Zhao Bai was startled and looked at the torrential rain outside, answering: “Calculating the days, they should arrive at Pingzhou soon. However, with continuous heavy rain these days, the official roads are muddy, so there will likely be a delay of a day or two.”

Wen Yu set down the scissors and said: “With one more Tao Commandery, we gain another bargaining chip in negotiations with Southern Chen. But after this battle, whether it’s Wei Qishan or Pei Song, neither should be able to sit still anymore.”

She picked up the cup of cold tea from the corner of the table. Her wrist tilted slightly as she poured the cold tea into the potted plant beside it: “When Lord Chen and the others return, summon Lord Li Xun, Lord He Kuan, and the other officials to come over.”

—

In the rainy weather, even the pale light at the horizon’s edge was a gloomy gray.

Chen Wei and Fan Yuan dismounted. Xiao Li and Tan Yi came forward to greet them, clasping their fists: “Lord Chen, General Fan.”

Chen Wei looked at Xiao Li, whose armor was stained with blood, and said with a smile: “I’ve already sent word to Pingzhou, reporting this great victory to the Wengzhu. Young Master Xiao forcefully broke through South Gate—this achievement is undoubtedly the greatest merit!”

Xiao Li said: “It was because Lord Chen and General Fan conducted feint attacks at the East and West Gates, drawing away much of South Gate’s forces, that this subordinate could exploit this opening. The successful breach of South Gate was also thanks to Vice General Tan’s proper coordination.”

Tan Yi hadn’t expected Xiao Li to include him when claiming credit. Surprised and delighted, yet recalling his previous machinations, a hidden sense of guilt arose in his heart. He hastily said: “It was Captain Xiao’s valor. This subordinate merely did what was within his duties.”

Chen Wei knew Tan Yi’s character. He was capable and practical, just too fond of scheming. When Chen Wei initially made Tan Yi serve as Fan Yuan’s vice general, it was precisely because only someone as straightforward as Fan Yuan wouldn’t mind his little schemes. The two complemented each other and could instead accomplish great things together.

Hearing him now praise Xiao Li with genuine sincerity, Chen Wei was quite surprised. He said to Xiao Li: “It seems Young Master Xiao has gotten along well with the generals below during these days in the army.”

Xiao Li said: “The generals have looked after this subordinate considerably.”

Chen Wei smiled and said: “That’s good then. We all serve the Wengzhu. Being together in the army, we should be as close as brothers.”

As Fan Yuan passed by Xiao Li, he also patted his shoulder and laughed: “Good lad!”

Tan Yi gestured an invitation to Chen Wei and Fan Yuan: “The officials of the Tao Commandery administration, from top to bottom, have all been confined in the Commandery Governor’s residence, awaiting your lordship’s disposal.”

Fan Yuan said in a rough voice: “Let’s go see that old schemer Yao Zhengqing. He’s been cowering inside this four-walled stone shell of Tao Commandery. We’ve finally pried open his turtle shell and caught him!”

Chen Wei stepped into the courtyard: “The Wengzhu intends to recruit this person’s surrender. His old bones can’t withstand much hardship—don’t make things too difficult for him.”

Fan Yuan rubbed his fists together and laughed heartily: “My lord, the way you put it—am I, Old Fan, that kind of person?”

Tan Yi listened to the two men’s hearty laughter and conversation gradually fade into the distance before saying somewhat embarrassedly to Xiao Li: “Earlier… thank you, Brother Xiao.”

Xiao Li said: “What thanks does General Tan speak of? Xiao merely spoke the truth.”

Tan Yi felt even more gratified in his heart. Not wanting to pierce through this understanding, he said: “To have made a friend like Brother Xiao is my good fortune. From now on, if Brother Xiao has any difficulties, just speak up.”

Xiao Li smiled: “Then I thank General Tan.”

He had always felt there was some kind of barrier between himself and those Pingzhou generals, but now, that invisible screen seemed to be slowly breaking down.

Xiao Li and Tan Yi tacitly stopped their conversation and strode to catch up with Chen Wei and Fan Yuan.

