UCTOOT CH124

“Why do you ask? It may have nothing to do with being tired.”

Xie Wuchi looked around this empty temple.

The traces had worn away. Shi Shu: “I feel like, since you came back from the Min region, you’ve been busy every day organizing the army, building military equipment, harvesting grain to store—you haven’t seemed very happy.”

Besides carved scriptures, the four walls also bore strange legends. Instead of answering, Xie Wuchi said, “On this wall is recorded a story: during a certain dynasty’s power struggle, a descendant of a deposed crown prince was summoned to the palace to become regent and ruling prince. He rose early and slept late, sincerely serving the people.”

Shi Shu leaned against the stone chair: “What happened?”

“This regent suffered from an eye disease. Whenever he worried or labored excessively, he would go blind. But later, when a foreign tribe invaded, the regent still personally led the expedition to protect the homeland, sharing weal and woe with his beloved. Only on the day of victory, exhausted, his eye disease relapsed, but he was persecuted by treacherous ministers who not only stole his credit but also falsely accused him of plotting rebellion.”

Shi Shu: “Oh? What happened next?”

“Later, both his eyes went blind, and he fled in a cold foreign land. His wife who accompanied the army took him everywhere to survive, eating coarse steamed buns, living in the most shabby inns, even hiding in other people’s residences while his wife sold paintings for a living, tasting all the bitterness in his heart… So after rejoining the army, he began his path of revenge.”

“Then, he succeeded in his rebellion and became emperor.”

The story finished, Xie Wuchi turned his gaze away.

Shi Shu stared at the traditional characters on the mural: “Why is this story recorded in a temple?”

“Before his rebellion, he recited scriptures in the Buddhist hall for several months and obtained the Mandate of Heaven, so he could succeed. Therefore it was recorded.”

“…”

A silence fell. Xie Wuchi looked at the Buddha statue, wearing plain robes that fluttered in the wind, lost in thought.

“Buddha statues are merciful, saving all beings, yet temples are precisely where ghosts and monsters run most rampant.”

Xie Wuchi’s steps wandered, returning to Shi Shu’s side: “This regent obtained his position peacefully, through a peaceful coup d’état—first because of his noble bloodline, second because after years as regent he had already manipulated connections in the court, and old friends personally opened the city gates when he entered the capital. But aside from this, dynastic changes and power transfers are exceptionally bloody.”

In Shi Shu’s heart, he slowly understood: “You…”

At the bottom of Xie Wuchi’s eyes reflected the solemn, plain look of the magnificent gods and Buddhas with lowered brows, silent mercy converging in pools of blood: “When the shocking waves of wild billows surge, the lucky ones caught up can ride the crest, while the unlucky are drowned.”

“This world-destroying flood will arrive soon.”

Shi Shu was carried back to the main residence gate. In his drowsy sleepiness, he talked with him: “Xie Wuchi, do you know? I really like wandering around the farming villages.”

“Why?”

Shi Shu: “Because everyone is working, building houses, courtyards, digging soil. It’s different from the great epidemic in Shukang Prefecture, the snowy night in Dasheng Prefecture, and the mountains of corpses in Yunzhou. Walking around those places, open and bright, I feel very good.”

Xie Wuchi was wiping his hands. Hearing this, he paused: “Shi Shu, have you also suffered many traumas these past three years?”

“I don’t know…”

Shi Shu was too sleepy to think. He rallied: “But if I keep staying here with you, I’m prepared to dedicate my youth to this land—”

Before he finished speaking, Xie Wuchi lowered his head, pressing his forehead against his: “Good baby.”

“Good treasure.”

“Little doggy treasure.”

Shi Shu huffed: “I’m not a dog, I don’t play this.”

Xie Wuchi’s dark eyes looked at him, revealing a smile. After Shi Shu was kissed for quite a while, dazed, he covered his lips.

Shi Shu: “You…”

Xie Wuchi pressed his forehead against his: “Baby.”

For the next few days, the military camp was busy with harvesting matters for the two cities. Xie Wuchi went to the front lines for almost half a month, commanding and arranging affairs.

Persuading foreign tribes to submit to the dynasty could be called a great merit. Between the military camp and officers, undercurrents surged treacherously. But ordinary soldiers didn’t know about the Emperor’s appointment—hearing the drum and horn sounds, they charged into battle to fight. As the large army approached the boundary river, some people glimpsed the leopard through a tube from a series of actions, guessing that the handover of cities was underway. The military camp overflowed with bubbling joy.

