Winter had arrived, blanketing the land in a thousand miles of snow. Ordinary citizens couldn't even leave their homes, forced to endure the harsh weather, subsisting on meager rations of stored grain and pickled vegetables.
The heart of winter was a terrible time for war.
Marching, transporting supplies, engaging in battle—all were incredibly difficult.
Yet, an imperial edict descended, summoning Hu Zongxian, Grand Coordinator of the Northern Territories, to Tongzhou, where he was to inspect the newly assembled Three Hundred Thousand Wolf Troops of the Five Army Battalions.
This inspection was merely a formality. The true purpose was a final preparation for war.
Once the generals and troops were ready, the northern campaign to retake Yunzhou City would begin.
"Congratulations, Grand Coordinator Hu. Three hundred thousand strong, these elite Wolf Troops from the Great Ming's southwest are the pinnacle of our military might. They are fearless and ferocious in battle. With these men under your command, you can conquer the world!"
The eunuch respectfully presented the imperial edict to Hu Zongxian.
Hu Zongxian, although reinstated to his former position, wore simple, plain clothes, resembling an old farmer who had just returned from working in the fields.
The eunuch thought to himself, 'This man… He has no presence at all. The Great Ming's top general? Is this truly the best our nation has to offer?'
Hu Zongxian glanced at him, easily discerning the disdain in the eunuch's eyes. But he wasn't angry. He casually retrieved a banknote from his sleeve.
It was a spirit stone note from the Sunrise Trading Company, exchangeable for five hundred top-grade spirit stones.
"I apologize for troubling you, Eunuch," he said. "Please accept this small token of my appreciation."
The eunuch skillfully took the note. Five hundred spirit stones?!
Such generosity! Although eunuchs typically received tips for delivering imperial edicts, they were usually paid in silver, rarely in spirit stones, let alone such a large sum.
"They say Hu Zongxian is a member of the Yan faction. It seems the rumors are true. The Yan faction is truly wealthy.
The last time I delivered an edict to Junior Grand Secretary Xu's residence, they only gave me three baskets of honey tangerines! How infuriating!"
Seeing the money, the eunuch's disdain for Hu Zongxian vanished instantly. The Grand Coordinator now seemed imposing and enigmatic.
Even his rough, cotton clothing acquired a newfound significance, as if symbolizing a man of hidden depths, his true power concealed beneath a humble exterior.
The eunuch repeatedly assured Hu Zongxian that he would put in a good word for him when he reported back to Emperor Jiajing.
Hu Zongxian forced a smile, not bothering to expose the eunuch's empty promises, and respectfully saw him out of the residence.
"Congratulations, Master, on regaining your command!"
As Hu Zongxian returned to his home, his family and servants knelt before him as if they had finally endured the worst and brighter days were ahead.
But Hu Zongxian's body stiffened. He gazed at his family for a long time, speechless. Even a sigh seemed superfluous.
"Help me change my clothes."
The imperial edict urged him to depart for Tongzhou immediately.
…
News of Hu Zongxian's reinstatement and his upcoming command of the Three Hundred Thousand Wolf Troops spread quickly through the Ming capital, reaching the Yan Residence, the Xu Residence… and the Fan residence in Beiting Alley.
"Father! The Emperor has finally issued the official decree!" Yan Shifan exclaimed.
"Once we retake Yunzhou City, our annual income will increase to this!" He gestured, indicating a staggering sum, but Grand Secretary Yan Song didn't even look.
The old man spoke slowly. "Yan Shifan… remember this: Most of the wealth we earn for the Great Ming… It belongs to the Emperor. Do not… be too greedy."
"Tsk!"
Yan Shifan frowned. He couldn't voice his true thoughts in his father's presence.
…
Xu Residence.
"Father, Hu Zongxian has been reinstated! The Yan faction has regained control of the military! How can you allow this to happen?!" Xu Fan exclaimed anxiously.
Beside him stood two young officials, their ranks seemingly low, but they were, in fact, two of the most vocal figures in the Great Ming court – Censor Zou Yinglong and Censor Lin Run.
Lin Run said loudly, "Master, we would rather die protesting than allow Hu Zongxian to lead the army!"
Zou Yinglong stepped forward and stood beside him, displaying their solidarity.
"Foolish!" Xu Jie shouted.
"Die protesting? Do you intend to tarnish the Emperor's reputation? To paint him as an unrighteous ruler who ignores the advice of his loyal officials?"
Lin Run and Zou Yinglong froze, quickly understanding his meaning.
For scholars, death in protest; for soldiers, death in battle; These were the hallmarks of true loyalty.
But if a scholar died protesting, wouldn't it mean that the Emperor was an unrighteous ruler, deaf to the advice of his loyal subjects?
