Chapter 215

Chapter 215

In the third year of the Xingping era, in late February.

The weeping willows in Luoyang were starting to turn green, and tiny, round flower buds were peeking out from the peony bushes.

At the morning court, the Xingping Emperor announced that Great Yu would launch a northern expedition against Wu Country to avenge last year's border raids, during which Wu Country harassed the frontier, seized grain, and killed civilians.

For this purpose, the Xingping Emperor appointed Feng Ji as the Commander of the Northern Expedition, placing him in command of 300,000 border troops in Da Tong, Jizhou, and Liaozhou. Generals Zhao Liangchen of Da Tong and Chen Wang of Liaozhou were to follow Feng Ji's orders. Additionally, the Emperor assigned the Marquis of Yong'an as the supervising officer, leading 50,000 cavalry from the Southern Camp to reinforce the northern front.

These were the public orders.

After court, the Xingping Emperor called the two prime ministers and several trusted military officers to the imperial study and asked the Marquis of Yong'an, "Do you know why I am sending you to supervise the northern troops?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "Your Majesty wants to use this opportunity to train the 50,000 cavalry of the Southern Camp."

The Xingping Emperor said, "If it were only to train the cavalry, Lu Gong and Luo Xiao, who are more familiar with the northern situation, would be more suitable for this supervisory role than you."

Fan Zhao grumbled, "I could do it too. I can tell where those Wu barbarians are hiding just by smelling the wind on the grasslands."

The Xingping Emperor shot him a sideways glance and handed Xiao Zhen a rolled-up secret imperial decree. "In this northern expedition, although we are sending 300,000 border troops from Great Yu, the real main force is only the 150,000 troops under Feng Ji and the 70,000 under Chen Wang. General Zhao Liangchen needs to guard against Lü Sheng and can only send reinforcements in critical moments. I include him for two reasons: to boost our army's morale and to ensure Chen Wang follows Feng Ji's orders."

If Chen Wang resented taking orders from Feng Ji, it could cause internal strife. Having Zhao Liangchen there would help Chen Wang save face.

Fan Zhao snorted, "That old man Chen Wang previously benefited from the Emperor's favor in battles. Without the Emperor's grace, could he have defended Liaozhou well on his own? Instead of being grateful, he became arrogant. I really wish I could beat him up myself."

The others ignored him and continued listening to the Emperor.

The Xingping Emperor said to Xiao Zhen, "If Chen Wang follows Feng Ji's commands, I believe Feng Ji can win this war and force Wu Country to submit. However, I'm concerned that Chen Wang might cause trouble. Therefore, I'm giving you this secret decree. If Chen Wang disobeys Feng Ji's orders or colludes with Wu Country, you have the authority to act first and report later."

When he led his troops south, Lü Sheng, Zhao Liangchen, Chen Wang, and Huang Qilin all refused to obey Imperial Uncle Dou's commands and held their troops back. The four generals supported him in eliminating the traitors, but each had their reasons for watching the conflict from a distance. Among them, Zhao Liangchen had a personal relationship with him. For the sake of righteousness and personal ties, Zhao Liangchen provided him with geographical maps of Jinzhou and even sent a son to assist him. After he ascended the throne, Zhao Liangchen fully cooperated with his national policies, demonstrating his loyalty.

However, Lü Sheng, Chen Wang, and Huang Qilin resisted him at every turn because they refused to surrender their families' ill-gotten wealth.

The Xingping Emperor understood that taking away someone's wealth is like killing their parents. However, he raised troops to free the people of the northern regions from the oppression of corrupt officials and traitors. If he only executed Imperial Uncle Dou but allowed the three generals who had supported him to continue their tyranny on the frontier, how could he be considered a wise ruler?

The Xingping Emperor had not forgotten the merits of these three men. He considered continuing to employ them, but the prerequisite was that they had to be good officials and good generals; otherwise, they would become three smaller versions of Imperial Uncle Dou.

In this case, the Xingping Emperor also gave Chen Wang a chance. As long as Chen Wang followed Feng Ji's commands and focused on the campaign against Wu Country, Xiao Zhen's 50,000 cavalry would purely gain battlefield experience. If Chen Wang allowed his resentment over his wealth and land to affect his judgment or even lead to treason, Xiao Zhen would be the blade sent to eliminate Chen Wang.

"Lu Gong and the others are my trusted old subordinates. If I sent them, Chen Wang would be on high alert. You, however, come from the countryside and are young; Chen Wang might underestimate you. I know you are both wise and brave, making you the best choice for this mission."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhen knelt with the imperial decree in both hands and said, "I am grateful for Your Majesty's trust. I will keep an eye on Chen Wang and live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

Because the Xingping Emperor and Xiao Zhen kept their plans tightly under wraps, it was only today that Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, and the other commanders of the Southern Camp learned they were going to fight against Wu Country.

When they were single, they only thought of building their careers. Now that they are married and have enjoyed a year of peace and prosperity, some are reluctant to leave.

However, despite their reluctance, military orders are like mountains. Moreover, the Southern Camp was built by the Xiao Family. This battle is crucial for the honor of the 50,000 cavalry in the Southern Camp and the reputation of the Xiao Family. All the men were filled with determination.

At dawn, the female relatives led by Madam He stopped at the entrance of the two estates. Tong Sui and the elder would ride horses and accompany them all the way to the Southern Camp.

Turning the corner of the alley, Xiao Yan reluctantly withdrew his gaze and, looking up, saw that Fourth Son had just turned the corner as well.

Xiao Yan ribbed him, "What's up? You used to tease me and Second Brother for being homesick. Now that you're married, you're the one who's reluctant to leave on a distant campaign?"

Xiao Ye replied, "It's not that I'm reluctant. I just want to see Mianmian and Yao Ge Er before I go."

Xiao Yan: "Ah, you truly are the best uncle and best brother-in-law in our family."

Xiao Ye: "I only care about being the best grandson."

With that, he urged his horse closer to the old man and said with a flattering tone, "Grandfather, I told Mingxiu to take good care of you while I'm away."

Xiao Mu: "I’m still spry enough to take care of myself, so don’t you worry about me. Just look after yourself out there."

Xiao She: "I don’t want to leave you. Second Brother and the others have enough people; I want to stay in the capital."

Xiao Mu: "No ambition! You're twenty-one now, and it’s time to step up. Why are you hanging around here when you should be out there fighting? At home, I teach Xiaoshan and a few others martial arts, enjoying good food and a comfortable life. Seeing you just reminds me I need to worry about finding you a wife."

Xiao She: "I’m not in a hurry to get married."

Xiao Mu: "The problem is you’re not in a hurry."

Xiao She: "..."

The grandsons chatted casually, while Tong Sui rode beside Xiao Zhen, occasionally exchanging smiles.

Fifty thousand cavalry were already assembled outside the Southern Camp, ready for departure.

At this moment, Xiao Ye rode up to Tong Sui, looking a bit sheepish as he said, "Second Sister-in-law, Mingxiu has only been married for half a year and might feel embarrassed to speak up if something happens. Please keep an extra eye on her."

Tong Sui smiled. "Don’t worry, I treat Mingxiu even better than you."

Xiao Ye: "That won’t do. I’m your real brother-in-law; you have to put me before her."

Xiao Zhen gave him a sharp flick with his whip from a distance.

Xiao Ye rode off, and Xiao Yan approached, glancing at his too-close second brother before whispering, "Second Sister-in-law, Fourth Sister-in-law at least has her family here, but Ningfang has no one. Please look out for her, in case my mother gives her trouble again."

Tong Sui: "Even more no need to worry, Second Aunt now treats Ningfang even better than Yu Chan."

Xiao Yan: "It’s different; she likes you more."

After Xiao Yan left, Xiao She came over. With no wife of his own, he hoped the second sister-in-law would take good care of the old man.

