"Are you back? How much sugarcane did they bring?" Pei Ying asked eagerly.
Huo Tingshan said, "Over twenty-five thousand dan."
Pei Ying mentally converted the unit; this was roughly over a thousand sugarcane stalks.
The preservation time for sugarcane varies greatly depending on whether it is peeled or not. Peeled sugarcane can last at most one or two days, while unpeeled stalks, if transported with soil, can be preserved for about two months.
Even if some of the over thousand stalks spoil during transport and become unusable, the remaining amount is still considerable.
"It's fortunate they returned now. If they had waited until the end of the ninth month, it would have been too late," Pei Ying said. "Planting now means we can harvest by next spring or summer."
Actually, the growth cycle for sugarcane in the north is shorter than in the south because the north is cooler with a shorter frost-free period. In the south, the growth cycle takes over seven months.
"Madam, can those sugarcane stalks truly be made into sugar that is white as snow and rich as honey?" Ke Quanshui hadn't heard it directly from Pei Ying; he had learned about the sugar matter from Gongsun Liang.
His first reaction was disbelief.
Sugar nowadays is all dark-colored, mainly coarse malt sugar and rock sugar. Only a very few nobles can afford honey. The price of honey remains high not only because of its exquisite sweetness but also due to its scarcity and the difficulty of harvesting it.
For the Madam to claim she had a method to use sugarcane to make a new type of sugar called "white sugar" – how could the advisors not be intrigued?
No one dislikes eating sugar.
After eating sugar, not only does one's mood improve, but sometimes one even feels a surge of energy throughout the body. If such white sugar could truly be produced, it would surely cause a sensation across the land.
"It's true," Pei Ying replied. "Once the white sugar is made and sold to wealthy places like Chang'an and Yangzhou, it will definitely be highly favored by the powerful nobles."
Ke Quanshui saw her calm expression, as if she were merely discussing today's meal, and felt both shocked and even more respectful.
Over the years, he considered himself a man of peerless talent, able to stand shoulder to shoulder with Gongsun Taihe, who was known as the "Qilin Child." He had sought out a wise lord multiple times, hoping to realize his ambitions like Gongsun Taihe.
Initially, considering Gongsun Taihe was already in Youzhou, he deliberately avoided Youzhou and chose Bingzhou. However, by a twist of fate, he ended up under Huo of Youzhou's command.
Fine, so be it. Let him compete with Gongsun Taihe and see who would come out on top.
Yet, from his observations, the most valued by Huo of Youzhou and the most esteemed by the advisors and generals was not the famed "Qilin Child," but Lady Pei.
She didn't often appear before them, but whenever she spoke, even if it required mobilizing the entire army or the resources of three provinces, it would be done.
As Gongsun Taihe put it, the Madam was not just the Madam; she was also the God of Wealth and the Literary Star descended from heaven.
To speak somewhat treasonously, one could rather offend the Lord than displease the Madam.
At worst, the Lord might scold you a few times, deduct some silver, or give you a beating to suffer some flesh wounds. But if you offended the Madam, while she herself was easygoing, the usually reasonable Lord would no longer let things slide lightly. Moreover, colleagues who had directly or indirectly received the Madam's favor would also take issue.
Seeing everyone stirred by her words, Pei Ying couldn't help but smile. "Once the white sugar is made, you gentlemen may taste it freely."
Everyone was thrilled, cupping their hands and bowing.
"Thank you, Madam."
"Thank you, Madam."
Pei Ying suddenly remembered something. She looked toward the tall man standing before the large map. "Huo Tingshan, having sugarcane alone isn't enough to make sugar. We also need an iron tool."
Huo Tingshan, upon hearing this, took out paper and brush.
Pei Ying walked to the desk and sat down, picked up the writing brush, but suddenly found herself at a loss.
She wanted to draw a juice press. The first step in processing sugarcane, and currently the most difficult one, was extracting the juice. The sugarcane juice had to be pressed out first, then boiled into syrup, before the subsequent steps could follow.
A drop of ink fell on the paper, spreading into a blot.
Huo Tingshan saw her holding the brush in a daze. "Is the wolf-hair brush not to your liking?"
It was her first time using a writing brush, but later, for drawing diagrams and writing, she used charcoal sticks, holding them in a rather peculiar way.
Pei Ying shook her head and sighed. "No, it's not that. I just realized I can't draw it. I can only describe it roughly."
The complexity of a juice press was far beyond that of stirrups or terraced fields. Asking her to draw it was asking too much.
"We need to find a blacksmith, and I'll describe it to him slowly. By the way, since you said earlier the situation here is settled, maybe you could send me back to Youzhou first?" Pei Ying wanted to return.
