Chapter 97
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
“A’Duo, explain the strategy you just mentioned to General Chen. He might have a way to improve it.”
Xie Duo glanced at him, nodded, and gestured for General Chen to approach and listen attentively.
After hearing this alternative strategy, General Chen looked at the Ninth Prince with worry. “Although we’re not sure about the actual terrain’s advantages, just by looking at the sand table, the enemy’s fortifications occupy a natural high ground. Even if the terrain is open, our forces won’t gain an advantage by launching a strong attack.”
Xie Duo shook his head. “General, let’s face the reality. With this terrain, do you really expect an advantage? Our strength lies in minimizing losses as much as possible.”
The Ninth Prince spoke bluntly, showing no mercy in his words. General Chen was somewhat uncomfortable and took some time before asking, “These two fortifications are relatively isolated. Even if our army takes them by force, can we really threaten their heartland?”
Xie Duo suddenly raised an eyebrow at him.
General Chen was taken aback and instinctively looked down to avoid the young man’s determination.
But it was already too late. Xie Duo judged from his expression that he hadn’t grasped the strategic significance of these two fortresses.
Xie Duo lowered his head again, bent down to pick up the flags on the sand table that marked the army’s route, and asked quietly, “Is this alright?”
General Chen readily agreed, “Your Highness, please go ahead.”
Xie Duo pulled out a row of yellow flags and placed them one by one along the land route he had in mind. Then he removed blue flags and planted them along the water route.
General Chen and Prince Yan both lowered their heads, carefully watching, yet they still couldn’t understand what the Ninth Prince intended to do.
It wasn’t until the two-colored flags eventually met at the junction of land and water, forming an encirclement strategy that combined both offense and defense, that General Chen couldn’t help but gasp in shock, looking up at the Ninth Prince!
Xie Duo stood upright and glanced at him. “These two fortresses, as the landing points for the vanguard, can disrupt and intercept the enemy forces on the south by land and water. They can also solve the issues with our original route.”
General Chen bowed. “When I was stationed in the southeast, I had heard of Your Highness’ water-encirclement strategy. I thought it was just a clever improvisation. Today, I’ve learned firsthand and now understand Your Highness’ strategic brilliance, which is truly remarkable.”
“Let’s not rush into it. Since the Chieftain of Luozhou intentionally constructed fortifications in these isolated areas, they likely understand the secrets of this place better than we do. If we truly attack, it might be more challenging than it appears on the sand table.”
General Chen nodded. “I understand.”
Prince Yan looked at his younger brother in astonishment, then at General Chen, and asked, “Is this plan truly feasible?”
General Chen’s face also lit up with joy as he replied, “If the actual terrain matches the sand table, we can succeed in one battle.”
“Great!” Prince Yan joyfully embraced his younger brother. “Well done, my boy!”
Xie Duo was somewhat surprised, not expecting this renowned Great Chu General to have such a limited understanding of the terrain. This suddenly filled him with confidence and anticipation for joining the battle.
General Chen sighed. “Your Highness truly has exceptional talents. If you could accompany the army for on-site exploration, this battle…”
Seeing him bow his head, Xie Duo took the initiative and asked Sixth Brother, “Sixth Brother, can you take me with you?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Prince Yan remarked sarcastically. “Do you think Father Emperor would allow you to take such a risk?”
After some thought, Xie Duo said, “Sixth Brother, General Chen, take care.”
After nightfall, the campfires outside had all been extinguished, but Xie Duo still stood by the sand table, focusing intently.
Prince Yan approached and draped a cloak over his brother. “Rest on the cot for a while. I can’t come up with a winning strategy in the blink of an eye. If I think of something later, I’ll send word to you urgently.”
Xie Duo furrowed his brow and said in a deep voice, “You’re heading to such a battlefield tomorrow, how can I sleep?”
Prince Yan patted his brother’s shoulder. “You’ve been standing here for over an hour. If you can’t sleep, just lie down for a while.”
Xie Duo obediently went around the sand table and lay down on the cot.
Prince Yan also lowered his head to study the sand table closely but found no clues. He couldn’t help but laugh. “I truly don’t understand anything about the terrain, but you have such a gift, A’Duo. In the future, if there’s a chance, I’ll take you to the northwestern border to have a look.”
There was no response.
“A’Duo?” Prince Yan turned his head in confusion toward the cot and was surprised to find his younger brother sleeping soundly, sprawled out in all directions!
“……” Prince Yan, with mixed emotions, gave his brother a wry smile and walked over to cover him with a blanket.
•••
Over a month had passed in the blink of an eye. The vanguard units of the three main army camps should have already reached the Sichuan-Guizhou region. Every day, Han Jiao eagerly awaited news of their first victorious battle.
Since the Emperor and his ministers were busy discussing the war, their restraint on the princes had lessened.
On this evening, the three brothers, along with Master Xiaobai, visited Prince Duan’s mansion again, but they didn’t play cuju. Instead, they all sat in the backyard pavilion, gathered around a stone table, quietly watching Xie Xiu doing handicraft work.
Ever since learning that his Sixth Brother had gone to the battlefield, Xie Xiu had become engrossed in crafting.
He aimed to create a model of versatile armor, suitable for both offense and defense.
From the age of twelve to the present, Xie Xiu had not specialized in crafting, and the Prince Duan’s mansion didn’t have a dedicated workshop for ironwork. He could only use wooden models to represent the armor, creating a palm-sized armor model.
