Wei Huan was neither a fool nor naive and therefore he understood perfectly well that his idea of peace negotiations would not be successful at the first attempt.
Many envoys sent to enemy camps were killed. Some escaped an awful fate only by a mere miracle. This time, the Imperial Army suffered irreparable losses but continued to hold back the advancing forces.
During these difficult days, Wei Huan grew absolutely restless. At night his hands would turn black of ink he spread across the paper, and in the morning they would water the ground with scarlet splashes. Wei Huan led the troops to where they were most needed, understanding and accepting the inevitability of what was happening, but wanting by all means to minimize the victims of the war. The common people greeted the Imperial Soldiers with gratitude and sincere awe, but the reason for this was not so much the chance to live a day longer, but the rumors spreading like wildfire.
Wei Huan never cared about the rumors, but rumors passed from mouth to mouth reaching even his ears. Among the many words and assumptions intertwined into one big snowball, several main ones stood out. One of the faithful followers of the Eight was given a dream in which he saw the faces of two new Deities.
They silently looked at him, only to burn in the bright flame of heavenly fire. This was indisputable proof of the authenticity of the message.
Wei Huan took the news ambiguously because the conditions for his joining the Gods were shaky and uncertain, but such news drowned out the roar of the war for a while, allowing people to be distracted at least for a while. The Emperor, apparently perceiving this as nothing more than a desperate, last attempt by the people to hold on, did not prevent the spread of rumors. That is why the general did not dispute anything, allowing the fire of hope in other people's hearts to flare up again.
Yu Bing Han maintained the same position, allowing himself a faint smile only when he heard people whispering: "The Gods protect us."
This is exactly how six months passed. Six months of joyless, difficult, bloody events.
Six months filled with death, pain, and the stench of corpses soaked into the soil.
Six months since Wei Huan appeared in the eyes of people as a new God.
Six months since the first letter about negotiations was sent.
Six months without a chance to get an answer.
Six months of incessant battles.
Six months of endless nightmares in dreams and reality.
Six months of perseverance for the benefit of other people's lives, despite a bleeding heart that has lost peace.
Finally, events, foreign faces, time frames, and voices became blurred in Wei Huan's head. They layered one over the other like a stream of thick paint carelessly tipped onto a soot-stained canvas.
Time was running out and the thought that a full-fledged war could not be avoided hurt Wei Huan. Yes, he was a general, but despite this, in the desperate heart of a very young youth, there was a naive hope for peace for the sake of those whom he swore the Emperor to protect.
A hope that was doomed to fade.
Joyless thoughts swirled like a stream of hissing snakes, pacified for a while only thanks to the presence of Yu Bing Han nearby. The young man was Huan's main support and help. They spent a lot of time together, despite the Counselor's busy schedule, which had only grown worse over the past six months.
The evening of the fateful day was no different from all the previous. Wei Huan was lost in thoughts, trying to find at least something bright in the dark waters of his own consciousness. His nerves, heated to the limit, and the torn threads of patience were exhausting, but the general did not betray his own state in any way, examining the map of the area he had memorized. Tomorrow he was supposed to lead his soldiers on the offensive. Towards the inevitable, but delayed until then, decisive battle.
Just at the moment when ill thoughts flashed through his head, the sobering sound of hooves came from afar. The neigh of a driven horse broke the dying silence, and barely restrained tears could be heard in someone's ragged breathing. A brave envoy recently sent to the enemy camp returned to the camp alive.
Squeezing the letter with a trembling hand, he weakly handed it to his general. On completing the task he almost collapsed from relief and fatigue.
The response from the general of the enemy army meant only one thing: he finally agreed to talk.
***
Wei Huan had never considered himself a skilled speaker, but sitting in the enemy camp, surrounded by contemptuous and angry glances directed at him, he understood the seriousness of the situation well. He was ready to fight to the end. Verbal battles, ornate traps, insidiously placed accents, veiled ridicule, and straightforward outrageous provocations.
This "battlefield" was different from the one he was used to, but the sharp swords and honed skills did not disappear. In this case, the violent clash to the last drop simply left no visible scars. Wei Huan was ready to endure anything.
Now at the negotiating table, two generals were fighting an invisible battle.
Wei Huan felt a feather-light touch on his palm. He did not look at Yu Bing Han, but he knew that the young man was trying to show his support without demanding a response. The man was grateful, but, surprisingly, for the first time in a long time, he felt calm and confident. Now the outcome of this battle depended only on him and, Heaven knows, he was going to emerge victorious.
– You conquered these lands, General Wei, yet you are willing to give them up, – uttered the man sitting opposite in a deep voice. He was thoughtfully stroking his black beard.