Led by Yao Zhengqing, a group of Tao Commandery officials were all bound tightly and forced to kneel in the courtyard. The torrential rain had soaked their clothes and hair. The entire group was utterly bedraggled.

Fan Yuan feigned anger at the soldiers who had bound them: “What kind of work is this? Why bind them all in the courtyard to be drenched by rain? With them all soaked like long-necked pheasants, which one is Commandery Governor Yao?”

Hearing such mocking words, Yao Zhengqing immediately cursed: “How dare you insolent wretches be so arrogant! This old man has already sent someone to deliver a letter to Xinzhou. Prince Anshan of Xinzhou has probably already sent troops to surround Pingzhou! This old man’s bones have lived to this age—it’s already more than enough. Trading Tao Commandery for your Pingzhou, trading this decrepit body for the life of that woman of the Wen clan—it’s still worth it!”

Hearing the last sentence, Xiao Li raised his eyes to look at him. In those eyes where the fierceness hadn’t completely faded, killing intent clearly flashed.

When Yao Zhengqing’s gaze met his, he felt his throat tighten.

He didn’t know who this person was, but seeing him stand behind Chen Wei and Fan Yuan, and looking quite young, he guessed he was merely a minor general in the army. To think that he, having served as an official for decades, would actually be frightened by the gaze of an unknown junior general—he immediately felt he’d lost face and continued glaring angrily.

Chen Wei and Fan Yuan stood under the eaves. Although their armor had long been soaked through in the rain, compared to Yao Zhengqing and his group whose hair buns had been drenched loose, they still had nothing whatsoever to do with the word “bedraggled.”

Chen Wei looked down at him from his superior position: “Is Commandery Governor Yao determined to remain loyal to Prince Anshan, willing to sacrifice all of Tao Commandery?”

Yao Zhengqing was advanced in years. Having been drenched by rain and angered to the point of attacking his heart, he couldn’t stop coughing as he spoke: “It was your Pingzhou that broke faith first! Chen Wei, ah Chen Wei, you and I were both ministers of Liang in the past. This old man will advise you today: don’t let your eyes be blinded by foolish loyalty because of that bit of recognition Prince Changxian showed you. That yellow-haired girl of the Wen clan—in this era when heroes compete for the realm—what can she accomplish?”

He said sternly: “The heavens want to destroy the Wen clan, the heavens want to destroy Great Liang! Otherwise, how could all the men of the Wen clan be slaughtered by Pei Song?”

These words were truly grating. Fan Yuan drew his blade and pressed it against Yao Zhengqing’s neck: “You old scoundrel, if you dare spout such mad words again, I’ll slaughter you!”

But Yao Zhengqing only laughed heartily: “You all gained Prince Changxian’s important positions, so naturally you haven’t experienced those hardships of official life. You just want to play deaf and dumb, denying that the Great Liang court is rotten to its very roots? How many scholars throughout the realm endure ten years of cold window study for just this one path of the imperial examinations leading straight to success—but what do the three ranks of successful candidates amount to? In Luodu City, they’re not even worthy of carrying the shoes of powerful eunuchs! The hundred officials of the court hold their positions while accomplishing nothing. The sovereign has been long ill, with orders changing from morning to evening. Instead, the imperial relatives-by-marriage have absolute authority. How many loyal ministers and good generals have died with grievances? Such a sovereign, such a state—what is there left worth being loyal to?”

Chen Wei said: “Heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, teachers—heaven and earth are the foundation of life; ancestors are the foundation of our kind; sovereign and teacher are the foundation of governance. Without heaven and earth, how could life exist? Without ancestors, how could we emerge? Without sovereign and teacher, how could there be governance? If any one of these three is lost, there can be no peace for people. As ministers, civil officials die remonstrating, military officials die in battle. When there are treacherous villains beside the sovereign, we should clear the sovereign’s side and support the state. What the Prince and the Heir Apparent were doing before was precisely removing the Ao faction and bringing relief to the people’s livelihood. Great Liang clearly already showed signs of revival—it was the traitor Pei Song who placed the realm’s common people back into deep water and scorching fire. Now you, because of your disloyal heart, slander your former lord like this—don’t you feel shame in your old face?”

