“Lord Wu underestimates himself too much. Whether your father is Grand Preceptor Wu or not, I don’t really care. But you are the military supervisor for so many people. With you in hand, why would we fear they won’t obey? Clearly you have value yourself—why belittle yourself so?” Mo Zi had never intended to kill Wu Jian.

Hearing this, Wu Jian knew she was mocking his uselessness. Though angry in his heart, he dared not show it. Looking around at over a hundred dead and wounded, his side still had numerical advantage, and he realized the other side had come with the strategy of capturing the leader to control the troops. But now that things had come to this, regret was useless.

Near evening, Zan Jin was reporting numbers to Mo Zi. “Enemy troops surrendered: one thousand two hundred nineteen men. Warships loaded with bows and arrows: four, matching what Wu Jian said. The general is called Jin He. I questioned the minor soldiers in his tent—they said he came from humble origins, appointed in crisis, but has no real military authority. All along the way, it’s been Wu Jian calling the shots.”

“He’s probably the scapegoat Grand Preceptor Wu prepared for his son. When there’s credit, Wu Jian takes it; when there’s punishment, Jin He bears it. For him to dare oppose Wu Jian shows real backbone. Have the guards treat him well and see if we can win him over.” Someone from humble origins should have suffered under corrupt governance.

Zan Jin nodded and made note of it.

Smelly Fish rushed into the tent. “Brother Mo, the gulls and pelicans have spotted sail shadows appearing again on Tower River—about a thousand or so.”

Zan Jin’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “Could it be Nande reinforcements?”

“If so, not only are we in danger, Yuan Cheng and the others probably won’t hold out either.” The battlefield changed in an instant. What had been a brilliant plan to lure enemies deep and defeat them piecemeal would become the enemy’s trap to catch turtles in a jar with a reinforcement force of a hundred thousand. “Smelly Fish, scout again. Get a clear look at their faces before reporting back.”

“Yes.” Seeing Mo Zi’s composure, Smelly Fish calmed down too. “I’ll go personally.”

“Be careful.” Calm on the surface, tense inside.

But once Smelly Fish left, he didn’t return even after dark.

Luo Ying was acting a bit like a worried wife, repeating over and over in front of Mo Zi, “Little brother-in-law is clever, he’ll be fine. Little brother-in-law is clever, he’ll be fine…”

Water Snake strode inside. “Brother Mo, I want to go find A’Yu.”

“Even if Smelly Fish was captured, they should be near the camp by now. Why is there still no movement?” Strange—a hundred thousand men against her three boats would be like crushing ants. If it were her, she’d have charged over at full speed long ago. And then there was the silent Smelly Fish—she believed that no matter how dangerous the situation ahead, he would find a way to send word.

“Brother Mo, should we—” Zan Jin wanted to say retreat, but found it difficult to voice, after all they’d only just recaptured this place.

Mo Zi understood Zan Jin’s meaning, but her hesitation wasn’t about the camp they’d just retaken—it was about Yuan Cheng deep in the mountain ridges and rivers. If she retreated, when those hundred thousand arrived, he would surely be unable to escape doom. If she didn’t retreat, no matter how advanced these three boats were compared to their contemporaries, they couldn’t withstand a thousand ships pressing and grinding against them. They could hold out for a moment or two, but not half a watch. In the end, they’d probably die even before Yuan Cheng. Once they survived this ordeal, she’d definitely build hundreds or thousands of boats first before having the confidence to continue fighting.

“Why would Smelly Fish have no news at all? This is what puzzles me most. Zan Jin, bring Wu Jian and come with me to look. Water Snake, Luo Ying, you guard the main camp. Wait for my message and be ready to evacuate at any time, but don’t alarm the prisoners.” Mo Zi’s orders were clear.

Everyone immediately went their separate ways.

Seeing himself singled out and brought aboard, Wu Jian’s mind suddenly became active. His smile turned crafty. “It’s my court’s grand army arriving, isn’t it?”

Zan Jin ignored him and went about tying him to the mast.

But Mo Zi couldn’t stand that petty, smug expression and coldly replied, “If I were you, I’d only worry about not living much longer. Hang a stone around your neck, toss you in the water—such a simple matter. Don’t forget, the main camp is now in my hands. You’ve served your purpose well enough.”

Wu Jian’s expression immediately changed, greatly alarmed.

Everyone was about to set sail when suddenly they saw bright firelight at the mountain gate. In a blink, a large boat with a high, pointed bow came cleaving through the waves.

Xiao Yi flew down from the pole top. “Mo Zi, are they attacking?”

Luo Ying and Water Snake called out, and everyone jumped onto their own boats and grabbed their weapons, preparing for battle.

“…” In the firelight, colored flags were changing. Mo Zi read them silently in her heart, then broke into a smile and said, “Don’t be nervous. Smelly Fish is up there. He says they’re our own people.”

Soon, the large boat stopped opposite Wind Boat. Following closely behind it was a long dragon of torches, winding all the way outside the mountain gate. Darker than the night sky itself, yet infinitely inspiring—countless boat shadows arranged in a straight line.

Smelly Fish shouted, “Scared? Happy?” Standing with one foot on the gunwale, he threw his head back in laughter.

Luo Ying stamped her foot angrily with hands on hips. “You rotten little brother! Even after getting the message, you didn’t come report early. Who’s scared or happy with you? Get down here and let me stab you with a sword, then you tell me if you’re afraid!”

The better Smelly Fish’s mood, the more he liked to show off. He kicked back with one leg, hooked a bamboo pole as thick as an arm, thrust it into the riverbed mud, and using the bamboo’s elasticity, left the large boat and landed light as a feather on Wind Boat.

Then he clasped his hands in salute, head raised like a peacock. “Brothers, give me some applause!”

Applause rang out thunderously, with some cheering and others calling for an encore. The tense atmosphere from moments ago completely dissipated with his antics. However, this showed how popular he was on ordinary days.

Mo Zi watched him show off, but felt at peace. He was a good companion who’d faced life and death with her, also family she regarded as a true brother. If something happened to him, she couldn’t bear it.

Luo Ying’s martial skills were exceptional. With graceful posture, she beautifully boarded the boat and actually came at Smelly Fish with her sword.

Smelly Fish couldn’t beat her, so he jumped ship and grabbed Water Snake to make him control his wife.

In the noisy background, Mo Zi boarded the large boat.

Out of habit, she first examined the boat’s structure, then smiled at Zhang Zhen who approached. “Lord Zhang, looks like you fought a great victory!”

“How did Madam know?” This address of “Madam” was now genuinely acknowledged.

“This boat is newly built, launched not long ago, yet has all the various defects of Nande warships.” Mo Zi spoke with evidence about the boat. “Wu Jian said he had reinforcements behind him, but there’s been no sign of them until now. Putting the two together, you must have intercepted them halfway and captured their boats.”

Zhang Zhen gave a thumbs up. “Madam is astute. Originally I was going to come with Prime Minister Yuan, but the court dispatched a large army wanting to seize the three provinces, so Prime Minister Yuan ordered me and Old Li to guard the southern border. After resolving matters there, I rushed here. Unexpectedly, I encountered government troops reinforcing Tiger Stronghold, and only then learned that news of Prime Minister Yuan entering Chen Province had leaked. They only had a hundred thousand men, and their commander was incompetent. My three hundred thousand troops drove them into the canyon—more than half died or were wounded, and the rest voluntarily pledged to the Righteous Yuan Army. I divided my forces two ways—one route to eliminate Chen Province’s garrison troops, the other to rush here and rendezvous with Prime Minister Yuan. Meanwhile, Xin Province has already been taken by Teng Guo. At this moment, half of Nande’s territory is under the governance of the Righteous Yuan Army.”

“So fast!” Mo Zi was amazed.

“In Madam’s view it’s fast, but actually it’s a matter of natural progression. Prime Minister Yuan’s arrangements weren’t made in just a day or two. If we weren’t fast and waited for Nande and Daqiu to unite, we’d lose the best opportunity.” Zhang Zhen said this, then frowned. “I’ve already heard from Brother Smelly Fish—Prime Minister Yuan led thirty thousand men into Cloud Ridge and there’s been no news until now?”

“Seeing all of you, I’m no longer worried about him.” Mo Zi had long since breathed a sigh of relief. “If he has no news and Wu Jian’s people have sent no news either, the worst case is just that both sides are locked in stalemate. But whichever side receives reinforcements will immediately determine the final outcome.”

Zhang Zhen expressed agreement. “Even so, there’s no time to waste. I’ll lead half the forces in, leaving half stationed here in case there’s movement from the Daqiu people across the river. Ah! Look at me, I forgot something important.” He turned and called to a soldier. “Quick, go to the cabin and invite that person out.”

Mo Zi was just wondering who it was when she saw a graceful, elegant figure appear on deck. She couldn’t help being surprised and delighted. “Dou Lu?”

“Elder Sister!” Dou Lu walked over quickly, grasped Mo Zi’s hand, joyful and pleased.

Mo Zi wanted to scold her for coming to a dangerous place, but also understood her worry. She said nothing, only smiled and tightly held her younger sister’s hand.

“Madam need not worry. Bringing Second Miss was also Prime Minister Yuan’s intention.” Zhang Zhen explained. “Immortal Mountain is easy to defend and hard to attack. Cloud Ridge has abundant resources of all kinds and is separated from Yuling by just a river—convenient for future comings and goings. It’s an ideal main base. Once things are settled here, the family members of various households will also move over.”

“Don’t tell me Yuan Cheng actually had his eye on this treasure land all along and that’s why he talked about alliance with He Hu.” Mo Zi laughed.

Zhang Zhen chuckled twice. “Well, Madam should ask Prime Minister Yuan about that.”

Mo Zi said no more. She brought Dou Lu off the boat and watched Zhang Zhen lead five or six hundred boats toward the great river. She didn’t request to follow because she was already certain of this victory, and the plan in her heart couldn’t wait to be immediately implemented.

When Zhang Zhen brought reinforcements, Yuan Cheng had already won and was about to sail back.

Seeing Mo Zi’s three boats quietly moored in the bay, his heart warmed. After getting married, he often had this wonderful feeling. Even when she wasn’t beside him, thinking of her brought a knowing smile. He knew he’d fallen in love with such a strong woman—no matter what dangerous situation she found herself in, she definitely wouldn’t give up easily.

“I don’t see Madam.” Zhang Zhen thought he was looking for his beloved.

“I clearly told her to wait for news, yet she ran back here. If she were a soldier and this were a military order, I’d have to behead her.” Yuan Cheng smiled faintly. “The boat is here, so she is. Most likely she has her own business.” She wasn’t the type to obediently wait at home for her husband to return.

Zhang Zhen looked at that smile and thought to himself: Forget beheading—he probably wouldn’t even say a harsh word. Such a reserved person, but since having this girl in his heart, his human warmth has emerged. Very good, very good indeed.

“Let the soldiers rest well for several days. The wounded must receive treatment quickly, and we must arrange the deceased’s affairs as properly as possible.” Though he’d returned safely, thirty thousand men had entered the mountains, but only twenty thousand returned. One life for six lives—a great victory completely annihilating the enemy, yet it also left ten thousand soldiers’ bodies forever in those mountains.

Zhen saw the commanders walking this way and knew they were coming to discuss matters with Yuan Cheng again. “Prime Minister Yuan, go find Madam. You haven’t seen each other for so many days, and you’re newlyweds—you must miss each other terribly. If you don’t go now, you’ll be too busy to get away later.”

Yuan Cheng saw them too. He disembarked and waved for them to enter the main camp. “Matters have their priorities. However busy, we’ll surely meet today.”

Honestly, Zhang Zhen hoped Yuan Cheng would prioritize the big picture. After all, he hadn’t been with everyone long and needed to establish his authority.

Late at night, the main tent finally quieted down. Yuan Cheng stood up.

“Yuan Cheng, give me the eastern inner bay, all right?” Mo Zi lifted the curtain and entered, wearing that mismatched work outfit Hong Yu often wore, looking like she’d just come down from the mountains or up from the water. “I want to start a shipyard.”

Their eyes met, deep affection conveyed without words.