Chapter 181: The Army Marches Out

Chapter 181 The Army Sets Out

"Pay close attention. Once the provisions are ready, we must also prepare medicinal supplies for the border," Yu Feng personally oversaw the preparations.

"Don’t worry, Lord Yu. We know what’s at stake. With the Marquis of Changyang's eldest son as the commander, our Ministry of Revenue will do everything we can to make sure supplies are plentiful," a clerk from the Ministry of Revenue said cheerfully.

Yu Feng: "Glad you get it."

Getting the supplies and weapons ready would take a few more days, leaving time for the officers and soldiers to bid farewell to their families.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, soldiers got paid around mid-month. This time, Zheng Shanci submitted a petition to the Grand Secretariat, requesting that the salaries of the officers and soldiers be issued in advance—so they could have a good meal with their families before leaving. The soldiers appreciated the Ministry’s consideration.

Five thousand elite soldiers from the suburban camp would be deployed. These soldiers, fed by the imperial court, were all literate and highly skilled in combat—any one of them could take on a regular army vanguard.

They had been trained under Emperor Wuming’s orders in the suburbs, and now, he had selected five thousand of them to accompany Yu Changxing to the border. Yu Zheng and Yu Yu served as deputy generals in the suburban camp. Having grown up on the frontier, they were eager to join the campaign upon hearing of Emperor Wuming’s decision to take on the barbarians.

The chosen five thousand elite soldiers were visibly excited—this was a major campaign, and they felt lucky to be chosen. Moreover, they’d been fed by the court for years, so serving the court now was only right.

"Wonderful, you were selected!"

"Those not chosen will continue training in the suburbs," a young soldier said dejectedly.

He was only seventeen and highly regarded by his superiors, but they still deemed him too young for the battlefield. Plenty earned titles in battle, but many more died unknown.

"Let the older guys check things out first, then we’ll take you along," the soldiers joked among themselves.

The suburban commander, seeing the rare liveliness among his men, let them have their fun. He didn’t know how many would come back from this campaign—though he wished for all, he understood it was but a vain hope.

Some would never come back.

After duty, Yu Zheng and Yu Yu returned home and informed Second Master Yu of their impending departure.

"If I weren’t so damn old, I’d join you," Second Master Yu said wistfully, missing his days on the battlefield.

Tough as it was, those were thrilling times—fighting alongside his old comrades against the barbarians.

"You’re too old for this," Lady Yu retorted sharply.

She had good reason. Second Master Yu had recently suffered from back pain, needing weekly massages, acupuncture, and medicated rubs. No sooner had his back improved than stomach troubles arose, though fortunately minor.

This was all from his younger days—skipping meals and ignoring his health, relying on sheer strength.

In the capital, there was a medicinal cuisine hall, which Lady Yu often dragged him to.

Second Master Yu said honestly after returning, "After a few days, my stomach feels much warmer."

Encouraged, Lady Yu hired a medicinal chef to cook at home.

Now, as they dined on such dishes, Second Master Yu rubbed his nose awkwardly after being scolded.

"Father need not go. I’ll accompany Changxing. He’s unfamiliar with the frontier—I can advise him on the barbarians’ tactics. Besides, I want to make a name for myself too," Yu Zheng said, clenching his fists.

"Why should you go? You hardly fought even when you were with your father. You’re not allowed," Lady Yu said dismissively, though in truth, Yu Zheng had performed well on the frontier.

She simply didn’t want him to go.

"I’ll head to the border. Yu Yu and Yu Liao can stay to fulfill their filial duties. I’m not just looking to defend—I want to push our borders further."

Second Master Yu exclaimed, "Now that’s the mark of a warrior’s son! If Yu Zheng wants to go, let him."

Cui Geer fell silent.

Yu Yu stirred restlessly, eager to volunteer.

Wei Geer yanked Yu Yu back by the sleeve, and Yu Zheng, cutting him a sharp warning look, noticed his younger brother's eagerness.

Yu Yu had no choice but to hold his tongue.

Lady Yu opened her mouth to protest, but Second Master Yu interjected, "Let him go. Otherwise, he'll regret it for the rest of his life. Yu Zheng, if you insist on going, let Changxing handle diplomacy—you’re no match for his finesse. In battle, no heroics—stay sharp. Your life isn’t the only one at stake—those soldiers have families too. As their leader, your duty is to protect them as much as possible." Second Master Yu spoke with earnest guidance.

Yu Zheng nodded. "Understood, Father."

Madam Yu sighed.

After dinner, Yu Zheng went to the study to draft his petition for battle. As he wrote, Yu Yu knocked and barged in without ceremony.

Yu Zheng kept writing, brushing him off.

Yu Yu stood by, waiting until Yu Zheng finished and set the memorial aside to dry.

"Brother," Yu Yu called.

"What? Do you want candy?" Yu Zheng glanced at him.

Yu Yu sulked. Though he was a seasoned commander outside, in front of Yu Zheng, he still seemed like a child.

"I..." Yu Yu tried to speak.

"Don’t say it," Yu Zheng said, knowing exactly what his brother wanted to say. He paused, then continued, "I’m the eldest. Our Yu family has fought the barbarians on the frontier for generations. Our ancestors’ blood has soaked the borderlands so deeply it could fill trenches. We’ve earned honor there, hereditary titles, and the trust of frontier soldiers. This time, I must go. This might be the final reckoning. If we succeed, we’ll have honored our ancestors. If we fail, I’ll have failed Cui Geer and Yu Guang—so you must take care of them for me. No one’s suffered more because of me than Cui Geer."

Yu Zheng gave a bitter laugh. "He was the heir of a powerful clan, yet he married me and followed me to the frontier. All these years, I’ve put him through hell. Now I’m leaving again, with no promise of return, no guarantee I’ll come back alive. I might be a hero to Great Yan, but not to him."

Overhearing Yu Zheng’s words during dinner, Cui Geer felt a storm of emotions. He pushed rice grains around his bowl, appetite gone. Yu Guang held his tongue—this wasn’t his place. Still, it stung.

The brothers left after the meal, followed by Madam Yu, with Second Master Yu hastily trailing after her. Cui Geer mechanically picked at his food before giving up entirely.

"Where is my husband?" Cui Geer asked.

"The master is in his study," a servant replied respectfully.

Seething, Cui Geer marched to the study, ready to confront Yu Zheng—only to find the brothers deep in conversation. At Yu Zheng’s words, his eyes welled up, leaving him at a loss.

"Don’t worry, *dage*," Yu Yu said. "I’ll take care of sister-in-law and Yu Guang. But it’d be best if you came back to do it yourself."

Yu Zheng smiled and patted his brother’s shoulder. "I’ll fight like hell to come back. You must also look after Yu Liao. He’s still young, and after years as a royal hostage, he’s finally reunited with us. As his second brother, you must shoulder the responsibility."

Yu Yu nodded solemnly.

After a while, Yu Zheng waved Yu Yu away and stayed behind to study military texts. These were the very books he’d pored over as a boy, yet he still doubted he’d mastered their depths.

Margins were crammed with his boyhood scrawls. *"Enemy’s strength wanes without battle" (Art of War)*—eight-year-old Yu Zheng’s margin art, a doodled turtle, lurked by the text.

At the age of ten, Yu Zheng wrote about strength against flexibility, emphasizing the need to wear down the enemy by holding firm, turning their power from strong to weak.

At twenty, Yu Zheng noted the transformation between hardness and softness, advising to assess the situation and guide actions accordingly.

At thirty, Yu Zheng just scrawled one word: "Strike."

After reviewing the military texts, it was already late. Returning to the courtyard, Yu Zheng noticed candlelight still flickering in the room. He hesitated at the door, shifting his weight uncertainly.

Cui Geer had already washed up and lay in bed. Turning to the side, he was startled to see a shadow cast on the window.

He nearly called out, but considering the hour, the only person who would be at his door was Yu Zheng. Cui Geer huffed to himself, thinking, *Let’s see how long Yu Zheng can stand there like a damn fence post.*

After a long while, the shadow remained unmoving on the window.

Cui Geer: "..."

Finally losing patience, Cui Geer snapped, "Are you just going to stand there like a wooden club? Get in here already!"

The shadow shifted, and the door opened quietly as Yu Zheng stepped inside.

He instinctively glanced at Cui Geer but only saw the back of his head.

After washing up, Yu Zheng blew out the candle and cautiously climbed into bed.

Too tense to talk or reach for him, he lay stiffly.

Cui Geer, irritated, muttered, "What, your arms broke?"

Hearing this, Yu Zheng hastily reached out to hold him.

This brat’s got a temper now, Yu Zheng thought. In his eyes, Cui Geer would always be that fussy little lordling.

Cui Geer tugged at Yu Zheng’s hand.

Marrying you turned out alright, Cui Geer said. But if you die, I’ll remarry and make Yu Guang call someone else 'Father.' So don’t you dare die on the battlefield—talk about humiliating. After all these years in the borderlands, you know the terrain better than anyone. How could you possibly die there?

He prattled on, words tumbling out.

Yu Zheng tightened his embrace, muttering, "Got it."

Cui Geer rolled his eyes and went at him with fists and feet. "Like hell you do!"

Yu Zheng gasped in shock. "You—since when do you talk like that?!"

*You’re from the prestigious Cui clan of Qinghe, a lineage of scholars for generations!*

Cui Geer kept hitting him. "So what if I did? You’ll just have to take it. Off to the borderlands you go, playing the martyr with your big dramatic exit!"

Yu Zheng, with his muscular build, might as well have been swatted by a kitten—just a faint itch.

He flailed his arms like a sleepwalker half-heartedly.

Exhausted, Cui Geer paused to catch his breath. In the moonlight, he checked his stinging palms.

His anger fizzled out. Holding them out, he commanded, "Start massaging, soldier!"

Yu Zheng dutifully kneaded Cui Geer’s palms.

Once done, he even blew gently on them, pampering him like a spoiled prince.

Yu Zheng's request to join the campaign reached the Grand Secretariat and landed in Zheng Shanci's hands. Unsure how to write an official recommendation, he passed the memorial to Grand Secretary Lei for handling.

Grand Secretary Lei glanced at Zheng Shanci, praised Yu Zheng, and approved the request.

Emperor Wuming also added his seal of approval.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Shanci felt a mix of emotions. War was always brutal—his brother-in-law had already gone, and now his cousin was leaving as well. The two mainstays of the Yu clan in this generation were both heading to the battlefield.

He felt both sorrow and admiration.

The Yu family's marquisate had been earned through generations of warfare. From Yu Lanyi's accounts, Zheng Shanci knew their ancestors had long guarded the borders, fighting against the [barbarians].

"I'll go to the Ministry of Revenue first," Zheng Shanci said, heading there to inspect the grain and fodder stockpiles prepared for the army.

The officials at the Ministry of Revenue had already been on high alert, and Zheng Shanci's visit left no room for negligence.

The best support Zheng Shanci could offer was ensuring a secure homefront and providing ample supplies.

At noon, while dining with friends, Du Ning spoke of the impending war: "I hope we win and crush the barbarians. During the previous emperor's reign, we had to pay them annual tributes and send imperial princes and princesses for marriage. You know their customs differ—sons inherit not only their fathers' titles but also their concubines. I found it utterly repugnant, but the previous emperor proposed it to avoid war, and the barbarians eagerly exploited this."

Du Ning grew agitated as he spoke: "It wasn't until our current emperor ascended the throne that we refused further tributes and marriages. That enraged the barbarians, and it took two or three years of fighting before they yielded."

Had Emperor Wuming not stood firm, the Great Yan Dynasty might still be paying and offering brides to the barbarians.

Unfortunately, after the war, national resources were exhausted. Otherwise, Emperor Wuming would have brought back the bones of all the sons and women who had been married off to the barbarians.

This remained one of Emperor Wuming's deepest regrets. These women and sons had sacrificed everything for the Great Yan Dynasty—some were not even the emperor's children but those of cadet branches of the imperial family, yet they all contributed.

