Chapter 478: Chapter 462: Separating the Jing and Wei
Xie Xun had just begun to think when Xie Jue lifted the curtain and entered. The previously noisy command tent instantly fell silent, leaving only the sound of wind and snow outside. The generals who had been arguing vehemently reddened with suppressed frustration, stood up, and saluted the Second Young Master. Xie Jue gave a cold nod, seated himself, and asked, "What’s the commotion about?"
While Xie Xun was arranging the city’s military affairs, it was just long enough for Xie Jue to sleep for more than an hour. By the time he awoke, the command tent was still in heated debate. The core issue revolved around negotiations with the Beiman. In previous wars, especially during winters, negotiations were commonplace. In the past, despite the intense battles between the Beiman King and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, their enmity as deep as the sea, both sides honored their promises once there was a ceasefire. During the harshest days of winter, it was customary to halt fighting. Yet, before the coldest days in Ningzhou had passed, the Beiman had launched a surprise attack. The situation was suspicious, prompting a few veteran generals to suggest talking with the Beiman.
Xie Jue glanced at Xie Xun. Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin could feel the heavy pressure emanating from Xie Jue. They were under Xie Xun’s command and rarely interacted with Xie Jue, so they had never experienced this calm yet oppressively weighty force. Unlike Xie Xun’s sharp and imposing aura, which conveyed authority without anger, Xie Jue was even more fearsome.
Xie Xun said in a grave voice, "There’s nothing to negotiate. We fight, plain and simple. I’m not as patient as Father, negotiating while fighting. If Dugu Jing wants to fight, then we’ll fight decisively. This time, we must strike beyond the Sha Ling Tian Mountain!"
Xie Jue stated, "General Chen, Xu Zhou, Old General Zhou, General Cui, and General Xiao Zhou, stay for the discussion. Everyone else, leave!"
"Understood!"
Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu stepped out of the tent and returned to their own camp. The northern gate of Ningzhou was far from the main urban area and split into two zones. One was a district constructed with wood and stone, resembling the city’s buildings, capable of accommodating over 200,000 people. The other was a tent area. These two encampments were set up outside the range of trebuchets and ballistae. Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu all resided in the tent zone. For centuries, Ningzhou had been a critical military stronghold—a contested site with treacherous terrain. Flanking the northern gate were steep mountains where the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry could lay ambushes. The city’s layout had undergone countless expansions, separating the military zones from civilian areas. By land area alone, Ningzhou was the largest city in all of Yanyang.
Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu shared a tent. All three were injured, though the wounds were superficial and not severe. Zhou Liyu had taken an arrow to the shoulder but had already dealt with it. Back in the tent, he collapsed onto the wooden bunk, covered in filth, finally able to catch his breath. With Xie Xun and Xie Jue’s return, for some reason, everyone seemed to relax, as though their presence provided a pillar of stability.
Lin Xiao removed his armor, revealing an inner garment soaked with sweat from the battlefield. He heated water, added a bit of cold water, and used it to clean the blood and sweat from his face before changing into fresh clothes. Though the three sons of noble families had grown up pampered, years of hardship from rebuilding roads and enduring grueling outdoor challenges had transformed them. Yet, traces of their refined upbringing lingered in their demeanor.
Lin Xiao’s right arm bore a shallow cut. During major battles, minor wounds like these were typically treated personally rather than by military doctors, who were often too occupied to spare time. Because of this, years ago during road construction, Xie Xun gave them a handbook for survival techniques that every member of the Kyoto Capital Guard had to learn.
Basic medical knowledge was one such skill.
"Why would the Beiman suddenly start a war out of nowhere?" Zhou Liyu had climbed out of bed, also removed his armor, and changed his clothes. "Winter is tough for them. Why would they come to attack Ningzhou? It’s strange!"
"Who knows?" replied Zhang Boxin, feeling drowsy as his post-battle adrenaline faded. "The Beiman are truly lifelong enemies of Yanyang."
"Enemies of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry!" Lin Xiao remarked indifferently. "If the imperial court were ruthless enough to send troops to Salt City, we’d be under simultaneous assault from both north and south."
Zhou Liyu and Zhang Boxin instantly sobered up. "They wouldn’t be that insane, would they?"
