Chapter 79: “Changing customs, these four words, say…”

Chapter 79: *"Reforming traditions"—these four words, spoken…*

Had it not been for sheer desperation, Fang Shi would never have lost her composure and sought Huo Ling’s help.

But while such matters were of great importance to Fang Shi, trapped in the inner quarters, to Huo Ling they were just minor concerns.

She had no intention of delaying either. She promptly sent Cui Hongyi to the Huo residence to summon Fang Jianbai to the palace.

Fang Jianbai arrived swiftly, his eyes lowered, mindful of propriety: *"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."*

Huo Ling granted him a seat and came straight to the point: “It has been four years since we last met. Today, I summoned you, cousin, for two reasons. First, I’ve arranged a family banquet in the palace. Second, my mother has a request, and I wished to hear your thoughts.”

At this moment, Fang Shi and Huo Ze were in the side hall entertaining the crown prince, while Huo Ling met Fang Jianbai in the pavilion.

The pavilion was surrounded by screens, with several braziers lit to keep the chill at bay.

Fang Jianbai paused briefly. Without needing Huo Ling to spell it out, he understood and sighed helplessly: “I never expected my aunt to bring this to Your Majesty.”

Had he known, he would have stopped her.

Fang Jianbai gathered his thoughts and glanced around, ensuring the palace attendants stood outside the screens, beyond earshot unless they raised their voices deliberately.

“Over these past few years, my uncle was first promoted to Deputy Commander of Xingtang Pass. With no competent officers at his disposal, and given my youth, limited ability, and inexperience, my sole merit was loyalty—thus, my uncle entrusted me with significant responsibilities.

During that time, I dared not slacken for a single day, living and eating in the barracks, with no leisure to consider other matters.

Once I finally managed to organize everything, my uncle, under Your Majesty’s backing, became commander of the Swallow Feather Army.

In Yanxi, few are skilled in training cavalry. To live up to the expectations of His Majesty and Your Majesty, my uncle ate and slept alongside the soldiers, devoting his free time to military treatises. As his subordinate, how could I slack off when he worked so diligently?”

“That does sound like you,” Huo Ling remarked calmly, cradling a hand stove. “But this reasoning likely wouldn’t convince my mother and the others.”

Fang Jianbai smiled wryly.

Indeed, he had privately discussed this with the elders more than once. Yet, in their eyes, marriage required little effort on his part—they would handle everything for him.

Moreover, the battlefield was unpredictable. Marrying early and fathering heirs would ensure no one could hinder his pursuits afterward.

“Your Majesty and I are as close as siblings. Since you’ve asked, I shall not hide the truth.

Your Majesty’s heavenly bearing drew countless admirers in Yanxi—I was no exception. But after Your Majesty entered the palace, I wouldn’t dare harbor such thoughts.”

This sentiment was evident to all, though Fang Jianbai had never voiced it aloud.

Later, when she formed ties with Prince Duan, speaking of such things would have been inappropriate.

Now, as she firmly held her position as empress and gave birth to the crown prince, time had passed, and the words could finally be spoken.

“I never intended to remain unmarried forever. At twenty-two, even delaying another three or four years would only bring me to twenty-five or twenty-six. But when I explained this to the elders, they read too much into it.”

Hearing this, Huo Ling understood Fang Jianbai’s perspective.

Regardless of his true reasons for delaying marriage, he had a clear plan for his future. The problem was that his elders did not approve.

Huo Ling said, “This impasse helps no one.”

Fang Jianbai sighed. “I know. Tonight, I will have a thorough talk with my uncle and aunt, ensuring they no longer trouble Your Majesty over private matters.”

Huo Ling lifted her teacup and sipped the tea. "We're family—no need for such formalities. Even if Mother hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve asked you myself."

Actually, Huo Ling had summoned Fang Jianbai today for another important matter: "What are your plans for the next three or four years?"

Fang Jianbai looked slightly puzzled. "The Swallow Feathers are newly formed, with a million things to handle. I expect I’ll spend the next few years drilling troops."

After a pause, realization dawned in Fang Jianbai’s mind. "If there's anything you need me to do, just name it, Your Highness."

Huo Ling drummed her fingers against the cup. "This has to do with the race for command of the Swallow Feather Army."

At the time, An Hongyu had been the clear favorite to become commander.

But the gods had other ideas—she'd fallen pregnant then. To bolster the child's standing, Emperor Jingyuan bypassed An Hongyu and appointed Huo Shiming as commander instead.

That chapter was closed.

Yet Huo Ling had her suspicions.

