As promised, the Mengzhou prefectural governor delivered supplies to Wuzhou City, putting the soldiers’ minds at ease.
On the same day, Yue Qiong’s messengers arrived outside Wuzhou City. When Bai Feng came to report to the government office, Yan Chi was explaining the Great Zhou terrain map to Qin Wan. Upon hearing this, he naturally went to the camp.
Curious, Qin Wan followed, but rather than disturbing their discussion, she first went to the field hospital. There, she found Gu Ling supervising the distribution of medicine and soup to the soldiers below.
Qin Wan had met Gu Ling at the Shuoxi main camp before. With people like Yu Qi and Xiao Cheng, who were young and loyal to Yan Chi, Qin Wan was more casual. But with Master Qi and Chu Feisheng, she regarded them partly as Yan Chi’s subjects and partly as elders, showing more respect.
Seeing Gu Ling hadn’t gone to the western camp, Qin Wan asked, “Wasn’t it said the Marquis of Anyang sent people? Why are you still here?”
Gu Ling respectfully lowered his eyes and said, “This subordinate can stay here. If needed, I’ll go over later.”
Yan Chi had mentioned Gu Ling to Qin Wan several times, saying he was an exceptionally good general. Compared to Yu Qi and others, he appeared much more steady, particularly suited to being a commander. Observing Gu Ling briefly, Qin Wan found these words quite accurate. Seeing his attention to detail in the field hospital, she naturally felt moved.
So she joined Gu Ling in distributing medicine and examining wounded soldiers. After being busy for half a day, someone finally came from the western camp to summon them.
Gu Ling then went with Qin Wan to the western camp.
In the main command tent, others had dispersed, leaving only Yan Chi and Yu Qi inside. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, the others bowed in greeting. Noticing Qin Wan and Gu Ling arrive together, Yan Chi asked, “Went to the field hospital?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes. I didn’t expect General Gu to spend all day watching over the field hospital. After being busy for a while, we came together.”
Not bothering with formality in front of them, Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan to sit beside him.
Qin Wan asked, “How is it? What did Godfather say?”
Yue Qiong was Qin Wan’s godfather, something she could never forget. At her words, Yu Qi and others showed surprise – they knew little about matters in the capital. Hearing this, Yan Chi sighed, “The Marquis of Anyang wants to meet with me. If I agree, their people will return tomorrow with the message.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, “He’s in Fengzhou, how can you meet?”
Yan Chi stood up, leading her, “We’ve already discussed it. If we’re not allying with Fengzhou, that’s fine. But if we all, naturally we must leave Wuzhou for Fengzhou. Here, there’s a plain called Wuzhang Plains, only fifty li from Fengzhou City. Currently, the Rong and Man army is in this area.”
Yan Chi pointed to a spot northeast of Wuzhang Plains, and Qin Wan understood.
“What have you decided?”
Yan Chi’s eyes showed deep thought, “The Marquis of Anyang is trustworthy, but others may not be. Meeting him would be fine, but I need to see Yan Qi and the others first.”
“To probe their true intentions?”
Yan Chi nodded, then looked at Gu Ling, “What do you think?”
Gu Ling said, “The Marquis of Anyang likely won’t deceive us, but once we leave Wuzhou City, we lose the advantage of defending from the city.”
Yan Chi hummed in agreement, “This is also my concern. So I had the messengers rest first. We need to think carefully. If we haven’t decided, letting them stay here for a few days is fine…”
Yan Chi wasn’t without strategy – he came to annihilate the Rong and Man tribes, not to help the Marquis of Anyang.
Moreover, the Shuoxi Army soldiers he led were his brothers. There was no reason to let them suffer heavy losses just to help outsiders.
Seeing Yan Chi’s attitude, Gu Ling felt reassured, “Even if Your Highness agrees, we should make them wait a while.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan smiled. Seeing her reaction, Yan Chi also smiled, “Surprising, isn’t it? He appears honest and steady, but in warfare, he has many clever thoughts and absolutely won’t let our people suffer losses.”
