CH 49

Teng Yun was still brooding over Rui Xue’s words and Zhao Lu’s reaction.

Compared to other people, Teng Yun’s views about human feelings were relatively simple. He knew about loyalty, and about a ruler’s care towards his people. But those kinds of feelings, compared to affections between one person to another, were completely different. 

When Zhao Lu received the broken zither, he must have been very sad. But Teng Yun simply couldn’t understand why Zhao Lu could still treat King Feng so cruelly, despite how he obviously liked King Feng.

In Teng Yun’s eyes, it’s natural for husband and wife to have fights. And when in war, someone would kill the other and be killed by another. That was the way it was.

However, Zhao Lu and Xue Junliang’s way of doing things secretly and deceiving people was not Teng Yun’s style at all.

That night, lying on the bed with eyes wide open, Teng Yun pondered while staring at the ceiling. In the end, it wasn’t about who was wrong and who was right. Even for Xue Junliang, Teng Yun could not say that he was in the wrong. As an Emperor, Xue Junliang was required to think much far ahead than others. However, Teng Yun still couldn’t accept it. 

He remembered the rumors he had heard before his death, how King Feng had favored Zhao Lu to a great extent. Which meant that King Feng’s feeling towards Zhao Lu was sincere.

However, Teng Yun was sure that their relationship was not something the people would tolerate. Now that Zhao Lu had left, King Feng would be the target of public criticism.

Teng Yun got up very early the next morning, probably because he didn’t sleep well last night. When he closed his eyes, he woke up again because he was reminded about the broken zither, and the next moment, he was reminded about Xue Junliang who was far away in the Capital City.

When he finally did fall asleep, he was awakened once again by a dream. He dreamed about that time he was shot through the heart by Xue Junliang’s arrow.

Kings or Emperors were known to ruthlessly act one way and then another the next second. Teng Yun absolutely never believed he was going to live long if he returned to the Capital City. If Xue Junliang wanted him to die a painful death, he was sure Xue Junliang could think of a thousand ways to do just that.

Teng Yun couldn’t defend himself anyway. What would he say? That he was not the real Teng Ying? It would be too ridiculous and no one would believe him.

Teng Yun packed up his things and hid his dagger close to himself. Now that Zhao Lu had surrendered to Xue, it was a big blow to Feng Country. Even if losing ten thousand soldiers was no big deal to King Feng, a Marquis’ betrayal would shake the entire country.

When the people and the soldiers’ trust was broken, how would Feng Country fight in a war? 

Sure enough, Feng Ming immediately withdrew his forces from the borders and no longer attacked Xue Country’s territory. Xue Junliang’s imperial edict soon came down, stating that the army had achieved a great merit and ordering them to come back to the Capital city and get rewarded for their achievements.

Naturally, Teng Yun’s newly-recruited thirty thousand soldiers would also follow back to the capital. Their vast army, marching from Teng to Xue Country, would not happen overnight.

When a big crowd like this was traveling, it was actually a great chance for Teng Yun to escape. But Teng Yun didn’t know where he would go after he left the army. He didn’t want to go back to Teng. It was the country where he was born and raised, it would be impossible for him to stand still and forget everything, especially now that King Teng had become a mere Marquis and was being held in prison.

Teng Yun was stubborn, often he would be quite determined to fix things. 

Teng Yun didn’t want to come back to Xue Country either, because that would be like getting back into Xue Junliang’s den. Emperor Xue had very strong influence and resources, Teng Yun felt if he were to step one foot into Xue Country’s territory, Emperor Xue’s spies would surely find him easily.

However, Feng Country was unfamiliar to him, which made Teng Yun hesitate. Perhaps because of his past experiences, Teng Yun felt uncomfortable living alone in a strange place.

Since Zhao Lu assimilated with the Xue Country’s army, many people still refused to accept him because they doubted his identity and loyalty. Emperor Xue then granted Zhao Lu, an official title as a chief commander of the army. Teng Yun was also appointed a deputy commander, while Zhao Tong a military captain because of his meritorious service.

Teng Yun knew this was Xue Junliang’s way to let Zhao Lu establish his footing in Xue Country, and of restraining Teng Yun’s movement. Teng Yun reckoned Xue Jungliang might have guessed that Teng Yun had the idea of escaping. 

