UCTOOT CH132

He only looked at the wounds on Xie Wuchi’s body, reached out to hug him, and adjusted the gauze.

When the blood-replenishing soup was brought over, Shi Shu blew on it to cool it down before feeding him: “I’ve already seen the outside world. From now on, until the war ends, I’ll stay by your side.”

Shi Shu: “I won’t wait until you get hurt again to rush back from thousands of miles away.”

Zhuixu (Matrilocal son-in-law), the number one Zhuixu of the Xie family.

Shi Shu held his hand, a smile appearing on his handsome, fair face. After Xie Wuchi finished the medicine, Shi Shu ate with him. He steamed a fatty, delicious fish, picked out the bones, and placed the meat into Xie Wuchi’s bowl.

Shi Shu: “Eat. I’ll always be with you.”

Xie Wuchi grabbed Shi Shu’s hand and squeezed it tight. Shi Shu: “Xie Wuchi…”

He never understood before why people in love had gazes so intensely glued to each other. In this moment, he finally understood.

Shi Shu stayed in the military camp. Xie Wuchi’s wound became slightly inflamed. When applying the Jinchuang medicine (medicine for metal-inflicted wounds), there seemed to be pain; a thin layer of sweat seeped out on his forehead, and his lips were pale. Shi Shu hurriedly said: “It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt, it’ll be better soon. Seeing you in pain makes me hurt too! Be good, be good…”

He leaned in and kissed his chin comfortingly, then bandaged the wound before him. Xie Wuchi’s eyes were pitch-black as he watched him.

Shi Shu looked up again, meeting his gaze. His palm paused slightly. Affection seemed to spread within.

Shi Shu sat down again, holding his hand tightly, feeling the scorching temperature.

Wild geese swept across the clouds; gyrfalcons and goshawks circled endlessly.

A torrential rain poured down. In a filthy mud pit, a carriage transporting medicinal herbs was stuck deep. Several people worked together to push the carriage out. Shi Shu hurriedly threw dried thatch into the mud pit to facilitate the passage of subsequent carriages.

“Dr. Little Shu, are you married? I have a younger sister at home. I see you are handsome…” The speaker was a young wounded soldier waiting for Shi Shu to change his dressing.

Shi Shu chatted idly, glanced at the sundial, and suddenly threw the herbs in his hand: “Sorry, gotta go.”

Lin Baihe chased him out: “What about his wound?”

“I’m going to use my privilege for a bit. No overtime.” Shi Shu took to his heels.

Lin Baihe: “You! All this work falls on me now.”

Lin Yangchun: “Forget it. When he works, he really works. If he wants to go back on time, let him go.”

Shi Shu opened his umbrella and ran toward the central army tent in the heavy rain. After entering, he shook off the water, changed clothes, and took a bath. People hurried to and fro in the military camp. Shi Shu ran around every day, unexpectedly picking up sports again.

He thought of the letters from Du Zihan. Every day was busy, every day was fulfilling. Taking time to date, sleeping at Xie Wuchi’s place every night, and eating with him.

Lightning flashed and thunder rolled; in summer, torrential rains were frequent. Xie Wuchi sat in a rosewood chair. The lightning occasionally illuminated his cold brow and eyes as he contemplated a map.

Inside the council hall, a room full of strategists and aides bathed in this gloomy atmosphere.

Xie Wuchi asked: “Now that we have crossed the Pingtang Pass, the further south we go, the more difficult grain transport becomes. What do you all think?”

“My Lord, land transport of grain is already too long and consumes manpower and resources. Linjiang Prefecture has always been a ‘land of fish and rice,’ and its stored grain is sufficient to supply the army. This student believes we should take Linjiang Prefecture.”

Another voice said: “To take Linjiang Prefecture, the most urgent matter is to control the Baisong River. Once water transport is opened, transporting grain downstream will be the most convenient.”

Xie Wuchi smiled faintly: “This General has the same intention.”

Lin Yan reported at the right moment: “General, we just received a report. The rebel army of the Jing court crossed Pingtang Pass and plundered our grain route. Now, provisions in the army are critical.”

Xie Wuchi stood up: “Hm? We haven’t made a move against the court’s rebel army yet, and they dare to cross the border to rob us? Where is Ping Yichun?”

