After Wei Yun issued the "Grain Requisition Order," Chu Linyang and Song Shilan were the first to respond, also posting their own "Grain Requisition Orders" and sending out the provisions with great fanfare.
The feudal lords were shaken, and the whole world was stunned. By then, it was already time for the first batch of named lords to deliver their grain.
On this day, Wei Yun set up his banner in the heart of Yuan City, with Chu Yu sitting beside him under the banner, waiting for the summoned lords to arrive.
Seven families had been named, all located not far from Yuan City. As the sun rose, the two of them sat beneath the banner, each with a cup of tea at hand. Chu Yu wore red robes beneath a light suit of armor, her hair tied high in a ponytail, looking valiant and heroic. Wei Yun was dressed in a moonlit-hued robe with an outer cloak, adorned with a pearl-studded Jade Crown, exuding an air of refined elegance.
The two sat beneath the banner, occasionally lifting their heads to converse. The onlooking commoners couldn’t help but whisper in surprise. Those who didn’t know murmured, "Is that Lord Wei? Who is the woman beside him?"
Some said she was the eldest daughter of the Chu family.
Yet others countered, "The eldest daughter of the Chu family? Isn’t that Lady Wei?"
The relationship was too complicated, and the murmurs grew rampant. Finally, someone who knew the truth stepped forward and said quietly, "That was originally the Wei family’s first lady, the wife of the late Wei heir. Half a month ago, she left the Wei family and returned to the Chu family. But she’s still the Northern Phoenix General of the Guardian Army, so she remains in the military."
This only deepened the crowd’s confusion. "She divorced and went home, yet she’s still on such good terms with Lord Wei now?"
Those in the know smirked suggestively. "She’s been widowed for so many years, and now that Lord Wei has come of age and been enfeoffed as a prince, she suddenly leaves the Wei family—what’s the reason for that, isn’t it obvious?"
"And who in the Wei family can write a Divorce Letter on behalf of the elder brother? Isn’t it the very man sitting there? And why would he write it now? Only he knows the answer to that."
The crowd sighed in mixed reactions—some frowned, some looked disdainful, some shook their heads repeatedly. Only a few naive young people dared to sigh, "They look so well-matched together."
From morning till nightfall, they waited, and by sunset, grain had been collected from four families.
The remaining three—Marquis Hou Yi of Huaiyang, Jiang Yong of Bincheng, and Chen Huai of Luohe—had yet to deliver their grain. Wei Yun turned to Chu Yu with a smile and said, "I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you."
"No problem."
Chu Yu waved her hand dismissively but then asked, "Will this grain be enough?"
"It’s enough for immediate disaster relief."
Wei Yun frowned, his gaze drifting toward the direction of Yong City as he said calmly, "It all depends on whether Yao Yong is foolish or not."
Now that they had regained their footing, with Yuan City as the dividing line, Yao Yong and Wei Yun stood in opposition. The areas suffering the worst of the disaster were within Yao Yong’s territory. If they had the grain but Yao Yong refused to provide relief, there was nothing they could do.
If they wanted to enter and provide aid themselves, they would have to send their own people—handing the grain over to Yao Yong was out of the question. It would be like throwing meat to a dog. But if they sent large numbers of their own people into Yao Yong’s territory, Yao Yong wouldn’t simply let them pass without concern.
"What if Yao Yong really doesn’t plan to provide relief?" Chu Yu asked worriedly.
Wei Yun took a sip of tea before replying slowly, "If Yao Yong really does that, I’d actually be a little pleased."
"Hmm?"
"If he refuses to help, what do you think those desperate victims will do?"
Wei Yun looked up at Chu Yu, who immediately understood.
Yao Yong wouldn’t dare not provide relief.Now, with Wei Yun's massive army pressing on the border of Qing Province, if Yao Yong faced internal unrest from the people acting in collusion with external forces, he would truly be caught between a rock and a hard place.
In truth, Wei Yun could have easily refused to provide disaster relief or grain, forcing Yao Yong into a corner.
But the ones who would suffer would be the common people. Wei Yun was ultimately not like Yao Yong or Zhao Yue, who wielded the people as weapons.
Knowing there was a shortcut yet refusing to take it, aware of the dangers ahead yet pressing forward regardless.
Chu Yu watched him quietly until Wei Yun turned his head, puzzled. "Why are you staring at me?"
"Xiao Qi," she smiled, her eyes curving. "I truly think you're even better than I imagined."
Wei Yun was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on him.
"Whether as an official or a general," he said calmly, "one must prioritize the people."
With that, he reached out and pulled Chu Yu closer, abruptly changing the subject. "Are we leaving tomorrow?"
Since they had decided to deal with those three families, the only question left was when to set out. Chu Yu shook her head. "No, we leave immediately."
