"Husband?" Xin Xiyao walked in carrying a bowl of ginseng soup. Seeing her husband's expression, she asked worriedly, "Has something else happened in the capital?"
Qi Huaihe casually tossed the secret letter into the charcoal brazier, where it was instantly consumed by the flames. He embraced his wife and said gently, "It's nothing, just a few flies buzzing around. Wei'er is doing very well in the capital, even better than we imagined." He then briefly recounted how Xin Jiuwei had brought down the Xue family and proposed the equal land distribution petition and the grain transport policy.
Xin Xiyao was deeply moved, her eyes gleaming with admiration: "Wei'er... she has such courage and spirit! If Father knew, he would surely be pleased!" Then, she added with worry, "But this land equalization petition will inevitably face immense resistance. This secret letter..."
"They're nothing to fear, mere clowns." Qi Huaihe's tone was calm, yet it carried an air of absolute confidence. "They want to use the Qi family's influence in Yingzhou to oppose the equal distribution of land? Ha, quite the opposite." A shrewd calculation flashed in his eyes. "Wei'er's plan, seemingly to offend the powerful, actually hides business opportunities and is a brilliant strategy to solidify the foundation of the Qi family!"
"Oh?" Xin Xiyao asked, puzzled.
"Equal land distribution means allocating wasteland to displaced people. With land, they have roots and are no longer a source of unrest. But what do they need to cultivate wasteland and settle down?" Qi Huaihe patiently explained, "They need seeds, farming tools, oxen, and building materials! My Qi family business can provide all of these at fair prices, or even on credit! We can also cooperate with the government to provide work relief, organizing displaced people to dredge rivers, build dikes, and dig canals! This is the source of life, the foundation for generations to come! Compared to those petty profits gained by exploiting displaced people and extorting them, which is more important?"
Xin Xiyao suddenly realized, her eyes filled with admiration: "My husband is farsighted! In this way, our Qi family will not only benefit, but also gain the praise of the people and the reward of the court! This is the true way to establish ourselves!"
“Indeed.” Qi Huaihe nodded. “Therefore, not only should we not obstruct it, but we must also fully support Wei’er’s efforts! I have already issued orders that all Qi family businesses fully cooperate with the Yingzhou government in post-disaster reconstruction, supplying all necessary materials at fair prices. Furthermore, we must secretly collect information on the misdeeds of those stubbornly opposing the equal land distribution system, or even those who want to use it to cause trouble, so that we can provide Wei’er with ammunition in the capital at crucial moments!” A cold glint appeared on his lips. “Trying to use my Qi family as a pawn? Then let’s see who ends up being riddled with holes!”
Xin Xiyao leaned against her husband, feeling a deep sense of security. With her husband by her side, the situation in Yingzhou and Wei'er's plans in the capital would surely be as stable as Mount Tai. Remembering her sister's request in her letter, she whispered, "Wei'er also mentioned that we should keep an eye on Qi Huaiyu's movements. This man is treacherous and might try to take advantage of the chaos."
Qi Huaihe's eyes turned cold: "Him? He's just a clown. I've already sent people to keep an eye on his every move. If he behaves himself, fine, but if he dares to make a move..." He snorted coldly, his unfinished words filled with chilling killing intent.
Just as Xin Jiuwei was struggling to push forward the new policies in the capital, and Qi Huaihe and his wife were consolidating their rear in Yuncheng, the bloody battle at Tongguan entered its most brutal phase.
Like a maddened beast, the Rong and Di launched a desperate all-out attack. Beneath the city walls, corpses piled up like mountains, almost level with the walls themselves! Arrows rained down like a storm, and scalding oil and huge boulders continuously crashed down from the city walls, leaving behind patches of blood and gore.
Xin Yunzhou was covered in blood, his armor was tattered, and his left arm was grazed by a stray arrow, the wound so deep that bone was visible, but it was only hastily bandaged. Like a tireless war god, he roared as he cut down the elite Rong and Di soldiers who had scaled the city walls. His voice was already hoarse from shouting, and each swing of his sword was incredibly heavy, sustained only by an indomitable will.
"General! The western section of the city wall is about to collapse!" A captain, his face covered in blood, staggered over, his voice filled with despair.
Xin Yunzhou looked up and saw that a sizable breach had appeared in the western section of the city wall under the enemy's frenzied assault, and dozens of fierce Rongdi heavy infantrymen had already broken through! The defending troops suffered heavy casualties and were retreating in disarray!
"Imperial Guard Battalion! Follow me!" Without the slightest hesitation, Xin Yunzhou raised his dulled sword and, leading the last few dozen of his personal guards who could still stand, rushed towards the most dangerous gap like moths to a flame!
In close combat, blood and flesh flew everywhere! Xin Yunzhou fought like a mad tiger, his blade flashing, men and horses falling. But the Rongdi heavy infantry were simply too fierce and numerous. One by one, Xin Yunzhou's personal guards fell, and he himself was stabbed several times, his blood staining the ground beneath his feet.
"General!" Just as Xin Yunzhou was being relentlessly pursued by two Rongdi warriors, and a third curved blade, whistling through the air, was about to cleave towards the back of his neck, a slender yet resolute figure rushed forward once more! It was Xin Kui, who had barely managed to get out of bed! Her face was deathly pale, and the wound on her left shoulder had reopened due to the violent movement, oozing dark red blood. She held no weapon, only a small, sharp silver knife used to cut bandages!
She recklessly charged at the Rongdi warrior who had ambushed her, her small silver knife piercing precisely and ruthlessly into his carotid artery, which was unprotected by heavy armor! Hot blood splattered all over her face and body!
"Xin Kui!" Xin Yunzhou's eyes were bloodshot. Taking advantage of the enemy's momentary shock, he slashed off the enemy's arm with a backhand stroke and kicked another person away!
But even more Rongdi soldiers surged forward! Xin Kui pushed aside the enemy's corpse with its throat slit, staggered, and stood in front of Xin Yunzhou, her eyes resolute and crazed, like a mother wolf protecting her cubs! She knew she couldn't stop them, but she had to buy even a breath of time for the general!
At the critical moment!
"Woo-woo-woo-woo-"
A deep, powerful, and unprecedented bugle call suddenly rang out from the flank and rear of the Rongdi army! The bugle call was desolate and heavy, carrying an ancient and majestic power, instantly suppressing all the noise on the battlefield!
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