“Here, for you—so your waist doesn’t break.” Xiao Chiye smiled, half-smiling, half not.
Even though he hadn’t explicitly instructed it, Shen Zechuan’s waist was indeed injured and truly could not withstand being bent.
Shen Zechuan endured for a moment, trying to lower his foot back down. But Xiao Chiye did not allow it, gripping that ankle in his palm and holding it against himself.
“Ah…” Shen Zechuan slowly drew out the syllable, “So this is making me gaze at plum blossoms to quench thirst, and using it for self-soothing.”
“It’s getting late.” Xiao Chiye said this while still not letting go.
Shen Zechuan originally wanted to say something more, but the hand holding him suddenly moved.
“Before the ninth month, if the Great Commander is not able to send troops, I will not wait any longer.” Xiao Chiye was fully dressed; his upper body showed no hint of anything unusual, and his tone was the same as always.
“With the Empress using such methods, she will certainly not agree to the Great Commander sending troops. Moreover—” Shen Zechuan’s voice suddenly softened, as if melting away.
Xiao Chiye removed his clean socks.
There were hanging drapes by the table. With Xiao Chiye’s hand guiding him, Shen Zechuan’s knee lightly pressed against the table board. His bare foot, through the intricately patterned robe, was being teased; the fabric brushed against the sole of his foot—soft, yet enclosing hardness.
“Moreover, the Great Commander must also consider the Five Prefectures,” Xiao Chiye continued Lan Zhou’s words, “Going deep into the desert consumes time and resources. She will weigh the pros and cons. If this battle drags on longer, even Chi Shiyu may not agree.”
The corners of Shen Zechuan’s eyes turned red; it was heat-induced. He said, “That day you told General Lu that you would wait for Qidong.”
“At that time, the Empress had not yet revealed her edge. Now looking back, Qidong sending troops is nearly impossible.” Xiao Chiye said this and stopped teasing Lan Zhou. “This year you gathered grain from Kui, Cha, Ci, and He Prefectures to solve food supply issues. Although you caught the spring planting season, you lost the grain warehouse of Kui Prefecture. Tao Ming ran away; the court will naturally replace the person in charge. Next year it will be difficult to trade with them again. Yongyi Port and the Xi clan copper mines have both been sealed. The trade of Lubei’s mutual markets will be reduced by half. Lan Zhou, next year the Qidong garrison army will not be able to be supported.”
After the attack on Zhenzhou, the defenses of each prefecture would inevitably increase in spending. Moreover, the Six Prefectures had already taken shape. Shen Zechuan needed to supply grain for 120,000 garrison troops across the Six Prefectures for the whole year, and also continue supplying grain for 120,000 Lubei iron cavalry. If Qidong’s garrison troops were added on top of this, then a total of 720,000 troops would all depend on him.
“Wang Xian wrote to me, saying he sent you a letter half a month ago explaining the severity,” Xiao Chiye adjusted to a more comfortable posture, “You did not reply.”
Shen Zechuan’s foot sole was still pressed against Xiao Chiye’s surging pulse. Leaning against the chair, he said, “Half a month ago, the gentlemen had not yet calculated the budget, so I set Wang Xian’s letter aside and did not reply.”
“The gentlemen in your residence are good, but most of them come from Jiangye. They are talented, but not as experienced in official affairs as Wang Xian. Wang Xian is a Ministry of Revenue chief clerk; he often deals with the Ministry of War, and every year he interacts with us military officials who constantly ask for money and grain. He is very familiar with regional military expenses and grain requirements.” Xiao Chiye had recently been resting at home, and what he thought about most was also military grain.
Three-army joint campaigns were excellent, but too difficult.
Lubei cavalry equipment wore out too quickly, and supply convoys had to bring military craftsmen. Once the supply convoy left the battlefield, there were no more horse roads to the east. The barren deserts and wastelands were all territory of the Twelve Tribes. Grain transport required additional troops for protection, but more troops meant more grain consumption. The farther Lubei cavalry went, the more grain they used, and they also had to account for possible accidents along the way. This was far more difficult than defensive warfare.
“When Xue Xiuzhuo abandoned Quancheng and Luoxia Pass last year and defended only the thirteen cities of Exi, I did not realize how impressive it was then,” Shen Zechuan finally showed a troubled expression and sighed, “Only now do I understand its power.”
Who would not want Qizhu Yin’s military strength? Shen Zechuan also wanted it. As long as Qidong’s Five Prefectures were taken, even if the Empress were the reincarnation of Emperor Guangcheng, there would be no chance for Juandu to turn the tide. Xue Xiuzhuo had always ignored the wars between Zhongbo and Lubei. At the beginning of the year, he allowed Shen Zechuan to recruit troops and never investigated Qidong’s grain supply. This was another kind of consumption directed at Shen Zechuan.
“Jiang Qingshan is truly a great help. No wonder the Empress wants to use him to contend with Xue Xiuzhuo. This man carries the granaries of the Great Zhou on his backbone,” Xiao Chiye’s gaze deepened, “Lan Zhou, the war you are fighting is harder than mine.”
Shen Zechuan not replying to Wang Xian’s letter was for Xiao Chiye’s consideration. Likewise, Xiao Chiye now abandoning the Qidong garrison army was also for Shen Zechuan’s consideration.
Xiao Chiye moved the chair away, leaned down to pick up the wooden clogs, but did not put them on Shen Zechuan. Instead, he placed them neatly aside. He released Shen Zechuan’s hand, leaned closer, touched Lan Zhou’s cheek, and said softly, “I’ll go.”
Shen Zechuan’s eyes were red at the corners, but there was no lust in his eyes.
Late at night, the watch drum sounded a few times. Feng Quan hugged his knees and leaned against the foot of Li Jianting’s dragon bed, unable to sleep. After a little more than half an hour, he heard Li Jianting inside the curtains say, “You are not sleeping?”
Feng Quan rested his chin on his knees; half of his fair face was buried, and he replied, “Your Majesty has been unable to sleep for several days. It would be better to summon a imperial physician.”
Li Jianting kept her eyes open and slightly turned her body, facing away from the curtains, saying, “I’m just not used to sleeping.”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Li Jianting asked, “Have you seen Shen Zechuan?”
“When he first came out of the Zhaozui Temple in Xiande year, I saw him.”
“It is said his mother was a dancer from Zhenzhou,” Li Jianting seemed to be confirming, “Is that true?”
“It is true,” Feng Quan shifted his numb foot, “He is the eighth son of Shen Wei’s concubine line. In the Jianxing Prince’s residence, he was not favored and was sent early to a private estate in Zhenzhou, related to the late Jinyiwei Vice Director Ji Gang. When Zhenzhou fell, he was also in the Tea Stone Sinkhole.”
Li Jianting fell silent for a moment, then said, “Qi Huilian dared to cast aside prejudice and teach him everything. He is truly a mad scholar worthy of his name.”
“But Shen Zechuan is narrow-minded and vengeful,” Feng Quan said, turning his head, “Ji Lei had a grudge with him, and he made Ji Lei… worse than death. That day at the banquet, if Han Cheng had not stubbornly resisted, Your Majesty could have demoted and exiled him to Zhongbo. Then we would have seen how Shen Zechuan would treat him—he would surely have made him wish for death.”
Tree shadows from outside the window fell onto the floor. The palace in the deep night was utterly silent.
“Are you Mu Ru’s younger brother?” Li Jianting suddenly changed the topic.
Feng Quan’s expression shifted slightly, but he did not answer lightly.
“Before Mu Ru entered the palace, you had already become a eunuch. At that time she was already a favored concubine of the Prince of Chu. Why did you come here to suffer?” Li Jianting’s eyes moved slightly, “You do not seem like someone who passed through the Imperial Study Hall like Fu Man, yet you are well-read. Given Mu Ru’s family background, it would already be impressive if you could read.”
Feng Quan immediately knelt down and said, “This servant, this servant…”
“I see that your ear piercings are not newly made, but the former emperor never rewarded you with earrings. It is even less possible for you to have been rewarded earrings. A male who has ear piercings from childhood must be either from a noble or legitimate line. So you exactly,” Li Jianting propped herself up, paused, and looked toward the curtains, “Where exactly did you come from?”