Chong Zhange, the general of the enemy army, had a fearsome appearance. With a heavy build, tall stature, and large hands, he seemed capable of crushing a human head with just two fingers. With such a body, his large facial features looked organic and militant: a large nose, thick eyebrows, sharp cheekbones, and a narrowed, stern look. The stately warriors on either side of Zhange seemed like children in comparison to him. Both generals were dressed in military uniforms, strikingly different from each other.
– You will receive them as soon as you recall the troops from our borders. – answered Wei Huan, causing quiet whispering from the side. The leaders' decisions were discussed on both sides, but not contested. – The Emperor will seal it with his hand.
Yu Bing Han smiled slightly next to him but hid his emotions behind a fan. Huan took his friend with him as an Copunselor, fully aware of and recognizing the young man's diplomatic abilities, but so far he has not needed help.
Wei Huan spoke strictly and to the point, without showing weakness. He did not perceive this meeting as a victory for the other side. He thought of the people only, not about his own military merits.
The negotiations were held in the enemy camp, but Huan first took soldiers with him, having calculated in advance all possible outcomes for such a meeting.
Chong Zhange did not react to the approaching forces, which allowed Wei Huan to leave his subordinates to wait for him outside. Until now, the negotiations had gone well, even too well, and this aroused Huan's suspicions. The man who had been striving for so long to conquer the imperial lands, to invade the very heart of the Celestial Empire, and did not hesitate to walk over the corpses of both enemies and allies, now did not show any hostility, easily agreeing with the proposed conditions.
His army has almost reached the capital. Why should he suddenly refuse such a tempting opportunity?
These thoughts tormented Wei Huan from the inside, but he decided to accept Chong Zhange's game and see what would happen next.
– The Emperor's Seal is an undeniably strong argument. – The general grinned contentedly, thoughtfully looking at Wei Huan and Yu Bing Han. – But does this mean that this Venerable One will not be able to see how the seal will be affixed?
An unkind glint flashed in Huan's eyes, but he quickly took control of himself.
– Does General Zhangge want to be present in the palace?
– That is for sure! – the answer came without delay. – Wouldn't this serve as a wonderful sign not only for the end of the war but also for the beginning of long, prosperous relations between our states?
The corner of Wei Huan's lips lifted in a grin. Did this person take him for a fool or just consider him a naive boy? Allowing Chong Zhange to enter the city is akin to disgrace, not to mention the Imperial Palace.
The general undoubtedly realized the weight of his words and openly provoked Huan with such a proposal, because to lead his long-term enemy through the empty streets of the capital and demonstrate the banner of the foreign army to the exhausted people was an eternal shame and a mark on his rank as supreme commander-in-chief.
Wei Huan knew that he would be subjected to veiled ridicule during these "peace talks," but such a base act on the part of the general of the Southern Lands left even him speechless. The astute Chong Zhange could not help but he took advantage of this delay. He waved his hand to his assistant and the man fussily began making tea. The general returned Huan's attention, leaning closer and clasping his fingers.
– General Wei, what do you say? – slowly drawing out his words. The trap was now obvious. – Are you opposing this Venerable one's modest request, showing him disrespect? This kind of behavior makes you doubt the sincerity of your peace proposal.
Somewhere nearby, a muffled whisper was heard again, accompanied by a subtle trembling of the shadows stretched out on the walls of the tent. The tension grew, and out of the corner of his eye, Wei Huan noticed that several enemy soldiers were closer to him than they had been before. However, for now, this was still only a superficial threat, which under no circumstances could be acted upon.
The quiet knock of a teapot placed on the table, emitting fragrant floral vapors, somewhat sobered up the prolonged silence, but it was not Huan who made the next move in this game.
– General Zhange, your proposal is excellent, – Yu Bing Han closed his fan with a smile, putting it aside. – The common people are tired of war in which they cannot fight, and the soldiers are tired of battles, because of this they have forgotten peaceful life. We have all lost a lot and want nothing more than a chance to heal. Peaceful ties with the southern lands will certainly speed up and facilitate this significantly.
The man rose from his seat and with a smile extended his hand to the teapot, but paused before taking it, politely clarifying:
– Don't you mind?
Chong Zhange only waved his hand slightly, allowing Bing Han to wrap his slender fingers around the cool porcelain handle, pouring tea into empty bowls. Having done this, the Counselor continued his thought.
– However, great general, the people of the Empire are frightened and may regard your kind gesture as a cunning infiltration into the capital for an internal attack. – Yu Bing Han carefully handed the cup to the man who was listening very attentively. – Besides, this issue is politically important and neither I nor Supreme General Wei have the right to make decisions without the word of our beloved Emperor.
