The scenery of the Northwest frontier fortress was quite different from that of the capital city. The beginning of winter was just around the corner and the chill wind was already cutting cold like a knife and the sky was heavy with frost. The mountains bore sand-like snow, a solitary plaintive cry of a wild goose rang in the city.

Last winter, the Xixia took Yong Liang from the Dayu. They humiliated and killed the general and threatened to massacre the city. Today, one year later, the scenery at the frontier remained the same but the people within and without the city have already switched positions, from offense to defense, from defense to offense. Dayu’s army had camped outside the city a month ago. They have been biding their time for a month, conserving their strength and storing up energy, all for the final battle.

The days of readying will always be boring compared to times of siege. After days and days of resting and resting, a certain hot-blooded boy couldn’t bear it anymore.

“General, we have been consolidating our troops for a whole month.” This was Wu Youyuan’s third call for battle within ten days. “Before this, our army has consecutively captured the towns of Guang Yang, Lan Gu and Zhuo Xian. The troops have had a huge boost in morale. This is the time when we should be pressing on. We should take Yong Liang directly. If there is any further delay, the soldiers will inevitably slack off and our provisions will dwindle.”

Gu Fuzhou folded his arms and looked at the northwest terrain on the sand table, saying nothing.

“I must disagree with the general. The art of war says, ‘First is to attack their plans, second is to attack their ties, next is to attack their troops, last is to attack their city. Laying siege to the city should be a last resort.’ Yong Liang is a veritable fortress in the Northwest. It has always been a place of strategic importance. The city’s defenses are strong. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. How can it compare to a bunch of small towns like Guang Yang and Lan Gu.” The speaker was Shi Pei, an old veteran in the Northwest Army. All the military officials respected this general of the fourth rank.

Gu Fuzhou glanced at Shi Pei. This man was known to love his soldiers like his own sons. Although he had been in battle for many years, he still mourned the loss of every soldier. For Shi Pei, reducing the casualties of their army was the top priority. He would rather a graceless victory if it meant protecting the soldiers under his command. This was a noble quality and Gu Fuzhou admired him very much.

Wu Youyuan retorted, “Laying siege is difficult. But would laying siege to it later be any less difficult than laying siege to it now? Since this is all but a matter of time, why not settle it quickly?”

Gu Fuzhou rubbed the center of his eyebrows, and said, “Youyuan, being hot-blooded is a good thing. But if your blood runs too hot, mosquitoes will burn their mouths when they drinking your blood.”

Gu Fuzhou has been staying in the Northwest for a year. He didn’t feel like expending effort to maintain his aloof personality. He now acted however he wished. After Wu Youyuan and others’ initial shock, they gradually accepted General Gu’s new persona. They heard from veterans in the Northwest that General Gu had been poisoned before and his temperament had changed drastically since he recovered his life from the jaws of death. General Gu had acted outrageously at that time. Now, he was much better; at least he didn’t sleep in all day long. Fortunately, no matter his character, the General would never lead them to defeat.

Wu Youyuan still listened to Gu Fuzhou’s words. He said, “Please enlighten me, General.”

“You’re forgetting how General Zhao lost Yong Liang last winter.”

“I have not forgotten.” Wu Youyuan said quickly, “Last year, General Zhao was trapped in Yong Liang. The roads were blocked by heavy snow and provisions could not be delivered. In desperation, he opened the gates of the city, he battled, his back against the wall but was no match against Xixia’s elite. He lost and died.”

Gu Fuzhou said, “You still don’t understand?”

Wu Youyuan’s intelligence was all focused on the art of war. When Gu Fuzhou said this, he understood. His eyes lit up and said, “The General wants them spend their provisions and force them to open the gates and seek battle like they’d done to General Zhao last year?”

Gu Fuzhou nodded and said, “Without Guang Yang, Lan Gu, Zhuo Xian and the other towns, Yong Liang’s provision lines have been cut off. No matter how big it is, it’s still utterly surrounded. We have a continuous supply of grain and feed and the Xixia army within the city can only sit, eat and deplete their stores. By adapting attrition tactics, we are reducing the casualties of our army by at least half.”

