The Road to Glory

Chapter 151: "You Did Nothing Wrong."

The words spoken that night, driven by rage and jealousy, were now returned to him verbatim.

Only then did Xiao Li understand the torment of a hundred twists in the gut.

The desire in his eyes was like the tip of an iceberg revealed after a tidal surge, yet those three words crushed him with boundless humiliation, as if his entanglement that day was utterly laughable.

Xiao Li’s expression darkened. Meeting Wen Yu’s furious gaze, he pressed his thin lips, still seeping blood, tightly together, as if about to speak. But then, a summons came from outside the tent: "Governor, the Military Strategist urgently requests your presence."

In a cold, deep voice, he replied, "Understood." He tilted his head slightly, as if still intending to continue the earlier conversation with Wen Yu.

Yet, after a pause, he said nothing more, turned, and strode out of the tent.

Only after he lifted the tent flap and left did Wen Yu relax her defensive posture.

Her lips still stung; she wiped them twice with her hand.

Just as she had found a new face covering and put it on, her slightly disheveled hair still untidy, two matrons hurried into the tent.

Seeing her state, they surmised she must have been mistreated. Fearing she might take it to heart but not daring to ask directly, they cautiously tried to distract her with other topics.

Wen Yu, however, said, "I’m fine. Please attend to your duties."

Her voice was too calm, her expression devoid of the grief and indignation a respectable woman might show after being wronged. After speaking, she reopened the book of travels, her demeanor cool and detached, as if nothing had happened at all.

For a moment, the two matrons were left exchanging bewildered glances.

Wen Yu’s gaze rested on the pages, but for a long time, she did not take in a single word.

That Xiao Li would come to confront her was no surprise to her.

After all, from the moment the cloud brocade garments were handed to her, she had known the fabric’s origin was anything but simple.

Among all brocades, cloud brocade was the most precious, and among cloud brocades, zhuanghua brocade was the finest.

Once reserved exclusively for the palace, her mother had possessed only two bolts, bestowed by the Empress Dowager in years past.

Yet, the fabric Xiao Li used to make her winter clothes was zhuanghua brocade—the rarest of the rare.

That day, when the two matrons inadvertently brought her the brocade cape and she happened to encounter Wei Qishan’s daughter in the camp, the other woman’s expression changed upon seeing the cape’s fabric and pressed Wen Yu about its origin. Wen Yu knew then that her chance to leave had come.

—The zhuanghua brocade had been a reward from Wei Qishan.

Wei Qishan intended to recruit Xiao Li as a son-in-law, and the county princess seemed the type who would not tolerate any rivals. By deliberately implying some connection with Xiao Li, Wen Yu knew that, given the other’s proud nature, upon learning that the man Wei Qishan intended for her was involved with another woman, she would surely complain to Wei Qishan.

Even if Wei Qishan did not believe Xiao Li could be "bewitched" by a woman, as a precaution, he would undoubtedly order her removal from the military camp.

And once outside this fortress-like Military Camp, her people would have countless ways to rescue her.

This was the plan Wen Yu conceived in the instant she confirmed Wei Jiamin’s identity.

Since their unpleasant conversation that night, she had been unable to decipher Xiao Li’s intentions.

Both he and Xiao Huiniang had once shown her kindness, and she felt guilty for falsely accusing him of being a spy and attempting to poison him. If there were any alternative, she naturally did not wish to become complete adversaries with Xiao Li.However, the other party refused to accept any of her proposed methods for apology and reconciliation. It seemed he harbored extreme hatred toward her, yet he didn't hand her over to Wei Qishan, instead stubbornly keeping her under "house arrest."

Whether this stemmed from hatred or his duplicity, the day the truth could no longer be concealed would bring no favorable outcome for either of them.

She had played the Wei Jiamin card, using Wei Qishan to force him to surrender her. Regardless of whether Xiao Li felt hatred or resentment toward her, it was better than having Wei Qishan discover he had secretly kept her.

After all, if it truly came to armed conflict, she would leave Xiao Li a way out, but Wei Qishan, having discovered his disloyalty, might not.

