Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 489: Overturned Hand (Part 2)

One hour later, Jiang Shaohua emerged from Duke An’s Mansion.

Chen Jinyu accompanied the Commandery Princess into the carriage and asked quietly, "How did your conversation with Duke An go?"

Jiang Shaohua curled her lips slightly, "That old fox, he entertained me with pleasantries and said a basketful of nice words. But when it came to pressing matters, he wouldn’t say a single word."

For instance, when she asked for the list of the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction, Duke An only vaguely mentioned the most obvious ones and refused to reveal those hidden in the shadows.

This was for fear that she might recruit everyone to her side.

Chen Jinyu pursed his lips upon hearing this, "Not too great at doing his duties, but quite alert in seizing power and struggling for influence."

Jiang Shaohua smiled serenely, "It’s no wonder he’s nervous. The Grand Empress Dowager now favors me greatly, and the Emperor trusts me so much. As long as I choose to stay permanently in the Capital City, the leader of the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction will have to change."

Chen Jinyu appeared slightly anxious, "Do you intend to stay permanently in the Capital City, Commandery Princess?"

Jiang Shaohua smiled but didn’t answer directly, instead asked, "Do you think I should stay in the Capital City permanently?"

Chen Jinyu had been refining his skills by Jiang Shaohua’s side for five years, and his perspective now was quite different from before. After a brief consideration, he said, "If the Commandery Princess just wants to safeguard Nanyang County, you should return early. But if your ambitions are higher, you can’t stray too far from the court. Even if you don’t stay in the Capital City permanently, you should have deeper influence over the court and have the confidence and freedom to return to the Capital City at any time."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed slightly, looking deeply at Chen Jinyu, "You are right."

Chen Jinyu thought, the Commandery Princess indeed has larger aspirations and ambitions.

Certain matters must be done but not spoken.

Chen Jinyu quickly changed the subject, "Where is the Commandery Princess headed next?"

"To the Zuo Mansion!" Jiang Shaohua uttered softly.

...

After Left General Zuo lost his official position, the Zuo Family sons were implicated one after another, and the family saw a decline, growing increasingly desolate. However, the mighty centipede does not die immediately. Although the Zuo Family does not compare to its past glory, having been a military family for several generations, it would not collapse entirely.

In recent days, as Prime Minister Wang returned to court to handle governmental affairs, the matter of Jiang Shaohua’s promise, on behalf of the Emperor, to restore Left General Zuo’s command after a period quietly spread. The Zuo Family’s household quickly became lively, with many visitors coming to pay respects.

When the palace carriage arrived at the Zuo Mansion, the Zuo Family’s gatekeeper dared not be negligent. He respectfully accepted the visiting card with both hands and ran quickly to report.

After the time of a tea cup, the Zuo Mansion opened its main gate, with Left General Zuo leading the Zuo Family members to welcome the guests.

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "Please rise, everyone."

The members of the Zuo Family thanked her graciously and stood up. They then escorted the Commandery Princess into the main hall of the Zuo Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze naturally fell on Left General Zuo’s face. In the Zuo Family, there were cowards like Zuo Zhen, ill-intentioned minds like Zuo Yue, and quite a few outstanding sons. However, the one truly able to support the Zuo Family’s household was Left General Zuo.

Even though he was stripped of his position, people would still respectfully call him Left General Zuo when mentioning him. This was the respect deserved by an old commander who had guarded the border for over a decade.

"Left General Zuo has a valiant reputation, and I, the Commandery Princess, have long heard of it." Jiang Shaohua said with a smile, breaking the silence, "Today, I finally have the chance to meet Left General Zuo in person."

Left General Zuo is over forty this year, which is the prime age for a military general. Holding military power for years has naturally cultivated a prideful and sharp demeanor. Even after suffering a major setback, Left General Zuo remains calm and composed. He responded with a bow, "For the Commandery Princess to say this, I am truly ashamed."

"The border army’s great defeat and the fall and slaughter of Peng City are all my fault. In these past months, I have been closing doors to reflect on my actions, and the more I think, the more I feel ashamed."

Jiang Shaohua spoke softly, "Left General Zuo has guarded the border for several decades, ensuring the peace of Da Liang’s borders and resisting foreign enemies. No one can erase those merits. As for the fault of the defeat, it cannot be entirely blamed on Left General Zuo. The Rouran cavalry was brutal, coming and going like the wind, and the border army was indeed difficult to resist."

"The fall of Peng City originated from General Zhao abandoning the city gate privately and fleeing. The court has yet to find General Zhao’s whereabouts. Perhaps General Zhao was long bought by the Rouran people and acted as an insider. With inside and outside coordination, it led to the defeat of the border army."

No matter how loyal Left General Zuo is to Prime Minister Wang, hearing such warm words now, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.

He couldn’t escape blame for the border army’s defeat, yet he truly believed he had made the best choice.

"On that day of Peng City’s great defeat, the ten thousand Rouran cavalry broke into Peng City, and I had to preserve the combat strength of the border army, as I had no choice but to retreat." Left General Zuo’s eyes showed genuine pain, "To watch helplessly as the Rouran people kidnapped tens of thousands of civilians, no one felt more anguish than I."

"But I couldn’t lead the troops in pursuit. Otherwise, we would fall into the Rouran people’s trap, and if the border army suffered heavy casualties, even Si State would not be held."

Jiang Shaohua quietly sighed.

When she first heard the dreadful news, she was outraged. But once she calmed down and thought about it, it was true that Left General Zuo couldn’t be entirely blamed.

The border army excelled at defending cities; they were no match for the Rouran cavalry in a chase. Left General Zuo had been guarding the border for years and knew best the might of the Rouran cavalry. Most of the court ministers idle in the peace of the Capital City and seated blissfully in opulence were all armchair strategists, completely unaware of the terror of ten thousand Rouran cavalry. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"General Fan is a mature and prudent old commander," Jiang Shaohua said, "His taking command of the border army is the best choice the court could make."

"Today, I come on behalf of the Emperor to convey a few words to Left General Zuo."

Left General Zuo immediately stood up, folding his hands to listen to the imperial edict.

"The border army’s defeat has far-reaching impacts, and I cannot fail to act. I hope Left General Zuo won’t blame me." Jiang Shaohua said solemnly, her voice slow and serene, "Left General Zuo has guarded the border for over a decade, with merits and hardships, all remembered by me."

"Consider these past months as an extended leave from me; please take care and rest well. After some time, I will summon you to the palace to talk."

The so-called after some time, of course, referred to when the Imperial body recovered.

Summoning to the palace to talk is a sign of restoration.

What was truly on Left General Zuo’s mind, no one could know. However, on the face of it, he appeared thankful and emotional, his eyes red with gratitude for the heavenly grace.

...

In the evening, Jiang Shaohua returned to the palace.

Perhaps due to the smooth operation of the court in recent times, most of Emperor Taihe’s worries had dissipated, and his health showed significant improvement. Today, he was able to rise from bed, supported by Eunuch Ge, slowly walking around his chamber. Only after a light sweat broke on his forehead did he return to sit by the bedside.

Jiang Shaohua smiled sincerely, "Cousin, you look much better today."

Emperor Taihe smiled, "Every time my cousin visits, it’s like an elixir; even the most severe illness can be cured."

Jiang Shaohua smiled with pursed lips, "If you praise me like that, cousin, I’ll become proud."

After joking a few words, Jiang Shaohua recounted today’s visit to Duke An and the Zuo Mansion comprehensively.

Emperor Taihe did not comment much on Duke An, only whispered, "In your view, can I bring Zuo Feng over to my side?"