According to what Qiu Hongzhen uncovered, the Duke of Liu’s people had pushed hardest for An Hongyu’s promotion.

And with her father leapfrogging over An Hongyu to take command—who knew what An Hongyu really thought?

She couldn’t let paranoia drive her decisions about An Hongyu, though she didn’t think her caution was misplaced.

There was also another, more important reason—

She had deep roots in Western Yan.

But in Northern Yan—which mattered far more—she had no presence whatsoever.

The court pulled out all the stops to develop horse breeding and train cavalry. Wasn't it all for Northern Yan? For those sixteen lost prefectures of Yan and Yun that had been ceded away and never reclaimed in a hundred years?

She needed to start planting seeds in Northern Yan now.

For the next few years, Great Yan wouldn’t have the might to march north.

But in ten, twenty years—when the time was right—if she could lead the way in fully integrating Qiang Rong into the empire and bring the sixteen prefectures back under the Central Plains’ rule...

Reclaiming lost lands, expanding borders, pushing Great Yan’s already vast map even further outward—even imagining it stirred her so deeply that she’d have to write characters for a good half-hour just to calm herself down.

She wasn’t sure why these ideas had grabbed hold of her.

Perhaps it was from hearing her father speak of the Huo family’s ancestral teachings as she grew up. Or maybe it was because, when she argued with Li Yichun in prison using the distinction between Qiang and Yan people, he had snapped back, “You actually dream of swallowing up Qiang Rong?”

In any case, now that she held this position and had the power to act, she naturally pursued these goals.

Victory wasn’t guaranteed—but best to make the first move.

...

Of course, Huo Ling couldn’t show all her cards to Fang Jianbai. She only revealed what was appropriate.

Truthfully, Fang Jianbai hadn’t been her first choice for this task.

He was making his mark in the Swallow Feathers, under Huo Shiming’s command. As long as he avoided major mistakes, his path was clear.

But at this moment, she had no better candidate.

And Fang Jianbai had arrived in the capital right when she needed him.

Huo Ling gathered her thoughts and laid out the pros and cons for Fang Jianbai: "In the Swallow Feather Army, there are only so many good positions. After being away for three or four years, all the good positions will be taken. Even with my father's support, moving up the ranks won't be easy."

"You grew up in Yanxi, so Yanbei is foreign ground to you. The military is different from other places—even with your status as the Empress's cousin, that title might not carry much weight."

"Not to mention, I want you to serve under General An Hongyu. There, you’ll inevitably face the Great Mu cavalry. That’s far more dangerous than staying in Yanxi to train troops, and the career path might not be any better."

Fang Jianbai smiled slightly: "Doesn’t sound like much of an opportunity."

Huo Ling also smiled: "For those trying to make their mark, it might not be a bad thing. But you have more options, so for you, it really isn’t ideal."

"I understand."

Fang Jianbai nodded. After sitting and talking for so long, this was the first time he raised his eyes to meet Huo Ling’s gaze.

But just for a moment before he looked down again.

"You've always been shrewd. If you had a more suitable candidate than me, you wouldn’t have said these words. I know what’s troubling you, but there’s no need to worry."

Fang Jianbai quietly changed his reference to Huo Shiming: "What soldier fears danger and hardship? If I wanted stability, I could’ve asked General Huo for a logistics position long ago."

"As for my future—to be honest, Your Highness and I are close kin. As long as you and the Crown Prince are safe, I don’t need to worry about my own prospects. Just tell me what you need me to do."

"But right now, I’m General Huo’s personal guard and serve under his command. Any reassignment of my duties must first be discussed with him. Please wait a couple of days, Your Highness."

Hearing Fang Jianbai’s stance, Huo Ling nodded slightly and added: "This matter isn’t urgent. After all, the New Year is approaching. Even if your position is to change, it’ll have to wait until after the festivities."

With official matters concluded, Fang Jianbai relaxed somewhat, no longer as tense as before: "Actually, staying away for a few years might be good. Otherwise, always showing up in front of my aunt would only irritate her. Once A Ze is older, she'll be too busy with him to bother about me."

Huo Ling followed this topic, chatting with him about the Huo and Fang families.

Fang Jianbai had initially wanted to ask about her recent situation, but upon second thought, he realized that as the esteemed empress and mother of the eldest prince, she probably had little to worry about. Even if she did, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to confide in him.

So he changed the subject and began talking about the eldest prince instead.

Huo Ling took him to a side hall to visit the eldest prince.

Later, Huo Shiming, who had been summoned again by Emperor Jingyuan, also arrived.