Ping Yichun: “This subordinate is here.”

“What do the scouts say?”

Ping Yichun: “Military grain boats pass through the Baisong River water transport route. Besides that, salt, medicinal herbs, gold, and silver all flow through this section of the river.”

Xie Wuchi: “Within three days, control the Baisong River.”

At the city pass at the end of the Baisong River, heavy rain poured. The roads inside the city were muddy and unbearable, presenting a dark and gloomy scene. At this moment, the city gate was being heavily impacted with “Boom,” “Boom” sounds.

Abandoned weapons and armor filled the streets. The momentum of the city breaking grew stronger, and finally, with a burst of “One, two, three!”, “Charge!”, “The city is breached!”, “Charge!”, “Surrender and you won’t be killed!”, the city gate crashed open!

Documents were shot onto the beams inside the city gate—”The Xie Army will enter the city in three days. Civilians who close their doors and stay home can preserve their lives. Whoever dares to go on the street and resist will be killed without mercy!”

Now, the city was dead silent. Civilians locked their doors tight; the streets were empty. People living along the street peeked out through cracks in their doors, watching this army of ghosts and gods.

The sound of “clop clop clop” horse hooves echoed. In the pitch-black night, countless torches illuminated the scene.

A majestic, robust tall horse, covered in cold heavy cavalry armor, reflected the luster of the night. On horseback was the commanding general tightening the reins, his figure tall and large, his shadow falling ferociously on the street only to be trampled—Xie Wuchi.

The backs of those peeking from inside the houses went cold: “An awe-inspiring and majestic appearance, making one shudder…”

“This is the Divine General of Heaven recovering the homeland…”

A voice said: “Mom, I’m hungry…”

The child didn’t understand danger and wanted to cry, but was covered in terror by his parents: “Don’t make noise, ghosts and gods are passing outside, they eat people!”

The dark mass of cavalry headed straight for the Commander’s Office. Amidst the black carved dragons and painted walls, the trembling garrison troops stepped forward to welcome them. Xie Wuchi leaned on his sword and stepped through the door. The garrison commander, trembling and sweating profusely, said: “Welcome, welcome General Xie into the city. Here are the city map and the land and census registers, offered to the Great General. We only beg the Great General not to harm the civilians in the city and leave us officials a way to live…”

“Slap!”

Xie Wuchi knocked the man down with a slap, scattering the maps all over the ground: “Did you see the document advising surrender shot into the city three days ago?”

“Saw, saw it,” the man stammered, reciting hurriedly, “General Xie is raising a punitive expedition against the court’s rebel army, borrowing passage to enter the capital, with no intention of disturbing the civilians. As long as we surrender, he will absolutely not indis… indiscriminately kill the innocent…”

“You saw the document, yet caused death and injury by defending the city, and still have the face to welcome me? Get lost!”

He kicked him out. Facing the hall, amidst flickering candlelight, guards immediately dragged the man out the door. Moments later, a scream came from outside, followed by the sound of a heavy object rolling on the ground.

“My Lord, my Lord, spare my life…”

The civil and military officials in the hall were all trembling, cold sweat dripping down.

Xie Wuchi lowered his eyes, light and shadow shifting beneath them. After turning around, the doors closed. The few remaining butchers indifferently picked up their knives, and muffled shouts came from inside.

Xie Wuchi strode out. Lin Yan, with small steps, followed closely.

“Post notices to reassure the people. Whoever dares to harm civilians without cause will also be killed without mercy!”

“Yes!”

The Commander’s Office door opened again. Corpses lay all over the ground. The butchers, covered in blood, wiped their hands, sheathed their notched blades, and calmly followed behind Xie Wuchi.

Inside the city, soldiers and horses quickly controlled the Yamen and the city quarters, entering the prefecture office to seize official seals and write documents to appease the people.

The Baisong River surged. Large ships with upturned eaves sailed through the waves one by one, loaded with goods, moving frequently back and forth.

A cup of clear wine was poured into the river water, disappearing instantly. On the table was a vast sand table, lines distinguishing cities, rivers, and prefectures, with flags planted in the sand.

Xie Wuchi stood by the sand table, his slender fingers fiddling with the flags. With a flip of his hand, the flag could change color.

