Xiao Rong returned to the inn, and the attendant came out with dirty water. When he saw Xiao Rong, he was very surprised: “Young Master, you look very good today, very vibrant.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Ah Shu sneaked a look at Xiao Rong. Indeed, he did look very vibrant, with his cheeks flushed pink from anger.

 

Xiao Rong stiffened his face and said nothing. He flicked his sleeves and went straight upstairs. Ah Shu hurriedly followed and closed the door behind them.

 

It was truly a case of misfortunes never coming singularly. His lord, someone who cherished his dignity so much, had never suffered such humiliation. Xiao Rong sat on the bed sulking. After a long silence, Ah Shu carefully approached and tried to comfort him, mimicking how Xiao Rong used to speak.

 

“My lord, don’t be angry. Getting sick from anger benefits no one.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

His body didn’t move, but he slowly turned his head to look at Ah Shu’s innocent face. Xiao Rong slowly said, “Ah Shu, why do I suddenly find you annoying?”

 

Ah Shu: “…”

 

He fell silent.

 

In fact, Ah Shu was quite worried. Ever since he had come to serve Xiao Rong, he had heard him talk daily about wanting to join the Northern Defending Army and serve there. Now, after finally finding them, they were rejected so harshly.

 

The days of traveling were tough, and their funds were running low. Xiao Rong wasn’t stingy at first, but became frugal after realizing how fast the money was depleting.

 

After the Yong Dynasty moved south, prices skyrocketed to an astonishing level. Now that Southern Yong was somewhat stable, the prices up north were only slightly better than they had been in Northern Yong.

 

One large coin could only buy two pancakes. At this time, a large coin wasn’t just a copper coin, a small coin was a copper coin, while a large coin was a thicker copper coin. One large coin was roughly equivalent to twenty small coins.

 

A ten-cent plain pancake without any filling was only enough to half-fill a child. This price was considered astronomical everywhere, and it was because the price of grain was so high. During times of turmoil, it was normal for grain prices to be high, but in this era, there was another incredible phenomenon: firewood was as expensive as grain.

 

…

 

People of this era knew things were expensive but didn’t know why. Because prices had been high for many years, they got used to it. Fortunately, unlike grain, firewood could still be collected if one spent all their free time gathering it. However, any unforeseen events that took up their time would leave them without enough firewood, and without the money to buy it, they would freeze to death.

 

The term “firewood, rice, oil, and salt” likely originated at this time, with “firewood” being placed first.

In this era, cold dishes and rapid cooking methods developed quickly, and various methods of making charcoal appeared. People went to great lengths to stay warm. Thirty years ago, a memorable snowfall covered everything from Goguryeo to the Yangtze and Han rivers with thick snow. The Yangtze and Han rivers froze in winter, and many cattle and sheep in the North froze to death. In the South, unprepared for the prolonged snow disaster, 1.5 million people died within a month.

 

Those who died didn’t know they were unlucky to be born in one of the three major cold periods in history. They also didn’t know that freezing to death might have been a better fate, as the cold climate drove the northern nomads to move south, competing for resources and throwing the Central Plains into further chaos.

 

The dead no longer had to worry, but the living’s nightmare had just begun.

 

Thirty years ago, heavy snow, abdication, migration, invasion, and descent—all these events happened.

 

Now, thirty years later, people still hadn’t recovered from the snow’s negative impact, and lived in fear of both snow and blood.

 

However, they got used to it and didn’t feel sad anymore.

 

Ah Shu was young and didn’t experience the snow disaster, but he knew how cold it got in the North during winter. The cost of staying at inns varied between seasons, and winter was particularly long. His Lord’s health was poor, so Ah Shu hoped Xiao Rong would return to the South.

 

Before, when the Northern Defending Army hadn’t rejected Xiao Rong, Ah Shu didn’t dare to mention this. After seeing the army’s attitude today, he gathered the courage to speak to Xiao Rong.

 

“My lord, since the Northern Defending Army doesn’t want you, should we go back?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

His mood had just improved a bit when he heard this. Xiao Rong thought, ‘you really know how to talk.’

 

He looked at Ah Shu and asked, “Do you want to go back?”

 

Ah Shu, somewhat nervous, looked at him. “I want to, and I don’t want to. Wherever My Lord goes, Ah Shu goes too. But Linchuan is your home, and also…”

 

Seeing his face turning red from holding back, Xiao Rong sighed and finished for him, “and also Yi’er and the others are there, right?”

 

Ah Shu quickly nodded.

 

Xiao Rong couldn’t help but smile. “Do you miss Yi’er?”

