Chereads / ROSES OF BLOOD : THE MAGNIFICENT CENTURY / Chapter 14 - RAVENING CLOUDS

Chapter 14 - RAVENING CLOUDS

Running through the woods in the darkness the wind was brushing over his face as he tightly held onto a scroll in his hand, seemingly a young man he was veiled in a long dark attire as he rushed towards the border.

"Stop that imbecile he heard shouts following him and turning around for a moment he could see at a distance horsemen bearing torches that were running his way.

He tripped and fell down.

"No." He said to himself as he struggled and got up again, his enemies at the moment were already much closer than he had expected.

"This can't be happening." He tried to comfort himself as he negotiated a corner and could see a couple of lights in a distance.

"Don't let him get away." They were still screaming after him as he approached what seemed to be the Sino-Jurchen border and as he seemed to get the attention of the men on the fortress, they sounded a warning gong which alarmed everyone within the walls.

"Could it be the Jurchens?" One asked as the young man running in the open had ultimately revealed himself to his pursuers.

"We have to cover him up." One of the men of the walls ordered and the archers stepping on top of the battlements behind him they set their arrows ablaze and aimed at the horsemen approaching them in a distance.

"Fire." The General Han Guang ordered and the soldiers letting go the arrows swiftly flew across the land for a moment the rest of the horsemen in pursuit seemed to halt while one made his effort to ensure that he got close enough to strike the arrows out of his way with his sword.

"Stop the horseman." Han Guang ordered and they aimed for him a second time and fired their arrows again, the stranger that he was pursuing seized the opportunity and got close enough to the gates of the fortress.

"He's going to make it." One of the horsemen held back said.

"No." His colleague speaking in a much softer voice that sounded to be feminine asserted as she held into her quiver and pulling out an arrow she placed it within her bow and aimed for the runner.

Taking a deep breath, staring far enough, for a moment time seemingly becoming slower, she could feel almost everything present before she let go and fired in the direction of the young man.

The arrow went, cutting through the wind, made a turn about and eventually it landed in the man's back that he fell onto the ground when Han Guang ordered another arrow shower.

The pursuers caught off guard were forced to retreat while the nearest horseman to the wall looked at the tall general staring down at him before he turned his horse around and rode away.

Han Guang looking down thankfully, the runner they had been pursuing was not yet dead he immediately descended the battlements and the gates being opened he approached him while the latter raised his eyes and looked at him.

"Please don't die." He said.

"I won't make it." The young man replied as he knelt down and placed him on his lap while he held tightly onto the scroll.

"Don't say that, I am here." Han Guang said.

"One of us was captured, the Jurchens will be made aware in no time, these are our current findings as of now, a war is bound to break out sooner or later." The man said as he struggled to breathe while the physician arrived.

"Please save him." Han Guang said but the latter closing his eyes foam started to pour out of his mouth.

"The arrow was poisoned." The physician said as he held the young man's left arm and looked for a pulse before he let go in dismay.

"Forgive me Your Excellency," he said, "he has already passed on." The physician informed him and letting go of the young man's hand, Han Guang stared at the scroll in his hand and held it.

"Inform his family members, I'll take care of the funeral, send word to my brother that one of our men is being held hostage, it's a matter of time before war breaks out so we need to prepare adequately." He ordered.

"Yes Sir." The Guards replied while the pursuers hidden in the trees at a distance they watched as everyone got up from the scene and walked away bearing the corpse of the runner who had been fleeing from them.

In the Jurchen Fortress of Teng, the pursuers arrived on their horses and the archer who had been in the lead stepped down as removed the hat on their head revealing their very long braids that had been adorned with some beads it turned out to be a woman.

"Your Highness." The guards there bowing their heads to her she moved past them and walked through the doors of what seemed to be the dungeons where a young man was waiting for her.

"My Princess." He said offering his salutations as well as she halted right in front of him.

"Where's the spy you captured?" She asked.

"This way." The man replied and leading her through the corridors they descended down a couple of stairs until they arrived in a room where a man was bound to a big wooden chair by a group of thick white nylon ropes, his face was covered with a piece of cloth and he seemed unconscious as he didn't even move.

"Wake him up." The woman ordered and the men pouring water onto his face he awakened immediately.

"Remove the sack." She commanded and the rest of the soldiers looking at her they complied immediately that her stare met that of the young man whose face had been injured so severely it was swollen and he himself seemed too hard to recognize.

"You understand your mistake and I am aware that you know you are aware of something that I need to know." She said.

"I won't say anything even if you kill me." He said.

"I love stubborn people." The young woman appearing to be in her late twenties professed.

"Then you must understand that whatever you do you will not break me." He said.

"I understand that you are a Song Spy here in Jurchen territory, my men have gathered enough information on your movements that is to say the people that you have been in contact with and the questions you have asked, we've monitored the movements of the Song soldiers in the territory and along the border, it so happens to be that someone has forecast an impending war." The young girl said and the man looking down she knew she was right.

