Mo Sang – CH 310

Chapter 310. The Day Before

The next day, as the first rays of dawn appeared on the horizon, Li Sangrou emerged from her tent, stretching her arms, and looked from the brightly lit commander’s tent towards Wen Cheng’s tent, which was equally brightly lit.

Ru-Yi, carrying a copper kettle, steam rising from its spout, trotted over, smiling. “The Boss is up! I’ve boiled a few extra kettles of water for the Boss to wash up.

What kind of tea would the Boss like? We have this year’s new tea from the small hill by the lake outside Pingjiang City. Master Wen raved about it, and the Shizi also thinks it is excellent.”

“Then I’ll try the new tea, thank you.” Li Sangrou smiled and thanked him, gesturing with her chin towards the commander’s and Wen Cheng’s tents, and asked in a low voice, “Did they both not sleep all night?”

“Master Wen did not sleep all night. It is always like this before a major battle.

The Shizi went to bed as soon as he got back yesterday and slept well last night, waking up a quarter of an hour into the hour of Yin¹.

The Shizi has been practicing his martial arts since he was very young, always waking up at that time. Unless he’s seriously ill, he’s never missed a day,” Ru-Yi said with a smile, answering in great detail.

Li Sangrou gave a soft “oh” and nodded her thanks to Ru-Yi.

Li Sangrou slowly and leisurely used the hot water from the pot to clean her teeth, wash her face, and loosen her hair. She quickly tied it up, and just as she finished, Ru-Yi brought over a tea tray with a pot and a cup.

Li Sangrou poured herself a cup of tea and stood at the tent entrance. She watched as the curtain of Hei Ma and Da Chang’s tent opened slightly, and Pang’er jumped out, squealing with delight, rushing towards her. Li Sangrou quickly raised her teacup high.

Meng Yanqing and the others also got up and squatted in a row at their respective tent entrances, chatting and laughing, some cleaning their teeth, others washing their faces.

Meng Yanqing splashed water on his face, pulled a cotton handkerchief from his shoulder to wipe it, and turned to find the men, instructing, “Wei Fu and you guys, wash your faces and go find Bai-Cheng. Bring back the Boss’s crossbow and arrows and all the other equipment we need. We can have breakfast when you get back.

Remember this: carefully inspect each of the Boss’s crossbows and arrows before taking them. If there’s even the slightest flaw, do not take them. Absolutely no exceptions!”

“Do not worry, Chief!” Wei Fu’s voice rose at the end.

“Old Dong, take a few men to choose horses. See if there are enough. If there are enough, one warhorse and one packhorse per person. If not, just choose one warhorse. Gather them together and tell them how to feed them.

Old Huang, go and get our clothes. Bai-Cheng said yesterday that new clothes were made in Jianle City and just arrived.

Everyone else, get on with your work. Prepare yourselves well; the fighting starts first thing tomorrow morning,” Meng Yanqing instructed.

The crowd responded with a chorus of agreement, washed their faces, and brushed their teeth, then went about their tasks: some made tea, some cooked, some cleaned, and Wei Fu and a few others who had been assigned chores hurried off to collect weapons, horses, and uniforms.

Ru-Yi, having delivered the tea, returned shortly after, bowing and smiling at Li Sangrou. “The Shizi has finished his training and instructed me to invite the Boss to breakfast. He’s currently bathing; he will be ready soon.”

Li Sangrou handed the teacup to Ru-Yi and gave the chubby dog, who was nestled in her arms, tightly gripping her arm and baring its teeth at Ru-Yi, to Hei Ma. “Let’s go.”

“This chubby dog, I gave him so much jerky yesterday; why is he baring his teeth at me again?” Ru-Yi quickly tapped the dog’s nose with his finger.

“He’s afraid you will want to go back.” Hei Ma understood Pang’er’s feelings perfectly.

Ru-Yi chuckled.

Li Sangrou followed Ru-Yi into the commander’s tent. Gu Xi had already bathed and changed his clothes, but his hair was still wet. Ji-Xiang stood behind him, using a cotton handkerchief to wring out his hair.

Li Sangrou stood watching for a moment, secretly clicking her tongue several times.

She truly admired the abilities of Ru-Yi, Ji-Xiang, Bai-Fu, Bai-Shou, and their group of servants.

No matter how harsh the conditions, no matter how tight the time, except for the period of defeat and rout in Muzhou, they always managed to make this Shizi live as he did in his King Rui’s mansion, always refined and meticulous.

Seeing Li Sangrou enter the commander’s tent, several servants hurriedly set out the food.

Gu Xi sat down and gestured to Li Sangrou, “I had them make these according to your preferences. Try them and see what you like.”

Li Sangrou looked in amazement at Ji-Xiang, who followed Gu Xi seamlessly. Gu Xi’s movements did not hinder Ji-Xiang’s practiced and rapid hair-twisting at all.

