Chapter 44 Who Knows Guanzhong Better Than Us?

Chapter 44: Who Knows Guanzhong Better Than Us?

Yao Xing’s decision was by no means made in a fit of pique.

The Celestial Screen had indeed called his vision narrow, but it hadn’t truly broken his spirit or caused him to lose his composure.

The courtiers present in the hall, upon hearing Yao Xing’s words, also began to ponder the feasibility of his proposed action.

Was it possible?

Absolutely!

Yong'an had just ascended the throne; the Sima clan’s influence within her borders had yet to be fully eradicated. She still needed time to stabilize the court. Huan Xuan had only recently surrendered, and full control over the southern armies had not yet consolidated in her hands.

This meant that her current situation was entirely different from the one depicted by the Celestial Screen!

Back then, she could have dispatched troops without hesitation—but now, that might not be the case.

The vast distance between Luoyang and Jiankang was an undeniable fact. Being prematurely drawn into the Luoyang conflict would be akin to pulling up seedlings to hasten their growth—a counterproductive endeavor!

But if this emperor, so adept at discerning priorities and understanding the situation, knew she shouldn’t send troops to reinforce the precarious defense of Luoyang, then the backlash she would face afterward would be as staggering as the Celestial Screen’s earlier high praise for her. The common people wouldn’t grasp the nuances of right or wrong; they would only perceive that Yong'an was not as divinely extraordinary as she seemed.

"Left Vice-Director of the Secretariat, you are correct—the situation is not so dire." Yao Xing slowly let his smile fade, once again resembling the benevolent and steady ruler he had been before the Celestial Screen’s appearance. Yet, to those familiar with him, his current decision carried an undeniable, desperate resolve. "I believe Tuoba Gui also understands that if we allow the situation to continue developing in Yong'an’s favor, neither he nor I will ever have another chance to recover. Don’t forget, Yong'an is not the Heavenly King of Qin, who showed such magnanimity toward foreign tribes."

The Qiang had descended from the Longxi highlands, and the Tuoba Xianbei had moved south from the grasslands. Who among them wished to be driven from the fertile lands of the Central Plains? Unthinkable!

"The developments in Shu, too, must differ from what the Celestial Screen described, no? What do you think Qiao Zong will choose?"

The Celestial Screen had stated that when conflict arose between Yao Xing and Tuoba Gui, it would become impossible for Yao Xing to continue supporting Shu, thereby giving Yong'an an opportunity to invade.

But let’s not forget—if the battle report in his hands was accurate, Qiao Zong’s establishment of a state wasn’t merely because he had to eliminate the governor loyal to the Jin Dynasty and was unwilling to wage war against Yong'an. It was also because everyone, from the soldiers here to Qiao Zong himself, the Prince of Chengdu, desired only to maintain Shu’s independent status.

In that case, he surely wouldn’t mind joining forces with them to impose certain restrictions on Yong'an.

Yin Wei, Left Vice-Director of the Secretariat, bowed deeply. "Your Majesty is sagacious. You have not lost the people's support, nor the army's loyalty. There is still an opportunity for you to contend with the other powers."

To surrender now and submit to Yong'an would truly disappoint everyone in this hall!

...

Almost simultaneously, in the north, Tuoba Gui also gazed at the Celestial Screen, a flicker of dark light passing through his deeply set eyes.

The Celestial Screen had stated that both he and Yong'an handled the priorities of state-to-state relations with great skill. This was undoubtedly praise for his strategic vision—but he also hadn’t forgotten that early on, the Celestial Screen had already mentioned one thing: that he would die at the hands of his own son, leaving Emperor Yong'an to lament during the Northern Campaign that she never had the chance to face him in battle.

As for Yao Xing, it was even more amusing. Because of his absurdly narrow vision, he hadn’t even been listed as Yong'an’s opponent in the initial stages.

The only proof that his strength was not to be underestimated was the Celestial Screen’s mention that Yong'an personally took command at the front during the campaign to seize Guanzhong.

But since the Celestial Screen had directly labeled Yong'an’s military prowess as "average," many would likely assume that her presence at the front held far more political significance than military value.

Yet Tuoba Gui hadn’t missed the Celestial Screen’s description of Yao Xing’s emergency measures.

Compared to Yao Chang’s madness, Yao Xing’s governance skills were far more competent.

"What do you think?" Tuoba Gui asked Cui Hao.

Cui Hao pondered for a moment before replying, "The Celestial Screen mentioned a marital alliance..."

"That’s something that hasn’t happened yet. I don’t care about it," Tuoba Gui answered decisively.

Cui Hao smiled. "Then I suggest—you ally with Yao Xing as soon as possible."

