Chapter 0107 Hope

Chapter 0107 Hope

Yu Shaoxie and Mi Jing looked at Xiao Rong. They kept looking at Xiao Rong. Looking at Xiao—there was no need to look further; Xiao Rong had already dashed out the moment he realized what was happening.

Yu Shaoxie: "…"

Mi Jing: "…"

They exchanged glances and then followed him out.

This was an unexpected situation. Qu Yunmie summoned all the generals in the city. Upon learning what Southern Yong had done, most of them were filled with righteous indignation. A few remained calm, sensing that the current situation was rather tricky.

After looting the spoils, consolidating the prisoners, and settling the civilians, the main army wouldn't stay in Sheng Le for long. Within a few days, they would head to neighboring Shuofang. Shuofang was only a hundred miles from Sheng Le, so even without rushing, they could reach their destination in two days.

Looking at Yizhou, even the closest Chengdu Prefecture was three thousand five hundred miles away. Those designated to rush there would be exhausted, if not the men, then certainly the horses.

Moreover, killing Southern Yong soldiers wasn't as satisfying as killing Xianbei. From the perspective of military merit, logistics, or personal preference, everyone hoped to remain in Sheng Le.

However, not everyone could escape this fate. Someone would inevitably be chosen by The King to undertake this mission.

Apart from a few foolish ones who continued to curse Southern Yong, the rest remained silent. At this moment, they least wanted to be noticed by Qu Yunmie and thus receive this arduous task.

One person's silence was different. While others were silently anxious, his was a numb silence.

From the moment he heard about the sudden battle report, he knew he had another assignment.

In the next second, Xiao Rong stepped over the threshold. Simultaneously, Qu Yunmie's voice rang out: "Wang Xinyong, you will lead the rear army to Ningzhou and reclaim all the lost cities for me. Dong Fangjin, issue orders to the garrison commander of Anding City to dispatch thirty thousand troops to support the local forces."

North of the Huai River were several Northern Pacification Army strongholds. The main force was stationed in Chenliu and Yanmen Pass, while secondary forces were in North Yangzhou and Anding City. The former defended against Southern Yong's surprise attacks, while the latter guarded against sudden incursions from the Western Regions.

Historically, Anding City had always been a place of misfortune. Whenever the Western Regions caused trouble, it was always the first to suffer.

As for Xiping, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, and Gaochang on the same route, although they were closer to the Western Regions, they were not raided nearly as often as Anding City. This was because these prefectures were multi-ethnic regions where the Han Chinese might not even make up a third of the population. Their governors were often leaders of ethnic groups who had submitted to the Central Plains. The Westerners could pass through their territories without necessarily offending them. Only Anding City, due to geographical and historical factors, was predominantly inhabited by Han Chinese, making it the easiest target for the Westerners.

Now, the threat from the Western Regions had diminished significantly. After the rise of the Donghu tribes, the Western Regions' living space had been continuously squeezed. The largest Western state was Wusun, but it had been driven back by Qu Yunmie just two years ago. If not for Qu Yunmie's focus on the Xianbei, he could have crossed the Tian Shan Mountains and attacked Wusun's heartland at Lake Issyk-Kul. Fortunately, he didn't do so, otherwise Wusun would have been destroyed, leaving them no chance to lick their wounds. The eastern invasion had caused internal turmoil, and it would take them a long time to recover. They likely wouldn't dare to come again before Qu Yunmie's death.

The garrison in Anding City numbered forty thousand. Qu Yunmie was reluctantly pulling thirty thousand away, as it was the closest army to Yizhou.

Qu Yunmie was already explaining the battle situation to the other generals using a map. Xiao Rong stood aside listening, feeling strangely uneasy.

Why is it Yizhou again?…

At least Anding City's misfortunes made sense, but why did Yizhou repeatedly face problems? Located deep within the interior, surrounded by mountains, it should be easy to defend but hard to attack. Yet, in this era, its advantages seemed invisible. First occupied by foreign tribes, the native inhabitants were massacred. Later, it was repeatedly seized by different factions. The Breeze Sect targeted it, the Xianbei targeted it, and now even Southern Yong had its eyes on it. Strange indeed.

Xiao Rong was not one to rely on intuition. He preferred analyzing pros and cons to find the best solution. But at this inexplicable moment, even he felt a bit superstitious.

Whenever Yizhou faced trouble, Qu Yunmie followed suit. One incident led to another like dominoes, causing Qu Yunmie's unnamed empire to collapse. Half a year ago, Xiao Rong had used his foresight to nip the unrest in Yizhou in the bud, yet half a year later, it happened again.

The system hadn't warned him, so Xiao Rong's anxiety stemmed solely from his own unease. Whether it was superstition or overthinking, he feared such unexpected incidents.