The zither strings “hummed” and trembled. Qiao Tianya woke as if from a dream and raised his hand to rub his brow, only to find his fingertip had split open.
“The Great Commander has not replied for a long time. This is likely dissatisfaction with the Prefect’s decision to hand Qing Shuibu territory to Hai Rigu…” Yao Wenyu paused in conversation and looked through the curtain toward the inner room.
“This matter is difficult. I’m afraid it will create rifts with Qidong.” Kong Ling also looked over, “Song Yue seems unsettled; why not come out and have tea with us.”
Qiao Tianya wiped away the blood with his thumb and leaned back in the rattan chair, smiling, “Since the gentlemen have invited me, I will respectfully comply.”
He placed the zither on the table, stood up, lifted the curtain, and went outside.
The weather was good today. A tea table was set under the eaves. It did not look like official business, more like tea tasting. Yao Wenyu wore a loose cyan robe; when he drank tea, the red thread on his wrist flickered faintly. Qiao Tianya was not polite either and sat in the chair next to Yuan Jue.
“What good tea is this?” Qiao Tianya took the tea handed by Gao Zhongxiong, only smelled it and said, “Oh, Hezhou’s Shengchunyi.”
“Don’t be fooled by his usual image of riding and fighting like a martial general,” Kong Ling pointed at Qiao Tianya, “He is actually someone who understands tea.”
“As long as one lives in this world, one should enjoy it,” Qiao Tianya said while drinking tea, “If I had money, I would satisfy my appetite. Good tea, good wine—if I could taste them, I would spend any amount gladly.”
Yao Wenyu lowered his eyes and said, “You should learn from Shenwei.”
Gao Zhongxiong quickly waved his hand, “I actually envy Commander Qiao. I also want to save up some money to build a foundation, so that when the world is peaceful, I can marry a virtuous wife.”
“Song Yue has not married either,” Kong Ling asked, “Not in a hurry?”
“Look at Fei Lao Shi—he hasn’t married either. If they are not in a hurry, I naturally am anxious beyond measure,” Qiao Tianya put down his teacup and said seriously, “I think about earning that betrothal money so much I toss and turn at night.”
The gentlemen laughed.
Qiao Tianya turned his head and looked at Yao Wenyu, “Sir, you are not married either. Are you anxious?”
Flower petals fell from the branch onto Yao Wenyu’s sleeve. He turned his gaze and met Qiao Tianya’s. As the wind scattered the blossoms, it also carried a faint bitter medicinal scent onto Qiao Tianya’s body.
“I used to be anxious,” Yao Wenyu said, “Now that I have Hu Nu, it is fine.”
Except for Qiao Tianya, the others did not fully understand Yao Wenyu and Zhaoyue County Princess’s matter. They only knew some rumors of the county princess intending to marry him, so they naturally assumed he meant the county princess.
“I say there are three great regrets in life, and one of them is not being Hu Nu,” Qiao Tianya reached out toward Hu Nu, but behind the cat’s fat body he grasped Yao Wenyu’s wrist, “Otherwise I would rest on your knees day and night, and even in dreams my thoughts would be boundless.”
Yao Wenyu’s expression changed slightly. He did not expect Qiao Tianya to be so bold and coughed in haste.
“Commander Qiao often speaks shockingly. If he could sit and debate with Yuan Jue in elegant discourse, that would be a fine affair,” Gao Zhongxiong sighed, “I wonder if we will still be able to see Yuan Jue’s elegant debates in the future.”
“Elegant discourse harms governance.” Yao Wenyu raised his hand to cover his mouth; there was a faint red on his wrist. “What was just said has not finished—Great Commander not replying is dissatisfaction with Hai Rigu. The Qing Shuibu territory was not taken by us; it cannot be forced.”
Kong Ling nodded, “I was also worried that this would create rifts between the Great Commander and the Prefect.”
“We want to borrow strength to strike, but Hai Rigu is ultimately a desert scorpion. It is understandable that the Great Commander does not trust him.”
“This is only one reason,” Kong Ling looked at Yao Wenyu and slowly shook his head, “The greater fear is that the Great Commander suspects this move is a threat to Qidong.”
“Qing Shuibu is close to the border counties,” Yao Wenyu said, “Even if the Great Commander does not think so, Qidong generals will. They were once controlled by the eunuchs of Juandu and have suffered enough humiliation. They will not allow another scorpion watching them.”
“If Qidong refuses,” Kong Ling said, “we will have to make other plans.”
Inside the military tent, candles were lit. Qi Zhuyin pressed the back of her neck and listened with her legs crossed as Qi Wei spoke.
“Tell Lu Guangbai not to write letters anymore. He has no supply burden—he can move two thousand infantry whenever he wants.” She stared at the tent ceiling. “Ji Ming and Xiao Chiye haven’t brought it up again either.”
“General Lu has followed the Great Commander the longest,” Qi Wei said, “He knows your capability, so naturally he wants to persuade you to send troops.”
“I understand his desire to fight the Border Sand cavalry,” Qi Zhuyin frowned slightly, “But the Great Zhou has never gone deep into the desert. The journey is long and full of danger. If all three armies go out, who guarantees the homeland remains secure? The scorpions in Juandu are still there.”
Qi Wei knew her difficulty and hesitated before saying, “If the Great Commander refuses them now, she may be accused of ingratitude.”
Juandu had just enfeoffed her as the Eastern Fierce King, yet she was already turning against Zhongbo and Lubei. The garrison troops were still eating Shen Zechuan’s grain—anyone hearing this would curse her.
Qi Zhuyin said indifferently, “Let them curse. The hardest thing in this world to control is a tongue.”
“This is a difficult account. From Zhongbo’s perspective, supplying grain to support the garrison is a great favor,” Qi Wei said, “But if not for Lubei being in urgent war, Zhongbo would not have opened its gates and would not need us to send troops. Shen Zechuan’s grain would not have come so easily.”
“They are people who calculate the world and understand timing,” Qi Zhuyin said seriously, without her usual laughter. “I help Lubei for my own benefit; now not sending troops is also for my own benefit. Qidong and Lubei are brothers in hardship, but Lubei’s crisis is already resolved. Zhe An still wants to go deeper—it is a sign of overextending military force. After the world collapsed, refugees are everywhere. This year’s war and last year’s war are both unavoidable. I know A Mu’er is already exhausted; this is the best time to defeat the Six Tribes alliance. But the eight cities’ granaries are empty, people are starving in the streets, Exi and Yongzhou suffer droughts, Jiang Qingshan must still supply grain to Juandu and Qidong after autumn. All of this grain comes from the people. Shen Zechuan’s Six Prefectures still have three that have not yet had a good harvest; he also depends on Hezhou’s granary… War is quick and satisfying, but I cannot go.”
A Mu’er had suddenly risen; the Border Sand Six Tribes were a great hidden threat to Great Zhou generals. If they went deep into the desert this time and won, no matter who ruled in the future, Lubei cavalry and Xiao Chiye would be recorded in history. As a martial general, who would not want to face such an opponent?
Qi Zhuyin cut the candle wick, and the tent fell into darkness. She sat for a moment and said, “I will say it, you write it. Tell Shen Zechuan: even if Qing Shuibu is abandoned, I will not allow Hai Rigu to set foot there. Tell Xiao Jiming: although I, Qi Zhuyin, have known him since youth and consider him a close friend, my Qi clan is still a subject of Great Zhou; fighting foreign enemies together is our duty, but supporting Zhongbo is treason. Tell Lu Guangbai: I wish him success and glory to wash away past shame, but this time, we siblings will not travel together.”
A lone goose cried under the moon, flying across the border sky. Qi Wei collected the letters and left the tent. Yellow sand rustled under his military boots. A hand grabbed a handful of sand. Lu Guangbai stood facing the dim horizon; Qidong’s letter was still between his fingers. He squatted for a long time, carefully folded the letter, and let the sand in his palm flow back down.
“Reply to General Qi.”
“I neglected my duty and left the county without authorization. I am ashamed before Qidong’s elders. Only by going to battle can I prove my resolve. I will always be General Qi’s subordinate. Though I cannot accompany this battle, beneath mountains and rivers and under the bright moon, I will not fail your expectations.”