Before the Celestial Screen restarted, they, ruler and subject, had been discussing how Tuoba Gui wasn’t yet in a position to establish his capital at the border city of Ye, because his resources couldn’t support crossing the Yellow River. But if they stood by and watched Yong'an continue to develop, allowing her to grow stronger with the Mandate of Heaven and the people's support delivered by the Celestial Screen, that was absolutely not what Tuoba Gui wanted to see.

If they couldn’t cross the Yellow River, could they disrupt Yong'an’s plans in another way?

For example, letting Yao Xing take the lead while they provided support, setting a trap in Luoyang that Yong'an would have no choice but to step into.

Cui Hao continued, "As long as Yao Xing isn’t a fool—if he were to defect to Yong'an now and become some insignificant governor, he might even face reprisals later—he will certainly strike back. And coincidentally, we still have available forces to deploy."

One force remained at the Yellow River border, another headed toward Longcheng to continue hunting down remnants of the Murong clan, and a third followed Tuoba Gui triumphantly back to Pingcheng to prepare for his imperial ascension and await reinforcements from the north. His internal situation was far less constrained than Yong'an’s—he had plenty of room to spare a hand in support.

In fact, if the situation in Luoyang changed, sending aid from Pingcheng to Luoyang would be far easier than exchanging messages between Luoyang and Jiankang!

Tuoba Gui nodded. "Go to Guanzhong on my behalf."

Sending letters was too slow—better to have his promising new minister discuss matters with Yao Xing face to face.

The Celestial Screen had named the southern courtiers, ensuring they would come to Yong'an’s side early and have the chance to adapt to the chaos. Though he hadn’t yet heard Cui Hao’s name mentioned, the young man’s performance had earned him this opportunity to demonstrate his worth.

Originally, Tuoba Gui had wanted Cui Hao to quickly use his knowledge to establish the Northern Wei’s rituals and laws. But now that Cui Hong would take charge upon their return to Pingcheng, Cui Hao could afford to attend to other affairs for the time being.

Seeing Cui Hao standing momentarily stunned, Tuoba Gui repeated, "While you’re in Guanzhong, also assess Yao Xing for me—what kind of man is he?"

"...Understood!"

...

[Compared to Yao Xing, both Tuoba Gui and Yong'an were infinitely more clear-headed in managing state relations and military deployments, using opponents' strength against them...]

[Little needs to be said about Yong'an, but let’s touch briefly upon Tuoba Gui. During this period, every faction bordered many "enemies"—it wasn’t just Yao Xing’s Guanzhong facing such a situation. On Tuoba Gui’s side, aside from confronting the Jin Dynasty to the south and clashing frequently with the neighboring Qin state, there was also the tenaciously surviving Later Yan to the northeast, and a new power emerging from the northern grasslands at this time—the Rouran.]

[But Tuoba Gui never allowed himself to engage on multiple fronts.]

[For a long time, his diplomatic strategy was to exert pressure southward, attack Qin with one hand and Yan with the other, maintain vigilance in the north, and use internal conflicts among the Xianbei and Rouran tribes to delay the Rouran’s unification of the northern grasslands.]

[By the time the Rouran Khanate was established, Yan had already been nearly crushed by his forces. The reestablished Northern Yan could no longer be considered related to the Murong clan—it was founded by Han courtiers who had served the Murong, located in a remote region with weak national power, barely capable of self-defense.]

[So Tuoba Gui changed tactics again, diverting forces to launch a devastating attack on the Rouran in the north, even if it meant delaying the final destruction of Yan.]

[This decision was also correct. Up until the Northern Wei fell to the Great Ying’s northern campaign, the Rouran Khanate never presented any threat from the rear.]

[With Qin, he mainly employed strategies of deterrence and alliance. As Yong'an’s rise continued, he was acutely aware of who his real enemy was.]

[But sadly, he did not live to adjust his strategy further.]

Tuoba Gui gestured to Cui Hao, signaling him not to worry about anything else and to prepare for the embassy. Meanwhile, his own expression grew stern as he stared at the Celestial Screen.

It was as if he didn’t even need some premonition—he could already tell that the Celestial Screen was about to disclose the manner of his death!

But no matter how this revelation might affect him, it couldn’t possibly be more absurd than Yao Xing’s father, Yao Chang, the man who’d brought ruin upon his own son. Otherwise, the Celestial Screen would have mentioned it earlier instead of just obliquely referencing "bad habits."

At this thought, though Tuoba Gui tightened his fists imperceptibly, he didn’t let his heart rise to his throat. Instead, he was faintly amused to glance at the courtiers behind him, noticing some who seemed inclined to cover their ears but hesitated, fearing the gesture would be too obvious.

He snorted. "If you want to listen, then listen. Do you think I’d have your ears branded shut?"