“What are you looking at?” Gu Xi followed Li Sangrou’s gaze and looked behind him.

Li Sangrou laughed, watching Ji-Xiang smoothly follow Gu Xi’s every turn, waving her hand at Gu Xi, “Nothing, what could I be looking at? I just wanted to see your kitchen; is it behind this curtain?”

“No, it would be too smoky in this tent. There’s a small tent outside.” Gu Xi glanced behind her again.

She definitely was not looking for the kitchen. What was she looking at?

“What kind of filling are these buns?” Li Sangrou looked at the small, delicate buns on the plate and changed the subject.

“Shepherd’s purse and bamboo shoots,” Ru-Yi quickly replied with a smile. “The scent of spring,” Li Sangrou replied with a smile, picking up her chopsticks, taking a small steamed bun, and gesturing to Gu Xi to eat first.

Gu Xi glanced at her sideways, giving a barely perceptible hum, then moved the delicate porcelain bowl in front of him closer, ladling half a bowl of shrimp and egg custard into it, and placed it in front of Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou bit into the bun and nodded to Gu Xi in thanks.

He was particular about not speaking while eating, and eating in his tent required adhering to his rules.

“Would you like to come and listen in on the generals’ meeting later?” Gu Xi asked, picking up his tea after the meal and looking at Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou shook her head. “Just tell me what you need me to do, or have Ru-Yi and Ji-Xiang tell me. I do not understand what you are discussing.”

Gu Xi glanced at her, then hummed.

“What am I supposed to do tomorrow? Should I start preparing?” Li Sangrou asked Gu Xi with a smile.

“Follow me, see if we can run into Wu Huaiguo,” Gu Xi replied.

“Alright, then I will go back and prepare.” Li Sangrou stood up, glancing at Ji-Xiang beside him, who was holding a golden crown.

Over the course of the meal, Ji-Xiang had helped his master dry his hair and style it; he was practically ready to put on the golden crown.

“Shall we have lunch together? After lunch, I am going to inspect all the ministries; are you coming?” Gu Xi instinctively took a step closer and asked.

“Alright.” Li Sangrou’s reply was utterly decisive, and as she said this, she turned around and waved her hand behind her.

Gu Xi looked at Li Sangrou, who had not turned back, with a disgruntled expression.

………………………………

Of the generals who came to the meeting, Qiao An arrived first, before Li Sangrou even left the commander’s tent.

About ten paces from the commander’s tent, Qiao An stood with his hands behind his back, looking remarkably serious and composed, but his neck was craned out, cautiously peering across from the commander’s tent and Master Wen’s tent.

Across from him, amidst a circle of newly erected tents, Meng Yanqing was carrying a copper basin, carefully removing sausages one by one from a large steamer.

Da Chang was cooking vegetable porridge, holding a long ladle, standing beside him, looking affectionately at the glistening, tempting sausages in the steamer and basin.

“That’s all. After this meal, there will not be any left. While making it, I felt I had not made enough, really not enough!” Da Chang said regretfully. This year’s sausages were especially delicious, and the cured meat was also delicious, but unfortunately, he had not made enough!

“Master?” Qiao An recognized him but still called out uncertainly.

The Master Meng in his heart was still more like the one from before.

“Little Qiao’s here! Come here, have a sausage. This is the filling that your Master Dong and I made. Try it, let me tell you! So far, no one has said it is bad!” Meng Yanqing quickly greeted Qiao An.

“Master.” Qiao An secretly breathed a sigh of relief, took a few steps forward, and waved his hand as Meng Yanqing held out the copper basin. “I’ve already eaten breakfast. We have a meeting later, so this will make it more flavorful.”

“Oh right, you have a battle tomorrow,” Meng Yanqing picked up a sausage and took a bite. “You are not needed, are you? Using you for sieges would be a waste.”

“We have not discussed it yet. We probably will not be at the sieges, but we will not be idle either; this front is extremely long. Master, will you be with the Boss tomorrow?” Qiao An nodded and smiled as he spoke to Meng Yanqing, greeting the Old Yunmeng Guards.

“At all times, you must be fully focused and not slack off!” Meng Yanqing suddenly straightened his face and solemnly instructed.

“Yes!” Qiao An immediately bowed in response.

That was the tone of his Master Meng’s voice—that was truly his Master Meng.

“Go quickly, everyone’s here, do not be late!” Meng Yanqing’s tone immediately softened after those words, pointing with his sausage towards the commander’s tent, indicating to Qiao An.

“Then I will go over there. After this battle, my brothers and I will come back to pay our respects to our masters.” Qiao An bowed slightly, took two steps back, and hurried into the commander’s tent.

………………………………

Li Sangrou came out of the commander’s tent and encountered Wen Yanchao.

