Chapter 158 My Wife, I'm back.
Tengzhou, Yishui City.
This city was not only an important military stronghold in Tengzhou, but also the main base for Emperor Xiao Daozun of the Southern Yin Dynasty to personally lead his troops on expeditions.
The former governor's mansion, the Jietang Hall, has been requisitioned as the temporary capital. Inside, candlelight flickers, illuminating a huge sand table model of the defenses.
The firelight swept across Xiao Daozun's handsome profile. Although his face resembled Xiao Chengyan's, the two had very different temperaments.
Xiao Daozun looked like someone who had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood; his sharp edge was undeniable.
"You mean, Huan Xun led his troops to clear out Zhiquan County?" Xiao Daozun asked, staring at the terrain on the sand table.
This marks the third grain route cut off by Huan Xun in less than half a month.
Zhiquan County was not a frontline pass, but an important grain and fodder transshipment point deep within the Nanyin defense line, located quite deep inside the territory.
Huan Xun's troops were able to penetrate deep into the heart of the enemy territory so frequently that Xiao Daozun realized that the number of troops that Bei Ye was sending south this time was probably far greater than the 200,000 reported in the intelligence, and might even be much higher.
An invisible pressure permeated the hall, leaving the other generals at a loss for words.
Xiao Chengyan, clad in armor, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and replied, "Your Majesty, the frontline generals have confirmed that this news is true. Including Lingqiu Granary and Yunwei County, this is the third key transit point that Huan Xun has taken down."
Throughout history, the Jianghuai region has been a major battlefield for the confrontation and clash between the northern and southern regimes, with a dense network of rivers and waterways.
From a strategic benefit perspective, the best route for the Southern Yin's Northern Expedition was to launch an attack from the eastern front, starting from Qinzhou and Tengzhou, first capturing important towns such as Huaiyin, and then advancing north along the Si River to capture Xuzhou.
This would allow them to seize control of the Han Guang River, the economic lifeline of Beiye, thereby undermining the morale of Beiye's troops.
Originally, Xiao Daozun also intended to take advantage of his superior troop strength to execute this direct and effective offensive route in order to achieve a quick victory and avoid waiting for the Beiya Army under Yan Yue of the Northern Frontier and the Xuan Ce Army led by Duan Tingxian to come to the rescue, at which point the situation would be very unfavorable for Nan Yin.
However, Xiao Daozun never expected that Huan Xun would act unpredictably and take the initiative to launch a fierce and relentless offensive, continuously clearing out the grain and supply depots of Nan Yin. This completely disrupted his offensive rhythm.
For this reason, he was forced to abandon his initial intention of advancing rapidly and instead adopted a conservative strategy of advancing step by step, building fortifications along the way to observe the situation.
If he had previously only suspected that the intelligence was wrong, now that Huan Xun dared to use far more troops than expected, going against the grain and brazenly penetrating his heartland, he now felt that the report that Bei Ye only had 200,000 troops marching south might have been wrong from the beginning.
Regarding the source of intelligence, there shouldn't be such a problem.
Seeing that he remained silent, Xiao Chengyan asked, "Brother, if the enemy's situation changes, should we continue to adopt a conservative strategy?"
In Xiao Chengyan's view, their current goal is no longer a quick victory, but to gradually erode and squeeze the Red Armor Army's space, so as to create an advantage of numerical superiority in certain areas and steadily regain the initiative.
Xiao Daozun did not answer immediately.
He reached out and pulled up several small flags representing grain routes on the sand table, one of which snapped off between his fingers.
"keep?"
He turned to his simple-minded younger brother: "When the enemy repeatedly holds a knife to your supply lines, holding the fortified camp is no longer a safe option, but rather a futile act of waiting for death."
“If Huan Xun dares to stick his claws in, he should be prepared to have them chopped off.”
"Send word to Ge Feijin: I don't care how many troops are stationed at Changting Pass in Beiye, I just want him to take it as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The general, having received his orders, turned and left.
After the man left, Xiao Chengyan looked puzzled and asked, "Although Changting Pass is an important road, it is not a place that military strategists must fight for. If our army divides its forces to attack now, wouldn't that be dispersing our strength? Your Majesty, I am foolish and do not understand the profound meaning behind your actions."
