Chapter 274: Chapter 269 Affection
Ningzhou.
In the tense atmosphere of July in Ningzhou, the people were aware of Xie Jue and Xie Xun’s rebellion, their defection from Yanyang. Upon the army’s arrival in Lian City, Xie Jue sent an urgent message back to Ningzhou, ordering General Cui to seal off the city gates, forbidding the townspeople to leave Ningzhou City, and blocking news of Yanyang from reaching the Beiman. If Beiman learned of the Xie family’s defection, who knows what actions they might take? The goal was to buy at least a year of buffer time for them.
After the peace talks, Beiman and Ningzhou had not yet resumed trade; they had to wait until the new city was built, and for now, Beiman could not receive news from inside the city. Fengyu and Xie Xun argued all the way from Salt City to Ningzhou due to their differing opinions. Despite looking gentle, Fengyu had a strong temperament, while Xie Xun, dealing with the loss of his family, had his control issues peaking, refusing to yield a step. Neither could persuade the other, nor were they willing to compromise. Ultimately, Fengyu, out of concern for his ordeal of parting and grief, did not divert to the Twelve States but followed the troops to Ningzhou City.
It had been years since Fengyu last visited Ningzhou City. Back then, the Feng Family’s residence was the mansion allocated to the officials of Ningzhou. Su Yuejiao purchased a five-courtyard mansion in the east of Ningzhou City. The Marquis Zhenbei also had a residence in Ningzhou, where the family returned during furloughs from the front lines; five courtyards were connected, covering an extensive area. It was two streets away from the Feng Family’s house. Xie Xun hoped Fengyu would stay with them, but Fengyu refused Xie Xun’s offer, leading to another argument and a parting on bad terms.
Xie Xun was busy with military affairs and didn’t have time to spend on this issue with Fengyu. He left Nuanyang and his team of bodyguards behind. The five-courtyard mansion Su Yuejiao owned was purchased after Feng Changlin was transferred to Liling. It was where Feng Changqing and Su Yuejiao stayed during their furlough in Ningzhou City. Inside the courtyard, Nanny Su’s family remained there for Su Yuejiao. Exhausted from the long journey, Fengyu entrusted Chunlu and Qiuxiang to handle the household affairs, washed up, and sent word to Manager Wang and others, instructing them to settle in Jinzhou first, awaiting her arrival.
Manager Wang and several other experienced shopkeepers could manage the Twelve States’ business well even in her absence. However, as the owner of the Twelve States Trading House, she needed to oversee personally. She also had to visit West Continent and Huangzhou herself. Fengyu feared that once the news of the Xie brothers’ rebellion spread, the Twelve States might also declare independence, plunging Yanyang into turmoil.
On the way to Ningzhou, she discussed with Xie Jue, hoping that Xie Jue and Xie Xun could deploy troops to the Twelve States, first to suppress the bandits, to seize the opportunity to annex the Twelve States under Ningzhou’s territory. Xie Jue was concerned about how many Iron Cavalrymen would be willing to follow them in rebellion and worried about Beiman’s intervention. This matter was clearly not as simple as Fengyu initially thought. After Xie Jue’s analysis, Fengyu also realized her thinking was too simplistic.
No matter how deep the resentment between the Xie brothers and the Yuwen Royal Family, Xie Jue and Xie Xun would not allow Beiman’s army to invade. Besides, the Yuwen Royal Family was still the legitimate ruler. Under the stimulus of the Marquis Zhenbei’s death, the Iron Cavalry followed the Xie brothers in rebellion; but after calming down in Ningzhou, how many would still wish to follow them, Xie Jue did not know.
The human heart is the hardest to predict.
Fengyu understood his difficulties. The Yuwen Royal Family was legitimate, and not everyone was willing to walk the path of rebels and traitors.
Upon arrival in Ningzhou, Xie Jue and Xie Xun convened the military generals for a meeting. Xie Xun was appointed the main commander of the Iron Cavalry, leading the army, while Xie Jue stabilized the rear, a configuration familiar to all the Iron Cavalry soldiers, except that the main commander changed from the Marquis Zhenbei to the young marquis. There were ten generals left by the Marquis Zhenbei in Ningzhou, each of whom was capable of independent command, including General Cui, General Xu, and General Zhou, among others. The young generals included General Xu Zhou and General Cui Lansong. These generals were either personal generals of Marquis Zhenbei or Xie Zhang. After the Marquis Zhenbei died, if Xie Zhang had taken over as main commander, they would have wholeheartedly accepted him.
Xie Xun served a shorter time in the military; with a leg injury, he returned to the capital to recuperate. Even with Xie Jue pressing forward, the generals’ confidence in him was not as strong as in Xie Zhang, except for that group of young generals who followed him out of the Capital City.
During the council meeting, all the generals were eager for revenge for the Marquis, clamoring to attack the Capital City, ignoring Xie Xun at the main seat, not even recognizing him as the main commander. If not for Xie Jue’s vehement intervention, pointing out the Iron Cavalry’s dilemma, they were ready to mobilize troops overnight, completely overlooking the need to consult the commander.
Xie Xun listened quietly, his face as placid as still water, all his emotions concealed within the serene depths of his phoenix eyes.
The disorganized meeting ended without resolution, so Xie Jue told the generals to return to camp and rest, to reconvene the next day.
"Do not be discouraged!" Xie Jue said calmly. "To win the soldiers’ hearts, all you need is a major victory. Father’s and elder brother’s influence still lingers; the Iron Cavalry won’t be disorderly, there’s ample time for this!"
