On this day, the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.
As the temperature rose, the snow accumulated on the rooftops gradually melted. Water trickled down between the roof tiles, forming a delicate curtain of droplets.
In the courtyard, Qi Huan strolled in the sunlight to aid digestion while smilingly watching the maids knock down icicles.
A few days ago, the icicles had been firmly frozen under the eaves, creating a unique winter landscape. Now, with the warmer weather, they hung precariously. If not removed promptly, they risked falling and injuring someone.
Just as she was engrossed in watching, hurried footsteps suddenly approached from behind.
Qi Huan turned to see Tao Su's indignant face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Did you lose another argument with Zhu Yan?"
"No, Zhu Yan didn't argue with me today. He told me something."
"Three consecutive border cities have fallen. It's said that after Western Jin occupied the cities, they committed all manner of atrocities - rape, pillage, and worse. Not only did they plunder food and silver, but they also..."
"They treated innocent civilians as 'two-legged sheep', as mobile provisions for their army."
"Western Jin commanders allowed their soldiers to abuse women at will. Many women, unable to bear the humiliation, took their own lives in despair. The younger ones were hanged from tree branches by adults. When the wind blew, corpses swayed everywhere..."
At some point, the sound of falling icicles had ceased, and Tao Su's indignant voice grew clearer.
Qi Huan looked up at the sky, suddenly feeling that the sunlight wasn't as warm anymore.
"When news reached the capital, the Emperor actually sent people to sue for peace! He intended to use cities, silver, and even royal princesses to exchange for a brief, cowardly respite!"
"Pah!"
"Weakling!"
After Tao Su finished cursing, Qi Huan spoke up, warning her not to openly criticize anymore.
If she must curse, she should only do so silently in her heart.
Here in Qinghuan Court, Tao Su's careless words didn't matter. But outside, such disrespectful language, if heard by the wrong ears, would be tantamount to offering one's head on a platter.
Frightened by the warning, Tao Su quickly covered her mouth, her large eyes darting about.
Silently, she continued cursing the dog emperor in her heart...
Qinghuan Court suddenly fell quiet, with no one speaking.
Perhaps everyone was silently "sending regards" to the Longshun Emperor.
At that moment, the icicles that hadn't yet been knocked down from the eaves continued to melt under the sun's rays, suddenly falling onto the bluestone ground and shattering into ice shards.
Qi Huan's gaze traveled far, beyond the many walls, towards the direction of the imperial palace.
If the Longshun Emperor was unworthy of his position, then he should be deposed as soon as possible!
"Prepare the carriage, we're going to Mingyu Tea House."
The current problem was that Shu had limited military power.
But she could help him increase his strength.
In her previous life, there was a saying circulating online:
"One sulfur, two niter, three charcoal, plus white sugar for a big Ivan."
"One sulfur, two niter, three charcoal" referred to the raw materials and proportions for black powder.
Her history teacher had once explained that ancient alchemists, in their long process of creating elixirs, discovered that when saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal were mixed in certain proportions, they could cause an explosion.
Thus was born one of the four great inventions - gunpowder.
As for the white sugar, it was used to enhance the power of the gunpowder.
She silently repeated this to herself several times, meanwhile thanking her past self for loving to read snippets online in her previous life.
Although she had the theory, whether they could actually produce gunpowder would depend on the skills of Li Shuchen's subordinates.
Qi Huan fastened the strings of her cape and was about to leave when she was suddenly summoned to Qingsong Court.
In the main hall of Qingsong Court, the atmosphere was slightly tense.
Today was the rest day for Old Master Song and Elder Master Song, but they weren't wearing casual clothes.
Father and son were dressed in identical deep blue official robes with egret embroidery, wearing official hats and court beads.
Old Master Song's thin face bore a determined yet composed expression.
Once everyone had gathered, he spoke as if giving his last instructions, admonishing his grandchildren to be filial to their elders and to support one another.
Then, he solemnly addressed Old Lady Song: "Ying, I leave the household in your care. ... Under the floor tiles by the bedside, there's a spot that can be moved. Underneath is the private savings I've accumulated over the years. It's all yours now."
"Since ancient times, soldiers die in battle, and officials die remonstrating."
"Western Jin's iron cavalry has already trampled on Li Country's face. We cannot negotiate peace under any circumstances!"
"Otherwise, how can we face the tens of thousands of souls who died tragically in the border cities?"
"Western Jin harbors wild ambitions. If we don't fight them to the death, and instead keep compromising, it's no different from drinking poisonous wine to quench our thirst, or raising a tiger that will eventually harm us."
"Although Hebai and I hold minor positions with little influence, since we wear these official robes, we have a responsibility to plead for the common people and sacrifice our lives for our country!"
"Today, our colleagues have agreed to meet at the palace gates to remonstrate unto death. The time is approaching, Hebai and I must leave. You all stay at home and live as you normally would."
Remonstrating unto death would not implicate family members.
Therefore, he didn't worry too much about his family.
Each generation has its own mission. In times of national crisis, they would use their reputation to pressure the emperor to stand firm, all to protect the country and families behind them.
Old Master Song stood up, his back straight as a ramrod. His dry, bony hand smoothed out the creases in his robe. His gaze slowly swept over the faces of the Song family members.
After a moment, father and son stepped out of the main hall one after the other. The sunlight fell behind them, coating them in a faint golden glow.
Old Lady Song followed them out with trembling steps, calling them to stop.
This was her only son, her only husband.
In the face of national duty, personal feelings seemed so insignificant.
She wasn't trying to stop them.
She knew they had their own convictions.
She just wanted to give them the knee pads and buttock protectors she had rushed to make overnight.
"The palace bricks are cold and hard. Wear these knee pads, they'll help you suffer a little less. In case the Emperor orders you to be caned, the buttock protectors will offer some protection."
Elder Master Song quickly waved his hands, refusing: "Mother, we won't need them. For court caning, the buttocks are exposed."
However, seeing Old Lady Song's distressed expression, he still accepted them.
Beside them, Elder Madam Song couldn't help but burst into tears yet again.
Elder Master Song helplessly pulled her aside and consoled her: "Xiao, please stop crying! Whenever I see you cry, I can't help but want to cry too. If my eyes turn red from crying, my colleagues will laugh at me..."
The couple was known in the Song household for being crybabies. Often, when one started crying, the other couldn't help but join in.
Elder Madam Song raised her sleeve inelegantly to wipe away her tears, calling him by name: "Song Hebai."
"When you return, I'll treat you to roast duck at Jinyu Building."
"This time I won't be stingy. I'll let you eat to your heart's content."
Elder Master Song broke into a tearful smile: "You must keep your word then!"
With that, he took Elder Madam Song's sleeve and wiped his own tears.
He was wearing his official robes, which weren't convenient for wiping tears. His wife was in casual clothes, so it didn't matter.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Elder Master Song released his wife's sleeve and once again fell into step behind Old Master Song, striding out of the courtyard gate.
They walked further and further away until they gradually disappeared from sight.
After they left, Qi Huan quickly made an excuse to leave.
She lifted her skirts and ran like the wind towards Qingfeng Court.
Shu was too far away to help in this immediate crisis, and the secret guards around her were all stubborn, fearing for her safety and refusing to leave her side to hijack carriages or kidnap people.
The current emperor was foolish, and remonstrating at the palace gates was a dead end.
She knew she couldn't persuade her grandfather and the others, so she hadn't wasted effort trying earlier.
But she also couldn't stand by and watch them go to their deaths.
Song Jingche was highly skilled in martial arts and deeply valued family ties. He would surely be able to save Old Master Song and the others.
To her dismay, she rushed into an empty room.
