Military Camp
After taking the medicine, He Simu felt much better, fortunately, the doctor diagnosed her with just a minor cold, and she wasn’t too seriously ill. The next day, she got out of bed and wrapped herself in a thick fur cloak, walking from her room to the courtyard.
Although Shuozhou was north of the Pass, the climate was similar to that of Liangzhou. The courtyard of this wealthy household was filled with many scholar trees, maple trees, and plum trees. The grey courtyard walls and blue stone tiles made it an elegant courtyard, especially with the plum blossoms about to bloom. Chenying bounced over and grabbed He Simu’s hand, looking at her with worry. He said, “Sister, are you okay?”
“It’s nothing serious.”
Chenying nodded, then frowned, “Miss, you talked to General Brother for so long yesterday. You’re not planning to hand me over to General Brother, are you?”
He Simu shook her head. She sat down on a bench in the corridor and said, “Given the current situation, Duan Xu is really in a precarious situation. I’m not so heartless as to push you into the fire.”
“What do you mean by that, Miss?”
He Simu turned her head and saw a young man in white standing in the courtyard, looking at them intently.
Or maybe not a man in white, all light-coloured clothes looked white to her. His clothes were embroidered with delicate pine and mountain patterns, his hair half draped over his shoulders, tall and with strong features, he was a handsome young man.
He Simu’s gaze swept over his head, and his bone structure was quite good, though not as good as Duan Xu’s.
He bowed to He Simu and said, “Miss He, I’m Lin Jun, a native of Shuozhou.”
Lin Jun, so he was the owner of this house, Mr. Lin.
This young man was the second young master of the famous Han merchant family in Shuozhou, the unfortunate owner of the carriage that she almost destroyed. Since Duan Xu took over Shuozhou, the Lin family had been fully supporting him and providing a large amount of supplies to the Tabai Army. It was he who had offered a place for He Simu to recuperate when she fell ill.
Who knew how much trouble the Lin family had encountered with the Danzhi army before, to welcome the arrival of the Great Liang Army like this.
He Simu returned the gesture, then heard Lin Jun ask, “Miss He just said that General Duan is in a precarious situation, what does that mean?”
He Simu looked at Lin Jun for a moment, leaned on the armrest of the bench with a smile, and said, “Mr. Lin and the Tabai Army are so close, you should be clearer than I am. How many soldiers does the Tabai Army have? They have to defend Liangzhou and attack Shuozhou. Even if General Duan had three heads and six arms, he couldn’t conjure up more soldiers.”
“The reason why the Tabai Army could capture Shuozhou depended on taking the enemy by surprise and attacking them while they were unprepared. But why was the Danzhi army unprepared? Because Duan Xu’s route was a suicidal one. The Tabai Army has only fifty thousand troops in Shuozhou, but the Danzhi army has two hundred thousand troops waiting to move south. Apart from the thick walls and mountains surrounding the city, it is difficult to attack, the other four cities are basically defenceless. Soon, the other four cities will fall back into the hands of the Danzhi army, and we will all be trapped in Shuozhou.”
“Shuozhou is a necessary route for the Danzhi army to reinforce Yuzhou. The Danzhi army will definitely launch a desperate attack. Duan Xu may retreat or he may defend to the death. If Duan Xu defends here, there will be a fierce bloody battle. Assuming Shuozhou will return to the Danzhi army’s hands soon, Mr. Lin, what will your fate be?”
After finishing this long speech, He Simu coughed a bit, and Chenying’s face turned pale. He ran to He Simu’s side to comfort her and whispered, “But Miss, why did you agree to come to Shuozhou… it’s so dangerous…”
Why did she come? Of course, it was for Duan Xu’s invitation and to seek food.
He Simu seemed unconcerned, just smiling and tapping Chenying’s forehead, saying, “Now you’re scared. I told you before that it would be nice to go and show the Danzhi people some wind, but you didn’t believe me.”
Lin Jun’s gaze flickered as he stared at He Simu, silent.
A steward-like old man hurried into the courtyard and bowed to Lin Jun and He Simu, saying, “Master, Miss He, General Duan has arrived and is waiting in the front hall.”
Lin Jun nodded. He seemed about to turn and leave, but then stopped, turning back to look at He Simu.