"I don't need you to tell me anything my dear seeing that your hands are tied, as actions speak louder than words my men will take pleasure in skinning you and feeding you to our war hounds." She confidently said and the doors of the dungeons being opened a couple of men with sabres walked in as she smiled at them.

"Do what you must." She ordered them as she walked out accompanied by her assistants and leaving the spy to the executioners all she heard was the loud cries that emerged from behind.

"The Southern Song Dynasty is clearly preparing for war we need to inform others in the Capital." Her colleague said.

"There's no need Chuchu, we ride to the capital at dawn." The Princess responded as she continued to her personal quarters.

"Push Ma'am." Linxiang and the midwives that were tending to Cao Zhaoyi said to her while she tightly bit the linen cloth that was in her mouth.

They had already suspended a thick cotton fabric from the ceiling and She'd held onto it for the last couple of minutes while they were wiping off the sweat around her forehead and the rest of her face, her labour pains had kicked in hours ago.

The head midwife who was in the vicinity was making her deliver at that time while the latter still feeling uneasy had held on long enough in the very dark night.

Her muscles had started contracting to expel the baby from the womb and she was in so much pain that she tightly held onto the fabric yet again.

"It is time " One of the midwives said as she turned to Linxiang.

"Ma'am, I am going to ask you to take a deep breath and then push once more." She said to her mistress who nodded her head reluctantly in approval and she did as asked.

"Push." She said yet again and Cao Zhaoyi complied as she invested her might while in the uneasy silence the Empress was seated in her dark Chambers that were lit with only a single crimson candle as she watched it anxiously.

"You are doing it, keep going." Linxiang said as the other midwives wiped away her sweat again and others reorganized the fabric in her mouth.

Cao Zhaoyi ceased the sheets with all her might and then she pushed again while at that same time it so happened that the Emperor Ningzong swiftly walked into her courtyard along with his eunuchs and retainers as they stationed themselves on the door.

"Your Majesty." The servants said as they bowed their heads and greeted him.

"How is the Zhaoyi?" He inquired.

"Nothing yet as she is still in delivery." One of the ladies in waiting replied as they heard Cao Zhaoyi's silent screams escaping the room.

"Don't give up Ma'am, push , I can feel the shoulders." The Head Midwife said and Cao Zhaoyi nodding in approval she persisted while Xiaoyang and Manyin outside the Empress' servant girl from the residence rushed up to them.

"Anything new?" They asked her.

"No." She replied.

"Go back and check again." Xiaoyang ordered and the latter complied while they seemed far more anxious.

The Empress' rival for love Cao Zhaoyi pushed with all her might and screaming loudest but trying to contain it, her teeth against each other at last the baby was out from her womb.

Everyone outside still anxiously waiting and as the latter relaxed, the baby cried out loud that its advent resounded throughout the walls of the Palace it was as though the Empress could already hear its cries in the dead of night from where she was.

Everyone that was outside was excited as the Emperor tried to keep his calm.

"Cao Zhaoyi has made it, she has delivered at last." One of her staff softly remarked.

"It is heaven's blessing." Emperor Ningzong muttered with a smile on his face.

"What sex is the child?" Cao Zhaoyi asked those tending to her while they reserved their silence for a moment as smiles filled their faces.

"Which part of my question wasn't clear?" She asked and Linxiang unable to hold it in chose to reply.

"Congratulations Ma'am, you have made it, You have delivered a Prince." Linxiang replied as she bowed her head and hearing this the latter overjoyed she closed her eyes in excitement before she opened them again

"At last the good Lord has granted me joy in my sorry, at last there is victory emerging from within our walls," she confidently remarked, "Inform His Majesty." She said.

"Yes Ma'am." Linxiang replied as she bowed her head and withdrew from the room immediately.

Emperor Ningzong and the others still waiting outside the doors were opened and himself walking into the room to the bedside of Cao Zhaoyi who was sweating profusely while Linxiang bore the baby in her hands and carried it towards him.

"Congratulations Your Majesty, it's a Prince." She joyously said and the Emperor looking at the child he smiled.

"By the Grace of God, the heavens are on our side." He muttered.

"Yes Your Majesty." Cao Zhaoyi muttered.

"To have a Prince like him I am surely blessed among men, your efforts Ma'am are sufficient and I laud them and in gratitude to your service to the Imperial house and the Imperial lineage, you shall hereby be elevated to the rank of CHEN FEI (IMPERIAL CONSORT). " The Emperor Ningzong said.

"Cao Zhaoyi sincerely thanks Your Majesty." She said joyously while the Emperor bringing the child closer to his mouth he prayed for him while everyone was watching.

"HE IS MY LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS, HE IS MY SON THAT I LOVE, THE HEAVENS HAVE ABSOLVED ME OF MY SIN AND IN MEMORY OF THE TWO IMPERIAL PRINCES THEY HAVE SENT ME A COMFORTER, FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, HE SHALL BE KNOWN AS HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE ZHAO JI THE PRINCE OF SU." He said raising the child in front of them.

