After changing knives, Qin Shaozong remained in a low mood throughout, and Daili didn't dare provoke him further.
Once he had deftly finished cutting the meat, Daili smiled and offered a flattering remark, "How impressive, my lord," before once again pinching the edge of the "tray" and pulling the meat back in front of herself.
Qin Shaozong lowered his gaze, watching that piece of mutton slink away, before finally turning his head to speak with the other military officers.
The original piece of mutton, twice the size of Daili's face, had been sliced into strips about two fingers thick. Qin Shaozong's knife skills and eye were excellent; each strip was almost exactly the same width, a sight that would soothe any perfectionist.
Daili picked up a strip with her wooden chopsticks, took a bite, and then paused.
The roasted mutton smelled wonderful, its aroma insistently drilling into her nostrils. But when she actually tasted it, she found she couldn't ignore the gamey flavor.
Perhaps there weren't enough seasonings, or perhaps it was roasted directly without prior marination. In any case, it was quite different from the completely gameless mutton she'd eaten in restaurants in the past.
But she had already taken this first bite; she couldn't just throw it away. Military rations were precious, and meat was especially hard to come by. It was only for celebrating a victory that they were roasting a lamb now. Under normal circumstances, that single bite of hers would be the stuff of many soldiers' dreams.
The guilt of wasting food weighed on her like a mountain. Staring at the two-finger-thick strip of meat, Daili began to coax herself.
It's pure, natural mutton, slaughtered and roasted fresh, with no chemical additives. It's free, doesn't cost me any silver. Meat is precious in this era, who knows when the next chance to eat it will be. Eat more, it'll give you more strength for the next escape attempt!
Yuck...
She took a small bite of mutton, ate two wild berries, followed with two mouthfuls of wheat rice, a sip of rice porridge, and then circled back to take another bite of mutton.
When that strip of meat was finally finished, Daili let out a long sigh, feeling as if she'd just survived a minor ordeal.
Looking at the remaining large plate of mutton, Daili felt a headache coming on. One strip was bad enough; there was no way she could finish the rest.
What should she do?
Daili first frowned, then her gaze gradually drifted to the side.
At that moment, Qin Shaozong was speaking with Feng Feng and a few others.
"What a triumph! After this battle, in a few days when we march on Ying County, breaching its gates and capturing Li Zan alive will be as easy as picking something up."
"Li Zan's power is broken. Would he abandon Ying County and flee? But even if he escapes, it's fine as long as he leaves all his family wealth behind."
"Ha! He might want to take it, but could he?"
"True. Even with three heads and six arms, he'd have no hope of taking those things with him."
Everyone was in high spirits. What this great victory meant was clear to all the military officers present.
Li Zan's main force had been eliminated, along with Wang Qinglie, who had protected him since the very beginning of his rise. It could be said that Li Zan had now lost both his elite troops and his top generals.
The Ying County he occupied had become a hollow shell. Not just their own Xuanxiao Cavalry, but even if the Marquis sent other armies under his command, they could easily smash open Ying County's gates.
With Li Zan dead, his salt stores and the large salt lake near Ying County would belong to them.
Yes, the reason the Marquis had decided to personally lead the army to suppress this salt smuggler wasn't just because Li Zan was a scourge harming the people, and eliminating him would bring prestige. Nor was it solely because the other's growing power posed some threat.
What their Marquis had his eye on was the salt itself.
Yes, the salt itself, not the silver to be made from selling it.
Ever since pacifying the northern territories, they had acquired large numbers of high-quality Mongolian horses from the region. Mongolian horses were muscular, had excellent endurance, and could withstand both heat and hunger.
They were fine horses, but raising them was exceedingly expensive. Fodder was a major cost, and so was salt.
Each fine steed needed to eat over half a sheng of salt daily. Salt wasn't cheap to begin with, and their needs were vast. If they had to purchase it all from others, it would be another staggering expense.
Don't be fooled by their Marquis's current position, holding the northern territories, being immensely influential, practically the uncrowned king of the north. If you looked closely, every single internal expense was shockingly large.
Soldier (and fallen soldier) stipends, battlefield and siege rewards, provisions (for both soldiers and warhorses), weapon depreciation, city repairs...
The provisions category alone was calculated as a daily expenditure.
Well, no wonder that miser Jin Duole was always crying poor.
"But speaking of which," Feng Feng said, finishing a piece of mutton and reaching for another, "if Li Zan does run, it's hard to say if he'll find shelter anywhere. We've just made a big show of crushing him. If he runs to someone else's doorstep, who would dare take him in?"
