When Jiang Xingyan was young, her family operated ten merchant caravans.
Eight of these required long, arduous journeys to the Great Xia for trade.
Great Xia was the most powerful nation among the Western Zhou, Northern Luo, and itself—a vast country, rich in resources and products.
If one seized the opportunity to acquire rare goods, they were certain to make a hefty profit.
However, the journey was long and treacherous. A round trip took at least a year or more. The routes passed through many dangerous mountains and rough rivers, often plagued by bandits and robbers.
To ensure the caravans’ safety, her grandfather would hire experienced escorts from security bureaus beforehand to brief the caravan leaders on the strategic passes and potential hazards along the way.
From the time she was old enough to understand, Jiang Xingyan would listen in on these briefings.
She learned how a caravan should escape if they encountered bandits, or how to find a hidden spot to take cover.
And an excellent hiding spot was invariably also the best location for an ambush.
She pointed one by one to several shaded areas on the map, a trace of barely concealed excitement in her voice: “These locations are along the essential routes used for transporting iron ore down the mountain. They’re flanked by shrubs tall enough to hide a man and obscured by large boulders—perfect for ambush several squads of soldiers. We wait until the Northern Luo scoundrels come down the mountain for supplies, then hit them when they least expect it!”
Kan Mountain and Hou Mountain were several hundred li from the nearest Northern Luo capital. Since they had already taken control of Qingzhou, they certainly wouldn’t bypass a closer option to go all the way into Northern Luo territory for supplies.
With so many miners and horses on the mountain, requiring food and fodder, they’d need to descend for provisions at least once every three days.
They just needed to wait for the prey to come to them. They could achieve the greatest gain with minimal loss.
Xiao Zhenhuai looked up. But his gaze wasn’t on the map; instead, it fixed directly on “Huo Ci,” a hint of confusion hidden in his eyes.
Such a basic ambush tactic… hadn’t General Huo considered it beneath him since he was fifteen? Why would he be so enthusiastic about it now?
Jiang Xingyan, unaware of Xiao Zhenhuai’s shifting gaze, grew more and more convinced her plan was flawless.
This was her first time commanding a battle, after all!
Wasn’t she allowed to feel a little proud?
Xiao Zhenhuai increasingly felt that the “Huo Ci” before him was thoroughly peculiar.
But this person had arrived with five hundred elite Huo family cavalry and Deputy General Xin Zhui in tow… surely he couldn’t be an imposter?
Jiang Xingyan happily ran through the plan once more in her mind. No matter what contingencies arose, her strategy was indeed sound.
She looked up cheerfully, only to meet Xiao Zhenhuai’s probing stare. She quickly coughed twice, reining in her expression.
This reminded her of a question: “Your Highness, were you able to find out how often they come down the mountain?”
Xiao Zhenhuai shook his head. “I lack sufficient personnel. I only conducted a basic reconnaissance of the perimeter and didn’t dare venture deep into their territory.”
In that case, she would need to go scout the location in person tomorrow beforehand.
When would be the best time to go?
Jiang Xingyan nibbled on her thumbnail, pondering the question.
The Zi hour (11 pm-1 am) was too early; dawn was still far off. What if she fell asleep while lying in wait?
The Chen hour (7-9 am) was too late; the sky would be fully bright, making it easy to be discovered.
Would the Yin hour (3-5 am) or the Mao hour (5-7 am) be better?
She had a habit of chewing on something when she was deep in thought.
Xiao Zhenhuai’s eyes widened in astonishment and doubt. The shock caused a wave of cold energy from his constitution to surge up his throat, making him cough.
Ahem, ahem.
Jiang Xingyan’s train of thought was abruptly broken. Instinctively, she walked over and patted him on the back.
Xiao Zhenhuai’s coughing intensified.
Su Mo hurriedly pulled a small bottle of pills from his sleeve, poured one into his palm, and had Xiao Zhenhuai place it under his tongue.
In a moment, the coughing subsided.
But the flush on Xiao Zhenhuai’s face hadn’t fully receded.
Jiang Xingyan looked at him curiously. “Your Highness, why did you suddenly start coughing so violently? Once this matter is concluded and we return to the capital, shall we request Imperial Physician Sun to examine you?”
Xiao Zhenhuai shook his head, his expression slightly unnatural. “This medicine was prescribed by Physician Sun. It’s a congenital weakness, there’s no curing it.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xingyan immediately felt a wave of sympathy for the Second Prince.
Xiao Ya was already three years old but still couldn’t walk properly, also suffering from hardships endured in the womb.
It seemed the Second Prince’s birth mother must have had a very difficult life in the rear palace.
She sighed inwardly. The mother suffers, and the child suffers too!
“The night is late. I should not disturb you further, Your Highness. Given your discomfort, you must rest well. I will take care of scouting the mountain tomorrow myself. I take my leave.”
She withdrew from the room and saw Xin Zhui waiting anxiously at the compound gate.
Spotting her, he waved frantically.
Jiang Xingyan made a shushing gesture and quickly walked out of the small courtyard, following Xin Zhui to the quarters the Second Prince had prepared for them.
Su Mo, who had been watching their departure through a crack in the window, turned back to Xiao Zhenhuai. “Your Highness, General Huo is… very strange!”
Xiao Zhenhuai’s gaze regained its aloofness.
“Strange or not, what does it matter to us? In the end, I’m just a sickly invalid. No matter how well I handle affairs, who would ever care?”
Su Mo lowered his head. “This subordinate spoke out of turn. I deserve punishment.”
Xiao Zhenhuai waved a hand. “Keep General Huo’s abnormal strictly to yourself. Let’s just be aware of it ourselves and observe discreetly.”
“As you command.”
“Leave now. Be sharp tomorrow.”
After Su Mo left, Xiao Zhenhuai stared intently at the cheerfully crackling charcoal in the brazier.
He was one hundred percent certain the person who came was absolutely not Huo Ci.
But as to who it actually was, he had no idea.
Yet… was that person, just moments ago, feeling sympathy for him?