Raised in Confucian culture, how could they endure being wed successively to multiple men?

Some withered away from grief, others clung to the hope of returning home one day, and some, unable to bear marrying the barbarian king's sons, chose to take their own lives.

Whatever their choices, they could never return home. The moment they crossed the border, their only way back to the Great Yan Dynasty and their families was in dreams.

Du Ning was shaken by this account, his heart aching for the women and sons who suffered.

When women and sons were unneeded, all blame and disgrace were heaped upon them. When they were needed, their sacrifices were extolled to make them willing sacrifices.

Why?

Xiao Gaoyang remarked, "His Majesty's decision shows great resolve."

Mei Huai nodded. "The Ministry of Works has prepared the battering rams and siege towers."

Among the younger generation, there was strong support for defeating the barbarians.

Zheng Shanci added, "The Ministry of Revenue is also ready. We only await the army's departure."

After finishing his duties at the Grand Secretariat, Zheng Shanci returned home. Since learning of Yu Zhangxing's deployment to the border, Yu Lanyi had gathered all the healing herbs and medicines from their family storeroom and sent them to Changyang Manor.

He feared Yu Zhangxing might be wounded in battle.

Upon returning, Zheng Shanci tutored Xiao Ping'an. The boy finished swiftly, and to Zheng Shanci's surprise, every answer was correct.

Previously, Xiao Ping'an had needed guidance, but now he was showing remarkable progress.

Looking up, Xiao Ping'an asked, "Father, is my uncle being sent to the border?"

"How did you know?"

"Someone at the school mentioned it, and I overheard." Xiao Ping'an gazed up at Zheng Shanci with big, hopeful eyes.

"Your uncle is going to the borderlands."

Xiao Ping'an nodded and took off his amulet. "I want to give this to Uncle, so it can keep him safe."

Zheng Shanci couldn’t help but pat his son’s head gently. "You’re so grown-up now, Xiao Ping’an, worrying about your uncle like this. But your uncle already has an amulet—your grandfather got one for him."

Xiao Ping'an nodded dejectedly and tucked his amulet back.

He was reluctant to part with it—after all, it was a charm Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi had obtained for him from the Guardian Temple. But even though he cherished it, he was willing to give it to his uncle, who faced real danger at the borderlands. He himself was safe in the capital, so his uncle needed the amulet more.

When Yu Lanyi came back for dinner, Xiao Ping'an played for a while before going to bed. The two lay in bed talking.

Zheng Shanci asked, "How’s Big Brother holding up?"

"He’s in good spirits, actually. Father gave him the family’s heirloom armor." Yu Lanyi had seen that armor before—it had always been kept in the Marquis of Changyang’s study. Even after his eldest brother became the heir, the Marquis hadn’t passed it on to him. But now that he was heading to the borderlands, the Marquis finally handed it over.

"Sister-in-law is down, and Hebai and Liuge are also reluctant to see him go," Yu Lanyi sighed.

"But his decision is firm, and the emperor’s orders are final. There’s no turning back now."

"Zheng Shanci, double-check the Ministry of Revenue’s supply preparations. I don’t want them to lose because of supply shortages," Yu Lanyi said seriously.

On the battlefield, things turn on a dime. Supplies must come first—they’re the lifeline.

"Don’t worry." Zheng Shanci was rock-solid.

Yu Lanyi set aside his worries for the moment and talked at length about Yu Changxing with Zheng Shanci.

The two always had endless things to discuss, and it wasn’t until they heard the nightwatch’s drum that they realized how late it had gotten.

"Go to sleep. You’ve got court in the morning," Yu Lanyi said decisively.

Zheng Shanci nodded, and they fell asleep together.

Yu Lanyi had heard that married couples eventually run out of things to say to each other, but he and Zheng Shanci always had plenty to talk about. Zheng Shanci understood exactly what he wanted to know, and Yu Lanyi, in turn, could discuss matters from Zheng Shanci’s work.

Once Xiao Ping'an was asleep, they could talk for hours.

...

