Chapter 112: Awareness
The woman outside the tent wore an embroidered silk dress, with flower-braids draped over her shoulders tied with hair ribbons matching her gown. Her appearance was delicate and elegant. Upon hearing A Niu's words, her hand holding the food container tightened slightly. She bit her lower lip and said, "I... don't mean anything else. My mother brewed some chilled plum soup to relieve summer heat and asked me to bring some for my brother, the Prefect, and the soldiers below."
"The Prefect isn't here..." The woman bit her lip until it turned pale, seeming somewhat embarrassed. "Then I'll trouble General Tao to take this plum soup into the tent."
With that, she shoved the food container into Tao Kui's hands and hurried away, vaguely raising a hand to wipe her eyes.
Inside the tent, Zheng Hu had clearly overheard the conversation outside.
He glanced at Xiao Li's expression and said discontentedly, "Second Brother, Liu Biao's sister seems to have been coming to the camp frequently lately?"
Xiao Li had already refocused his attention on the sand table, ignoring the remark entirely.
Zheng Hu grew increasingly irritated as he thought about it. "Who knows what scheme the Liu family is plotting now? Back then, it was Liu Biao himself who disobeyed military orders, seeking glory and leading his fellow villagers to their deaths. If not for you, Second Brother, leading our brothers to rescue them, what would become of Liu Biao now? Yet the people from Liu Family Village treat us with contempt, as if we owe them something."
While speaking, Zheng Hu lifted the tent flap and said to Tao Kui, "You fool, give that to me!"
Though he claimed to want Tao Kui to hand it over, he snatched the food container outright. He took out the chilled plum soup inside and drank it all in one gulp, angrily declaring, "They brought congee just the day before yesterday, and now soup today. They're definitely up to no good!"
The initial uprising in Pingdeng County had been led by a man named Liu Biao. After news spread that Pei Song had captured Fengyang and killed Changlian Wang and his son, the county magistrate colluded with local wealthy merchants to forcibly levy grain taxes, acting like a local despot. Countless commoners froze or starved to death during the harsh winter.
Liu Biao rallied his fellow villagers to revolt, killed the magistrate, and opened the granaries to distribute food. From then on, the people of Pingdeng County held him in high regard.
However, Pingdeng County was originally one of the poorest counties in Tongzhou. Even after raising the banner of rebellion, it remained among the weakest of Tongzhou's seventeen counties, daring not to confront the powerful official-controlled or bandit-controlled counties.
Before Xiao Li sent Zhang Huai and Tao Kui with the head of Jinzhou's deputy general to join them, Pingdeng County had been courted by several official and bandit counties.
The bandit counties needed no explanation—they relied solely on brute force to seize power, caring only for their own wealth and completely disregarding the lives of the common people.
When Liu Biao initiated the rebellion, he had promised the people of Pingdeng County that if he had food to eat, the commoners would not go hungry. Thus, he dared not align with the bandit counties.
The official counties, on the other hand, made grand claims about recruiting him on behalf of Wei Qishan. However, Liu Biao would thereafter have to follow the orders of those county officials along with his men.
Liu Biao believed he already controlled a county and was unwilling to be subordinate to those officials. He wanted to wait a while longer, hoping Wei Qishan would extend a proper olive branch.
Yet as he waited, no such outcome materialized.
After Zhang Huai arrived in Pingdeng County with Tao Kui, bearing the head of Jinzhou's deputy general, Liu Biao treated them as honored guests.
Later, when Jinzhou troops attacked the official counties within Tongzhou, Zhang Huai devised meticulous strategies. Coupled with Tao Kui's unparalleled bravery on the battlefield, Pingdeng County quickly seized territory equivalent to two full counties amid the chaos.However, as Zhang Huai successfully persuaded and recruited more forces to join their cause, and with his keen insight and strategic prowess, Liu Biao's influence within the army had already fallen far behind Zhang Huai's.
Initially, those from the same village as Liu Biao tried to offer advice and strategies, hoping he could compete with Zhang Huai for dominance.
But when Xiao Li arrived with Song Qin, Zheng Hu, and their comrades to join forces with Zhang Huai, they achieved the remarkable feat of conquering three counties in just three days, successfully doubling the military camp's strength.
The handful of villagers who remained fiercely loyal to Liu Biao were utterly insignificant compared to this snowballing, rapidly expanding force.
Xiao Li, having originated from the Pingzhou Military Camp, was well-versed in all military rules and regulations. Although his troops were mostly composed of night watchmen, laborers, and farmers, he established strict military discipline and rigorously trained them, quickly molding them into a formidable army.
Although Liu Biao and his fellow villagers viewed Xiao Li as a major threat, they dared not rashly confront him or break into open conflict.