“Changping Prefecture, Xingu Prefecture, Bu Prefecture, and Yong’an Prefecture are red. Other areas are green.”

Xie Wuchi looked down at the sand table, extended a finger, and replaced the flag of “Taiyin Prefecture” with a red one.

“Taiyin Prefecture was ceded by the court. The civilians rose up in rebellion, defected to Yanzhou, and are now under my command.”

“Dasheng Prefecture,” replaced with red, “The garrison resisted stubbornly and was killed by civilians unwilling to surrender to aliens, defecting to Yanzhou.”

“Dingyuan Prefecture, red.”

“Shukang Prefecture, red.”

“Qian’an Prefecture is still under the Eastern Capital. Geographically too far, currently beyond reach.”

“Northern Min Wolf Soldiers are entrenched in Central Chu and Linjiang Prefecture, plundering local civilians and cities for military supplies, still lingering.”

“Next, go downriver from Shukang Prefecture, remotely control Shaoxing, then occupy Linjiang Prefecture to pincer attack the Eastern Capital. Have the naval forces of Shukang Prefecture been secured?”

“Replying to My Lord, the docks have been occupied, and shipbuilding and repairs are proceeding rapidly.”

“Good. The naval forces trained in the upper reaches of the Baisong River in Xingu Prefecture can also be put to use.”

“…”

Top generals gathered to talk, while not far away at the docks, huge ships were dragged into the great river, going downriver along the channels, heading straight for the docks of Shukang Prefecture.

Xie Wuchi let go, raised his eyes, and gazed at the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains before him. The mountains were dark green, the river vast. The nearby temple was in ruins, palaces and pavilions destroyed.

Through layers of clouds and mist, it seemed as if palace pavilions appeared before his eyes again—snow at night on the terrace, floating flowers light as dreams, singing and dancing with pipes and flutes, waves of purple smoke.

Xie Wuchi’s robes were blown by the river wind. A moment later, someone rushed to report: “General, a letter from His Majesty!”

Xie Wuchi calmly looked down at the surging water. Hearing this, he said: “Invite him in.”

The one who entered was a eunuch, claiming his surname was Zhou. He entered with a fawning smile: “General Xie, do you still recognize this servant?”

Xie Wuchi glanced at him: “Oh?”

“General Xie really is a noble who forgets things! Back then in His Majesty’s hidden residence, during the Prince of Liang’s birthday, General Xie was His Majesty’s trusted aide, helping manage household affairs, checking the opera song list with this servant!”

Xie Wuchi smiled: “Oh, I remember. Eunuch Zhou, what is the matter?”

Eunuch Zhou held the bright yellow imperial edict: “His Majesty says General Xie has been at the border for years. His Majesty had no one capable by his side, leading to listening to slander and brewing disaster! His Majesty has deeply understood righteousness, relying entirely on General Xie’s meritorious defense of the border, recalling the friendship of those years from afar…”

Xie Wuchi said nothing, looking at him calmly.

Eunuch Zhou’s legs grew weaker the more he spoke: “His Majesty wishes to entitle the General as King… asking the General to withdraw troops…”

Xie Wuchi spoke slowly: “Save these words for when this General enters the Eastern Capital to speak with His Majesty face to face. Eunuch Zhou, please return.”

Eunuch Zhou: “General Xie…”

Xie Wuchi turned around. Other guards came up, dragging the skinny eunuch out.

“Hey, little generals, everyone, slow down…”

The imperial edict fell to the ground. Xin Bin picked it up, opened it for a look, smiled, and threw it onto the eunuch: “Go back, old thing.”

Xie Wuchi blew in the river wind, ordering people to put away the sand table on the desk. He raised his eyelashes and asked: “Where is the Second Young Master?”

“Second Young Master…”

—Shi Shu, with gauze on his forehead and a tired handsome face, was napping on a bamboo bed. Suddenly, he opened his eyes amidst a sharp noise, covered in cold sweat.

[Current Survivors: 4.]

Besides the ear-piercing mechanical reminder, there were also conversations by his ear. “It hurts, hurts hurts hurts! It hurts so much! Doctor, I want to die! Don’t want to live!”

“Creak creak…” A saw was sawing bone.

