“But the alliance between the Lu family and the Tatars is so solid—they had common goals before, so who would care about small details? If we really want to shake their alliance, how should we do it? Right now is the most critical moment of the war—how can we disintegrate their alliance?” Ma Cheng sighed somewhat. “This matter is truly not easy to accomplish.”
Pang Xiao recalled Lu Heng’s usual conduct and said fairly and objectively: “Lu Heng is indeed a troublesome opponent. His abilities are exceptional. If we want to use strategies to disintegrate the relationship between Lu Heng and Si Qin, we still need to plan for the long term.”
“But we can’t wait right now.” Ji Zeyu bluntly pointed out their current situation.
Pang Xiao naturally agreed with Ji Zeyu’s assessment, yet still said confidently and optimistically: “No matter, let’s handle this current battle first. Their cooperation must be built on a foundation of mutual trust. When the day comes that they can’t trust each other, all alliances will naturally crumble. Right now we just need to first destroy their trust in each other.”
Hearing this, Ma Cheng and Ji Zeyu both nodded in unison.
“Your method is good.” Ji Zeyu said: “Even though they have common goals now, they’re ultimately not of the same race. Whether it’s Si Qin toward Lu Heng or Lu Heng toward Si Qin, their hearts must harbor quite a few reservations. Once some things are discovered by the other party, they could very well become the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
Pang Xiao then called for Xu Weizhi and several other strategists to come discuss with the people around Ji Zeyu. Finally, they settled on a meticulous and rigorous plan.
The next day, rumors began spreading through the army.
“Did you hear? Master Lu personally came to see the Prince yesterday! Looks like he wants to make peace?”
“Master Lu is at least a Great Zhou person. No matter what, he wouldn’t really help the Tatars bully our own people.”
“Then what about all those things he did before? In my opinion, he has that intention, but now seeing that the Prince and Duke Dingguo have joined forces with such divine military strategy, the Tatars may not necessarily win this battle. It’s not hard to understand that Master Lu wants to curry favor while he can, right?”
…
Rumors had always spread the fastest. With Pang Xiao’s hint giving just a general meaning, the rumors eventually spread in many versions, each one logically rigorous and completely more believable than what Pang Xiao had originally said.
Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu never expected that they had only started things off, yet those rumors were spread even more widely. If they hadn’t come up with this idea initially, even they would believe Lu Heng had intentions to submit to Great Zhou.
“These rumors are spreading so much I’m starting to believe them myself.” Ma Cheng stood with arms crossed in front of the tent, looking at the soldiers not far away who were gathered around fires cooking while quietly discussing this matter in low voices. He turned back to ask Pang Xiao: “Your Highness, can this matter reach the Tatar Khan?”
“It certainly can.” Pang Xiao nodded with certainty.
Ma Cheng had always admired Pang Xiao. Seeing him speak so confidently, he naturally believed his words completely. Thinking about the Tatars and Lu Heng having conflicts, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
And just as Pang Xiao and his group had expected, in the Tatar camp, Si Qin was listening to a scout’s report with a face dark as water.
“…Khan, please think thrice. That surnamed Lu is after all a Great Zhou person. They have a saying in Great Zhou: ‘Those not of our race surely have different hearts.’ Who knows when that surnamed Lu might betray us? If he joins with the Great Zhou people against us, what will we do then?”
Si Qin’s features remained handsome, but during this period of continuous warfare, plus after the previous Tatar defeat he had endured humiliation and heavy burdens yet wasn’t understood by the court ministers—many people had developed treasonous thoughts, and there were those eyeing his throne who brought up the matter of A’na Ri’s death to make trouble.
Everything Si Qin was doing wasn’t going smoothly, and even his countenance showed some dejection.
With great difficulty, he had gained strong support from the Northern Ji nobility led by the Lu family, allowing him to establish his authority and directly slap the faces of those old ministers who didn’t trust him.
But now someone was telling him that Lu Heng actually harbored ulterior motives and could betray him at any time.
How could Si Qin’s mood be good? If he saw Lu Heng now, he might just twist his neck off!
Just as he was thinking this, someone outside the tent came to report: “Khan, Master Lu has arrived!”
Si Qin said with a dark face: “Let him in.”
The tent flap lifted, and a handsome young man in silk robes with a head net, possessing elegant bearing, slowly entered. Every gesture revealed the heritage and character of a great family. Just meeting his eyes, one could see his extraordinariness.
Si Qin stared at Lu Heng expressionlessly, wanting to see what Lu Heng’s purpose was for this visit.
Lu Heng smiled and got straight to the point: “I already know about those rumors. Guessing the Khan might misunderstand, I had to come personally to explain to the Khan.”
Si Qin raised an eyebrow: “Please speak, Master Lu.”
Lu Heng said calmly and unhurriedly: “Those rumors appeared suddenly. I must say, Ji Zeyu and Pang Xiao joined together are much more difficult to deal with than either of them alone. Not to mention you—even I almost believed their words, wondering if I had somehow contacted them and forgotten about it myself.