"Yes Your Majesty." Everyone in the room said in unison while bowing their heads to him.

"Congratulations Your Excellency." Mrs. Cao said to her husband.

"She has given birth to a son, an Imperial Prince, I heard that His Majesty has bestowed upon her the rank of Imperial Consort." Ex-Minister Cao muttered.

"Chen Fei?" His wife asked in disbelief.

"Yes." The Ex-Minister enthusiastically responded that the two smiled at themselves contented.

"The birth of a Prince is very good news for all of us, now that I think about it it's time we convene the ladies." She said.

"That's a very good idea, most of the Noble ladies at the very least that are displeased with the Empress would certainly want to get along." Ex-Minister Cao mentioned.

"What about you Your Excellency?" His wife asked.

"There are more important people we should reach." Ex-Minister Cao said and picking up his cup from the table he took a sip of the tea within it before he placed it back.

The Empress quietly seated in her quarters was embroidering a beautiful purple sachet while Manyin and Xiaoyang looked at her concerned.

"How does it look?" She suddenly asked them.

"Beautiful Your Highness." Manyin replied as Xiaoyang looked at her as though signalling for her to speak up yet she seemed hesitant.

"Get it off your chest." The Empress said to them with a smile on her face.

"How can you be smiling like this Your Highness?" They asked her.

"Why shouldn't I?" She asked them.

"That wench Cao Zhaoyi has given birth to an Imperial Prince, His Majesty was so pleased I heard that he elevated her to the rank of Chen Fei." Xiaoyang responded.

"An Imperial Prince was born to the Emperor, at the very least I should be happy as His Empress." She mentioned.

"You are too benevolent Your Highness." Manyin remarked.

"Perhaps." She seemed to agree with her as she finally placed down the needle and thread while she looked at the sachet in her hands.

"Are you seriously not going to do anything Your Highness?" Xiaoyang persistently inquired.

"I'll congratulate the Imperial Consort Cao, I am happy for her, but I can't be sombre now that the fun has started." She responded.

"Mrs. Cao has been leaguing with many of the Noble ladies in other parts of the Empire, we have the capital under our command but with the Grand Chancellor's support they have been gaining some more influence over the past seven to contend with you Your Highness." Manyin reported.

"Is that so?" The Empress asked as she looked at her.

"My brother asked me to relay to you this information, he has mastered their moves and has tracked down all those officials that they have been in league with, the problem is that much as they are corrupt but in the countryside they are just too influential." She responded.

"As long as one still lives there's always hope, after all the same can be said for a tree that has been cut down as long as it can still keep its roots." The Empress muttered.

"What are you going to do Your Highness, the Presence of the Imperial Prince Su Zhao Ji might jeopardize the Crown Prince's given that he's directly from the Emperor's legs." Xiaoyang cautioned.

"Do not worry excessively, that surely won't happen." The Empress said.

"How can you be so sure Your Highness?" They asked her.

"It doesn't matter who is who and who isn't and neither does it matter who fights with me and who doesn't, who is powerful enough or who is influential as long as it's this country and as long as it's the Imperial Dragon throne the Crown Prince is whoever I say it is." The Empress Yang confidently responded to the two of them.

"Of course Your Highness." They said to her while bowing their heads.

"Cao Zhaoyi surely must feel very excited and more than ever she'll be in dire need of the Grand Chancellor's support, I suppose she will notice but a bit too late, she has been walking on a shattered bridge all along." The Empress remarked as she smiled at herself ghastly.

"Her Grace has given birth to a Prince and His Majesty was very excited that he elevated her to the rank of Chen Fei." Court Lady Liu said while bowing her head.

"You may leave us." Consort Han said and the latter withdrawing from the room left her with her Uncle.

"Cao Zhaoyi has now become a Consort that means that she is now your equal." Han Touzhou mentioned.

"That much can be said, she has been married to His Majesty for close to thirteen years and he's never perceived her as a serious political threat." Consort Han remarked.

"I am not surprised if His Majesty doesn't take notice, he doesn't seem to see the Empress as meddlesome in the affairs of State he probably has no idea those so called Imperial loyalists are no less than puppets articulating her thoughts speech and actions." Han Touzhou mentioned.

"The Palace will be in intense jubilation and Consort Cao won't be any different from the rest." Consort Han muttered as she looked her Uncle in the eye, "How far with the Grand Chancellor?" She inquired.

"His symptoms are bound to get much worse any time, I just happened to learn though that he is quite fatigued and most of his duties are passively being carried out by me." Han Touzhou responded.

"It's good to know." Consort Han remarked.

"But you told me that the Imperial Prince isn't the Emperor's seed, why don't you spread the news?" Han Touzhou asked.

"Patience my dear Uncle, if we throw the stone a bit too soon we'll sadly miss our target." She replied.

"What do you plan on doing?" Han Touzhou asked.

