Outside Suhong Hall lay a small garden.
As father and son passed through the garden gate, they caught sight of two figures waiting inside the hall.
He Chunhua tilted his head slightly, his voice barely a murmur. "Are these the two you saw on the street the day before yesterday?"
He Lingchuan looked toward the visitors and nodded at once. "Yes, that's them!"
Back then, the pair had ridden wildly through the bustling marketplace, nearly trampling a child, before galloping out the city gate toward the northeast.
He Chunhua had not returned home for the past two days, leaving He Lingchuan no chance to mention it. He had not expected his father to already know.
Who had reported it?
Most likely Uncle Hao.
Once again, He Lingchuan was struck by his father's meticulous, all-encompassing control—both over his two sons and over Blackwater City.
It was almost a little terrifying.
Entering the hall in the next instant, He Chunhua looked at the uninvited guests. "May I ask where our guests hail from?"
The youth He Lingchuan had seen in white robes two days ago had changed into silk robes of lake-green today, adorned with delicate embroidery along the collar and shoulders. Dressing so formally was meant to show respect to the local host.
He also finally saw the grey-robed man's true appearance.
Nearing sixty, the man was tall and thin with greying hair and beard. Yet his eyes shone exceptionally bright, as though capable of peering straight into a person's soul to unearth their deepest, darkest secrets.
The youth smiled. "I am Nian Songyu, Commandant of Martial Prowess from Yuecheng in Xunzhou, here on the orders of my father, Nian Zanli!" He then gestured to his companion. "And this is the National Preceptor of Great Yuan, Master Sun Fuping!"
For all He Chunhua's exceptional composure, his expression changed dramatically in shock. "What?!"
Nian Songyu was one thing; he had already known that Nian Zanli, Governor of Xunzhou, had dispatched men, and at most had not anticipated it would be Nian Zanli's second son.
As for the appearance of National Preceptor Sun, it was utterly beyond his expectations.
A National Preceptor!
The Yuan Kingdom had only three National Preceptors, each possessing unfathomable abilities.
In times of peace, they assisted the monarch in harmonizing the realm's fortunes; in times of war, they served as the most terrifying weapons of mass destruction, capable of turning the tide of an entire war in a single stroke if the moment was right.
As the ultimate aspiration of countless spellcasters, this National Preceptor Sun should have been enjoying imperial offerings in the capital. What was he doing suddenly showing up in this desolate wasteland?
Disregarding proper etiquette, He Chunhua studied the man intently for a long moment before letting out a breath. "It truly is National Preceptor Sun. Forgive my rudeness!"
Sun Fuping smiled faintly. "At the Great Heaven Sacrificial Rite twenty years ago, I remember Chancellor He brought his third grandson along—which was you!"
"Things change, and people pass," He Chunhua murmured with some nostalgia. He turned and gestured toward his elder son. "My son, He Lingchuan."
He Chunhua had lived in the capital for over a decade and had crossed paths with National Preceptor Sun on various occasions. Twenty years had passed, and the National Preceptor had aged, but the contours of his face remained familiar. Looking closely, He Chunhua had recognized him.
He Lingchuan had no choice but to step forward and pay his respects.
Nian Songyu gave him a meaningful smile. "Meeting again so soon."
"Isn't that so?" Sensing the deeper undertone, He Lingchuan's smile grew even broader. "It seems Commandant Nian and I share an affinity."
He Chunhua feigned surprise. "What? You two have met?"
Before Nian Songyu could speak, He Lingchuan chimed in first to explain. "Father doesn't know—the day before yesterday, while having a meal by the street, I happened to see these two distinguished guests passing by. The street was crowded, and Commandant Nian even stepped in to save a child from being trampled!"
Uncle Hao, who had just stepped into the back of the hall, felt the skin on his face twitch at those words.
He Chunhua gave an understanding "Oh." "I see. Commandant Nian is truly accomplished for his youth, and rare is a man of such benevolent character."
All four smiled together, perfectly understanding the truth while pretending total ignorance.
