Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2605 Yue Fei Raises an Army and Stations Itself in the Southern Frontier; Bai Qi's Mighty Army Enters the Land of Heaven
The Great Han Dynasty calendar, the eighth year of the Yuanshi era.

Although the Han Dynasty entered a state of heightened war preparedness that year, it was also in an unprecedented state of peace throughout the year.

Throughout the year, the overall environment in the Han Dynasty was relatively relaxed. For the vast majority of Han citizens, this year was indeed a rare year of stability.

Without the displacement caused by a major war, without large-scale conscription disrupting the farming season, favorable weather brought a good harvest, and the imperial court's purchase of surplus grain made farmers more financially secure.

In the streets and alleys, the atmosphere at the end of the year seems to be stronger than in previous years. The topics of conversation in teahouses and taverns have gradually shifted from the possibility of war and danger to the village operas at the end of the year and plans for the coming year.

This peculiar balance of being outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense continued until November.

On December 12th, the third snowfall of the winter fell in Tianjing.

The snow wasn't heavy; the fine snowflakes first fell quietly in the afternoon, and then turned into soft snowflakes after nightfall, silently covering the glazed tiles of the palace, the bluestone slabs of the streets, and the ditches in the fields outside the city.

When I opened the window in the morning, the world was already a pale white, and the air was crisp and clean.

Wang Yu was discussing with Zhuge Liang, Guan Zhong, and others in the Hall of State Affairs the details of implementing the new system for the Eastern Yi and the guarantee of next year's spring plowing. The charcoal fire inside the hall was burning brightly, keeping out the chill of the snow reflecting on the window paper.

Suddenly, Zhuo Qing, the eunuch on duty outside the palace, walked in with light but hurried steps, bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent report outside the palace gate, from... Chenqiao Post Station."

"Chenqiao Post Station?" Wang Yu was slightly surprised. It was the most important gateway post station in the east of Tianjing City, usually used to receive important envoys or transmit the most urgent military intelligence.

"Yes, the postmaster has arrived by fast horse. Two men claiming to be envoys from the State of Tian Qi have arrived at the post station and request an immediate audience with His Majesty."

"An envoy from Tian Qi?" The people in the hall were all taken aback.

Not long ago, they received news of Xuanxiao's demise. Logically speaking, under such circumstances, the pressure on Tian Qi's front line should only be greater.

At this time, they suddenly sent envoys to Tianjing?
You should know that if it were just a routine matter or something that needed urgent reporting, they wouldn't have needed to send envoys from so far away.

They informed Wu Qi of the news, and if Wu Qi used the secret passage of the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven), the speed would definitely be much faster than if they sent someone themselves.

If the envoys of Tian Qi wanted to come to the Great Han, they had to travel north along the coastal road and reach the East Sea Road before they could take troop transport vehicles to the Henan Road.

However, if it were the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven), they could simply send messages by carrier pigeon. There were multiple secret outposts of the Luo Wang that connected the mountains separating the Da Qian Xing Bei Dao (Northern Road of Da Qian) and the Da Han Dong Hai Dao (Eastern Road of Da Han).

Pigeons can quickly cross mountains and reach the Han Dynasty, where messages can be relayed back via post stations immediately.

"Who goes there?" Wang Yu asked.

"According to the postmaster's identification and examination of the tally, one person claimed to be Tian Wen, and the other was named Zou Ji."

Tian Wen! Zou Ji!
The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly upon hearing these two names. Both were top civil officials and members of the imperial family of Tian Qi. Tian Qi had actually sent these two top figures at the same time without any prior notice, making the operation so secretive and swift.
Neither Wu Qi nor Luo Wang had sent any prior notice.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan and pondered, "Tian Qi's southern front has collapsed, and Da Xuan has just been destroyed. Their situation is as precarious as a pile of eggs. Sending these two people here under the cover of night must mean they have something to ask for, and what they ask for... is definitely not ordinary."

At the same time, Guan Zhong speculated, "They've probably come to ask for help, or perhaps, more than just help."

The arrival of two high-ranking officials at the same time was probably not just a simple request for help, but even these wise ministers could not guess what it was for.

After all, they were the rebel kings who held out until the very end of the Great Qian Dynasty. Who would have thought they would surrender so easily?
Wang Yu stood up, walked to the window, looked at the snow-covered pines and cypresses in the courtyard outside, and after a moment, turned around and ordered, "Summon them into the palace and lead them directly to this side hall." "Yes, sir."

About an hour later, the door to the side hall was gently pushed open, and Zhuo Qing led the two of them slowly into the hall.

The man at the front, about forty years old, had a refined appearance and a long beard. Although his brows showed signs of fatigue and weariness from a long journey, his eyes remained bright and calm, and his demeanor was composed and measured. This was Tian Wen.

He was dressed in a dark blue embroidered robe, which was rather thin, and there was still some snow on his shoulders that had not been completely brushed off.

The one who lagged half a step behind was a bit older, around fifty years old, with a thin face and deep eyes; he was Zou Ji.

After entering the room, his gaze quickly and steadily swept over the environment of the hall and the people present, finally landing on Wang Yu, who was sitting in the main seat.

The two stepped forward and bowed deeply in accordance with etiquette.

"Your humble servant Tian Wen (Zou Ji) pays his respects to Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. I have come here in the snow and have disturbed you. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"You two have come a long way and must be tired. Please rise and take a seat." Wang Yu's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.

"Give me some hot ginger tea."

The eunuchs brought over brocade stools and served hot tea. Tian Wen and Zou Ji thanked the eunuchs and sat down, but only touched the edge of the seat lightly, their posture remaining respectful.

Wang Yu picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and then slowly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Both of you are pillars of Qi, renowned throughout the land. Today, you have braved the wind and snow to travel from afar. What brings you here? Could it be that the Emperor of Qi has sent me a letter?"

Tian Wen and Zou Ji exchanged a glance, and finally Tian Wen stood up again, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, did indeed bring a letter of state written by our sovereign."

As he spoke, he took out a copper box tightly wrapped in oilcloth from his bosom and raised it high above his head with both hands.

The eunuch Zhuoqing ordered someone to take it, and after the young eunuch handed it over, he personally checked it to make sure it was correct, especially after confirming that there was no danger, before presenting it to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu did not open it immediately. Instead, he looked at Tian Wen and then at Zou Ji, who was sitting silently to the side with a particularly deep gaze. He said indifferently, "I will read the official letter later. However, the fact that you two have come here in person suggests that you have not only delivered a letter."

"Does Your Majesty and the two of you have some important matter that you need to discuss with me in person?"

"Your Majesty, you are wise. Our Great Qi is facing a life-or-death crisis. The Qian army is wielding the power to destroy Xuan, Yao Xiong on the southern front is unstoppable, and Ji Chengfu on the western front is also eyeing us covetously. Our territory is shrinking day by day, and our soldiers are exhausted and our people are suffering."

"I have come here today with great difficulty... to find a way to survive for the million soldiers and civilians of Tian Qi, and to seek a chance for the survival of my Tian clan's ancestral temple," Tian Wen said earnestly.

“We, your humble servants, have come here on the orders of our sovereign to earnestly request Your Majesty to grant our state of Tian Qi permission to submit to the Han Dynasty.”

"We are willing to relinquish the name of our nation and offer up our map, only asking that Your Majesty treat us as you have treated the Great Yan Dynasty, preserve our ancestral temples and sacrifices, bring peace to our people, and save us from the calamity of our nation's destruction!"

After he finished speaking, the side hall fell silent.

This was an answer that none of the emperor and his ministers present had ever considered.