Yao Zhengqing’s graying beard and hair had been soaked into strands in the rain. His voice choked with grief: “The Wen clan’s fate is exhausted. I never received Prince Changxian’s recognition and cannot be like that foolish minister Zhou Jing’an who died for his lord. That villain Pei Song is also unworthy of my loyal service. Only Marquis Wei Qishan of Shuobian is a hero of this age—this old man is willing to be driven by him.”

He looked at Chen Wei: “If you release this old man today, this old man will act as if this night raid on my Tao Commandery never happened. You value integrity—if you submitted to Wei Qishan just like this, it would tarnish your reputation. This old man can introduce you, have Marquis Wei personally recruit you. Otherwise, when Prince Anshan breaks through Pingzhou and captures that woman of the Wen clan alive, then comes back to attack Tao Commandery, you’ll have no more opportunities.”

Chen Wei looked at Yao Zhengqing and only said: “The Wengzhu shouldn’t have instructed us to spare your lives.”

He ordered his subordinates: “Put them in prison carts and take them back to Pingzhou to be dealt with by the Wengzhu.”

Fan Yuan was already holding back a belly full of anger. He immediately said: “Understood! I’ll personally send this old fool to the prison cart!”

He grabbed Yao Zhengqing and dragged him toward the prison cart outside the courtyard. One of Yao Zhengqing’s shoes was dragged off, and he shouted hoarsely in his bedraggled state: “Chen Wei, this old man advises you to think clearly! If Prince Changxian and his son were still alive, acting like this you could still fight for a future. Now that woman of the Wen clan may have already fallen into Prince Anshan’s hands—if you don’t seek a way out for yourself and still want to throw eggs at stones, seeking your own destruction, what then?”

Chen Wei turned to look at Yao Zhengqing, who had been dragged to the courtyard entrance, and said: “I’m afraid Commandery Governor Yao will be disappointed.”

Fan Yuan threw the man into the prison cart and spat: “They all say you old scoundrel has deep schemes. I say, even if we gave you three more heads, you still couldn’t match one finger of our Wengzhu! Still saying the Wengzhu has fallen into Prince Anshan’s hands—that old coward is fighting with Yizhou right now. Does he have time to pay attention to you?”

Yao Zhengqing sat slumped in the prison cart. For the first time, endless confusion arose in his heart. He shouted in disbelief: “How is that possible? How could Prince Anshan go to war with Yizhou at this time?”

Fan Yuan sneered: “You think Wei Qishan is a saint? If we can launch a night raid on Tao Commandery, why couldn’t Xinzhou have designs on Yizhou?”

Yao Zhengqing sensed something was wrong. His mind turned, and he suddenly roared in fury: “It was you! You deliberately schemed to make Xinzhou and Yizhou go to war?”

No one paid him any attention. Only Fan Yuan swept his eyes up and down Yao Zhengqing, his face unable to hide his disdain: “If I were you, I’d be so ashamed right now that I’d hang myself in this cart with my belt. You kept saying the Wen clan has no one, what great things can a woman accomplish—and my Wengzhu turned around and took your Tao Commandery. How about that?”

After extreme anger, being mocked like this, Yao Zhengqing instead found himself unable to speak.

He sat silently in a corner of the prison cart, his gaunt head leaning against a wooden post, watching the Pingzhou troops entering the city move in and out of streets and alleys in orderly fashion.

Junior officers accompanying them were still ordering soldiers below: “The lord has commanded: anyone who dares oppress the city’s common people will be executed on the spot!”

Yao Zhengqing’s pupils, clouded with gray film, grew increasingly still and silent.

All the Tao Commandery officials of any note were loaded onto prison carts.

Chen Wei instructed Fan Yuan: “I still need to remain here to handle various matters. The task of escorting them back to Pingzhou, I’ll entrust to you, Old Fan, and Young Master Xiao.”