While Xiao Rong was lost in thought, Qu Yunmie, surrounded by generals, said, "The thirty thousand troops from Anding City should arrive within five days. According to our intelligence, Shen Yangrui's army is still advancing north. They claim to have dispatched ten thousand troops, but our scouts report only fifty to sixty thousand."

Yuan Baifu: "Indeed, Southern Yong has only a total of a hundred thousand troops. They couldn't possibly spare ten thousand just to attack these two prefectures."

Jian Qiao frowned: "Five days? There are two major mountain ranges north of Ningzhou. Without detouring, plus the time needed to cross the mountains…"

Qu Yunmie pointed at the map: "Enter via the Chencang Road, follow the Lianyun Plank Road, then the Baosha Road, and finally enter through Yangping. Just one mountain needs to be crossed."

Jian Qiao: "…"

He had forgotten Qu Yunmie's uncanny ability to remember routes after just one visit. Last time Qu Yunmie entered Yizhou was three years ago, and they took a different route—the Yugu Road.

Thinking of this, Jian Qiao glanced at Wang Xinyong, who looked calm and reliable.

Anyone could go, except Gongsun Yuan. With such complex terrain, Gongsun Yuan would surely get lost.

Everyone assumed the matter was settled, but Qu Yunmie suddenly fell silent and added, "The thirty thousand troops from Anding City are only temporary. Once Wang Xinyong arrives with your rear army, send those thirty thousand back. The garrison in Anding City cannot be left vacant for long."

Saying this, he asked Wang Xinyong, "How many troops does the rear army have now?"

After last night's fierce battle, the number of surviving Xianbei was clear, but the casualties among the Northern Pacification Army remained uncounted. Qu Yunmie knew his losses were heavy but not the exact numbers.

Wang Xinyong replied, "Thirty-six thousand."

Qu Yunmie's expression darkened. They had started with fifty thousand, and now only thirty-six thousand remained. A third had died here.

Feeling increasingly heavy-hearted, he looked at the other three. Without asking, they understood his intent.

Gongsun Yuan answered, "Fifty thousand." He had brought sixty thousand.

Jian Qiao: "Fifty-three thousand." He also brought sixty thousand.

Yuan Baifu: "Seventy-five thousand survived." Among the four armies, his was the largest, totaling ninety thousand.

They divided twenty-six thousand, while the Northern Pacification Army had sent thirty-six thousand. The remaining ten thousand were the Central Army. Qu Yunmie looked at Yu Shaocheng, who had barely listened to anyone else but immediately responded when Qu Yunmie looked at him: "Ninety-two hundred."

The Central Army had the most troops and the fewest casualties. While this was partly due to having more elite soldiers, it was also because the general was more capable.

Qu Yunmie nodded approvingly at Yu Shaocheng, but his face clouded over again: "Why are your casualties so high?!"

Wang Xinyong: "…"

He remained silent, unsure whether he dared not answer or simply didn't want to. Xiao Rong glanced at him and suddenly spoke up: "General Wang was with General Yu escorting The King last night. The fourteen thousand troops escorting The King were all from the Central Army. The one leading the rear army was not him."

Qu Yunmie remembered this detail and recalled who had led the rear army. His face darkened even more.

To be honest, this wasn't entirely a mistake. In battle, life and death were often predetermined. Sometimes, a general just had bad luck, and their troops encountered the enemy's main force or simply had bad luck, resulting in high casualties. Since they won the battle and no one committed any grave errors, even Qu Yunmie couldn't punish a general for this.

But Qu Yunmie still felt angry and embarrassed, especially since it was his own kin who had caused this disgrace.

Qu Jin was actually standing in this room, but Qu Yunmie hadn't seen him the whole time. Likely, he also felt ashamed and thus stood in an inconspicuous corner.

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth to say something but hesitated for a moment before closing it again. When he spoke again, it wasn't what he had intended: "Since that's the case, Yuan Baifu, you lead four thousand troops with Wang Xinyong. The remaining forces will be under Yu Shaocheng."

At this point, he called out again, "Yu Shaocheng."

Yu Shaocheng immediately responded, blinking at Qu Yunmie, "Here!"

Qu Yunmie: "......Three days from now, you'll take these soldiers with Gongsun Yuan and capture Khitan for me."

Khitan had fled last night. Upon hearing about the fall of North Gate, they didn't wait for the Northern Pacification Army to appear; they ran away swiftly. Perhaps the Khitan king thought that by fleeing, Qu Yunmie would let them go, but that was impossible. Across the entire grassland, besides the Xianbei having treasures, only Khitan was known for its wealth. Moreover, when Qu Yunmie was young, he heard stories from the Bute Wu people about how Khitan was the closest nation to the Unsalted Mountain. Back when Khitan hadn't established their kingdom, they even encountered the Bute Wu people and stole many herbs from them. Fortunately, Salt Lady Lake was a place hard to find, so after one visit, they couldn't come back a second time.

To the young Qu Yunmie, this story was just a story, but to the present Qu Yunmie, it presented an invaluable opportunity.

Even if the Khitans had never joined the Xianbei alliance, Qu Yunmie wouldn't let them off. ...

Yu Shaocheng didn't want to go to Khitan; it would put him too far from his brother. But then he thought, if he could establish himself as a true commander early on, his brother could live a better life sooner.

Yu Shaocheng didn't know exactly what a good life looked like, but he had a model in mind. He thought, he must ensure his brother lives as luxuriously as Xiao Rong, adorned in gold and silver, enjoying three meals a day. ...

Yu Shaocheng quickly reconciled himself to the situation, but Yuan Baifu found it much harder.

Back then, Yu Shaoxie had said he wanted to disband the Left Army, and now Qu Yunmie was doing just that—splitting the Left Army, leaving half for Yuan Baifu and sending the other half to Yu Shaocheng.

Would these troops ever return to Yuan Baifu? Of course not. Yu Shaocheng was exceptionally talented; in the army, apart from The King, almost all commanders were overshadowed by him. Yuan Baifu knew that Yu Shaocheng would soon lead an army on his own, but why did it have to be his troops?

Yuan Baifu wasn't the only one surprised by this order; Xiao Rong also found it strange. Why do it this way? It would surely cause resentment among the generals.

But everyone knew Qu Yunmie's style. Once he gave an order, it was final. Everyone had to follow it. After rolling up the maps, Qu Yunmie strode out. Xiao Rong glanced back at the generals and then hurriedly followed.

He thought Qu Yunmie might be in a bad mood and looking for a place to vent. But halfway through, he realized Qu Yunmie wasn't going to vent; he was going to sleep.

Xiao Rong: "......"

As Qu Yunmie entered the room and lay down, Xiao Rong quickly stepped forward, swiftly removing the pillow from the bed. Holding the pillow, he respectfully asked, "Please, Your Majesty, enlighten us."

Qu Yunmie: "......"

He didn't understand: "Enlighten about what?"

Xiao Rong: "General Wang, General Gongsun, and General Yuan—all sent away. Are you planning to take Shuofang alone, Your Majesty?"

Qu Yunmie: "Isn't Jian Qiao still here?"

Xiao Rong: "......"

He had forgotten about Jian Qiao.

Opening his eyes wide, Qu Yunmie knew what Xiao Rong was thinking. He sat up, saying, "But you're right. I can handle Shuofang alone. Jian Qiao will stay in Sheng Le to oversee the Xianbei people and the two thousand prisoners. Once Shuofang is captured, I'll send those prisoners to Sheng Le for Jian Qiao to manage."

Xiao Rong frowned: "Ten thousand men..."

Qu Yunmie: "It's enough."

In recent days, Xiao Rong had been constantly reassessing Qu Yunmie's military prowess. In the past, he wouldn't have trusted such a plan, but now, although still slightly uneasy, he believed Qu Yunmie wasn't boasting.

Xiao Rong shook his head: "Well, if Your Majesty insists, then so be it. Two fronts it is. I'll ask the Buddhist monk if we can get the Kumo Xi to help us again. If we can pass through their territory, our supplies will be secured."

Qu Yunmie nodded; that was exactly what he had in mind. Without the Kumo Xi's help, he wouldn't have dispatched the troops so quickly. He would have waited until the Xianbei were defeated before personally dealing with Khitan. But with the sudden allegiance of the Kumo Xi, taking advantage of their support was a no-brainer.

By betraying the Xianbei and all the Donghu tribes, the Kumo Xi had to rely on the Northern Pacification Army. They wouldn't risk being traitors again—especially not while the Northern Pacification Army was still on the grasslands. Khitan was far weaker than the Xianbei.

Looking at Qu Yunmie, Xiao Rong realized he truly had a grand vision, but he didn't explain it to others, making him seem unreasonable and domineering.

Xiao Rong smiled, which puzzled Qu Yunmie.

Xiao Rong didn't explain, continuing instead: "Why specifically split General Yuan's Left Army?"

Qu Yunmie looked at him, repeating oddly, "Specifically?"

Xiao Rong: "......"

Qu Yunmie's response made him doubt himself. Wasn't it specific?

But Qu Yunmie thought the same. Who said it was specific?

"......Didn't you tell me earlier to restructure the Northern Pacification Army? This is my first step. Once we return to Chenliu, I'll completely reorganize all the troops. You're right; the current structure is too loose. The last restructuring was six years ago. Soldiers staying under the same commander for too long can cause problems."

Xiao Rong was taken aback: "But why start with the Left Army?"

Qu Yunmie's expression turned odder: "Because the Left Army has the most men."

Though the Central Army had more, it consisted of his own men. There was no need to move them around.

Xiao Rong: "......"

He didn't know what to say. Mentioning his true thoughts might seem divisive, but ignoring it wasn't an option either.

Unable to explain, Xiao Rong bluntly said, "Not appropriate. General Yuan might resent it. Your Majesty and General Yuan are close, yet you chose him first. Plus, the Left Army might feel uncomfortable. How about this: send Generals Gongsun and Wang to Ningzhou together, and let Yu Shaocheng and General Yuan attack Khitan together. Give General Yuan a deputy—it's better than splitting his army."

Qu Yunmie didn't want to do it this way. He couldn't explain why, but he just didn't want to.

Frowning, he said, "The Left Army has only seventy-five thousand men. That number carries risks against Khitan."

Xiao Rong: "Then transfer twenty thousand from the Central Army—"

Before he finished, Qu Yunmie snapped, "Why should I send troops from my army?!"

Xiao Rong: "......"

You also know that this isn't satisfactory, so why didn't you think like this when you dismantled Yuan Baifu?

I thought the Northern Pacification Army's force of several hundred thousand was already large enough, but it turns out that once the situation arises and everything spreads out, it still isn't enough.

Why are we in such a rush to fight the Khitans? As long as we don't fight them, both sides would have more resources.

However, Qu Yunmie has his own ideas. When it comes to military strategy, he indeed listens to himself. He wanted to consider Xiao Rong's opinion earlier, but after hearing it, he suddenly changed his mind. He believed that his arrangement was the best.

Dismantle the Left Army and send Yuan Baifu and Wang Xinyong to Ningzhou together. Send Gongsun Yuan and Yu Shaocheng to the Khitans together.

Ultimately, it's because he doesn't fully trust Yuan Baifu.

This didn't start from fighting the Xianbei; it started much earlier, perhaps from the time they moved the capital.

Yuan Baifu's attitude showed extremely subtle changes, and with Qu Yunmie's mind, he couldn't see it, but he felt it subtly. His subconscious noted these changes, but he hadn't reacted yet. After their reunion, various factors influenced their relationship. Yuan Baifu had conflicts with Jian Qiao, got closer to Gongsun Yuan, and stopped coming to him frequently.

Qu Yunmie just doesn't like overthinking things, but he has survived this long not solely due to his formidable strength.

Some people clearly understand why they do certain things, while others don't. They act based on instinct, unaware that this instinct is shaped by environmental stimuli, helping them avoid many risks even before they realize it.

Qu Yunmie doesn't know that Yuan Baifu dislikes Xiao Rong, but his instinct does. Qu Yunmie also doesn't know that Yuan Baifu is suppressing his dissatisfaction with him, but his instinct does. When assigning tasks, Qu Yunmie's first reaction is no longer to send Yuan Baifu alone, which is contrary to what he did half a year ago and historically.

Actually, sending the Left Army alone to deal with Shen Yangrui would be the optimal solution. Among the four armies, the most meticulous commander is Yuan Baifu, whose style aligns well with Southern Yong's, increasing the chances of victory.

And Wang Xinyong? He was a general of Southern Yong ten years ago. Qu Yunmie shouldn't have sent him there, neither from the perspective of trust nor morality. But subconsciously, he chose to do so.

It's not just with Yuan Baifu; Qu Yunmie's style is gradually changing. In the past, he would only assign one person, but now he prefers to dismantle an army and send two capable individuals to balance each other. Wang Xinyong and Yuan Baifu aren't familiar with each other, nor are Gongsun Yuan and Yu Shaocheng. Jian Qiao commands the same number of troops as Gongsun Yuan, and sending Jian Qiao would work too, as he doesn't get lost. However, in terms of personality, Jian Qiao can't suppress Yu Shaocheng, so after weighing the options, he decided to send Gongsun Yuan.

What used to move Qu Yunmie most was hatred, but all that disappeared with the fall of the Xianbei. No longer driven by hatred, with Xiao Rong's guidance and the terrifying consequences of acting impulsively, these things bind tightly in his mind. Qu Yunmie has truly changed, but no one has noticed yet.

Qu Yunmie remained silent. He wanted to explain to Xiao Rong, but he couldn't articulate it. He only knew he was clear-headed, not acting out of impulse or personal feelings. He simply believed this was the best approach.

Xiao Rong looked at him, seeing his persistence and difficulty. He pursed his lips and said, "Alright, I'll follow The King's lead."

Qu Yunmie was taken aback. "You're not going to say anything else?"

Xiao Rong shook his head. "This is different from The King personally taking risks. Now, The King is much stronger and can handle more risks. Perhaps The King is right, or perhaps wrong, but the cost of being wrong... we can bear it."

He smiled at Qu Yunmie, who felt a mix of comfort and unease. "I am right."

Xiao Rong shrugged. "I hope so."

Author's note: