Although they’d kept the supply shortage a secret, the soldiers inevitably began to whisper when they saw that the rice had turned to clear porridge, the steamed buns had become a little smaller and the firewood provided for heating during the night was not enough to last til daybreak. This was especially so among the veterans who had been in the Northwest last year. They’d experienced a shortage before, had stepped onto the battlefield hungry. Even if they did not fear death, they didn’t want to die too aggrieved. At the very least, they can’t die at the hands of their enemies unable to give it their all because they didn’t have enough to eat.

Among the generals, Shi Pei had the best relationship with the common soldiers. Someone asked him if they were running out of provisions again. Shi Pei could only whip out his pre-prepared statement, “Everyone, relax. We have more than enough grain and fodder but the weather’s getting colder and colder. The general is worried we’ll find ourselves in the same situation as last year. The roads might be blocked by heavy snow which might prevent supplies from reaching us. So, we thought to best prepare for any possible contingency and save supplies now.”

However, this kind of rhetoric can only be used once or twice. If said too often, the soldiers would complain even more.

“Since there’s enough provisions, why not take it out for the men to use? Two meals a day of this watery tasteless food barely enough to fill the gaps between our teeth! How are we supposed to practice when we haven’t got enough food to eat!”

“And it’s so damn cold at night. Standing at guard duty for half the night froze my face stiff.”

“Us soldiers aside, if this keeps up, the horses won’t be able to move.”

…

Seeing the army’s morale getting weaker and weaker, Wu Youyuan couldn’t sit still. “If we continue to waste time like this, we’re all going to waste away! In ancient times, armies only brought supplies enough for three days! If they didn’t have enough, they fought. If they won, they looted for supplies; if they lost, it’s still better than starving to death! We have enough supplies for more than just three days, why can’t we fight!”

There was only one small brazier of firewood burning in the tent and the only place it could warm was the area immediately surrounding it. Gu Fuzhou has been sitting beside it for a long time and still, only his hands had warmed up, his armor was still cold as ice. He had his chin resting on his palm, Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei’s words, words they’ve been repeating countless times over the past few days, flooding into his ears.

Shi Pei shook his head, disagreeing, “General Xiao Wu, as you’ve said yourself, that was in ancient times. If you want to capture a city as big as Yongliang, you need at least ten times as many besiegers as defenders.”

“General Shi, don’t you think given how long we’ve been wearing out the Xixia, their current situation must be worse than ours. During the past few months, our army has repaired fortifications, we’ve surrounded them, cutting them off from aid. Everything’s ready. If we continue to delay, the days will get colder and colder. If the roads are blocked by heavy snow like last year, wouldn’t we turn into an isolated force as well?”

“But given the current situation, even if we can capture Yongliang, I’m afraid the the casualties will be immeasurable…”

“There is no war without casualties.” Wu Youyuan said in desperation, “General Shi must fear death, cravenly clinging so to life.”

“Youyuan.” Gu Fuzhou said, “Watch your words.”

Wu Youyuan was startled; only then seeming to remember that Gu Fuzhou was sitting behind him. “The General was actually listening to us?”

Gu Fuzhou looked up at him. “Otherwise?”

“You were silent the whole time. I thought you were pondering something.”

“Pondering matters whilst listening to discussions, doing two things at once is an essential skill for a general.” Gu Fuzhou added some more firewood to the fire, “Your words were too much just now. Go and apologize to General Shi .”

Just as Wu Youyuan was about to apologize, Shi Pei smiled wryly and said, “I really am afraid of death. What I’m afraid of is for my brothers to die in vain. Whether a general or a mess cook, they are all sons of their parents. Each is a living life…”

Wu Youyuan forgot about apologizing and retorted, “But if we don’t accept these casualties now, there may be even more casualties in the future!”

Both Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei weren’t people to stand on formality and they have a friendship formed from facing danger together. Quarreling inside and even outside the command tent was not unusual. So long as it wasn’t excessive, Gu Fuzhou didn’t pay them any mind.

The two were in the middle of such a fierce argument that they didn’t even notice when Gu Fuzhou left. It was meal time in the army and there was a seemingly endless queue in front of the kitchen. Gu Fuzhou stopped behind the tent to observe secretly. He saw that everyone received only a bowl of gruel and a steamed bun about the size of Lin Qingyu’s fist. It wasn’t enough to eat in summer, let alone in this icy and snowy winter.

After receiving his steamed bun, one tall and robust soldier, instead of gobbling it up like the others, put the steamed buns into his iron mail. Gu Fuzhou thought it a little strange and so he quietly followed behind the man. He went around tent after tent, finally arriving at the stables.

The man shouted, “Little Lin Zi!”

The young man who was feeding one of the horses turned around, a smile on his delicate face. “Jiang Dage!”

The man stuffed the steamed bun he had carried all the way here into the young man’s hands. “Quick, eat this while it’s hot.”

The young man glared at him. “It’s one steamed bun per person. I already ate mine. What will you eat? Here, take it back.”

The man refused to take it. “I’m not hungry so why should I eat? Didn’t I tell you that General Shi and I came from the same village. He’s looking after me. I just ate the two meat buns he gave me. I’m already full.”

“Liar. I can even hear your stomach growling…”

Gu Fuzhou was watching with relish, when suddenly a voice came from behind, “General.”

There was no one else capable of this kind of ghost-like movement except Shen Huaishi. Shen Huaishi’s injury had yet to fully heal but he couldn’t stay idle and as soon as he managed to get out of bed, he was out and about doing what he could.

Gu Fuzhou didn’t disturb Little Lin Zi and Jiang Dage and left quietly with Shen Huaishi. “What’s the matter, Little Shenzi?”

Shen Huaizhi was momentarily stunned. He said, “We have a report from the scouts. The road from Guangyang to Yongliang has been blocked by heavy snow. The supply wagons can’t get through. People will have to carry it through load by load.”

Gu Fuzhou looked back at the two people in the stable. He chuckled lightly and said helplessly, “What bad luck. Looks like I…really have no other choice.”

Gu Fuzhou was obviously smiling but Shen Huaishi’s chest inexplicably tightened. “General?”

“Let’s go.” Gu Fuzhou said, “Let’s see if Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei are done arguing.”

In the tent, the debate between Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei was still going strong. Gu Fuzhou picked up the Xiqin he had brought with him from the capital. Casually plucking a few strings, the Xiqin made a shrill sound. The two finally closed their mouths and looked towards Gu Fuzhou.

Gu Fuzhou’s tone was the same as usual. “Let the soldiers eat their fill for the next two days. After these two days, rally the troops to attack the city.”

Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei had two completely different expressions on their faces. Wu Youyuan was overjoyed and left in a hurry after saying “I’ll make the preparations now”. Shi Pei kept making to speak but stopping. Gu Fuzhou guessed what he was going to say. He said, “Wu Youyuan is right. We will inevitably have to attack the city. If this continues to drag on, the casualties will be far worse.”

Shi Pei said in a solemn voice, “Since the General has made up his mind, I will obey your orders.”

“Don’t worry too much.” Gu Fuzhou comforted him, “I have an idea. Maybe I can recover Yongliang while also minimizing casualties.”

Shi Pei’s eyes lit up. “What trick does the General have up his sleeve?”

“It’s not some brilliant scheme.” Gu Fuzhou said, selling the climax of the story, “You’ll know when the time comes but I really hope I won’t need it.”

On this day, the snow that had been falling for several days finally stopped. Under the clear moonlight, the barracks seemed to be the same as usual; at the same time, it seemed to be a little quieter.

Gu Fuzhou was laying in bed, reading Lin Qingyu’s letters for the one hundred and eighth time by the dim light of the fire. A large part of Lin Qingyu’s letters was about the situation in the capital. Occasionally, there would be responses to his written words of love.

He wrote to Lin Qingyu: Do you know those dice with red seeds, like this lovesickness made bone-deep?

