Chapter 136: The Terrestrial Deity of Time
Li Xun hurriedly objected, "Absolutely not!"
His face was full of concern: "Even though the tragedy at Majia Liang was caused by that treacherous dog Dou Jianliang, and our Liang Camp has also suffered greatly from it, the Wei family has yet to send any reply to our Liang Camp. This clearly indicates they hold a grudge against us. Whether we can restore friendly relations remains uncertain. For Your Highness to personally go to the Northern Border at this time is far too risky!"
Other advisors also chimed in: "Minister Li speaks reason. The journey to the Northern Border is long and arduous. Pei Song currently has tens of thousands of troops stationed along both the Northern and Southern Borders. If he gets wind of this, Your Highness would be walking into countless dangers!"
However, Wen Yu had already made up her mind: "As you all have said, Wei Qishan hasn't replied precisely because he bears a grudge against our Liang Camp. Now that he's caught between two fronts during these difficult times, this is the best opportunity to reconcile and continue building our alliance."
Two moths fluttered their wings around the candle stand as her calm eyes reflected the flickering candlelight: "Since our defeat at Jinzhou, our soldiers below have been holding in their frustration. They urgently need a victory to vent their pent-up anger. The people of this land also need a victory to restore their confidence in Great Liang."
At these words, the assembled ministers fell silent.
Before news from Southern Chen reached Liang territory, the entire Liang Camp had been tense. It was only because senior ministers like Chen Wei and Li Xun maintained firm control, and Zhou Sui's visits to major academies in the Southern Border managed to secure some voices of support amid widespread criticism, that major disorder was avoided.
Now that Southern Chen had recognized Wen Yu as their leader and sent troops to Liang territory to capture the traitor Dou Jianliang, everyone in Liang Camp had transformed from initial suppression to excitement.
But whether it's suppressed resentment or excitement, both need to be released through victory in battle. Otherwise, prolonged pressure would inevitably cause the restless military morale to backlash against Liang Camp.
Seeing the ministers' silence, Wen Yu continued: "The twenty thousand fresh troops from Southern Chen have already reached Pingzhou. After joining forces with our frontline Liang troops, we can launch a full counterattack against Pei Song from the Southern Border. Meanwhile, I will send personnel to Fengyang to rescue my sister-in-law and the imprisoned ministers. This will disrupt Pei Song's focus."
The ministers, seeing that Wen Yu had already meticulously planned everything, exchanged glances, somewhat at a loss for how to further dissuade her.
Only Li Xun remained worried about Wen Yu's safety, anxiously saying: "But what if Wei Qishan causes trouble..."
Wen Yu responded: "Winter is approaching. The Outer Pass Barbarians' harassment of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun isn't temporary—it will continue until next spring. The fact that Pei Song could withdraw thirty thousand troops from the northern battlefield over a month ago to transport supplies south and set a trap for Marshal Fan and others indicates he must have known about the barbarians' military movements early on. If anyone says he hasn't colluded with the Outer Pass Barbarians, Wei Qishan would probably be the first to disagree. Only by having Liang and Chen forces pin down Pei Song's main army in the Southern Border can Northern Wei survive the coming winter. Even considering the bigger picture, Wei Qishan wouldn't choose to make an enemy of our Great Liang at this time."
Her long eyelashes lowered slightly as she paused for a moment before continuing: "I also feel remorseful about the twenty thousand Wei soldiers who were massacred at Majia Liang. No matter what, I should personally go to the Northern Border to offer my apology."
It was because she served as the link that brought Chen and Wei together as allies.
Yet when the Wei family entrusted their backs to them, what they received in return was the tragic death of twenty thousand southern border soldiers.
How could Wei Qishan not hold a grudge against their Liang Camp?The arrangements for the northern expedition were essentially finalized after the late-night discussion.
To conceal their movements, Wen Yu could not bring too many troops on this journey and needed to disguise themselves. As for what disguise to adopt, Li Xun and the strategists debated back and forth, finding every option unsatisfactory, and no decision was reached for the moment.
Disguising as a merchant caravan would likely lead to bandit attacks along the way, causing unnecessary complications. After all, merchant caravans could only bring limited personnel, making them easy targets for bandits.
Disguising as refugees traveling alongside merchants would allow for more troops, but the merchants' carriages and horses still risked being robbed by bandits. Moreover, merchants traveling with refugees while having carriages and horses would arouse suspicion. Additionally, soldiers disguised as refugees would find it difficult to carry weapons.
