plains emperor as a musical instrument.

No…

Former Central Plains emperor.

Now, he was merely a drunken, gluttonous wretch, utterly stripped of boldness and valor—a 【homeless dog】.

Que Tekin studied the monarch seated above.

He had once had the chance to see Chen Dingye; back then, Chen Dingye appeared dignified and composed, meticulous, handsome, radiating the refined elegance of Central Plains scholars.

Now, Chen Dingye's robes were no longer refined, far less splendid than during Chen's grand sacrifices; his bearing was dispirited, his hair and beard thick and long, always damp from drinking, his eyes often bloodshot.

He sat there above, holding wine, staring at him.

Chen Dingye let out a harsh laugh: "I killed your envoys before—yet you still come to help me?"

Que Tekin bowed deeply: "Your Majesty executed but one envoy—it is no great matter. Surely, that man lacked proper manners, offended the Central Plains' Most High Emperor, and thus drew the wrath of General Tianwei."

"It was his fault—how could it be blamed on Your Majesty?!"

Chen Dingye burst into laughter, pointing at him: "Hahahaha, you're a master at flattery!"

"Someone who speaks so sweetly must have licked the Great Khan's boot many times, eh? Hahahaha!"

"Your technique is excellent—excellent indeed."

Chen Dingye raised his wine and laughed loudly, his words coarse and rude. He looked around at those beside him, urging everyone to laugh together, and for a moment laughter rose and fell in waves. Even Que Teqin, who could be considered a man of considerable cultivation among the Turkic nobility, was provoked, his fists clenching slightly.

A sliver of killing intent even rose in his heart.

It was just that, looking at the two flanks beside Emperor Chen—Ye Zhongdao, Zhou Xianping—both were battle-hardened generals who had truly rolled and fought their way across these battlefields. Their gazes swept over with fierce brows, and a surging murderous aura came crashing toward him.

Looking at the manner of these two fierce generals, it seemed that one wrong word and they would pounce and kill him.

To chop off Que Teqin's head and make it into a musical instrument.

Que Teqin fell silent.

With great flexible bottom line, he tucked away the killing intent in his heart.

But although he did not dare to act out, at this moment a sliver of mockery also rose in his heart.

Laughable, laughable!

A monarch, unkempt abroad, coarse and rude in his words at home.

Chen Dingye, oh Chen Dingye, abandoning the ancestral foundation, fleeing the city and casting it away, even throwing aside his own Empress and Crown Prince—such a man has indeed become nothing but a stray dog, has utterly lost the bearing of a sovereign.

Just a dog, nothing more.

A wild dog that only bites and barks at random.

Not worth getting angry with such a dog. Once all these matters are settled, I must certainly use a rope to lead Chen Dingye by the neck, parade him across the grasslands like a sheep, so that everyone can come and see—this is the Emperor of the Central Plains.

A surge of vicious resolve rose in his heart.

Que Teqin's mood calmed, and he said with utmost respect:

"I wonder, does Your Majesty Emperor Chen have any intention of forming an alliance with us?"

"This humble minister will return to the grasslands and report to our Turkic Great Khan."

Chen Dingye paid it no heed, merely waved his hand and shouted loudly: "Alliance? An alliance is not urgent, not urgent. Where are the gifts? I haven't yet seen the things you've sent."

"Bring up the gift card."

After the Master of Ceremonies eunuch brought up the gift card, Chen Dingye finished his wine, wiped his hands, and impatiently went to look at the items on the card. It seemed he discovered quite a few fine things had been given, and only then did Emperor Chen's expression gradually soften.

He said: "Not bad, not bad. The Great Khan has shown thoughtfulness."

"Come, come, bring the wine up first."

"Honored envoy, no need to be in such a hurry. Come, bring the fine wine."

The Master of Ceremonies eunuch went among the gifts and brought back fine wine brewed on the grasslands. Chen Dingye took the wine jar, tilted his head back to drink, shouting that it was splendid. After draining it, he seemed somewhat wistful. Stroking the ornate wine vessel, he said: "Back then in Jiangzhou City, I left too quickly, left in too much of a hurry."

"I didn't even have time to go fetch the fine wines from the inner treasury."

"Arriving at Zhenxi Xiongcheng, it has been over a year now to this day, and I have not once again drunk such fine wine."

"The envoy has also shown thoughtfulness. Speak, then—how will you help me take back the old capital?"

Que Teqin's contempt in his heart grew ever greater, but on the surface he still said with utmost respect: "Your Majesty Emperor Chen holds the world's number one great city, Zhenxi Xiongcheng. Even if Qin Wang personally led his army, without ten times the troops, he should not even think of breaking through this city."

"And there are all these loyal ministers and fine generals, with two hundred thousand elite troops."

"What is lacking is nothing more than grain and logistics."

"The Great Khan is willing to provide these—willing to provide Your Majesty Emperor Chen with logistics, grain, and weapons sufficient for three hundred thousand men."

