Chapter 13 – Going Solo!

The next day at court.

“If you have memorials to present, do so. If not, court is dismissed!” The shrill voice of the eunuch rang out, and the officials began presenting their reports.

“Your Majesty! The northwest border has repeatedly suffered incursions by the barbaric forces of Liang. They have disregarded the peace treaty, attacked merchant caravans, slaughtered the innocent, looted food from the people, and razed entire villages! The common folk are suffering unspeakably, living in constant fear and misery! I implore Your Majesty to declare war on Liang and show those barbarians the wrath of Great Ji! Whoever dares offend Great Ji shall be punished—no matter how far they flee!” An elderly official with graying hair stepped forward and spoke forcefully.

The emperor pondered for a moment, then responded, “Liang has violated our peace agreement. We must show them the might of Great Ji. Do any of you have suitable candidates to lead the army against Liang?”

“I believe it would be unwise,” one civil official argued. “Liang is strong, and war between two nations brings suffering to the people. If we go to war, countless children will lose their fathers and mothers their sons! I suggest we try to negotiate peace with Liang.”

“Peace? Peace again? You civil officials only know how to talk peace. And if Liang violates the treaty again after we’ve lost citizens and cities, won’t it be too late to regret it then?” The elderly official from before snapped back.

Xiao Jing saw his opportunity and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Your Majesty, Liang has gone too far. If we don’t show them our strength, they’ll think Great Ji is defenseless! I am willing to lead the army against Liang and swear not to return unless Liang is defeated!”

The emperor nodded thoughtfully. “Xiao Aiqing, as expected of a son from a noble military family! Liang has repeatedly disturbed our borders—this time, we’ll make them submit once and for all! I grant you the tiger tally, allowing you to command up to one hundred thousand troops. Xiao Jing is hereby promoted to Rank One General of Chariots and Cavalry! Lead our army against Liang! I await your triumphant return!”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s immense grace! Long live the Emperor!” Xiao Jing accepted the decree and returned to his place.

“These ancient folks are really annoying—so many rules and so much bootlicking of the emperor,” Qu Wanwan muttered internally.

Strangely, the big grudge-holding system didn’t argue back.

An official aligned with the Eighth Prince stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I have something to report! I received a secret letter from a maid close to the Eighth Prince. She claims the prince’s death was suspicious. On the day of the Empress’s birthday banquet, the prince did not drink alcohol. He merely left the banquet for a while, and then mysteriously died! I beseech Your Majesty to uncover the truth and find the real killer, to honor the Eighth Prince’s spirit!”

A wave of sorrow rippled across the emperor’s otherwise composed face. Tears welled in his eyes, but he held them back and cleared his throat. “If my son was indeed murdered, I will have the culprit executed by a thousand cuts! Let the Court of Justice investigate thoroughly and deliver a result to me!”

The Court of Justice official accepted the imperial order.

After that, several other officials began accusing members of rival factions, and the court turned into a shouting match. Xiao Jing had no interest in listening. Hearing “a thousand cuts” was enough to make him panic!

Everyone assumed he was deep in thought about the war with Liang, so no one questioned his unease.

That night, Xiao Jing tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He debated whether or not to bring Lin Wenyu along. Taking her might reduce unnecessary trouble—not only was the Demon Clan lurking, but the Yao Clan also eyed the situation like a hidden predator. In the end, he decided he would just instruct her to stay in the residence and wait for his victorious return.

As the first light of dawn broke through the clouds, bathing the trees and rooftops in soft golden hues, it also illuminated the beautiful face of a young girl…

Lin Wenyu had stayed up all night, quietly sitting by the window. Her eyes were red, with dark circles beneath them. She got up, called for her maid to help her wash up and apply makeup, and changed into a tightly fitted ruqun.

The makeup covered the dark circles, but not the redness in her eyes. She forced a smile at her reflection in the mirror and didn’t leave until she felt satisfied with how she looked.

At the city gate, a youth dressed in red sat tall on a black Ferghana steed, full of vigor and spirit!