“Medicine is ready! Send it to the East Wing; a young general has heatstroke and is dying.” “Also the north side, hemostatic medicine…”

Shi Shu rubbed his forehead, hurriedly called out the System, and saw that the unfamiliar eliminated name was not Du Zihan.

Shi Shu didn’t know if he felt relieved. He walked towards the medicine brewing shed and asked casually: “Where is the big battle?”

They all shook their heads, unaware of the news. Shi Shu waited half a day until the military intelligence report came. It turned out to be Shaoxing Prefecture, a place called Wenzhou, looted heavily by the Wolf Soldiers’ iron cavalry, massacring over two hundred thousand civilians.

Shi Shu scooped up cold water to wash his face, calming himself down, then tidied up to meet Xie Wuchi, who was returning from the Baisong River.

Inside the large tent, angry cursing was heard: “This bitch! I think they purely kill for pleasure; otherwise, why frequently attack civilians!”

“Dispatch troops immediately. List the Great Monarch of Min’s four accompanying generals as dangerous units. As long as they are encountered, regardless of surrender, kill without mercy.”

“Them again? This group of people are butchers!”

Shi Shu wasn’t in good spirits. He asked only when he got close: “Yinkun again?”

Xie Wuchi: “He is already the most notorious butcher among the Northern Min Wolf Soldiers. He has carried out many inhumane bloodbaths.”

A map hung on the wall. The marked places were where tragedies occurred. Almost without exception, they were caused by the Great Monarch of Min’s subordinates.

Shi Shu looked at this map, black dots condensing into mountains of corpses piled from flesh and blood. This madman, even after civilians surrendered, still massacred them regardless.

Shi Shu looked carefully at these blood dots. After the Min Wolf Soldiers went south, the army split into three routes: one entering Qian’an, one entering Linjiang Prefecture, and one entering Shukang Prefecture. Yinkun had been lingering near Shukang Prefecture.

Shi Shu: “After being driven from Shukang, he went to Shaoxing.”

These two prefectures were the wealthiest places in Great Jing, culturally prosperous. Every county produced provincial graduates and presented scholars, serving as high officials in the court. Because of the Wolf Soldiers’ burying alive and massacres, countless scholars wept blood in grief, writing accusations in blood, cursing bitterly with blood in their mouths.

In Xie Wuchi’s hands, he received many letters from scholar-officials and gentry. “These lords, writing letters one after another inviting the Xie Army to station in the cities, to guard the peace of the region, willing to offer up the cities.”

Xie Wuchi’s finger flicked lightly on the paper: “Sure enough, people with family assets know how to steer according to the wind.”

Shi Shu remembered: “The Xu Clan of Changyang is in Shaoxing Prefecture.”

“Correct. These two prefectures are the gateway to Jiangnan, with countless scholars, worthy of being called the literary vein of the world. When Yinkun traveled Great Jing in his youth, it was precisely in this vicinity that he lingered.”

The beads in Shi Shu’s mind connected into a line: “This Yinkun, could he be deliberately killing the scholars of the Jing Dynasty?”

“Yinkun burned many academies, temples, wealthy households, and landscape gardens along the way, beating, burning, and looting. No one can say for sure.” Xie Wuchi said, “Send the Revenge Army to hunt him down, endlessly until death.”

“Yes!” Ping Yichun rushed to deploy troops.

Columns of disciplined troops marched past on the muddy main road before his eyes. Shi Shu stood on high ground looking out. Finally, a familiar figure appeared before him.

Without time to shout, Shi Shu ran down hurriedly to the roadside and yelled loudly: “Zihan!”

Not seen for months, Du Zihan was tanned dark. Seeing him, he smiled: “Hey, why are you here?”

Shi Shu said: “You’re going to Wenzhou, passing right by, so I came specifically to wait for you. Have you been okay these past few months?”

Du Zihan: “Not bad. I’m not bragging to you, but my war exploits are illustrious.”

Shi Shu: “I can’t stand it. How come you have illustrious war exploits too?”

The march in the army was urgent. Song Sinan stopped to say a few words, then waved: “I’m hurrying on first; still a pile of things to do.”

Du Zihan looked at Shi Shu: “I’m going over too.”

Shi Shu: “You…”

Du Zihan: “Don’t be afraid. This chaos of Min thieves roaming the Central Plains will be quelled very soon. Once it’s quelled, I’ll come find you immediately.”

