The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 460 Let's see who the hero is today (Part 1)

The cold wind was like a knife, sweeping across the continuous camps, stirring up the unmelted snow, and whipping the Jin banner.

Leaving Juyong Pass, a hundred miles northeast, this land on the western side of the Tanshan Mountains seems frozen in a chilling atmosphere. The camp is set up along several undulating hills, with layers of barricades and fortifications. The patrolling Shatuo elite cavalry are spread out wide, exuding the aura of trapped beasts cornered against a wall.

There were almost no other people around the central command tent. Even the two famous disciples of the so-called new Holy Lord, Baal and Baye, were just waiting outside the tent.

Inside the tent, Li Siyuan sat in the main seat, his usual gentle smile long gone, replaced by a blank expression. He unconsciously tapped his closed folding fan against his palm, producing a dull, soft sound.

Standing beside the crudely made map of southern Mongolia, Li Cunli pointed his finger at the symbol representing Baidaochuan, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Brother, this is the third time. Zhu Youwen, this roadblock, is too persistent. Every time we probe, he uses the terrain and his elite cavalry to block us back. His intentions are already very clear: he doesn't seek to annihilate us or even severely damage us, but rather to cut off our southward return route, cut off our supply lines, and prevent us from retreating westward into the Yudujin Mountains to establish a stronghold. This time, forcing us to come north is clearly a scheme with deep implications."

Below, Li Sizhao, his face pale and his wounds bandaged, coughed heavily upon hearing this, his voice filled with resentment: "That Ghost King personally led the charge, his men were well-equipped, and their tactics were cunning. Especially those thousand loyal followers, they were slippery and ruthless, always targeting our weak points, never engaging us in direct combat. My tenth brother (Li Cunxiao) and I tried several times to break through with our strength, but he personally stopped us each time… This man's martial arts are unfathomable, and he's also very fond of showing off. I really don't know what kind of immense wealth Xiao Yan promised him. Knowing that Xiao Yan and his Zhu family have a blood feud, he still risked his life for us! This bastard… really!"

Li Cunxiao stood aside, letting out a low, beast-like growl as he heard this, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked, but he was speechless. After all, he was considered the strongest man in the world, but his opponent was one of the few people in the world who could defeat him.

Li Siyuan remained silent for a long time, his gaze finally sweeping over the crowd and landing on Li Cunhui, who was huddled in the shadows in a thick fur robe in the corner. This member of the Twelve Bodyguards still had his eyes covered with a black cloth, and his fingers were twirling a string of prayer beads that he had obtained from who-knows-where, making a soft rubbing sound.

"Twelfth Brother," Li Cunli understood, turned to the corner, and asked in a questioning tone, "Do you have a good plan to break this deadlock?"

Li Cunhui paused, seemingly sensing that everyone in the tent was looking at him. He forced a dry laugh, but his finger pointed lightly, landing precisely on the northeast of the map. His voice carried a hint of caution: "The southward route is cut off, and the westward advance is blocked. The Liang army's plan is to use us as bait, drawing our Hedong forces in continuously, draining our Jin's lifeblood, and depleting our vitality and foundation. Since you came here to break this deadlock, how can you let them have their way? In my humble opinion, the most urgent task is neither south nor west, but... to establish a foothold." He paused, emphasizing his words, "Only by establishing a foothold on the grasslands can we survive, and only then can we turn the tables."

His fingertips traced the ink lines representing the coal mountains, then moved to a northeastern area marked with scattered tribal symbols: "Like a gecko shedding its tail, or a cicada shedding its shell."

The gazes of everyone inside the tent sharpened.

"To survive by cutting off the tail?" Li Cunli pressed.

"Abandon pawns to lure the enemy." Li Cunhui spoke quickly, unusually blunt. "With Ninth Brother (Li Cunzhong) as the main general and Eleventh Brother (Li Cunyong) as his assistant, lead two thousand auxiliary troops and the weaker soldiers, carrying some redundant supplies and banners, making a big show of force, pretending to be the main force, and break through to the west with all their might, making it seem like they are rushing to Yudujin Mountain to gather the northern tribes along the way and establish a stronghold. This move has two purposes: first, if Zhu Youwen divides his troops to intercept them, it can disperse his forces and reduce the pressure on the main force; second, if he does not move, Ninth Brother's troops can also scout ahead, find out the strength of the Yudujin Mountain direction for possible follow-up actions, and even establish an outpost, which can also be considered as keeping a backup plan."

Li Cunzhong was listening intently, but was startled by what he heard. Li Siyuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but when Li Cunzhong looked at him carefully, he only frowned and seemed to be thinking.

Li Cunhui, who was congenitally blind, paid no heed to others' opinions and continued, "Furthermore, we will shed our skin and establish a foothold to the north. With Ninth Brother gone, the main force will be led by Eldest Brother. With guides familiar with the terrain, we will take advantage of the cover of night to find a hidden pass, sneak up eastward, and then head straight northeast to launch a surprise attack on the small and medium-sized tribal camps in the upper reaches of the Luan River. We will seize their tents, provisions, and livestock. This will allow us to replenish our military supplies, gain a relatively stable temporary foothold, and shorten the distance to Yelü Lage's main force in the northeast. When the Northern Desert Royal Court is engaged in fierce fighting with Yelü Lage and even the Liang army under Yuan Xingqin, we can seize the opportunity to infiltrate their flanks and truly achieve 'profiting from chaos.' Establishing a foothold, replenishing supplies, and getting closer to Yelü Lage's tribe—these three things are within reach."

The tent was silent, save for the howling wind from the outer military camp. Li Cunzhong hesitated, but ultimately remained silent. Li Cunyong, also blind, simply remained expressionless, seemingly without objection. Li Sizhao stroked his chin, remaining silent for a moment.

Li Cunli then looked at Li Siyuan and coughed softly: "Brother, this plan is excellent. However, it also requires Ninth Brother and Eleventh Brother to take risks and continue to advance eastward. Without receiving a response from Yelü Lige, is it too deep? South of the Luan River is Beian Prefecture. In the north and south of the river basin, is there another Zhu Youwen? Or is it another trap set by the royal court and the Liang army?"

Li Siyuan squinted his narrow eyes, his gaze sweeping across the map. After a long while, a slow smile curved his lips, and he suddenly flung open his folding fan with a sharp "snap."

“Excellent. This plan suits me perfectly.” His eyes flashed with a fierce light as he laughed, waving his folding fan. “Only by establishing a foothold on the grasslands can we have room to maneuver and stir up trouble. Staying here is just waiting to die.”

He swiftly closed his folding fan, his gaze sweeping across Li Cunzhong and Li Cunyong like lightning: "Ninth Brother, Eleventh Brother. The task of luring the enemy westward is entrusted to you two. This journey is fraught with danger, a near-certain death, but it is imperative. However, if Zhu Youwen's main force is lured away, your troops can retreat towards Yudujin Mountain, fighting as you go. If things turn out well, you will provide backup; if not..." His voice deepened, "then retreat towards Yinshan to seek survival. And on my behalf, question the chieftains of the Yinshan tribes: the Golden Arrow of the Prince of Jin is here, why have they remained inactive until now?!"

"As you command, elder brother!" Li Cunzhong had already guessed this would be the outcome, but he and Li Cunyong gritted their teeth and accepted the order. They knew this was the duty of death warriors, but they had no other choice.

Li Siyuan nodded in satisfaction, stood up, patted the two men on the shoulders and gave them a few kind words of advice. His gaze then fell on the towering Li Cunxiao: "Tenth brother, you are the vanguard, clearing the way through mountains and building bridges over rivers. Remember, no matter who the enemy is, anyone who stands in my way will die."

Li Cunxiao bowed with his hands on his chest and nodded emphatically.

Finally, Li Siyuan looked at Li Cunli, who had raised concerns, and his confidence deepened: "Sixth brother, do not worry. There are eyes within the royal court. News of Yuan Xingqin's movements and the defenses around the royal court should be coming through. Even if Xiao Yan has extraordinary abilities, his forces in the southern desert are not inexhaustible. He also needs to be wary of our Yanmen and Yizhou lines. Zhu Youwen's killing of Baidaochuan already indicates where his main force is located. The Northeast... is undoubtedly our only way out."

Li Cunli pondered for a moment, then remained silent: "Brother, you have great foresight. I admire you greatly."

"In that case, issue orders to all departments to prepare immediately and proceed according to plan after nightfall!" Li Siyuan's voice echoed in the tent, and everyone responded and stood ready for battle.

------

Taiyuan, Jinyang Palace, side hall for deliberation.

In contrast to the desolate cold of the southern desert, the side hall of Jinyang Palace was brightly lit and warm, yet the atmosphere was even more somber than at Li Siyuan's residence. Li Cunxu stood with his hands behind his back before a huge map, his back to the people in the hall, emanating an invisible pressure that made the civil and military officials standing on either side subconsciously hold their breath.

Guo Chongtao stared intently at the marker representing Yinshan on the map; Lu Zhi, the military governor's judge, trembled slightly as he pursed his lips; Zhou Dewei stroked his gray beard, deep in thought, his brows furrowed into a deep frown; Shi Jiantang, the youngest of the four, was already seething with anger.

Young and valiant generals such as Xia Luqi, Gao Xingzhou, and Shi Kuangyi (son of Shi Jiantang) stood solemnly on both sides, the cold glint of their armor flashing under the candlelight, their eyes filled with both fighting spirit and suppressed anxiety.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop until Mirror Heart Demon descended the steps and distributed copies of military reports to everyone.

"Gentlemen," Jingxinmo bowed, his voice tinged with anger, "Grand Commandant Li has dispatched a secret envoy with the King's Golden Arrow to contact the chieftains of seven tribes, including the Yinshan Tatars and Dangxiang, ordering them to immediately dispatch troops according to the King's command, to flank Zhu Youwen's forces, to open up the Baidaochuan route back, and to support our army..."

He paused briefly, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze even more.

"However... the tribal leaders either claimed that 'they are too busy with tribal feuds to attend to other matters,' or that 'last year's battle in Yinshan left them with little strength to prepare for a distant expedition.' Some even went so far as to blatantly detain the envoys and demand exorbitant travel fees! All of this is for one reason: according to the hard-won confirmation of an inside spies... Xiao Yanye has already secretly met with the tribal chiefs, without accepting Zhong Xiaokui's handwritten order, a large amount of tea vouchers, gold, silver, and other treasures... The road to Yinshan is not only blocked, but it has now become a dead end for them to buy their way out."

This news had been rumored among the crowd beforehand, and its confirmation was like a thunderclap exploding in the deathly silent hall. Guo Chongtao, Lu Zhi, Zhou Dewei, and others remained relatively calm. However, the younger generals like Xia Luqi, and even Shi Jiantang, glared angrily and began shouting curses incessantly.

"enough."

Li Cunxu slowly turned around, and the hall quieted down slightly.

But Li Cunxu's face did not show the expected rage; instead, his eyes were unfathomable, revealing no emotion. He gripped the hilt of his sword at his waist, scanning the crowd. An inexplicable killing intent silently spread, and the temperature in the hall plummeted.

"What a fine scheme of buying passage with gold and silk..." Li Cunxu spoke slowly, his voice eerily calm. "What a fine way to set off, what a fine 'tea pass' to pave the way. If Xiao Yan is so cunning, then so be it; I'll accept his methods. But—"

His voice suddenly rose, his eyes flashing with icy coldness: "You lowly dogs from Yinshan, you dog-like creatures! How dare you insult my Great Jin and disregard my royal command?! You treat my golden arrows as nothing?! Do you really think my sword, Li Cunxu's sword, cannot sever their dog heads?!"

Everyone present was familiar with Li Cunxu, and they all knew that the thunderous rage beneath his calm exterior was even more terrifying than his usual roars.

Shi Jiantang immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said loudly, "Your Highness, this humble general requests permission to give you five thousand cavalry to sweep through the entire Yinshan Mountains and appease Your Highness's anger!"

"Absolutely not!" Zhou Dewei, as if he had anticipated Shi Jiantang's words, immediately interjected, "Your Highness. The late King has just passed away, the Liang rebels are gaining power, and the tribes of Yinshan are fickle and driven by greed, which is indeed a grave offense. However, Yinshan is ultimately a bulwark of our northern frontier, and we must not push them too far, lest we force them into the hands of the Liang rebels. Moreover, the Grand Commandant and Xue Hou's 8,000 elite troops are the backbone of our Hedong region, isolated and in a dangerous place. If we press the tribes of Yinshan too hard, wouldn't we be watching them perish? At that time, not only will our elite troops be lost, but the prestige of our Great Jin in the southern grasslands will also be completely destroyed. This old minister requests permission to lead the elite cavalry of Yunshuo and Daibei out of Yunzhong immediately. Firstly, to intimidate Yinshan and reorganize the northern frontier; secondly, to support the Grand Commandant and open a path to survival."

"Lord Dewei," Lu Zhi interjected urgently, then turned to Li Cunxu, cold sweat beading on his forehead, "Your Majesty is wise. The so-called plan to instigate the rebellion of Yinshan seems clumsy, but it is actually vicious! This must be Xiao Yan's insidious scheme of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements! Although the flames of war have broken out in Jiangnan, diverting some of Xiao Yan's attention, his troops in Hebei and Hezhong number far more than tens of thousands. If our Jin Kingdom devotes all its efforts to the northern grasslands at this time, and even becomes deeply entangled there, Xiao Yan will surely send Wang Yanzhang from Yizhou, Xie Yanzhang from Luzhou, and Tian Daocheng or Li Si'an from Zhenzhou, launching a three-pronged attack on our Taihang-Yanmen defense line. At that time, the northern frontier will be unsettled, our homeland will be in dire straits, and we will be in imminent danger. Moreover, the attitudes of the various tribes in Yinshan are ambiguous, and it is difficult to distinguish friend from foe. Lord Dewei, you are deep in the southern desert, with a long supply line, and you are very likely to be surrounded, which may be exploited by the Liang army and the recurring Hu cavalry!"

Lu Zhi's words hit the nail on the head, making the atmosphere in the hall even more tense. Li Cunxu gripped his sword hilt, his gaze repeatedly sweeping across the long route between Taiyuan and the southern desert on the map.

After Lu Zhi finished speaking, Guo Chongtao took a deep breath, calmly stepped forward, bowed deeply to Li Cunxu, and then said in a steady voice: "Judge Lu's concerns are indeed not without reason. Xiao Yan's vicious scheme is precisely to force us to bleed, to exhaust us, or to watch the Grand Commandant be destroyed and thus damage our vitality and national strength. However, even in crisis, there are still opportunities for battle."

