The Child Emperor

Jin Chuiduo’s proficiency in the Xiongnu language was insufficient to translate all conversations. Once the discussion deviated from the predetermined topics, her translations became even more clumsy.

Fang Daye was slightly better at speaking Xiongnu. Having served on the frontier for decades, he had fought against the Xiongnu during wartime and had dealings with them during peacetime, even making a few friends.

The Chanyu first brought up past events, asking the old general if he had participated in the famous Battle of Mayi City decades ago. Fang Daye nodded. That was a war during the early years of the Martial Emperor’s reign. After that battle, the Chu empire shifted from defense to offense, winning consecutive victories and eventually forced the Xiongnu to split into eastern and western factions.

In that battle, both sides had large armies and were unwilling to yield. The conflict lasted for half a month, with the battlefield gradually extending to the northern plains. The Xiongnu attempted to lure the Chu army into terrain more favorable for cavalry warfare, but the Chu army, in high spirits, followed them onto the steppes.

Both sides showed fierce determination, but ultimately, the imperial army proved superior, and the Xiongnu were defeated, admitting their defeat wholeheartedly.

At that time, the Chanyu was still a prince, and Fang Daye was merely a junior officer in charge of fifty soldiers. Neither played a significant role in the war, but both had the deepest impressions of that battle.

“Grand General Deng Liao was like a deity in warfare. Wherever he commanded us to go, we pursued relentlessly. Eventually, we would always catch up with the fleeing Xiongnu. That was the first time I earned a merit on the battlefield…”

“The Xiongnu were not fleeing. Our tactic was to lure the enemy into pursuit and then turn to fight when they were exhausted. It’s our traditional strategy.”

“The Grand General saw through your tactics and pursued without giving you a chance to turn back.”

The two men began arguing in Xiongnu language. Inside the tent, there was a table with cups, pitchers, bowls, and dishes. They used it to map out the battlefield, recreating the events of that battle. One argued that the Chu army had won decisively, while the other claimed that many Xiongnu survived and it wasn’t a total defeat.

Jin Chuiduo couldn’t get a word in and could only exchange glances with the “Northern Protection General” across from her.

“He doesn’t understand our conversation?”

Jin Chuiduo nodded coldly.

“My name is Zhang Youcai, the personal attendant to the Weary Marquis,” Zhang Youcai said with a smile. “We’ve met before. On our way north, I was in the army. Miss Jin rarely showed her face, but once I delivered something…”

“I remember you,” Jin Chuiduo said.

“How are your two brothers? The Weary Marquis can’t give them special treatment just because our countries are at war.”

“They’re fine.”

“And Qingting? I met her more often.”

“She’s also fine. We were separated for a while… I think we should stop talking.”

Zhang Youcai closed his mouth but occasionally smiled at Jin Chuiduo.

“Bring the wine!” the Chanyu shouted, not in anger but in excitement.

Somehow, the two elderly men had transitioned from arguing to confiding in each other.

Jin Chuiduo left the tent, and Zhang Youcai almost got up to follow her but remembered he was supposed to be the Northern Protection General and sat back down. Fang Daye walked to the tent’s entrance and called to the Chu soldiers, “Bring the wine! Let the Xiongnu taste the strong wine of Chu!”

Soldiers on the frontier usually carried wine with them as a substitute for water. Two soldiers brought several wine bags. The Chanyu and Fang Daye drank and talked, growing more animated, completely forgetting about Jin Chuiduo and the “Northern Protection General.”

Zhang Youcai finally sensed something was wrong. “Has the Chanyu recognized my identity?”

Jin Chuiduo could only draw the same conclusion. Since the real Northern Protection General left, the Chanyu had not mentioned the peace talks again. Realizing her betrayal had been discovered, Jin Chuiduo blushed.

The Chanyu turned to Jin Chuiduo and said a few words, then continued drinking with Fang Daye.

“What did he say?” Zhang Youcai asked.

“He said General Fang might have been one of those who chased him on the battlefield back then.”

“And he’s still so happy?” Zhang Youcai found it hard to understand.

Jin Chuiduo couldn’t understand either. She had heard of enemies reconciling with a smile, but the Xiongnu and Chu armies were currently facing off, far from reconciliation.

After drinking half a bag of wine each, the two elderly men’s conversation became less intense. The Chanyu spoke seriously, and Fang Daye listened, nodding occasionally.

“What is the Chanyu saying now?” Zhang Youcai asked.

“He said… I can’t quite understand. Let’s wait until he returns.”

The Chanyu finished speaking and resumed drinking and chatting with Fang Daye.

As time passed, Zhang Youcai was certain he had been exposed but didn’t know what to do. He could only hope his master would return soon. Jin Chuiduo, on the other hand, remained calm, standing silently.

When a Xiongnu guard reported that a Chu soldier had returned, Zhang Youcai nearly jumped up in joy.

Han Ruzi entered the tent, wearing neither armor nor a helmet, looking like a survivor from a disaster. Zhang Youcai stood up but managed to restrain himself from asking questions.

The Chanyu struggled to stand and walked over to the “Chu soldier,” saying a few words. Jin Chuiduo blushed even more and translated, “The Chanyu said it seems you succeeded. That’s all for today. He’s happy and believes they can continue negotiating in the future.”

Han Ruzi was taken aback. “He recognized me?”

“Probably a long time ago. I told you, the Chanyu observes people, not just listens to them.”

