Xiao Rong returned the pillow to Qu Yunmie, then went out to handle other matters. Qu Yunmie, who had been full of thoughts, barely touched his head to the pillow when his neck tilted, and he fell asleep immediately.

 

…

 

Although Qu Yunmie hadn’t reached Yu Shaocheng’s abnormal level of needing only two hours of sleep a day, he had a natural talent for sleeping. One of his naps was equivalent to two for others, and after waking, all fatigue vanished without a trace.

Sitting on the bed and looking at the cool night outside, Qu Yunmie remained silent for a moment, then pushed the door and walked out.

It was late autumn into early winter. The nights in Shengle had already dropped to around zero degrees. With the cold wind, it could drop even below zero. Xiao Rong, raised in warm southern lands, couldn’t stand it. In the south, the cold only made his nose red, but here, the northern wind felt like icy knives, whistling and cutting at his face.

During his time in the camp, unless absolutely necessary, he never went out at night.

…

 

At this moment, Qu Yunmie wasn’t going to see Xiao Rong. If he were, he would’ve remembered to put on a cloak, so Xiao Rong wouldn’t nag about old leg pain, rheumatism, arthritis, or swollen joints.

Qu Yunmie went to find Yuan Baifu.

 

*

 

Although Qu Yunmie insisted on his own judgment, Xiao Rong’s words had influenced him a little. For the first time, he sought to make amends. He wanted to explain to Yuan Baifu why he acted as he did.

He waved for Dongfang to fetch some good liquor. Dongfang turned and entered the Xianbei Emperor’s wine cellar, bringing out strong liquors that even the Xianbei Emperors hesitated to drink.

Qu Yunmie poured himself a cup, breaking the clay seal himself.

He took a sip and nearly spat it out.

 

…

This was alcohol?! It’s way too strong!

Qu Yunmie was unrivaled in martial power, but when it came to drinking, he was hopeless. Except when drinking with Xiao Rong, others often let him have his way.

Seeing this, Yuan Baifu poured himself a cup and drank half in one go, showing no reaction.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Even if he were slow to react, he could finally sense Yuan Baifu’s displeasure. After a moment of silence, he said, “When we return to Chenliu, I plan to recruit troops across the empire.”

Yuan Baifu looked up.

Qu Yunmie lowered his eyes and continued, “How to handle the Xianbei prisoners has always been a problem. Once Khitan is defeated, it will be solved. Khitan prisoners will guard the Western Regions, Xianbei prisoners will guard Khitan’s border near Nan Shui. I owe the Kumo Xi a favor, so I cannot treat them too harshly, but the Xianbei need not worry. If the Kumo Xi betrays us, the prisoners will gladly shed Kumo Xi blood.”

Qu Yunmie lifted his head and looked at Yuan Baifu. “Once our territory expands, five hundred thousand soldiers won’t suffice. Eight hundred thousand, even a million, may be necessary. With new troops appearing, old troops will inevitably stir. If we maintain the old system, conflicts could arise between them, which I cannot allow.”

Yuan Baifu said, slowly, “So Your Majesty wants to disrupt the old army first, muddy the waters, so the new troops will integrate more smoothly.”

Qu Yunmie smiled. “Exactly.”

One million was somewhat exaggerated, counting logistics and farming soldiers too. To reach a million, Qu Yunmie would need to conquer Southern Yong. He knew this, so his words were primarily for Yuan Baifu—to show his determination and gain understanding.

Yuan Baifu, cleverer than Jian Qiao, grasped it instantly. He smiled at Qu Yunmie. “I admit I felt some sadness splitting these long-serving veterans, but for Your Majesty’s great cause, I no longer dwell on it.”

Qu Yunmie snorted. “Great cause.”

He drank another sip of the fiery liquor, then looked at Yuan Baifu. “Who would’ve thought I would walk the path to conquer the world? This year passed like a dream. Do you remember my youthful ambitions?”

Yuan Baifu answered, “Your Majesty has achieved them.”

Qu Yunmie shook his head. “Not defeating the Xianbei, but when my elder brother was still at Yanmen Pass, on the city tower?”

Prompted, Yuan Baifu recalled a faded memory. They were half-grown boys, not officially enlisted. Guards weren’t as respectful as they were today. If the guards discovered them sneaking into the tower, they would notify Gao Xunzhi, who would bring them back and punish them with book copying.

At that time, Gao Xunzhi wasn’t yet the army’s friendly elder, Qu Dong, a slightly older general was. Qu Dong was Qu Yunmie’s elder brother figure and a big brother to the mischievous boys.