Just as the strategists were racking their brains, Li Xun suddenly had a flash of inspiration and slapped his forehead: "We can disguise as a righteous army defecting to Wei Qishan's camp! This way, we can send more troops to protect the princess, won't need to conceal the soldiers' weapons, and can deter petty bandits along the way, avoiding unnecessary trouble!"
This suggestion immediately won unanimous approval.
"This plan is brilliant! After the Battle of Wayaobao, it's said that a righteous army from Tongcheng, pursued by Pei Song and Dou Jianliang, headed north to join Wei Qishan. Later, when that Bandit Pei spread rumors to slander our Great Liang, and Youzhou in the Northern Border was in crisis under the barbarians' fierce attack, many righteous bandits and armies from the Southern Border successively went north to provide support. The princess disguising as a righteous army will surely not arouse Pei Song's suspicion!"
However, Wen Yu noticed some clues in these words: "When Pei Song attacked Wayaobao, Dou Jianliang also brought rebel forces. Wayaobao is two hundred li from Tongcheng. When the Tongcheng righteous army headed north, Pei Song and Dou Jianliang's rebel forces should have been marching south. Why would they turn back two hundred li to block that righteous army?"
A strategist replied: "That righteous army was near Wayaobao at the time."
Wen Yu suddenly looked up: "Was that Tongcheng righteous army specifically going to Wayaobao to assist our Liang army?"
The strategists below exchanged glances, seemingly finding this question difficult to answer: "Well... during that fierce battle, the Liang army at Wayaobao was completely wiped out. The final reports sent back by Lord Ling and Old General Yuchi didn't mention any reinforcements. Why that Tongcheng righteous army appeared near Wayaobao and how they escaped to the Northern Border under Pei Song and Dou Jianliang's suppression remains unknown."
Hearing this, Wen Yu understood that the battle situation had been chaotic at the time. The Liang Camp had suffered two consecutive defeats with strong enemies pressing in, causing panic throughout the army, leaving no capacity to bypass the Pei Army's defenses to gather intelligence.
Except for Chen Wei's Pingzhou Army, which had years of experience guarding the border and dealing with major battles, the rest of the Liang Camp's troops were newly recruited refugees from the past six months. Faced with temporary defeat, their morale was easily shattered.
Under normal circumstances, she would have questioned the Scouts' failure to gather intelligence. But with the commander severely wounded and two key veteran ministers dead, leaving the entire Liang Camp in panic, she couldn't be too harsh. Wen Yu ultimately only reminded them: "In our upcoming counterattack against Bandit Pei, we must be thorough in tracking the movements of all enemy forces."
The strategists below understood this as implicit criticism and hurriedly acknowledged in agreement.Wen Yu further inquired about the autumn harvest land taxes in the three prefectures and one county, the current resettlement of refugees, the service conditions of the major artisan camps, and the sharp reduction in poll taxes after military conscription. The officials answering her questions repeatedly wiped cold sweat from their temples with their sleeves, and it was only when the midnight watch sounded that she finally dismissed everyone.
The officials felt as if they had been granted a pardon and dared not linger a moment longer as they took their leave. Only Li Xun hesitated, remaining seated for a long while.
Wen Yu noticed this and comforted him, "These past days have been taxing for you as well, Lord Li. It is already late; you should return and rest early."
Li Xun seemed to struggle internally before speaking up just as Wen Yu, adjusting her shawl, rose to leave: "That righteous army in Tongcheng—I suspect it is General Xiao’s forces."
Wen Yu halted and turned to look at him without a word. Her clear, beautiful features, cast in the flickering candlelight, carried an indescribable authority.
Li Xun knew his words were somewhat improper, but having started, it became easier to continue. He turned and bowed, saying, "After Zhou Xianzhi escaped from Yongzhou, I have continuously dispatched people to search for General Xiao, but to no avail. Later, when the Tongcheng righteous army suddenly emerged and engaged in back-and-forth battles with several bandit forces within the territory, I grew suspicious. However, before I could verify my suspicions, turmoil erupted in the army. After the Battle of Wayaobao, I learned that the Tongcheng righteous army had appeared nearby during that time. Thus, I believe it must have been General Xiao leading his troops to our aid!"
Li Xun lifted his gaze sorrowfully but could not discern Wen Yu’s expression as she half-turned her head, her face illuminated by the dim candlelight. He only heard her say, "Since it has not been verified, this matter remains open to discussion. Do not speak of it for now."
As Li Xun watched Wen Yu’s retreating figure, he opened his mouth to say more but suddenly remembered that Xiao Li had now joined Wei Qishan’s ranks. The words stuck in his throat were unconsciously swallowed back.
Indeed, even if it had been Xiao Li who came to their aid that day, it was an act of great righteousness—to still lend a hand during the Liang Camp’s hardships after being wrongly accused as a traitor and nearly losing his life to a poison arrow.
