Pairs of eyes instantly looked over. Feng Feng and the others' expressions changed again and again, seemingly fearful and surprised, with complex and indescribable emotions.
Dai Li's expression remained the same. Seeing Qin Shaozong looking at her, she even calmly said, "Why are you looking at me?"
A very faint tone, indistinguishable from emotions.
Her attitude made Qin Shaozong's eyes darken. "Madam, I have not given any instructions to Nangong. Bai Jianping and the others can testify. Do not listen to this fellow's nonsense."
The named squad leaders echoed repeatedly.
"Exactly! When the Marquis found out the situation, he drove the person out without stopping for a moment. And we were all present during that questioning, and it ended in less than half a quarter of an hour."
"I was the one who led Concubine Du there at the beginning. Why don't I remember any Marquis's instructions? Could it be that Governor Nangong fled in the mountains in fear all night and messed up his memory?"
...
Dai Li didn't speak.
Qin Shaozong looked at Nangong Xiong, his gaze sharp and dark, making the other party's back tighten, but the latter had no thought of dodging.
Nangong Xiong was deliberately finding fault.
Last night they said they would retreat together, but in the end, his dear girl was abducted to the Northern army camp. Some words could fool the younger generation, but everyone was a thousand-year-old fox, and they all knew it clearly in their hearts.
This was catching his dear girl as a hostage!
If he were an idler unrelated to this incident, then he would quite appreciate the neat style of this Marquis's wife; unfortunately, he was the father of the "hostage", how could he be happy? Ha!
It was only because Qingzhou and the North had formed an alliance now, and they had to act with moderation, so he could only say a few words to make people unhappy.
The echoing voices of the generals gradually weakened, the surroundings quieted down, and the atmosphere solidified and stalemated.
Zhang Mingdian, a Qingzhou strategist who came to the Northern army camp with his lord, saw that the situation was not good and was about to speak out to smooth things over. At this time, a cook came and said that lunch was ready.
Nangong Xiong laughed loudly, as if he had completely forgotten the previous unhappiness. "Marquis Wu'an, Quanshu and I came in a hurry and haven't had a meal yet. It seems we'll have to eat your meal today."
He wasn't asking if he could stay, but directly wanted to stay for dinner.
Qin Shaozong smiled without mirth. "It's just a lunch, I won't be reluctant."
Nangong Xiong's eyelids suddenly twitched wildly, and he felt inexplicably uneasy. But on second thought, he heard that Qin Changgeng was generous. After successively taking over Bing and Ji provinces, he treated the surrendered generals politely and was never stingy with money to his subordinates. Such a person shouldn't mind a few jokes from his allies...
He looked at his strategist Zhang Mingdian, who shook his head imperceptibly.
The worries in his heart could not be told to outsiders. Nangong Xiong looked happy on the surface and sat down with Qin Shaozong.
The wine and food were served, but Nangong Xiong only took a small sip and casually moved a few chopsticks, and then he was so worried that he couldn't swallow. "Now that we have fallen out with Dong Zhou, the gates of Chang'an City are closed, and we can only attack by force if we want to enter the city. But if we really do that, we will probably bear the name of rebellious subjects and thieves. However, it is not appropriate to stay in the suburbs for a long time. The suburbs are flat and wide, easy to attack but hard to defend, and food is also a big problem."
Dong Zhou certainly wouldn't provide food for these uninvited heroes. Everyone ate their own food.
And in marching and fighting, the most taboo thing was the food supply being cut off. As long as the army had no food, the other party could win without a single soldier.
Chang'an was in Yongzhou. Yongzhou connected to Sizhou in the east, Yi and Jing provinces in the south, and the former Northern Kingdom in the north. In terms of geographical location, Qingzhou was the farthest from the base camp.
Nangong Xiong sighed deeply. "After the Changle Garden incident, Dong Zhou will use the power of Si, Yu, and Xu provinces, and will definitely respond to their requests. Food, Li Lishen and others will certainly not lack. Xie Yuanyue's death will mostly be pushed to you, which is equivalent to having the title of an army of justice. Not good!"
Qin Shaozong and Dai Li sat at the same table. While his ally was sighing, he held wooden chopsticks, picked up a piece of dried meat and put it into the small bowl in front of Dai Li, composed and calm. "A blessing in disguise, it's a good thing to break the deadlock early."
Nangong Xiong didn't see what was good about it.
"I have already sent people to occupy Wugang County in the morning, and will strike camp and head north in the afternoon. After that, we will block the soldiers with generals and cover the water with earth." Qin Shaozong said lightly.
Wugang County was north of Chang'an, a small county with relatively high terrain. The road leading south to Chang'an was open and flat; but heading north, it directly faced a high peak.
The main road ahead split into two, winding around the mountain one to the east and one to the west.
Zhang Mingdian immediately smiled and chimed in, "Wugang County is indeed a good place. My lord, why don't we go with Marquis Qin."
The strategist offered a step down at the right time, and Nangong Xiong was waiting for this sentence. Wugang County was a good place, and he hadn't not thought about it, just...
A step too late.
When he had settled the army a little and remembered to plan for the future, so he sent a team of people to occupy the "mountain top", he was shocked to find that someone had already beaten him to it.
