The Road to Glory

Chapter 191: Who Gave Them the Nerve to...

Wang Wanzhen staggered from the slap, bracing herself against a nearby table to steady her stance. The plain white hairpin flower fell to the ground, and a distinct palm print immediately bloomed across her cheek.

Yet she seemed impervious to the pain, turning back to Wei Pingjin with a mocking laugh. "Wei Pingjin, your only talent is venting your anger on women!"

Knowing the Wei family would become puppets pushed into the spotlight just like her, she couldn't even bother pretending anymore. Straightening up, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, but Wei Pingjin suddenly lunged forward and seized her by the throat.

The force slammed Wang Wanzhen's lower back against the table. Ignoring the sharp pain in her waist, she maintained her mocking smile, ready to taunt him further. But the grip on her throat tightened until she could barely breathe.

Though Wei Pingjin's martial skills were far from refined, he had trained for years under the family's martial arts instructor. The inherent physical disparity between men and women left her helpless.

His eyes burned crimson with feral rage—Wang Wanzhen had provoked him beyond reason.

Abandoning her sarcastic remarks, she clawed desperately at his hand, but it was futile. As suffocation set in, fear finally gripped her. She gasped out a warning, "If I die... you, the former Jin consort... will be utterly useless..."

With the title of Northern Wei's Marquis now bestowed upon Xiao Li, Wei Pingjin could still claim to be contending for the empire under the guise of his former Jin consort status, pretending to generously cede the Northern Wei title to his "sworn brother." But without her—the former Jin princess—and with no heir, his solo claim to restoring Jin under the consort title would become a laughingstock.

A frantic pounding echoed at the door, followed by a servant's urgent cry: "Second Young Master, our trading company's men are fighting with the Marquis's people!"

Wei Pingjin finally regained some semblance of reason and released Wang Wanzhen's neck.

Leaning against the wall-mounted table, she clutched her bruised, burning throat, coughing uncontrollably.

The crimson fury still smoldered in Wei Pingjin's eyes as he hissed, "If you want to live comfortably, keep your head down like before. Cause trouble again, and even if I don't kill you, I have ways to make you wish you were dead!"

Meeting his vicious gaze, Wang Wanzhen felt an inexplicable chill, fighting to suppress her trembling.

After delivering his threat, Wei Pingjin turned and stormed out.

Yanking the door open, he demanded coldly, "Who gave them the nerve to cause trouble today?"

Unaware of the scene inside, the servant bowed nervously and reported, "It started over the dispute about the custom armor order for the troops..."

Wei Pingjin finally found an outlet for his rage. "Lead the way!" he snapped.

With the Wei residence holding funeral rites today, nearly every notable official across the Northern Border had gathered.

After Wei Ang briefly introduced Xiao Li to the officials in the front courtyard, he summoned the various provincial governors to the main hall for discussions.The Northern Border comprises twenty-four provinces, with the sixteen provinces formerly under Wei Qishan’s jurisdiction, known as Yan-Yun, alone accounting for the majority.

However, the Northern Border is bitterly cold, and the population under each prefecture’s administration is sparse. The frontier regions consist mostly of desolate plains and frozen soil, unsuitable for farming, and are primarily used as military garrison areas.

On average, the population of every three provinces in the North barely equals that of a single province in the Southern Border.

Previously, when the Yanle Mountain defensive line was breached, barbarian troops infiltrated the territory. Relying solely on the local prefectural forces to drive them out proved exceedingly difficult.

Like rats, they would raid one village today and move to another the next day. Even though every prefecture was on high alert, it is said, “A thief may strike a thousand times, but one cannot guard against him for a thousand days.” Moreover, with the Northern Border suffering defeats and the successive deaths of Liao Jiang and Wei Qishan, each barbarian raid further eroded military morale and public confidence.

Xiao Li’s meeting with them today was also to discuss expelling the barbarians within the territory.

The underfloor heating in the hall was blazing. As soon as the group entered, the snowflakes clinging to their clothes quickly melted in the warmth, dampening their outer garments. Attendants promptly served hot tea, but no one dared to drink, all waiting nervously for Xiao Li, who had taken the main seat, to speak.

Xiao Li, with his hair tied high in a dark crown, appeared even more stern as the frost and snow that had earlier settled in his hair melted slightly, dampening it. He swept his gaze over the assembled officials and generals from various provinces and said, “Given the urgency of the situation, I had to summon you all under the pretext of mourning the deaths of Marquis Shuobian and General Liao. The journey has been arduous, and you must be weary. Please, make yourselves at ease.”

Only then did the provincial governors murmur, “Thank you for your consideration, My Lord,” and relax slightly. Some drank tea, while others discreetly observed Xiao Li.

Ignoring their gazes, Xiao Li tilted his head slightly, signaling Zhang Huai, who had entered the hall with him, to unroll the current military map of the Northern Border on the long table.

The provincial governors paid close attention, with those seated farther away even standing up to get a better look.

Xiao Li said, “I have dispatched troops to track down the several barbarian forces roaming the Northern Border and am currently driving them toward the foothills of Yanle Mountain, north of Yu Province and east of Yun Province. However, to prevent the barbarians from breaking through the encirclement and escaping again, when my main forces begin to encircle and eliminate these barbarian troops within the territory, the prefectural soldiers along this route must help secure the perimeter.”

He then looked up at a man seated at the lower right corner of the long table. “Lord Xu, I need you to dispatch two thousand prefectural soldiers from Ying Province to guard the Yun Province line. Do you have any objections?”

The official named felt his skin prickle, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead. Forcing a smile, he replied, “Well… I have no objections, but prefectural soldiers have always been responsible only for matters within their provinces. Their military preparedness is far inferior to that of the main forces fighting the barbarians. They may be adequate for driving out bandits and rebels within the province, but confronting the barbarians in battle… I fear…”

He trailed off, looking somewhat troubled as he glanced at Xiao Li.

