Mo Sang – CH 197

Chapter 197. This City and That City

Early in the sixth month, General Dou Huaide, a veteran general who had been secretly stationed at Qinfeng Road, led his 50,000 elite troops south along the Jialing River into Sichuan.

Wen Shunzhi led 100,000 elite troops south along the Han Shui to Ezhou, then upstream, joining General Dou in a two-pronged attack on Sichuan, one to the north and one to the west.

Gu Xi led the remaining 100,000-plus troops south along the Han Shui to Suizhou and Ezhou, secretly establishing a foothold along the Suizhou-Ezhou line.

The Southern Liang Army retreated from Yangzhou, and Wen Yanchao took advantage of this retreat to push the battle line all the way to Yangzhou.

While Gu Xi’s army was advancing south along the Han Shui, Li Sangrou and her entourage set off from Xiangfan to the banks of the Grand Canal.

Shunfeng’s post stations and distribution points in southern Bianjing and the Huai River region had been paralyzed after Zhang Zheng’s bloody conquest of Yangzhou; she needed to check on them.

……………………

In Yangzhou, night was falling.

Zhang Zheng and Su Qing sat side by side on the watchtower atop the city wall.

Each had a jar of wine. On the blue brick floor between them lay several lotus leaf packages containing large slices of braised pig’s head, boiled mutton, and salted peanuts.

“By dawn, the general will be in Jiangdu City,” Su Qing said, gazing up at the full moon.

“Yes, the General really should not have retreated. A general in the field may disobey the Emperor’s orders,” Zhang Zheng said, picking up a piece of a pig’s head and slowly putting it into his mouth.

“Did the general not say that if he truly disobeyed the Emperor’s orders, he would likely face certain death soon?” Su Qing sighed.

“What are these people thinking? Suspecting the Wu family—is that not a joke? In the entire Great Liang, who does not know how loyal the Wu family army is? How many Wu family men have died? How many are left? Damn it!” Zhang Zheng chewed the pig’s head vigorously.

“The strategy devised by Commander Xiao Wu is to seize Hefei, join forces with the Xiangyang army, divert the Northern Qi Army to the western front, and then launch a surprise attack along the Grand Canal.

The general has also devised this plan, saying that the Emperor consulted him on this strategy.

The general has carefully analyzed it several times, saying that it is overly optimistic to say that within six months, the three armies will join forces and take half of Northern Qi’s territory. However, at the very least, they could take Yingzhou to Chuzhou, or Yingzhou to Yangzhou and southwards.

Unexpectedly, the Northern Qi Army has been mobilized so quickly, as if they were already waiting in the Hefei area.

When General Xiao Wu’s report that Northern Qi was prepared was submitted to Hangzhou, someone else had already submitted a report.

It claimed that King Rui’s heir had been assassinated in Jiangdu, but that was all false, fabricated by the general to cover up his secret meeting and conspiracy with King Rui’s heir, implying that the general had already betrayed the Emperor and the country. The report was presented with great detail.”

“It’s said that when the General accepted the command and set off from Hangzhou, the Old Madam instructed him, saying that too many lies will eventually become truths, and that the General must be cautious and mindful of potential suspicions.

She also asked our sister to keep an eye on things and remind the General.

She said that no matter what, he must not betray the Emperor’s trust, and he must not do anything that could arouse suspicion.”

Su Qing said, forcing a bitter smile.

“Pah!” Zhang Zheng spat fiercely towards the city gates.

“That time in Hefei… the Northern Qi Army’s deployment was indeed too fast.

Look, apart from Hefei, the Northern Qi Army’s deployment, when they arrived, where they were, and their combat strength were almost all within the General’s expectations. Even that one time, the General just could not understand how they could be so fast. It is simply impossible!” Su Qing sighed repeatedly.

“Hmm.” Zhang Zheng nodded with a somber face. He could not understand it either; no matter how he deduced it, it could not be that fast.

“In the Battle of Hefei, if the commander-in-chief had been General Xiao Wu, I think at least the defeat would not have been so devastating.

When General Xiao Wu took command of Jiangdu, the General told the Old Madam that General Xiao Wu was good in every way, except that he lacked experience, composure, and resilience. He was only capable of winning, not losing; at the first sign of defeat, he would become flustered and panicked.

I also heard the General say this once.

The General said that in the Battle of Hefei, the Northern Qi’s reaction was extremely swift, and their troop deployment far exceeded General Xiao Wu’s expectations. General Xiao Wu must have panicked and rushed north before the army had even crossed the river several times or properly reorganized.

Did the General not always teach us that if the commander-in-chief is unsettled, the army’s morale will inevitably be in turmoil? Especially in such situations, it is crucial to remain calm and composed.

The General said that General Xiao Wu must have panicked then, and when the commander-in-chief is panicked, the army’s morale is bound to be restless and unstable.

On the day of the great battle, that General Sang just had to appear, like a god of death… Sigh!” Su Qing sighed deeply.