Chen Dingye's brow loosened slightly, then he said in dissatisfaction:

"Is that all—just money and grain?"

Que Teqin was stunned, and said instinctively: "If Your Majesty Emperor Chen needs archers, we still have the forces of the Wise King Mu Zhahe here—all divine archers on the grasslands who can shoot down eagles. They can be lent to Your Majesty Emperor Chen to defend the city."

"If needed, so long as you open the city gates, the king of heavy cavalry on our grasslands, Tie Futu, will step into this place, sweep away those rebels for Your Majesty Emperor Chen, protect you, and return you to Jiangzhou City."

"Of course, so long as you are willing."

"However, giving money and grain is no matter—we can fulfill it."

"But if it is a matter of lending troops, this is no small thing. It requires Your Majesty Emperor Chen and our Great Khan of the grasslands to sign an alliance, swear an oath in blood, report to the ancestors of past generations, declaring willingness to join hands and never abandon each other."

"What does Your Majesty think?"

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Generals Ye Zhongdao, Zhou Xianping, and others cast their gazes toward Chen Dingye, with unwillingness and hope in their eyes. Their palms had even been placed on the hilts of their blades, as if with but a single command from Chen Dingye they could pounce forward and chop off this envoy's dog-head.

Chen Dingye's gaze dropped, sweeping the four directions, then he stretched out his palm and lightly traced over the wine vessel. Finally, as if he had at last made his decision, he tilted his head back and drank another mouthful of wine. His face flushed with drunken color, and he said in dejection:

"Very well."

"I—no, I, the Emperor."

"I, the Emperor, agree…"

…………………

Que Teqin stayed in Zhenxi Xiongcheng for a period of time, then departed. He had completed his mission and also preserved his thighbones, not having been made into a musical instrument by the brutal Emperor Chen.

Not only that, Chen Dingye even gave him that white-bone pipa.

Saying he had been rude before, and hoped he would not take offense.

Knowing that this pipa had been the envoy's childhood sweetheart, he returned it to its rightful owner.

Que Teqin was silent for a long while, looking at that old acquaintance who had been turned into a musical instrument and even seemed to have been polished to a patina. For a moment he felt this joke seemed somewhat too hellish, but regardless, he still took this pipa instrument with him.

He brought it back, brought it to the grasslands, and burned it there on the grasslands, so that it might return to the embrace of the Eternal Heaven.

Fierce generals like Ye Zhongdao and Zhou Xianping seemed to feel extreme dissatisfaction at Chen Dingye's agreeing to the alliance with the grasslands. Que Teqin felt uneasy, and so had no mind to continue staying in this Zhenxi Xiongcheng.

He left behind the gifts meant for Emperor Chen.

Mounting a swift horse, he galloped out, racing toward the Great Khan's place, and reported this news to the Great Khan Gudulu. The Great Khan sat cross-legged on the grasslands, using a dagger to whittle an arrow. Hearing this, he raised his brows and said:

"Que Teqin, are you saying Chen Dingye agreed?"

"He even hopes we will station troops and enter his Zhenxi Xiongcheng?"

Que Teqin said with utmost respect: "Yes, Khan."

He said: "Chen Dingye no longer has the bold valor he once had, nor the dignity of a king. He is now, his whole being like a heart that has been shattered—unkempt, his whole body reeking of wine, looking no different from a beggar by the roadside."

"After he saw our gift, he was overjoyed and drank fine wine heartily."

"He agreed without much thought."

"Excellent, Great Khan!"

Que Teqin was quite excited, but the Great Khan was silent for a long while, then shook his head and said: "Que Teqin, don't celebrate too early. Chen Dingye is no straw-sack rice-bag; his agreement likely hides malice behind it."

"Your being this happy and trusting him so easily will only let him devour you until not even your bones remain."

"What?"

Que Teqin froze. The Great Khan released the dagger in his hand, raised up the arrow shaft he had carved with the dagger, his eyes showing little ripple or wave, and said: "Chen Dingye is not as capable as his elder brother the Divine Martial King, but he is still a venomous snake."

"A venomous snake has no strength, no speed, but its fangs are still lethal!"

"Once careless, even an antelope swift enough to outrun a leopard can be swallowed by a venomous snake."

As he spoke these words, the Great Khan's bow turned, the arrow shaft pointing at Que Teqin, his eyes sharp as an unsheathed precious sword, sending threads of chill and dread rising in Que Teqin's heart.

"Khan, what do you mean?"

"I don't understand."

The Great Khan said: "Within his agreement there must be a scheme—likely a trap, a trap meant to encircle our vanguard forces. Once we enter Beicheng, I'm afraid he'll bite off a hefty chunk of us."

"Otherwise, even if he agreed, he wouldn't be this forthcoming."

Que Teqin's heart lurched; he thought of that white-bone pipa, a chill rising on his back, and said:

"A trap… then, then what should we do, Great Khan?"

"Aren't we supposed to ally with Chen Dingye?"