Her urgency to make white sugar wasn't just because it could be sold for money; she also wanted to satisfy her own cravings and go back to see her daughter.
Huo Tingshan said calmly, "We are currently quite far from the border. The journey there and back takes time. Moreover, Khan Junchen and others are about to arrive. Leaving the main camp now is unsafe. It's only a matter of a few days. Please stay with the army for now."
Regarding the first part about the journey taking time, Pei Ying thought he was talking nonsense. He had managed to send someone to fetch her from Huhe County; what was the problem with sending her back?
However, what he said afterward did dissuade her.
Khan Junchen was one of the four great khans and surely commanded many troops. If she left the main force and ran into him, it would be quite a predicament.
Thus, Pei Ying dismissed the idea.
But this wait turned into over half a month before she heard that Khan Junchen's people had arrived.
Pei Ying: "..."
So, "a matter of a few days" rounded up equaled over half a month.
But at least they had arrived.
Khan Junchen had initially heard rumors spreading among the smaller tribes. The gossip at the time was: Khan Wuji wished to form an alliance with him to jointly resist Khan Tuqi and Khan Cheli, and was said to be waiting for him in the south.
After much deliberation, Khan Junchen was tempted. After all, the others had already allied, and it was no way to live constantly wandering and on edge.
So, Khan Junchen dispatched a cavalry unit to investigate Khan Wuji's exact location.
This cavalry unit followed orders and then encountered Huo Tingshan's scouts.
The numbers of cavalry on both sides were roughly equal, seeming evenly matched. The Xiongnu side instantly entered combat readiness, preparing to engage. But then they heard the leader on the other side actually speaking in the Xiongnu language.
He said that Khan Wuji was already dead. Of the four great khans in the north, only three remained now. The rumors had been spread by their Great General, but the intention to ally with Khan Junchen was genuine.
If an alliance could be formed, not only would they gift all the female captives from Khan Wuji's forces, but they would also help their Khan Junchen ascend to the position of Khan Huhanye.
Khan Junchen's men were greatly astonished upon hearing this.
The commanding officer, Chen Yuan, then invited them to the army camp to see the captives, to prove his words were true.
The Huns looked at each other, worried it might be a trap with no return. But among them was one exceptionally skilled and bold individual who volunteered to go, telling his companions to return first.
Thus, this scout came to the Youzhou army camp, looked around, and finally returned laden with information.
Two days later, Khan Junchen's main force arrived.
Huo Tingshan and Khan Junchen met alone. Khan Junchen was over fifty, with his hair loose and braided, clad in wolf skin, a burly figure who arrived carrying a large sword, full of fierce momentum.
Behind them, their respective armies were arrayed on either side. The wind swept across the grassland, unfurling and whipping the banners. The sky was clear, the air fresh, with a gentle, pleasant breeze—a rare, fine day.
Few knew exactly what was discussed during this meeting, or if there were any arguments along the way, but everyone knew the outcome.
For Huo Tingshan, the result was as perfect as the day's weather.
"...So he agreed?" That evening, Pei Ying listened as Huo Tingshan recounted.
Huo Tingshan had removed his belt and sat on the bed, deftly taking off his outer robe, then his undergarment. "He didn't really have a choice. By agreeing, he might turn the tide and seize the title of Khan Huhanye in one fell swoop. By refusing, he would face the other two khans alone, plus a watchful me on the sidelines. Even as a temporary expedient, he would agree."
Pei Ying helped him untie the silk bandage on his shoulder and examined the wound.
The human body's ability to heal allows small wounds to scab over in days. For a wound like Huo Tingshan's, ten centimeters long and sutured, the healing period is generally around three weeks.
His wound was essentially healed.
Pei Ying breathed a sigh of relief.
She and Huo Tingshan were now a community of shared interests. To put it bluntly, if anything happened to Huo Tingshan, she didn't know how she would get along with his two stepsons. The path ahead might become less clear, given she hadn't known the stepsons for long.
What would she do then? And what about Nannan, still back at the Governor's mansion?
In short, nothing must happen to Huo Tingshan, at least not now.
"Having an alliance is good," Pei Ying said. "What are your plans next?"
Huo Tingshan replied, "Naturally, to head for the Khan's court."
"There are no walls in the world that don't leak. The other two khans may already know about your alliance," Pei Ying noted.
"The Khan's court is some distance from here. Moreover, with the recent turmoil among the Xiongnu, smaller tribes would rather travel further to the Donghu, deliberately bypassing the Khan's court. The news of my alliance with Khan Junchen likely hasn't reached there yet," Huo Tingshan said, putting his undergarment back on. "Time is pressing. I set out tomorrow. My lady, wait in camp for my return."
