Han Jianming's removal from the position of Minister of War caused panic within the Duke's residence. Even Ye Shi could no longer sit still.
Ye Shi asked Han Jianming, "My Lord, what should we do now?" Removing her husband from the position of Minister of War was only the first step—the next could be the entire family being thrown into prison.
Han Jianming comforted her, "Don't be afraid. Things haven't reached that point yet." He knew that he couldn't keep the position of Minister of War. Both the Yu and Song families had set their sights on that post. Now that they had seized such a big handle on him, there was no way they would let him keep it.
Ye Shi pleaded, "My Lord, if it comes to that, we won't be able to escape. My Lord, please think of a way—please send Qiao-er and Lil Boy Chang away!"
Han Jianming countered, "We can't send them away. If we did, it would confirm that we've colluded with Yun Qing." At this point, there was nothing he could do—he could only wait in silence. Given that his Er Di1 had been k*lled, the Emperor wouldn't go so far as to execute him and the rest of the Duke's household.
Tears streamed down Ye Shi's face as she said, "Then what are we going to do?" When the soldiers came to search the house, it would be too late for anything.
Han Jianming helped wipe her tears and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. We haven't reached that point yet. Even if His Majesty does decide to charge us, Qiao-er and Lil Boy Chang won't be punished." They weren't the primary culprits; they were only implicated—young children probably wouldn't be affected.
Ye Shi cried and said, "I don't care about myself, but Qiao-er and Lil Boy Chang are still so little—if they are thrown into prison, they will surely suffer."
Han Jianming said, "If it comes to that, we'll ask Yuchen to help look after the children." Among the Han family, only Yuchen could protect their children well.
Ye Shi looked worried and asked, "What if San Gunainai2 refuses?"
Han Jianming shook his head, "She won't. Yuchen is someone with a sense of loyalty and affection. If it comes down to it, she'll lend a helping hand." Yuchen was a wangfei3—if she was willing to shelter them, Qiao-er and He-er could still grow up safely.
Ye Shi thought about how Jing Wangfu4 was still sending them gifts as usual during the New Year, not breaking off relations with them just because of Yun Qing's rebellion. Her heart was slightly relieved as she said, "My Lord, if we can get through this crisis, we must cut all ties with them, regardless of whether Yun Qing succeeds or not." What she meant was that they had to cut all ties with Yuxi. The Han family had already been dragged into trouble by Yuxi once—who knew what might happen next? It was better to cut ties early.
Han Jianming affirmed, "We've already severed all ties with Yuxi, and I've even removed her from the family registry." He wasn't like his San Shu5, who wrote an article publicly denouncing Yun Qing and Yuxi.
Ye Shi explained, "My Lord, I mean, even if Yun Qing succeeds in taking the Northwest, we mustn't associate with them again." After more than ten years of marriage, Ye Shi knew Han Jianming well; if Yun Qing's rebellion succeeded, he would surely want to resume relations with Yun Qing and Yuxi.
Han Jianming became slightly irritated as he replied, "We'll talk about that later." If Yun Qing's rebellion were successful, it would be time to reap the rewards. If they cut ties with Yuxi at that time, wouldn't all their previous investments be wasted?
Ye Shi was just about to speak again when a maid outside announced that Momo Gui had arrived.
Han Jianming said, "She's probably here with a message from Yuchen. I'll go and see what it is about."
If it were official business, Ye Shi would not stop him.
Momo Gui bowed to Han Jianming, "My Lord, this old servant is here to deliver a few words from my Wangye6 to my Lord."
Han Jianming said, "Please speak, Momo."
Momo Gui conveyed Jing Wang7's message to Han Jianming.
Han Jianming wasn't stupid—how could he not understand the hidden implications? Yun Qing wasn't a fool either. Since he had already decided to rebel, how could a few empty words convince him to surrender? Continuing the rebellion might still offer a sliver of survival, but surrendering was a road to certain death. So, persuading him to surrender was a thankless and risky task. But with such a large family behind him, Han Jianming couldn't refuse. He said, "Tell Wangye6 I'll submit a memorial tomorrow." Since he couldn't resist, he might as well accept it! The Emperor couldn't punish him just because he couldn't persuade Yun Qing, right? Even if he were punished, it would only be him alone and not involve his family.
Momo Gui added, "Wangfei3 says this task is fraught with danger. She hopes my Lord will be extra careful." Whether Han Jianming could preserve the title and the clan depended entirely on his abilities.
Han Jianming nodded. "Please convey my gratitude to Wangfei3 for her kindness." After a pause, he continued, "Once I leave the capital, only the old, the weak, women, and children will remain in the Duke Han's residence. I hope Wangfei3 Niangniang8 can look after them."
Momo Gui nodded, "Rest assured, My Lord. I will be sure to deliver your message."
After sending Momo Gui off, Han Jianming went to the Changle Courtyard and informed Qiu Shi of the matter. He said, "Mom, I've submitted the memorial and will leave for the Northwest soon. Please focus on recovering and not worry about outside affairs during this time."
Qiu Shi was distraught as she spoke, "The situation out there is unstable, and the Northwest is in chaos. It's too dangerous for you to go!"
Han Jianming responded, "Mom, I'll take more guards with me." He didn't want to persuade Yun Qing—it was all for show. Rebellion differed from other things; once committed, there was no turning back.
Qiu Shi knew there was no stopping him and reminded him, "Then be careful. If possible, bring Jianye back with you!"