A few days later, Yu Changxing set off for the borderlands with five thousand crack troops. Emperor Wuming personally saw him off. They toasted with a drink at a pavilion outside the capital before Yu Changxing departed with his usual swagger.

He was still the same trusted envoy of the emperor—free as the wind, the envy of thousands.

After Yu Changxing left, Yu Lanyi often brought Zheng Shanci and Xiao Ping'an back to the Marquis’ estate to keep the Marquis of Changyang and Mr. Yu company.

At first, Yu Hebai was still feeling down, but Xiao Ping'an took him out to play, cheering him up.

Meanwhile, Zheng Shanci played chess with the Marquis of Changyang.

The Marquis remarked, "You’re too kind, coming by so often."

They had visited before, but never this frequently.

"Just doing our duty by you, Father," Zheng Shanci replied with a smile.

The Marquis of Changyang nodded in satisfaction.

That evening, they stayed for dinner at the marquis' residence again, which pleased Zheng Shanci.

Xiao Ping'an ran ahead, calling out, "Father! I want to go play with Little Bamboo again."

"Go ahead, but don't stay out too long," Zheng Shanci permitted his son.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Ping'an was gone.

Yu Lanyi dragged Zheng Shanci along to buy jewelry.

"I noticed sister-in-law seemed dispirited lately. I want to get her some new jewelry to cheer her up."

Zheng Shanci followed him inside, immediately overwhelmed by all the jewelry. "That's considerate of you."

Yu Lanyi picked out three pieces, while Zheng Shanci secretly selected a hairpin for him.

Zheng Shanci paid, then gently slid the hairpin into Yu Lanyi's updo.

"It suits you well. Buying for sister-in-law is your gesture, but this is mine," Zheng Shanci said, carrying the jewelry box Yu Lanyi had chosen.

Yu Lanyi turned red, at a loss for words.

After playing with Cui Xiuzhu for a while, Xiao Ping'an returned home, performed his ablutions, and went to bed.

Zheng Shanci breathed heavily while kissing Yu Lanyi's collarbone, the bedding rising and falling.

Yu Lanyi traced Zheng Shanci's brows with his fingers.

Zheng Shanci held Yu Lanyi close as they sank into passion together.

Since Yu Zhangxing's departure, the court had been uneventful, everyone going about their business as usual.

The report from the frontier arrived three months later. The Ministry of Revenue faced monthly difficulties provisioning the 200,000 troops. Zheng Shanci commandeered local grain stores and negotiated with grain merchants to ensure uninterrupted supplies.

"Come review this frontier report. Lord Zheng, join us," Chief Grand Secretary Wei summoned.

Zheng Shanci, maintaining impartiality, had avoided frontier matters. Now, eagerly hurried to examine the document.

"General Yu led 200,000 troops beyond the border, then the entire force vanished... No sign of them for fifteen days. Submitting this urgent report."

"200,000 soldiers disappeared after crossing the border?" Second Grand Secretary Xiao thought this must be some wild tale.

"How could they vanish?" Grand Secretary Lei also questioned.

Zheng Shanci's hands shook as he read the report. The sender was General Liu, whose family held close ties with the Yus—unlikely to make false claims.

"A general in the field may act independently. Perhaps General Yu has his strategy," Zheng Shanci defended his brother-in-law.

Chief Grand Secretary Wei nodded. "I too trust Lord Yu's character, but this requires His Majesty's judgment."

The four grand secretaries had differing opinions. Zheng Shanci was unsettled. Though Emperor Wuming was close to Yu Zhangxing, 200,000 missing troops demanded an accounting, lest the Yu family in the capital suffer.

The other three grand secretaries suspected defection—how else to explain the disappearance?

Chief Grand Secretary Wei presented the report personally to see Emperor Wuming.

The emperor pondered the document silently. Wei stood with bowed head, tense.

"What does Lord Wei think?"

Wei composed his response carefully. "Your Majesty, I believe the report factual. General Liu wouldn't jest on military matters, nor would Lord Yu betray us. The Yus hold the highest honors in Great Yan—their entire family is here. Lord Yu is no fool."