Chapter 140

Chapter 140

"Report to the general, it's past noon, and not a single one of the more than forty thousand soldiers in the right flank has left the camp."

The soldier knelt before the hall, reporting with a firm expression.

Fan Zhao widened his eyes: "Not a single one?"

The soldier replied, "Yes, I have verified this multiple times; indeed, not a single one has left."

General Lu Gong said, "It's understandable. There must be cowards, but most of the soldiers chose to stay. If a few had left, they would have admitted to being cowards, and their pride wouldn't allow them to follow their true thoughts, so they hesitated until noon passed."

General Feng Ji said, "Just like on the battlefield, when everyone charges forward, even the fearful can only harden their resolve and follow the crowd. Once there is a deserter, one will bring ten, and ten will quickly become a hundred, until the entire army collapses. But to think that after only about half a year, the right flank has developed such a determined spirit. It shows that General Xiao and the other officers treat their soldiers well."

Han Zongping sighed, "If all the commanders of our Great Zhou could do the same, how could rebels of all sizes find opportunities to rise?"

Wei Qi said, "With corrupt officials in power, local civil and military officials either flatter or are framed, and over time, only parasites remain. If the empire is a tree that has grown for thousands of years, the court is the heart of the tree. Once parasites fill the heart, they will spread along the branches. The general must first eliminate the parasites in the heart to cut off their source, then gradually clear the parasites from the branches, and finally rejuvenate the entire ancient tree."

Song Lan and the other generals all nodded.

Han Zongping looked at the map of the northern region hanging on the wall.

The small Wei County was almost directly north of the capital of Great Zhou, separated by more than fifteen hundred miles.

If the empire were a tree, they had just begun to clean a few branches at the treetop, while the capital was still infested with dark parasites. In between, some large and small locusts thought they were enemies of the parasites, but in fact, they were also devouring the remaining tender branches and green leaves on the tree.

The two rebel kings in Shuozhou would be the first locust they would encounter on their southward journey.

"Call Xiao Mu over."

"Yes!"

—

After returning from Han Zongping, Xiao Mu called his deputy, Xiao Zhen, and the seven commanders. Tong Sui remained with the old man, so there was no need to invite her.

The maps of the seven counties and the cities occupied by the Dailun and Shunwang had long been hung up. Xiao Mu pointed to the circle of more than ten counties surrounding Shuozhou and said, "Tomorrow, General Han will lead the left and central armies to attack the counties of Yuan, Ling, Ping, and Fan from east to west. Since we volunteered, the general ordered us to divide into three routes, advancing from Lu County, Yin County, and Dai County to Shuozhou, ultimately surrounding Shuozhou City from four sides with the main force in Chixian."

Xiao Ye smiled, "No wonder it's General Han. I really thought he wanted to hand over all these cities to us to capture. Don't underestimate these counties; almost all the passes and strongholds in Jinzhou are difficult to attack. We might not know when we could capture them alone."

Xiao Mu said, "General Han acts for the public good; there's no need to doubt his sincerity in accepting us. Focus on capturing Shuozhou."

Next, Xiao Mu began to assign the commanders for the three routes.

"Fourth Brother knows Yuxian well. You and Chang'an and Wengong will lead the troops south from Yuxian to attack Luxian in the north of Shuozhou."

"Changshun knows Yingxian well. You and Second Brother and Sun Dian will attack Yinxian from Yingxian."

"Shouyi and Third Brother will accompany me to attack Daixian."

Qiao Changshun said, "General, attacking Daixian requires passing through Yanmen Pass. You only have two battalions. Is that enough? Why not let Second Brother join you? Sun Dian and I can handle Yinxian."

Xiao Mu said, "Do you think Yinxian is easy to capture? Without your Second Brother, you and Sun Dian have at most a thirty percent chance of success."

Xiao Ye said, "Luxian..."

Xiao Mu said, "None of you should underestimate your opponents."

After assigning the routes, they discussed more specific tactics until nightfall.

Xiao Zhen, Xiao Ye, Xiao She, the Qiao brothers, and Sun Wei stayed in the camp, while the others rode into Wei County.

On the way, Xiao Shouyi rode ahead alone, Zhang Wengong accompanied Tong Sui, and Xiao Yan and Sun Dian rode side by side at the back.

Xiao Yan, mindful of his father ahead, lowered his voice and asked Sun Dian, "Coming to our place for a free meal again?"

Sun Dian raised an eyebrow and countered, "Can't I?"

Xiao Yan nodded toward Tong Sui's back, "It's up to Second Sister-in-law. Our inner quarters are managed by her, and even First Sister-in-law listens to her."

Tong Sui could hear their conversation.

The army was leaving tomorrow, and Sun Dian wanted to see Liu Chu.

Tong Sui only promised to relay the message, but whether to fulfill Sun Dian's request was up to Liu Chu.

When they reached the entrance of the two courtyards, Tong Sui accompanied Zhang Wengong to the eastern courtyard.

Zhou Qing ran out, anxiously asking, "Why isn't your second brother back?"

Tong Sui smiled bitterly, "Second Brother said Mother will definitely cry tonight, and he doesn't want to see it. He'll come back after capturing Shuozhou."

After capturing Shuozhou, the army would rest, and General Han mentioned visiting General Zhao in Da Tong. It would take at least five or six days, giving the family another chance to meet.

Zhou Qing cried and scolded, pushing her husband to go to the camp and bring back her nephew.

Tong Youyu felt a pang of sadness, "If he doesn't want to come back, forget it. Isn't Aman enough for you to worry about?"

Tong Sui, fearing her mother's tears, hurriedly stood beside Zhou Jingchun and asked, "Grandfather, have you packed your bags?"

Three generations of the Zhou family, all doctors, would serve as military physicians.

Tong Sui didn't want her grandfather to go, but Xiao Mu, who was over seventy, refused to admit his age, and Zhou Jingchun, who was in his sixties, insisted on going.

Zhou Jingchun said, "We're packed, and there's one more person."

Before Tong Sui could react, Zhou Gui squeezed between the two, holding her arm and said, "Sister, I've convinced Mother to let me accompany you on the campaign."

Tong Sui was shocked, "What are you going to do? Do you know how dangerous the camp is?"

After saying that, she instinctively looked at Zhang Wengong, feeling that her cousin was going for the sake of her beloved.

Zhang Wengong always obeyed Zhou Gui, but this time he frowned and opposed, "The Second Lady is accompanying the army to help the general ease his worries. What are you going to do? No nonsense."

Zhou Gui glared at him, "Who's being nonsensical? Sister is helping Old Master Xiao, and I am helping Sister. All the doctors in the camp are men. If Sister gets injured on the battlefield, even having Grandfather help bandage her would be inconvenient. I know medicine too, so I can take care of Sister up close and free up a doctor to save more soldiers."

Misunderstanding, Zhang Wengong suddenly blushed, while Tong Sui, touched by her cousin's concern, felt a lump in her throat.

Jiang Shi said, "If Ah Xiang wants to go, let her. You two sisters can look out for each other, which will give us more peace of mind at home."

Actually, it made sense for her to go, but besides caring for her sister, she must also want to be closer to her future son-in-law. Why should she oppose it?

Since five people in the family were already going, one more wouldn't make much difference. If they all stayed outside, she would follow them.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Wengong stammered, "Second Master and the others are busy. Since, well, I'll head back to the camp."

He wanted to say goodbye to his fiancée but was too embarrassed, so he was called back by the Second Lady.

Now, learning that his fiancée would also accompany the army, he felt both worried and happy, thinking that if he could see her later, he might as well hurry to the camp to help.

Jiang Shi said, "Why the rush? Finish your meal first. We have many things to tell you too."

Tong Sui also had dinner here before returning to the West Court, promising her mother to come over later, and they would sleep together tonight.

The West Court was unusually quiet, with only Lin Ningfang and Liu Chu sitting in the main hall. When they saw Tong Sui arrive, both stood up.

Tong Sui asked, puzzled, "Where are the aunts?"

Liu Chu lowered her head, her cheeks flushing.

Lin Ningfang explained, "Aunt said that there has been enough talk of farewell these past two days. She asked us to stay with you a bit longer and go to bed early."

She subtly gave Tong Sui a look.

Tong Sui understood; Aunt Xiao wanted to fulfill Sun Dian's wish. If the whole family were here, how could Liu Chu face Sun Dian?

Looking at Liu Chu, regardless of whether it was for the sake of an old friend or something else, she was willing to bid farewell to Sun Dian, who was about to set off.

The front courtyard housed two servants, and meeting there would be inappropriate...

Tong Sui had a thought and said to Lin Ningfang, "Is Third Master resting? I need to find Sun Dian. Could you ask Third Master to call him for me?"

Lin Ningfang smiled and agreed, then said to Liu Chu, "Once Sun Dian comes, I'll send Third Master back. You two can talk in the main hall, and I'll stay outside with the Second Lady, keeping the door open. The First Lady won't worry."

Liu Chu nervously retreated to a corner of the main hall.

Lin Ningfang went to find Xiao Yan.

Tong Sui continued to comfort Liu Chu, "Everyone in our family knows Sun Dian's feelings for the First Lady. Third Master and the others don't mind small details. They know the First Lady respects Sun Dian for his loyalty to Grandfather and won't say anything inappropriate."

Given Liu Chu's nature, even the rough Xiao Yan and the frivolous Xiao Ye never joked about Sun Dian in front of her.

Liu Chu lowered her eyes and nodded.

Xiao Yan quickly called Sun Dian, who walked into the main hall. Xiao Yan stood in the yard, giving Lin Ningfang a meaningful look from beside Tong Sui.

Lin Ningfang said, "I'll keep the Second Lady company. You go back first."

Xiao Yan looked deeply at Tong Sui, muttering as he walked away, "We really should call Second Brother back."

Both Tong Sui and Lin Ningfang heard him, exchanged smiles, and then looked at Sun Dian, who sat opposite Liu Chu, seemingly speechless because they were there. The sisters-in-law tacitly moved a few steps aside, still under the eaves but unable to see inside.

Tong Sui whispered, "Sister-in-law, is there anything you want to tell me?"

She sensed that Lin Ningfang staying wasn't just for Liu Chu or to delay spending time alone with Xiao Yan.

Lin Ningfang took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Tong Sui, saying, "Our family has a house in the capital city, guarded by loyal servants. I thought that when the Second Lady follows Grandfather to the capital, you could visit it for me when convenient and check if everything is fine."

Tong Sui was stunned, looking at the thin letter and saying to the beauty before her, "The capital is so far away, and we don't know when we'll reach it..."

Lin Ningfang smiled gently, "There will be a day, won't there?"

The daughter of the mansion, like a magnolia blossom, her eyes full of silent blessings.

Wishing Tong Sui and the Xiao family a safe journey and a smooth entry into the capital.

Tong Sui felt warmth in her heart and hugged Lin Ningfang, "Alright, I'll definitely check the house in the capital for you and have them clean it thoroughly, waiting for your return."

Lin Ningfang's eyes welled with tears. With no family left, how could it still be called home?

But she still wanted to return, to meet Tong Sui there again.