Chapter 110: Ji Yuan Retreats, Bringing Forth the New |
The snow finally began to fall.
Though it was a few days later than last year, it didn't matter.
As long as it started, winter had arrived.
Song Shi'an let out a long breath, then closed his eyes. There was no joy on his face—only a complete sense of release...
Sitting beside him, Xinyue had just been touched by this man moments ago. Before she could puzzle over it, she too gradually relaxed as the slightly delayed but still timely snow began to fall.
Timely, as in anticipated.
The others couldn't maintain such composure. Joy was written plainly across their faces.
Even the aristocratic families who had written that joint impeachment letter and been worked like donkeys during the siege—losing at least half their number—wept tears of relief.
No matter how wealthy a person is, after experiencing near-death, they come to appreciate the preciousness of life.
"So... do we still impeach him?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
Originally, they'd planned to strike against Song Shi'an even if they survived—to launch one decisive blow that would erase his achievements.
But having witnessed the entire siege, seeing the earth beneath Shuofeng turn into red soil and blood fill the air, everyone understood just how terrifying this achievement was.
This achievement was so monumental that it made them, the so-called aristocratic families, seem like ants—humble and insignificant!
And impeaching Song Shi'an now would be behavior as foolish as a pig's!
The snow gradually grew heavier.
Sitting on the city wall, Wei Wusheng's armor had blood stains caked into prints, and his frame had thinned considerably compared to before. Goose-feather snow drifted onto his scarlet robe. Releasing his tension, he lay back on the ground and let out a great roar, venting all the frustration he'd suppressed for twenty years.
Ran Jin, Qin Kuo, Zhu Qing, Wang Dalong and the others came before him, kneeling on one knee with fists clenched: "We congratulate Your Highness the Sixth Prince!"
The only one without a courtesy name, the only one not enfeoffed as a prince—compared to all the other princes, Wusheng had always been peculiar.
Today, no one could look down on him anymore!
Wiping his face with the back of his hand, Wei Wusheng rose. Even at this final moment, he didn't relax: "All soldiers able to fight, get on the walls. Prepare for the Qi bandits' final death throes."
---
Standing alone directly opposite Shuofeng city, gripping his sword planted in the ground with both hands, Ji Yuan slowly closed his eyes.
Snow drifted onto his brow.
"This heavy snow might take another two or three days to fully settle," Chen Xing said, looking at him with some reluctance. "Shuofeng has been defended to its limit. Should we attempt one final assault?"
Originally he'd long had thoughts of retreat, but having fought this far with such heavy casualties, it was truly hard to let go.
"Look at Shuofeng—it's been tottering on the brink of collapse," Ji Yuan gazed at the ruined city, speaking calmly. "It looks like it could be trampled and conquered at any moment. But each time, hasn't it revived from the ashes?"
Even with another half month, they might not be able to take it.
Because after those three days of meat-grinder battles, morale had long since completely withered.
Trying to kill Song Shi'an had been a desperate measure.
But people are like this—blinded by fantasy.
Even Ji Yuan was no exception.
"Have the ships and receiving forces on the far bank prepare. Zhou Mu and Huang Lin on the left and right flanks don't move. My main army will concentrate first. After withdrawing from Shuofeng, we'll contract simultaneously without revealing any openings."
Ji Yuan commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chen Xing nodded, then also gazed at Shuofeng, so close yet so far, murmuring: "This Song Shi'an will become our great enemy in the future."
---
"They actually managed to defend Shuofeng city!"
The military and civil officials on Luo Ting's ship all found it incredible.
This towering achievement made them green with envy.
If they had been military officers in Shuofeng city, wouldn't they have risen to prominence as well?
But they couldn't be low-ranking officers, or they might have died in that battle.
Wait—among those taken from Langya, the high-ranking officers who survived could claim tremendous military merit!
Wang Dalong!
"This Ji Yuan has swept across Northern Liang undefeated, yet stumbled against His Highness leading troops for the first time."
"This time, he must have lost at least thirty to forty thousand elite soldiers."
"About the same as Zhao Xiang's losses..."
"But losing Tongmen Pass and Wuwei is still quite costly."
"Being able to defend half of Shuo Commandery is already a miracle."
While the others discussed animatedly, Luo Ting didn't participate.
