Chapter 73 Chapter 73 You are different from Ji Yang
On the north city wall, the wind was howling.
Jiang Ci followed Jiang Huaice up the city wall and looked out. Over the open fields outside the city, a cold mist hung like a thread. Three thousand Hanbei cavalrymen were deployed in a dense formation, their banners fluttering in the wind, their imposing presence overwhelming. Though their forces were few in number, they were well-organized, like a mountain.
Jiang Ci narrowed his eyes, gazing at the formidable array of armored troops. He said in a deep voice, "Father, their forces may not be large, but they dare to approach the city. Clearly... they don't take our Liang Province seriously."
Jiang Huaice's eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly replied, "The Liangzhou army has long been trapped on the border, with weak soldiers and few generals. This is a well-known fact. It's understandable that they don't take it seriously."
Jiang Ci said nothing, only lowering his gaze to the rider at the forefront of the formation. He sat upright on his steed, wearing a bronze mask and a helmet inlaid with eagle feathers. The mask swayed gently in the breeze, its cold light intertwined with the dusky air, like a feather blade in the wind.
He stood there quietly, without drawing his sword, yet he exuded an oppressive aura.
Jiang Ci's gaze fell on him, and his heart moved inexplicably, as if a sense of familiarity slowly rose from the bottom of his heart.
Suddenly, the man raised his hand and slowly took off the mask from his face.
The bronze light faded, revealing a cold, elegant face—razor-sharp, with a calm expression. His eyes, like a lone eagle on a snowy night, were sharp yet shimmering with a touch of nonchalant indifference. His gaze pierced through the wind and the city walls, fixed on Jiang Ci.
"Jiang Ci," he said, his lips slightly raised, his voice low but every word clear, "I said, we will meet again."
Jiang Ci's heart was shocked, and a look of surprise suddenly appeared in his eyes.
Is it him?
Is it really him?
The young hero who once called himself "Yan Du" on the streets of Ningling almost caused the flooding of Ningling County... He was indeed the leading general of the Hanbei Army.
Jiang Ci didn't respond for a moment.
Across from him, Lou Qi had already taken a step forward on his horse, and his clear voice carried through the wind: "I'm not here to attack Liang Province. I'm only here to ask for permission to travel west."
Jiang Ci frowned, turned around and whispered to Jiang Huaice, "He wants to attack Beiting."
Jiang Huaice's eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke in a deep voice, "Now that you and Ji Yang are severed, it will be difficult for us to ask Dongyang for help. If we reject Hanbei now, I'm afraid Liangzhou will be completely isolated."
He paused, then continued, "The world is divided into four parts, with Liangzhou in the center, Hanbei on the left, and Dongyang on the right. We are surrounded by enemies in front and behind. Once both sides are angry, we will be unable to move forward."
Jiang Ci pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Why not just let him into the city and mediate carefully?"
Jiang Huaice glanced at her and nodded in response: "This is the only way."
Jiang Ci then took a step forward, lowered his eyes and looked down at the building below, and spoke loudly:
"The King of Yan has come here to negotiate, yet he's laying siege to the city. It's illogical. If we truly want to talk, you might as well show some sincerity." Her tone was steady, her eyes calm. "I request that your army withdraw ten miles and camp in the suburbs. Then I'll open the city gates and welcome you in."
She thought he would bargain with her, but Lou Qi just raised his eyebrows slightly, a smile on his lips, and did not argue, just said: "Okay."
After saying that, he raised his hand to unfasten the sword at his waist, turned around and handed it to the deputy general beside him: "Keep it for me."
The deputy general hesitated to speak: "My Lord..."
"Go." Lou Qi said only one word, his tone was light, but with a calmness that left no room for questioning.
Then, he rode forward, turned around, raised his hand toward the Hanbei Army, and said in a loud voice: "All troops, listen to my order—retreat ten miles and set up camp on the spot!"
The three thousand cavalrymen were like a forest, but at his command, no one hesitated, and they turned their horses in an orderly manner. As the dust rolled up, they slowly receded like a tide.
Without even taking a second look, he dismounted alone, stepped on the ground with his long boots, and walked straight towards the north gate.
He walked with ease and a tall figure. He was dressed in a plain black battle suit and was alone in the city, yet he exuded awe with every step he took.
On the city wall, Jiang Ci's eyes were fixed on him until the Hanbei Army completely retreated. Then he nodded slightly and gave the order:
"Open the city gates."
The dust downstairs had not yet settled when the city gate creaked open slowly.
Jiang Ci followed Jiang Huaice and walked slowly down from the north tower. From a distance, they saw a man standing at the foot of the stone steps.
Separated by the past and weapons, the two figures met face to face again.
When the city gate was first opened, Jiang Ci felt something strange in his heart.
