"Is this true?"
In the imperial palace of Yanjin, Murong Xi asked Cui Tianchou coldly.
If the Duan father and son truly harbored rebellious intentions, then Zhou Fugui's revenge would have been justified. Hmph, even so, it could not absolve him of the sin of killing over two hundred people. At most, it would be a quick death, Murong Xi thought to himself.
"Your Majesty..." Cui Tianchou replied, "Indeed, some items of rebellion have been discovered within the Duan family. However, this humble subject cannot be absolutely certain at this moment."
"Investigate this matter thoroughly and swiftly," Murong Xi said coldly. After glancing at Murong Qing, he continued, "Let Murong Zhonghou assist you in this task."
"This subject obeys the decree!"
Normally, for such grave treason cases, a member of the imperial family would be involved, so Cui Tianchou was not surprised. He received the decree and withdrew from the palace.
"Escort the Imperial Consort back to her palace to rest." Murong Xi then ordered after casting a glance at the distraught Imperial Consort Duan.
Thus, Imperial Consort Duan was also escorted out of the palace. Apart from a few eunuchs and palace maids, only Emperor Yan Murong Xi and Empress Murong Qing remained in the hall.
After two eunuchs helped the portly Murong Xi to sit down, Murong Qing gracefully stepped forward and knelt beside him, personally refilling his wine cup with fine wine.
"Da Yan Zhi..." Murong Xi took a sip of wine and asked, "What has Yi'er been doing lately?"
"Yi'er? Yi'er has become fascinated with Han Chinese Go recently. This concubine has found him a Han Chinese master to teach him the game," Murong Qing replied with a gentle smile.
Han Chinese culture was vast and profound. The "Four Arts" of the Han, namely music, Go, calligraphy, and painting, were cultivated for self-discipline and were exquisitely profound. After the Xianbei people entered the Central Plains, many became enamored with them, especially some of the noble scions.
"Go?" Murong Xi shook his head slightly upon hearing this and chuckled, "Does he not enjoy archery and horseback riding?"
Murong Yi, the Prince of Ganquan, had interests and hobbies that were the complete opposite of Yan's Crown Prince Cheng. Crown Prince Cheng enjoyed cockfighting, horse racing, falconry, dog training, and various games, while Murong Yi preferred poetry, calligraphy, music, and painting.
Murong Yi was intelligent and perceptive, while Murong Cheng was as dull as a pig. For reasons unknown, Murong Xi had appointed Murong Cheng as Crown Prince and doted on him excessively.
"Great Chanyu, he is only eleven years old, still young," Murong Qing replied indifferently.
"Oh, eleven years old? Eleven is not young. I was already fighting on the battlefield with the Old Chanyu when I was ten," Murong Xi said.
"The Great Chanyu is divinely martial. How can Yi'er compare?" Murong Qing replied with a slight smile.
"Divinely martial?" Murong Xi looked at his own portly body and felt a pang of regret.
In his youth, Murong Xi was not only divinely martial but also a valiant warrior on the battlefield, possessing a robust physique. However, after becoming the emperor of Great Yan, he indulged in wine and women, and his body grew increasingly obese, to the point where he could no longer draw a bow or ride a horse.
"Da Yan Zhi..." Murong Xi suddenly said, looking at Murong Qing, "Not long ago, I watched a play."
"What play was it?" Murong Qing asked, looking up at Murong Xi in surprise.
"The tale of Hook-Girdle of Han," Murong Xi said, staring intently at Murong Qing.
"The Great Chanyu wishes to kill this concubine and her son. This concubine and her son shall commit suicide before the imperial court today," Murong Qing said, her face paling in shock. She prostrated herself at Murong Xi's feet and wept.
Murong Xi stared at Murong Qing for a long time before sighing and saying, "Qing'er, get up and come here."
Murong Qing was intelligent and beautiful, and she had borne Murong Xi a clever and quick-witted son. He truly did not wish to emulate Emperor Wu of Han's actions.
Furthermore, although he was obese, he felt his body was still in good condition. Why should he prematurely consider his successor? Murong Xi thought to himself.
"Great Chanyu, you have frightened this concubine to death," Murong Qing said, rising and weeping in Murong Xi's embrace.
"It was merely a play. Why should Da Yan Zhi be so flustered?" Murong Xi, though over fifty, found Empress Murong Qing in the bloom of youth. At this moment, Murong Xi's murderous intent had dissipated. Seeing the tender and weeping Murong Qing, his lust was aroused. He began to undress Murong Qing in the grand hall.
Murong Xi then waved his hand, and five palace maids stripped themselves of their clothes and gathered around them.
Emperor Yan Murong Xi had a peculiar habit: during intimate encounters, he enjoyed having observers. Of course, when the mood struck him, he would also partake in those who were observing. Such decadent acts were commonplace in the palace.
...
"Dong... dong... dong..."
"Heavy criminal entering the city! Unrelated individuals, step aside!"
"Step aside! Step aside! Step aside!"
After the Chou hour (1:00-3:00 AM) on this day, over two thousand yamen runners, constables, and soldiers from Youzhou, armed with various weapons, escorted a ox cart into Youzhou city as if facing a great enemy. The ox cart was a prison cart, and within it was Zhou Fugui, a General of Great Yan.
To prevent any possible escape or rescue, the yamen runners, constables, and soldiers beat gongs and cleared the road of pedestrians. They then escorted the prison cart into Youzhou city.