 

Ah Shu quickly shook his head. “The Young Master is your brother. Ah Shu thinks being with your relatives will make you feel more at ease and benefit your health.”

 

Xiao Rong was silent. If only it was that simple.

 

If it were possible, he didn’t want to stay here. It was freezing cold even in spring. That big fool Qu Yunmie only knew how to fight and not govern. The order in Pingyang City was all thanks to the capable governor. When the Yong Dynasty moved south, almost all the noble families followed, leaving behind ruined cities and forts, making it hard for this place to recover for a long time.

 

Even so, he couldn’t leave…. He had barely survived, how could he give up now?

 

Besides, the South was a safe haven for now, but it wouldn’t be for long. Next year, when the Prince of Chenliu starts a rebellion, not to mention Linchuan, even the farthest island of Zhuya (Hainan) wouldn’t be spared.

 

Xiao Rong sighed again, gently patting Ah Shu’s leg. “Ah Shu.”

 

Ah Shu looked at him, puzzled.

 

Xiao Rong showed a tired yet contented smile. “Your Lord will never truly be at ease no matter where he goes. Only by staying beside the King of the North, Qu Yunmie, will I be able to find peace and feel at home.”

 

Ah Shu was shocked. He had always heard Xiao Rong curse the King of the North and thought he hated him, maybe even wanted to take his place. He never expected…

 

So it was like this!!!

 

Ah Shu, still young, had his worldview shaken, while Xiao Rong didn’t notice and continued, “Once I settle down, I will write a letter and bring Yi’er and the others here. Don’t worry, you’ll be reunited soon.”

 

Ah Shu was stunned, and after realizing, he asked, “Are we really staying in Pingyang City?”

 

Xiao Rong replied, “No, why would we stay here? We’re going with the Northern Defending Army.”

 

Ah Shu bluntly asked, “Didn’t they reject you?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

This kid really knows how to hit where it hurts.

 

After a pause, Xiao Rong decided to be blunt too. “Should I just leave because they rejected me? That would be too humiliating. I’m sticking with them. If they don’t take me, no one will have peace.”

 

Ah Shu: “…”

 

Why, My Lord?

 

Afterward, Xiao Rong took out the stack of precious paper he had left and carefully wrote a line. In these times when firewood was expensive, paper was as valuable as gold. This paper was a gift from his younger brother, Xiao Rong couldn’t bear to buy it himself.

 

After writing a line, he didn’t bother with an envelope. He just rolled it up, tied it with a string, and handed it to Ah Shu to deliver to the general they met today.

 

Before Ah Shu left, Xiao Rong asked, “Which general is recruiting in Pingyang?”

 

Xiao Rong usually didn’t remember details, and was too busy recalling the historical books he had read, so Ah Shu kept track of such things for him.

 

Ah Shu answered, “His name is Jian Qiao.”

 

After saying that, Ah Shu ran off, leaving Xiao Rong stunned.

 

The young general with vision problems was Jian Qiao?

 

The only one among Qu Yunmie’s subordinates who wasn’t killed and lived to die of natural causes, that Jian Qiao???

 

For some reason, Xiao Rong suddenly felt aggrieved. The one who offended him was the only one with a good ending…

 

…

 

On the other side, Jian Qiao was dejected.

 

North of the Han River, there wasn’t much talent left. The nomads had ravaged the area too severely, and all the noble families had moved south with the Emperor. Those who remained were either insignificant or commoners, and they needed literate people for strategists and advisers. Most commoners weren’t literate, so nine out of ten candidates were ruled out immediately.

 

At first, Jian Qiao went door to door, asking each family according to the list compiled by scholars in the city, and could still get a cup of tea. Then, after news spread that the King of the North personally killed a recruited adviser, he faced more rejections than he could count.

 

Finding none in Yanmen County, he went to Dai County and Zhongshan County, all close by, but found nothing.

 

Not because these places were small, but because they had been places of exile for generations. Unfavored princes and officials who offended powerful figures ended up here.

 

…

 

Only the Northern Defending Army didn’t mind staying there. Anyone with some ambition thought about moving to larger cities.

 

As the saying goes: “A child doesn’t despise its mother for being ugly, and a dog doesn’t…”

 

Ahem, that analogy wasn’t very appropriate, but the principle was the same. The Northern Defending Army had started there, and Jian Qiao had grown up at Yanmen Pass. He still hoped this place would improve.

 

Because of this, Jian Qiao genuinely put his heart into the task, rather than treating the recruitment of talent as just another troublesome assignment from Gao Xunzhi. He personally came to Pingyang City, an ancient city close to them with a notable lineage.