Xiao Li said, “Bows, arrows, clothing, and provisions will be fully supplied to Ying Province.”

Only then did the official’s worry turn to relief, and he hurriedly bowed to Xiao Li. “Thank you, My Lord!”

Xiao Li then named several other officials: “Lord Zhang, take the prefectural soldiers of Gui Province and join the forces of the Eastern Third Camp to cut off the barbarians’ route across Pingyang Mountain to You Province.”

“I obey your command!”

“Lord He, take the prefectural soldiers of Xin Province and join the forces of the Western Second Camp to set an ambush at Yanle Mountain and intercept the barbarians being driven there.”

“I receive your orders.”

“Lord Lü…”

…Xiao Li systematically laid out the pre-established operation plan for clearing out the barbarians within the territory. The provincial officials, who had initially regarded him with subtle scrutiny, instantly became deferential.

Not only did Xiao Li have a clear grasp of the military forces each province commanded, but he also saw through their strengths and weaknesses with piercing clarity.

This move was less about coordinating efforts to eradicate the barbarian bandits and more about a veiled warning to them.

—He knew them inside out. What was laid bare were the troops under their command; what remained unspoken were their hidden intentions.

In other words, Xiao Li was fully aware of what they were thinking and any covert actions they might be taking.

By the time the first half of the meeting concluded, many provincial officials were sweating nervously.

During the mid-session break, when Xiao Li left the hall, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Exchanging glances, they shook their heads in resignation.

Wei Qishan had handed the Wolf Cavalry over to him. Aside from the Wolf Cavalry, the main forces of Northern Wei were now led by Yuan Fang and Wei Ang, both trusted aides of Wei Qishan. They prioritized the overall stability of Northern Wei and would neither deceive the young master Wei Pingjin nor assist him in opposing Xiao Li.

If Wei Pingjin wished to contend with Xiao Li for supremacy, the outcome would ultimately hinge on the provincial forces under these officials.

Today, however, Xiao Li had openly laid bare the exact state of their provincial troops.

Any among them who failed to read the situation clearly and recklessly supported Wei Pingjin would be seeking their own doom.

Upon entering the side chamber used for breaks, Zhang Huai cupped his hands in respect and praised, "My lord, this strategy is brilliant. It not only resolves the challenge of clearing out the barbarian bandits but also ensures the provinces dare not make any further overt moves."

Beside the table, tea poured by the personal guard steamed with white mist.

Xiao Li closed his eyes wearily, pressing his fingers against his brow bone. "For clearing out the barbarian bandits, arrows and provisions can be allocated to the provinces immediately. The rush to produce armored garments must be expedited."

Once the Northern Border was stabilized, he could fully mobilize troops to march south.

Zhang Huai said, "This morning, my lord already sent General Zheng to negotiate with the cloth merchants who have long collaborated with the army in sewing armored garments. Presumably, upon his return to camp, General Zheng should bring news."

No sooner had he spoken than a personal guard hurried in from outside: "My lord, Military Advisor, something terrible has happened! General Zheng has gotten into a fight with guests who came to offer condolences!"

Zhang Huai’s expression shifted slightly. "Why has General Zheng come to the Wei residence?"

The guard panted, "It seems he came specifically to find a cloth merchant. But they had barely exchanged a few words before General Zheng started a fight."

Zhang Huai turned to look at Xiao Li with some hesitation.

Xiao Li’s face was stern as he said, "Let’s go see."

In the front courtyard of the Wei residence, Zheng Hu was straddling a gaunt man, slapping him across the face. "You dog! How dare you show off in front of your Grandpa Zheng!"

The man wailed in agony, crying out for his parents and screaming "Help!"

Soon, armored soldiers from the residence came to pull Zheng Hu away, but he was clearly enraged. Shaking off the soldiers who had grabbed his arms, he flung them aside and instead seized the collar of the man lying on the ground howling. Lifting him up as effortlessly as a chick, he hoisted him into the air.

The man’s nose was bleeding from the slaps, the blood now covering half his face. His upright crown and hair were disheveled, his clothes crumpled from being grabbed—a pitiful sight. Seemingly terrified out of his wits, he continued to scream "Help" with all his might.Zheng Hu raised his hand and slapped him across the face again, shouting, "Even if you call upon the Jade Emperor himself today, it won't save you! You ordered your Grandpa Zheng to run around everywhere, collecting all sorts of documents, and now that they're here, you bastard refuse to acknowledge them? Think it's fun to mess with your Grandpa Zheng?"

As he raised his hand to strike again, a sharp shout came from afar: "Who dares cause trouble at my father's funeral?"

The crowd of onlookers turned toward the voice and, upon seeing Wei Pingjin, instinctively parted to make way for him.

Zheng Hu showed no respect toward Wei Pingjin. Glancing at the newcomer, he made no move to release the man he held, saying, "The Commandery Prince Consort misunderstands. This humble general is carrying out military duties, not causing trouble."

The man, however, saw Wei Pingjin as a savior. Bruised and battered, he hastily cried out, "Young Master, save me! Save me!Wei Pingjin cast a cold glance at the man, waiting for him to fall silent before saying gloomily: "Today, all who come to my Wei residence to mourn my father are guests of the Wei family." This man is but a commoner in plain clothes—how dare you bully him so shamelessly and still boast about military duties? Is this how your Marquis usually teaches you to abuse power and oppress the common people?"

With that, he tilted his chin toward the armored soldiers behind him: "Seize this scoundrel who tarnishes the reputation of our Wei army!"

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update! Sending red envelopes to all my dear readers for this chapter~