"What kind of notorious criminal is this?"
"It's Zhou Fugui!"
"Zhou Fugui? The Zhou Fugui who shot and killed the Great General of the Left Guard during the martial arts competition?"
"It is he! It is he! I heard he was just promoted to General by the imperial court."
"No way? He is renowned as the Yang Youji of our Great Yan! How did he end up in such a state?"
"Indeed, what you say is true. Here he comes, he is coming!"
It was the liveliest time in Youzhou. The citizens of Youzhou, upon hearing that Zhou Fugui was being escorted into the city, flocked to both sides of the road to watch. Even the walls were crowded with people, all discussing the matter. Some sighed in regret, some gloated, and some, unconcerned, merely enjoyed the spectacle.
However, most felt exceptionally sorry for the young imperial general, Zhou Fugui, including Murong Tengge.
"Pa!" Murong Tengge, having rushed over upon hearing the news, whipped the prison cart with his horsewhip, shouting in anger, "You incorrigible brat! Why were you so foolish? You've enraged this old man!"
Murong Tengge was Zhou Fugui's discoverer. From the day they met, Murong Tengge had a special admiration for Zhou Fugui, and it was because of Murong Tengge that Zhou Fugui embarked on a military career. Murong Tengge had placed great hopes on Zhou Fugui.
Yet, Zhou Fugui, on whom Murong Tengge had pinned so many hopes, had committed such a shocking crime, filling Murong Tengge with immense sorrow.
Having killed over two hundred people, most of whom were Xianbei, Zhou Fugui was essentially condemned to death. At the very least, Murong Tengge's abilities were insufficient to save him.
"Bu Da..." Zhou Fugui, bound in wooden fetters and shackles, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect from within the cart, implying he wished Murong Tengge to protect his family as best as he could.
Zhou Fugui certainly remembered Murong Tengge's kindness and could only repay it in the next life.
Murong Tengge closed his eyes in sorrow and waved his hand.
"Fugui..."
"His Second Uncle..."
"Brother..."
"Big Brother..."
Suddenly, calls from Zhou Fugui's family could be heard from the roadside. Zhou Fugui's mother, Lady Liu, his elder sister-in-law, Lady Gu, his younger sister, Zhou Xiaomei, Xiao Yunnu, and Xiao Qing all stood by the street.
Xiao Qing remained silent, merely looking at Zhou Fugui with sorrow. All her love and concern for Zhou Fugui were evident in her eyes.
Mother Liu, however, displayed a mixture of sorrow and pride. Lady Liu was saddened because, after Zhou Fugui had avenged his brother and sister, he should have fled far away and never returned. Yet, Zhou Fugui had surrendered himself to protect his family and brothers. At the same time, having such a son, like a chivalrous hero of ancient times, made Lady Liu exceptionally proud.
Zhou Fugui clasped the wooden bars of the prison cart and looked at his relatives. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. It could be seen from his lips forming the words: "Live well."
"Camp Commander Zhou!"
"Camp Commander Zhou, a true hero!"
At this very moment, thousands of soldiers suddenly charged forth from the street, startling the Youzhou yamen runners, constables, and soldiers. They hastily drew their swords and spears to intercept, but these thousands of soldiers were not there to rescue the prisoner. Instead, they all clasped their hands in salute towards Zhou Fugui.
These were all Han soldiers.
Zhou Fugui's story had long since spread among the Han army, and it had been circulating for a considerable time. After this incident, regardless of whether Zhou Fugui lived or died, he would undoubtedly become another legend, one that would be recounted for a long time.
Zhou Fugui's name was renowned not only among the Han army but throughout the realm, including the Zhao and Xia kingdoms.
"Thank you, my brothers!" Zhou Fugui replied from within the prison cart.
"Camp Commander Zhou, do you fear?" a loud voice from among the Han army suddenly shouted.
"Haha!" Zhou Fugui let out a hearty laugh and began to sing.
"My head is tied to my belt, if my head falls, I'll bear a scar as big as a bowl. Twenty years from now, I'll be a hero again!" Zhou Fugui sang loudly.
"Hahahaha!"
"Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!"
"Camp Commander Zhou is truly a valiant hero!"
Zhou Fugui's song was met with thunderous applause, echoing throughout Youzhou city.
"Courageous! Courageous! Courageous!"
Someone shouted this first, followed by the unified roar of over ten thousand Han soldiers. Then, the entire populace of Youzhou joined in the shouting. The sound was like a tidal wave, shaking the heavens and earth, so loud that it even startled Emperor Yan Murong Xi, who was currently indulging in the company of palace maids in the Yan palace.
The Han army revered valiant heroes, and the Xianbei and other northern peoples revered them even more.
"What is happening?" The earth-shattering roar reached the Yan palace, startling Murong Xi. He hastily pushed aside the two palace maids beside him and asked.
"Great Chanyu..." An eunuch scrambled into the hall and reported, "It is... it is... General Zhou is being escorted into the city."
"So that's what it is..." Murong Xi nodded. "But why such a tremendous commotion?"
"It is the capital's citizens... They are greatly praising General Zhou as a valiant hero," the eunuch replied.
"Great Chanyu..." Empress Yan, while being attended by two palace maids to put on her clothes, said softly, "Our Great Yan has not had a valiant hero for a long time."