“Your subject requests Your Majesty’s grace to personally lead the Southern Garrison troops back into Mingshui to battle the Southern Barbarians.”

The lamplight flickered slightly as the sound of rain hitting the ground came from outside.

The youth remained bowed, and after a while, Emperor Wenxuan spoke leisurely, “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“The Southern Barbarians bully our Central Plains people. Now that my father has died in battle and the wolves remain uncleared, your subject wishes to inherit father’s will, return to the Southern Barbarians’ territory, and reclaim Mingshui.”

Emperor Wenxuan remained silent, but Xu Jingfu spoke first, “Young Master Xiao, although this old official can understand your current grief and anger over General Guangwu’s passing, leading troops into battle isn’t a simple matter.”

Seeing that Emperor Wenxuan showed no intention of stopping him from speaking, Xu Jingfu continued, “In the Battle of Mingshui, General Guangwu was obstinate and missed crucial opportunities, resulting in tens of thousands of Great Wei soldiers being buried in Mingshui – a grave mistake. His Majesty, in his benevolence, didn’t pursue the matter. Yet you come tonight, not to seek forgiveness, but to request military authority.”

Xiao Jue replied in a deep voice, “Your subject does this for Great Wei’s common people.”

“Great Wei’s common people?” Xu Jingfu shook his head, “Young Master Xiao is only sixteen years old and has never been to the battlefield. Many great generals in Great Wei’s court don’t dare claim to lead troops into battle. You, a mere child, are speaking too presumptuously and being overly confident.”

“Go back,” Emperor Wenxuan said, “Don’t mention this matter again.”

The youth paused, looking toward Emperor Wenxuan: “Your subject is willing to make a military pledge. If defeated, I will gladly accept punishment.”

Each word fell with weight.

The Second Young Master of the Xiao family had always possessed beautiful eyes, clear as autumn waters, usually carrying a trace of lazy indifference. Now, that hint of indifference vanished from his pupils, something sank while something else gradually rose, making one feel a sudden burning intensity.

It was impossible to ignore.

“A military pledge is easy to make,” Xu Jingfu said, “But if Young Master Xiao is defeated, it’s merely one life at stake. For others, war is no child’s play. Great Wei has already been severely wounded by General Guangwu’s defeat at Mingshui. Should we now stake tens of thousands of Southern Garrison troops on your mere words?” He stroked his beard and sighed, “Great Wei cannot afford to lose again.”

Xiao Jue fell silent for a moment: “Your subject dares not.”

A glint flashed in Xu Jingfu’s eyes.

Xiao Jue bowed again, “The Southern Barbarians, foreign tribes, have invaded our territory and slaughtered our people. My father died in battle; your subject cannot bear to live in comfort. I beg Your Majesty’s permission to lead troops into battle. Until victory is reported, your subject dares not speak rashly. However many troops Your Majesty is willing to give, I will lead that many. Even if I die on the battlefield, I will have no regrets.”

His attitude was stubborn, showing a determination to stake everything on this as if he would remain kneeling until Emperor Wenxuan agreed.

Emperor Wenxuan rubbed his temples: “I don’t want to discuss this matter further.”

“Your Majesty is benevolent.” The young man’s voice showed no sign of yielding.

“Your Majesty,” Xu Jingfu spoke up, “Young Master Xiao’s insistence on fighting the Southern Barbarians shows his pure-hearted loyalty.”

Emperor Wenxuan glanced at him: “What’s this? You’re speaking up for him too?”

Xu Jingfu hurriedly replied, “This old subject dares not, but… since Young Master Xiao has such confidence in himself, perhaps there might be a miracle. However, Great Wei indeed cannot risk tens of thousands of Southern Garrison troops, so…”

“So what?” Emperor Wenxuan asked.

“Three thousand.”

Xiao Jue raised his head.

The Southern Barbarians had hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers. Three thousand against a hundred thousand – no commander would accept such a proposal. It was a war destined for defeat.

Emperor Wenxuan took a sip of tea, understanding in his heart that Xu Jingfu’s suggestion was meant to make Xiao Jue back down. Leading three thousand troops against the Southern Barbarians wasn’t just an impossible task; it was a fool’s dream. Unless Xiao Jue was seeking death, he wouldn’t agree.

