Xiao Baoshan recruited many refugees to his army along the way. When they approached Qinghe county, the army had grown to four times it’s original size. The new soldiers were responsible for provisions and weapons. The more experienced would fight on the front line.
Xiao Baoshan had been searching the crowd for members of his family. But this was such a hurried journey that he couldn’t pay attention to all the people around him. When he reached Qinghe county, it had been captured the day before. Therefore, he let his people camp outside the county before figuring out a way to break in.
During this period, some newly escaped refugees also joined the army. Knowing that the army would retake the county, they couldn’t help crying out loud and venting their grievances.
“The enemies are so cruel. They not only rape the women but also hurt children who are only a few months old!” The thought of such inhumane scenes made them furrow their brows deeply.
Xiao Baoshan asked, “I heard that a lot of people escaped after learning the news? Are there still many in the county?”
A refugee replied, “Only half of us escaped. Most thought it safer to stay in the county because the reinforcements would soon come to help them. Some couldn’t afford a long journey. It was dangerous both to stay and to leave, so they decided to try their luck here. It was more acceptable for them to die in the county where they were rooted.”
Xiao Baoshan kept asking, “Do you know who is still in the county?”
“Quite a lot, like the Wong family. They’re so unfortunate. Their house has been occupied and the people have become servants to the enemy. Some of them may have been killed.”
Xiao Baoshan became even more restless. Did Xiao Baozhu escape or stay with Squire Wong? She was so stubborn that she might not have left. If so, did Li Hongmei and Little Ye also stay?
Even if they escaped the county, were they still alive? He couldn’t help worrying about it because there were so many corpses along the way. As a war-seasoned general, he soon calmed himself down and made a battle plan in the barracks.
The plan was based on a full understanding of the enemy’s situation. Hongyan was a small island country. Its people were better at naval battles and slightly inferior in horsemanship and archery. Therefore, a quick attack would work well on them.
Then, he had to figure out a perfect battle formation to retake the county. Although he had a large troop, most people didn’t have war experience. Some might be afraid of using swords or of killing people. Therefore, it was necessary to boost their courage before the battle. He had to provoke their anger and give them absolute determination to win for their invaded country, for their deceased families, and for their lost homeland. After raising morale, he would lead the soldiers in breaking into the county.
His plan was perfect. As soon as the furious soldiers broke through the gate, they smashed all resistance and advanced victoriously. The majority in the county were slaves who weren’t willing to work for the enemy. Seeing the army, they immediately seized the opportunity to fight back and disclose the enemy’s battle plan and positions.
Within a few days, the county had been miraculously saved from the misery. Xiao Baoshan went back home, but he found nobody there. The house smelled badly of liquid manure. Some quilts and a small pot were missing.
They must have escaped.
Then, he headed for the Wong family. It appeared a total tragedy. Squire Wong had been killed, some maids had committed suicide after being raped, and Qin Qingqing and her baby had also died of dystocia.
Xiao Baozhu was gone. Nobody knew whether she had escaped or died. In the house were only Scholar Wong and several strong servants who were kept alive to cook for the enemy. Badly upset by the overnight changes, Scholar Wong looked rather pale and haggard. He was dispirited, silent and soulless.
Xiao Baoshan didn’t have time to ask him anything before he went on fighting. Soon after he led the army into Hexin county, he recaptured it, again using his flexible strategies.
…The imperial court.
When the news reached the palace, the ministers began a heated discussion.
A minister said, “Isn’t he a traitor? Why did he fight against the enemy and put the disturbances to an end? Is he treacherous or actually loyal?”
Another minister said, “Xiao Baoshan led the troops under the sixth prince’s banner. He must have escaped to Baoning city and worked for the sixth prince. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so many forces.”
“So although the sixth prince is far away from the imperial palace, he is still a good prince who is concerned about the country and the people. ”
There was a pause, then the state preceptor sneered. “But why did the sixth prince let Xiao Baoshan lead the troops? Everyone knows Xiao Baoshan is a traitor. What relationship do they have?”