Upon seeing Li Sangrou, Wen Yanchao’s face immediately lit up with a smile. He quickly stepped aside and said in a low voice, “Yesterday, Ji-Xiang ran to my place with the commander’s order, telling me not to move camp for the time being, saying that other arrangements would be made. I knew it was you, and sure enough!”

“General Wen, you see the coming of autumn in a single leaf!” Li Sangrou smiled and bowed.

“Not at all! Everyone’s very happy.” Wen Yanchao gestured with his chin towards the generals passing by.

“I am very happy too,” Li Sangrou said, glancing at the passing generals and bowing with a smile.

“I will go in first. After this battle, Zhihe and I will go to pay our respects to the Boss.” Wen Yanchao bowed with a smile.

“You flatter me!” Li Sangrou quickly returned the bow.

Wen Yanchao chuckled.

“You really flatter me.” Li Sangrou laughed along.

Wen Yanchao, still laughing and bowing, entered the commander’s tent.

Li Sangrou returned to her tent. Da Chang, Meng Yanqing, and the others were squatting in several circles, eating breakfast. Pang’er stood in front of Hei Ma, wearing a bib, on an oil mat, his four legs pushing against the mat, slurping loudly as he ate half a bowl of mutton and cabbage.

Li Sangrou squatted down beside Pang’er, reaching out to pet him. Pang’er whimpered twice, not even lifting his head.

“You eat meat every day; how can you still be so greedy? You’d risk your life for food! Look at you! Such a pathetic sight! It is unbearable to watch!” Hei Ma pointed at Pang’er, taking a hateful bite of sausage.

“Next time, reduce the amount. He’s too fat; he needs to lose some weight.” Li Sangrou patted Pang’er’s bulging belly.

“That would be the death of him,” Meng Yanqing chuckled, then continued, “We’ve brought back all our equipment. Your six crossbows and arrows—I’ve checked them all.

We all have to go into battle tomorrow; what about Pang’er?” Meng Yanqing reached out and patted Pang’er’s head.

“Let Da Chang take him.” Li Sangrou smiled.

“Alright, everything’s ready.” Da Chang, watching Pang’er lick his bowl clean after finishing his meat and vegetables, bowed slightly to Meng Yanqing and took the bowl aside.

“Woof!” Pang’er barked. Li Sangrou scooped him up, held him close, and looked at her crossbow.

………………………………

The meeting in the command tent continued until the hour of Si². One by one, the generals emerged, mounted their horses, and hurried back to their respective camps.

Wen Cheng was the last to emerge, meeting Li Sangrou. She blocked his path, carefully observing the redness in his eyes.

“It’s alright, it is always like this. After this battle, we can finally rest.” Wen Cheng, feeling Li Sangrou’s gaze, subconsciously took a half-step back.

Li Sangrou did not speak, but smiled and stepped aside, bowing slightly to indicate that Wen Cheng should go first.

Inside the commander’s tent, the meal was ready. Li Sangrou and Gu Xi ate together, drank a cup of tea, and then left the tent. Li Sangrou went back to retrieve her crossbow, took two quivers of arrows, and mounted her horse.

The group left the camp gate and patrolled southwestward along the continuous camp.

As soon as they left the gate, Li Sangrou took out her small crossbow.

Gu Xi glanced at her, pointed around, and smiled, “I patrol this area frequently; do not worry.”

“Old Meng often says, ‘Never be completely carefree. Once you let your guard down, you cannot pick yourself up again,'” Li Sangrou laughed.

“You, sigh,” Gu Xi sighed. “Once this battle is over, the world will be at peace, and there will not be this need.”

Li Sangrou looked at Gu Xi, only smiling and remaining silent.

“After this battle, what are your plans?” Gu Xi glanced at Li Sangrou.

“I want to build a road, but I do not have the money. I am thinking of going south to see if I can rob some money before you quell the bandits there,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“After this battle, I am going back to Jianle City. Zhihe and Yang Zhili will lead troops to pacify the south, while Yanchao and Qiao An will lead troops north.

“These past few years, while we’ve been pacifying Southern Liang, the north has been weak, and those wolf cubs have been invading southwards. We have to drive them back.” Gu Xi paused, then looked at Li Sangrou. “I am not going south.”

“General Wen going will not hurt either,” Li Sangrou said, looking ahead.

“There are many ways to make money; you do not have to rob.

The language varies every ten li in the south, and customs differ every hundred li. Most of the bandits are locals. Sometimes, an entire village, town, or even city colludes with the bandits. Why take that risk?

Can you not do other businesses?” Gu Xi frowned slightly.

“Let’s talk about it later. Right now, with a major battle imminent, we should not be discussing these things,” Li Sangrou said earnestly, looking at Gu Xi.

“Hmm,” Gu Xi hummed in agreement, then, after a moment, cracked his whip. “How about a ride?”

“Sure,” Li Sangrou replied with a smile.