But now that he had found a new place, whether he would be willing to return to the Liang Camp in the future remained uncertain. For them to openly show closeness to Xiao Li now would only make things difficult for him in Wei’s camp.
Li Xun had initially only thought of finding Xiao Li as soon as possible and persuading him to return to the Liang Camp, failing to consider this layer of complexity. As he looked again in the direction Wen Yu had departed, he could not help but feel a wave of melancholy.
Was the princess… already considering all this?
Zhao Bai walked back with Wen Yu. Having been in the council hall with her earlier, she had naturally overheard Li Xun’s final words.
Wen Yu remained unusually silent throughout the journey, appearing entirely unaffected. Yet Zhao Bai clearly remembered how Wen Yu had stayed awake through the night on both the day Xiao Li left Pingzhou and the day she brought back news of his death.
Previously, Zhao Bai had held deep prejudices against Xiao Li, partly because she learned that when Wen Yu traveled south and encountered danger, he was the only one accompanying her as a guard. During their time in Pingzhou, the way he occasionally looked at Wen Yu could hardly be called innocent.
As a subordinate, how dare he harbor such intentions toward the princess? She had been furious and seized every opportunity to reprimand him.
Now, after hearing Li Xun’s account and recalling the circumstances of Xiao Li’s departure from Pingzhou and her own mission with the Azure Guard to intercept him in Jinzhou, Zhao Bai’s feelings grew complicated.Despite the enmity of the poisoned arrow, the other party could still set aside past grievances and lend a hand when the Liang Camp was in trouble. Regardless of their motives, such righteousness was worthy of respect.
It was just a pity that fate played cruel tricks.
But having come this far, whether it was the princess or Xiao Li himself, there was no turning back.
Zhao Bai pressed her lips together slightly, about to say something to Wen Yu, when she noticed a figure standing at the entrance of the courtyard ahead.
Under the eaves, the lantern cast the person’s shadow onto the bluestone tiles covered with autumn leaves—a long, slanting silhouette. The silver-white armor, chilled by the autumn night, was coated with a fine layer of mist, as if they had been waiting there for a long time.
Seeing Wen Yu return, Jiang Yu cupped his hands and got straight to the point: “I heard the princess intends to personally go to the Northern Border?”
Ever since his conversation with Empress Dowager Jiang and his assignment to accompany Wen Yu to Liang territory, Jiang Yu had become the one most cautious about avoiding suspicion. On ordinary days, unless there was urgent business, he absolutely avoided approaching Wen Yu.
This was the first time he had sought her out at night.
The night wind was cold. Wen Yu’s shoulders were draped with a dark blue cloak adorned with peacock feathers, and her brows and eyes, reminiscent of distant mountains and autumn waters, seemed even colder under the moonlight. “Twenty thousand Wei soldiers were massacred at Majia Liang. I must give Wei Qishan an explanation.”
The mastermind behind this tragedy was the Southern Chen traitor Dou Jianliang. If Southern Chen tried to stop her from heading north, they would be the least justified in doing so.
But Jiang Yu didn’t seem to be there to dissuade Wen Yu. Hearing her say she needed to account for the deaths of the twenty thousand soldiers, a flicker of shame and other complex emotions crossed his handsome face. He lowered his eyes and said, “Going north at this time is dangerous. If the princess insists on going, this general must accompany you to ensure your safety.”
Zhao Bai, aware of the Empress Dowager and the Jiang Family’s plans, glared coldly at Jiang Yu, her gaze sharp as a blade.
Unmoved by her hostility, Jiang Yu waited only for Wen Yu’s reply.
“With the Southern Border’s counterattack against Pei Song imminent, will Commander Jiang not remain to oversee the troops?” Wen Yu asked.
Jiang Yu still avoided meeting her gaze. “This general’s primary mission on this journey is to ensure the princess’s safety. The authority to command Southern Chen’s twenty thousand troops can be temporarily handed over entirely to Great Liang.”
This answer truly took Wen Yu by surprise.
Had Empress Dowager Jiang ordered him to keep a close watch on her movements, even if it meant temporarily relinquishing military power to others?
It seemed they were always prepared to use her to command the officials of Liang territory.
Wen Yu curled her lips mockingly, tightened her cloak, and walked through the courtyard gate, leaving only a remark: “As you wish, Commander Jiang.”
But as she entered, Jiang Yu asked another question: “Is the general Great Liang has assigned to escort the princess north that Xiao surnamed general?”
