“How many troops does Yang Xin have? A hundred thousand! How many men does that rebel leader have? At most, not even half that number! And they’re just a disorganized rabble! Xiaqiu still has Xue An’s Xuzhou troops! How could they still lose the battle?”

Wei Shao abruptly stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. He paced back and forth in front of the desk, his footsteps echoing on the floor.

“Go ask him how many more troops he needs before he can defeat that rebel leader for me!” he suddenly stopped and turned back, his tone furious.

Gongsun Yang was somewhat surprised.

Yang Xin had failed to suppress Bi Zhi as the Marquis had hoped and instead lost Xiao. Upon hearing the battle report, Gongsun Yang had anticipated that the Marquis would be displeased.

But what surprised him was the intensity of the Marquis’s reaction.

Since assisting the Marquis from the age of seventeen until now, they have experienced hundreds of battles, large and small. Even when conquering cities and territories, they encountered setbacks.

But even in the face of greater setbacks, Gongsun Yang had rarely seen the Marquis display such anger.

Moreover, although Xiao’s position was important, even if lost, as long as there were no major changes on Xue An’s side, it would not significantly alter the overall situation in the Huainan region for now.

The Marquis’s reaction seemed excessive.

Gongsun Yang hurriedly said, “My lord, please calm your anger. Yang Xin only let Bi Zhi escape due to a moment of carelessness. Although Bi Zhi rose to power by gathering refugees, I’ve heard that he is not only exceptionally brave but also skilled in military affairs. He now has considerable popular support along the Huai River, with countless people flocking to join him. My lord should not underestimate him.” He looked toward Wei Shao as he finished speaking.

Wei Shao’s back remained turned to Gongsun Yang. His right hand, which had been resting on his sword hilt, had already drawn the sword a few inches out of its scabbard. The cold light of the blade flashed. After a moment, with a “clang,” he sheathed the sword back, slowly releasing his grip on the hilt, and turned around.

“Send a message on my behalf to Yang Xin. Tell him to spare no expense in quickly recapturing Xiao and containing that rebel leader at Lingbi…” He paused briefly, “Lingbi must not fall into his hands either! He must be driven out at all costs! If he needs resources or manpower, tell him to inform me!”

Gongsun Yang was startled, then hesitated for a moment: “My lord, I have something to say, though I’m not sure if I should.”

“Master, if you have something to say, please speak freely.”

Wei Shao’s anger from moments ago seemed to have dissipated, and he sat back down behind his desk.

“The Xuzhou area, connecting to Yangzhou, Yuzhou, and Jiangxia, has been a strategic military location since ancient times. Although Bi Zhi has emerged suddenly, he cannot be underestimated. For my lord’s plans for the empire, naturally, we cannot nurture a tiger that may become a threat. However, in my opinion, it may not be necessary for my lord to resort to such forceful measures…”

He glanced at Wei Shao.

“I’ve heard that the Lady has a sister who seems to have married Bi Zhi. When the Lady went south at the end of last year, General Jia escorted her to Lingbi to meet with Bi Zhi and his wife. The fact that the Lady was willing to travel such a long distance to meet them shows that her relationship with Bi Zhi and his wife is quite close. It’s unwise to make enemies, especially with those who are connected by marriage.

Why doesn’t my lord consider pacification instead of war? Moreover, if we could bring Bi Zhi under my lord’s command, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. Since this would be beneficial, why wouldn’t my lord consider it? Perhaps we should halt the military operations first. My lord could discuss this with the Lady. I believe the Lady would not want to see my lord and Bi Zhi at odds. If the Lady were to send a letter, or mediate between them, coupled with my lord’s current reputation across the land, I expect Bi Zhi would gladly come to serve…”

“Military Advisor! Do you think everyone is worthy of my pacification strategy?” Wei Shao interrupted Gongsun Yang before he could finish.

His expression was cold.

“He’s nothing more than a rebel leader who has occupied a tiny piece of land! Why should I show such tolerance? You need not say more! My decision is final and will not change! Just relay my earlier message to Yang Xin!”

With that, he lifted the hem of his robe and stood up from behind the desk, striding away without looking back.

Gongsun Yang watched the Marquis’s retreating figure, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Gongsun Yang was well aware that after the Marquis had pacified the north and subdued the west, his next confrontation with Xing Xun was inevitable.

It was only a matter of time.

If victorious, the path to conquering the empire would be smooth.

If defeated, the future of Ludeng would be uncertain.

It wasn’t that the situation in the Huai River and Xuzhou regions wasn’t important, but at this critical juncture, the major battle with Xing Xun was the key point that required the Marquis’s full attention.

Gongsun Yang couldn’t believe that the Marquis didn’t understand this principle.

He had come to Jizhou to summon prefectural governors and garrison commanders from various regions. The nightly banquets at the palace recently were certainly not for mere pleasure.

They were meant to consolidate support and prepare for future challenges.

The current military situation in Huainan could clearly be resolved without fighting, at least initially.

According to Gongsun Yang’s thinking, if Bi Zhi refused to submit, they could always fight later.

However, if they could win over Bi Zhi without a battle, with Bi Zhi’s strength combined with Yang Xin’s, taking over Xuzhou, where Xue Tai had already died, would be effortless.

Thus, a large swath of prime territory along the Huai River would fall into the Marquis’s hands without a fight.

Not only would they gain territory, but they would also acquire a great general in Bi Zhi, who might one day rival the likes of General Li Dian.

Why would the Marquis stubbornly insist on creating unnecessary complications by ordering Yang Xin to defeat him?

From the Marquis’s tone, it seemed he looked down on Bi Zhi’s background and thus disdained to use him.

But Gongsun Yang knew that although the Marquis was proud by nature, he was still commendable in his treatment of talented individuals.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gathered so many loyal ministers and fierce generals willing to serve under him.

Take Li Dian, for example, who came from humble beginnings but had become his top general.

It was strange that he should be so hostile towards Bi Zhi, which seemed quite out of character.

Gongsun Yang pondered for a long time, and in his heart, he had a vague feeling.

He suspected the Marquis was misdirecting his anger.

The Marquis harbored enmity towards the Qiao family, yet he seemed to be infatuated with the Qiao woman, showing signs of being unable to extricate himself.

Although it had been some time since Gongsun Yang had seen the Marquis gnash his teeth at the mention of the Qiao family in his presence, based on what Gongsun Yang knew of the Marquis, he doubted that he could so easily let go of his family vendetta.

Bi Zhi was also considered half a member of the Qiao family.

In the Marquis’s view, pacifying Bi Zhi would probably be no different from pacifying a member of the Qiao family.

How could he easily agree to that?

This was the only explanation Gongsun Yang could come up with. Otherwise, he truly couldn’t understand why the Marquis’s attitude on this matter was so stubborn and unreasonable.

In the council hall, Gongsun Yang stroked his beard, slowly pacing back and forth.

He had also considered whether to pass the information to the Lady.

Perhaps her persuasion would be more effective than his own efforts.

But he quickly dismissed this idea.

The Marquis’s order for Yang Xin to drive out Bi Zhi was being kept from the Lady.

Although he was usually treated with respect by the Marquis in the military, the Marquis almost always listened to his advice, with the soldiers also respecting his position.

But his official title was Military Advisor.

A Military Advisor’s role was to oversee military affairs and provide strategic counsel. The final decision-making power rested with the superior.

If it were for other reasons, when faced with such an unreasonable and unnecessary action by the Marquis, Gongsun Yang would have found a way to speak up again, even at the risk of being accused of insubordination.

But if the Marquis was truly acting out of the personal motives that Gongsun Yang had just speculated about, insisting on defeating Bi Zhi due to the enmity between the Wei and Qiao families, it would be inappropriate for him, as an outsider, to go against the Marquis’s wishes and act privately.

As a Military Advisor, his primary focus was naturally on military matters.

Looking at the current situation in the Huai River region, if Yang Xin succeeded and Bi Zhi’s forces were eliminated, that would be ideal.

If Yang Xin failed, it should still be possible to maintain the current triangular balance of power. No matter how capable Bi Zhi was, it was unlikely that he could turn the tables on Yang Xin and swallow up all of Xuzhou in the short term. This should not have a significant impact on the overall situation.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Gongsun Yang decided to follow the Marquis’s wishes for now.

He could only let him have his way this time. He would observe how the situation developed and then adapt his strategy accordingly.

…

The next day, when Xiao Qiao had already prepared to set out, Wei Shao told her that due to an unexpected development, they would not be leaving yet and would stay in Xindu for a few more days.

He spoke with a normal expression, and how could Xiao Qiao guess that his purpose for changing plans and staying was because of the military situation in Huainan? She simply thought that he had important matters that he couldn’t discuss with her, so she didn’t ask further and just told her maid to unpack the luggage that had already been packed.

As they stayed on, ten more days passed. Wei Shao still didn’t mention when they would leave.

She did know that he had sent a letter to Madam Xu, who had already returned to Yuyang, saying that due to some matters detaining him, he could only delay their return to see her.

He also said that he and Xiao Qiao were getting along very well, and asked his grandmother not to worry.

Xiao Qiao wrote a letter as well.

She was concerned about Bi Zhi and Da Qiao. Unable to ask Wei Shao about the current military situation in the Huai River region, she sent a letter to Da Qiao inquiring about their recent situation.

She privately handed the letter to Jia Si, instructing him to send a trusted messenger to deliver it to Lingbi as quickly as possible.

Although there was the Yellow River between here and Lingbi, the distance was much shorter now.

When handing the letter to Jia Si, she specifically asked how long it would take to receive a reply.

Jia Si said that with a swift horse messenger, barring any unexpected events on the road, it would be enough time for a round trip within half a month.

After sending the letter, Xiao Qiao eagerly awaited a response.

…

Half a month later. In Lingbi.

Da Qiao lay on her side in bed, shaking a rattle in her hand, producing a rapid, rain-like sound to amuse the infant sitting inside the bed.

The baby, nicknamed Li’er, was just over six months old, plump and fair, and loved to smile, extremely adorable. Sitting beside his mother, he was attracted by the sound-making rattle in her hand, reaching out with his chubby little hands and babbling.

Da Qiao gave the rattle to Li’er.

Li’er grasped it and shook it randomly a few times. Hearing the sound, he looked at his mother with a seemingly surprised expression, then burst into happy giggles.

Da Qiao played with her son for a while, and seeing the baby gradually becoming drowsy, she fed him.

The baby’s tender cheek pressed against his mother’s warm skin as he fell peacefully asleep.

Da Qiao gazed at the sleeping infant in her arms, her eyes full of the tender love of a new mother. Suddenly thinking of her husband Bi Zhi, who was still fighting in Xiao, she felt worried again.

Just a few days ago, Yang Xin, who had been repelled, came back with a vengeance.

Although Bi Zhi hadn’t told her, she had heard that Yang Xin’s renewed attack was on a grand scale and fierce. Plus, there were the Xuzhou troops to the north.

Da Qiao was truly worried.

She had been thinking about it for several nights in a row, hardly sleeping well. Now, with her son sleeping peacefully beside her in the quiet afternoon room, a wave of drowsiness gradually came over her. As she was dozing off, she felt as if fingers were gently touching her face. Thinking Li’er had woken up, she immediately opened her eyes, only to find that her husband Bi Zhi had returned at some point and was now sitting on the edge of the bed.

It was his hand that had been touching her face. The baby was still sleeping soundly beside her.

She looked into her husband’s smiling eyes and, careful not to wake the child, slowly sat up and fell into her husband’s embrace.

Feeling her husband’s strong and steady heartbeat, all of Da Qiao’s previous anxiety and worry suddenly disappeared.

…

Da Qiao called the wet nurse to look after Li’er and went with her husband to another room.

Bi Zhi carried her to the bed and undressed her. The two embraced tightly, their faces close together.

After their intimate moment, Da Qiao rested her head on her husband’s shoulder and asked, “How is the war going?”

Bi Zhi, holding his wife, said, “Xiao is easy to defend but hard to attack. They can’t break through for now. Don’t worry.”

Da Qiao asked, puzzled, “Wasn’t Yang Xin originally at odds with the Xue family? Why isn’t he fighting Xue An now, but instead repeatedly causing trouble for you?”

Bi Zhi said, “I came back to tell you about this. Yesterday, I captured one of Yang Xin’s deputy generals who was moving about. After interrogation, I learned something…”

Da Qiao saw him pause and turned over to ask, “What is it?”

Bi Zhi hesitated for a moment, looking at Da Qiao, and slowly said, “According to that deputy general, it seems Yang Xin has already pledged allegiance to the Marquis of Yan.”