Pei Ying was surprised. "Tomorrow?"
Huo Tingshan nodded. "This matter is best done sooner rather than later. If they get wind of it, the situation will turn against me."
"In that case, are you still taking the fifty thousand infantry?" Pei Ying couldn't help but ask.
Infantry, without horses, can cover at most eighty li a day, far less than cavalry's three hundred li. Taking infantry would significantly slow the march.
Pei Ying said, "Huo Tingshan, have you considered leaving the infantry behind and taking only the cavalry?"
Huo Tingshan said gravely, "I have. But my lady, the infantry serve many purposes. Much of the logistical work requires their assistance."
Warfare depends not only on the vanguard but also on logistics. The saying "the troops have not moved, but the provisions and fodder go first" refers precisely to logistical work—managing supplies.
Yet Pei Ying recalled a great general from the Han dynasty who campaigned on the steppes. He disliked bringing logistics, preferring to live off the land wherever he fought.
"Huo Tingshan, didn't you acquire plenty of supplies after defeating Khan Wuji this time?" Pei Ying reminded him.
Huo Tingshan took a deep breath, his fingers resting on his knee tapping rapidly a few times.
Abandoning the baggage train would allow rapid advance, but it also meant the cavalry army would have to constantly hunt for food like starving wolves.
Where would the food come from?
It could only be from other small tribes in the northern lands.
He had just reached an agreement with Khan Junchen; being too aggressive might alarm his new ally.
But he had to admit that the infantry would indeed slow the pace, consuming more time. Speed is of the essence in warfare, and time was now the most critical factor.
Suddenly, the man's fingers, which had been tapping his kneecap, stopped. "Perhaps a compromise is possible."
...
"General, the infantry isn't accompanying us this time?" Xiong Mao was wide-eyed. "But... but if the infantry doesn't come, how will we handle the supplies?"
Not only Xiong Mao, but the other officers also looked shocked.
"Please reconsider, my lord."
"Please reconsider, General."
Fifty thousand cavalry is not a mere five hundred. This massive army needs food and drink. Without rear support, they could starve.
"I didn't say we'd go without support," Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over the group. "Do you all remember the tent carts and wagons Khan Wuji used before?"
The officers paused briefly, their minds racing.
"Does the General intend to adopt the Xiongnu method of travel?"
"That method is feasible, but it would still be safer to bring oxcarts and some infantry."
"My lord, there don't seem to be many of those carts left."
After letting them discuss for a moment, Huo Tingshan spoke. "Time is tight. We must act before news reaches the Khan's court. Oxcarts are too slow. We must forgo oxen and use horses to achieve a swift victory. As for your concerns about supplies, the goods those carts carry are indeed insufficient for tens of thousands of cavalry. But there are other nomadic tribes along the way. They will be our supply points."
They would certainly have to act against the small tribes along the route, but with Khan Junchen alongside, the frequency of such actions needed to be controlled.
The supplies carried on those carts, to some extent, were meant to reduce the number of times they would have to resort to such measures.
"General, this venture carries great risk. If supplies are cut off, tens of thousands could be trapped and perish," Sha Ying and others frowned deeply.
Huo Tingshan's tone was resolute. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. My mind is made up. Say no more."
He held absolute authority in the army. These words were final.
Gongsun Liang frowned, stroking his goat-like beard, his gaze drifting towards the tent entrance.
The next moment, Huo Tingshan spoke again. "Your lady is aware of this matter and agrees. Do not bother her with it."
Gongsun Liang sighed. This time, there was truly no recourse.
"I will lead the cavalry ahead. The remaining infantry will march along this route." Huo Tingshan turned, first pointing to a spot on the large sheepskin map—their current encampment. "Qin Yang, Chen Yuan, and Zhi Zhang will lead the infantry in this direction towards the Royal Court."
His calloused finger traced a curved line on the map. "We will rendezvous at the Royal Court."
After pondering left and right last night, Huo Tingshan had finally decided to split the forces. Cavalry and infantry would travel separately, meeting at the Royal Court.
Khan Junchen's side basically had horses for everyone. Only cavalry could keep pace with them, yet cavalry alone was insufficient. Cooperating with him was, for Khan Junchen, like making a pact with a tiger. But wasn't it the same for Huo Tingshan?
The infantry following behind served as both a deterrent and a warning, a precaution against Khan Junchen turning on him afterward.
Though they were called "infantry," they were not truly foot soldiers. The previous battle had yielded nearly twenty thousand horses captured from Khan Wuji, which made the Youzhou infantry, who previously had no horses, quite different from before.
This council of war concluded at noon. After a simple midday meal, Huo Tingshan, clad in armor, mounted Wu Ye.