The others relaxed slightly—until the Celestial Screen spoke again:

[Tuoba Gui’s early rise was closely tied to his maternal clan. But he was born to rule—even his ascension as king at sixteen reflected this. Consequently, his family ties were exceptionally weak.]

[Of course, we cannot entirely evaluate Tuoba Gui's actions from a later perspective or through the lens of Huaxia ethical codes. His conflicts with part of his mother's clan were also due to his youth—everyone believed they deserved greater power. But whether it was casually sending his brother as a hostage to the enemy without regard for his life or allowing his mother to die of worry and resentment, his cold detachment is evident.]

[This detachment played a crucial role in his decisive elimination of maternal clan influence and the complete consolidation of power in his hands. From the perspective of Northern Wei's development, Tuoba Gui's approach was not entirely wrong. However, after ascending as emperor and reflecting on his rise, this very temperament led him to make a peculiar decision.]

[He missed his mother's life-saving sacrifices but also believed such emotional bonds could easily empower the maternal clan, influencing the ruler and even potentially disrupting the succession from father to son if the mother favored younger siblings. Thus, he instituted a unique regulation—one Yong'an referred to as an 'inhumane practice'—called 'kill the mother when the son becomes noble.']

[He traced the origins of this custom to Emperor Xiaowu of Han, who designated Liu Fuling as crown prince while executing his mother, Lady Gouyi. But he overlooked one thing: Emperor Wu of Han's heir was still a child, whereas his own two sons were already in their teens when this rule was established.]

Lady Liu stared at the Celestial Screen in shock, her face deathly pale.

After Lady He fled Northern Wei, Tuoba Gui, to stabilize public support and ensure he still had an heir by his side, sent word from the battlefront to release her and Tuoba Si from house arrest.

But she never imagined that such a rule would lead to Tuoba Gui's death.

"A-Niang..." Tuoba Si stood beside her, his youthful face filled with worry.

"I..." Lady Liu took a deep breath, unsure whether to speak. Perhaps she should have fled with Lady He from the start.

But then she thought—perhaps the Celestial Screen's revelations might change Tuoba Gui's mind.

[Yong'an in Jiankang would surely be speechless hearing about Tuoba Gui's absurd behavior.]

[Tuoba Gui's empress bore no sons, so his eldest son by a concubine, Tuoba Si, was first named crown prince. That year, Tuoba Si was thirteen, and Lady Liu was executed under the 'kill the mother when the son becomes noble' rule. Raised on Sinicized education, including Confucian classics, and primarily by his mother due to Tuoba Gui's constant campaigns, how could Tuoba Si accept his father killing his mother?]

[After his mother's death, Tuoba Si wept incessantly, repeatedly drawing Tuoba Gui's reprimands. Unable to oppose his father, he made a choice: if he couldn't reconcile with him, he would renounce his inheritance—and fled.]

[After losing his first heir, Tuoba Gui not only failed to reflect on his actions but stubbornly persisted. Five years later, he named his youngest son, Tuoba Shao, as heir. This time, however, he did not swiftly execute Lady He but imprisoned her in the palace.]

[Lady He, seemingly frail and forcibly taken by Tuoba Gui, proved no less formidable than her nephew. She secretly contacted her son, Tuoba Shao. Tuoba Gui never imagined this mother-son pair would defy his tyranny so boldly. Tuoba Shao led armed troops into Tuoba Gui's bedchamber, Tian'an Hall, killing his father and rescuing his mother.]

Tuoba Gui clenched his fist until his nails dug painfully into his palm.

"So it was her..."

Even as the Celestial Screen spoke, he still didn't consider 'kill the mother when the son becomes noble' a mistake. As stated, Northern Wei's survival demanded it—not merely to shed past influences.

Had he not used Later Yan to eliminate his own brother back then, his maternal clan could have rallied behind another figure, making suppression far harder.

He wasn't wrong!

He was simply stunned by Lady He and her son's rebellion. Yet recalling her earlier escape attempt, her courage and ability to act matched the Celestial Screen's account perfectly.

[Sadly, though Lady He and her son assassinated the emperor, they did not emerge victorious.]

[To Lady He, Tuoba Gui was a tyrant who happened to be her nephew, seeking her life. But to Northern Wei, he remained the enlightened ruler who strengthened the tribe and expanded the realm. Without him, Northern Wei would never have thrived. Unless Tuoba Shao had already displayed exceptional talent—]

"Otherwise, their fate was sealed."

He Song opened her mouth but no sound came out, silently acknowledging the truth.

The Celestial Screen's revelation clarified Tuoba Gui's premature death—and her own earlier confusion about his murder by his son.

Yet this was no salvation for her.