Moreover, this happened before the envoys from the Liang and Chen camps came to demand her. Wei Qishan would surely have the Wei general who had seen her personally oversee her departure, leaving Xiao Li no opportunity to secretly substitute her with a double.

If she remained passive and waited until the envoys from the Liang and Chen camps came to claim her, even if they didn't recognize the substitute, Wei Qishan, considering the interests of Northern Wei, would help Xiao Li "verify" that the person sent back was indeed her.

By then, whether Xiao Li confessed to Wei Qishan that he had taken a fancy to a "concubine of Jiang Yu" or evaded the issue, Wei Qishan, for the sake of retaining his fierce general, would have to let it slide. She would then be truly trapped by Xiao Li.

But Wen Yu hadn't expected Xiao Li to act so impulsively in his rage.

Her lips still throbbed with a burning, dull pain, as if truly gnawed by a wild dog.

The anger in Wen Yu's eyes intensified. Staring at the book for a moment longer without absorbing a single word, she lifted her hand and closed the pages.

—

Xiao Li spread the map on the long table. Zhang Huai reported, "The scouts have gathered intelligence on the Pei Army's movements outside Pankou Pass. They are transporting the provisions plundered from the northern border civilians these past days, seemingly in large quantities toward the southern border."

Xiao Li asked, "Has the entire Pei Army withdrawn from the northern border?"

Zhang Huai replied, "For several consecutive days, no Pei troops have been spotted within the border."

Zheng Hu, holding a tea bowl nearby, interjected, "Isn't that just as well? Though we can't fight the Pei dogs, we can focus on battling the barbarians without being stretched thin on two fronts."

Xiao Li pondered for a while but still said, "Have the scouts continue to closely monitor the Pei Army's movements. Patrols in all prefectures and borders must not be neglected."

After acknowledging the order, Zhang Huai glanced at the obvious wound on Xiao Li's lower lip and asked with some confusion, "My Lord, what did you eat to bite yourself like that?"

Xiao Li had just picked up his tea bowl. He made a noncommittal sound and focused on drinking his tea.

But Zhang Huai pressed, "How did you eat so hastily as to bite the outside of your lower lip?"

Xiao Li choked abruptly, setting down the tea bowl and covering his mouth as he coughed violently.

Zheng Hu, with his simple and honest demeanor, patted his back helpfully. "Hey, Second Brother, why are you drinking tea so urgently? Slow down, slow down."

Song Qin, nearby, silently took a sip from his tea bowl.

When the coughing finally subsided, Xiao Li looked up at Zhang Huai, who smiled innocently and changed the subject: "I heard Marquis Wei's daughter caused some displeasure in the camp today?"After Xiao Li left, Zheng Hu and Song Qin continued to keep an eye on the Military Training Ground. Though they hadn't witnessed what happened at the central military tent firsthand, news of Wei Jiamin riding her horse into the military camp's restricted area, whipping the soldiers, and ultimately threatening to have them executed as compensation for her horse had already spread throughout the army.

Zheng Hu immediately cursed under his breath, "That's a spoiled brat who knows no bounds! Whipping the guards of the inner camp wasn't enough—now she wants their heads too! And Marquis Wei actually wants to arrange a marriage between her and Second Brother? If Second Brother really marries her, I'm afraid there won't be enough brothers left in our camp for her to kill!"

No sooner had he spoken than a soldier rushed anxiously to the tent to report: "Governor! Colonel Lin's leg was trampled and broken by a lieutenant under the Army Supervisor's command!"

Everyone in the tent was shocked.

Colonel Lin was the young officer who had tried to stop Wei Jiamin that morning.

When Xiao Li, Song Qin, Zhang Huai, and the others arrived, they found him clutching his broken leg, writhing and howling in agony on the muddy ground where the snow had melted.

Wei Pingjin sat arrogantly on horseback, surrounded by his personal guards from the Wei residence.

The young officer's face was smeared with mud, his eyes bloodshot. When he saw Xiao Li, he managed a pained cry from his throat: "Governor..."

Xiao Li's face turned frosty. He immediately ordered his subordinates, "Quickly fetch a stretcher and take him to the military physician."

Someone immediately ran to get the stretcher.