He pointed south on the map: "Jiangnan has declared itself emperor, and proclamations are being exchanged, greatly increasing the pressure on Xiao Yan from both the north and south. This is the perfect opportunity for our strategy of 'allying with Wu and Chu in the south and disrupting the grasslands in the north' to take effect! If Grand Commandant Li and Marquis Xue cannot pin down Yuan Xingqin in the southern desert and do their utmost to help Yelü Lage shake the royal court, making it difficult for Xiao Yan to attend to both ends, the opportunity will be fleeting. How can we ignore it? In my opinion, we should send another capable envoy to Jiangnan as soon as possible. Not only should we reaffirm the alliance, but we should also urge Wu, Yue, and Min to quickly send their elite troops. We demand that they quickly achieve the following objectives: Wu's main force should move north out of the Huai River and launch a fierce attack on Su and Si; Chu's army should be deployed along the Yangtze River and Dongting Lake, supporting each other with Ezhou downstream, and guarding the river defenses; Min and Yue's naval forces should harass the coastal areas of Qing and Qi, and contain Liang's naval forces; we must simultaneously create a massive wave on the three fronts of Jianghuai, Jingxiang, and the southeast, firmly pinning down Xiao Yan's main force of the Imperial Guards deployed in the south on the thousand-mile-long river defenses."

Guo Chongtao's finger pointed north again, and his tone suddenly became sharp: "At that time, even if Xiao Yan had extraordinary abilities, the two fronts of war would eventually be exhausted. His elite troops in Hebei and Hezhong would not be able to send all their forces to the north. This is a window of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime."

He looked at Zhou Dewei, his eyes gleaming: "At this critical moment, General Zhou's decision to lead troops out of the border is not a lone advance, but a swift and decisive strike, achieving multiple objectives at once. It will support the Grand Commandant, intimidate Yinshan, deliver a heavy blow to the Liang army that might be weakened, and even... take advantage of the chaos between the Northern Desert Royal Court, Yelü Lage, and the Grand Commandant's forces to snatch chestnuts from the fire. If this battle succeeds, it will not only relieve the Grand Commandant's siege, but also severely damage Xiao Yan's northern border strategy and reverse the strategic passivity of our Jin Kingdom."

Guo Chongtao had always been relied upon by Li Cunxu as his chief strategist, and his words at that moment thoroughly analyzed the crisis and the opportunity. As a result, everyone in the hall was silent for a moment, but their eyes were fixed on Li Cunxu.

Li Cunxu remained silent and did not respond immediately. His gaze slowly swept across the long path on the sand table from Taiyuan to Baidaochuan and then to the southern desert, then swept over the area symbolizing the tribes of Yinshan, and finally landed on the mark representing Li Siyuan's isolated army.

As he watched, the light in his eyes grew ever brighter. Suddenly, he whirled around, the veins on his hand gripping his sword bulging, his voice echoing throughout the hall:
"My father has only been gone a short time... How dare the tribes of Yinshan humiliate me like this? Do they think my sword, Li Cunxu's sword, is not sharp enough? Are they betting that I dare not personally go to the northern frontier?! Such a great humiliation must be washed away with blood. How can I comfort my father's spirit in heaven? How can I establish my authority over the tribes of the northern frontier? How can I command the soldiers of the three armies?! In this situation, only the might of thunder and heaven can break the deadlock, deter the villains, and... inspire the will of my soldiers to fight to the death!"

He took a sudden step forward, his hand on his sword as steady as a rock, and an aura of dominance erupted from him, leaving no room for hesitation: "Xiao Yan dared to carry out this ruthless plan because he calculated that I would remain in Taiyuan, weighing the pros and cons. He sees me as a pawn, but he doesn't know... I, Li Cunxu, am also the one wielding the sword! This journey to the southern desert is not to display reckless courage, but to thwart Xiao Yan's scheme, save the lives of my comrades, and establish the prestige of the Jin Kingdom! My father braved arrows and stones to build the foundation of the Hedong Kingdom. Today, I shall follow his example!"

"Where the royal banner points, the three armies will fight to the death!" Li Cunxu declared proudly. "My mind is made up. I will personally lead the expedition, heading straight for the southern desert. I will meet with the Grand Commandant, Marquis Xue, and all the generals and soldiers... for a hunt outside Baidaochuan!"

These words shocked the entire hall.

"Your Majesty! Absolutely not!" Guo Chongtao's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward hastily. "A son of a noble family should not sit under a dangerous roof! The southern desert is a perilous place, where swords have no eyes and stray arrows are hard to defend against. Your Majesty's fate is tied to the fate of the Jin state; how can you lightly tread such a dangerous place?!"

Lu Zhi, Zhou Dewei, and even Jing Xinmo all spoke up to dissuade them, saying that the danger was extremely great.

After Zhou Dewei tried to dissuade him, he knelt down on one knee with a thud, deeply moved, and earnestly said, "Your Highness, the foundation of the Jin Kingdom rests on your shoulders. This old minister dares to ask to take this perilous journey in Your Highness's stead. Even if it means sacrificing my life, I will not hesitate. I earnestly hope that Your Highness will remain in the central command and strategize effectively." The other ministers in the hall also bowed, and voices of advice rose and fell.

Only Shi Jiantang, along with Xia Luqi, Gao Xingzhou, and other young and valiant generals, spoke out to offer advice, but they were inexplicably excited.

Li Cunxu raised his hand, silencing all voices of dissuasion. Looking around at the crowd, he showed no anger, but instead laughed loudly: "My lords, do not worry. My Hedong Iron Cavalry is the most valiant in the land. I, the King, will personally lead the troops into battle, not only as a general, but also as the commander-in-chief. As long as the commander-in-chief's flag falls, the army's morale will not falter. Xiao Yan dares to repeatedly take risky moves, stirring up trouble in the world at such a young age; what is wrong with me, Li Cunxu?! If we are trapped in Taiyuan, watching our comrades shed blood on the yellow sand, wouldn't the world laugh at me for once again losing to Xiao Yan?!"

"In this battle, I want to see for myself just who this so-called Ghost King Zhu Youwen really is. I also want to see Xiao Yanbu's grand strategy in the Northern Frontier. He's even more ruthless than before!"

His gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto Xia Luqi and other young generals: "Xia Luqi, Shi Kuangyi, do you dare to follow me, conquer the southern desert, hunt down heroes, and wipe away our past humiliation?!"

The two young generals who were called upon were filled with fervor. They stepped forward abruptly, their armor clanging, and their impassioned roars nearly lifted the roof of the palace: "Your humble servants are willing to serve Your Majesty at the cost of ten thousand lives!"

"Very well!" Li Cunxu roared, his voice shaking the rooftops. "Issue my decree—"

"Shi Jiantang is appointed as the vanguard commander, with Gao Xingzhou as his deputy. He will lead over ten thousand elite cavalry from Shuozhou and Daibei, lightly armed and swiftly advancing, directly towards Baidaochuan. Supporting Xue Hou's forces is the top priority. Anyone who encounters Yinshan blocking the way... shall be killed without mercy! Their tents shall be burned and their heads cut off, to display the might of our Jin army. I, the King, will personally lead the central army, with Xia Luqi and Shi Kuangyi as my left and right wing commanders, who will arrive shortly after."

"Guo Chongtao." He looked at his Privy Councilor, his tone solemn, "During my absence from Jin, you and General Zhou jointly guarded Taiyuan, overseeing the administration of the state and supervising the defenses of the various passes along the Taihang Mountains. If Wang Yanzhang makes a move, hold your ground and wear down his morale. If Tian Daocheng and Li Si'an venture out, send elite cavalry to harass their supply lines and exhaust their troops. The safety of our family is entrusted to you two; you must ensure its absolute security."

Guo Chongtao took a deep breath, suppressing the deep worry in his eyes. He exchanged a glance with Zhou Dewei, whose expression was equally solemn, and bowed at the same time, his voice firm and resolute: "Your subjects obey your command. We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of the nation." Zhou Dewei clasped his hands tightly, the armor plates clanging once more.

"Lu Zhi," Li Cunxu said, turning to the experienced and prudent judge. "The situation in Jiangnan is crucial to the overall situation. I hereby order you to quickly dispatch a capable secret envoy to Yangzhou again. You must urge the kingdoms of Wu, Yue, and Min to quickly send their elite troops, and, following the previous strategy, apply pressure simultaneously on the Jianghuai, Jingxiang, and southeastern fronts, firmly pinning down Xiao Yan's southern army. Furthermore, Supervisor Zhang has recently fallen ill, and the transportation of military supplies and provisions is extremely complex. I order you to provide full assistance to ensure the needs of the northern expeditionary army and the defense of Taiyuan are met without fail."

Lu Zhi solemnly accepted the order: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Highness's trust."

Even someone as prudent as him knew at this moment that the heavy responsibility entrusted to him was more important than any advice. "Furthermore, order Fu Cunshen of Luzhou to actively prepare for war and guard against the southern front. If Xie Yanzhang goes out, then defend; if he does not move, then send elite cavalry out of Huguan to harass Zhaoyi, support the overall situation, and contain the Liang army."

Finally, he looked sharply at Mirror Heart Demon, "Mirror Heart Demon, use all your channels in the Opera Pavilion, at any cost, to inform Li Cunren's army: I have not abandoned my comrades in Jin Kingdom. I hope you will act accordingly and fight bravely against the enemy. The royal flag points north, and we will meet again in the south of the desert!"

"This servant obeys the decree." Mirror Heart Demon bowed deeply.

Li Cunxu stood with his hand on his sword, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials. He listened to the suppressed murmurs of agreement, the clatter of armor, and the rapid breathing throughout the hall. Only when all these sounds mingled together could one truly call it the sound of Shanxi.

"Since that's the case, the great battle has begun. Let's see who will be the hero today when the swords are drawn."

------

Northern foothills of Yinshan Mountain.

At the foot of a cliff on a crossroads that has always served as a seasonal trade route, stands a slightly worn-out eatery as always. However, the original signboard, which had been missing for only one winter, has now become a crooked and twisted signboard called "Antique Soup Shop," swaying in the wind with an incongruous and comical air.

The shop was steaming, filled with a fragrant aroma that blended herbs, spices, and whetted the appetite.

The massive body of the drought demon was squatting beside the stove, carefully repairing a large, cracked pot, making a clanging sound. Hou Qing, on the other hand, meticulously wiped several rough wooden tables and chairs, his movements so careful that he didn't miss a single crack, as if he were polishing a precious antique.

Behind the counter, the older sister was sighing and groaning over a few pitiful gold and silver ingots and a small pile of copper coins, her little face scrunched up like a bun.

"You traitor, look! It's all your fault!" The elder sister suddenly looked up, glaring angrily at the woman leaning against the doorframe. "Why didn't you agree on the location earlier? You made the three of us suffer all that way, sleeping in the open and searching everywhere! And that lousy shop owner, he was clearly terrified of the soldiers passing by north of Yinshan every day. If you hadn't told him beforehand that you wanted to take over the shop, how could he have tried to extort money from us before running away, asking for such a high price! If it weren't for my brother's money, wouldn't this trip have been a waste? My money..." She painfully fiddled with the few pieces of gold and silver, as if they were about to grow legs and run away at any moment.

Hou Qing glanced up at her older sister silently, then lowered her head again to continue wiping, as if the tabletop held endless mysteries. Hanba scratched the back of his head and said in a muffled voice, "Once the pot is fixed, we can open for business and make money..."

The surrendered official leaned against the doorframe, gazing absently at the undulating outline of the Yinshan Mountains in the distance and the faint smoke and dust visible further south. She toyed with two copies of the proclamation she had obtained through various channels, while her other hand unconsciously caressed the seemingly unremarkable stone embedded in the handle of the drumstick, ignoring her elder sister's complaints.

"With chaos looming, it's natural for well-informed merchants to flee," she finally spoke lazily, her voice carrying a hint of languid magnetism. "But how could I have predicted that he'd be a man who values ​​money over life? Oh well, what can I do? This position is perfect... a wide view, easy access to information, and ideal for watching the show. What's a little money?"

The elder sister jumped off the stool angrily, snatched one of the copies from the surrendered official's hands, unfolded it, and loudly and haltingly read: "The treacherous Liang... Xiao the traitor... Li, whose name is... Zha? Is it the Zha of gunpowder, the drought demon? Never mind... recognizing a thief as master... violating human ethics... imprisoning his sister-in-law... Pfft!"

However, she couldn't help but laugh out loud after reading only half of it, shaking the copy so loudly it rattled. "It's so verbose. It's like an old scholar arguing, not funny at all. And 'outrageous to both gods and men'? Sister, I bet the writer is just jumping up and down in anger." She casually tossed the manifesto onto the table next to her.

Hou Qing stopped wiping, picked up the manifesto that his elder sister had discarded, and elegantly flicked the edge of the paper with his slender fingers, as if brushing away dust. He slowly commented, "The writing is acceptable, and the spirit is not bad either. However, there is too much hostility between the lines, and it lacks a transcendent elegance. It has no grand vision or style to speak of. It only makes you a laughing stock."

The elder sister ignored Hou Qing's comments, her attention drawn to the proclamation in the surrendered official's other hand. She leaned closer, pointed to Xiao Yan's "Letter to All Subjects," and asked curiously, "What's this?"

As she spoke, she cleverly brought over a small stool and stood on tiptoe.

"I...I...Li, taboo name Zha. Also, Xiao, taboo name...Yan? What does that mean? Two names? Wait, isn't this a boy?!"

She read incoherently, skipping over large sections, "Recognizing the thief as master... ugh, that doesn't sound good... ending a century of chaos... that's good!... breaking down powerful clans... establishing families of humble origins... abolishing the military governors... hmm? If the military governors are abolished, who will command the troops?... equalizing land distribution... reducing taxes... that's good! Sister likes it!... the wicked commander Yuan Tiangang... the source of chaos... wait, that name, Sister seems familiar? Whatever, anyone who opposes boys isn't a good person, living for three hundred years!? Isn't that just like that old hag... cough cough..."

She stopped abruptly, glanced cautiously at the surrendered official, and then continued her rambling, but the focus was entirely on "ending the chaos," "reducing taxes," and cursing Yuan Tiangang. This caused the drought demon to put down its hammer, grinn憨厚ly, and seem to deeply agree with the idea of ​​"not fighting when you're full," while the surrendered official curled his lip in disdain.

Before his elder sister could finish reading, Hou Qing took Xiao Yan's manifesto and read it carefully, paying particular attention to the last few resounding words. He chewed on them repeatedly, his eyes filled with astonishment and undisguised admiration, which surprised his elder sister and the drought demon.

"This article..." After a long pause, Hou Qing slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of appreciation, "It certainly has some merit. The scope is grand, and the intention is lofty. Although the writing style is a bit too heavy on the violence, in chaotic times, severe punishments are necessary; destruction precedes construction, and this kind of spirit is exactly what's needed. Especially that line, 'Dare to call for a new world to be created'..." He nodded slightly, his tone carrying a rare hint of affirmation, "Soaring with heroic spirit, unconventional. Truly of high quality..."

He pondered for a moment, savoring the words repeatedly, and then nodded again in agreement: "Tasteful, indeed tasteful!"

The surrendered official seemed unsurprised by the contents of the proclamation. She withdrew her gaze from the south, glanced at the proclamation in Hou Qing's hand, and then lowered her head to stroke the stone on the drumstick. Unusually, she did not participate too much in the conversation, only muttering to herself, "A storm is brewing... This shop will probably not be quiet for a long time."

The drought demon stood up, its enormous figure almost blocking the doorway to the kitchen. As it set up the stove and pots, it concluded in a gruff voice, "Ending the chaos is good. Everyone can eat their fill and there will be no more war. Xiao Yan... I could tell he was a good man when we were in Hanzhong. He's right."

Hou Qing pushed the older sister away, and she failed to snatch back the manifesto. She stood with her hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks and saying angrily, "I don't care! My shop is open, and I'm going to make money, make a lot of money! Fighting and killing will only delay my business."

Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly remembered something. "That little girl, Ao Gu, isn't her mother the Empress Dowager of the Northern Desert? Let her come for some antique soup, and give her plenty of money! I want to collect gold ingots!"

The surrendered minister looked at his elder sister's stomping and jumping, then at Hou Qing, who was still immersed in "savoring" the proclamation, and at Hanba, who had already begun to silently brew "antique soup," and shook his head, clapping his hands with a hint of helplessness: "Alright, open for business, no credit. Elsewhere, even if there's chaos, we can only worry about it; here... let's just seek peace in this corner."

She turned and went into the shop, her figure disappearing into the rising steam. Outside, the cold wind of Yinshan still howled.

------

In the northern desert, about a hundred miles northwest of the royal court, on the eastern side of Songshan Mountain, lies Yelü Lage's central army.

The grasslands under the cover of night were illuminated by countless bonfires. Yelü Lage's army camps stretched for miles, filled with the sounds of men and horses, the air thick with the aroma of roasting meat, the smell of sweat, and the excitement and unease unique to the eve of a major battle.

Inside the central command tent, the lights were blazing. Yelü Lage paced anxiously, his face a mixture of greed and excitement for the impending battle.

His various leaders, generals, and commanders sat around him, each with a different expression, talking in hushed tones.

The imposter, Li Maozhen, sat behind the table with his sleeves tucked in, his face calm and composed. His gaze occasionally swept over the people inside the tent, or fell upon the boundless darkness outside, as if he were plotting something. Li Maozhen, dressed in Han-style casual clothes, stood alone near the tent entrance, arms crossed, isolating himself from everyone inside.

The rapid sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached. A scout quickly lifted the curtain and entered, urgently reporting, "Great Khan, the scouts report that the outer defenses of the royal court are exceptionally tight. The palace guards and cavalry are densely packed, and the camps stretch as far as the eye can see, indicating a large troop presence!"

Upon hearing the news, the tent fell silent. Several chieftains looked hesitant.

Yelü Lage was taken aback for a moment, then burst into triumphant laughter: "Hahaha! This cunning and treacherous woman, Shuliduo, would probably have fooled anyone else. But how could I not know her true nature?! The more she bluffs, the more vulnerable the royal court becomes! This vile woman has indeed run out of tricks!"

He waved his hand dramatically, his voice filled with heroic spirit, "Issue my order! The entire army shall have a hearty meal, and we shall march forth tomorrow. We shall raze the royal court to the ground within a few days and capture Shuliduo alive! All gold and silver treasures are yours to take!"

A chorus of boisterous responses immediately erupted from inside the tent, leaving no room for doubt.

Fake Li coughed, suddenly stood up, and loudly reminded, "Great Khan, wait. It is true that the royal court is empty, but Zhao Siwen has only sent five thousand cavalry to block the main force. There is still a risk, and we must be vigilant about his movements. There is also someone who is like a thorn in our side and must be eliminated."

The atmosphere in the tent froze, and Yelü Lige frowned even more: "Who?"

“Yuan Xingqin!” Fake Li’s voice was even deeper. “Although this man only has two thousand cavalry, he is Xiao Yan’s personal guard in Dingbadu. His whereabouts are mysterious, and he poses a great threat…”

Before Li spoke, things would have been better. As soon as he opened his mouth, a large number of leaders, chieftains, and generals in the tent turned pale. Some even let out a sigh, and then quickly realized what was happening, their faces turning red as they hurriedly drank wine to cover it up.

Yelü Lage's face turned ashen. "Yuan Xingqin has already gone north with Zhao Siwen to quell the rebellion. What is there to worry about?"

"But what if it's just a ruse?" Fake Li chuckled, then continued, "If it really is a ruse, and the Great Khan ignores Yuan Xingqin, he might harass our rear while our army is fully engaged in attacking the royal court, or he might join forces with Zhao Siwen to launch a counterattack, cutting off our retreat. To ensure the Great Khan's safety and to sever Xiao Yan's arm..."

He glanced at everyone in the tent, noticing that most of them were bowing their heads in embarrassment. He then chuckled and turned to Li Maozhen at the tent entrance, raising his voice slightly: "I request that the Great Khan order Yili Jin to lead his elite troops, along with three thousand archers from my Yishi tribe, to immediately advance and ambush at Langzui Gorge. This is the vital passage for Yuan Xingqin's forces to either reinforce the royal court or cut off our army's return route. Yili Jin is brave and skilled in battle, possessing both wisdom and courage. With the cooperation of our troops, by taking advantage of the terrain and setting up an ambush, we will surely inflict heavy losses on the enemy. If Yuan Xingqin comes, we will encircle and annihilate him. If he does not come, he can also protect our flank and block Zhao Siwen's main force, which may be returning to reinforce."

Upon hearing this, all eyes in the tent turned to Li Maozhen. Yelü Lage also looked at him, his eyes questioning, yet also revealing a hint of barely perceptible apprehension; he hesitated for a moment. After all, he knew the arrogance of this Prince Qi well, and how could he not worry that he would be publicly refuted and lose face?

However, since the fake Li had offered many suggestions along the way and commanded a considerable number of truly elite troops, including the three thousand elite cavalrymen from Jin who had previously provided aid, it was not appropriate to disrespect him in front of everyone.

"Yili Jin," Yelü Lagesui cleared his throat, trying to make his tone sound solemn, "This important task concerns the safety of the army's flank. Are you willing to take it on?"

Li Maozhen slowly raised his gaze, sweeping over Yelü Lage's face, tainted by desire and debauchery, before settling on the respectful eyes of the imposter Li. The tent fell silent instantly; countless eyes were fixed on him, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a few breaths of suffocating silence.

"Ah."

Li Maozhen let out a very soft sneer, then suddenly raised his head, a smile with three parts mockery and seven parts arrogance appearing on his face.

"It's just Yuan Xingqin's head," he said, his eyes narrowed, his calm voice carrying a disdain that regarded all the heroes of the world as worthless weeds. "Why not cut it off and present it to the Great Khan as a small token of congratulations?"

These words shocked everyone in the tent. The tone was as if taking Yuan Xingqin's head was as easy as taking something out of a bag!

That's Yuan Xingqin! He's the fiercest general under King Xiao, who has been suppressing the grasslands for nearly three years! In the battle of Mobei back then, who among those present didn't have a family member or friend die at his hands?

Yelü Lage was stunned at first, then a huge surge of joy welled up in his heart.

He never expected that Li Maozhen would not only accept the offer so readily, but also be so understanding. How could he not be delighted?
He abruptly left his seat, strode over to Li Maozhen, grabbed the man's arm, and shook it excitedly: "Good, good! Brother Li! That's great! I'm entrusting this important task to you! After this battle, as long as I can see Yuan Xingqin's head, I will definitely appoint you as the King of Mo Nan! And in the future, I will do as I say when it comes to helping Qi Di restore its kingdom!"

"Bring wine! I, the king, wish to personally see Yilijin off!" Yelü Lage shouted excitedly.

Immediately, a slave brought over a golden cup filled with strong liquor. Li Maozhen didn't even glance at the greed flashing in Yelü Lage's eyes or the momentary astonishment and suspicion on the fake Li's face. He took the golden cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

He casually tossed the empty cup back to the slave, gave Yelü Lage a slight bow, his movements swift and decisive, without uttering a single unnecessary word. He turned and strode out, lifting the curtain with long strides, his footsteps quickly disappearing into the hustle and bustle and darkness outside the tent.

Inside the tent, Yelü Lage was still immersed in ecstasy and the promise of becoming the future "King of the Southern Desert." Everyone in the tent congratulated him, and the place was filled with great noise.

The imposter Li stood there, staring at the still-swaying tent flap, his brow furrowed, his fingers tightening subtly within his wide sleeves. He was momentarily stunned, bewildered, and at a loss for words.

The night wind swept through the camp, bringing with it the crackling of distant campfires and the neighing of warhorses.

On the east side of Songshan Mountain, a small but exceptionally silent and elite cavalry force, led by Li Maozhen who was still only wearing a Han-style casual robe, quietly left the camp and sped towards Langzui Gorge.

(End of this chapter)