Thousands of peaks lie beneath white snow, thousands of ridges stand ever lofty.
The scenery of Huangtu Ridge has scarcely changed since the last battle at Xingluo Granary, as if frozen in a painting.
The only thing that has changed is the eyes watching this painting.
Yu Wenye stands with his hands behind his back by the Luokou Ferry, his cold and deep-set eyes taking in everything before him. Indeed, he seems like a figure within the painting himself, from the great victory last ti leading the return to court, to now leading the troops out again, his expression remains indifferent and his stature upright.
Even the unease within the army seems identical to last ti.
This ti, however, the source of unease is no longer the supervisor.
Because last ti, not only was the military supervisor Kou Junliang executed within the army, but he also died a heinous death. As a result, powerful eunuchs were unwilling to join this expedition, and the court could only send a little eunuch nad Wang Gong as the military supervisor. His position is low, and he’s timid without strong views, so even if the army marches five to six days only covering two days’ worth of travel, Wang Gong does not urge them.
Conversely, several Vice Generals in the army could no longer sit still.
This ti, the Ministry of Revenue did not directly allocate provisions, but issued docunts to Xingluo Granary requiring them to prepare rations for these twenty thousand troops, so that Yu Wenye could take the provisions as he passed by, and continue towards Wanggang Village.
However, Yu Wenye reached Luokou Ferry but did not continue his journey, instead stopping to rest in place, which puzzled everyone. Coupled with having already delayed several days of travel, the Vice Generals could not sit still any longer, and they approached Wang Gong, speaking in a flurry: "Mr. Supervisor, you might need to address this."
"Yes, the court instructed us to clear out Wanggang Village, not to go sightseeing."
"Even Yu Wenye should not ignore the laws of the court despite being a Great General."
Wang Gong was urged by them and couldn’t avoid it, so he awkwardly stepped forward, just in ti to see Yu Wenye crouch down and splash a handful of icy water on his face from the river.
Under the contrast of cold water droplets, his eyes appeared even colder and deeper.
Sohow, Wang Gong felt a chill in his heart.
But he still had to muster up the courage to approach Yu Wenye, bowing with a smile, "Great General."
Yu Wenye slowly turned to him and said, "Mr. Supervisor, what urgent matters do you have?"
Wang Gong smiled, "This—seems like we are near Xingluo Granary."
"Indeed."
"Why doesn’t the Great General proceed directly into the city instead of staying here? You should know, we have already delayed several days’ worth of travel."
"Please pardon , Mr. Wang. I’m only staying here because of so nostalgia."
"Nostalgia?"
Wang Gong was startled, not knowing what Yu Wenye was reminiscing about, while Yu Wenye had already raised his hand, pointing to a broad riverbank on the opposite side of the river, saying: "Mr. Supervisor might not know, it was right there that I split Kou Junliang in half with a single blow."
"...!"
Wang Gong’s expression changed instantly.
Talking about that bloody scene, Yu Wenye showed no sign of emotion, only sighed again and said, "In hindsight, I sowhat regret it."
Wang Gong forced a smile, but his voice trembled when he spoke: "Re, regret what?"
Yu Wenye said, "Actually, I could have spared his life."
"..."
"After all, his cris should not have ended with a single stroke. He should have been taken back to court for a public trial, to show everyone the consequences of harboring conflicting intentions against this General in the military."
"..."
"It’s just, at the mont, caught in the excitent of killing, I forgot..."
Wang Gong’s face turned pale, his legs trembled, not knowing how to respond, when Yu Wenye turned to him again, saying: "Is the supervisor intending to urge to enter the city swiftly?"
Wang Gong quickly waved his hands and smiled: "No, no, how dare I urge the General?"
At this mont, standing before him seed no longer a re person, nor a General of the court, but rather a bloodthirsty Demon God, potentially prone to killing at any mont. Wang Gong broke out in cold sweat, trembling as he was about to turn back, while Yu Wenye kindly said: "Actually, Mr. Wang needn’t urge, just wait until—"
He didn’t finish his sentence and paused.
And Wang Gong was puzzled—
Wait? What was he waiting for?
Just then, a sudden and chaotic sound of hoofbeats ca from behind them, drawing everyone’s attention. A team of horsen swiftly galloped from behind, led by none other than Yu Wenye’s personal attendant, Mu Xian.
The team he led were Yu Wenye’s personal soldiers, initially accompanying them out of the city, rging with the court’s forces to march together, but days ago, they were found to have disappeared.
As they were not part of the court’s establishnt, the Supervisor and Vice Generals had no grounds to question, but unexpectedly, they reappeared at this mont.
The soldiers of the army promptly made way for them, and Mu Xian quickly reached Yu Wenye’s side. Upon dismounting, he imdiately addressed Yu Wenye, "Great General."
Yu Wenye said, "Is everything ready?"
