Hot flashes

The autumn waves of the Canglan River, carrying the chill of the early autumn air, relentlessly pound against the rugged rocks on the north bank day and night.

The river is wide and the water is dark and murky. The outline of the "Three States of Jiangzuo" on the opposite bank is faintly visible in the misty water vapor, like a lurking giant beast.

Amidst the roar of the waves and the chill of autumn, Xiao Jue's army established a continuous encampment on the north bank.

The materials for boats and pontoon bridges for crossing the river were piled up like mountains, and the air was filled with the unique fishy smell of tung oil, rust, and river water.

The tension before the battle, like a fully drawn bowstring, permeated the solemn brows of every soldier.

Inside the central command tent

The tent was packed with people. A general in gleaming armor stood with his hand on his sword on the left, while his advisors and scholars in neat robes stood with their hands clasped on the right. All eyes were focused on the person in the main seat—Xiao Jue, dressed in plain black clothes and without armor, was more imposing than the generals in full armor and weapons.

His expression was calm, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the cold hilt of the sword at his waist, his gaze lowered as if deep in thought.

Shen Yu stood at the head of the civil officials, holding a scroll bound in bright yellow brocade and written in neat regular script. He took a deep breath, stepped forward three times, lifted his robe, bowed, and said loudly:

"Your humble servants respectfully submit this memorial to Your Majesty: Since the Qiang and Hu tribes invaded our borders, the court has been incompetent, the northern border has been devastated, and the people have suffered greatly."

Despite being a young man, our lord carried on the legacy of our late Marquis Zhenbei, leading a lone army, displaying divine might, clearing the name of the wronged and stabilizing the border.

Before Cangyun Ridge, the fierce and ruthless army of Huo Yi was defeated; beneath Hengshui City, unparalleled strategies were displayed.

Inside and outside Luancheng, the extraordinary success of winning hearts and minds through strategic maneuvering was evident. Wherever the banners pointed, the hearts of the northern people turned to him; through benevolent governance, the people were treated to food and drink.

His voice was not loud, but it resonated clearly in the quiet tent, each word carrying immense weight.

"Now my lord commands a mighty army, arrayed on the vast plains, eyeing the Jiangnan region with fierce intent. Two hundred thousand armored soldiers, all battle-hardened veterans;

Strategists abound, and valiant generals are as numerous as clouds. This is truly the will of Heaven and the will of the people, something that cannot be reversed by human effort.

He raised his head slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Jue: "Indeed, if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, things will be difficult to accomplish."

Although my lord has the heart to save the drowning and the power of thunder, if he still uses his marquisate to carry out the act of punishing and exterminating, how can he set an example for the world?

The Zhao family of Nandu has lost the people's favor and has lost the foundation of their rule. The world yearns for a wise ruler, like a parched land longing for rain!

Shen Yu bowed deeply again, held the memorial in his hands high, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying a resounding, metallic quality:

"We, your humble servants, risk our lives to humbly beg you! For the sake of the world, for the sake of the common people, and for the sake of your lord's lasting achievements—we beg you, my lord, to follow the will of Heaven and the people, ascend the throne, and establish your reign!"

"Jingbei!" Behind him, all the civil officials echoed in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles, "Please grant our lord the title of Prince of Jingbei!"

The two characters "Jingbei" (靖北) resonated within the tent like a pebble thrown into a still lake. "Jing" (靖) means to pacify or appease.

The word "north" refers not only to the northern border where it originated, but also implies the purpose of clearing the world, stabilizing the north, and even the entire country.

This title of king, while not involving usurpation of imperial authority, clearly demonstrates a power surpassing that of a marquis and an ambition to pacify the world.

Among the military officers, Zhao Ting, Wang Ben, and other generals could no longer contain themselves. As the civil official finished speaking, they all knelt on one knee, the clanging of their armor filling the air. They clasped their hands above their heads, their eyes gleaming with power, their voices booming like bells:

"Please, my lord, promote us to the title of Prince of Jingbei! We, your humble servants, are willing to serve you to the death, assisting you in pacifying the four seas and establishing order in the world!"

The air in the tent seemed to freeze, all eyes fixed on Xiao Jue. The momentum for his ascension was there; all that remained was his word.

Xiao Jue finally raised his eyes.

His gaze calmly swept over the memorial held high in Shen Yu's hand, passing over every face that was excited, expectant, or loyal. Finally, it seemed to linger for a very brief moment in the shadow where Zhou Heng stood, so quickly that no one noticed.

He did not immediately accept the memorial, nor did he ask anyone to rise. Silence spread within the tent, broken only by the faint sound of the Canglan River outside and the fluttering of the flags in the autumn wind.

"Gentlemen," Xiao Jue began, his voice not loud, but with a strange penetrating power that drowned out all the noise, "I, Xiao, rose from the ranks of soldiers, originally to avenge my family. Later, seeing the chaos in the northern border and the suffering of the people, I realized that even an ordinary citizen should have a responsibility."

Years of bloodshed, the soldiers' valiant sacrifice, and the people's unwavering loyalty—only then have we achieved this small success.

He paused, his tone turning somber, carrying an almost solemn self-reflection: "The title of King is not an empty one; it carries the weight of ten thousand pounds."

The name "Jingbei" signifies not only pacifying the northern border wars, but also calming the hearts of the people; it means securing not only the territory, but also the livelihoods of the common people.

The road ahead is treacherous, strewn with thorns; I, Xiao, am trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice.

These words affirmed the achievements of the crowd and their encouragement to ascend the throne, while also highlighting the heavy responsibilities behind becoming king. The tone was just right, neither overly humble to the point of hypocrisy, nor too eager to agree to the throne to the point of frivolity.

Shen Yu immediately said, "My lord is wise! Precisely because the road ahead is fraught with danger and the world is not yet at peace, it is even more necessary for you to assume the throne and unite the will of the people so that you can unite the forces of all directions, sweep away the evil influence, and restore peace to the world!"

This is not merely a matter of honor or disgrace for my lord alone, but rather a matter of fortune or misfortune for all the people under heaven! Please, my lord, do not refuse!

"Please, my lord, consider the fate of the nation!" the civil and military officials pleaded in unison once again, their voices almost lifting the tent roof off.

Xiao Jue's gaze fell on the bright yellow document again, this time lingering for even longer. The tent was silent; even breathing seemed to be held.

Finally, he slowly stood up. His dark robes draped down with his movement; they were devoid of elaborate patterns, yet exuded an innate sense of majesty.

He walked up to Shen Yu, reached out his hand, and took the heavy scroll of documents.

The fingertips touched the cool and delicate feel of the brocade.

He didn't unfold it, but simply held it in his hand, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, his voice clear and firm:

"Gentlemen, you have placed your hopes on me, and the world is on my mind. I, Xiao Jue, dare not refuse again."

"From this day forward, I shall temporarily assume the title of 'Prince Jingbei.' Once the Canglan Pass is breached and the Jiangzuo region is somewhat pacified, we shall then perform the Heaven-worshiping ceremony to formally establish my title!"

"Those who are willing to follow me will share this responsibility, pacify the northern lands, and bring peace to the world!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the tent fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a thunderous response:

"Your humble servants pay homage to the Prince of Jingbei! We are willing to follow Your Highness to pacify the northern lands and bring peace to the world! Long live Your Highness!"

The roar surged out of the tent, mingling with the sound of the Canglan River, and reverberating across the autumn sky on the north bank.