Chapter 83
Rolling in the deep
As soon as this remark was made, Yuan Che felt indifferent. As long as Yuwen Yue dared to step into Wei territory, various government officials immediately sought to establish private connections with him.
This is exactly what happened.
Today, Yuan Che could not help but face the situation. It was uncommon for the Seventh Prince to see them staying put, unable to form a proper defense.
However, despite seeing his long-time ally and friend, Yuwen Yue, in front of him, Yuan Che could not anticipate a positive outcome.
Now, several military leaders, each with the courage and strength to make this mission work, shared one common opinion.
"The command has made this expedition effective, and I am convinced. While some people openly support it, others disagree."
Yuwen Yue did not expect many promises of rewards today. To strongly oppose the Seventh Prince, everything depended on his skills.
Yuwen Yue could only offer a fair chance for a brief respite today, suggesting that they have dinner with the freedom community and enjoy a good meal.
Meanwhile, the prisoners would get a chance to talk to him, starting with the Seventh Prince, Yuan Che.
Yuan Che sighed in relief and pointed to the man lying in the infirmary.
"What about this general?" he asked.
Yuwen Yue gave him a cold look and said, "His blocked blood flow was treated in time when you surrendered and didn't put much effort into fighting the ghost shock warrior. He will live, but he may be disabled for a few years until his damaged nerves heal."
"I warned him and offered caution, but he did not listen," Yuan Che replied.
Yuan Che then tried to open the table for negotiation and asked, "You don't plan to keep us prisoners here, do you? Name a reward for each of these generals' heads, and mine as well."
Yuwen Yue smirked and said, "What I want is more than a reward. I want this freedom community to remain untouched. It doesn't matter who suffers or dies. I will defend it until every empire recognizes the value of slaves their right to choose to live their own lives decently or to voluntarily serve their masters, treated as human beings, and earn a fair wage."
Yuan Che thought for a moment.
After hearing Yuwen Yue's demands, Yuan Che considered the initial reactions of the military generals and their handling of the troops. He realized that dealing with the different mindsets and needs of these generals would be complicated.
These generals had earned the Emperor's favor and couldn't easily be removed from their posts. They had their own backgrounds, built on years of experience in winning wars, though their qualifications now weren't what they once were.
Commanding this force seemed like an impossible task.
Suddenly, an idea flashed through Yuan Che's mind.
This freedom community was a new concept, one that could ignite conflict within Great Summer's slavery system and the aristocracy. It seemed impossible to reconcile.
Yuan Che thought it might be better to disrupt everything and push it back.
Carefully weighing the gains and losses, he raised his head, glanced at each of the generals sitting below the prison walls, smiled, and said, "You once wore the same uniform. What made you change, Master Ice Cube, Cold Heart?"
Yuwen Yue did not respond, but Yuan Che pressed further, asking, "Was it the lowly Yuwen maid who died many years ago?"
A cold breeze passed between them, but no words came.
Yuan Che could only look up at the vast sky of the hidden valley, like an innocent boy trying to grasp everything in his hands.
Yuwen Yue raised his eyebrows, sighed, drank his rice wine, and looked up at the twinkling stars.
It was just like old times.
"My way is to invest in idleness. It's expected to lead to a fat shortage," Yuwen Yue said, closing the conversation.
Yuan Che understood and replied, "So, you plan to stir up public security, investigate all crimes committed by the suspects, seize the spoils of Yanbei, detain the merchants' goods, and seal their shops to prevent public distribution? And if they dare offend the slaves, the businessmen won't be able to continue their business? This is commercial warfare! You're not going to eliminate Wei's troops before I return to Xiaoqi camp?"
The climate was getting colder. Before the winter solstice, Yanbei was still buried under thick snow.
Yan Xun had already arranged for the Yan troops to attack Yanmingguan Pass, while the Yanbei King was still waiting for Prince Yuan Yang's decision to either join or reinforce the Yan troops.
There had been an ongoing argument between the King of Yanbei and the Wei Prince.
"Come, let's have a drink!" Yan Xun said in surprise as he walked into Yuan Yang's royal tent.
Yuan Yang greeted Yan Xun with bright eyes and took the jade goblet, saying, "What brought you to this cold ground at night? Thanks for the supplies you sent. It was more than enough to satisfy these hungry troops!"
Yuan Yang tossed the jade goblet with Yan Xun but threw it aside, looking back at him curiously.
Yan Xun laughed and said, "If you think the first pour was poisoned…"
He paused, then drank the wine, letting it go straight to his gut.
Then Yan Xun poured more wine into Yuan Yang's jade goblet and said, "I told you, I never fail with my goods and provisions. I control the economy between this border and the vassal states of Huai Song and Liang."
Yuan Yang drank the wine and asked for another pour. "I'll have another drink to that."
Large swathes of snow fell in the empty courtyard of Wu Dao Ya.
"These troops belong to the King of Mud and don't support the Datong Way. But let's look at the positive side. First, they're all Wei's valiant troops that Yan Xun can use to invade Chang'An. Second, we need eyewitnesses to make this a victory and help heal the wounds of Yan."
The Prince of Datong Way did not request any special treatment for these brutal warriors, who were far from his expectations.
The Datong Way had been stretching its reserves ever since they were forced to give up half their provisions to support the Yan people and fund the Wei allies, including the silver-spoon Prince Yuan Yang. This sparked considerable negative sentiment.
Wu Dao Ya had to postpone several money transfers and logistical deliveries to Zao Baocung, which delayed provisions to the Moon Kingdom. One day, Wu Dao Ya received a report from Zhong Yu.
It silenced him. He looked at the young Huan Huan.
Huan Huan was sixteen years old, beautiful, intelligent, and full of life.
Aside from Yan Xun, she was the last Yan descendant who could potentially inherit the Yanbei throne if Yan Xun failed to produce an heir with his Queen. She was the daughter of Yan Xun's uncle on her mother's side, Bai Shicheng, but her uncle had been murdered by the Emperor many years ago.
It was said that Bai Shicheng, the only sister of the Great Summer Emperor, was given in political marriage to the Duke of Yanbei, Yan Shicheng, to seal their brotherhood as closely as possible.
Lou He had saved Huan Huan when she was a baby, rescuing her from the annihilation of her entire family. She had been raised in the custody of Wu Dao Ya, her identity kept secret.
The Eyes of God had searched for the baby for many years but failed, as she was raised by the Datong Way, becoming a central figure who inspired many elites to support the child.
Many believed that one day, Huan Huan would either save Yanbei or Yan Shizi, in what they called "The World." What Datong didn't know was that Yan Xun had discovered their existence accidentally after Feng Mian's death, realizing that Datong was real and operating.
Wu Dao Ya also discovered who Lui Xi was but kept his silence, continuing to pretend its ignorance of the brave Prince of Yanbei, now King of Yanbei.
Yan Xun, however, continued to operate within Datong using the alias Lui Xi, working through A'Jing as his agent.
Lui Xi was the persona Yan Xun used to levy heavy taxes on the Yanbei people, particularly in the Hong Chuan plains and Beishou cities.
Lord Feng of the Datong Way was actually Feng Mian. Feng Mian had been a favorite name Yan Shizi used when he was growing up. Feng Mian arranged Yan Xun's return to Yanbei, helping him recapture some of his dormant allies under the guise of Lui Xi.
Lui Xi had become a popular name within the Datong Way.
Feng Mian used this name frequently to conceal the identity of the Prince of Yanbei from the secret chamber of commerce.
Before Feng Mian died, Lui Xi murdered and burned down several elite Yan families, cutting off their businesses so they would have no choice but to join Yan Xun in rebuilding the Yan throne.
These families had been reluctant to sever ties with Datong and stubbornly continued operating the secret chamber of commerce known as Datong Way, which Yan Xun had initially refused to believe existed until Feng Mian's death.
Many of these elite Yan families, who lived in Yanbei, perished at the hands of General Cheng Yuan, except for Mo'er of the Ouyang family, who escaped Yan Xun's wrath with the help of Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao.
The only remaining Yan elite families were those who had fled to Liang and Huai Song.
Wu Dao Ya helped them escape after Zhong Yu warned them to leave Yan borders to save their lives.
Wu Dao Ya, like a slippery fish, was hard to catch in the vast ocean of Yanbei. When Yan Xun ordered A'Jing to contact him, he received no reply. Yan Xun knew Wu Dao Ya was very secretive by nature.
It was almost impossible to reach him, as the Longyi Guan Mountains were steep and made of limestone, good only for skilled rock climbers.
When Yan Xun grew weary of the chase, he decided to climb the steep rocks of Longyi Guan himself.
Meeting his father Yan Shicheng's general counselor gave him some temporary peace of mind. Wu Dao Ya, hoping to enlighten the prince and dispel his suspicions about Datong Way, agreed to the meeting.
That day, Wu Dao Ya also hid Huan Huan, but she caught a glimpse of Yan Xun's back. It was risky, but Zhong Yu was prepared to defend her.
At this moment, in a secret room adjacent to another dining area, a middle-aged man dressed in monkish attire, wearing earth tones, stared silently at the paper in his hand. After a moment, he brandished a dagger toward the next door.
A disguised servant pulled something from his sleeve and pressed a hidden switch. The secret room became dark.
"It's been a long time, General. How's the weather in Yanbei?" a voice spoke.
"Well, the snow never stops, the sun is barely visible, and shooting stars are often seen in the skies," replied the man as he sipped his tea. "Did you bring the master list of accounts?"
Another man entered the secret room, lighting a small candle that barely illuminated the space. It was just bright enough for the Master to see the master list of accounts.
"This isn't complete. Where's the other half?" the Master asked.
"Master, I'm sorry. I failed to hand over the account to the real Liu Xi," replied the disguised servant.
"Recite the order of events," the Master commanded.
"The instructions were clear. The master list of accounts had to be given to Master Liu Xi. However, I was captured and sold as a slave on the black market. I met a lovely girl disguised as a man. She bought me, but she was very poor and often stole to keep some money in her pocket. She gave me gold coins that night, but we were ambushed by the traders' men. She was injured, and we were both captured and sold as slaves again. A wealthy lord sought out this lovely girl in the black market and bought us at a high price. We were treated well on the ship's cabin, where her injuries were tended to."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"We sailed to Wupeng City, and when we landed at Peng Cheng port, the rich lord freed us. I asked the lovely girl who had arranged for our protection, but she said nothing. I trusted her deeply; she had excellent gongfu martial arts skills, so I gave her half of the master list of accounts. I knew the account would be useless without the other half. We parted ways in Wupeng City, and soon after, I was captured by Hou Tian's men. I managed to escape and have been in disguise ever since."
Liang Shaoqing's voice faltered as he continued, his expression somber.
"The next day, I went to Master Liu Xi's house, but local authorities were investigating the scene. The entire household had been massacred. People whispered that the suspect was a man of good stature and manners, apparently searching for the other half of the master list. I became terrified and fled to Xianyang. There, I met a relic trader who helped me, and I disguised myself as a servant. No longer the beautiful scholar I once was."
Zhan Ziyu, the Master, pondered aloud, "It was the Afterlife Camp leader who saved her. How could he have changed from a killer to a savior?"
Questions lingered in the Master's mind.
"You've blended in well," said the Master after a long pause.
The Master continued, "I know what happened to the other half of the account."
Liang Shaoqing's eyes widened in surprise. "Did you find the lovely girl, Master?"
"What was her name?" the Master asked, his tone curious.
"Master, her name is Xiao Qiao," said Liang Shaoqing proudly.
"That name is fake," the Master responded coldly.
"But that's what I called her," Liang Shaoqing said sadly.
"She was chased by the Yanbei King's General Cheng Yuan and his men. She dropped the half-master list during the chase. Cheng Yuan recovered it and began hunting down the real Liu Xi and his family. We learned this when Feather Girl witnessed it."
Realizing the weight of his mistake, Liang Shaoqing asked, "Master, why didn't you intervene?"
The Master sighed. "My orders didn't include specifics like the killings, the black market trade, meeting this lovely girl, or splitting the account into two. I failed. But I'm glad you survived to meet me today."
Wu Dao Ya, not one to demand perfection even from his most intelligent followers, accepted his share of the blame.
He lamented, "No one could have stopped it, not even the Chu Jing Secret Princess, because Xiao Long King, Yan Xun's alias in the Datong Way, was determined to kill everyone involved. We couldn't reveal ourselves. It was too dangerous."
Zao Baocung, seeking clarification, asked, "Are you saying the real Liu Xi and his family are dead, and Xiao Long King used Liu Xi's name to slaughter half the Yan noble families listed in the master list?"
"That is exactly what happened," Wu Dao Ya confirmed, as if preparing to recount a long story.
"The real Liu Xi, whom I taught how to trade and trusted with Datong Way's transactions, lived in Xianyang. Like many other Yan citizens, he lost his family and properties during the war. I met him, taught him business and trading, and eventually introduced Liang Shaoqing, a scholar who had fled Liang, to join us. Liang's thirst for knowledge earned him a place in my private classes, where he studied alongside Liu Xi. When the time came for me to leave, I fast-tracked Liang's training so he could tutor Liu Xi and help Datong Way thrive."
Wu Dao Ya paused, then continued.
"Feng Mian, also known as Lord Feng Si, Yan Xun's most trusted ally, discovered Liu Xi and brought Yan's family treasures to be used as collateral for Datong Way. This inflated the Xianyang Chamber of Commerce, creating a bubble economy. Wei's properties surged in value, making them unreachable for most buyers."
As Wu Dao Ya recounted the story, Zao Baocung asked, "How come you didn't intervene, General?"
"I knew you'd ask, but as I said, revealing our presence would have been too risky."
The room fell silent as the two figures waited for Wu Dao Ya to respond. But suddenly, a cold wind blew through the secret room, the lights flickered back on, and they realized their host had left without a trace, taking the master list with him.
Zao Baocung and Liang Shaoqing looked at each other, left alone in the room.
Frustrated, Zao Baocung grabbed Liang Shaoqing by the throat and growled, "You knew more than you let on, yet you pretended to know nothing!"
"How could I speak? I'll tell you everything the Master didn't answer today if you just let go," Liang Shaoqing gasped, his eyes pleading.
Zao Baocung released him, laughing. "You useless scholar!"
"I am the most trusted scholar of Wu Dao Ya, you mean," Liang Shaoqing retorted, smiling as he straightened his servant robes.
Zao Baocung's expression darkened. "Do the Wei nobles know these traders are from Yanbei, not Liang State?"
"Yes, the Wei nobles know. But by the time they realized it, their assets had already been sold at low prices, and they couldn't report it to the Emperor," Liang Shaoqing replied.
"So, the Datong Way traders bought Wei assets at incredibly low prices?" Zao Baocung asked.
"You guessed it. And whatever you guess is always right," Liang Shaoqing replied, nodding like a child awaiting a scolding.
Annoyed, Zao Baocung smacked Liang Shaoqing on the head. "You smart, yet foolish scholar! Get out of my sight!"
Three weeks had passed since Yuan Che and his generals left, with no word from them. Not even the six spies sent to the hidden valley had returned.
Yuan Song sent two more spies, promising them a promotion and command of an army if they returned with news.
"This is a great motivation. If you return with information about that cursed hidden valley, you'll be rewarded. Otherwise, don't come back, or I'll have your head!" Yuan Song threatened.
The two spies embarked on their dangerous mission, following the treacherous path ahead.
A group of troops arrived with a report.
"Your Highness, our food reserves are running low, and the black markets are slow in restocking our supplies. Should we raid them?"
"Raid them by force?" Yuan Song chuckled. "Are we so desperate that we'll raid our own black markets?"
Before he could respond, another troop arrived, violently dragging a young prisoner.
"Your Highness, it's time for you to check out this rabbit we caught running around Xiaoqi camp," said General Bali.
Yuan Song approached the prisoner and saw the young face, soft skin, and brown, slanted eyes. He reacted quickly.
"This isn't a rabbit, General. It's bait!"
As soon as Yuan Song said the word "bait," he unsheathed his Cheng Yin sword.
A million fire arrows filled the sky, setting Xiaoqi Camp One ablaze.
His guards rushed him away, escorting him to Xiaoqi Camp Seven.
General Bali took the young spy and ordered his guards to throw him into the dungeon, while everyone else dispersed.