Shi Pei agreed with Gu Fuzhou’s words, “There is nothing better than to use an opponent’s own methods to obtain retribution. The Xixia brought into the city all the rations and fodder from the towns like Guang Yang. Adding in Yong Liang’s original stockpile, their supplies can last them 50 days at most. It has now been a month. After another half month, the enemy will either starve to death, or open the city’s gates to meet the enemy like General Zhao. Their army’s morale will be in shreds. By that time our army will have already been gearing up for two months. By that time, are you afraid that we will be unable to take back Yong Liang!”

Wu Youyuan pondered for a while. He too believed that a war of attrition was the best plan. But he still had his doubts. “The Xixia needs rations and fodder. We also need rations and fodder. The key to a war of attrition is that we be able to outlast the Xixia.”

Gu Fuzhou turned to Shen Huaishi, “How long can our provisions last?”

Shen Huaizhi said, “Less than ten days. However, Imperial Physician Lin said in his letter that a large amount of provisions from the south departed at the beginning of the month, travelling by water. It will travel over land once it reaches Gui Province. It should reach camp before long.”

Shi Pei excitedly said, “Then we shall definitely have enough!”

“The premise is that the provisions can be delivered smoothly.” After weighing the matter, Gu Fuzhou said, “Huaishi, please go back to Gui Province and personally escort the supplies to Yong Liang.”

Shen Huaizhi said, “I shall be leaving immediately.”

After the coming to an agreement, Gu Fuzhou and Wu Youyuan discussed the appropriate amount of armament needed to attack the city. Seeing this, Shi Pei couldn’t help but say, “The general has changed a lot since his return to the Northwest.”

“Hm? Why do you say that?”

Shi Pei said, “Two years ago, when the General was in the Northwest, discussing official matters with you was an actual headache. General Zhao made the decision on everything. How can that compare to now? You attend to every detail and take an interest in everything.”

“It can’t be helped. I really want to win.” Gu Fuzhou said with a quiet chuckle, “I can’t die.”

The war in the Northwest was coming to its final juncture. Lin Qingyu has not closed his eyes for three days coordinating the transport of provisions from the south to the Northwest. That batch of provisions could support the Northwest Army for at least a month. Now that everything was settled, he could finally feel at ease.

When he walked out of the Ministry of War, Lin Qingyu realized that it had begun to snow at some point. The snow was not heavy, but it made his eyes sore. After being in a trance for a while, he took a step back and bumped into the body of the assistant minister of War.

The assistant minister of War was a man under thirty, he could be regarded as a young promising talent. He was also a distant relative of the Empress Dowager, so he naturally stood on Lin Qingyu’s side. During the past few days, Lin Qingyu has been working on the matter of the provisions together with them. Seeing Lin Qingyu’s pale face, he thought that Lin Qingyu must be worried about the war in the Northwest. He said, “General Gu has already recovered several towns surrounding Yong Liang, encircling it. It is only a matter of time before Yong Liang is recovered. Imperial Physician Lin need not worry, this time Dayu will win the battle.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “I hope so.”

The assistant minister smiled and said in a gentle manner, “It’s snowing and the road is slippery, should I send Imperial Physician Lin out of the palace?”

Lin Qingyu said curtly, “No need.”

Although the assistant minister was a little disappointed, he didn’t force it. “Then please be careful on the road, Imperial Physician Lin.”

Lin Qingyu had only walked a few steps when someone from Ci’an Palace came bearing a message that the Empress Dowager was inviting him to Ci’an Palace for the evening meal. In the past year, he has eaten at Ci’an Palace more times than the “great dutiful son” Xiao Jie. For this reason, there was a lot of gossip in the palace. Some people were even saying that the Empress Dowager has taken in Lin Qingyu as her adopted son and now treated him more affectionately than the emperor.