Outside the city, one hundred thousand soldiers stood in perfect formation, ready to depart!

With his blood boiling and pride surging, the youth spoke:
“Liang has invaded us! I, Xiao Jing, have been ordered to lead the expedition! For our nation and our families, men of Great Ji must charge forward with courage and determination! We will drive the Liang barbarians out of our land and slaughter them so they never dare dream of invasion again! If we must die, let it be on the battlefield for our country—who needs to return wrapped in horsehide?! Kill! Kill! Kill!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Xiao Jing looked back and met her water-like gaze. His expression firm, he gave a slight nod to acknowledge her, then turned and galloped away!

“Hyah! Let’s go—!”

Heh, woman, wait for me to come back! Qu Wanwan thought to herself.

The army of a hundred thousand marched out in grand fashion.

They traveled the whole day. It would take them three days to reach their destination. That night, they camped in a patch of forest to rest.

Lin Wenyu tied up her long hair, secured it with a crown, and changed into a neat men’s outfit. She spurred her horse to catch up! This journey would be perilous, but she was not some delicate girl—she would face hardship by his side, live or die together with him!

By the second day, the army had set up camp again, and Lin Wenyu had caught up. She tried to sneak in quietly but was caught by the guards, leading to an awkward scene:

She was brought before Xiao Jing. A soldier knelt on one knee and reported, “General, we caught a spy! Please give the order!”

When Xiao Jing saw the spy’s face, he kicked the soldier aside and snapped, “She’s my military advisor, not a spy!”

The soldier looked innocent and muttered, “She was acting all sneaky, how was I supposed to know she’s the advisor…”

Xiao Jing waved him off, then untied Lin Wenyu himself.

“What are you doing here?! It’s dangerous! Women aren’t allowed in the army. The soldiers here are… let’s just say they’re not exactly saints!” Xiao Jing scolded.

Lin Wenyu responded, “I want to face this with you. If I were left to wait with no news, I’d go crazy!”

Xiao Jing sighed. “Fine. You’ll be my military advisor. I’ll protect you!”

He knew she wouldn’t leave—send her back and she’d just run off again. Tsk, this damn irresistible charm of mine!

Finally, on the third day, after enduring the wind and weather, the army reached Muo City on the northwest frontier and joined another force of one hundred thousand!

As soon as they arrived, Xiao Jing summoned the city’s commanding officers and border generals for a meeting.

“Hell yeah! Two hundred thousand troops united! Now it’s my stage!” Qu Wanwan cheered internally.

“You’re just waving a feather duster like it’s a sacred command,” the system scoffed.

“Shame a fine system like you had to come with a mouth,” she retorted.

Currently, Liang had two forces—one with 3,000 soldiers, specializing in ambushing merchant caravans and leaving no survivors, and the other with 5,000, targeting lightly defended villages for massacres.

Xiao Jing decided to send Vice General Lin Qi with 6,000 light cavalry to eliminate the merchant ambushers. Deputy General Qi Yao would lead 12,000 heavy infantry to wipe out the village raiders. Then, City Commander Wang Kai would lead 180,000 troops to challenge Liang head-on!

As for himself… he wanted to go solo!

Xiao Jing planned to infiltrate Liang, sabotage them from within, then coordinate with the outside to destroy them completely!

He shared his plan with Wang Kai, who expressed concern, but ultimately could only comply—after all, Xiao outranked him.

Wang Kai told Xiao Jing that Liang was currently in chaos. They were recruiting talented individuals to support the young emperor, who had just ascended the throne and faced internal dissent. Many old ministers had already been executed, leaving the court in disarray and desperate for help.

Xiao Jing thanked him. A plan had already begun to take shape in his mind.

That night, the vice generals led their troops on their respective missions. Liang was doomed.

As for Xiao Jing… he instructed Lin Wenyu to lead 2,000 light cavalry and wait for his signal to support him. Then, he disguised himself in the clothes of a Liang soldier and, under cover of darkness and during the nightly gate closure, slipped into enemy territory alone.