Chapter 24 The Army Returns and the Liyang Incident

Chapter 24: The Army's Return and the Liyang Incident

Sun En was utterly bewildered.

This recruitment was for the Empress's personal guard, not technically part of the imperial regular army. It was already highly unusual that five or six thousand people were vying for just two thousand positions.

Here, in this packed crowd, he had nearly exposed his identity right away—a stroke of terrible luck.

And now, how could things possibly get even worse?

It was said that Her Majesty the Empress wielded imperial authority in the Emperor's stead, managing military affairs, securing provisions for the Northern Army, and handling court politics to suppress the chaos caused by the celestial omens across the land. She ought to be overwhelmed with endless responsibilities. There was no need for her to personally oversee the selection of guards—why...

"Why would she come here personally and single me out?"

"...That’s thanks to what you shouted," Liu Bobo couldn’t help but retort.

For him, meeting the person in charge sooner was undoubtedly a great opportunity. But today’s situation seemed off.

The fellow next to him, who seemed to be from the Celestial Masters—if he exposed his identity in front of the Empress, it would cause trouble. His death wouldn't matter, but what if he implicated Liu Bobo before he died?

Moreover, while he confidently told others he "had connections," the truth was he came through Wang Xun's recommendation.

He wasn’t stupid—after Wang Xun’s recent close call, it was clear the Empress and Wang Xun weren’t on the same page.

Before he could even establish himself through his own abilities, being brought before the Empress might not be a good thing.

Sure enough, when he and Sun En were led before Wang Shenai, he noticed a soldier carrying a register quickly approach Her Majesty and whisper something.

Immediately, the Empress turned to him, her calm gaze showing a mix of interest and scrutiny.

"Earlier, when the Left Councilor was attacked in the city, was it you who saved him?"

Liu Bobo bowed. "I wouldn't presume to claim to have saved him. I merely happened to pass by and scared off the assailants."

Of course they fled—he had arranged the whole thing himself. How could they not leave when he showed up?

A slight smile appeared on Wang Shenai’s lips. "That still shows your capability. I hear you also bear the surname Liu?"

Liu Bobo’s previously settled nerves inexplicably tightened again. Though the Empress was several years younger than him and carried no battlefield aura, something about that word "also" sent an unexpected chill down his spine.

Steadying himself, he replied, "My ancestors had Xiongnu blood. In the past, the Xiongnu admired Han culture, and many adopted the surname Liu, passing it down through generations."

"I see." Wang Shenai nodded.

The soldier beside her pointed to another entry in the register, prompting her to suddenly turn to Sun En. "And you—you also happen to be surnamed Liu?"

Sun En cursed inwardly. Of course he couldn’t use his real name, "Sun En," so he’d simply grabbed a usable identity. He replied, "This humble one is fortunate to be the adopted son of the twenty-first-generation descendant of Liu Jiao, the Prince of Chu and younger brother of Emperor Gaozu of Han. Hence, the surname Liu."

"..." Wang Shenai struggled to keep a straight face, barely suppressing a laugh at his words.

This family claim sounded even more dubious than the oft-heard "descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan Jing." Yet he actually said it.

But then again, this was thanks to the celestial omens, which had spoken of a "Grand General Liu." Though Liu Laozhi and Liu Yu were already leading troops abroad, many among the populace still clung to dreams of sudden advancement.

Of the five or six thousand applicants for this recruitment, a full two thousand bore the surname Liu!

Checking household records would reveal that most had changed their names.

But with poor record-keeping in refugee settlements and unregistered households, some truly couldn’t be verified.

How could the court prove they weren’t really named Liu?

Take this "Liu En" here—he claimed to have proof of his background, but parts were vague. Even if he declared himself a twenty-third-generation descendant, no one could immediately disprove it.

Well, let them all be Lius then. It wasn’t as if it mattered.

Wang Shenai decided not to press further and asked, "Earlier, I heard you shout that phrase. What were you thinking?"

Sun En replied, "Since this recruitment is for Her Majesty the Empress, we're here to serve her. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"No, of course not."

That was exactly the attitude she wanted! No wonder she’d thought these two showed such insight.

More accurately, she had spotted them at once among the crowd—standing out like cranes among chickens, clearly in a league of their own.

Especially this "Liu Bo," who claimed Xiongnu heritage. His physique wasn’t just from carrying firewood—it suggested someone skilled in horseback archery. Putting him next to Liu Yu wouldn’t seem out of place at all.

This man’s background was anything but simple!

Wang Shenai changed the subject. "Such insight is rare. Since neither of you seems lacking in strength, answer me this."

Before she could finish, Sun En instinctively glanced at Liu Bobo, mentally gauging how many rounds he could last if the Empress ordered them to fight for the position.

