Chen Wei and Li Xun thought briefly and immediately understood—breaking off the engagement was false; using the opportunity to act against Southern Chen was the true purpose.

Just as Southern Chen had calculated that they wouldn’t truly abandon the alliance with Southern Chen, looking at it from the other direction, Southern Chen was the same.

This game was about seizing benefits by treading on each other’s bottom lines.

Southern Chen thought that Wen Yu, a lone woman, was weak and could be bullied. They first trampled Great Liang’s dignity underfoot, and only when things reached the point of armed confrontation would they bring up the alliance again. Then Wen Yu would certainly make them bow and scrape as they had when seeking marriage at Prince Changlian’s manor years ago, restoring Great Liang’s dignity.

Chen Wei hesitated: “But since Southern Chen dispatched the Grand Master of Remonstrance to accompany them yet still allowed that young general to act recklessly, they clearly did this intentionally. I fear they have contingency plans even for this worst outcome.”

Wen Yu rose. Her wide sleeves hung from her elbows. Sunlight streaming through gaps in the bamboo curtain flowed over the brocade embroidered with intricate patterns, like flowing gold. She said calmly: “Even if they have contingency plans, they still need us to accept them.”

“Southern Chen’s Queen Mother isn’t a fool. She must have guessed that before marrying over, I would propose many conditions. That’s why she deliberately arranged things this way—to make me recognize the current situation and understand that today is different from the past.”

Chen Wei and Li Xun both nodded, listening quietly. Regarding the many offensive words from that Southern Chen young general at the city gate today, if Wen Yu hadn’t taken a stance, Chen Wei, even with anger in his heart, wouldn’t have dared make decisions on his own.

Southern Chen’s attitude toward them depended on the Chen King and Queen Mother.

Their response to Southern Chen depended on Wen Yu.

This confrontation, at its root, was a clash between the power holders on both sides.

Thin white lines of incense rose from the Boshan censer, dispersed by Wen Yu’s trailing gauze sleeve. She continued composedly: “Having already shown such crude discourtesy first, if Southern Chen subsequently sends apologetic ministers who are merely somewhat more courteous and make one or two concessions on the conditions we propose, we’ll probably accept.”

She seemed to smile, her eyes so light it was as if she viewed this mortal world from the clouds: “The methods we wanted to use on Southern Chen—they’ve already used them on us first.”

Li Xun was momentarily stunned: “Then what can be done?”

They wanted to use breaking the engagement to force Southern Chen to agree to more conditions. If Southern Chen saw through this, implementing their plan would likely not be so easy.

Li Yao snorted: “So what if Southern Chen knows our purpose? As long as they still want to sit down and continue negotiations, however they stood while making this foolish move, they’ll have to kneel to come apologize for this offense!”

He looked at Wen Yu: “Ziyu acted decisively today—very well done. Negotiations with Southern Chen before the alliance marriage are when we’re most advantaged. If we retreat one step now, we can only retreat step by step in the future. You covet Southern Chen’s military authority, yet don’t realize Southern Chen also eyes the power in your hands.”

Wen Yu said: “Yu understands.”

The Great Liang imperial house she represented—once she married the Chen King, Southern Chen could also borrow this nominal status.

Only the remnant forces of former Liang were what she could firmly grasp. This was why before the alliance marriage, she must reach an agreement with Southern Chen to have several prefectures neighboring Ping Province belong to her.

Having already fallen into stalemate with Southern Chen, they must also discuss defense arrangements for Bairen Pass outside Ping Province.

Xiao Li and Fan Yuan were guarding the Southern Chen Grand Master of Remonstrance outside. Li Xun mentioned they had devised a method to defend the pass, but military matters needed them to explain it themselves to be clear. Wen Yu summoned the two inside.

When the two entered, Chen Wei was just withdrawing first to handle sending the letter to Southern Chen. He clasped his hands toward Wen Yu: “Then this subject will first have someone rush this letter breaking the engagement to Southern Chen at top speed.”

When Xiao Li heard the three words “letter breaking engagement,” his form already stiffened slightly. He instinctively raised his head to look at Wen Yu, only to see her nod and respond “Good.”

In that instant, all the blood in his body seemed to ignite, rushing to his crown with a “boom.”

Only one thought filled his mind: She really won’t marry to Southern Chen?

Chen Wei had already taken his orders and withdrawn.

His gaze staring at Wen Yu was so obviously inappropriate that when Wen Yu frowned slightly and looked at him, Fan Yuan quickly and discreetly bumped his arm to remind him.

Xiao Li withdrew his gaze and lowered his head, yet still couldn’t suppress the surging emotions in his chest. The hand hanging at his side had veins slowly rising on the back, fingertips burning hot.

Wen Yu’s gaze swept over him thoughtfully, then withdrew without revealing depth.

Except for that time when Xiao Li returned from the Tao Prefecture campaign, she’d barely seen him these days.

He also seemed to deliberately avoid her. All military matters large and small were reported by Fan Yuan, or at worst relayed by Li Xun.

Wen Yu didn’t know what his avoidance of her signified. After thinking long, she roughly understood—perhaps he’d thought it through and knew this feeling for her would have no result, so he chose distance to properly do what a minister should do.

This was a good thing.

Was his earlier loss of composure because he heard she was breaking the engagement?

Wen Yu didn’t feel happy. Or rather, long ago she’d already learned to extract herself from many trivial matters, to handle those thorny problems without any emotion, purely from the ruler’s perspective.

Xiao Li had once made her feel troubled. First, because he’d saved her life several times—his status as benefactor made him very special to her. Second, having shared that flight and life-and-death experience, she often couldn’t distinguish her own feelings toward him clearly.

