But Lu Heng said: “Great Zhou has just ended its period of warfare and has no intention of invading north. Wutejin Khan is doing this simply to use the opportunity to expand territory. When I was by Wutejin Khan’s side before, he had already revealed this intention in his words.”
Hearing this, Qin Yining nodded in agreement: “Wutejin Khan indeed has great ambitions.”
By now the situation was clear. What Si Qin had killed A’na Ri for was obvious – she and Lu Heng had merely taken the blame for Si Qin.
So, since Si Qin was mobilizing provisions in preparation for war, they had to intercept these provisions.
First, the Minuo tribe was originally short of provisions.
Second, they were leading so many tribe members – surely not for sightseeing? How could they pass up an opportunity to stab Wutejin Khan in the back?
Third, and what Qin Yining felt was most important in her heart – from her observations, the Tatars weren’t particularly wealthy either. As a primarily nomadic people, their grain production wasn’t like the former Great Yan dynasty’s abundance. Intercepting their provisions might delay the pace of war and reduce some pressure on Pang Xiao.
Without even being in the capital, just by calming down and analyzing slightly, Qin Yining knew that once war began, whether north or south, Li Qitian would definitely send Pang Xiao to battle, because Li Qitian no longer trusted Pang Xiao and absolutely wouldn’t entrust the capital’s security to him.
Moreover, if Li Qitian ever wanted to murder Pang Xiao, it would be easier for Li Qitian to shirk responsibility with Pang Xiao outside.
Thinking this way, Pang Xiao was surrounded by crises everywhere. Qin Yining wished she could immediately sprout wings and fly back to the capital.
Unfortunately, she could only slowly work her way toward the border.
While everyone was discussing heatedly, Qin Yining seemed somewhat distracted. Seeing her slightly furrowed brow, Lu Heng could guess her thoughts to some extent, and his heart filled with bitterness.
Even though Pang Xiao hadn’t protected her well, even though the one who had endured hardships with her was him, Qin Yining’s heart would always hold only Pang Xiao, unable to see anyone else. Lu Heng envied Pang Xiao’s good fortune in having such an excellent woman’s wholehearted devotion, and sighed at his own infatuation, which would probably never be rewarded in this lifetime.
After everyone’s discussion, they finally decided that the provisions absolutely had to be seized.
With provisions, they could find ways to gradually bring the tribe members over, and they could find a safe place to start a new life.
With provisions as the attraction, everyone was full of energy. Uncle A’erhan led scouts to investigate twice, roughly estimating the provisions’ route, then everyone gathered to discuss the best ambush location.
On the day of action, Lu Heng and Qin Yining were left at the camp, while Uncle A’erhan and Ha’er Bala led over five hundred tribe members into action. Chagan Bala remained with the other tribe members to provide support at any time.
The battle lasted all day. The next day, Uncle A’erhan successfully escorted the provisions back. Because Qin Yining and Lu Heng’s strategy was flawless, this operation resulted in only one death and three injured tribe members. They not only seized the provisions but completely annihilated the escort troops.
This was already a rare miracle.
Uncle A’erhan gained a new level of understanding of Qin Yining and Lu Heng’s wisdom and strategy. His admiration and respect for them reached new heights. For a time, all the tribe members knew that Qin Yining and Lu Heng were two extremely outstanding military advisors with unparalleled strategy and flawless calculations. As long as they followed their arrangements, their actions would definitely achieve victory at the smallest cost.
After obtaining the provisions, Qin Yining and Lu Heng discussed the route. Without lingering in place, they traveled through the night to a valley they had bypassed on their way here, using the heavy snow to cover their tracks and perfectly avoiding the scouts arranged by Si Qin.
Meanwhile, news of the intercepted provisions quickly reached Si Qin’s ears.
“What? Total annihilation? This Khan arranged over a hundred elite troops, each capable of fighting ten men – how could they be so easily wiped out! Who did this?”
The reporting general’s face was ashen. When Si Qin roared, his face turned even paler. He knelt and bowed deeply: “Khan, please calm your anger. It is our ministers’ incompetence. Now heavy snow blocks the roads and conditions outside are very poor. We ministers… don’t know who did this. When I arranged for people to investigate, only the bodies of our warriors remained at the camp. The provisions, horses, and weapons had all vanished without a trace.”
“Vanished without a trace?” Si Qin’s voice seemed ground out from between his teeth, but he pressed his lips together and still managed to perfectly control his emotions and expression, saying unhurriedly: “Could it really be that some immortal disapproves of our Tatar prosperity and doesn’t want us to avenge A’na Ri Khan, causing such a farce?”
“No, no! Khan, please don’t think that way. It’s our ministers’ uselessness that let villains take advantage. How could there be any talk of divine protection being withdrawn?”
“Yes, Khan. With provisions lost, there must be traces. We ministers will immediately order a thorough investigation and will definitely track down the provisions’ whereabouts! We absolutely cannot let our food disappear into thin air!”