He'd dreamed of this battle with Ji Yuan.
But observing the situation these past days made him realize he was no match.
Just daring to tie up the other relief forces with so few men already showed extraordinary skill and courage.
And daring to feign retreat and steal a victory to replenish morale!
Honestly, he still had considerable forces at his disposal, but Luo Ting still didn't dare to deliver a decisive blow with "the general abroad need not accept all orders" during the siege.
He'd already forgiven Song Shi'an.
Even if it threw all of Liang Prefecture into chaos, Song Shi'an dared to face Ji Yuan head-on.
Yet he himself hadn't taken the initiative to launch an attack that might have disrupted the defense.
"Continue clearing obstacles, then the main fleet proceeds downriver. Before the river freezes, reach Shuofeng," Luo Ting ordered. "Report to General Xiao that my unit is moving first to force Ji Yuan's early retreat."
---
"General Luo reports to the general that his naval forces have already advanced first to force Ji Yuan's early retreat!"
Upon receiving this intelligence, Xiao Qun in his military tent stood up: "I was just thinking about mobilizing him. Since he's advanced, that makes things convenient."
"General, won't this movement be dangerous?" his aide reminded him.
Previously, the relief forces had moved chaotically and Ji Yuan had caught them with a counterattack.
"Seeking glory and coordinated action are two different things," Xiao Qun stated plainly. "Besides, the naval forces can withdraw easily and aren't susceptible to ambush."
With that, he began his own deployment.
"Divide into three parts. Deploy minimal forces on the left and right flanks to screen the wings. The main army advances in three sections—front, middle, and rear—pushing forward to force Mi Heng's unit to fall back and contract toward Ji Yuan."
"Does this mean we're pursuing?" the aide asked.
"No. We're not fighting anymore."
Xiao Qun shook his head, explaining: "We don't know how much heavier the snow will get. If Ji Yuan wants to withdraw quickly, he must leave early. Then the remaining grain, supplies, tents, and arrows he can't take with him can only be abandoned and burned before the snow falls heavily."
For Ji Yuan to withdraw at his leisure, he had to travel light.
"This subordinate understands." The aide clasped his fist. "The general is wise."
"What merit do I have in this battle?"
For someone of Xiao Qun's position, claiming credit that didn't belong to him was too undignified. Besides, he had no designs on such merit: "We need to fully cooperate with His Highness the Sixth Prince and Song Shi'an to assist with the cleanup."
"Is there still very important cleanup work?" The aide was somewhat puzzled.
Cooperation was fine, but why full cooperation?
Xiao Qun, who had already seen through everything, smiled: "Northern Liang's aristocratic families have been swept clean. At this time, Song Shi'an will naturally implement his grand military farming plan."
---
Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng stood beneath the collapsed tower on the city wall, hands resting on the battlements where a thin layer of snow had accumulated, admiring the orderly withdrawal of Qi forces from their encampment in the distance.
"After the spring thaw, build three fortifications at the crossing on the south bank of the river. Two auxiliary camps screening the main camp in the middle—this will be the first defensive line," Song Shi'an planned. "All the burned wulei will be completely cleared out and separately garrisoned with troops—this will be the second defensive line. Since I promised earlier that after the battle those family heads could enter the city, let's leave each of them one large residence. If they want to live there, they can. If not, forget it."
"What about Shuofeng?" Wei Wusheng asked. "Reconstruction will require at least one hundred thousand people."
"Establish Shuofeng as Shuo Commandery's new administrative seat. Have General Xiao Qun dispatch a capable general to garrison here. One hundred thousand people won't be enough. Liang Prefecture must relocate at least two hundred thousand more people to rebuild the valley and confront Ji Yuan across the river," Song Shi'an said. "Of course, after the naval base is built, all the naval forces must be transferred here as well."
Now there were at least two years to develop the remaining half of Shuo Commandery.
Or rather, South Shuo Commandery.
"What about the oath sworn by the Chishui River to return those aristocratic families' land in its original amount?" Wei Wusheng asked. "Half of them are still alive."
"Of course we'll return it all," Song Shi'an said matter-of-factly. "Can't let Your Highness's reputation suffer."
"Oh?"
Wei Wusheng felt something was off about Song Shi'an being so concerned with his reputation.
"However much land they had registered and taxed, that's how much we return to them."