Tong Sui: "There’s nothing to worry about in the capital. What the old man worries about most is all of you. Once you get there, remember to listen to Second Brother and don’t act on your own."

Xiao She nodded firmly and headed to his cavalry unit.

The Xiao family uncles and nephews ran towards the formation. Tong Gui, Sun Dian, Qiao Changan, Zhang Wengong, and Qi Yun, who had stayed in the camp last night, rode over.

For Tong Sui, Tong Gui was her brother, and Zhang Wengong was her brother-in-law. A single glance was enough to convey their thoughts.

Sun Dian asked Tong Sui to take care of his son, though everyone knew he was most concerned about Liu Chu.

Qi Yun was the only one who had joined the old man midway. After saying goodbye to the old man, he waited aside until everyone finished talking, then returned to his formation.

Tong Sui watched as the young men rode away, their backs growing smaller in the distance. She then looked at the fifty thousand cavalry, most of whom she had seen before. Some had followed the Xiao family from Weixian, some had been incorporated from the seven counties of Shuozhou, and others had surrendered from the court. But by the time they reached Luoyang, they had all become soldiers who would follow the Xiao family through life and death.

This time, Tong Sui believed Xiao Zhen would continue to lead them to victory, but she also knew that some would leave their lives on the grasslands, never to return.

Xiao Mu led his two grandsons and granddaughter-in-law to the front of the fifty thousand soldiers. Opening his mouth, his voice boomed like a bell, "Last year, we fought against traitors, and sadly, we were forced to fight our own kin who had been manipulated by them. This time, the Emperor has ordered you to fight against the Wu country, to strike against those wolves who stole our grain and slaughtered our villages. I ask you—do you fear this battle?"

Fifty thousand soldiers responded in unison, "Not afraid!"

Xiao Mu: "I'm not afraid either! But I'm old and can't keep up with the journey. I've spent over seventy years accumulating the passion to defend our home and country, but I don't have the strength to go with you to the frontier! I can only send my sons and grandsons to go with you. I believe they can lead you to drive out the enemies in the northern regions. I believe all fifty thousand of you young and able-bodied men will earn glory for the country in this battle. Am I right?"

"Yes!"

Xiao Mu: "Then go, go and serve the Emperor, go and protect your homes and country, go and fulfill your ambitions! This old man will wait in the capital city for your triumphant return!"

"Serve the Emperor!"

"Protect our homes and country!"

Amidst the roar of voices rising to the heavens, the fifty thousand cavalrymen charged northward.

"Take care, Grandfather."

Xiao Zhen knelt and kowtowed three times to the old man, glanced at Tong Sui again, and rode away.

He charged into the cavalry, and before long, all fifty thousand cavalrymen had vanished, leaving only layers of dust slowly dispersing in the spring breeze.

The sound of hooves faded, leaving the surroundings quiet.

Xiao Mu gazed at the distant horizon where the yellow sands could still be seen, smiled, and murmured to himself, "Time passes like smoke, time passes like smoke ah."

No matter how grand the smoke may rise, it will eventually settle.

Tong Sui supported the old man and as they walked towards their horses, she said, "It's already quite something that we've followed you all the way from Wei County to Luoyang, seeing so many mountains and rivers."

Xiao Mu: "You're right. Perhaps your grandfather is being greedy today."

Even after achieving so much, I’m still greedy for the youth’s passion and for more time.

Tong Sui: "If you really wanted nothing, you'd become an old sage, and an old sage wouldn't want a granddaughter-in-law like me."

Xiao Mu laughed: "If I don't want, it doesn't matter. As long as the second son likes you."

Tong Sui: "..."

The grandfather and granddaughter bantered on the way home, making the journey feel less empty.

But with so many people leaving at once, the family felt subdued during dinner that evening.

This somber mood lingered for two weeks, and when the peonies in the Marquis’s residence garden began to bloom, Lin Ningfang was found to be pregnant by Jiang Shi, who had come to admire the flowers.

Madam He was so happy that she jumped for joy, and it was the first time the old man had smiled at his typically boisterous daughter-in-law.