Chapter 52: Seizing the City

Chapter 52: Seizing the City

After Princess Yi Yang had carefully studied and savored several dishes prepared by Rong Bi, she finally regained her appetite and her complexion slightly improved. However, she still occasionally suffered from nausea.

They remained in their original encampment for only a few days before breaking camp once again. This time, they didn't travel far and entered a city that had just been conquered - Keldar. In the language of the Central Plains, Keldar meant "Dawn Star." It was said that Keldar was a well-known and strategically important city in Bei Xi.

Keldar hadn't been part of their initial plans, and even the Bei Xi garrison commander stationed there never expected the Northern Pacification Army to suddenly divert their course and attack them. Caught off guard, their defensive preparations were inadequate.

The most decisive blow came when the Prince of Pacifying the North himself infiltrated the city with a merchant convoy. At dawn, when the guards were most relaxed, he led the assassination of the city's defenders. With inside help, they set several fires and loudly cried out in Bei Xi's language, "The city has fallen! Flee for your lives!"

"A fire has broken out! The people of Great Yong are attacking!" "They're slaughtering the city! Everyone, flee for your lives!"

Amidst the chaos within the city, the traitors opened the gates from within, coordinating with the vanguard outside to breach the defenses.

By dawn, the defending general and officials of Bei Xi had either been captured or beheaded. The vast army of Great Yong marched in, thoroughly combing through the city. After the troops were dispersed and stationed, supply wagons and logistical support gradually entered. A garrison was left behind outside the city walls for reinforcement.

Rong Bi knew these details because the merchant convoy that the Prince of Jingbei infiltrated was none other than the Zheng family's. Surprisingly, Zheng Changyuan himself had mingled among the merchants and appeared in Bei Xi. When the Prince of Jingbei conquered Keldar, and Princess Yi Yang and her entourage took residence in the city governor's mansion, Zheng Changyuan emerged, requesting an audience with Princess Yi Yang. He vividly recounted the battles in great detail, his intelligence and narrative prowess on full display.

Princess Yi Yang was greatly astonished. Zheng Changyuan, after drinking several cups of tea in one go, smiled at Rong Bi, who was pouring the tea, and sighed. "The Prince told me that the Princess, during these days of marching and campaigning, has been unable to rest or eat properly, appearing extremely worn out. She urgently needed a well-guarded large city to halt and recuperate. The Zheng family's merchant convoy indeed possesses such capability. Persuading several other merchant groups and after numerous discussions with the Prince, we finally decided on this plan. Fortunately, we captured the city in one fell swoop."

Princess Yi Yang glanced at Zheng Changyuan, who was dressed in a simple green robe and cap, seemingly like any ordinary merchant, but his charming gaze could not be concealed. "The Zheng family wouldn't approve of your actions, would they?"

Zheng Changyuan leisurely opened his folding fan. "In chaotic times, a prominent merchant naturally engages in high-stakes transactions. Princess, consider me hedging my bets."

Despite her haggard appearance, Princess Yi Yang couldn't help but smile. "On which two sides? It's clear that aligning with either the Prince of Jingbei or the imperial court would put you in a perilous position." She examined the calligraphy on his fan, the characters strong and ancient, reading "One Hand, One Realm," yet without a colophon.

Zheng Changyuan shook his head. "Princess, you misunderstand. I'm betting on two parties: Princess and Prince Jingbei on one side, and the Crown Prince on the other."

He waved the fan, flipping it over to reveal another four characters, "Fearless in Cold and Heat." "You've noticed, haven't you? These are the Prince of Jingbei's own words. When he asked what reward I desired for my great service, I requested his calligraphy on this fan. And so, he obliged me with these characters."

On one side, "A Hand Holding the World," and on the other, "Unafraid of the Scorching Cold." Though it speaks of a fan, it subtly reveals great aspirations, with ink strokes wandering like a soaring eagle, demonstrating boundless courage and an ambition that devours mountains and rivers.

