Chapter 69 Battle Situation: I Will Personally Lead the Army to Conquer the Northwest

Lin Xian agreed.

He worked as a painter at a local art gallery.

The art gallery was very close to Mingying's Hua Rongxuan. Fearing that he would not be used to life in the Northwest, Mingying often visited him under the pretext of patronizing his business, bringing him local specialties or introducing him to the local way of life.

Fearing that he, being a scholar, wouldn't be able to handle unreasonable and difficult customers, she specially went to her brother's camp to hire a strong thug, ostensibly to make a living at the art gallery, but actually to secretly protect him.

The more Lin Xian interacted with her, the more her heart fluttered.

He gradually realized that before he lost his memory, she was probably a more important person in his life than just a friend.

She was beautiful, warm, generous and kind. Her shop, Hua Rong Xuan, was a famous incense shop in the Northwest. Many people surrounded and fawned over her. He often pushed open the window of the painting studio to secretly watch her.

Seeing her roll up her sleeves, revealing her fair forearms, whether she was selecting ingredients or grinding incense, customers in the shop chatted with her, and she slightly raised her eyes, revealing a gentle smile, speaking amiably with people.

When he sensed that she was about to turn around and might look at him, he hurriedly closed the window, his heartbeat pounding like the half-lost window paper, swaying erratically in the wind.

He was afraid of offending them and dared not approach them.

He has nothing left, not even his own memories, so how can he possibly possess someone else?

The Northwest is blessed with gentle breezes and abundant resources, and the people here live their lives in this way.

As the following spring arrived, Langzhou, the northwestern border, was ravaged by a sliver of war that shattered the two years of peace that the northwest had enjoyed.

A blood-stained battle report was sent back to the Northwest Governor's Office. After reading it, Shen Mingshu's eyes darkened, as if reflecting sparks.

The letter said that the Wuhuan Kingdom had launched an invasion of Langzhou, but fortunately the officials of Langzhou were prepared and defended the city gates to the death.

However, the Wuhuan Kingdom suddenly attacked, catching them off guard. Their military supplies and provisions were insufficient, and they feared they could not hold out for more than a few days. They had no choice but to request support from the nearest Northwest Governor's Office.

The lieutenant, his face filled with worry, asked in a strained voice, "General, should we issue an urgent order to return to the capital first?"

No matter how urgent the battle situation, the Governor-General's Office needs an order from the imperial court to mobilize troops. If the imperial court has not issued an order to mobilize troops, local officials who mobilize troops on their own may be charged with treason.

The deputy general knew that their general and the current emperor were irreconcilable enemies due to old grudges.

The Northwest is far from the emperor's reach. If we were to mobilize troops without authorization, and were further instigated by treacherous officials in the court, it would inevitably arouse the emperor's suspicion, which would be detrimental to the general.

Shen Mingshu shook his head. The letter said that the war was imminent. The Wuhuan Kingdom had been on high alert for two years and was determined to take Langzhou City and then gradually annex the northwestern border.

The battle report was sent back to the capital. The mountains were high and the roads were long. It would take at least two months for the round trip. If it was delayed for two months, the chances of Langzhou City being in grave danger would be slim.

What will happen to the people in the city if the enemy enters?

"It's too late. Quickly break camp and muster troops. Set off at dawn tomorrow." Shen Mingshu gripped the battle report tightly, then slammed the letter on the table, as if he had made up his mind.

He was not afraid of the provocations of petty people, nor was he afraid of Pei Xiaoyun's suspicions.

He was not loyal to the king, but to the people.

Seeing that he was determined, the deputy general did not try to persuade him further and, following his instructions, mustered the troops overnight.

When Mingying received the news that her brother was going to Langzhou to provide support, she was shocked and worried. She accidentally knocked over the incense she had just made.

In the past two years, there has been no war in the Northwest, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the army is strong and well-equipped.

She thought life would continue like this, but she never expected that the sounds of war would come so quickly, instantly shattering the peace of this world.

Another war is about to break out.

Although it is springtime, the early spring in the north is still bitterly cold with biting north winds. Military campaigns inevitably involve exposure to the cold, and she stayed up all night sewing a pair of thick fleece knee pads for her brother.

