Li Mu had been waiting for this message for many days.

Previously at Tongguan Pass, the battle with Northern Yan had been deadlocked. After subsequently defeating the enemy and advancing the army eastward to Hongnong, since Hongnong was located in the middle section between Tongguan Pass and Luoyang with convenient transportation, Li Mu established Hongnong as a temporary communication point and military supply depot. Various messages from the rear would be continuously transmitted to his hands by specialized messenger teams, allowing him to decide on the next course of action based on the latest situation.

Before this Northern Expedition, he had required that normal correspondence between Yi Cheng, Chang’an, and his location must be maintained.

Even when nothing was happening, safe arrival messages had to be sent out every other day.

Messages would be sent from Yi Cheng to Chang’an, and after consolidation, correspondence from both places would be delivered to Hongnong at the fastest speed, then forwarded to him.

Previously, both places had been safe and sound.

But this time, six days had passed since he received the last letter.

This had never happened before.

Having no news from the rear for so many consecutive days could have one possibility: sudden severe weather causing road damage and resulting in transportation interruption.

If this was the reason, there would be no major problem.

From Chang’an eastward to Tongguan Pass, then to Hongnong, although there was only one main road that allowed large forces and supplies to travel back and forth smoothly, for communication soldiers, there wasn’t only this one route. If the main road was destroyed, they could take detours via alternate routes and, though taking more time, would eventually arrive here.

What Li Mu worried about was another possibility: something had happened in the rear, which prevented messages from being sent at least every other day as he had previously required.

Not only that, by his estimation, Li Xie should have already delivered Luoshen to Yi Cheng by this time.

But in the last message from Yi Cheng, it only mentioned that all was well, with no news of Luoshen’s safe arrival.

Messages were already delayed from the time they were sent until they reached him, and with no receipt of the expected correspondence for many days, this gave him an ominous feeling in his heart.

At this moment, this message that had been delayed due to blocked roads along the way, forced to take detours, and finally delivered late, confirmed his previous concerns.

The letter came from Sun Fangzhi. It was dated the beginning of the month, nearly twenty days ago.

The letter said that Chang’an had received no news from Yi Cheng for many days. He was somewhat worried and had sent people to investigate Yi Cheng when Gao Yin arrived with the Guangling army, claiming to be acting under imperial court orders to take over Chang’an. He and Gao Huan naturally would not comply, and the defending troops’ morale was also very stable. Chang’an’s army and civilians would respond with full force and would never fail – he should rest assured.

Li Mu’s gaze fell on the letter, his eyes suddenly freezing.

At this moment, what he first thought of was actually not Chang’an, but Yi Cheng, which was even farther away.

According to the previous arrangements and schedule, by today, Li Xie should have already delivered Luoshen to Yi Cheng.

Since the imperial court had brazenly attacked Chang’an, naturally it would not spare Yi Cheng either.

Yi Cheng had tall, solid city walls. Over these years, the walls had been continuously reinforced, and the city’s supplies were abundantly stored. Even if trapped in a siege, it could hold out for at least half a year. He had also left sufficient garrison troops there that could hold until reinforcements arrived even if attacked.

But even so, this didn’t guarantee absolute safety. Moreover, judging from this letter from Chang’an in hand, it was highly likely that before Sun Fangzhi sent this message, Yi Cheng had already suffered an attack similar to Chang’an’s.

Li Mu knew there would definitely be follow-up news, but due to weather and road obstacles, accurate information should still be on the way.

From where he now stood to Luoyang wasn’t far – the Eastern Capital was within reach. Moreover, after the battle at Tongguan Pass, although the Northern Yan army had been beaten with scattered morale and retreated all the way, successively losing Guguan, Hongnong, and Jiaocheng starting from Huazhou, now defending at Xin’an only a few hundred li from Luoyang, if they didn’t seize the opportunity to completely crush Murong Ti’s forces, once they recovered from this setback, they might very well rise again.

Li Mu had no moment of hesitation and no longer continued waiting for subsequent news that might be on the road.

He immediately returned to his camp, assembled his generals, and recounted the message he had just received.

The generals of the Yingtian Army, suddenly learning that the imperial court had actually sent troops to Chang’an at such a time, were shocked by this backstabbing that coordinated with Northern Yan army actions. They were filled with righteous indignation and cursed vehemently.

From the time the Northern Yan army brazenly attacked Huazhou and fought all the way to here today, although the army’s steps had been constantly pushing eastward, in reality, every battle fought previously had been very difficult and not easy.

Their opponents were not only powerful but also quite popular with the people.

Several years ago, Murong Ti became emperor of Northern Yan and subsequently captured Luoyang. At that time, everyone in the city was terrified. The Xianbei people had previously engaged in massive looting and killing in Gaoliang, and Murong Ti’s irreconcilable deep hatred with Luoyang was known to all.

Now returning for revenge, the hundreds of thousands of citizens who couldn’t escape in time were all plunged into the desperate abyss of fear.

Just when everyone thought he would bloodily wash Luoyang, unexpectedly, after entering the city, not only did he not massacre the city to vent his revenge, but he actually ordered soldiers to station outside the city without disturbing the civilians in the slightest. Subsequently, he issued proclamations to comfort the people.

Not only that, during these few years when he established Luoyang as the Northern Yan secondary capital and governed it, he ordered the abolition of harsh taxes and levies and initiated water conservancy projects in various places. His administrative measures could completely be called those of a benevolent ruler and wise sovereign.

Naturally, this gave the people who had previously struggled to survive under Northern Xia rule a feeling of being flattered beyond expectation, and they were even more grateful to the tolerant and benevolent Northern Yan Emperor Murong Ti who had granted them all this.

In many people’s view, having finally been able to live stable lives, they actually didn’t hope to change the status quo.

As long as they could be given a stable life, for ordinary people, what did it really matter which ethnicity the emperor at the very top came from?

So the Yingtian Army on their previous eastward advance, while not exactly facing hostility from local people, was indeed not particularly welcome – this was true.

In the recently concluded Battle of Mianchi, at the beginning, Li Mu’s advance reconnaissance teams got lost due to the complex terrain. When they sought help from local people they encountered, the locals even deliberately gave wrong directions, nearly causing military delays.

During these days stationed here, although the army maintained strict discipline without the slightest transgression, nearby civilians still avoided the Yingtian Army’s arrival like snakes and scorpions.

This formed a stark contrast to the scene in the Southern Dynasty when the army was deeply beloved by the people.

The soldiers were holding back their anger, ready to strike with full force to capture Luoyang in one go. Suddenly learning this news, how could they not be filled with righteous indignation?

Li Mu’s expression was grave, and he didn’t say much. After everyone finished cursing and their emotions gradually calmed down, he ordered the army to be divided into three parts.

One force would serve as rear guard to prevent Northern Yan forces from hearing the news and launching a surprise attack.

The main force would return to Hongnong and temporarily wait there for further orders.

Another force of three thousand elite cavalry selected by him would depart immediately today, led by him personally, traveling light back to the interior.

Although the generals were unwilling in their hearts, they all obeyed orders. After arrangements were completed, each went about their tasks.

The sky was overcast, and heavy rain poured down again. That day, Li Mu set out on the return journey with these five thousand light cavalry in the rain. Considering they might encounter broken bridges and blocked roads along the way, the cavalry also carried tools like picks, shovels, and ropes to build bridges and clear paths, quickly removing obstacles for an early return.

After just one night, by noon of the second day, this cavalry force had already traveled several hundred li. Early that morning, it started raining heavily again. Although everyone wore straw raincoats, after half a day in the rain, they were all soaked through and exhausted from hunger and thirst. Nearby happened to be a village called Xu Village, with a shrine at the village entrance that was locked. Li Mu sent an eloquent subordinate into the village to borrow the place for soldiers to temporarily take shelter from the rain.

A moment later, the soldier came out, saying the villagers were passing the buck to each other, all claiming they didn’t know who had the key.

“Grand Marshal, just go up and kick the door open! What’s the use of arguing with those people!”

A hot-tempered deputy general, hearing this, angrily dismounted and was about to kick down the door.

Such cold treatment wasn’t limited to this place. During the previous eastward advance, the army had encountered similar situations. Li Mu was long accustomed to it. Glancing at the shadows of several villagers hiding behind doors and windows in the distance, peering this way, he frowned slightly and said: “Forget it, let’s look ahead.”

Everyone obeyed orders, mounted their horses, and were about to continue forward when suddenly a soldier shouted: “People coming ahead!”

Li Mu turned his head and saw a team of over ten riders coming from the opposite direction through the rain, racing like lightning until they reached the front.

“It’s General Gao!” Someone sharp-eyed recognized the young general wearing a straw raincoat and bamboo hat at the front.

Li Mu had already seen him and spurred his horse forward.

Gao Huan also saw Li Mu, his face showing delighted surprise as he called out “Brother-in-law” and dismounted from his horse.

“Brother-in-law! My elder brother has withdrawn his troops!”

“Yi Cheng is also relieved from siege! All is safe!”

“I brought army and supplies, but the Hongnong road is blocked and the main force can’t pass through, so they’re temporarily stopped there!”

“I was afraid brother-in-law wouldn’t receive accurate news and would worry, so I came ahead by detour to report to brother-in-law!”

Gao Huan ran while shouting loudly.

The soldiers behind Li Mu heard clearly and all showed joyful expressions, breathing sighs of relief.

Li Mu leaped from his horse, his feet stepping into mud that covered his ankles, and rushed forward to firmly grasp Gao Huan’s arm.

“Where is your sister? How is she? Where is she?”

Gao Huan caught his breath, wiped the rainwater from his face, and smiled: “Brother-in-law, rest assured! My sister is now in Chang’an, safe and sound!”

…

Night fell, and the group camped overnight on high ground several dozen li ahead of Xu Village.

Li Mu ordered soldiers to temporarily set up camp here. After the rear army arrived and joined them, they would all proceed to Hongnong together to clear roads, repair paths, replenish grain supplies, and wait for better weather before making the next plans and actions.

Tent after tent was erected on the hilltop. Though quite crude, they could keep wind and rain overhead.

After the soldiers who had traveled through mud and rain for a day and night were settled, they quickly fell asleep.

Deep into the night, lights still burned in Li Mu’s tent.

He should have been tired too, but his whole being was emotionally stirred, immersed in the news Gao Huan had brought him tonight, unable to sleep for a long time.

Gao Huan had described to him his sister’s experiences all along the way after leaving Jiankang. From requesting Lu Jianzhi’s rescue troops to being pursued by Rong Kang and falling into water. From the spiritual white tiger that had followed her all the way to Chang’an and was now regarded as a divine beast by Chang’an citizens, to how Gao Yun had seized Gao Yin’s military authority with Murong Zhe’s help that day, sending troops beneath the city walls, and at the critical moment, she arrived at the front of both armies, bringing the tiger tally that Gao Qiao had left for her.

Night rain continuously beat against the tent top. In the endless pattering sound in his ears, Li Mu lay on the narrow military cot, slowly closed his eyes, and repeatedly imagined that scene beneath Chang’an city walls where two armies faced each other and she arrived dusty from travel. Beyond being moved, he was amazed at everything she had done, and his longing for her was even more like boiling fire erupting from an uncovered pot, unstoppable.

All along, deep in his heart, how much he had hoped to be with her morning and evening, keeping her firmly by his side, never to lose her.

And tonight, just tonight, on this bitter rainy deep night, those various thoughts that used to occasionally emerge from his heart and gnaw at him completely left him.