The crown prince watched the troops running in panic. His lips moved as if to speak, but all he could manage was a quiet, uncertain question: "General Bali, did you send someone to guard Xiaoqi Camp Two?"
General Bali nodded, his gaze shifting to the desperate soldiers fleeing the burning camp. His eyes were filled with complex emotions.
At dusk, the 13th Crown Prince stood on the hilltop of Xiaoqi Camp Seven, watching as Camp One continued to burn.
No casualties had been reported, but many properties and military supplies were reduced to ash. It remained unclear who the enemy behind the attack was.
Lowering his telescope, a voice whispered in his ear: "Camp One is on fire! What do you plan for Camp Two?"
He Xiao turned his head, his gaze following a striking figure not far away, a beautiful general dressed in shining armor, her braided hair cascading down her back.
In front of them were two brawny young men, dirty and disheveled, armed with swords and sticks. They looked more like troublemakers than serious threats.
"Hey, what about these two beefy, cunning hares?" Chu Qiao asked, prompting He Xiao to decide their fate.
"We've already captured six of their spies. These two are just extra. How about a trade, our one spy in exchange for their six?" He Xiao suggested, teasing Chu Qiao's thoughts.
"And let Yuan Song know that all his spies are incompetent? Trading six of theirs for one of ours? That would be a huge slap in his face, wouldn't you say?" Chu Qiao smirked at He Xiao.
"Why not?" He Xiao agreed, ordering Ge Qi to lock the two men in the iron cage for interrogation.
Chu Qiao added, "Find out if these young men were promised the world by foolish princes. And I doubt they'd kill our spy so easily, he's too valuable to them." She winked confidently.
"All we want are clear paths, yet we're capturing spies every day. Isn't it exhausting for the 13th Prince to keep sending spies? Someone should stop him, or I won't hesitate to put them in Xuili uniforms and train them to do their job properly."
Chu Qiao smiled at He Xiao and asked, "Are you complaining, General?"
"No," He Xiao replied dryly. "As long as you treat these captured spies the Xuili way, I have no complaints."
"Interrogate them first, get the information. Our methods are reasonable, and we always advocate for life. As long as no one's in danger, you can even let them roam free if you like, Commander," He Xiao said, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the captured spies, waiting for Chu Qiao's response.
"Or I could be their teacher," Chu Qiao mused.
"That's not far off in the future," He Xiao encouraged her.
Early the next morning, soldiers worked busily under the dike, transporting sand, building walls, and digging trenches. A'Jing felt a sense of impatience. The strategic pass near Beibei City, close to Yanmingguan Mountain, was extremely important. The smooth flow of the river made it an ideal spot for the troops to land and hide their weapons.
If Beibei was held, Xiaoqi Camp in the east would have to worry about the safety of its rear. Beibei had been defended by 20,000 troops led by General Cao Meng Tong. His deputy generals, Yin Liangyu and Xiao Feng, were veterans from the Tang army and were under the command of the Queen of Yanbei, Xiao Yu. All three were seasoned warriors who had no interest in tarnishing their military records.
When A'Jing arrived at the village, he not only saw disguised Yan Xun spies but also noted the impracticality of the walls.
"If someone falls into this position and leaves a lot of bodies behind, only then will I have done enough," A'Jing whispered to himself.
Chu Qiao had warned Yuan Song, knowing full well Yan Xun's cold and ruthless nature. She said again, "If Yuan Song were wise, he would have reinforced Xiaoqi Camp Two. But it seems he's unaware that Yan Xun's troops could strike at any moment. Yuan Song seems more focused on sharpening his blades, tightening his bowstrings, and preparing a few spearheads. This is your fault, Deputy."
He Xiao grinned, wanting to clarify something. "General Chu, whose side are you on? Xiaoqi Camp or Beibei? You set Xiaoqi Camp One on fire to warn Yuan Song, but that fire also gave Beibei Camp a better view for an open attack."
"Deputy, I'm not taking sides. I just want a clear path for our troops without leaving destruction in our wake," Chu Qiao responded dryly. Then, with a curious glance at He Xiao, she added, "If you hadn't captured Xiaoqi's spies, Yuan Song would've been informed."
"We had no choice. If the spies had escaped, they would have revealed our location. We want to remain invisible. Unfortunately, these roads we travel are open to both mighty empires. We can't avoid the conflict," He Xiao said, his voice rising in frustration.
Chu Qiao replied calmly, "We know these roads well. We've traveled them long before Xuili's timeline. We've come from both camps, and we can't get caught up in their game. That's our advantage. I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to take a nap."
Chu Qiao yawned, and He Xiao gave her a clumsy look before she walked away.
Meanwhile, the Xiaoqi Commander in Chief was in a sarcastic mood as he addressed his troops.
"Eight spies, and not one of them was competent! This camp is full of useless soldiers! Now, who can tell me where this spy is from?"
The guards dragged a handcuffed spy forward, his head lowered. He looked as though he had never endured the hardships of a dungeon.
The soldiers began to murmur.
"He's a spy from the other side. How bold of him to come here and look untouched, even after being locked up. Maybe he's from some alien army."
Another soldier scoffed, "Have you heard of the Underworld spies? You're losing your mind again!"
One of the soldiers smacked the other on the head.
Yuan Song could hear the chatter but ignored it until one soldier boldly spoke up.
"He's not a spy. He's just a boy who went to fetch water from the stream."
"Are you saying he was mistaken for a spy?" Yuan Song asked, rolling his eyes in frustration.
General Bali wanted to speak but hesitated. He, too, had doubts about the boy being a real spy.
