On the fourth day of the first month of Dao Calendar 3921, Beigong Nantu, High Priestess of Divine Crown Preaching of Mu Kingdom, died in the midst of ten thousand soldiers.
The Xia people rejoiced; the Qi people were shocked.
The world was shaken!
According to the Great Qi Veritable Records, the Emperor of Qi had been reviewing memorials that day when news of the battle reached him. "His expression remained unchanged, and he even asked whether there was fish for lunch."
He dipped his brush in ink and personally wrote a letter, ordering it delivered to the front lines.
The letter contained only eight words—
"As for conquering Xia, Cao Jie shall decide all."
Here, the Emperor played a little word game.
For "all" was also Cao Jie's given name.
Thus, the latter half could mean, "You decide everything yourself."
Or, more intimately, "You, Cao Jie—decide for yourself."
In eight short words, the sovereign's heart was laid bare, his composure fully expressed!
The Recorder of the Imperial Household appended a note: Great affairs beneath Heaven are but ordinary affairs. To hold the cosmos in one's grasp without minding fortune or misfortune—such is truly the heart of a Holy Emperor!
Cao Jie's reaction upon receiving the Emperor's handwritten decree at the front was equally calm. There was neither the fervor of "a man dies for one who understands him," nor the tragic resolve to "give his life to pacify Xia for the Emperor." On a quiet afternoon, he merely sent orders to the three commanders of the Nine Legions—
"The weather is fine today. Put a little more pressure on Tongyang City."
Cao Jie still seemed in no hurry, his wording unhurried and mild. As though he had ample patience remaining for this war.
But Tongyang City's defenders now had