Han Ruzi bowed slightly. “Please apologize to the Chanyu for me.”

Jin Chuiduo spoke, and the Chanyu replied with a smile, nodding to Han Ruzi before leaving the tent. Jin Chuiduo said, “Establishing trust between the Xiongnu and Chu is difficult. Someone has to show goodwill first. The Chanyu is willing to start.”

Jin Chuiduo also left the tent, feeling guilty.

Fang Daye approached. “The Chanyu told me some things. Does the Northern Protection General want to hear them now or back at camp?”

“Back at camp.” Han Ruzi was confused by what had happened but needed to address Chu army matters first.

By the time they returned to the southern shore, it was dusk. Han Ruzi had spent most of the day on the road, never feeling at ease. He had quelled the chaos, but his success was precarious and could collapse at any moment, leaving him unable to prevent it.

Chai Yue gave him a surprise.

The Northern Protection General’s instructions and the death of his half-brother Chai Zhi finally made Chai Yue steel his resolve. He understood that, regardless of the truth, in the eyes of the Chai family, he was a complete traitor, siding with their enemies. Following the Northern Protection General was his only option.

He left most of the 80,000 Chu soldiers on the front lines. Without the Grand Marshal’s seal, Chai Yue personally relayed orders to each camp. Despite the large number of troops, he managed them with precision, and none of the accompanying officers could find fault.

The more than 20,000 Northern Army soldiers previously defending the area had already been won over by him. They were his greatest allies. Influenced by their comrades, the newly arrived 50,000 Northern Army soldiers also accepted the young general, temporarily forgetting the chaos and death at the central command tent.

With the Northern Protection General safely returned, there was no need for battle. Chai Yue remained hands-on, arranging for the army to either garrison or return to camp, working tirelessly. He only had time to greet the Northern Protection General from afar.

Han Ruzi needed such a general. He didn’t return to the city but set up a tent at the former site of Flowing Sand City, merging with the soldiers guarding the front line.

There were also many matters for him to address. The first was to appoint a new Provost Marshal. He couldn’t arbitrarily place his confidants in the Northern Army, so he sent someone to consult the Northern Army generals in the city. Liu Kunsheng, Han Tong, and Feng Shili immediately rode over. After some polite refusals, they recommended an old Northern Army general to temporarily take the position, pending the court’s approval.

The new Provost Marshal and the three generals jointly interrogated Zhang Yanghao and others overnight to clarify the cause of the chaos in the central command tent. It was an extremely challenging task, requiring both convincing the soldiers and avoiding widespread implications. For Liu Kunsheng, this was easier than deploying troops.

By the time everything was arranged, it was the middle of the night. Han Ruzi couldn’t sleep and called Fang Daye to ask what the Chanyu had said.

Fang Daye briefly mentioned the war memories and then recounted an incredible story that led the Western Xiongnu to return east and seek peace with Great Chu.

The West was not a barren wasteland but home to many nations and peoples. The Western Xiongnu occupied a fertile grassland, using it as a base to expand in all directions, particularly south and west. Xiongnu cavalry traveled thousands of miles, defeating dozens of countries and forcing them to pay tribute. Life was quite good, and they had long lost interest in returning east to compete with the Chu army.

About ten years ago, a group of slaves in a small country revolted. The Xiongnu didn’t take it seriously and sent a small number of cavalry to assist in quelling the rebellion. The result was unexpected: the slaves won, killing all the Xiongnu cavalry and the country’s nobles.

The victorious slaves expanded into neighboring countries, winning successive victories. The Chanyu didn’t take it seriously either. Previous victories had come too easily, leading the Xiongnu to underestimate the Western countries, let alone a group of nameless slaves.

But these slaves quickly expanded their territory. They didn’t just demand tribute like the Xiongnu but occupied cities. From nobility to commoners, everyone faced two choices: join the army or become slaves.

Almost all countries chose the former.

Strangely, these slaves claimed to be descendants of Xiongnu who had migrated west long ago. Their language was indeed very similar to the Xiongnu language.

Initially, these slaves were polite to the northern Xiongnu, willing to acknowledge them as overlords, returning the dead Xiongnu cavalry and compensating them with gold and silver.

The Chanyu accepted the gold and silver, a decision he regretted ever since. He watched the wars around him coldly, planning to annihilate the slaves at the most opportune moment. The result was even more regretful.

In just five years, the slave army conquered most countries and began challenging their overlords. They were no longer just a slave army or a collection of small states but a massive force with cavalry, infantry, and chariots.

The Western Xiongnu fought and lost three battles, finally realizing their enemy was no longer the weak countries of the past.

The Chanyu led his people eastward. Whenever they stopped, the enemy pursued. After another five years, the Western Xiongnu returned to their homeland, bordering Great Chu and subduing the Eastern Xiongnu.

The entire story was indeed incredible, and Han Ruzi found it hard to believe. But Fang Daye was inclined to think the Chanyu was telling the truth. “The slaves claimed to be descendants of earlier migrating Xiongnu. Their leader called himself the ‘Chanyu revered by all, established by gods and spirits, worshipped by kings,’ known as the ‘Spirit Chanyu.'”

So the Western Xiongnu’s talks about a “haunting” was about this. Han Ruzi felt it necessary to meet the Chanyu again. He wasn’t concerned about the distant threat but the current situation.

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