Han Jianming was stunned as he said, "Mom..."
Qiu Shi cut him off, "I may be old, but I'm not yet senile. Jianye has made a terrible mistake. Yuxi may not blame him since he is her older brother, but what about Yun Qing? Can he let him go? If Jianye stays in the Northwest, it'll only cause friction. It's better to bring him back to the capital."
Han Jianming bitterly smiled as he spoke, "Mom, let's talk about that after I reach the northwest." He didn't want Han Jianye to return. Even if he couldn't stay in the Northwest, he could go to Guizhou and rely on Lu Xiu's older brother. Staying in the capital was not only risky but also offered no prospects.
No one knew their son better than a mother. Looking at Han Jianming's expression, how could Qiu Shi not understand? "You don't want Jianye to come back? Why?"
Han Jianming didn't hide it and explained, "Mom, Liaodong has been unusually quiet for a while, and I'm uneasy. I have a feeling that something big is about to happen. With Yun Qing rebelling in the Northwest, the whole country will be thrown into chaos if trouble also breaks out in Liaodong. If we bring Jianye back, our entire family will be trapped in the capital." Putting all their eggs in one basket was far too risky. The whole family could be wiped out if something happened in the capital.
Qiu Shi's lips moved slightly before she finally conceded, "If you don't want to bring Jianye back, then find a suitable opportunity for Lu Xiu to go there to see him."
Han Jianming nodded, "I will."
Qiu Shi thought for a moment before asking, "Ming-er, what makes you so sure that Liaodong will fall into chaos? Is it because of Yan Wushuang? But hasn't he been in hiding all this time? What trouble can he cause?"
Han Jianming replied, "Although Tong Chunlin k*lled off many people after the Tong City incident, the Yan family has been rooted in Liaodong for three generations. Their foundation runs deep. There must still be supporters of the Yan family within the military." With the rebellion already underway in the Northwest, the Empire wouldn't stand a chance if Liaodong fell into disorder.
Qiu Shi reminded, "Then you must be even more careful on your journey."
Han Jianming said, "Don't worry about me, Mom. I'll take good care of myself." The entire family still depended on him. If he were to fall, leaving behind a household full of orphans and widows, their survival in such turbulent times would be uncertain.
After leaving Changle Courtyard, Han Jianming returned to his study to draft a memorial. He then submitted it early the next morning.
The Emperor approved it on the spot.
Ye Shi only finally found out after the matter was settled. Stunned, she grabbed Han Jianming's hand and burst into tears. "My Lord…" The road ahead was full of dangers. If something happened to him, how would the entire family survive?
Han Jianming said, "Don't worry. I'll return safely. I'll rely on you to take care of things at home. The elderlies were old, some were ill, and the children were still young—only Ye Shi could hold the household together.
Ye Shi cried for quite a while before she wiped away her tears and promised him, "Don't worry, my Lord. I'll take good care of the family. Once your mission is complete, please return as soon as possible." With the Emperor's edict issued, refusing to go was not an option, so she didn't try to stop him.
On the third day after Han Jianming left the capital, news came that Lanzhou City had fallen. The Emperor flew into a rage and shouted, "Useless, absolutely useless!" One hundred and forty thousand troops couldn't defeat thirty thousand—wasn't that a complete joke?
The loyal officials in the Imperial Court didn't even dare to breathe.
The news soon reached Jing Wangfu4 . Yuchen looked astonished and asked, "One hundred and forty thousand couldn't defeat thirty thousand? Is the Northwest Army really that strong?"
Momo Gui replied, "The Northwest Army has been fighting the northern barbarians for years, so they're stronger than the local troops. But to lose one hundred and forty thousand to thirty thousand—that's simply unbelievable." Outnumbered the enemy five to one and still lost? In this situation, to still be defeated was not just a matter of the Northwest Army being strong.
Yuchen thought momentarily, then shook her head, "Even if the local troops are weak, they can't possibly be that bad. Besides, Lanzhou's walls were solid. They couldn't have breached them in just half a day. This matter is not so simple."
Momo Gui asked, "Does Wangfei3 believe something is happening behind the scenes?"
Yuchen thought for a long time and then said, "Ji Xuan may have not only angered the people but also lost the loyalty of his troops." She had heard things about Ji Xuan's actions. If he could take advantage of the commoners, he could do the same to the soldiers.
Momo Gui was startled, but after thinking about it, she felt what Yuchen said made sense. "No wonder Yun Qing's army has advanced so swiftly—half a province in just half a month!"
Yuchen looked up at the clear blue sky and muttered, "Yuxi must have known all of this. That's why she urged Yun Qing to rebel." With the people and the army disillusioned, the chances of a successful rebellion were high. Too bad she realised it too late.🦊
Footnotes Full List
- 二 èr = two/second, 弟 dì = younger brother, short form of 弟弟 dìdi
- 三 sān = three/third, 姑奶奶gūnǎinai = (respectful form of address for a married woman used by members of her parents' family) married daughter
- 王 wáng = king, 妃 fēi = consort, wife of a king
- 王 wáng = king, 府 fǔ = residence
- 三 sān = three/third, 叔 shū = uncle; father's younger brother
- 王 wáng = king, 爷 ye = lord
- king
- addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine
- Why? What could she do once she knew about this? Report to Jing Wang? Ji Xuan has been mistreating his soldiers and the people of the Northwest for years. Besides, the Emperor can't do anything to Ji Xuan because he has the backing of the Song family.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi