Chapter 151 Pride Abounds (Thirteen) After he finished speaking, he lifted her chin…
Hengping Post Station.
It was late at night, and the courier on night duty was yawning by the wall. When he saw someone approaching, he immediately straightened up.
Under the halo of light, a handsome figure appeared. The courier secretly sized him up and recognized him as the nobleman who had arrived at the post station that night with the heir of the Marquis of Wei. He then stopped his steps to investigate.
Zhi Rou went into the stable, bundled some hay into a tuft and fed it to Xiao Zhui, then stroked its mane.
A short while later, she turned back and leaned against the door frame, the sound of chewing grass filling her ears, the faint lamplight flickering in the silence.
Suddenly, a force touched her arm. She turned her head and saw Wei Yuanzhan handing her a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling).
"What are you thinking about, so engrossed?"
She had heard footsteps earlier, assuming it was the sound of a night patrol. Now, she took it, first shaking her head, then fiddling with the hemp thread, asking curiously, "Where did this come from?"
"The postmaster gave it to me, saying that my family loves to eat it, so he made a lot." Wei Yuanzhan stood beside Zhi Rou, turning his head to watch her carefully removing the stitches, and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.
A half-moon hung in the sky, silencing even the noise of the patrolling post station workers.
Zhi Rou peeled back the bamboo leaves and took a couple of bites, nodding her chin in approval. Wei Yuanzhan watched her eat, then suddenly said, "After tonight, you should go back."
He never intended for her to travel with him.
This journey to Lancheng is an urgent imperial decree. Although His Majesty has granted him permission to depart the next day, there can be no delay along the way. Considering the arduous journey, he fears she may not be able to withstand it.
Zhi Rou was firm: "No, I want to give it to you."
He had accompanied the marriage procession all the way to Yunchuan. Out of gratitude, and more out of reluctance to part, she insisted on riding a horse to see him off.
Hearing Zhi Rou's unwavering tone, Wei Yuanzhan smiled helplessly before saying, "It's already been delivered."
He turned slightly to the side, one arm still resting on the railing, and raised it to stroke the hair behind her head. "It's about two hundred miles from the capital. The route is safe. I can feel more at ease if you turn back from here."
Unexpectedly, he would use this method to bewitch her. Zhi Rou turned her face and stared at him for a while, then calculated according to the seven-day agreement with Su Du: "Three hundred li."
She promised, "I'll go back after another three hundred miles."
Wei Yuanzhan remained silent.
Just when Zhi Rou thought he was going to refuse, he turned his gaze to Xiao Zhui and said after a long while, "We'll get a different horse tomorrow. It's too tired to go on such a long journey."
Upon hearing this, Zhi Rou smiled, her voice seemingly carrying a burning warmth: "Okay."
When the time for parting finally came, I suddenly regretted not saying I'd traveled three hundred li. Time flew by so quickly, but my worries didn't lessen at all with the journey.
It was late summer, and dust floated on the official road. The early-withered locust flowers by the roadside were scattered all over the ground. The sun was still low, and the road leading north seemed to have no end in sight.
Changhuai and Lanye stood five zhang away, while Wei Yuanzhan stood in front of them. Zhirou looked at him for a long time, her expression full of reluctance.
He smiled and said, "Are you tired? Take your time on the return journey and be careful."
"Don't worry." Zhi Rou gripped the reins tighter and tighter, as if she wouldn't want to leave if she stayed on the official road for even a moment longer.
The wind tugged at her robes, and she pressed down the fluttering collar, raising her eyes. "Wei Yuanzhan, please... take good care of yourself and don't get hurt."
"You too. Arrive in Beijing safely, and wait for me to return."
After he finished speaking, he lifted her chin and gently kissed her. He caressed her cheek for a moment, then let her go.
Zhi Rou's eyes reddened, and she had no choice but to mount her horse.
Once the lone rider and his companion were out of sight, Wei Yuanzhan turned around, mounted his horse, and galloped northward.
Zhi Rou returned to Gantong County, and it was already dusk.
The streets were sparsely populated with tourists, but the inns and teahouses were bustling with activity.
Exhausted and hungry, she asked for a room and went upstairs to rest. When the waiter brought her food, she vaguely heard the words "thunderstorm" and "slippery mountain" outside. She looked up and asked, "What are they saying?"
As the waiter set out the dishes, he replied to her, "Those people were originally going to the capital to do business, but the day before yesterday, Hengping County experienced a night of torrential rain, and the official road was blocked by rocks, so they couldn't travel."
Zhi Rou raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Is there any other way to get to the capital?"
“Where else is there for hundreds of miles? Unless we go all the way from the east. But people can be dragged, but goods can’t. What a worry…” The shopkeeper sighed, and seeing that she had no other instructions, he bowed and left.
Once the door closed, the noise outside also ceased. The candlelight on the table flickered slightly, and only a faint hissing sound could be heard inside the room.
Zhi Rou finished her meal, then took out a map of the passes from her waist and studied it carefully for a while. After someone brought in hot water, she bathed and blew out the lamp.
...
In July, the heat in the capital was still intense, while the border town of Lancheng already had a desolate autumn feel.
Inside the central command tent, Gao Hongyu told the young man beside him about the plan offered by Jiang Yun, and asked him, "What do you think?" He stared at the young man's face, carefully examining him.
It had been almost half a year since I last saw Wei Yuanzhan, but he was still the same as before, with a majestic figure and bright eyes. When he got serious, a cold look would appear between his brows.
Jiang Yun, whom I just mentioned, is a merchant who has been traveling to the border regions for many years and has a certain reputation in the area. Not long ago, he heard that the two countries were at war, so he went to Daizhou alone, claiming that he could lure the Beili army into the city, while the troops of Daizhou and neighboring cities would lie in ambush around them, and once the enemy penetrated deep into the city, they would surely be annihilated in one fell swoop.
Lancheng borders Daizhou, and these two places are important gateways for northern nomadic tribes to enter the Central Plains. Before Princess Huaixian went to Beili for a marriage alliance, the then Beili Khan had demanded Lancheng from the emperor. If this city were ceded, it would be tantamount to letting foreign tribes hold his throat, which the emperor could not tolerate, but was unwilling to wage war, hence the marriage alliance.
Therefore, by using Daizhou as bait, Beili will surely take the bait.
Wei Yuanzhan walked to the sand table and stood still. After thinking for a moment, he moved his finger along the top of Daizhou to the left and gently touched the vein of Mingshui Mountain.
"The west and north of Daizhou are occupied by Beili. If we want to cut off Beili's army from entering Daizhou, we must send Lancheng to march west, cross the border to Mingshui Mountain, and block their retreat. Although we sent people to scout this valley before, it is still Beili's territory. Our army is not familiar with the terrain here. If we rush in, we will be easily surrounded and fall into the enemy's ambush."
Gao Hongyu looked at him with a smile, listening as he continued, "Jiang Yun... his appearance is too suspicious. How can we know that he isn't a bait planted by Bei Li to lure our army into an ambush on the grasslands?"
"Then what do you think we should do? The merchant is still waiting for a reply in Daizhou, and he has been staying at the Daizhou magistrate's house for the past two days."
Wei Yuanzhan stopped and gave Gao Hongyu a frivolous smile: "Why don't we 'play along' and tease them a bit?"
The one guarding Mingshui Mountain is Xilong, the son of the leader of the Zuoqin tribe.
In this confrontation with the Central Plains, the death of Alamusu was a crucial part. While the grasslands generally believed he fled to the Yan state and was killed by the Yan people, the Tar tribe firmly believed he died at the hands of Enhe.
Therefore, the Tar tribe gradually submitted to Enhe and gained his trust. The Zuoqin tribe, unwilling to be overshadowed by other tribes, was eager to achieve merit on this expedition.
Upon receiving Jiang Yun's report, Xi Long ordered his men to disperse and hide, covering their horses' hooves with cloth. He also sent scouts to investigate, and they remained hidden until nightfall.
He began to curse impatiently, "Is the Yan army coming or not? I've been waiting all day and haven't even seen a scout. Is Jiang Yun playing a trick on me?!"
Hiron's personal guards advised him, "We've been through similar times when we fought alongside you, Aha. Let's wait a little longer."
The next day, Xilong propped himself up and looked around into the distance. He turned to his men and asked, "What did the scouts say? Has the Yan army made any move yet?"
Throughout the day and night, Hiron's army, suffering from hunger and without a good night's sleep, did not hear a single sound.
His subordinate frowned and lowered his eyes, saying, "The scouts reported last night that the Lancheng army seemed to be breaking camp, so I sent them to scout again... but they haven't returned yet."
He was shocked when he heard this, and his expression immediately changed from irritation to panic.
Xilong strode toward the military tent, his men chasing after him to stop him, but he ignored them. He bumped into the Han Chinese strategist who came out of the tent and saluted him, saying, "General."
Still harboring resentment towards Jiang Yun, Xi Long narrowed his long, narrow eyes upon seeing the Han people and sneered, "Does the strategist also want to advise me to stay here and wait to die?"
The young Han Chinese man in front of me is named Lou Hui. He was transferred by Enhe to assist Xilong.
Upon hearing this, he smiled and said gently, "Mingshui Mountain has many shady ravines and dense forests. Since the people of the south are not familiar with the terrain here, they would never dare to venture deep into it. General, you need not worry."