"The imperial court has been grooming numerous young military generals over the past few years, preparing for a decisive battle with us someday," Lin Xiao said coldly. "Given such an opportune moment, Yuwen Jing certainly wouldn’t let it slip by!"
The two men were gripped with anxiety. Zhou Liyu heaved a sigh and said, "If your brother were alive, perhaps he would lead the campaign..."
He didn’t finish his sentence before Zhang Boxin kicked him in frustration. Realizing his slip, Zhou Liyu fell silent, and the tent became stiflingly quiet. Lin Xiao wordlessly wiped his sword.
Lin Xiao had defected from the Capital City and been disowned by his family—a decision made from his heart, unwilling to sink to their level. Yet family bonds are unbreakable. His elder brother had cared for him deeply since childhood. When Lin Xiao learned of Lin Cheng’s death in Yangzhou, grief consumed him. That year, a devastating epidemic in Yangzhou claimed countless lives, sparing neither nobility nor common folk, treating all equally in the face of disease.
After leaving the Capital City, Lin Xiao severed all contact with his family. He knew nothing of his parents and younger sister’s fate since Lin Cheng’s death. Driven by guilt and determination, he devoted himself tirelessly to his craft, excelling in all aspects. On the battlefield, he shadowed Xie Xun, fighting to stand out quickly. Only through military accolades could he protect his family in the aftermath.
Even if his family had disowned him, once peace returned to the world, Lin Xiao was determined to safeguard them.
Three days later, the Beiman launched another fierce siege. The reconstructed city walls were shattered once again, yet their forces only advanced as far as the moat before being repelled by fire and arrows. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry held the gate steadfastly. Despite commanding an army of tens of thousands capable of an offensive, they shut the gates and committed solely to defense. Leveraging the advantageous terrain, with high points on either side perfect for ambushes, under Xie Jue’s mastery of strategy, Ningzhou’s defense was brilliantly executed, inflicting severe losses on the Beiman. No matter how the Beiman Army provoked them, Ningzhou refused to open the gates, focused entirely on defense.
Amid the extreme cold, a storm soon arrived. The corpse-strewn field outside the gates froze solid, left untouched. Were it summer, they could have been burned, but in the harsh winter, no one dared collect the bodies—a task left for the spring thaw. Each day, small teams ventured outside to scavenge arrows, armor, and battle gear from the Beiman corpses. The scavenged armor was modified to suit the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
The siege had devolved into a stalemate, destined to become a protracted war.
The Capital City.
News of the Beiman’s uprising quickly reached the Capital City, throwing Yuwen Jing into turmoil. Upon receiving the Zhongzhou war report, Yuwen Jing convened court in the Jinluan Palace, seeking the opinions of the assembled officials.
Lin Helin had only just learned of the Beiman uprising. Previously, war reports passed through the cabinet for review and selection before arrival at the emperor’s desk. Now, reports were sent directly to Yuwen Jing. The cabinet had its own intelligence network throughout Yanyang provinces, offering independent sources of information.
Lin Helin was still unclear about the reasons behind the Beiman’s sudden mobilization—it was too abrupt. Before court, during a brief exchange with Zhang Boju and Gu Jiaming, the topic wasn’t fully elaborated. When Yuwen Jing raised the issue, the civil officials all turned their gaze toward Lin Helin, while the young military generals were brimming with warlust.
One young general, Li Xiao, stepped forward and knelt, pleading for action. "Your Majesty, with the Beiman uprising and the rebel Xie Xun and Xie Jue overwhelmed, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. The imperial court should dispatch troops to attack Ningzhou and reclaim the Twelve Provinces. This humble subject volunteers to relieve Your Majesty’s worries and lead the expedition."
Following Li Xiao’s plea, several generals knelt, asking Yuwen Jing to deploy forces to Ningzhou.
The civil officials remained silent, their gazes fixed downward. The divide between civil and military officials was stark, like water from oil. Despite individual interests, the noble families of the last century united firmly on major decisions. They were all established clans with deep roots, unwilling to smear their reputation.
Lin Helin said nothing, turning the civil officials into silent quails.
Leaning lazily against the dragon throne, Yuwen Jing asked slowly, "What does Mr. Lin think?"