Bing Han sat back on the chair, giving the second bowl to Huan, who had suppressed his emotions during his speech. Now the man was simply sitting and calmly listening to the words of a truly learned man, who had taken control of the situation thanks to his many years of training and skillful talent.
Wei Huan was not a bad negotiator, but his hot temper and military honor almost negated six months of suffering. Yu Bing Han's presence nearby was his true luck and fortune. The man unconditionally trusted his strategist and did not interfere with the resolution of even such a precarious situation.
Chong Zhange listened to Bing Han, silently twirled the cup with his fingers for a while, and then drank the contents in one go, burning his throat. The sharp sound of porcelain hitting wood shook the tent, once again thickening the thinning tension.
The general of the southern lands threw the cracked cup away and, wiping his lips with his sleeve, wondered:
– Then, what will the Counselor propose to resolve this complex issue?
Yu Bing Han bowed politely, holding his hands out in front of him and humbly lowering his head.
– This Counselor asks the great general to give us a week. We will report everything to His Majesty and explain the importance of your demand. Your agreement to negotiate and desire for peaceful coexistence will certainly touch the infinitely wise soul of the Emperor. And for now, this Yu Bing Han asks the Venerable General to let us go.
Silence once again enveloped the small space of the tent, diluted only by the barely audible breathing of the people gathered inside. Wei Huan looked expectantly at Chong Zhange, who was examining Bing Han. From this intent, searching gaze, furious tongues of bubbling flame spread across the general's body, creating deep shadows in his black eyes. Huan wanted to break the man's neck with his bare hands, but he did not dare to neglect his friend's efforts for the benefit of the fragile semblance of the world.
– Fine, – Chong Zhange's voice came out after a while and was calm and collected. – I will trust the Counselor in this matter. I hope the Emperor will be favorable.
– You will not be disappointed, General. – Yu Bing Han's posture became more obliging, thereby warming the pride of the southern commander-in-chief. – Let us take our leave.
Having received barely a hint of permission in response, Bing Han stood up first, gently touching Wei Huan's shoulder with his fingers. His quiet voice caressed the ear, relieving tension throughout the body.
– Supreme General, let's go.
Huan did not hesitate, rising behind him. Unlike the adviser, he did not finally bow to the enemy commander, but with a firm step headed towards the exit.
Chong Zhange ignored this behavior, actually allowing him to leave the camp without any difficulty or obstacle. An unpleasant feeling, which he could not describe, settled as irritation in the depths of Wei Huan's heart. He couldn't stop feeling like he was missing out on something. However, from the very beginning, the man did not even count on such a favorable outcome of this meeting and therefore continued to work himself up, never ceasing to expect an ambush around every corner. This was reflected in his upright posture and tightly clenched reins to the capital.
However, as soon as the familiar high walls were reflected in his eyes, and the opening gates greeted the procession with a quiet creak, the pent-up tension subsided thanks to his native places. Wei Huan was not going to believe in the good intentions of Chong Zhange, but the Emperor had the last word on the matter.
Wei Huan completed his task and now could only watch the events unfold. The first thing he did, once in the palace, was to report everything to His Majesty at once, but he could not do anything about his desires.
That is why, despite the inviolable duties of the Supreme General, he found Yu Bing Han. Embracing him tightly Wei Huan whispered "Thank you" for a significant amount of time.
***
The news about the negotiations and the conditions imposed by Chong Zhange plunged the Emperor into deep gloomy thoughts. Such opportunity could not be missed, nor could a prepared trap be excluded that could plunge the very heart of the Empire into bloody chaos. His Majesty could not resolve such a sensitive issue alone, and therefore for several days, he assembled a council to discuss the same topic. Wei Huan and Yu Binghan were directly involved in every meeting. Loud debates and heated discussions did not subside for five days, after which it was decided to accept the terms of Chong Zhange with some necessary precautions.
The Imperial Army led by Wei Huan was responsible for security, and high-ranking Ministers and Yu Bing Han oversaw the progress of the negotiations.
An official letter with stamped with the Dragon Seal was sent to Chong Zhange on the same day, welcoming him in the lands of the Celestial Empire and giving right to come closer to the Capital.
On the sixth day, the Southern Army made a camp at some distance from the city walls, complying with the Emperor's request to maintain acceptable boundaries.
Only Chong Zhange and a small squad were allowed to enter the city for negotiations.
This, however, did not happen.
On the night of the seventh day, a deafening roar shook the Capital. The city was under attack.