Youyou mountains and rivers, swift and strong in exploration. Ascending the heights, descending the vast waters. Words without fault, embracing peril with joy. People hold their thoughts, I guard their harmony.
The envoy from Xia, the vice envoy Yin Guozhi, gazed at the majestic walls of Youzhou, his heart filled with a thousand emotions.
The city walls of Youzhou were over thirty feet high, built with sturdy bricks and a foundation as fresh as new. Defensive armaments were complete, making it a great city in the Yan-Yun region.
The capital of Yan was strategically positioned, leaning against the northern mountains for defense and pressing south towards the Xia region. It was like sitting in a grand hall, overlooking the courtyard. Its people and horses were strong and spirited, which was why Yan could control the north and south. The Xianbei people occupied Youzhou and surrounding areas, naming their country Yan, harboring a grand ambition to unify north and south.
"It has been many years since I lost Youzhou, and the people of Yan-Yun may have long lost their Han hearts!" Yin Guozhi sighed afterwards.
"Lord Yin..." Hong Wuji, the chief envoy to Yan from Xia, heard this and said displeasantly, "What do you mean by that? Do not forget His Majesty's expectations for our trip to Youzhou, nor forget the expectations of our dynasty, from the ministers above to the common people below."
Hong Wuji and his retinue had engaged in many discussions and negotiations with Yan. Now, it was time to formally sign the peace treaty. Hong Wuji and Yin Guozhi's journey north to Youzhou was to finalize the peace accord.
"Hmph, Supervisor Hong..." Yin Guozhi snorted upon hearing this and said, "Expectations from ministers above to common people below? The court and the public are filled with anti-Yan sentiment, and many soldiers are fighting and bleeding. What are they expecting?"
"Yin Guozhi, do not forget your identity," Hong Wuji said, enraged.
"Young whelp, do not forget the hatred for the destruction of your family!" Yin Guozhi retorted fiercely, refusing to yield.
"You..." Hong Wuji was so angered that he couldn't speak for a long time, his face turning a shade of liver-like purple.
For some unknown reason, the imperial court insisted on appointing Yin Guozhi, a proponent of war, as Hong Wuji's deputy on the mission to Yan. Thus, the two envoys to Yan, Hong Wuji and Yin Guozhi, were constantly at odds throughout their journey.
"Alas, honored envoys, the Yan are coming. Please refrain from making them laugh," a retinue member hurriedly advised.
"Hmph, we will discuss this upon our return to the capital!" Hong Wuji snorted coldly, then dismounted, adjusted his robes, and stood solemnly to greet the Yan envoy.
Yin Guozhi immediately dared not to reply, looking somewhat dejected.
Hong Wuji was currently a favored official of the Emperor, highly trusted by Emperor Yang Liang of Xia. After Hong Wuji's marriage into the Lv Qiyue family, he became even more powerful, his influence immense. If he were to truly find fault with Yin Guozhi upon their return, Yin Guozhi would not be able to withstand it.
A group of people rushed out from the gates of Youzhou, led by Murong Fu, the maternal uncle of Yan.
Murong Fu rode his horse to the front of Hong Wuji and Yin Guozhi. Without dismounting, he glanced at them and asked, "Are you envoys from the Southern Dynasty?"
After the Zhou Fugui incident, although Emperor Murong Xi of Yan did not believe Murong Fu and Murong Bole had any disloyal intentions, his trust in Murong Fu and others had greatly diminished. Now, he had relegated Murong Fu to the task of welcoming the envoys. Thus, Murong Fu, harboring resentment, took it out on the Xia envoys, Hong Wuji and Yin Guozhi.
In truth, this was not the primary reason. The main reason was the prolonged military victories of Yan over Xia, which led Yan to believe Xia was weak. Therefore, Yan officials and people always held a sense of superiority over Xia officials and people, always looking down on the feeble Xia. This perception would not change with just one or two battles.
Years ago, the Yan army had breached the Xia capital, Luoyang, and captured the Emperor, the Empress, and numerous concubines and palace maids. At that time, Xia was almost powerless to resist.
Murong Fu and his entourage behaved with extreme rudeness, which greatly angered Yin Guozhi, who glared at Murong Fu and his men. However, Hong Wuji glared fiercely at Yin Guozhi, then bowed and paid respects to Murong Fu, saying, "We are indeed your humble servants. May I know the title of the heavenly envoy?"
Hong Wuji was a man of great forbearance. Although he was also somewhat angry at the Yan envoy's rudeness, he considered that they were in Yan territory, and under the eaves of another's roof, one had to bow. If they angered the Yan envoy, they might all perish in Youzhou. Thus, Hong Wuji swallowed his anger.
The brutal Yan army at Danyang Manor years ago had left a deep psychological scar on Hong Wuji. Subconsciously, he harbored a fear of the Yan army or Yan people, though he himself was unaware of it.
"The maternal uncle of the Great Yan!" a follower of Murong Fu answered for him.
"So, you are the maternal uncle of the esteemed country... " Hong Wuji bowed again upon hearing this. "Your presence to welcome us is a great honor, and we are humbled. We have prepared a generous gift, which we hope you will accept."
Hong Wuji's obsequious demeanor not only shamed the other Xia envoys but also left the Yan envoys bewildered and secretly amused.
However, Hong Wuji pretended not to notice.
If the peace treaty between Xia and Yan could be formally signed, it would be a great achievement. Emperor Yang Liang of Xia would surely be pleased, and Hong Wuji's promotion or prosperity would be within reach. Whether they were happy or amused, what did it matter?