Fan Yuan said carelessly: “Got it.”

Xiao Li said: “This subordinate obeys the command.”

Chen Wei glanced at Fan Yuan and said: “That man surnamed Yao is advanced in years after all—don’t torment him to death on the road.”

He then said to Xiao Li: “I trouble Young Master Xiao to watch over him for me on the journey.”

Fan Yuan said dissatisfied: “I know what I’m doing. It’s just that old scoundrel’s mouth is truly detestable. I’ll just keep my distance from him during the escort.”

Chen Wei said: “Small as Tao Commandery is, under his governance it became impregnable as a fortress. This person indeed has some talent, just that he’s never been given important positions and has harbored resentment against Great Liang for a long time. If he’s willing to surrender, in the future for both Pingzhou and Tao Commandery, it will only bring more benefit than harm.”

Fan Yuan muttered: “I just hope when he gets before the Wengzhu, that mouth of his can settle down a bit!”

But Chen Wei asked with a smile: “Do you think the Wengzhu would punish him for a few disrespectful words?”

Xiao Li recalled Wen Yu’s way of handling matters and felt she wouldn’t.

But Fan Yuan thought for a moment before saying: “As long as he doesn’t mock or satirize the Prince and the Heir Apparent, given the Wengzhu’s magnanimity, she probably won’t even get angry.”

Chen Wei said: “That’s right then.”

Fan Yuan knew Chen Wei was giving him a hint—that old man Yao Zhengqing could tell what was important. There was an eighty percent chance he would still submit to Wen Yu, so he shouldn’t offend the man too much.

Quite depressed, he said: “I know, I know. Can I really do anything to that old scoundrel?”

He immediately waved his hand: “Let’s go!”

The group returned to Pingzhou in the rain.

Xiao Li and Fan Yuan rode side by side. He remained very quiet throughout the journey, as if deep in contemplation about something.

Fan Yuan spoke up and asked: “What are you thinking about, Brother Xiao?”

Xiao Li said: “Nothing much. It’s just that the Tao Commandery Governor said that after Xinzhou receives their letter, they’ll surround Pingzhou. Right now Xinzhou is temporarily tied down by Yizhou, but if they learn we’ve already taken Tao Commandery, will they realize it’s a scheme and join forces to attack us?”

Fan Yuan laughed: “Setting aside that neither Yizhou nor Xinzhou has evidence proving we were the ones who hijacked the ships, just the fact that we’ve already taken Tao Commandery makes an alliance between them impossible.”

Xiao Li pondered Fan Yuan’s words, not immediately speaking.

Seeing he still hadn’t grasped the key point, Fan Yuan explained: “This is the brilliance of the Wengzhu’s scheme. Yizhou only rebelled after hearing the rumor that Pei Song was dead and seeing prefectures everywhere conscripting troops to rebel. In such a situation, even if Yizhou fears Pei Song’s army will come south later to settle accounts, they also fear Pei Song won’t tolerate them and can only go all the way down this path, choosing between allying with us or Wei Qishan. But after the cargo ship hijacking incident, as long as Yizhou takes issue with Xinzhou, they’ll have a certificate of allegiance to present to Pei Song.”

“Now whether the conflict between Yizhou and Xinzhou was designed by us no longer matters. With Pingzhou swallowing Tao Commandery, it’s already extremely disadvantageous for Xinzhou. If Yizhou ultimately chooses to submit to Pei Song, Xinzhou’s situation will become even more difficult. So their only option is to strike first—while Yizhou hasn’t officially turned to Pei Song yet and we’ve just taken Tao Commandery without completely stabilizing this territory and won’t easily send troops—they must take down Yizhou to continue opposing us.”

After listening, Xiao Li pulled on the reins: “If that’s the case, the defensive line north of Pingzhou will only have Tao Commandery, which is vastly different from what the Wengzhu originally envisioned.”

Fan Yuan said frankly: “Relying solely on Pingzhou’s military strength and wanting to capture all three iron walls of Tao Commandery, Yizhou, and Xinzhou—that’s a fool’s dream.”