"Perhaps someone would."
These three words caused a momentary silence around them. Everyone looked at Qin Shaozong.
Qin Shaozong continued, "Fan Tianshi, Fan of Yanzhou, has always had an ambiguous relationship with the White Lotus Sect. The speed of Li Zan's rise these past few years is somewhat unusual. Perhaps there's more to it."
A private salt smuggler, amassing a claimed army of a hundred thousand in just a few short years, and corrupting officials in the surrounding commanderies with himself at the center—that certainly suggested some capability.
Many of those around him voiced agreement.
Just as Qin Shaozong was about to say more, the corner of his eye caught a dark mass slowly inching closer, with the same sneaky demeanor as its owner earlier.
He turned his head and, sure enough, saw her holding a plate of mutton with both hands. The firelight from the bonfire reflected in her eyes, casting fine, sparkling lights in those clear peach-blossom eyes, like scattered stars from the sky.
She looked much more obedient now than before.
Qin Shaozong asked, "What is it?"
His gaze swept downward. Although the meat had been rearranged, judging by its outline, he could still tell one piece was missing.
The piece from the very center, the most tenderly roasted one.
Daili said with a serious expression, "Leading an army strains both mind and body. You've been rushing about all day today, so you should eat more meat. Battalion Commander Feng's roasting skills are unparalleled. After tasting it, the flavor lingers, and I noticed your plate was empty. So I thought to offer you this portion first, to save you the trip of getting up."
Seeing the surrounding officers wolfing down their food, looking as if they wished they could chew and swallow the very bones, Daili felt her line about "unparalleled roasting skills" should be quite credible.
Qin Shaozong raised a long eyebrow. "Why is my lady being so unusually attentive tonight?"
Daili pressed her lips together in an ingratiating smile. "Military discipline is strict. I imagine I'll mostly be staying alone somewhere tonight. I'm just borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha, trying to curry favor so you might assign me a slightly better tent."
Qin Shaozong's eyes slid downward again.
Although a piece was missing, the meat was arranged neatly. In the corner, she had even placed two wild berries for a pop of color, making the presentation brighter and more appealing than before.
She had put in some effort.
The corner of Qin Shaozong's mouth lifted. "Fine. Put it down."
Daili's heart leapt with joy. She hurriedly placed the mutton before him. Worried he might forget about it while talking, she specifically positioned it directly in front of him, ensuring it would be within his line of sight at all times.
With this major concern off her mind, Daili went back to eating her wild berries.
The wild strawberries of this era were no different from those of later times—small, bright red, spherical fruits. A single bite released a sweet and sour juice, quite effective at cutting through greasiness.
Unconsciously, all the wild strawberries on the long table had found their way into her stomach, except for...
the two used to garnish the mutton.
Daili's gaze drifted over. She noticed that while she had been busy eating the strawberries, the mutton that had given her such a headache had been nearly finished by him. Looking around at the group of military officers, each had also polished off at least two or three large pieces of meat.
Daili: "..."
Just then, someone asked, "My Lord, would you care for more meat?"
"Cut another piece." Qin Shaozong paused, glanced sideways at Daili beside him, and amended his order, "Make it two pieces."
Daili had just finished her meal and was listening to their conversation, so she naturally didn't miss any movement beside her.
When the gaze from the person next to her swept over, internal alarm bells immediately started ringing. The shadow cast by that earlier piece of mutton was so large that Daili instinctively said, "Not for me, I'm full."
Qin Shaozong, who had been about to look away, stopped.
His amber eyes appeared even lighter in the firelight, increasingly resembling those of a large carnivorous feline. His expressionless stare carried a heavy, oppressive weight that made one's courage falter.
Daili was already feeling guilty inside. She couldn't hold this gaze and involuntarily averted her eyes.
He was all too familiar with this little mannerism of hers; it was a sure sign she had done something mischievous. Qin Shaozong narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly, his gaze shifting from Daili to the low table before him.
The wheat paste seemed untouched, but the millet rice and wild strawberries were completely gone.
The memory of the earlier scene resurfaced.
Her smiling face as she offered the mutton; the long table before her laden with many bowls; the now-empty bowl that had held the millet rice; the small pottery jar still full of paste; the soup bowl with slightly less rice porridge; the plate piled high with wild strawberries.
And now, aside from the small plate for the strawberries being empty, everything else perfectly matched his memory.
