Mu Qi shook his head. "I'm afraid the force that took Lin County isn't simple. That's why Qu Zhao is so eager to find allies."
"It's a pity we don't know what exactly happened in Feng Prefecture. By all accounts, by now the Han forces in Feng Prefecture should have been mostly cleaned out."
Ever since Feng Prefecture was taken by the Qu Zhao people, it had been difficult for their Jiao Clan forces to infiltrate. So when it came to the specific situation in Feng Prefecture, the Jiao Clan really didn't know much.
This had to do with their appearances — the Jiao Clan and the Qu Zhao were somewhat different in looks, and their accents differed too.
Entering the enemy's territory would make them easy to spot.
They had also considered using Han people to infiltrate, after all, this was originally Han land, and most cities had Han residents.
That was also one of the reasons Jiang Jin's people could get in relatively easily.
Unfortunately, for the barbarian tribes, cultivating Han spies wasn't easy — loyalty alone was hard to control.
Any Han with a shred of integrity wouldn't willingly serve as their spy, while those without backbone were too weak to accomplish anything.
Besides, their focus wasn't on Feng Prefecture right now, but on Si Prefecture.
Yu He looked arrogant. "Hmph, that just shows the Qu Zhao are weak. We fought alongside them before — we knew their combat ability wasn't much to speak of."
Jiao Tai ignored his comment and turned to Mu Qi instead. "Do you think the Qu Zhao are worried about a Han counterattack, and that's why they came to us?"
Mu Qi nodded. "Right. I suspect they've already learned that Daqing Commandery and Lin County have some kind of plan in motion that works against them, and that's why…"
He let out a heavy sigh. "We still need to figure something out — we should arrange people in the various commanderies and counties. Otherwise, we'll be too passive."
Jiao Tai sounded resigned. "I'd like to, but it's just too difficult."
Mu Qi thought for a moment, then said, "If worse comes to worst, we don't have to get people inside the cities — just have them operate near the commanderies and counties. That way we can still gather some information."
Jiao Tai considered this and nodded. "Acceptable."
His expression turned serious. "About what the Qu Zhao envoys said regarding the Grand General — what do you all think?"
At the mention of this, Yu He's eyes blazed with anger. "I think it's very likely. The group behind the canyon suddenly vanished — there's a good chance they went to Daqing Commandery."
"If the Grand General hadn't been assassinated, Daqing Commandery might have already fallen to him."
Back then, after Jiao Liang took Liang City, he stayed there — first to stabilize the situation in Liang City, and second to prepare for the assault on Daqing Commandery.
Unfortunately, someone killed the Grand General outright, and in such a gruesome manner.
Mu Qi didn't object this time. "That is possible. But if Daqing Commandery had such methods, why haven't they used them before?"
Yu He speculated, "Maybe it's a method that's hard to deploy, or maybe they ran out of that hidden weapon?"
The Jiao Clan had examined the Grand General's shattered remains back then.
From what they could tell, it wasn't done by blades, nor by lightning — the body simply split apart. It was most likely some kind of concealed weapon they had never seen before.
"Regardless, once spring comes and the weather warms, we'll slaughter Daqing Commandery to the last." Yu He slammed the table.
Mu Qi shook his head. "The Qu Zhao envoy mentioned a handsome, sturdy man — if he'd entered Liang City back then, he should have been easy to remember. Why does no one know of him?"
Yu He frowned. "Maybe he disguised himself before entering the city?"
Jiao Tai rubbed his forehead. "The Qu Zhao only told us this to push us into attacking Daqing. It might not be entirely true. Everyone, let's discuss what we should do."
"Are you worried the Qu Zhao have some other scheme?" Mu Qi asked.
Jiao Tai nodded. "Things can't be as simple as the Qu Zhao made them sound."
Yu He waved dismissively. "Whatever their scheme is, Daqing Commandery has to be attacked — that was always our goal. And even if it weren't, they dared to kill our Grand General — they'll pay the price."
The other commanders chimed in with righteous fury. "Right! Attack! We must take Daqing Commandery!"
"Not just take Daqing Commandery — slaughter every last Han in it, so the Grand General may know peace below."
"When we catch that handsome, sturdy man, we'll hack him into nine hundred pieces to vent our hatred!"
"Avenge the Grand General! Avenge the Grand General!"
Looking at the heated crowd, Jiao Tai could only feel a headache coming on.
"I think we should hold off for now and see how the situation develops," Mu Qi said in a calm voice. "We need to avenge the Grand General, but we also can't become the Qu Zhao's blade. This needs more careful deliberation."
Yu He sneered. "Are you scared? They're only Han — what's there to fear?"
Mu Qi glanced at him. "Every Jiao Clan warrior is precious. If we can reduce casualties, we should."
While they were discussing their alliance, in Daqing Commandery, Lu You was fretting over who to send to Liang City for negotiations.
Li Zan volunteered. "General, why not let me go?"
Lu You shook his head. "No."
Li Zan was his most trusted man, and he wasn't willing to let him take the risk.
The rule was that envoys weren't to be killed in times of war.
But not everyone followed the rules — especially barbarian tribes, who might cut a man down over a single harsh word.
Jin Feng looked like he wanted to speak, then hesitated.
Lu You glanced at him. "Say what's on your mind."
Jin Feng gave an awkward smile. "It's nothing."
Lu You snorted. "You were going to suggest Zhou Leng, weren't you?"
Zhou Leng was quite articulate, known for his sharp tongue — he had once been one of Lu You's advisors.
Jin Feng scratched his head. "Heh, I do think he'd be a good fit. I'm just worried he won't want to go."
"And if he doesn't, we can't force him," he added.
Everyone could hear the protective tone in his voice.
Seeing Lu You's expression darken, Jin Feng quickly added, "Whoever goes, I'd willingly accompany them to protect them."
Lu You's face grew even darker.
Li Zan sighed inwardly, though his voice remained calm. "General, why not let me ask him first?"
Lu You thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Zhou Leng stood in the courtyard, staring blankly at the snow that covered the entire yard. When he heard the knock at the door, he frowned slightly. "Enter."
Li Zan: "…"
He pushed open the courtyard gate. "Why do you never bolt your gate? What if a villain…"
Zhou Leng shot him a sidelong glance. "I have nothing worth stealing."
Li Zan's mouth twitched. He stepped onto the snow, which crunched under his boots. "You should at least shovel a path to walk on."
Zhou Leng said nothing this time.
Li Zan looked at his lips, blue from the cold. "It's freezing out here. Why don't you go back inside?"
Zhou Leng stood ramrod straight. "I carry righteousness within me — that's enough to ward off the cold."
Li Zan: "…" Clearly, this man wasn't in a good mood today. Bad start.
He smiled anyway. "Come on, let's talk inside."
With that, he walked in first, as comfortable as if it were his own home.
Zhou Leng frowned slightly, then followed after a moment. "What do you want with me?"
