Chapter 95: The Vanguard Pawn
Although she knew that Jing Tianlie would return sooner or later and that the conflict between Long Chen and the Jing family would inevitably come to an end, Di Luoxi still felt overwhelmed when Jing Tianlie actually came back.
“Isn’t he stationed at Yufu Pass? Why did he suddenly return?” Xuan Yi asked, puzzled.
Yufu Pass was the strategic border between Eastern Zhou and Western Xia—Western Xia to the west, Eastern Zhou to the east.
Long Chen explained, “Western Xia has always obeyed the World Assembly. I instructed the Assembly to keep Western Xia in check, so Yufu Pass has remained peaceful. That’s why Jing Tianlie came back.”
In the past, relations between Eastern Zhou and Western Xia were tense, and war could break out at any moment, so Jing Tianlie had to guard the border. Now that the situation had eased, Jing Tianlie could return to the capital to deal with Long Chen.
“So it turns out we helped him,” Qing Yue muttered.
Di Luoxi didn’t want to see Jing Tianlie either, but as a princess, she couldn’t deliberately provoke Western Xia and cause war just to restrain him.
Long Chen smiled, “Don’t be so tense. This time, we are the hunters, and he is the prey.”
Di Luoxi warned, “Jing Heng is a fool, but Jing Tianlie is not. He is skilled in martial arts and cunning in mind. You must be careful.”
Long Chen chuckled, “I know. Strategically, one must underestimate the enemy; tactically, one must respect them—bold but cautious.”
Such advice wasn’t needed. To become the great general of Eastern Zhou, even the Empress had to show him respect. Such a man was certainly formidable.
When Long Chen was in Southern Liang, he had carefully analyzed Jing Tianlie’s character and weaknesses. He was powerful, yes, but one who is too strong often becomes overconfident.
Di Luoxi was still worried. She stood up, intending to go to Fengming Palace. “I want to speak with Mother Empress, just in case you’re in danger.”
Long Chen stopped her. “What will you say? ‘Jing Tianlie, don’t kill me’? This game is the Emperor’s to play, and I am the pawn sent forward. Should I hide behind?”
The Empress wanted to weaken the power of the General’s Mansion, but she would never act directly. The one confronting Jing Tianlie head-on was Long Chen.
How could a vanguard general hide behind others?
Zhang Qian said, “Jing Tianlie is with the Emperor right now.”
Di Luoxi sat cross-legged again, her mind racing with strategies to deal with Jing Tianlie.
“Princess, you must not get involved. Leave everything to me,” Long Chen said solemnly.
Di Luoxi was angered. “I must not get involved? Should I just watch you die?”
Long Chen was speechless. “You look down on me that much?”
“This matter requires the princess to stay out of it. If you intervene, it means the royal family is breaking ties with the Jing family.”
“Even if Jing Tianlie and I fall out terribly, it is merely political strife between ministers—completely normal.”
Di Luoxi’s temper flared, but she was not unreasonable.
Long Chen’s words made her understand.
“Then be careful; Jing Tianlie is hard to deal with.”
Di Luoxi could only sigh in agreement.
Long Chen rose. “I’ll go prepare.”
Long Chen got out of bed, put on his shoes, and headed out, with Zhang Qian following.
Di Luoxi immediately instructed Xuan Yi and Qing Yue, “You two must stay close to Long Cheng’en at all times. Even when he sleeps, hold him tight! No mistakes allowed!”
Xuan Yi and Qing Yue promptly followed.
...
In the study of Fengming Palace, the Empress sat behind her desk, facing a general standing before her.
He was a burly man with a square face, a pair of phoenix eyes that commanded respect without anger, clad in red armor painted with flames. A sword hung at his waist, and his cloak had yet to be removed.
This man was none other than Jing Tianlie, the great general of Eastern Zhou.
“I, your servant, pay respects to Your Majesty,” Jing Tianlie said, bowing with his hands clasped, but without the deep kowtow other ministers offered.
“General, no need for formalities. Please, have a seat!” Ying Feng moved a chair over and sat facing the Empress.
