The northeastern region of White Wolf Mountain consisted of ridge after ridge. After traveling with the main force for two days, Yan Chi finally made camp at a place called Sunset Ridge.

Though it had been clear for two days, snow began falling again when they reached Sunset Ridge. The camp this time was more rudimentary than the last, and due to time constraints, they couldn’t even build the outer palisade walls. Everyone entered camp by dusk, had some dried rations, and then Yan Chi went to the council tent with Yu Qi, Master Qi, and others.

They had camped in an inconspicuous valley with a ridge blocking the front of the camp. Though it sheltered them from the bitter wind, the weather was even colder. Qin Wan sat in the central command tent, rubbing her hands and breathing on them for warmth. Soon, Bai Feng brought in a brazier with glowing red coals.

“Princess Consort, His Highness said he doesn’t know when the meeting will end and asked you to retire early.”

Qin Wan quickly agreed. After Bai Feng left, she pulled Bai Ying close to the brazier. “It’s too cold. I wonder if this will affect the battle.”

Bai Ying replied, “Don’t worry, Princess Consort. His Highness and the others have surely considered everything.”

Qin Wan frowned, hoping this first battle of Yan Chi’s return to Shuo Xi would go smoothly. To reclaim authority over the main camp, they couldn’t afford any mistakes.

In the council tent, Yan Chi and everyone else gathered around a square table, studying a map.

“Lin Xie arrived in Shuo Xi half a month before us and is now in the main camp. Though he brought few troops, he represents the Emperor. Now that he’s joined with Lin Xu Gui, they must be planning how to make the main camp’s soldiers obey. Chu Fei Sheng’s sudden appearance gives them a chance to make an example.”

After a brief pause, Yan Chi continued, “The target location previously agreed upon with Chu Fei Sheng is here, at the gorge northeast of Sunset Ridge. I’ve traveled this valley before—both sides are steep ridges. We can lay our ambush here, with another force circling behind to cut off their retreat. We must capture both Lin Xu Gui and Lin Xie.”

“Yu Qi, take charge of the left ridge; He Qing, the right ridge; Liao Jun, cut off their retreat. Any questions?”

“No questions!” the three answered in unison.

Yan Chi continued, “My only concern is that if Lin Xu Gui and Lin Xie learn of my arrival in Shuo Xi, they might not take the bait. We must proceed cautiously to avoid alerting them. I expect news from Chu Fei Sheng tomorrow. Make sure all the commanders understand their orders—prepare to move out tomorrow night.”

After they acknowledged his orders, Yan Chi dismissed everyone except Master Qi.

Seeing that Yan Chi kept him behind, Master Qi knew what was on his mind. Before Yan Chi could speak, Master Qi asked, “Has Your Highness prepared to declare himself king?”

Sitting in the main seat, Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. Master Qi sighed, “Coming to this point is truly the Rui Prince’s mansion’s last resort. But the Emperor has gone too far, and Your Highness has no other choice. If Your Highness can’t steel himself now, Shuo Xi will truly be in danger.”

Yan Chi raised his hand to stop Master Qi’s words and said calmly, “Bringing the Princess Consort here shows I’m prepared. However, there are still some preparations needed.”

Master Qi smiled at these words. “As Your Highness mentioned in your letter, this humble one has given all the orders. In Xi Lin City now, everyone likely knows the old Prince was killed by the Emperor. News from two days ago says the Xi Lin City Magistrate has cut off communications with the Meng Prefecture Governor. Even last year’s tax silver and other items have all been withheld—their stance is clear.”

The Xi Lin City Magistrate was like a county magistrate, but he was a native of Shuo Xi who had always viewed Yan Lin as Xi Lin’s protective king. Yan Lin’s sudden death last year not only shocked the court and country but felt like the sky had fallen for the people of Shuo Xi.

Before the new year, heavy snow had blocked the mountains, and Xi Lin City hadn’t sent its usual tax silver, accounts, and documents to the Meng Prefecture governor’s office. Though the roads had cleared recently, the Xi Lin Magistrate still hadn’t followed the rules and sent the money and goods, clearly furious about Yan Lin’s death.

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. While he couldn’t cry out for justice for Yan Lin in the capital or tell others the truth, things were different in Shuo Xi.

The Emperor, comfortable on his golden throne in Chong Zheng Hall, likely didn’t understand the will of the Shuo Xi people.

“What do you make of the news from the north?” Yan Chi pondered for a moment, changing the subject. When they arrived at Sunset Ridge that afternoon, Yan Chi had received the latest news from the north and given it to Master Qi to read.

Master Qi sighed. “The Empress and Crown Prince are being somewhat rash. This humble one thinks the coming battle might be problematic.”

The latest news said the Empress and Crown Prince hadn’t gone to Cang Zhou but directly to Feng Zhou. The Empress had ordered the Support State General to send thirty thousand troops to Feng Zhou and take the remaining forces to Chong Zhou, planning to attack both prefectures simultaneously. This would force the Northern Expedition army led by the Marquis of An Yang to split their attention.

Master Qi continued, “The Jin Zhou garrison troops led by the Marquis of An Yang are quite capable. With abundant supplies from the capital’s Ying Zhou direction, their situation is completely different from the Northern Garrison Army. Though the Northern Garrison Army took Cang Zhou, it’s in the north, even more barren than Xi Lin City. While Shuo Xi has the six months of military supplies Your Highness arranged earlier, the Northern Garrison Army’s supplies were cut off long ago. This humble one boldly predicts that without more provisions, the Northern Garrison Army can hold out for three months at most.”

