Section Six: The War

Half an hour later, as expected, the innkeeper brought steaming food and wine. He stood by the window, eating and drinking, watching the scene unfold below.

Soon, the officials waiting in the scorching sun suddenly grew invigorated, and the ceremonial band struck up a joyful tune. A golden brocade royal carriage, escorted by hundreds of Zheng soldiers, slowly approached. From afar, Bu Jingxian recognized the four white-clad men and women riding beside the carriage—the disciples of the Divine Secrets Sect who had trained with Ling Luo atop North Spirit Mountain, their attire elegant and flowing. On the other side, four riders from the Flying Immortal Sect accompanied them. He knew then that Ling Luo and the Princess of Heavenly Music had indeed arrived.

Yet, as they remained inside the carriage, no one caught a glimpse of them. Once Autumn Leaf and the woman still clutching the Gulu fruit boarded the carriage, the officials welcomed them and proceeded directly to the new city. Days earlier, Bai Xing had visited; the governor’s son had told them that the Dawn Glow Sect’s founding coincided with great fortune—an eminent guest was to arrive.

Now, Bu Jingxian guessed that this distinguished guest could only be Chu Gaoge, the eldest grandson of the King of Chu. Chu Gaoge’s reputation among the people of Chu surpassed even that of his own father—the current crown prince. The reigning King of Chu had thirteen sons; eleven perished early in battle. Chu Gaoge’s father ranked ninth, lacking talent and martial prowess, yet he had neither major faults nor grave errors. Compared to another royal brother, he was stronger, and his position as crown prince had remained secure ever since.

The birth of Chu Gaoge brought great joy to the king. A wise ruler, he knew neither of his surviving sons held much promise and placed all his hopes on Chu Gaoge, his eldest grandson. Chu Gaoge, precocious and gifted from childhood, naturally won the king’s favor. The king even once let slip, in drunken candor, “You lack talent and courage, but you have sired a dragon. The throne may pass to you, but for the prosperity of Chu, it is my grandson who matters!”

Everyone in Chu believed that one day Chu Gaoge would ascend the throne, his popularity rising even in his youth. Thinking of Chu Gaoge and all that had passed, Bu Jingxian’s heart was stirred with myriad emotions.

Ling Luo’s diplomatic mission to Chu was met by Chu Gaoge himself at the city gates. The people of Chu knew Ling Luo as the son of the mighty Left Chancellor of Zheng, disciple of the Elder of North Spirit, and Chu Gaoge’s senior brother. They greeted him with fervor; the new city was lit and decorated for days, filled with song and dance. Whenever Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge ventured out, throngs crowded both ends of the streets, eager to witness their grandeur and to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Heavenly Music—renowned as the most beautiful woman in Zheng.

Yet the princess always wore a veil, leaving many in Chu secretly disappointed.

Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge spent three days together, and all said they shared a deep bond as brothers. Many believed Zheng and Chu would remain friendly for years to come. But no one knew the matters they discussed.

That evening, after the banquet, Ling Luo and Chu Gaoge met alone in the study, dismissing the servants and setting guards outside the door. Chu Gaoge knew his elder brother was finally about to broach the true subject, and so he faced him with solemn respect.

“Second Brother, do you know why I have come to Chu?” asked Ling Luo.

“I beg you to enlighten me, Elder Brother. I planned to invite you to linger in the capital, but you insisted time was short. I suppose there must be urgent matters,” Chu Gaoge replied.

“Korea has betrayed Zheng, disregarding years of peaceful alliance, conspiring with the Black Wolf Army to wage war against us. Frankly, the Black Wolf Army and Korea cannot defeat Zheng; though the battle will not be won in a short time, you know well that the Black Wolf Army lacks food and money, and Korea simply cannot supply them. Within half a year, the Black Wolf Army’s resources will be exhausted.”

Chu Gaoge nodded in agreement.

“You are right, Elder Brother. The Black Wolf Army is fierce and valiant, but its foundation is weak and cannot withstand prolonged consumption.”

“Yet, knowing their precarious situation, they still initiated hostilities. If they acted only out of arrogance, thinking they could easily take Zheng’s capital, it would be too far-fetched.”

“You make sense. The Black Wolf Army’s current power is not merely due to bravery.”

“Therefore, the Black Wolf Army must have backing. First, there is Chen. The new king has just ascended the throne, and employs Tianji Chengzi of the Heavenly Machine Sect as his prime minister. As you know, the Heavenly Machine Sect is unique—every generation’s successor must earn the right through real-world achievements. Thus, Chen’s current prime minister surely harbors great ambition. Chen is the richest and strongest nation in the realm; if they provide provisions, the Black Wolf Army will never run short of supplies!”

