Jinting Han people

After Meng He announced the news, Jinyong City was filled with jubilation. When Meng He unexpectedly returned and recounted in detail to Liu Xian the situation outside the city and his escape, the court's confidence in victory reached its peak.

For a time, all the generals of the remaining army longed for battle. Those like Gou Xi, Shangguan Si, and Linghu Sheng vied to be the vanguard. Other officers offered suggestions and expressed their support. Even the officials and nobles in the court who harbored resentment towards Liu Xian, regardless of their personal relationships with him, changed their pessimistic attitudes and began to sing his praises.

When all hope seemed lost, the days dragged on endlessly within the city, with some even yearning to surrender to Zhang Fang immediately. But once they realized victory was within reach, they regained their composure, as if even a lifetime of eating porridge within the city would be somewhat palatable.

Seeing that Meng He was safe and sound, Liu Xian was naturally extremely pleased. However, he also knew that people are always prone to swinging from one extreme to another, but this is often an illusion. Even with their current numerical advantage and the strategic advantage of attacking from both inside and outside, achieving victory was still not easy. The reason was simple: Zhang Fang's camp setup was far too cautious.

These days, Liu Xian had been studying the earthen fortifications he had built outside Jinyong City, which, to be honest, were already proving quite troublesome. Unexpectedly, Zhang Fang, seemingly undeterred by the trouble, had built two more fortified villages east of the city. This was hardly like an army marching into battle; it was more like a swarm of ants moving house, as if they couldn't breathe without an anthill.

Therefore, the so-called coordinated attack from within and without is not so easy to execute. Firstly, Liu Xian has not seen the two fortified villages east of the city and cannot make a concrete assessment of their defenses. If the Western Army relies on earthen walls and fortified villages to fight, then which aspect of defense is not a defense? Victory or defeat will not be so easily decided. Secondly, Liu Xian does not know the quality of the Eastern Army, but it is probably inferior to that of the Western Army. If they cannot defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, the result may not be much different from the Battle of Xilei.

But since news had already come from Liu Tun that a decisive battle would be launched on the day of Xinwei in the first month of the lunar calendar, Liu Xian naturally couldn't refuse. This was probably the last chance, regardless of whether he won or lost.

Therefore, in the last few days after Meng He's return, Liu Xian not only did not relax at all, but became even more exhausted.

He first ordered Fu Chang to take out the remaining pine torches and oil in Jinyong City to make a large number of torches. When the time came, they would rush eastward from the occupied earthen hill, and light any fences and watchtowers that could be burned, so as to at least break through a road to contact reinforcements.

At the same time, he took out all the remaining food in the city and let the soldiers in the city eat their fill for several days. Only by ensuring sufficient physical strength could they fight the final battle against the Western Army.

But this also meant that if they failed, there would be no more food supplies left in the city, and the Western Army would achieve a complete victory. How many men he could take to Hedong would then be entirely up to fate.

However, by the day before the decisive battle, Liu Xian was unusually calm. In his mind, he had done everything he could to the best of his ability, and regardless of victory or defeat, he could have a clear conscience. Now, the only thing he needed to do was to face this final challenge in Luoyang with a full spirit.

At dusk that day, he stood atop Jinyong City Wall, watching the sunset. Through a thin veil of clouds, the sun cast its final golden rays, its light like an endless ocean engulfing the countless snow-capped peaks between Mangshan and Xiaoshan. The snow-capped mountains were bathed in warmth and tranquility, peaceful and undisturbed, awaiting the arrival of night. All things were serene and still, prompting Liu Xian to reflect on the countless years he had lived through the past thirty-odd years.

It's been a long journey. I grew up in Luoyang, started a family in Luoyang, and spent my most painful and happiest times in Luoyang. Of the people I've known in these thirty years, some are dead, but many are still alive. Some are unrecognizable, while others remain loyal to the end. And what about myself? What have I become?

Liu Xian drew his Zhangwu sword from his waist and examined his own face once more through the blade. The face was both familiar and strange. It was hard to imagine that he, in his youth, had been so easily angered and so prone to tears, yet now he was remarkably peaceful. But he could say with complete honesty that, all these years later, the heart beating in his chest was still that of the young man he once was.

That's good enough. He can end this journey with his head held high and then embark on another one.

Thinking this, Liu Xian looked up again, watching the sun slowly sink behind the mountains, leaving only a sliver of afterglow reflecting on the western clouds. Finally, even the afterglow grew darker and darker, the sky turning a bluish-black, and the mountain peaks becoming indistinct. Pale white clouds drifted by, and a few faint stars peeked through the western sky.