Xiao Li’s expression changed. “What do you mean?”

Fan Yuan said: “That we successfully launched a surprise attack and took Tao Commandery this time can already be called divine protection. From the very beginning, the Wengzhu was only gambling with this move. If we couldn’t take Tao Commandery, retreating to Pingzhou would be fine—after allying with Southern Chen, we could still use Southern Chen’s forces to attack these three prefectures by force. But if we took Tao Commandery, we’d have more confidence in our subsequent negotiations with Southern Chen.”

Xiao Li’s hand gripping the reins tightened, his knuckles faintly turning white. He asked: “Then why… did the Wengzhu still have us consider methods for defending Bairen Pass with ten thousand troops?”

That day, after Wen Yu gave Xiao Li that problem to ponder, not long after, Fan Yuan gathered all the military commanders and told them about it, having them strategize together.

Only then did Xiao Li learn that Wen Yu hadn’t exclusively assigned him alone to devise a countermeasure.

Though somewhat disappointed in his heart, he also understood that if they were to deal with Southern Chen, naturally they needed to gather the entire army’s strength.

But Fan Yuan’s words at this moment suddenly made Xiao Li realize that actually, Wen Yu had never intended to destroy the marriage agreement with Southern Chen.

Her goal had never changed from beginning to end—it was only his wishful thinking that had misinterpreted her intentions.

The rain was too heavy. Fan Yuan didn’t clearly see Xiao Li’s expression at this moment and only answered: “The Central Plains has been in chaos for several months, yet Southern Chen has remained dormant without attacking. Firstly, it’s because of the marriage agreement with the Wengzhu—they can, like Wei Qishan, raise the banner of seeking justice for the Wen clan to crusade against Pei Song. With the Wengzhu present, they can be even more legitimate than Wei Qishan. Secondly, naturally if they attack Bairen Pass by force, they themselves will also suffer losses and gain nothing. For the Wengzhu to get Southern Chen to agree to her conditions, she must still intimidate Southern Chen somewhat. War-gaming on sand tables, simulating an offensive and defensive campaign without expending a single soldier—showing Southern Chen clearly the cost of attacking by force—is naturally the best method. It’s just that before devising a winning strategy, the Wengzhu said not to make it public yet.”

He looked at Xiao Li: “I’m only telling you this, Brother Xiao.”

Rainwater streamed down Xiao Li’s smoothly contoured jaw. He seemed to smile and said: “So that’s how it is.”

Fan Yuan felt Xiao Li’s reaction was a bit strange, but couldn’t say exactly what was strange about it. After puzzling over it for quite a while, he suddenly realized that Xiao Li was the Wengzhu’s confidant, yet the Wengzhu hadn’t told him these things.

Could he be feeling that the Wengzhu no longer valued him?

Fan Yuan thought to himself, how could that be? The Wengzhu, just from hearing one remark that he couldn’t find a satisfactory advisor, specifically instructed Li Xun to enlighten him when free, but not to publicize it. Fan Yuan surmised that perhaps the Wengzhu wanted to temper Xiao Li, which was why he had envied Xiao Li multiple times for having an old master, yet never revealed the truth.

He feared what he’d said might make Xiao Li think wrongly and ruin things. He said: “The Wengzhu arranged for Brother Xiao to come to the army, presumably also planning to train Brother Xiao as a military talent. As a general, the deployment of every battle concerns the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers below. That the Wengzhu didn’t reveal it was war-gaming on sand tables is precisely because she hoped the generals below would all treat it as a real campaign that might actually occur and conduct war-gaming accordingly.”

The smile still hung at the corner of Xiao Li’s mouth as he said calmly: “The general makes sense.”

It was he himself who hadn’t thought of this layer from the beginning.

—

Pingzhou.

“Scouts report that after news of our capture of Tao Commandery spread, Xinzhou also dispatched troops to attack Yizhou at daybreak.”

