Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 217 The Envoy of Appeasement

The news of Lin Wan'er being appointed "Hanlin Academy Attendant" stirred up ripples in the Xingqi Army's front-line camp and even the entire Southern Expeditionary Command, like a stone thrown into a calm lake. The emperor's exceptional appointment of a woman from the Southern Dynasty, who had never taken the imperial examinations and obtained this position as a close advisor solely based on her map and strategy, was, although a wartime expedient, enough to make many orthodox civil and military officials secretly look on with skepticism and engage in much discussion.

However, Chen Xing made the decisions unilaterally, with Jia Wen offering support from the sidelines. Military leaders like Chen Wei and Shen Qing, who prioritized practical effectiveness, did not publicly express any objections. Lin Wan'er herself, after a brief period of excitement and apprehension, quickly adapted to her new role.

Her position as a "Hanlin Academy Attendant" had no fixed office; her workspace was a quiet room set aside next to her temporary residence. The room was simply furnished with a table, a chair, and several bookshelves piled high with local gazetteers, genealogies of gentry families, tax and land registers from various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan, as well as some confidential files provided by the Censorate. Two literate and quick-witted eunuchs were assigned to her duties, responsible for organizing documents and relaying messages.

Lin Wan'er changed out of her traditional Chinese dress and into a modified, more practical dark blue civil official's uniform. Her long hair was neatly tied up with a matching cloth, giving her a more capable and efficient air, though she had lost some of her delicate femininity. She knew all too well that her position was hard-won and understood the weight of the responsibilities on her shoulders. The Emperor's words, "I hope you will do your utmost and live up to my expectations," weighed heavily on her heart.

Her first task was to refine the "Three Strategies for Pacifying the South" and, combining it with the latest military intelligence and information from the Censorate, begin drafting specific pacification plans for different targets and regions. Having been immersed in literature since childhood, and due to her family background, she possessed an understanding far beyond that of ordinary people of the interpersonal networks, conflicts of interest, and even the family traditions and preferences of the Jiangnan gentry. At this moment, this "knowledge," originally intended for refined discussions, was transformed into highly operational political bargaining chips.

A few days later, Chen Xing summoned Lin Wan'er again at his headquarters, with Jia Wen and Chen Wei also present.

"Lord Lin, how is the plan for pacification progressing?" Chen Xing asked directly.

Lin Wan'er presented a memorial written in elegant handwriting: "Your Majesty, I have drafted several proposals. The most important one is the Zhao family of Danyang. The Zhao family is a prominent clan in Danyang, with extensive land holdings and many members serving as officials in local areas, enjoying a high reputation. Their clan head, Zhao Wenbo, is nearly sixty years old, a man of impracticality who highly values ​​the clan's reputation and the opinions of scholars. He is also dissatisfied with the recent malpractices of the Southern Dynasty court and has publicly criticized them on several occasions. His son, Zhao Xian, is more pragmatic and manages part of the family's assets. I believe that the Zhao family should be approached with both 'propriety' and 'reputation'."

She elaborated on her plan: In the name of the Emperor or Grand Marshal, she would personally write a letter of pacification, dispatching a composed and courteous envoy with appropriate but not extravagant gifts to visit Zhao Wenbo. The letter should not dwell on military might, but rather emphasize that the Xingqi Empire, acting in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will, aims to end the fragmentation and restore peace, respecting the gentry and promoting talent above all else. She would grant Zhao Wenbo the honor of being a respected elder of the region, promising him, after the war, that he would lead the compilation of local chronicles and preside over the state school, and that his family's landholdings would be preserved. To his son, Zhao Xian, she could hint that if he possessed talent, he could be employed in the new dynasty's local administration.

"What Zhao Wenbo seeks is nothing more than to preserve his family's reputation and ensure the future of his descendants. If he receives a personal letter from His Majesty, is treated with courtesy, and is offered both empty titles and real benefits, the likelihood of him submitting is extremely high," Lin Wan'er analyzed. "If the Zhao family surrenders, Danyang County can be pacified with a single proclamation, and it will also set an example for the surrounding counties."