He no longer doubted, nor would he worry anymore.

His wife, the woman he loved, during these years, although they had been together little and apart much, when that fateful moment finally came, she still abandoned everything that had once brought her glory.

Noble status, supreme honor, blood kinship. All of this ultimately could not bind her steps.

She completely renounced her past and came to his side.

From now on, he would never again suffer from gains and losses.

At this moment, he missed her so much.

He missed her fragrant breath, missed the warmth of her skin, missed her low whispered calls of “Langjun” in his ear when she was pressed beneath him.

He suddenly opened his eyes, turned over and sat up, taking from the saddlebag that he carried on horseback during the day and kept close at night a wrapped item in oiled paper.

He sat before the candlelight, opened the waterproof oiled paper, and took out the Book of Songs that he had long since worn to tatters from repeated reading. Opening it revealed two dried flowers, long yellowed and withered, pressed between the pages. He gazed at them for a moment, carefully picked them up, brought them to his nose, closed his eyes, and deeply inhaled their fragrance, as if smelling that faint dark fragrance that filled her sleeves.

They had been separated for far too long.

So long that the memory of their last farewell seemed to have occurred at the dawn of chaos, when heaven and earth were first established.

All those previously suppressed midnight longings surged toward him like a tide at this moment, engulfing his entire being.

The only feeling was an urgent desire to return home, unable to wait any longer.

He had made up his mind.

Once he reached Hongnong, no matter what, he must first return to Chang’an.

…

Two days later, the rear forces caught up.

After all forces converged, they began breaking camp and setting out.

As Li Mu mounted his horse and prepared to depart, he suddenly heard from behind the formation what seemed like wailing mixed with soldiers’ curses, very unusual. He ordered a personal guard beside him to investigate.

The guard quickly ran back to report, but his tone carried some disdain. He said that outside the military camp, a group of several hundred civilians had caught up, including villagers from Xu Village they had passed days before. Those people wanted to see the Grand Marshal but were blocked and driven away by the soldiers outside, yet they refused to leave no matter what.

Li Mu asked what the matter was.

The guard said: “I only heard them shouting for help. What exactly happened isn’t clear.”

“Previously when they saw us, each one couldn’t avoid us fast enough. They wouldn’t even lend us a place to shelter from rain! Now that they have trouble, they know to chase after us shouting for help. Grand Marshal need not pay attention!”

A deputy general advised.

Li Mu looked back and said: “I’ll go take a look. See what exactly the matter is.”

He turned his horse around and rode back, quickly approaching to see a crowd of civilians squeezed by the roadside, trying to pass through the line of soldiers blocking their advance. Some were wailing, some knelt in the mud refusing to rise, and others desperately begged the soldiers to let them through to report.

At the front was a rough-handed, weather-beaten middle-aged man in tattered clothes covered in mud, looking extremely anxious. His thick, deformed finger joints tightly gripped the row of spears pressed against his chest as he craned his neck toward the front, shouting something loudly. But his voice was drowned out by the surrounding commotion. Just as things were chaotic, he suddenly saw a column of riders returning from the opposite direction. The man at the front sat high on horseback, wearing helmet and armor, one hand on his sword, naturally commanding without anger, causing everyone to stop.

The surroundings gradually quieted down.

“Disturbing the Grand Marshal is this subordinate’s fault! Please rest assured, Grand Marshal, and return – leave this to this subordinate to handle!” The deputy general who had been ordering soldiers to drive away the civilians saw Li Mu return and hurriedly ran over.

Li Mu sat on horseback, his gaze falling on the group of civilians opposite, his eyes sweeping across faces covered in mud.

“I am Li Mu. You seek to see me – what matter?” he asked.

“Grand Marshal, please save us—”

The middle-aged man hoarsely cried out, and with a “thud,” his entire person prostrated himself almost completely flat in the muddy ground at his feet.

As if awakening from a dream, everyone followed this man’s lead, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing repeatedly.