Zhao Lu led the army back to the Capital city. He appointed Zhao Tong to stay close by Teng Yun’s side at any time.

Although Teng Yun was very knowledgeable about fighting and military strategies, his current body was weak. The original Teng Ying didn’t learn or practice martial arts, therefore his physical strength was low. Teng Yun, in this body, had no chance of winning a fight with Zhao Tong. Despite his fair and delicate appearance, there was a reason Zhao Tong could become a military commander. When he held a sword, no one could defeat him.

Teng Yun was even more certain that Xue Junliang was determined to cut off his head and would not leave him a chance to escape.

Also, Teng Shang and Marquis Tengnan were still in the Capital city. Even if Teng Yun was angry at Marquis Tengnan and had no problem leaving him, he could not cut ties with Teng Shang. 

Zhao Tong smirked at Teng Yun and said, “I heard that you burned the entire Yunfeng Palace to the ground. Did you have a deep hatred towards Feng Country? Otherwise, why would you risk your life for committing such a heinous crime?”

Teng Yun didn’t answer.

Zhao Tong just laughed, “I see you have so many scars on your face. Did you get those when you fought in a war?”

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Moreover, Zhao Tong came from a famous family. He had always been very smart and had read more books compared to his peers since he was a child. Xue Junliang once said, while pointing at Zhao Tong who was still a lowly guard at that time, that Zhao Tong would one day be an extraordinary talented man. Later, Zhao Tong was transferred from the palace to the military camp to become a soldier. Shortly after, he was favored by Xue Junliang and was sent to Feng Country to assist Zhao Lu. Since then, his career and rank had rapidly risen. All because, in case of courage and ability, he was above most people.

Zhao Tong was such a man, how could he stay still when he was told off by someone else?

Much later, when he realized he was instantly angered by just one sentence from Teng Yun, it came to him that Teng Yun could easily coax him while still maintaining a calm and modest appearance. 

Presently, Zhao Tong said, “What? If you don’t like it, why don’t we fight it off using swords?”

Teng Yun said, “One sword can kill one person. But in a battlefield like where we are now, a sword determines the fate of one whole country. General is really courageous, but reckless. How inappropriate.”

Zhao Tong was about to argue, but at this time Zhao Lu had noticed the slight disturbance behind him and interfered. Zhao Tong and Teng Yun were both high ranked commanders. While the soldiers had united under one same country, if they saw the two commanders fight, it might create doubt in their hearts and shake their morale.

Zhao Lu chastised Zhao Tong for failing to see what problem might arise from his recklessness. He transferred Zhao Tong away and asked him to lead a troop to arrive first in the Capital city to report. 

Zhao Tong reported his troops’ itinerary and his group were able to enter the Capital city just two days later.

When Xue Junliang saw Zhao Tong, he lamented how many years had passed. Zhao Tong was still very young when he went to Feng, now he was definitely older.

After listening to Zhao Tong’s report, Xue Junliang pondered for a moment and smiled, “Zhao Tong ah, Zhao Tong. You have been deceived.”

Zhao Tong naturally didn’t understand what Emperor Xue meant, “This servant is ignorant, please Your Majesty, kindly enlighten me.” 

Xue Junliang said, “Of course you don’t understand. It’s no wonder that although you have many talents, you have too little experience and are naturally aggressive. You are proud and reckless. Didn’t you ever think that Teng Ying deliberately made you angry? He then counted on Zhao Lu to see what the animosity between you both could cause among the soldiers and to send you away. In the military, there is no one better in martial arts than yours, so if Teng Ying were to escape, wouldn’t it be easier without you?”

After hearing this, Zhao Tong realized his mistake and started to leave, but it might be too late to return now.

Xue Junliang on the other hand, didn’t panic and said with a smile, “Since the army has arrived, as an Emperor, it’s only natural that this Seat goes and welcomes them into the Capital city.”

Sure enough, two days later, the second and bigger part of the army arrived just outside the Capital city. Zhao Lu had heard the news that Emperor Xue himself was going to welcome them outside the city wall. 

Not far away from the Capital city, Zhao Lu ordered the army to stop and reorganize things. After all, it was Emperor Xue welcoming them personally, and they had to make themselves presentable.