Lin Qingyu replied to him. I do. Everything in the capital is fairly stable but Xiao Jie is so stupid that it bothers me.

He wrote in reply to Lin Qingyu: Then replace him — No, that’s not it. Doctor Lin, I have been waiting for your reply for a month and all you give me in reply is “I do”? At the very least, you should say that you miss me.

Lin Qingyu replied to him: Before we recover Yongliang, I don’t want to make any moves against these two. I miss you.

He began to play little tricks: What part of me do you miss? What do you want to do with me? You can say a little more than that, Doctor Lin. I’d love to hear it.

Lin Qingyu replied to him: Xi Rong is dissatisfied with being controlled. He’s making repeated provocations. I am at the end of my patience.

He replied, depressed: Why do you have to put up with him? Just end him. I didn’t leave you so many people to let them see you be so wronged. And Baobei, you didn’t reply to my sweet words from my last letter. If you still don’t reply this time, I’m going to make a fuss.

Lin Qingyu: I want to have sex with you, are you satisfied now? Of course, I’m putting up with him for you and the Northwest. But Xi Rong has already secretly wooed the prime minister and King Heng to his side. The Tianji Camp is also under his control. I’m afraid I’m in no position to make the first move. These two incomparably idiotic fools.

…

Looking at Lin Qingyu’s upright and elegant handwriting, Gu Fuzhou could clearly make out this great beauty who was obviously extremely angry and yet had to maintain his composure. Without him, no matter how upset Lin Qingyu was, there would be no one to coax him. He wondered how pitiful and helpless Lin Qingyu was. Then, while being pitiful and helpless, he would go on to do bad things, making the people who’ve offended him even more pitiful and helpless.

It’s a pity he couldn’t see it. What a shame. If this long-distance relationship continues, his first kiss will come back.

“General!” Wu Youyuan’s voice preceded his arrival, “I have researched a never before seen brand new formation! Even the Xixia’s demon commander might not be able to break through this formation!”

Gu Fuzhou stuffed the letters under his pillow and said perfunctorily, “That’s amazing. You came at just the right time. Come with me and let’s admire the moon.”

Wu Youyuan couldn’t understand. “The General is still in a mood to admire the moon at a time like this? A great battle is before us. What we should be doing is looking at these formations.”

“You’re too nervous, Youyuan.” Gu Fuzhou smiled, “Even if it is moonlight before a great battle, we mustn’t let it down.” He walked out of the tent, sat down by the tent flap and patted the empty spot beside him, “Come and sit, admire the moon with me and we’ll take a look at your formation afterwards.”

Wu Youyuan was about to refuse and Gu Fuzhou added, “This is an order.”

Wu Youyuan sat down begrudgingly next to Gu Fuzhou. Gu Fuzhou asked him, “How does the bright moon in the Northwest compare to the Capital?”

Wu Youyuan looked up. “Aren’t they the same?”

Gu Fuzhou shook his head and sighed with a smile, “What a boring straight man.” He watched the moon quietly for a while and then suddenly said, “Youyuan, if I am unfortunately captured…”

Wu Youyuan hastily interrupted, “General, please don’t say such words. The General has planned everything. Our army will win this battle!”

“No need to get so agitated.” Gu Fuzhou said with a smile, “I mean just in case…”

Wu Youyuan said resolutely, “There will be no ‘just in case’ s .”

When Zhao Mingwei was defeated in Yongliang and captured by the enemy, he swung his knife and killed himself without the slightest hesitation. Those who venerated the General could be killed but could not be humiliated. General Gu must think so too. If he ever falls into the hands of the enemy, he would never give them the opportunity to humiliate him.

Gu Fuzhou said leisurely, “I just want to say that if I am unfortunately captured…you must come and save me.”

Wu Youyuan was stunned. “Huh?”

“I promised that Imperial Physician Lin that I wouldn’t die, I wrote him a letter of guarantee.” Gu Fuzhou stretched out his hand, watching the clear light fall onto his palm. His lips curved into a smile, “So, no matter what happens, please, you must find a way to save me—please.”