"It's a bit too early as there's still some time left until that Court maid gives birth to the Emperor's child as well." Consort Han muttered as she smiled at herself ghastly.

Han Touzhou stepping outside his niece's quarters Lin Xue was situated right in front of him and staring down at his hand he looked sombre that the old man was forced to descend down the stairs immediately.

"What's the matter with you?" He asked.

"I have just received urgent news from home and there's a report that someone from the Northern border wishes to see you." He responded and hearing this Han Touzhou immediately rushed out.

Getting into has carriage, he was spotted by Bao Langya who was stationed close by with one of his men.

"Why does His Excellency seem anxious?" He asked.

"It must be something bad, perhaps something unfortunate." Bao Langya concluded.

"What could it be?" His subordinate asked.

"Follow him and find out whatever it is that we need to know." He ordered and the young man bowing his head he immediately rushed off after Han Touzhou.

Consort Cao in her Chambers with Linxiang she stared at the child in her arms.

"Congratulations on the birth of the Imperial Prince, I see he looks so much like His Majesty." She flattered her.

"He will make a good Emperor some day." Consort Cao remarked.

"Surely." Linxiang affirmed when the Consort seemed uneasy.

"What's the problem with you Your Grace?" Linxiang inquired the moment she noticed that her mistress was not alright.

"His Majesty has not yet visited us, he said that he would be here." She replied.

"Perhaps Your Grace is excited I am more than sure that sooner or later he'll arrive here." Linxiang tried to console her when suddenly the Empress' presence was announced outside the hall.

"What's Her Highness doing here?" Consort Cao asked.

"I don't know." Linxiang whispered in response as the latter prepared herself and sat up confidently.

"Let her in." Consort Cao ordered as she stood up with the baby in her hands and the doors of the hall being opened the Empress while accompanied by her ladies in waiting bearing gifts they walked in while Linxiang and her mistress offered their salutations.

"At ease." The Empress Yang said as she sat down in front of her while the latter handing over the Imperial Prince to Linxiang, the Empress' eyes followed.

"Can you at least grant me a look?" She inquired.

"Yes Your Highness." Consort Cao responded and nodding her head in approval while looking at Linxiang, she moved forward with the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji and handed it over to the Empress who embraced him.

"He'll certainly be a powerful Prince." She mentioned, "it's written in his eyes." She asserted as she handed it over back to Linxiang.

"Your Highness personally comes here to visit me, I am very moved." Consort Cao remarked.

"Another Imperial Prince now resides in the harem, the Palace felt empty ever since the passing of my two sons, it's a relief that the Crown Prince won't have to feel lonely." Empress Yang responded.

"It is merely my duty." Consort Cao said gracefully.

"You look quite different, in your new attire as the Imperial Consort." The Empress pointed out.

"Do I remind you of yourself as the Noble Consort?" Consort Cao asked.

"Perhaps." The Empress replied, "I must have started getting used to my Phoenix and dragon attires as the Empress of the Central Palace that I seem to have forgotten those days." She remarked.

"It's only been roughly four to five years if I remember well enough Your Highness." Consort Cao pointed out.

"That long feeling my eyes with what I see and remembering what I hear, speaking forthrightly where it has seemed necessary and commanding the harem and the Inner Court as it's Empress?" She seemed to inquire.

"Yes." Consort Cao replied, "always alert and devoted to your responsibilities Your Highness." She added.

"What can I say, these honours seemingly immense on my tender shoulders, only when one becomes the Empress can they understand, these feathers and claws which might not seem like much are not gained and maintained with ease as many have disappeared in this similar strife." The Empress whispered.

"In deed it must be." Consort Cao agreed, "I seem to have been tied to a similar destiny." She concluded.

"Yet their purpose is a lot more vital if not to simply dominate the people and hurt them but also to fight and suppress their enemies, protect all those we love." Empress Yang said.

"I see Your Highness." Consort Cao said, "seeing that you said he will be a Great Prince who's to say he won't be like his brother the Crown Prince?" She inquired.

"As far as I know, trusting that my experience has taught me well enough a Crown Prince isn't born Your Grace, he is made." The Empress responded as she smiled sincerely at her while her ladies in waiting put down the gifts in front of her and the Empress standing up Consort Cao stood up and bowed her head to her.

"His Majesty the Emperor." Eunuch Deng announced.

"I'll take my leave Your Grace." The Empress muttered as she turned around and moved towards the doors of the room which were opened and she saw the Emperor.

"Your Majesty." She said.

"My Empress?" He replied quite surprised.

"Seeing that Consort Cao had delivered a Prince I was very happy that I personally brought over some gifts to wish them well, I shall leave as it is that you need to have some time with them." She said to him before she continued her way with her retinue and the Emperor at ease he walked into the Lingyang Palace.

Han Touzhou in his study the messenger was brought before him.

"I was told that you wanted to see me." He said.

"I come from Xiangyang Your Excellency with bad news from your brother." He responded.