Hearing the commotion, the surrounding soldiers all turned to look. Xilong glanced around, swallowed hard, and suppressed his resentment and fear.
After thinking for a while, he replied, "Send down the order to rest the troops and wait for nightfall. We will take Lancheng tonight!"
Meanwhile, Wei Yuanzhan was reading a book in his military tent when the tent door opened slightly and someone entered.
Without even lifting his eyelids, Lan Ye stepped forward and reported, "One of them has confessed. Their ambush is waiting in the valley. That Jiang Yun is a real scoundrel, secretly colluding with Bei Li! When the news reaches the capital, I think the Jiang family will be..."
Wei Yuanzhan put down his book and stood up. Lan Ye immediately stopped talking and heard him ask, "How long have Pei Jun's men been gone?"
Since feigning agreement with Jiang Yun's plan, Wei Yuanzhan ordered increased patrols, while the rest of the troops continued their rest and recuperation. Now, he has dispatched Pei Jun with troops to create a show of force, feigning an attack to demoralize the enemy.
Lan Ye replied, "It's been about two hours."
"Two hours have passed, and he still hasn't returned?" Wei Yuanzhan raised an eyebrow and went to the kang table to fetch a cup of cool tea.
Lan Ye tacitly agreed, her fingers slightly curled at her sides, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated: "I heard Pei Jun's men say..." At this point, her voice fell even lower.
Wei Yuanzhan glanced at him and asked, "What did you say?"
With a "thud," the teacup fell to the ground.
Wei Yuanzhan turned to face Lan Ye, his bright black eyes fixed on his face for a moment. Seeing that Lan Ye was genuinely puzzled, he returned to the long table, unfolded a topographical map, and handed it to him.
Lan Ye frowned, and Wei Yuanzhan explained, "Mingshui Mountain has a rugged terrain. We sent scouts to explore it many times before, but it was still difficult to get a clear picture of the entire area. How can we ensure a complete encirclement if we rashly enter the mountain without understanding the terrain? Not to mention that their numbers are greater than ours. I will not lead anyone into danger unless we are absolutely certain of success."
Lan Ye understood, but still felt regretful, and slowly lowered his hand holding the drawing.
Wei Yuanzhan glanced at him twice, his expression mocking: "Don't go back to Lancheng unless you're 'dead'?"
Upon hearing the words, he was stunned for a moment before realizing what they meant, and his neck turned red.
He was the one who would rather die than return, and now he is also the one with heightened emotions. Lan Ye remained motionless, only his uneasy eyelids drooped more and more.
Wei Yuanzhan chuckled softly, took two steps closer, and patted his shoulder. Feeling comforted, he looked up and asked, "So, are we just going to keep at it with them?"
"Xilong comes from a noble family and is impatient and eager for success. After the new Khan took the throne, the Zuoqin tribe was not trusted and, as the first tribe on the grassland, was relegated to a subordinate position. He must be resentful. Perhaps tonight, he will come out of Mingshui Mountain."
They had clashed with Xilong three years ago. He was brave and impulsive, and easily lured into traps.
The starlight was sparse, the moonlight was faintly scattered between the camps, the red light reflected off the armor, and the wind blew from the depths of the wilderness, carrying an unknown chill.
Wei Yuanzhan personally inspected the camp, with Chang Huai and Lan Ye following behind him. After he finished looking at everything, he returned to his tent and, as usual, picked up a book to read.
Before entering the tent, Changhuai looked up at the sky and asked, "Master, is it really possible that the Beili army will attack the camp? You've mobilized all your troops; what if the encirclement isn't completed in time... If anything happens to you, I..."
Wei Yuanzhan sat cross-legged facing the low table, the candlelight softening his features. Hearing this, he looked up from his book and said, "Don't worry, I will never let you lose your heads."
Chang Huai pursed his lips, his hand remaining firmly on the hilt of his sword, his eyes solemn.
Lan Ye had intended to conserve his energy and build up his strength, but seeing him like this, he couldn't help but feel flustered. He retreated to the low table, his shadow covering half of Wei Yuanzhan's shoulder.
At midnight, the flames crackled and popped.
The Northern Li Army arrived silently, with all the soldiers gagged and their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, like demons emerging from the night, quickly advancing towards the gate.
The only sound in the fields was the rustling of grass in the wind.
A moment later, with a whoosh, a powerful arrow pierced the air, slamming the sentry on duty to the ground with the force of his helmet. Four more arrows followed, then a deafening crash, the gate collapsed and flying debris, and the Northern Li army surged into the camp like a tidal wave.
The shouts of battle were deafening. With a flick of a long sword, the torches scattered sparks and billowed smoke.
