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墨書 Inktalez
The night was deep and the clouds light, the wind whistled as the moon remained dim. The Xu Zhen intended to launch a surprise attack; unfortunately, there were no corpses to be seen for miles, only the sound of a hundred ghosts blowing wind chimes.
Inside the Camp, the horses were already bridled, and the atmosphere was tense. As soon as the Xu Zhen gave the order, they would charge towards Songzhou!
However, the Xu Zhen had yet to make a move. The three thousand Cavalry remained silent and tense, their hearts filled with anger and battle intent that had long since overflowed, but they could only force themselves to suppress it, like a surging tide pressing against a fragile riverbank, ready to burst at any moment!
Li Daozong, an experienced general leading the troops, understood well that some things are invisible and intangible yet constantly influence the outcome of battles—such as fighting spirit, strategy, and morale.
Leading from the front and charging fearlessly into battle can inspire thousands; however, one who is concerned for the Soldiers and can control the overall situation deserves to be called a commander.
Given the Xu Zhen's current control and adjustment of her troops' morale, it was evident that she possessed the potential of a leader. It was not in vain that Li Daozong had entrusted three thousand Cavalry to her. This action might have exceeded what her position could command, but her consistent achievements and style were enough to earn these Cavalry's respect.
Yet many were secretly dissatisfied. Besides Left Guard General Niu Jinda, there were also seasoned veterans like Left General Liu Lan.
As time passed midnight, the Xu Zhen left three thousand Cavalry waiting in the night wind. The surroundings were illuminated by blazing torches, showing no signs of a nighttime raid on the enemy camp!
Sure enough, after another half hour had passed, many Cavalry began to show signs of fatigue; their morale had already diminished significantly. With no movement from the Xu Zhen, Niu Jinda and Liu Lan could hardly contain themselves, wishing they could drag her down from her position and beat her up for her pretentiousness.
After guarding through most of the night, the Xu Zhen finally ascended to the command platform. She looked up at the sky, licked her finger to test the wind direction, pondered for a moment, and finally spoke: “Hmm... I have consulted my intuition; tonight is not suitable for an attack. All Comrades should go rest…”
As soon as these words left her mouth, it was like tossing a torch into a boiling pot of oil; it stirred up the soldiers who had been restless all night to the point where they felt like tearing the Xu Zhen apart!
On the contrary, Niu Jinda and Liu Lan—who initially held prejudices against her—were secretly astonished by her actions. Although they did not understand Xu Zhenzhi's intentions, they would not think that she was foolish enough to deliberately provoke the Soldiers' anger. Such behavior would bring her nothing but harm; given her character, how could she resort to such foolish tactics?
The Soldiers gradually returned to their camps while the Xu Zhen ordered those on duty to keep lighting three thousand torches without extinguishing them until dawn.
Li Daozong's eyes lit up, and he secretly believed that the Xu Zhen indeed had extraordinary strategies. Once everyone had dispersed, he quickly summoned the Xu Zhen, wanting to privately inquire about her tactics.
When the Xu Zhen arrived at Li Daozong's tent, she faced his questioning with a wry smile and gently shook her head, saying, "Commander Li, while I am skilled in divination, I would never gamble with the lives of many brothers. The reason we will not attack tonight is that there is a noble among the troops. I fear that any casualties would be a disservice to your kindness, Commander Li..."
Li Daozong couldn't help but feel disappointed and somewhat angry. He had seen many nobles before, but one who infiltrated the army and prevented the Xu Zhen from launching a night raid on the enemy camp—he wanted to see this noble for himself!
" Xu Zhen, where is that noble now? May I meet him?"
The Xu Zhen was at a loss for words and shrugged her shoulders, saying, "If the Commander wishes to meet him, I naturally cannot refuse..."
After speaking, the Xu Zhen clapped her hands, and Zhang Suling pushed Li Wushuang into the tent. Li Daozong squinted his old eyes and, illuminated by the candlelight in the tent, finally recognized the male soldier disguised as a precious pearl. He was so furious that his beard seemed to bristle!
