Chapter 257: Tea Talk

Shen Zechuan was bedridden, so Xiao Chiye remained in Duanzhou. Halfway through the month, the border cavalry's attacks in the north weakened, and Lu Guangbai personally arrived in Duanzhou.

"Battle in Duanzhou was fierce; it will take time to repair these walls," Lu Guangbai said as he dismounted his horse. "Jiming has sent military artisans over."

Xiao Chiye was dressed in casual attire. He said, "Big Brother thought of everything…" His voice paused, and he looked at the carriage behind him, his expression one of pleasant surprise. "Big Sister-in-law is here!"

A maid lifted the carriage curtain, and Lu Yizhi peeked out, holding a handkerchief.

Lu Guangbai smiled. "Xun'er is here too."

"I've been worried about Lan Zhou back home," Lu Yizhi said as she stepped down from the carriage with the help of her maid, addressing Xiao Chiye, who had come to greet them. "So I came to check on him."

Xiao Chiye moved to one side. "Lan Zhou has also been thinking of Big Sister-in-law."

Lu Yizhi looked at the walls of Duanzhou and continued, "Now that Zhongbo's outcome is decided, Lan Zhou should focus on recuperating." She turned her head slightly and smiled, "I brought Xun'er along specifically to keep Lan Zhou company."

Xiao Xun followed closely behind his biological mother, not needing anyone to hold his hand. He bowed to Xiao Chiye. "Second Uncle—"

Xiao Chiye scooped Xiao Xun up in his arms and examined him intently, saying, "You've grown."

"I was just like you when I was young," Lu Guangbai handed the whip to Chen Yang. "He worries all day that he won't grow tall enough, so he drinks milk on schedule. When I asked him what he wished for during the New Year, he said he wanted to be as tall as Second Uncle." As he spoke, he pinched Xiao Xun's expressionless cheek. "Nephews take after their uncles, so don't even think about it. You're with me."

"Uncle is fine too," Xiao Xun said in his childish voice while holding onto Xiao Chiye's arm. "He has breadth of mind and doesn't indulge in superficialities. Uncle is a scholar-soldier."

The trio laughed. Lu Guangbai sighed. "Even though he's talking about his uncle, it sounds more like he's praising your father."

With many children in the household now, Ding Tao and Li Xiong were still looking after Ji Ming. Xiao Chiye carried Xiao Xun back, but he struggled to see Shen Zechuan. Xiao Xun liked Shen Zechuan and had only wanted Shen Zechuan to hold his hand during the New Year. Shen Zechuan, with an injury on his calf, welcomed them at the steps. After some brief pleasantries indoors, Lu Yizhi took Xiao Xun to pay respects to Ji Gang.

Once Lu Yizhi left, Shen Zechuan said, "The northern battles have eased up. General, your visit to Duanzhou suggests that there's something you want to discuss with Big Brother and me."

Lu Guangbai picked up his teacup, smiling as he lifted the lid. He glanced at Xiao Chiye before turning to Shen Zechuan. "Lord is a valiant man, not forgetting military affairs even at this moment. Yes, Ji Ming does indeed have something he wants me to convey. Now that Hason is dead, the crisis in Duanzhou has been resolved, and the Southern Bear Clan has suffered a defeat. It's an excellent time to regain control of the war."

"Hason is dead, so A'mur's position as 'Da Ersu Heji' in the desert is up for debate," Xiao Chiye said. "Big Brother plans to seize the opportunity to counterattack and settle the matter once and for all."

"Brothers working together," Lu Guangbai sipped his tea. "That's what you're thinking too."

Xiao Chiye sat near the window. As he twirled his bone ring, his slightly tilted neck exposed his Adam's apple in the dim light. "A'mur can maintain stability among the clans because the Khans of the Han She Clan are skilled and fierce warriors. But last year, the finest of the Han She Clan's cavalry were all deployed to the battlefield. After a year of fighting, the Han She Clan has exhausted its resources and lost its intimidating presence over other clans. With Hason's death, A'mur has lost his right-hand man. If not now, then when?"

Xiao Jiming and Lu Guangbai both had private associations with Qi Zhuyin, yet for this matter to be brought up before Shen Zechuan in Duanzhou signified that it could not be resolved through mere personal connections alone. On two occasions, Qi Zhuyin had dispatched troops in aid of Li Bei, but now, with the majority of her cavalry having withdrawn and the Nanbian Xiong tribe driven into the vast desert, she had no justification to involve herself further in Li Bei's affairs.

"The Military Department consented to General's campaign against Gedale because veterans like Chen Zhen understood the peril that the northern borders posed to our capital, Quduo," Lu Guangbai set down his teacup. "Now that Gedale has been dealt with, the situation is different."

Qi Zhuyin was against surrendering the territory of the Qingshu Tribe to Hyrigu, and she also intended to halt hostilities temporarily. It had been no easy task for her to secure grain loans, and every grain that Shen Zechuan provided would have to be repaid, lest resentment fester over time. Qidong had been exhausted by warfare this year, with half of its military farms lying fallow. Apart from military rations, even the grain needed for winter survival relied on the imperial court and Shen Zechuan. If Qidong were to collapse like Hezhou, it might be tolerable, but Qidong still had its garrison forces, and Qi Zhuyin held military power in her hands. She could not afford to be careless here.

"The General is of the Li clan, and further entanglement with rebels would indeed raise suspicions of treason," Shen Zechuan idly traced his fingers along the fan's handle. "When Qi Dong led troops against the Qingshu tribe, impeachment memorials were already circulating within the court. Should the General now join forces with Li Bei to assault the Great Desert, the imperial capital could easily strip her of her command."

In Shen Zechuan's illness-weary eyes, there was a gentle softness, as if all his sharpness had been dissolved. He said, "The Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne. According to Xue Xiuzhuo's suggestion, he should confer rewards upon the Commander." Sipping his tea, he spoke as if discussing trivial matters of the Jiang wilderness, "Let's wait and see. If the Crown Prince truly has the heart to do so, he will be greatly assisting us."