Huo Ling had them stay for dinner at Fengyi Palace before having Cui Hongyi escort them out.

It was unclear how Fang Jianbai had spoken with Huo Shiming and Fang Shi, but two days later, Huo Shiming made up a reason, saying he wanted to bring into the palace some gifts they had brought from Yanxi for Huo Ling and the eldest prince.

Once permission was granted by the palace, Huo Shiming entered with a wagonload of gifts.

"Your Majesty must want for nothing in the palace," he said. "Most of these items come from the Western Regions, purchased from merchants there. You might consider them curiosities."

The Qiang Rong territory connected to the Hexi Corridor, and since they swore allegiance to Great Yan once more, merchants had resumed traveling between Great Yan and the Western Regions.

Huo Ling carefully examined the gifts before suddenly picking up a jar of wine and taking a whiff. "Wanderer's Return?"

"Yes," Huo Shiming replied. "This wine has a grassy bitterness—none of us in the family like it. But I figured you'd find it hard to come by here in the capital, so I brought along a few jars."

In addition to these items, Huo Shiming also showed Huo Ling the gifts prepared for the eldest prince.

Since the child was still young, most of what was prepared were homemade items crafted by the family—tiger-head shoes, bellybands, hats, and several weighty longevity amulets.

Looking at the boxes containing the amulets, Huo Ling asked in surprise, "Why are there three?"

Huo Shiming played coy. "Only one of them is from me."

Huo Ling: "Li Yichun and Zhou Jiamu?"

Huo Shiming said, "I knew I couldn't keep it from you."

Huo Ling smiled slightly and had Wu Mo put everything away. She then led Huo Shiming to the study.

A biting cold wind swept in snowflakes through the half-open window, melting into droplets the moment they entered and landing on the back of Huo Shiming’s hand.

Huo Shiming closed the window and sat across from Huo Ling. "Fang Jianbai already spoke to me."

"I’m reluctant to let him go, but if you need him, transfer him to Northern Yan. Have some Swallow Feather troops join him so he won’t be without support there."

After wrapping up the discussion about Fang Jianbai, Huo Shiming brought up another topic. "That day in the imperial study, you signaled me to mention the horse administration in Western Yan—Are you planning something?"

As a border general, his role at court was just to report on military affairs.

But Hoa Ling suddenly inquired about changes in Western Yan and prompted him to discuss its horse administration—both beyond his authority.

Huo Shiming thought it over, and after hearing what Fang Jianbai had said, guessed that Huo Ling intended to take action in Western Yan, just as she was making arrangements in Northern Yan.

Huo Ling nodded. "I do have some thoughts."

Huo Shiming offered, "What do you need me to do?"

Huo Ling replied, "Father answered perfectly that day."

Recalling the conversation, Huo Shiming suddenly understood—A Ling’s plan likely involved the Qiang Rong and Li Yichun.

Seeing that Huo Ling did not wish to elaborate, Huo Shiming didn’t push her on it.

Huo Ling changed the subject. "I asked Father to keep an eye on Zhou Jiamu. Has he done anything suspicious these past few years?"

Huo Shiming shook his head. "No. My people have been monitoring his correspondence with the capital, but nothing unusual has turned up."

"Once, my men got into a heated clash with his. His subordinates were furious and wanted him to intervene, but he held back. Because of this, many of his men turned against him."

From Zhou Jiamu's perspective, Huo Shiming sometimes felt pity for him.

When serving as Deputy Commander of Xingtang Pass, he was oppressed by bullying Commander He Tai.

Finally promoted to Commander, before he could even enjoy his position, he was given a deputy whose backing surpassed even He Tai’s.

Though he pitied him, and regretted the situation, their allegiances differed—they had no choice but to clash.

Huo Ling barely acknowledged the conflict Huo Shiming mentioned.

In struggles for power, moral lines blurred.

To put it plainly, Zhou Jiamu was Prince Duan’s ally—a potential threat to her and An Er.

"Keep watching him."

Year-end was banquet season, and the arrival of the Huo family made the noble social scene in the capital even livelier.

***

Since Empress Huo assumed her position in the palace, the Huo family had become a newly influential family in the capital.

Unfortunately, this hotly courted newcomer stayed in the capital for less than two months, leaving many unable to win their favor.

Now returning to the capital with the added status of maternal relatives of the Crown Prince, their position has only grown more coveted.

Huo Shiming, aside from being invited to various banquets, also hosted a private gathering to strengthen ties with open supporters of the Empress, including Qiu Hongzhen, the Duke of Jingguo, the Heir to the Duke of Jingguo, and Wu Feng.