Before dawn, he went to the army camp alone.

The sky brightened with azure, interspersed with sparse stars, and the vast wind whispered past her ears, reddening the tips of Mingying's ears.

Inside the camp, Shen Mingshu, clad in armor, was mustering his troops, with horses poised to gallop.

"Brother!" Mingying called out to him from behind.

Shen Mingshu turned around and saw her standing behind him. He was surprised and turned around. He had originally planned to say goodbye to her in person before he left, telling her to stay in the Northwest and not to worry too much, and to wait for him to come back.

But she came to the army camp to find him on her own.

He removed his armor, dismounted, and watched her walk towards him step by step.

She was wearing a rabbit fur cloak, her face was gloomy and she didn't look well. Her eyes were bloodshot, probably because she hadn't slept all night.

He knew that she had always been in poor health.

He was sickly from a young age, and later suffered a lot of hardship due to his wanderings.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you. You've been staying up all night again, haven't you?" His voice sounded exceptionally gentle in the rough, cold wind.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll go to Langzhou to find you.”

Mingying felt a lump in her throat, and a surge of heat rose to her heart.

When her parents were still alive, she never imagined that one day she would be living with her brother. She had no relatives left in the world, and the only person she missed the most was her brother.

He sacrificed so much for her.

When she heard that he was about to go to war, she was extremely worried and wished he would come back the next day.

She took out her knee pads and handed them to him: "I heard that it's much colder in Langzhou at night than here. If you get cold at night, wear these. They're stuffed with fox fur, so they're very warm."

Shen Mingshu took it, put it in his pocket, and smiled: "Alright, stop being willful. Go back. Your brother is always invincible, why do you need to worry?"

So they both turned around, one heading towards Langzhou, the other going home.

—

Every year around the Qingming Festival, Beijing experiences frequent rainfall.

Even after the imperial carriage returned to the palace from the imperial mausoleum, Pei Xiaoyun still couldn't forget Mingying; her image was constantly on his mind.

Every year during the sacrificial festival, everyone knows Pei Xiaoyun's obsession and dares not offer any advice, lest they run into his trap.

In the first year, he did not choose a concubine or establish an empress. Everyone in the court thought that he was just indulging in love for a while. After all, he was the ruler of a country, and he was never short of women. As time went on, he would eventually let go of the past.

The following year, however, the emperor's longing for the woman lying in the imperial tomb only intensified. The Minister of Rites submitted a memorial advising him to choose a concubine, and he then bestowed the Minister of Rites' daughter upon the incompetent son of the Vice Minister of Rites.

After so many random matchmakings were made, the court officials fell silent, no longer daring to interfere in his affairs.

Back in the palace, Pei Xiaoyun took out several golden pills and swallowed them with water.

That night, Mingying was indeed seen again.

She sat under the flower-covered veranda planting flowers, including her favorite white camellias. The gentle spring breeze made her hair flutter, and her sweet fragrance gently entered his heart.

It's so similar, so incredibly similar.

He took the elixir, his face flushed, and he was so engrossed in the illusion that he couldn't extricate himself. He felt that she was not dead, but standing alive right in front of him.

She buried herself in planting flowers, ignoring him, so he sat quietly beside her and talked to her.

"I've missed you so much these past two years. You're finally back, aren't you?"

"I am the emperor, I will treat you well, I can give you everything you want, don't leave me again."

He reached out into the dark sky, imagining himself embracing her soft, black hair, but to onlookers, it was unclear what he was grabbing at haphazardly.

He talked to her for a long time before she finally spoke.

She looked at him with icy eyes, but the icy edges in her eyes melted like a warm spring breeze.

"I want to leave you."

"No, don't go!" Pei Xiaoyun suddenly stood up and rushed towards the bright candlelight.

Because he had taken too much of the Golden Elixir, his blood and qi surged, his steps became unsteady, and he collapsed by the table.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

When the palace servants outside the hall heard the commotion and rushed in, they found that he was already unconscious.

The bright yellow curtains swayed gently, and the scent of ambergris drifted slowly through the air.