"Hahaha." Wei Wusheng raised a finger. This fellow didn't disappoint him. "Northern Liang—you're not planning to come back here again."
Who could endure being deceived like this?
"Land with deeds is theirs. Otherwise, if they just claim to have ten thousand mu, should we really give them ten thousand mu?" Song Shi'an also laughed.
"And the population dependent on them..." Wei Wusheng said halfway, then waved his hand and changed his statement: "Oh, those are Great Yu's subjects. How could they belong to those families?"
This Little Wei had truly strong comprehension.
"After spring, we can begin military farming," Song Shi'an's tone gradually grew serious. "However, these matters must be handed to other people."
And these other people—
Naturally, they were "their own people."
Those loyal to Wei Wusheng all needed to be promoted.
All of them needed to step forward.
Let them raise the jade dragon and die for their lord.
"They've all withdrawn..."
Wei Wusheng continued observing the Qi army's retreat.
Suddenly, he noticed that although the Qi forces were all retreating, at the very front, there seemed to be someone on horseback, standing apart from everyone else.
"Who is that?" Wei Wusheng asked in surprise.
Qin Kuo, Ran Jin, and Xinyue came over together.
"Who is that?" Qin Kuo frowned, observing carefully. "An envoy? It's a bit blurry, can't see clearly."
Ran Jin also couldn't see clearly and asked: "This is?"
"Ji Yuan."
Just as everyone was puzzled, Song Shi'an's calm two words immediately stunned them all.
Nearly two li away, all the Qi forces were neatly arrayed in square formations, vast and endless.
Only Ji Yuan, alone, had ridden to the space between the city and his army.
What was he trying to do?
"It's really Ji Yuan? Can we shoot him with a ballista!" Qin Kuo suggested.
"No," Zhu Qing, who had also come over, shook his head. "Beyond three hundred paces, there's absolutely no chance of hitting."
"He's trying to," since Song Shi'an said it was Ji Yuan, Ran Jin guessed, "meet His Highness."
"Meet His Highness?" Zhu Qing and Qin Kuo said in unison.
Looking at that figure, Wei Wusheng's expression gradually darkened: "Then I'll go."
"Your Highness, you must not." As his bodyguard, Xinyue directly objected.
"Yes, there might be an ambush." Qin Kuo also tried to dissuade him. "And when you meet, if he attacks Your Highness, it would be very dangerous."
"He's an emperor—would he really trade his life for mine?" Wei Wusheng insisted on going.
Seeing that Wei Wusheng couldn't be stopped, everyone looked toward Song Shi'an.
"Shi'an, say something," Qin Kuo urged.
So Song Shi'an spoke: "It is dangerous."
"Hey, say more than that!" Qin Kuo grew anxious.
But Song Shi'an said nothing more.
"After I descend from the city, close the gates."
Having not received strong dissuasion from Song Shi'an, Wei Wusheng became even more determined, turning to descend the city despite everyone's objections.
Watching his retreating figure, Song Shi'an revealed a somewhat gratified smile.
Little Wei was developing a kingly bearing.
---
All of Yu's soldiers stood on the northern face of the wall.
All of Qi's soldiers stood behind Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan sat mounted in place, immovable in the wind and snow.
A youth wearing golden scale armor, bareheaded without a cap, hair bound with rope, sword at his waist, rode toward him on horseback.
The two met like this.
However, the moment they came face to face, Wei Wusheng's mount began to pace left and right.
Gripping the reins, Wei Wusheng, though his expression was extremely stern, lacked the composure and presence compared to Ji Yuan's commanding aura like Mount Tai.
Ji Yuan looked at Wei Wusheng, sensing something familiar: "Very similar."
"You've met my father?"
Wei Wusheng countered.
"I have," Ji Yuan said. "At that time, he and I were like you and I are now."
Realizing he was being treated like a child with contempt, Wei Wusheng stared at him, his tone resolute: "The next time we meet, you and I—our positions of offense and defense will be reversed!"
His mount finally stood still.
The two faced each other completely.
His firmness no longer seemed like a child's wild boast.
Ji Yuan gazed at Wei Wusheng, whose very pupils strained with intensity, and said: "Say that again after you become emperor."
With those words, both men wheeled their horses around, turning their backs and departing.
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