Chapter 105

Chapter 105: The iron horse whistles in the west wind (Part 2)

The biting wind howled, and heavy snow swirled.

Within the study, a thick silence hung heavy. The windows stood wide open. Si Cang Qing stood with his hands 

clasped behind his back, gazing out at the snow raging across the land. Occasionally, a few flakes were swept up 

by sudden gusts of wind, attempting to force their way indoors.

The others remained equally silent, some standing, some seated, their expressions heavy. They occasionally 

glanced at Si Cang Qing, who stood with his back to them, unable to discern his thoughts.

“QingDi,” Qiu Ping Tian, seated on a low couch, finally spoke, breaking the oppressive silence. “What... do you 

intend to do? Last time, during the war with Guangyu Kingdom, you personally led the troops into battle. Now, 

with such a major incident occurring...”

Si Cang Qing did not answer the question, only silence.

The room fell quiet once more.

After a long while, Si Cang Qing slowly turned around, his face still cold and expressionless, revealing not a hint 

of emotion. His gaze swept over each person before settling on Liu Yi. Only then did he speak: “Liu Yi, starting 

tomorrow, all affairs within the court shall be entrusted to you. Have Bi and Mo Zhiyan assist you.” Turning to 

Qiu Ping Tian, he added, “Qiu, the supply of military provisions rests upon you.”

“Lan, you are to go to the western front and lend a hand to Luo Shui.”

The others froze slightly. Liu Yi pondered for a moment before asking, “Your Majesty's meaning is...”

“The Southwest Army cannot be leaderless,” Si Cang Qing lowered his gaze slightly, studying the battle report in 

his hand. “Ye Lou lacks experience, and Mo Qingjue...” His words faltered momentarily. “...cannot be trusted.”

“I shall personally lead the Southwest Army to Fengsi City and breach Yaoshan Ridge.”

Si Cang Qing's decision, though not entirely unexpected, was accepted in silence for the moment. With only two 

great nations now dominating the realm, this battle against Hongcheng Kingdom would be a fight to the death. 

There could be no room for error. Now, the Southwest Army had suffered heavy losses at Fengsi City, even 

losing General Luo Shan. As the main force of the southern campaign, finding a suitable commander to lead them 

was difficult. The only option left was for Si Cang Qing to personally lead the troops once more.

After speaking, Si Cang Qing slowly walked back to his desk, flipping through the few thin sheets of letter paper.

Just days after Ye Lou's plea for aid, the besieged Southwest Army finally broke through the encirclement and 

captured Fengsi City. However... Luo Shan had suffered fatal injuries. In his final moments, he entrusted his 

commander's seal to Mo Qingjue, an ordinary soldier who had always served by his side, before breathing his last. 

True to Luo Shan's expectations, Mo Qingjue managed to break the siege within days, rescuing tens of thousands 

of soldiers.

After the remnants outside the city joined forces with those inside, many officers and soldiers, dissatisfied with 

Mo Qingjue's temporary command, used Luo Shan's name to incite a mutiny. Mo Qingjue swiftly and decisively 

suppressed all rebellions, executing the main instigators under military law. Thus, the unrest within the Southwest 

Army was quelled.

Having endured prolonged siege, the majority of the Southwest Army's troops were severely depleted. They now 

temporarily regrouped at Fengsi City, biding their time before resuming their southward advance.

Mo Qingjue...

Si Cang Qing lowered his eyelids slightly, his mind quietly calculating. The intelligence from Ye Lou clearly 

indicated this man now held considerable prestige within the Southwest Army. Ye Lou's letter expressed 

unabashed admiration. Even Luo Shan, who had initially harbored guardedness and prejudice toward Mo Qingjue, 

had been won over by him. Trusting him implicitly, Luo Shan had even placed the commander's seal in his hands.

He was indeed more than he appeared.

Cangqing still couldn't fully trust this man. As the main force for the southern campaign, the Southwest Army 

was too crucial for him to entrust Luo Shan's command seal to Mo Qingjue without personally overseeing it. 

He would lead the troops himself. If Mo Qingjue truly harbored no ulterior motives, then he would be a rare and 

valuable military talent.

“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang offered a faint smile, “You've assigned tasks to everyone—how could Tian Yang 

be left out?”

Si Cang Qing looked at Cheng Tian Yang and said calmly, “You will accompany me on the campaign.”

After a moment's pause, Cheng Tian Yang broke into a radiant smile, his eyes unusually bright. “Tian Yang obeys 

your command!”

Ah, Si Cang Qing truly understood his thoughts. Not only would he annihilate the Hongcheng royal family, but he 

would personally participate—reclaiming every ounce of hatred and humiliation, bit by bit! Moreover, Si Cang 

Qing surely needed his assistance as well. This was also... their bargain. Just as Hangsai had fallen so swiftly, 

it was because of the hidden agents he had planted there to aid the conquest.

“My lord,” Feng Lan suppressed her worry and looked at Si Cang Qing, “When... when will you depart?”

Today was already the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. In a few days, it would be the New Year. Whether 

or not they celebrated the New Year wasn't particularly important. The crucial point was that heavy snow had been 

falling outside for several days now, and the journey ahead would likely be exceptionally difficult.

After a moment's calculation, Si Cang Qing replied, “The day after tomorrow.”

At this, silence fell once more. Si Cang Qing paid them no mind, picking up a memorial from the table and 

beginning to review it.

“Since His Majesty has resolved to lead the campaign, this servant shall not disappoint. I shall manage the affairs 

of state diligently.” Liu Yi bowed deeply. “This servant takes his leave.”

“Mm.”

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

Within Fengsi City, freezing rain pelted the crumbling ruins.