Wei Yuanzhan was surrounded by several people, their blades flashing in his face. He raised his sword to parry, the sharp blade slicing through one man's ribs. Then he kicked the man in the knee, and as the man fell, he swiftly slashed at him.
A few dozen feet away, an enemy cavalryman suddenly stopped.
Xilong recognized Wei Yuanzhan.
In an instant, his expression changed, his waist tilted slightly, he gripped the bow in his hand, and with a swift and steady movement, he shot an arrow straight at Wei Yuanzhan.
Seeing that he avoided it, he lowered his hand and drew several quivers from his quiver, quickly nocked them and drew the string.
Just as Wei Yuanzhan was about to be struck in the chest, a figure suddenly pounced on him, the arrow grazing his shoulder armor and piercing through the Beili soldiers who had been fighting him behind him.
Wei Yuanzhan grunted, and a cold light flashed downwards. He shoved Lan Ye aside, rolled to the side, picked up the knife, and slashed across the enemy's throat. Blood splattered on his face and armor, gleaming in the firelight.
As the fighting intensified, a different kind of bugle call suddenly rang out from all around, like an eagle spreading its wings and circling the forest.
Upon hearing the bugle call, he shouted, "Retreat!"
The word had barely left his lips when a long sword was hurled from afar. Xilong was wounded and fell from his horse. His personal guards immediately helped him up, while six or seven others surrounded him to defend him. A metallic taste filled his throat, and blood gushed from the corner of his lips. His fingers gripped the sleeves of his guards tightly: "We've fallen for their trap! Retreat! Let them retreat..."
In that instant, a low, dense rumble sounded outside the military camp, and banners fluttered in the wind—the Yan army's ambush had arrived. The two armies responded in unison, cutting off both ends. The Northern Li army, like a trapped beast, suffered heavy casualties in an instant.
With their commander wounded, the morale of the Beili army was already low, but Xilong's personal guards risked their lives to protect him, fighting their way through the encirclement.
Pei Jun led his troops in pursuit until they reached a low slope. He waved his hand and reined in his horse, and the soldiers behind him all stopped. His guards were puzzled, but Pei Jun replied with a frown, "The general has ordered that we not pursue after crossing the slope."
The remnants of the Northern Li army fled far away under the moonlight. Pei Jun let out a deep breath, pulled on the reins, and rode back to camp.
Hiron suffered a crushing defeat and heavy losses.
Unexpectedly, the "luring the enemy into the trap" strategy was ultimately carried out by the Yan army. He was still furious and blamed the Han Chinese strategist Lou Hui for the battle, accusing him of feigning allegiance to the grasslands while actually plotting against the Yan state, and ordered him to be executed.
The battle report reached Enhe two days later.
The Zhulang Mountains stretch endlessly, and amidst the towering peaks, a man in a black robe stepped out of a felt carriage and slowly walked to a high cliff. His gaze was calm and steadfast, yet a hint of disappointment flickered between his brows.
Lou Hui was originally a courtier who accompanied a princess of the Yan Dynasty on her marriage to a foreign ruler. He had a child with a woman from the grasslands and remained in Beili. He was a man of few words and few actions, but he often taught his young son to read and write, and never changed his Han Chinese habits.
Enhe observed this and had no intention of interfering. It wasn't until the army marched south that the Han Chinese, who had been so unassuming, suddenly began to frequently show goodwill towards him.
That night, Enhe and his confidants were discussing how to seize the Yan army's supplies when Xilong volunteered to lead troops to capture Lancheng. After pondering for a long time, Enhe gave Louhui to Xilong, ordering him to accompany him and devise a plan.
His plan was simple: use Xilong as bait to lure the Lancheng army into the Zhulang Mountains, where they would fall into his ambush. Once the Lancheng troops were scattered and exhausted, the Tar tribe could then launch a direct attack on Lancheng.
His plan failed, and Enhe remained expressionless as Angzang's shadow was dragged diagonally across the ground.
Ao Yun followed, glanced at him, and muttered under his breath, "Xi Long is such a waste, he can't even be a good bait!"
Enhe's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned his head to ask, "Did he encounter Gao Hongyu?"
Ao Yun shook his head: "It seems to be that kid named Wei Yuanzhan again."
In the morning light, Enhe raised his handsome eyebrows slightly, pondered for a while, and then suddenly perked up.
He ordered, "The entire army will break camp and head east to Lancheng."
Author's note: There will also be scenes between Zhi Rou and Xiao Wei in the Northwest map, which will be described in the next chapter.
There are only a few chapters left before it ends. I'll change the title, and then change it back later. There will be "daily life" and "bonus" chapters later on, which will not be VIP chapters.
Thank you to every reader who has been with me for the past year and more. Thank you, and I hope you all have a wonderful life!
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