The northeastern region of White Wolf Mountain was filled with one transverse ridge after another. After leading the main force for two days, Yan Chi finally set up camp and halted at a place called Sunset Ridge.
It had been sunny for two consecutive days, but upon reaching Sunset Ridge, it began to snow again. This time, the camp was even more rudimentary than the last. Due to the urgency, there was no time to erect even the outermost fence. The troops entered the camp at dusk, had some dry rations, and then Yan Chi, along with Yu Qi, Master Qi, and others, headed to the strategy tent.
The camp was set up in an inconspicuous valley, with a transverse ridge blocking the front. Although it shielded them from the biting wind, the weather grew even colder. Qin Guan sat in the central command tent, breathing into her hands and rubbing them together for warmth. Soon, Bai Feng brought in a stove from outside, its charcoal blocks already glowing red.
"Princess Consort, His Highness said he doesn't know how long the discussion will take and asked you to retire early."
Qin Guan quickly acknowledged. After Bai Feng left, she pulled Baiying closer to the stove. "It's so cold. I wonder if this will hinder the battle."
Baiying reassured her, "Princess Consort, don't worry. His Highness and the others have taken everything into consideration."
Qin Guan frowned, hoping only that this battle would proceed smoothly. This was Yan Chi's first battle since returning to Shuoxi, and reclaiming control of the Shuoxi camp required flawless execution.
In the strategy tent, Yan Chi and the others gathered around a square table, studying the map spread across it.
"Lin Xie arrived in Shuoxi over half a month ahead of us and is now in the Shuoxi camp. Although he brought few troops, he represents the Emperor. Having joined forces with Lin Xugui, the two are likely plotting how to make the main camp's soldiers comply. The sudden appearance of Chu Fei Sheng and his companion presents an opportunity for them to make an example of someone."
After a brief pause, Yan Chi continued, "The previously agreed-upon location with Chu Fei Sheng is here, at the natural chasm northeast of Sunset Ridge. I've traversed this valley before—both sides are steep ridges. We'll set up an ambush there, with another unit circling around to cut off their retreat. We must ensure Lin Xugui and Lin Xie are captured."
"Yu Qi, take the left ridge. He Qing, the right. Liao Jun, cut off their retreat. Any questions?"
"No questions!" the three replied in unison.
Yan Chi added, "My only concern is that if Lin Xugui and Lin Xie learn of my arrival in Shuoxi in advance, they might avoid the trap. We must act calmly and avoid alerting them. I suspect we'll receive news from Chu Fei Sheng tomorrow. Brief your subordinates clearly and prepare to depart tomorrow evening."
After the others acknowledged, Yan Chi dismissed them to rest, keeping only Master Qi behind.
Seeing that he was retained, Master Qi knew what was on Yan Chi's mind. Before Yan Chi could speak, Master Qi asked, "Your Highness, are you prepared to declare yourself king?"
Seated in the main position, Yan Chi narrowed his eyes slightly. Master Qi sighed, "Reaching this point is an unavoidable necessity for Prince Rui's residence. The Emperor has pushed us too far, leaving you no alternative. If you cannot steel your resolve now, Shuoxi will truly be in peril."
Yan Chi raised a hand to stop him and said calmly, "I brought the Princess Consort with me precisely because I am prepared. However, this matter still requires some additional planning."Upon hearing this, Master Qi smiled and said, "I have already carried out the instructions from Your Highness's previous letter. By now, everyone in Xilin City likely knows that the Old Prince was killed by the Emperor. News from two days ago indicates that the Xilin City Magistrate has severed ties with the Mengzhou Prefect. Even last year's tax silver and related documents have been withheld, making his stance abundantly clear."
The Xilin City Magistrate functioned similarly to a county magistrate, but he was a native of the Northwest Frontier. He had always regarded Yan Lin as the protector of Xilin. However, Yan Lin's sudden death last year not only shocked the court and the public but also felt like the sky had fallen to the people of the Northwest.
Before the New Year, heavy snow blocked the mountain passes, preventing the delivery of tax silver, account books, and documents from Xilin City to the Mengzhou Prefect's office. Although the roads reopened a few days ago, the Xilin City Magistrate still refused to send the funds as required, clearly enraged by Yan Lin's death.
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. In the capital, he could not cry out for Yan Lin's injustice or reveal the truth to others, but things were different in the Northwest.
The Emperor, accustomed to his golden throne in Chongzheng Hall, likely did not understand the resolve of the Northwestern people.
"What are your thoughts on the news from the north?" Yan Chi changed the subject after a moment of contemplation. That afternoon, upon arriving at Sunset Ridge, he had received the latest report from the north and immediately handed it to Master Qi.
Master Qi sighed upon hearing this. "The Empress and the Crown Prince are acting too rashly. I fear the upcoming battle may not go well."
The latest news indicated that the Empress and Crown Prince had not gone to Cangzhou but had instead proceeded directly to Fengzhou. The Empress ordered the General of the State to dispatch 30,000 troops to Fengzhou and take the remaining forces to Chongzhou, planning to capture both prefectures simultaneously. This would inevitably force the Anyang Marquis's northern expedition forces to split their attention.
Master Qi continued, "The troops from Jinzhou under the Anyang Marquis are quite capable, and they have ample supplies from the capital and Yingzhou. This is entirely different from the situation of the Northern Garrison Army. Although the Northern Garrison Army captured Cangzhou, Cangzhou is in the north and even more barren than Xilin City. Moreover, the Northwest Frontier Army still has half a year's worth of military supplies that you previously secured through your strategies. In contrast, the Northern Garrison Army has long been cut off from supplies. I boldly speculate that without additional provisions, they can hold out for at most three more months."
Although the Northwest Plateau was not as fertile as other regions, the area around Xilin City was relatively flat. For over twenty years, under Yan Lin's protection, previously abandoned farmland had been reclaimed and cultivated. Now, numerous villages and tribes surrounded Xilin City, and agriculture had long since improved. To ensure the Northwest Frontier Army's supplies, Yan Chi had deliberately detoured through Qianzhou and Jianzhou. The Northern Garrison Army, however, faced a different situation.
As he listened, a trace of concern flickered in Yan Chi's eyes. He asked again, "Have the Rong people shown any unusual movements?"
Master Qi quickly shook his head. "No. This year's snowfall is heavier, and the mountains beyond White Wolf Pass are blocked by snow, effectively stopping the Rong people. Moreover, since Lin Xugui and the others arrived, they have repeatedly tried to reassign Fang Qin at White Wolf Pass, but Fang Qin has defied their orders. Lin Xugui is too preoccupied with his own troubles to bother Fang Qin at White Wolf Pass for now, so the situation there remains stable. I have also sent a letter to Fang Qin, so it should be foolproof..."A cold glint flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. White Wolf Pass stood as the foremost line of defense against the Rong people. Due to frequent surprise attacks by the Rong, the pass was permanently garrisoned with ten thousand troops. Yet Lin Xugui dared to covet this strategic location. Yan Chi let out a cold laugh. "With Fang Qin keeping watch, I'm naturally at ease. Tell him he must not leave White Wolf Pass under any circumstances."
Master Qi hurriedly nodded. "Understood. This humble servant will send another secret missive shortly."
Yan Chi said no more. Noting Yan Chi's grave expression, Master Qi inquired, "What troubles Your Highness?"
Yan Chi looked at Master Qi. "The Northern Garrison Army has now fully withdrawn to Cangzhou, and I fear they're currently dispersing toward Chongzhou and Fengzhou respectively. With Azure Dragon Mountain left undefended, do you suppose the Qiang barbarians might choose this moment to launch a surprise attack from the north?"
These words sent a jolt through Master Qi's heart. The hundred thousand troops of the Northern Garrison Army were no mere decoration. For years, the Zhao family had commanded the Northern Garrison Army. Every son born to the Zhao family became a military commander, while every daughter inevitably entered the palace to bear heirs for the royal family. Though not royalty themselves, their status had long transcended ordinary nobility. All these honors stemmed from the Qiang barbarians' covetous designs on the Great Zhou from the north. Though both were barbarian tribes, the Qiang's combat prowess was no less than the Rong's, merely fewer in number. The northernmost territory of the Great Zhou was Azure Dragon Mountain, and beyond that lay the Cold Plains where the barbarians dwelled. The harsh conditions of the Cold Plains were tolerable for adults but made survival extremely difficult for children. Thus, though the Qiang were few in number, each harbored wolfish ambitions, vainly attempting to invade the Great Zhou through Azure Dragon Mountain to seize the northern Cangzhou region, thereby ensuring their tribe's continuation.
The threat posed by the barbarian and Rong tribes to the Great Zhou was long-standing. A century ago, the barbarians had even breached Cangzhou City, committing every atrocity from slaughter and arson to pillage, leaving the city virtually submerged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Generations of confrontation and warfare had made the Great Zhou and the Qiang and Rong tribes mortal enemies. These two fierce and ruthless peoples would lie in wait like leopards, ready to spring up and bite at any moment!
This was the source of Yan Chi's concern. Hearing this, Master Qi also sighed. "Your Highness bears the hatred of your father's murder. The Prince Rui lineage has always been loyal and heroic, unlikely to rebel merely for rebellion's sake while disregarding external threats. But the Northern Garrison Army is different. Old General Zhao dotes on his daughter and grandson. Seeing the Crown Prince deposed, he naturally cannot sit idle. Moreover, the Empress's actions clearly indicate she's ready to fight to the death. They're currently gambling that the barbarians won't move at this time."
In the harsh winter, the north was even colder than Shuoxi. Azure Dragon Mountain would become an icy fortress blocking the barbarians' path. Legend had it that traversing Azure Dragon Mountain to enter Great Zhou territory in winter took half a month. During this season, the mountain was devoid of human traces and even birds—entering meant certain death.
Though the tales sounded mystical, the reality wasn't far off. Yan Chi knew Master Qi was right—the Northern Garrison Army was merely gambling. Yet an undercurrent of worry stirred within him, a persistent feeling that trouble was brewing in the north.
"For now, we can't control the northern situation. Just advise Fang Qin to remain vigilant."
Hearing this, Master Qi suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Your Highness... do you have plans to return to the capital?"Yan Chi's gaze sharpened as he looked at Master Qi. Though he now commanded his own troops and had rebelled, it was under duress. In such circumstances, Master Qi's question was tantamount to asking whether he intended to march on the capital and seize the throne. After studying Master Qi for a moment, Yan Chi said, "As you yourself noted earlier, I am fundamentally different from the Empress and Crown Prince."
Master Qi immediately bowed in apology. "Yes, I understand. I spoke out of turn."
Yan Chi waved a dismissive hand and stood up. "We've been weary for two days. Let us retire early tonight."
With that, Yan Chi left the council tent. The biting wind outside stung his face, and a cold glint settled in his eyes. Only when he reached the central command tent did he pause to rub his temples. As he lifted the tent flap and entered, his expression softened into a gentle smile.
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