Taking advantage of this place that was in the middle of nowhere, no one would stop Teng Yun nor inspect anyone who passed.

Teng Yun reasoned that he wanted to hurry and enter the city, and went ahead of the rest of the army.

He Zhong questioned the others, “Where is Teng Ying going?” 

Zhao Lu paused mid-step while He Ren joked, “Maybe he was in a hurry to use the toilet.”

He Yi laughed, “When a lazy donkey grinds, it always has too much shit and urine.”

As soon as Teng Yun abandoned the army, he took off his armor and put on the ordinary clothes he had prepared previously. He didn’t dare to stop for too long. This suburb was still too close to the capital city and Zhao Lu was not a fool, he would find out soon. This time he must leave immediately.

But before Teng Yun could leave, he heard some rustling noise. Suddenly, a large group of guards rushed out from all directions and surrounded him. They were led by Zhao Tong. 

When he saw Zhao Tong, instead of being shocked, Teng Yun laughed.

From among the wall of guards surrounding Teng Yun, a man in black robes walked forward and said, “To laugh so casually like this, you must be very carefree.”

Teng Yun saw Xue Junliang and was dazed for a moment. He last saw Xue Junliang a few hours before he departed to Teng Country, which was a few months ago. Seeing Xue Junliang again, for some reason, Teng Yun was suddenly reminded of Feng Ming and Zhao Lu.

Without moving an inch, Teng Yun said, “A man should not cry so casually either. If a man is not allowed to laugh, then life must be so hard.” 

Xue Junliang slowly walked over, staring intently at Teng Yun, and said, “Oh… I was wondering where General Teng was going in such a hurry.”

Teng Yun was stunned for a moment. When he was Teng Yun, Xue Junliang had called him General Teng. Right now, he was still surnamed Teng, but it wasn’t Teng Yun that Xue Junliang meant.

Seeing Teng Yun not answering, Xue Junliang was not surprised. Had he been in this same kind of situation, it was likely he wouldn’t have anything to say either.

“The entire army is returning to the capital city. General Teng had been so skilled. This Seat is planning to give General Teng a reward.” 

Teng Yun still didn’t speak.

Xue Junliang was a bit baffled, but he kind of expected this response too. From his previous meetings with Teng Ying, he knew that when hearing the word ‘reward’, Teng Ying would immediately perk up. However, since Teng Ying offered to go to Teng Country, Xue Junliang felt that Teng Ying had changed. He was now unreadable and unpredictable.

At this time, Zhao Lu and a few soldiers arrived at the scene, having found out Teng Yun had disappeared and immediately chased after him. He was surprised when he saw Emperor Xue and quickly knelt.

Xue Junliang ordered all of them to return to formally welcome them into the Capital city, including Teng Yun. 

——

The Imperial physician examined Feng Ming’s pulse, while Lu Shichen stood aside, and then, not daring to say anything more and stay too long, he wrote a prescription and left.

Lu Shichen stayed, even though he could not offer words of comfort to King Feng. Then again, because of this situation, he was also deeply hurt, Lu Shichen wasn’t sure he could offer comfort for himself, let alone someone else.

That day, when Lu Shichen asked Rui Xue to bring the broken zither to Zhao Lu, he was placing his hope on Zhao Lu’s feelings towards King Feng and thought seeing the zither would change Zhao Lu’s mind. Unfortunately, since Rui Xue’s departure, there was no more news. 

No matter how he thought about it, Lu Shichen could not understand. Obviously Marquis Zhulu cared for King Feng, but how did he have the heart to hurt King Feng to this extent?

Lu Shichen sighed regretfully. At this time, the housekeeper came in quietly and approached him to whisper in his ear. The news, the housekeeper delivered, made Lu Shichen pause. Signaling for the housekeeper to leave, Lu Shichen hesitated, not sure if right now was the right time to let King Feng know of the news. After all, it was all clear that King Feng was still seriously ill.

Just as Lu Shichen was mulling over the options, Feng Ming shifted to look at him, likely being awoken by Lu Shichen’s pacing. He said, “Minister Lu, do you have something to tell me?”

Lu Shichen sighed again and said, “Your Majesty, Cheng Tian’s nephew, Zhang Hong, who has proclaimed himself a King, is now sending his troops and aiming to claim Ming River.” 