"What about him?" Han Touzhou asked.

"One of our spies in the Jurchen territory returned to us in the wee hours of the morning but died from a poisoned arrow, his subordinate he claimed was held in the Jurchen's custody that he seems concerned that sooner or later they'll be a war breaking out between our two countries." The messenger replied.

"Is that so?" Han Touzhou asked.

"Yes Your Excellency." The messenger replied.

"It seems to me that a war with the Jurchens is going to be inevitable." Lin Xue muttered.

"Perhaps the moment we have been waiting for." Han Touzhou muttered as he smiled at himself while the messenger bowing his head he withdrew from his presence.

"There'll be a Daily Assembly tomorrow but I can't wait until then, prepare my carriage for the Palace." He ordered.

"But you just arrived from the Palace a while ago." Lin Xue remarked.

"All I see is an impending war if one of our spies landed in the hands of our traditional enemies then we can't keep stalling ourselves, preparation begins immediately, for safety at the very least." Han Touzhou responded.

"Very well Your Excellency." Lin Xue muttered as he immediately withdrew from room at once.

Consort Cao seated she stared at the Emperor who was playing with his son quietly and she couldn't help but smile.

He seemingly noticed from the corner of his eye the attention that she was giving him  and was forced to look her in the eye and take a deep sigh.

"Thank you." He said.

"There's no need Your Majesty." Consort Cao muttered.

"It sure is there given that many might have considered you to be past the childbearing age, besides, you giving me a Prince couldn't have been easy at all that makes him a miracle baby." He asserted.

"That makes me all the more assured that his sister won't be lonely and that he'll help his brother the Crown Prince and Your Majesty perform both your duties to the very best." Consort Cao remarked.

"Surely, we'll look upon him and find the strength we need." The Emperor praised as she smiled sincerely at him.

"Why do I feel that you aren't as blissful?" He asked.

"Being born a Prince is not as easy, my father happened to lose his position in the government some time back, I can't be certain that there aren't Courtiers looking to exploit my child, he has both Your Majesty and the Crown Prince to protect but who is there apart from us that is powerful enough to protect him?" She asked.

"I see." Emperor Ningzong muttered as he handed over the young Prince to Linxiang who took him away, "it must be that the Empress has people to protect her but you don't, perhaps I have been partial that I didn't notice that your abstinence from politics has put you in such a dire situation." He said.

"I don't ask for much Your Majesty, I only need a single official and that's enough." Consort Cao muttered.

"Shi Miyuan is the Empress' left hand and Yang Cishan her right hand I must do justice to my Prince and grant him two arms as well." The Emperor remarked.

"Then I'll leave Your Majesty to it, I trust that your judgment is the best." Consort Cao said while bowing her head to him.

The Empress arriving in her Chambers she found Bao Langya seated.

"What brings you here?" She asked him as the latter stood up and bowed his head to her.

"Forgive me Your Highness for intruding but there's something that I thought I should report to you." He responded.

"What is it?" The Empress asked as she took her seat in front of him.

"Han Touzhou left the Palace worried and I sent someone after him, however, I seem to have learnt from our sources in the North that something transpired in Xiangyang yesterday and one of Han Guang's men was murdered by the Jurchens while fleeing while his colleague was captured alive." He responded.

"Really?" The Empress seemed surprised.

"I have been investigating everything that transpired and judging from the reports of our informers there are claims that Han Guang and Han Touzhou to probe the enemy strength has sponsored bandit raids in which bandits have harassed villages and towns along the northern border, they have robbed Jurchen Merchants and that wealth has entirely gone to him sponsoring underground Song loyalist groups in the Jurchen Territory for the last five years they have gathered information on the size, disposition and readiness of the enemy troops, their movements he has had numerous Northern Brigands declaring their nominal fealty to the Song Government at the exchange for provisions and occasional refuge most of which are active in the Shantung region." Bao Langya reported.

"If that's the case then....." The Empress seemed hesitant.

"It's likely that the Jurchens are aware or if they aren't they'll soon be, if they probe into us I fear that it shall reflect badly on the relations between our two countries." Bao Langya spoke.

"Such a cruel resolution, a very much poisonous state of affairs between our two countries, if my perception serves me right once mishandled further we could only be sowing the seeds of an inevitable impending war." The Empress seemed to caution.

"What shall we do Your Highness, could it be that Han Touzhou is very eager for this war than we think?" He inquired.

"It can not rule out the fact that he is provoking it in his actions but if that's the case there must be so much more evidence for us to prove it." Empress Yang replied.

The Emperor Ningzong returning to his study he found Han Touzhou standing outside and the latter recognizing his presence he bowed his head.

"Your Majesty." He said.

"What are you doing here Your Excellency?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

"I am afraid that there is something urgent Your Majesty that just can't wait." He replied and the Emperor reluctant to hearing him he granted him an audience and the two moving inside they were accompanied by Eunuch Deng.

The Emperor sitting behind his table Han Touzhou stood in front of him.