He Lingchuan understood clearly: Nian Songyu held a higher rank than him, and Nian Songyu's father outranked his own father. The minor grievance from two days ago had to be swept under the rug so they could get down to business.
After all, he had a premonition that the actual business wouldn't be pleasant either.
Nian Songyu chuckled, letting the matter drop as expected. "Lord He, the National Preceptor and I carry urgent duties. We traveled three days and three nights straight to get here."
He Chunhua showed prompt consideration. "Both of you must be exhausted from the journey. Please lodge at Baishi Lodge tonight; it is the finest residence in Blackwater City." With that, he turned to summon a servant to bring fresh hot tea for the two guests.
Seeing that He Chunhua offered no inquiry, Nian Songyu could only carry on himself. "I fear we will require Lord He's assistance for this mission."
He Chunhua let out a soft hum. "I would hear the details."
Nian Songyu said solemnly, "Lord He, did you know that Woling Pass has already fallen?"
He Chunhua was so shaken he nearly leapt out of his seat. Forgetting his composure, he blurted, "What did you say?! Woling Pass was breached?"
Woling Pass? He Lingchuan immediately searched his mind for the name. His previous self hadn't paid much attention to such matters, knowing only that it lay somewhere in central Yuan, surrounded by rivers, lakes, and mountains.
"How is that possible?" He Chunhua said grimly. "I heard that the rebel forces from Buxin and Hongchuan joined together in the fifth month to lay siege to Woling Pass. But Woling Pass holds natural geographic defenses and has been reinforced repeatedly over the past decade. It is easy to defend and perilous to attack! Furthermore, its defender, Zhao Ronglüe, is known as the 'Iron Cask General,' possessing well-trained troops and abundant provisions. How could mere rebels break through so easily?!"
By his estimate, Woling Pass should have been able to hold out for at least a year or two without issue, by which time the rebel scourge would have resolved itself.
"Lord He, stationed as far out as Jinzhou, understands the central war theater far better than many nobles in the capital," Nian Songyu said somberly. "Unfortunately, the 'Iron Cask General' suffered a wound to his right eye in the chaotic battle and died from it. With his death, the army's morale collapsed instantly, the commanders turned to infighting, and the rebel army seized the opportunity to storm the city. Half a month ago, a traitor within opened the city gates and let the rebels in."
Such a vital stronghold had fallen from within. A hush descended upon Suhong Hall, broken only by the heavy breathing of the commandery governor.
"You know how critical Woling Pass is to the heart of Yuan," Nian Songyu said, fixing his gaze on him. "It commands the most vital crossing on the Hongchuan River, Fengling Ferry. Now is the high-water season, and after several torrential summer downpours, the river surges fiercely. If the rebel army sails downriver, they can bypass all the fortresses and checkpoints on land to make landfall directly downstream at Shihuan City—"
He emphasized each word: "From there, it is barely fifteen li to the imperial capital!"
Fifteen li. For cavalry riding at full speed, that distance could be crossed in the blink of an eye.
His explanation was crystal clear, and even He Lingchuan, who knew little of the kingdom's geography, sensed the gravity of the situation. Their family was stationed far on the frontier, guarding the realm's border for the emperor. But if the imperial capital fell, what the hell would be the point of slaving away out here defending the border?
He Chunhua felt as though the breath he exhaled was pure frost. "Where is the rebel army now?"
"Still at Woling Pass."
Huh? Both father and son were taken aback. The rebels had finally captured Woling Pass—why hadn't they pressed their advantage downriver? Speed was the essence of warfare.
Yet He Chunhua realized the reason in the next breath. "Did something happen to their waterway?"
"Zhao Ronglüe's vice general, Xu Dayou, rallied the surviving forces as the pass fell and burned every vessel in the docks. Even though the rebels captured Woling Pass, they have no ships to use. The recent weather has brought continuous rain, so cutting timber and building new ships will take at least fifty days."
"In the end, Heaven showed mercy and bought us this sliver of time. Armies from across the realm are rushing toward Woling Pass, but the situation remains far from optimistic," National Preceptor Sun Fuping interjected. "Whether the Great Yuan dynasty endures may well depend on these fifty days."
Chapter 8