Xiao Daozun: "Huaichuan, you only know one side of the story."
Huaichuan was the courtesy name of Xiao Chengyan, given to him by his late mother, Empress Dowager Shengyi.
He explained, "Precisely because it seems irrelevant to the overall situation, it is the best touchstone at this moment. There are 50,000 ordinary people from Beiye at Changting Pass."
"If Huan Xun truly only has 200,000 troops as the intelligence reports, then he must be stretched thin, with weaknesses everywhere on the front lines. If I launch a fierce attack on one point, even if he comes to the rescue, his forces will be limited, and Ge Fei will be more than capable of handling it."
"But if he can quickly mobilize heavy troops, even using his elite main force to defend such a pass, in a way that is beyond our expectations, then it proves that the number of troops he controls is far more than 200,000. On the contrary, he does not have many troops under his command, and his previous offensive was just a bluff."
"In short, my attack on Changting Pass is a feint; the only purpose of this battle is to force them to reveal their true strength."
After his long speech, Xiao Chengyan's expression did not ease, but instead became more worried: "Your Majesty's plan is ingenious, but I still have a concern."
"speak."
Xiao Chengyan hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "If Huan Xun is truly short of troops and unable to return to reinforce in time, or if his garrison commanders are incompetent and the city falls too quickly..."
He raised his head, his brows furrowed with reluctance: "Within Changting Pass lie tens of thousands of Beiye people. General Ge's troops are all fierce and ruthless; once they lose their temper, I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what?"
Xiao Daozun interrupted him without looking up from the sand table: "Judging from your tone, is my brother worried about me, or is he pleading for the people of Beiye?"
"Your subject dares not!"
"Your Majesty, I only feel that if we kill too much, it will offend the natural order and may also damage Your Majesty's reputation."
"Holy name?"
Xiao Daozun looked at him for a moment, then laughed a few times: "My holy reputation is built on the bones of my dead, not on the word of mouth of the people of Beiye."
He walked up to Xiao Chengyan, his imposing aura radiating: "The success of one general is built on the bones of ten thousand, let alone the unification of the world. I only care about the result."
"Or do you think that the lives of tens of thousands of Beiye people are far more important than the lives of eight hundred thousand Nanyin soldiers and the success or failure of the Northern Expedition?"
"Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intentions."
Xiao Daozun snorted: "If you can't figure it out, go outside and get some fresh air. Come back in when you've figured it out."
Xiao Chengyan was startled by these words and stubbornly stood still.
His voice trembled slightly with emotion as he argued, "Brother, those are tens of thousands of living people, not wooden puppets or clay figures. Excessive killing would be against the natural order. Must we do such a thing?"
"Brother, you saw it too. The gunpowder I brought back is so powerful. They have many more weapons like this. What will happen if we anger Beiye?!"
"Enough!"
Xiao Daozun slammed his hand on the table, startling the others who looked at each other in bewilderment, none daring to step forward to dissuade him.
He stared at his overly kind younger brother, his eyes filled with undisguised disappointment and sternness.
"Cheng Yan!" Xiao Daozun rarely called him by his full name: "Put away your womanly compassion! I told you to stay in the capital, assist the Crown Prince, and help manage the government. That's where you belong! But you insisted on coming to the army, and now you're here interfering with my military orders. What do you think the battlefield is? A temple where you can talk about benevolence and morality?"
The oppressive aura emanating from Xiao Daozun, now clad in armor, immediately followed: "Let me tell you, the battlefield is a place where people die. It's either the people of Beiye who die, or the men of Nanyin who perish. Every moment you hesitate now could cost the lives of tens of thousands more loyal soldiers. If you can't bear it, get back to the capital right now!"
These words struck Xiao Chengyan like a hammer blow. His face turned pale, and all his subsequent words of advice were cut off.
He lowered his head in disappointment and resentment.
Seeing his appearance, Xiao Daozun had a look of disappointment on his face, pacing back and forth in the hall like an angry wild beast.
After a long while, when he looked at his only younger brother from the same father and mother again, the sharpness in his eyes softened, and he said helplessly, "Huaichuan."