On the continuous yellow mud road, Shi Shu had just returned from the farming land. After settling new refugees and being tired all day, Du Zihan said beside him: “Suddenly remembering, how long has Brother Xie not come back?”

Shi Shu: “Half a month?”

“What kind of person is this, making you guard an empty room alone.”

Shi Shu looked at him: “You came to find me in the middle of the night to go out, climb trees to pick fruit, roast fish and meat—didn’t you say it was good he wasn’t here?”

Du Zihan: “I’m just reminding you, don’t mention these things when Brother Xie comes back.”

“…”

Both of them were dusty and dirty. They happened to pass an overflowing stream. Du Zihan went to wash his hands, the calluses on his palms rubbed bright red: “More and more refugees are coming. Those people in Central Chu Prefecture rebelled and proclaimed themselves kings, so refugees flee to Yanzhou. Working with dust every day, who knows if I’m studying civil engineering. You’re about the same.”

Shi Shu: “No choice. People can’t go their whole lives without working.”

Du Zihan looked at him: “They can. People can.”

“…”

Wait. Shi Shu paused and also went to the water pit to wash the dust off his hands. At this time, several people from the medical bureau passed by, bending at the waist washing herbs at the river’s edge, half their bodies blocked by fluttering reeds. Their conversation drifted over from not far away: “I heard General Ping’s elite iron cavalry have all set out for the boundary river. I think this recovery of Yong’an Prefecture and Bu Prefecture isn’t groundless!”

“How do you know about such confidential matters?”

“A few days ago I was treating the staff outside the central military tent and overheard them chatting. I also heard that the eunuch from the Eastern Capital was jumping up and down anxiously, saying the Imperial Father-in-Law’s army hasn’t arrived yet—how could they let General Xie monopolize this unparalleled merit of recovering the mountains and rivers? Simply outrageous, hahahaha!”

“You really heard quite a lot.”

“Don’t go around talking about it. Those bloodsuckers in the Eastern Capital only know how to get something for nothing and steal credit. If it’s true, General Xie did a great job satisfying everyone!”

“…”

Shi Shu washed his hands clean, slowly watching the two physicians leave: “Xie Wuchi’s reputation in the Northern Army is impeccable—let’s go back!”

Du Zihan: “Your husband isn’t home tonight. Otherwise, want to sleep at the Chou Army camp?”

Shi Shu thought for a moment, lazily smiling: “Sure, sleeping in a big communal bunk is pretty good. At night there’s a whole bunch of gossip, it’s just that it’s been getting colder recently, leaning against the ground makes my back dry and cold. If I sleep too cold, damn!”

“Crowding together like this is warmer, right? Let’s find Song Sinan.”

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Shi Shu straightened up, suddenly remembering a person with very high body temperature—in winter, sleeping next to him was warm. But this person had recently been busy with major affairs. Aside from routinely writing him letters, they hadn’t had much contact.

“Why isn’t he back yet…” Shi Shu muttered aloud.

“Hya! Whoa!” Suddenly a fast horse appeared before him, walking while looking around. Seeing Shi Shu, he sharply reined in the horse and jumped down: “Second Young Master! This humble one searched for quite a while. The King of Zhouchi who pledged allegiance has traveled all this way to our place. General Xie asks Second Young Master to change clothes and quickly go to the main camp entrance to receive him!”

Shi Shu: “My brother came back???”

“Yes! General Xie—” Shi Shu turned to look at Du Zihan: “So, um, I’m going to accompany someone—”

Du Zihan showed an “I understand everything” expression: “Go back. Tonight’s communal bunk will be just as warm without you. Hurry and go fulfill your duties.”

What duties? The duty of sleeping with Xie Wuchi?

Shi Shu: “Hey, what are you saying, Zihan?”

Shi Shu raised his hand wanting to explain point by point that he wasn’t so shallow as to prioritize romance over friendship, but his legs were already preparing to run. Pointing at him while speaking and backing away: “I’m warning you not to slander me.”

Du Zihan said with anguish: “Look at you, played like a dog by him!”

“…”

Without another word, he ran.

Shi Shu didn’t care about all that. He mounted the horse and galloped toward the central military camp, his heart jumping to his throat. As soon as he returned to the main camp, he immediately changed into more formal attire and waited with others at the camp gate for this victorious army.

Northern autumn passed in the blink of an eye. Yellow clouds filled the distant sky, withered grass reaching to the horizon. In the formal diplomatic setting, a dark mass of military generals and guards created a solemn and grave atmosphere. From afar, they could see flagpoles appearing at the edge of the sky, followed by horses arranged like ants.

Behind them, the ceremonial procession of soldiers stretched endlessly, with people everywhere craning their necks to watch.

Shi Shu was also watching when suddenly a tall, upright figure appeared. Xie Wuchi wore a fox fur cloak, his horse in front trampling snow and frost, his bearing extremely dignified and stern. Beside him on a maroon horse sat the King of Zhouchi. At the same time, many Min soldiers and horses were led away by the Northern Army—the scene was chaotic.

Shi Shu was overjoyed: “Xie…”

The surrendering foreign tribe leader, the King of Zhouchi, dismounted and bowed his head in worship to him: “Thank you, Second Young Master, for keeping your word!”

“Rise quickly, rise quickly. This is a matter you and my elder brother discussed regarding state affairs; it has nothing to do with me. Please come in and sit.”

After the King of Zhouchi entered, Yuan Guan in plain clothes followed behind: “Second Young Master…”

Shi Shu: “Please sit as well. My brother has canceled the slave registration of your family. From now on you are free. As for what comes next, it depends on your own fortune.”

Yuan Guan nodded, showing some weakness from insufficient illness between his brows and eyes. The sound of pipes and drums rang out in the military camp, playing elegant music as the welcoming banquet officially began.

Everyone filed into the banquet hall. Shi Shu waited until Xie Wuchi’s robe hem brushed past him. Not having seen him for a long time, Xie Wuchi carried the smell of gunpowder smoke. Without saying many words to him, he was surrounded by people and seated at the front of the military tent to drink wine, wearing an elegant crane cloak, his expression calm and dignified.

Shi Shu had long grown accustomed to his abstinent appearance in public. He never caused a scene for anyone, and understood the seriousness of the current situation.

“This joint celebration and accomplishment of submission is entirely due to General Xie presiding over the overall situation. We tiny barbarous states are most honored to submit under the banner of the Jing army. I toast General Xie…”

“…”

At the banquet, voices praising Xie Wuchi’s brilliance and martial prowess filled the air. Xie Wuchi politely deflected: “It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s sagacity that such a fine thing could happen.” Temporarily not opposing the court.

A normal social occasion. Although Shi Shu was the main reason Yuan Guan initiated the great matter of submission, it was mentioned in just a few words, with everyone busy flattering Xie Wuchi who held real power. Official affairs had always been this way.

Halfway through the wine, Shi Shu felt bored. Seeing no one watching, he plucked a grape and threw it into Xie Wuchi’s wine cup.

Plop~

Xie Wuchi lifted his eyelids slightly. Shi Shu’s handsome face wore a faint smile as he bent his slender fingers at him. Xie Wuchi slowly picked up his chopsticks, retrieved the grape from the wine cup, and ate it.

Shi Shu: “Ah? You actually ate it? Our flirting is as disgusting as ever.”

Xie Wuchi said nothing, clearly meaning there were things even more disgusting than this.

“…”

Generals, officials, and dignitaries carried the weight of imperial authority, conversing with steady composure on their faces. After eating for a while, Shi Shu was already full. He thought: “This banquet scene is just like the gatherings of high-ranking people in TV dramas. I’ve really seen the world now. Not staying anymore, going back to the tent.”

Shi Shu was the first to return to Xie Wuchi’s living quarters. The night was dark. Suddenly hearing the sound of a horse snorting, he walked out the door.

Xie Wuchi walked over in a gust of night wind, two tall horses at his side: “Let’s go.”

Finally alone. Shi Shu was curious: “Where to?”

“To show you the Northern Army’s main camp.”

“Of course that’s fine. But Xie Wuchi, you just got back and don’t even chat with me about old times,” Shi Shu climbed onto the horse, “just directly take me to—ah—” With a sudden scream, the horse was spurred and galloped wildly in the night wind.

The cool breeze instantly blew across his face. Shi Shu tightened the reins: “Good thing I’m skilled at riding and archery, or I’d be scared silly by you, wah wah wah!”

Two horses in front, guards behind, trampling through autumn frost all the way toward the brightly lit camps. Today they rewarded the three armies—after all, they had recovered Yong’an Prefecture and Bu Prefecture, what great fortune! Before them, tung oil flames soared skyward on the wooden palisades, reflecting on the soldiers’ armor, illuminating a scene of jubilation.