To sacrifice the Emperor's reputation to gain fame for themselves?
Even if Lin Run and Zou Yinglong harbored such thoughts, they wouldn't dare admit it.
They both dropped to their knees and declared their guilt.
Xu Jie, seeing that his students were still obedient, sighed with relief.
"Enough, I know you acted out of concern. But this time, there's no need for either of you to do anything."
Lin Run and Zou Yinglong exchanged glances. They remained kneeling, refusing to accept his words.
They offered no argument, but their silence was a clear demand for reassurance.
"Humph! Are you truly as stubborn as iron beans?"
Despite his words, they remained kneeling.
"Alas!"
Xu Jie felt a wave of frustration. Although he was the leader of the "clear stream" faction, his control over his subordinates paled in comparison to Yan Song's.
The Yan faction members were willing to be the Grand Secretary's sons, even his dogs.
If Yan Song ordered them to go east, they would never dare to go west.
"Enough. I assure you, Hu Zongxian will never lead the army. Are you satisfied now, Censor Zou? Censor Lin?"
Even Xu Jie had his limits.
His tone was laced with sarcasm. He was clearly displeased with his students' behavior.
The two men realized they had overstepped their bounds, forgetting their duties as students. They kowtowed repeatedly on the wooden floor.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Xu Jie didn't stop them. They continued until their foreheads bled.
"Father, please forgive my senior brothers," Xu Fan said. "They've learned their lesson. Please be merciful."
He knew it was time for him to intervene. His words offered both sides a way to save face.
"Enough," Xu Jie said.
Lin Run and Zou Yinglong immediately stopped. Clearly, they hadn't enjoyed this self-inflicted punishment.
Xu Jie helped them to their feet and smiled wryly.
"You are both learned scholars. Do you truly believe I cannot see the danger of the Yan faction's growing power? For the sake of the Emperor, for the sake of the Great Ming Dynasty, I will never allow Hu Zongxian to lead the army again."
"Master!"
Lin Run and Zou Yinglong seemed genuinely touched. But Xu Fan secretly suspected that their tears might be from the pain of their self-inflicted injuries.
…
Outside the Ming capital, Hu Zongxian rode his horse, accompanied only by a few servants. He had declined Yan Shifan's offer to host a grand farewell ceremony, saying that as a disgraced official, he didn't deserve such an honor.
Yan Shifan, preoccupied with the new courtesan at the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, hadn't insisted.
Thus, Hu Zongxian's departure was surprisingly quiet and lonely. The winter snow, falling relentlessly, painted a bleak picture, as if he were walking towards a dead end.
When he reached the Ten Mile Pavilion, a resting point outside the city, Hu Zongxian saw a figure waiting for him.
Several braziers were arranged around the pavilion, melting the surrounding snow. A fire burned within, and a copper hotpot simmered atop a stone table. Silver charcoal kept the water boiling, steam rising into the cold air.
A pot of wine was being warmed by the fire.
"Grand Coordinator Hu, we meet again."
Hu Zongxian smiled wryly, dismounted his horse, and looked at the young man in the pavilion with a mix of emotions.
Finally, he spoke. "How should I address you? Emperor of Great Jin? Duke Jin of Great Chu?"
His servants were startled, but he waved them off.
"Too troublesome. Simply call me Fan Li."
Today, Fan Li had shed his disguise. He had come as himself.
The Great Ming Dynasty?
The Emperor's capital?
He, Fan Li, dared to prepare a hotpot feast for Hu Zongxian's farewell.
Accompanying Fan Li were Yu Shenzi and Jing Wudi.
The Director of the Censorate diligently heated the wine, while the Director of the Imperial Hospital tended to the fire.
Two Unity Realm cultivators, performing the tasks of servants.
Hu Zongxian looked at them intently, then shook his head. "I could easily capture all of you. Leave now, and I'll pretend this never happened."
Fan Li, instead of being offended, was happy.
"Well then, Brother Ruzhen, will you strike me down? If not, please have a seat and a drink."
Seeing that Fan Li wouldn't be deterred, Hu Zongxian sighed in defeat. He entered the pavilion and sat down across from Fan Li.
"What's the point?" he asked. "I have regained the Emperor's trust, and I will soon command a vast army. Do you truly believe you can convince me to abandon my position and betray my nation?
To join you in Great Chu… or perhaps Great Jin? You're dreaming!"
Hu Zongxian was still unsure of the Great Jin kingdom's location.
"Brother Ruzhen, you misunderstand."
Fan Li poured him a cup of warm wine, then filled his own. He emptied his cup in one gulp, then continued.
"Your future is perilous, Brother Ruzhen. I've come to warn you, to ensure your safety."
Hu Zongxian was stunned. Perilous future?