His tone softened, no longer as sharp as before: "Brother knows what you're thinking. Don't worry, Ge Fei is not a bloodthirsty madman. He attacks cities to win, not to massacre them. He has a sense of justice and knows when to stop."
Seeing that Xiao Chengyan still kept his head down, silent as a stone.
Xiao Daozun continued, "As for gunpowder, you don't need to worry about it. Han Jie brought back a detailed formula from Jian'an. With Master Lu here, he can lead the craftsmen to follow the formula and they will definitely figure it out as soon as possible."
The sorcerer Lu he mentioned was named Lu Bainian, a famous alchemist.
This man spent his entire life immersed in the alchemical furnace, refining elixirs of immortality for the powerful and wealthy.
It was during this daily alchemy process that he gradually figured out the harsh nature of sulfur and saltpeter, thanks to his keen sense as a sorcerer.
He knew that these two substances were extremely volatile and would ignite upon contact with fire. If the proportions or the temperature were slightly off in the alchemy furnace, it would trigger a terrifying explosion, ruining all his previous efforts.
In order to tame these two potent drugs and make them work for him, Lu Bainian devised the "Fu Huo Fan method," which involved mixing two ounces each of sulfur and saltpeter with three qian of Aristolochia and calcining them together.
He had originally hoped to use this method to temper the violent nature of sulfur and saltpeter.
However, the result was far beyond his expectations. The three substances, when mixed, did not become docile. Instead, they produced an explosion that was far more violent than any he had ever experienced before when they came into contact with fire.
While Lu Bainian was shocked, a thought flashed through his mind: he realized that this might be a divine gift of thunder and fire, and if he could go to the battlefield, he would be invincible.
From then on, he spent ten years trying countless times to replicate and control its explosiveness and turn it into a usable weapon.
However, he was always troubled by several key problems: the optimal ratio, the purification of raw materials, and how to ensure its power and stability. He couldn't figure these out.
He had the direction, but no way to start, and after years of research, he still had no results.
The formula that Han Jie brought back was like a timely rain for Lu Bainian, solving all the problems that had been troubling him.
Regarding Xiao Chengyan's concerns about gunpowder, Xiao Daozun had his own opinion: "In my opinion, the people of Beiye don't have much of this stuff. If they really had enough reserves, they would have used it in the previous battles and blown us to smithereens. Why wait until now? So, we don't need to worry about this."
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Chengyan: "Now, put away your useless emotions. Either turn around and go back to the capital, or stay in the army and learn to think like a military general, instead of always having the mind of a scholar."
"Did that good-for-nothing Zhao Yunfu only indoctrinate you with Confucianism and Taoism in Beiye?" he said. "We Southern Yin people are tigers, fierce eagles, not domesticated livestock. You need to show some guts, Huaichuan."
Faced with his elder brother's earnest admonition, Xiao Chengyan choked up and could not say anything else.
Even if there was still a desire to argue, it seemed futile at this moment.
Xiao Daozun was worried that he still had no remorse, so he raised his hand and patted his shoulder: "This battle, on the surface, is a struggle between Bei Ye and Nan Yin, but in reality, it is a life-or-death struggle between my brother and Huan Xun. Didn't you say that he asked you to tell me to wash my neck and wait to die?
"He won't let me go, and I won't let him go either."
Mentioning the past, Xiao Daozun walked to the side and said, "It's unbelievable that there are still people in the Crimson Falcon Clan. That night, I thought they were all dead. They've climbed to their current position. I have to say, they really impressed me."
"Alright, you can go out now. I still have other matters to discuss with the generals."
Xiao Chengyan said nothing more, he cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Yes, Your Majesty." Then he left the Hall of Ceremonies.
After leaving the Jietang, Xiao Chengyan walked all the way out of the Marshal's Mansion. Once outside, he stood silently on the steps.
His elder brother Xiao Daozun's words still echoed in his ears. He understood Huan Xun's hatred for Nan Yin. Anyone who had experienced the annihilation of their clan would inevitably turn into a vengeful ghost.
But if this war continues, how many more lives will be lost?
He seemed to see blood spreading across the mountains and fields, and hear the cries of countless women and children piercing the long night.
