Chapter 1080: Save them first, drink tea later (1/2)

Jun Yixie’s request stank of conspiracy.

Heaven knows how many traps he laid in wait? But since his invitation was already here, Long Feiye and the rest had no reason to refuse. No matter what the man had in store for them, they must go.

“Reply the letter that we’ll arrive as scheduled. Have him wait for us with the tea prepared!” Long Feiye said coldly.

Jun Yixie had told them to meet on the first day of the fourth lunar month, while today was the 20th day of the third lunar month. In other words, they had eight days to prepare. Subtracting the travel time meant time was short. (Author’s Note: In ancient times, one lunar month equals 28 days.)

Three days later, Baili Yuanlong and Deputy General Xue finished arranging the last matters of battle plans and tactics and presented them to Long Feiye and Han Yunxi for review. It had to be said that these two fellows had drawn up a beautiful plan after putting their personal differences aside. Neither Long Feiye nor Han Yunxi could pick out any problems with it.

The Ning Clan troops would act as the vanguard with 500 artillerymen taking 15 red coat cannons for the first attack. Behind them would follow 30,000 cavalrymen ready to charge through Three-Way Pass as soon as they broke through. Right after that would follow 50,000 soldiers to act as a strong backup force for the first two groups.

They calculated that it’d take a most one month--half a month if they were fast--to break through Three-Way Pass. Simultaneously, 3,000 Ning Clan crack troops would team up with 5,000 East Qin crack troops to slip in from the eastern mountain woods. After the cavalrymen broke through, the crack troops would attack from the east. Moreover, the Baili Navy would head north from the Eastern Sea to complement the effects of the two armies and surround Northern Li. 5,000 Ning Clan troops and 10,000 East Qin troops would be left behind to guard the pass, be available to 1) replenish any forces left on the northern expedition and 2) guard against advances from Western Zhou and Tianan. Though the two countries couldn’t raise much waves, it was better to be prudent and guard against risks.

The expenditures of military supplies, rations, fodder, and medicine were delegated to Fifth Elder to oversee. He was a Di Clan member most loyal to Han Yunxi as well as a businessman at heart. He might be unclear about other matters, but few could match his prowess in business. Han Yunxi read over Fifth Elder’s budget statements, extremely pleased. She hadn’t chosen wrong in selecting him as her candidate. Fifth Elder was shrewd and astute, but also fair. He had no plans to favor the Di Clan.

With the military preparations set, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi only had to give orders to deploy the troops! One command would send the soldiers leaving at any time. Since His Highness hadn’t given orders after all this time, Baili Yuanlong even found a divination master to choose the most auspicious day to act. The red paper bearing the written date was handed over to Long Feiye, who read, “the 15th day of the fourth lunar month.” Immediately, he raised his eyes at Baili Yuanlong.

“Who told you this was the most auspicious day?” he asked coldly.

Baili Yuanlong saw that His Highness was displeased and dared not say more.

Gu Beiyue said, “As I see it, as long as they set out before the first day of the fourth lunar month, everything will be auspicious. Since the entire army is ready for battle, why not head north tomorrow and attack Three-Way Pass! Show Jun Yixie the severity shown by an official on assuming office!”[1]

Although they were very worried over the safety of the hostages in Jun Yixie’s hands, they couldn’t expose their fears. Instead, they had to make Jun Yixie think that they didn’t care either way. Otherwise, Jun Yixie would definitely eat them alive. If that came to pass, it’d be hard enough to save the hostages, much less preserve their own safety.

Jun Yixie’s appointment was set on the first day of the fourth lunar month. If they delayed the troops until the 15th day, then the battle might be a moot point if they ran into trouble at Tiger’s Prison! However, if the troops set out first, they could test Jun Yixie’s bottom line and give them a counter to use for negotiation talks. Nobody knew that Gu Beiyue had a personal agenda of his own. He hoped that talks with Jun Yixie would allow both sides to yield without going into war or coming to blows.

Long Feiye had no idea about Gu Beiyue’s intentions, but he could acknowledge his views. Jun Yixie’s invitation letter was already in their hands, so he had to return the gift somehow!

Long Feiye looked towards Han Yunxi and asked, “How do you see all this?”

Han Yunxi agreed with Gu Beiyue’s views too. Leaving aside Tang Li, Ning Jing, Mu Linger and the rest, she and Long Feiye were all for the northern expedition. If needed, they would yield as required, or even sacrifice something instead. However, she didn’t return Long Feiye’s question and looked towards Tang Li. “Tang Li, what do you think?”

Gu Beiyue’s words were considering the big picture, but by threatening Jun Yixie, they ran the risk of angering him too. The consequences of an angry Jun Yixie would reflect directly on his hostages. When two armies were at war, the agreements between nations to not mistreat their hostages were nothing more than dog farts in Jun Yixie’s eyes.

Perhaps Han Yunxi and Long Feiye’s return had given Tang Li faith and courage, but he had been exceptionally well-behaved in the past few days. He went to bed and got up early and maintained an energetic state everyday. Besides understanding more about the northern expedition details, most of his time was spent practicing his martial arts and hidden weapon skills. While Long Feiye and the rest were discussing important matters, he would sit to one side, simply listening without giving input.

Han Yunxi’s sudden question now left him at a loss. Still, he quickly recovered and said, “Everything should be for the big picture! Do what we have to do!”

No one could tell whether Tang Li’s words were sincere or forced, but since he said them out loud, it proved his determination and bravery. Long Feiye nodded and proclaimed, “Baili Yuanlong, Deputy General Xue, the two of you will issue orders immediately. All troops heed orders to rest well tonight. We head north tomorrow!”

“Yes!” Baili Yuanlong and Deputy General Xue chorused before they left.

Long Feiye asked seriously, “Gu Beiyue, if you set out tonight, how fast can you reach Tiger’s Prison?”

“Three days,” Gu Beiyue answered truthfully. Without Xu Donglin here, he had been in charge of arranging multiple matters. Naturally, he’d long found out the time it took to travel between Three-Way Black Market and Tiger’s Prison by now.

“Three days. Then three days after that…” Long Feiye trailed off.

“Three days after that would be the 28th day of the second lunar month,” Han Yunxi added hastily.[2] “Thus, we can’t afford to leave any later than after the two armies tomorrow.”