Chapter 0030 Endure It

Chapter 0030 Endure It

On the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month in the sixth year of Shengde, just a few days before the Grain Buds solar term, the Northern Pacification Army finally emerged from the western side of Mount Taihang. As they left the towering mountains behind, their vision opened up, and they could see far into the distance without any obstructions.

Once they crossed the Yellow River, they would be within the borders of Yuzhou, not too far from Chenliu City.

If one looked at a map, this distance seemed short, but every segment of the Yellow River had different water conditions. They needed to find a place with calmer waters to cross, which meant taking a detour.

Having walked ninety-nine steps, why fear the last one? So when the Yellow River came into view, most people breathed a sigh of relief rather than tensing up.

The boats had been prepared long ago, disassembled and carried by soldiers, then reassembled on site. This was one of the advantages of using pure wood—fewer parts, easy to make, and no fear of losing a piece or two and delaying the journey.

Xiao Rong peeked out from the carriage as they were busy. The wide river shimmered under the sun, its muddy waters flowing quietly as they always had for thousands of years.

Everything his eyes could see was a gift from the river—the vast alluvial plains almost encompassed all the major cities north of the Huai River. This was the cradle of civilization and the original homeland of all Central Plains people.

However, opportunities always came with risks. While it was habitable, it was also dangerous. Flooding was a common occurrence, and even more terrifying was the river changing course, with a destructive power akin to the great snowstorm thirty years ago. But if such a disaster were to happen, it would be beyond human control. Fortunately, Xiao Rong knew that nothing like this would occur in the next five hundred years. As for what Chenliu would look like five hundred years later... who knew?

Reinforcing the embankments, distributing sandbags, and educating people about disaster prevention were the limits of what Xiao Rong could do. He couldn't abandon such fertile land because of a few disasters, and the people couldn't abandon their roots and homes either. People were resilient, and despite living in such difficult times, they managed to survive. If they could endure wars, what else could bring them down?

Crossing the river, the Northern Pacification Army entered the vicinity of Guancheng. Here, the army's jurisdiction was relatively weak. Although the Northern Pacification King now ruled the lands north of the Huai River, the situation wasn't clearly defined. The area between the Huai River and the Yellow River, where the population and wealth were concentrated, was neither fully accepting of the Northern Pacification King's rule nor openly contemptuous like Southern Yong. Their attitude was ambiguous, still in a period of observation.

When Southern Yong moved south, the aristocratic families that followed mostly came from around Chang'an or places like Pingyang, which were particularly vulnerable to being overrun by the Hu people. Those who stayed behind lived south of the Yellow River.

The remaining aristocratic families, powerful clans continuing their operations, and officials either promoted by them or taking advantage of the chaos—all these factions made things challenging for the Northern Pacification Army. Though the situation seemed difficult, it was also rich with potential. The fertile land and the dangers coexisted, and the difficulties here presented an opportunity for change.

Because of the chaos, there was a chance to make it even more chaotic. The aristocratic families had controlled the livelihood and culture for too long, and Xiao Rong was tired of their hoarding everything for themselves, hiding it away until they died, rather than letting the common people benefit.

Arriving in Guancheng, they encountered more people. On the official roads, travelers carrying large bags were often seen. Some hurried past with their heads down, while others approached to ask if another war was starting.

Upon learning that the Northern Pacification King was relocating his capital, their reactions were usually hesitant. They worried about the possibility of war but also craved the security provided by the king's presence. When they found out that the Buddhist monk Mi Jing was part of the group, they joined the crowd of civilians without hesitation.

Qu Yunmie: "..."

While they were still in the highlands, Qu Yunmie rarely heard such stories, but once they crossed the river, these incidents happened daily. Seeing the constipated expression on his face, Xiao Rong suppressed his amusement and looked at Qu Yunmie gently. "This is the power of a good reputation. Without a single soldier or word, merely hearing the name makes the people trust and follow eagerly. Not to mention Mi Jing, have you heard of Dongyang King He Tingzhi? His palace has two thousand scholars, and new ones arrive every day. I doubt he'll ever lack for help."

As for how many of those scholars were just freeloading, that was something he didn't need to tell Qu Yunmie.

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong unhappily.

Why did Xiao Rong always praise others in front of him? First, it was Mi Jing, praised to the heavens, then Sun Renluan, given a high evaluation, and later even Huang Yanjiong, who was just a scoundrel. Now, even He Tingzhi, that sycophant, was better than him!

