Chapter 56: A Heavy Responsibility
When the topic of the war with Southern Liang arose, the court ministers fell silent. Though Southern Liang had lost Linjiang City and the Shangguan family had suffered a heavy blow, losing two hundred thousand elite troops, the core of Southern Liang remained intact; it was still the strongest nation.
“Your Majesty, although we routed the Heavenly Might Legion of the Shangguan family at Linjiang City last time, Southern Liang’s strength is unscathed. I’ve heard they’ve now amassed several hundred thousand soldiers, with Shangguan Wei himself commanding. I fear...” The venerable Li Yizheng of the cabinet spoke with a furrowed brow, his expression grave.
“It’s all thanks to that old villain Long Ye. The Long family fought campaigns north and south, doubling Southern Liang’s territory; their population is now twice ours.”
“Indeed, the Long family’s army conquered far too much land for Southern Liang, destroying numerous small states.”
“Fortunately, the Long family is now extinct—heaven has eyes.”
The ministers whispered among themselves. The Empress glanced at Long Chen, whose face was impassive, and said, “Enough. Let’s return to the matter at hand. What is to be done?”
But when it came to the heart of the issue, the ministers were again at a loss for words.
Di Luoxi stepped forward and said, “Mother, it was I who seized Linjiang City. I am willing to go and defend it.”
The ministers remained silent, and the Empress felt a tinge of helplessness in her heart. Unlike Southern Liang and Western Xia, Eastern Zhou had few civil or military officials—everything depended on the Empress alone. She had broken through to the rank of Imperial Sovereign, the only one in the world, which was the only reason Eastern Zhou could withstand Western Xia and Southern Liang.
Eastern Zhou had only the Grand Commandery, held by Jing Tianlie and Jing Feng, and in addition, the Third and Fourth Princesses. There were only four generals fit for use, three of whom were stationed elsewhere; only Di Luoxi remained.
“Very well. The Fourth Princess will go to Linjiang City to defend it. Who else is willing to accompany her?” The Empress swept her gaze across the hall, but not one stepped forward to take the assignment.
Minister of War Bai Qiulian stepped out and said, “Your Majesty, Long Cheng’en assisted the Fourth Princess in taking Linjiang City. He can be sent again.”
Others echoed, “Minister Bai speaks rightly.”
The Empress turned to Long Chen. Long Chen bowed and said, “This humble servant is willing to assist the Fourth Princess.”
The Empress nodded. “Very well. The two of you shall go.”
After court was dismissed, Long Chen and Di Luoxi had just returned to the Western Palace when they received the Empress’s summons for Long Chen to come to Fengming Palace.
Long Chen rose at once and entered the Empress’s bedchamber, guided by Ying Feng.
Inside, the Empress was absorbed in a military report, her expression grave.
“Your servant greets Your Majesty,” Long Chen said, bowing.
The Empress set aside the report and looked him over. “How long have you been in the palace?”
“Over a year,” he replied.
She nodded slightly, speaking as if offhandedly. “It has been a year—your physique hasn’t changed much. Other eunuchs, after a year, become neither truly male nor female.”
Long Chen’s heart skipped a beat; it felt as if the Empress had discovered something. His cultivation of the Yin-Absorbing Technique allowed him to conceal his manhood, but his body still produced normal male hormones, and his muscular physique was conspicuous. Many had commented on this; he needed to find a solution. Would Liuwei Dihuang Pills help? His thoughts raced, but the Empress continued, “Perhaps it’s due to your martial training. Have you made further progress?”
“I just reached mid-King rank yesterday. My progress has slowed,” he answered.
The Empress laughed. “You’ve gone from a novice to King rank in a year, and you call that slow?”
It was well known that even geniuses would take at least ten years to reach King rank, and only the most exceptional could do so.
Long Chen simply smiled, offering no further reply.
“Have you heard from Dragon Society yet?”
Long Chen had previously requested a meeting with the society’s leader, but Shi Jian had yet to respond.
