Chapter 718 - 496: Desperate Measures

Chapter 718: Chapter 496: Desperate Measures

The letter also mentioned that the medicinal herbs Yun Zhao had sent proved useful, and he praised her for her kind heart and sharp mind, which eased his worries.

Song Yunzhao’s spirits soared. The letter ended with Feng Yi’s concern for their two children, filled with inquiries about them.

Song Yunzhao began writing a reply to Feng Yi. The messenger from the border city had to rush back, carrying not only the Imperial Concubine’s letter but also memorials from the courtiers. She could not afford to delay.

Song Yunzhao first wrote that all was well in the palace and told Feng Yi not to worry. ’As for Duchess Gu En and her daughter,’ she thought, ’bringing it up now will only anger him. I can tell him all about it when he returns to the Capital City.’

Next, she wrote about their two children. Feng Ze was diligent in his studies and had not neglected his riding or archery; she heaped praise upon their son. She then mentioned that Feng Yun could now sit up on his own, but he would often stare at the door.

When Feng Yi was in the palace, he would visit Yaohua Palace to see his son whenever he had a spare moment. Thus, Feng Yun had developed a habit of staring at the door around that hour.

After writing of their sons’ longing for their Imperial Father, Yun Zhao finally began to write of her own yearning for Feng Yi. ’He isn’t here with me, but I must make my affection clear.’ Besides, she truly did miss him and worry about him.

After sealing the thick family letter with wax, Yun Zhao had Anshun deliver it to the messenger.

Once the letter was gone, Yun Zhao leaned against a soft pillow and gazed out the window. Her mood seemed to turn heavy and sluggish once more.

The joyous news of the Emperor’s initial victory spread throughout the palace and beyond, filling the entire harem with a cheerful atmosphere. Along with this wave of elation came an imperial decree: this year’s New Year’s feast was to be a simple affair.

Consort Shu and the other concubines breathed a sigh of relief. Only the Empress Dowager was displeased.

But Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered with her.

Since it was to be a simple affair, the noble women were not required to enter the palace. With the Emperor away from the Capital City, the courtiers were also exempt from attending. This New Year was turning out to be exceptionally relaxed and simple.

A palace banquet still had to be held, but the Empress Dowager did not make an appearance, citing ill health.

As the Imperial Concubine, Song Yunzhao presided over a New Year’s Eve feast. Afterward, she dismissed everyone to their own palaces to await the new year, much to everyone’s delight.

***

Far away in the border city, Feng Yi celebrated the New Year with the local people and soldiers. A biting north wind howled and flurries of snow swept across their faces, yet nothing could dampen their cheerful spirits.

After a few rounds of wine, Feng Yi excused himself.

He took some men, mounted his horse, and rode a patrol along the city walls. Even with the New Year upon them, the soldiers on duty dared not lower their guard, standing sentry atop the battlements, armored and armed.

The bitter wind howled, and even his fox fur cloak couldn’t keep out the chill. Feng Yi galloped wildly, the knife-like wind cutting through his robes and gradually clearing the haze of intoxication from his mind.

"Your Majesty, the night is late and the cold is piercing. You must take care of your health. It is time to head back."

Feng Yi glanced back at Feng Shike, who had caught up to him. "Why are you here?"

Feng Shike replied, "I am Your Majesty’s guard. Where you are, I must be."

Feng Yi smiled, then swung himself off his horse and strode onto the battlements.

Feng Shike followed. The soldiers guarding the wall immediately dropped to their knees.

Feng Yi waved a hand, gesturing for them to resume their duties. He gazed down at the land beyond the walls. "Beiming suffered a defeat last time. They will surely return to try again."

Feng Shike was silent for a moment before speaking. "With Your Majesty leading the campaign personally, Beiming is cowed by your imperial might. The soldiers of Great Chu are greatly inspired. Naturally, we will be victorious in every battle."

Feng Yi let out a soft laugh. "Prince Zhenbei has always led from the front. It is he who naturally boosts morale."

Feng Shike lowered his gaze. ’That is a difficult remark to respond to.’

Feng Yi had always known of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s immense prestige within the army. But only by leading this campaign himself had he seen with his own eyes what it meant to have one’s call answered by a hundred voices.