He put down his teacup and looked at the stubborn youth in the hall: “Xiao Huaijin, if you insist on going to war, I will only give you three thousand troops. Are you still willing to go?”

Xu Jingfu withdrew his hands into his sleeves, remaining a spectator.

He won’t agree.

The youth slowly lowered his head and kowtowed to Emperor Wenxuan: “Your subject thanks Your Majesty for this grace.”

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

When Xiao Jue raised his eyes again, his expression was completely calm, “A sovereign’s word cannot be taken back. Three thousand it is.”

…

Snow heavily pressed down on the bare tree branches, making a “crack” sound as it broke them.

Lin Shuanghe was lost in thought.

By the time he learned about Xiao Jue leading three thousand troops to Mingshui, much time had passed. So much time that the Battle of Changgu in Yue City had already occurred, that scholars were cursing Xiao Jue as cruel behind his back. So much time that Xiao Huaijin had become Great Wei’s War God, General Feng Yun and that the two friends hadn’t seen each other for two years.

The world is unpredictable, and opinions vary, but no one knew the feelings of that youth as he led three thousand troops out of the city, knowing he faced an army of a hundred thousand.

Xiao Rubi didn’t know that Xiao Jue had drugged him and gone to the palace at midnight, receiving only three thousand troops. He thought His Majesty had handed the Southern Garrison troops to Xiao Jue, that Xiao Jue had temporarily gained military authority.

Everyone cursed Xiao Jue behind his back, saying he was solely focused on seizing power and authority, that before his mother’s seventh-day memorial service was even complete, he had rushed to petition the emperor, sweet-talking His Majesty into handing ten thousand Southern Garrison troops to a mere boy – how absurd.

Who was truly absurd?

How absurd this world truly was.

When Xiao Jue left the city, it was midnight. No one saw the look in his eyes before departure, nor did anyone know what was in his heart.

Shuojing had countless interesting events daily, and the Xiao family matter caused some to sigh in sympathy, and others to gloat, but it remained fresh news for only a few days. After a month passed, few mentioned it, and after several months, it was completely forgotten.

Until news of the victory at Changgu arrived.

Second Young Master Xiao led the Southern Garrison troops to take Yue City, drowning sixty thousand Southern Barbarians, shocking the entire nation.

They were shocked by this youth’s military strategy and surprise attack but also shocked that at such a young age, he could be so ruthless.

Everyone thought he led ten thousand Southern Garrison troops and could have used gentler methods, at least taking prisoners, yet among the sixty thousand drowned, there were even civilians.

But what else could be done?

“Three thousand against a hundred thousand,” Heyan rubbed a small protrusion on his bamboo stick, pressing it down until his hand hurt, “He had no other choice.”

Lin Shuanghe smiled, “Indeed.”

Unless pushed to the absolute limit, who would use such methods?

The Southern Barbarian army was stationed in Yue City, which Xiao Zhongwu had previously failed to capture despite a long siege. Now, with only three thousand troops, facing the enemy head-on was impossible. Xiao Jue ordered the three thousand men to secretly build a dam a hundred li east of Yue City, blocking the Changgu River’s flow. When the water had accumulated into a vast expanse, he ordered the dam broken.

Fei Nu asked, “Young Master, have you thought it through? Everyone will curse you behind your back for this.”

“Flooding Yue City, even in victory, will be recorded as an act of cruelty in history books. Throughout time, generals have always hoped to be remembered gloriously in history for thousands of years. Moreover, His Majesty currently promotes ‘benevolent governance’ and dislikes needless killing. Such a victory will bring far more burden than reward.”

The youth sat under a tree, gazing toward Yue City, his fingers brushing over a weed growing from a crack before him, self-mockingly saying: “Do I have any other choice?”

Fei Nu remained silent.

“It doesn’t matter what others say about me.” He stood up, his black cape trailing behind him, and commanded: “Open the floodgates.”

Fei Nu neither spoke nor moved.

The youth walked forward, his voice cold: “I said, open the floodgates.”

The massive flood waters rushed down thousands of feet.

Yue City was submerged, with water flooding in from the east and bursting out from the west. The Southern Barbarian soldiers and civilians in the city couldn’t escape; sixty thousand people drowned.

The city fell, and Xiao Jue won without fighting.

When the news reached the court, Emperor Wenxuan was also shocked.