"Tell me what the problem is." He demanded and Han Touzhou gracefully bearing an envelope in his hands he handed it over to Eunuch Deng who gave it to the young Emperor.

Slowly, he opened it and pulled out the piece of paper whose contents he perused through.

"What's this?" He asked finding it rather hard to comprehend.

"I have received word from the Northern Border at the Fortress of Xiangyang, it seems that Jurchen military movements have increased especially in the West close to Sichuan and the Jurchens have been financing raids in the local communities within our own borders, spies within the Jurchen Territory have reported that Jurchen political circles are interested in seeking out war with us and the new Emperor Zhangzong of the Jurchens seems most interested in pursuing the dream of their Rebel leader Wanyan Liang of reunifying China by conquering our Southern territory." Han Touzhou reported.

"That's impossible." Emperor Ningzong asked, "our envoys have only reported that the Jurchen Emperor seems to be more interested in peace." He asserted.

"That's all we had thought of Your Majesty, I was also hoping that at least he was sincere on his part, but our history is evident even from the treaty of Shaoxing, the Jurchens are unwilling to honour the terms whatever the cost may be, they are more than ready to violate it." Han Touzhou said, "we can't possibly forget that they have acted provocative in the past few decades." He seemed to remind him.

"Then what is it that you suggest I do?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

"As this is a matter concerning national security Your Majesty, I was hoping that we seek absolute preparation for war ourselves, because if the Jurchens are hoping to catch us off guard then it is my humble appeal that in the very least we beat them to their game." Han Touzhou mentioned.

"And can you take the responsibility?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

"Pardon me Your Majesty." Han Touzhou responded.

"The Grand Chancellor hasn't been the healthiest these past couple of days and Yang Cishan is himself a general that is best suited for war than state affairs, Shi Miyuan as of yet seems lacking in his ability to command the confidence of many the Courtiers would look down on him but I trust the Han Clan has been very loyal to this dynasty and you have been a very significant person in the Imperial Court for long enough there seems to be no other person I can rely on for this task." Emperor Ningzong replied.

"If Your Majesty deems me for." Han Touzhou remarked that the Emperor Ningzong turned around and looked at Eunuch Deng who bowed his head to him.

"Send word to the Grand Secretariat and have them draft an Imperial Edict, effective immediately, His Excellency the Left Chancellor shall assume the additional office of Manager of National Security." The Emperor muttered.

"Yes Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng replied.

"Your Majesty, I have yet another favour to ask." Han Touzhou muttered before Eunuch Deng would set foot outside.

"What is it?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

"The rest of the Courtiers seem to be very busy with State Affairs that is why I was hoping that with Your Majesty's approval, I would like to appoint a War Cabinet." He said.

"Is it necessary?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

"The Courtiers can not be relied on for everything as theirs is to simply oversee the welfare of the nation, a war cabinet will comprise of veterans and influential military men who will assist the Ministry of Defense in its primary duties." Han Touzhou replied.

"Then I trust that you will react diligently." Emperor Ningzong said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Han Touzhou replied and bowing his head he immediately withdrew from the hall leaving the Emperor and Eunuch Deng alone.

"There's something you wish to tell me." The Emperor mentioned when he noticed the worried expression on his face.

"I understand that His Excellency should be made the Manager of National Security but not the relevance of a War Cabinet." He replied.

"During the Han Dynasty the officials memorialized the throne separate from the Generals, however from the times of Great Wei and the later dynasties up to Tang this was done with and it seemed that the two distinct branches of the government were merged, the Song Dynasty has presented scholars but barely any military men, I have given Han Touzhou a Chance to combine and dissolve the strength of provincial military leaders." Emperor Ningzong said.

"Then is this a trap?" Eunuch Deng inquired.

"Han Touzhou can not advance his cause through the Imperial Court alone, he must have realised that at least sooner or later, if he could establish an organization that can function as virtually independant of it then he might establish his own political camp." Emperor Ningzong replied.

"But that doesn't matter." Eunuch Deng remarked, "after all the provincial leaders in the military become individually weaker when they are United." He supplemented.

"If we are sliding towards war then Han Touzhou has the capability of leading the country but in the process I am wishing to avert the much bigger crisis which is some of our Commanders and Generals defecting to the Jurchens." The Emperor confidently replied.

Han Touzhou having moved a distance from the Imperial study he stared back at it while Lin Xue approached him.

"You seem excited Your Excellency." He pointed out.

"Who would have thought that His Majesty would make things a lot easier for me?" He inquired.

"What do you mean Your Excellency?" Lin Xue inquired while Han Touzhou turned and looked him in the eye.

"I need you to summon for me Xin Chichi, Su Shidan, Zhang Yen, Zheng Song, Qiu Jung at once." He ordered.

"Yes Your Excellency." Lin Xue responded as he immediately rushed off to do what they had ordered him to do.

The Emperor Zhangzong seated in his Court his officials had convened in front of him.