Everyone knew that He Tingzhi's position was gained through flattery. He was the great-grandson of Emperor He Kui, the founder of the dynasty, but his grandfather had been exiled to Cangwu County for misconduct. He Kui showed no mercy and made their lineage perpetual sinners. He Tingzhi had done everything early in life, and because he was good at talking, he was taken under the wing of an old Taoist priest. He changed his name from He Ting to He Tingzhi but never truly became a monk.

The old Taoist laid the foundation, and He Tingzhi continued to flatter his way up, eventually moving from Cangwu County to Jinling. If not for the southern migration of the Yong Dynasty, he might have gone to Chang'an. During the emperor's southern migration, everyone saw him as a coward, but He Tingzhi spoke up, saying the emperor had no choice and that everyone should listen to him.

This flattery pleased Emperor Guangjia so much that he pardoned He Tingzhi and gave him a title. When Emperor Guangjia fell ill, he only wanted to talk to He Tingzhi. Sun Renluan, seeing He Tingzhi's lack of skills beyond flattery, allowed him to come and go but expelled him after the emperor's death. To appease him, Sun Renluan granted him the title of Dongyang King.

It sounded impressive, but the court had already fragmented the titles to limit the power of the regional kings. Titles like Yan King, Han King, and Zhao King were replaced with Dongyang King, Runan King, and Linhai King, each with only one city, some quite small.

Twenty-seven years ago, during the reign of Emperor Great Tranquility, several regional kings rebelled simultaneously. Twelve of them declared independence, which was unprecedented.

From this, one could see how Sun Renluan viewed Qu Yunmie and He Tingzhi. He granted Qu Yunmie a proper title, while He Tingzhi's was purely perfunctory.

Xiao Rong listened to Qu Yunmie's disdain for He Tingzhi, surprised.

Qu Yunmie and Huang Yanjiong had known each other for a long time, but Xiao Rong didn't expect that Qu Yunmie had also met He Tingzhi. Apparently, ten years ago, they were all in the Southern Yong palace.

This felt strange, realizing that fate had bound them together so early.

Thinking this, Xiao Rong couldn't resist asking, "Your Majesty, do you know Han Liangru?"

Qu Yunmie paused, looking wary. "Who is this person?"

Not another one who's better than me, right?!

Xiao Rong: "..."

Seems he doesn't know him.

Qu Yunmie indirectly caused Sun Renluan's death and directly killed the young emperor, Huang Yanjiong killed Qu Yunmie, and He Tingzhi forced Huang Yanjiong to commit suicide.

This drama of the mantis catching the cicada while the oriole watches wasn't over yet. He Tingzhi seemed to win, ascending to the throne and ruling for twenty years. However, in the last five years, he became a puppet, following the orders of a Taoist priest named Ruqing, whose secular name was Han Liangru.

Han Liangru controlled He Tingzhi's every move and made him abdicate after five years, not to himself but to his son. Thus, the Yong Dynasty ended, and the Han family took the throne. After accomplishing this, Han Liangru left Jinling, reportedly living for over two hundred years and ascending to immortality.

Setting aside the mythological elements, Han Liangru was the ultimate victor. If the Han family's records were correct, Han Liangru should be in his twenties now, possibly already causing trouble somewhere.

This man was a Taoist but had a son, switching between monastic and secular life as if monasticism was just a cover. If not for mentioning He Tingzhi, Xiao Rong might not have thought of him. But knowing that Qu Yunmie had interacted with the other players early on, he wondered if Han Liangru had already started his grand game.

Qu Yunmie called him a few times before Xiao Rong snapped back to reality.

"What did Your Majesty say?"

Qu Yunmie: "...What has captivated your thoughts so deeply? Could it be that man named Han Liangru? Then I must ask, in your opinion, who is braver, me or Han Liangru?"

Xiao Rong: "..."

He suddenly remembered a phrase: "Am I more beautiful than Xu Gong from the northern city?"...

You really know how to ask! Why don't you ask who's smarter?!

Smirking, Xiao Rong said, "Han Liangru is a remarkable figure I heard about during my travels. Though I've never met him, I know he cannot compare to Your Majesty."

Qu Yunmie's expression improved, and Xiao Rong pressed on. "In terms of bravery, no one can surpass Your Majesty. Compared to Your Majesty, everyone else seems weak. Therefore, Your Majesty should show magnanimity, be kind to others, and treat those weaker than you with courtesy. This will make them even more grateful."