The night wind brushed against his face. He looked up at the lonely moon in the sky, feeling a sense of melancholy.
Can he still stop this battle?
Under the same moonlight, this moon shone on him, and also on Yu Nie, who had arrived in Jinzhou.
After being delayed for several days by high tide, the journey finally came to an end.
When they arrived at the gates of Jiangling City in Jinzhou, Xie Cheng and his men were already there to greet them.
She had already sent him a message by peregrine falcon while they were still on the road, informing him of her whereabouts.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xie Cheng led them to the general's residence, which had been arranged in advance. Their luggage had already been respectfully taken by the servants waiting at the door and was being neatly arranged in various rooms.
The brightly lit mansion awaited its owner. Xie Cheng reported from the side: "This is a mansion that the general ordered the owner to choose for a long time. Although he is far away at the front line, he specifically instructed his subordinates to make sure that Your Highness has a good place to stay and to make all the necessary arrangements."
Stepping into the mansion, one sees winding corridors and pavilions arranged in a pleasing manner, with every corner meticulously cleaned.
The courtyard is filled with flowers and trees, and a yellow plum tree is in full bloom, its fragrance adding a touch of elegance to the tranquil night.
Before her, a group of maids and servants stood quietly with their hands at their sides. When she entered, they all respectfully greeted her.
Seeing this, Yu Nie felt a little embarrassed. After responding to everyone with a smile, she instructed Xie Cheng to let everyone disperse and go about their business.
The group crossed the courtyard and continued walking along the covered walkway.
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Nie still softly asked the question that was on her mind most: "Is Huan Xun doing well at the front?"
Xie Cheng smiled broadly: "Your Highness, the General is doing well. These past few days they have just taken over three grain transport points in Nan Yin and burned a large amount of enemy grain. Xiao Daozun is probably sulking right now."
Yu Nie nodded slightly, then asked, "Then... how is he? Is he injured?"
“The general is in good health,” Xie Cheng replied readily. “He was just accidentally cut on the back of his hand by an arrow during the battle in Zhiquan County. It was just a superficial wound, and it has already scabbed over. The princess need not worry.”
As they spoke, the group arrived at the main hall of the mansion, which was specifically used for banquets.
The hall is spacious, with carved beams and painted rafters, and gilded tree lamps stand at the four corners, illuminating the interior as bright as day.
On the round rosewood table in the center, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, white porcelain bowls and plates are neatly arranged, with various exquisite dishes steaming hot and fragrant.
The maids standing by bowed and curtsied upon seeing their master's arrival.
Once inside, Xie Cheng turned to Yu Nie and bowed to Prime Minister Gu: "Princess, Junior Supervisor Gu, it's getting late. You must be exhausted from your journey. Hot water and towels are ready. Please wash your hands and have your meal first. We can discuss the rest during the meal."
Yu Nie and Gu Xiangzhi nodded in agreement.
After washing their hands, everyone took their seats around the round sandalwood table, and the maids quietly came forward to serve them.
After several dishes, Gu Xiangzhi picked up his teacup and looked at Xie Cheng: "I just heard the guards talking about the battle at the front. General Huan's military tactics are brilliant. This time, he has captured three grain and supply outposts in Nan Yin, achieving remarkable results. However..." He hesitated for a moment, "Zhiquan County is located deep in the territory. General Huan is taking such a risk. Isn't he afraid of being surrounded by Xiao Daozun's army?"
Upon hearing this question, Xie Cheng put down his wine cup: "Junior Supervisor Gu's concerns are very valid. Before my general took this risky move, he also rehearsed it many times with the other generals."
His smile remained unchanged: "However, the specific troop deployments and strategic intentions are all military secrets, and I apologize that I cannot say more."
Gu Xiangzhi said, "What Guard Xie said is absolutely right. I was being presumptuous."
Yu Nie sat to the side, watching the two talk. She really couldn't figure out why Huan Xun would take such a risky move and put himself in a situation where he might be surrounded.
Xie Cheng's words were vague, and she knew that this matter was of great importance, so she suppressed her questions and simply looked up at Xie Cheng, taking the opportunity to change the subject: "Guard Xie, I wonder how the construction of Lei Yao Fang is progressing?"
