Chapter 172
Chapter 172
After seeing Xiao Lan off, Xie Chengyan began pouring out his grievances to Xiao Che.
“Old Xiao, when exactly are you going to bring the people from Black Pine Valley here? Everything there is already running properly, with stewards overseeing every area. Jingmo can manage the place alone, and Old Madam Xiao is there to hold the fort. But we are only getting started here. Tens of thousands of people depend on my son and me for every bite they eat and every other daily need. Do we owe the Xiao Family something?”
By the end of his complaint, Xie Chengyan was tempted to abandon the job entirely.
Xiao Che scratched his head and wrapped an arm around Xie Chengyan’s shoulders. This time, he did not pretend to be confused.
“Old Xie, why speak as if we were strangers? You aren’t doing any of this for the Xiao Family. You’re doing it for your own niece. The same blood runs through both of you.”
Xie Chengyan could not refute that, though his beloved niece still bore the surname Xiao.
Xiao Che then made a serious proposal.
“Old Xie, you possess the Emperor’s edict. Why not announce it publicly? Then Jin Bao can openly claim her status as a Princess of Great Xia. Her identity as the Star Maiden is already public. Once we tell the world she is the Emperor’s chosen heir, we will have a rightful mandate to seize the towns and cities of the Northern Frontier. Feeding so many soldiers consumes an enormous amount of grain every day. I intend to begin by attacking the nearby cities. What do you think?”
Xie Chengyan had no objection.
Every day they supported these people brought greater expenses without any revenue.
The Xiao Family’s grain could sustain them for only a few months.
The autumn harvest was approaching. If they captured several cities beforehand, they could collect part of the taxes. Otherwise, the Northern Frontier’s grain would be shipped to Bei’an City, which Prince Cheng’s men now controlled completely.
That would simply hand the grain to Prince Cheng.
They had to recover a share before the autumn harvest.
The two men went to the main camp to discuss their next move.
Xie Chengyan brought out a map of the Northern Frontier and drew a circle around Jintang Valley.
“Old Xiao, this is Jintang Valley. The surrounding terrain consists of mountains and gorges, with very little level ground. The Baishui Xiao Family is three hundred li away. Our immediate targets should be the nearby county seats.
“Within three hundred li of Jintang Valley lie Pingyuan County, Yongping County, and Ding’an County.
“Two of the three counties sit along the same route, while the counties as a whole lie southeast and southwest of Jintang Valley. Pingyuan County is the closest, only about one hundred and twenty li away.
“But its terrain makes it more difficult to attack than the other two.
“The first half of the route passes through mountains, and the second crosses hills. To take the county, we must break through Qingshi Pass.
“Qingshi Pass is said to be easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, it is not a major military stronghold, nor does it lie on the main road to Bei’an City. Its garrison is small, normally only five hundred men.
“Next is Yongping County.
“It lies one hundred and eighty li from Jintang Valley in gently rolling hill country.
“Farthest away is Ding’an County, two hundred li from Jintang Valley.
“The road to Ding’an County passes through Pingyuan County. If you want Ding’an, you must take Pingyuan first.
“All of Ding’an County lies on fertile plains. More than half its annual grain harvest is collected in taxes, yet its people rarely starve to death.”
After briefly explaining the three nearest counties, Xie Chengyan looked at Xiao Che.
The final choice of which county to attack belonged to Xiao Che. He was the one who would lead the soldiers into battle.
Xiao Che studied the map for a while, then pointed directly at Pingyuan County.
“We’ll take Pingyuan first, then immediately attack Ding’an and seize that granary.”
His plan matched Xie Chengyan’s exactly.
Once they had chosen their direction of attack, Xie Chengyan returned to an old refrain.
“Old Xiao, have you considered something? After you capture these counties, who will serve as their magistrates? You do not expect me to administer all three by myself, do you? Even if I could split into several bodies, I would never manage it all. You had better find a way to recruit some scholars. You cannot charge forward, conquer one city after another, and ignore every mess you leave behind. If you do, what was the point of conquering them?”
This was Xiao Che’s first time operating independently. In the past, he had only needed to capture territory. The imperial court sent officials to take over afterward. Now he had to wage war and find administrators at the same time, and the prospect made his head ache.
Then he remembered a certain place.
“Old Xie, are you familiar with the Qingya Qin Family?”
Xie Chengyan frowned slightly. The moment Xiao Che spoke, he knew exactly what the old rogue was planning.
He snorted and turned away, refusing to respond.
But Xiao Che was thick-skinned. He hurried around in front of Xie Chengyan and said with a grin, “You’re all scholars, and you grew up outside the pass. There’s no reason you wouldn’t know the Qin Family. That clan is full of bookworms. Why don’t you help negotiate with them and ask them to recommend some people? Then you won’t have to work so hard, and I can lead the army without worrying. Everyone wins.”
The Qin Family had no idea that Xiao Che had noticed them even while they kept peacefully to themselves.
Of course Xie Chengyan knew the family. He had even studied under them. But this was the perfect moment to name his price, so he naturally maintained an aloof air.
Only after Xiao Che exhausted every flattering word did Xie Chengyan reluctantly say, “Since you are begging me so sincerely, I will name one condition. I can go, but you must let me take Jin Bao with me.”
That condition posed no difficulty for Xiao Che.
Xie Chengyan was Jin Bao’s maternal uncle. It would be good for her to follow him and broaden her horizons.
“No problem. As long as my daughter is willing to go with you, I have no objection. So, when are you leaving?”
Xie Chengyan’s face darkened. He flicked his sleeve and turned away. “You won’t even let me catch my breath. Even livestock gets a chance to rest.”