"Nonsense! You... you girl, how can you act so recklessly!"
The Xu Zhen ignored Li Wushuang's glare and pulled Zhang Suling out of the tent. Behind them came Li Daozong's furious reprimands and Li Wushuang's fragmented explanations.
In truth, the Xu Zhen had no intention of launching an attack. After Zhang Suling secretly reported Li Wushuang's whereabouts to her, she simply shifted all responsibility onto Li Wushuang. This way, Li Daozong would fully support her.
After resolving this troublesome matter with Li Wushuang, the Xu Zhen did not return to rest in her tent but instead went to the rear Craft Workshop. There was also a curfew in the camp; aside from the soldiers on duty, others were not allowed to move around freely. The alert soldiers saw the Xu Zhen approaching and did not dare to stop her as she entered the camp.
Many tents were already dark and silent except for one that still cast shadows of someone reading at night. The Xu Zhen chuckled lightly as she approached the tent and softly greeted, "The Xu Zhen visits late at night; have I disturbed you, sir?"
Inside the tent came a surprised voice, followed by what sounded like tools being knocked over. A barefoot man came out to greet her; he was a charming scholar around thirty years old with handsome features. He grasped the Xu Zhen's wrist and pulled her into the tent while repeatedly apologizing, "Xu Shi must not call me sir; it would be too much for Jiang Que!"
Upon hearing Jiang Que's name, Zhang Suling was suddenly taken aback and thought in astonishment: "Is this person really the great master Ginger Sage? How can he be so handsome!"
She had long resided in the Brothel and was naturally familiar with the Court figures. Ginger Sage, a person of great merit, was a descendant of a prestigious family and a close minister to Sage. Eight years prior to Martial Virtue, he had already held the position of Deputy Minister of Works, overseeing the construction of the Five Festival Canal in Longzhou to facilitate water transport.
By the time of the Zhenguan Era, he was in charge of building the Ninefold Palace and Luoyang Palace, earning great appreciation from the Sovereign. To show his favor, he was promoted to Left Guard General and selected agile and capable individuals to form a military unit named "Flying Cavalry," all under Ginger Sage's command. This unit was stationed to reinforce the inner guard, accompanying the Sovereign on his travels.
Ginger Sage was on par with Yan Lide, both being deeply engrossed in their crafts. While Yan Lide rushed to Laizhou to construct warships in preparation for an expedition against Liao, Sage had no choice but to send Ginger Sage to suppress Tuguhun.
Before departing, Yan Lide could only hand over all the blueprints for what Princess Jinyang needed to create to Ginger Sage. Though reluctant, he could not defy the imperial order. After receiving the blueprints, Ginger Sage became just as absorbed as Yan Lide had been; had it not been for Princess Jinyang being pushed to the front lines by Niu Jinda as an envoy, he would have clung to her without letting go.
Days passed as Ginger Sage continuously studied and researched, becoming increasingly obsessed, nearly neglecting food and sleep. Tonight, with Princess Jinyang personally visiting, how could he not be overjoyed?
As Princess Jinyang entered the barracks with Ginger Sage, she began to explain the blueprints in detail. Ginger Sage felt as if clouds had parted to reveal the moon; it was as if he had gained sight after being blind. He occasionally slapped his thigh in excitement and held Princess Jinyang in high regard.
Zhang Suling had long heard of Ginger Sage's reputation and saw him humbly seeking guidance from Princess Jinyang, treating her as a mentor and expressing admiration through his words and actions. In Zhang Suling's eyes, her Lord seemed enigmatic and profound, as if a wise and deep soul resided within a youthful body!
They discussed matters until dawn broke, at which point Princess Jinyang returned to her camp to rest while Ginger Sage summoned craftsmen to begin bringing the blueprints to life. The Craft Workshop soon buzzed with activity.
