The Road to Glory

Chapter 153: Using That Gaze, to Properly Bid Farewell...

Wen Yu hadn't expected Tao Kui to suddenly ask about this. She was momentarily taken aback before replying, "I left it at home."

Upon hearing this, Tao Kui seemed somewhat disappointed.

After he left, Wen Yu walked to the bedside and retrieved the pouch containing the carp wood carving from beneath the soft pillow. She lowered her gaze, absentmindedly stroking it.

Counting the days, the people Wei Qishan had sent to retrieve her from Xiao Li should have almost reached the military camp.

She and Xiao Li hadn't seen each other since his rash actions that day.

She had always kept this carp wood carving with her, but on her first night in the military camp when she saw Xiao Li, afraid he would discover she still kept it, she hid it under her pillow.

The voices of two maidservants came from outside the tent flap. Before they entered, Wen Yu tucked the pouch back under the pillow.

The two maidservants carried in a basin of laundered clothes, using wooden poles to prop them near the charcoal brazier to dry. They chattered, "I wonder if we're going to battle again. While washing clothes by the river just now, we saw another large troop arriving at the camp."

Wen Yu had been about to pick up a travelogue to pass the time when she overheard this and couldn't help asking, "What banners were they flying?"

The thin maidservant exclaimed, "We're illiterate and can't read what's on the banners, but the banner colors looked different from those in our camp."

The plump maidservant added, "Yes, yes, they were black with red borders."

Black with red borders—previously the banners of Northern Wei.

During her recent outings from the tent, Wen Yu had observed that in Xiao Li's righteous army, only the main banner bore the Wei character, while the subordinate camps still flew their own righteous army banners.

But now that a Northern Wei troop had arrived, it was almost certainly sent by Wei Qishan.

Suddenly, as if guided by some unseen force, Wen Yu understood why Xiao Li had permitted Tao Kui to visit her today.

The arrival of the Northern Wei troops would have been reported to him in advance by scouts.

Did he know he couldn't keep her any longer and specifically allowed Tao Kui to bid her farewell?

Outside the camp gates, Yuan Fang dismounted and enthusiastically clasped his fists toward Xiao Li: "I hope you've been well, Benefactor!"

Xiao Li stood before the camp gates with his officers, the cheval de frise on both sides shifted outward in a V-shape, while banners fluttered fiercely in the cold wind behind them.

Though his relationship with Northern Wei had soured due to Wei Pingjin's previous arrogant behavior, Xiao Li maintained courtesy with Yuan Fang, returning the salute: "General Yuan, you've had a long journey."

Yuan Fang seemed filled with endless emotions as he said, "I've brought Marquis's personal letter to personally apologize to you, Benefactor. May we speak in your tent?"

When Xiao Li's gaze swept over Wei Pingjin following behind him, Wei Pingjin appeared somewhat ashamed, his former arrogance completely gone as he lowered his head to avoid eye contact.

The snowstorm was fierce today, making the camp entrance unsuitable for conversation.

After withdrawing his gaze, Xiao Li gestured "please," and his officers naturally cleared a path.

Only then did Yuan Fang lead Wei Pingjin, Wei Ang, and others into the camp.Upon entering the central military tent, Yuan Fang presented Wei Qishan's handwritten letter to Xiao Li, speaking with some embarrassment: "The County Lord recklessly charged into the military camp on horseback, injuring our soldiers. After learning of this, the Marquis reprimanded the County Lord and placed her under house arrest. The Young Lord failed to discipline his subordinates properly, allowing their horses to trample to death a key general under the Governor's command. The Marquis was also furious and has revoked the Young Lord's position as Army Supervisor, ordering him to personally come and apologize to the Governor."

Having said this, he glanced at Wei Pingjin.

Under the gaze of all the generals in the tent, Wei Pingjin tried his best not to look at Xiao Li seated at the head. Stiff as a marionette, he bowed with clasped hands and said, nearly word by word: "Pingjin apologizes to Governor Xiao for the incident involving my subordinates' reckless riding."

