Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Six days later.
Upon the walls of Panzhou.
Dressed in black military attire, Pei Xianjing stood facing the wind.
Lord Chu, wearing his official robes, stood beside him and described the recent situation in Qizhou.
“The newly appointed General of Distant Pacification is highly capable. He disguised himself as an enemy general and lured their forces into Qizhou City on the pretext of launching a surprise attack. Then he shut the gates and trapped them inside, inflicting a devastating defeat.
“He also distributed notices throughout the surrounding prefectures and counties, saying there were many wounded and an urgent shortage of medicine, and offering high prices to purchase supplies. That drew quite a few medicine merchants to the city.”
“After the medicine merchants reached Qizhou and earned silver, they settled down. Food, clothing, and daily necessities all cost money… As a result, Qizhou’s economy has become considerably more prosperous than before.
“Under his direction, Qizhou’s officials also introduced a series of measures to improve people’s livelihoods and stimulate the economy.
“With all these things together, he has not been in Qizhou for long, yet his arrival has already transformed the city.”
Pei Xianjing listened in silence, then gave a cold snort. “Ha.”
Lord Chu studied his expression and suddenly became too frightened even to breathe loudly.
Had he said something wrong? Why did Lord Pei look so displeased?
“What else?”
Only after a long while did Pei Xianjing speak coldly again.
There was little emotion in his voice, yet to Lord Chu, it sounded like the God of Death whispering in his ear.
“There is also…” He raised a hand and scratched his head in agitation once more. “There is also a rumor that the General of Distant Pacification has an excellent strategist.
“This strategist not only advises him on battle plans, but also on pacifying the people.”
Surely there could be nothing wrong with that answer?
Lord Pei had traveled a thousand miles without resting day or night. He must be concerned about the war in Qizhou and worried for the city’s people.
“Excellent. Truly excellent,” Pei Xianjing said in a low voice, both hands already clenched into tight fists.
Lord Chu was speechless.
He did not like hearing that either?
Then what exactly did he want to hear?
Pei Xianjing stood silent for a long while. When he spoke again, his tone was so calm it inspired fear. “Send the prepared military supplies to Qizhou.
“Lord Chu, I must trouble you to deliver this letter to the enemy camp.”
Lord Chu accepted the letter and glanced at it. His eyes immediately widened in shock.
Written boldly across the envelope were the words, “For Qi Yusheng’s Eyes Only.”
Qi Yusheng?
Had Lord Pei not already killed him?
This was plainly a secret letter the enemy had sent Qi Yusheng.
What did Lord Pei mean by taking this letter now and ordering him to send it into the enemy camp?
He dared not ask or hesitate. Accepting the letter, he secretly found someone to deliver it.
But once the enemy commander saw this secret letter again, he would know Qi Yusheng’s collusion with the enemy had been exposed and would undoubtedly spare no effort to seize the city.
Only then would the General of Distant Pacification face a truly brutal battlefield.
Lord Chu held his breath. When he stole another glance at Pei Xianjing, nothing remained in his eyes but fear.
Pei Xianjing did not hurry to Qizhou. Instead, he settled in Panzhou.
Reports concerning Xing Shuwei arrived before him at the same appointed times every day-
She cared for the wounded in the wounded soldiers’ camp.
She had moved out of the Xing family’s ancestral home and hidden herself in an alley among the market streets.
What she wore each day, when she ate, what she ate…
Pei Xianjing knew every detail, no matter how small.
“Eldest Young Master, the enemy has assembled a large army and reached the city walls. Are we still not going to Qizhou?” Chengde’s right hand rested on the hilt of his saber, rubbing it without cease.
He truly could not fathom what the Eldest Young Master intended.
Pei Xianjing’s voice was as deep as an icy pool. “If Zhang Mingan cannot hold for even three days, then his death will at least earn the Marquis of Qingyuan a measure of merit. He will be more useful dead than alive.”
Chengde fell silent.
Was the Eldest Young Master blaming Lord Zhang for abducting Miss Xing?
But if the enemy entered Qizhou City, what if Miss Xing…
* * *
The military grain, medicine, weapons, and armor transported from Panzhou were all delivered into the Qizhou army camp.
The soldiers’ morale soared. Even after hearing that the enemy had massed a large force outside the city, not one of them retreated.
Zhang Mingan drew up his battle plan, then left the army camp to bid Xing Shuwei farewell.
Xing Shuwei had moved into a small tiled house in Xujiakou Alley.
It looked so dilapidated that it hardly seemed fit for habitation.
“You are far too cautious. If he knew you were in Qizhou, why would he remain in Panzhou instead of coming here?” Zhang Mingan asked.
For the past several days, Xing Shuwei had been constantly anxious and plagued by nightmares throughout the night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamed that Pei Xianjing appeared on her bed, his inner robe hanging open as he choked her and said in a cold, savage voice, “You dared deceive me. I will kill you, then kill Xing Shuyan.”
Even remembering the dream now left Xing Shuwei shaken, as though the scene had truly occurred.
“Are you going to war again? Did the enemy not already withdraw?” Xing Shuwei asked.
“Who knows?” Zhang Mingan’s gaze darkened.
He suspected Pei Xianjing might be creating trouble behind the scenes.
Yet he also felt that someone as loyal to his sovereign and country as Pei Xianjing would never commit the treasonous act of colluding with a foreign enemy.
Still, the enemy’s movements this time were far too unusual.
Unless someone was manipulating matters behind the scenes, the enemy should not have been able to assemble such a large invading force so quickly.
Zhang Mingan had come to leave Xing Shuyan behind.
“This battle will end quickly. Let Shuyan stay and protect you. I cannot rest easy leaving you alone in the city,” Zhang Mingan said, finding an excuse.
Xing Shuwei saw through him at once. “Will this battle be difficult?”
“No,” Zhang Mingan answered readily, but without conviction.
Xing Shuwei lowered her eyes and considered for a long while. “Ask Yan’er yourself.”
“He does not listen to me. He only listens to you, his Elder Sister,” Zhang Mingan said.
Xing Shuwei thought again, then said, “Since he has chosen this path, I cannot decide for him and make him a deserter. He would never be able to hold his head up again.
“I cannot be the one who bends his spine. I want him alive more than anyone, but I also understand better than anyone how he wants to live.”
“I will tell you the truth. I am not certain I can win this battle.
“We are outnumbered and have no reinforcements behind us.
“I am setting out prepared to fight until the last man falls.” Zhang Mingan’s expression was grave, and the truth in his heart spilled out.
“Even a wretched life is better than a noble death. One more soldier or one fewer will make no difference on the battlefield,” he urged.
Instead of answering, Xing Shuwei asked, “Is Pei Xianjing still in Panzhou?”
Zhang Mingan was displeased that she mentioned him at a time like this, but still answered, “Yes.”
“As long as he has not left, you will not truly be without reinforcements behind you.
“I ask only one thing of you. Do not let him see Yan’er,” she said.
Her tone was so certain.
Zhang Mingan could not help freezing briefly-
She trusted Pei Xianjing that much?
Why?
Had she forgotten what her circumstances in the Duke’s estate had been? If Pei Xianjing had not failed to protect her, would she have fallen into danger time and again?
Xing Shuwei failed to notice the subtle shift in his emotions. She merely instructed, “Be careful. Take care of yourself on the battlefield. I will wait for your victorious return.”