Qin Wan’s smile deepened, and seeing the couple’s reaction, Gu Ling felt somewhat embarrassed.
Yu Qi stepped forward, “Your Highness, I also agree.”
Yan Chi smiled, “I understand your meaning. Don’t worry.”
Finally, Yan Chi wasn’t hurrying to give the two messengers an answer. Now bearing the title of a rebel in Wuzhou, having resolved Wuzhou’s crisis, he knew Fengzhou wasn’t as crucial as Wuzhou. Not knowing Fengzhou’s true intentions, he naturally needed to observe. By evening, the messengers again requested to see Yan Chi but were refused by Xiao Cheng, who was in charge of receiving them. The messengers, helpless, then requested to see Qin Wan. Seeing this situation, Xiao Cheng had no choice but to ask Yan Chi first, who immediately refused.
Outside, Gu Ling and others were responsible for distributing new supplies, and wounded soldiers needed rest. Meanwhile, Yan Chi was teaching military strategy to Qin Wan in the government office.
“Warfare is the way of deception. For example, now with Wuzhou, Fengzhou, and the Rong and Man tribes in a three-way standoff, if any side is too hasty for success, they’ll be utterly defeated. From Fengzhou to Wuzhang Plains takes half a day’s journey, and the Rong and Man tribes are also half a day’s journey from Fengzhou. Given this, how would you break the stalemate?”
Qin Wan studied the map carefully, “Ally with Fengzhou?”
Yan Chi continued, “Then what about today’s situation?”
Qin Wan frowned, and Yan Chi asked, “Gu Ling said we should make them wait. Do you know why?”
Qin Wan was puzzled, so Yan Chi explained, “The enemy suffered defeat here and is now wary. If we pursue them now, they’re already prepared. Knowing the Shuoxi Army is here, while they attack Fengzhou, they also fear us joining forces. Since that’s the case, we shouldn’t do what they expect. After seeing no movement from us for several days, they’ll think we have no intention of alliance, and we can strike when they’re most careless.”
Qin Wan had some realization – initially thinking it was just to keep Fengzhou in suspense, to show them the Shuoxi Army couldn’t be manipulated…
As they talked, Yan Chi pointed at the map again, “Currently, the Man tribe still has over a hundred thousand troops. If we deploy, how should we attack?”
Qin Wan looked at the positions on the map and said, “The Rong tribe sends troops to attack the city daily. Could we raid their main camp?”
Hearing this, Yan Chi laughed heartily and couldn’t resist kissing Qin Wan’s lips, “Of course we can!”
Qin Wan punched his waist lightly. Yan Chi hugged her and reached for a military book nearby, “Using minimal forces to achieve maximum effect is how to achieve victory with inferior numbers. The highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy’s strategy. It’s like playing chess – you’re skilled at chess, so you naturally understand military strategy quickly.”
Qin Wan smiled, “I also know the idiom ‘discussing warfare on paper’…”
Finding the city wait boring, Yan Chi noticed Qin Wan reading military books out of boredom and discussed them with her to pass the time. He gradually found pleasure in this and naturally became more willing. Over these days, they would occasionally discuss strategies, and Qin Wan could now speak somewhat knowledgeably about military tactics. Though it was a theoretical discussion, she understood that leading armies and fighting battles relied on wisdom and strategy, making her appreciate Yan Chi’s abilities even more.
The next day, Yan Chi still hadn’t met the Fengzhou messengers. They grew anxious and hurriedly sent word back to Fengzhou. Yue Qiong received the message with disappointment and personally wrote another letter to be delivered to Wuzhou, determined to get Yan Chi’s agreement. Yan Qi had grown cleverer now – though he disagreed in his heart, he didn’t speak openly against it, only continuously sending messages to the capital. Within days, the capital’s reply arrived.
Seeing the Emperor’s words in the letter, Yan Qi’s eyes immediately blazed with excitement!