Well, well. So this little fox had already been full earlier. She couldn't finish the rest and had thus found a way to pawn it off on him. All that talk about how he, having taxed his mind and spirit, ought to eat more meat—it sounded better than a song.
Qin Shaozong let out a cold chuckle.
Daili kept her eyes downcast, feigning deep contemplation of her own nose and heart.
"My Lord?" Feng Feng hesitated.
So, was it one piece of meat or two?
"One piece is sufficient," Qin Shaozong said.
Daili breathed a sigh of relief.
Qin Shaozong teased, "If you don't eat now, don't go crying about being hungry in the middle of the night. You could shout yourself hoarse and no one will pay you any mind."
Doesn't care for meat, just loves to snack on useless wild fruits. Put a house cat on the table and it would probably eat more than her.
Daili certainly wasn't hungry. A bowl of millet rice, half a bowl of rice porridge, a substantial piece of mutton, plus a good number of wild strawberries were more than enough to fill her.
After the bonfire feast, Daili was allotted a small tent. Military tents were divided into small and medium sizes. The former slept a few people and were usually for high-ranking officers; the latter could accommodate dozens and mostly housed common soldiers.
As the only woman in the army, Daili naturally got a small tent to herself. The small tent was pitched, its flap rolled up for ventilation, and some mugwort and cloves were burned to mask the odors.
Once these tasks were done, Daili hugged her quilt, climbed onto the soft couch, and blissfully drifted into dreamland.
The deep night was silent, all things hushed. This newly pitched small military tent, situated next to the commander's tent, bore witness to the moon's rise and fall upon the vast earth.
After resting and reorganizing the army for a night at Peach Blossom Ridge, the Xuanxiao Cavalry set out again the next morning, continuing eastward towards the location of Ying Commandery.
Compared to before, the presence of wounded and prisoners slowed the Xuanxiao Cavalry's pace somewhat. However, Peach Blossom Ridge was already quite close to Ying Commandery, so merely two days later, the army arrived in the vicinity.
When they were still about seven li from Ying Commandery, Qin Shaozong ordered the establishment of a camp and dispatched a squad of scouts.
The swift scouts rode off like shooting stars, heading straight for Ying Commandery.
A distance of only seven li meant the scouts went and returned quickly, bringing back heartening news.
It seemed Li Zan had abandoned the city and fled.
Normally, armies wouldn't be stationed inside a city or commandery. Firstly, there weren't enough houses to accommodate these outsiders; secondly, it was difficult for unified management and military orders to be effectively conveyed.
Therefore, military camps were mostly set up in the outskirts beside cities. During non-combat periods, many powerful lords would have their soldiers turn into farmer-soldiers, reclaiming land and growing grain to reduce provisions expenditure—this was the famous Tuntian system (garrison farming).
Logically, since they had already killed their way to the gates of Ying Commandery, just shy of battering down the city gates, the opposing side should be sharpening their weapons and preparing for battle.
But in fact, the opposite was true. The scouts reported seeing scattered soldiers deserting from the military camp, some alone, some in groups, some carrying large and small bundles on their backs.
Deserters!
Deserters had appeared in the enemy army.
"Hahaha, excellent, excellent! Well done deserting! Their morale declines before the battle even begins; they are surely doomed to defeat. It seems that salt-smuggler surnamed Li was scared out of his wits last time at Peach Blossom Ridge."
"Escaping the tiger's jaws, only to have his left and right arms bitten off—is it any wonder he's scared stiff? Probably as soon as he returned to Ying Commandery, this Li Zan packed his bags, gathered his wife and children, and chose flight as the best strategy."
"My Lord, I request permission to lead the attack on the city!"
"My Lord, I also..."
While the commander's tent was abuzz like a roaring fire, at the other end of the camp, inside the medical tent, spirits were also high.
Whether it was Qiao Wangfei's exceptionally strong will to live or thanks to his robust physique honed through daily training, after a little over two days of care, this Xuanxiao Cavalry platoon leader who had been cut open had narrowly and perilously passed the most dangerous period, snatching his life back from the jaws of death.
During her daily visit, Daili saw Qiao Wangfei sitting on a straw mat spread on the ground, eating meat paste.
"Madam Daili." Upon seeing Daili, Qiao Wangfei instinctively tried to stand up.
Daili was startled and quickly said, "Stay seated, don't move recklessly. You mustn't tear your wound open."
Qiao Wangfei regained consciousness yesterday. After learning from the medics how he had miraculously survived, he expressed profuse gratitude to Daili during her visit. Earlier, when he knew his situation was dire, he had even entrusted the care of his children to a friend. He had never expected to encounter a noble person who would help him turn danger into safety.