The face that had saved her from the chaos of war by the Xiling Creek now appeared before her eyes again at the foot of Liangzhou City, in the guise of the Lord of Hanbei and the King of Yan.
Lou Qi stood in front of the door, looking up, his eyes calm, unmoved by the wind and sand, only with an unclear deep meaning in his eyes.
Jiang Huaice spoke first, his tone calm:
"The Prince of Yan has come from afar, uninvited. Although Liang Province is humble, I dare not be disrespectful."
Lou Qi bowed his hands in greeting, his lips slightly curled up, and he spoke slowly and calmly:
"My visit today is indeed abrupt, and I hope Your Excellency the Governor will forgive me. I have no other intention in this trip, but only wish to borrow the territory of Liangzhou so that I can lead my army on a westward expedition."
Jiang Ci stood to one side, listening quietly with an expressionless face.
Jiang Huaice remained calm upon hearing this, smiling faintly. "The matter of borrowing the passage is of great importance to the border defense of both regions. The King of Yan mentioned a 'Western Expedition', but where does that refer to?"
Lou Qi's expression was calm as he answered frankly, "Beiting."
Jiang Huaice subtly lowered his expression, then made a gesture and said, "This matter is not trivial and involves many people. Please come into the mansion to discuss it in detail."
Seats have been set up in the hall.
Lou Qi and Jiang Huaice sat opposite each other.
Jiang Ci was not sent out. He just sat quietly at one side of the hall, holding the teacup with his eyes lowered, with a calm expression and not saying a word.
The hall was quiet, with smoke rising slowly. Outside the window, a few fallen leaves occasionally swayed on the branches and fell to the ground silently.
Jiang Huaice spoke, his tone calm, but no longer as polite as when they first met:
"Although Hanbei is far away, its foundation is not shallow. If the King of Yan wants to attack Beiting, he must have been planning for a long time."
He changed the subject slightly, his gaze piercing, "After Beiting, I think it's the old Xiliang. Since the King of Yan spoke frankly, I'll ask you frankly too. You're passing through Liangzhou, have you ever considered that one day you might send troops to attack our territory?"
Lou Qi's expression remained unchanged, only the corners of his lips slightly raised as he said, "If the Governor is convinced that I have such intentions, then no matter how much I say, it will be difficult to prove myself."
There was a smile in his words, but it was not frivolous. After he finished speaking, his eyes passed by Jiang Ci without leaving a trace.
Jiang Ci sat upright as before, seemingly unaware of his momentary gaze. He simply gathered his sleeves slightly and placed the teacup steadily back on the table.
Lou Qi lowered his eyes, tapped the rim of the cup with his fingertips, and his tone suddenly slowed down, as if he was chatting casually, but each word was tentative:
"Miss Jiang now looks calm and composed, quite different from what she was like in Ningling."
The words are plain and measured, except for the slight pause at the end, as if seeking a hint of echo.
Jiang Ci did not answer, but just looked out the window. The branches were intertwined and the wind was blowing softly.
Lou Qi stared at her profile, his eyes paused imperceptibly.
Jiang Huaice noticed something was wrong, squinted his eyes at the two of them, and slowly asked, "Do you... know him?"
"I don't know him."
"know."
The two spoke in unison, but their words were at odds with each other.
Lou Qi, however, was neither hurried nor slow, and was the first to say with a smile: "Since your daughter said she doesn't know you, then let's just assume that today is the first time we've met. Lou, I'd like to get to know you again."
After he finished speaking, he no longer looked at Jiang Ci, but restrained his expression a little, paused for a moment, and seemed to remember something, and said softly:
"Earlier in Fengdu, I once received a favor from Ling Qianjin, but she didn't know who I was."
Before he finished speaking, Jiang Ci finally raised his eyes and met his gaze.
She looked at him with a calm expression and said, "The past is over. There's no need to mention it again."
The tone was light and gentle, but it completely cut off the past.
Lou Qi's expression was slightly restrained, and he was silent for a moment. Suddenly, his tone changed, and his tone seemed to be casual, but in fact, he had a deeper meaning:
"The Governor of Dongyang...didn't you go back to Liangzhou with Miss Jiang to visit your relatives this time?"
The words were simple, but the intention was not concealed.
Jiang Ci's eyebrows moved slightly, but there was no ripple on the corners of his lips. He just said lightly: "It has nothing to do with him."
Lou Qi paused his knuckles slightly and raised the end of his eyebrows slightly.
When he raised his eyes and looked at Jiang Ci again, there was a hint of speculation in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he bowed again and turned to Jiang Huaice and said with a smile:
"Lou's sincerity is the most important thing on this trip. I only want to use the road to pass through. I will not disturb the people and I have no intention of invading the territory."
