Chapter 148
However, the pressing issue at hand still needed to be resolved. Regardless of how things unfolded with Helian Bo and Tuoba Ren, both posed a threat to the Great Yan’s borderlands.
They couldn’t afford to sit idly by and await disaster. A plan had to be devised. Tuoba Hongze had only been in power for a few years, yet he was ambitious and shrewd. The only reason he was holding back now was that his power base was not yet fully established. But given a few more years, once he gained enough influence among the people of Suixi, he would become even harder to deal with.
Suixi had always been a martial nation, posing a constant threat to its neighboring states. In the past, the Great Yan had no choice but to resort to annual tributes and arranged marriages in an attempt to maintain peace. Yet despite these efforts, the barbarians continued their provocations, ensuring that the borderlands never knew a day of true tranquility.
Ming Yu sat down, calming his emotions. Just now, he had lost his composure, indulging in the warmth of Xie Yixiu’s embrace. The faint scent of cold sandalwood on Xie Yixiu’s body suited him well—subtle yet undeniably pleasant.
Realizing his wandering thoughts, Ming Yu tapped his forehead lightly. They were here to discuss serious matters—how could he be thinking about such irrelevant things? Pushing those thoughts aside, he straightened his expression. The lingering flush on his face gradually faded, restoring his complexion to its usual smooth, jade-like fairness.
Xie Yixiu took a sip of tea, suppressing the satisfaction he felt. Neither of them mentioned what had just transpired, maintaining an unspoken understanding. Clearing his throat, he spoke, his voice slightly elevated, “We cannot remain on the defensive. Perhaps taking the initiative to attack and causing trouble within Suixi would keep them too preoccupied to concern themselves with the Western Qi Corridor. What does Wang Ye think?”
Ming Yu’s eyes brightened. “How do you propose we take the initiative?”
Xie Yixiu rubbed his long, slender fingers together in thought. After a moment of silence, he said, “The barbarians are able to invade our borders with only small squads, yet they still bring disaster upon our people. Why shouldn’t we do the same? They have cattle, sheep, and horses—we can seize them just as they do to us.”
“In the past, the Great Yan prioritized defense, never considering offense as a strategy. The main reason was that our infantry relied on fortifications and natural terrain for defense. The moment they stepped onto open plains, no matter how many soldiers we had, they would be no match for the barbarians’ cavalry. A single charge from their iron cavalry could scatter our forces completely—fighting them head-on was simply impossible.”
Ming Yu nodded in agreement. That was indeed the case. To pit mere flesh and blood against an unstoppable cavalry charge was as futile as trying to block a flood with bare hands. Their previous victory against the barbarian forces at Western Qi Mountain had only been possible because their five hundred elite guards were well-equipped and highly trained. If it had been anyone else in their place, the sheer momentum of the enemy charge would have instilled fear before the battle even began, let alone the will to fight.
“The battle at Western Qi Mountain gave me new insight,” Xie Yixiu continued. “We can play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses. By sending cavalry to infiltrate Suixi territory, we can evade larger forces while striking smaller ones.” He paused before adding, “This is merely a preliminary idea, still far from refined. If we were to implement it, we would need to carefully consider many aspects.”
Ming Yu smiled and clapped his hands. “Excellent! Great minds think alike.”
Xie Yixiu looked at him with some surprise. Did Wang Ye have the same thought?
Feeling slightly awkward, Ming Yu touched the bridge of his nose. The ‘great minds’ he referred to did not include himself. In his view, what Xie Yixiu had just proposed could be summarized in a mere sixteen characters:
“If the enemy advances, we retreat. If the enemy retreats, we pursue. If the enemy camps, we harass. If the enemy tires, we strike. It’s a simple yet highly effective way to disrupt the enemy.”
“Well said, precisely!” Xie Yixiu’s expression revealed a trace of joy. He had only just begun to form an idea, yet Ming Yu had already encapsulated it perfectly in a concise strategy.
Ming Yu quickly clarified, “That’s not my own saying.”
Xie Yixiu didn’t dwell on that point. Instead, he continued, “With the Thousand-Mile Eye and rapid-fire crossbows designed under Wang Ye’s supervision, even a small elite force could move freely within Suixi territory.”
Ming Yu grinned widely, revealing his teeth. “Exactly. As long as we maintain high mobility, we can keep the enemy running in circles. This is the best strategy we could use.”
“In that case, I will draft a detailed plan and oversee its implementation. Does Wang Ye approve?” Xie Yixiu volunteered, unwilling to let Ming Yu burden himself further with the matter.
Ming Yu was already overwhelmed dealing with the Western Qi Corridor issue. Since this fell under Xie Yixiu’s domain, as long as Ming Yu gave the order, Xie Yixiu could take full responsibility for its execution.
Ming Yu nodded. Military affairs were best left to those who understood them. As someone with no expertise in warfare, there was no need for him to interfere. “Alright. In that case, I will instruct the military workshop to expedite the production of the necessary equipment.”
The workshops operated with clear distinctions between civilian and military production. Facilities like the soap workshop, for instance, were dedicated to manufacturing civilian goods and were open to the public. In contrast, the military workshop was a secret facility that Ming Yu had established in a concealed location, protected by layers of security. Entry required multiple levels of verification, ensuring that unauthorized individuals could never set foot inside.
Ming Yu was anxious and immediately stood up, wanting to set things into motion right away. However, Xie Yixiu reassured him, saying, “There’s no need to rush. Everything must be carefully planned before taking action. For instance, how many troops should be dispatched, how to select the personnel, and who should lead them—these matters must be discussed thoroughly first.”
