Huang Jin Tai
Author: Cang Wu Bin Bai
Synopsis: The notorious court spy and the meritorious general are sworn enemies who can’t stand each other. Unexpectedly, fate takes an unpredictable turn when the general is wounded in battle, becomes disabled in both legs, and is then betrothed by the emperor to his archenemy.
A single imperial marriage decree forces the two mutual enemies to marry and live under the same roof. After living together for a long time, they discover that the other is not as unbearable or unattainable as they initially thought.
A classic ancient-style “marriage before love” story, a 24k sweet narrative.
CP: Notorious powerful minister (top) x Renowned general (bottom)
Work Review: The notorious court spy Yan Xiao Han and the meritorious general Fu Shen are natural enemies and sworn opponents. Unexpectedly, fate intervenes – the general is ambushed on the battlefield, suffers leg disability, and is then married off by the emperor to his enemy Yan Xiao Han.
A single imperial marriage decree forces the mutually hostile pair to marry and live together. As time passes, they discover the other is not entirely worthless or unattainable. The narrative flows naturally, with twists and turns, deeply moving emotions. A ridiculous marriage leads to an absurdly “heaven-made” match, with the general and powerful minister gradually probing and approaching each other. However, the imperial court is full of shifting political currents, with various forces stirring beneath the peaceful surface. How will these opposing sides ultimately unite? As the plot progresses, the protagonists are pushed to a crossroads of destiny, their future uncertain and eagerly anticipated.
Chapter 1 Prologue | A World-Shattering Operation In the 25th year of Yuan Tai, the Eastern Tartars invaded the border, and the Northern Yan Cavalry, together with troops from Tong Jin and Yu Zhou, joined forces at the Wuding River, forcing the prairie cavalry to retreat over 800 li to the Western Autumn Pass.
Although it was near October, this year was plagued by drought, and the further south one went, the hotter it became. The autumn tiger’s heat was unbearably fierce. Near noon, hundreds of elite cavalry who had been riding day and night were exhausted. The lead rider raised his hand to look into the distance, spotting a roadside shelter not far away. He gently pulled the reins, slowing his pace.
When the horse-drawn carriage caught up, he leaned over and knocked on the carriage wall, asking, “General, we’ve been riding all night. Shall we rest for a bit before continuing?”
The carriage curtain parted slightly, and a weak, hoarse male voice accompanied by a faint medicinal fragrance drifted out: “Is there a place to stop ahead? Rest in place. The brothers have worked hard.”
Following the order, the group charged towards the shelter, raising dust and drawing stares from other travelers resting inside.
This group rode without banners, all wearing narrow-sleeved, cross-collared blue military robes. Each rider was sturdy and imposing, their faces radiating an unmistakable “do not provoke” aura.
The lead rider dismounted, handed over a small silver ingot, and instructed the shopkeeper to provide food and drink while his men rested. He then found a clean, shaded table, prepared hot tea and some light refreshments, and went outside to help a pale, sickly young gentleman down from the carriage.
The man walked unsteadily, his face showing illness, requiring support to move. The short distance from the carriage to the tea shop took him an extraordinarily long time. When he finally sat down, he coughed several times as if his body could barely support him.
As they exhaled, they realized they had been transfixed: Though the man looked like he might die at any moment, he possessed an extraordinary, captivating quality. He had a rare, exceptional appearance, not the delicate, spring-flower-like beauty popular in the capital, but with phoenix eyes, starry-cold gaze, a sharp nose bridge, and thin, sharp lips – a striking, cutting beauty.
The man was tall, seemingly accustomed to looking down at people, his eyelids perpetually half-lowered, exuding an air of languid weariness. So thin he was almost skeletal. Yet when he sat upright, his spine was straight as a bamboo shoot, like a blade tempered by fire – even wounded, capable of drawing blood, his weak body unable to restrain his spirit of conquest.
Traveling merchants unconsciously craned their necks, resembling attentive geese. Only when the young gentleman slowly finished a bowl of water and placed it down with a “clang”, saying impatiently, “Your necks are stretched out like donkey leads. Is it that interesting?” did they react.
The muscular men nearby trembled. Some geese retracted their necks, while a few more enthusiastic ones approached to chat: “Where are you from, young sir? Heading to the capital?” Xiao Qun, always attending to this master, tensed, ready to hang anyone who heard a “scram” command.
Unexpectedly, the usually unsociable gentleman responded cordially: “From Yanzhou City in the north, heading to the capital to seek medical treatment.”
Since they wore ordinary clothes, carried no weapons, and their carriage was unremarkable, the merchants guessed they were perhaps from a wealthy family in Yanzhou, a military stronghold where it was normal for military household members to travel together.
Unable to directly inquire about his health, the merchant instead brought up another topic: “Coming from the north, have you heard about General Fu, the Jining Marquis, returning to the capital? His homecoming must be quite a spectacle!”
These two established a northern border defense line for the Great Zhou. The border troops led by the Fu family were known as the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry. From the sixth year of Yuantai to the eighteenth year of Yuantai, during these ten years, no border conflicts arose under the deterrence of the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry.
Until the nineteenth year of Yuantai, Fu Tingzhong was assassinated by the Eastern Tartars, who then formed an alliance with the Northern Zhe tribe and invaded Great Zhou again. Fu Tingxin led a lone army deep into the encirclement and ultimately died in battle.
The previous scene of enemy troops approaching the city was almost repeated, but this time there were no longer abundant elite troops and generals available, and Emperor Yuantai was no longer as ambitious as in his early years. After several heated morning court debates, they made a decision that was both confused and wise.
They pushed out Fu Tingzhong’s eldest son, the not-yet-mature Fu Shen, and sent him to the battlefield. They chose a member of the Fu family because the Eastern Tartars had a deep hatred for those with the surname Fu, and this invasion was specifically for revenge. Fu Shen had also been training in the military with his father and uncles from an early age and could be considered a “military talent”. But throughout history, when have government officials who live in comfort ever hidden in the rear while sending a young man to face wolves and tigers?
Fortunately, the Fu family seemed to have a collective reincarnation of military stars. Fu Shen lived up to his family’s reputation and proved to be a military genius.
The garrisons in Tanzhou and Xuanzhou were ineffective. When Fu Shen was pushed out, he did not expect help from his own people. He abandoned the Han troops and, under the conditions of opening trade routes and preparing for surrender, borrowed the Wild Wolf cavalry from the Western Tartars.
Fu Shen gathered the Northern Yan Iron Cavalry and met the main Zhe tribe forces at the three passes of Yanzhou, while the Wild Wolf cavalry flanked the Tartar-Zhe allied forces from the northwest, resolving the crisis in the Northern Frontier.
