Chapter 840: Chapter 589: All Calculations
This night at Suo Yue Ridge is destined to be sleepless.
A scout reported from the front line that the Empress of the Da Yong Dynasty has arrived on the other side of the mountain, accompanied by pigs and sheep brought hurriedly from Xinyi.
Since the outbreak of the war, Feng Yun has been tirelessly preparing food and supplies for the Yong Army. From weapons to winter clothing, she has worried over everything. Another empress might have just spent some silver coins, raised some donations, called for thriftiness in the inner palace, leading by example, which would already be remarkable...
But Feng Yun is different.
She has Changmen.
The rapid development of Changmen in recent years is known all over the world.
With wealth, workshops, and powerful productivity, she holds enviable absolute resources in her hands, capable of providing Pei Jue with genuine, unparalleled support...
The snow stopped at night, and on the opposite side, pigs and sheep were slaughtered, stoves were set up, and meals were being prepared.
The aroma of roasting meat seemed to blend with the snow wind blowing over the mountains...
The patrolling soldiers smelled it.
The guards smelled it.
Even Xiao Cheng, inside the main tent, upon hearing the report, seemed to catch the scent of that roasted meat in his nose.
During his brief stay in Huaxi, he once had the fortune to taste it.
The roasted meat from Feng Yun’s home was markedly different from others.
She would use more seasonings to grill the meat, giving it a richer aroma, making it more fragrant to eat. One bite would make you want to swallow your tongue with it, and just smelling it would make your mouth water...
Xiao Cheng took a slight breath.
"Send the order to strengthen the defenses, be wary of deceit."
Whether there is deceit he did not know, but he feared it would shake the morale of the army.
In these bleak, miserable marching days, the soldiers lived in extreme hardship. Any little disturbance might stir up the army’s morale, and he was convinced the other side did it on purpose...
Obviously, the other side not only did it on purpose, but they had to do it deliberately in front of him.
Before Xiao Cheng’s order could be delivered, the urgent sound of horse hooves echoed through the Qi Army Camp outside Suo Yue Ridge at dusk.
"Report——"
"A delegate from the Yong Army seeks an audience——"
The voice resonated throughout the camp.
Xiao Cheng furrowed his brow: "Let them in."
Zuo Zhong and Xiaoman dismounted at the camp’s entrance, Zuo Zhong holding high a tray with fragrant roasted meat, leading Xiaoman from the gate to the Central Military Tent, spreading the aroma all along the way, and bowed upon seeing Xiao Cheng.
"Guardian General of the Left of the Da Yong Army, Zuo Zhong, greets Qi Jun."
Xiaoman then curtsied, bowing slightly.
Xiao Cheng glanced at the couple, his gaze landing on the tray in Zuo Zhong’s hands.
"I wonder what business brings General Zuo here this time?"
Zuo Zhong remained expressionless, presenting the tray with both hands.
"Reporting to Qi Jun, the Empress has words: during war, we are enemies; during peace, we are friends. Today, Her Majesty has entered the camp to comfort the soldiers, bringing over two hundred pigs and sheep, all well-fed and tender. Her Majesty says she wishes to use roasted meat as a bond to collaborate with Qi Jun in this grand event, celebrating this rare peaceful time. She hopes Qi Jun will understand her sincerity, consider the lives of the world, and withdraw from Suo Yue Ridge to resume negotiations."
As his voice fell, a cold snort was heard.
It was Yan Buxi.
Ever since losing to Feng Yun back then, he had harbored resentment, viewing Feng Yun as a monstrous flood, over-interpreting her every word.
"The Empress is truly cunning, trying to disrupt our army’s morale with a plate of roasted meat..."
No one would retreat over a plate of roasted meat.
The aim, of course, was to entice the Qi Army soldiers and shake their morale.
"Put away her calculations; our Daqi soldiers, firm and unyielding, will not lose their backbone over a mere bite of food."
Xiao Cheng’s brow furrowed slightly.
The Empress.
She finally became Empress, being addressed as such...
Yet she was not his empress, nor the Empress of Qi Country.
"Mr. Yan." He raised his hand slightly, signaling Yan Buxi to be quiet, then turned to Zuo Zhong, saying, "Please convey back to her that her intentions are appreciated. As for withdrawing the troops, it wouldn’t be difficult..."
He paused his voice slightly, smiling.
"Have her come in person to negotiate with me."
Zuo Zhong’s face remained unchanged, showing no hint of detecting the provocation in his words, and he calmly bowed, offering the roasted meat along with the tray.
"I will certainly convey Qi Jun’s words."
After speaking, he showed no sign of leaving but instead looked at Xiaoman.
Xiao Cheng’s gaze followed over...
Xiaoman hesitated a little, exchanged an eye with Zuo Zhong, then stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Cheng.
"I have heard that my elder sister is accompanying Qi Jun’s campaign and is now at the Qi Army Camp at Suo Yue Ridge. I humbly ask His Majesty to allow me to accompany my husband here to see my elder sister..."
Then she added, "My sister and I have not seen each other for many years. I wonder if I could seek a boon from Qi Jun to let me meet with her?"