Xiao Che hurried after him. “Old Xie, how can you compare yourself to livestock? You’re much smarter than livestock. No, wait…”
The two men bickered as they walked away.
Xie Yanhong and Xiao Jingxing approached from nearby, both shaking their heads helplessly.
“Those two truly are a pair of comedians. Jingxing, how are you feeling today?”
Xiao Jingxing lifted his arms and kicked his legs.
“Much better. My legs aren’t as weak when I walk, and I don’t get as breathless. I have the army physician you brought to thank. Otherwise, I might not have survived.”
“I just heard Uncle Xiao say they plan to attack Pingyuan County. Are you going?”
Of course Xiao Jingxing wanted to go. Defeating enemies and winning glory had always been his dream. Now he also had to help his younger sister secure the throne and avenge his grandfather. He intended to kill Prince Cheng with his own hands and hang the man’s head above Xuanwu Gate for a month beneath the blazing sun.
But his current health would not permit a long journey.
His father’s objective was clear. They had to take three cities in succession, which meant the army would not return for at least half a month. Xiao Jingxing’s body could not withstand two weeks of intense warfare.
“I won’t go this time. I’ll wait for the next campaign. When we attack Bei’an City, I will be the vanguard.”
Xie Yanhong looked enviously at Xiao Jingxing’s bright, unrestrained bearing.
“I want to gallop across the battlefield too, but it seems I am destined to spend my life wielding a writing brush.”
Xiao Jingxing patted his good friend’s shoulder. “Your brush is far more powerful than my spear. Don’t sell yourself short. Didn’t you hear them just now? People with your talents are precisely what we lack. You’re one of our treasures.”
Xie Yanhong tugged at the corner of his mouth. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Jingxing, he gazed at the city before them.
It had grown from barren land into a place bustling with activity, buildings rising one after another. He felt a sense of fulfillment unlike anything he had known before.
He had personally helped build a city, and pride welled within him.
That evening, Xiao Che summoned Jin Bao. He asked for her opinion and told her about his plan to attack the nearby counties.
Jin Bao was quick-witted. She understood as soon as he explained.
“Daddy, are you going to war? Will the common people get hurt?”
Xiao Che stroked her chubby little cheek and replied in a voice both gentle and firm, “No. Daddy will reassure the people. I won’t let them be harmed or forced from their homes.”
Jin Bao nodded.
“Then Jin Bao supports Daddy. Chase away the bad people, but Daddy has to treat the common people well afterward. Farmers work very hard. Baby doesn’t want them to lose their homes again.”
Xiao Che stroked her little head. For the first time, he spoke to her with complete seriousness.
“Daughter, you will be the new ruler of our dynasty one day.
“Whatever kind of dynasty you want, you must work to build it.
“If you do not want the people driven from place to place, you must create an age of peace and prosperity.
“Make our country as secure as an iron fortress. Let no one go hungry. Give everyone grain to eat, warm clothes to wear, and a home to live in. Then the people will remember your goodness.
“If you do not work hard, they will continue living the same bitter lives they suffer now.”
Xiao Che’s lesson was remarkably effective.
Jin Bao tilted her little head and thought for a moment. “Baby understands. Baby will be a good person and a good Empress Regnant. Baby will let everyone eat good food and wear nice clothes, just like in Baby’s other world.”
This was the second time Xiao Che had heard Jin Bao mention her other world. He did not know what kind of place it was, but she had said no one there starved to death and everyone lived in beautiful houses.
“Then do you want to visit the Qin Family with your uncle tomorrow?”
Jin Bao nodded. “Yes! Uncle needs Baby, so Baby will go with him. But does Daddy need Baby too? Baby is very good at fighting. Baby can shock all those people unconscious, and then Daddy can take the city right away!”
Xiao Che laughed. “My daughter truly is amazing. You could stand against an entire army by yourself. But fighting wars is Daddy’s job. You must not exhaust your power. It would be bad for your body. You still need to grow up healthy. Daddy doesn’t want you to stay this short forever.
“Besides, those county seats do not have many defenders. Daddy promises to capture all of them in less than half a month. Then everyone can bow to my daughter and gather faith power for you, so you won’t faint again.”
Jin Bao clapped happily. “Okay! Okay! They love Baby, and Baby loves everyone too!”
Once Jin Bao agreed, Xie Chengyan finished packing early the next morning, and the carriage was ready.
Xiao Che emerged carrying a still-drowsy Jin Bao.
“I am entrusting my daughter to you. I am a rough man and don’t understand the schemes you scholars play against one another, but my daughter must return without a hair harmed. Once I take those cities and you bring the new recruits back, we will hold a victory feast.”
Xie Chengyan accepted Jin Bao and could not be bothered to respond.
Had Xiao Che forgotten that Xie Chengyan was the child’s maternal uncle? Half the blood in Jin Bao’s body came from the same family as his own.
Xie Chengyan boarded the carriage, but Xiao Che still found it difficult to let go.
Jin Bao had never been separated from him for so long. He took the little girl everywhere he went. Now that she was suddenly gone, his heart felt strangely hollow.
Only after the carriage disappeared into the distance did he turn and begin mustering his troops.
According to reports from their scouts, the three cities had fewer than ten thousand defenders in total.
Ding’an County alone had the largest garrison, with eight thousand men. The other two counties combined had fewer than one thousand.
Ding’an County was a major grain-producing region. The imperial court had stationed so many troops there precisely to stop anyone from threatening its food supply.
Now that Xiao Che had set his sights on the county, he would take it no matter what.