Jia Wen stroked his beard as he listened, nodding slightly: "This plan is sound and hits the nail on the head. I have heard of Zhao Wenbo before; he is indeed a man who loves fame. His Majesty's personal letter carries great weight."

Chen Xing looked at Lin Wan'er: "Such envoys for pacification not only need to be familiar with the inside story, but also need courage, eloquence, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Lin Shizhao, do you have a suitable candidate to recommend? Or," his gaze deepened, "do you dare to go yourself?"

Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat. Go there personally? Deep into the still-uncontrolled heartland of Jiangnan, to confront a local powerful figure whose hostility might not have subsided? The risks were self-evident. But it was also the most direct way to prove her worth and put her strategy into practice.

She took a deep breath, met Chen Xing's gaze, and a resolute glint flashed in her clear eyes: "Your Majesty, the strategy of appeasement was proposed by me. I understand the details best. If Your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to act as an envoy and personally go to Danyang to persuade the Zhao family!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Chen Xing's eyes. In chaotic times, it was even more rare for a woman to have such courage. "Very well! I hereby appoint you as the 'Special Envoy for Pacification,' bestow upon you an insignia of authority and seal, and assign a team of elite imperial guards to protect you. Minister Jia will send capable men from the Censorate to secretly provide support. Remember, safety comes first. If things become impossible, do not force it; simply retreat unscathed."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Lin Wan'er replied solemnly.

Three days later, everything was ready. Lin Wan'er changed into a more solemn envoy's robes and, holding the imperial envoy's staff, left the Flying Tiger Pass camp under the escort of fifty elite imperial guards. She traveled lightly and simply southwards, heading straight for Danyang.

She did not choose the intimidating method of overwhelming the enemy with a large army, but instead followed her own policy of "propriety." The army carried the banner of "pacifying and pacifying the people," and did not commit any offenses during their march. When they encountered refugees along the way, they would distribute some dry rations as appropriate and preach the policy that "the royal army will only punish the ringleaders and will not disturb the good people."

The news quickly reached Danyang County. The prefect had already abandoned the city and fled to Jinling, and the affairs of the city were temporarily being managed by a few local elders and powerful families such as the Zhao clan. Upon hearing that the Northern Dynasty had sent an envoy to offer peace, and that it was none other than Lin Wan'er, the "talented woman of Qujiang" who was quite famous in Jiangnan, the city was immediately in an uproar. Some advocated keeping the city gates closed and refusing entry; others felt it was worthwhile to meet her and test her abilities; and many more remained bewildered and watched.

Inside the Zhao residence, the elderly Zhao Wenbo held a handwritten letter and visiting card bearing the seal of the Xingqi Emperor, handed to him by the gatekeeper. His fingers trembled slightly. The letter was earnest, praising his "family background and reputation" to the skies, promising to compile history and promote education after the war, and to protect his family. It gave him ample face in every word. The visiting card, signed "Lin Wan'er, Hanlin Academician and Special Envoy for Pacification," stirred even more complex emotions in him.

"Father, this Lin Wan'er... it's said that she was rescued by the Northern Army in Qingxi Town, and now she's become an official of the Northern Dynasty? I'm afraid she's here as a lobbyist." The eldest son, Zhao Xian, said in a low voice, his brows furrowed.

Zhao Wenbo remained silent for a long time, gazing at the neat and powerful handwriting that subtly revealed an imperial air. He then considered the current precarious situation of the enemy at the river's edge, the imminent danger at Caishiji, and the lives of hundreds of his family members. Finally, he sighed, "What is meant to be will be. The Lin family and my Zhao family have been friends for generations. Lin Wan'er is renowned for her talent, and her character should be good. Since she has come with courtesy, carrying His Majesty's personal letter, if we refuse to see her, it would only make us appear cowardly and weak. Very well, open the main gate and welcome the envoy. Whether it is war or peace, we must hear the truth."