Xie Cheng turned his head and said, "Princess, rest assured, the general is overseeing this matter very diligently. The site for the archway has been selected in the west of the city, and construction has already begun. However, it is too late tonight to go. I will accompany you to take a look tomorrow."
Upon learning that Leiyaofang was already under construction, Yu Nie nodded: "Alright, thank you for your arrangements, guards."
Military affairs couldn't be discussed casually, so they only talked about local customs and sights along the way, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
The welcoming banquet ended in a joyful atmosphere close to midnight, and everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Yu Nie's residence is called "Shu Yu Ci," which is a small, independent courtyard.
The courtyard was small but tastefully arranged. Several large earthenware jars were placed in the corner, filled with clear water. Among the lotus leaves, a few flower buds had already emerged, quietly blooming in the hazy night and under the cool moonlight.
Inside, the candlelight shone through the lampshade, casting a warm and gentle glow throughout the room.
Cuiwei stood behind Yu Nie, removing the pearl hairpins from her hair. Her long, silky hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, carrying the fragrance of a post-bath shower.
“Princess.” Cuiwei held a hairpin in her hand, recalling what Xie Cheng had said before he left: “Guard Xie just said that the plaque for Shuyu Ci was personally inscribed by the Prince Consort, who then ordered it to be carved and sent over.”
Yu Nie's eyes flickered slightly in the mirror, but he didn't reply, only listening quietly.
Cuiwei's tone was filled with undisguised envy: "Even amidst his busy and tiring military duties, the Prince Consort still remembered to inscribe a name for the Princess's residence. This shows that he truly loves the Princess. Otherwise, with so many things to deal with at the front, how could he have the mind to do such a thing?"
The woman in the mirror lowered her eyes, pondering Cuiwei's words.
Everything he arranged for her, from the layout of the courtyard to every plant and tree, and even the plaque inscribed with Shuyu's poems, was meticulously planned.
Even the incense was the same as the one she used at the princess's residence.
The pair of lowered eyebrows and eyes in the mirror twitched slightly.
Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Cuiwei asked softly, "What is Your Highness thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."
She looked up, her voice weary: "It's nothing."
She stood up: "There's no need to serve you here, Cuiwei. You should go and rest too."
Having done what needed to be done, Cuiwei nodded: "Then Your Highness, please rest well. This servant will be in the room right next to you."
"Okay, I understand."
After saying this, Cuiwei bowed and turned to leave.
Just as her hand touched the door, the little maid pushed it open and came in, her face beaming with joy, saying to her, "Your Highness, Your Highness, the General is back! He'll be at the gate soon!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Nie trembled.
She suddenly looked towards the door, her bright eyes sparkling. Without even putting on her outer garment properly, she lifted her skirt and ran outside.
In the courtyard bathed in moonlight and starlight, a figure clad in a plain-colored, wide-sleeved robe moved through the crisscrossing corridors. The robe billowed in the wind as she ran, resembling a butterfly in flight. The wide sleeves and sash fluttered behind her, outlining her slender figure.
The servants they encountered along the way all turned their backs, bowing their heads and not daring to look them in the eye.
Cuiwei followed behind her, calling out, holding a cloak in her hand.
Yu Nie was completely deaf to what she was hearing. She jumped over the threshold of the gate, her chest heaving, and gazed expectantly toward the city gate.
Just then, the rapid sound of hooves, like war drums, shattered the tranquility of Jiangling City, and a dozen soldiers stopped in front of the general's mansion.
The rider on the lead horse tightened the reins, his gaze fixed on her as he stopped. His armor was stained with dried blood, and the hooves of his warhorse were raw and bleeding from days of relentless galloping.
Huan Xun's eyes shone brightly, piercing through the dust and night, and he grinned at her:
"My wife, your husband is back."
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The author notes: This method of using alum to extinguish fire comes from the book "The Complete Collection of Precious Treasures of Lead, Mercury, Jia, and Geng", which was referenced in the text.
Regarding Xiao Daozun's self-designation, he would not refer to himself as "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "I") in front of very close people, but would refer to himself as "我" (Wo, meaning "I" or "me"). He would only use "朕" if someone close to him angered him.
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