Everyone admired Qu Dong except Qu Yunmie. He always opposed Qu Dong and declared he would be the top general of the Northern Army. Then Gao Xunzhi couldn’t keep him in check, leaving Qu Yunmie free to act as he pleased.

Their youthful laughter and arrogance now felt sweet in memory. Yuan Baifu smiled and recounted Qu Yunmie’s youthful ambition. “You said, when you become the Great General, we would be your middle generals. Anyone who defies you would become minor generals. Together we would conquer the world, attack the Western Regions, destroy the Northern Hu, conquer the Southern Sea, and march to Tianzhu ( historical name for India ).”

Qu Yunmie laughed at his own youthful words. Though a joke in hindsight, one sentence remained serious and unchanged. “You two are my brothers. When I was the Great General, you were my middle generals. When I am King of the Northern Army, you are my senior generals. If I truly gain the throne, you will be the new Northern Kings by my side.

“From my youth, I never forgot the vow. After my elder brother’s death, you are my final brothers. I will never treat you harshly.”

Yuan Baifu stared at Qu Yunmie. After a long pause, he rose and half-kneeling before Qu Yunmie said, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. I cannot repay your kindness.”

…

While still on campaign, Qu Yunmie didn’t dare drink much. After finishing his cup, he left.

As he passed by Xiao Rong’s quarters, Qu Yunmie was slightly drunk but stepped lightly. He wasn’t afraid of waking Xiao Rong, but feared Xiao Rong would suddenly rush out and hold him accountable.

 

…

 

In effect, he had promised two kingships with one cup. He worried if Xiao Rong knew, he would lose his mind.

Xiao Rong, as capable as he was, didn’t have clairvoyance. He slept soundly, unaware of Qu Yunmie’s mischief.

After stepping over the last stone tile without a sound from Xiao Rong’s side, Qu Yunmie exhaled and strode back.

Yuan Baifu, left behind, kept drinking cup after cup, finishing the entire jar of wine.

As a Central Plains man, unlike the alcohol-loving Xianbei, drinking the jar left him in great discomfort, his stomach burning. He staggered toward the bed but accidentally tipped the jar. It hit the ground, did not break, rolled several times, slowed, and finally wobbled dangerously, lying still on the carpet.

Yuan Baifu, supporting his heavy body, picked up the jar and threw it forcefully. The carpet cushioned it, so it broke into pieces. Watching the shards and the slowly leaking wine, he smiled and returned to sleep.

 

*

Xiao Rong slept poorly that night, dreaming of a chaotic mess and forgetting it all upon waking. Frustrated, he scratched his hair but couldn’t bear the stress. He finally sat at the concubine’s dressing table and smoothed his hair.

Everyone had blind spots; Xiao Rong was no exception. Unlike others, he knew more, noticing slight irregularities that he couldn’t fully recall later.

No one knew about Yuan Baifu’s historical betrayal or Qu Jin’s involvement, nor his entanglement with Sun Renluan, which began in Yizhou.

Qu Jin was always under Wang Xinyong. When Wang Xinyong took the rear army, Qu Jin naturally followed. Sometimes fate worked strangely: things changed, yet certain cycles aligned perfectly, finding fertile ground for growth.

However, misfortune could bring fortune. The festering wound had to be opened to heal, and certain mysteries could finally reveal their answers.

…

Xiao Rong wanted to ask Qu Yunmie about yesterday’s deployment, but he learned from Yu Shaocheng that Wang Xinyong and Yuan Baifu had already departed.

Xiao Rong: “…?”

He exclaimed, “So soon?! No rest?”

After just enduring a fierce battle and sleeping only once, could the soldiers really handle it?

Yu Shaocheng admitted, “The situation was urgent. While we thought Southern Yong wouldn’t cross the Qin Mountains, who knew their intentions? A single day’s delay increases risk. General Yuan must have considered this, and ordered an early departure.”

Xiao Rong asked, “This was General Yuan’s idea? What about General Wang?”

Yu Shaocheng blinked. “General Wang agreed.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Old Wang, have some backbone! After ten years, he is even one of the F4, yet he still acts like when he first surrendered.

…

Shaking his head, Xiao Rong asked, “What about General Gongsun and your brother? Did they depart too?”

Yu Shaocheng smiled, “Chenger wanted to go early, but General Gongsun insisted the soldiers conserve energy. Khitan is different from Yizhou—they won’t run.”

Xiao Rong thought this was reasonable. Others were overexerting themselves.

 

…

Since everyone had left, there was no point in asking. Xiao Rong sighed and turned to inventory the spoils.

He needed to spend some money to forget these frustrating matters.

*

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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