Jiang Xingyan, fearing Xiao Ao might suspect her of exaggeration, immediately dropped to one knee, clasped her fist in salute, and confessed the hidden truth of her severe injury:
“Regarding the Battle of Qingzhou, this subject concealed one matter. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!”
Xiao Ao’s eyes sharpened, but his tone remained deliberately magnanimous: “There’s no need for such formality, General Huo. Your offense is pardoned.
Between ruler and subject as we are, honesty should be our foundation.”
Jiang Xingyan did not rise, continuing her account with head bowed and voice low: “That day, while scouting the mountains, I was surrounded and attacked by the Iron Pagoda warriors and indeed sustained a mortal wound.
Had I not promptly taken the ‘Invulnerable to All Poisons’ pill and the Heart-Protecting Elixir bestowed upon me by the State Preceptor before my departure, I would surely have perished, with no chance of return.
If I were Tuoba Hongxue, even if I revealed the existence of the Iron Pagoda, I would absolutely never disclose that their weapons were coated with potent poison.
I would wait until the armies clashed on the battlefield to unleash this slaughter.
Would that not achieve the element of surprise, attacking where the enemy is unprepared?
How many of our soldiers and officers would return alive then?”
The court fell deathly silent.
Xiao Ao felt a vein throbbing at his temple.
He had thought Huo Ci had completely thwarted Northern Luo’s schemes this time. He hadn’t anticipated those cunning Northern Luo dogs still had their true killing move yet to play.
He pushed aside his agitation and settled his mind.
Thinking it over carefully, he knew Huo Ci was right.
Having been locked in conflict with Northern Luo for so long, each side sought a single, decisive strike to annihilate the other.
He had been too impatient.
His tone softened as he motioned for Jiang Xingyan to continue: “Your point is well taken, General Huo. Do you have any countermeasures in mind?”
Jiang Xingyan pondered briefly: “Military strategy states: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.’
To my knowledge, the Northern Luo kingdom possesses scarce iron ore. Historically, most of their soldiers’ armor has been leather, with iron plates only added to vital areas like the chest.
Even Tuoba Hongxue’s silver helmet and armor were personally funded and specially forged by him.
Yet now they are willing to make such a lavish expenditure, crafting the Iron Pagoda which consumes vast amounts of refined iron.
It seems unlikely this was done without guidance from a mastermind.”
Xiao Ao nodded slowly.
Yun Chunfeng had hinted to him earlier that the celestial signs over Northern Luo had changed, as if a meteor from beyond the heavens had fallen there.
The mysteries within even he could not fully decipher, warranting caution.
It appeared all of Northern Luo’s recent movements stemmed from this.
Jiang Xingyan timely proposed a countermeasure: “If we could gather all the talented and capable individuals within Western Zhou to form a dedicated intelligence-gathering organization and infiltrate Northern Luo, we would undoubtedly uncover some traces.”
These words struck directly at Xiao Ao’s heart.
Did Northern Luo think they alone knew how to cultivate spies in Western Zhou? Could Western Zhou not turn the tables?
The problem lay in Northern Luo being a kingdom united from various nomadic tribes.
They revered the power of the eagle and would never betray their king.
Despite internal factions and constant strife, they presented a surprisingly united front against external foes.
Unlike the useless fools in his own court, who, given some gold, silver, treasures, or promises of high office and riches, forgot their origins and scurried to serve the enemy.
Sending spies there was even less feasible.
Since the establishment of trade between the two nations, merchant caravans were monitored by special personnel, permitted only to visit designated markets for purchases and required to stay at guesthouses at all other times.
Wandering off meant capture and summary execution.
Over the years, he had devised many plans, all unsuccessful.
Unless he dispatched his personal shadow guards.
But the cost was too great, leaving him vulnerable.
After repeated attempts, he had abandoned the idea.
Now “Huo Ci” had raised it again, surely having a method in mind.
“Oh? What kind of talented individuals would you require, General Huo?”
“When the bandits from Kanhou Mountain come down to replenish supplies, they disguise themselves and change clothes. As long as they don’t speak, they appear no different from our Western Zhou commoners.