Saying this with a reverent expression, Xiao Rong blinked at Qu Yunmie. If Qu Yunmie weren't so stubborn, he might have been fooled.

But just before he was about to fall for the trick, he suddenly realized what was happening. Xiao Rong said that compared to him, everyone in the world was weak. Did that mean he had to be polite to everyone? Why should he be polite to everyone when he was the Northern Pacification King?

Qu Yunmie's face immediately darkened: "You want me to learn from He Tingzhi?"

Xiao Rong hurriedly explained: "Being polite is not flattery; it's about maintaining proper etiquette. I heard from the Chancellor that you used to handle things quite well, didn't you?"

Qu Yunmie sneered: "Yes, when I maintained proper etiquette, I found there were many villains in this world. They would be disrespectful if close and resentful if distant. If I showed them a bit of courtesy, they would climb all over me. If I showed more courtesy, I might as well hand over the Northern Pacification Army!"

Xiao Rong: "..."

You always say I exaggerate, but your exaggerations are beyond even eight horses chasing after me!

He tried to remain calm: "Are you referring to the Governor of Jinning? His suggestion wasn't good, but he's just someone seeking fame. No matter what, he can't force you to do something you don't want to do. If you don't like his suggestion, just drive him away. Why kill him? Since the Governor of Jinning died, how many scholars have come to serve you out of admiration? Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

Qu Yunmie: "If what you call a lesson is taking revenge, then I haven't learned enough. Villains whisper lies into my ear to test my limits. Why should I maintain proper etiquette towards such hypocrites? For every one who comes, I'll kill them."

Xiao Rong's expression changed slightly, and he stared at Qu Yunmie without saying a word.

Historically, he died because of those four words: taking revenge. Now, he didn't know his fate would be like that, so he dared to say it openly.

If he knew not only himself but also his entire army and clan would be killed, would he still dare to speak so boldly?

Even if he didn't dare, the problem was that Xiao Rong didn't know if he would. What if he was the type who would charge ahead even knowing the wall was there?

Xiao Rong had pointed out many of Qu Yunmie's flaws, but he never mentioned this one. Not because he forgot, but because he knew it was Qu Yunmie's most fatal flaw. Since he didn't know how to deal with it, he never brought it up, fearing it would trigger his deepest nightmare.

He feared Qu Yunmie would act on impulse, wasting his passion and ultimately harming himself, Xiao Rong, and everyone else he knew.

But this was not something that could be ignored. With Qu Yunmie's personality, he would eventually have to face it.

Xiao Rong's gaze was like a nail, making Qu Yunmie realize he was truly angry. But Qu Yunmie wasn't one to back down, so he calmly returned the stare. The carriage fell silent for a moment, then Xiao Rong suddenly said: "A rotten tree cannot be carved."

Qu Yunmie was taken aback, his face instantly turning grim: "What did you say?"

Xiao Rong's voice quickened: "I said a rotten tree cannot be carved! Acting on impulse is what brutes do. You claim to want to be a worthy Northern Pacification King for everyone. Is this what a Northern Pacification King should do? Someone who can't tolerate a grain of sand can't tolerate the whole world! No one is perfect; everyone has their flaws. Do you plan to kill everyone in the world? If so, start with me!"

Qu Yunmie: "............"

His face was filled with disbelief: "You're being unreasonable! I simply can't tolerate villains!"

Xiao Rong became even angrier: "Who decides who's a villain and who's a gentleman? Does anyone who displeases you become a villain? Killing based on personal preferences—do you know what that's called? It's called killing innocents!"

Qu Yunmie also got angry: "Yes, that's exactly what I am. Have you forgotten? I remember you said from the beginning that I am—brutal and bloodthirsty!!"

Xiao Rong laughed in anger: "Fine, fine, fine, a brutal and bloodthirsty king. I just wanted you to be a bit more courteous in the future, and you use these four words to shut me up. The Governor of Jinning merely suggested an impossible idea, and you personally beheaded him. If I defy you today, I won't even get a full corpse. How do you plan to dispose of me, slicing me or grinding me into paste?"

Qu Yunmie's veins bulged on his forehead, and he roared: "Xiao Rong, don't push your luck!!!"

But Xiao Rong shouted even louder: "How am I pushing my luck?! If life and death are determined by likes and dislikes, this is my fate! Am I a villain? Are my actions just for fame? I've staked my life here. Why should I lose my head just for saying the wrong thing?!"