For many Soldiers that night, it was a night filled with anger; for Li Wushuang, it was a night of deep hatred towards Princess Jinyang; for Princess Jinyang herself, it was a night full of anticipation; for Ginger Sage, it was an unforgettable night; but for Han Wei, who had defected and pretended to surrender, it was a difficult night!
He brought along more than ten trusted aides and hurriedly made his way to Songzhou City, where he was escorted before Qizong Nongsan and Murong Hanzhu by Tubo Soldiers. His injuries were still shocking. He thought this would be enough to deceive the enemy and quickly warned Say Tang's army about a night raid on Songzhou. However, Murong Hanzhu grew suspicious and subjected him to torture that nearly cost him his life.
By late night, Murong Hanzhu still did not believe him and insisted on executing Han Wei and his companions. Yet someone reported that there were signs of fire in the enemy camp, indicating a possible night raid. Nong Zan quickly took Murong Hanzhu up onto the City Wall and indeed saw distant flames lighting up the night sky!
Murong Hanzhu was naturally suspicious; however, Nong Zan began to waver. He promptly ordered Lu Dongzan to relay commands downwards for all camps below the city wall to be on high alert. In no time at all, everyone mobilized—horses neighed and people shouted in panic.
Lu Dongzan conducted another nighttime interrogation of Han Wei. Han Wei revealed details about Tang's troop strength and specific deployments. After returning and discussing with several strategists for verification, Lu Dongzan confirmed that Han Wei's words were not false. Thus he trusted Han Wei, released him from confinement for proper treatment, entertained many defectors, and reported back to Qizong Nongsan.
Nong Zan is a broad-minded person who has always admired the generals of the Han Dynasty, wishing to recruit all the famous generals of the Tang Dynasty under his command. After hearing Lu Dongzan's report, he quickly met with Han Wei, offering many rewards and comforting him well, providing female servants to serve him diligently, which showed his deep trust in Han Wei.
However, Murong Hanzhu was not easily deceived. He climbed up the City Wall and looked around, boldly stating that Han Wei had feigned surrender. He ordered many Soldiers to remove their armor and return to camp to rest.
The old ministers led by Lu Dongzan believed that Murong Hanzhu was manipulating Nong Zan's emotions and was a smooth-talking sycophant. Having overthrown the Tuguhun in the past, he now sought to harm Tuguhun, which filled them with resentment. That night, they witnessed his abuse of power, even sending Lu Dongzan to Qizong Nongsan to stir up trouble.
Qizong Nongsan trusted Murong Hanzhu; however, Lu Dongzan was the chief minister. Initially, Nong Zan had only been thirteen when he ascended to the throne, and domestic affairs were managed by Lu Dongzan and other old ministers who had worked hard and remained loyal.
Lu Dongzan was also clever and did not directly accuse Murong Hanzhu of wrongdoing. Instead, he praised the King for his keen insight in gaining Han Wei's loyalty, asserting that he would now control the Tang army's strength and movements without worry.
Pleased by Lu Dongzan's praise, Qizong Nongsan was about to sleep when he overheard the female servants whispering about how Murong Hanzhu had once foolishly claimed that Zanpu was blind and could not see even a feigned surrender from the enemy. Nong Zan's heart was suddenly filled with gloom, and he almost ordered the execution of the two female servants.
After pondering for a moment, he restrained himself and simply summoned his personal guard to investigate in the military camp. This guard was also one of Lu Dongzan's men and reported back to Qizong Nongsan about Murong Hanzhu's private order for Soldiers to abandon their vigilance. Although there was no surprise attack that night, Qizong Nongsan had already developed a dislike for Murong Hanzhu.
Not long after falling asleep, Lu Dongzan sent someone to report that Murong Hanzhu intended to take advantage of the night to kill Han Wei. Qizong Nongsan, already in a bad mood, was instantly furious upon hearing this!
(Note: Liu Lan is also referred to as Liu Jian in Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government; historical records are scarce but indicate he was a ruthless character.)
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