Xie Wuchi: “This is the Northern Army main camp. Part of the direct control Crane Army is stationed in Yanzhou, the rest stationed at various military strongholds. They are the elite portion of the Northern Army.”

Shi Shu: “I know, elite iron cavalry! Soldiers must pass strict assessments to join the troops. Military discipline and combat effectiveness are both extremely formidable.”

The horses continued forward, hooves stepping through yellow muddy water. Shi Shu saw an increasingly familiar route, hooves stepping through muddy water: “Isn’t this the road to find Song Sinan?”

“That’s right. The Chou Army camp is here. After training for over a year, they have cavalry, infantry, and archers.”

Shi Shu didn’t understand why he suddenly brought him to see troops. The cold wind blew into his ears and neck, but it was rare to go out with Xie Wuchi at night. Walking past this stretch of continuous military camps, his mood was quite good. Shi Shu shouted loudly “Hya!” The hooves ran freely in the firelight, quickly leaving the Chou Army area.

Not knowing how long they ran, the camp gates ahead were brightly lit, under construction. The fences and wooden camp walls showed white bark and green grain, the paint brand new—clearly newly expanded troops.

“This place…” Shi Shu jumped off the horse. Tens of thousands of people were in this camp city, working through the night to register, be assigned to camps and armies. Civilian staff with pale lips held military rosters, craning their necks to shout.

“Name!”

“Age!”

“Native place!”

Shi Shu saw many soldiers lying scattered on the ground in lazy, slovenly postures, scratching their hair and backs. Some whispered and laughed secretly. Unlike soldiers trained for years, they were obviously newly recruited troops.

“Who are these people?”

Xie Wuchi: “Soldiers recruited from Yong’an and Bu Prefectures.”

“Oh—” Shi Shu just finished speaking when he suddenly realized something. “Xie Wuchi, if Yong’an Prefecture and Bu Prefecture pledge allegiance, doesn’t that mean you not only occupied the land but also expanded your army?”

“Naturally,” Xie Wuchi’s eyes were ice-cold beneath. “The remnant armies, bandits, and rebel forces of the two prefectures have all been absorbed and expanded into the Northern Army’s ranks.”

—The court hurriedly sent people to steal credit, then replaced the Military Supervisor, and that greatly shocked eunuch—everything suddenly became clear!

The beads in Shi Shu’s mind connected into a string, his back turning cold: “No wonder you didn’t wait at all for the people from the Eastern Capital and took the lead in handling this matter! Simply genius!”

Xie Wuchi walked behind him: “The Imperial Father-in-Law comes from the Eastern Capital, these people would belong to the Eastern Capital. Since they haven’t come, they belong to me. Quickly mix them into the troops until no one except me can command this group.”

The army—with an army comes the right to speak.

“Dividing the Min people internally not only reduces bloodshed but also expands the army. Killing two birds with one stone…”

Shi Shu admiringly looked around. Han Tian was carrying a large sword maintaining order, walking and cursing: “All of you straighten up! Spineless things, I could still indulge you in the mountains, but now that you’re in the military camp, everyone show me some backbone!”

Shi Shu watched him busy and didn’t call out to him, leaving with Xie Wuchi. Going further ahead, Shi Shu’s attention was suddenly drawn to bright lights not far away!

Shi Shu: “Why are there still new camps being built?”

Shi Shu walked closer to look carefully, seeing people carrying crossbows, lacquered bows, sandalwood bows, curved swords hanging at their waists, robe hems tucked into waistbands, jade earrings on their earlobes, full of wild nature. Someone was driving several large cattle and sheep toward the camp, shouting: “Move aside, move aside! General Xie had people send these! To reward us!”

“Bring them in, bring them in!”

“These little lambs are fat! Fragrant and delicious.”

That person forcefully drove the cattle and sheep inside. A general laughed and walked forward, actually pulling out a dagger to cut open the sheep’s skin, cutting off a strip of bloody tender meat and stuffing it in his mouth, chewing in the firelight, blood on the corners of his lips like a fierce ghost.

It was actually a Min army!

Shi Shu: “…They can even eat that raw?! Min soldiers, where did you get them from? They surrendered and gave you the Min army?”

Xie Wuchi: “Mn. There are also many tribes among the Min people. These few belong to the Yahan tribe, who were hunted down by their entire clan due to personal grudges among the Min people. Many young people are willing to take refuge with us. Together with the Min soldiers brought by the King of Zhouchi, they’ve been formed into a new army.”

Shi Shu: “This is too…”

Too terrifying.