Outside the carriage, everyone was staring in shock. Even Gao Xunzhi poked his head out, feeling something was off. He wanted to go down and mediate, but Mi Jing, who was sitting in meditation, stopped him, telling him not to interfere.

Their voices were so loud that Mi Jing could hear everything inside the carriage. He felt the Northern Pacification King wouldn't strike, and he wanted to see how the argument would unfold.

Gao Xunzhi understood Qu Yunmie. As long as he was still talking, there was no immediate danger.

Gao Xunzhi pressed his ear against the window, worried, but soon realized something was wrong—it had gone quiet.

Gao Xunzhi: "!!!!"

Your Majesty, spare Xiao Rong!

He quickly ordered the troops to stop and ran over, his heart pounding. Reaching Xiao Rong's carriage, he lifted the curtain and his pupils contracted.

There was no bloody scene inside, only a heart-wrenching one.

Xiao Rong had suddenly turned pale and was leaning against his pillow, clutching his chest tightly, unable to speak. Qu Yunmie looked helpless, crawling to Xiao Rong's side, trying to touch him, but Xiao Rong slapped his hand away.

At that moment, Qu Yunmie's expression was like a dog that had done something wrong, wanting to get closer but being pushed away.

Gao Xunzhi: "..."

He frowned, not having time to ponder why Qu Yunmie had such an expression. He immediately turned to call the accompanying physician.

The physician came and took Xiao Rong's pulse, deeply feeling that Xiao Rong was a stumbling block in his medical career. How could someone's pulse change so much each time? Surviving with so many illnesses—was this a miracle?

The physician didn't understand and thought it was impossible, so he resorted to his standard phrases: stress-induced illness, naturally weak constitution, needing rest, etc., which made Qu Yunmie frown, hearing the same things repeated several times.

They were on the march, far from any village or town, unlike in Yanmen County where Xiao Rong could rest properly. In a panic, Qu Yunmie picked Xiao Rong up and carried him out.

Xiao Rong, still recovering from his discomfort, was stunned. This was a princess carry, something he usually did for others, never expecting to be carried himself.

During dance rehearsals, he often carried his partner, but honestly, it was exhausting. After practice, his arms would be useless. ...

Yet Qu Yunmie carried him as if he were a leaf. Xiao Rong stared blankly at his jawline, and after a while, he remembered a question.

This was on the official road; where was Qu Yunmie taking him?!

Soon, he found out.

Running to the Butu Wu tribe, Qu Yunmie anxiously placed him in front of a middle-aged woman. He said: "Luo Wu, take a look at him!"

The middle-aged woman, carrying a bag, put it down and squatted, pinching Xiao Rong's arm and shoulder, then supporting his head to examine his eyes.

Xiao Rong: "............" What are you doing?

Sitting on the grass, confused, the middle-aged woman stood up and spoke a string of Butu Wu language to someone behind her. Then she turned to Qu Yunmie and commanded: "Turn him over."

Xiao Rong was startled, but before he could say anything, Qu Yunmie obediently stretched his legs straight and flat, pressing his back to make him lie face down on the ground.

Xiao Rong exclaimed, "Wait! What are you doing? I'm fine now, I'm okay!"

Qu Yunmie was unmoved and even warned him, "Bear with it."

Xiao Rong: "..." Bear with what?!

Immediately after, in Xiao Rong's terrified expression, Agusega came over with a thick, round stick. She knelt beside Xiao Rong and then, like rolling out a noodle, rolled him from top to bottom.

Her technique wasn't just rolling; it was a bit like scraping and a bit like massaging. Both of these have one thing in common: they feel particularly painful the first time. ...

Xiao Rong cried out in pain continuously, but no one came to his rescue. Even Gao Xunzhi only watched silently from the side. Yu Shaoxie also came down, and the two of them even had a conversation.

Yu Shaoxie: "It's always like this the first time."

Gao Xunzhi: "But once you get through this, it'll be fine."

Yu Shaoxie: "Speaking of which, when I had a coughing illness, it was the Chancellor who helped me seek out the apprentice of this tribal leader. I was fully recovered after just three sessions."

Gao Xunzhi: "Yes, but Ah Rong's body is much weaker than yours. He might need more sessions."

After saying this, both Gao Xunzhi and Yu Shaoxie paused slightly, exchanged a glance, and then looked sympathetically at Xiao Rong, who was almost silent from the pain.

Sigh, bear with it.

Author's note: