Volume 1, Chapter 67: The Banner

"The rebellion must be suppressed immediately!" Minister of War Chen Xinjia slammed the table and stood up, "Otherwise, the entire realm will be shaken, and the lingering trouble will be endless!"

"However..." an elderly statesman hesitated, "Prince Fu is, after all, a member of the imperial clan..."

"A rebel is a rebel!" Chen Xinjia snapped angrily, "Are we just going to sit back and watch them march up to our city gates?"

Inside the city of Nanjing, Zhu Changxun was reviewing the departing troops.

"Your Majesty," a general stepped forward, "the assassin captured earlier has been interrogated."

Zhu Changxun sneered, "Speak."

"They are all elite members of the Brocade Guard, sent under orders to assassinate Your Majesty."

"The Brocade Guard?" A cold flash crossed Zhu Changxun's eyes, "It seems the capital is determined to put me to death!"

Yang Huan advised from the side, "Your Majesty, this is not the time to dwell on such matters. The most pressing priority is..."

Before he could finish, another scout galloped in. "Report! The vanguard of the imperial guard has already passed Xuzhou!"

Zhu Changxun immediately issued an order: "Inform all forces to set out at once!"

The city gates of Nanjing swung wide open, and the army began to march out. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the sound of iron hooves shook the heavens.

Looking at all this, Yang Huan said softly, "The grand trend of the realm has already become a raging prairie fire."

In the capital, at the imperial guard encampment, soldiers were urgently preparing for battle.

"Pass down the order," General Cao Bianjiao commanded, "the entire army shall prepare to engage the rebels at daybreak tomorrow!"

Outside the city of Nanjing, Zhu Changxun stood on a high vantage point, gazing toward the north.

"Minister Yang," he suddenly asked, "who do you think truly calls the shots in this realm?"

Yang Huan remained silent for a moment. "Your Majesty, the realm has its own public opinion."

Zhu Changxun laughed heartily. "Public opinion, you say! Then let the people of this realm judge this right and wrong!"

As night fell, the two great armies gradually closed in upon one another.

An old soldier looked at the setting sun on the horizon and muttered to himself, "This battle is going to turn the heavens and earth upside down..."

Yang Huan stood upon the ramparts, watching the distant torches merge into a single sea of fire, and could not help but sigh, "Success or failure, honor or disgrace, hangs entirely upon this single endeavor."

Before the morning dew had dried, Yang Huan walked alone along the perimeter of the military camp. The soil between the tents exuded a damp, earthy scent.

A messenger rushed past, and Yang Huan quietly slipped a letter into the messenger's boot-leg. "Deliver this directly to Lu Yangxing, Commander of the Capital's Brocade Guard," he whispered.

From within the camp came the sounds of soldiers sharpening their weapons and preparing their gear. Yang Huan glanced back toward the direction of the main tent; Zhu Changxun was still discussing military strategy with his generals.

"My Lord!" A personal guard hurried over. "Prince Fu summons you."

Yang Huan adjusted his official attire and strode toward the main tent. Inside, Zhu Changxun was examining a map.

"Minister Yang," Zhu Changxun said without looking up, "the imperial guard has reached Xuzhou. How do you propose our army should respond?"

Yang Huan cupped his fists. "This humble minister believes we should..." His words were interrupted by a sudden commotion.

"Report!" A scout rushed into the tent. "Suspicious individuals have been discovered and are currently being rounded up!"

Zhu Changxun jerked his head up. "What people?"

"They appear to be spies sent from the capital," the scout replied.

Yang Huan's fingers trembled slightly, but his voice remained steady. "Your Majesty need not worry; this general will go and deal with it immediately."

Stepping out of the tent, Yang Huan secretly wiped away a cold sweat. That messenger should have already cleared the camp boundaries.

In the distance, the sound of hooves echoed as a troop of cavalry patrolled the encampment. Yang Huan walked swiftly toward his own tent.

Inside, he took out a bronze mirror and angled it to catch the sunlight, flashing a series of reflections. This was the agreed-upon signal for contacting the capital.

"My Lord!" his personal guard murmured from outside the tent. "A secret letter has been delivered."

Yang Huan took the letter and quickly scanned it in the morning light. The message read: "The plan is set; move at the hour of the rat."

He immediately burned the letter to ashes, stepped out of the tent, and took a deep breath. The camp was permeated with a grim, murderous aura.

"Pass down the order," Yang Huan told his guard, "strengthen the patrols tonight. No one is permitted to enter or leave without authorization."

Before his voice had faded, the sound of battle cries suddenly erupted in the distance.

"Not good!" Yang Huan's heart skipped a beat. "Could the plan have been exposed?"

Several soldiers marched a prisoner toward him. The man was covered in blood—it was none other than the messenger from that morning.

"My Lord," a general said, "this man was attempting to leave the camp carrying a secret letter and has been captured."

Yang Huan's expression remained unchanged. "Take him to the rear camp for interrogation."

On the way to the rear camp, he quietly gave the messenger a meaningful look. Understanding the cue, the messenger suddenly broke free from his escort and leaped into a nearby river.

"Pursue them!" the general shouted. Soldiers leaped into the water after him, but the current was swift, and he quickly vanished from sight.

Yang Huan breathed a sigh of relief and turned back toward the main tent. Zhu Changxun was in the midst of a heated argument with several generals.

"This general believes," one general was saying, "that we should attack immediately, denying the imperial guard a chance to consolidate."

Another retorted, "No! Our army has traveled from afar; we should rest for a day before engaging."

Yang Huan stood quietly to one side, silently noting each person's stance. All of this would serve as his presentation gift to the imperial court.

In the afternoon, under the pretext of inspecting military equipment, he went alone to a secluded hillside overlooking the entire encampment.

Taking out a compass, he carefully noted the locations of all the sentry posts. This intelligence would be delivered to the imperial guard before the hour of the rat.

"Lord Yang," a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

Yang Huan turned around to see a young military scribe, who handed him a cloth parcel. "News from the capital."

Opening the parcel, he found a token with the characters "Brocade Guard" carved upon it.

"Tell Commander Lu," Yang Huan said in a low voice, "tonight at the hour of the rat, I will open the East Gate."

The scribe nodded and vanished back into the woods.

Returning to the camp, Yang Huan immediately summoned his trusted men. "Tonight at the hour of the rat, everyone must assemble at the East Gate."

"My Lord," a trusted subordinate asked, "are we going to..."

"Do not ask what you should not ask," Yang Huan interrupted.

At dusk, Zhu Changxun hosted a banquet in the main tent to reward his officers and men. Yang Huan raised his cup in a toast to everyone, a habitual smile resting on his face.

"Minister Yang," Zhu Changxun remarked, "you seem preoccupied today."

"This minister is merely pondering," Yang Huan replied, "how we ought to deploy our formations for tomorrow's battle."

Zhu Changxun laughed heartily. "With Minister Yang here, what is there for Us to worry about?"

Yang Huan smiled deferentially. "Your Majesty flatters me too much."

As night fell, the camp gradually grew quiet. Yang Huan stood atop the eastern gate tower, gazing at the distant torchlight.

A patrol of soldiers walked past, saluting him. He nodded and watched them depart.

With the hour of the rat drawing near, Yang Huan tallied the number of his men. Twenty trusted subordinates, all meticulously chosen by himself.

"Remember," he whispered, "wait for my signal."

In the distance, the hoot of an owl echoed through the night—the agreed-upon signal.

Yang Huan took a deep breath and raised the torch in his hand.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind him, accompanied by a familiar voice: "Yang Huan, you have a lot of nerve!"

He whirled around to see Zhu Changxun standing there with a troop of guards, their sabers gleaming menacingly.

"Your Majesty!" Yang Huan dropped to his knees. "This minister is wronged!"

Zhu Changxun sneered. "Wronged? Then what about this?" He tossed a letter to the ground—it was the secret missive Yang Huan had written to the capital.

As it turned out, that morning messenger had been Zhu Changxun's man all along.

At that very moment, battle cries suddenly erupted in the distance. Flames soared into the sky as the imperial guard launched their attack.

Zhu Changxun flew into a rage. "Yang Huan, you truly have calculated well!"

Yang Huan suddenly stood up and shouted harshly, "Do it!"

His trusted men immediately drew their sabers and clashed with Zhu Changxun's guards.

Amidst the chaos, Yang Huan opened the East Gate. The imperial guard flooded in like a tidal wave, quickly securing control over the greater part of the encampment.

Witnessing all this, Zhu Changxun suddenly burst out laughing. "What a fine Yang Huan! What a loyal subject!"