Dou Jianliang knew nothing of Xiao Li, but Jiang Yu had crossed paths with him when he first came to Pingzhou for the marriage alliance. That sandbox deduction had left a deep impression on him.
Yet later, this person suddenly vanished without a trace. Even before Wen Yu set off for Southern Chen, Jiang Yu had sensed something unusual. Unfortunately, every attempt to probe had been deflected by Wen Yu.
Now, back in Liang territory, there was no news of this person anywhere in the Liang Camp—truly strange.
Wen Yu stood with her back to him. The dim yellow light from the lantern under the eaves fell on her long, delicate eyelashes, casting a soft shadow. The gaze beneath those lashes was cold and clear as she replied, “No.”
Youzhou.
Under a gray sky, scattered fine snow drifted down, not melting upon hitting the ground before being trampled into mud by military boots.Nearby city towers and the distant enemy camp were still billowing black smoke, though the enemy camp's smoke was thicker. Below, the barbarian army that had been attacking the city all night was slowly retreating like a receding tide.
The Wei general defending the city leaned on the battlements, his spirits high as he cursed the retreating barbarians: "You turtle bastards, leaving already? Come back and keep attacking your Grandpa Liao's city!"
It seemed a barbarian commander on horseback turned his steed and shot a resentful glare toward the city tower before fiercely yanking the reins to continue the retreat. The Wei general on the tower laughed even more heartily.
"Burning the barbarians' provisions in their camp - this strategy of cutting the enemy's supply line is truly brilliant!" The advisors observing the battle from the tower couldn't help but praise.
The Wei general Liao Jiang turned to Yuan Fang, who had come to observe the battle in light armor despite not having fully recovered from his illness: "Old Yuan, where did you find this earthly god of war to help us?"
Yuan Fang shook his head with a wry smile: "I'm ashamed to say. With these injuries, I was supposed to die with those twenty thousand soldiers at Majialiang. Fortunately, my benefactor saved me, allowing me to return alive to see you all."
The northern war situation was critical. The barbarians had launched fierce attacks on several locations in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun this month. Only when Yuan Fang brought Xiao Li's group to Youzhou did they learn the place was nearly impossible to defend. Wei Qishan had been seriously wounded in a previous battle and had already withdrawn to Yuzhou.
Wei Pingjin, son of the Northern Wei young lord Wei Qishan, had been defending for several days but had been beaten badly by the barbarians. He insisted that continuing to defend was hopeless and demanded the army quickly withdraw from Youzhou.
Liao Jiang, a key general under Wei Qishan, was straightforward and stubbornly insisted on defending to the death, declaring that if the barbarians took Youzhou, they would have to step over his corpse first.
With his personal example holding the front line, Wei Pingjin naturally couldn't bring up withdrawal again. However, using his injuries as an excuse, he hadn't shown his face in the rear camp for two days. Anyone could see the tension between these ruler and subject.
But since yesterday, the barbarians' attacks had intensified. Unable to bear it any longer, Wei Pingjin finally withdrew with his own troops.
Liao Jiang had prepared to defend the city to the death when the leader of the righteous army who came with Yuan Fang proposed taking troops to circle behind the enemy camp and burn their provisions while they were attacking the city.
No one held much hope since the barbarians' grain storage was heavily guarded. It would require thousands of troops to break through, but sending that many would never escape the notice of the barbarian scouts.
So when the righteous army leader left the city with only a few dozen cavalry, Liao Jiang thought him arrogantly overconfident.
Yet now, under the gray snowy sky, the thick smoke rising from the enemy camp showed they had successfully burned the grain stores.
After the initial wild joy, everyone on the tower quieted simultaneously, all gazing toward the distant road obscured by rain and snow.
Suddenly, several dozen riders emerged urgently from the official road at the mountain pass. From afar, they appeared to be wearing barbarian uniforms but without helmets.
After these dozens of riders charged out, hundreds of barbarian cavalry pursued from the mountain pass, shooting arrows at the forward cavalry while shouting something from their saddles.
Wild joy returned to those on the tower. Liao Jiang roared: "Open the gates! Send our Wolf Cavalry to provide support!As the Northern Wei Wolf Cavalry surged out from Youzhou city, the pursuing cavalry seemed intimidated, not daring to charge within range of the Wolf Cavalry's arrows, all reining in their warhorses to stop.Xiao Li, along with Song Qin, Zheng Hu, and their comrades, charged directly into Youzhou City on horseback under the cover of the Wolf Cavalry.
In an instant, the Wei army soldiers on and below the city walls erupted in thunderous shouts.
Author's Note: Happy National Day, my darlings~ As usual, leave a mark in the comments section—let’s celebrate together with our motherland!
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