Though the Shuo Xi plateau wasn’t as prosperous as other places, the area around Xi Lin City was quite flat. With Yan Lin protecting this land for many years, previously abandoned farmland had found new owners and been replanted. Over twenty years, many villages and tribes had grown around Xi Lin City, and agriculture was no longer what it once was. This time, to ensure Shuo Xi’s provisions and military supplies, Yan Chi had specifically detoured through Qian Zhou and Jian Zhou to secure Shuo Xi’s rear lines. But the Northern Garrison Army’s situation was different.

Listening to Master Qi, Yan Chi’s eyes showed worry. He asked, “Any movement from the Rong people?”

Master Qi quickly shook his head. “No, the snow is heavier this year, blocking the mountains beyond White Wolf Pass. The Rong people are effectively contained. Moreover, since Lin Xu Gui’s arrival, he has tried several times to move Fang Qin from White Wolf Pass, but Fang Qin has disobeyed his orders. Lin Xu Gui has his hands full and hasn’t yet taken forces to pressure Fang Qin at White Wolf Pass, so things are still stable there. This humble one has also sent messages to Fang Qin, so it should be absolutely secure…”

A cold light flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. White Wolf Pass was the frontline against the Rong people, and because they often launched surprise attacks, the pass permanently stationed ten thousand troops. Yet Lin Xu Gui dared to set his sights on it. Yan Chi laughed coldly. “With Fang Qin watching, we can rest assured. Tell him not to leave White Wolf Pass under any circumstances.”

Master Qi quickly nodded. “Yes, this humble one will send another confidential letter right away.”

Yan Chi said no more, but seeing his grave expression, Master Qi asked, “What troubles Your Highness?”

Yan Chi looked at Master Qi. “The Northern Garrison Army has now completely withdrawn to Cang Zhou, and they’ve likely all headed to Chong Zhou and Feng Zhou. With no guards at the foot of Cang Long Mountain, guess what—might the Qiang barbarians choose this moment to launch a surprise attack from the north?”

These words made Master Qi’s heart skip a beat. The Northern Garrison Army’s hundred thousand troops weren’t just for show. For years, the Zhao family had controlled them—their sons all became military commanders, their daughters entered the palace to continue the imperial line. Though not imperial family members, their status had long since transcended ordinary nobles. All this prestige came from the northern Qiang barbarians’ covetous eyes on Great Zhou. Though also nomads, the Qiang’s fighting strength was no weaker than the Rong people’s, only their numbers were fewer. Great Zhou’s northernmost point was Cang Long Mountain, and beyond it lay the cold plains where the barbarians lived. Conditions on the cold plains were harsh—adults could survive, but children rarely did. Thus, though few in number, the Qiang harbored wild ambitions to invade Great Zhou through Cang Long Mountain, hoping to occupy the northern Cang Zhou region so their tribe could prosper.

The threat of the Qiang and Rong tribes to Great Zhou was long-standing. The Qiang had even captured Cang Zhou City a hundred years ago, killing, burning, and looting without restraint until the city became a sea of blood and corpses. After generations of confrontation and warfare, Great Zhou and the Qiang and Rong tribes were now mortal enemies. These two fierce and ruthless peoples were like leopards, always lying in wait, ready to spring up and bite at any moment!

This was the source of Yan Chi’s worry. Hearing this, Master Qi also sighed. “Your Highness bears the grief of a murdered father, and the Rui Prince’s line has always been loyal and righteous. You wouldn’t rebel just for rebellion’s sake without regard for external threats. But the Northern Garrison Army is different. General Zhao loves his daughters and grandsons deeply. Seeing the Crown Prince deposed, he naturally cannot sit and await death. The Empress’s actions clearly show she’s ready to fight to the death. They’re merely gambling that the Qiang won’t move at this time.”

In the depths of winter, the north was even colder than Shuo Xi. Cang Long Mountain became an icy barrier blocking the Qiang’s path. It was said that crossing from Cang Long Mountain into Great Zhou territory took half a month in winter, and at this time the mountain was devoid of human traces or even birds—entering meant certain death.

Though these tales seemed mysterious, the reality wasn’t far off. Yan Chi knew Master Qi was right—the Northern Garrison Army was just gambling. But he couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling that something would go wrong in the north.

“For now, we can’t manage the north. Just have Fang Qin be cautious.”

Hearing this, Master Qi suddenly narrowed his eyes. “Does Your Highness… plan to return to the capital?”

Yan Chi’s gaze intensified as he looked at Master Qi. Having raised an army in rebellion, albeit forced into it, Master Qi’s question was essentially asking if he planned to march on the capital and seize the throne. Yan Chi looked at Master Qi for a moment. “As you just said, Master, I am different from the Empress and Crown Prince.”

Master Qi quickly bowed in apology. “Yes, this humble one understands. I spoke out of turn.”

Yan Chi waved his hand and stood. “We’ve had two tiring days. Let’s rest early tonight.”

With that, he left the council tent. The wind outside was bitter cold, and Yan Chi’s expression carried that coldness. Only when he reached the central command tent did he pause to rub his brow, his face softening into a gentle smile as he lifted the tent flap to enter.