Ignoring him, Yang Huan strode rapidly toward the city gate. He knew his mission was complete.

Behind him came Zhu Changxun's roar of fury: "Yang Huan! Are you not afraid of leaving a legacy of infamy for ten thousand years?"

Yang Huan paused, without looking back, and replied, "The rise and fall of the realm is the responsibility of every ordinary man."

Battle cries shook the camp on all sides as fires raged toward the heavens. A great battle thus unfolded.

Iron hooves trampled the muddy earth, and the neighing of horses pierced the night sky. Cao Bianjiao spurred his mount to the side of the imperial chariot. "Your Majesty, the engagement point is directly ahead."

Lu Yangxing, holding his token aloft, directed the Brocade Guard to set up defensive perimeters around them. "Pass the order: archers take the high ground, musketeers form lines and stand ready!"

The sound of clashing metal echoed from afar as the clash between the rebel forces and the imperial guard reached a fever pitch. A scout galloped over to report: "Prince Fu is leading his remaining forces to break out toward the west!"

Cao Bianjiao immediately issued orders: "Instruct the left-wing cavalry to cut off their western retreat!"

Smoke and dust filled the battlefield, and amidst the flashing blades, soldiers fell one after another. Yang Huan charged out of the encirclement with a troop of men, shouting loudly, "Prince Fu has been surrounded by our forces! Lay down your weapons and surrender immediately!"

A rebel general under Prince Fu roared, "Yang Huan, you traitor!"

Before his voice could fade, an arrow pierced his throat.

Lu Yangxing directed the Brocade Guard to press forward into the camp. "Capture Prince Fu alive! A heavy reward to whoever succeeds!"

Suddenly, a fire arrow streaked across the night sky, igniting the provisions camp of Prince Fu's army. Illuminated by the flames, countless soldiers fell amidst the melee.

"Report!" A messenger galloped swiftly over. "Prince Fu has broken through the western defense line!"

Cao Bianjiao's expression shifted. "Order the Divine Engine Division to pursue immediately!"

Yang Huan wiped the blood from his face. "This general is willing to lead the vanguard in pursuit!"

The situation on the battlefield shifted in the blink of an eye. Squadrons of soldiers ran across the muddy ground, their battle cries rising one after another.

Lu Yangxing pointed toward the distant flames. "The main force of Prince Fu's army has scattered; now is our best opportunity!"

A general shouted aloud, "Your Majesty, our casualties are too heavy; we should fall back temporarily!"

Lu Yangxing countered, "No! Prince Fu is right ahead; to fall back now would mean wasting all our efforts at the very threshold of success!"

Suddenly, a stray arrow hissed out of the darkness and struck a guard straight in the chest.

"Watch out!" The men immediately crowded together, forming a defensive posture.

Across the battlefield, the fires illuminated countless churning figures. Amidst the flashing blades, figures continually fell.

A scout galloped over. "Report! General Cao has caught up with the main force of Prince Fu's army!"

Lu Yangxing immediately commanded, "Order the Divine Engine Division to reinforce them at once!"

The battlefield situation continued to shift. Although Prince Fu's army had been broken apart, they were still fighting a desperate, stubborn resistance.

Yang Huan wiped the blood from his blade. "These rebels truly do not know whether they are living or dying!"

A general suddenly pointed into the distance. "Look! Prince Fu's dragon banner has fallen!"

Sure enough, amidst the melee, that proudly fluttering dragon banner had suddenly toppled over.

"Kill!" Morale surged among the imperial guards, and they charged toward the spot where the banner had fallen.

The slaughter on the battlefield intensified. The flashing blades and blood stained the muddy earth a deep crimson.

Suddenly, a scout galloped over. "Report! Prince Fu has broken through and is fleeing northward!"

Cao Bianjiao immediately deployed his forces: "Order the cavalry to pursue in three columns! He must not be allowed to escape!"

The situation on the battlefield shifted once more. The imperial guard split into several columns, pursuing in different directions.

Yang Huan spurred his horse forward. "This general is willing to lead a troop to cut off their retreat!"

Lu Yangxing, however, cautioned, "Do not act rashly! There may be a trap!"

Sure enough, at that moment, a series of explosions detonated in the distance—the landmines previously laid by Prince Fu's army.

"Careful!" The men immediately fell back, avoiding the blast zone.