In contrast, the He family, once headed by the late Duke of Chengen, now finds itself fallen into neglect, visited only by a few old friends and relatives.

Inside the palace, Huo Ling was reviewing the banquet menu prepared by the Imperial Household Department while entertaining the child with a rattle when she heard the sound of courtesies being paid outside.

Emperor Jingyuan shed his heavy cloak and quickly approached Huo Ling and the child.

Huo Ling handed him the rattle.

Taking it, Emperor Jingyuan jingled it playfully and asked, "Why did you suddenly send for me?"

Huo Ling replied, "The other day, I heard my father and Your Majesty speak of Li Yichun. As it happens, I know him quite well. Don’t you recall? I was the one who convinced him to surrender years ago."

Emperor Jingyuan paused briefly before remembering. "I only remembered asking your father and forgot about that. Since you bring it up now, you must have some advice for me."

Huo Ling handed the revised menu to Wu Mo, who took it and withdrew with the attendants.

Only then did Huo Ling say, "I’ve long considered this idea. But the moment wasn’t ripe before—even if proposed, it would have been difficult to implement."

Emperor Jingyuan said, "Tell me."

Huo Ling began, "In my youth, I read the annals of the former dynasty and came across the deeds of Lord Ye Wenzheng."

"Lord Ye offended a powerful minister of his time and was exiled to Ban’an. At that time, Great Yan’s settlers were vastly outnumbered by the native population. Over fifteen years, Lord Ye reformed their ways. Ever since, for over two centuries, regardless of whether the central dynasty was strong or weak, Ban’an has remained steadfastly loyal—long after Lord Ye returned to the earth."

"'Reforming their ways'—these four words seem simple but require untold effort, sweat, and tears."

Emperor Jingyuan smiled and summarized, "You aim to acculturate the Qiang people."

Huo Ling nodded. "I know the court has long pursued this, but decades of effort have yielded little success. The majority of Qiang Rong tribal nobles still speak only their native tongue and follow their own traditions."

"Only a handful of nobles enamored with Great Yan, along with the Qiang living among the fourteen cities of Western Yan, have embraced our culture and customs."

"If Qiang Rong nobles could study Han culture under Han teachers, as Li Yichun did, in time they would naturally grow loyal to the court."

"Forcing Han culture on them won’t be simple."

As Emperor Jingyuan reflected on this, he suddenly recalled Huo Ling’s earlier words: *The moment wasn’t ripe before…*

Why had the timing been unsuitable then, but now it could be done?

Shifting tack, he asked, "Is it because Western Yan now has an additional cavalry force?"

Huo Ling’s eyes curved in a smile. "Your Majesty reads my thoughts. Indeed, with this cavalry patrolling Western Yan, the court can establish more state academies there."

"Then we can invite young nobles of age from the tribes to study at these academies, live in Western Yan for three to five years, and return afterward."

Emperor Jingyuan considered this. "It feels heavy-handed."

If mishandled, it might appear as if these youths were being kept as pledges.

Huo Ling replied, "Adjustments can be made to soften the approach. But as long as the Qiang Rong harbor no ill intent, sending their youths to study will be a benefit, not a detriment."

Emperor Jingyuan recognized this as a masterstroke for the future, aiming not for immediate gains but for lasting influence.

When these young nobles eventually take over tribal leadership, what will become of the Qiang Rong then?

"And there's another benefit," Huo Ling added.

"Yanxi is a harsh and cold land. If the court wants to establish schools there, it will inevitably have to send more officials. The sons of the nobility and privileged heirs have better paths for advancement—they may not be eager to take on such a difficult post. Even if some are willing, they would be only a small minority."

"So the officials sent by the court will mostly be low-ranking men with no powerful backing. If these individuals can endure the hardship and prove themselves through years of service in Yanxi, once they return, they will become key supporters of the throne."

At present, most avenues for promotion in court are controlled by the aristocracy. Those of low status who wish to rise must, like Ding Jinghuan before, use cases like the horse administration scandal to prove themselves.

Yet in that case, hardly anyone made a name for themselves...

Once these men are sent to Yanxi, they won’t be recalled anytime soon.

By the time An Er comes of age, they will have put in their time and proven their worth. Then An Er can bring back those who are capable—he’d have their loyalty, as they’d owe their careers to him...

Emperor Jingyuan’s thoughts drifted far ahead.

He lowered his gaze to glance at the child lying in the crib, who had unknowingly fallen asleep. Then he looked back at Huo Ling. "Tomorrow, when Lu Hang comes to court, you’ll come with me to meet him."