Chapter 91
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Gu Yuanbai simply laughed off these rumors.
He didn’t pay much attention to it and instead turned to discuss the border issues with Kong Yilin. Their conversation, leisurely in tone, seemed like a casual chat, even as they talked about the state affairs. Eventually, Kong Yilin began describing the borderlands.
Endless winds, vast prairies stretching beyond sight, and blue skies.
Listening to him, Gu Yuanbai began to wonder, what would the borders of Great Heng look like?
His thoughts drifted northwards, carried by the wind towards the frontier.
***
When the soldiers of Great Heng cleaned the battlefield, they brought the wounded and dead horses back to the camp for meat.
Unfortunately, the Khitan horses were already emaciated, mere skin and bones, so there wasn’t much meat to share among the thousands of soldiers, let alone the refugees.
The remaining meat was made into horse meat soup, and only a few could get a taste of the meat, most had to settle for the broth to satisfy their cravings.
Military campaigns are tough, and with the urgency of disaster relief, meat was scarce and quickly consumed. The only means to improve the soldiers’ rations were the cattle and sheep seized from the nomads and the wounded horses on the battlefield. So, after a small victory at Rilian, Xue Yuan and General Xue led twenty thousand troops to completely surround the Rilian tribe.
The emperor’s order was to scare the nomads who frequently invaded the border into submission. While they were preparing to form alliances, Great Heng sought to establish stable development and control the economic lifeline of the nomads, forming a fixed trade route.
If unsuccessful, they would fight. If successful, they would switch to another way of fighting.
The various tribes of the nomads numbered around two to three hundred thousand, with only a small portion affected by the locust plague. If Great Heng’s cavalry were to face the ferocious nomadic cavalry now, they would likely suffer a significant defeat.
There was no choice; Great Heng had fewer horses and cavalry, and training cavalry took time. Gu Yuanbai had only recently begun influencing the army, and there weren’t many horses yet, let alone large-scale cavalry training.
This time, the goal was to use the locust plague and the military’s momentum to intimidate them and stir up their internal conflicts.
General Xue kept the emperor’s words in mind, leading twenty thousand troops to strike Rilian hard, taking advantage of the terrain and timing. Great Heng’s soldiers seized all the cattle, sheep, and horses of the Rilian tribe, capturing eight thousand enemy soldiers. The rest, led by Rilian, fled north in a sorry state.
The seized horses were kept and fed, and once they tasted fresh forage, they stopped struggling, burying their heads in the grass and munching away.
Some of the equally emaciated cattle and sheep were kept, while the rest were slaughtered for meat!
“The remaining cattle and sheep can be slaughtered for food when winter sets in,” General Xue said to the gathered officers. “Rilian has fled north, likely to join the Xiwandan tribe. Xiwandan is bold yet cautious. His tribe also suffered from the locust plague, so they will accept Rilian’s people, but he won’t start a war with us this winter.”
“They can’t even take care of themselves,” Xue Yuan said, “This winter, for both them and us, the first priority is survival.”
The captured Khitan people were turned into slaves, helping with the construction of houses for the disaster victims.
This winter was tough; the disaster victims were barely clothed, and having a warm quilt was considered good. Some victims had already caught colds, but fortunately, there were medicines and doctors available to provide timely treatment.
The locusts had entered the nymph stage. If not eradicated at this stage, once they matured and laid eggs, they would have to remove the grass, collect the eggs, and dig trenches to bury the larvae.
The people in the tent were silent for a while, deeply worried. At that moment, the sound of a duck’s quack broke the silence. No one in the tent took it seriously, thinking they had misheard.
But soon, the sound of countless ducks quacking filled the air, making their ears hurt. Xue Yuan quickly looked up, exchanged a glance with General Xue, and then strode outside.
As the tent flap was lifted, the quacking became even louder. Everyone followed the sound, and as they stepped outside, they saw tens of thousands of ducks in a dense black mass.
The ducks quacked loudly, pecking at the locusts on the ground with nimble yet clumsy movements due to their plump bodies.
These fat ducks were completely different from the starved, skin-and-bones cattle and sheep in the borderlands.
Many people swallowed hard, and Xue Yuan even heard several officers beside him gulp. The ducks, each as large as a person’s calf, ran towards them in waves. The people escorting the ten thousand ducks called out anxiously, “Where is General Xue?”
Yang Hui, one of Xue Yuan’s officers, shouted at the top of his lungs, “General Xue is here!”
The soldiers and disaster victims blocking the way quickly made a path. Xue Yuan’s eyelid twitched a few times, and under the expectant gazes of the crowd, he strode forward.
Upon seeing him, the leader of the duck escort team brightened and said loudly, “General Xue, we were ordered to bring one hundred thousand ducks from the rear! We lost a little over two hundred along the way, but the remaining ninety thousand nine hundred and seventy-eight are here for you to count!”
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
One hundred thousand ducks! There were actually one hundred thousand ducks!
Xue Yuan was also shocked by the number but quickly composed himself and asked succinctly, “These ducks have been eating locusts all the way here?”