Smoke drifted across the battlefield, illuminating half the sky with firelight. Countless soldiers fell in the chaotic fighting.

A general shouted, "Your Majesty, our army has secured control of the greater part of the battlefield!"

Lu Yangxing immediately issued orders: "Instruct all units to gather the defeated remnants and stabilize our footing!"

The killing on the battlefield gradually subsided. The imperial guard began clearing the field and tending to the wounded.

Looking at the bodies covering the ground, Yang Huan sighed, "This battle was truly tragic and bitter."

Another scout arrived with a report: "General Cao sends word that Prince Fu's traces have been found to the north!"

Lu Yangxing immediately stated, "Pass down the order, the entire army advances north!"

Battle horns sounded once more across the battlefield. The imperial guard began to assemble toward the north, preparing for the pursuit.

Yang Huan suddenly said, "Wait! Look over there!"

In the darkness in the distance, a string of torches suddenly flared to life—a troop moving at high speed.

"Pursue!" Lu Yangxing gave the order, and columns of cavalry raced toward the torchlight.

The sound of hooves echoed across the battlefield once more. On this sleepless night, the hunt continued.

Yang Huan gazed at the distant lights and muttered softly, "Prince Fu, oh Prince Fu, you may escape for a moment, but you cannot escape for a lifetime."

Morning dew dampened the blades of grass, and sporadic bird calls drifted from afar. Cao Bianjiao sat tall in the saddle upon a hillside, gazing at the pale fish-belly white emerging in the east.

"Report!" A scout hurried over. "The rebels' tracks have been found; they are moving toward the Qing River."

Lu Yangxing held his compass, carefully calculating the coordinates. "Qing River... There is a vast reed marsh there, most suitable for concealment."

"This general is willing to lead the Divine Engine Division ahead," Yang Huan offered, cupping his fists. Dried blood still stained the armor across his chest.

An old general shook his head. "The muskets of the Divine Engine Division cannot be effectively deployed in a reed marsh. It would be better to send light cavalry..." Before he could finish, the sound of a brass gong suddenly echoed through the air.

"An ambush!" Cao Bianjiao shouted sharply. Before his voice faded, dozens of horsemen surged out of the reed thickets, scattering in all directions.

"Split up and pursue!" Lu Yangxing immediately commanded. The imperial cavalry split into several squads, chasing after the fleeing targets in various directions.

Squinting at the scattered horsemen, Yang Huan remarked, "This is a trick to lure the tiger away from the mountain; Prince Fu must have another destination in mind."

A farmer was brought before them, trembling as he knelt and stammered, "This humble... this humble one saw a troop of men heading north..."

"Speak!" Cao Bianjiao barked.

"They... they commandeered all the boats at the ferry crossing, saying they were going to..." Before the farmer could finish, a stray arrow sliced through the air and pierced his throat.

"Protect Your Majesty!" The generals immediately formed a defensive ring. In the distant reed beds, a few dark figures could be faintly seen moving rapidly.

Lu Yangxing sneered, "Prince Fu intends to take the waterway. Pass down the order: seal off all ferry crossings!"

Squads of imperial guards began moving toward the various ferries. In the morning light, the dew on their armor gleamed with a cold light.

"Report!" Another scout galloped up. "A large number of horseshoe prints have been found ten miles to the north, along with..." He handed over a blood-stained piece of fabric.

Yang Huan took it, and his expression shifted slightly. "This is a fragment of Prince Fu's dragon robe."

Cao Bianjiao immediately ordered, "Instruct the Divine Engine Division to advance north!"

Just as the formation began to move, a series of explosions erupted in the distance. A general rode over, shouting, "Bad news! The rebels have planted gunpowder on the bridge!"

Lu Yangxing immediately commanded, "Cross in dispersed formation, beware of traps!"

Through the morning mists, the imperial guard began cautiously advancing northward. Every suspicious location had to be scouted ahead of time.

"Boom!" Another deafening blast rang out as a squad of imperial guards triggered a buried landmine, sending men and horses flying.

Watching the smoke rise in the distance, Yang Huan observed, "Prince Fu means to lure us into a minefield."

An old general suggested, "Perhaps we should wait for the sappers to clear..." Before he could finish, the sound of hooves echoed again from afar.

"It's Prince Fu's personal guard unit!" Cao Bianjiao immediately recognized that distinctive banner.