In the Moonlight

Bi Suo hurried to the main tent, where Yuanjue lifted a corner of the felt curtain and shook his head at him.

"General, the Regent is unavailable at the moment."

Peering through the curtain gap, Bi Suo saw the tent filled with people. Officers stood divided into two groups on either side below Tanmoroqie, seemingly in a standoff. Both sides wore thinly veiled anger, the atmosphere tense and oppressive. Only Mobi Duo stood apart in a corner, arms crossed, wearing an expression of detached amusement.

The officers grew agitated, loudly complaining and questioning, while Tanmoroqie remained silent, his face icy.

Bi Suo frowned and asked, "What happened?"

Yuanjue replied in a low voice, "Earlier, several captains led teams to clean the battlefield, tend to the wounded, and count prisoners... Others pursued the remnants of the Northern Rong forces. They captured a son and two nephews of Wahan Khan, along with a group of Northern Rong nobles. One tribe also discovered a Northern Rong camp with women inside. How could those tribal allies compare to our central army's strict discipline? Bearing grudges against the Northern Rong, they nearly resorted to plundering and killing... Several disputes have already erupted today. The Regent just issued orders prohibiting indiscriminate slaughter, harassment of civilians, and execution of surrendered Northern Rong nobles regardless of status. Those who harm others without cause will be punished by military law, irrespective of rank."

"Many are dissatisfied. They're demanding the execution of Wahan Khan's son, but the Regent refused and assigned Mobi Duo to guard the prince."

Bi Suo sighed.

Tanmoroqie had long established rules against killing surrendering enemies and issued several prohibitions, including bans on harassing civilians.

The central army remained loyal to the royal family, and since Tanmoroqie had publicly punished noble offspring who violated military discipline under his identity as Su Dan Gu, the entire central army remained cautious and generally adhered to regulations. Other troops, previously following noble commands, had acted without restraint. Though military conduct had transformed over recent months, on the battlefield after brutal battles, soldiers who narrowly escaped death found it difficult to show mercy toward the Northern Rong, who had committed numerous atrocities.

Typically, after a major battle, commanders would placate their troops by tolerating certain behaviors, but Tanmoroqie would never permit such practices.

Bi Suo waited outside for a while.

Inside the tent, Tanmoroqie waved his hand dismissively, leaving no room for argument.

Seeing his firm stance, the officers dared not argue further and withdrew. A few hesitated at the entrance, faces flashing with resentment as they turned to speak again, but others dragged them away.

Mobi Duo also exited the main tent, pausing beside Bi Suo to ask, "General, has the Sand City garrison commander written to you? Is Princess Wenzhao in Sand City?"

Bi Suo answered vaguely, "No news yet."

Mobi Duo's brow furrowed slightly.

Bi Suo entered the main tent and approached the desk, uneasy and hesitant. After a moment, he presented a letter: "Regent, concerned for Princess Wenzhao's safety, I wrote to the Sand City garrison commander to confirm her safe arrival. His reply just arrived—he said the princess isn't in Sand City..."

Tanmoroqie gestured for Bi Suo to set the letter down, his expression calm and unruffled.

"I know."

Bi Suo's pupils contracted sharply.

"You know?"

Tanmoroqie nodded, continuing to review memorials with his brush. "She went to find Li Zhongqian."

Bi Suo's jaw dropped, remaining agape for a long moment."How did you know?"

He slapped his forehead. "Did the princess tell you in that letter?"

Before Li Yaoying left, she had left a letter entrusted to him to deliver to Tanmoroqie. He had hesitated for a long time, worried that the contents might upset Tanmoroqie, and considered reading it first before deciding whether to deliver it before the great battle. After days of indecision, he ultimately didn't want to offend Li Yaoying and handed the sealed letter to Yuanjue.

After reading the letter, Tanmoroqie showed no reaction and continued directing his generals in troop deployment as usual.

Bi Suo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, guessing that Li Yaoying's letter probably contained only ordinary polite remarks, which explained why Tanmoroqie showed no reaction at all. Gradually, he forgot about the matter.

Now, looking at Tanmoroqie's completely expressionless face, he suddenly remembered that letter.

"What... what did Princess Wenzhao write in the letter?"

Bi Suo's voice trembled slightly.

Tanmoroqie continued writing calmly and composedly. "She said the Western Army must take advantage of the chaos to rise up and recapture important towns as strongholds. She needs to rendezvous with Yang Qian, and since Li Zhongqian has already rushed to Sand City, she would leave early after confirming her safety to reunite with Li Zhongqian sooner. Ja'er, who escorted her, has already reported this to me."

Li Yaoying also said she was grateful for his constant care, advised him to be cautious with medicine to avoid harming his health, to remember to eat regularly when hungry, and to add warm clothing when cold.

She never belonged to the Royal Court.

Before, he thought she would only leave when the one-year agreement expired.