In the end, he simply said, "He looks innocent."
"He looks like bait," Yuan Song remarked with a smirk, studying the young man. Then, his expression turned serious, and he ordered the guards, "Release him and give him a Xiaoqi military uniform. He'll be my personal bodyguard."
Everyone was shocked at Yuan Song's decision. The deputy general barked orders to the stunned guards, "You heard the Commander in Chief! Move, you fools!"
Ping'An, still in disguise, had somehow managed to land himself in this position once again, though he wasn't entirely sure how. His face showed bewilderment, unaware of the full extent of what was happening with the Great Summer Crown Prince. Yuan Song, however, stared at him impatiently, as if expecting more.
Meanwhile, Cao Meng Tong smiled and said, "The soldiers have served Yanbei for life. More than conquerors, they have defended the frontiers and rolled their swords to protect Yanmingguan Pass, which remains an unconquered territory.
Tonight, the dancers will treat them well. Their natural skills and graceful movements will ease the troops' minds. We need beauty to relax them as they prepare their horses and sharpen their swords for dawn."
A'Jing, trying to stay calm, replied, "Hey, relax. I'm not here to be a killjoy!"
Cao Meng Tong, eager to annoy him, retorted, "Do you want to come and sing and dance for my troops?"
He laughed loudly, clearly drunk, while A'Jing smirked and shot back, "Ah, shut up! I'm not a pervert like you!"
A'Jing walked out, leaving Cao Meng Tong behind.
"Hey, come back here! You wrinkled, fat-ass general!" Cao Meng Tong slurred, his tongue no longer under his control. Too drunk to stand, he collapsed on the ground, and his horse approached, licking his face.
He lay there, sleeping on the bare ground, an exposed general stripped of honor or pride.
Two striking figures stood under the snowy moonlight, talking quietly. Nearby, owls hooted, setting the mood. The eerie call of a night owl echoed through the haunted forest.
"I don't recommend attacking at dawn. Look at the sky, there isn't a single star," said Yuan Yang.
Yan Xun squinted at the night sky, his eyes sad and distant. After a moment, he turned back to Yuan Yang, who looked particularly handsome in his battle gear and military uniform.
"Let's talk about loyalty," Yan Xun said, his gaze fixed on Yuan Yang.
"Oh, you don't have to throw that word around. Loyalty makes you sacrifice everything, for what? What are you aiming for?" Yuan Yang, not wanting to have this conversation, sighed. But it was clear Yan Xun was eager to dig into the subject.
"The best example is the Xuili Army," Yan Xun continued, his voice tight with frustration. He clasped his palms together as if suppressing the urge to punch something.
"Ah, that undying loyalty to General Chu Qiao is unshakable. Who could forget the day you trapped them to die, only for Chu Qiao to save them, allowing them to survive to this day?" Yuan Yang teased, his sharp tongue betraying his frustration.
"It's important for me to understand how those sergeants in the Xuili troops, who are only seeking profit, end up losing their loyalty to their army. How do their generals deal with them? I need to know if I can infiltrate their ranks with money, proving that loyalty can be bought." Yan Xun spoke without pausing, his words sharp and calculated.
Yuan Yang, sensing an opportunity, replied, "If I were the Xuili General, I would strengthen their commitment to the cause, making sure no sergeant could be easily swayed by money. Want me to continue?"
He glanced at Yan Xun, playing along with his "role-play" moment.
Yan Xun, amused, laughed and asked, "What do you know about loyalty in a sergeant's heart?"
"Loyalty is nothing more than a guarantee that an old man can return to his hometown, eat, and drink without worry. If you can buy that freedom of thought, you can strip the Xuili Army of their loyalty to their generals."
"Ah, that's too simple!" Yan Xun smirked and shook his head, amused by the notion.
"Most soldiers would absolutely follow such generous treatment. That's exactly how Chu Qiao secured their loyalty. She did it for you, but what did you do? Betray them again? That's what I heard! I couldn't believe it was really you. I even strangled the scout ranger who reported it."
Yuan Yang's voice dripped with sarcasm, his playful tone cutting deep.
Yan Xun, feeling the sting of the insult, recalled painful memories. His eyes darkened, and his lips tightened as he explained.
"Wealth and labor, when combined, breed greed and discontent. But wealth can also offer hope, giving families a better life and easing the burdens of old age."
Yan Xun didn't want to acknowledge the good Chu Qiao had done in the name of loyalty, but in his eyes, her defiance was a betrayal. For him, it would have been better if Chu Qiao had simply obeyed his orders.
Now, revenge was all that mattered. He no longer cared who stood in his way, not even Chu Qiao.
Yuan Yang, sensing the darkness in his friend, sighed. His voice grew colder as he replied, "It's hard to expect people to resist temptation entirely. But if wealth is the only key to loyalty, the military will lose its focus, and the other side will struggle to build an indestructible army."
The two men stood, staring at each other, their expressions troubled.
Yan Xun, unable to drop the subject, continued. "I think there are two types of military men. One, those who see the military as a way to make a living. And two, those who see it as a shortcut to riches. You can't judge them for relying on their courage to achieve prosperity. If their families have enough money, they won't worry."
Yuan Yang interjected, "The Xuili Army earned their loyalty in their darkest moments. Whether in times of scarcity or abundance, they fought side by side and swore their lives to the cause. That's a deep bond that money can't break. No soldier will betray or sell their comrades twice. That's Chu Qiao's core principle of loyalty."
Yan Xun, realizing his plans to bribe the Xuili Army might be futile, shrugged. "So what should be done, then?"