Jiang Huaice's expression was calm, but there was a glimmer in his eyes, and his tone was neither hurried nor slow:
"This matter concerns border defense and public sentiment. Allow me to consider it."
Lou Qi nodded: "Of course it should be so."
He smiled, his tone still calm: "Lou has always been patient and patient. I am just waiting for the governor to give me a reply."
After saying this, he stood up and bowed, and just as he was about to leave, he suddenly added:
"Until this matter is settled, I will temporarily stay in the Moon-Watching Tower in the city."
Jiang Ci also stood up with Jiang Huaice and walked him to the door.
Before leaving, Lou Qi suddenly turned sideways and looked at Jiang Ci, his tone neither hurried nor slow, but with a hint of nonchalantness:
"I'm not familiar with Zichuan. I've heard that Wangyue Tower has excellent wine and food, but I don't know its exact location. Miss Jiang, would you be willing to give me a ride?"
Jiang Huaice frowned slightly and was about to speak when his arm was gently held down by Jiang Ci.
She smiled and said, "Okay."
The voice was calm, with a hint of meaning in its composure.
She did have something to ask him alone.
Outside the governor's mansion, the streets were long and dark, and the night had fallen.
In Liangzhou City, the lights were still on, and red lanterns were hanging on the eaves in the distance, swaying slightly in the wind.
Jiang Ci and Lou Qi walked side by side, heading towards Wangyue Tower.
Lou Qi glanced at her sideways, and said with a half-smile, "Jiang Ci, you agreed too quickly just now. I'm curious, what do you want to ask?"
Jiang Ci looked ahead and said calmly, "You want to attack Beiting and also take over Xiliang... You're planning to unify the four regions, right?"
Lou Qi didn't evade the question, but said frankly, "Of course. Do you think Ji Yang doesn't have this idea?"
He paused, looked sideways at her, and raised the corner of his lips slightly: "If you ask me what I want to do, it's to sit in that chair. I don't believe in destiny, but I will take my place."
Jiang Ci lowered his gaze for a moment before he slowly asked, "So what do you think a hegemon who can firmly rule the world needs?"
Lou Qi's eyes darkened when he heard this, but he didn't stop walking. He didn't rush to answer, but seemed to be thinking.
He slowly turned his head to look at Jiang Ci, his eyes deep: "You ask me, what should a person who can rule the world have?"
"The means to subdue the princes, the courage to control people's hearts, the strength to win."
His tone was not harsh, but it was filled with pride.
"The world has been in chaos for so long, who really believes that mercy can save the people?"
Lou Qi's tone was not light, but each sentence was steady and powerful. "What the people want is not someone who is soft on them, but someone who can protect their lives. Someone who can defeat the enemy, suppress the bandits, and let them live in peace."
Jiang Ci paused and said calmly, "But you don't care about the people's hearts, or their lives."
"Do you think Ji Yang's delay in attacking Xiliang is because he can't defeat him?"
She raised her eyes to look at Lou Qi, her gaze deep and calm, "It's not that he can't win, but... he can't bear to hurt people."
Lou Qi raised his eyebrows and said with a half-smile, "Then he is destined not to win."
"On this road, someone is bound to be sacrificed. You are soft-hearted, and he is kind-hearted. Once you slowly take care of the people's livelihood, I will take the city first."
He spoke lightly, without any hesitation in his tone.
Jiang Ci's expression remained unchanged, and his tone became increasingly subdued:
"But you know that public opinion is important."
"The Ningling dam collapsed because of you. You used the water to destroy the dam in order to destroy Ji Yang's trust in the people. Since you know that the people's hearts can destroy a country, why don't you let the people support you and trust you?"
Lou Qi's smile finally faded a little, and his eyes grew colder.
He looked at her and spoke in a low voice, without disguising himself: "If I want to win people's hearts, I want them to fear me, respect me, and obey my orders."
"The people don't need to look up to me. What I want is for them to bow their heads and not dare to disobey."
Jiang Ci listened quietly, his eyes darkening little by little.
"So you're different from Ji Yang," she whispered. "You don't believe that people's hearts can build a city, you only believe that cavalry can conquer thousands of miles."
Lou Qi paused slightly, turned around and looked at her, his voice low and slow but with a hint of unclear emotion:
"You sent me here just to say this?"
Jiang Ci also stopped, his eyes as calm as water, and said:
"Moon Viewing Tower, we're here."
Lou Qi didn't say anything else, nor did he try to keep her. He just watched her turn and leave, his eyes deep and silent.
Her figure gradually walked away, and finally disappeared into the shadows of street lights.
Lou Qi withdrew his gaze, turned around and walked into Wangyue Tower.
Not far from the corner of the street, a thin figure was hidden in the night, her eyes as cold as stars, staring at him silently, holding the knife tightly in her hand, and she did not leave until Lou Qi disappeared.
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