"Oh? Hehe, thank you, envoy from the Southern Dynasty," Hong Wuji's compliant and thoughtful demeanor, coupled with the generous gift, which was undoubtedly substantial, greatly improved Murong Fu's mood. He spoke more courteously, waved his hand as a gesture of acceptance, and then said, "Envoy, please follow me into the city."
Murong Fu then glanced at several heavy chests being carried, his heart filled with joy.
It was said that money could make the devil push the millstone, and this devil included not only Han devils but also Yan devils.
Murong Fu and Hong Wuji rode side by side into Youzhou city. Pedestrians parted ways. Murong Fu then pointed his horsewhip at the bustling streets of Youzhou and asked with a smile, "Your surname is Hong, is it not? How do you find my Youzhou compared to your Southern capital?"
Far from it, they were worlds apart, the Xia entourage all thought to themselves. However, Hong Wuji replied, "The roads are wide and accessible, the people flow like a river, and the houses are as dense as fish scales. It is truly worthy of being the foremost great city of the esteemed country. Maternal uncle, it is indeed comparable to our imperial capital."
"That's good, that's good," the Xia entourage thought again. This shameless person was not completely disregarding his conscience in his praise.
"Hehe, is that so?" Murong Fu smiled as he looked at Hong Wuji. "This maternal uncle really wishes to visit Jiangnan."
If you dare to go to Jiangnan, the people there will tear you to pieces, Hong Wuji thought. However, he smiled and said, "If the maternal uncle visits Jiangnan, our dynasty, from His Majesty down, will surely welcome you with open arms!"
"Hahahaha!" Murong Fu burst into laughter, growing increasingly fond of this eloquent man. Laughing heartily, he said, "People say the Southern Dynasty has no capable men, but today it seems this saying is false. Envoy Hong is truly an extraordinary person. Envoy Hong, please rest at the guest house for a moment. Later, this maternal uncle will prepare a banquet to welcome you."
"Thank you, maternal uncle..." Hong Wuji was overjoyed and clasped his hands in gratitude, then asked, "I have not forgotten my lord's command. When may I have the honor of an audience with your esteemed ruler?"
"Oh? Envoy Hong, why are you in such a hurry?" Murong Fu said, "Tomorrow. Tomorrow, the Great Chanyu will summon you all at the training grounds."
"The training grounds?" Hong Wuji asked with some surprise.
"What? Do you find it strange?" Murong Fu chuckled. "My Great Yan, from top to bottom, enjoys living amongst the grasslands and practicing archery on horseback. The Great Chanyu is also like this."
In fact, Murong Fu was exaggerating. Before the Xianbei entered the passes, they indeed lived a nomadic life, enjoying grazing and archery, as he described. However, after the Xianbei entered the central plains and occupied them, it wasn't long before they gradually succumbed to luxury. At least Emperor Murong Xi of Yan and his court officials were like this, even more so than the Han court.
Murong Xi's intention to summon the Xia envoys at the training grounds was merely to intimidate them and gain more concessions at the peace talks.
Hong Wuji nodded upon hearing this.
"Maternal uncle, on the road, your humble servant heard something," Hong Wuji then said.
"What is it?" Murong Fu asked.
"I heard that a certain Yan general surnamed Zhou killed several hundred people. Is this true?" Hong Wuji inquired.
The matter of Zhou Fugui had already caused a great stir, known to everyone in the Great Yan.
"Envoy Hong, why do you ask about this matter?" Murong Fu asked somewhat displeasantly.
The Zhou Fugui affair had left Murong Fu in an embarrassing situation, and the repercussions had not yet subsided. To this day, Murong Fu harbored intense hatred for Zhou Fugui.
"Oh, I am merely curious and have no other intentions. If the maternal uncle does not wish to speak of it, please consider it as if I never mentioned it," Hong Wuji hastily replied.
"That damn traitor, that cur, that lowly Han dog..." Murong Fu cursed a string of vile words before bitterly stating, "This man's name is Zhou Fugui, and he has been banished to the northern frontier to serve as a border guard."
"Zhou Fugui? Banished to the northern frontier?" It was indeed him, Hong Wuji thought to himself, murmuring in surprise.
Hong Wuji remembered only Zhou Fugui's name as the one who massacred Danyang Manor, and for some reason, he hated Zhou Fugui alone, forgetting that the massacre was primarily carried out by Xianbei people.
"Envoy Hong, why such an expression? Do you know this person?" Murong Fu asked, noticing his reaction.
"Oh, your humble servant does not know this person. I only heard it through hearsay, and I find it strange. He killed hundreds of people and yet did not die, but was merely banished to the border?" Hong Wuji hastily covered up.
How can I find a way to kill him? Hong Wuji thought to himself.
"This... he was just lucky," Murong Fu replied perfunctorily, not wishing to elaborate.
Hong Wuji nodded.
"Giddy up... giddy up... giddy up..."
Just then, over a dozen riders, ignoring Murong Fu and his entourage's procession, galloped past them. The one in the lead was a woman in purple.
The woman in purple rode her horse with heroic grace, her beauty like that of a celestial being. Upon seeing her, Hong Wuji was struck as if by lightning, staring blankly as the woman in purple rode past.
"Envoy Hong... Envoy Hong...?" Murong Fu, seeing this, was quite puzzled. He called out to Hong Wuji twice before the latter reacted.
"Maternal uncle, who is this woman?" Hong Wuji asked in a low voice after regaining his senses.
"Hehe, she is the daughter of the Left Virtuous King, Princess Ziyue," Murong Fu replied with a hint of disdain, looking at Hong Wuji.