Shen Zechuan was bedridden and unable to rise, so Xiao Chiye remained in Duanzhou without leaving. After mid-month, the Biansha cavalry’s offensive in the north weakened, and Lu Guangbai personally came to Duanzhou.
“The battle at Duanzhou was fought dangerously. Just looking at the repairs to these city walls will take time,” Lu Guangbai dismounted. “Jiming has already sent military craftsmen over.”
Xiao Chiye wore plain clothes and said, “Elder Brother has thought everything through…” His voice paused as he looked toward the carriage behind, his expression lighting up with delight. “Sister-in-law has come!”
A maid lifted the curtain, and Lu Yizhi poked her head out, holding a handkerchief.
Lu Guangbai smiled. “Xun’er has come too.”
“I’ve been worrying about Lanzhou at home,” Lu Yizhi said as she stepped down from the carriage with the maid’s support, speaking to Xiao Chiye who had come to receive them. “So I came to take a look.”
Xiao Chiye stepped aside. “Lanzhou has also been thinking of Sister-in-law.”
Lu Yizhi looked at the city walls of Duanzhou and continued, “Now that victory and defeat in Zhongbo have been decided, Lanzhou should properly recuperate.” She turned her head and smiled faintly. “I specifically brought Xun’er to relieve his boredom.”
Xiao Xun followed behind his mother without needing to be led, saluted Xiao Chiye, and said in a childish voice, “Second Uncle—”
Xiao Chiye lifted Xiao Xun up in one motion, holding him in midair to examine him carefully. “The kid’s grown taller.”
“Just like you when you were young,” Lu Guangbai handed his riding whip to Chenyang. “Always afraid you wouldn’t grow tall, drinking milk on time every day. I asked him what wish he made for the New Year, and he said he wanted to grow as tall as Second Uncle.” As he spoke, he pinched Xiao Xun’s expressionless cheek. “A nephew takes after his uncle. Don’t think about it—you take after me.”
“Uncle is good too,” Xiao Xun held onto Xiao Chiye’s arm and said in a childish voice, “He has capacity, few adornments. Uncle is a scholar-general.”
All three laughed. Lu Guangbai sighed. “Although he’s talking about uncle, it sounds more like he’s praising your father.”
There were many children in the residence now. Ding Tao and Li Xiong were also looking after Jiran. Xiao Chiye carried Xiao Xun back, but he struggled, insisting on seeing Shen Zechuan. Xiao Xun liked Shen Zechuan; during the New Year he only wanted Shen Zechuan to hold his hand. Shen Zechuan had an injury on his calf and came to receive them at the steps. After entering the room and exchanging brief greetings, Lu Yizhi took Xiao Xun to pay respects to Ji Gang.
After Lu Yizhi left, Shen Zechuan said, “Now that the northern war has eased, General has come to Duanzhou—there must be matters to discuss on behalf of Elder Brother and me.”
Lu Guangbai lifted his teacup. As he raised the lid, he smiled, glanced at Xiao Chiye, then looked at Shen Zechuan and said, “Prefect is a heroic man; even at this moment you do not forget military affairs. Indeed, Jiming has words for me to convey. Now that Hasen is dead and Duanzhou’s crisis is resolved, and in the south the Youxiong Tribe has been defeated, this is the right time to resume the war situation.”
“Hasen is dead. Amur’s position as ‘Da’e Suheri’ in the Great Desert is now open to question,” Xiao Chiye said. “Elder Brother wants to seize the momentum and counterattack, deciding it in one stroke.”
“Brothers of one mind,” Lu Guangbai drank his tea. “You think the same.”
Xiao Chiye sat near the window. He turned the bone ring on his finger; the slight tilt of his neck let his Adam’s apple show in the dim light. He said, “Amur can maintain stability among the tribes because the Huan Snake Tribe’s cavalry is fierce and battle-hardened. But last year, the elite of the Huan Snake Tribe were all投入 the battlefield. After a year of fighting, they are already exhausted of supplies; their deterrence over the other tribes is far less than before. With Hasen dead, Amur has lost his right arm. If we don’t strike now, when will we?”
Xiao Jiming and Lu Guangbai both had personal ties with Qi Zhuyin, but this matter had to be brought to Duanzhou to speak with Shen Zechuan—that meant it could not be resolved through personal connections. Qi Zhuyin had repeatedly sent troops to assist Libei, but now most of the cavalry had already withdrawn, and the Youxiong Tribe in the south had been driven into the Great Desert. She had no reason to make another trip for Libei.
“The Ministry of War agreed to the Grand Marshal sending troops to Gedale because veteran pillars like Chen Zhen deeply understood that Libei’s peril was tied to Qudu. Now that Gedale has been fought,” Lu Guangbai set down his teacup, “it’s no longer the same situation.”
Qi Zhuyin did not agree to hand over the territory of the Green Mouse Tribe to Hairigu, and she also had the intention of suspending hostilities. Borrowing grain was not easy for her, and Shen Zechuan’s grain had to be repaid. If it accumulated day after day like this, it would eventually sour. Qidong was exhausted from warfare this year; half of the military farms lay fallow. Not to mention military rations—even winter provisions depended on the court and Shen Zechuan. If Qidong were like Hezhou, that would be one thing, but Qidong still had its garrison army. Qi Zhuyin held military power; she absolutely could not be careless here.
“The Grand Marshal is the Li clan’s Grand Marshal. If she continues to associate with rebel factions, she will be suspected of treason,” Shen Zechuan said, rubbing the ribs of his fan. “When Qidong sent troops against the Green Mouse Tribe, there were already memorials of impeachment at court. If the Grand Marshal again joins Libei to attack the Great Desert, Qudu can strip her of her marshal’s post.”
Shen Zechuan’s eyes, ill as he was, were gentle, as if all sharpness had been removed. He said, “The Crown Prince is about to ascend the throne. According to Xue Xiuzhuo’s intention, the Grand Marshal must be granted rewards.” He sipped tea, as if speaking only of idle tales of rivers and fields. “Then let’s wait and see. If the Crown Prince is truly willing, it will be a great help to us.”