Mo Zi’s heart knew the answer very clearly, but bluntly throwing it out and smashing someone’s face seemed unwise, especially having just offended this young general a few days ago. She frowned, thinking about how to politely decline for a win-win outcome, when at that moment she heard urgent hoofbeats approaching from far to near like rushing wind.
“Make way, quickly make way! Imperial urgent dispatch—six hundred li express!” The harsh shout carried a hoarse voice, the speaker clearly extremely exhausted.
Except for her, everyone present was a court official. After hearing this, each wore a thoughtful expression. Some hot-blooded generals and commandants immediately stood up and walked to the window to see what was happening.
“Yuan Cheng, could it be that Da Qiu has finally made a move?” During such an extraordinary period, this suddenly arriving six-hundred-li urgent dispatch—Mo Zi was certain everyone would have the same thought as her.
Yuan Cheng didn’t move as swiftly as Xiao Wei and Zhong An, not even turning his head to look. He said, “Da Qiu should indeed make a move. Yuling is already in its pocket. Nande is cowardly, daring to be angry but not to speak. Only Great Zhou won’t let this matter pass without an explanation. If my prediction is correct, this six-hundred-li urgent dispatch may not be about warfare, but rather assuming a posture for peace negotiations.”
“Peace negotiations?” Mo Zi thought about it and smiled coldly. “Correct. Though Da Qiu seized Yuling with lightning speed, it faces both internal troubles and external threats.”
She didn’t notice that as she spoke, Xiao Er and Zhong An had already turned back to listen.
Yuan Cheng, however, took in this situation, smiled slightly, and encouraged Mo Zi: “I’d like to hear the details.”
“Da Qiu was originally an equestrian people. Though they’ve been inside the pass occupying the north for over a century and completely sinicized, their terrain consists mostly of hills and mountains. Regarding naval warfare, though they have new techniques, their soldiers aren’t skilled on water, they lack master craftsmen, and resources are scarce. Yuling possesses strong naval forces, shipbuilding techniques surpassing the three nations, and though the country is small, major waterways crisscross throughout. Even if Da Qiu could break through the national gates, to swallow and digest it, to completely eliminate resistance forces, would be extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive. This is the internal trouble. As for external threats, Nande is nothing to fear—Great Zhou’s military strength far exceeds it. And Nande follows Great Zhou’s lead. If Great Zhou sends troops against Da Qiu in the future, Nande will inevitably form an alliance. The combined force of two nations could probably drive Da Qiu back to their old home outside the pass. But—” Mo Zi took a deep breath.
“But what?” After Xiao Wei asked this question, he himself was startled.
Mo Zi didn’t care that it was Xiao Wei asking, and continued: “Da Qiu has wolfish ambitions. Even if they intend to curry favor with Great Zhou, in my view, it’s merely temporary appeasement. After recovering their strength, they will inevitably start warfare again, wanting to unify the four kingdoms. They’ve already swallowed one nation.”
“According to Miss Mo Zi’s words, if this time Da Qiu truly comes seeking peace, how should Great Zhou respond?” Zhong An listened with rising interest.
“Engage in false pleasantries, then when they’re unprepared, send a great army across the river to destroy them. Right now is a good time when Da Qiu has little grain and weak soldiers. If they don’t attack Great Zhou during the new year, Great Zhou should go attack them instead—surely it would be like splitting bamboo—” As she spoke, she became carried away with personal emotion. Realizing this, she immediately planned to stop talking and examine her conscience.
“Naive. Setting aside how much preparation is needed to send troops to attack another country, just the timing you chose of the new year is extremely absurd. In the depths of winter, waters are rapid or frozen, weather is harsh—fundamentally unfavorable for sailing ships. How could we fight?” At the beginning, hearing her discuss internal troubles and external threats was actually quite reasonable, but these subsequent hawkish statements were rather poorly considered.
Only then did Mo Zi discover that Xiao Wei had actually listened to everything she said. She couldn’t help feeling strange inside—didn’t this person look down on women?
What she didn’t know was that Xiao Er found it even stranger that he would discuss state affairs with a woman. Therefore, after saying the four words “how to fight,” his face turned black as a pot bottom, and he crossed his arms, saying no more.
“I didn’t expect Miss Mo Zi to have such insight. Though the matter of warfare may not necessarily be feasible, some words are not without merit.” Zhong An was generous with praise. “That day when Miss was on the ship, showing both courage and strategy, Zhong An was already impressed. Seeing and hearing again today, it turns out there are women like Miss whose knowledge, talent, and aspirations don’t lose to Great Zhou’s fine men.”
“I don’t deserve such praise.” Mo Zi suddenly realized she’d said a bit too much in front of people and hastily covered up. “Just as Young General Xiao said, I speak nonsense—how would I understand state affairs?”
Xiao Wei frowned deeply. “I said you were naive—when did I say you spoke nonsense?”
“Isn’t it the same meaning?” Mo Zi believed her understanding was correct. Zhong An, who likewise wouldn’t adopt her suggestions, was much better at speaking—politely praising while essentially saying she spoke waste.
“Naturally the meaning is different.” Yuan Cheng, who had been listening for quite a while, actually spoke up for Xiao Er. “Naive means you haven’t experienced warfare, theorizing on paper. Speaking nonsense means having no basis whatsoever, understanding nothing yet talking wildly. The difference between the two is that the former acknowledges your perspective.”
Mo Zi exclaimed, smiling with pursed lips. “So you wanted to praise me but were too embarrassed to praise me.”
“More or less.” Yuan Cheng raised his eyes to look at Xiao Wei, whose eyes held cold light, quietly curving his lips. “Having achieved the position of second-rank general, one must maintain authority—otherwise how can one command respect?”
“When Minister Yuan puts it that way, I roughly understand.” Mo Zi cupped her fists to Xiao Er. “Thank you, General Xiao, for thinking highly of me, but you and Master Zhong have both overestimated me. Whether this little woman is naive or speaking nonsense, I’m not concerned about warfare. With mighty generals like you in Great Zhou’s military, we common people can surely live and work in peace.”
Zhong An’s face twitched, his scalp tingling. When these two harmonized together, their seamlessness was teeth-grindingly perfect. At least, Bai Yu’s teeth were grinding. Look at that complexion—simply white with a tinge of blue ice.
At this moment, the door was forcefully pushed open.
Shi Lei had run back, panting and shouting, “Bai Yu, Zhong An, why haven’t you finished eating yet? Dawdling like old women, what are you doing? Did you hear? Six-hundred-li urgent dispatch! There must be movement from Da Qiu. Let’s hurry into the palace and request His Majesty to immediately send troops. Damn it, a few broken ships want to fight us on water? This time I absolutely must vent the common people of Yuling’s anger, beat them until they’re pissing themselves running away.”
Xiao Wei’s gaze moved between Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi. “Minister Yuan is correct—Xiao indeed meant to praise Miss Mo Zi. After all, Miss Mo Zi and I are considered family. If I don’t speak well of my own family, should I praise others instead?”
Yuan Cheng composed himself and couldn’t help laughing. Oh—this was a counterattack?
Mo Zi’s mouth hung open slightly, not from delight but from shock. “Young General Xiao, your status and mine—one on earth, one in heaven—really cannot be considered family. So please, absolutely don’t say this—it’ll be the death of me.”
“Miss Mo Zi is capable, managing affairs outside with apparent ease. Xiao was shallow in judgment before, and where my words were inappropriate, I hope Miss will be magnanimous and not take it to heart.” Xiao Wei looked with satisfaction at Mo Zi’s expression of shocked disbelief, a brilliant light flashing in his eyes. “Since we’re family, we speak as one. Though we can’t leave together today, there will be opportunities in the future. Xiao takes his leave first!” Cupping his fists, without looking back, he walked out.
Shi Lei followed closely behind.
Zhong An said something about Bai Yu taking it seriously, offered greetings, and also went out and downstairs.
Mo Zi pulled back her scattered soul, pointing at the door and asking Yuan Cheng, “Did that Xiao Er take the wrong medicine? Suddenly talking about being family.”
“Mo Zi.” Yuan Cheng’s gentle expression was gone, somewhat preoccupied. “You need to be careful. I suspect that no matter what, he wants to pull you to his family’s side—he must have certain plans. The second young master of the Xiao family is called ‘Cold-faced Fire Dragon’ in the military. Though he appears cold and aloof, he’s actually swift and decisive. You say he’ll consider Qiu Sanniang’s face and won’t risk the Xiao family’s reputation. I think that may not be entirely so. He took your dragon boat at the Double Ninth Festival, and during the infiltration into Nande witnessed your ship-handling skills—perhaps he covets your left hand’s shipbuilding techniques.”
“He doesn’t know I can build ships. Not just him—even Qiu Sanniang isn’t very clear about it. Dragon boats have no offensive power and no killing capacity—” Mo Zi shook her head. She couldn’t be fooled by Xiao Er’s hypocrisy. Belatedly, she asked, “Yuan Cheng, how did you know he took the dragon boat?”
Yuan Cheng didn’t answer, only saying, “Don’t underestimate Great Zhou’s ship craftsmen.”
Mo Zi didn’t dare underestimate anyone. As the saying goes, three mediocre cobblers equal one Zhuge Liang. When she applied modern shipbuilding technology to ancient vessels, even if only a small part was modified, though she felt it was nothing, it could potentially create world-shaking results. Add collective wisdom, and it might push contemporary shipbuilding to a qualitative leap. She had once actively applied modern technology, then became overly cautious, not touching ships for a long time. Now, she wanted to find a balance point, attempting civilian vessel directions.
“Yuan Cheng, if my ships can be freely observed, dismantled, and studied, that’s because I permit it.” A bit proud. Very confident. “Aside from increased speed, they won’t gain anything. If Great Zhou’s craftsmen can replicate it, Nande’s and Da Qiu’s craftsmen can too. If everyone can replicate it, everyone’s ship speed increases, no one has an advantage, but it might benefit common people. As for Xiao Er, if he forces me to cause harm, at worst, we’ll destroy each other.” Unless she herself was willing.
“Whether those who consider themselves righteous gentlemen will do shameless and despicable things depends on your evaluation.” Yuan Cheng smiled, his brow smoothing. “Be sure to let me know.”
Mo Zi picked up a mouthful of cold food, chewing with great satisfaction. “Now it’s quiet.”
After several days, an imperial proclamation announced to the world that Da Qiu and Nande would send New Year envoy delegations to the capital to celebrate the Spring Festival together.
Yuan Cheng revealed that the six-hundred-li urgent dispatch was indeed as they predicted—a state letter from the King of Da Qiu to the Emperor of Great Zhou. The letter’s contents were lengthy and flowery, roughly recounting the beginning and end of sending troops to Yuling, denouncing Yuling’s late emperor as incompetent and tyrannical, harming loyal subjects, condemning Yuling’s crown prince as debauched and excessive, angering both men and gods. As if Da Qiu deployed righteous forces to eliminate evil, a mission bestowed by heaven. Though Yuling was obtained through countless deaths and injuries of its soldiers, it was willing to divide Yuling three ways, sharing with Great Zhou and Nande.
Yuan Cheng had a good memory and recited it verbatim for her, making her laugh until her stomach hurt and tears flowed.
Clearly just dog shit, pretending to be sanctimonious!