The elixir was made of lead and contained a slight toxicity. Pei Xiaoyun took too much, and the residual toxicity in his body counteracted, causing a deficiency of qi and blood, which led to his unconsciousness.

He took the medicine last night, but he still hasn't woken up.

When Pei Yu'an arrived, Cheng'an Palace was completely silent. The palace servants and imperial physicians had all retreated, and only He Lianqing was still writing prescriptions and preparing medicine.

"Imperial Physician He, how is Father Emperor?"

Imperial Physician He was someone the Emperor trusted, and it was said that she had some connection with He Lianqing. She was always very polite to He Lianqing.

He Lianqing gave her a simple bow and glanced at the bed curtains: "Your Highness need not worry. He has just taken too much of the Golden Elixir. Although he is temporarily dizzy, it is not life-threatening. However, he must not take that Golden Elixir again in the future."

Pei Yu'an didn't look at Pei Xiaoyun, but nodded solemnly and asked the attendant behind him, "Have you found out where the Golden Elixir came from?"

"Your Highness, it was given to His Majesty by the Great Master Huaisu."

Master Huaisu.

Pei Yu'an had heard of this person before. He was a retainer that his father had recruited a few days ago. He was also a Taoist priest from the mountains. It was obvious why his father had recruited him—for such a ridiculous matter.

"What great master? He's nothing but a heretic." She gave the order, "This man has bewitched the emperor and harmed his health. Give him thirty strokes of the cane and banish him from the palace."

As those people were about to leave, she said again, "Send more people to search Cheng'an Hall, find the remaining golden pills, and destroy them all."

"yes."

The servants all knew that it was only after the princess persuaded His Majesty that he had restrained himself somewhat in the past two years. They dared not disobey the princess's orders and immediately carried them out.

He Lianqing gazed at Pei Yu'an, who was growing taller and taller, and her thoughts drifted.

Perhaps due to her upbringing in the palace, this princess had long since shed the childishness that her peers should have.

Her style of doing things was somewhat similar to Pei Xiaoyun's decisive and efficient manner, but she was not as violent and ruthless as Pei Xiaoyun.

After all, he is Mingying's child, and he resembles her in some ways.

"Cough cough..."

A few coughs came from the dragon bed. A palace maid ran over first and happily announced that His Majesty had woken up.

Pei Xiaoyun was unaware that he had been unconscious for several days. The last thing he remembered was Mingying saying that she wanted to leave him.

He felt a pang of panic, afraid that she would go far away, and desperately wanted to see her again.

"Someone, bring me the remaining golden pills."

“Your Majesty…” The palace maid looked troubled, glancing at him and then at Pei Yu’an behind her.

Pei Yu'an waved for her to leave, walked to the bed curtains, looked at the awakened Pei Xiaoyun, and spoke in a calm tone, just a casual greeting.

"Father has finally woken up."

The bloodshot in Pei Xiaoyun's eyes faded, and she touched her throbbing forehead, only then realizing what had happened.

The Golden Elixir is not a good thing, but it allows him to see Mingying.

He looked at Pei Yu'an, his lips parted, and he expressed his heartfelt desire: "You don't know, I really saw your mother this time. She refuses to forgive me, probably because I haven't told her what I owe her. I need to take the Golden Elixir to see her again and make things clear to her."

Pei Yu ignored him and recounted what he had done in order: "The Golden Elixir is a poison, and I have ordered it to be destroyed. The Great Master Huaisu had impure intentions and wanted to use the Golden Elixir to harm you, but I have already expelled him from the palace."

"Why do you always stop me!" Pei Xiaoyun held his breath, venting his anger and confusion. "I finally got to see her..."

He didn't want to believe in those unorthodox methods, but only these methods, which seemed absurd to others, could allow him to see her after she died.

He only took the golden elixir when no one was around.

Seeing his expression, Pei Yu'an gradually took a few steps back. "Father can't see Mother. What Father sees is only his own obsession."

She didn't believe in ghosts or gods, and even less in witch doctors and Taoist priests.

Moreover, with her mother still alive, the behavior of these people and her father seems especially ridiculous.