Lu Xiao asked before him, “Your Highness, what are the Emperor’s instructions?”
Yan Qi said, “Father Emperor says we may temporarily eliminate the Rong and Man tribes, but the crime of rebellion cannot be forgiven. He orders me to act according to circumstances.”
Hearing this, Lu Xiao was confused, “Does this mean we should ally with them?”
Yan Qi nodded then shook his head, his eyes quickly flashing with cold light.
At the same time, another letter arrived in Yue Qiong’s hands, sent from the Marquis of Anyang’s residence.
Upon opening and reading the letter, he learned that Yue Ning had left half a month ago, delaying her marriage to Yan Ze. Though defying an imperial order was a serious crime, fortunately, the Grand Princess still had some influence, and Prince Yi’s household hadn’t pursued the matter. However, when Yue Jia requested to go north as an official, the Emperor didn’t permit it.
Reading this letter, Yue Qiong heaved a long sigh. Yue Ning said she would go west, but where could she go? Yan Chi and Qin Wan had come to Wuzhou – even if she reached Shuoxi, how could she find them? Yue Qiong felt utterly helpless and worried about his daughter while trapped by the current military situation. His heart grew weary, and he hurriedly wrote back, instructing them to try their best to contact Yue Ning and ensure nothing happened to her.
While Yue Qiong was troubled by the family letter, two thin horses arrived outside Wuzhou City under the night sky!
On horseback were a man and a woman, both appearing travel-worn. The guards on the city wall saw them below and asked curiously, “Who are you?! State your names! What brings you to Wuzhou City? Are you local citizens?”
The man below called out, “We’ve come to see Prince Rui! Quickly let us enter the city!”
The people on the wall were startled upon hearing this. At such a time, those with ill intentions wouldn’t dare come alone. After careful observation, they indeed saw only these two people, so they dared not delay further and quickly ordered the side gate opened.
As the side gate opened, the two entered. Everyone saw that despite being travel-worn, they wore fine clothes and carried themselves with distinction. Thus, not daring to delay, they immediately led the two to the government office to see Yan Chi and Qin Wan.
Yan Chi and Qin Wan were about to retire when suddenly Bai Feng came in saying, “Your Highness, Princess Consort, visitors outside seek an audience.”
Yan Chi and Qin Wan exchanged glances, put on their outer robes, and came out. Yan Chi asked, “What visitors in Wuzhou City would come seeking an audience?”
Just as he finished speaking, a bright voice laughed, “Don’t we count as visitors?”
Hearing this, Qin Wan, standing behind Yan Chi, immediately widened her eyes. She hurriedly walked out and instantly saw Wei Qizhi striding in. Seeing Wei Qizhi was already surprising enough, but looking behind him, she saw Yue Ning in short practical clothing!
Qin Wan immediately exclaimed, “How did you come here?!”
Yan Chi was also quite shocked. Wei Qizhi stepped forward and said, “I went to Shuoxi first but learned Your Highness had already deployed troops. On my way back, I met the Princess, who said she wanted to find Your Highness and the Princess Consort. So we came via the east of Mengzhou, taking only ten days to arrive!”
Yue Ning, seeing Qin Wan, wore a faint smile but didn’t speak. Seeing Yue Ning covered in dust, Qin Wan felt heartbroken and quickly went forward to take her hand.
By rights, Yue Ning should have been in the capital now, her marriage to Yan Ze long past, yet here she was!
Judging by the timing, Yue Ning hadn’t married…
Thousands of words stuck in Qin Wan’s heart, but she didn’t rush to ask, “Come in quickly, how long have you been traveling today?”
Wei Qizhi smiled, “We’ve been traveling for a day.”
Qin Wan immediately ordered Bai Ying to have the kitchen prepare food and told Bai Feng to prepare rooms. She kept Yue Ning with her to wash up, while Wei Qizhi was led to the side rooms. With Yue Ning here, Qin Wan couldn’t think of anything else and focused on helping her bathe. In the bathroom, Yue Ning lay in the tub with slightly wet eyes and said, “Coming here like this, I haven’t caused you trouble, have I?”
