Chapter 55: Forced March
The candlelight in the guest room was dim and yellow.
Xiao Yi meticulously wrapped the Imperial Guard Military Tally and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs’ seal in oilcloth layer by layer, placed them in his inner pocket, blew out the candle, and lay down fully clothed.
He had about an hour to rest, after which Wang Yin would have men ready to accompany him north.
After sleeping for an unknown duration, a faint “click” was heard from outside the door.
Xiao Yi vaguely thought, it’s time to leave.
The next moment, he felt someone’s hand reach into his embrace, targeting precisely the oilcloth package containing the talisman seal.
“Who?!”
Xiao Yi jolted awake. Before he could open his eyes, his left arm swept out like an iron whip, striking the other person’s wrist.
The person turned their right wrist to evade, and their left hand transformed into a blade, striking directly at his neck.
Xiao Yi evaded, leaped off the bed, and the shadow pursued. The guest room was narrow, leaving nowhere to dodge. He could only lower his shoulder and collide, forcefully taking a punch.
A dull thud sounded, and both men retreated half a step.
Pale moonlight filtered through the window. Xiao Yi, using the dim light, saw the figure: tall and broad-shouldered, it must be Wang Chengxun.
“Second Young Master Wang…”
“Hmph.”
Wang Chengxun’s attacks intensified, his fists striking at Xiao Yi’s face like a fierce wind.
Xiao Yi retreated into the shadows, using the moonlight to spot an opening. He sidestepped, hooked Wang Chengxun’s ankle with his right leg, and pressed his left hand onto his shoulder, twisting with leverage.
Wang Chengxun stumbled. Xiao Yi surged forward, driving his knee into his lower back, and wrapping his right arm around his neck, pinning him firmly to the ground, unable to move.
“Cough… cough…”
Wang Chengxun, unable to break free from the grip, angrily said, “Let go! I spent all this effort to get the military tally, not for you to give it to Guo Que’er as a wedding gift.”
“Has Second Young Master not understood yet? Commander Wang and Da Lang have no ambition to contend for power. If you act solely on impulse, you won’t succeed. I am taking the military tally to correct your mistake.”
“What mistake have I made? The Shi Family fought for it, the Guo Family fought for it, but my Wang Family cannot?!”
“Did you witness the fate of the Shi Family, their entire clan slaughtered?”
“If I don’t contend today, tomorrow I will have to beg Guo Que’er for mercy just to ensure my family’s safety…”
“Bang!”
The wooden door was pushed open, and Wang Yin entered carrying a lantern.
The dim candlelight illuminated the disarray within the room.
Xiao Yi released his grip and stepped aside.
Wang Chengxun staggered to his feet, breathing heavily, and said, “Father, this important artifact I painstakingly obtained, how could you so easily…”
“Silence!”
Wang Yin’s stern reprimand cut him off. He chided, “Can’t you see? The momentum of the world, how can it be turned by a mere inanimate object? Ye Du has troops, morale, and grain and fodder. Without this military tally, Guo Que’er’s iron cavalry can still sweep through Bianliang. Without this momentum, even if you had ten military tallies, you would only be inviting disaster with your treasures! It would only lead to your death!”
Wang Chengxun still spoke defiantly, saying, “Even if it is to help Guo Que’er contend for supremacy, how can Father entrust this important artifact to a youth of unknown origin, whom you’ve known for only one day? Isn’t that foolish?”
“He risked his life to come here, showing great courage to save the Wang family, and instead of being grateful, you attacked him. If you don’t even have the magnanimity to tolerate others, how can you even talk about contending for supremacy? Useless!”
With that, Wang Yin’s tone softened. He patted his second son’s shoulder, his eyes filled with disappointment.
“The moment you began to contend with those fools in the capital for these two pieces of copper and iron, you had already lost. I ask you, son, whose intention is more important: Cao Wei, Xiao Yi, and others defecting to Guo Que’er, or the military tally?”
Wang Chengxun’s chest heaved violently. Finally, he gritted his teeth in indignation, swallowing the words he had left unsaid.
Wang Yin sighed slightly and looked at Xiao Yi.
“Regarding Cao Wei’s family, I will dispatch elite guards with a large sum of money to infiltrate Kaifeng and attempt to ensure their safety. In these chaotic times, I cannot guarantee absolute success, but since I promised him, I will do my utmost.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
“Your subordinates outside the city have been brought in. I have ordered Chen Guang Sui to lead a squadron of elites to the stable to await you. Go.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
Xiao Yi cupped his fists and turned to leave.
Wang Chengxun, however, said, “I’ll escort you. Don’t worry, I won’t try to snatch the military tally. I was too impulsive just now. I apologize to you.”
Saying this, he picked up the candle from the table and lit it, leading the way.
“We had a misunderstanding, and now we know each other. I don’t hold any ill will towards you,” Wang Chengxun said, appearing quite magnanimous. “On the contrary, I greatly admire your skills.”
“I didn’t take it to heart. We’re all young, after all.”
“Here, take this. It’s a token of apology.”
Wang Chengxun fumbled in his embrace. Not finding anything else, he produced a scroll.
Xiao Yi took it and saw it was a well-worn copy of the 《 “Essays on Governance of the Zhenguan Era” 》. When he opened it, there were small, handwritten notes.
“This is something you cherish.”
“It’s no longer useful. Didn’t you say you were going to correct my mistakes? Take it with you. I don’t want to look at it anymore.”
As he spoke, Wang Chengxun seemed lost in thought, and finally, he murmured with a tone of certainty.
“Father will regret this sooner or later.”
Xiao Yi said, “The Commander’s foresight and concern for the common people are truly admirable. I can only express my respect.”
“Empty words won’t do. If we meet again by chance, let’s share a drink.”
“I will.”
Upon arriving at the stable, over thirty horsemen were already fully equipped and ready.
A burly old general with a scar on his forehead, accompanied by Fan Si, approached and bowed to Wang Chengxun before turning to Xiao Yi.
“Chen Guang Sui, under the Commander’s banner. I will be accompanying Commander Xiao north.”
“General Chen, I’ll be relying on your care.”
Chen Guang Sui’s voice was rough and powerful. He added, “Thirty men have been assembled, all capable of fighting ten. Saddles and arrows are fully prepared, and we also have patrol soldier uniforms. We can depart at any time.”
“Let’s go.”
“Men, let’s move out!”
Before dawn, the group passed through the streets of Chan Prefecture under the cover of night and exited the slowly opening city gate.
Over thirty riders thundered into motion, their hooves crushing the accumulated snow, like a surging torrent.
By the time they reached the bank of the Yellow River, the sky was beginning to brighten.
This stretch of the river was swift and not yet completely frozen over. The murky water, carrying a large amount of ice floes, flowed relentlessly downstream.
At the ferry crossing, several large, flat-bottomed ferry boats swayed violently in the churning waves. The boatmen shouted desolate songs, struggling to push aside the floating ice with their long poles.
Chen Guang Sui’s experience as a veteran quickly became apparent.
“Yellow River ferries are bumpy, and most warhorses fear water. When boarding, blindfold the horses. Two men lead the horse, and two push and support, to prevent them from panicking and disrupting the formation.”
“Understood.”
As expected, when boarding, the horses reared and whinnied, refusing to approach the gangplank.
The men followed the plan, but one warhorse suddenly reared, nearly throwing a soldier into the river. Chen Guang Sui reacted swiftly, flicking his whip onto the horse’s neck.
Xiao Yi quietly observed, taking mental notes of such military experiences.
The ferry set sail, and cold river water splashed onto the deck, gradually freezing into a thin layer of ice.
As the boat reached mid-river, the pitching became more severe. Xiao Yi pressed his inner pocket, confirming the military tally was safe, before gripping the ship’s railing.
“Damn it, what miserable weather, cold enough to freeze the balls off a man.”
Despite his curses, Chen Guang Sui did not sit down, instead drawing his saber and scanning the bow.
Xiao Yi asked, “General, are you worried about an ambush?”
“Water bandits. There are plenty of them on the Yellow River,” Chen Guang Sui said. “Judging by the scene, they’re probably holed up in their camps with their women.”
Xiao Yi’s gaze swept across the reed marshes on both banks and he asked, “Does General Chen know this area well?”
“How could I not?” Chen Guang Sui chuckled, patting his saber. “Commander Xiao, don’t be fooled by the heavy snow blocking the roads. This is actually the season when water bandits make their fortunes. But with our formation, unless someone has the heart of a bear, who would dare to provoke us?”
Afterwards, Xiao Yi detailed the situation of Cao Wei’s group, and the fleet safely reached the north bank.
The group dismounted and checked their saddles and arrows.
Chen Guang Sui took a headcount, confirmed no one was missing, and immediately issued orders.
“Xi Hou, Hu Deng, scout Liyang Post Station. Keep an eye on Commander Cao and report back at any time!”
“Understood.”
“The rest of you, form up, mount your horses!”
“…”
Once across the Yellow River, the scenery changed dramatically.
The land north of the river had suffered years of conflict, making it appear even more desolate and ruined. Ruined walls were visible everywhere along the official roads, and white bones, gnawed clean, were scattered in the desolate fields.
Chen Guang Sui led the group through small paths, taking a shortcut to expedite their travel.
They were heading to Baigouqu, forty li north of Liyang County, a total distance of over 120 li, and they had to arrive before Cao Wei.
Even if Cao Wei intended to slow down their journey and stayed overnight at Liyang Post, Xiao Yi had traveled nearly a hundred li more than them, making their journey extremely rushed.
It could only be said that the old general’s orders were too strict.
The reeds on either side blurred past rapidly.
The Wuzhui horse Xiao Yi was riding was a fine steed chosen by Chen Guang Sui. It ran as steady as a rock, but after half an hour of galloping, the muscles on his back began to tremble.
He couldn’t see the road clearly, so he leaned forward, burying his face in the horse’s mane, letting the horse follow the group, letting the wind and snow beat on his iron armor, his palms growing hot from the reins, his fingers feeling as if they would break from the cold.
What was most unbearable wasn’t a lack of willpower, but that this body was still too young to withstand such intense marching.
Just as Xiao Yi felt he was about to vomit, Chen Guang Sui finally reined in his horse.
“Whoa—”
He dismounted, feeling a wave of dizziness.
His will was still strong, but his internal organs were desperately trying to surge up his throat.
His hands were scraped raw, and his head throbbed with pain.
Xiao Yi took deep breaths, forcing himself to hold on, and looked up. The twilight halo spread across the reed marshes.
In his ears, he could hear Chen Guang Sui’s commands.
“Everyone dismount and rest. Eat your provisions, but only eat until you are half full!”
“Wu Gouzi, get your damn ass over here and stop! Don’t let the horses drink water, it’ll burst their lungs.”
“Third brother, take two men to scout. The marsh is deep. See if Cao Li’s scout has arrived. If you see new tracks in the reeds, or a torn piece of cloth hanging, don’t alert them, return the way you came and report!”
“Monkeys, hold your horses’ mouths! Who let them graze? Ice shards will cut their intestines. You’ll run all the way to Ye Du on foot! You donkey ball idiot…”
Xiao Yi rubbed his forehead, still straining to listen, learning from the experience.
Before long, the two groups of scouts sent out returned.
“Report! General, the Fengguo Army is ten li behind us, over a hundred riders. Hu Deng is still watching them.”
“They’ll be here in less than half an hour. We don’t have much time.”
“General, Cao Li turned back when he reached the forest ahead.”
“Understood.”
Chen Guang Sui finished speaking and walked over, patting Xiao Yi on the shoulder.
“Commander Xiao, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“Do you see the old forest at the intersection ahead?” Chen Guang Sui pointed, speaking rapidly. “I’ll take twenty men there and pose as Hebei soldiers to question them. As soon as Commander Cao’s convoy arrives, we’ll launch a frontal attack.”
“Understood.”
“You take ten men and hide deep in the reed marsh on the right flank. Listen for my war cry as the signal, and immediately charge out from the flank. Make sure to kill Liu Jirong and his followers, leaving no one to escape.”
“Understood.”
“Old Pan, you take a squad and follow Commander Xiao.”
“Yes!”
Old Pan was a veteran soldier in his forties, dressed as a captain. Without a word, he gathered a squad, led the horses, and walked into the reed marsh.
Xiao Yi and Fan Si followed.
“Commander Xiao, you two guard the Imperial Palace. Don’t think I’m nagging. Tread lightly, don’t snap dry reeds. If you make too much noise, it can be heard from ten li away.”
“Alright.”
The dry, yellow reeds were tall and dense. Underfoot was half-frozen mud, chilling to the bone.
Over ten men hid their horses, sat down, and took their positions.
Then came a long wait.