Princess Yi Yang fell silent. Zheng Changyuan continued, "As husband and wife, they share the same fate. Prince Jingbei took the extraordinary risk of diverting his route to seize Keldar for the princess's sake. He even dared to employ the Zheng family's trading fleet. His bravery and generosity impress me greatly."

Princess Yi Yang picked up her teacup and sipped it slowly. "The Third Scholar once refused my invitation to join forces, yet now he is willing to serve Prince Jingbei."

Prince Zheng Changyuan smiled and said, "Princess, why not yield to fate?"

Princess Yi Yang glanced at Rong Bi and smiled gently. Then, she turned to Zheng Changyuan and asked, "How can a Tongzhuang, third-ranked scholar, leave the capital and come all this way? Aren't you afraid that the court will accuse you of dereliction of duty?"

Prince Zheng Changyuan said, "I forgot to report to Princess that I came with the Third Prince. His Highness has taken residence in Fufeng City and is awaiting the Duke's convenience to return to Jingbei. I informed His Highness and volunteered to be the messenger."

Yi Yang's eyes flickered. "If Third Brother is here, then has Old Duke Song also arrived?"

Zheng Changyuan replied, "Yes, it was Duke Song who advised the Third Prince, stating that Julu is too close to Bei Xi and thus unsafe. Hence, they stationed in Fufeng and suggested I deliver this message."

Yi Yang smiled. "Old Duke is still as cautious and responsible, truly displaying the demeanor of an experienced general."

Zheng Changyuan continued, "In Jingbei, Duke Jingbei was well-prepared. He instructed officials to submit a memorial, claiming that Duke Jingbei and Princess have been subjected to multiple assassination attempts and poisonings, all of which were traced back to the Bei Xi court. Furthermore, last autumn, Bei Xi's troops repeatedly trespassed our borders, pillaging and killing our Great Yong citizens. Their provocations have become unbearable, necessitating retaliation. This is justifiable by the greater cause. For years, Bei Xi has disturbed our frontier. Now, with Duke Jingbei controlling six out of sixteen Bei Xi provinces, our goal is to seize more territories and permanently eliminate future threats during this period."

Yi Yang declared proudly, "The sixteen Bei Xi provinces originally belonged to our Han people. Later, Bei Xi took advantage of the chaos to occupy them. Now, we reclaim what is rightfully ours, a feat that will benefit generations to come."

Zheng Changyuan nodded in agreement and engaged Yi Yang in casual conversation before taking his leave. Just before he left, he turned to Rong Bi. "I've brought some medicinal herbs and ingredients. Please inform me when you have free time, and I'll send them over."

Yi Yang thanked him. After Zheng Changyuan bowed and departed, Yi Yang pondered for a while before addressing Rong Bi. "Duke Song must have intentionally done this to buy us more time. Although he has a mission, he also has his own constraints."

Rong Bi appeared confused, causing Yi Yang to smile gently. "Don't worry too much. Zheng Changyuan is a wise man. Since he traveled such a great distance to join this conflict, he has made his choice. As for whether it's the Duke or the Crown Prince in the end, for now, everyone perceives that our interests align." She gently touched her swollen abdomen and said softly, "Regardless of the Duke's intentions, to most people, the fact remains that I carry his child."

Rong Bi asked, "What is your plan now, Princess Yi Yang, regarding Duke Song and Prince Third?"

Princess Yi Yang replied, "Duke Song and Prince Third will certainly buy time - and that's exactly what the court wants. Father needs more leverage to pressure Bei Xi." She spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "He desires eternal glory in history books, boundless longevity, divine blessings, and to be a wise ruler and loving father who governs the world. Father wants it all."

Rong Bi recalled the emperor's inexplicable visit to dine with the crown prince and watch the Heavenly Demon Dance together, as well as his decision to send his daughter far away to marry in Jingbei and imprison his son under the pretense of illness. These thoughts stirred a resentment within him towards the seemingly benevolent emperor.

Princess Yi Yang continued, "Go check with Zheng Tanhua for available ingredients first - it's crucial to take good care of yourself in this stable environment, especially for the sake of the pregnancy."