Yuan Fang signaled several Wei generals behind him, who were holding trays covered with red cloth, to unveil them. He then cupped his hands toward Xiao Li again and said: "The Marquis cares for his soldiers as his own children. The death of Commandant Lin has also pained him greatly. He specifically ordered that these one hundred taels of silver be given to Commandant Lin's family to cover funeral expenses. Those soldiers injured by the County Lord's horse have also each received ten taels of silver for their recovery."

Zheng Hu and the other generals, upon seeing the silver offered, immediately snorted with dissatisfaction through their nostrils.

Yuan Fang hurriedly added: "Money is trivial, but the deceased is gone. The Marquis's intention is to properly settle Commandant Lin's family."

Xiao Li, reading the letter handwritten by Wei Qishan, remained silent.

The slightly yellowed paper read:

"My son Huaijin, reading this letter is like seeing you. When I first heard of my unfilial children's disgraceful actions, I was greatly angered and also understood your fury. I have now severely punished those unfilial children, hoping to comfort you somewhat. You mentioned in your letter that Bandit Pei has retreated south, the Northern Border is secure, and you are no longer of use to me, wishing to pursue Bandit Pei southward. Reading this, I nearly wept. Though you are not of my blood, I have long regarded you as my own son. If that rebellious son fails to repent, you shall inherit my legacy."

Yuan Fang and Wei Ang were aware of the letter's contents and were now observing Xiao Li's expression.

But Xiao Li's face showed no emotional fluctuation. After putting away the letter, he looked at Wei Pingjin: "The one who requires the Young Lord's apology is not me. Commandant Lin's memorial hall is set up in the camp. The Young Lord may go and offer incense to Commandant Lin."

Wei Pingjin maintained his bowing posture, his face full of humiliation, nearly grinding his teeth. Finally, with extreme restraint, he uttered a single word: "Fine."

Yuan Fang and Wei Ang both breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Wei Pingjin had ultimately considered the bigger picture.

The sky was gloomy with sorrow, heavy snow falling like goose feathers. Before the large tent in the western camp where the coffin rested, white funeral banners hung. Spirit paper and snowflakes were swept in all directions by the wind, many trampled into the muddy snow.

The righteous army soldiers stood in orderly rows on the open ground outside the tent, watching as Wei Pingjin held incense and bowed several times before Lin An's spirit tablet. He said stiffly: "My failure in discipline is my fault. I only wish Commandant Lin peace in the afterlife."

Though many righteous army soldiers still bore expressions of suppressed anger in their eyes, they all straightened their backs.

—Xiao Li had made this arrogant Northern Wei Young Lord bow his head to them.

From then on, their righteous army would have dignity in Northern Wei, no longer a motley force to be ordered about at will.

After offering incense, Wei Pingjin, likely feeling his pride wounded, excused himself on grounds of physical discomfort and retreated to the carriage waiting outside the camp.As Yuan Fang walked back with Xiao Li, he said, "The young master's grand wedding with the princess is approaching, and we are currently preparing for the ceremony. I cannot stay long this time, otherwise I would surely share a long drink with you, my benefactor."

Xiao Li replied, "Official duties should naturally take priority. When the young master holds his wedding banquet, we can catch up then, can we not?"

Yuan Fang laughed heartily: "Last time you were injured, Old Liao and I couldn't bring ourselves to drink you under the table. Next time we must truly have a proper drinking session."

A smile also appeared on Xiao Li's face: "It would be my pleasure."

Yuan Fang then patted Xiao Li's shoulder and spoke as if from the heart: "The Marquis truly holds you in high esteem. Please don't take the young master's matters to heart."

Xiao Li said, "Since it's already been resolved, there's no need to mention it again."

Only then did Yuan Fang laugh in agreement, adding: "The envoys from Liang Camp and Southern Chen have arrived in Weizhou and are negotiating with the Marquis about the conditions for retrieving Jiang Yu's corpse and his pregnant concubine. On this trip, I also need to bring back both the body and the concubine."

In their previous apology, they had deliberately not mentioned that Wei Jiamin had met Wen Yu, hoping to avoid creating any further discord.