The combat effectiveness of the Min army was extremely formidable, famously capable fighters. Jing people were weaker; it was Xie Wuchi’s Northern Army elite iron cavalry that defeated them, but that didn’t mean the Min people were weak. Now, the most elite and second-most elite iron cavalry were all under Xie Wuchi’s command.

A few thousand elite cavalry could break through cities, slaughter across rivers and mountains, kill people like hemp, completely trampling human dignity, crushing lives like pigs and dogs. And such elite iron cavalry—Xie Wuchi actually had a hundred thousand!

Hundreds of thousands of troops, obeying only Xie Wuchi’s commands. Anyone facing such absolute military force would be crushed to pieces.

Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi walked into this Min army, attracted by the center of a gathered crowd—at least dozens of people surrounded that person who was telling stories, his face glowing: “General Xie said, from now on he’ll give us fat sheep and fine horses, grasslands and mountains. Win battles and you’ll have everything. Everyone settle down here peacefully, work hard for General Xie, and we’ll all be well off in the future!”

Someone said skeptically: “Isn’t this General Xie a Jing person? I heard from my uncle who fought in battles that this General Xie was ruthless killing our people. Back then in Yunzhou…”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” This person was glared at fiercely. “What kind of talk is that! General Xie is General Xie, the Jing Emperor is the Jing Emperor. General Xie is friendly to us, different from others. General Xie is much more dignified than that Jing Emperor!”

The crowd instantly fell silent.

This person’s face glowed: “Hey hey hey! So, all of you look at me! Listen to me, don’t you know yet? General Xie and the great god Jidu were born on the same day! What does this mean? General Xie might be the son of a god—”

“…”

Shi Shu’s scalp tingled: “Xie Wuchi, you—”

Controlling so many troops, making them move as easily as arms and fingers, as fingers direct the hand, was extremely difficult. Min soldiers were especially famously wild and hard to tame. Xie Wuchi had actually thought of this early and was conducting cultural invasion on them!

“My eyes, ears, and mouthpiece—this is just one of them. The ideological battleground cannot be lost; many places will need this in the future.” Xie Wuchi’s expression was calm, as if speaking of something insignificant. “Let’s go back.”

The night was pitch black. After seeing these camps all the way, walking on the return path, Shi Shu’s mind kept dwelling on that person standing in a high place wagging his tongue.

The cool breeze blew across Shi Shu’s fair forehead. Shi Shu said: “Now… with remnant people mixed into the Chou Army, Min Army, Crane Army, you have three armies you can use.”

Xie Wuchi absorbed the Chou Army and Min Army, which existed in a gray area—something others considered treasonous that no one dared do. Yet the capabilities of these two troops were quite astonishing.

Shi Shu admired Xie Wuchi’s excellence, rationality, and powerful control ability in coordination and strategy. Among the tens of millions of people in this court, few could achieve this.

Unparalleled merit, heaven-sent talent… Although spending day and night with Xie Wuchi had blurred these distinctions, Shi Shu was still often surprised by his formidable abilities.

“Back then sleeping on the same bed in the meditation room at Xiangnan Temple, I never imagined there would be this day…” Shi Shu thought in the night. “Now I work every day at the farming settlements, while Xie Wuchi has already reached the point where between a frown and anger, a million corpses fall and blood flows for a thousand miles. Like the Heavenly Dao, he brings fortune and calamity, punishment, the power of life and death to all people, according to his preferences.”

Too terrifying.

Too powerful.

The person beside you commands hundreds of thousands of brave troops, able to crush lives as easily as dusting away dirt.

The gap between people is bigger than dogs…

The night wind was cool. Shi Shu’s mind remained unable to calm from exclaiming “holy crap” all the way. Returning to the central tent, it was already deep into the night. Shi Shu’s whole body was cold, running stomp stomp stomp into the courtyard. Just after finishing washing up, he was embraced from behind by powerful arms.

Shi Shu just looked up when his calf was encircled by an arm and turned in another direction. His whole person was instantly held in an embrace, fingers gripping the clothes outside the scale armor. Before he could speak, he was pressed against the screen.

Shi Shu first smelled some bloody scent, the fierce northern cold wind sweeping across the battlefield, then extremely hot body temperature that instantly dispelled the chill, as if wrapped in a warm space.

The back of Shi Shu’s head pressed against the wooden crossbeam of the screen. He gasped lightly, his jaw pinched by calloused fingertips. Tilting his head, his lips and tongue were instantly seized by wet warmth.

Carrying an impatient, fierce feeling.

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