Wei Pingjin, still mounted high on his horse, showed no remorse as he smiled at Xiao Li and said, "My man was in a hurry to deliver a message for me and didn't expect this officer to dart out halfway. He couldn't rein in his horse in time and ended up trampling him. Here's some money for his treatment—I hope you won't take offense, Governor."

As he spoke, he pulled a bulging money pouch from under his cloak and let it drop from his fingertips into the mud.

It was clear he had come to avenge his sister's horse, which had been shot that morning.

Zheng Hu gritted his teeth in fury and was about to step forward when Song Qin grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

All the righteous army soldiers present wore expressions of indignation, their murderous aura eclipsing even the biting cold of the wind and snow.

But Wei Pingjin clearly didn't think they could do anything to him. Facing their hatred, he merely curled his lips in a mocking smile, treating them as nothing more than ants beneath his feet.

After finishing his piece, he turned his horse to leave but heard Xiao Li ask, "Who was the rider?"

Wei Pingjin turned back. With old and new grievances piled up, he felt this was the first time he had thoroughly humiliated Xiao Li, and his heart swelled with satisfaction. He shot Xiao Li a provocative look and signaled with his eyes for the mustached lieutenant behind him to step forward.

Xiao Li recognized the mustached lieutenant—he seemed to be a constant presence at Wei Pingjin's side.

Probably feeling secure under Wei Pingjin's protection, the lieutenant showed no fear of Xiao Li. He urged his horse forward and, with an affected tone, clasped his hands and said, "My apologies, Governor Xiao. The road was slippery from the snow, and this officer suddenly rushed out from between the tents. I didn't have time to rein in my horse."

The stretcher hadn't arrived yet. The young officer was in so much pain that he was banging the back of his head against the ground, his voice hoarse from screaming. Though he barely had the strength to speak, his eyes still burned with extreme agony and hatred, as if he wished he could tear the lieutenant apart with his teeth—clearly, the truth was far from what the lieutenant claimed.

Xiao Li said calmly to the lieutenant, "Come here."The officer, unnerved by Xiao Li's unusual tone, felt an inexplicable fear and instinctively glanced toward Wei Pingjin.

This provoked Wei Pingjin's concealed fury—seeing his own man appear intimidated by Xiao Li before the assembled officers was nothing short of humiliation. He snapped impatiently, "Since Prefect Xiao summons you, go."

Though still hesitant, the officer reasoned that at worst, he might receive a lash from Xiao Li—surely the man wouldn't dare kill him in front of Wei Pingjin?

Bolstered by this thought, he rode toward Xiao Li, halting three paces away without dismounting. Feigning deference, he began, "May I ask why Prefect Xiao has summoned this humble— Ah—!"

His words ended in a sharp cry as blood gushed from his leg. Amid the startled whinny of his warhorse rearing, he lost balance and tumbled from the saddle.

His agonized shrieks, writhing on the ground, were far more chilling than those of the young officer whose leg had been trampled earlier: "My leg... My leg... Young Master, my leg—!"

His desperate gaze fixed on the severed limb lying in the mud. Though Song Qin swiftly controlled the panicked horse, the dismembered leg was still trampled multiple times in the filth—a brutally gruesome sight.

The officer himself felt nauseated witnessing it, while Wei Pingjin nearby had turned deathly pale, nearly retching.

"You... How dare you—!" He pointed a trembling finger at Xiao Li, intending to rebuke him, but upon meeting those icy, ruthless eyes, Wei Pingjin felt as if the King of Hell had glared at him. A chill shot from his head to his toes, leaving him weak and dizzy.

He swallowed involuntarily, the unspoken words dying in his throat—a primal fear of death taking hold.

Almost no one had seen how Xiao Li struck. In an instant, the officer's leg was severed, and he fell wailing to the ground.

Logically, such a fierce blade stroke should have gutted the horse after cleaving the officer's leg, yet Xiao Li had halted it perfectly—not even leaving a scratch on the leather saddle strap.

Xiao Li sheathed his long blade. Crimson blood snaked along the gleaming edge to the tip, dripping steadily into the mud, blooming faint rosy stains.

When he returned the blade to the guard from whom he'd taken it, the man stared blankly, still dazed. Only after Xiao Li glanced sideways at him did he stiffly extend a hand to receive it.

