Chapter 223: Turmoil

Qi Zhuyin's thoughts raced in an instant. She weighed the pros and cons of each side, needing to find the most suitable ally for Qidong in this game. The outcome was crucial for Qidong; it could even determine how long Qi Zhuyin would remain as the Commander-in-Chief.

Resolute, Qi Zhuyin spoke, "I have yet to discuss in detail with the officials from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, so I am not fully aware of the grain reserves in other regions. However, last year, the four districts of Qidong had a decent harvest. If we mobilize troops, combined with other granaries, we might barely manage to sustain for two months."

"The role of a general is yours, so you understand better than I do that advancing deep into the desert would take at least a month," the Empress Dowager spoke softly. "It's already March, and delaying the spring plowing in those four districts will affect the autumn harvest in two months' time. Zhuyin, I'm not unwilling to march out, but it's simply not feasible."

Seemingly stumped, silence fell upon the Mingli Hall once more.

The Empress Dowager slowly rose and looked at the officials assembled, speaking earnestly, "If the granaries of the Great Zhou were full, I would fight this battle even if Zhuyin didn't request it. But the court is currently financially strained, unable to afford it. Moreover, food is the foundation of the people. Waging this war would leave the inhabitants of three regions hungry – isn't that prioritizing wrongly? Boran, you've reviewed the reports from the Ministry of Revenue at the start of the year and are well-versed in the conditions across the land."

In the hall, how could the ministers directly oppose her? With the Empress Dowager so composed, they were forced to suggest the eight cities themselves. Kong Qiu held his scroll, standing by with an expressionless face.

After a while, Kong Qiu said, "Mobilizing troops from Qidong is no trivial matter. It should be approached with a concrete plan. As the new Commander-in-Chief, since you haven't discussed it thoroughly with the cabinet, perhaps we should decide after our conversation tonight."

Kong Qiu's suggestion was a way to buy time. He neither followed the Empress Dowager's intention nor made a decision for Xue Xiuzhuo. He had copied the account books compiled by Liang Caimo, and it would be a pity to let Dancheng slip away now.

As the assembly dispersed, Feng Quan went ahead to drape a cloak over Li Jianting's shoulders. Li Jianting lagged behind, waiting for Kong Qiu. Kong Qiu raised his arm to guide Li Jianting, leading the Crown Prince down the steps and onto the empty courtyard.

"Your Highness is being straightforward today," Kong Qiu said. "The proposal to consolidate the granaries across the land is indeed a solution."

Li Jianting pursed his lips slightly, then smiled at Kong Qiu. "Prime Minister Yuan Fu and I discussed this earlier in the year, and I dare not forget. But it seems now that gathering enough provisions for the army is too difficult a task."

Daylight had arrived, and puddles on the ground reflected the blue sky as the eaves concealed the last remnants of twilight.

Li Jianting took a few steps and said, "Lord Chongshen is quite remarkable. I've heard he's swift and accurate with mental arithmetic, never making mistakes with accounts. Since the case of Dan City's land taxes has been temporarily delayed, why doesn't Prime Minister Yuan ask him to calculate the surplus grain in the other regions? If three cities aren't enough, there are still eight more. Together, we can make it work."

Kong Qiu smiled bitterly. "Currently, we're struggling with how to request for grain from the eight cities when we need to requisition military supplies through Juexi..."

Kong Qiu suddenly paused and looked intently at Li Jianting.

Li Jianting had suggested that the cabinet do the calculation, not an investigation. The nuance between these two verbs was vast. The former could have the cabinet approach Liang Cui Shan to compute the surplus grain in the eight cities without waiting for the Empress Dowager's approval. Since there were issues with Dan City's accounts and Pan Lin was still imprisoned, the Ministry of Finance should be recomputing the surplus grain in the eight cities anyway – it was their duty.

The red mole between Li Jianting's brows was striking but did not detract from her regal presence. She seemed to have mentioned it offhandedly and appeared somewhat unsure under Kong Qiu's scrutiny.

* * *

As Qi Zhuyin exited the palace gates, she saw Xue Xiuzhuo standing not far away. She shrugged off the cloak on her shoulders and tossed it to Qi Wei, who had come to greet her. Gesturing ahead, she indicated they should talk while walking.

"I just heard from Minister Chen that you provided the military provisions for this campaign," Qi Zhuyin said. "Thank you very much."