The North entered the city faster than them and closed the city gates. No matter how they shouted and proved their identity under the city, the soldiers on the city tower didn't respond, as if their ears had been bitten off by wolves.
Nangong Xiong laughed heartily again and said it was just right. "When Li Lishen and the others come to their senses, maybe they will launch a sneak attack to resolve the battle quickly. Marquis Wu'an, how about we go to Wugang together? Two armies merged into one, if we are attacked, we can still counter-encircle."
Qin Shaozong made a "hmm" sound, not saying yes or no, his attitude vague.
Nangong Xiong's heart skipped a beat, and he simply asked, "What do you mean by this? Last night Xie Yuanyue died, and Dong Zhou suddenly attacked you. At that time, all arrows were on the string. When you fled into the room and used it as a cover to escape, I didn't hesitate at all and chased after you. Now I just want to borrow Wugang County, which you occupied first, is this not allowed?"
Actually, there was hesitation, but the hesitation time was extremely short, and Nangong Xiong automatically ignored it.
Since Qin Shaozong returned, Dai Li hadn't had time to ask about last night. Now Nangong Xiong was talking about last night in a few words. Although she didn't experience it personally, she also felt it was quite dangerous.
No wonder he brought back a few knife wounds.
Dai Li looked at the man beside her, but the latter lightly tapped the small bowl with meat in front of her with wooden chopsticks, motioning her to finish eating.
"Wugang can let you in, but I have a condition." Qin Shaozong was still unhurried.
"You say."
Qin Shaozong said in a deep voice, "As long as your Qingzhou is still allied with my North for one day, how the subsequent battles are fought and how the army moves must be under my command."
Nangong Xiong and Zhang Mingdian's expressions changed slightly.
The other party wanted to separate the primary and secondary.
Qin Shaozong no longer looked at them, and poured wine for himself. "I only have this one condition, nothing else. This matter stresses mutual willingness. Nangong, you can consider it more. I will strike camp at the beginning of the Wei hour."
Nangong Xiong sneered in his heart.
It sounded nice to say "only" strike camp at the beginning of the Wei hour, but it was already noon, and there was less than an hour left before the beginning of the Wei hour.
...
The space in the main tent was limited. After the Northern generals sat down, the Qingzhou people were added, and there was not enough space. Qin Shaozong simply let the younger generation go to the next tent to eat.
After the meal, Nangong Xiong lifted the curtain and went out of the tent, and saw his daughter waiting outside the tent who had finished eating a step earlier.
Nangong Zijin saw her father's displeased expression and asked in a low voice, "Father, did my coming here last night cause trouble for you?"
Last night, Chang'an City was in utter chaos, with every faction rushing to break through the gates. It was chaotic before leaving the city, and not much better afterwards. The relentless pursuit by the Chang'an military patrols was one thing, but the dark, windy night also emboldened those with malicious intent to fish in troubled waters.
Nangong Zijin, who had been traveling with the Northern troops from the beginning, only belatedly realized after traveling a distance from the city that she was completely surrounded by Northern soldiers. The forces from Qingzhou had either been deliberately separated or had gotten lost, leaving only a handful of men behind.
Nangong Xiong's expression softened. He told her it had nothing to do with her and that he was merely worried about the future political situation.
As the father and daughter walked out of the Northern military camp together, Nangong Xiong changed the subject and asked, "My dear girl, you have already met the two sons of the Marquis of Wu'an. What do you think of them?"
Nangong Zijin was slightly taken aback. "The second young master has a cool temperament and acts steadily. As for the third young master..."
She visibly paused. Even though that person was not by her side, she felt as if she could still hear his incessant, tide-like chatter.
Time seemed to instantly pull back to last night.
Amidst the flickering torches and the flashing of swords and shadows, the youth dressed in a black and red martial outfit looked her up and down.
"This outfit of yours won't do at all. You're dressed like a golden pheasant. The moment you step out, you'll draw everyone's attention. Who would even look at anyone else? Wouldn't you just become a walking target?"
"You also need to smear some ash on your face. Here, just rub some of that charcoal on. It would be best if even Governor Nangong couldn't recognize you. That's the only way to be safe."
...
A long arrow flew straight toward her, only to be deflected away by him with a sharp clang.
Still reeling from the shock, a trace of gratitude had just begun to sprout in her heart when she saw the youth turn around. He glanced at her a couple of times and muttered, "You're already as gray and drab as a little sparrow, yet someone still shot an arrow at you. It seems your luck today is quite terrible, Nangong Xiaoliu."
Her gratitude vanished into thin air, instantly replaced by a surge of anger that rushed to her head, making her ears ring.
As the legitimate daughter of a provincial governor, Nangong Zijin had always maintained her dignity and prided herself on her composure, but at that moment, she truly could not hold back.
She could not help but step forward and stomp viciously on his foot. As the youth let out a surprised howl, she fiercely rewarded him with a "Shut up."
"My dear girl?"
Nangong Zijin snapped back to reality. Meeting her father's probing gaze, she turned her head away. "This Qin San is incredibly annoying!"
