Yu Shaocheng heard they were going to Khitan. He felt a little reluctant; that would put him too far from his brother. Then he thought, if he earned merit early and became a true commander, his brother could live well sooner.

Yu Shaocheng didn’t know what a truly good life looked like, but he had a rough example before him. He resolved that he must let his brother live like Xiao Rong—wearing gold and silver, with three meals a day.

Yu Shaocheng quickly comforted himself, but Yuan Baifu wasn’t so easy to console.

Before, Yu Shaoxie had suggested dismantling the Left Army. Now, Qu Yunmie actually did it—splitting Yuan Baifu’s Left Army in half, keeping one part for him and giving the other to Yu Shaocheng.

Once these troops went to Yu Shaocheng, they couldn’t return. Yu Shaocheng was highly capable, and in the army, aside from the King, almost every general had been pushed back by his skill. Yuan Baifu knew that with Yu Shaocheng’s talent, he could soon lead an army alone, but why was his own army divided?

Yuan Baifu wasn’t the only one surprised. Xiao Rong also found it strange. Why do this? Yuan Baifu would naturally feel resentment.

However, everyone knew Qu Yunmie’s style. Once he issued an order, it was final. All had to obey. Qu Yunmie folded the maps and strode out. Xiao Rong glanced at the generals, then quickly followed.

He thought Qu Yunmie was in a bad mood and would go vent somewhere. Halfway there, he realized Qu Yunmie wasn’t venting—he was going to sleep.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Qu Yunmie entered a room and prepared to lie down. Xiao Rong hurried forward a few steps, quickly removed the pillow from the bed, and, holding it respectfully, said, “Please, Your Majesty, let me ask you something.”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He didn’t understand. “Ask about what?”

Xiao Rong replied, “General Wang, General Gongsun, General Yuan—you sent them all out. Are you going to fight Shuofang alone?”

Qu Yunmie said, “Isn’t Jian Qiao still here?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He’d actually forgotten Jian Qiao.

He widened his eyes. Qu Yunmie saw what he was thinking, sat up with an exasperated expression, and said, “You are correct. I alone am enough to attack Shuofang City. Jian Qiao will remain in Shengle to watch over the Xianbei and the twenty thousand prisoners. Once Shuofang falls, I will send the prisoners to Shengle, and Jian Qiao will manage them.”

Xiao Rong frowned. “One hundred thousand people…”

Qu Yunmie said, “It’s sufficient.”

In recent days, Xiao Rong had been constantly updating his understanding of Qu Yunmie’s military ability. Previously, if he heard such words, he wouldn’t have trusted them. Now, though still a little uneasy, he believed Qu Yunmie wasn’t exaggerating.

Xiao Rong shook his head. “Very well. If Your Majesty insists, we will fight on two fronts. I will ask the Buddha’s Son whether the Kumo Xi can open a convenient passage for us again. If we borrow the route from the Kumo Xi, supplies during the march will be secured.”

Qu Yunmie nodded. That was his plan. Without the Kumo Xi’s help, he wouldn’t have sent the troops so quickly. He would’ve waited until after defeating the Xianbei to personally deal with Khitan. Yet now, with the Kumo Xi’s defection, why not seize the advantage?

The Kumo Xi betrayed the Xianbei and all the Eastern Hu peoples. From the moment they made this decision, they had to rely on the Northern Army. Even the Xianbei couldn’t be trusted. They might act opportunistically, by joining the Khitan while the Northern Army still remained on the steppe. The Khitan were far weaker than the Xianbei.

Xiao Rong looked at Qu Yunmie. He realized Qu Yunmie truly had a grand vision, but refused to explain it. Outsiders saw him as stubborn and unreasonable.

Xiao Rong smiled faintly, confusing Qu Yunmie. He didn’t explain further. Instead, he asked, “Why specifically split General Yuan’s Left Army?”

Qu Yunmie stared at him and strangely repeated, “Specifically?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He lost confidence in his question. Was it not deliberate?

Qu Yunmie thought the same, who said it was deliberate?

“Didn’t you tell me before to adjust the structure of the Northern Army? This is the first step. Once we return to Chenliu, I will reorganize the entire Northern Army. You are right—the army is too scattered, and the last adjustment was six years ago. Soldiers staying long under the same general are prone to unrest.”

Xiao Rong paused. “Then why start with the Left Army?”

