Yao Ji nodded. “He’s already gone back, but he arranged the defenses throughout Shangjing Commandery.”
The border of Daqing was even more precarious than Shangjing Commandery at present. So, after handing over the affairs in Chongzhou and making the necessary arrangements for border security, Zhou Sui hurried back to Daqing with Hua Ruo, Meng Chong, Yun Ce, and the others.
“I wonder how the Jiao army and Qu Zhao are doing,” Shuangjiang said curiously.
No one could answer, because none of them knew.
Jiang Jin sighed. “Jiao Tai is very likely to request reinforcements. In any case, we must be careful everywhere bordering the Jiao army.”
The Ji army had just been crushed by her and had lost its morale. It was also facing all kinds of internal conflicts, so it should not pose much of a threat for the time being.
The Jiao army was different. After losing four counties in succession, they were very likely to launch a counterattack.
Of course, the Jiao army’s most likely course of action was to destroy the weaker Qu Zhao first.
Regardless of what happened, however, she could not afford to let down her guard. It never hurt to be careful.
Jiang Jin looked up at Chu Qing and Yun Yu. “Chu Qing, Yun Yu, set out tomorrow for Fan County and Yunling County respectively. Be sure to hold them against a surprise attack by either the Ji army or the Jiao army.”
Yunling was the southernmost county in Shangjing Commandery, bordering Qiuning Commandery.
She swept her gaze over everyone. “The rest of you will remain in Punan Commandery for now and prepare for recruitment and the other necessary matters.”
Everyone rose and acknowledged the order. “Yes!”
At that very moment, Jiao Tai’s expression was grim.
The grain near Shishan River had been harvested, but nearly one-fifth of it had been seized by Qu Zhao.
More than three thousand soldiers had also been lost during the operation to protect the grain.
Mu Qi sighed. “Qu Zhao suffered considerable losses as well. They were already short on men, and this has damaged them quite severely.”
Jiao Tai shook his head. “With such a vicious neighbor, I’m afraid we’ll never know peace in the future. We must destroy them as soon as possible.”
“As soon as the reinforcements sent by the Grand Chanyu arrive, we’ll attack Anwu County. Let them seize the grain—there won’t be anyone left to eat it.”
The Grand Chanyu’s letter had arrived two days ago, ordering them to attack Anwu. It would simply take some time to mobilize the troops.
Mu Qi studied the map. “Qu Zhao isn’t a threat right now. We can attack once the reinforcements arrive. It’s just a pity…”
Jiao Tai sneered. “What’s there to pity? The Great Chanyu Qu Zhao isn’t an ordinary person. There’s no way he would ever submit to us. Since that’s the case, we can only destroy him.”
The Jiao army had not never considered simply absorbing Qu Zhao’s forces and making Qu Zhao one of the tribes under the Jiao people.
Unfortunately, their opponent was the Great Chanyu Qu Zhao. There was no way he would submit to anyone.
Mu Qi slowly shook his head. “We’ll merely be letting the fisherman profit.”
Jiao Tai understood that he was referring to Jiang Jin. He said helplessly, “Princess Jinyang certainly has her methods. She’s far more capable than the First Prince of Sizhou.”
Thinking of the situation in Sizhou, Mu Qi asked, “The rain in Sizhou has stopped. Ying Commandery should be about to fall, shouldn’t it?”
“I don’t know.” Jiao Tai picked up his cup and took a sip of wine. “Once we take Anwu County and Sizhou takes Ying Commandery, where do you think the Grand Chanyu will focus his forces?”
Mu Qi pondered for a moment. “The Grand Chanyu will probably send someone to negotiate with Princess Jinyang. If Princess Jinyang has no intention of stationing troops in Juan Prefecture, then the Grand Chanyu will most likely continue attacking Sizhou.”
“Besides, once we have the Ying Commandery harbor, attacking Fengzhou and places like Xiangluo won’t be so difficult.”
The Jiao army had a navy, but because they lacked a coastal harbor, it operated only on the Shen River and rarely ventured out to sea.
Wenlong County.
Shangguan Mao stood atop the city wall, gazing at the Jiao army camp surrounding them in the distance.
“We’re almost out of grain.” Yu Yue stood beside him and sighed.
According to their plan, a thousand-odd jin of grain mixed with roots, bird droppings, and other things should have lasted half a month.
But they had never anticipated that several hundred civilians would enter the city. Naturally, their supplies had been consumed much faster.
Shangguan Mao said nothing. Over the past two or three years, they had faced countless crises in which they nearly ran out of food, and they had endured every one of them. As a result, his state of mind had actually improved considerably.
“How is your father doing?”
A trace of sorrow flashed through Yu Yue’s eyes. “Not well.”
Yu Mo had managed to hold on until now for two reasons. First, their grain and medicine had returned. Although he could eat very little given his condition, it was still better than before.
Second, Princess Jinyang had given him a glimmer of hope. Before receiving word from her, he had been unable to let go of his resentment.
Shangguan Mao let out a soft breath. “I wonder if Zhan has reached Wenxia City yet.”
Yu Yue pressed her lips together. “Judging by the timing, he should have by now.”
Both of them knew that this was only true if everything had gone smoothly. If anything unexpected had happened, they might never see Shangguan Zhan return in their lifetime.
Shangguan Mao looked toward the soldiers on the city wall. Their clothes were ragged, exposing their skin in many places, and their bodies were so thin they were little more than bones.
Yet they still did their best to keep their backs straight, maintaining the bearing and dignity of soldiers so that the Jiao army could not discern their actual condition.
A wave of heartache washed over him. Just as he was lost in thought, Ye Wenbao hurried up onto the city wall.
“General! General, good news!”
Shangguan Mao and Yu Yue immediately turned toward him. Almost at the same time, they guessed what it might be—yet it seemed impossible.
Judging by the timing, Shangguan Zhan and the others should have reached Wenxia City at the earliest only now. There was no way news could have returned so quickly.
Ye Wenbao stumbled as he ran and nearly fell. He hurriedly steadied himself, his face flushed red with excitement.
“It’s Ning Five! Ning Five and the others are back!”
Shangguan Mao’s heart sank. “What about Zhan?”
“The Young General is safe. They ran into people sent by Princess Jinyang halfway there. Worried that we would be anxious, they sent Ning Five and the others back first to inform us.”
“Princess Jinyang’s people came back with them too. They—they also brought back a great deal of grain.”
To people who had been suffering from a chronic food shortage, it truly was a great deal.
Qingming had sent thirteen people, while Ning Five’s group had two. Fifteen people in all, each carrying forty to fifty jin of grain on their backs. They had eaten some during the journey, but there were still around six hundred jin left—and it was polished rice, refined grain!
Shangguan Mao strode forward several steps and seized Ye Wenbao by the arm. “What did you say? Zhan met people sent by Princess Jinyang, and they brought grain back?”
The veins on his arm stood out, revealing just how excited he was. Yet there was also a trace of apprehension, as though he feared he had heard incorrectly.
Yu Yue likewise stared at Ye Wenbao with shining eyes.
Ye Wenbao nodded vigorously. He was smiling, but his eyes had reddened. “It’s true. We’re saved! Princess Jinyang really came to save us!”
Shangguan Mao released him and took two small steps backward. He murmured, “Thank goodness… We finally won’t have to watch anyone else starve to death.”
Then he asked urgently, “Where are they now?”