 

And then… nothing happened.

 

Everyone who heard about the King of the North’s heroic deeds didn’t want to see him. After posting the notices, only three people came in a day: one was good at cooking, one looked shifty and had obviously done shady things, and one made Jian Qiao realize that the bigger the forest, the more kinds of birds there were.

 

…

 

How could he be so precise, hitting the mark every time without missing even one? Even now, as night had fallen, Jian Qiao was still deeply moved as he recalled Xiao Rong.

 

Bringing this person before the King might set a new record for the King fastest kill, or perhaps it would push the King’s patience to its limit. The King usually didn’t torture people, but with Xiao Rong, he might make an exception.

 

Never mind, it was a fateful encounter without a lasting connection. Jian Qiao hoped Xiao Rong would understand that not accepting him was for his own good—it was an act of kindness.

 

…

 

Shaking his head, Jian Qiao stopped recalling Xiao Rong’s highly irritating face and continued to worry about where he could go next.

 

Just then, a guard came in with a letter delivered by Ah Shu.

 

“General, this is from Xiao Rong, who insisted you dismiss everyone before reading it.”

 

Jian Qiao, puzzled, took the letter. Initially, he wanted to open it immediately, but decided to err on the side of caution. He moved to an inner room before carefully unfolding the letter.

 

Upon seeing the handwriting, Jian Qiao twitched his mouth. It wasn’t much better than his own writing when he had just learned to read.

 

Was this person really a scholar?

 

Luckily, Xiao Rong wasn’t there. If he were, he would probably have mocked, “Be content, it’s already impressive that I can write in traditional characters. If I wrote in simplified, you rough soldiers would be left guessing.”

 

…

 

Despite everything, Xiao Rong’s writing was at least legible. Jian Qiao read it silently and then stood up abruptly.

 

The letter spoke of diversionary tactics, luring the tiger from the mountain, betrayal within the army, and impending disaster in Changan. Jian Qiao might not have been highly educated, but as one of Qu Yunmie’s four major generals, his military acumen was sharp.

 

After unrest broke out in Yizhou, the King immediately abandoned the pursuit of the Huns and instead advanced into the heart of Yizhou. The King had only captured Yizhou last year, and it was the farthest city from Yanmen Pass. The Northern Defending Army wasn’t good at governance, and their control over Yizhou was weak.

 

Before leaving, the King had nearly massacred the region to intimidate the foreign tribes. When Jian Qiao first heard of the turmoil in Yizhou, he thought the tribes were making a comeback.

 

Upon learning that it was a farmers uprising led by commoners, he felt slightly relieved. Uprisings were common and farmers were easier to deal with, unlike the fierce foreign tribes who weren’t afraid of death and caused headaches.

 

However, if this was just a surface phenomenon and the real force behind it was the Huns, aiming to draw the King away…

 

Yizhou was deep in the hinterlands. Even if the King realized there was a problem and wanted to return, it would be too late. The Huns might not know the King’s exact movements, but if there was indeed a traitor within the army, someone might have informed them that the King had taken 20,000 soldiers away from the main force—an opportune moment for the Huns to act.

 

As for which Huns tribe… it was easy to deduce. The only tribe capable of challenging the Northern Defending Army and always eyeing the Central Plains was the Xianbei.

 

Jian Qiao seethed with rage. The Xianbei again!

 

He didn’t act immediately or blindly trust Xiao Rong’s information. Pretending nothing was amiss, he sent a trusted scout to Liangzhou. If the Xianbei were indeed on the move, they would be detected.

The Northern Defending Army was formidable, and the King even more so. The Xianbei’s elaborate plan to lure the King away first showed how much they feared Qu Yunmie. They wouldn’t dare make a move until they were sure he was deep into the hinterlands.

 

This meant they had just begun their action. If the scout returned quickly, there would still be time.

Jian Qiao stayed awake all night. He sent the scout out at midnight, and by dawn, a messenger had arrived—not the scout but someone relaying the scout’s signal with military intelligence.

 

Hearing that a large force was moving in the Liangzhou area, Jian Qiao sprang up. He was prepared. While sending letters to trusted aides, he rushed to Yanmen Pass. His main force was there, and he had only 50,000 troops under his command. He needed reinforcements.

 

While chaos reigned, Xiao Rong was still sound asleep at the inn.

 

It was well past sunrise when he finally woke up, yawning and stretching. Suddenly, he noticed something different.

 

Huh, why do I feel especially refreshed and light today? The usual heaviness and faint weakness were gone. He hurried to check the mirror. His reflection wasn’t as pale as before.