"Prefect!" Wei Ang galloped over from afar, his face a mask of sheer terror—clearly having rushed over upon hearing the news.

He had come to mediate, but upon seeing the fallen Tong Prefecture Army officer and the Wei camp officer with his leg severed, Wei Ang realized he was too late. Stunned into silence, he froze, speechless.

Ignoring Wei Ang, Xiao Li returned the blade and lifted his gaze to Wei Pingjin. His young, handsome yet severe face carried an authority and lethality far beyond his years: "I shall resign to Marquis Shuobian. Henceforth, if this man trespasses into my Tong Prefecture Army camp again, it shall be treated as a military assault!"

The long-suppressed troops below erupted into roaring cheers, their pent-up fury finally released.

Wei Pingjin and his retinue, terrified by the tidal wave of shouts, hastily reined their horses back several steps.But this entire camp was the garrison of the righteous army, leaving them with nowhere to retreat. For a moment, panic was evident on their faces.

Wei Ang was also trembling with fear and hurriedly shouted at Xiao Li, "Governor, you must not! Governor, you must not!"

Xiao Li, however, had no desire to listen to further explanations. Turning to leave, he said, "See the guests out."

The armored soldiers below immediately crossed their halberds, blocking Wei Ang's path.

Wei Ang could only watch helplessly as Xiao Li walked away with his personal attendants, the injured young righteous army officer being carried on a stretcher by the soldiers to follow them.

He turned around dejectedly, looking at the groaning commander still clutching his leg and Wei Pingjin, whose expression suggested he had only just realized the trouble he had caused. Wei Ang was so furious he could barely speak: "Young master! What have you done?"

Wei Pingjin looked somewhat ashamed and lowered his head briefly, but soon shouted back, "Minmin was treated disrespectfully in his camp, and her beloved horse was shot dead. She came to me crying, her eyes swollen. What's wrong with me seeking justice for Minmin?"

Recalling Xiao Li's earlier actions, he grew even angrier. Pointing vehemently in the direction Xiao Li had left, he roared, "For him, surnamed Xiao, to dare say such things clearly shows his wolfish ambition—he has long harbored rebellious intentions! I will send a letter to Father and have Uncle Yuan or Uncle Liao lead troops here to capture and execute this scoundrel!"

The righteous army soldiers who had not yet dispersed, though they dared not act without Xiao Li's orders, showed even greater hostility upon hearing Wei Pingjin's words. Some even spat fiercely in their direction, uttering a contemptuous "Pah!"

Wei Pingjin, as if having found confirmation, pointed at them and yelled at Wei Ang, "See? See?"

The veins on Wei Ang's forehead throbbed uncontrollably. He shouted at Wei Pingjin, "Enough!"

These righteous army troops had not yet fully integrated into the Wei camp. After several major battles, they had come to regard Xiao Li as their leader. Today, Wei Pingjin and his sister had first insulted the righteous army officers, then Xiao Li had defended them and coldly issued a stern warning. Now, Wei Pingjin was forcefully branding him with the label of "long harboring rebellious intentions."

Who wouldn't feel disheartened hearing this?

Wei Ang no longer had the will to persuade Wei Pingjin. Ashamed, he turned his head away and said resignedly, "...Write a letter to inform the Marquis of this matter."

When Doctor Tao received the news and rushed over, the young officer had just been carried to the central military tent.

Doctor Tao felt his leg bones to examine the injury. Though the young officer bit down on a wooden stick, his face was contorted in agony, sweat pouring from his body like pulp. In his pain, he struck the ground with his elbows, and several soldiers nearby struggled to hold down his limbs.

"Endure it, endure it..." Doctor Tao comforted him. After examining his injuries, however, his expression turned grave. Shaking his head at Xiao Li, he said, "The bones have been crushed. This leg is beyond saving. The most severe injury is the trampling wound to his chest and abdomen. From his pulse, it appears his organs are damaged and bleeding."

Xiao Li's face was cold and stern. The other officers in the tent, upon hearing this outcome, showed both indignation and deep pity.

It was likely he could not be saved.