Ming Yu sat back down, realizing he had been too hasty. He gave an embarrassed smile. “You are more experienced in this than I am. Besides, when it comes to cavalry, only your Red Robe Army in the Great Yan is truly formidable. It’s best for them to handle this.”
Their new recruits were still in training and couldn’t be deployed immediately. The stationed troops were mostly infantry, which lacked mobility in battle and weren’t suited for this mission. The Red Robe Army, though small in number, valued quality over quantity. For an incursion into enemy territory, an elite and agile force was far superior to a large but untrained one. That was why Ming Yu had made this suggestion.
Clearly, Xie Yixiu shared the same perspective. “That’s true, but as for the one to lead the troops…”
He hesitated, glancing at Ming Yu, but then swallowed back the rest of his words.
Ming Yu had never seen Xie Yixiu so uncertain before. Smiling, he said, “If you have someone in mind, just say it.”
For a small-scale operation like this, Xie Yixiu wasn’t going to personally lead a small squad. It would be a waste of his abilities. The deputy generals under his command were all highly capable, more than qualified for the task. Moreover, Xie Yixiu was responsible for training the new army, so he couldn’t leave his post so easily.
Hearing Ming Yu’s words, Xie Yixiu no longer hesitated. “A Bing, whom Wang Ye sent to the Red Robe Army, is quite promising. He has the potential to lead troops. If possible, let him take command and see how he performs.”
So it was A Bing. No wonder Xie Yixiu was unsure—after all, A Bing had been personally sent by Ming Yu and could be considered one of his people. If Xie Yixiu wanted to give A Bing this opportunity, he naturally needed Ming Yu’s approval.
“A Bing?” Ming Yu was momentarily stunned. That boy was barely more than a child—how could he be entrusted with leading troops?
“A Bing is highly intelligent, quick-witted, and extremely diligent. He has already become one of the top fighters in the Red Robe Army. Moreover, he gets along well with everyone and is well-liked by his peers.” Xie Yixiu paused before continuing, “This would be a rare opportunity for him to gain experience. If he is nurtured properly, there is no doubt that he will go far in the future.”
Now it was Ming Yu’s turn to hesitate. In his eyes, A Bing was still just a child. He had sent A Bing to Xie Yixiu only because it was the boy’s own wish. It had been a reluctant decision, but he had thought that learning new skills would be good for the child.
But now, Xie Yixiu was proposing sending him to the battlefield. Swords and arrows had no eyes—this was a life-and-death matter. How could he allow a child to risk his life?
“There are many generals in the Red Robe Army who are stronger than him. A Bing is still young—how can he lead troops into battle?” Ming Yu shook his head.
“He wouldn’t be leading the troops alone, of course. There would be an experienced commander overseeing everything. I simply believe this is a good opportunity for him to grow. No general becomes seasoned without countless battles. When I was his age, I had already fought in numerous wars, crawling through fields of corpses and rivers of blood.” Seeing Ming Yu’s curious gaze, Xie Yixiu suddenly realized he had said too much and fell silent.
Ming Yu felt a pang of regret—this was the first time Xie Yixiu had spoken about his past. But since he showed no intention of continuing, Ming Yu didn’t press him further. He understood that, under the military household system of the Great Yan, sons followed in their fathers’ footsteps. It was common for young boys to go to war.
It was just that he couldn’t get past the emotional barrier in his heart. He knew that Xie Yixiu was offering A Bing an opportunity to earn merit. In the military, achievements on the battlefield were the only way to prove one’s worth.
If he stopped A Bing from advancing, delaying his future, would the boy resent him someday? Ming Yu felt deeply conflicted.
With a sigh, Ming Yu relented. “This should be A Bing’s decision to make. When you return, ask him about his own wishes. But I still hope that he remains safe and unharmed.”
Xie Yixiu nodded. A Bing had great potential, but he needed to be tempered in order to shine. If he continued to grow, his future achievements would be no less than his own.
Ming Yu was ultimately too soft-hearted. If he truly feared bloodshed and injury, he never should have sent A Bing into the military in the first place.
Ming Yu glanced at him, then looked again, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.
Xie Yixiu noticed and finally gave in to his gaze. “Is Wang Ye curious about my past?”
Ming Yu nodded repeatedly, his expression full of curiosity. Xie Yixiu’s eyes softened, but his voice carried a hint of helplessness. “There’s not much to tell. I was born into a military household and joined the army at a young age. My life revolved around swords and spears—nothing else ever mattered. I only knew that battles never ceased, and the people I fought alongside one day might be gone the next. I watched my father and brother die on the battlefield, their bodies separated by the blades of the enemy. From then on, I swore to avenge them. But even now, I don’t know if I’ve truly repaid that debt.”
He spoke simply, but Ming Yu could hear the pain buried in his heart. War had always been brutal. Bloodshed and death were a soldier’s fate, something they never complained about—because, as military men, this was their destiny.
Ming Yu’s heart ached. He could picture a young Xie Yixiu, lifting weapons taller than himself with his small hands. He could imagine the agony and devastation he felt as he witnessed his father and brother slaughtered before his eyes. Even more, he could envision him fighting battle after battle, year after year, crawling through endless carnage, never knowing what tomorrow would bring.
New faces, old faces—some alive, some dead, coming and going. There was never time to grieve; he could only wrap himself in cold indifference to shield his emotions.
This was Xie Yixiu.
If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of coffee for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!
Thank You for the new chapter (๑˙❥˙๑)