Shi Shu: “Okay, that’s good too. Zihan, I, I am also very good in the central army camp, treating their illnesses every day…”

Du Zihan: “Who doesn’t know your medical skills are superb? I can only help out a bit in the army; actually going into battle to kill enemies, I still don’t dare.”

Shi Shu tugged at his sleeve, not knowing what to say. Du Zihan said: “Going now.”

Shi Shu’s brows knitted. Du Zihan jogged a few steps, joined the long column, and waved to him.

Shi Shu: “Zihan…”

Shi Shu was speechless and had to walk back alone. On his way back, he saw the mute servant serving Xie Wuchi come to the Medical Bureau, gesturing to Shi Shu. “Prescribe calming medicine? I got it.”

Shi Shu quickly found Lin Yangchun to grab the medicine. Military affairs were urgent recently, with too many things every day. Xie Wuchi stayed up almost all night. Even lying in bed, because his nerves were too agitated, he remained in a state of sleeplessness.

Shi Shu hurriedly grabbed the medicinal herbs, returned to the central army tent, and set up a small pot to brew medicine for him. Unexpectedly, perhaps due to being too hasty, he actually broke the pot.

Shi Shu lowered his head to pick up the pot fragments. Unexpectedly, upon standing up again, his whole brain went dizzy, and it took him a long time to stand steady.

Extremely exhausted, Shi Shu lay on the bed and had a nightmare about purgatory fire. His heart was very restless, beating thud-thud continuously. Slowly, a pair of hands gently touched his face.

Shi Shu felt a wave of panic inside. When he opened his eyes, sure enough, it was evening.

Boundless loneliness struck, about to swallow him, but he saw a straight, tall figure sitting at the desk beside the bed. Xie Wuchi was writing a diary.

Shi Shu propped himself up: “Xie Wuchi…”

Only then did he realize his voice was hoarse. Xie Wuchi put down the pen and stood up: “Lie down. You’re sick.”

Shi Shu was a bit dazed when he was pulled into an embrace by one arm. This hug might not be that important. Shi Shu struggled to free his face, revealing clear brown eyes.

Xie Wuchi fed him medicine, then ate with him, sleeping beside Shi Shu at night. The solemn atmosphere of the army always loomed overhead. Shi Shu hadn’t broken free from the depression for a single quarter-hour, but not wanting his negative emotions to infect Xie Wuchi, he acted as if nothing was wrong.

When Shi Shu smiled, Xie Wuchi gently stroked the corner of his lips.

Xie Wuchi said: “I know you are very depressed now, Shi Shu. When you feel you can’t breathe but can’t escape.

Moving forward is the answer.”

Shi Shu’s eyes grew moist, and he nodded vigorously.

The Northern Min Wolf Soldiers roamed within the borders. A few months later, a major turning point occurred. They clashed with the Green Army (civilian rebels) of Qian’an Prefecture. The Green Army suffered over a hundred thousand casualties, and the Wolf Soldiers suffered over a hundred thousand casualties.

The Green Army sought help from the Xie Army and was merged by the Xie Army. The Great Jing court’s civilian rebellion ended, and a decisive battle unfolded against the Min soldiers on the banks of the Jixiang River.

Xi Xin accepted Xie Wuchi’s military order. The army launched a surprise attack from the Beicha River, rushing three hundred li a day like a wolf attack. Within three days, elite cavalry entered the capital of Northern Min, raided the city killing a crowd of nobles, then reined in their horses to return, coordinating with King Zhouchi’s army departing from the Bu Prefecture to plunder Northern Min grassland resources.

The rear of Northern Min was in chaos. The cavalry that had been continuously pouring into Great Jing was forced to stop. According to estimates, during this chaos in the Central Plains, the Min population entering the pass reached eight hundred thousand.

Great Jing civilian casualties reached millions.

The weather was gloomy, floor tiles covered in dust. Amidst the withered ruins, a few living people vaguely moved. Wooden frames pointed high into the sky. Occasionally, one could see shacks built from two wooden boards with a few torn clothes underneath—that was a dwelling.

Shi Shu walked through this city with soldiers escorting supplies. Looking around, someone beside him clicked his tongue: “This city was massacred clean two months ago, right! Still no one living here now.”

Shi Shu: “There are so many cities like this, dead cities.”

