The Eclipse and the Parting of Paths
Even as the Grand Coalition forces began to turn their backs and withdraw, the state of Qin showed no sign of pursuit. It was not because they had reached any formal agreement on a truce. The more reasonable explanation was that neither side possessed the will to continue the fighting any longer.
In this era, the total solar eclipse was a phenomenon indistinguishable from the supernatural. Before its overwhelming majesty, ordinary humans could only sense the will of the heavens. Even I, who knew that an eclipse was merely an astronomical event caused by the moon passing before the sun, found myself humbled by its profound wonder. For the people of this time, who lacked even basic understanding of the heavens or the moon, it could only be accepted as the absolute decree of the gods.
Honestly, even I was overwhelmed by the greatness of nature as I witnessed the sun being swallowed and night descending upon the world in broad daylight. My first total solar eclipse was solemn and majestic beyond words.
The pragmatic Sima Shang and the sentimental Yeo Hong-seong formed a perfect contrast. Yet even Sima Shang refrained from suggesting they seize this opportunity for a surprise attack. The atmosphere and the circumstances simply did not allow for it.
The fighting spirit of the Qin army had been broken, but the same was true within the Coalition forces. The vast majority of soldiers shared Yeo Hong-seong's sentiment and had lost all desire to continue the battle. Even Xiang Yan, who had shown the fiercest enthusiasm of all, was among them.
Chu has always been more prone to superstition, but even Xiang Yan…
It wasn't strange for Xiang Yan to feel this way. In this era, it was the common way of thinking. The scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought, such as Han Fei and Bang Nan, maintained a relatively objective view of the eclipse, but even they concluded that there was no point in fighting under such circumstances and chose to withdraw.
Thus, the Grand Coalition came to an end that could only be described as either hollow or reverent. Looking at the results, it was an overwhelming victory for the Coalition. The final outcome had not been a failure to breach Hangu Pass, but an inevitable act of nature. It was, in every sense, a clean conclusion.
The first to break away from the Coalition column were the forces of Han.
"We express our gratitude for the return of our former territories, including Sangdang."
Han had joined the Coalition late, led personally by Chancellor Han Hui. In return for siding with the Coalition at the end, they had regained the old Han cities east of Hangu Pass. With this, Han's days as a semi-vassal state, sheltered from Qin's attacks, were over. They were once again returning to the front lines to fight against Qin.
Thanks to the experience of this victory, Han's attitude was not particularly grim. Not long after Han departed, the Chu forces also parted ways with us.
Just before their farewell, Xiang Yan exchanged parting words with Lord Xinling before seeking me out. We finally finished the conversation that had been cut short by her sudden arrival last time. It was a truly shocking discussion that gave me much to think about.
Chu and Yan should join forces to strike Qi…
It seemed her anger at being unable to solidify her position as the second strongest power in this Coalition—due to Qi's interference—ran far deeper than I had imagined. Since Wei, Zhao, and Han had to focus on containing Qin and could not easily spare troops, the plan was to bring in Yan, which had the worst possible relationship with Qi.
This isn't just Xiang Yan's idea. It carries the will of Lord Chunshingun as well. It's certainly worth attempting, but Chu and Yan alone are not enough.
A more solid justification was needed. If only Chu and Yan attacked Qi, it would merely be revenge born of old grudges. But if they could draw in Zhao, Wei, and Han, making it a joint effort of five states, then it would become a righteous punishment against a traitor who had defied the greater cause of the world.
Since Xiang Yan had said it wasn't something to be done immediately, I would need to speak further with Lord Chunshingun. For the time being—no, for at least the next ten years—the states must move as one. The moment any single state acted out of greed, cracks would form in the Coalition.
Although we had won this time, it would be foolish to forget that Qin was still a nation capable of facing all five of the other states alone. Lord Chunshingun surely understood this, which was why he intended to wait for a better opportunity. Moreover, while Wei and Zhao had been the main forces in this Coalition, Chu and Yan would take center stage in any campaign against Qi. He must have wanted to confirm our intentions in advance.
It seemed I had developed quite the ability to read the board. Being able to discern Lord Chunshingun's intentions, despite being a thousand li away, through that brief conversation with Xiang Yan was clear proof of my growth.
After continuing our march, we eventually returned to the original assembly point at Geup. From here, the road split into three. Wei would head to Daliang, Zhao to Handan, and Yan to Gye. We would scatter in different directions.
Lord Xinling's expression as we faced each other before our farewell carried a strange sense of relief.
I wasn't sure why the word "homeland" sounded like "king" to me. I had a father who was king, and Lord Xinling had an older brother who was king. Yet both of those kings had viewed us as political enemies and kept us in check. That was why Lord Xinling had killed a general of her own state and fled to Zhao, and why I had won over the generals of my state to seize real power from the king.
