Chapter Eight: Mastermind of Logic
“The four princesses of Eastern Zhou: First Princess Di Yuwei assists the Empress in managing state affairs, Second Princess Di Xingwan is responsible for internal administration, while military authority is divided between Third Princess Di Lingyi and Fourth Princess Di Luoxi.”
“However, the two princesses only hold half of Eastern Zhou’s military power. The other half belongs to the Grand General’s Mansion.”
“It’s very difficult for the Young General to seize control of Eastern Zhou’s military,”
Wu Jian had spent some time in the Eastern Zhou’s inner palace and was well acquainted with the internal workings of the realm.
Neither the Empress nor the four princesses were mediocre. To wrest military power from their hands was nearly impossible.
“I know it won’t be easy, but to destroy Southern Liang, we must rely on Eastern Zhou,”
“This time, the Poetry Contest is wagered upon Linjiang City. Southern Liang won’t simply hand it over—they are bound to send troops to attack.”
“Who knows Linjiang City best?”
Long Chen smiled faintly.
Wu Jian chuckled quietly. “Of course, it’s you, Young General!”
Years ago, the Long family army broke through Linjiang City and transformed it into a fortress to resist Eastern Zhou.
No one in the world knew Linjiang City better than Long Chen.
“There will certainly be a great battle between Southern Liang and Eastern Zhou at Linjiang City. I can seize the opportunity to enter Eastern Zhou’s military command, and then gradually gain control of the armed forces.”
This was Long Chen’s plan. As long as he entered the command structure, he was confident he could slowly master Eastern Zhou.
By then, neither the Empress nor the four princesses would be obstacles!
“If you need anything, just let me know,”
“In the future, don’t call me Young General. Address me as Steward Long, lest others find out.”
“Understood, Steward Long.”
...
Phoenix Song Palace.
The Empress sat at the head of the hall, beside her were First Princess Di Yuwei, Second Princess Di Xingwan, then Di Lingyi and Di Luoxi.
“We won this literary contest, and Luoxi did very well,”
The Empress first praised Di Luoxi, but Di Xingwan was somewhat dissatisfied.
“Mother, Fourth Sister simply found some talented little eunuch from who knows where. It’s not really her own merit,”
Di Luoxi scoffed, “Second Sister, a win is a win, a loss is a loss. I won, regardless.”
“A victory is always a good thing—no need to quibble. Now, we must discuss how to reclaim Linjiang City.”
“Though Southern Liang wagered Linjiang City, they will never hand it over as promised. We must prepare for a fierce battle.”
Everyone understood Linjiang City’s strategic value. Whoever held it could control the great river, able to advance or retreat at will.
Eastern Zhou and Southern Liang had fought several major battles at Linjiang City, each side taking turns in victory and defeat.
It wasn’t until Grand General Long Ye personally led his troops, joined by his five sons, and after a brutal battle, finally seized Linjiang City. Eastern Zhou retreated north of the river and entered a defensive posture.
To retake it now would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
“To capture Linjiang City, we must mobilize the entire nation’s strength. Southern Liang is currently at its peak,”
Fourth Princess Di Luoxi’s expression was grave.
First Princess Di Yuwei said, “Mother, I suggest we summon General Jing Tianlie back to the capital for consultation.”
Though Eastern Zhou was ruled by the Empress and many female officials served at court, there were also men in high positions, especially in the military.
Jing Tianlie was the Grand General of Eastern Zhou, usually stationed at the borders.
Mentioning Jing Tianlie, the Empress frowned and said, “Just a few days ago, Jing Tianlie brought up his sons’ marriages again.”
The four princesses all felt displeased at this.
Jing Tianlie had two sons, both eager to marry Third Princess Di Lingyi and Fourth Princess Di Luoxi, aspiring to become imperial consorts.
While it seemed merely a matter of marrying princesses, the true motivation was Jing Tianlie’s ambition.
Eastern Zhou’s military power was split in two: half in Jing Tianlie’s hands, half with Di Lingyi and Di Luoxi.
If his sons became imperial consorts, all military power would belong to the Jing family.
As father-in-law, Jing Tianlie could go even further—perhaps even claim the throne himself.
Thus, the Empress had never agreed, and Jing Tianlie harbored resentment.
At this crucial juncture, whether Jing Tianlie would serve the nation well was a serious concern.
“A toad lusting after swan meat—he should look at what his sons are like first,”
Di Luoxi was especially irritated, for the son who fancied her was lacking in both looks and talent.
The one interested in Di Lingyi was a bit better—a military commander guarding Yanmen Pass in the north—but he was far too fond of killing, excessively brutal.
The Empress was well aware of all this. She sighed, “I’ll write a letter to Jing Tianlie and see what his attitude is.”
“That will be all for today. Once we receive his reply, we’ll reconvene.”
With that, the four princesses left Phoenix Song Palace.
...
Fourth Princess Di Luoxi returned to the Western Palace and found that her two maids, Xuan Yi and Qing Yue, were nowhere to be seen.
“Where are they?”
“Your Highness, the two are in Steward Long’s chambers.”
“Isn’t Little Long supposed to have gone to the Inner Attendants' Bureau? Why is he still here?”
“Steward Long said he much prefers the Western Palace, so he’s taken up residence in the side courtyard here.”
“Oh? Take me to see him.”
Di Luoxi was delighted. She had thought Long Chen would leave immediately, but he remained in the Western Palace.
She followed her maid to the side courtyard, hearing laughter and playful noises from within. Entering, she saw Long Chen instructing the two maids in poetry.
“Master Long, busy as ever?”
Di Luoxi, draped in a white cloak, entered the room.
Xuan Yi and Qing Yue immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Long Chen bowed respectfully.
The princess was a vision of beauty, her movements accompanied by a subtle fragrance.
Di Luoxi sat by the desk, picked up the manuscript, and smiled, “You are now the foremost scholar in the realm; no need for such ceremony.”
“The plum blossom refuses to yield to snow, poets struggle to judge; the plum must concede three shades of white to snow, but snow loses a measure of fragrance to plum.”
“A fine poem, indeed! Master Long, as expected from someone raised in a scholarly family, you’ve produced yet another masterpiece.”
Di Luoxi folded the poem and tucked it away.
“It was just something I wrote casually,”
Long Chen replied modestly.
“To write so well offhand—truly, a master scholar,”
Di Luoxi leaned against the desk, regarding Long Chen with curiosity. “With such talent, why did you enter the palace as a eunuch?”
Long Chen’s expression suddenly turned sorrowful. He sighed, “I wandered into Eastern Zhou, was knocked unconscious by a gang of thugs, and sold for six taels of silver to the castration house. I… Of the three great unfilial acts, having no heir is the worst. I’ve failed my parents and ancestors.”
Qing Yue exclaimed angrily, “Outrageous! Such lawlessness caused you to become a eunuch. Your Highness, we should have those thugs arrested and executed!”
Di Luoxi turned, smiling mischievously at Long Chen. “No, I want to reward those thugs greatly. If they hadn’t sent Little Long to me, how else would I have found such a master scholar?”
Long Chen grumbled inwardly: What a twisted logic!
“In truth, my greatest talent is not poetry, but military strategy.”
Long Chen steered the conversation towards warfare.
“Oh? You know military strategy as well?”
Di Luoxi was contemplating how to reclaim Linjiang City, so Long Chen’s mention of strategy immediately piqued her interest.
Long Chen had bested the renowned scholar Yu Shinan; if his greatest strength was military strategy, then perhaps he was truly unmatched in the world.