The leader of the team laughed heartily, “Yes. The locusts outside have been mostly eaten. These ducks are all full and round. Once the remaining locusts are eaten, these ducks will be on the soldiers’ dining tables. I hope the soldiers don’t mind that they’ve been eating locusts.”
Dining table.
Xue Yuan glanced at the ducks, his eyes gleaming. These ducks, with their shiny feathers and bright eyes, had feasted on locusts and, having walked all the way here, their meat was now firmer and more flavorful—a rare and delicious treat for the soldiers.
Xue Yuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and those around him couldn’t take their eyes off the ducks, their gazes heated and fixed.
The cacophony of ten thousand ducks quacking suddenly seemed like beautiful music. Among the thousands escorting the ducks, the leader, seeing Xue Yuan’s expression, eagerly suggested, “If General wants to taste one, we can slaughter a few today.”
“No rush,” Xue Yuan said politely, then smiled slightly, “Let’s give them a few days to finish off the locusts at the border.”
These ducks had arrived just in time, saving them the manpower needed to catch locusts and eliminate eggs. Xue Yuan’s mood lifted significantly.
Gu Yuanbai sent so many ducks to the border because he missed him and wanted to save him time so he could return to the capital sooner, right?
The famous General Xue suddenly chuckled.
He had been wondering how to deal with the locust eggs, and now one hundred thousand ducks from the rear had solved the problem.
This coincidence gave Xue Yuan a feeling of a shared understanding with Gu Yuanbai.
Xue Yuan, like when he was tricked by a Taoist into buying talisman paper, began to think foolishly about the possibility of this mutual understanding.
Could Gu Yuanbai know what he was thinking?
If he did, wouldn’t they have already been deeply entangled, with feelings so interconnected that they couldn’t distinguish between each other?
***
Xue Yuan’s good mood persisted.
The locust plague within the borders was stabilized, and there were no external enemies threatening them. This rare period of peace allowed Xue Yuan’s thoughts to focus entirely on Gu Yuanbai. Thinking of him was like drinking strong alcohol; his thoughts floated, and he felt hot and restless every night, with mornings bringing further frustration.
Xue Yuan had been washing his pants for half a month, and every day there were pants hanging in front of his tent, fluttering in the wind. Soldiers and officers passing by knew exactly what was going on. At first, they teased and laughed, but eventually, they were left in awe.
General Yang, who knew Xue Yuan well, came over with a friendly reminder, “Xue Yuan, don’t overdo it just because you’re young. You’ve been washing pants for half a month. Why are you so fired up?”
Xue Yuan lazily laid in the sun and, without moving, replied, “Don’t block Laozi’s sunlight.”
General Yang pulled up a stool and sat beside him, watching the Khitan prisoners chopping wood in the distance. He said earnestly, “I’ve been there. I know it’s tough being in an army full of men with not a single sow in sight. It’s understandable to be pent up. But you’re overdoing it. Tell me, do you have someone on your mind?”
Xue Yuan had been skeptical about the mutual understanding, but the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t help but wonder. If Gu Yuanbai could know what he was thinking, then the idea of them being deeply connected didn’t seem so far-fetched.
In recent days, Xue Yuan had been having continuous spring dreams. Could the young emperor also see these dreams, making him blush and his heart race, feeling both cold and indescribably shy?
Shyness—Gu Yuanbai probably wouldn’t be shy. But the thought of him stepping on Xue Yuan’s brother with his foot, eyes slightly raised, cruel and lips red, made Xue Yuan hard just thinking about it.
“Yes,” Xue Yuan replied lazily.
General Yang’s eyes lit up with intense curiosity, “Who is this person that has made you, Xue Jiuyao, so smitten, losing your wits? Does General Xue know? Does Madam Xue know?”
“What do you mean I’m smitten?” Xue Yuan stepped on the low stool beside him, refusing to admit it. “What makes you think I’m smitten?”
“Isn’t your daily morning ritual of washing your pants enough evidence?” General Yang wondered if people in love were always so temperamental.
“Young and vigorous, lots of liver fire,” Xue Yuan said with a straight face, “It’s been a bit hot at night lately.”
The cold winds of the northern border were already blowing—it was November, and everyone else was shivering from the cold, yet he claimed it was hot.
Unfortunately, General Yang was not quick-witted with words. Although he knew Xue Yuan was talking nonsense, he didn’t know how to expose him. Just as he was sweating with anxiety, a soldier ran over and said, “General, the court has sent more supplies!”
General Yang was stunned, but before he could react, Xue Yuan had already strode past him in a gust of wind.
***
During these months at the border, both soldiers and disaster victims had come to understand the court’s care for them.
After the piles of grain came ten thousand ducks. The ducks were incredibly delicious, allowing even the disaster victims to eat meat. One bite of the fatty, juicy meat was so good it made people feel like swallowing their tongues.
Such tasty duck meat was rare even before the locust plague. The meat was so fresh and chewy that it seemed to drive away the hardships of the recent days.