Tens of thousands of cavalry were ready, awaiting only the order to depart.
Huo Tingshan sat atop Wu Ye, the sunlight falling on his tiger-head helmet, reflecting a sharp, cold gleam. Seated high on his great steed, he took one last look behind him. In the center of the man's pupils was reflected a slender, deep blue figure.
After two breaths, Huo Tingshan withdrew his gaze.
"Men of Youzhou, follow me to war!"
Hooves trampled the sandy ground, stationary carts were set in motion, and the earth trembled faintly under the thunder of ten thousand galloping horses.
The Youzhou cavalry and the forces of Khan Junchen set out simultaneously.
To prevent Han forces from encircling and annihilating them, the Xiongnu had hidden their royal court deep within the grasslands. According to the Han army's usual marching practices, by the time they made the long, arduous trek to this place, they would be exhausted, men and horses alike, with their supply lines stretched dangerously thin, putting them at a severe disadvantage in battle.
The enemy weak, ourselves strong—if the Han army dared to venture deep into the northern lands, however many came would die.
At this moment, within the Khan's court.
Khan Tuqi and Khan Cheli sat on opposite sides, their tables laden with fine wine and delicacies. On platters three times larger than a man's face lay great chunks of mutton.
The hall was filled with song and dance. Barefoot dancing girls twisted their slender waists, the animal teeth and silver ornaments on their belts swaying and tinkling crisply with their movements.
Khan Tuqi was built with the broad shoulders and back of a tiger, a long scar almost bisecting his face horizontally. He held a large bowl of wine in one hand, while the other tapped rhythmically on his knee. When he found a performance particularly thrilling, he would roar his approval.
The younger Khan Cheli sat beside him, his head shaved and wearing only a fox-fur cap.
"Boom—"
Thunder rumbled outside the hall. White lightning dragons streaked across the sky, intertwining to cast a vast, net-like web.
Khan Tuqi glanced outside. The sky was heavy and dark; rain was coming.
He thought of Khan Wuji, whom they had jointly driven out not long ago, and laughed. "I wonder how that fellow Khan Wuji is faring now."
Khan Cheli grinned. "Most likely scurrying about like a defeated dog."
"True. With the few men under his command, what trouble could he possibly stir?" Khan Tuqi said heartily.
Yet, as soon as these words were spoken, a guard rushed in to report, "Khans, the tracks of Khan Junchen have been spotted."
Both Khans stiffened.
"Stop dancing!" Khan Tuqi barked.
All the dancers halted simultaneously, looking fearfully at the men on the dais.
"You just said Khan Junchen is here?" Khan Tuqi straightened up.
When he had heard they were joining forces against Khan Tuqi, that coward had fled. Now he had returned on his own?
What was he coming back for? To surrender and admit defeat? But he should know the northern lands show no mercy to such capitulators.
The guard nodded. "Yes, patrols have spotted traces of Khan Junchen. They even caught sight of each other from a distance of one li. Khans, we cannot be mistaken. It is indeed Khan Junchen's forces. They have stealthily returned to the royal court."
Khan Cheli drained the wine from his cup. "Good that he's back. Saves us the trouble of hunting him down. Boxufu, you narrowly beat me last time in the archery contest. This time, let me lead the troops to meet him."
His strength was not equal to Khan Tuqi's, but dealing with a Khan Junchen was well within his capabilities.
Khan Tuqi laughed. "Go then. I await your return."
The gates of the Khan's fortress opened, and troops poured out.
Khan Cheli rode at the forefront, following the directions of the Xiongnu scouts as he led his army southeast.
He was utterly confident, certain of victory. Khan Junchen had made a long, exhausting journey back. How could his weary men be a match for Khan Cheli's well-rested, prepared warriors? Not to mention the enemy's numbers were far fewer.
"Boom."
Thunder rolled across the sky. After another flash of white light, the rain finally began to fall.
It was an unusually heavy downpour, as if a hole had opened in the heavens, pouring out an autumn deluge like cascading water.
Khan Cheli's heart surged with fierce joy. He thought to himself how timely this rain was. Khan Junchen's side was already fatigued; with this heavy rain, they would likely become even more cold and hungry.
After another two li, Khan Cheli saw vague shadows in the distance. He smirked coldly. "Found them."
"All of you, follow me!" He immediately urged his horse forward.
The distance between the two sides gradually closed, and the distant shadows became somewhat clearer. Yet, within the curtain of pouring rain, a sudden doubt struck Khan Cheli's heart.
Something was wrong. The shadows were too dense.
The numbers were off. Why did they seem so numerous?
"Kill—!"
"Kill—!"
Ahead, battle cries like a thousand-zhang tidal wave swept forth, mingled with the wind and rain.
