Chapter 277

Chapter 277

Xiao Zhen wasn’t completely neglecting his brothers. As winter arrived, he sent letters to the generals stationed in Yizhou, Nanzhou, and Qianzhou, telling them that only one person needed to remain on duty this year, while the others could return to the capital for reporting and to spend the New Year. They could switch roles next winter.

Although the journey was still two or three thousand miles long, young and strong military officers could ride horses, and those in a hurry to return home could change horses at post stations to cover six hundred miles a day. This was much better than having the women in the capital endure the bumpy ride in carriages for one or two months, as they were frail and prone to illness, causing both discomfort and worry for their husbands.

Besides the long journey, there was also the issue of bandits. Although the generals had suppressed the visible bandits and the unruly gentry and powerful families with their troops, the mountainous regions of the three states might still harbor small groups of bandits. No wife would dare to take this risk, and no husband would allow his wife to take such a risk.

In any case, the emperor had said that the sooner the three states were stabilized, the sooner they could send troops to attack the Ling Kingdom. After defeating the Ling Kingdom, they could return to the capital.

Therefore, the generals who couldn’t see their wives dedicated themselves fully to their duties. They dealt with officials who refused to submit to the court and with gentry and powerful families who obstructed the implementation of new policies. These troublemakers were few in number, and even if they gathered a few thousand able-bodied men, they were no match for the imperial army. The majority of the people supported the court and the new policies, and from time to time, simple and honest people would bring home-grown melons and fruits to the generals' residences.

Time flew by as they stayed busy, and soon it was winter in the sixth year of Yong'an.

This year, Qiao Chang'an returned from Yizhou, Qi Yun and Tong Gui from Qianzhou, and Xiao She from Nanzhou.

The New Year’s Eve celebration in the palace had even more royal relatives and children than the one in the first year of Yong'an. Among the children, Xiao Yan and Lin Ningfang’s eldest son, Huai Zu, was the oldest at seven years old, followed by the five-year-old Cheng Zu, and the youngest was the little princess Yining, who was just seven or eight months old, born in April.

Of course, there was also a big child in the Xiao family, Mianmian, who was seventeen years old and gently took care of her younger siblings, making sure to look after each one of them.

The children played in the West Warm Pavilion, while the adults, including Tong Sui, spoke in the East Warm Pavilion.

Qiao Chang'an, envious of Xiao She, said, "According to Sun Dian, you returned to the capital last December, so why is it you again this year?"

Xiao She looked at his wife and said, "My father-in-law didn’t want to travel, but I’m young, so I don’t mind the journey."

He had married Lu Qiu in the second year of Yong'an.

Madam He spoke on behalf of her son, "Our fifth son is fortunate in his simplicity. Not only do Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law take care of him, but now he also has a father-in-law looking out for him."

Lu Qiu glanced over and continued playing cards with the other daughters-in-law.

Madam He peeled a mandarin for her daughter-in-law, and then peeled another for the elder daughter-in-law sitting next to her. Looking up, she met her daughter’s gaze and smiled, "Don’t worry, I’ll peel one for you next."

Xiao Yuchan humphed, "Never mind, I knew it. Now, you only have eyes for Third Sister-in-law and the younger sisters-in-law. A mandarin that’s forced isn’t sweet. I want one just for me."

The implication was quite obvious. Qi Yun smiled and grabbed a handful of small mandarins from the fruit tray, walking over to her side, peeling them one by one.

He had married Xiao Yuchan in the third year of Yong'an.

Madam He looked at this handsome son-in-law and sighed, "In the end, I’m the most blessed. Both of my daughters-in-law are top-notch, and my son-in-law is exceptionally handsome and capable."

Xiao Yan said, "First, there are good sons, then there are good daughters-in-law."

Xiao Yuchan said, "Exactly, without me, where would you find a good son-in-law?"

Xiao She: "..."

Tong Sui looked at Yan Mingxiu. She must be missing her husband, but last year, both Qi Yun and Tong Gui didn’t return, faithfully guarding Qianzhou. This year, as long as Xiao Ye didn’t cause any trouble while on duty, she would be content.

Tong Sui peeled a mandarin for both Liu Chu and Yan Mingxiu, ensuring everyone had a sweet treat.

After the fifth day of the first lunar month, Qiao Chang'an, Qi Yun, Tong Gui, and Xiao She would leave the capital. The four came together to bid farewell to the emperor and empress.

Xiao Zhen said to Qiao Chang'an, "After you return, continue to defend Yizhou. Have Sun Dian transport the grain and supplies by water to Yucheng, and from there to Qianzhou, ready to advance on Jiaozhou with Fourth Son and the others."

Qiao Changan: "Yes."

Xiao Zhen spoke to Xiao She again, "You don't need to return to South State. Go directly to Qinzhou with Qi Yun and Tong Gui. Among the five of you, Qi Yun is the Grand General. You can handle personal matters as you see fit, but when it comes to military formations and strategies, you must follow Qi Yun's lead. Anyone who causes delays will face military discipline."

Both Xiao She and Tong Gui accepted their orders.

Xiao Zhen finally looked at Qi Yun. "The campaign begins on the second day of the second month. The Ling Kingdom's defeat is inevitable. Try to persuade the enemy generals to surrender. Just like when we took Jinzhou before, for every city we capture, we will reform the local administration and distribute land to the impoverished farmers during the army's rest period to ensure the smooth implementation of the new policies."

Post-war was the best time to break old rules and implement new policies. Xiao Zhen was confident about this campaign against the Ling Kingdom and decided to manage the governance while fighting. If the war situation changed, adjustments could be made on the spot.

Qi Yun: "Yes."

Their secret scouts had spent the last two years gathering information about the troop deployments in Jiao State and the backgrounds and characters of the city's defenders. Once the Emperor ordered the simultaneous advance of the armies from Hezhou, Jianghan, Jingzhou, and Qinzhou, the Ling Kingdom would become a turtle in a jar. As the saying goes, a wise person knows when to change sides. There were already defenders in Jiao State who had secretly pledged allegiance to the court.

The situation in Jiao State suggested that other states in the Ling Kingdom likely had similar wait-and-see generals. After all, it was clear to anyone with eyes that the Ling Kingdom was no match for the Wei Kingdom.

The four generals, including Qi Yun, returned to Yizhou and Qinzhou to prepare for the war. Xiao Zhen would personally lead the expedition again on the eighth day of the first lunar month.

With 200,000 troops already deployed in the four southern states, Xiao Zhen decided to bring only the 50,000 cavalry from the Southern Camp this time. Once they crossed the river by warships, these 50,000 cavalry would be unstoppable as they pursued the Ling Kingdom's infantry.

Xiao Shouyi and Qi Heng would be in charge of the eastern and western camps, respectively, and continue to stay behind in the capital with Zhang Wengong.

Xiao Yan and Qi Ling would accompany the army. As for Zhao Jin...

Xiao Zhen had no intention of bringing him, but Zhao Jin came to recommend himself eagerly.

Tong Sui smiled. "To attack the Ling Kingdom, you'll have to cross the river by ship. You can't even last the time it takes to drink a cup of tea on the ship, and when you get to shore, you probably won't be able to fight."

Zhao Jin: "Don't worry, I'll just lie on the supply cart for half a day, regain my strength, and then catch up with the vanguard."

The unification of the world by the Emperor was a great achievement destined to be recorded in history. The first time he followed the Xingping Emperor to attack Liang, they barely won, and it wasn't much to boast about. Last time, the Emperor won against Liang, but he hadn't participated. Now, with only the Ling Kingdom left, if Zhao Jin didn't go now, he might as well not have lived at all.

"Your Majesty, please take me with you. I may not be as good as Qi Ling at climbing walls, but I dare to guarantee that even Qi Ling and Qi Yun together can't outrun me on horseback when chasing enemies!"

Xiao Zhen: "If you dare to say that in front of Qi Ling, I'll take you."

Zhao Jin: ...

Xiao Zhen waved his hand. "Go prepare. We depart early tomorrow morning."

Zhao Jin happily said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

At 34 years old, he was so excited that he ran out.

Tong Sui couldn't help but say, "He's just like when he first met us in Shuozhou."

Xiao Zhen: "Is that so? Among us, who do you think has changed?"

Tong Sui thought about it.

Xiao Yan was still as quick-tempered, Xiao Ye as sharp and flippant, and Xiao She as simple-minded.

Liu Chu remained as gentle as water, Lin Ningfang as serene as an orchid, and Xiao Yuchan as proud as a golden phoenix among common birds.

Including the steady and modest Zhang Wengong, the shrewd but down-to-earth second brother, the rough but detailed Sun Dian, and the smooth and experienced Qiao brothers...

Over a decade had passed. Everyone had grown older and become parents, yet it seemed like no one had really changed.

Tong Sui’s gaze suddenly shifted to Xiao Zhen’s face.

He seemed to have been looking at her all along with those narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes that had already revealed their authority back in Lingshui Village.

From being the grandson of a retired military officer to becoming the emperor revered by the subjects of the Great Wei Dynasty, and from a valiant commander who led two hundred men to suppress bandits at Imprisoned Dragon Ridge to leading over a hundred thousand troops to conquer enemy states, Xiao Zhen was probably the one who’d changed the most.

But when they were together as a couple, he still treated her with the same attentive care and warmth, covering her with blankets in the winter and fanning her in the summer...

"I have changed."

Tong Sui finally said.

Xiao Zhen raised an eyebrow and gave her a once-over. "Yeah, you’re even more beautiful than when you were eighteen."

Tong Sui shot him a playful glance and lowered her eyes with a smile. "I’ve grown to love you even more."

When they first married, she had been content with Xiao Zhen’s looks and family status, without any strong feelings either way, just focused on getting through each day.

Now, Tong Sui knew without a doubt that her heart was overflowing with love for him.