“Not yet, but there’s no rush. At present, they need us.”
“You’ve done well. Both the World Society and Dragon Society now lean toward Eastern Zhou.”
As she spoke, the Empress placed the military report on her desk.
“Earlier in the Grand Palace, I appointed you and Luoxi to defend Linjiang City.”
“Shangguan Wei’s Heavenly Might Legion has completed training. Li Chengdao has ordered him to retake Linjiang City. War is imminent.”
“My intention is for you and Luoxi to assist Li Xiannan in holding the city and to repel Shangguan Wei.”
Long Chen examined the report closely: Shangguan Wei was leading three hundred thousand newly trained troops, along with one hundred thousand veterans, a total of four hundred thousand soldiers now stationed at Caishi City.
The two cities were only fifty li apart—battle could erupt at any moment.
“Well? Do you have confidence?” the Empress asked after a long silence.
“The tides of war shift in an instant. I dare not claim certainty,” Long Chen replied. “But as I said in court, I will do what I must.”
Having fought so many battles with the Long family’s army, he knew the field could change at any moment, and victory could never be guaranteed. Yet as a Long family general, he was accustomed to thinking in terms of victory.
“Good. You and Luoxi will go. The northern barbarians may invade, so I cannot spare you more troops—only those already at Linjiang City. You’ll have to manage with them.”
With powerful enemies on three borders, the Empress had sent Di Lingyi to the north for support; the situation was dire, and she had to preserve her reserves.
“I understand.”
“Send Luoxi in. I wish to speak with her alone.”
Long Chen left the bedchamber and returned to the Western Palace.
Di Luoxi asked, “Why did Mother summon you alone?”
“She told me to assist you with the city’s defense. She’s calling for you now,” Long Chen replied.
Di Luoxi rose and departed at once for Fengming Palace.
Xuan Yi and Qing Yue were packing their things. Zhang Qian asked, “Shouldn’t we be getting ready as well?”
“Go pack at Qiuxing Hall. I need to speak with the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works,” Long Chen answered.
“I’m your bodyguard—I’ll follow you,” Zhang Qian insisted.
Long Chen visited the Ministry of Revenue and summoned Duan Shuangshuang.
“My lord,” she greeted him.
Duan Shuangshuang wore a plain blue dress, her makeup understated, radiating a gentle, cultured air.
“I’m heading to Linjiang City with the Fourth Princess. Who knows how long the battle will last? I’m entrusting the Ministry of Revenue to you. Conduct business with the World Society and Dragon Society as usual—keep the accounts in order.”
“Don’t worry about supplies; I’ve told Xu Ming at the Ministry of Works to handle production. Your responsibility is the armor, qipaos, and other garments. You’re a woman—you’re best suited to manage these. If anything urgent arises, send word to Linjiang City or report directly to the Empress.”
Duan Shuangshuang bowed. “I will remember your instructions.”
She was meticulous and dependable—there was little more to say.
Long Chen left for the Ministry of Works, with Duan Shuangshuang seeing him off. “Safe travels, my lord.”
He nodded, instructed Xu Ming to maintain quality as always, and after everything was settled, returned to the Western Palace. Di Luoxi had also returned; their belongings packed, they set out at once with the palace guards for Linjiang City.
...
The Jing family.
A sly-looking man entered Jing Heng’s room and quietly closed the door.
“How did it go?” Jing Heng asked in a low voice.
Tang Wei replied, “All arranged. This time, Long Cheng’en is sure to suffer a crushing defeat!”
Jing Heng gave a cold, sinister laugh. “Good. Because he took Linjiang City, Long Cheng’en has been favored. Now, I’ll see him take a nasty fall!”
Tang Wei looked uneasy. “What if it’s exposed?”
Jing Heng cursed under his breath, “Nonsense. I’ve never heard of such a thing!”
Tang Wei nodded quickly, “Right, right—this never happened.”