Or rather, under Tuoba Gui's rule, there had never been a path to survival.

This only deepened her gratitude for fleeing south.

And even more so for presenting herself to Emperor Yong'an not as Tuoba Gui's consort but as a skilled archer, earning her place as an official.

Her dragon-following merit that day secured her further advancement.

Now, hearing the Celestial Screen, it felt like another lifetime—as if the 'Lady He' mentioned wasn't her.

She had shed the title Lady He - now she was simply He Song.

Even as the voice continued: [To Northern Wei, they were unforgivable traitors.]

[Moreover, Northern records describe Tuoba Shao as inherently cruel—a child who dissected a living person to examine their organs at nine. Whether this was history written by victors is unclear, but Northern Wei's fierce warrior culture makes it plausible. One thing is certain: he was no gentle soul.]

[After thirty, Tuoba Gui began consuming 'cold-food mineral powder,' exacerbating his explosive temperament—including public killings.]

[Officials, fearing for their lives, inevitably reconsidered the next emperor.]

[Civil officials like Cui Hong and generals like Yu Lidi and Gong Sunlan opposed Tuoba Shao's ascension. Through their political machinations, the exiled Tuoba Si was recalled, executing Lady He and Tuoba Shao to become Northern Wei's second emperor.]

[With Tuoba Gui dead, Tuoba Si's fury had no outlet. He naturally inherited his father's policies—remaining far more astute in state-to-state relations than the soon-to-fall Yao Xing.]

[Though less iron-fisted than his father in this chaotic era, he was no incompetent ruler—just tragically matched against Yong'an.]

[But that comes later.]

[Let us return our focus to the Battle of Luoyang...]

[For Yao Xing, this was a humiliating loss of troops and commanders, demanding immediate introspection on governance and command. Though his vision remained unchanged, he did improve.]

[And for Jin Dynasty?]

[It triggered a chain reaction.]

[Emperor Sima Dewen in Jiankang rejoiced at the report: Liu Yu had outperformed Fu Hong. Despite Fu Hong—Former Qin's crown prince—being Huan Xuan's appointed commander, he contributed little.]

[This not only dashed Former Qin's dynastic restoration project but showcased Liu Yu's brilliance—absorbing Former Qin remnants, stifling their resurgence. Huan Xuan, who recommended Fu Hong, gained nothing.]

[Liu Yu's fame rose like a soaring magpie independently of Huan Xuan. To Sima Dewen, he was heaven-sent—a loyal minister and excellent general unearthed by the empress dowager!]

[If he could repel the glaring-like-a-tiger Yao Xing, what of Huan Xuan?]

[The empress dowager overseeing provisions in Jingzhou was a masterstroke!]

[Sima Dewen's optimism now seems delusional—but as a puppet emperor trying to revive a dead horse, it made sense. He lacked the ability to truly rule Eastern Jin.]

[Thus, he unquestioningly trusted Yong'an's express courier warning that Huan Xuan might sabotage Liu Yu's triumphant return—even arranging an 'accident.' She urged a secret edict to preemptively secure Liu Yu's official position.]

[This edict was easily enacted—since becoming empress dowager, the Heirloom Seal of the Realm had remained in her hands. Would Huan Xuan, controlling the court, suspect a mere letter? Unlikely.]

[Huan Xuan belatedly realized Yong'an was no ally—nor his 'Zhuge Liang'—but too late!]

[The emperor, backed by the Wang, Xie, and Yu clans, and other ministers, entangled him at court.]

[Meanwhile, his secret order to Jingzhou forces to eliminate Yong'an was outpaced by the emperor's decree. Armed with it, the empress dowager had her imperial procession head north to rendezvous with the victorious Liu Yu at Yingchuan.]

[With her guards rejoined, Yong'an didn't stop there—leveraging the decree to recruit troops between Yingchuan and Luoyang...]

[And at this very moment—]

"Quick, pack up!" Fu Hong, still brooding over their prospects, was suddenly hauled to his feet by Fu Yan.

Fu Hong: "...What?"

"What are you standing around for!" Fu Yan shot him a glance. "The heavens have made it clear—both Yao Xing and Tuo Bagui will see His Majesty as nothing but a thorn in their side. If I were them, I’d choose a target to attack, just to prove that fate can be changed!"

"Who cares about our awkward position? We have both manpower and the ability to lead troops, and now we’ve even been named by the heavens! Tell me, will we be eliminated, or will we be put in charge when it matters most!"

Among His Majesty’s subordinates, who could possibly know the Guanzhong region better than the two of us?

No one!

That was once our home…

We saw our father rally thirty thousand laborers from wealthy households to dig canals and irrigate fields, where we witnessed court officials united to build up their households, where we walked step by step—our home!