“Miss He, do you think that my Lin family is prosperous and thriving, even under the Danzhi rule? You haven’t seen how my ancestors and I have endured humiliation and had to curry favour with those Huqi nobles. In the eyes of the Huqi people, we Han people are just slaves, maybe not even as good as dogs.”
He straightened his back, as if a burst of air was holding him up. He said, word by word, “We Lin family are human beings, not slaves, and certainly not dogs.”
With that, he turned and left in a huff. He Simu hugged Chenying and squinted slightly at Lin Jun’s back. He was indeed a spirited boss.
Following the steward’s guidance, He Simu arrived in the front hall with Lin Jun. Duan Xu and Han Lingqiu were standing in the front hall, armoured. Lin Jun hurried forward to greet them with a bow, then turned to Han Lingqiu with some concern, asking, “Captain Han, how are you feeling?”
Han Lingqiu’s left arm was still a bit immobile. He bowed and said, “I’m recovering. It’s nothing serious.”
“I heard from the doctor that you once used life-threatening drugs, which could have long-term consequences. I wonder if you remember what medicine you used back then, so the doctor can adjust it for you.” Lin Jun said enthusiastically.
Han Lingqiu frowned. He shook his head stiffly and said, firmly, “I know my own body. There’s no need for Mr. Lin to worry.”
Lin Jun’s well-intentioned words were choked back, and he felt a bit embarrassed. He bid Han Lingqiu take care of himself and didn’t say anything more. He Simu looked at the situation and glanced between everyone before locking eyes with Duan Xu, who smiled gently.
Duan Xu timely changed the subject, saying that he was going to the camp and happened to come to invite He Simu to discuss important matters on the way.
He Simu didn’t refuse.
When they arrived at the camp, He Simu elegantly got out of the carriage, and Duan Xu dismounted and walked to her side.
“Do you want to guess what I want to talk to you about now?”
“Captain Han?”
Duan Xu leaned closer to her and whispered, “No, you have a runny nose. Quickly wipe it.”
…Being human is really troublesome.
He Simu frowned and instinctively reached out to touch her nose, but Duan Xu grabbed her hand, holding her wrist.
“No, don’t.” He said with a rising tone, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her.
“The hero of the Tabai Army can’t attend a meeting with a runny nose.”
It seems she’s tarnishing Duan Xu’s second handkerchief.
He Simu held the handkerchief under her nose and smiled, “You’re the hero of the Tabai Army. What am I? Probably nobody will even notice me later.”
Indeed, as she expected, after entering the tent, before Duan Xu could introduce her, Wu Shengliu jumped up. His copper-coloured armour clanged, and the burly man with a full beard shouted, “General, what does it mean that you sent Xia Qingsheng back to Liangzhou?”
A few days had passed, and Wu Shengliu, who had been stiff-necked before, seemed even more smooth-tongued when addressing the general today.
Seeing that there was indeed nothing for her to do, He Simu paused for a moment and walked to the side, sitting down in the position that should have been prepared for her, and picked up a cup of tea to watch the show.
“Watch out, it’s very hot.”
Duan Xu tapped the table in front of He Simu meaningfully and reminded her. Then he turned to face Wu Shengliu, still smiling.
“Yes, I sent Xia Lang back to Liangzhou to command the remaining troops of the Tabai Army there, waiting for reinforcements. What’s the matter, Captain Wu?”
At this point in the tent, all the captains and lieutenants, except for Xia Qingsheng, were present. They were all wearing armour, which added a coldness to the tent. Besides Meng Wan and Han Lingqiu, there were several unfamiliar lieutenants, some of whom looked nervously at the confrontation between Wu Shengliu and Duan Xu.
Wu Shengliu and Duan Xu had been at odds for a long time. One was senior in qualifications, the other in status; one had a straightforward temperament, the other a smiling face. They could barely cooperate during battles, but once the battle was over, they would quarrel.
It was amazing that despite the quarrels, they could still win battles time and time again.
“What’s the matter with me? General, I’ve followed you in these battles, and although we’ve won, I’m still confused. You never tell me the truth!”
When it came to this matter, Wu Shengliu became angry. When Duan Xu originally said he wanted to attack Yuzhou, they had just started, but then suddenly turned around and crossed the river to attack Shuozhou. When they were attacking the capital city, it was even worse. Before the battle, he argued with Duan Xu. According to the terrain here and the number of enemy troops, it was certain death to fight here. Who knew where so many red birds came from, scaring the Huqi people out of the city.
Duan Xu’s planning and preparation never involved him, which clearly showed that he looked down on him!
At this point, Wu Shengliu still didn’t know that his thoughts were greatly wronging Duan Xu. Duan Xu did not look down on him. Even if the King of Heaven himself were present, it wouldn’t change his nature of being decisive and making decisions independently.
Duan Xu smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for Wu Shengliu to sit down, and he himself sat behind the table, calmly saying, “Captain Wu, you wear your heart on your sleeve, and you’re always stationed at the border. The enemy is very familiar with you. If I tell you my plans, it’s likely to be exposed. Furthermore, the disparity in strength between the enemy and us is clear to you. The so-called fight to the death, if you don’t fight with the mindset of certain death against the enemy, then what use is there in leaving behind plans?”
“Speaking of those red birds, they are nothing more than pigeons painted red. I had Meng Wan lead people to search all the pigeon coops in this area, and we found thousands of pigeons, all painted with red flame patterns to be released during battle. The Huqi people believe fervently in the Azure God, and they regard the Azure Scriptures as the supreme scripture. In the Azure Scriptures, it is mentioned that the Azure God punishes his followers by sending down red birds adorned with flames from the sky, and whoever they touch will never be reborn.”
Listening to Duan Xu’s explanation, Wu Shengliu’s expression softened.
Duan Xu smiled and slowly said, “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. It has always been like this.”
He Simu absentmindedly rubbed her fingers against the edge of the teacup, not retracting them even when they turned red from the heat.
From her understanding of the Huqi people, they only allowed members of their own clan to worship the Azure God, and reading the Azure Scriptures was a privilege reserved only for priests. The Huqi words Duan Xu had spoken on the battlefield that day were scriptures, and they matched the original text of the Azure Scriptures word for word.
—”The Azure God descends calamity, burning all living beings.”
How could he be so familiar with the Azure Scriptures?
Her gaze shifted to the Broken Illusion Sword at his waist, and she thought to herself that her uncle had made this sword with a very particular taste, choosing such a mysterious owner.
Could it be that after a hundred years, it got bored and fell in love with solving mysteries?
Wu Shengliu and the others didn’t know what the Azure Scriptures and the Azure God were, but they vaguely understood that they were probably like the Emperor of the Huqi people. Finally, Wu Shengliu snorted, sat back down in his seat, crossed his arms, and said, “General Duan is knowledgeable and wise. I, as a crude man, can’t compare. Now that the Awoqi of Danzhi is leading a large army and will be at our gates in a few days, I think the general must have a comprehensive plan in mind. I wonder if you’re willing to share it with us.”
“Awoqi…” Duan Xu interlocked his hands and rubbed them together.
All eyes were on Duan Xu. During this time, they had become accustomed to Duan Xu pondering for a moment before coming up with all sorts of strange plans.
After a moment of thought this time, Duan Xu said, “To be honest, I don’t have any fool proof plans.”
Wu Shengliu was about to jump up again. “No plan? They have two hundred thousand troops!”
“The four cities of Shuozhou cannot be held; everyone knows this. If we don’t withdraw our troops from those four cities along the official road back to Liangzhou, and wait for the Danzhi army to take those four cities, then the prefectural city will become an isolated island surrounded by enemies.
‘Does Miss He have any wise suggestions?’ Duan Xu suddenly addressed.
All eyes in the room turned to He Simu. She was casually blowing on her tea cup, but stopped abruptly at this.
He Simu lifted her gaze, looked around at the people, and gracefully set down her tea cup with a smile.
Duan Xu timely introduced, ‘This is Miss He, a strategist from Liangzhou, who helps us deduce the best timing for our operations in Shuozhou.’
He Simu smiled and then turned to Duan Xu, asking, ‘General, do you absolutely want to prevent reinforcements from Danzhi?’
‘Yes.’
‘In that case, why not blow up the passes?’ “
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