Feng Ming covered his mouth as he coughed, before saying, “Summon the ministers to the study room, we have to discuss this.”

Lu Shichen wanted to ask if King Feng was sure he could get up, but held himself back. King Feng was still a man among men, no man wanted pity from other people. As a King, King Feng  lived a solitary life. Perhaps, other than Zhao Lu, nothing else could move him and make him show his feelings.

Feng Country’s court ministers all immediately gathered and were led into the study room.

Feng Ming sat leaning back on a large chair, his chin supported by his hand, and was studying the report on the table. 

Everyone was afraid King Feng would explode in anger, so they entered the study room cautiously.

Feng Ming, on the other hand, was wearing no particular expression. He raised his hand and motioned for the ministers to get in and said, “All of you must have gotten the news already, this Zhang Hong is treating my Kingdom as a joke. Last year, his uncle looked down upon this Seat, and now Zhang Hong does too.”

Lu Shichen said, “Zhang Hong is currently aiming to attack Ming River. Because Ming River had just suffered a flood and hasn’t been rebuilt properly, he must think that Ming River is the weakest part of our territory. If he could occupy Ming River, he could then set up an army base to further invade our territory.”

Feng Ming nodded and suddenly smiled, “But Ming River is not that easy to claim, and even if he succeeded in occupying it, it would not be an easy place to defend. Also, the other side of the river is Xue Country. He would be sandwiched between two countries…” 

Feng Ming paused for a moment, then suddenly his expression darkened as he said, “It’s impossible Zhang Hong plans to fight this Seat and Emperor Xue at the same time. He might want to draw support from Emperor Xue, and the best method for him to do that would be…”

Lu Shichen instantly understood what Feng Ming was thinking, “Marriage alliance?”

“That’s right. The Grand Princess had just passed away, Zhang Hong must be in a hurry to send someone to Xue. Doesn’t it mean he is looking down on the Grand Princess? Looking down on the Grand Princess naturally means he is looking down on this Seat.”

Everyone saw that Feng Ming was still calm and thinking logically, it was as if he wasn’t affected by Marquis Zhulu’s betrayal, as if there was no such thing as Marquis Zhulu in the first place. 

“Zhang Hong is treacherous and a barbarian who broke other people’s faith. He killed his own uncle without remorse, Emperor Xue of course would not want to ally with him. But Emperor Xue also would not want to send troops to fight Zhang Hong. We need to drive Zhang Hong away, let’s see what plan you all have.”

Lu Shichen tried to rack his brain. He was never good at Military strategies, it was not his forte, so even after thinking for a long time, he could not come up with a good plan.

In particular, Ming River, after suffering through a great flood, was bound to be weak. A great portion of Feng Country’s territory was in lower terrains. If Zhang Hong, with Xue Junliang’s help, were to dig the channel to divert the river and drown the country, many people and soldiers would drown and die.

Feng Ming stood up and walked closer to a standing map near the wall. With his back turned to everyone else in the room, he scrutinized the map for a long time before finally saying, “Firstly, send people to prevent Zhang Hong from digging the river. Diverting the river water is the simplest method, Zhang Hong is bound to try it. Launch at least three sneak attacks, just to distract Zhang Hong’s focus. No need to fight to death, just do a quick attack and then retreat.” 

He paused for a moment, then continued, “Secondly, Zhang Hong has a very strong and brave aide who is untouchable… I heard this aide came from the same village as the scholar who won first place in this year’s Imperial examination. Better let the scholar handle this aide.”

A senior minister said, “But Your Majesty, the scholar was placed first in the literary examination, not martial arts…”

Feng Ming smiled, “Who said to let the scholar go to fight? This Seat only wants him to meet and talk with this aide… Whether it’s Cheng Tian or Zhang Hong, they are both the same. They have suspicious minds and don’t know how to not doubt their own people. This Seat is sending the scholar to pass near the enemy’s army camp, eventually Zhang Hong will be suspicious of his own aide and send him to attack our camp by himself. That is useful enough.”

The ministers all nodded and praised the plan. Feng Ming pointed to the map and said, “As for who would be sent to lead this expedition, this Seat wants you all to discuss. Tomorrow, you can list several names to recommend, and then I will pick among them.” 