But Lin Qingyu knew that the reason why the Empress Dowager was so affectionate towards him was because the mentally incomplete Little King Huai, would smile at him alone. Most of the time the Empress Dowager invited him to Ci’an Palace only to get Xiao Li to smile.

When Lin Qingyu arrived at Ci’an Palace, he saw the emperor’s sedan chair parked outside. He asked Lai Fu, “Is the emperor here?”

Lai Fu said, “His Majesty came to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. He is currently playing in the snow with the little prince in the back garden.”

In the back garden, the two royal brothers were squatting in the snow, building a snowman. To be precise, Xiao Jie was the only one making it. Xiao Li couldn’t create something so complicated; he could only knead the snow into small balls and carefully put them away. Xiao Jie kept talking to him though he never got a response.

Xiu Jiao momo, who was standing by one side, saw Lin Qingyu and said with a smile, “My lord, look who’s here.”

Xiao Li raised his head. Seeing Lin Qingyu, he remained somewhat unresponsive, but then, he smiled instinctively.

It was the first time for Xiao Jie to see Xiao Li smiling and he couldn’t help saying, “Sixth Brother, you’re really good-looking…”

Lin Qingyu wanted to kneel down to Xiao Jie. Xiao Jie’s eyes were a little evasive. “There’s no need for Imperial Physician Lin to be so polite.”

Lin Qingyu said, “It’s cold outside. Don’t let His Highness play for too long. The prince’s snow cape is already wet.”

Xiu Jiao momo hurriedly said, “This servant shall take His Highness to change his snow cape.”

Xiu Jiao momo took Xiao Li to leave. Xiao Jie kept casting furtive glances at Lin Qingyu, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t dare to. Lin Qingyu asked, “Does the emperor have something to ask of this humble official?”

Xiao Jie shook his head. Then he nodded. Summoning up his courage, he asked, “Imperial Physician Lin, will you-will you harm me and A’Rong?”

Lin Qingyu looked at him and said expressionlessly, “Eunuch Xi has said something to the Emperor.”

“A’Rong said that you and General Gu are not sincere to me. He wants me to stay away from you.” Xiao Jie scratched his head; hesitating, he said, “But I don’t think you’re a bad person.”

Lin Qingyu smiled lightly, “Your Majesty has been with Eunuch Xi for many years, yet you don’t believe his words?”

Xiao Jie waved his hands, flustered, “I-I do believe him. Zhen just doesn’t believe you’d do this…”

Lin Qingyu interrupted, “Your Majesty, as a grown man, don’t you have your own judgment? Today, if I say that I will not harm you and Eunuch Xi, you will let guard down against me? ”

Xiao Jie puffed up his cheeks, looking angered, “I am asking you kindly. Why must you say that?”

“Then I will tell Your Majesty. I will not—I will not until the General returns.” Lin Qingyu said lightly, “It is up to you whether to believe me or not.”

What Lin Qingyu said was something tacitly shared with Xi Rong. Telling it to Xiao Jie was harmless. But Xi Rong seems not to inform Xiao Jie of the current situation, otherwise he wouldn’t have such a terrified expression. “Then when General Gu comes back, are you going to… ”

Lin Qingyu said, “The emperor should ask Eunich Xi. What is it that he will do to the General, once the General comes back.”

Xiao Jie was stunned. He murmured, “I’ll ask him…” Then he ran out.

Xiao Jie returned to his palace and began looking for Xi Rong all over the place. “A’Rong! Where is A’Rong?”

An eunuch said, “Eunuch Xi is out of the palace today. He said he has something to do back in the Mansion.”

“Then I will be leaving too.” Xiao Jie said heedless of everything, “Go and prepare the carriage.”

Xi Rong didn’t use to have a mansion. He lived wherever Xiao Jie lived. Later, Xiao Jie chose a mansion for Xi Rong out of thousands of choices and bestowed it to him. This was originally the residence of Xiao Jie’s aunt, Princess Pingchang. Princess Pingchang was the most beloved little sister of the former emperor and her mansion was naturally extremely luxurious. Unfortunately, Princess Pingchang passed away due to illness at a young age and the mansion remained empty until Xiao Jie came to the throne and ushered in a new owner.