In the evening, the suit of armor was finally fully assembled. Xie Xiu immediately demonstrated the armor’s flexible and adaptable forms to everyone.
Han Jiao couldn’t stop looking in awe. This was like a simplified version of Iron Man’s armor!
Xie An also exclaimed in amazement.
“Seventh Brother is truly amazing!” Xie Jing carefully took the suit of armor from Xie Xiu and examined it for a while. “I’m afraid the palace craftsmen won’t be able to create such intricate armor. When it comes to metalwork, they only make things like bronze cauldrons and silver bowls. This armor’s design is too complex.”
Han Jiao: “We can directly ask for help from the Weapons Bureau of the three main army camps.”
“Yes!” Xie An was the first to agree. “Let’s show it to the craftsmen in the Weapons Bureau!”
Xie Jing turned to Xie Duo and said, “You can inquire about it. After all, isn’t your sword made by the Head of the Weapons Bureau? He should be able to do it.”
Xie Duo gave him a sidelong glance. “Guess how much my sword cost?”
Xie An: “Fifty taels?”
Xie Jing laughed. “Fifty taels wouldn’t even buy the emerald on the scabbard of his sword.”
Han Jiao: “We’re making armor, we don’t need gem inlays. Just plain iron is enough. How much silver do we need approximately?”
Xie Duo glanced at the armor model in Old Eighth’s hands and calmly said, “Around a thousand taels.”
Han Jiao’es eyes widened. “Why is it so expensive?”
“We need to create a set of molds specifically for this, and it’ll take at least six months to produce the final product. Plus, we can only sell one set when it’s done. If we offer too little money, the Weapons Bureau won’t agree. Regular blacksmiths can’t craft such intricate parts either.”
Han Jiao: “This set of armor will surely prove invaluable on the battlefield. Even if it’s initially designed for the soldiers by Prince Duan, we can produce thousands of sets in the future. The molds won’t go to waste.”
Xie Jing: “Times change, and our words may not hold.”
“A thousand taels, I have it,” Xie Xiu spoke with unwavering determination.
The other princes exchanged glances and ultimately selected Xie Duo to mediate.
“Big Brother, are you planning to spend a thousand taels on a suit of armor?” Xie Duo asked. “Senior Minister Li said we shouldn’t be too extravagant.”
They were concerned that Prince Duan might not control the servants in the mansion effectively. In fact, the person responsible for managing Prince Duan’s finances was Senior Minister Li. Such a significant expenditure would surely be questioned.
Xie Xiu smilingly replied, “Sixth Brother will make good use of it.”
Everyone fell silent at his response.
Xie Jing: “Seventh Brother, by the time this armor is completed, Sixth Brother will likely have returned victorious.”
Xie Xiu’s smile faded, and he asked anxiously, “Is it too late?”
“Definitely too late,” Xie Jing affirmed with confidence. “You can send some ready-made supplies to support Sixth Brother.”
“Like the super catapult Seventh Brother made for us last month!” Xie An immediately proposed a feasible plan.
Xie Jing was momentarily surprised but quickly joined in, speaking with great seriousness, “Exactly, that catapult has a longer range than throwing knives, and what Sixth Brother needs is such a dangerous weapon!”
Xie Duo nodded earnestly, honestly agreeing.
However, Xie Xiu didn’t show happiness but gazed at his three brothers with a puzzled expression. After a while, he hesitantly asked, “Why are you lying?”
The three princes, having been exposed on the spot, hung their heads in acknowledgment of their misdeed.
Xie Xiu, looking somewhat lost, stood up and stammered, “I have a thousand taels. I’ll have the treasury bring it to you now.”
“Your Highness!” Han Jiao was about to get up to chase him, but Xie Xiu had already disappeared.
They didn’t want to cause any trouble, especially involving Senior Minister Li.
Han Jiao turned to the three young princes, his gaze settling on the wealthiest big boss among them.
He sat down next to Xie Duo and asked in a hushed voice, “Your Highness, do you need someone to ghostwrite policy essays for you? Someone who knows your narrative style so well.”
Xie Duo lowered his eyes and chuckled softly. “How would the compensation be calculated?”
“No, no, no need for compensation! Just let Your Highness cover the cost of the armor in advance. A weapon and armor like this, unique and rare, if it falls into the hands of a discerning merchant, it can easily sell for at least five thousand taels of silver. Then, we set aside a thousand taels for Prince Duan and use the rest for profit, all of it for you!”
“What if they can’t be sold?” Xie Duo turned to the little child prodigy. “A thousand taels of silver per essay, are you trying to be the next Jia Yi?”
Han Jiao thought for a moment and replied, “I can write several more, Your Highness.”
Xie Duo nodded slowly. “One essay, one thousand words. If we calculate based on the rates of scribes in the capital, you’ll need to write me five thousand eight hundred and sixty essays.”
Han Jiao stared with a deadpan expression.
Xie Duo leaned on the stone table, grinning at the little child prodigy. “If we can’t sell them, you can come manage the finances at my mansion in the future and won’t get paid.”
***
Managing the household finances without getting paid…that’s a wife’s work, isn’t it? This is the second time he made a marriage proposal.
If you enjoy this novel, support the Translator ginevre on her ko-fi account :))
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