Nangong Xiong raised his thick eyebrows. "How is he annoying?"
But Nangong Zijin said no more.
Qin Shaozong's declaration to break camp at the beginning of the Wei hour was not just to fool Nangong Xiong. After their meal, the military generals swiftly exited the main tent to take charge of their respective areas.
Daili also left the tent, walking slowly to digest her food. However, after walking for a while, she noticed soldiers constantly casting reverent glances behind her. She turned around to look and, sure enough, Qin Shaozong was following her.
Seeing that he had been exposed, the man simply quickened his pace to walk side by side with her. "Madam..."
"Is there something you need?" Daili maintained her indifferent expression.
Qin Shaozong coughed lightly. "Forced by the current situation, Nangong will likely lower himself to secure a place in Wugang City. But this man is full of lies and is by no means a good person. You should not get too close to him, Madam."
"Qin Changgeng, if that matter of yours hadn't been exposed by Governor Nangong, would you have told me?" Daili asked suddenly.
"Of course I..."
"Tell the truth."
Qin Shaozong paused. Looking into those eyes that resembled ink-wash pearls, he suddenly let out a soft chuckle. The arrogant streak he had just suppressed flared up again. "No. Just an irrelevant person, why should they consume your thoughts, Madam? It's just like if I went out and met some unremarkable old oil peddler or a mediocre butcher's daughter. I wouldn't mention them to you when I got back either, because there's nothing worth saying."
With soldiers coming and going around them, Qin Shaozong refrained from any intimate gestures like putting his arm around her shoulders or waist, but his brown eyes seemed to hold a fire capable of completely enveloping a person.
Daili averted her gaze from his.
...
The dense cluster of tents was quickly dismantled. Horses neighed as the entire army marched north.
This place was not far from Wugang County. Daili and her party arrived at the small county town before sunset. Swift scouts had already relayed the message ahead of time, so unlike before, the city gates were wide open to welcome the Northern army inside.
Just as Daili entered the city on this side, the rumbling of hooves echoed from the other. Billowing dust rose in the distance, and the military banner bearing the character for Qing fluttered in the wind.
Qin Shaozong stood on the city tower, gazing out at the galloping Qingzhou army against the backdrop of the setting sun. His eyesight was excellent, and among the crowd, he spotted Nangong Xiong wearing golden armor.
When the opposing forces reached the base of the city walls, Qin Shaozong rested his hands on the solid, uneven battlements. Leaning forward slightly, he looked down at Nangong Xiong, who had arrived before the tightly shut city gates, and smiled. "Governor Nangong, I trust you have been well since we last met."
They had been separated for less than half a day, yet the other man spoke as if they hadn't seen each other in half a lifetime. Furthermore, he made no move to open the gates, causing the veins on Nangong Xiong's forehead to throb.
This scoundrel was doing it on purpose. He was waiting for him to speak first!
"I agree to what you proposed earlier," Nangong Xiong gritted his teeth.
It wasn't that he lacked backbone, but the current situation left him no choice. Now that Dong Zhou and the three provinces had banded together, if he distanced himself too much from the Northern forces, there was no guarantee the enemy wouldn't adopt a strategy to defeat them one by one.
In terms of foundation and resources, he was weaker than Qin Changgeng.
Qin Shaozong raised his voice, "Are you saying that you, Nangong Xiong, agree to follow my orders throughout this entire journey south?"
As a military general, his voice was booming, and Qin Shaozong's shout carried far into the distance.
Nangong Xiong nearly choked on a mouthful of blood, highly suspecting that this man surnamed Qin was retaliating against him for exposing the matter with the dancer.
Seeing that he was on the verge of flying into a rage, Zhang Mingdian hurriedly advised, "My Lord, a great man must act like a dragon or a snake, able to bend and stretch. In the past, the Marquis of Huaiyin could endure the humiliation of crawling between another's legs. What harm is there in us enduring this for a moment?"
Nangong Xiong took a deep breath. "Quanshu is right. I will endure him for now." He then raised his voice in return and said, "A promise is not lightly made. Since I agreed earlier, I absolutely have no intention of breaking it. You can rest assured, Marquis Wu'an."
With those few short words, he barely managed to claw back a fraction of his dignity in the exchange.
Having achieved his goal, Qin Shaozong didn't mind his attempt to save face. "Open the gates!"
The heavy city gates slowly opened.
...
Sun Tzu's Art of War states: In war, victory is prized, not prolonged campaigns.
Thus, much as Qin Shaozong had anticipated, on his second day in Wugang, a manifesto issued by Chancellor Dong Zhou was proclaimed to the world:
We observe Qin Changgeng; originally a Marquis guarding the borders of Yuyang, yet his nature is cruel and he forsakes righteousness for profit. Rather than seeking to serve the state, he harbors the vicious heart of an owl or a beast. This man has committed grave injustices, brutally murdering Xie Yuanyue, the Governor of Sizhou. Bereft of all benevolence and righteousness, he is intolerable to Heaven and Earth.
...His actions are despicable, and his crimes warrant death. We hope the heroes of the four seas will jointly raise the banner of righteousness to eradicate this treacherous villain and restore order to the universe!