“But if the Khan thinks carefully, you’ll understand this is all nonsense. I and the Great Zhou people are already irreconcilable enemies. The Great Zhou tyrant murdered my clan members—the entire Lu family, such a massive clan, was slaughtered completely, with only some people following by my side escaping disaster.
“If someone treated the Khan this way, would the Khan still serve such a tyrant? Moreover, I’ve already borne the name of traitor. Even if I turned back now, with Pang Zhixi’s suspicious nature, how could he possibly trust me?
“Having torn our faces to this extent, I’m already an arrow shot from the bow with no return. Besides, during these days of Tatar campaigns, I’ve truly used my greatest abilities to provide support. The Khan is intelligent—calming down and thinking carefully, you’ll know the rumors are completely unbelievable. Because betraying the Khan would bring me no benefits at all.”
Si Qin showed a thoughtful expression.
Calming down, he indeed felt Lu Heng’s words made sense. Given the Great Zhou tyrant’s temperament, someone like Lu Heng who had previously betrayed—even if he returned, he would only be punished. His return to submit to Great Zhou would bring no benefits at all.
But thinking again, now it was because there were no benefits that Lu Heng wouldn’t turn traitor to help Great Zhou against him. But what if one day the benefits of helping Great Zhou exceeded those of helping himself?
Si Qin didn’t believe someone who could ally with foreign tribes would have much noble integrity. When that time came, he would most likely take the same path as the Great Zhou tyrant.
However, right now they faced strong enemies—the alliance couldn’t be destroyed yet.
Si Qin nodded, his tense shoulders relaxing, and his sitting posture became much more casual. “What you say has some merit. But you must be careful and vigilant—don’t let this Khan catch evidence of your betrayal. Think of your family, then think of yourself. This Khan isn’t afraid of Great Zhou’s hundred thousand troops, much less dealing with you alone. When that time comes, it would be as easy as grasping something in hand. Think carefully—could you escape?”
What Lu Heng found most intolerable was being threatened. But right now he couldn’t explode, so he could only nod with a smile on his face.
His financial support for the Tatars truly didn’t give him any real power, but being able to see his silver used in the right place made him feel better.
After talking with Si Qin for a while longer, Lu Heng returned to the tent where his group was staying.
Bian Ruohan in the military camp didn’t eat or live as well as before, but still proudly maintained her noble upbringing habits. Even in the military camp, she still dressed herself up prettily and delicately.
The moment Lu Heng saw Bian Ruohan’s back as she looked in the mirror, he felt annoyed.
“Dressing up like this, just stay honestly in the tent and don’t wander around casually.”
Bian Ruohan was putting palace flowers in front of the mirror on her cosmetic case. Hearing this, she laughed coldly and straightened the bright-colored peony flower: “Just because you say not to go, I won’t go? Do you have the authority to control me?”
Lu Heng rubbed his brow, sat down wearily on the wooden bed, and laughed coldly: “We’re living in a military camp, being monitored by Tatars at all times. Do you know what kind of people those Tatars in the camp are? Those Tatar men don’t understand any rules or proprieties. If you still want your chastity, dress more plainly and go out less—don’t embarrass me.”
Hearing this, Bian Ruohan’s face turned pale, whether from fear or anger. She suddenly turned around, glaring furiously at Lu Heng: “I’m embarrassing you? No matter how embarrassing I am, I haven’t stooped to the level of begging for food from the Tatars! If someone hurts me in front of you, that’s because you’re an incompetent man!”
Lu Heng now felt irritated just looking at Bian Ruohan. Hearing her shout like this, his heart became even more agitated, making it impossible to think clearly.
He didn’t want to argue with a woman and benefit those watching the excitement, so he immediately stood up to leave the tent.
Seeing Lu Heng about to leave before even finishing listening to her words, Bian Ruohan said frantically: “Where are your thoughts? Hm? Dare you say everything you’re doing now is for the Lu family? You’re clearly doing it because of that bitch! You just find me displeasing no matter what, but who’s the one accompanying you through thick and thin in the end? Heartless!”
Bian Ruohan’s one sentence completely brought out the most secret matter hidden deepest in Lu Heng’s heart.
He remembered the report from the scout he had sent to Great Zhou to inquire about Qin Yining’s whereabouts this morning, and his heart twitched.
She was pregnant again and about to give birth.
She was wholeheartedly devoted only to Pang Xiao, and even when pregnant, she didn’t forget to help Pang Xiao raise grain and fodder. He truly envied Pang Xiao for being able to obtain a woman’s sincere feelings and genuine devotion.
And him? All he got was vulgarity, quarreling, and nagging.
“Wenru.”
“Yes, Master.” Lu Wenru silently followed behind Lu Heng. Hearing his call, he stepped forward to bow.
“Send word out—have our people go to Jingang and secretly protect Princess Zhongshun.”
Lu Wenru looked at Lu Heng in surprise.
Lu Heng laughed self-mockingly: “She’s about to give birth now—it’s a critical moment. I believe the Great Zhou tyrant has also gotten wind of this. Who knows what he might do to provoke Pang Xiao. Having our people secretly protect her at least gives her some breathing room.”