Before they could take any action, several major bandit counties, alarmed by their rapid growth, launched a united attack against them. Liu Biao and his group temporarily set aside their grievances and united against the external threat.
However, in his eagerness to achieve notable victories and challenge Xiao Li, Liu Biao grew impatient and stubbornly dismissed the tactics devised by Xiao Li and Zhang Huai. He led his loyal villagers into action without authorization, only to be surrounded and trapped by the bandit counties.
Had it not been for Xiao Li leading a rescue mission, Liu Biao and his villagers would likely have been annihilated by the bandit forces.
Later, when faced with the fierce onslaught of bandit troops, it was again Xiao Li, alongside Song Qin and Zheng Hu, who turned the tide, achieving a decisive victory against overwhelming odds.
Although Jinzhou sensed something unusual about Pingdeng County's sudden rise to power, they were already engaged in a war against the triple alliance of Southern Liang and could not spare additional forces to deal with them. Instead, they instructed the Pei Army stationed in Tongcheng County to stir up trouble, pitting the major bandit counties in Tongzhou against Pingdeng County in a mutual struggle for dominance.
Xiao Li was fully aware of this strategy and decided to play along. Starting from the first bandit county they captured, he concealed their successes and continued to operate under the guise of bandit forces. He pretended to cooperate with other bandit counties, and once he learned of their plan to jointly attack and divide Pingdeng County, he systematically defeated them one by one.
Tongcheng County served as Jinzhou's eyes and ears within Tongzhou. As long as they kept the Pei Army in Tongcheng in the dark, Jinzhou would remain unaware of the true situation in Tongzhou's counties.
After these brilliantly executed battles, the bandit counties were completely wiped out, and the remaining smaller counties wisely surrendered. With only the Pei Army in Tongcheng County left to defeat, the entire Tongzhou would soon be under their control.
Xiao Li had long since become the undisputed authority within the army.
Liu Biao knew he no longer had any leverage to challenge Xiao Li. When the entire army unanimously supported Xiao Li as the provincial lord, Liu Biao gracefully cast his vote for him as well.
However, the villagers who had initially followed Liu Biao in the uprising still harbored resentment, believing that Xiao Li had stolen Liu Biao's position. They frequently provoked and picked fights with Zheng Hu and Song Qin.
Zheng Hu had a fiery temper and was never one to back down from a confrontation. Yet, every time he was on the verge of losing his temper, Xiao Li restrained him. Zheng Hu had long held a grudge against Liu Biao and his followers.
Now, seeing Liu Biao's sister suddenly showering Xiao Li with flattery and attention, even a fool could guess what the Liu family was scheming. It only fueled the fire of resentment burning within him.After downing a bowl of sour plum soup, Xiao Li finally managed to suppress some of his inner agitation. Returning the bowl to Tao Kui, he said, "Kid, if the Liu family sends any more food, just eat it yourself. Don’t bring it to Second Brother to bother him!"
Tao Kui held the still-chilled bowl high, turning it completely upside down until a single drop of leftover sour plum soup trickled into his mouth. It was far from quenching his thirst—he could barely even taste it.
He muttered under his breath, "Second Brother originally meant for A Niu to have it."
There was a hint of complaint in his tone, suggesting that Zheng Hu had snatched his iced sour plum soup.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Hu brightened again and turned to speak further with Xiao Li. But just then, Zhang Huai lifted the tent flap and entered. Surprised to see Zheng Hu there, he asked, "General Zheng is here too? Has Sanhe County reported a victory?"
Zheng Hu grinned widely. "Just returned to bring Second Brother the good news! Does the strategist have matters to discuss with Second Brother?"
Zhang Huai nodded slightly with a faint smile.
Zheng Hu said, "Alright, I’ll head back then."
As he pulled Tao Kui out of the tent, he didn’t forget to advise, "Silly boy, from now on, be more alert. Don’t let just any stray cat or dog wander into Second Brother’s tent…"
The remark carried an implicit meaning. Zhang Huai had heard along the way about the Liu mother and daughter delivering sour plum soup to the troops.
His brow twitched almost imperceptibly as he glanced at Xiao Li, who was still studying the terrain around Tongzhou and Jinzhou. Cupping his hands in a shallow salute, he said, "Huai congratulates the Governor on this great victory."
Xiao Li lifted his eyes to him. "I’ve told you many times, there’s no need to address me as Governor. If you’re willing, you may call me Second Brother, like Tiger and the others do."
The curve of Zhang Huai’s faint smile widened slightly. "Huai is aware of the Governor’s magnanimity toward his subordinates, but Huai has vowed in this lifetime to assist a wise and capable ruler."