Mu Xian extended his hand and pointed behind him: "Wine, at, and winter attire have all been prepared."
Yu Wenye nodded: "Very well."
Wang Gong turned around and realized that there were several horse-drawn carriages following behind them, loaded with wine, at, and winter clothes. Even their horses were carrying a lot of such goods. Surprised, he said, "Great General, this is—"
Yu Wenye smiled faintly: "Mr. Wang, don’t laugh. These defenders of the Xingluo Warehouse are the n who followed in the last battle for the Xingluo Warehouse. They fought bravely and suffered greatly, and since the granary was captured, they have been stationed here without reward. So this ti, I decided to reward them privately. Of course, these things were bought with my own money and have nothing to do with the court."
"Ah, this—"
Wang Gong smiled and said: "I see, the Great General truly empathizes with the soldiers. Indeed, you are a pillar of the court."
"I dare not accept such praise."
Yu Wenye nodded humbly, then said: "Now, we can enter the city."
He imdiately ordered his troops to march towards the Xingluo Warehouse City. The soldiers in the warehouse city had already received the news that the Assistant General was arriving and promptly sent people to greet him. When they saw that he had brought wine, at, and winter clothes for the troops, they were imnsely grateful. Except for those guarding various checkpoints, almost all the soldiers ca out to welco him.
Among them, the Assistant General Yan Buuai saw Yu Wenye, his eyes slightly reddening, and said softly: "I never expected the Great General to still rember us."
Yu Wenye smiled: "This warehouse city was won with your lives. I took credit and cannot forget you."
Yan Buuai said: "But we heard—the Great General received no rit for this battle."
Yu Wenye raised an eyebrow slightly: "How did you know?"
Yan Buuai said: "The Great General said that this warehouse city was won with our lives, so we naturally paid attention to the outco of this battle. But we never expected that just because of killing an ignorant eunuch who pushed our brothers to their deaths, the Great General’s painstaking efforts would result in no rit!"
"..."
"We have always been indignant for the Great General!"
His words, though soft, weighed heavily.
Yu Wenye listened, his face showing no hint of joy or anger, not even a ripple. After a mont of silence, he said lightly: "Let’s not discuss this; distribute the goods first. I ca in a hurry this ti, and the supplies are not complete. Distribute them to those who are essential, and do not wrong those who have contributed."
This last sentence was like a giant stone that heavily weighed on the hearts of Yan Buuai and so of the surrounding soldiers.
Everyone looked at him without speaking, silently retreating.
However, within the entire warehouse city, there seed to be a subtle undercurrent of emotion boiling up.
Amidst this boiling emotion, Yu Wenye remained calm. As he walked further inside, he asked in a deep voice: "How is the situation in the Eastern Capital City?"
Mu Xian followed beside him, speaking softly: "His Majesty the Emperor has ordered a tour south to Jiangdu in seven days."
A cold gleam flashed in Yu Wenye’s eyes.
In seven days...
He thought for a mont and asked: "Is there any other news?"
Mu Xian hesitated for a mont before saying softly: "There is also—"
|
anwhile, facing Wo Xue’s shimring eyes, Shang Ruyi was silent for a long ti before slowly saying: "I also want to stay in the Eastern Capital to wait for his return, but His Majesty may not give such an opportunity."
"...Oh."
Wo Xue responded softly, lowering her head.
Tushere said: "Miss, there are only a few days left before we set off. Should we start preparing?"
Shang Ruyi sighed and said: "But there are two things on my mind that I still can’t set at ease."
Wo Xue imdiately asked: "Young Madam, what are the two things?"
Shang Ruyi said: "One is the manor in the north of the city. It was entrusted to by my father before he left for Taiyuan, and I haven’t even glanced at it in so long. If Liang Shide really sends troops this ti, I’m afraid they will pass by there. I think I should find so ti to make arrangents."
Tushere said: "That is true."
Wo Xue asked: "Young Madam, what is the other matter that you can’t set at ease?"
Shang Ruyi’s expression was more somber than before. After a long silence, she sighed lightly and said: "It’s about my uncle and aunt..."
Upon ntioning this, even Tushere’s expression grew heavy.
Although Shang Ruyi had already received the Emperor’s promise of amnesty, allowing Shen Shiyan and his wife to return to the Eastern Capital, they knew nothing about the situation there after the ssenger arrived.
If she were to follow the Emperor to Jiangdu this ti, communication with both sides would be interrupted again, making future etings even more difficult.
At that mont, a rapid rush of footsteps ca from outside. Looking up, it was Chang Wan holding a letter as she entered. She smiled and said to Shang Ruyi: "Young Madam, a letter just arrived, and it seems to be from Young Master Shen."
Young Master Shen?
Upon hearing these three words, Shang Ruyi’s eyes instantly brightened—it was Shen Wuzheng!
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