But before he could figure it out, Wang Shenai said, "If you were to train three to five hundred men into an elite force, how would you do it?"

She pointed at Liu Bobo. "You first."

Liu Bobo answered without hesitation. "For an elite force, each should be worth ten men. Out of three to five hundred, at most fifty would qualify. First, assess their strengths, select the best, and assign the rest to roles like skirmishing, flank defense, supply escort, or record-keeping. Build strength through combat, making the strong stronger..."

"That sounds like the northern way of training troops," Wang Shenai remarked with a smile. "But your approach—honing the elite in battle—isn’t wrong. And you?"

Sun En gulped, not daring to admit he’d never actually commanded troops before.

He could tell, though—that Xiongnu-blooded kid seemed like he really had commanded soldiers. His words carried the air of someone for whom killing was trivial. Thank goodness he’d caught onto the guy’s secret earlier, or they might have brawled on the spot.

Seeing Wang Shenai’s expectant gaze, Sun En hurriedly replied, "First, establish a rallying cry. Before they become elite, ensure they’ll never betray. For example—'Loyalty to Her Majesty the Empress!'"

That was how they did it in proselytizing—shout the slogan first, draw people in, and figure out the rest later.

Like the Taiping Taoists’ old cry: "The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise. In the year of Jiazi, the world will rejoice!"

Wang Shenai sighed. "Stop flattering me and get to the point."

Sun En hesitated, then suddenly found his flow. "Next, the commander leading this force must have the authority to enforce discipline, ensuring absolute obedience."

—Like how he and his uncle often performed "miracles" to awe their followers into submission.

"Then, set incremental goals for the soldiers. As they train, make them understand their treatment surpasses others’, so they’ll strive harder."

—The Celestial Masters had to stand out among rival Taoist sects, Buddhists, and coastal cults. The key was "eliminating dissenters"—not necessarily killing, but making believers confident through comparison.

The same logic should apply to leading troops.

His uncle had given him the courtesy name "Lingxiu" (Spiritually Outstanding)—and it fit perfectly.

He was a genius at drawing parallels!

Liu Bobo couldn’t help scoffing. "You’re just making them blindly follow you. But war isn’t a street brawl—you can’t just throw numbers at it!"

The commander was so focused on establishing spiritual beliefs that he led his troops in the wrong direction. Who could his men complain to? A poorly organized force, when surrounded by the enemy, faces the most dire straits—even escape becomes impossible.

Sun En disliked this remark: "Your method has flaws too. If you truly sustain war through war, even the lowest-ranking soldiers get their share of loot—that’s fine. But if you keep losing battles, and the best resources remain concentrated among those fifty elites, do you think the rest won’t revolt?"

Liu Bobo’s eyebrow twitched: "I didn’t say those were my only rules for disciplining troops!"

"You—"

"Enough!" Wang Shenai cut in sharply, interrupting their argument. "No more arguing here."

She turned to the recruitment candidates and made her decision: "Once we’ve picked these two thousand, you’ll each command two hundred. I’ll give you..."

Her gaze flickered briefly to the sky, a flicker of concern in her eyes, though her tone betrayed nothing. "Ten days to train them. After that, we’ll see who performs best on the training grounds!"

That was that.

Winning or losing didn’t matter—what truly counted was identifying capable talent.

Liu Bobo and Sun En ceased glaring at each other and bowed in unison: "As Her Majesty decrees."

Wang Shenai handed the roster back to a nearby soldier and added, "Feed those who didn’t make the cut today before they leave. But if disputes arise during the selection, handle them harshly."

The two men straightened immediately.

The Empress wasn’t just talking to the recruits—they were a pointed reminder to them as well...

This time, they were fortunate. Their way with words and bearing stood out, so they got a pass.

Next time, they might not get off so lightly.

With this in mind, Liu Bobo was the first to clasp his hands toward Sun En. "My apologies for earlier."

Naturally good-looking and good at hiding his grudges behind a charming facade, he now seemed every bit the poised commander, his old "charms" coming back.

Backing down like that, it was hard to stay mad.

Sun En forced a smile. "It’s all good..."

He wasn’t so sure anymore whether today’s events were a blessing or a curse.

And he still didn’t know if infiltrating the palace would lead him to Emperor Yong'an.

His uncle, Sun Tai, was still waiting on that island!

Another problem loomed.

If that sky display showed up again soon and exposed Emperor Yong'an’s identity, his two hundred troops wouldn’t cut it to stage a rescue...

...

Too deep in his own head, he failed to notice someone watching him from afar before approaching Wang Shenai.

Wang Shenai turned at the sound of footsteps and greeted the newcomer warmly. "Madam Xie, to what do I owe the visit?"

"You invited me to the palace as an advisor. I’d be a lousy advisor if I just sat around," Xie Daoyun replied gently.

