Prologue

The heat was unbearable, like flames descending from the sky. Even the wild dogs sought shelter in the shade of the city walls, panting heavily. By noon, the sentries could only stand for a short while before needing to rotate for water and rest. The sun was so fierce that it felt like a knife slicing through their rattan armor, and sweat quickly soaked through their clothes, only to be dried by the relentless sun, leaving behind a layer of salt that stung their skin. By nightfall, after bathing in the river, their shoulders and backs would be red and swollen, looking like meat cured by the heat.

But there were lighter moments. Today marked the Great Heat festival, and in Laolan City, it was customary to feast on mutton soup. Early in the morning, while the air was still cool, the kitchen had slaughtered over 300 sheep and prepared countless pots of soup, giving everyone a hearty meal. The day was too hot to preserve the meat, so the leftovers were hung to dry in the sun, turning into jerky for autumn and winter provisions. Zhao Liu, stationed on the tower, stood in the scorching heat for about half an incense stick’s time before being relieved for a water break. Old Bao, his fellow sentry, had come up with a clever trick—he had swiped some fine white wheat flour from the kitchen and was baking pancakes on the hot bricks of the tower. The dough was so thin it was nearly transparent, and under the blazing sun, it sizzled and smoked, quickly turning into crisp pancakes.

“Mutton soup and fresh white pancakes, what a treat!” Old Bao grinned as he handed out the crispy creations. Each guard, after being relieved from their post, bit into the pancakes with a satisfying crunch, washing them down with cold well water. The scorching weather seemed more bearable with such simple pleasures. After all, the intense heat would only last for another half month. By August, the winds would shift, the grass would yellow, and snow might begin to fall.

The extremes of heat and cold cut through Laolan City like knives, scarring the skin of its inhabitants. But when the sunburns peeled, they had the cool river to soothe them, and when frostbite struck, badger oil was applied to heal the wounds. In the pleasant days of spring and autumn, they would ride out to hunt, finding joy even in the hardest of times. Laolan City was home to three thousand soldiers, and amidst the challenges, they always found ways to enjoy life.

Old Bao peeled the last two pancakes from the brick when a voice called from behind, “You learned my trick, and you didn’t even save me a piece.”

The newcomer was a young man, barely twenty, dressed in the same rattan armor as Old Bao, but a head taller. The harsh sun had darkened his skin, but his eyes were sharp and bright. Without hesitation, Old Bao stuffed the pancakes into his hands. “Eat, and stop complaining.”

The young man grinned as he took a bite. “Think you can shut me up with a pancake? Old Du’s been yelling all morning because someone took a whole bag of fine flour from the kitchen. Turns out, it was you!”

Old Bao chuckled, “Don’t talk nonsense. I just grabbed a handful when no one was around.”

“Stealing is stealing, whether it’s a handful or a bag,” the young man teased, finishing the pancake in a few quick bites. But before he could say more, the sharp sound of arrows whistling through the air interrupted them. It was the signal—an alarm from the cavalry scouts outside the city. The young man’s expression turned serious, and within moments, he had grabbed his bow, joining the other soldiers as they rushed to the tower.

A third arrow whistle sounded, and the young man took charge, organizing the soldiers into position. Smoke and dust rose in the distance, a thick cloud under the blazing sun. The scout’s voice called out from below, “Five thousand!”

Five thousand cavalry—a heavy assault. The enemy, weakened in recent years, must have gathered all their forces for this attack. Zhao Liu’s hands trembled on the bowstring, but the young man beside him remained calm. He even set his bow aside to finish the last bite of his pancake, chewing slowly while the tension mounted. As the rumble of horse hooves grew louder, like distant thunder, everyone’s eyes were on him. The young man finally stood, his voice ringing out, “Stand ready!”

In an instant, the soldiers moved into formation, bows drawn, ready to face the oncoming cavalry. But as the dust cleared, something unexpected came into view—a red-edged black flag with the words “Zhenxi” emblazoned on it. The scout returned, shouting, “It’s General Pei!”

The soldiers lowered their weapons as the young man ran to meet the approaching cavalry. The drawbridge creaked as it lowered, and Pei Xian, the General of Zhenxi, led his troops into the city. The young man called out joyfully, “Uncle Pei! A Yuan!” But as he approached, he noticed the white mourning bands tied around their arms. His heart sank.

Pei Xian dismounted, kneeling before the young man with tears in his eyes. “Three days ago, news came from Hejian Prefecture. His Majesty… has been killed by the traitor Sun Jing.”

The young man staggered back, disbelief washing over him. Pei Xian continued, his voice hoarse with grief, “The Jinwu Army rebelled, and the palace was sealed off. The crown prince and the royal family were massacred. The Grandson of Heaven escaped, but his whereabouts are unknown.”

The young man’s world seemed to crumble, but he forced himself to speak. “What of my father?”

Pei Xian’s voice broke. “Prince Liang was taken hostage by the rebels.”

Tears streamed down Pei Xian’s face as he declared, “The soldiers of Zhenxi ask you, Your Highness, to accept the title of regent and lead us in restoring the empire.”

The young man stood under the relentless sun, staring at the shimmering Laolan River. Finally, he turned to Pei Xian, his voice steady but firm. “I cannot accept.”

"Your Highness!" Pei Xian’s head snapped up, his tear-streaked face filled with a mixture of sorrow and anger. "The crown prince’s whereabouts are still unknown, his fate hanging by a thread. He could very well still be alive! The late emperor has passed, and the crown prince has fallen—he should rightfully ascend the throne!"

Pei Xian’s voice rang out sharply, echoing through the chamber. "The nation is in chaos, and we must rely on an experienced ruler. Even if the crown prince survives, he is but a child! And he hasn’t even been officially crowned yet. The kingdom teeters on the brink of destruction—how can we entrust the fate of our people to a mere boy who knows nothing of the world?"

"General Pei!" The young man’s voice cut through like steel, commanding an authority that was impossible to dismiss. "The eldest son’s right to rule is unquestionable. How dare you speak so irreverently of him!" He sighed softly, almost inaudibly. "Besides... my father is still in the clutches of the traitor, Sun. If I were to take up the regency, wouldn’t I only bring further disaster upon him?" 

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