Chapter 273.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 273.1: Has the Day Not Yet Come
“It seems this proclamation serves not only to sow discord but also as a deliberate provocation.”
In Yangzhou, within the Command Headquarters of the Restoration Army, General Xu Zhengye gave a cold sneer as he flung several confidential letters across the table. “This is precisely her purpose.”
In recent days, nearly all the bureaucrats and aristocratic clans who had been supporting him—both openly and in secret—had been urging him to resume his offensive against Huainan Prefecture. Some even questioned why he continued to linger in Jiangdu instead of advancing, asking when he would finally bring about the grand plan of enthroning the Crown Prince.
Some went so far as to send “ultimatums,” declaring that if he failed to take Huainan Prefecture within a certain number of days, they would withdraw their financial and military support.
“Are these people fools?” one of Xu Zhengye’s generals fumed. “Can they not see that wretched proclamation was meant to divide us? Lately, even in our own ranks, there are unruly soldiers spreading rumors—clearly stirred up by their agents!”
By “their agents,” he meant the men secretly placed in Xu Zhengye’s army by those same noble families. They provided him with money and manpower—but in doing so, they also sought to keep him under their control.
It was a relationship of mutual exploitation; there was no such thing as a favor freely given.
“They are not fools—they’re far shrewder than anyone else,” Xu Zhengye replied, narrowing his cold eyes. “They’ve doubted me all along. That proclamation merely gave them an excuse to act on their suspicions.”
“In their eyes, since I’ve taken their silver, I ought to deliver them results. Now that I remain here in Jiangdu, they cannot help but believe the slander in that proclamation…”
That document accused him of using the slogan of “restoring the Li dynasty” as a façade—while secretly harboring ambitions to crown himself King of Jiangdu.
To the great clans, this second claim was the true threat. Having spent vast sums of money and lent him their strength, they would never tolerate being used merely to pave the road for Xu Zhengye’s own throne.
The general glanced at the pile of letters, resentment burning in his eyes. “They really think themselves my masters!”
Xu Zhengye, however, had regained his composure. His voice was calm again. “For now—and for what lies ahead—we must still rely on them.”
In other words, the time had not yet come to break with them completely.
His grand design required money, provisions, and manpower—but it also depended on those entrenched powers opening doors for him across the realm. Until then, he could not afford to lose his “Restoration” banner.
And to preserve that name, he could not remain entrenched in Jiangdu, lest he truly appear to be a self-proclaimed monarch.
“She goads me because she knows Jiangdu is easy to defend but hard to attack,” Xu Zhengye said, glancing down at the proclamation. “She dares not assault the city outright, so she plays her trick—pressuring me from all sides to force my hand.”
“This young woman’s words may sound arrogant, but her mind is far from reckless.”
He wondered who had advised her on this—Chang Kuo? Xiao Min? Or perhaps some other strategist altogether?
In his view, the reason that proclamation bore Chang Suining’s name was simply to exploit the mystique of her “reincarnated general star.” It didn’t necessarily mean the plan had been her own idea.
“What does the Grand General intend now?” the general asked through gritted teeth.
Xu Zhengye’s eyes grew darker. “Since she wishes to provoke me into battle, then let us oblige her.”
The general immediately stepped forward, cupping his fists. “Allow me to lead the army! I’ll take the heads of the Chang father and daughter to end these false rumors once and for all!”
That impudent young woman had dared to predict his commander’s death date—spreading panic throughout the ranks. She deserved to die for that alone.
Moreover, the general’s name was Ge Zhìqing, the cousin of Ge Zong, who had fallen beneath Chang Suining’s blade. Though they had not been close, their fates were tied by name and family—one’s glory was the other’s. For him, this was both vengeance and duty.
“Very well.” Xu Zhengye gave him a look of approval. “Then Zhìqing shall lead thirty thousand men to attack Shouzhou first. Probe their defenses.”
Ge Zhìqing’s eyes lit with murderous resolve. “Your command, I obey!”
Standing nearby, Luo Guanlin’s expression shifted, but he said nothing.
Once the strategy was set, Ge Zhìqing departed swiftly, eager to mobilize his troops.
Not long after, Xu Zhengye stepped out from the council hall and descended the stone steps. He paused beside a half-height lotus urn, gazing into its water. “After the Lantern Festival, the weather truly grows warmer by the day…”
A Daoist standing behind him, holding a horsetail whisk, smiled knowingly. “Congratulations, Lord Xu—the east wind has arrived.”
Warm weather meant thawed rivers and clear waters—the season for campaigns had come.
“I hadn’t meant to act in haste,” Xu Zhengye murmured, eyes fixed upon the reflection of the sky, “but someone chose to play clever tricks.”
He had wanted to wait until all his plans were set before moving, but the proclamation had forced his hand.
Thinking of that self-assured young woman, Xu Zhengye laughed softly. “Tell me, Master, do you think this ‘seventy-three days’ prophecy bears any truth?”
“Nothing but bewitching nonsense,” the Daoist replied, stroking his beard. “From what I see, Lord Xu’s destiny is flourishing—your great enterprise is near at hand. You need not trouble yourself over a girl’s empty boasts. If you truly fear she might pose a threat, you may simply remove her later.”
Xu Zhengye’s smile deepened. “I need not lift a hand. She’ll pay for her own arrogance.”
He looked back into the still water, where the blue sky mirrored his calm expression. “Jiangdu is a fine place—rich, defensible, and well-suited for long-term residence…”
But a true dragon cannot remain submerged forever.
His ambition was far greater than that little proclamation suggested. Jiangdu was merely his starting point—not his destiny.
Moreover, the current political climate would not allow him to linger. Should he stay any longer, doubts would fester and loyalty would wane. Everything he had built could unravel.
“Grand General.”
A figure in dark blue appeared at the edge of his vision. Xu Zhengye turned, smiling. “Guanlin—was there something you wished to say?”
He had noticed the hesitation earlier, during the war council.
He dismissed the Daoist with a gesture; soon only the two of them remained.
Facing that gentle smile, Luo Guanlin spoke carefully, the last thread of hope in his voice. “Grand General… you’ve ordered Ge Zhìqing to march on Shouzhou. Does that mean you’ve abandoned the plan to head for Luoyang?”
Luoyang—that had been Xu Zhengye’s secret plan before the Lantern Festival, discussed only among his closest advisors. The generals had yet to hear of it.
Xu Zhengye shook his head. “No—the plan remains. I am merely advancing the timetable.”
He had once intended to strike directly toward the capital. But since his defeat at Hezhou, he knew that road was no longer viable. Thus, he had chosen another path—
—to the eastern capital, Luoyang.
If he could seize and secure Luoyang, he would gain legitimacy and new allies. There, he could build the political foundation he needed.
Luo Guanlin was taken aback. “Then why send Ge Zhìqing to attack Huainan Prefecture?”
Xu Zhengye’s tone was quiet but firm. “Someone must draw Chang Kuo’s army away—and distract the imperial forces.”
Luo Guanlin froze where he stood.
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