Yuan Yang, curious about his intentions, asked, "What are you up to with all this? Are you really planning to infiltrate those freelancers, or are you just trying to isolate their General Chu Qiao?"
Yan Xun, his tone mocking, replied, "Even if they've turned their backs on Yanbei, their past can't be undone. Their loyalty was once tied to me, and I believe some of them can still be swayed to return. Like you said, loyalty is nothing more than an old man wanting to return home and live in peace. Isn't it obvious?"
"And what about their general?" Yuan Yang asked, leaning forward to catch Yan Xun's reaction.
Yan Xun's eyes grew dreamy as he replied, "As for their general, once the army abandons her, I'll welcome her back, on one condition."
Yuan Yang, blinking in disbelief, resisted the urge to laugh. The night was cold, and the owl's haunting tune filled the air.
"You need to get some sleep, Yan Shizi," Yuan Yang said, shaking his head.
"Hey, you didn't ask me what the condition is!" Yan Xun called out, still talking to the night.
But Yuan Yang was already walking away, grunting to himself, "I can't believe this. It's all about the girl! This is a messed-up army. A messed-up coalition!"
"Ha...ha...ha..." Yan Xun's laughter echoed into the night, just like when they were young, leaving unresolved matters hanging in the air for the wind to carry away.
Every move of the Xuili army was spied upon in Liang. As expected, Xiao Yu provided Yan Xun with intel about some of their movements, including those of General Chu Qiao.
Xiao Ce served as a warm blanket for them for a while, flawlessly executing the charade as the "Beauty Emperor," spreading false news that the fugitive Xuili army was being buried underground in Tang Jing Mountain's concentration camps.
In reality, the fugitive Xuili army emerged stronger than ever.
To cleanse his empire while the Xuili army marched outside the walls of Liang, the eunuchs called for a special council meeting. Xiao Ce ordered Sun Di, "You handle the dirty work. I'll watch the production and wait for the main event."
On that day, Sun Di identified all the ministers who opposed the plan, and they were killed by their own hands, each poisoned by their jade goblets at the banquet of the Beauty Emperor. It became a death sentence for all who drank from them.
The arrangements were made. Two separate cavalries went their own ways, followed by thousands of troops. Two valiant commanders shouted across the battlefield.
"Take nothing for granted! Show no mercy!"
Yan Xun raised his voice.
"Chu Qiao, you are a brilliant military general, but so stubborn. If you hadn't attacked Xiaoqi Camp, would you still dare to challenge Yanmingguan Pass?"
Reaching for the sword at his side, Yan Xun ordered his flag bearers to raise the proud Black Hawk cavalry flags.
With every heartbeat, the sound of the marching troops and the thunder of horse hooves echoed, spreading fear. The air was thick with the scent of war, everyone ready to devour and plunder.
No one could stand in their way.
The paths were straight, and the troop formations precise, as if none of them could make a mistake. The sound of drums echoed, warning the other side to surrender or face defeat.
The archers had already marked their targets. Who could stop them now?
It was foolish not to anticipate this, but Chu Qiao knew the encounter was inevitable, and it would be overwhelming. She devised a battle plan titled Outnumbered.
Chu Qiao called for He Xiao and said, "We may be outnumbered, but we are smart."
He Xiao wasn't worried. He nodded and replied, "We can't avoid this fight! I know you'll handle it. Don't aim for nothing, stand and deliver, General!"
He Xiao doubled Chu Qiao's courage and strength as he began to shout commands.
"Adults! Put down your armor and swords!
Archers! Stand aside!
Spearmen! Plant your spears on the ground!"
The opposing side was shocked. This was not what they expected, and they underestimated the situation.
"This combat formation isn't even worth the scratch of my sword or the King's attention," Yan Xun laughed.
"The General who was once at my side is genuinely smart, but stubborn. She won't give up easily!"
Yan Xun remained composed on the outside, but inside, he struggled to predict his next moves. The truth was, his plans often seemed to fade away whenever he saw Chu Qiao's face, it was as if he wanted to melt away completely.
Chu Qiao winked at He Xiao and said, "Thanks for the encouragement, Deputy!" She tapped the side of her horse and called out, "Hi Yah!"
No matter how loud the drums rolled, there was a heartbeat louder than any drumbeat.
Yan Xun couldn't contain himself. He wanted to wrap up the war, declare independence, and return home with A'Chu. General Cao Meng Tong saw the softness in Yan Xun's eyes and, wanting to warn the Yanbei King, said, "Your Highness, we are dressed in battle gear, you are not heading to a reunion."
A'Jing, blinking nervously as he saw Chu Qiao charging toward Yan Xun, asked, "My Lord, your orders? General Chu has crossed the critical line, and the archers are waiting for your command."
A'Jing trembled, his hands shaking more than Yan Xun's.
But Yan Xun, like a stone, couldn't move. He just stared at A'Chu, waiting for the moment of their face-to-face encounter.
Chu Qiao, riding her prime horse, sprinted forward, defying the thousands of troops. The archers froze, and the military stars of Yan fell silent in their ranks.
The Black Hawk cavalry flags waved proudly in the skies, blocking the sun.
Chu Qiao pulled back on her horse's reins, slowing the panting animal as her heartbeat raced through her veins.
Yan Xun took a deep breath, his body frozen in place.
Chu Qiao stopped three steps away from Yan Xun's mighty horse and unsheathed her sword, pointing it straight at his neck.
Yan Xun, anxious, raised his hand to halt the Yan army. A'Jing, unsure of what to do, eventually followed suit.
