Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Apart from Song Zhishi's personal concerns, the visit of Song Lan and his son to the Tong family was a pleasant one for both hosts and guests.

After bidding farewell outside the Tong residence, father and son boarded a carriage.

Once the carriage turned out of the alley, Song Lan shook his head at his son: "When I was your age, I had already passed the imperial examination as a scholar. It is unfortunate that you grew up in turbulent times and cannot pursue an official career, but you should still have a broad vision and do your best to serve General Han. Why are you still so young and impetuous, indulging in trivial romantic affairs?"

Song Zhishi turned to the curtain, sulking: "If Father had agreed to arrange my marriage, I would have married Aman and fulfilled my wish. Then I could wholeheartedly assist Father and the General."

Song Lan thought of how composed and effortless Tong Sui looked when she drew her bow and arrow, how her lips curved confidently even before the arrow left the string. In that moment, surrounded by renowned generals like Han Zongping and Fan Zhao, Tong Sui seemed to bask in the warm April sunshine, radiating a brilliant glow.

"Zhishi, have you ever considered what kind of life Aman would have if she married you?"

Song Zhishi replied without hesitation: "She loves reading, so I would read with her. Once I pass the examination and secure an official position, I would make her an official's wife, living a life of luxury. She wouldn't need to hunt, farm, wash clothes, or cook, and certainly not risk her life on the battlefield."

Song Lan said, "If that were true, Aman would remain a rough stone, never transforming into the beautiful jade she is now. Or do you prefer that she remains unappreciated and only be your wife?"

Song Zhishi pursed his lips and said, "As a woman, she shouldn't be in the public eye anyway."

Suddenly, his father's unrestrained laughter echoed behind him, filled with mockery.

Song Zhishi, feeling both angry and embarrassed, glared at his father: "Am I wrong? Xiao Zhen has been using her all along. First, he used the Tongs to help them manufacture guns, then he used Aman's archery skills to kill bandits and enemies. Now, Aman's survival makes the Xiaos look wise, but if she dies in battle, will Xiao Zhen remember her as I do? He would surely forget her and take a new wife!"

Song Lan did not argue with his son about this, but said with a faint smile: "I am not Aman's mentor, and you are not her suitable match. Back then, you only managed to win her slight affection with your looks and a bit of knowledge. In peaceful times, perhaps Aman could be deceived by you forever, but in these turbulent times, your limited knowledge won't keep her interested for long, and your arrogance and self-righteousness will make her regret marrying you and eventually leave you."

Song Zhishi: "..."

Song Lan asked calmly, "Can't you see that even though I broke up your relationship, Aman still respects me? She has no feelings for you anymore. If you continue to offend and provoke her husband, Aman will only grow to hate you more."

The image of Tong Sui's glare flashed in Song Zhishi's mind.

During their childhood years, he once impulsively held Tong Sui's hand. She immediately pulled away, stepping back several paces and giving him a stern look.

At that time, Tong Sui's cheeks were flushed, her eyes filled with annoyance and more so, embarrassment.

But just now, during dinner, her gaze held only disdain and hatred.

Song Lan let his son calm down for a moment before asking, "Do you know why I only visited Aman's parents and not Old Master Xiao, even though their families live next to each other?"

Song Zhishi replied absentmindedly, "Xiao's new army makes up nearly a third of the current forces. Father is afraid General Han might suspect your loyalty to the Xiaos."

Song Lan sighed with relief, "I'm glad you haven't lost your wits completely. General Han already has Wei Qi as his advisor. I've only been serving him for less than a year, and although he values me, his trust in me is far less than in Wei Qi. Persuading the Xiaos to surrender was a significant achievement, but the Xiaos are a family of tigers, and they have trained those four thousand soldiers exceptionally well, exceeding everyone's expectations. General Han appreciates talent, but Wei Qi will remind him to be wary of the Xiaos' growing power. If we get too close to the Xiaos, it will harm both them and us."

Song Zhishi thought of the Xiao brothers, each one strong and imposing, standing behind Old Master Xiao, their presence not inferior to that of General Han and his generals.

He said, "They control seven counties but haven't declared themselves kings, so they probably don't have the audacity to betray General Han."

Song Lan said, "We are not very familiar with the Xiaos, let alone General Han and his people. We can only proceed cautiously and test the waters as we go."

—

After seeing off the Song family, Tong Sui and her husband returned to the eastern courtyard.

The women and children had finished eating and gone back to their rooms, leaving only the old master, Xiao Shouyi, and the young men in the hall.

Xiao Ye ran over to fetch a chair for Tong Sui.

Seeing this, Xiao She also fetched a chair for his second brother.

Xiao Yan said, "Second Brother, look, it's still the fifth brother who cares for you. The fourth brother only has eyes for his wife."

Xiao Zhen replied, "Better than having no eyes at all."

Qiao Changshun and Qiao Changan burst into laughter.

Xiao Yan: "..."

The old master said, "Enough, keep it down, don't disturb the children's sleep."

Everyone quieted down and sat up straight, looking at the old master.

The old master asked Xiao Zhen, "Did Mr. Song say anything?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "He was mostly reminiscing, didn't mention any military matters."

Xiao Yan snorted, "A scholar indeed. Grandfather is now the Right General, living right next door, and he doesn't even come to pay his respects."

The old master ignored him, scanning the others and asking his eldest grandson to explain why Mr. Song didn't come.

Qiao Changshun moved his chair next to Xiao Yan and gave a detailed analysis.

Xiao Yan: "...No wonder scholars have minds like beehives."

The old master said, "Better to have more than less, otherwise, you won't even know how you died. Since you're not as smart as them, learn to speak less and remember more. When you meet Mr. Song outside, just nod in greeting. No one should try to get close to him. Except for Aman, since you have a teacher-student relationship, you can interact normally."

Tong Sui said, "Grandfather, rest assured, I know my limits."

After discussing the Song family, the old master mentioned the Prince of Dai and the Prince of Shun in Shuozhou: "Today is the first day. According to reports, the two rebel princes have joined forces and seem unwilling to surrender. Shuozhou, being the rear of Da Tong and the northern gateway to Tai Yuan, has always been a strategic location. The city walls are built to be thirty-six feet high, making it easy to defend and hard to attack."

Qiao Changan said, "Indeed, when we traveled around the area, we stayed in Shuozhou for several days. The city walls there are much stronger than those of our seven counties, with fortified gates. Even if we breach the gates, they can station enough archers on the walls of the gate towers to trap us like fish in a barrel, turning us into porcupines. So, the Prince of Dai's ability to hold Shuozhou does show some skill, unlike the Li brothers."

Xiao Yan moved his lips, fearing another scolding from the old master, and held back.

Xiao Ye asked, "Grandfather, since Shuozhou is so difficult to capture, why did you volunteer to lead the attack?"

He wasn't afraid of the battle, but he was concerned about the four thousand newly trained soldiers from the seven counties. Siege warfare was extremely brutal.

Xiao Mu said, "As the main force moves south, the reinforcements from the capital will increase, and the generals we encounter will become more formidable, possibly matching General Han. Our Right Army is new. If we don't strive to stand out and just follow the main force in battle, General Han won't value us. If he doesn't value us, when we face a tough challenge and need someone to lead the charge, the Right Army will be his first choice. Compared to the heavily fortified strongholds in the south, is Shuozhou, occupied by two rebel princes, really a tough challenge?"

The men chorused, "No!"

Xiao Mu: "Make it clear to the troops tomorrow morning that this battle is not only to prove the strength of our Right Army but also a true test, one where lives are at stake. Those who fear can choose to return home; we won’t force anyone."

"Yes, sir!"

The next morning, Tong Sui accompanied the old man on his inspection of the camp.

The seven commanders had already briefed the soldiers as instructed by the old man, giving them the whole morning to consider their options.

The grandfather and granddaughter strolled leisurely through the camp, and only a few soldiers noticed them immediately. Most were engrossed in discussions.

"War will surely claim lives, but it’s a matter of whose life it takes. I fear death, but I fear even more that I won’t be able to farm peacefully if I go back home. What if there’s another famine or bandits? I alone can’t protect my family. Death will come eventually, so why not die on the battlefield? With General Xiao and General Han’s reputation, they’ll certainly provide compensation to our families. If I survive, I might earn enough war merits to ensure my family never worries about food or clothing again."

"That’s true. The timid starve to death, while the bold thrive. In the past, I feared conscription because there was no pay. Now, a month’s pay is equivalent to a year’s farming income. Why not give it a try?"

"I haven’t thought about that. Our lives were saved by Old General Xiao. If we all leave out of fear, he won’t have enough troops, and General Han’s men will mock him. Wouldn’t that make us ungrateful?"

"I’m from Pine Village. That night, it was Second Master and his men who saved our entire village. My life belongs to the Xiao family now. Even if they ask me to die, I would do so willingly!"

"I’m from Huai County. The first time I followed Li Gang to attack Wei County, I was captured by the Xiao family. They didn’t kill me; instead, they assigned me to hard labor, ensuring I was well-fed and clothed. Later, they officially enlisted me as a soldier, giving me the same pay as the others from Wei County. Given that the Xiao family never lied to me, I am willing to follow them."

"I’m just a common soldier, but my brother serves as a bodyguard for Second Lady. He says that during the city defense, Second Lady shot arrows until her arm couldn’t lift anymore, yet she didn’t retreat. She took turns with Old General Xiao, rushing to the front to shoot down enemy soldiers. If Second Lady can do it, why should I, a grown man, be afraid?"

"Don’t boast about being a grown man in front of Second Lady. Even if we line up, we wouldn’t be enough for her to use as targets."

Someone suddenly coughed.

The circle of soldiers followed his gaze and saw the old man and Second Lady standing a few steps away.

The soldiers quickly stood up, straightening their backs and looking serious.

Xiao Mu smiled and said, "It’s rest time now. Sit down if you want; there’s no need to be tense."

The soldiers remained in their military stance.

Xiao Mu walked over, his gaze sweeping across each young face. "Are you really not afraid?"

The soldiers answered in unison, "Not afraid! We swear to follow the general to the death!"

Soldiers several dozen steps away heard the commotion, peered over, and stood up, joining in the chant, "Not afraid! We swear to follow the general to the death!"

Soldiers a hundred steps away also stood up and joined in.

Like a stone thrown into a lake, the six words "We swear to follow the general to the death" rippled outward through the Right Army, echoing endlessly.