Volume Three: Southern Campaign and Territorial Expansion Chapter 144: The Negotiation

Cheng Qin'er walked over, patted Tao Ji's round buttocks with her delicate little hand, and smiled, "Such an exceptionally good and seductive slave can surely hook a man's soul."

"Third Madam, this humble concubine also wants a daughter," Cheng Qin'er turned her head and smiled.

Tian Wen'er smiled, "I brought eight dowry maids as part of my marriage; you can choose others in the future."

"Thank you, Third Madam," Cheng Qin'er bowed her head in polite gratitude.

Tian Wen'er smiled, "My relationship with your madam is as close as real sisters. In the future, when you accompany the lord, feel free to borrow these maids to dance and bring joy."

Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er did not answer immediately. They turned to glance at Li Xuerou, indicating that they could not overstep their bounds by replying.

Facing this raw and barbaric scene, Li Xuerou smiled faintly, "Thank you, younger sister Wen'er."

Tian Wen'er chuckled and said, "Elder sister, follow me so we can hand over the military and political seals. The two of you should also assist your sister, let us all go together."

Li Xuerou and the other two women followed Tian Wen'er to the front mansion to complete the transfer of military and political seals.

Tian Wen'er left in a hurry, leading two thousand Yelang garrison troops toward Feizhou. In fact, half of the garrison troops on this expedition were elites from the southern Sichuan army.

As Tian Wen'er departed, Linghu Wan'er whispered, "Madam, praising another person's dowry maid is a matter of showing respect to the maid's owner."

Li Xuerou smiled, "I know. Do not overthink it."

Linghu Wan'er smiled and casually remarked, "That dowry maid is indeed exceptionally fine; a woman with such beauty and jade-like skin is rare."

"Younger sister Wen'er said you may borrow them, so you need not have any misgivings. I have no wish to keep dowry maids myself," Li Xuerou said softly.

Linghu Wan'er whispered, "Since Madam does not care for it, we will not court annoyance."

"Do not misinterpret my meaning. I do not object to you borrowing Wen'er's maids. If you never borrow them, Wen'er and I might instead develop a sense of estrangement and suspicion," Li Xuerou explained, and the two women nodded in understanding.

Several days later, Tian Wen'er led her army eastward out of the Bozhou territory, passed through Yizhou under Bozhou's jurisdiction, entered Feizhou, and arrived at Fuchuan County city.

Fuchuan County city was located by the Wu River, a fortress city with a circumference of nearly tenli. Compared to the county town along the river in Sizhou, it was even more crude. The ethnic Liao tribes did not value city wall construction and preferred to live in mountain stockades and bamboo stilt houses.

Along the way, Tian Wen'er saw a vast number of bamboo-shed military camps densely covering the areas outside the city. The crowds she saw consisted entirely of able-bodied Liao warriors, an estimated accumulation of tens of thousands of young men.

Arriving at Fuchuan County city under the guise of Lady Tian, Tian Wen'er stationed her forces outside the city, took only four warriors into the city, and had the garrison guards lead the way to see the head of the Tian clan.

In a bamboo stilt house, Tian Wen'er met the clan head and other important elders. She knelt inside the bamboo building and kowtowed, saying, "Wen'er pays her respects to the clan head and all the elders, wishing you peace and health."

"You still dare to return?" the Tian clan head said coldly. He was a man of about fifty with sharply defined facial features, naturally imposing even without anger, and dressed in a bright red official robe.

Tian Wen'er raised her head and smiled faintly, "Wen'er has returned for two reasons: first, to retrieve her dowry, and second, to speak with the clan head."

"What do you wish to say?" the Tian clan head asked coldly.

Tian Wen'er recounted the terms of the negotiation and finally said, "The clan head is certainly aware of the situation in Bozhou. My lord's intention is to hope for mutual assistance and non-aggression with the Tian clan. He promises that neither he nor his descendants will ever invade the Tian clan's territory, and the Tian clan must likewise not infringe upon the future territory of the Yelang Prefecture."

The Tian clan head looked at Tian Wen'er and asked, "Was it you who leaked the news of Bozhou's incursion to the Southern Sichuan Military Commissioner?"

"Wen'er knew nothing of the Yang clan's invasion, nor did she know that Chu Yu was the Southern Sichuan Military Commissioner. Once my body was given to Chu Yu, I had no choice but to go against the clan head's decision," Tian Wen'er answered softly.

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Only when I arrived at Qianzhou did I realize that Chu Yu was Wei Fufeng. The Prefect of Qianzhou told Wen'er that Qianzhou would belong to Wen'er's rule in the future, and Wen'er's son would inherit Qianzhou as a hereditary title. Wen'er was deeply moved. Later, when Wei Fufeng mobilized Qianzhou military forces to participate in the battle, I followed the troops to find Wei Fufeng."

"When I saw Wei Fufeng in Bozhou, he intended to support the Bozhou Wei clan. I requested to stay in Bozhou to put down roots and expand the family, and Wei Fufeng agreed, letting me manage all military and political affairs in Bozhou."

The Tian clan head nodded, his expression softening somewhat. At this point, it was impossible to launch another campaign against Bozhou for a decisive battle, and Tian Wen'er had publicly provided a reasonable explanation that preserved the clan head's dignity.

Tian Wen'er added, "My lord has one more condition: he demands that the Tian clan no longer speak of Bozhou, but instead call it Yelang Prefecture or the Yelang Wei clan. To demonstrate the Tian clan's regard for Wen'er, the dowry should be increased."

The Tian clan head looked at Tian Wen'er, suddenly smiled, and said, "As you wish."

***

Tian Wen'er's diplomatic mission to Feizhou was a resounding success.

She reached an agreement of mutual assistance and non-aggression with the Tian clan head, secured promises to appoint Tian Wen'er's father as the Prefect of Jinzhou, supported the fortification of Jinjiang, and opened up the Yuanjiang commercial route.

In addition, the Tian clan gave Tian Wen'er a grand send-off for her marriage. The newly added dowry included one hundred household soldiers, one thousand taels of silver, ten carts of family gifts, alongside the dowry originally stranded in Fuchuan County.

This grand wedding procession announced the alliance and friendship between the Sizhou Tian clan and the Yelang Wei clan, officially acknowledging the existence of the Yelang Wei clan.

From then on, members of the Sizhou Tian clan and its affiliates gradually ceased speaking of Bozhou Zunyi and the Yang clan.

On the very day Tian Wen'er sent back the news, Wei Fufeng led his main army to set out and return to Yuzhou. Six thousand southern Sichuan troops remained stationed in Yelang Prefecture, five thousand southern Sichuan troops guarded Heishenya, and the rest returned home.

Wei Fufeng wrote a letter of apology to Tian Wen'er, explaining that the situation allowed for no laxity. He needed to defend against potential opportunistic invasions by the Dongchuan and Fengxiang armies, and he could not miss the farming season, requiring the military forces to return to their garrisons for agricultural production.

Furthermore, this large-scale mobilization of military forces required Wei Fufeng to handle the aftermath as soon as possible, punish rebels, and deter restless generals.

News from Tanzhou required his prompt decision-making, which was why he could not welcome her return personally.

On her way back, Tian Wen'er received Wei Fufeng's letter. After reading it, she felt no resentment toward him. Perhaps Wei Fufeng should have waited, but once they met, it might only lead to further delays.

Tian Wen'er understood Wei Fufeng's haste in leaving; she knew that military intelligence could not suffer delays. A difference of half a day could result in the southern Sichuan army being attacked by formidable enemies, forcing Wei Fufeng to race against time to lead his army back.

Holding the letter of apology, Tian Wen'er felt a warm tenderness bloom in her heart. A single letter expressed Wei Fufeng's love for her; he only apologized because he cared for her in his heart. Since they could not unite and linger in mutual affection in Yelang Prefecture, she could go to Yuzhou to taste the union of love.

That would be impossible in the immediate future. Yelang Prefecture had just been acquired, crises lurked with the constant potential of internal rebellion and external trouble, and a portion of the lords had yet to submit and pledge allegiance.

Tian Wen'er could only lead her troops in person to conquer them. Only through slaughter and deterrence could she secure a genuine foothold.

Tian Wen'er put away the letter, a faint smile at the corner of her lips as she gazed into the distance. She deeply admired Wei Fufeng, a feeling of reverence that had begun back in Sizhou.

Even though Wei Fufeng was clearly a man fond of beauty, he possessed the self-discipline to strictly restrain himself. Such a man was truly rare.

When Tian Wen'er returned to Yelang Prefecture, Li Xuerou welcomed her at the front mansion, bitterly complaining with a wry smile that when the lord left, he merely had someone send word without even entering the city to see Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er.

Tian Wen'er smiled and replied that it would be more suitable to meet them later when they went to Yuzhou.