All weapons were lowered, the archers left confused and motionless.
Yan Xun's beautiful eyes took in the sight of A'Chu. He swallowed hard and, clearing his throat, finally voiced the questions he had buried for so long.
"Is this real? Are you the real Chu Qiao?"
Yan Xun looked at her with a light heart, remembering the goodness within himself.
There were many words he wanted to say, but his voice became voiceless.
He stood tall and mighty, but his innocent-looking eyes betrayed him, revealing his vulnerability to his generals and armies.
There were unkind smirks and cynical whispers passing between the ranks.
Time rewound to his childhood, to the first time he met young Chu Qiao during the bloody royal hunt of maids.
In his heart, he secretly rejoiced, knowing that this was the same Chu Qiao now.
The helpless but fearless child had grown into a strong, beautiful woman.
It was Chu Qiao's turn to speak.
Yan Xun hoped to hear many words from her, but there were none. Only the cold air in the vast snowfield separated them, with nothing to warm their hearts.
Chu Qiao threw the King of Yanbei a mocking look, pointing her Canhong sword at him.
The King of Yanbei was deliberately mocked in front of his thousand-foot soldiers, in front of his mighty generals, in front of the cold snowfield.
He should have attacked, captured her, and seized the moment.
But surprisingly, he couldn't retaliate or fight back against the Tiger General.
He simply let her walk away, unharmed.
He allowed her to silence the entire Yan army. The drumbeats faded.
Chu Qiao turned her horse around, slowly marching away from Yan Xun.
Yan Xun, still in shock, finally grasped the reality of the moment. He dismounted his horse.
The handsome King, as if hypnotized, followed the Tiger General alone and unmanned.
Suddenly, Chu Qiao shouted, and Yan Xun, startled, raised his eyebrows as he heard her words.
"Next time, don't come to the battlefield if you aren't ready to shoot me. Don't come to the battlefield if you aren't ready to kill me!"
Yan Xun finally understood. He smiled slowly and stopped in his tracks.
In the middle of the vast snowfield, under the slow-falling snow, he stood alone, handsome and hauntingly cold.
He watched Chu Qiao's back, a free spirit, as memories passed before his eyes. The love in his heart for the Tiger General had never waned.
Yan Xun admitted to himself that, after all these years, A'Chu was the only person who could destroy him, disarm his thousand-foot soldiers, and bring about his eternal downfall.
It was hard to be her enemy, Yan Xun secretly thought.
He changed his vision from bloody conquest to victory. He no longer sought to kill the forsaken Xuili troops but instead win them over. The shift in his decision, made in the middle of the battlefield, was fast, though it was one of the hardest tasks that required agreement from the Yan generals.
The forsaken Xuili troops shone as brightly as the Yan military stars that day.
The battlefield was filled with shouts of victory as they welcomed their Tiger General back, alive and breathing.
On the high morale of the other side, He Xiao, with a flirty smile, greeted Chu Qiao.
"Holy Cow, General! Just one look at you, and you killed all their hearts today. Well done!"
Chu Qiao dismounted her horse, winked at He Xiao, and said, "Day one is over. This is not a drill. We have to keep grinding!"
When a prince is determined to capture absolute power, it doesn't matter who wins or loses. What matters is the end of the journey. Can he catch the fire of his own ambition and turn it into glory?
The black smoke from the burning bodies of dead soldiers in Xiaoqi Camp never stopped rising. The air was filled with the terrible stench of scorched flesh.
Soldiers who were seriously wounded lay in muddy, dirty barracks.
In the absence of General Xue, the casualties among his troops were heavy, and more soldiers were pulled from Xiaoqi Camps Two and Three.
General Xue's deputy, increasingly nervous, had no time to properly care for the wounded. He could only provide them water every other day and send the dead to the crematorium.
The warfare between the seven Xiaoqi camps raged on. Yanmingguan Pass, occupied by Xiaoqi Camp Two, was small, only ten miles long. However, its walls were tall and thick.
There was a deep moat, and animals roamed the flatlands around it.
The nonstop siege, lasting three days, had resulted in heavy casualties. Prince Yuan Yang cared little for heroism, benevolence, or morality.
With the absence of the Seventh Prince Yuan Che, Yuan Song tasted his brother's fury and hunger for power and was unable to fight back.
Xiaoqi soldiers died inside and outside Camps Two and Three.
Piles of bodies were left unburied as Yuan Song, despite seeing them several times, refused to follow the usual burial protocols.
Outside Yanmingguan Pass, the corpses were everywhere. Even though it was mid-winter, the bodies had already begun to rot after just one day, filling the air with a terrible stench.
After the third day of the siege, Xiaoqi soldiers covered their mouths with wet cloths as they pushed carts carrying ladders, dreading the sight and smell of the dead bodies.
As they passed, many of them silently cursed the heavens, wondering why the gods had allowed these men to fight such a useless battle.
Yuan Yang's army faced a similar situation. Each day, more than a thousand soldiers died or were wounded.
More soldiers were killed by stone bombs and arrows as they scaled the walls of Xiaoqi Camps Two and Three than during close combat.
Despite defending his troops well, Prince Yuan Yang noticed General Bali, who was commanded by Prince Yuan Song.
Whenever Bali's banner was spotted, the soldiers would immediately retreat to their positions along the battlements.
In Xiaoqi Camp Two, there were incidents of Yuan Yang's troops crushing their own soldiers, putting their uniforms to shame.
Yuan Song, after seeing the stone bombs fly, had no choice but to evacuate to the highest hilltop of Xiaoqi Camp Seven.