This inspired me. We could also recruit from the Jianghu those skilled in disguise, masters of vocal mimicry, and even, following the example of Lord Mengchang, rely on those with peculiar, unorthodox skills. It might yield unexpected results.”
Xiao Ao’s eyes lit up.
Having resided in the highest position for so long, he had momentarily forgotten such folk methods.
“Excellent! But how would we recruit them?”
Jiang Xingyan, having already discussed this with Xiao Zhenhuai back in Qingzhou, now responded fluently.
“Simply post an imperial notice: anyone who can, right under my, Huo Ci’s, nose, take any single item from my military tent may join the newly established Embroidered Uniform Battalion of the Huo Army.
The first successful person shall be its Captain. The total number is twenty, recruitment ending once full.
Your Majesty need not worry about increased military pay. All expenses for this battalion will be borne by my wife.”
Xiao Ao felt both exasperated and amused.
The former Huo Ci, so rigid and proper, how had he become so adept and smooth-tongued now?
He had blocked Xiao Ao’s concerns right in his throat, leaving him feeling choked and uncomfortable.
“Approved!”
——
“General!”
Yun Chunfeng called out to Jiang Xingyan, who was holding Xiao Ya and completely ignoring him.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xingyan only quickened her pace.
Hmph!
Now he knew she was the General?
Why wasn’t he embarrassed last night?
She shouldn’t have given him an inch to take a mile!
Xiao Ya looked at her mother’s angrily puffed cheek, then turned back to glance at Uncle Yun, who wore an anxious expression.
Crossing her tiny arms over her chest, she snorted at Yun Chunfeng.
Why was Uncle just like that bad father, always making Mother angry?
This was already the second time.
Thud!
“State Preceptor!”
The urgent cry from the young Daoist acolyte behind them successfully made Jiang Xingyan halt.
She turned to see Yun Chunfeng had fallen awkwardly to the ground. The fine soil now stained his exquisite Daoist robe and cloak, but he paid it no mind.
The misty silk gauze that had covered his eyes lay on the ground. Groping for it, he clutched it in his hand, dejected. “Yun-ge is truly useless, incapable of doing anything right.
No wonder the Young Miss despises me.”
Jiang Xingyan wasn’t truly angry with him, merely teasing to make him more restrained in the future.
Seeing him fall so heavily now, his vacant, clouded eyes making him appear utterly fragile, her heart ached with pity.
She hurried over, reached out to help him up, and asked anxiously, “Where did you hurt yourself? Is it serious?
Let me carry you to the Imperial Hospital to have it checked.”
Yun Chunfeng stopped her: “It’s nothing, Young Miss. As long as the Young Miss doesn’t abandon Yun-ge, nothing else matters.”
Jiang Xingyan’s heart softened, and she felt she had been too petty, holding a trace of apology for Yun Chunfeng.
“Yun-ge, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for walking too fast and making you fall.”
Yun Chunfeng shook his head: “No, Young Miss. It’s all because Yun-ge is useless.”
Xiao Ya, hands on her hips, looked from one to the other, utterly confused.
Wait, Mother, are you actually angry with Uncle or not?
This makes it very difficult for me.
“Young Miss, Yun-ge would like to eat wontons.”
“Alright, let’s return to the military camp now.”
Jiang Xingyan handed Xiao Ya to Yun Chunfeng and helped him into the carriage.
Yun Chunfeng reached out and pinched Xiao Ya’s little hair bun, a smile curling his lips.
Xiao Ya disdainfully pushed his hand away.
Hmph, bad Uncle!
Just as Wang Qi drove the carriage away from the palace gates, someone called out from behind: “Little Brother!”
“Whoa!”
Wang Fu drove another carriage catching up.
Thinking Xiafeng and Dongyang had finished their errands at the shops and run into them, Jiang Xingyan lifted the carriage curtain and greeted with a smile: “Follow us back to camp for some wontons.”
The curtain of the other carriage was lifted, revealing not only Xiafeng and Dongyang but also Huo Ci inside.
Wearing an expression of flustered surprise, he lowered his head and replied softly, “O-okay, sure…”