"Immediately?" Wei Yun was taken aback.
It was already late, and the streets were bustling with people.
Seeing his surprised expression, Chu Yu pressed her lips together in amusement. "I've already prepared the provisions and military supplies. The troops are assembled outside the city. Did you really think I wore armor today just to show off?"
Wei Yun still couldn't quite process it. He stared at her blankly for a long moment before finally saying, "So... so urgent?"
"Speed is crucial in warfare," Chu Yu explained. "Right now, those three families must be preparing for battle. Knowing I'm coming for them, Chen Huai—the farthest among those we notified—will assume I'll deal with him last. He'll be the least guarded now. Tonight, I'll lead the light cavalry, traveling light without provisions, taking mountain paths and marching through the night. By dawn, we'll reach Luo River. I'll make a bet with you," she said, her eyes gleaming. "By sunrise tomorrow, the Wei family's banner will fly over Luo River."
Hearing this, Wei Yun simply smiled and teased, "Why not the Chu family's banner instead?"
Chu Yu froze. Wei Yun laughed heartily, and when she realized his meaning, she flushed slightly and turned away. "Alright, I'm leaving now."
"Wait."
Wei Yun called her back. As she turned to look at him, warm lips brushed against her cheek. Chu Yu stood rooted to the spot as Wei Yun straightened up, hands tucked into his sleeves, and said with a smile, "You kissed me last time. Now I'm returning the favor."
She had surprised him with a kiss when they last parted, and he hadn't forgotten.
Blushing, Chu Yu coughed lightly. "No need to be so particular."
With a wave, she turned away again. "I'm really going now."
Wei Yun watched as she disappeared into the lantern-lit streets, mounted her horse, and galloped out of the city.
Long after her figure had vanished, Wei Yun finally snapped out of his daze. Wei Qiu approached and said quietly, "Your Highness, Yao Yong has sent a letter requesting a public banquet with you tomorrow at Yuan City's gates."
Below Yuan City lay Song City, where Yao Yong had already stationed himself. The area outside Yuan City was an open plain with no cover—Yao Yong had chosen the location to prevent any ambush by Wei Yun.
Understanding his intention, Wei Yun sneered. "That coward never changes. Very well, accept his invitation."With a mocking glint in his eyes, he said, "If I were to host a banquet in Yuancheng, I doubt he'd dare enter even with a hundred thousand troops."
Wei Qiu acknowledged the order and sent someone to relay the message.
As Chu Yu rode out of the city, she spotted a carriage waiting outside the gates. Passing by, she saw the figure inside holding up the curtain, silently watching her depart.
His gaze was calm yet solemn, conveying all his worries without words. Chu Yu waved her hand, raising her brows with a triumphant smile. The nobleman inside the carriage paused, then shook his head helplessly and let the curtain fall.
"Always so impulsive," Gu Chusheng muttered with a low chuckle before turning to the guard outside. "Did Yao Yong send a message to Wei Yun?"
"You guessed right, sir," the guard replied softly. "As soon as the provisions arrived today, Yao Yong's men came."
"I knew it," Gu Chusheng sneered. "Zhao Yue couldn't sit still."
After exchanging farewells with Gu Chusheng, Chu Yu spurred her horse forward and soon caught up with Sun Yi, who had left the city ahead of her.
She had previously instructed Sun Yi to target the farthest holdout once the non-compliant parties were identified. Though their entire force consisted of light cavalry, their horses were no match for Chu Yu's, allowing her to overtake them despite their head start.
Riding alongside Sun Yi, Chu Yu shouted, "Did you bring what Han Xiu gave you?"
"Yes!" Sun Yi yelled back. "As ordered, each of us carries a bundle."
"Good," Chu Yu nodded. "Wait for my command!"
The entire unit was composed of light cavalry, each carrying gunpowder provided by Han Xiu—nearly half of his stockpile accumulated over the years. Chu Yu aimed to make this battle a resounding success, striking with such speed that the entire state of Chu would be caught off guard, breaching what was considered their most impregnable fortress.
They carried no provisions, relying solely on the speed of their light cavalry. Everyone knew that if they didn't secure victory swiftly, their lack of supplies would spell certain defeat.
Pushing through shortcuts day and night without rest, they reached Luoshui by the time the morning star appeared. Chu Yu allowed the troops a brief respite in the woods before standing and ordering the drums and banners to be raised.
With a thunderous battle cry, the three thousand soldiers charged toward the unprepared city of Luoshui.
"Alert! Alert!"
The moment Chu Yu's forces appeared, the guards on Luoshui's walls sounded the alarm.
But Chu Yu's cavalry moved far faster than anticipated. By the time the defenders scrambled onto the walls, her troops were already within firing range. "Fire arrows!" Chu Yu commanded.
Flaming crossbow bolts rained down on the battlements like a storm. Haphazard arrows shot back from the walls, but the fiery streaks illuminated the scene outside Luoshui—the silver-armored cavalry, led by the striking woman, surged forward like a tide. Spotting the arrows raining down, Chu Yu shouted, "Sun Yi, Squad One, follow me! The rest, raise your shields and charge!"
"Squad One, move out!"
Sun Yi's voice rang out, and a dozen riders broke from the ranks. Chu Yu led them as they dismounted and sprinted toward the city gates.The team consisted of agile martial artists who deftly dodged arrows, swiftly reaching the base of the city wall. Each of them unloaded the gunpowder they carried on their backs before retreating rapidly.
"What are they doing?!"
Only then did the defending general on the city wall realize something was amiss.
But it was already too late. The woman below the wall suddenly retreated, then drew her longbow, quickly lighting an arrow before releasing it with a powerful snap.
The flaming arrow landed on the piled-up gunpowder. With a deafening "BOOM," the entire city wall trembled.
"What is this..."
Before the defenders of Luoshui City could react, they saw Chu Yu leading the first team charging into the city like phantoms.
The gate had been blasted open. After ordering her troops inside, Chu Yu personally killed the gatekeepers and lowered the drawbridge.
The Guardian Army roared as they surged in. Amid the chaos, someone shouted, "The city has fallen!"
"Run! Run now!"
Screams and cries erupted everywhere. Chu Yu, carrying a flag, rushed up the city wall while Sun Yi led the troops to engage the remaining defenders. As sunlight broke over the mountain ridge, Chu Yu unfurled the banner from her back.
A bold character "Yu" fluttered under the morning sun.
Chu Yu chuckled darkly.
"Too easy for you."
With that, she flung a soldier who tried to charge at her off the wall.
Then she turned and fought her way down, leading her forces straight to Luo Manor.
Countless had declared themselves kings in these chaotic times, and Chen Huai of Luoshui City was one such self-proclaimed ruler.
With morale shattered, the leaderless soldiers scattered like sand. Chu Yu's troops stormed into Luo Manor, where Chen Huai was already forced to his knees by Sun Yi's men.
Chu Yu approached with her sword, calmly stating, "You know why I'm here."
"I know."
Chen Huai's face twisted with malice. "Chu Yu! Your actions defy the heavens! When we refused grain, you slaughtered us. 'Those who submit prosper, those who resist perish'—how are you any different from Zhao Yue?!"
"There is a difference."
Chu Yu's voice rose sharply. "We care for the people—you don't. That's the greatest difference! Do you know why I demanded grain?"
She yanked Chen Huai's hair, forcing him to look at her. As he struggled violently, she said coldly, "I needed it to save lives. And why did you hoard it?"
A resounding slap struck Chen Huai's face. "To kill people."
With that, Chu Yu stood and kicked him aside, walking away calmly. "Lock up the self-styled 'King Luo' and his family. Let no word leak out. Empty Luoshui's granaries completely." She paused, glancing back at Chen Huai. "Then spread the news that not a single member of Luo's household was spared."
Hearing this, the so-called king's pupils constricted in terror. "Chu Yu, you heartless monster! My son is only two—"
"If you knew that," Chu Yu's voice turned icy, "why drag them into this?!"
"General..."
Sun Yi hesitated. "This... might damage the Guardian Army's reputation—"
"Remember one thing." Chu Yu's tone remained steady. "I alone am responsible. This has nothing to do with anyone else—not even Wei Yun. The flag on that wall bears my name, Chu Yu's—no one else's.""I, Chu Yu, have never been one for rules." Chu Yu's gaze fell on Chen Huai. "Don't think you can fool me like you would the good-tempered Prince Wei!"
Hearing this, Sun Yi froze in place, while Wanyue immediately understood Chu Yu's intention and rushed forward with others to drag Chen Huai away.
After Chen Huai was taken away, Chu Yu noticed Sun Yi's still-distressed expression and raised an eyebrow. "General Sun, why are you still upset?"
"Madam... you're taking on such an unjust reputation..."
Sun Yi hesitated, prompting a light laugh from Chu Yu. "It's not like I actually killed him. Once our plans succeed, we'll release him. Where's the injustice in that?"
Sun Yi looked up in bewilderment as Chu Yu sat down and poured herself tea. "Right now, they're taking advantage of your prince's upright and gentle nature. Someone needs to play the villain." She took a sip of tea. "Once we 'execute' a few more households, they'll fall in line."
Author's Note:
Chu Yu: I think it's quite nice—Wei Yun handling external affairs while Gu Chusheng manages domestic matters.
Wei Yun: Go to sleep.
Gu Chusheng: Heh.
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