Mountains and Rivers Along the Way

● A long, plot-driven story. ● The full manuscript will be completed before serialization begins.

In the spring of Qingming Year 17, a major event shook the Nanzhao Dynasty.

Jun Qian, Prince of Subei, was accused of plotting rebellion and his entire family was executed. His son, Jun Moting, disappeared without a trace.

The news shocked the whole country.

Some said Emperor Qingming resented the Prince of Subei for being too powerful, while others claimed the prince was an ambitious wolf who wanted to become emperor. Rumors spread in every direction...

·

Xie Qianxing and Jun Moting's fathers were close, so they arranged a marriage between the two before they were born. They never expected both babies to be boys.

As a child, Xie Qianxing disliked Jun Moting. He didn't want to marry a man and become his wife, the future Princess of Subei.

After his family fell into ruin, Jun Moting hid at the Xie home for a short time.

Back then, Xie Qianxing pitied him and treasured him above all else, unwilling to let anyone lay a hand on him.

Xie Qianxing once swore to Jun Moting: “If you're a traitor, then I'll be a rebel.”

·

Winter, Qingming Year 22. Dongshu Gorge.

Xie Qianxing led an army of thirty thousand against the enemy. Their supplies ran out, and no reinforcements or provisions arrived.

Jun Moting led three thousand men on a day-and-night march, charging from northern Yu straight into the heart of Dongshu to save Xie Qianxing from disaster.

On the banks of the Dongshu River, Jun Moting asked: “Do you still stand by what you said? If I'm a traitor, you'll be a rebel.”

Xie Qianxing stood with his hands behind his back, one fist clenched. “No.”

Jun Moting asked coldly: “No regrets?”

Xie Qianxing gritted his teeth. “No regrets.”

Jun Moting returned half of the jade pendant and cut his robe in two with his sword.

“From today on, our engagement is over. We sever our ties, and have nothing more to do with each other.”

·

The Northern Mu Dynasty marched south with five hundred thousand cavalry, and Xie Qianxing was appointed commander.

The two armies faced each other. Xie Qianxing stood atop the city wall, while Jun Moting sat on horseback at the head of his troops.

Xie Qianxing called out: “Thirty thousand soldiers of Nanzhao, heed my command! Open the gates and welcome Jun Moting, son of the Prince of Subei, home!”

Seven days later, Xie Qianxing led three thousand elite soldiers straight for Leyang, the capital of Yandu. Emperor Qingming died in the Leyang palace.

All that remained was an edict admitting that Jun Qian, Prince of Subei, had been falsely accused of rebellion, and passing the throne to his son, Jun Moting.

A month later, the new emperor ascended the throne, stripped Xie Qianxing of his military command, and imprisoned him in the dungeon.

Jun Moting asked him: “Why did you do all this?”

Xie Qianxing replied: “You weren't a traitor, so I became a rebel.”

One day, when you bring your army to the gates, I'll gladly become a rebel and traitor, raise you to the throne, and protect your peace for the rest of your life. By Xie Qianxing

● Authorized illustrator: [Shuimo Danqing] ZDC

● Screenshots of the blurb are archived on Weibo.

Theme: Even when trapped in adversity, don't give up easily.