General Bali urged his soldiers to return fire with stone bombs and arrows to defend the camp walls.
By the time a team of 500 soldiers descended to fight, the damage had been done.
The damage was recorded by the scribes, and a loud voice shouted across the battlefield.
"Hold your positions! If we fail, these beasts will break through and kill us all, our sisters, brothers, and parents. They will put shame upon our name!"
General Bali saw many Xiaoqi soldiers ready to give up.
He threatened them constantly, appearing at the most critical moments of battle.
The Black General literally pulled arrows and aimed them at soldiers who could no longer fire.
Even Yuan Song, under siege in Xiaoqi Camp Seven, knew that many soldiers, including Yan's forces, helped sweep through the two large Xiaoqi camps.
The loss was incalculable.
The eagle soared above the skies, finally breaking the day into twilight.
Morale was low among the defenders of Xiaoqi Camp after Yuan Song ordered General Bali to raise all shields and swords on the fifth day of the siege.
Some nearby small cities and blacksmith villages around Yanmingguan Pass were swept by Yan Xun's blade.
However, Chu Qiao anticipated Yan Xun's strategic movements. She deployed fire archers and stone bombs around the perimeters, creating a circle of protection.
Yan Xun knew exactly who was aiding these helpless small cities and villagers, yet he left the rest in ruins. Children, now orphans, were spared, but they had become the victims of war.
When the villagers asked the identity of their protector, the Xuili soldiers simply replied, "We are neither on your side nor theirs, but we are here to stop the war at all costs and save the children."
The Xuili army spread strategically throughout Yanmingguan Pass, frustrating Yan Xun's attempts to penetrate Chang'An, the capital of the Great Summer Dynasty.
All of Yan Xun's movements were carefully coordinated by Chu Qiao's secret spies stationed throughout Yanmingguan Pass.
One could say this was an example of street-smart, strategic espionage. Yan Xun couldn't deny that the style resembled Yuwen Yue's methods. It would exhaust Yanbei's forces without gaining anything.
Upon receiving reports of Yanbei's troops being blown apart by stone bombs at the southern gate, and hearing that a mob of mad archers had ambushed his troops, Yan Xun could only shake his head in frustration.
The Xuili archers, with their improved arm guards, could stretch their bows to shoot impossibly long distances. With rapid precision, they released double and triple flaming arrows.
The flaming arrows ignited fire lines around the small cities, creating a towering firewall that sent black smoke high into the sky.
Anyone, horse or warrior, who dared to cross the fire line was burned before they could make it through.
With the Xuili archers hidden, the enemy had little chance of locating them.
This offensive warfare was dedicated to protecting both Xuili and the people within the cities. The enemy troops appeared trapped inside a deadly ring. Xuili's silent and cold tactics, coupled with strategic moves, inflicted heavy damage on the frontline forces.
Fear and uncertainty gripped the troops, who began to retreat, and a report was sent to the Yanbei King.
Meanwhile, a calm, handsome prince rode on horseback, leading a cavalry as they approached the secret tunnels of Xiaoqi camp's fortress.
"We're close to capturing the fortress. I'll crush your face into the ground, little brother," the 13th Prince of Great Summer, Yuan Song, whispered to himself, tightening his grip on his Cheng Yin sword.
He could hear the thunder of hooves approaching and knew what was coming next. No matter what, he wouldn't surrender Xiaoqi camp.
Ping'An, holding a fire torch, saw something in the water and moved in front of Yuan Song to pick up an object. He knew someone was nearby and had intentionally dropped the object, clearly visible in the knee-deep tunnel water.
Suddenly, two arrows whizzed from opposite directions, targeting two different figures at once.
Bang!
A human body fell into the water, an arrow lodged in its shoulder, blood gushing out.
Another figure stood in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Bang!
A horse was shot dead on the spot, causing Yuan Yang to lose his balance and grip on his bow.
His men rushed to rescue him while his prime warhorse lay dead.
Chu Qiao, not dressed in military gear, stepped into view. She wore a flowing white princess-cut dress and a white veil covering her head, with an indigo scarf masking her soft, glowing face.
Dressed like a ghostly princess, her fearsome shadow loomed in the distance.
It seemed as though she was waiting for someone.
Yuan Song lay in the water as Ping'An pressed on his shoulders to stem the flow of blood. The wound was deep, and the prince needed to be evacuated immediately to avoid dying from blood loss.
Yuan Song tried to speak to Ping'An but couldn't. He coughed up blood, his nose also bleeding, a very bad sign.
Yuan Yang, witnessing the scene, hadn't expected such a turn of events. He had aimed for the boy, but his younger brother had saved him.
Confused, Yuan Yang inspected the arrow that had killed his horse and exclaimed, "This belongs to the underworld spy! I saw her in a white dress! Lou He is alive! Find her and capture her! She must pay for this!"
The sounds of swords clashing filled the secret tunnel as General Bali attacked Yuan Yang and his elite cavalry.
Soon, bodies were strewn in the tunnel, their blood turning the water red.
Yuan Song gazed up at the sky before his vision faded. Ping'An, desperate, rushed him out of the tunnel on horseback.
Outside, they encountered tall warhorses and imposing men of calm appearance. The Great Summer's Crown Prince, nearly dead, met these figures blocking their path.
Ping'An had few choices but to defend the Crown Prince, now dying, in front of the regal figures who stood in their way.
The sun disappeared behind thick clouds, and snow began to fall. The future of Great Summer now rested in the hands of a small boy.
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