Her legs were still strong, and having just arrived in Jiankang, she was eager to observe and learn—no way she’d skip the show.

Earlier, Wang Shenai had joked that with Xie Yan leading troops abroad, his elder sister ought to secure a place at court. Joke or not, she could still give good advice.

As she joined Wang Shenai, Xie Daoyun glanced back at Sun En, now escorted away by soldiers, and remarked, "I’ve never met him before, but he moves and looks like someone I knew."

"An acquaintance?"

Xie Daoyun nodded. "Sun Tai, leader of the Celestial Masters in Qiantang."

She trusted her own judgment, and her statement was firm.

Wang Shenai believed her.

"Sun Tai... Sun En... Liu En." It clicked. "So it’s him! No wonder his 'training' felt more like brainwashing than military drills. He actually infiltrated the palace."

Talk about irony!

Xie Daoyun agreed. "Likely here for Emperor Yong'an. Based on my past dealings with the Celestial Masters, normally, I’d say ditch a guy like that. But desperate times—his background may be unusual, but he could still prove useful."

Wang Shenai smiled. "Isn’t that the point of bending the rules?"

"Breaking conventions..." Xie Daoyun pondered briefly, then laughed brightly. "Well said!"

Those words applied not just to Sun En—she, too, was part of this unconventional approach.

This was no average queen!

Wang Shenai strolled leisurely and added, "Madam Xie, you were too far back before and might not have heard the other man’s words. I’m guessing he’s not just some brute—his origins are remarkable. Remember how that sky thing mentioned a child from the Xiongnu Tiefu tribe? A guy who’d climb fast on looks and smarts, only to kill his father-in-law after gaining power, grabbing power and starting his own kingdom?"

"I remember." Xie Daoyun frowned slightly. "You suspect—?"

"Nobody under that sky display knows who he is, but not to the northern tribes—especially the Qin general who took him in. If things went south up north, might he flee south?"

Perhaps only someone like him would exploit Yu Kai’s assassination, targeting the isolated Wang Xun—securing his own advancement while giving Wang Shenai an opportunity to act.

And with Wang Xun’s letter of recommendation, he could legitimize his command.

Now there’s a player.

"Regardless of whether he is or isn’t that person, his presence is useful. He’ll help test whether the other ‘Liu’ is truly Sun En."

"Speaking of the surname Liu," Xie Daoyun cautioned, "haven’t there been rather too many Liu generals emerging lately, all serving under you? The celestial screen’s words shouldn’t be taken as gospel. A name doesn’t make a general—going by last names is rather arbitrary."

Wang Shenai laughed in self-defense. "It’s not as if I sought them out deliberately."

All she’d done was promote Liu Yu upon hearing his name. The others had appeared before her through sheer happenstance.

If the gods dumped these "General Lius" in her path, fine.

"And even if some see me as a stepping stone, waiting for Yong'an’s arrival—what of it?"

For a second, Xie Daoyun swore she saw something blazing in the other woman’s eyes.

Wang Shenai said, "Aren’t they my stepping stones as well? At least until Yong'an appears, they’ll help me grab power quick—and their victories will be credited to me!"

For instance...

Before the selection of the Empress’s Personal Guard had even concluded, news of Liu Laozhi’s triumphant campaign had already reached Jiankang.

The expedition had set out at dusk, so the clueless crowds thought it was just another drill—hardly noticing the shift.

But the news of Liu Laozhi's victory ignited a wave of debate in Jiankang.

Suddenly, it injected a surge of heat into the autumn chill.

"Wang Gong? Which Wang Gong?"

"Didn’t the heavenly scroll mention him? The one who claimed to be loyal to the emperor and the state, led troops to attack Jiankang, but was persuaded to retreat with just a few words. And this is what he calls loyalty?"

"Who knows if he was truly loyal or just waiting for Sima Daozi to mess up the court so he could justify his rebellion!"

"Having such a man in command of the military is nothing short of a disaster!"

"...Exactly! What kind of life do we commoners lead under Sima Daozi’s rule? He doesn’t care. Whether his soldiers die because of his indecisiveness? He doesn’t care either!"

"No wonder Her Majesty the Empress sent General Liu to suppress him and reclaim military authority."

At least the empress knows how much grain soldiers need, understands the flaws in the collective punishment system, and recognizes who is truly fit to lead troops.

Still, there were inevitably voices of skepticism.

"The empress suppressing Wang Gong is merely another power play among the elites. How does that help folks like us? It’s not like our taxes have been reduced."

"If you ask me, we should wait for Emperor Yong'an to crack down on the aristocratic families."

Even though the heavenly scroll hasn’t yet revealed how he pacified the chaos or governed the ruined livelihoods, the mere hint of "putting the common folk first" was enough to stir longing in their hearts.