The young officer released the wooden stick from his mouth and stared fixedly at the tent ceiling. His eyes, red from crying, shed hot tears once more from the corners, as if filled with immense regret. But he only looked at Xiao Li and said, choked with emotion, "I'm sorry... Governor, I have caused you trouble..."

Xiao Li walked over, half-knelt, and grasped the young officer's mud-stained hand hanging by the stretcher. He told him, "You did nothing wrong."Upon hearing Xiao Li's words, the young officer's lips trembled as if wanting to cry, but the pain was too severe, allowing only faint, ragged breaths to escape.

Xiao Li asked him, "Your name is Lin An, isn't it? I remember you—you're the commandant of my Western Camp. I have a younger brother also called Xiao An. Who else is in your family?"

Tears welled in the young officer's eyes as he answered haltingly, "My mother... and a twelve-year-old brother... a five-year-old sister..."

Xiao Li wiped his tears and said, "From now on, they shall be my mother, my younger siblings too. I will care for them in your stead. Focus on recovering well."

The young officer's tears flowed more freely as he softly gasped in agreement.

When the soldiers below carried him to the infirmary camp, Xiao Li stopped Doctor Tao before he left and said, "If he doesn't make it, give him more Mafeisan. Let him go without so much pain."

Doctor Tao understood and nodded silently.

After Doctor Tao departed, Zhang Huai asked, "My Lord, are you truly planning to break away from the Wei Camp now?"

Before Xiao Li could respond, Zheng Hu's eyes reddened with rage as he slammed the table heavily. "What else? Should we keep swallowing this humiliation? Look at Commandant Lin! Did that young master of the Wei family ever treat us as human?"

Zhang Huai said, "I know everyone must be furious about today's events, and the soldiers below are seething with anger too. But precisely at such times, we must not act impulsively. We need to consider the long-term gains."

Zheng Hu fumed, "At this point, what fucking gains are there to consider!"

Knowing his temperament and that he was venting, Zhang Huai didn't argue but turned to Xiao Li. "Today's fault lies with the Wei siblings. Their actions have not only disillusioned our Tong Prefecture Army but also the other righteous armies. If the Wei family can treat us like this today, they can do the same to others tomorrow."

"This indirectly helps us unite all the righteous armies. However, my Lord, you've always cherished your soldiers and never let them suffer humiliation from the Wei Camp's main forces. Commandant Lin's tragic experience alone isn't enough to make the other righteous armies risk opposing Northern Wei and fully align with us. It's true that Marquis Shuobian values you, but he also fears your growing influence, which is why he planted Wei Ang as a spy in our army to monitor your every move. Now is the time we can negotiate terms with Marquis Wei!"

Seeing Xiao Li remain silent, Zhang Huai continued persuading, "The timing isn't right to break away from the Wei Camp. Our current situation is much like the Liang Camp's months ago. That Princess Han Yang of the Liang Camp is indeed remarkable—after the two devastating battles at Majia Liang and Wayaobao, and despite the accusations of treason spread by Pei Song, she still kept her composure to hold the royal court of King Chen accountable and negotiate terms. She eventually secured the regency of Chen, leading the Chen Jun back to Liang territory. Why don't we also seize this mistake of the Wei siblings to force concessions from the Wei Camp?"

He scanned the tent. "The two crucial border defense battles in the Northern Border were fought by my Lord leading our brothers through bloodshed. The other fifteen thousand troops of the righteous army were also trained by my Lord himself. Are you all truly willing to let our desperate efforts become a mere stepping stone for the Wei Camp? If we leave now and Northern Wei, unwilling to let the tiger return to the mountains, turns against us, more than just one fine young man like Commandant Lin will die in our army!"

The officers in the tent showed faces of resentment and frustration, and Zheng Hu, sulking, turned his head away.Zhang Huai then bowed to Xiao Li and said, "I implore Your Excellency to observe Marquis Shuobian's reaction upon learning of this matter before making a final decision."

Author's Note: [Mini Theater]

Classmate Xiao Li: I want to rebel.

Zhang Huai: No! You don't!

Classmate Xiao Li: I learned it from Wei Qishan.

Zhang Huai: Don't! Learn from your princess instead!