When he finished giving his order, Feng Ming allowed everyone to go back.

Lu Shichen hesitated just outside the door for a moment, but he gritted his teeth and also left.

As soon as Feng Ming heard the door closed, he suddenly hunched over and reached out a hand to lean against the map, almost knocking it over. With his other hand he covered his mouth as he coughed fitfully. Blood was leaking out between his fingers and tears were falling down his cheeks. It turned out that he’d been suppressing his cough and that was why he turned his back to everyone.

His coughing seemed to get worse and he couldn’t help but fall to the ground like he had lost all his strength. 

Being a King was undoubtedly not easy. The person he trusted the most betrayed him. If he showed his sadness, people would accuse him of being stupid; for the sake of one puny affection, a thousand soldiers had been lost yet he still dared to mourn his impossible love.

But if Feng Ming didn’t show any sadness, people would accuse him of being a cold-hearted and indifferent King. If a King was indifferent even after losing ten thousand soldiers, then wouldn’t he still be indifferent after suffering a great loss in a war? Also, was Zhao Lu just a plaything who would be discarded once the King was bored?

Lu Shichen opened the door just in time to see Feng Ming fall to the floor. He rushed inside and called for the servants.

Lu Shichen was just a scholar, and Feng Ming, while he was thin and lean, he wasn’t exactly light. Lu Shichen staggered and struggled to help King Feng sit on the large chair. 

Lu Shichen was so worried he looked miserable. He said, “Your Majesty, why are you still torturing yourself like this? Just consider Zhao Lu is dead!”

Feng Ming shook his head and laughed shortly, “Some people would call it obsession, but I’d rather he betrayed me and is not dead… If he’s still alive, one day he and I will meet again on the battlefield, at that time I will be able to get him back.”

Lu Shichen was confused by Feng Ming’s contradicting words. Even if he was betrayed, he still wished Zhao Lu to be alive? Then he said someday they would meet on a battlefield, which was a strange thing to say because if that happened, then they would be fighting to kill each other.

But as Lu Shichen thought about the sentence some more, he couldn’t help sighing again and again. Despite his sincerity towards Zhao Lu, King Feng was still a King of a country. It was inevitable his feelings were contradictory. 

——–

Zhang Hong and his army stopped and camped at a place not far from Ming River. As soon as he settled, he sent someone to Xue Country.

Because of the death of the Empress, the proceeding of the Triennial Selection was delayed to an unspecified time. The way people saw it, His Majesty’s love towards the Late Empress must be very deep. Therefore, they thought of sending all of the candidates home.

At this time, came a letter from Zhang Hong, stating he wanted to marry off his sister to Xue Junliang. 

In the letter, Zhang Hong praised his own sister so high as if she was from the heavens, and also stated that he only wanted her to marry the strongest man in the world. He had decided that there was no other man stronger than Xue Junliang.

When Xue Junliang read Zhang Hong’s letter, he laughed out so loud that all his ministers were left looking at each other in confusion.

Xue Junliang ordered Jiang Yu to read the content of the letter so everyone could hear and be entertained together. Zhang Hong’s words were so full of praises and fawning, people who didn’t know would not think it was a marriage proposal.

Teng Yun, who was said to have achieved a meritorious deed and granted an official title by Xue Junliang, stood below the throne among a group of military commanders. 

Xue Junliang asked everyone’s opinion, should he marry this younger sister of Zhang Hong. No one dared come forward to be the first to say anything. After all, they were still not clear of what Emperor Xue’s intention might be. If their opinion differed to Emperor Xue’s, wouldn’t that be disastrous?

Xue Junliang looked around the crowd and laughed, “Who wants to say their opinion? Teng Ying, how about you? This time though you have achieved great merit, people are still doubting you. Now, if you don’t say anything, people would want you to be punished. So, say your opinion! Show them that you’re still able to stand here today is not because you only have a big mouth and no brain.”

Hearing the order, Teng Yun stepped forward. Looking up, he saw Xue Junliang’s condescending look and let out a cold snort. Xue Junliang was deliberately finding ways to cut off his head.

To be able to become a thorn in Emperor Xue’s side, Teng Yun wasn’t sure if it was a misfortune or a great luck…