When Lin Wan'er's carriage arrived at the Zhao residence, the main gate was indeed already open. Zhao Wenbo, along with important members of the clan, greeted her from inside the gate with impeccable manners, but their expressions betrayed a strong sense of wariness and scrutiny.

Inside the hall, the guests and hosts took their seats. Lin Wan'er did not rush to announce the emperor's decree, but first greeted Zhao Wenbo with the courtesy due to a junior, inquiring about his health. She then spoke of old stories from the literary world of Jiangnan, mentioning several of Zhao Wenbo's influential early articles, her words sincere and her attitude respectful. This subtly eased the tense atmosphere considerably.

Once the atmosphere eased slightly, Lin Wan'er changed the subject, discussing the current situation. She didn't exaggerate the Xingqi army's power, but objectively analyzed the internal conflicts within the allied forces, the battle at Caishiji, and the Xingqi Empire's determination and strength to unify the world. Then, she produced the emperor's letter and solemnly said, "Elder Zhao, His Majesty is well aware of the difficulty of preserving the Jiangnan gentry and deeply respects Elder Zhao's esteemed reputation. His journey south is solely to eliminate the ringleaders of the separatist regime, quell the war, and restore peace to the world; he is not an enemy of the Jiangnan gentry. His Majesty promises that those who are pragmatic and compliant with the will of Heaven will have their families protected and their talents valued. After the war, the imperial examinations will be held, treating all regions, north and south, equally. Elder Zhao is highly respected; if he can raise his voice and help the court stabilize Danyang, sparing the people from the ravages of war, not only will his merit be immeasurable, but His Majesty will also be generous in his praise, further enhancing the Zhao family's reputation in the new dynasty."

Her words consistently revolved around the core interests that Zhao Wenbo cared about most: "preserving the family," "continuing the family's good reputation," and "stabilizing the local area." Her tone was calm yet reasonable and well-founded, and she even elevated the Zhao family's possible act of submission to the level of "speaking out for the people" and "following the will of Heaven."

Zhao Wenbo listened intently, his heart swaying with each word. Lin Wan'er's words resonated deeply with him. Resistance? There was no large army outside the city, but he had heard of the formidable strength of the Northern Dynasty's forces. To cling to the family's legacy and empty reputation might ultimately lead to annihilation. Surrender? Though it might be a breach of "integrity," it could preserve the family's wealth and even secure a place in the new dynasty, continuing the family's legacy... Moreover, the emperor's personal letter was courteous and offered a sufficiently respectable way out.

He glanced at his son Zhao Xian, whose expression was complex, and then at the clan members below the hall who looked either bewildered or expectant. Finally, he slowly stood up, faced the north towards Chang'an, and bowed.

"Your Majesty is benevolent and compassionate, and I am deeply grateful. My family, the Zhao clan of Danyang, is willing to obey the will of Heaven, submit to the rule of the king, assist the court, and pacify the local area."

Lin Wan'er felt a great weight lifted from her heart, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She stood up and returned the greeting: "Old Zhao is a man of great wisdom and righteousness. His Majesty will surely be very pleased with the good fortune of the people of Danyang."

With Zhao Wenbo's official statement, the submission of Danyang County was a foregone conclusion. Lin Wan'er's trip, without losing a single soldier, relied on her accurate grasp of the mentality of the Jiangnan gentry and her excellent communication skills to successfully secure the first complete county for the Xingqi Empire since its southern expedition, setting an excellent example for subsequent pacification efforts.

When the news reached the Flying Tiger Pass camp, Chen Xing, upon hearing it, smiled at Jia Wen and said, "Lin Wan'er has indeed lived up to my expectations. A single letter and a few words are worth more than ten thousand soldiers. The morale of the people and the soldiers in Jiangnan can now be divided."