“All ruined. Most cities are like this after being massacred.”

Shi Shu looked around, understanding that after a city was massacred, due to insufficient population, the city could only remain in an abandoned state.

“No wonder when farming in Yanzhou, so many villages were empty.”

Shi Shu slowed his steps, deviating a few steps from the team. Suddenly, he heard a few screams from children. Turning back, it turned out to be a few homeless children thrashing in the air.

“Let me go! Let me go!”

A soldier slapped the child in the face: “What audacity! Daring to spy on General Xie’s grain transport cart. If a single grain of rice goes missing, you wait to die! Get lost!”

Shi Shu approached. The child’s face was swollen from the slap, but his eyes were bright: “General Xie?”

“What’s wrong? You want to join the Xie Family Army?”

“Yes yes yes!” Those few children covered their faces, barely clothed, excitedly following beside the team: “General Xie, General Xie! Body of a god and buddha, Wolf Soldiers slaughtered all, Min burned the city…”

Shi Shu was walking but stopped, turning to look at them: “Little bro, what are you singing?”

That child stopped: “Singing a song, what else. Who are you?”

Seeing their young age, Shi Shu asked: “Where is your family?”

A smaller child said: “My dad went to fight the war. My mom just died yesterday.”

Shi Shu paused and nodded. However, there was no grief on these children’s faces. “You are all orphans? Do you live together?”

“Yes, I’m the oldest, they all follow me.” Another child said, “Can’t starve to death, I’m very good at finding food! I’m very amazing!”

Shi Shu wanted to pat his head, but he dodged with an “Eh”, and the children giggled. Shi Shu squatted down and asked: “Is there something you need, following the convoy?”

“Is this really General Xie’s convoy? I heard a lame scholar say that Great Jing’s military officers are all weak, letting civilians be massacred. My parents died like that. Only General Xie is different from them…”

Shi Shu: “Oh, how is he different?”

The child said: “Only General Xie specifically kills Min soldiers. I know he buried alive hundreds of thousands of Min soldiers! Killed until the sky turned red! The blood on the ground flowed whoosh whoosh, like a small river!”

Shi Shu patted him again and nodded: “Yes, that’s right.”

The current civilians no longer weakly craved peace, but craved a leader of iron and blood. Blood debt paid in blood; harm my brothers, and I will repay it a hundredfold. The more Northern Min people killed, the more support from the civilians, the more fanatical worship received.

Xie Wuchi’s formidable, cold-blooded methods made him the only hero in the hearts of the people right now.

Shi Shu stood up, ready to leave: “Next time you see the army passing, hide and don’t get close to avoid accidental injury. Bye bye!”

Shi Shu plucked a leaf, held it in his mouth, and returned to the team. The System in Shi Shu’s brain had quieted down for a while because only 3 people remained; it hadn’t reminded him for a month or two.

For a time, Shi Shu wondered if anyone was hiding deep in the mountains, but many coincidences pointed to transmigrators being forced into this era. Survival of the fittest; there was no option to escape the world.

“Hyah, hyah, hyah!”

The convoy moved forward, the atmosphere gradually becoming heavy. More and more horses galloped on the main road, delivering military orders. Shi Shu looked up: “Almost at the Jixiang River battlefield, right?”

“Yes, quick quick quick, move the supplies over quickly, don’t delay military opportunities!”

Checkpoints were set up at intersections. Pairs of cold eyes supervised those escorting grain and military supplies. Shi Shu’s back tingled after being glared at. He climbed onto the carriage and cracked the whip faster.

Once past the checkpoint, Lin Baihe breathed a sigh of relief: “Worthy of being the direct line of the Konghe Army, fierce as if they’re about to chop me anytime.”

Shi Shu hugged bags of medicinal herbs and piled them on the ground, a smile seemingly appearing on his handsome face. Lin Baihe turned to look at him, “Little Shu, you and General Xie really aren’t alike at all.”

“General Xie.” Shi Shu said, “Me and him, why must we be alike?”

“Sigh, our General Xie, really don’t know what kind of person he is…” Lin Baihe’s eyes were wistful.

Shi Shu tamped down the sacks, wiped his sweat, and sensed the fanatical loyalty and worship for Xie Wuchi permeating the current military camp.

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