But she knew the path she had to walk, so after repeatedly evading his feelings, she felt guilty.

Now it was different. Xiao Li had already tried to give up liking her. His momentary loss of composure was only because he thought she really would break the engagement with Southern Chen.

Without that emotional burden, Wen Yu no longer felt she owed him.

In this life, her first dozen-plus years had been too smooth. The subsequent hardships came too quickly, so that even in her youthful years, she’d never thought about what kind of person she might like or hope to marry in the future.

Now Wen Yu would think about it even less.

She would only continue walking down this thorn-covered path, expecting no helping hand.

Her gaze rested peacefully on Xiao Li and Fan Yuan: “Minister Li said you’ve devised a method to defend the pass?”

Fan Yuan was an honest man who usually looked after Xiao Li considerably. Before Wen Yu, he certainly wouldn’t steal Xiao Li’s credit. He immediately clasped his fists: “After returning from Tao Prefecture, Colonel Xiao thought of this over several sleepless days and nights. Let Colonel Xiao explain it to the Wengzhu!”

Hearing the words “sleepless days and nights after returning from Tao Prefecture,” Wen Yu seemed to furrow her brow slightly, but said nothing.

Subordinates quickly moved a sand table into the hall.

Wen Yu sat above. Li Yao, as her elder teacher, also had a grand chair on the left. The remaining strategists stood on both sides.

Earlier, Xiao Li’s mind had been somewhat disturbed by news of breaking the engagement. Now he collected his thoughts, focusing all attention back on the sand table. His expression and gaze unconsciously became cold and sharp: “Five thousand attacking Bairen Pass, ten thousand defending—this subordinate has deduced all possible troop deployments. Holding the defense is a losing situation in every case.”

Fan Yuan deeply agreed with this point, crossing his arms and supporting his chin as he nodded.

A strategist below said: “But if we counterattack, without Bairen Pass’s natural stronghold, our soldiers charging out would be like throwing eggs against stones!”

Xiao Li’s gaze condensed on both sides of the mountain hollow outside Bairen Pass, his entire being emanating indescribable cold ferocity: “Not charging out to clash directly with Southern Chen. We hold the pass. With Ping Province’s trade routes, we have no worry about provisions. Southern Chen’s northern expedition is distant—they must rely on supply lines for grain. If provisions run out, they can’t be resupplied for ten days to half a month.”

Li Yao had already caught the meaning in Xiao Li’s words. His wrinkled eyelids lifted slightly as he demanded: “Boy wants to burn Southern Chen’s provisions?”

As soon as these words left his mouth, quite a few strategists shook their heads: “This plan is pure fantasy. Granaries have always been heavily guarded military locations. They typically use the ‘cunning rabbit’s three burrows’ tactic to confuse observers. How would you know where they truly store provisions? Even if you knew, how would you break through Southern Chen’s layers of guards to burn the military grain?”

Wen Yu also focused intently on the sand table, waiting for his answer.

Xiao Li’s long lashes lowered, amid the cold ferocity seeping a trace of desolate bleakness: “I don’t know. But if Hengduan Ridge outside Bairen Pass is burned, regardless of where Southern Chen hides their military grain, it should all turn to ash along with it.”

The assembled ministers in the room momentarily held their breath. Wen Yu abruptly raised her eyes, staring directly at Xiao Li.

Last time he wanted to burn ships. This time he wanted to directly burn the mountain!

In that instant, Wen Yu felt a chill running up from her back.

Xiao Li seemed to sense her gaze. He raised his eyes to meet hers. Wen Yu saw in his eyes a desperate fierceness and devotion.

That gaze seemed to say: “I only want you to win.”

Wen Yu was stunned, only feeling that her heart lake, still as stagnant water, had been heavily struck by something again. All her previous composure and calm showed signs of crumbling.

Breaking this deathly silence was Li Yao’s sudden laughing exclamation of “Good!”

He seemed especially satisfied with Xiao Li’s strategy: “Bairen Pass occupies treacherous terrain. Even if Southern Chen attacks forcefully, it absolutely cannot be taken in one or two days. And only that ancient path through the middle of Hengduan Ridge can enter the pass. If Southern Chen camps, they must camp on the mountain. First, it can conceal part of their camps, preventing us from knowing their troop deployments and avoiding night raids. Second, it’s convenient to fell trees on site for materials to build siege equipment.”

He paused here, looking at Xiao Li: “Though this plan is feasible, there will certainly also be many Southern Chen scouts on the mountain. How will you avoid their eyes and ears to burn the mountain?”

Xiao Li said: “Have our people change into the clothing of Southern Chen’s fallen soldiers.”

Li Yao laughed heartily again, rarely praising: “The younger generation is formidable! Your method of deploying troops… makes me think of an old acquaintance…”

He stared at Xiao Li for two breaths, as if truly seeking his old friend’s shadow in Xiao Li. Not seeing any similarity, he finally said: “When old, seeing outstanding youth, one always easily recalls figures from years past. In peaceful prosperous times, everyone praises scholarly generals, but when mountains and rivers topple, having a killing general under one’s command is not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Since you could think of using mountain burning to make Southern Chen lose their provisions even if they escape with men and horses, this old man will point out one more thing—it’s not yet summer, and there aren’t many dead trees and withered grass on the mountain. To make the fire blaze greatly, you must first hide prepared fire oil on the mountain, then observe weather signs and choose a day when northwest winds blow to set it. Only then can fire borrow wind’s force to create a hundred-li forest blaze.”

Xiao Li clasped his fists: “Many thanks for Minister’s guidance.”

Li Yao waved his hand to indicate it was nothing.

During a break in the discussion, he suddenly asked Wen Yu in the inner chamber: “You once said he’s from Yong City?”