- Everyone in the hall, weeping, removes the embroidered flowers from their heads.
- Grandmother She tearfully says, “Zongbao, my dear grandson! Today is your 50th birthday, but it has become a day of mourning instead! You were not only the pillar of the Yang family but also my beloved grandson…”
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- The entire family urges Grandmother She to mobilize troops and take revenge.
- Grandmother She replies, “Mobilizing troops is a major decision. Meng Liang and Jiao Zan should first report the situation to the emperor and await his command. For now, let’s set up a mourning hall to honor the fallen hero.”
- The Prime Minister secretly sends an urgent message to inform the officials Wang Zhi and Qin Hui of the crisis at the frontier.
- Hearing the news, they are greatly alarmed and immediately request an audience with the emperor to submit a report.
- Upon reading the report, Emperor Renzong is both shocked and terrified.
- He hurriedly summons his civil and military ministers to the palace for a discussion.
- The ministers Wang Zhi and Wang Yan argue fiercely in the palace about whether to fight or seek peace.
- Emperor Renzong, wanting peace but unable to state it outright, asks if anyone is willing to go to the front.
- At this moment, all the ministers look at one another in silence, and no one steps forward.
- Wang Zhi proposes appointing a female general from the Yang family.
- Wang Yan objects, saying, “The Yang family is now in decline with only the elderly and the young left. How can we entrust such a heavy responsibility to them?”
- Wang Zhi, having thought of a plan, suggests: “The Yang family has been loyal for generations, and Yang Zongbao’s death is a great loss. We should hold a grand memorial ceremony to honor their loyalty, and this will also give us a chance to send envoys to appease Grandmother She and convey the emperor’s wishes for peace.”
- Emperor Renzong agrees, and they proceed to the Yang Mansion.
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- After the ceremony, Grandmother She questions the officials about the current situation at the frontier, wondering when troops will be dispatched and who will be appointed to lead.
- Emperor Renzong, feeling awkward, remains silent.
- Wang Zhi speaks up, “Grandmother, you may not know this, but the emperor has decided to seek peace with the Western Xia.”
- Grandmother She struggles to contain her grief and anger, urging the emperor not to be hasty in seeking peace.
- Although she is over a hundred years old, she volunteers to lead the army herself.
- The officials all approve, but Wang Yan shakes his head and says, “Even if Grandmother She takes command, there are no experienced vanguard generals left—this plan is still doomed.”
- Madam Guiying immediately steps forward, declaring, “If Grandmother She is the commander, I am willing to be the vanguard!”
- Lady Chai also steps up, while the hot-tempered Yang Seventh Sister shouts angrily, “Our Yang family’s female generals are all capable of fighting. If you insist on making peace, we will never agree!”