Qin Wan was washing her hair and smiled, “How could you? I just see how exhausted you are and feel heartache.”
Though speaking, she still didn’t ask about the capital.
Yue Ning couldn’t hold back and said, “I ran away just before the wedding, leaving a letter.”
Qin Wan’s movements slowed. Yue Ning continued, “I learned everything. That day… I found letters between my third brother and the Empress in his study. Then I met Zhan Yang once, and he told me about investigating the Zhuxie Temple case with you before. I guessed then – no wonder you seemed to want to say something several times before. Later, I set a trap, saying I’d met a former servant of Ning Buyi. He fell for it, confirming my suspicions. I struggled at home for several days, and when I heard about the barbarian incident, I ran away, wanting to find you in Shuoxi. Unexpectedly, you had deployed troops, but fortunately, I met Wei Qizhi.”
This was Yue Ning’s first time traveling alone. As she spoke, Qin Wan felt even more heartache and didn’t ask more about the capital, only saying, “How did you meet Wei Qizhi? Was your journey smooth?”
“We met in southern Yuzhou. I wanted to go to Shuoxi through Yuzhou, and after traveling for several days, we met while staying in Yuzhou. It was quite coincidental – Yuzhou City is so large, yet we happened to stay at the same inn. He was originally there to negotiate horse trades. When he learned I was looking for you, he said he knew where you were and escorted me here.”
Yue Ning spoke with some gratitude. Qin Wan smiled, “Fortunately you weren’t alone. Now the northern cities are targeted by barbarians, the citizens are uneasy, and many fleeing south. The roads are quite chaotic – alone, you would surely have encountered trouble.”
Yue Ning hummed in agreement, “I know. We met several groups of refugees on the way and even encountered some bandits, but everything turned out fine.”
Wei Qizhi had always cared for Yue Ning, and now with her fleeing marriage and their shared trials on the journey, even without explicit romance, their relationship was very different from before. Qin Wan understood this but didn’t rush to ask, only telling Yue Ning about her father in Fengzhou.
Yue Ning said, “What’s the current military situation? I’m too ashamed to see Father, I’d rather stay here with you for now.”
Qin Wan smiled, “No rush, maybe Godfather will come in a few days.”
She then explained the current situation to Yue Ning, who was even more skilled in military matters than Qin Wan. Hearing this, she immediately understood.
After bathing, they found Wei Qizhi had already cleaned up and was sitting with Yan Chi in the warm pavilion talking. Seeing Qin Wan and Yue Ning emerge, both men stood.
Yan Chi said, “The food is ready. Let’s talk in the side hall while eating.”
The group then entered the side hall. After sitting down, Wei Qizhi first toasted Yan Chi, “The first cup is to Prince Rui. I’ll need to stay here for some time, please accommodate me. I’ve brought Your Highness a gift—”
They were old acquaintances, so Yan Chi was naturally willing. Hearing the word “gift,” his eyebrows raised.
Wei Qizhi smiled, “However many war horses Your Highness wants, I can provide! Even weapons, I can find for Your Highness!”
Yan Chi laughed heartily, “I had been hoping to wait for you, but things changed. This cup I return to you – thank you for protecting Yue Ning on the journey here.”
This was exactly what Qin Wan wanted to say. Hearing this, Wei Qizhi glanced at Yue Ning and drained his cup in one go.
Both travelers had been hungry all day and naturally ate well first. After the meal, Qin Wan said she would sleep with Yue Ning, sending Yan Chi to the warm pavilion. Though extremely reluctant, he had to comply. Wei Qizhi returned to the side room. When Qin Wan and Yue Ning lay down, they first discussed various matters from Shuoxi and the capital, and then Yue Ning spoke about Yan Ze. They continued talking until they heard the rooster crow before finally falling into deep sleep…