"I understand!" Overnight, Xie Xun seemed transformed, his temper subdued significantly. During the council, several generals disrespected him; if the Marquis Zhenbei were present, Xie Xun would have slammed the table. But now, he restrained his temper to negotiate with the generals; on their first night back in Ningzhou, Xie Xun did not wish to initiate conflict.
The generals in Ningzhou bore no ill intent; they were simply straightforward from years of warfare and had been as friendly as brothers with the Marquis Zhenbei. Xie Xun was the Marquis Zhenbei’s youngest son, once calling every uncle within the military camp. Everyone could embrace him, but no one was yet accustomed to his role as the Iron Cavalry’s main commander, leading to inevitable neglect in their words. Their reverence for Xie Xun was far less than for Xie Jue.
This was not a good thing. Xie Xun, as the main commander of the army, needed to earn the respect of all soldiers. Xie Jue knew he should not rush things; he needed an opportunity.
"If we are to raise an army in rebellion, the titles granted by the Yuwen Royal Family can no longer be used," Xie Jue said calmly. "I intend to proclaim to the world that from now on, there will no longer be a Marquis Zhenbei Mansion in Yanyang. The Northern Iron Cavalry should also be renamed. If we keep using the name Northern Iron Cavalry, people will think we are merely seeking revenge, dragging Yanyang into turmoil. Our rebellion is for revenge, but more importantly, because the Yuwen Royal Family’s severe chronic illness cannot be cured. ’The rich dine from packed tables, while bones lie frozen along the road.’ Our rebellion isn’t just about revenge; it’s about breaking and rebuilding, giving the people of Yanyang new lives."
They needed a rightful cause for raising an army. Revenge was not the best reason for a rebellion and would not garner public support. After decades of disorder, countless have lost family and homes. Simply asking for support for revenge wouldn’t resonate with people. They needed a more sophisticated reason, even though he and Xie Xun were indeed motivated by revenge!
"How about Ningzhou Iron Cavalry? That was their original name," Xie Xun proposed.
"Alright!" Xie Jue agreed. "I will write a manifesto and soon announce it to the world. In the Iron Cavalry, those willing to join us in rebellion, everything will remain the same. Those unwilling may leave Ningzhou, without hindrance, from generals to soldiers. We will implement new governance in Ningzhou; you handle military affairs, and I’ll select officials, determine land allocations, and address taxation issues."
"Alright!" Xie Xun was already a bit distracted.
Xie Jue’s tone turned cold, "Zhixu, don’t plunge yourself into romantic entanglements. Some roads you have to walk alone; no one can help you. The Third Miss also has her path to tread, and you cannot always accompany her."
This was the first time Xie Jue commented on the issue after Fengyu and Xie Xun’s argument. He was not usually someone to meddle in trivial affairs, but if they affected his business, that was another matter.
In Xie Jue’s view, Fengyu not changing course to Jinzhou in Salt City showed indecisiveness. With smoke signals continuously rising in flames, how could they be preoccupied with romantic matters, which Xie Jue couldn’t comprehend!
Such idleness!
If Fengyu were just a delicate flower content to bear children and manage household affairs in the inner quarters, Xie Jue would find no fault in it.
(p>However, when Fengyu proposed building a road for supplies in Salt City, Xie Jue realized he had underestimated the Third Miss. When discussing economics, production, and military governance with her, she had her insights. Her military opinions were theoretical, based on book knowledge, overlooking the practicalities. But in economics and production, she excelled beyond his reach. The two Feng sisters were neither delicate flowers; they could thrive without men just as splendidly, capable of making a significant impact in Jinzhou and West Continent. It would be a waste to confine her to the inner quarters.
He also lacked someone capable of managing the rear affairs, and Xie Jue wished he could attach wings to her back, sending her to Jinzhou immediately to begin arrangements for agriculture in West Continent.
Xie Xun, however, sought to confine her by his side. Despite not meddling in trivialities, the Second Young Master wanted to figuratively slap some sense into his brother, who was evidently plagued by inner demons. Separation and loss weren’t unique to Xie Xun, it was no less true for him.
Xie Xun had Fengyu’s companionship along the way for solace, while he could only swallow all his sorrow alone and move forward, his self-blame and regrets known to no one. If he and Xie Xun both wallowed in sadness, further growing their inner demons, what would become of this Iron Cavalry?
He hoped Xie Xun would quickly regain his spirits. The Iron Cavalry could do without Xie Jue, but it could not do without Xie Xun!
As they were speaking, a Shadow Guard brought news from the Capital City, that Feng Shu was mourning the Eldest Young Master at Xiangguo Temple. The Emperor Yuan Hui had threatened the entire Feng Family, yet Feng Shu refused to leave the Capital with them.
Xie Jue said, "Zhixu, go to the Feng Mansion and inform the Third Miss of the news."
"Alright!"
Xie Jue gazed expressionlessly into the deepening night, the faint moonlight accentuating his already cool demeanor. After a brief silence, Xie Jue said softly, "Go ahead."
"Emperor Yuan Hui hopes that the Great Marshal and Fang Chuning would deploy troops to Ningzhou. Jiangnan cannot be without a commander even for a day. The Great Marshal must return to Jiangnan and ordered Fang Chuning to deploy troops. Fang Chuning defied the imperial edict at the Jinluan Palace and was punished by the Great Marshal with forty military canes. These days, he is recovering at the mansion."
Xie Jue thought expressionlessly, "Have the arrow wounds from Xiyanshan healed? And now forty military canes."
"Send word to Marquis An Yuan, find a way to have him accompany the Great Marshal to Jiangnan."