The soldiers in Hexi County were even more of a concern—either disabled from war or too old. After surveying the area, everyone wore grim expressions. If the Liao army broke through Hebei’s defenses, this place had no means of self-protection.
Sui Yunzhu noticed Wu Lingyuan staring blankly at the setting sun and asked, “What are you thinking about, sir?”
Wu Lingyuan snapped out of his thoughts and joked, “I’m considering how to draft a surrender letter for maximum effect.”
Li Qingzhi, failing to recognize the jest, bristled. “We haven’t even fought yet, and you’re already thinking of surrendering to those Liao dogs!”
Wu Lingyuan merely smiled without offering an explanation.
For a scholar, blindness meant the end of prospects. Wu Lingyuan had endured the darkest, most hopeless moments of his life with calm composure. Now, facing difficulties, he had no intention of retreating. His mind was already brimming with plans for this place, though the most pressing issues remained defense and population.
An Jiu shared these concerns. “Defending the city doesn’t necessarily require strong, able-bodied men. Lou Xiaowu once designed many weapons that even the elderly and weak could use.”
Throwing bombs—anyone with hands could do that, right?
Wu Lingyuan immediately recalled Hua Rongjian’s mention of the Lou family’s expertise in mechanical weaponry. His eyes brightened slightly. “That would be perfect. We can’t just fatten ourselves like pigs waiting for the Liao bandits to slaughter us!”
The other three nodded in agreement.
In truth, Hexi County’s geographical location and climate were uniquely favorable. Given stability, it could quickly recover its vitality. But with Liao cavalry raiding yearly, relying solely on Hebei’s military resistance wasn’t enough. If the garrison had been effective, Hexi wouldn’t have deteriorated to this state!
The Liao cavalry moved like ghosts, and Hexi’s defenders lacked a capable mobile force to counter them. By the time the main army reacted, the raiders had already finished looting and abducting. Even under Ling Ziyue’s command, such incidents couldn’t be entirely prevented—let alone now.
Wu Lingyuan said, “As for the population issue, we’ll check the household registers tomorrow.”
Sui Yunzhu suggested, “After the disasters, many are displaced. We could take them in.”
Li Qingzhi scoffed. “Give it up. I bet they’d rather starve than come here to feed the wolves.”
“How do you know without trying?” Sui Yunzhu felt relying on natural growth to increase the population was impractical.
“I’ll go,” An Jiu said.
“You can’t!”
“You can’t!”
Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi spoke in unison.
“The commander ordered us to protect you. If you leave, we have to follow. That would leave only the defenseless Sir Wu in Hexi…” Li Qingzhi hastily explained. “Miraculous Doctor Mo is highly skilled in martial arts, but he has a mentally powerful Liao collaborator by his side.”
Before he finished speaking, a blur flashed before his eyes—An Jiu’s dagger was already at his throat, leaving him no time to react.
“You’re protecting me?” An Jiu mocked.
Li Qingzhi’s face flushed crimson. Her action was a slap to his pride—how could someone of his strength dare claim to protect her?
Sui Yunzhu pushed her dagger aside. “Shi Si misunderstood. The commander meant there’s strength in numbers.”"I didn't misunderstand his meaning—it was Li Qingzhi who got it wrong." An Jiu sheathed her dagger, making a decision that brooked no argument. "You'd just be deadweight. I'll go alone."
And so the matter was happily settled!
Though "happy" only applied to An Jiu. Sui Yunzhu and Li Qingzhi's faces fell—if Chu Dingjiang found out about this, they'd probably have to atone with their lives!
Seeing this, Wu Lingyuan advised, "At least let Master Sui accompany you. I don't doubt Fourteen's capabilities, but persuading someone to come willingly requires considerable eloquence."
Fortunately, An Jiu was self-aware enough to recognize her shortcomings. Language was an art—she excelled at tearing people down but lacked the words to stir emotions...
After a long deliberation, An Jiu finally nodded in agreement.
Sui Yunzhu breathed a sigh of relief. Even if his combat skills paled compared to An Jiu's, he could at least be of some use in danger. At the very least, he could promptly notify Chu Dingjiang for rescue—far better than letting her vanish from sight alone.
Wu Lingyuan watched the birds pecking for food in the courtyard, his gaze calm and distant, though a thought surfaced unbidden in his mind: What a bunch of frauds.
Where were those promised elite bodyguards?
To be duped by one's benefactor—what could they do but accept their fate?
......
As all things revived under the gentle spring light.
In a spacious courtyard within Liao's Xijin Prefecture, an ancient tree had just begun sprouting tender green buds. Its gnarled roots and countless overlapping branches stretched skyward, casting shadows over most of the yard even before its foliage grew thick.
Below, a man in loose robes reclined on a lounge chair, a snow-white wolf pelt beneath him and a thick woolen blanket over his legs. His inky hair cascaded freely, long strands winding across the pristine fur with a silken sheen. A book covered his face, revealing only a finely sculpted, angular jaw.
Sunlight filtered through the dense tangle of barren branches, dappling the bark with shifting characters.
"My lord." A man in barbarian attire entered and bowed.
"Hmm." The reclining figure acknowledged.
The attendant had studied Song script well enough to recognize the four characters on the book's cover: Crane Control Secret Records .
Beneath the title was a small notation: "First Scroll."
This was the inaugural volume of the Crane Control Secret Records , documenting secrets about Song's Crane Control Army.
"Your subordinate has received word—Hexi County has a new magistrate."
Such trivial matters hardly warranted a special report. There must be more. The man removed the book, revealing a face whose narrow phoenix eyes radiated authority. Yet even after countless encounters, the attendant found himself momentarily dazzled.
After a pause, he continued, "Our spies report that Wei Yuzhi is traveling with the new magistrate. That 'Miracle Doctor' Mo Sigui has come as well."
"Oh?" A faint smile curved his lips as he sat up. "This prince is here to enjoy his retirement. I've no interest in such matters."
With a wave, he summoned a maid from the corridor to comb his hair.
The attendant pressed, "If my lord does not intervene, Liao cannot endure."
Those phoenix eyes lazily narrowed as slender fingers lightly tapped the Secret Records , his inscrutable mood impossible to decipher.
This was none other than Yelü Jinglie, Northern Court Prince of Liao, who had abdicated his title a month prior to "retire" in Xijin Prefecture.For the Yelü clan, living past thirty was already considered a long life.
"My lord, shall we secretly eliminate Wei Yuzhi?" the man in Hu attire asked.
The maidservant behind him trembled slightly, accidentally tugging at Yelü Jinglie's hair.
His expression remained unchanged as he continued to gaze at the tree branches, replying indifferently, "Take her out and deal with it."
The maidservant didn't even get to utter the word "mercy" before being muffled and dragged away.
"Two short-lived fools. Let's see what waves they can stir up." Gale Wind surged in Yelü Jinglie's palm like countless sharp blades, reducing the book to dust.
Watching the powder scatter with the wind, a faint smile appeared on Yelü Jinglie's face. "Interesting things are always worth trying. Send word to A'ning and have her come here." (To be continued...)
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