She unfolded it while staring at the messenger, asking: "Defeated?"
"Your Majesty, King of Hancheng... sacrificed himself for the nation!" The messenger choked on his words.
Bai Qingyan paused in her actions of unfolding the letter, her mind filled once again with the dream of that day, the scene outside the hall as King of Hancheng bowed in farewell.
The messenger who came to deliver the letter was almost sobbing: "King of Hancheng led a few warships to escort fishermen, not expecting Dongyi Kingdom to deploy so many warships to capture our Zhou envoys! Nor did they expect a real fight to break out! Who could imagine that a tiny Dongyi Kingdom would dare to strike our great Zhou!"
Her throat rolled, as a spicy anger surged up to her Baihui acupuncture point. She handed the bamboo tube to Wei Zhong, and carefully examined the parchment...
The battle report stated, Dongyi Kingdomâs navy had nearly emptied their nests, claiming they were there to capture the Seventh Prince of Dongyi aboard the Zhou envoysâ ship, but there was no Seventh Prince aboard.
King of Hancheng escorted the civilian fishing boats and encountered the pursued Zhou envoy ship upon returning, knowing defeat was inevitable against such odds. He knocked out Cheng Yuanzhi and had him taken away, leading all his naval warships in a desperate resistance against Dongyiâs forces that outnumbered them several times, deciding to fight to the death to buy time for the envoyâs ship and fishermenâs return.
Later, having exhausted arrows and crossbows, their ships damaged by Dongyi forces, King of Hancheng rammed his warship into Dongyiâs flagship.
Afterwards... Zhou navy watched helplessly as Dongyi forces broke through their lines, every ship collided in vain.
Dongyi took King of Hanchengâs body back, demanding the Emperor of Zhou personally retrieve it, or they would chop the body to feed the dogs.
All warships and sailors accompanying King of Hancheng perished, with none left alive. The envoy ship and fishermen returned safely, yet Lu Fenglang remains missing, Liu Rushi still in Dongyi.
Bai Qingyan read here, nearly unable to contain her tears, her vision blurred by mist, as flames of wrath burned within her chest, the audacity of such a tiny Dongyi... how dare they?! How dare they!
The messengerâs voice lingered: "Your Majesty... you must avenge King of Hancheng and the fallen navy brothers!"
"Your Majesty... thereâs also this!" Wei Zhong poured out a gold medal from the bamboo tube.
That gold medal was what Bai Qingyan had given to King of Hancheng, to win his loyalty!
The messenger, seeing the token, couldnât hold back his tears as he spoke: "This token was placed in the letter tube by General Cheng. General Cheng said... that before departing, King of Hancheng asked him to convey his last words to Your Majesty, that King Xiao Ruxing failed Your Majestyâs trust, bidding farewell until serving again in the next life!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Qingyanâs tears finally broke free, clutching the gold medal tightly in her palm as guilt and sorrow wracked her heart painfully.
Her trust in King of Hancheng partially stemmed from calculatingly wanting to make him her own.
But she never expected King of Hancheng to say... serve her in the next life.
She always knew King of Hancheng never attained affirmation from the Emperor of Daliang, so gaining opportunity and affirmation from her filled him with joy, loyalty...
Knowing this, she still played tricks, never completely honest with King of Hancheng.
She didnât treat him with utter sincerity, yet he showed such loyalty. How could she not feel guilty, nor pain!
Dongyi Kingdom!
She wants Dongyi gone from this world!
"Wei Zhong, send someone and summon Wei Bugong to the palace!" Bai Qingyan spoke with a hoarse voice.
Not before long, Bai Qingqi, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Qingyu, Bai Qingjue, Bai Jinzhi, and Commandant Lu, Minister Dong, arrived one after the other at the hall entrance, meeting each other at the stairs, proceeding upwards together.
"Battle report? So thereâs fighting along the coast?" Minister Dong, filled with fury, "Such a tiny Dongyi, daring to provoke our Zhou!"
"As itâs a battle report, it is unmistakably so!" Bai Qingjue said as he hurriedly ascended the steps.
Bai Qingyu and Bai Qingqi supported Commandant Lu on either side, pursing their lips, swiftly ascending.
"With General Cheng, Dongyi Kingdom wonât gain any advantage!" Bai Jinzhi, initially sleepy, now eagerly chimed in, "Soon Iâll seek permission from Eldest Young Lady, Iâll go personally, I wonât believe we canât handle that tiny Dongyi Kingdom!"
"Dongyi Kingdom is surrounded by sea, skilled in naval warfare. Even your bravery might not suffice!" Bai Jinxiu tightly pursed her lips.
"Iâve read many books on naval warfare!" Bai Jinzhi exclaimed.
They ascended from the stairs, with Wei Zhong hurriedly opening the grand hall doors for them.
Bai Qingyan knelt behind the desk, spreading the Imperial Edict, writing upon it, hearing their footsteps, she didnât lift her head, pointing at the battle report placed across her desk: "Here, itâs a coastal battle report, take a look!"
"Eldest Sister..."
"Eldest Young Lady..."
"Your Majesty..."
After greeting, they sat, gathering together to read the battle report.
"King of Hancheng, died in sacrifice for the nation?!" Minister Dong appeared shocked.
"Currently, Liu Rushi remains in Dongyi Kingdom, while Lu Fenglangâs whereabouts remain unknown." Bai Qingyanâs gaze darkened as she put down her jade brush at the inkstone, looking up at the court officials kneeling opposite her and her siblings, "Dongyi Kingdom dared provoke Zhou, they must bear the blaze of Zhouâs fury!"
Commandant Lu trembled upon seeing his granddaughterâs uncertain fate, striving to control his breath, ensuring he didnât collapse, calmly speaking: "Your Majesty, are you planning to send another envoy to Dongyi, or strike?"
"Of course strike!" Bai Jinzhi preempted.
Before Bai Qingyan could express, Commandant Lu bowed: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes gambling on the nation is imperative! Dongyi can be put aside temporarily, after securing our future... settle the score!"
Bai Qingyu, observing her elder sisterâs deeply intense gaze, understood she wonât swallow this grievance.
"I have resolved... to deploy forces, annihilate them!" Bai Qingyanâs every word was resolute.
Minister Dong widened his eyes at Commandant Lu, then straightened his back: "Your Majesty, I believe... Commandant Luâs suggestion to temporarily shelving Dongyi, sorting things post-national gamble, is best!"
"Uncle thinks Iâm acting on impulse?" Bai Qingyan fixed her gaze on her uncle.
"I know, Your Majesty saw King of Hancheng sacrifice for the country and navyâs annihilation, it reminded you of the Bai family at Southlandâs battle. I know you occupy this position to ensure Bai family tragedy never again befalls sacrificial soldiers!" Dong Qingpingâs expression was solemn, "But for now, our Zhou canât strike!"