Chapter 185 Tuo Baxiao’s Army Marched Again…

Chapter 185: Tuo Baxiao's army marched out once more...

A good night's sleep.

The next day, Jiang Congyan asked Tuo Baxiao how to handle Xiao Yi's situation, and he left it to her.

Although he had been an old acquaintance of Wang Fu, Wang Fu was long gone, and Tuo Baxiao felt nothing toward him.

Xiao Yi wanted to see Tuo Baxiao again, but unfortunately, he was refused.

Whether he harbored any feelings for Tuo Bata—whether hatred or resentment—by blood, he was still Tuo Bata’s son. Xiao Yi's existence served as a reminder to Tuo Baxiao that his mother could have had a happy life, but it was ruined by Tuo Bata. This stirred a quiet aversion in him toward Xiao Yi.

Jiang Congyan didn’t force him to accept it. She first had inquiries made about the Bohai Xiao clan and dispatched people to investigate and verify the situation locally.

Xiao Yi's account was heartfelt and compelling, with no apparent loopholes, and his demeanor was genuinely moving. But this was all on his word alone. How much was true and how much was false remained unknown, especially whether his feelings for Wang Fu were as loyal as he claimed—this was crucial.

Chang'an was far from Bohai, so uncovering the truth of the past would take some time. However, information about the Xiao clan was quickly presented.

The Bohai Xiao clan was a prestigious local family. Due to their proximity to the Bohai Sea, many clan members earned their livelihood from the sea. It was their advanced shipbuilding skills that allowed the Xiao clan to develop into a prominent local family.

She didn’t know that Xiao Yi himself had sailed into deep waters several times. The waves were treacherous, and he once thought that if he were unlucky enough to perish in a shipwreck, so be it. Unexpectedly, he survived every time by sheer luck.

When Jiang Congyan saw the phrase "The Xiao clan excels in building large ships," an idea struck her.

Shipbuilding...

——

After revealing his identity that day, Xiao Yi was no longer held as a prisoner. He was accommodated in a guest courtyard, provided with food, clothing, and attendants, but they had no intention of letting him leave. The courtyard was guarded by Imperial Guards. Of course, Xiao Yi himself had no immediate plans to leave either.

He had been waiting to see them again. After two days, someone finally came to relay the message that the princess wanted to meet him. Xiao Yi tidied himself up.

That day, he had been in a distraught state, but today he appeared normal, dressed in clean clothes, carrying himself with the bearing of a gentleman.

When the Imperial Guard announced the princess's arrival, he quickly went out to greet her but instinctively glanced beside her—she was alone. Tuo Baxiao had not come with her.

Jiang Congyan waved off formalities. They entered the room, and after sitting face to face, she dismissed the Imperial Guards behind her, leaving only the two of them inside.

A silence settled. Xiao Yi had much to say but didn’t know where to begin.

Finally, Jiang Congyan spoke first, "Could you tell me more about your past?"

Xiao Yi naturally had no objections. He said, "I was born into the Bohai Xiao clan, third-born in my generation. In my youth, I went to Langya to study..."

The other day’s events had been too sudden, leaving no time for such details. Jiang Congyan listened carefully, cross-referencing the information with what she already knew, and found no discrepancies. It seemed he had indeed told the truth.

Xiao Yi was born into the main branch of the Xiao clan and was exceptionally gifted—composing poetry at five and prose at seven. By his teens, he was already quite renowned in the Bohai region and was the unspoken heir apparent. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he would have inherited the Xiao lineage. But when the Wang family brought word of Wang Fu’s passing, he was devastated. The Xiao clan wanted to arrange another marriage for him, but he refused. As the years passed, he neither married nor had children, forfeiting the clan leader position by default. Over the years, he traveled extensively across the land and took to the open sea multiple times, not only in Bohai but also in the even vaster East Sea.

The current leader of the Xiao clan was his younger brother, Xiao Min. Xiao Yi, with his rich experience and foresight—especially in these turbulent times—had offered the clan many valuable suggestions, helping them preserve their strength and people. Now, he held considerable influence within the Xiao clan.

"Can you tell me about A-Fu?" Xiao Yi asked softly when he’d finished, looking at her with longing.

He had asked Tuo Baxiao but was refused. Yet, he ached to know about her.

Jiang Congyan lowered her eyes, her tone hushed. "She was abducted and taken to the grasslands, unable to speak the language. Because of her striking beauty, she was presented to the then Xianbei King, Tuo Bata. Later, she was cast aside and left to raise a young child alone. In such an environment, she endured every hardship you could imagine."

"She..." Xiao Yi's throat tightened instantly.

The hardships he could imagine—how could he not know how cruel those barbarians were? What would happen to a delicate, beautiful, and helpless woman? He needed no elaboration to understand.

Xiao Yi closed his eyes, his cheek muscles twitching uncontrollably.

"But she was strong," Jiang Congyan added. "She raised Tuo Baxiao well, hoping he’d grow into a gentleman."

Without Wang Fu's upbringing, in such an environment, Tuo Baxiao would most likely have been assimilated, growing into a savage and cruel barbarian rather than the fair-minded, benevolent man he is now, treating Han civilians with equality.

She laid the foundation for his kindness and sincerity.

"Tuo Baxiao once asked her why she didn’t pretend to please Tuo Bata to avoid being bullied. She said, 'My heart is no stone—it cannot be turned.' She refused to betray her own will. She taught Tuo Baxiao to weave the bracelet you gave her, saying it was a gift from the one she loved."

Through it all, Wang Fu remained steadfast and strong.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi could no longer hold back. He covered his face, but tears streamed through his fingers.

He was the one who doomed A-Fu. He wished she had compromised—at least then she wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Jiang Congyan let him vent, waiting for his emotions to settle before asking,

"What are your plans from now on?"

Xiao Yi was taken aback. Plans for the future?

"I don’t know. All these years, I’ve just drifted, taking each day as it comes. I don’t know if heaven’s been kind or cruel, letting me live this long," he said with a bitter smile.

Jiang Congyan steadied herself. "If I asked you to stay, would you be willing?"

Xiao Yi was surprised. "You’d really let me stay with you?"

He could tell Tuo Baxiao wasn’t happy about it.

His feelings toward Tuo Baxiao were also complicated. Seeing Wang Fu in his face, he realized he carried on her life—some small comfort.

"I’ve heard the Xiao clan excels in building large ships," Jiang Congyan said.

Xiao Yi’s eyes widened slowly as he finally grasped why she’d sought him out.

Tuo Baxiao had already secured the north. Next, they’d march south, crush the southern court, and unify the realm.

The Xianbei Army had always lived on the grasslands. As cavalry, they were unbeatable, but naval warfare wasn’t their strength. To advance south smoothly, they would have to cross the natural barrier of the Yangtze River.

The Xiao clan’s shipbuilding skills would be a game-changer.

Jiang Congyan held his gaze, unashamed of her motives.

She truly sympathized with Xiao Yi—and truly hoped he’d help them.

"You know as well as I do—the Xianbei will unite the realm. It’s inevitable. So why not make it as painless as possible? Spare the people needless suffering."

"The Xianbei haven’t fully outgrown their barbarian roots, but under Tuo Baxiao’s restraint, they no longer slaughter Han people as freely as before. Reforms and sinicization are already underway. One day, Han and barbarian won’t even be distinctions."

Her words were undeniably persuasive—she knew how to work both his heart and his conscience, leaving no room for refusal.

Tuo Baxiao had Wang Fu’s blood in him. That alone made it hard for Xiao Yi to refuse. And Jiang Congyan, a princess, carried the blood of the Founding Emperor and Crown Prince Zhaowen. If she meant to treat the people fairly, how could he refuse?

Only...

"Right now, I am not the head of the Xiao clan. It’s not a decision I can make alone."

He was clearly agreeing. Jiang Congyan smiled. "If you’re willing, I know we can make it happen."

With the matter settled, Jiang Congyan was about to leave when she suddenly paused at the doorway. Turning back, she said to Xiao Yi, "Do you know what nickname Mother gave Tuo Baxiao?"

"What?" he asked instinctively.

"Owl Boy."

After speaking, Jiang Congyan turned and left, leaving Xiao Yi standing alone, stunned.

"Owl Boy..."

Upon returning, Jiang Congyan told Tuo Baxiao about this.

He had told her to handle it as she pleased, but he hadn’t expected her to enlist Xiao Yi’s help.

"I don’t need him to march south."

Jiang Congyan smiled at his stubbornness and gently smoothed his furrowed brow with her soft palm. "But he’ll make things easier."

"I also know you’ve been worried about the coming battles."

The cavalry led by Tuo Baxiao was nearly invincible, but that didn’t mean he could maintain the same dominance in the river-heavy south.

He was proud, but not arrogant.

The reason he hadn’t pressed south after his recent victories was twofold: the bitter cold made fighting unwise, and he needed time to retrain his troops.

The Xianbei Army had already seized Nanyang, and neighboring Jingzhou was next. Capturing Jingzhou would allow them to sail down the river straight to Jiankang. Thus, training a skilled naval force was crucial.

Since she put it this way, Tuo Baxiao no longer opposed the idea.

Over the past few months, thanks to Jiang Congyan’s diligent efforts, the people in the north had settled into temporary stability. Chang’an gradually regained its former bustle, with commoners and street vendors filling the streets, celebrating a lively New Year.

On New Year’s Eve, the two walked hand in hand through the streets in plain clothes, like any ordinary couple, enjoying a rare break.

After New Year’s, they were busy again.

Tuo Baxiao sent troops to secure key forts, while Jiang Congyan pulled back half the Han troops stationed in Zhongwei Lingwu, leaving the other half to hold the Xiongnu lands together with the Xianbei Army.

The Liangzhou Army also finally stopped just holding their ground and began launching attacks against the surrounding Qiang tribes, to crush the northwest for good.

By the end of the first month, Tuo Baxiao had rallied his army, preparing for the last big fight.

Jiang Congyan summoned Zhou Hong and asked with a smile, "General Zhou, do you still want to go now?"

Zhou Hong smiled bitterly.

When he had agreed to this arrangement, he’d never dreamed Liang would collapse this fast.

Where would he even go now? Moreover, having served by the princess’s side for so long, he had witnessed firsthand how tirelessly she worked to balance the interests of the Xianbei and the Han people. He saw her kind and fair heart, genuinely striving for the welfare of all—a far better ruler than the old Liang emperor.

She truly carried on the legacies of the Founding Emperor and Crown Prince Zhaowen. Zhou Hong believed the people of Liang would thrive under her rule.

With this thought, he hesitated no longer, dropping to one knee in a deep bow. "I pledge my allegiance to the princess and await her command."

Jiang Congyan reached out as if to lift him up and smiled. "Please rise quickly."

Zhou Hong stood, his expression solemn, ready for her orders.

"Zhou Hong, I hereby appoint you as the Left Wing General for this southern campaign. You will command thirty thousand Han soldiers and accompany the king."

"Yes!" Zhou Hong answered firmly.

——

In early February, Tuo Baxiao’s army marched out again, riding south with them.

Once this battle was over, the land would finally know real peace.