 

Oh my heavens—such good fortune?!

 

Xiao Rong, delighted, believed it was because the information he’d sent had taken effect. In the original history, the Xianbei’s surprise attack, although it hadn’t reached Changan, caused widespread havoc in Hezhou and Qinzhou, harming many civilians. Since these areas were under the King of the North’s rule, the people naturally blamed Qu Yunmie.

 

Bolstered along with some people’s instigation, Qu Yunmie instantly turned from a great hero in the hearts of the people into a public enemy.

 

…

 

Unable to contain his laughter, Xiao Rong thought, ‘See, Qu Yunmie, now you know how amazing I am.’

 

…

 

However, Qu Yunmie hadn’t yet received Jian Qiao’s report.

 

He hadn’t continued to Yizhou but had suddenly turned his horse around and galloped back to Anding City at a faster speed. 

 

His subordinates were puzzled by his sudden change of plans but followed him without question. He should have encountered the sneaky Xianbei near Anding City, sparking a fierce battle, but by the time he arrived, the battle was already raging.

 

Instead of facing 60,000 Xianbei cavalry with his 20,000 infantry, it was 60,000 Xianbei cavalry against 50,000 Northern Defending cavalry and 70,000 infantry. The Xianbei were formidable fighters, nearly annihilating the Northern Yong Dynasty in the past. Yet, the previous Yong Dynasty couldn’t compare to the Northern Defending Army.

 

With equal numbers, the Xianbei were no match. Now, facing double the forces and with the King’s presence boosting morale, the Xianbei were overwhelmed four to one.The Xianbei would now experience the agony of being utterly defeated.

 

Facing imminent defeat, the Xianbei tried to storm the city, planning to loot and flee. If not for the 120,000-strong army, Qu Yunmie alone might not have been able to stop them.

 

With such a large force, the Xianbei were routed in a day, leaving behind their dead and fleeing in disarray. They’d planned a sneak attack, not a full-scale war, and withdrew immediately. Qu Yunmie, leading the charge, relentlessly pursued them. Normally wielding a sword, he used a specialized spear in battle—the Snow-Drinking Vengeance Spear. It had a razor-sharp blade, capable of cutting through anything, with a trident design and weighing 40 pounds, which only Qu Yunmie could wield effortlessly.

 

Each swing of his spear took at least three lives.

 

To the Northern Defending Army, the Xianbei were mortal enemies. Seeing Xianbei, they fought to the death.

 

After chasing them for over 100 miles, Qu Yunmie finally calmed down. Fortunately, his horse was strong enough, otherwise, he would’ve been exhausted and vomited blood. Returning to the main army, Qu Yunmie finally asked why they had arrived before him.

 

He had returned on a hunch and wasn’t certain of the situation. Who was so capable that he was so sure that something would happen here and directly brought out one-third of the troops from Yanmen Pass?

 

Jian Qiao had already left, and another subordinate and childhood friend answered. “General Jian received intelligence and sent scouts to Liangzhou, discovering the Xianbei’s movements. I sent a message to you, but it seems you arrived before the messenger.”

 

The speaker, Yuan Baifu, had a cheerful name and a friendly demeanor, unlike the other generals.

Qu Yunmie detested beautiful faces. Yuan Baifu wasn’t exceptionally handsome but had a certain charm. Fortunately, their long-standing friendship allowed him to stay by Qu Yunmie’s side.

 

Qu Yunmie acknowledged this and asked, “Where is Jian Qiao?”

 

Yuan Baifu smiled. “He said he had urgent business in Pingyang.”

 

Qu Yunmie was puzzled. What could be more urgent than claiming battle merits? Unable to figure it out, he dismissed it. Handing his spear to a soldier, he went to rest.

 

Chasing the enemy for 200 miles was exhausting. He decided not to go to Yizhou, delegating the task to Yuan Baifu.

 

…

 

The next day, a disheveled Jian Qiao finally returned to Pingyang.

 

He rushed to Xiao Rong’s inn, excitedly shouting, “Sir! Master Xiao, forgive me for being blind to your talents. You are a genius!”

 

Inside, Xiao Rong leisurely sipped his tea, ignoring the noise and instructing Ah Shu to, “Add more dates.”

 

Ah Shu complied silently, adding more dates to the tea.

 

The noise outside grew louder, and Jian Qiao sounded close to tears. Ah Shu couldn’t help but ask, “Master, shouldn’t we let him in?”

 

Xiao Rong smiled, holding a grudge. “No, let him wait.”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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