Qi Zhuyin's gratitude was not as simple as it sounded. Xue Xiuzhuo picked up on the underlying meaning and walked alongside her for a while. "General Qingzhu is using his troops against the Qingshu Tribe to restrain A'muer. The northern battles are becoming intense, so this war must be fought."

Avoiding the topic of her own military supplies, Qi Zhuyin replied, "Before I arrived in the capital, I heard that the military grain was to be requisitioned from Juexi. I assume Jiang Qingshan would object? You also have your difficulties."

The early morning chill in Qu Du had lessened, and the street vendors were bustling with activity. Both of them wore official robes, and no one dared to approach them. Ordinary citizens kept their distance. As they passed by, people whispered about Qi Zhuyin.

The rumored fierce and untamed Qi Zhuyin was merely tall. She wasn't muscular or imposing, but she carried herself with composure, able to withstand all the scrutiny and speculation.

"But you're right; this war should be fought," Qi Zhuyin said, her five-beaded tassel swaying in the breeze. Her hair, slightly disheveled, brushed against her cheek. She continued, "Li Bei has rebelled, but its iron cavalry remains the steel wall in the northeastern corner of Qu Du. The Li Bei King fell in battle, and there has been no news of victory in this year's conflict. It's indeed a hard-fought war. You, being in Qu Du and distant from the border, may only have a superficial understanding of the Twelve Tribes of Bi Sha. Military reports alone cannot convey A'muer's ambition. Don't always think that they can't really invade."

Qu Du was the capital of the Son of Heaven, where the prosperity of the Great Zhou Empire had come to rest. Unlike the rugged frontier, it had never known the edge of a blade. Seven years had passed since the defeat at Zhongbo, but the panic of that time could no longer be found in Qu Du. The fear of the Bi Sha cavalry had long faded here.

"A'muer now commands six tribes. In Gedale, he's following the Great Zhou's example of military colonization. If Qidong doesn't launch an attack this year, Qu Du can no longer remain detached. I'll be straightforward. My soldiers can't outrun the Bi Sha cavalry. If Li Bei falls, Sunset City won't hold out, and even if the Bi Sha cavalry rode into Qu Du, I wouldn't be able to reach you in time."

The wind picked up slightly, and Qi Zhuyin stopped, turning to face Xue Xiuzhuo. Behind her stood majestic red walls, with tiered eaves soaring towards the clear sky. There wasn't even a cloud above her head, leaving Qu Du exposed in the morning light.

"I must send my troops," Qi Zhuyin said, her eyes devoid of excitement.

Qidong seldom involved himself in the politics of Qidu. Qi Shiyu was astute, adept at choosing the most opportune moments to navigate relationships between Qidong and Libei, as well as maintaining amicable ties with the noble families. However, Qi Zhuyin was not as patient. Unlike Qi Shiyu, she was willing to risk being dismissed and investigated by Qidu for launching an attack on Qingshu Tribe, for she understood that military situations demanded more urgency than political ones.

The Empress Dowager's scheme to force Xue Xiuzhuo to comply was ingeniously crafted. However, her insistence on Qi Zhuyin's marriage to Fei Shi indicated that she had no intention of granting Qi Zhuyin any noble title and might even be contemplating diluting his military authority.

Perhaps there are indeed those more skilled in combat than Qi Zhuyin, yet at this very moment, when the fate of the Northern and Southern battlefields hangs in the balance, she will not relinquish command of the Qidong forces to anyone save herself. Now that the Empress Dowager has entertained thoughts of displacing her, she will by no means resign herself to passive acceptance of her demise.

"As long as my memorial for dispatching troops is approved with the imperial seal before I leave, and the military orders are issued by the Ministry of War," Qi Zhuyin suddenly smiled, "It won't be difficult to hold back your military rations. I won't forcefully requisition the grain from Juexi."

Xue Xiuzhuo deftly brushes aside the swaying willow branches and says, "Consider it done."

* * *

The fragrance of incense within the palace chamber was overpowering, causing Hua Xiangyi to feel nauseous after a while. Aunt Liu Xiang hurriedly instructed the servants to open all the windows before supporting Hua Xiangyi to sit on a couch by the window. She said earnestly, "Miss Third has only been gone for half a year, but she looks much thinner. Living in Qidong, which borders the sandy lands, must have been tough on her."

Hua Xiangyi held onto her handkerchief and replied, "It's you who has lost weight, Aunt." She turned her gaze to see the small Buddhist shrine in the inner room.

Aunt Liu Xiang continued, "Empress Dowager worries about Miss Third every day. She prays for your well-being before the Buddha statue. Last time when she caught a cold at night, she wanted to see you. Even taking medicine didn't help; she just had me read Miss Third's letters aloud with the lamp lit."