After all, if Xiao Li truly had any connection with the other party, taking the person away would eliminate all future troubles. As for the real reason why Wei Jiamin had trespassed into the camp, it was enough that Xiao Li himself understood—this could be considered a tacit concession from Wei Camp.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li simply said: "I've ordered Jiang Yu's corpse to be preserved with ice, so it hasn't decayed. His concubine is also in the camp. You may take them both with you."

Yuan Fang was pleased by his straightforwardness and became increasingly convinced that Wei Jiamin must have wrongly accused him regarding the brocade cape incident.

He said: "If you ever encounter any difficulties in the camp in the future, just let me know."

He was referring to the allocation of provisions and weapons.

The weapons and armor currently used by the righteous army still couldn't compare to those of the Northern Wei's main forces.

Xiao Li said: "Since you've said so, I do have an impertinent request."

Yuan Fang, upon hearing this, immediately sensed it might not be about ordinary weapons and equipment, and said: "Please speak freely, my benefactor."

A snowflake landed on Xiao Li's eyelashes. He slightly lowered his eyes and said: "It's said that the foundation of Northern Wei is the Wolf Cavalry under the Marquis's command. During the battle at Youzhou, I witnessed the warhorses used by the Wolf Cavalry—they are indeed far superior to ordinary breeds. Could the righteous army also acquire a batch of the warhorses used by the Wolf Cavalry?"

Yuan Fang shook his head and laughed: "You've truly spotted the golden treasure of the Northern Border at first glance. However, this is something I truly cannot decide on my own—I must seek the Marquis's approval. Every warhorse in the Wolf Cavalry is essentially one in a hundred. For every one that dies, another must be selected from the renowned horse farms across the Northern Border. Moreover, the true strength of the Wolf Cavalry lies not only in the horses but even more in the men of the Wolf Cavalry camp. Each of them is an expert in horse training, and in their daily care for the horses, they are far more meticulous than in caring for themselves. After a battle, they can go hungry, but the horses cannot. It can be said that if the warhorses of the Wolf Cavalry are not in the hands of the Wolf Cavalry men, their combat effectiveness would be greatly diminished."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li understood the depth of the matter and said: "Then let it be. Aside from the Marquis, I imagine no one else in the entire Liang territory could afford to maintain such a cavalry unit."Yuan Fang shook his head and said, "It's burning through money. The bulk of the Northern Border's annual military expenditure goes toward maintaining the Wolf Cavalry. With continuous warfare this year and no imperial funding, relying solely on the meager savings squeezed from the northern provinces makes it even harder. A few days ago, Old Liao was discussing with the Marquis whether to reduce the Wolf Cavalry numbers. But if we cut back, we might manage against internal forces like Bandit Pei, yet we'd only be chased and beaten by the barbarians who grew up on horseback beyond the passes. For now, we can only hope to use Jiang Yu's corpse and his concubine to bite off a fat piece from Liang Camp and Southern Chen."

Xiao Li did not respond further, gazing through the heavy goose-feather snow toward the military tent where Wen Yu was held under house arrest.

The news that Wen Yu would accompany the Northern Wei troops to Yu Prefecture arrived much faster than she had anticipated.

Fortunately, during her stay in Xiao Li's camp, she had not accumulated many belongings.

Two maidservants helped her pack her valuables, and soldiers from the camp moved her items one by one to the carriage.

The two maidservants would not be going with her. After bidding them a proper farewell, Wen Yu covered her face with a veil, draped on her cape, and followed several soldiers as they led her out.

The carriage was parked on a road outside the central camp area where vehicles could pass. Even with the hood of her cape on, Wen Yu felt the wind and snow were blindingly fierce today.

From a distance, she spotted Xiao Li standing by the carriage with several Northern Wei generals. The generals seemed to be speaking to him, smiling with a warmth that held a touch of respect.

They paused their conversation upon noticing her approach.

Xiao Li lifted his gaze and saw her as well.

The distance was too great for Wen Yu to discern the expression in his dark eyes.

She met his gaze calmly, revealing no emotion, yet it seemed as if that one look was her way of properly saying goodbye.

Then she lowered her eyes, focusing only on the snowy ground three steps ahead, and followed the guiding soldiers toward the carriage.