The doors being flung open the Princess Imperial Zhangguo walked in clad in her armor as she was accompanied by a couple of her other colleagues while the Jurchen Courtiers watched.

"Greetings Your Majesty." She said while bowing her head to her brother.

"What is it?" He asked, "are you not supposed to be watching Teng?" He further inquired.

"There seems to be an issue that I wished to personally present before Your Majesty's Court, it concerns our national security." She responded as the rest of the Ministers murmured amongst themselves.

"What could it be Your Highness?" One of the Courtiers Tuoba Yun asked.

"Yesterday we rounded up some Song spies within our territories and one succeeding in his escape we took in a few hostages, for the past five years or so it seems that the Southern Song Dynasty's Court has been very keen on making military adjustments and drills along the border which may seem normal but we have every reason to believe that they are themselves preparing for an impending war." Princess Zhangguo replied.

"That is preposterous." The Jurchen Emperor remarked.

"Perhaps it is Your Majesty, we shouldn't ignore the fact that the past decade has been very rough on us, we have seen floods and famine, we have seen drought and are short on food supplies and many other basic essentials of our citizens, we no longer receive sufficient tributes from Goryeo and Western Xia let alone our surrounding territories that if well calculated I believe the Han Chinese are bent to cease the opportunity of this our time of crisis to challenge our hegemony." Princess Zhangguo responded.

"I think Her Highness is right Your Majesty, I presented this concern before but wasn't given that much attention that it now commands." Wanyan Alutai asserted.

"We can not overlook the possibility that it could be a trap, we are not that prepared for war considering the rough circumstances that we've been through, everyone seems to be aware of that to." The Emperor said.

"At the very least Your Majesty, as the General in charge of Teng I  move that you reconsider and we strengthen our defenses along the border so that we don't just prepare for a likely war but we could similarly not be held accountable in any way for provoking it." The Princess Imperial said.

"As if that isn't enough, I'll send over an envoy to the Southern Song Court to look into the matter." The Emperor said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison as they bowed their heads.

The Princess Imperial stepping out of the Court Hall with Chuchu beside her they descended the stairs silently.

"Why didn't you tell His Majesty that we have identified underground Song loyalist groups in the Jurchen Territory that have been operating for the last five years they have gathered information on the size, disposition and readiness of our troops, their movements and have had numerous Northern Brigands declaring their nominal fealty to the Song Government at the exchange for provisions and occasional refuge most of which are active in the Shantung region?" Chuchu inquired.

"We must be careful not to expose too many secrets because after what happened our enemies will only act more cautiously so revealing them right now could make any future resolution more difficult for us to ensure." The Princess Imperial replied.

"This is very vital information that could set our Countries at war." Chuchu said.

"And because such a dire consequence is likely I don't consider us well prepared to take the shock." The Princess insisted as she halted in her footsteps and looked at him, "our ignorance in their sight is their advantage and given everything that has transpired before if we give them reason to launch an immediate campaign against us then we'll lose, we'll let the seniors know when the time is right, now what matters is trying to make those Southern Song Court officials believe that they can still proceed according to plan." She confidently persuaded him before they continued their way.

"His Majesty did what?" The Empress asked Beiyuan.

"I have received word from the Grand Secretariat and they are drafting an Imperial Edict to formally designate Han Touzhou as the Manager of National Security, what's even more appalling is that I seem to have learnt that His Majesty has granted him the powers necessary to appoint a War Cabinet." Beiyuan reported.

"There's been no dynastic precedent, the last time I heard it existed was perhaps during the Early Sui dynasty." The Empress remarked.

"Eunuch Deng said that His Majesty claims it's to weaken the individual influence of the provincial military leaders by uniting them but I still find it risky considering the fact that it will grant Han Touzhou more power to challenge the Imperial Court and even eclipse the influence of the Ministry of War." Beiyuan claimed as the Empress leaned on the table and seemed to immerse herself in her thoughts.

"If Han Touzhou is in charge I fear that the relations between our two countries will only turn bitter, as such we'll seem to accelerate our movement towards war than slowing it down." The Empress Yang remarked.

"What are you going to do Your Highness?" Beiyuan asked.

"If the people aren't anxious for a war then we can still act up." The Empress replied, "however if we make our opposition too aggressive seeing that His Majesty has this keen perception of events makes me dread the fact that he's likely to become suspicious." She asserted.

"It's not like we have a choice now, it's necessary that we convince the people otherwise, if the people act up then Han Touzhou and His War cabinet will become practically useless." Beiyuan suggested.

"Then let's do just that." The Empress agreed hesitantly.

"Yes Your Highness." Beiyuan replied and bowing his head, he withdrew from the Central Hall.

Han Touzhou in his study the doors were opened and there the five men Xin Chichi, Su Shidan, Zhang Yen, Zheng Song and Qiu Jung walked in bowing their heads to him.

"You called for us Your Excellency." They said bowing their heads to him.