But with the empress holding the reins of power, securing military control, and stabilizing the court, would Emperor Yong'an even have a chance to rise?

Could he have already met the same fate as Chu Xiuzhi—secretly assassinated by the powerful aristocratic families...

"Keep your voice down! If Her Majesty learns from the heavenly scroll and gradually implements reforms, then—"

At least there’s hope.

But if someone openly opposes the court and defies imperial authority, only to be swiftly executed, then all hope is truly lost.

The troublemaker, shushed into submission, still grumbled, "I’m not wrong. These people are just playing political games. Military authority was taken back from Wang Gong, but he was still an official. What’s the difference between being a general and a local governor?"

"Don’t talk nonsense! Didn’t you hear the battle report? Wang Gong was a traitor, executed on the spot. General Liu is returning victorious, bringing his head back to Jiankang to show the court’s new era of real governance!"

"...Why are you grabbing me? If you don’t believe it, go listen for yourself!"

The troublemaker gritted his teeth. "I was just asking—where is the court receiving the returning army?"

"The east gate."

"Hey—not today! Don’t run so fast!"

Of course not today!

Post-war transitions and cleanup were way more complicated than the surprise attack itself.

Three days after Liu Laozhi’s battle report reached Jiankang, the army finally began its formal return. Sun Wuzhong was left to command a contingent, merging with the original garrison at Jingkou, while Liu Laozhi and Liu Yu led the remaining troops, escorting Wang Gong’s former subordinates and his corpse back to Jiankang.

Among the returning ranks, Liu Yu’s hands still shook slightly on the reins.

He had not failed the empress’s trust. Seizing this rare opportunity to lead troops, he had made his mark and now returned with confidence to report his achievements.

After years of obscurity in the military, his sudden rise to fame was absolutely thrilling.

Yet he couldn’t help but think—if given another chance, whether in the surprise attack on Wang Gong’s camp or the subsequent mop-up, he could have done even better.

Just then, Liu Laozhi’s voice interrupted his thoughts: "What’s on your mind?"

Liu Yu replied, "I was thinking about warships. Over the years, the design of naval battering rams has been repeatedly modified, making them increasingly effective in naval combat. But limiting them to close-range ship suppression feels restrictive. I wonder if they could be adapted for other uses."

Liu Laozhi laughed. "I thought you were thinking about his promotion awaiting you in Jiankang."

This guy was way too straight-laced.

His answer made Liu Laozhi feel that his earlier jealousy had been misplaced.

Raising his voice, he announced, "Jiankang lies ahead!"

Whether it was the pride of the army’s victorious homecoming or the crisp autumn air, the distant city of Jiankang seemed to shed its weathered facade, bathed in golden light.

Amid this brilliance, a row of ornate canopies fluttered in the breeze, signaling the extraordinary status of those awaiting the army.

Liu Laozhi’s smile vanished, replaced by astonishment. "Her Majesty the Empress?"

The empress herself had come out of the city to greet them.

The highest honor a general could receive was for the emperor to lead the officials out of the city and descend the steps to welcome them. But in the current court, the emperor was mentally incapacitated and unfit to rule—merely a symbol of the Sima clan’s imperial authority—while the empress called the shots.

The empress’s presence was every bit as significant as the emperor's.

It was also a declaration—a statement of whose command had secured this victory and whom these troops truly served.

Their real commander was none other than Her Majesty the Empress.

She stood atop the platform beneath the canopies, watching the procession approach.

The army soon halted, with Liu Laozhi, Liu Yu, Yu Hong, and others leading their Personal Guards forward. Among them was Wang Gong’s crudely prepared remains, placed in a simple coffin—hardly befitting a man who had once been a leading figure of the aristocratic families.

The onlooking citizens of Jiankang held their breath, witnessing the empress—a variable—delivering a decisive win of profound significance.

Though she had worn the crown for only a short time, she already commanded a level of respect few could match.

Yet at that very moment, the solemn ceremony between ruler and subjects was shattered by the sudden sound of galloping hooves in the distance.

What was happening?

Dust swirled as a fast horse carrying a messenger came into view.

Those with keen observers immediately noticed the small yellow flag at the messenger’s waist—marking the priority battlefield report he carried.

"Report—!"

The loud cry seemed to stop Liu Laozhi and the others dead in their tracks. The messenger rushed ahead, dismounted, and knelt before the empress, handing over the critical message to Wang Shenai.

Watching this, court officials anxiously asked, "What’s happened?"

Wang Shenai quickly skimmed the report, her tone stern. "Word from Liyang: General Xie went rogue, attacked Huan Xuan, and was captured."

Gasps of shock and hushed murmurs rippled through the gathered officials.

Xie Yan, captured? How'd it happen so fast?

"Huan Xuan has sent word to Liyang, calling for talks with the court. All officials are to assemble at once for discussion!"