The arrival of Li Xuanzhen and Li Zhongqian moved everything forward.

With the Northern Rong's major defeat and her becoming the leader of the Western Army, her identity as the Girl of Matanga had become meaningless to her.

"She's gone."

Tanmoroqie said indifferently, his writing movements fluid, his tone calm, his voice steady, as if merely discussing something completely unrelated to him.

Bi Suo's heart tightened.

He knew all along?!

Without looking up, Tanmoroqie asked, "What else do you want to ask?"

Bi Suo shuddered all over, retreating awkwardly from the main tent. Standing outside the felt curtain, his face turned pale.

Yuanjue looked at him puzzled: "General, what's wrong?"

Bi Suo swayed slightly and let out a long sigh.

Yuanjue reached out to support him: "General?"

Bi Suo smiled bitterly. "I was wrong."

"About what?"

Bi Suo's lips trembled slightly. He was wrong.

He had underestimated Tanmoroqie's endurance.

Luojia knew perfectly well that once Li Yaoying reunited with Li Zhongqian, she would leave the Royal Court without hesitation. Yet he showed no trace of despondency, calmly directing military operations, handling tedious court affairs, and working tirelessly for the Royal Court's future.

He was so composed that Bi Suo couldn't tell at all what he had seen in Li Yaoying's letter.

Bi Suo clenched his fists tightly.

Luojia didn't even get to properly bid farewell to Li Yaoying.

If Li Yaoying really never set foot in the Royal Court again after meeting Li Zhongqian, wouldn't Luojia never see her again in this lifetime?

Bi Suo smiled self-mockingly. "Yuanjue, when the commanders were arguing fiercely earlier about how to handle the Northern Rong prisoners, do you know what was on the king's mind?"

Yuanjue looked completely bewildered.

Bi Suo said with emotion, "If Princess Wenzhao were here, she would definitely understand the king's concerns. She could always comfort him..."

She could even make the usually impassive Luojia smile.If there were no such person in the world, it would be one thing. But there was—not only did they exist, they came into Luojia’s life, spent time with him, and then had to leave…

How cruel.

…

That same day, Tanmoroqie swiftly dealt with several officers who had indiscriminately killed prisoners, quelling the unrest in the army.

The surrendered Northern Rong nobles were sent to the Asan tribe for resettlement, while the Northern Rong slaves forcibly conscripted by the Northern Rong were released and allowed to return to their respective tribes. The slaves could hardly believe their ears, weeping with gratitude. Before departing, they prostrated themselves toward the direction of the Holy City, chanting the name of the Buddha and shedding tears.

Tanmoroqie did not sleep a wink that night. After handling military affairs, he ordered Mobi Duo to continue pursuing the remnants of Wahan Khan’s forces, while he led the main army back to the Holy City. Before the campaign, he had already made preparations; even if the first few lines of defense collapsed, the Holy City would not be easily breached. However, the crisis was not yet over. With the ever-changing situation on the battlefield, he had to return to the Holy City as quickly as possible to take charge.

On the second day after the great battle, the army regrouped briefly and divided into vanguard and rear forces, immediately setting out to return to the capital.

The vanguard consisted entirely of light cavalry. Abandoning their heavy supplies, they rode at full speed for several days, with soldiers eating and drinking on horseback, bypassing bustling towns until they reached the foot of the snow-capped mountains where the ambush had been set. Tanmoroqie sent scouts to gather intelligence.

Half an hour later, the scouts returned with Gelu, the general who had been ordered to lie in ambush there.

Gelu saluted with clasped fists and reported, "Regent, we have trapped Haidu Aling and his several thousand elite troops in the river valley. As you previously instructed, we avoided direct confrontation with Haidu Aling and focused solely on containing him. We have strictly followed your orders these past days, guarding all exits. Haidu Aling and his men have not shown themselves for several days."

Earlier, Su Dan Gu had ordered Gelu and several others to lead thousands of elite soldiers in ambush at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. The troops were puzzled: the vast, snowy mountains were barren, with only occasional glimpses of falcons. No one had ever been able to cross the mountains to directly attack the Holy City. Was the Regent wasting their strength by having them lie in ambush here?

Despite their confusion, they diligently followed orders—digging trenches and traps, setting up roadblocks, oiling the ballistas several times a day, and sending scouts to patrol every hour, keeping a close watch for messenger falcons. They carried out their tasks methodically for some time, but saw not a single Northern Rong soldier—not even a leopard. Just as they began to complain that the Regent’s precautions were unnecessary, a scout stumbled into the camp in a panic: he had seen a group of people climbing down from the cliffs as nimbly as mountain goats.

Gelu was initially shocked but recalled Su Dan Gu’s warnings and quickly composed himself. He rallied his troops and coordinated with the other ambush forces. Taking advantage of Haidu Aling’s lowered guard as they charged down the slope, they launched a surprise attack, using ballista formations to split Haidu Aling’s five thousand elite troops in half and force them to retreat into the river valley.

Haidu Aling had not expected an ambush here. In disarray, he crossed the icy river formed by glacial meltwater. Gelu did not pursue them relentlessly but withdrew to the camp, holding the position firmly and securing the defensive line.

In the following days, Haidu Aling occasionally attempted to break through the defenses, at times even sending soldiers with loud voices to hurl insults at the Buddha Prince, hoping to provoke a response. However, Gelu and his men remembered Su Dan Gu’s warnings and steadfastly held their ground without engaging.They had long been prepared with ample supplies of food, clothing, and charcoal. Haidu Aling launched a surprise attack by crossing the great mountains, but he had no provisions and not even horses, so he couldn't replenish his strength with horse blood. Knowing his chances of victory were slim, Haidu Aling dared not attempt a breakout and had remained quiet these past days.

Gelu and the others, well aware of Haidu Aling's cunning, remained vigilant and held their positions steadfastly.

After hearing the military report, Tanmoroqie frowned slightly and summoned the commanders of the other ambush units. He dispatched several light cavalry scouts to locate Haidu Aling's position.

The commanders arrived one after another, all reporting that Haidu Aling had not dared to show himself recently. During patrols, soldiers often found animal carcasses near the camp, likely hunted by Haidu Aling's men. Without supplies, they had no choice but to prey on mountain leopards and wild wolves.

Gelu voiced his suspicion: "Regent, could Haidu Aling have crossed the snowy mountains and escaped again?"

Tanmoroqie shook his head. "The path down the mountain cannot necessarily be retraced, and without supplies, Haidu Aling cannot cross the mountains again..."

He scanned the room.

"Haidu Aling is not in the river valley."

The officers exclaimed in disbelief, "Impossible! We have held our positions steadfastly. Unless Haidu Aling has grown wings and flown away, there's no way he could have escaped right under our noses!"

As soon as they finished speaking, hoofbeats sounded outside the tent. Several scouts galloped back to camp, holding up a rope with both hands: "Regent, we found this by the cliff!"

Tanmoroqie glanced at Yuanjue, who understood immediately. Drawing his sword, Yuanjue struck the rope with all his might.

A sharp clang rang out, sparks flying as the blade left only a small dent in the rope.

Everyone stared in astonishment.

"This is a specially made rope," Tanmoroqie said, examining it closely. "Haidu Aling used ropes to construct a temporary bridge at the cliff edge."

The officers exchanged uneasy glances. Did this mean Haidu Aling had slipped away unnoticed? He hadn't grown wings, but they knew how to build bridges.

Gelu stamped his foot in frustration and regret. "If only I had pursued them earlier..."

Tanmoroqie replied, "Your mission was to hold your position and not engage. The Holy City takes priority."

The officers quickly assented in unison, feeling somewhat reassured.

Tanmoroqie asked the scouts, "Where does the opposite side of the cliff lead? Are there any tribes nearby?"

The scouts answered, "The other side of the cliff is a desert, sparsely populated. A few hundred li south, there is a small oasis called Hulu Zhou, inhabited by a tribe of Turks."

Hulu Zhou was a small tribe, named for its gourd-shaped oasis.

Bisuo's eyelids twitched, a chill running up his spine as he looked at Tanmoroqie.

Tanmoroqie remained silent, his thick eyelashes fluttering slightly.

South of Hulu Zhou lay Gaochang.

Li Yaoying should have reached Gaochang by now.

...

Just as Gelu was reporting the military situation to Tanmoroqie, Haidu Aling led his starving, green-eyed troops through the barren desert. They passed a small tribe, slaughtered the men, feasted, and regained their strength.

His subordinates asked if they should head to the Sand Sea Road to rendezvous with Wahan Khan.

Haidu Aling gazed toward the Samu Valley, pondering for a moment. His eagle-like eyes gleamed golden in the sunlight as he decisively shook his head. "We encountered an ambush before even nearing the Holy City. The Buddha Prince was well-prepared. The Khan's chances in this battle are slim. We cannot throw our lives away too."He was grateful to Wahan Khan, but he would not sacrifice his life for him.

His subordinates asked in confusion, "Where do we go now?"

Haidu Aling narrowed his eyes: "The sky is high and the sea is vast... we can go anywhere."

The subordinates exchanged glances, drew their sabers, held them horizontally with both hands, and knelt at his feet: "Prince, you have been utterly loyal and devoted to the Great Khan. The Khan has been defeated—he is no match for the Buddha Prince. We need a wise leader, not a feeble old wolf!"

Haidu Aling swept his gaze around them, then drew his saber and pointed it south.

Wahan Khan had suffered a crushing defeat, and the Northern Rong were now leaderless. The time for his rise had finally come.