On the streets, occasional pedestrians hurried past in panic. Every so often, soldiers patrolled by. Looking out, 

the entire city was shrouded in a heavy gloom, soaked in the cold wind, a scene of utter devastation.

Outside the city walls, the military camp was draped in mourning. Within the tents under martial law, a coffin 

stood at the centre.

“General, should you know in the afterlife, you will surely bless our army's success in this campaign,” Yan Sheng, 

Luo Shan's deputy commander, knelt before the spirit tablet, swearing bitterly. “I swear I will personally behead 

that old traitor Cheng and present his head before your spirit tablet with my own hands!”

“Mr. Mo...”

Just as he rose to leave, Yan Sheng heard the guard's respectful call from outside the tent. He paused, watching 

as the tent flap was lifted from the outside and a young man clad in black armour stepped inside.

“General Yan,” Mo Qingjue stood at the tent entrance, his expression unperturbed as he fixed his gaze on the man. 

“What is the meaning of this?” He gestured outside. “Why are all those soldiers gathered here, looking ready for

battle?”

“Mr. Mo,” Yan Sheng replied coldly, “This is my affair alone. It has nothing to do with you.”

“General Yan,” Mo Qingjue's expression turned serious, his brow furrowing. “Now that I hold the command seal, 

every action within this army should be reported to me. Your unauthorized actions may constitute a violation of 

military law.”

With a faint sneer, Yan Sheng retorted, “If I have indeed violated military law, why not punish me according to 

military law as you did before?” Before the other could respond, he added coldly, “Mr Mo, if there is no urgent 

matter, please allow me to take my leave."

“Yan Sheng!” Mo Qingjue's sharp voice halted the man's retreating steps. "Our Southwest Army has just suffered 

heavy losses, and morale is already fragile. You dare to act on your own again? Do you want to throw the entire 

army into panic? Should you persist in this stubborn course, I shall deal with you according to military law."

“Mo Qingjue,” Yan Sheng glared back, "I, Yan Sheng, fear neither heaven nor earth. The General trusted you, 

entrusting you with the General's seal. That does not mean I, Yan Sheng, obey you! Now that the Grand General 

has sacrificed his life for the nation, and nearly a million soldiers from east and west have fought to the death on 

the battlefield for our Canghuan, our Southwest Army cowers in fear, seeking a false peace here. Yan Sheng cannot 

rest easy in his heart!"

“Are you fighting for the realm, or for your own selfish ends?” Mo Qingjue stared coldly at his opponent. “Do you 

even comprehend how crucial this battle is for the realm and the entire world? The outcome of this war hinges 

entirely on our Southwest Army.”

“The maze at Fengsi City trapped our soldiers for over half a month. Both body and spirit are nearing collapse. 

Before the crisis was resolved, a rebellion instigated by those with ulterior motives erupted. Now, just as things 

have stabilized momentarily, your departure will only add to the chaos. It concerns not merely the victory or 

defeat of my Southwest Army, but the very survival of the realm.”

Yan Sheng's eyes blazed crimson as his voice thickened with rage. “Mo Qingjue, don't get too full of yourself! 

When I enlisted, you were still sucking your mother's milk!”

Far from angered by this tirade, Mo Qingjue remained composed. "General Yan, please do not lose your temper. 

I have never denied your military achievements! My experience is admittedly limited, but that bears no relevance 

to this campaign."

As their argument escalated, Ye Lou burst in from outside. “Mr. Mo, General Yan, His Majesty has sent a 

confidential letter.”

Both men froze. Mo Qingjue demanded immediately, “What does it say?”

“His Majesty commands the Southwest Army to hold its position and defend Fengsi City,” Ye Lou relayed 

Si Cang Qing's words. “In half a month, the Emperor will arrive at the camp to personally command the Southwest 

Army.”

“The Emperor is leading the campaign himself?”

Nodding, Ye Lou looked at Yan Sheng. “General Yan, you may finally relax a little now!”

Yan Sheng paused, then reluctantly nodded. Since the Emperor intended to lead the campaign personally, 

preparations must already be in place. How could he act rashly? Besides, during the battle against Guangyu 

years ago, it was Si Cang Qing who had defused the crisis at the critical moment.

With that thought, Yan Sheng turned and strode away.

Ye Lou patted him on the shoulder. “Mr. Mo, don't be so hard on yourself. Had you not offered timely counsel, 

the Southwest Army would likely have been annihilated long ago. It's just a pity about Luo Shan...” His gaze 

shifted to the coffin placed in the centre, a hint of regret flickering in Ye Lou's eyes.

“General Luo sacrificed himself for the nation—a true hero,” Mo Qingjue murmured, his voice tinged with 

reverence and sorrow. Then, shifting the subject, he inquired, “The Emperor... intends to lead the campaign 

personally. Isn't that... exceedingly dangerous?”

Hearing this, Ye Lou's face lit up with admiration. He smiled. “Mr. Mo, you worry too much. His Majesty is a 

true dragon—wise, decisive, and strategically brilliant. Surely you've heard of the legendary victory at Luo Gate 

Pass? I believe that with His Majesty leading the charge, the empire is already within our grasp!”

“Indeed,” Mo Qingjue's lips curved upward, a fleeting, unnamed gleam flashing in his eyes. “The Emperor 

personally breaking the famed Xuanji Seven-Star Formation is a tale celebrated throughout the land. It is precisely 

this that sparked my own interest in military strategy and formation.”

Ye Lou laughed heartily, pulling Mo Qingjue toward the exit as he recounted the battles of that era, his voice 

brimming with eager anticipation.

Mo Qingjue followed his companion's lead, umbrella in hand, listening quietly to the man's words, a faint smile 

perpetually playing at the corners of his lips.

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