She didn't want to see him reminiscing about his mother, because he might not even deserve it.

“She has been dead for two years, and has nothing to do with this world, with you and me anymore. If Father insists on acting absurdly, I will be extremely disappointed in you.”

Pei Xiaoyun stared at her incredulously, a chill creeping into her heart, but she wasn't entirely disappointed by those words.

It was Pei Yu'an's words that made him suddenly realize that Ming Ying had already passed away and was no longer in this world, separated from him by life and death.

No matter how many golden pills he consumed, he could not see her true face; what he saw was merely an illusion he had created in his own mind.

His gaze swept across the cold hall, and he suddenly realized that he was all alone.

He has avenged his grievances and obtained all the rights he desired, but he finds it all rather uninteresting, whether he kneads them into balls or blows on them and tosses them around at will.

He now possesses boundless power and enjoys the adoration of millions, yet a part of his heart remains missing.

The person who could have made amends is no longer here.

Pei Xiaoyun did not blame Pei Yu'an for touching his golden core. He tacitly allowed the palace servants to burn the object, then dismissed everyone and sat in Cheng'an Palace for a whole day.

He forced himself to accept on this day the fact that no matter what he did in the future, he would never see the real her again.

What's gone is gone; you can't force it.

The only emotion left is regret.

Pei Yu'an coldly withdrew from the palace gate.

She just wanted to make him feel worse.

His use of obsessive, twisted, and self-destructive methods to remember his mother is a disturbance and desecration of her.

She wanted him to move forward while simultaneously suffering from regret and reflecting on his mistakes.

A few days later, the capital received an urgent battle report from the Northwest.

The battle report stated that Langzhou had been invaded by the Wuhuan Kingdom, and Shen Mingshu had privately led troops from the Northwest Military Governor's Office to Langzhou to provide support.

During the morning court session, a large number of court officials whispered among themselves, saying that the Marquis of Jing'an was not in control of the court and had privately mobilized troops to go to other states, which might indicate that he had rebellious intentions.

Throughout history, military commanders who wield excessive power and influence have inevitably rebelled in the end.

They all thought that Pei Xiaoyun, who was always suspicious, would fall into suspicion and rage.

Unexpectedly, he simply sat on the dragon throne, closed his eyes and pondered for a while. When he opened his eyes, the twelve tassels of his crown remained motionless, and he said in a deep voice, "He won't."

His affirmation, like a stabilizing force, silenced the restless crowd below.

Pei Xiaoyun knew Shen Mingshu's character; he was a brave, fearless, and righteous person, certainly not the kind of person who sought fame and fortune while harboring malicious intentions.

His only relative is no longer alive. Even if he has troops, what use would it be if he rebelled?

On the contrary, the fact that he led his troops to Langzhou without having time to send orders back to the capital is enough to show that the situation in Langzhou was urgent and imminent.

None of these old fogies in the court are worried about the situation in the Northwest. Instead, they are doing their best to eliminate dissidents and attack loyal officials.

This was the case when the Xiao family ruled the country; their court was full of sycophants who formed cliques and attacked dissidents. Now that he was the emperor, he couldn't stand these people, so he picked the one who was the most vocal and talkative, and demoted him two ranks as a warning.

No one dared to speak out anymore, suspecting that the Marquis of Jing'an harbored rebellious intentions.

A few days later, another battle report arrived via the Office of Transmission.

The battle at Langzhou is at a stalemate. This time, the Wuhuan Kingdom is launching a full-scale attack on Langzhou, with its target being the city of Langzhou.

Half of the troops in the Northwest are stationed on the border defense line and cannot be easily moved. Therefore, the troops in Langzhou and the troops brought by Shen Mingshu are definitely not enough.

Pei Xiaoyun felt increasingly anxious as he looked at the ever-thickening stacks of battle reports. He made a decision overnight and informed the civil and military officials at the morning court the next day.

"I will personally lead the expedition to wipe out the Wuhuan Kingdom and ensure peace in the northwest."

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Author's Note: We're about to meet! [doge] The next part is going to be a heart-wrenching/wife-chasing ordeal. Please leave lots of comments, so I won't be alone! [crying][crying]