Chapter 148 (1/2)
Chapter 148
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Seeing how Chu Qiao could barely open keep her eyes open, Yan Xun burst out in laughter. ”What are you agreeing for? You are so tired.”
”I…am not. I've been listening carefully,” with a yawn, Chu Qiao replied.
Yan Xun stood up, and with one swift action he scooped her up into his arms like a bride, and whispered gently, ”There is no point in worrying about him. Either way, what will come, will come. Let us wait and see who will be the first to act up.”
Cowering in Yan Xun's embrace, Chu Qiao muttered a reply. With her arms around Yan Xun's neck, she fell into a deep slumber.
Under the moonlight, the horn for lights out sounded off in the distant army encampment. With thousands of lights going out almost all at once, it was truly a spectacular sight to behold. Looking at the lady in his arms, Yan Xun was suddenly filled with energy and motivation.
Within a side courtyard of the Zhuge Family, the Fourth Master of the Zhuge Family was relaxing and drinking tea. He had always been someone who would go to great lengths to take care of himself. Although he had just fallen out of favor within the family, he had not given up on himself as the outside world had expected him to. Instead, he began to relax, as he started on all kinds of hobbies, such as grooming plants, tasting tea, writing calligraphy, and reading. From time to time, he would even head to the stable to ride horses.
Seeing his current state, no one would think that he had just been defeated in a power struggle within his family, with him committing a serious mistake that caused him to end up in a state where it would be highly impossible for him to bounce back into power. Now, he could not even freely walk out of the doors of the Zhuge family, and was essentially under house arrest.
Yue Qi walked into the room, and quietly informed him, ”Master, I am back.”
”Sure.” Zhuge Yue lazily turned his eyes and acknowledged him. He then continued to carefully examine the tea leaves in his cup.
”The Seventh Prince returned to the capital, and is heading toward Sheng Jin Palace. The soldiers of Shang Lü Court are by his side. Yet, the Southwestern Army Officers were no longer following him. I heard that army has already been taken over by the Third Prince.”
Zhuge Yue's movements slowed down for a split second before he gave a slight smile. It was impossible to tell his thoughts.
”The various provinces of the northwest regions have already made necessary preparations for logistic supply. The Batuha family will be sending 10,000 of their elites, and the 14th Prince will be following the army as well. This time, the Empire will muster a total of 300 thousand troops, and consist entirely of elite cavalry and heavy infantry. This is an extremely strong lineup.”
While drinking his tea, Zhuge Yue snorted lightly, while casually replying, ”Even if a pack of dogs attacks together, they cannot best a lion. The Xia Empire must be on its last legs if we are sending out such a bunch of useless people now.”
Yue Qi was a bit stunned by his master's acrimonious words, and asked, ”Master, the Third Prince graduated from the Shang Wu Hall, and the 14th Prince also returned from the Northwest after several victorious skirmishes against the Yan Bei army. The Batuha family's troops are extremely strong and vicious. How would they be considered useless?”
Slowly lifting up his head, Zhuge Yue looked at Yue Qi with his jet-black pupils, and slowly explained, ”On paper, they seem great. But in reality, things are vastly different. If this battle was commanded by Zhao Qi, or Zhao Yang, or in fact anyone, there would be a 50 percent chance of victory. However, this time, the army is a coalition of three forces all led by a commander who thinks too highly of themselves. What kind of result do you think that will cause?”
Hearing that, Yue Qi was dumbfounded.
Zhuge Yue frowned very slightly as he continued his monologue, ”In an army, only one commanding voice is needed. That will ensure the effective communication of strategies and orders. Now, with three different voices hindering each other, if Yan Xun could not take advantage of our weakness, he would really be an idiot.”
Slowly standing up, Zhuge Yue walked towards the inner room of the building. While walking, he instructed, ”Inform Zhu Cheng to withdraw all our business and assets from the west. This battle will be long and tough. We no longer stand to profit from the west.”
With the sunlight brightly shining, the loose clothes of the man disappeared in the layers upon layers of plants. Gazing at the silhouette of his young master, Yue Qi pondered a question he would never dare ask. He was really curious. Master, so who do you hope will win?
Sixth of October, it was a windy day.
The coalition consisting of the Northwest Army led by the 14th Prince, Southwest Army led by the Third Prince, and the Jinri Regiment led by the eldest son of the Batuha family, Tuba Guli, along with the forces sent out by the various provinces of the Northwestern region set off towards the Northwest. The Southwest Army and the Jinri Regiment were tasked with full frontal assault, while the Northwest Army was to flank the enemy. The spearpoint of war was sharper than ever before as combatants totaled over 500 thousand. When including the manpower handling logistics and transport, the total manpower involved exceeded one million. Such a gargantuan force loomed over Yan Bei's future like rainstorms.
The main paths of the Xia Empire heading toward the Northwest regions were flooded with troops and carriages carrying war supplies. A seemingly unending supply of rations, troops, horses, and other supplies continuously flowed toward the encampments. After mustering troops for so many months, the fury of the Xia Empire would finally be unleashed upon the rebels. In the face of the flames of war, there was no retreat. The army of Yan Bei gathered at the border city of Beishuo, solemnly awaiting the siege of their fated enemies. A historical battle would soon occur.
October 13th, the first snow of this winter fell on the Yan Bei highlands. The ferocious snowing lasted for three days and three nights, creating a blanket of snow that was at least a foot deep. The cold front engulfed the entire northwestern region as the temperature plummeted. Even though it was high noon on a clear day, one could barely see the sun apart from the faint blot of yellow that seemed brighter than the rest of the sky.