Chapter 16: The King of Qi (Part 6)
Tired of horse racing, Yun Yao decided to try something new and hold a lantern festival. She ordered artisans to craft tens of thousands of lanterns, illuminating the entire palace brilliantly, then commanded the palace maids to dance in the garden.
Having seen ordinary dances countless times, she found them dull, so she had them perform sword dances instead.
After watching a sword dance, Yun Yao applauded with a smile. “Wonderful, wonderful! So light and agile, it’s truly mesmerizing!” She waved her hand and rewarded them with a measure of pearls.
The maids smiled radiantly in gratitude, glancing at her with eyes full of unspoken words.
A young eunuch nearby sneered sarcastically, “If we speak of the greatest sword dancers in the world, none but the King of Chu can compare. Today’s dance is but a firefly next to the full moon compared to his.”
Yun Yao asked, “The King of Chu can dance with a sword?”
The eunuch replied, “When young, the King of Chu loved sword dancing. He raised two cranes and often danced with them, his movements graceful as an immortal’s. But after ascending the throne, he stopped.”
Yun Yao recalled the handsome man she had seen at the alliance meeting. So what if he was a king? She was determined to make him dance before her!
The next day, in an unprecedented move, Yun Yao held court.
“One month from now, we shall march against Chu. I want the King of Chu to dance with his sword before me!”
There was a moment of silence in the great hall, then a surge of excitement.
When Chu had invaded Qi before, seizing ten cities, the ministers had clenched their teeth in anger every time they looked at the map.
Now, under the chancellor’s governance, Qi was strong in both troops and provisions, and had promoted a group of capable ministers and officials—a different world from before.
Had the king finally decided to wage war and avenge past humiliations?
Sun Bin’s eyes sparkled instantly, like the morning star piercing the night.
Having enjoyed royal favor for so long, now was his time to repay it!
He wheeled forward, excitement evident. “May I accompany Your Majesty to the front? I vow to conquer cities and lands so that the King of Chu will dance before you.”
Zou Ji suggested, “Qi has ample provisions and well-prepared troops, with a mobilizable force of four hundred thousand. Let Tian Ji serve as commander, with Sun Bin as deputy, to jointly wage war against Chu.”
Yun Yao nodded. “Approved.”
With that, she concluded the court session.
Zou Ji organized the forces, gathered supplies, and prepared logistics.
Qi’s army struck the Chu border like a thunderbolt, reclaiming the cities once seized by Chu.
News spread across the nation, stirring the entire country in jubilant whispers—truly a cleansing of past shame.
The King of Chu quickly reacted, rallying troops to defend the borders.
After regaining the cities, the Qi army ceased hostilities and held position.
Chu believed they only sought to recover their original territory and relaxed their guard.
But after several days, a sudden elite force struck from the flank, severing the border’s supply lines.
Only then did Chu realize the Qi army’s previous stillness was a ruse.
Supplies are crucial to warfare; with the supply route cut, the dozen border cities would fall without a fight.
The flames of war spread swiftly, like sparks igniting dry grass into a raging fire.
Terrified, Chu watched as Qi’s forces pressed on relentlessly, forcing them into continuous retreat.
...
Though the nation was at war, it did not diminish Yun Yao’s enjoyment.
In her leisure, she summoned Zou Ji to play the zither.
The dignified chancellor walked through the palace corridor, his official robes lending him an air of solemn elegance, his demeanor graceful as if celestial.
His handsome face shone like the moon at dawn, filling the room with radiance.
A servant carrying a zither followed closely behind.
Though this was the imperial seat, Zou Ji strolled freely as if in a peaceful garden—truly the favored minister.
Upon entering the hall, Zou Ji bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Yun Yao nodded and motioned for him to play.
Zou Ji plucked the strings casually; the clear notes flowed like a mountain stream.
Yun Yao curled one leg, sitting beside him to listen.
From this angle, sunlight streamed through the window, outlining his face with a golden halo, like sunlight on snowy peaks.
The melody was ethereal, like mist rolling over a cold river, hazy and elusive.
Then the music grew tender and winding, like a river twisting through mountains—exquisite beyond words.
The entire palace fell into serene silence, all ears caught by this celestial sound.
When the piece ended, Yun Yao said, “I have studied the zither for some time. Today, I shall play a piece as well.”
Zou Ji stepped aside. “Please, Your Majesty.”
Yun Yao plucked a few strings casually. “This zither is not good enough.”
Then she set the instrument down, revealing an empty table.
She looked at her chancellor with a smile. “Why don’t you lie down? Your voice must be more beautiful than the zither’s sound.”
Her gaze slowly swept over him, as if surveying her domain.
In an instant, Zou Ji felt as if his entire body was aflame, his heart pounding wildly.
The monarch tapped the table with a finger, urging him on.
Zou Ji rose, slowly removing his clothes, revealing a magnificent physique.
He had never done such a reckless thing before; a flush spread across his skin.
The table was long, just enough for him to lie upon.
His supple yet firm body stretched out like a priceless zither.
The monarch looked down in admiration, gently caressing and testing the “strings.”
A low hum poured forth—truly exquisite.
As she changed her finger movements, the tones rose and fell, melodious and lingering.
From that moment, she was captivated by playing the zither.
...
After a year of war, Chu lost nearly half its territory and could no longer sustain itself. It sent a letter of peace to Qi.
Qi, too, had suffered great losses. To prevent the other five states from taking advantage, it decided to cease fighting and recuperate.
Being too greedy could be fatal.
Qi accepted the peace offer, and both sides agreed to a meeting.
It was the same place as before, but the roles of the strong and the weak were reversed.
Having learned from past betrayal, Yun Yao did not sit beside the King of Chu but sat alone.
A table stood before her, adorned with fruit and fine wine, like a banquet.
She propped up one leg, resting an arm on her knee, smiling, “Long time no see, King of Chu. Your bearing remains as impressive as ever.”
Her smile brimmed with the arrogance of a victor.
“I have long heard that the King of Chu’s sword dance is unmatched. If you are willing to dance once for me, I may consider withdrawing my troops.”
The King of Chu’s expression changed instantly, anger simmering in his eyes.
Chu’s ministers scowled fiercely, shouting, “We are sovereigns of equal states. How can our king perform a dance for the Qi king?”
Yun Yao countered, “Why not?”
The King of Chu’s face remained stern. “I hope the Qi king keeps his promise.”
Chu was too weak to fight now; he had no choice but to endure this humiliation.
Yun Yao showed a satisfied smile. “Then let my chancellor play the music for the King of Chu’s dance. It will be a story worth telling.”
Under the watchful eyes of both states’ ministers, the King of Chu danced with his sword to the zither’s melody—his movements swift and graceful like a dragon in flight, yet each strike carried anger and humiliation.
Qi’s ministers watching this scene felt all their long-held grievances dissolve into smoke.
The historian hurriedly recorded the event: The Qi-Chu alliance meeting, Zou Ji playing the zither, the King of Chu dancing before the Qi king.