Xiao Li frowned but said nothing more.
Only then did Zhang Huai broach the main issue: "The Liu clan has been frequently showing goodwill toward the Governor recently. What does the Governor make of it?"
After a long moment of contemplation, Xiao Li planted a flag at a strategic mountain pass on the sandmap and replied, "As long as Liu Biao remains obedient and refrains from inciting the people of Liu Village to cause trouble—whether openly or covertly—they will receive everything rightfully due to them. Not a single thing will be withheld."
Zhang Huai also turned his gaze to the sandmap. "The worry is that human greed is insatiable. In the past, Liu Biao could barely maintain control over even a small place like Pingdeng County. It was only through the Governor’s efforts to pacify the counties and gather heroes under your banner that we have what we have today. Yet the people of Liu Village, in their arrogance, often boast in private that all of this should rightfully belong to them."
"They have stirred up trouble multiple times, yet the Governor has never severely punished them. Huai understands that the Governor intends to let the other soldiers from Pingdeng County see the true nature of the Liu clan..." As he spoke, Zhang Huai’s eyes shifted back to Xiao Li. "However, the Liu maiden has been making conspicuous appearances in the camp lately. Huai has already heard rumors that you intend to marry her."
The Liu family was clever. Each time the mother and daughter came to the camp, they did so under the pretext of comforting the troops, delivering supplies and "incidentally" bringing a portion for Xiao Li. Given the frequent disturbances caused by the Liu villagers earlier, everyone knew that Liu Biao and Xiao Li were at odds.
By putting on this show, the Liu family seemed to be trying to mend the rift for Liu Biao and the villagers, demonstrating to the other soldiers that there was no animosity between them and Xiao Li.
When the Liu maiden personally delivered items to Xiao Li, he could not openly refuse. Otherwise, in the eyes of his subordinates, it would appear that the Liu family wished to reconcile, but he was unwilling to tolerate them.When the Liu family first sent gifts, it was Tao Kui who intercepted them outside the tent, politely declining on the grounds that Xiao Li was absent. The food left by Miss Liu all ended up in Tao Kui’s stomach.
Little did anyone expect that the Liu family had another scheme brewing in the shadows.
Xiao Li finally lifted his head from the sand table, his expression cold and slightly weary, as if deeply annoyed by such matters. "It seems you already have a plan. This matter is in your hands."
Zhang Huai gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his gaze fixed on the newly marked strategic map before Xiao Li. "When does the Governor plan to take Tongcheng County?"
Capturing Tongcheng County would mean they were fully exposed to Jinzhou’s scrutiny.
Yet at present, Jinzhou, facing the triple alliance of Southern Liang, had gained no advantage. If they were to mobilize troops to join the campaign against Jinzhou, even without aligning with either Southern Liang or Northern Wei, they would at least earn a reputation among the people for opposing Bandit Pei.
Xiao Li’s hand, braced against the table, showed faintly protruding veins. His deep, somber eyes returned to the map spread before him and the nearby sand table. "It’s not yet time," was all he said.
The wind rustled through the pages of the documents on Wen Yu’s desk, sending papers fluttering with a soft whisper.
Zhao Bai entered carrying newly arrived official dispatches and, seeing that Wen Yu had once again fallen asleep at her desk from exhaustion while reviewing memorials, immediately softened her footsteps. After placing the documents on the desk, she was about to fetch a cloak to drape over Wen Yu when the latter stirred awake, propping herself up on an elbow.
Weariness lingered between her brows as she asked, "What time is it?"
Zhao Bai replied, "Just past the hour of Shen."
Wen Yu rubbed her sore neck and glanced at the newly piled memorials on her desk. "Are these from Liang territory?"
Zhao Bai nodded. "I checked the dates. These memorials were sent from Pingzhou a month ago."
The Kingdom of Chen lay beyond the frontier, separated by the Gobi Desert. The harsh desert climate, coupled with frequent raids by tribes aligned with the Western Mausoleum, made the journey perilous.
Even under the most favorable conditions, dispatches rushed eight hundred li from Pingzhou to the royal court of King Chen took over half a month to reach Wen Yu.
A month ago, the Southern Liang alliance had already advanced toward Jinzhou. Anxious about the war’s progress, Wen Yu set aside her fatigue, opened one of the memorials, and scanned it rapidly.
But by the time she reached the end, she lost her composure—a rare occurrence—and the vermilion brush in her hand slipped, splattering crimson ink across the sandalwood desk.
Thinking the memorial contained dire news, Zhao Bai asked with concern, "Your Highness, what is it?"
Wen Yu closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself before speaking. "He’s alive."
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