Old General Xue was also generous; he ensured everyone got a taste of the ten thousand ducks. When the duck meat was served, not just the commoners but even the officers devoured it like a whirlwind, their chopsticks moving as if they were in battle, quickly finishing plate after plate.
Those few days at the border were filled with joy and satisfaction. The duck feathers were also useful, collected to make winter clothes and quilts. Even if the coming days were tough, the people thought they should live up to the court’s provisions and the meat they had eaten.
They had prepared to face the harsh winter, ready to endure the worst, but they didn’t expect the court’s supplies to keep coming.
What they worried about was also what the court worried about, and the court had already addressed those concerns.
Long carts were placed in the open space, surrounded by curious soldiers eager to know what was inside.
“Is it more grain and meat?”
“We already have enough grain, and we have the ducks and the nomads’ cattle and sheep,” someone retorted.
Others worried, “Why does the court keep sending us supplies? One trip after another—could it be that the court is scrimping and saving to provide for us?”
The murmurs grew louder, and at the front, General Xue and the other officers, waiting to welcome the supplies, were equally curious about what they contained.
An official escorting the convoy, who had a good relationship with Old General Xue, stroked his beard meaningfully and smiled, “If the General can’t guess, perhaps we should unload the supplies and take a good look?”
Old General Xue, though unsure what it could be, knew it must be something useful. Feeling both guilty and moved, he said, “I am ashamed that His Majesty is so concerned for us.”
At these words, the expressions of the officers showed faint guilt.
His Majesty’s repeated efforts to send substantial resources to the border were more than they had ever imagined.
They initially thought that the large quantities of grain Xue Yuan brought were the limit of what the court could provide, showing the court’s care and trust. Only now did they realize the court’s support went far beyond that.
How could they not feel ashamed and excited?
The official reassured them, “Why feel guilty, Generals? You protect our great nation’s borders, risking your lives for our people. Our nation’s peace and prosperity are all thanks to you.”
Saying this, he bowed deeply, “It is we who should feel guilty.”
When Xue Yuan arrived, he saw them exchanging polite words. Impatiently, he ordered the soldiers to unload the carts to see what the court had sent.
Seeing this, those engaged in polite exchanges fell silent and eagerly looked at the carts. Soon, the contents were revealed, and someone in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, “Winter clothes!”
The soldiers erupted into a frenzy, scrambling to catch a glimpse, “Winter clothes?”
“The court sent us winter clothes?”
Old General Xue immediately picked five soldiers from the crowd to try on the winter clothes. As soon as they put on the new winter clothes, warmth and softness enveloped them, and in no time, they were sweating.
Old General Xue, observing their reaction, was astonished, “These winter clothes are so effective?”
The soldiers, talking over each other, said, “General, these clothes are very warm and light. We’re already sweating.”
Half skeptical, General Xue personally put on a winter coat. After a moment, his face showed shock and then great joy.
The other officers, unable to contain their curiosity, also tried on the winter clothes and were amazed, “These winter clothes are so light!”
The official smiled silently. When they questioned him, he explained in detail.
After learning the details, the generals, filled with high-spirited joy, hurriedly prepared to distribute the winter clothes.
The official and Old General Xue had not seen each other for many days, so they fell behind, chatting slowly. General Xue had already ordered his men to prepare a meal with alcohol and dishes. As the two walked towards the military tent, Xue Yuan took the opportunity to ask about affairs in the capital and followed them.
After they sat down and had drunk halfway, the official from the capital suddenly smiled mysteriously and said, “General Xue, being far from the capital, you might not know, but something major is about to happen there.”
Old General Xue asked, “Oh? What is it?”
Xue Yuan was just picking up a piece of duck meat.
The official smiled and said, “The Emperor has fallen in love at first sight with a woman and is preparing to take her as a consort into the palace.”
Xue Yuan’s hand paused.
Impossible.
Xue Yuan was utterly disdainful, not believing it at all. He even found it amusing. He wanted to continue eating calmly, but his hand wouldn’t move.
Old General Xue, on the other hand, was clapping and laughing heartily, repeatedly asking for details. The official spoke as if it were true—who would dare to fabricate stories about the Emperor?
But what if it wasn’t fabricated?
The duck meat still had honey-colored juice on it, which quickly slid off the skin due to Xue Yuan’s trembling hand.
Xue Yuan threw down his chopsticks and strode out of the tent.
The yellow sand was everywhere, and the cold wind blew sand into his face, stinging with each hit, the cold seeping from his lungs to his limbs.
After a while, he returned to the tent and asked, “The Emperor is taking a consort into the palace?”
His voice was hoarse.
The official from the capital replied, “Indeed, the Emperor… the consort will enter the palace… in harmony.”
It seemed like Xue Yuan was listening intently, but the words that reached his ears were fragmented, coming in and out.
Finally, when no one was speaking in the tent, and General Xue’s calls of Xue Yuan’s name had shifted from anger to worry, Xue Yuan turned back.
He said, “I understand.”
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