The weather was bright and the sky clear, as if blessing the future that would follow our parting. Lord Xinling basked silently in the sunlight for a moment before suddenly looking at me and speaking.
If it were someone of Lian Po's caliber, I could accept that. He was the only general in the world capable of replacing Lord Xinling. But I believed the outcome would have been different. Lian Po possessed such outstanding talent that he was a lone general who stood above all. He could dominate the world alone, but he did not possess the capacity to embrace all the states as Lord Xinling did.
Lord Xinling ruffled my hair vigorously, just as she had done back in Zhao, leaving it completely disheveled.
Despite her words, there was not the slightest trace of worry or concern on Lord Xinling's face. Still, I nodded. I had never intended to deceive her, nor did I believe I could. Those eyes that seemed to see straight through me might be a source of discomfort for others, but for me, they were the foundation of trust.
My farewell with Bang Nan ended after only a few words. The only meaningful part was the message that Lian Po wished to see me once more. I did indeed need to have a proper conversation with him again. I gave the customary reply that I would make time for it.
With only the Yan forces remaining on the road, Han Fei, Sima Shang, and Yeo Hong-seong gathered around me.
Lord Gaoyang was a man from the former state of Song named Yeong Bun. During the reign of King Muwang of Yan, Yeong Bun had served as a great general and was tasked with attacking Zhao. To stop him, Lord Pingyuan had ceded the land east of the Jishui River to Qi and borrowed the services of Qi's renowned general, Jeon Dan. Although Zhao's famous generals Jo Sa and Lian Po were furious about it, the fact remained.
Who was Jeon Dan? Was he not the legendary genius who had single-handedly revived Qi when only two cities remained? Yeong Bun had fought quite well against such a man. Without suffering a major defeat, he had engaged in a back-and-forth struggle until the war ended. Looking deeper, it was clear that he had been dancing in the palm of Jeon Dan's hand as the latter deliberately dragged out the war to exhaust both Zhao and Yan. Still, judging by the results alone, one could say he had fought Jeon Dan to a stalemate.
A man like Yeong Bun would certainly be qualified for reappointment as a general. My grandfather, King Hyo of Yan, who knew the truth, had dismissed him the moment he ascended the throne. However, what my father needed right now was not someone who could win real wars, but someone who would obediently follow his orders.
I had deliberately allowed the King of Yan to attempt to reclaim military authority. In fact, I had secretly encouraged it from behind the scenes. A cornered rat will bite a cat. If I continued to squeeze him too tightly and rob him of any breathing room, no one could predict what he might do. Even if he was a mere figurehead, the legitimacy and justification that came with the throne were immense. It was better to give him some leeway and keep him within a manageable range.
Reclaiming military authority is something I can do anytime.
Jingae and Han Fei. These two formed the core of Yan's military. As long as they supported me, there was no need to worry about anything else. Moreover, I actually hoped the King of Yan would sharpen his opposition against me. If he and I engaged in a political struggle, the spies within Yan would focus their attention there. That would delay their efforts to uncover the most important secret in Yan right now—the method of steel production.
Having watched Ji Dan's departure until the very end, Lord Xinling only began walking toward Daliang once the Yan column had completely disappeared from sight. The distance from Geup to Daliang was not great. Before long, the sight of Daliang came into view, and Lord Xinling wore a bitter smile.
Daliang. So this is where my grave will be.
Why had she refused to move even when her homeland was in crisis? She had known. For now, she would return as a hero who had received the position of Supreme Commander and saved the state. But in time, she would once again be ostracized from the government. No, the checks and pressure would be even harsher than before. After all, she already had a history of throwing off those very shackles, killing a general of her own state, and fleeing.
There was a path to survival, but it was one she could not choose. A coup. If she took the extreme step of deposing the current King of Wei and installing a new ruler, Lord Xinling would become the most powerful minister in the world without having to worry about her life. If she went even further, it was not impossible for her to become king herself. But she could not do that. It would mean destroying the great cause that so many had shed blood to protect, all for the sake of preserving her own life.
To die in the land where one was born. Isn't that rather poetic?
Knowing this, Lord Xinling had still returned. To Daliang. To the place where the relatives and retainers of the late King Bi, who sharpened their blades of revenge against her, resided. To the place where her own family and political enemy, the King of Wei—who was filled with inferiority and wariness toward her—waited.
Ji Dan had known this as well. That was why, before leaving, he had told her she could come to Yan anytime. He had even mentioned the Mubi Trading Company as a means of support.
Yet Ji Dan's concern was unnecessary for Lord Xinling. She was not afraid. On the contrary, she would gladly await that moment.
Wei Wuji. That name belonged to a great noble who looked down upon the world. There was nothing she feared. Even if that thing was death itself.