Outside the bamboo curtain, Zhao Bai held memorials and read them aloud to Wen Yu.

Wen Yu had been using her eyes too much recently. When reading memorials, they ached painfully. She had already summoned a physician for acupuncture and hot compresses.

The physician instructed her to use her eyes less, but many important matters required her decision, so Zhao Bai read the official documents and memorials for her.

At this moment, she wore everyday clothes in pear blossom white, her cloud-like hair lightly pinned up. Holding scissors, she was pruning pear blossom branches inserted in a celadon vase, saying: “As expected.”

Zhao Bai changed to another memorial and continued reading: “A report delivered an hour ago—the troops escorting the Tao Commandery officials will arrive in the city in another twenty li. Lord Chen remained in Tao Commandery to handle subsequent matters. Those escorting the carts back are General Fan Yuan and Captain… Captain Xiao.”

She still extremely disliked Xiao Li. When reading his name, she paused before speaking his military rank.

The scissors in Wen Yu’s hand tilted slightly, cutting off the pear blossom branch that had bloomed most beautifully.

Seeing this, Zhao Bai said: “The main branch has been cut off. This servant will go fold some more back for you.”

Wen Yu looked at the pear blossom with only a small残枝 remaining. She raised her hand to gently stroke the small buds on it, saying: “Leave it as is. With only a残枝 remaining, it might bloom even better.”

Zhao Bai didn’t understand her meaning.

But Wen Yu’s expression was bland. After withdrawing her hand, she only said: “Help me change clothes. They should arrive at the administration office soon.”

—

When Wen Yu changed clothes and arrived at the council hall, Fan Yuan had already brought the military commanders from this expedition to Tao Commandery and was waiting there. It appeared they had only simply changed into dry clothes—their hair was all wet, making it easy to guess the group had returned in the rain.

Li Xun, He Kuan, and others who had received Wen Yu’s summons were also present. Seeing her, everyone clasped their hands in salute together.

Wen Yu said to Fan Yuan: “General Fan led the soldiers in a night raid on Tao Commandery and rushed back in the rain, exhausted and weary—it’s truly been hard on you. Let’s keep this short, then you may return first to rest and recuperate.”

Fan Yuan said straightforwardly: “Pingzhou’s first battle is a great victory—such a joyous matter, if this subordinate couldn’t relate it in detail to my colleagues, even lying on my bed right now I could only stare helplessly.”

His words drew laughter from the assembled advisors. Those more familiar with him laughed even more: “This fellow has been waiting to show off. What need does the Wengzhu have to pity his exhaustion? Let him speak in detail!”

Wen Yu smiled faintly and allowed it.

Fan Yuan clasped his fists and became serious: “That this battle could be won—firstly, it was because Lord Chen’s strategy was sound. Using the method of feint attacks on the East and West Gates, he dispersed the South Gate’s forces. Later, when our soldiers launched the main attack from South Gate, Tao Commandery feared North Gate also had an ambush and didn’t dare mobilize North Gate troops again, reducing reinforcements going to support the other three major gates.”

The advisors stroked their beards and conversed in low voices, praising this stratagem endlessly.

Fan Yuan continued: “Secondly, it was due to Captain Xiao’s valor. Leading soldiers using rope ladders to climb onto the South Gate tower of Tao Commandery, killing their way into the barbican and opening the city gate—only then could the main force outside the city enter, surround the Commandery Governor’s residence, and attack the Tao Commandery guards at the East and West Gates from inside and out, finally achieving complete victory in this battle.”

Hearing this, the advisors all marveled without exception, saying directly that the younger generation was formidable.

Those gazes—whether appraising or appreciative—fell uniformly on Xiao Li.

Wen Yu also looked toward him.

She didn’t know from when, but in crowded occasions, Wen Yu would always subconsciously avoid looking at Xiao Li, as if worried that even one brief meeting of eyes might be perceived as something by those with ulterior motives.

Today too, it was only because Fan Yuan mentioned him that her gaze fell openly on him.

But with just one glance, Wen Yu felt that Xiao Li was quite strange.