Li Ruo then told him about the Western Rong people.
Xie Xiao didn't seem surprised: "I already know."
How did you know?
"My elder brother's scouts went out to gather information from the Northern Army, but they encountered the Western Rong soldiers on the way. They split into two groups: one went northwest, dragging down the Northern Army of the Great Yin, and the other went due west. They have already captured the Qiang River. To the east is Xingzhou. Which route should we choose? It has many mountains and abundant resources. We can't let them occupy it. I have been there before and am familiar with mountain warfare. It is more suitable for me to lead the troops to intercept the Western Rong and collect supplies at the same time."
His point was that now that the water flow had changed direction, food and timber could be transported continuously from there via waterways.
That's definitely a good idea.
Li Ruo was eager to try, rubbing her hands together, "I'll go with you."
Xie Xiao looked at her.
Li Ruo was stunned for a moment.
Judging from his expression, he had no intention of taking her with him.
"Why?" She frowned unhappily and pulled him aside. "You know I have that thing. It can hold a lot of stuff and saves you so much trouble."
Xie Xiao's gaze deepened. "I know, but the terrain there is complex, and the Western Rong are coming in strong again. The mission is arduous, and I don't want you to suffer with me."
“I’m not afraid of hard work.” Li Ru frowned.
"It would be so much more comfortable for you to wait for me at home, why go through all this trouble?" He longed to have her by his side, but the environment was simply too harsh.
He hugged her and wanted to kiss her.
But Li Ruo waved her hand, pushed him away, and walked out. She spent the whole afternoon directing everyone to work at Ziyang Peak and ignored him.
As dusk fell, her elder brother returned and told her about the invasion by the Western Rong. Their worst fears had come true, and he could not stand idly by for the sake of the Great Yin dynasty.
His plan with Xie Xiao was that he would go north and Xie Xiao would go west to defeat the Western Rong army. After that, they would go north to recruit the Northern army and then go east to the capital. At that time, he and Li Qing would each take one of the two sides and form a siege around the capital.
Undoubtedly, this is an excellent route of advance, not only for food but also for the greater cause.
The book says that after the New Year, when the weather gets warmer, he goes out to find food, and this has not changed.
Even though he's already married, the plot continues in the same way. The only difference is that there's now Li Qing, and a plan to jointly besiege the capital, but she's still not part of that plan.
Old Lady Li said, "But how long will the chief be gone? Won't it be several months?"
They've only been married for less than two months.
At that moment, Xie Xiao entered.
Li Ruo glanced at him, then sullenly looked away.
Li Qing sensed the slightly sour atmosphere between them and said, "You've never been this reluctant to let your elder brother go on campaigns before?"
“I’m reluctant too, but what’s the use? You’re all the same. What right do we women have to argue?” Li Ruo said.
Now, if she were to suggest going with Xie Xiao, it would seem like she was being unreasonable.
Xie Xiao looked at her, his heart clenching.
Li Qing laughed and said, "Brother will be heading north soon too. If you don't take charge here, who will?"
"That makes sense," both Grandma Li and Lian Lizhi sighed.
Xie Xiao said to Old Lady Li, "If all goes well, it might not take more than a few months." But his eyes glanced at his wife.
“I have confidence in you to defeat the Western Rong, but you said you want to persuade the Northern Army to form an alliance. I’m afraid that will be difficult. What if the alliance fails and you are attacked by them instead?” Li Ruo finally looked at him properly. “I can help you.” She’ll strip them naked as well.
Xie Xiao smiled and took out a bright yellow scroll. "Look."
Isn't this an imperial edict? "The one that Vice Minister Wu brought last time?"
Li Ruo and Grandma Li were all somewhat surprised.
“That’s right,” Xie Xiao said. “General Fu is likely with the Prince of Jiangning. The Northern Army only has a deputy general. I will say that I am the newly arrived commander, here to deliver the imperial edict to take office. After I read the imperial edict that I have prepared, he will definitely want to receive and review it. I will take the opportunity to capture him.”
"This can work?" Li Ruo thought it was too risky.
"How will we know if we don't try? I have a second and a third alternative, so Madam doesn't need to worry." Xie Xiao smiled at her.
Li Ruo twitched her lips and said nothing.
Xie Xiao told Li Qing and Old Lady Li, "I have something to discuss with my wife," and then took the people away.
Li Ruo remained silent throughout the journey.
Back at Black Wind Stronghold, Xie Xiao didn't rush to comfort her. Instead, he summoned Uncle Luo, the Third Leader, the Fourth Leader, and others for a meeting. Li Ru listened from the side without saying a word.
Xie Xiao's plan for this westward journey was to take the Fourth Leader, Sun Ergou, and Sun the Physician with him, leaving Uncle Luo, the Third Leader, and Little Li in Black Wind Village. The wife of the bandit chief would have the final say.
Everyone looked at Li Ruo.
Li Ruo finally spoke, and even smiled, "Okay, it's settled then. I'll keep an eye on this place, don't worry."
The third leader touched his nose, glanced at the others, and noticed that the bandit's wife seemed a little unhappy.
After the meeting, Xie Xiao took Li Ruo to the top of the waterfall, right in front of the Ziwei Emperor, and said, "I'll be a god, I'll definitely come back safe and sound."
Li ignored him.
He took her hand and pointed north. "We'll meet there then, okay? I promise you, within five months."
Li Ruo turned to look at him, and he was looking at her too. Ignoring the immortal still behind them, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "I just want you to be more comfortable."
"Then why don't we just do nothing and stay at home staring at each other? Wouldn't that be more comfortable? I'll support you."
Xie Xiao laughed, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
"Don't laugh."
Well, it's undoubtedly best for them to go their separate ways. Li Ruo suddenly realized she was being a bit unreasonable; she wasn't like this before. "Have you eaten? Do you want me to get you something nice to eat?"
"Is it going to be hot pot again?"
Xie Xiao was surprised to find that her goodies included abalone, prawns, pig's trotters... a whole table full of exquisite dishes.
"Where did this come from?" He picked up a piece and ate it; it tasted quite good. "It definitely wasn't made by Madam Miao, nor by the main kitchen."
Li Ruo asked, "What's wrong? Are you afraid of things from the underworld? You don't dare to eat them?"
Xie Xiao grinned. "Nonsense, I've never been afraid." He started eating heartily. "It's been so long since I've had such a sumptuous dinner."
"Whether we can continue to have such a lavish meal depends on you." Li Ruo stuffed a piece of abalone into his mouth, and seeing his wide-eyed expression, she suddenly laughed, "Eat it."
Xie Xiao chuckled as he ate, "Not angry anymore?"
"Of course I'm angry. You and my older brother had everything arranged before telling me. All that talk about fighting side by side was just a lie."
Xie Xiao's eyebrows twitched, and he stopped eating. He picked her up and said, "Still making a fuss? Then let's go together. I can sleep with my wife every day. Isn't that great? Maybe someone will even give me a back massage."
Li Ruo punched him lightly, "Okay, I'll give you a back massage, I'll massage your ribs until they're all gone."
Xie Xiao let out a "whoosh," grabbed her hand, and looked at her with a smile, "Staying here can help your elder brother, and also take care of your family and the brothers in the village."
Li Ruo stopped fussing and said, "Okay, I promise you. Eat quickly, and I'll get you something to eat after you're done."
"What is it?" Xie Xiao asked with a wicked grin.
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