The prime minister said, “There is no proof that Xiao Baoshan is a traitor. We only know that he survived while all the others died in the war. Maybe that’s why he feels ashamed to go back and so wanders around. Now that there’s turmoil in the south, it’s reasonable for him to lead the troops there. We should ask him back for a thorough investigation once the war is over.”
“Humph!” The state preceptor was disdainful. “The military might of Hongyan is so negligible that any general can defeat their troops easily. Besides, our reinforcements are also on the way there. Why does he take the trouble to lead the troops at this time? Does he seek to grow his army in order to attack the capital?”
The other ministers fell into silence.
Just then, the drowsy emperor asked a question as if he had just woken up. “State preceptor, what should we do next?”
The state preceptor replied, “I think we should let our reinforcements deal with Xiao Baoshan before it’s too late. If he’s a traitor, he’ll become a great threat to the peace of our country.”
The emperor seemed to fall asleep again and didn’t answer.
The prime minister objected. “Will the people in the south allow us to kill Xiao Baoshan? He’s their savior and there are many refugees in his army. If we kill him, the south will fall into chaos.”
The state preceptor said scornfully, “So what should we do? Wait for him to build up his army and attack the capital one day?”
Several ministers rallied to his support, claiming that they should kill Xiao Baoshan to avoid a bigger disaster, and the prime minister’s proposal was gradually forgotten among the voices.
…In a private house.
Li Chengkun, the third prince, again met secretly with the state preceptor. He still maintained a poker face. His eyes were as deep as the ocean without any ripples. No one knew what he was thinking.
In comparison, the state preceptor looked very anxious. “Your highness, the situation isn’t in our favor. We should deal with Xiao Baoshan and the sixth prince sooner. Humph! I didn’t expect Li Chengyi could cause such a stir in the northwest. If we don’t stop this, more and more people will support him. Quite a few ministers may think he can rival you to become crown prince, although they don’t say it. Fortunately, your father doesn’t handle government affairs now. Otherwise, he would have asked the sixth prince back to the palace, and you would have had to confront a new threat.”
The third prince carefully boiled the tea step by step, as if he wasn’t listening.
The state preceptor said, “Your highness, I have a suggestion. Don’t you have a spy in the palace? I think it’s time to do something to your father. I mean you can falsify an imperial edict and put poison in his medicine. Then, you’ll be…”
The third prince fetched two cups and poured tea into them. He pushed a cup across to the state preceptor and asked, “Who do you think can rival me in this imperial court?”
The state preceptor thought about it and replied. “Nobody. You’re the best since the fourth prince died. The others are just so-so. The seventh prince, Li Chengyi, is intelligent, but he’s too naive and one-track-minded. He’s not steady enough to be a leader.”
The third prince said, “No hurry then. Let’s wait for a while longer. But we can’t keep Xiao Baoshan alive anymore.”
…Ye Xiaoxian and her companions finally reached Da’an city. The northwest was unlike the central or the southern areas where roads could guide people to their destinations. The northwest was vast, with many mountains and rivers. No roads were built there and it usually took them two days or more to pass a mountain, as they were not familiar the terrain. But after all, they had reached Da’an city, and were closer to their destination.
As they moved forward, they could see barren land and a few houses made of clay, as well as more and more Mongolian yurts, cattle and sheep. Seeing non-locals, herdsmen would be alert to herd the livestock to another side. Also made of brown clay, the gate was closed. Many refugees had gathered in front of it.
Squire Liu couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong? The city won’t let us in again? Have we come here in vain?”
It took them almost two weeks to get from Dinghe to Dahe. There was not much food left. Weary after a long journey, they were dying for a warm bath after they entered the city. But Ye Xiaoxian suspected they wouldn’t get to bathe because water seemed scarce in this area.
A refugee saw Squire Liu sitting in a grand carriage and said subserviently, “We can enter in batches. It’s said that the city is overcrowded with people, so we have to queue up to avoid causing problems.”
Knowing that they could go in, Squire Liu sighed with relief.
But the refugee added, “Be patient. I’ve been waiting for two days.”
Squire Liu was surprised and discouraged.
Two days!