Qu Yunmie’s expression became stranger. “Because the Left Army has the most men.”

The Central Army had even more, but they were all his men. No need to rotate his own troops.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He didn’t know what to say. Speaking his true thoughts might seem like stirring trouble, but he couldn’t pass over it either.

Unable to explain, Xiao Rong said bluntly, “It is unwise. Yuan General may feel slighted. You have the best relationship with him, yet he is chosen first. Moreover, the Left Army may feel uncomfortable. Better to have General Gongsun and General Wang support Ningzhou, while Yu Shaocheng attacks the Khitan with Yuan General, and assign him as deputy. That’s better than splitting his Left Army directly.”

Qu Yunmie refused. He couldn’t explain why—he simply didn’t want to do it.

Frowning, he said, “The Left Army has seventy-five thousand. This is risky against the Khitan.”

Xiao Rong said, “Then take twenty thousand from the Central Army—”

Before he could finish, Qu Yunmie snapped, “Why should my troops be used?!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He knew it was uncomfortable—but why didn’t you think this way when splitting Yuan Baifu’s army?

He thought the Northern Army’s tens of thousands would suffice, but when the situation unfolded, it was still insufficient.

The urgency to attack the Khitan was clear—if not, both fronts could’ve had breathing space.

However, Qu Yunmie had his own reasoning. He initially considered Xiao Rong’s opinion but quickly changed his mind, deciding his plan was best.

Split the Left Army, Yuan Baifu with Wang Xinyong to Ningzhou, Gongsun Yuan with Yu Shaocheng to Khitan.

Ultimately, he didn’t fully trust Yuan Baifu.

This distrust didn’t begin with the Xianbei campaign but long ago, around the time of the capital relocation.

Yuan Baifu’s attitude subtly shifted. Qu Yunmie couldn’t perceive it consciously, but subconsciously he noticed. Over time, factors influenced their relationship. Yuan Baifu had conflicts with Jian Qiao and grew closer to Gongsun Yuan. He no longer sought Qu Yunmie’s presence.

Qu Yunmie simply didn’t overthink it, but his survival and success weren’t solely due to strength.

Some knew clearly why they acted, some acted instinctively. These instincts, shaped by their environment, helped them avoid many risks—even without conscious awareness.

Qu Yunmie didn’t know Yuan Baifu disliked Xiao Rong, yet his instinct did. He didn’t know Yuan Baifu suppressed his dissatisfaction, yet instinctively knew. When assigning tasks, his first reaction wasn’t to send Yuan Baifu alone—which was opposite to historical precedent.

Sending only the Left Army against Shen Yangrui would’ve been optimal. Among the four armies, Yuan Baifu was the most meticulous commander. This style suited Nanyong’s style, increasing the chance of victory.

Wang Xinyong? Ten years ago, he was a Nanyong general. Qu Yunmie shouldn’t have sent him—neither by trust nor ethics—but his instinct chose him.

It wasn’t just Yuan Baifu. Qu Yunmie’s style was changing. Previously, he would assign one person. Now, he preferred splitting one army to assign two capable commanders to counterbalance. Wang Xinyong and Yuan Baifu were unfamiliar, Gongsun Yuan and Yu Shaocheng were unfamiliar. Jian Qiao could have gone, and he wouldn’t get lost, but his temperament couldn’t control Yu Shaocheng. So, Qu Yunmie chose Gongsun Yuan.

Previously, hatred drove him. With the Xianbei gone, hatred disappeared. Xiao Rong’s counsel and the consequences of impulsiveness became a mental restraint, binding his mind. Qu Yunmie had truly changed, though no one noticed.

Qu Yunmie remained silent. He wanted to explain to Xiao Rong but couldn’t. He only knew he was clear-headed. It wasn’t impulse or personal feelings. He believed this was best.

Xiao Rong saw the resolve and hesitation in his eyes, pressed his lips, and said, “Very well, everything follows Your Majesty’s decision.”

Qu Yunmie froze. “You won’t say anything else?”

Xiao Rong shook his head. “This is different from personally risking yourself. Your Majesty is strong now, with higher risk resistance. Perhaps you’re right, perhaps you’re wrong—but we can bear the consequences of any mistakes.”

He smiled at Qu Yunmie. Qu Yunmie felt reassured yet slightly displeased. “I’m right.”

Xiao Rong shrugged. “I hope so too.”

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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