Chu Gaoge nodded several times.

“Your reasoning is sound. Chen has always been generous with provisions, though they never lend troops to attack other states.”

“But that alone is not enough. Zheng is powerful, as all know. Even with Chen's grain, the Black Wolf Army still faces shortages in weaponry. Chen’s production cannot meet the needs of a million strong, while Zheng’s resources would allow it to resist for five years. The Black Wolf Army would still lose.”

Chu Gaoge continued to nod.

“The Black Wolf Army may have provisions but, without weapons, it can last only a year in a war of attrition.”

Ling Luo sipped his tea, fixed his gaze on Chu Gaoge, and continued, “Only Chu can supply the Black Wolf Army with enough weapons.” With that, he drew a book from his sleeve and placed it before Chu Gaoge. “Chu’s strength lies in its military—seventy thousand elite troops, self-sufficient in both food and arms. Even though Zheng has one hundred fifty thousand soldiers, there is no guarantee against Chu’s seventy thousand. Chu’s power is not only in its numbers but in its self-reliance. Yet in the past two years, Chu has been purchasing arms from Chen, Yan, and Wei, despite not expanding its army. Tell me, Second Brother, why is this?”

Chu Gaoge did not open the book, but stared blankly for a moment before meeting Ling Luo’s gaze and answering solemnly, “Since you have come this far, Elder Brother, I dare not evade the truth. After returning to the palace, I learned that two years ago, the Black Wolf Army sent envoys to Chu to discuss an alliance against Zheng. They promised to divide Zheng’s lands—three parts to Chu, two to Wei, one to Korea, two to Yan, and two to the Black Wolf Army. They would first attack, drawing Zheng’s main forces to the southwest, west, and northwest, making it easier for Chu, Wei, and Yan to invade. Grain would come from Chen, weapons from Chu.”

“Your honesty moves me, Second Brother.”

“You must believe me, Elder Brother. I do not support this plan. If the Black Wolf Army gains Zheng’s lands, they will have a foundation in wealth and supplies. Even if Zheng falls, the Black Wolf Army would become an even more ambitious hegemon. But at that time, Wei and Yan had agreed, and the Black Wolf Army’s nature is either friend or foe—they might turn on Chu by attacking through Korea and Chen, replacing Chu with Zheng in the alliance. The circumstances forced my hand, and the promised gains for Chu were too great, so a verbal agreement was made.”

Ling Luo listened quietly, never interrupting.

“Now, the situation is hard to escape. Since returning, I have tried to persuade them, and so the weapons promised to the Black Wolf Army have not been delivered.”

Ling Luo nodded, smiling, “You are indeed loyal and wise, Second Brother, and trustworthy. Of course, the King of Chu faces difficulties—speak freely.”

“You are right, Elder Brother. If Chu aids Zheng, no one would accuse us of fickleness, as this was only a verbal agreement. But it is hard to explain to the soldiers. I have thought of a plan—tell me if you find it useful.” Chu Gaoge leaned closer and whispered, “If Chu cuts off military supplies to the Black Wolf Army, they cannot win, but will still resist, dragging out the war to everyone’s detriment. If Chu moves to restrain Yan and simultaneously attacks Chen, so Chen cannot supply grain to the Black Wolf Army, the war can end swiftly.”

Chu Gaoge’s proposal was clear: only if Zheng did not interfere with Chu’s campaign against Chen would Chu be willing to change sides. Ling Luo weighed the pros and cons and finally nodded with a smile, “A fine strategy, Second Brother. I believe the King of Zheng will approve. But attacking Chen will be perilous—Zheng will have no time to assist.”

“Rest assured, Elder Brother, Chu will undertake the campaign against Chen alone.”

“There is also the matter the King of Zheng urged upon me before departing. I wrote to you about it—has there been any progress?”

Chu Gaoge’s face was filled with shame. “I am embarrassed! That Zhou prince acts with utmost secrecy. I have searched everywhere, and only know he left the southern tribal lands, but whether he entered Chu, or where he is now, I have no clue. But rest assured, Elder Brother, I will do my best. The royal house of Zhou is but a name now—only a walled city remains, guarded by Zheng troops. The Zhou emperor is near death, with no heir. The absence of successors from the Moon Clan is good for Zheng, good for Chu, good for all nations. Not only will Chu refuse to let the Moon Clan prince return to Zhou, even Korea would never wish to see a Moon Clan heir back in Zhou.”