After Xiao Zhongwu’s death, officials supporting the Xiao family had been suppressed by Minister Xu’s faction. Now Xiao Jue’s great victory gave them reason to hold their heads high again. Xiao Jue seized the opportunity to petition Emperor Wenxuan to place the Southern Garrison troops under his command, hoping to completely defeat the Southern Barbarians in one sweep.

Emperor Wenxuan granted power gradually.

Xiao Jue won his victories one battle at a time.

Over these years, he forced the Southern Barbarians to retreat repeatedly until they finally collapsed. That youth who had left the city alone with three thousand troops eventually became the feared General Feng Yun whom people spoke of in whispers.

No one cared about the truth anymore. People only cared that he had been greedy for military glory, treating lives as worthless grass, ruthlessly slaughtering. They cared that he was arrogant and imperious, showing no respect for others, beheading even the Minister of Revenue’s only son without mercy or consideration.

But did he want things to be this way?

In their youth at Xian Chang Academy, they read “Youth has its wildness, scorning the Kunlun Mountains, laughing at Lu Liang, sharpening swords for years, today showing their brilliance.” How spirited and open-hearted they were then, but in the years that followed, that former brightness and radiance were never seen again.

The handsome youth in white robes and silver crown had become the jade-faced killing general in black armor and clothes – this was not something worth celebrating.

From beginning to end, he had always been alone.

The snow fell heavier.

So heavy that standing still, one could feel the cold, leaving clear footprints in the snow that would soon be covered, leaving no trace.

“I didn’t know that the Commander only had three thousand troops in the Battle of Yue City,” Heyan said.

“Do you know how the Nine Banner Corps came to be?” Lin Shuanghe asked.

Heyan shook his head.

“His Majesty letting Xiao Jue choose three thousand men from the Southern Garrison troops was his final act of mercy toward Huaijin. Huaijin stood before the Southern Garrison troops and asked them to choose whether they were willing to follow him to Mingshui.”

Before departing, no one believed they could win this battle. It was considered a suicide mission, and everyone who stepped forward was prepared to die, following this young general.

“The first eight hundred who stepped forward later became the Nine Banner Corps,” he smiled.

No wonder, Heyan understood, why in all these years, Xiao Jue had never easily admitted anyone into the Nine Banner Corps. The bond formed in times of hardship couldn’t be matched by any later display of excellence, loyalty, wit, or capability. Even those who were injured and could no longer fight were well taken care of by Xiao Jue.

Because they were worth it.

“I didn’t know these things at the time,” Lin Shuanghe brushed away a snowflake that had fallen on him. “Later, when my grandfather was treating the Empress Dowager, she revealed this. Only then did grandfather tell me, and over the years, pieces of information from various parts of the court came together to form the outline of what happened.”

“Didn’t Commander Xiao tell you these things himself?” Heyan asked. She remembered that at Xian Chang Academy, Xiao Jue, Lin Shuanghe, and another youth had been close friends. Surely Xiao Jue would have confided in his friends during difficult times.

“To be honest, I’ve only seen him a few times these past years,” Lin Shuanghe shook his head. “The few times he wrote to me were to borrow money.”

“Borrow money?”

“Surprising, isn’t it?” Lin Shuanghe’s tone lightened somewhat at this point. “The Xiao family’s wealth was confiscated when General Guangwu died. In the first two years when he led troops against the Southern Barbarians, resources were scarce. His elder brother was an honest official, and he didn’t want to pressure him, so he came to me. Our Lin family’s pharmacies are spread throughout Great Wei and are favored by noble ladies in the capital, bringing in substantial daily income. He treated me like his father, coming to me for spending money.”

Heyan: “…”

“Although he’s won many battles these years and received both spoils of war and rewards, it’s still not enough compared to what I lent him initially,” Lin Shuanghe smiled. “Of course, I’m generous – if he can’t repay it, so be it.”

Heyan: “…It’s wonderful to have a friend like you.”

These words were sincere.

Lin Shuanghe modestly waved his hand: “You’re too kind. So when Xiao Jue actively wrote to me to come to Liangzhou, I was quite surprised.”

“The Commander personally invited Doctor Lin to Liangzhou?” Heyan asked curiously.

“Yes, he wrote that one of his trusted subordinates had injured their eyes and needed my treatment. I thought it was Fei Nu Chi Wu who was injured. Halfway through my journey, another letter came saying that person’s eyes had healed. Since I couldn’t turn back halfway, and hearing he was in Qingnan, I simply changed course to meet him there, and then followed along to Liangzhou Wei to see where he’s living now.”

Heyan was somewhat surprised.

When Xiao Jue wrote about the “trusted subordinate with injured eyes,” he must have meant her. She had been injured by an assassin at Sun Xiangfu’s banquet, though she quickly realized it wasn’t serious. But she hadn’t known that Xiao Jue had already sent for Lin Shuanghe to examine her.

Although Lin Shuanghe only treated women, as Lin Qingtan’s grandson, his medical skills were extraordinary and no one dared underestimate him.

This man wasn’t as heartless as he claimed to be.

As they talked, they reached Heyan’s door.

“Here,” Lin Shuanghe handed the cloak to Heyan, “Take this to him.”

Heyan: “…Why me?”

Lin Shuanghe thought for a moment: “Because right now, Xiao Huaijin surely isn’t in a good mood. If I go to join in, I might get scolded. But you’re different,” he leaned closer to Heyan and said softly, “If a cute and well-behaved young lady goes, he’ll at least control his temper and won’t embarrass you.”

Heyan pulled at the corner of her mouth: “Does Doctor Lin think Commander Xiao is someone who shows mercy to women?”

Besides, she imagined her image in Xiao Jue’s mind had nothing to do with being “cute and well-behaved.”

“Yes, why wouldn’t he be?” Lin Shuanghe smiled at her while gently pushing her toward the house. “The fact that he didn’t immediately drive you out of Liangzhou Wei after discovering your identity proves he treats you quite well. Go on, be careful not to slip.”

Heyan: “Wait!”

“I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Heyan was pushed into her room.

The door closed behind her, and the room was quite empty. The food that Cheng Lisu and Song Taotao had brought earlier was still by the bed. Heyan walked over with her cane and sat down on the couch.

The black cloak was right beside her. Heyan looked toward the other side of the inner door, wondering if Xiao Jue was there now.

If he was there, delivering it to him like this… wouldn’t it be somewhat awkward?

…

The window was open, and snow-like grains of salt drifted into the room with the wind.

The young Commander stood by the window, watching the snow and wind outside.

In the dungeon, Lei Hou’s words echoed in his ears.

The snow grew heavier, almost blinding, as the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

In his youth, while learning martial arts and classics from a master in the mountains, before descending, his teacher had told him: “You will walk an extremely difficult path. You must walk it alone, and cannot look back.”

He was young then and didn’t understand what these words meant. Until fate’s massive wave crashed down, capsizing the ship carrying his youthful hopes, leaving him alone struggling in the sea, he suddenly understood.

So that was it.

Xiao Zhongwu had only two sons. Xiao Jing was flawless as white jade, pure as the wind after rain – how could he be involved in such matters? If one of them had to walk this path, bearing the burden of bloodshed, misunderstanding, infamy, and solitude, it might as well be him.

He didn’t mind.

After all these years, he didn’t care about misunderstandings or fear doubts. How could one speak of losing something they never had?

Only…

Only that such a snowy day was too cold.

“Creak—”

A sound came from behind.

Xiao Jue turned around to see a head poking through the inner door. Heyan struggled in with her cane, carrying his cloak.

“Sorry,” the youth said sincerely, “I knocked, but you didn’t respond, so I…”

Xiao Jue: “So you picked the lock and entered uninvited?”

Heyan said sheepishly: “Don’t be angry, we’re neighbors after all.” She sneezed, “Achoo— why isn’t the window closed? It’s so cold.”

How could she say “we’re neighbors” so naturally? Xiao Jue couldn’t be bothered with her and closed the window.

Heyan felt wronged too. She had knocked for quite a while, but Xiao Jue hadn’t responded. She thought he wasn’t in and figured it would be better this way, avoiding him when he was in a bad mood. She could just pick the lock, sneak in to leave the cloak, and leave, saving herself from having to figure out how to comfort him.

But he was actually in the room and still ignored her – that was too disrespectful.

“Commander, your cloak.” Heyan handed him the garment.

Xiao Jue glanced at her: “Just put it on the couch.”