Leaning against the railing, Liu Xian drifted into a daze, letting the northwest wind whip against her face. Just then, a palace maid approached, saying she was bringing Liu Xian and the others their evening meal. However, after placing the food box down, she didn't immediately leave. Liu Xian found this strange; the maid seemed vaguely familiar. She asked, "Is there anything else, Miss?"

The maid suddenly lowered her head and whispered, "Grand Commandant, I am Her Majesty the Empress's attendant."

"What?" The Empress's attendant? Liu Xian was somewhat puzzled. Why would the Empress's attendant be bringing him food? Could it be that the Empress had encountered some trouble? Just as he was wondering, the maid said, "I'm not sure either, but His Highness sent me to inform the Grand Commandant to be careful of the Prince of Donghai!"

"What do you mean?" Liu Xian was startled by these words. He had been busy with military affairs these past few days and hadn't had time to pay attention to Sima Yue's movements. But now that the maid said that the Prince of Donghai seemed to be acting strangely, Liu Xian immediately became alert.

"This morning, the Prince of Donghai met with Your Highness and secretly handed you a petition with joint signatures, accusing the Grand Commandant of harboring rebellious intentions to usurp the throne and pleading that after this battle, you should immediately take action and lead your troops to capture the Grand Commandant!"

Liu Xian's mind went blank. The King of the East Sea actually planned to attack him? Right after this battle was over?
Just as he was in shock, the maid whispered to Liu Xian, "The Prince of Donghai has submitted a joint petition, which has been signed by many high-ranking officials. Your Highness dares not refuse, but Grand Commandant, you must be very careful!"

After saying this, she quietly took out a handkerchief from her body and stuffed it into Liu Xian's hand, saying, "I was indeed sent by Her Majesty the Empress. Her Majesty said that if you don't believe me, you can see the truth after reading this." After saying this, she put away the food box and quickly slipped away.

Liu Xian quickly unfolded the silk handkerchief, on which were written ten characters: "Listening to the wind on a cold moonlit night, the plum blossoms in the cold are filled with lonely longing." The handwriting was extremely delicate, and it described the night that Yang Xianrong secretly met with Liu Xian. Liu Xian immediately understood that this was indeed a message from the Empress.

Liu Xian couldn't understand it at all. Had Sima Yue gone mad? He could understand Sima Yue's motives. If he won this battle, there was a high probability that he would completely seize control of the court, which was something many high-ranking officials didn't want to see. But now most of the imperial clan had been captured by Zhang Fang. What use was he if he only had the support of the court officials? He had very few people in the army who could command him. How dare he fight against him?

However, Yang Xianrong's message was genuine, and as a political ally, Yang Xianrong had no reason to lie to him. Liu Xian pondered to himself that he needed to be prepared. This wasn't difficult; with such a conspiracy, as long as one was on guard, it was essentially rendered ineffective. At worst, after the decisive battle, he could send troops to wipe out Sima Yue and his group in one fell swoop.

The mere thought of the impending great battle, and the fact that such a group of people were plotting against him, made Liu Xian feel nauseous, as if he had swallowed flies. He began leading his entourage back, intending to rest well for the day and deal with everything after the war. Unexpectedly, before he even reached his room, he encountered Zu Ti on the way. Zu Ti, dressed in military uniform, called out to him from afar, saying loudly, "Huai Chong, don't rush off, I need to speak with you!"

Liu Xian was somewhat surprised to see him jogging over, and asked, "Shizhi, is there something you need?"

After Zu Ti stopped, he looked around for a moment, then whispered to Liu Xian, "Huai Chong, something has indeed happened! And it's a big one!"

"What's going on? Stop keeping me in suspense!"

"It's about General Huo! General Huo... he's on his deathbed!" Zu Ti asked in a low voice, "Huai Chong, do you want to see him one last time?"

Liu Xian was taken aback. He thought to himself: Is this really true? How did they all come together like this!
After the Battle of Xilei, Sima Yi remained unconscious for several days, but Liu Xian, after leading his army back to Luoyang, did not abandon him. Even during the most critical phase of the attack on Jinyong City, he sent men to escort Sima Yi into the city. Inside the city, Liu Xian specially reserved a small courtyard for Sima Yi to recuperate. The limited amount of medicine available was given to Sima Yi first.

However, the general's condition did not improve. After being in a coma for many days, he finally regained consciousness once half a month ago, but his consciousness was still blurred, and he fell into a coma again after only a little over an hour. In the following days, it is said that he woke up about ten more times, but each time for a short time. His body would sometimes be feverish and sometimes chilly. According to the palace physicians, he might not survive this ordeal.