“General Xiao Wu himself is dead too.” Zhang Zheng took a large gulp of wine.

“Yes, when news of General Xiao Wu’s death reached back home, some people in the Wu family said that the General wanted to get rid of General Xiao Wu, or that the General was taking revenge on General Xiao Wu. There were all sorts of rumors, sigh.

In the court, I heard countless secret reports saying that the General was colluding with Northern Qi and that the General had informed Northern Qi of the surprise attack on Hefei, and others said that the internal strife within the Wu family was jeopardizing the fate of the nation. This and that, all sorts of rumors, everything imaginable.

At the time, it was said that only General Xiao Wu and the Emperor knew General Xiao Wu’s strategy. Later, the Emperor inquired of the General, and the General learned of it. It was said that only three people knew. Since General Xiao Wu is dead, it could not be the Emperor, so it must be the General.” Su Qing smiled bitterly.

“What a load of bull!” Zhang Zheng spat again.

“General, if you continue to disobey imperial orders, think about the consequences,” Su Qing sighed again.

“Alas!” Zhang Zheng slumped his shoulders and sighed deeply as well.

Neither of them spoke.

“We should not have retreated,” Zhang Zheng said indignantly after a while.

“Hmm.” Su Qing glanced at Zhang Zheng.

“Shu is easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are nearly two hundred thousand troops in Shu, right? Two hundred thousand troops—what’s the point of sending reinforcements? If two hundred thousand troops cannot hold it, then sending reinforcements is pointless!” Zhang Zheng took a large gulp of wine.

“Xiangyang has fallen. General, you said those people in the court are terrified,” Su Qing sighed softly.

“Those people in the court? The Emperor, is he not? Fools!” Zhang Zheng spat.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore. Tomorrow at dawn, we will rush back to Jiangdu and defend it well.” Su Qing bowed and clinked his cup against Zhang Zheng’s.

“I will go back to Jiangdu and defend Yangzhou.” Zhang Zheng drank some wine and poured another.

“Yangzhou is indefensible anyway. Jiangdu might hold if it were in my hands, but nine times out of ten it will not. If I go back, then neither Yangzhou nor Jiangdu will hold.” Su Qing also poured wine.

Zhang Zheng pursed his lips tightly, remaining silent.

“We’ve known each other for over ten years, have we not?” Su Qing sipped his wine, changing the subject.

“Twenty-three years,” Zhang Zheng replied.

“Yeah, I’ve already celebrated my thirtieth birthday,” Su Qing said, laughing.

“Celebrating your birthday every year, each year brings you closer to the end. What a load of crap!” Zhang Zheng laughed and spat.

“How can you accept gifts if you do not celebrate your birthday?” Su Qing bent one leg, squinting.

“Damn it.” Zhang Zheng laughed and cursed.

“That Nanny Wang, remember her? She celebrated her birthday twice a year, saying one was for her father’s suffering and the other for her mother’s,” Su Qing asked with a smile.

“How could I forget her! That old bitch. ‘Mother’s suffering, father’s suffering,’ she said. Her mother was suffering, but her father was clearly having a blast! What suffering was there for him! Shameless old bitch!” Zhang Zheng spat as he laughed.

“She did not care whether her parents were suffering or having a blast; all she wanted was birthday gifts. Shameless, truly shameless!” Su Qing clicked his tongue.

“The day that old teapot died, seeing how happy she was, crying and then suddenly bursting into laughter—seeing her laugh like that, I regretted killing that old teapot!” Zhang Zheng scoffed.

“That old teapot, killing him was really satisfying. By the way, how did he offend me? For over twenty years, I’ve completely forgotten to ask. Damn it, I’ve been forgetting for a whole decade or two,” Su Qing laughed, thinking about the first time he and Zhang Zheng killed someone.

Before killing that shameless old teapot, he thought he would definitely ask Zhang Zheng why he hated the old teapot so much. But after killing him, he was too excited and thrilled, and he completely forgot to ask and had not since!

That killing was incredibly satisfying.

“I was begging for food outside Huanmen Gate, and Aunt Zhu gave me half a sesame seed cake. That old teapot would not let me have it. It was not a problem that he would not give it to me, but he said, ‘Giving me a little is fine, but if I eat it, I will have to poop it out. It is really annoying.’

His words were not human.”

“He was not human either. I’ve wanted to kill him for a long time.” Su Qing squinted.

“Everyone was quite happy when he died,” Zhang Zheng laughed.

“Yeah, he was not human,” Su Qing spat fiercely, seemingly remembering something.

“Tomorrow, let’s go back to Jiangdu City. For our sister’s sake,” Zhang Zheng said after a moment of silence, looking at Su Qing.

“Do you think Liang has any chance of winning this battle? How much of a chance?” After a long silence, Su Qing asked Zhang Zheng.

Zhang Zheng remained silent, his face grim.

“It’s only a matter of time. If we can hold Jiangdu, we can hold out a little longer. If Liang can hold out, the general will be fine. If the general is fine, my sister will be fine. Going back is better than me going back,” Su Qing said calmly.

“If Jiangdu cannot be held, it cannot be held. Do not hold out to the death. If you should leave, leave.

My sister is just a concubine. We are practically servants too. If anything happens, even dying for our country is not our turn. Take my sister and go wherever you need to go. You will not die,” Zhang Zheng said grimly.

“If that’s the case, why attack Yangzhou so relentlessly?” Su Qing asked Zhang Zheng.

Zhang Zheng pursed his lips tightly and remained silent.

“The General has shown us, my sister, and all three of us the kindness of a second life. I understand this in my heart, and my sister understands it just as clearly.

Defying the world’s condemnation and driving the people to attack the city was only to pave the way for the General, using ourselves as a sharp blade, willing to be shattered to pieces to repay his kindness.

I understand this intention perfectly well, so there’s no point in saying these things to me now.” Su Qing patted Zhang Zheng.

“This great kindness, I will repay alone, protecting my sister, hiding my identity…” Zhang Zheng’s words were interrupted by Su Qing, “Revenge can be taken, but kindness can not.

Besides, do you think my sister is the type to do anything to survive?

Do not even mention her; I do not think living is anything special. Living is good, but it is not so good that we absolutely have to live.

Stop saying these useless things.” Su Qing’s tone was weary, with a hint of cynicism.

“Our sister…” Zhang Zheng frowned at Su Qing.

“Our sister, she’s close friends with that boss of Shunfeng, that General Sang. Did you not know?” Su Qing smiled and glanced sideways at Zhang Zheng.

Zhang Zheng was taken aback.

“They are very close. Back in Jiangdu City, they often drank and talked together.

Before Ezhou City fell, that leader traveled all the way from Jianle City to Ezhou, just to see our sister and say goodbye.” Su Qing sighed.

“Does the General know about this?” Zhang Zheng’s face paled slightly.

“How could the General know? Not even a liar,” Su Qing chuckled. “Our sister is very bold. She’s stronger than us. I am not afraid to die, so she’s even less afraid.

That boss knew our sister’s temperament. She traveled all that way just to say goodbye, not to take her away.”

Su Qing reached out and patted Zhang Zheng.

Zhang Zheng was stunned for a moment, then sighed deeply. “Let’s go back to Jiangdu City first thing tomorrow morning.

Having this brother in this life, my life has been worthwhile.” Su Qing reached out and put his arm around Zhang Zheng’s shoulder.

“If you go first, wait for me on the road to the Yellow Springs!

We are not brothers enough in this life; we will be brothers again in the next.” Zhang Zheng reached out and embraced Su Qing.

“Alright!” Su Qing also embraced Zhang Zheng, raised their cups, and clinked them together forcefully.

……………………

At Jianle City.

Qian-Shan ran all the way, delivering two letters.

Princess Ninghe hesitated for a moment, carefully putting Wen Cheng’s letter into the box, and first opened Li Sangrou’s letter.

Li Sangrou’s letter was very short, just a few words, casual and simple.

Princess Ninghe stared at those few words, stunned for a moment, blinked hard a few times, read it again, and was even more stunned.

A moment later, she turned and looked at Gu Fei, who was reclining on the low couch beside her, intently watching her, yet holding a book and pretending not to be looking at her at all.

“The Boss has replied,” Princess Ninghe said, standing in front of the couch.

“Is that so?” Gu Fei put down his book and replied indifferently.

“Do you know what she replied?” Princess Ninghe asked, the letter in her hand trembling.

“What a question! I am not her. How could I possibly know?”

“The Boss said I should sell my useless jewelry and such, and then I will have money,” Princess Ninghe continued to shake the letter.

“Huh? Ah? What?” Gu Fei was stunned, jumping up and snatching the letter from Princess Ninghe’s hand. She skimmed it, then read it again, shaking the letter like Princess Ninghe. “What nonsense is she spouting? Just kidding!”

“I think it makes a lot of sense!”

Gu Fei exclaimed, shaking the letter. Princess Ninghe, however, remained calm and composed, sitting sideways on the low couch, pointing with her fingers and waving them back and forth like a folding fan.

“I have a whole storeroom full of jewelry. All the jewelry I had as a child is unusable now. Those tiny bracelets and such are too small to wear. They are all very valuable, and they are just sitting there doing nothing…”

“Are you crazy?” Gu Fei stared at Princess Ninghe.

“You must have quite a bit at home too, right?” Princess Ninghe looked at Gu Fei.

“I mean! Are you crazy?” Gu Fei flung the letter in front of Princess Ninghe.

“Put it in the Gossip Evening Post and sell it to whoever offers the highest price!”

Si-Mo! Come with me to the storeroom! Princess Ninghe snatched the letter from Gu Fei’s hand, grabbed her, and they walked out together.