Heyan said “Oh” and placed it on the couch, then sat down on a chair in the room. Seeing him still standing there lost in thought, presumably still troubled by Lei Hou’s words in the dungeon, she felt some sympathy.

During her years with the Fu Yue Army, she hadn’t known that Xiao Jue had faced such difficulties. If it were just her, that would be fine – Heyan never thought herself special – but for such things to happen to Xiao Jue, it seemed heaven was too cruel.

It seemed even heaven wasn’t particularly partial to Xiao Jue – whatever it gave, it took away something in return. It was like a shrewd merchant, never making a losing deal.

She tried to make conversation: “Commander, this cloak of yours is really beautiful! Where did you buy it, how much was it?”

Xiao Jue replied: “It was bestowed by the palace.”

Heyan: “…”

He didn’t want to talk with her, deliberately giving answers that couldn’t be followed up on. Heyan hesitated about whether to leave but remembered when Xiao Jue had given her the Mandarin Duck Pot medicine when she was injured, and sighed internally.

She was someone who repaid both grudges and kindness. Now that Xiao Jue was in low spirits, leaving like this wouldn’t be right.

“Commander, the wound on my waist hurts,” Heyan changed the subject, trying to draw his attention to something else. “I hope it won’t leave any lasting effects?”

“Hurts?” Xiao Jue sat at the table and replied indifferently: “I see you can still get up and walk around, so it should be fine.”

Heyan: “…”

She said: “Commander, you shouldn’t take out your frustration with Lei Hou on me.”

He was like a lit firecracker now, unable to have a proper conversation.

Xiao Jue turned the pages before him without looking back: “You’re overthinking.”

Heyan watched him – it appeared to be reported from Liangzhou Wei about Ri Damu Zi’s surprise attack and garrison casualties. He sat at the table, carefully reading through them.

Xiao Jue had it quite tough.

Heyan thought about how he had gone to Qingnan first, then rushed back with the Southern Garrison troops, led the army to eliminate Ri Damu Zi’s forces, then dealt with the wounded soldiers. After that, he interrogated Lei Hou, got stabbed by Lei Hou’s words, and now was back reviewing military documents – he hadn’t rested at all.

Though Heyan was injured, at least she had gotten some proper sleep, but this man hadn’t rested from start to finish.

Yet back at Xian Chang Academy, he had been the one who most liked to slack off. So even Xiao Jue couldn’t escape this fate?

His back was always as straight as a tree, seeming never to tire, but surely he must get tired too.

Heyan sat in her chair, looking at his back, and said: “Commander, don’t take Lei Hou’s words to heart.”

Hearing no response from Xiao Jue, Heyan continued anyway: “He’s an enemy, of course, he’d be happiest seeing you angry. Those words were meant to provoke you. You’re not the only one he insulted – he insulted me too, um, called me effeminate.” Heyan started making things up, “He also said I had hidden ailments, that my fiancée would eventually run off with someone else, leaving me alone, reduced to selling tofu in the east city with no buyers.”

This attempt at comfort was extremely awkward. Even Heyan felt she hadn’t put much thought into it after saying it. But what else could she do? She had rarely been comforted by others, so she wasn’t very good at comforting others.

Some things have no clear right or wrong – it depends on one’s position and the decisions that must be made. Outsiders couldn’t understand; the feeling of bearing everything alone wasn’t pleasant – she had truly experienced this herself.

So she could understand Xiao Jue’s feelings.

Xiao Jue still couldn’t be bothered to respond, his gaze never leaving the military documents before him.

Heyan stood up, struggled over to his side with her cane, and placed her right fist on his table.

“A gift for you,” she said. “I’m leaving.”

She slowly dragged herself back to her room and closed the inner door.

After Heyan left, Xiao Jue stopped what he was doing and looked at the table.

Where her palm had covered, there lay a sesame candy.

It looked very sweet.

[Author’s Note: The flooding of Yue City is based on a historical event – Bai Qi of Qin’s attack on Yan City, though with some adaptations. Interested readers can look it up. I’m not trying to whitewash Xiao Jue; such matters have no absolute right or wrong, just different standpoints. If there’s anything wrong, it’s that war itself is wrong – rise and fall always brings suffering to common people. But this is just a fictional Mary Sue feel-good story without deep meaning. I’m just writing it casually for your entertainment – as long as it’s satisfying and sweet, that’s enough (runs away with pot lid)]