Only then did Si Qin nod: “In that case, this Khan is reassured. This Khan also believes we are a nation protected by the gods, and believes no one could use sorcery to silently take away provisions.”
Coming out of the palace, when the ministers were hit by the cold wind, they discovered their backs were soaked with cold sweat. When the wind blew, their whole bodies felt cold.
Wutejin Khan was truly a mighty khan. Without getting angry, just a few words made him more frightening than when the former A’na Ri Khan lost her temper.
Just now, although Wutejin Khan hadn’t erupted in violent fury, they had all begun trembling from their souls – this was true imperial majesty.
Pang Xiao also received a message by carrier pigeon.
Tatar provisions had been intercepted and vanished without a trace. Now Si Qin’s people were all tracking down the provisions’ whereabouts, and the date for war might be delayed.
Upon reading this, Pang Xiao’s heart shook. Although without proof or having seen it personally, Pang Xiao still concluded that the provisions matter must be related to Qin Yining.
Si Qin was extremely skilled at winning people over. After ascending to power, he not only treated court ministers well but also exempted people from taxes and improved many slaves’ living conditions. Now all of the Tatars praised Wutejin Khan as a benevolent ruler.
Thus, Tatar unity had reached unprecedented heights in about fifty years.
With the Tatars wanting to avenge A’na Ri Khan and wage war, no one would think to rob provisions, and Si Qin would definitely arrange elite troops for transport – ordinary bandits couldn’t steal those provisions.
Therefore, Pang Xiao concluded the provisions matter must be planned and premeditated behavior.
And Qin Yining had the strongest motive to do this. Because doing so could ease Great Zhou’s pressure, which was equivalent to easing his pressure. Pang Xiao never doubted Qin Yining’s intelligence and ability. Just knowing she was still alive had made him happy for several days. Now that she still had the strength for such major undertakings truly surprised and delighted Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao quietly went to find Qin Huaiyuan.
Upon learning the news, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but laugh: “This girl – I was worried about how hard her life outside must be, but who knew she’d have the ability to raid their provisions. Now at least I don’t have to worry about her going hungry outside.”
Pang Xiao also laughed, but after laughing felt some worry: “What if I guessed wrong and it wasn’t Yining who did it? She might still be going hungry. Tatar territory is even colder than the capital. Yining grew up in the south – I’m really afraid she can’t adapt.”
Hearing this, Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t help but chuckle at Pang Xiao’s gains and losses mentality.
“Don’t worry, I can confirm it was indeed Yining who did it. Today I received news from the Cao family sent from the Tatar border. Although we can’t confirm whether Yining and Lu Heng killed A’na Ri Khan, they have already left the capital with the Tatar Minuo tribe people and are now being pursued by Si Qin’s forces.”
“The Minuo tribe? It was formerly one of the most powerful Tatar tribes. But I heard they were severely persecuted by A’na Ri Khan, and there aren’t many young and strong men left in the tribe now.”
“Right, that’s the tribe. No regime is an iron barrel without holes. Now Wutejin Khan is pleasing the Tatar people precisely by using the bad things A’na Ri Khan did during her time to highlight his current benevolence.”
Hearing this, Pang Xiao fell silent.
Si Qin’s methods were terrifying upon reflection.
Si Qin had been calculating from the day he first approached A’na Ri. Even when helping A’na Ri seize power, he had already paved the way for his future self. Such vicious and meticulous thinking was chilling.
Pang Xiao couldn’t help but think of himself.
His pillow companion was also very smart, also a person of unparalleled wisdom, but she wouldn’t harm him – only help him. Even when she was in danger herself, she didn’t forget to lead people to steal Si Qin’s provisions to reduce pressure on his side, not to mention all the help she provided during the earthquake disaster relief before.
Pang Xiao’s body and soul seemed soaked in honey.
However, the more this was so, the more bone-deep longing rampaged through his blood. If possible, how much Pang Xiao wished Qin Yining could stay safely by his side. Even if she couldn’t help him, it wouldn’t matter – as long as she could accompany him safely.
“Si Qin is so cunning that Yining’s situation in Tatar territory is now very dangerous.” Pang Xiao’s brow was tightly furrowed with worry: “If possible, I would have gone to the Tatars personally to bring her back long ago.”
Qin Huaiyuan patted Pang Xiao’s shoulder consolingly: “Don’t be too anxious. Things haven’t reached that point yet. Yining is now with the Minuo tribe people. Although we don’t know the details, one thing is certain – Yining is temporarily safe. Now our relationship with the Tatars is tense. If you act rashly and get charged with treason, that’s no joke. Don’t forget – your life and death no longer represent just yourself.”
Pang Xiao smiled bitterly in helplessness.
Precisely because he knew he still had inescapable responsibilities, he could only helplessly wait for news here. Otherwise, he would have long since been unable to restrain himself and charged straight to Tatar territory.
While the father and son-in-law worried about Qin Yining, Qin Yining was extremely happily embracing Cao Yuqing.
“Aunt Cao! You’re safe! That’s wonderful!”