"You all have nothing that you hold in your hands, behold I have everything to give you." He mentioned and pointing for them to be seated they complied.

"It certainly seems to me that you are excited." Xin Chichi remarked.

"It has been very long time, it has been a very tough time, seven months we have been deprived of our power because of the Empress, it is High time that we took it back." He replied.

"The Empress commands the entire Imperial Court, how so do you suggest we shall claim it back?" Zheng Song inquired.

"His Majesty takes it upon himself to rest his confidence in me as the Manager of National Security, a war with the Jurchens is inevitable soon enough on our part even if they like it or not we'll make it come to them." Han Touzhou responded confidently, "since it is a dire situation the scholars are irrelevant I moved His Majesty to grant me the authority to create a War Cabinet and I wish to invite you all as the backbone." He said.

"Your Excellency...!" They exclaimed in disbelief.

"I am convinced that Her Highness being the woman she is is weak to lead us through this odious time, like many before her she is opposed to conflict we'll use the same weapon she used against us in the very beginning." He resorted.

"What is it Your Excellency?" They asked her.

"The General will of the people." Han Touzhou replied as he smiled at himself ghastly.

"No one wants war." Zhang Yen remarked.

"What about you that are seated with me in this room, what about you that have believed in the General suzerainty of our Great State, you the proudest statesmen of our time and distinguished Generals, you can't allow the Empress'men to imprison us and restrict our movements in their paragraphs it is high time the Great Southern Song became Great again and this can only be achieved if we reclaim the North." He said to them.

"To convince the masses to rally behind us will not be easy." Su Shidan said, "we want the war more than anyone else but once the Scholars, the Empress' people and those Courtiers league themselves together they'll challenge us." He asserted.

"The Empress may be powerful enough to command the confidence of the Imperial Court but she doesn't have the reserves to command that of the whole country, because her authority is centralised I only used this to my advantage to consolidate the areas distant from the capital where it had not reached." He responded.

"What about His Majesty?" Qiu Jung asked.

"Just leave everything else to me." Han Touzhou confidently replied, "tomorrow the Courtiers will convene for the Daily Assembly, by then I assure you all that it shall be too late." He insisted while they looked at him curiously.

Very early in the morning the people lining the streets gathered around numerous historical records that had been pinned up all over justifying war with the Jurchens.

The people reading them and the rest translating, Bao Langya and a couple of his colleagues coming across one fallen in the streets they immediately held it up while he personally perused through.

"We must inform Her Highness immediately." One of his colleagues suggested.

"Han Touzhou." Bao Langya seemed very certain as he marched away with a group of his corps.

The Empress holding the document in her hands she read it aloud.

"THE AUGUST WIND AND THE RAIN OF MAY, THEY ARE OF OUR COUNTRY THAT WAS BORN FROM THE LOVE AND THE BLOOD OF OUR HEROES, THERE ARE COMRADES WE LOVED AND CHERISHED FROM JINGKANG AND ALONG WITH THEM THE SONS, FATHERS AND BROTHERS WE LOST IN THE BATTLE OF CAISHI, AND YOU TELL ME WE WERE VICTORIOUS IN THAT AGE, WE BEAT THE DROUGHT AND FAMINE THAT PREYS ON THE JURCHENS, THE WATERS OF THE EARTH ARE THEMSELVES DISPLEASED THAT THEY RISE UP IN ANGER AND RAGE AND THEY SWALLOW UP THEIR PLANTATIONS, THE JURCHEN DRAGON RESTS ITS THRONE ON THE SOIL OF OUR TRADITIONAL HAN FOREFATHERS AND WE DO NOTHING IN THE NAME OF PEACE WHICH IS ABSURD, WE CAN NEVER BE EQUALS AND THE MANDATE OF HEAVEN IS NO LONGER THEIRS, THIS I TELL YOU IS THE GENERAL WILL, THIS IS THE WILL OF OUR FOREFATHERS, THE WILL OF OUR MARTYRS AND WE CAN NOT LET LAND WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY HAN FALL INTO THE HANDS OF OUR TRADITIONAL ENEMIES." She said as she angrily clenched it in her fists and tossed it into the fire.

"What's the people's reaction?" The Empress asked.

"Many of these messages have circulated in the whole capital and the people are excited, everyone is talking about war and conflict." Bao Langya responded.

"We can not afford that." The Empress said, "I dream that we'd reclaim our Northern lands more than anything else, to declare a war this time is a risk that we can not afford." She insisted.

"His Majesty will be attending the Daily Assembly soon and the Courtiers have already convened in the Grand Hall." Bao Langya mentioned.

"We can't contact the others now Your Highness." Manyin remarked when Xiaoyang walked in on them and bowed her head.

"Your Highness, there's someone here to see you." She mentioned and the doors being opened Han Touzhou walked into the Empress' presence and bowed his head to her while everyone else watched in awe.

"Your Excellency!" She exclaimed.

"Yes Your Highness." He confidently replied with a smile on his face as the two stared at each other intensely.