At this time, the doors and windows of the Xi Mansion’s study were closed. Xi Rong was having a secret conversation with a mysterious visitor. The guest wore a hooded cloak; when he spoke, he enunciated his words beautifully revealing the deliberate care he put into uttering them.

The visitor was not to be looked down on. Xi Rong did not dare to lower his guard. He asked, “Your Excellency seeking an audience now is it to seek peace or to seek death?”

The man in the hood said, “I am here to negotiate on behalf of our commander, to negotiate a deal with Eunuch Xi.”

“Oh?” Xi Rong stared at the man closely, “And what sort of deal might this be that you came seeking me out instead of laying this before the court?”

“Gu Fuzhou killed our crown prince. Innumerable heroes of the Xixia have died on his spear. The people of the Xixia would want nothing more than to eat his flesh and drink his blood.” The hooded man said, hate filling his voice, “The commander offers the return of Yong Liang. All we ask is that General Gu be not granted a good death.”

Xi Rong’s eyes shone with cold. “Yong Liang is a surrounded city. It’s already as good as the Dayu’s. How would you give it back?”

The man in the hood said, “If Your Excellency is willing to help our commander, apart from Gu Fuzhou, the Dayu’s army will lose at most twenty to thirty thousand soldiers. But if you insist on attacking, we will definitely defend. If that were to happen, the Dayu would lose at least fifty thousand soldiers. In exchange for Gu Fuzhou alone, you gain twenty thousand soldiers and an intact Yong Liang. What does Your Excellency think of this?”

Xi Rong said calmly, “A talent like Gu Fuzhou comes but once in a hundred years in the Dayu. Save for him, who can keep the peace in the Northwest? His life cannot be bought with a city.”

The hooded man whispered, “But the question is, does Eunuch Xi want Gu Fuzhou to return to the capital alive?”

Xi Rong’s tone was dangerous, “Why would you say that?”

“If Gu Fuzhou dies in battle, that legendary beauty Imperial Physician will be left without the aid of his husband. He will be nothing but a leather bag.” The hooded man said with an ambiguous expression on his face, “Our king has always been one to cherish jade and incense. He has long heard of about the deeds of the beautiful imperial physician and has developed a yearning. He wishes to see with his own eyes the beauty who has captivated Gu Fuzhou. If Eunuch Xi could send the beautiful imperial physician to Xixia’s capital, ‘amity between Qin and Jin’ would not be but a dream.”

Xi Rong sneered and said, “Even if you have learned a bit of the language, you be better not use it indiscriminately. That is not how you use ‘amity between Qin and Jin’.”

The hooded man smiled and said, “But Eunuch Xi understands what I mean. Once Gu Fuzhou dies, the grievances between the two countries will be over. Xixia can guarantee that there will be no more trouble. Is Gu Fuzhou’s life not worth peace in the Northwest? This, Eunuch Xi would know better than I.”

Xi Rong asked, “And what is it that your commander wishes me to do?”

In the shadows, the hooded man smiled, certain of his victory. “What the commander wants is very simple. Nothing more than…” The hooded man dipped his fingertip in the tea and wrote the word “supply transport” on the table.

Xi Rong was silent for a long time and then said, “I see.”

The hooded man got up and bowed in the manner of the people of the central plains. “So, I shall wait for good news from His Excellency.”

“Go out the side door. Don’t let anyone see you.”

“Naturally.”

After hooded man left, Xi Rong sat alone in thought. Suddenly, he heard a voice from outside, “Your Majesty?”

Xi Rong’s complexion changed suddenly. He immediately opened the door and Xiao Jie’s pale face came into view.

The author has something to say: Soon, soon. Be patient, my dears. I’ll get to it in my own time. =3=