Prince Zhenbei had always been loyal to the court, and Feng Yi would certainly not doubt a loyal subject. However, he had already received several memorials calling for Prince Zhenbei’s impeachment.

The war was far from over, yet the civil servants were already preparing to discard the very man they needed to win it. ’How ridiculous.’

"What are our grain reserves in the city?"

An army of several hundred thousand was stationed at the border city, and the consumption of provisions was enormous.

Feng Shike replied, "We have enough to last for a little over a month."

In other words, they needed a swift and decisive victory. Otherwise, the army would soon face a shortage of provisions.

Feng Yi asked again, "Is there any recent news from the scouts?"

"The scouts left the city two days ago and have yet to return," Feng Shike said quietly.

Feng Yi’s expression grew grim. There were only two possibilities: either the scouts had followed the Beiming army deep into enemy territory and couldn’t send word back in time, or they had been discovered.

Feng Yi turned and strode away. "Summon the generals for a council of war," he ordered as he walked.

Halfway through the council, word arrived that Beiming was attacking the city.

The beacon fires were lit, a shocking sight in the dead of night.

When the news reached the Capital City, Song Yunzhao felt her heart leap into her throat.

’An attack on New Year’s Eve... Beiming must be truly desperate.’ ℴ

Song Yunzhao received another letter from the Emperor. She felt her hands tremble as she broke the seal. She heard that a letter from the Emperor had also arrived at Shouci Palace, but she paid it no mind. The slight thaw in her relationship with the Empress Dowager had vanished because of Duchess Gu En; things were now back to how they were, if not worse.

In the letter, Feng Yi’s handwriting looked somewhat rushed. He wrote that they had clashed with Beiming several times, with wins and losses on both sides, though Great Chu had won more often than not.

It seemed Beiming truly was suffering from severe natural disasters. Its people were starving and cold, and they fought with exceptional ferocity this time, simply to survive...

Song Yunzhao let out a deep sigh.

This time, Zhang Maoquan had returned with the messenger. Song Yunzhao summoned him to give his report, but she was startled when she saw him. He had gotten much thinner.

Having returned to the Capital City from the bitter cold of the border, Zhang Maoquan was so moved he was nearly in tears.

"The Emperor is well. Prince Zhenbei was wounded during the last sortie he personally led, but fortunately, his life is not in danger. The Heir of Prince Zhenbei is also exceptionally brave, always at the forefront of the battle, and the Emperor has praised him often..."

Song Yunzhao mulled over his words. ’With Prince Zhenbei’s years of experience in warfare, how could he be injured so easily?’

’The commander-in-chief wouldn’t take to the field so readily. It can only mean that things are not stable at the front. Someone is trying to undermine him.’

’Prince Zhenbei is a clever man. He feigned weakness by getting injured, then used the opportunity to push his son into the spotlight.’

’Helan Yue is young and full of vigor, but he lacks major accomplishments. He’s like a greenhorn, which naturally makes him less of an eyesore to certain people.’

’Feng Yi must be fuming right now. The struggle between the civil and military factions at court has never been a simple affair.’

"...The Emperor has ordered the Ministry of Revenue to prepare more grain, as it seems the war will continue for some time. We are also running out of medicinal supplies. The local people have been spontaneously gathering herbs from the surrounding area to send to the army, which has eased the shortage slightly..."

’A shortage of both grain and medicine.’

’This situation wasn’t surprising. In any dynasty, a protracted war always results in enormous consumption of provisions and medical supplies.’

Knowing Feng Yi was unharmed and the war was proceeding relatively smoothly, Song Yunzhao breathed a long sigh of relief. She told Zhang Maoquan to go and rest. In just a few hours, he would have to set out on the return journey with the messenger once again.

’It was a truly difficult task.’

Song Yunzhao first summoned Anshun, sending her out of the palace to ask Xie Jinshu a few questions.

Then, she went into her study to write to Feng Yi. The New Year had passed peacefully in the palace; everyone was happy, aside from the displeased Empress Dowager.

Song Yunzhao only reported the good news, not the bad, to spare Feng Yi from worrying about the palace while he was away at war.

Anshun returned quickly, bearing a thick letter.

Song Yunzhao opened it, and with a single glance, her eyes lit up.