Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 75: Pre-war clouds
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
In the first half of 775, it was destined to be an eventful year. It was bound to be a far-reaching matter, with heart-stirring events following one another in a long-awaited history. Looking back and reflecting on the uncertainties of the Great Xia Dynasty and its royal family, these factors gathered together to form the imperial capital. The common people, in their simplicity, may not yet understand the intrigues of politicians. However, their survival instincts, honed by years of war, alerted them to the possibility that an era of great change was approaching, as ominous clouds filled the sky.
They gazed into the uncertain future, anxious about what lay ahead.
The Great Xia Dynasty had ruled for three years, yet its history spanned thousands of years. During that time, it experienced countless disasters—rebellion, invasion, division, national warfare, internal conflict, and mutiny. Despite these calamities, the imperial power of the Great Xia remained strong. To the outside world, this iron-clad regime was a symbol of solidity. They possessed a powerful national army, loyal Red Army soldiers, and the vast, arduous land of the Hongchuan mainland. Their ancestors had fought and bled to open up these lands, and after centuries of storms, no one could shake their claim. Whether the Mu He clan or the Bian Tang Dynasty, they all claimed to be the legitimate rulers of the Eastern Royal Family.
However, no one could have predicted that on the evening of May 20, in a secluded corner of the imperial capital, the desperate cries of 10,000 soldiers would shatter the millennia-old rule of the Great Xia Dynasty.
On that day, Yanbei's eagle flag flew high, and the lion-like roars of rebellion shook the entire world.
"Your Highness!"
The female officer, dressed in the intricate court uniform, with a delicate blue totem embroidered on her sleeves, hurried toward the inner palace. She reached out to the girl standing by the entrance and urgently said, "Why are you still here? Lord He of the Ministry of Gifts, Lord Song, Lord Lu, and the Princess House are all waiting for you. Several officials are still kneeling in Lily Hall!"
"Aunt Miao," the girl in the red kimono replied, panicking as she grabbed the woman's hand, "What should I do? The time has passed, and he still hasn't returned. Has something happened?"
The female officer, though in her early twenties, was composed and calm. She comforted Zhao Chun'er, gently patting her shoulder. "The people outside the palace are in a frenzy. It's natural for there to be delays. You needn't worry."
Zhao Chun'er, also known as Yan'er, bit her lower lip, but her worry remained. She tried to follow the female officer's advice and not dwell on her concerns. Together, they made their way toward the harem.
In the darkness, the girl's brow furrowed. Royal rituals were strict about timing. For a commoner to block the imperial procession was unheard of, suggesting that something unforeseen had occurred.
At that moment, the sound of hooves echoed through the palace gates. Zhao Chun'er turned sharply and saw a soldier rushing through the entrance, his horse's hooves pounding against the ground, only to be stopped by the palace guards.
"I have urgent news for the Emperor!" the soldier shouted. "Let me in!"
The guards, unmoved, responded, "Show your seal or token."
"What's happening?" Zhao Chun'er asked, frowning as she approached.
"Your Highness?" Upon recognizing her, the soldier quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, it's urgent! The son of Yan from the north has raised the rebel flag. He's brought his troops from the southwestern town and is marching on the capital!"
"Oh!"
Zhao Chun'er's hand trembled, and the ornate handbook she held fell to the ground. The proud young princess turned pale, unable to speak.
"They've blocked the road to the Elder's Shrine and the imperial capital. The elders and generals are in the palace. Your Highness, you must act quickly!"
Zhao Chun'er, regaining her composure, stiffened and nodded, her panic slowly fading. "Come with me," she commanded.
The soldier followed behind her eagerly, but the gatekeepers frowned and stepped forward. "Your Highness, this is against protocol," one of them said coldly.
"What rules?" Aunt Miao scowled. "Do you dare question the orders of the Princess? Whose subordinate are you, to be so presumptuous?"
"Aunt Miao, don't." Zhao Chun'er, still pale, continued toward the Fang Gui Hall in the Inner Palace, where the grand wedding ceremony was to take place that night. The officials of the Manchu Empire had already gathered.
A few people followed behind her, moving quickly through the palace gate. The guards at the door exchanged glances, their expressions cold and sarcastic, as they blew softly on their whistles and eavesdropped.
After passing Chunhua Pavilion and Ziwei Gallery, and making their way through the Sanxian Gate (also known as the Sage Gate), they arrived at the Royal Garden. The sky was dark, and the wind flickered the lantern lights in all directions. The silence was eerie and heavy. Suddenly, Zhao Chun'er stopped, her face filled with tension. She waved the soldier over and said, "Come here, I have something to ask you."
The soldier hurried forward, bent down, and bowed respectfully.
Zhao Chun'er stepped closer to the soldier, speaking softly. The female officer behind her frowned, sensing something was wrong. Just as she was about to speak, a sudden scream pierced the air. The soldier had kicked Zhao Chun'er violently in the abdomen, causing her to fall to the ground. Her elaborate robes ripped as she landed hard on the floor.
The female officer was shocked and shouted, "Assassin!"
Her voice was abruptly cut off as they witnessed the soldier twitching on the ground, covered in blood. Zhao Chun'er awkwardly climbed up from the floor, like a clumsy puppy. She grabbed her golden dagger and fiercely plunged it into the soldier's chest!
Blood splattered, flowing in warm streams through the air. The girl's face was now streaked with blood, yet she continued to stab, the sound of the dagger piercing flesh echoing in the silence. The sight was chilling.
"Princess! Princess!"
The female officer, crying, rushed forward to Zhao Chun'er, wrapping her arms around her and tightly holding her hands. She pleaded, "He's dead, he's dead!"
With a sudden "clink," the dagger fell to the ground. Zhao Chun'er's wide eyes were filled with shock, and she collapsed, trembling uncontrollably.
"I killed him, I killed him..."
"What happened, Princess? Did this man offend you?"
Zhao Chun'er, her hands now tightly held by the female officer, replied coldly, "Go south, outside the city, and find Yan Shi Zi. Tell him not to make any impulsive decisions. Don't be foolish. I understand him—I won't force him anymore. I will go to the Emperor and make everything clear."
"Princess, what are you talking about?"
"Go!" Zhao Chun'er shouted furiously, standing up. "Find him immediately and tell him I'll go to the Emperor. I won't marry him. I won't force him!"
"Princess..."
"Auntie Miao, please..." Zhao Chun'er pleaded.
A stream of tears fell from Zhao Chun'er's eyes, her face pale as paper, her lips blue. Her bloodshot eyes stared ahead. The young princess bit her lower lip, trying not to cry out loud. There was a large bloodstain on her neck, and she clutched the female officer's arm so tightly that her nails dug into the woman's flesh.
The female officer, though young, was too frightened to cry. Nodding quickly, she reassured the princess, "Do not worry, Princess. I will find Yan Shi Zi."
"Good," Zhao Chun'er said, wiping away her tears. "Go, and be cautious—the imperial body is in disarray."
"Yes, Princess, rest assured."
With a brief exchange of words, they parted ways, heading in opposite directions—one north, the other south.
The cold wind whistled, kicking up dust and leaves from the ground. The female officer hurried along, taking the side paths and trotting quickly. But just as she rounded a rockery, a white blade flashed in the darkness. Her eyes widened in shock, but before she could react, she collapsed into a pool of blood.
In the shadows, several men slowly emerged, standing guard just in front of the city gate.
"Brother, Princess Chun..."
"It doesn't matter. She won't speak out," the man said firmly, his face set. "Seal the North Gate, and head to Simon to meet the girl."
In the middle of the night, Deputy General Cheng Xiaoying was fast asleep. Earlier, he had shared some wine with his soldiers at Nanying, and now, he was resting soundly with a plump prostitute beside him.
"General! General, wake up!"
The orderly serviceman shook his arm urgently. Deputy Cheng frowned in annoyance and opened his eyes, his face filled with irritation. "You'd better have a good reason for this," he growled.
"General, Hua Jie, commander of the southwestern town government, is here. He looks very anxious and says it's urgent to find you."
"Hua Jie?"
Deputy Cheng quickly got up, his expression turning cold. "Why has he come to me?"
"I don't know, General, but he seems panicked. Something big must have happened."
"Go see him," Cheng said, pulling on his clothes as he left the bedroom. The young prostitute beside him slowly opened her sharp, fox-like eyes and watched him carefully.
"General Cheng, you're awake."
"Let Hua Jie wait a bit longer. Visiting at this hour? I wonder what this is about," Cheng muttered as he made his way out.
Hua Jie, commander of the southwestern town government, held the same rank as Zhao Che and Zhao Qi. However, because the southwestern town was far removed from the capital, he seldom had the chance to exercise command in person. Cheng, being a deputy, technically held a lower rank, but he did not fear Hua Jie. It wasn't long before the conversation took a serious turn.
"General Cheng, we have a major crisis," Hua Jie said, his voice tense. "Yan Xun has returned, and he's leading ten thousand officers and soldiers from the southwestern town government to attack the Golden Palace. They're already on Chang Shui Street!"
"What?!" Deputy Cheng shot up, stunned, his voice rising in shock.
"Our deputy leader, He Xiao, has joined Yan Xun with the whole army and killed two divisions of the Cavalry Battalion trained by General Bali. I just received this information from military intelligence. I've already sent messengers to the Golden Palace, Yinmen House, the North and South military planes, and the Green Army. General Cheng, you must gather your troops immediately. Time is running out!"
Deputy Cheng, panicking but trying to remain calm, nodded. "I understand, Hua Jie. Your loyalty will be recognized by the empire."
"Loyalty?" Hua Jie smiled grimly. "I'm just trying to atone for my mistakes. I only hope I'm not charged with negligence."
Cheng wanted to say something but ultimately stayed silent. He could sense the bleakness of Hua Jie's future.
"I'll go ahead and mobilize the Green Camp Army. General Cheng, act quickly—every second counts. The safety of the Royal Park is in your hands."
"I will not fail you," Deputy Cheng responded confidently.
At that moment, he felt a new respect for Hua Jie's calm command, despite his nickname, "Chinese Nose." Cheng watched as Hua Jie's figure disappeared into the night. Cheng quickly returned to his room, donned his armor, and ordered his servant, "Inform the troops. Sound the assembly call and gather everyone in the paddock. We must be on standby."
The orderly servant nodded. "Yes, General!"
No sooner had the servant spoken than his eyes suddenly bulged, blood spilling from his mouth. Deputy Cheng, startled, looked closer and saw a razor-sharp arrow embedded in the orderly's chest. Blood poured from the wound, and the man collapsed.
Before Cheng could react, another arrow whistled through the air, piercing his own chest. He gasped as the strength drained from his body, unable to cry out. Moments later, blood blossomed across his armor, and he slumped to the ground, dead.
The assassin, calm and composed, quietly adjusted his clothes, then walked to the window, drawing the curtain back slightly. The moon hung large and bright in the sky. The woman removed a signal flare from her waist and launched it into the air. A blue flame exploded high above, casting a glow over the city, unnoticed by those below.
In a humble house in Xicheng, a woman dressed in snow-white stood in the courtyard, watching the blue flare burn in the sky. Her expression was cold, and she stood there silently for a long time before speaking to those around her: "At all costs, within one hour, paralyze the Green Camp, Xiaoqi, and the North and South military aircraft around the camp."
Xia Zhi and Pui Rui, who had been waiting, said, "Girl, everything is calm in the palace. The northeast gates are under control, and Chu's plan has succeeded."
"Good," Yumei nodded. "Begin the fireworks project."
The moonlight bathed the ground like water. That night, the entire city was lost in a haze of joy and celebration. However, an unseen beast was slowly creeping closer, its deadly claws stretching toward the empire's most vulnerable weaknesses.