He figured his ancestors in the underworld must have kowtowed one by one to invite a great immortal down to save him.
Qiao Wangfei held a touch of awe for Daili that others couldn't match.
"How are you feeling today, Platoon Leader Qiao?" Daili asked.
Qiao Wangfei: "Much better."
Daili carefully observed his complexion. His face was still as pale as gold paper, but he looked more spirited than yesterday.
Able to eat, drink, and sleep, Qiao Wangfei was indeed gradually improving.
Daili felt genuinely happy, not only because a life had been saved, but also because a living Qiao Wangfei represented "merit." She needed to use this merit to seek a reward from a certain someone.
"Woo—— Woo——" The ox horn horns sounded their mournful blasts, spreading to every corner of the camp.
Qiao Wangfei knew immediately what it meant upon hearing it. "The assembly horn is sounding. They're setting out for battle."
He pondered briefly, then laughed. "With morale at its peak, how can we not hold the winning ticket!"
Daili had no experience in warfare, but even she felt that Ying County could be taken quickly. By pressing the advantage and striking while the iron was hot, they could secure a great chance of victory.
Just as the two of them had guessed, the expedition led personally by Qin Shaozong soon returned triumphant. Moreover, the speed at which Ying County was captured was much faster than Daili had imagined.
He had led the troops out at mid-morning, and by noon, a swift rider from the Black Cavalry had returned with news for the logistics troops to break camp and advance. It was said that Ying County had been taken, and they now needed to set up camp in a new location.
Morale in the army was high. With a great bustle, they packed their belongings, struck camp, and set off.
Daili sat in an open-top carriage, watching the distant city walls draw nearer.
The ancient city was bathed in sunlight, appearing remote and weathered. Carrion birds circled ceaselessly in the sky beside it, yet the plants and trees along the official road flourished, creating a fractured yet eerily harmonious scene.
The soldiers guarding Ying County's walls had long been replaced by the Black Cavalry. After the military camp was set up outside the suburbs, Daili entered the city by carriage along with Qiao Wangfei, Su Xiuzhu, and others.
Ying County had no governor, or rather, it once did. Since Li Zan occupied this place, officials had been killed, surrendered, or some had resigned and left.
Thus, over the years, the civilian officials in Ying County had largely overlapped with the military officers in Li Zan's army. Now that Li Zan had been defeated and fled with his remaining forces, Ying County's officials were almost entirely swept away with him, even their mansions vacated.
Daili's open carriage drove into the former residence of the former governor, the former residence of the Grand Marshal of All Under Heaven.
Within the mansion, halls were resplendent, towers and pavilions were scattered throughout. There were grotesque rocks arranged as ornamental hills, and square springs channeled to form ponds. A nine-bend corridor arched over a pond, its carved pillars made of white marble. The opulence within was beyond description.
Daili's carriage proceeded unimpeded all the way to the main courtyard of the central residence. The main courtyard had clearly been cleaned up; not a single person from the former household remained, not even any maidservants.
"Lady Dai, a group of maidservants will be sent later. Please select a couple who are to your liking," said Hu Bao.
Daili's first reaction was to refuse. "I don't need maidservants. I've always been self-reliant in the past and am long accustomed to it. I don't require anyone to serve me."
Staying with Qin Shaozong was merely a temporary arrangement; she was certain she would leave eventually. If she grew attached to a maidservant, should she take the girl with her when she left or not?
Taking her might cause inconvenience for Daili herself; but if she didn't, given Qin Shaozong's domineering nature, it would likely cost the girl her life.
Hu Bao said solemnly, "This is the Lord Marquis's order."
Daili also said sternly, "I don't care, I—"
"What does my lady not care about?"
Daili paused and turned to look towards the arched gate connecting the courtyard to the outside. There, having changed out of his armor and back into his black robes, Qin Shaozong entered from outside.
He was truly tall. Passing through the gate, there was little space left above his head. His entrance seemed to shrink the courtyard itself, his authority felt even without a display of anger.
"Lady Dai, you may discuss this with the Lord Marquis," Hu Bao said, cupping his hands and quickly taking his leave.
Daili: "..."
Fine, discussing it with him it is. Might as well bring up my reward at the same time.
Daili turned to meet those amber eyes. Though the sunlight was bright at this moment, she seemed to see within them a deep, dark sea—not calm, but churning with a desire that grew deeper by the day.
The battle had reached a pause; the army's prohibition on women was no longer in effect.