Li Xuerou wanted to pack up and leave, but Tian Wen'er stopped her, saying that she would soon lead troops on an expedition and needed Li Xuerou to oversee the administration of Yelang Prefecture. She could not trust anyone else with the task, leaving Li Xuerou with no choice but to stay.

Tian Wen'er instructed Cheng Qin'er to escort Tao Ji back to her residence.

After Cheng Qin'er left, Tian Wen'er discussed military and political affairs briefly with Li Xuerou before returning to her quarters to rest.

Back in her room, Tao Ji knelt on the floor. Tian Wen'er walked over, bade her rise, and handed Tao Ji a bunch of wild flowers.

Startled, Tao Ji took them, and then saw Tian Wen'er hand her a folded piece of paper with writing on it.

"Wen'er, I like your dowry maid Tao Ji. Pick a bunch of flowers for me to give to her." Seeing this clearly, Tao Ji's pretty face betrayed sheer disbelief. Her white teeth bit her lower lip before she suddenly lowered her head.

"Do not think too much, otherwise it will only lead to disappointment and heartache," Tian Wen'er said softly.

"Master, this slave is willing to keep her place and dares not harbor wild fantasies," Tao Ji knelt on the ground, speaking respectfully and softly.

"Get up. How are Linghu Wan'er and Cheng Qin'er's moods?" Tian Wen'er asked.

Tao Ji stood up and replied, "They are somewhat uneasy, sometimes lost in a daze, and occasionally irritable. Linghu Wan'er likes to fondle this slave's body, while Cheng Qin'er completely ignores this slave."

"Any sign of hatred?" Tian Wen'er asked.

"This slave has not seen any," Tao Ji answered.

Tian Wen'er nodded and said softly, "Were it not to minimize hostility, I would not have kept them for a political marriage. Ever since I left, I have constantly worried that they might harm the lord."

"This slave thinks that perhaps the Second Madam shares the same worry," Tao Ji murmured.

Tian Wen'er nodded and said, "Do as you please, I wish to be quiet for a moment."

Tao Ji nodded, took the wild flowers, walked over to the bed, and lay down high upon it, drawing up her delicate legs while gently stroking the wild flowers with her fair hand.

***

Wei Fufeng returned to Yuzhou, met with Lin Qingxue and Xiaoxue, and immediately summoned many civil and military officials to a gathering at the Governor's Mansion to announce his return, thereby stabilizing the internal and external situation.

Knowing that the Southern Sichuan Military Commissioner had returned to Yuzhou, both the Fengxiang and Dongchuan armies would halt any military operations.

The officials offered him congratulations, and he responded with a smile, appearing pleased. After exchanging a few trivial remarks, the gathering was dismissed.

Returning to the inner quarters together, Lin Qingxue said with a solemn expression, "Lord, Her Highness the Princess has gone missing. After I found out, I did not dare to make a fuss and searched for her secretly, but to this day there is no trace of her."

"How did she go missing?" Wei Fufeng asked calmly.

"A secret tunnel was dug into the Princess's residence. She may have been abducted by scoundrels, and the county yamen has been unable to find any results," Lin Qingxue said.

Wei Fufeng nodded and said, "She was indeed abducted by scoundrels. I have already found the Princess; she drifted all the way to Sizhou, where she was bought by the Tian clan's daughter, and I have since entered into a marriage alliance with the Tian clan."

"Found? That is wonderful!" Lin Qingxue let out a relieved gasp of pleasant surprise.

Wei Fufeng was slightly startled and whispered, "Sister, what is the matter?"

Lin Qingxue gave him a coquettish glance of reproach, complaining, "When the Princess went missing, if you had known, would you have suspected that I was the one who harmed her?"

Wei Fufeng shook his head and said, "How could that be? Sister would never do such a thing."

"Even if the lord can believe it, others might not," Lin Qingxue said bitterly.

Wei Fufeng shook his head and said, "What others think—why bother paying them any mind?"

Lin Qingxue wore a helpless expression on her beautiful face. Changing the subject, Wei Fufeng asked, "Is there any news from Tanzhou?"

"Yes, an official document from Gan Fengchi. Li Zhang went on a diplomatic mission and reached a peaceful agreement with the Zhennan Military Commissioner, Zhong Chuan, demarcating each other's territories. The Zhennan army's territories are Hongzhou, Jiangzhou, Raozhou, Yuanzhou, Fuzhou, and Jizhou. Ganzhou belongs to the Jiangxi Observation Commissioner, and Li Zhang is demanding that Zhong Chuan cede it," Lin Qingxue replied.