"You think I will be defeated?"
"Indeed. Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, Guo Jia – they are all brilliant strategists. And the Three Kingdoms' alliance is a force to be reckoned with."
"But you needn't fear this battle! The Great Ming's Wolf Troops are unmatched! And now… I have no restrictions… No one can hold me back.
With their ferocity, and my cultivation, which surpasses that of the three strategists, I am confident I can retake Yunzhou City for the Great Ming!"
As he spoke, Hu Zongxian's spiritual energy surged, not to attack Fan Li, but to prove his strength!
"Your Majesty," Jing Wudi whispered, "ninth-rank Unity Realm."
Fan Li was astonished.
"You… You achieved a breakthrough while imprisoned?"
He couldn't believe it!
It was inconceivable!
The Embroidered Uniform Guard's imperial prison was a place of terror for all Ming citizens. Even with lenient treatment, achieving a breakthrough while imprisoned was unheard of!
It seemed Hu Zongxian's talent and willpower were truly extraordinary.
"Indeed, I have reached ninth-rank, Great Perfection of the Unity Realm."
Hu Zongxian withdrew his aura while smiling.
"Well? Do you still believe my future is perilous?"
Fan Li fell silent. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"Brother Ruzhen, your breakthrough… It might be your undoing. They will never allow you to live."
Hu Zongxian's heart skipped a beat.
They?
What did Fan Li mean?
Were there others waiting for him on the road to Tongzhou?
"Explain yourself!" he demanded.
Fan Li looked at him, shaking his head sadly.
"Brother Ruzhen, why do you deceive yourself? With your intelligence, surely you understand?
The stronger you become, the more troops you command, the greater the threat you pose… And the more they'll desire your death."
Crack!
Hu Zongxian crushed the wine cup in his hand.
Within the Great Ming, who wouldn't want him to grow stronger? Who wouldn't want him to command the army?
The Emperor?
No. With the recent appearance of the Grand Omen, Emperor Jiajing was eagerly anticipating Hu Zongxian's victory, hoping he would retake Yunzhou City.
The Yan faction?
He was the Great Ming's top general, and everyone knew he was a member of the Yan faction. Now, he was also Yan Shifan's greatest asset, a tool for amassing wealth. Surely the Yan faction wouldn't want him dead?
"Xu Jie…"
Hu Zongxian whispered the name, but he quickly shook his head.
"The Xu faction… No, the "clear stream"… They are all righteous men. Even if they are a bit stubborn, unable to adapt to the complexities of the world, they will eventually understand why I chose to align myself with Grand Secretary Yan. I did it all for the Great Ming."
He looked at Fan Li, hoping to hear words of agreement.
Yes, agreement.
Hu Zongxian suddenly realized that everything he had done for the Great Ming had been misunderstood by his fellow officials.
Perhaps… only Fan Li could truly understand him.
True friends were indeed rare.
"Hah?"
Fan Li scoffed. That single sound shattered Hu Zongxian's hope.
"Brother Ruzhen, why do you deceive yourself?"
Hu Zongxian's hand trembled.
"You refuse to accept the truth?"
Fan Li pointed at the road before them.
"That road leads to Tongzhou. But I wager you'll never reach the garrison. You will be assassinated along the way. If I'm wrong, I'll surrender and allow you to execute me before your troops."
Hu Zongxian shot to his feet. He glared at Fan Li, speechless.
"Duke Jin, don't be so confident. The Great Ming's court is united! I'm marching to war for our nation! My colleagues would never betray me!"
His voice was loud, but it lacked conviction.
Fan Li asked a single question. "If I'm right, Brother Ruzhen, will you join the Great Jin? My kingdom is young. I will entrust all military matters to you."
For the first time, Fan Li had revealed his true identity – Emperor of Great Jin.
Hu Zongxian stared at him in disbelief.
Was this truly happening?
As a subject of the Great Ming, he should attack Fan Li without hesitation. But he couldn't forget the debt he owed Fan Li. It was a significant debt.
"Will you accept the wager? Or not?"
Fan Li's voice turned cold, his demeanor suddenly radiating imperial authority.
"You…"
Hu Zongxian swallowed hard. He was deeply entangled in the Great Ming's political struggles. How could he not understand?
But surely national matters would take precedence over factional disputes?
If he were assassinated, who could lead the army against Great Ci?
Would the "clear stream" officials, driven by their own ambitions, truly risk forcing the Emperor to lead the army himself?
Hu Zongxian couldn't believe it. He thought of Xu Jie, Zhang Juzheng, and countless other righteous officials. They were all good men, exemplars of virtue.
Hu Zongxian took a deep breath and finally spoke.
"Alright, Emperor of Great Jin, this wager… I, Hu Zongxian, accept."