Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2544 The Han Emperor is about to return to the capital; Su Qin meets with the Qing Emperor.

Wang Yu gently closed the letters and reports in his hand, his mind already racing.

Although the information coming from remote regions such as the Southern Barbarians and the Western Barbarians was from a long time ago, these reports could not possibly mention the recent situation in these regions.

The current situation in Kegan is enough to make him wary.

Ultimately, after pacifying the Eastern Barbarians, he made Qian his primary target.

"Zhao Gao!"

"Make preparations, we'll set off for Beijing tomorrow."

According to his original plan, he also wanted to travel around the Guandong and Guanxi regions. However, Wang Yu ultimately chose to abandon this plan and return to the capital ahead of schedule.

Zhao Gao responded in agreement and then went to give the instructions.

The emperor's procession was returning to the capital with a large entourage. With only one day to prepare, the arrangements for guards, carriages, ceremonial guards, lodgings, and supplies had to be made in the shortest possible time. There was no room for error. This was already extremely rushed.

It's fine if those above just open their mouths, but those below them who do the work have to run themselves ragged because of it!

Zhao Gao sighed heavily in his heart, but he could only do his best to do the job well.

The imperial decree spread like wildfire, and the entire temporary imperial camp instantly shifted from a relatively relaxed pace of inspection to a highly efficient yet oppressive busyness.

Soldiers were redeployed, carriages and horses were inspected, documents were sealed, and countless figures moved silently through the somewhat desolate palace gardens in winter.

The news naturally reached Tongquetai, a special palace that has now become a place to house captured women. After a brief silence, a complex ripple spread through the area.

Having already been granted the title of Lady of the Palace, Qiao Wanmian and Su Xiaoyong felt a complex mix of emotions when they received the clear order to return to the palace with the emperor.

From free-spirited wanderers to one of the countless caged birds confined to this corner of Tongquetai in the past year or so, who can understand their mental journey during this time?
From resentment and humiliation to despair, and then to gradual assimilation.

In particular, the older generation of palace maids at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace have been there for nearly ten years since its construction.

For nearly ten years, these palace maids were confined to a small corner of the land. If they were not fortunate enough to receive the emperor's favor or special permission, they would likely remain in this situation for the rest of their lives, and would only be allowed to leave when they reached a certain age.

These were still palace maids, while these captured canaries had no chance to leave unless they were granted special mercy. They could only grow old and die here, and in the end, they might only get a straw mat.

That is why, when the emperor's entourage was so rare to arrive, and when the two of them became his bedchamber attendants one night, they did everything in their power to please the monarch.

Although the emperor only slept with them for one night, they were fortunate enough to receive official titles.

This was undoubtedly a blessing, a sign that they had escaped the "candidate residence" of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, meaning that they had officially become the lowest-ranking but legitimate concubines in the emperor's harem, and that in the future they would at least have a lowly but certain identity and residence, and a legitimate status.

The palace maids silently packed up their meager personal belongings, which consisted of a few decent clothes, one or two pieces of old jewelry that had not been confiscated, and one or two items that the emperor had casually bestowed upon them.

As they watched the palace servants cross their names off the Tongquetai accounts and transfer them to the list of accompanying concubines, they felt a little dazed.

However, within the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, only the two of them were fortunate. Many more beautiful women remained trapped in this exquisite cage.

The emperor is about to leave, and his return is uncertain. The next time he will visit may be next year, or it may be several years from now, or it may never come again.

But their youth and prime years quietly slipped away in this day-to-day waiting.

The "success" of those two women was like a fleeting spark in the darkness, both stinging their eyes and igniting the last vestige of their unwilling ambition.

The last night.

These words, like a spell, silently echoed in countless boudoirs and embroidered chambers, igniting a light mixed with anxiety and longing in countless beautiful eyes.

Since the emperor is not leaving until tomorrow, tonight is the last chance!

If one could be summoned to the emperor's favor, even if it was just for a night, one might gain a sliver of pity and receive an imperial decree to leave, even if... even if one were only the lowest-ranking concubine!
........................

Meanwhile, Su Qin, a member of the Northern Di tribe, was lured into Nurhaci's tent.

Su Qin had been here for some time, but he had only met Nurhaci today.

This wasn't because Nurhaci was putting on airs or trying to avoid seeing Su Qin; he genuinely couldn't get away from his previous engagements.

Having just finished dividing up the Luan Di tribe, Nurhaci would now face a direct military threat from the Great Shuo.

Under these circumstances, Nurhaci was naturally very busy, with too many decisions to make. Even the Han Dynasty, facing an enemy like the Shuo, was extremely cautious, let alone Nurhaci.

That is to say, the Great Shuo, which had just finished a battle, had no interest in fighting another battle immediately.

Otherwise, unless Su Qin went to the front line in person, he would never have been able to see Nurhaci.

Although he had returned overnight on horseback, Nurhaci did not show much fatigue. He sat high on the main seat covered with a complete bear skin, his eyes even sharper and deeper.

On the left and right sides were princes and nobles with sharp features and wary eyes, as well as trusted civil officials such as Hong Chengchou and Zhang Tingyu.

Su Qin remained calm and composed. He stepped forward steadily and bowed with his hand on his chest in the manner of the Northern Di people, saying, "Your subject Su Qin greets the Great Khan. Congratulations on your new expansion of territory and your awe-inspiring presence in the north."

Nurhaci waved his hand and said in a loud voice, "Doctor Su, please excuse the formalities and sit down! These formalities are unnecessary. You have been waiting for me for some time. Military affairs at the front are complicated, so I have kept you waiting."

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. Matters of state and military affairs are of utmost importance. It is my good fortune to be here and witness Your Majesty's divine might." Su Qin sat down on the low stool brought by the servants, relaxed, and calmly met Nurhaci's gaze.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and drinking a bowl of milk wine, Nurhaci got straight to the point.

"Doctor Su, besides the previously agreed-upon border market and treaty details, I'm afraid... there's something else on your mind? Is it for those two passes in the east?"

Nurhaci's subordinates were also full of talented people. Although Nurhaci had not been able to return these days because of the affairs at the front, he had guessed the purpose of Su Qin's visit to the Northern Barbarians.

After analysis by their advisors, the most likely possibilities were the two checkpoints in Beiping Road.