“General, you returned to court without informing anyone. Is Yufu Pass all right?” The Empress’s voice was even, without emotion, but carried a note of reprimand.
A general stationed at the border should not simply come back as he pleases.
Jing Tianlie’s tone carried apology. “Your servant is guilty. I received word some days ago that my mother was gravely ill, so I hurried back.”
“I should not have abandoned my post, so I come to Your Majesty to beg forgiveness.”
The Empress frowned and asked Ying Feng, “Is Lady Xu seriously ill? How could I not know?”
Jing Tianlie’s mother was always cared for by the Imperial Medical Department, treated by the best physicians with the finest medicines.
If Lady Xu were ill, the Empress would personally inquire to show favor to Jing Tianlie.
Ying Feng was also puzzled. “I have heard no report of her being unwell.”
Jing Tianlie looked slightly surprised. “Perhaps my mother did not wish to trouble Your Majesty. The court has been busy lately with the change of the Minister and several battles.”
His words cast a subtle tension.
The change of Minister implied replacing his son, Jing Heng.
The battles referred to were naturally the two fierce campaigns led by Long Chen to capture Linjiang City.
Ying Feng’s expression shifted slightly, but the Empress remained composed. “Indeed, the court has been busy. Perhaps I have been negligent.”
“General, please return to your residence to visit. Matters of court can be discussed later.”
“Ying Feng, arrange for physicians to accompany the general. These people! If Lady Xu is truly ill and I do not know, you will be punished thoroughly!”
Jing Tianlie initiated the topic, but the Empress let it pass lightly.
Ying Feng bowed, “I will obey your command.”
Jing Tianlie stood and bowed, “Your servant takes his leave.”
The Empress said nothing further, and Jing Tianlie departed.
After Jing Tianlie left Fengming Palace heading home, Ying Feng immediately arranged for the physicians to visit.
Returning to Fengming Palace, Ying Feng said, “Your Majesty, Jing Tianlie has brought three thousand elite cavalry with him this time. This is a sign of ill intent.”
The Empress’s face remained calm, without anger.
“What use are three thousand cavalry? Merely a show of force. Let him be.”
Near Daughter City, there were a hundred thousand troops directly commanded by the Empress. Jing Tianlie’s three thousand cavalry were insignificant.
His act was more symbolic than practical.
“I inquired at the Imperial Medical Department just now. The Chief Physician said Lady Xu is in good health. Jing Tianlie is deceiving Your Majesty.”
When arranging the physicians, Ying Feng also asked about Lady Xu’s condition. The Chief Physician reported she was very healthy.
The Empress smiled. “If he says she is gravely ill, then so be it. It matters little.”
Ying Feng was displeased but dared not argue with the Empress’s attitude.
“Should we warn Long Cheng’en?” Ying Feng asked.
Jing Tianlie’s words implied he had already begun to target Long Chen.
The Empress shook her head with a smile. “Does he still need your warning?”
Ying Feng considered and agreed. When it came to cunning, Long Chen was like a ghost.
Jing Tianlie emerged from the palace with a dark expression. Dozens of armored bodyguards awaited outside, each with fierce, brutal eyes.
Most striking were the flame patterns on their armor—the symbol of the Jing family’s Red Flame Army.
As Jing Tianlie stepped out, his guards rushed forward.
Just as they were about to mount their horses and leave, a carriage stopped in front. The guards immediately restrained their swords.
The curtain lifted, and a woman dressed in white ermine fur, with carefully applied makeup, stepped down.
“General, you return without a word?” The woman was none other than Bai Qiulian, Minister of War.
Upon learning of Jing Tianlie’s return, Bai Qiulian had hurriedly put on makeup to meet him.
Jing Tianlie’s gloomy face instantly brightened into a broad smile, as if greeting an old lover.
“Qiulian, you shine more radiantly than ever.”
Hearing his praise, Bai Qiulian’s smile blossomed, shyly replying, “How could I compare to the majestic general?”
Jing Tianlie glanced toward the palace gate. “Let’s ride together in one carriage and talk leisurely.”
Bai Qiulian blushed and whispered, “Nothing would be better.”