On the last day before the decisive battle, was he finally going to leave this world?

Liu Xian was mentally prepared for this, but when he actually heard the news, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. His relationship with Sima Yi was truly complicated; they had both saved each other's lives and harbored their own secret feelings. Yet, the days of seamless cooperation they had shared were still fondly remembered.

Now that he is about to pass away, how much responsibility should he bear? Liu Xian did not want to think about this question, but when he thought of Sima Wei, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Therefore, upon learning of Sima Yi's impending death, Liu Xian pondered for only a moment before nodding and saying, "Let's go then, let's go see the General one last time."

It was already quite late when Liu Xian and Zu Ti headed towards the courtyard where Sima Yi was staying. The courtyard was located in a corner of the southwest of Jinyong City. Because it was the furthest from the sound of the Western Army's drums, it was a suitable place for the sick to recuperate, so Liu Xian left it to Sima Yi.

As he approached the courtyard, he could faintly hear weeping coming from inside. Many high-ranking officials were standing there, whispering and talking amongst themselves. But when they saw Liu Xian coming, they immediately shut their mouths and made way for him.

This unusual sight startled Liu Xian. Soon, a servant from the crowd stepped forward, bowed to Liu Xian, and reported, "Grand Commandant, you are late. The General of Chariots and Cavalry has already departed."

Was he too late? Sima Yi was already dead? Liu Xian felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. After the initial confusion subsided, an overwhelming grief, like a lake overflowing its banks, flowed uncontrollably, preventing him from thinking of anything else. Liu Xian made a move to go inside, but was stopped by a servant who said, "Grand Commandant, the deceased cannot bear to see a murder weapon. Please forgive my impertinence, but please leave your sword behind."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian finally came to his senses; not everyone was as magnanimous as Xiao Ruan Gong. So he slapped his forehead and said, "Sorry, sorry." Then he took off the Zhangwu sword from his waist, handed it to the servant, and asked the guards to wait there before he and Zu Ti followed another servant inside.

Passing through the front hall and arriving at the back courtyard, the number of people inside suddenly decreased significantly; apart from a few guards, almost no one else could be seen. The sounds of a woman and child crying were coming from a side room. The guide pointed to the source of the crying—a side room—and explained to Liu Xian, "That's the Princess Consort of Chu comforting the Princess Consort of Changsha!"

Continuing onward, they finally arrived at Sima Yi's ward. Upon entering, the overwhelming smell of herbs was nauseating, instantly reminding Liu Xian of the last moments he spent with his mother. The room was empty. A simple memorial tablet stood on the table in the center, incense burning before it. On the bed to the side of the room, a motionless figure lay—clearly Sima Yi.

Liu Xian walked over and indeed saw the young, pale, and cold face of the Prince of Changsha, and felt a pang of loneliness. Knowing someone has died is one thing, but it can be vague and unreal. Only by witnessing someone die with one's own eyes can one have a real sense of reality: Oh, this person is really dead, and everything for him is over.

Did the tumultuous life of the Prince of Changsha end in obscurity? He was such a proud young man, only twenty-eight years old this year; he must have been filled with resentment. Yet, in just a few short years, he experienced so much—did he feel weary? He finally got a chance to rest; can his young soul find peace now?
Just as Liu Xian was mourning Sima Yi, for some unknown reason, the sounds in the courtyard gradually quieted down in the darkness. It was like the receding tide at the seaside; there were no whispers, no cries, and no wind. Apart from the sound of candles burning inside the rooms, it was as if everything in the world had returned to nothingness.

But the sound of the rising tide soon returned, but this time it was no longer words or the wind; instead, it was the sound of chaotic footsteps in the darkness, along with the clanging of armor, which engulfed the small courtyard in a very short time.

When Liu Xian's meditation was interrupted by this familiar yet unexpected voice, he looked up and saw Sima Yue leading over a hundred armored soldiers, completely surrounding the mourning hall.

Meanwhile, his good friend Zu Ti, who had accompanied him to the courtyard, had already quietly walked to the door and joined Sima Yue's group.

Looking at Liu Xian's incredulous gaze, the King of the East Sea smiled faintly, a carefree expression completely unlike the man people knew. This was understandable; he had been plotting for over a decade, all for this moment. Now, he had finally achieved his goal, able to remove the biggest obstacle before him and no longer need to conceal his true intentions.

Holding the Zhangwu Sword handed to him by Liu Xian, Sima Yue said leisurely, "Grand Commandant, please forgive me for not bowing to you while I am in armor." (End of Chapter)