The secret agents, planted years ago, began their ruthless operations, unknowingly unraveling the very fabric of the empire. On this night, the noble society, which had always professed equality, peace, and brotherhood, revealed its sharp and terrible teeth. Under the orchestration of Chu Qiao and Yumei, blood was shed without hesitation. The empire lost countless elites, and the damage was immeasurable.
Wang Baiyang, commander of the Second Division of the Mounted Horse, was poisoned in his sleep with arsenic and died instantly.
Jiang Meng, deputy commander of the Green Battalion, was strangled by his own concubine.
In the Green Camp, the commanders of the Third, Fifth, and Ninth Divisions—Lu Yang, Xiao Qian, and Hu Yan—were all ambushed and killed on the road, along with thirty guards. None escaped.
Xue Shijie, commander of the North Army Aircraft Division, died mysteriously in his own latrine.
The Southern Army Aircraft camp was poisoned by contaminated water, leaving the entire unit unconscious and paralyzed. For days, no one realized what had happened. By the time the chaos in the imperial capital was discovered, half of the Southern Army Aircraft soldiers were dead.
An hour later, a group of black-clad horsemen entered the west gate of the imperial city. The gatekeepers, oblivious, let them pass without question.
"Zuo Qiu, deliver the message to His Highness. Everything is proceeding smoothly, according to plan."
"Yes, girl." Zuo Qiu departed, while Chu Qiao removed her bloodstained black nightwear, revealing the fair skin beneath. She moved gracefully through the flowers and stepped into a sedan chair, which was lifted and carried forward without a word.
A short while later, the sedan stopped in front of Fang Gui Palace. Outside, the killing continued in the darkness, but within the palace, the imperial city remained lost in a world of extravagance. From a distance, faint music and laughter floated on the wind.
"Girl, we've arrived."
The servant bowed his head and spoke softly.
Chu Qiao stepped out of the chair, now dressed in a light blue gown. Her expression was calm, her posture straight, and her eyes resolute. She moved toward the hall with determined steps.
"Girl," a deep voice called from behind her. Four bearers knelt on the ground as she paused, listening to the man's low, hoarse tone. "The future is uncertain. The road ahead is difficult. Please, take care of yourself—for the sake of His Highness, and for Datong."
Chu Qiao's body trembled slightly, emotions stirring within her chest. For a long time, she had waited for this moment, like a fire burning in her mind. After years of hardship, her vision had become clearer, her spine straighter, and her shoulders more unyielding. She believed now, more than ever, that she was capable of enduring the trials ahead. Just as she had vowed many years ago, in the face of life and death: "I am confident. I am not far from Yanbei."
Indifferent to ideals, indifferent to Datong—all because of that initial promise.
"We're returning to Yanbei?"
"We're returning to Yanbei!"
Suddenly, the wind caught the hem of her dress, lifting it as she raised her head high. With steady steps, she walked toward Gui Hall.
Afterthoughts
This chapter is a key turning point in the story, where the empire begins to collapse due to internal betrayal and rebellion. The plot reveals the vulnerability of a seemingly strong regime, as secret agents planted long ago start to dismantle the empire from within. Chu Qiao, a central character, is calm and determined, driven by a promise to reclaim what was lost. Her leadership shows a balance between ruthlessness and personal conviction. Meanwhile, the imperial elites are unaware of the danger closing in on them, emphasizing the fragility of their power. The chapter sets the stage for the impending full-scale conflict, highlighting the clash between ideals and the harsh reality of political warfare.
The contrast between the quiet determination of Chu Qiao and the bloodshed she orchestrates reflects the duality of leadership during times of conflict. Leaders must be both ruthless and emotionally detached to succeed in their goals, and Chu Qiao embodies this perfectly. Her interactions with her subordinates, her calm acceptance of the violent acts, and her focus on the end goal paint her as a complex, multi-dimensional character who is driven by both personal and political motivations.