He was somewhat confused.

The Great Khan said with a faint smile: "No need to fear, no need to dread. Even a venomous snake is, right now, nothing more than a single city and a few hundred li of land, nothing more than two hundred thousand troops, and with insufficient logistics."

"So-called stratagems only work between two sides of equal standing and strength. But when one side's power is strong enough—strong enough to crush the other—then any scheme is nothingness."

"The current situation only requires us to use the strongest force to thoroughly, openly and honorably, crush Chen Dingye's so-called trap; that is enough. As for allying… hmph, Chen Dingye's army is not our objective."

"Beicheng is the core."

"We give them money and grain so that his two hundred thousand troops go forth to keep slaughtering it out with Qin Wang's army, exhausting these two hundred thousand troops of Chen, and using Chen Dingye's last strength to help us hold back Qin Wang's military edge."

"Not to use our sons to help him defend the city."

The Great Khan looked at the junior before him and instructed:

"The military strategist's schemes emphasize guiding according to the situation."

"Chen and Qin Wang already have a blood-feud. Whether from a personal angle or the angle of the realm, Qin Wang will not let Chen Dingye go."

"The Central Plains people uphold the saying: 'Brothers quarrel within the walls, yet together resist the outsider.'"

"We must not rashly involve ourselves. If we are careless, Qin Wang might even halt his attack on Chen."

"We should 'let the snipe and the clam fight, and the fisherman benefit.'"

"We stay outside, not getting involved, providing Chen Dingye logistical support, just watching them fight, watching them beat each other bloody, and then seize Zhenbei Pass, seizing the initiative of this realm's great momentum!"

The Great Khan's gaze was sharp. He raised his hand; a bowstring's whine was heard, and the arrow shaft he had just carved with the short blade became a streak of afterimage. Twin eagles were flying in the sky, but this single arrow pierced straight through them; amid wailing cries, they fell from the heavens.

One arrow, two eagles.

"Mu Zhahe, Mu Zhahe…"

"Old brother, I still cannot sit by and do nothing. I still hope to fight to the death for our grasslands, to pour out the last of my blood. Ha, I really am a life fated to toil."

"But this is what our generation is, I suppose."

"If you want me to lay down my blade and sword now, ignore the resolve of the Central Plains kings, and just watch songs and dances, listen to music, live a false peace, and die of old age on the grasslands—I am not willing!"

"How lonely that would be."

A smile appeared on the Great Khan's aged face:

"Just as you said."

"We men, so long as there is a road beneath our feet and a blade in our hands, then under heaven, where is not our pasture? And what is there worth grieving over, what thing that would make a man shed tears?"

"A warrior should die on the battlefield. This time, if I win, I can extend the grasslands' prosperity; if I die, I die beneath a hero's blade, beneath a hero's sword and horse's hooves—surely that is more satisfying than dying amid music, song, and fine wine!"

He thrust Mu Zhahe's bow forcefully into the grass.

When the wind blew over, the grass and trees swayed and rose like waves; when it blew across the bowstring, the bowstring gave a faint sound, like a special kind of grass.

While the Great Khan Gudulu was allying with Chen…

…at the same time, he dispatched secret envoys to Jiangnan and to Ying, attempting alliances with Tiance Prefecture and Ying. The proposed pact was the same in each case: to join hands and jointly punish the enemy state.

Naturally, it was nothing more than a feigned stratagem.

It was merely to stir the waters of this troubled era into greater murk, so that his own schemes and methods could proceed more smoothly. As expected, both Tiance Prefecture and Ying refused the Turkic Great Khan's alliance.

But they also learned something.

They learned that although the Turkic king on the grasslands had ambition, his strength was insufficient. The attempt at alliance, in this situation, combined with Tie Futu's appearance outside Zhenbei Pass to conclude a pact with Chen, conveyed a certain signal.

A signal sufficient to lead both sides into misjudgment.

"Then, when the time comes, no matter what you think."

"Chen Dingye."

"In Li Guanyi and Jiang Wanxiang's eyes, you have already allied with us."

The Great Khan murmured, his eyes gazing at the sky. The wind blew across the grasslands and through his white hair: "The art of war under heaven contends for 'momentum.' When the great tide surges, even if you do not go to make enemies of them, it is no longer possible."

"Chen Dingye, you will be my 'ally.'"

"This, even you cannot decide."

He swung himself onto his horse. Behind him, the Tie Futu were fully armored, mounted on dragon-horses of the chest-high-eight-chi caliber, with spears over a zhang long, banners snapping, like layered clouds tumbling down from the sky.

The seventeenth year of Tianqi, the tenth day of the seventh month.

The Turkic Great Khan led the Tie Futu legion to arrive thirty li outside Zhenbei Pass.

Preparing to enter into the covenant with Chen Dingye.

Historically known as the 【Zhi Alliance of the Northern Garrison】, also called—

【The Tianqi Coup】.

?? Begging for monthly votes, friends~