As they spoke, a eunuch called out from outside the chamber. Hua Xiangyi went out to greet the Empress Dowager, who refused her formal bow. Instead, she held Hua Xiangyi's hand tightly, standing by the door to inspect her closely. "Why are you so thin? Are you not used to the food at home? I'll choose a few chefs for you, from our own city of Di, to accompany you when you leave. Empress Dowager's voice trembled with emotion, a glimmer of tears appearing in her eyes as she stroked Hua Xiangyi's hair. "My dear child, are you doing alright?"

Hua Xiangyi took the Empress Dowager's hand in return and, with a slight sob, said, "I miss you, Aunt."

The Empress Dowager led her inside, her heart breaking at Hua Xiangyi's words. She didn't let Hua Xiangyi sit on the side but next to her, saying, "Is Qi Shiyu good to you? Is Qi Zhuyin good to you? I've heard that his concubines aren't well-behaved. If anyone dares to offend you, have your servants bind them and send them away. I'll support you."

Hua Xiangyi's tears turned into a smile.

The Empress Dowager hugged her like a child and said, "In the past, I thought that you could still exchange letters after marriage. Now I know how it feels to be so far apart."

The Empress Dowager had intended to choose the best husband for Hua Xiangyi, but she ended up marrying Qi Shiyu. Although Qi Shiyu was a great hero, he was old, and who knew he would suffer a stroke? Regretting her decision, she wished she could give Hua Xiangyi everything.

Hua Xiangyi leaned against the Empress Dowager. After they finished their conversation, she asked, "How are you, Aunt?"

"The front hall is in chaos. I can't eat or sleep well," the Empress Dowager said, pausing briefly before adding self-deprecatingly, "I suppose age has caught up with me, and my energy isn't what it used to be."

Hua Xiangyi gently raised herself and said softly, "Why do you need to worry so much, Aunt? The state affairs have Yuan Fu's assistance, and I've heard that the heir is studious."

The Empress Dowager had once supported Emperor Xiande, and now she could assist the heir. In Hua Xiangyi's view, Li Jianting was more reliable than the previous two. Though she was in Qidong, she kept herself informed of the major events in Qudu.

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply. Recalling Li Jianting's words in the Mingli Hall just now, she became even more cautious about the heir, saying, "You misunderstand. That heir isn't easy to deal with. She's just a lowly girl from outside, influenced by some scoundrels to challenge me."

Hua Xiangyi fell silent for a moment before she said, "Since I married into Qidong, I've gained some understanding of Biansha and Zhongbo. Aunt, Shen Zechuan has become a formidable force in Zhongbo, but at heart, he's not a bad person. The recovery of Duanzhou and the redistribution of land were both good deeds... Last year, when I asked Zhaoyue about the situation in Dancheng, she said even Pan Yi was uncertain, as too many people had starved to death. They wanted to help the refugees, but with no grain in the granaries, they were powerless."

The Empress Dowager gradually closed her eyes, listened for a while, and then said, "I know you have a kind heart, but now is a decisive moment." She opened her eyes again, looking at Hua Xiangyi. "Living in the palace, away from Dailing, there are things you don't know. During the Xiande era, when our family was seized, I was trapped in the harem. Even the eunuchs in the inner court dared to extort money from my palace. If not for Helianhou's intervention, many would have taken advantage of us. Look at that Xue family. Their heir is incompetent and has squandered their fortune; they're treated like commoners. And then there's Xue Yanqing, the worst of the worst. He wants to calculate the taxes on the fields in Dancheng just to use us as stepping stones for the Crown Prince. If he really investigates, how many of the Eight Great Cities would be able to escape unscathed?"

The Empress Dowager straightened up.

"I have nothing left without my family's influence. What can I compete with them for? If there are issues with the land taxes, I will deal with them myself in due time. Others have no right to intervene. As for Shen Zechuan, he's in cahoots with Xiao Chiye. I see clearly what they're planning. You think he's looking at the ground beneath his feet, but he's fixated on the Ninefold Palace. These traitors only do things to gain fame, and Shen Wei is still holding him back!"

Hua Xiangyi's words were subtle, but seeing the rise and fall of the Empress Dowager's chest, she knew that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind and would never coexist with the Crown Prince. Hesitating to speak further, she suddenly heard the pitter-patter of raindrops outside, indicating a sudden downpour in the midst of a sunny day.