Chapter 382: Chapter 22: Joy and Sorrow (Part 2)
Apart from the garrison troops stationed in various locations in the Northwest, an additional hundred thousand troops have been assembled to launch a full-scale attack on the Tartar border, while the thirty thousand troops on the Wala border serve only as a deterrent.
Moreover, a spy planted by the Tartars within the Wala camp has personally witnessed Han people entering and leaving the camp of the Wala Great General, infuriating the Tartar Army, which had fully retreated to defend itself.
What the hell, this Wala is such a turncoat!
Although Batraj was suspicious of deceit, as the Wala Army gradually distanced itself from the united forces, he had no choice but to believe that the Wala had betrayed them.
At a command, ten thousand Wala soldiers who hadn’t had time to retreat were ruthlessly slaughtered by the Tartars.
The Wala Great General, who had been threatened by the Great Chu Army, was also a bit dumbfounded, wondering about the promised bribes, persuasion, and courtesy.
All you did was come alone and spout a bunch of talk about "retreat or face death," trying to scare us?
Even if they were indeed intimidated, doesn’t it seem a bit embarrassing for Great Chu to expect them to retreat without offering any benefits?
While Wala was still pondering, they realized the Tartars had retreated and were fully withdrawing from Great Chu, so wouldn’t their hesitation to retreat only result in being encircled by the Great Chu Army!
What the Tartars did was really underhanded, so there’s nothing more to say; since they are so ruthless, why shouldn’t we act ungracefully as well? Let’s withdraw too!
And so, the situation turned out this way.
No one expected that the amicable agreements would end with the Tartars making the first move, directly ambushing and killing ten thousand Wala soldiers.
Not only was Wala dumbfounded, but even the Great Chu Army was a bit puzzled, wondering, have you already broken your alliance?
Soon, the Wala Great General sent over a letter of surrender, and Liu Dusi couldn’t help but laugh in anger; it seems you’re waging war with an attached letter of surrender, fighting when you can and surrendering when you can’t, isn’t this child’s play!
However, the eunuch sent by the Emperor to serve as a military supervisor directly accepted Wala’s letter of surrender and argued justifiably: "The current urgent task is to conquer the Tartars, as for the Wala, they pose no threat!"
During Qin Dusi’s command, there never existed the position of military supervisor, and now, with Liu Dusi being hindered everywhere, he was deeply remorseful.
Meanwhile, in the Capital, Qin Shidao, now serving as Minister of War, upon learning that the Emperor had appointed a military supervisor to the Northwest along with the imperial edict, quietly lit a candle for Liu Daneng, thinking, does everyone believe they can be the Northwest Governor?
Liu Daneng, being a resilient person, has been treating Yunzhi well, yet who knows if it’s due to the Qin Family’s influence!
After discussing for a long time with his father and elder brother, Qin Shidao finally concluded that since Liu Daneng spent over twenty years scheming to gain the Northwest Governor’s position, they should let him sit there for a lifetime.
As long as the Qin Family remains powerful, whether genuine or not, he will treat Yunzhi kindly all his life.
Moreover, now it’s not the Qin Family causing him harm, it’s his loyal monarch who distrusts him.
Having had enough of experiencing being related by marriage to the Emperor under his brother-in-law and "friend," let’s see how he likes being humbled now!
Indeed, reaping what one sows!
However, even though Qin Shidao felt bitter, he didn’t utter a single unpleasant word to his sister, so Qin Yunzhi remains a happy wife and mother.
Especially after receiving a letter of reassurance from her husband sent back through a messenger, out fell a beautiful little dried purple flower from the letter container.
Ignoring her two children beside her, the Qin’s face blushed like she’d tasted wine.
She then pretended nothing happened and pressed the flower under the letter envelope, saying, "I was in such a rush, I forgot to tell your father about your elder sister’s pregnancy."
Sister Zhen and Xuan, no longer young, have known since childhood that though their father looks rugged, he is very considerate towards their mother. Upon seeing the well-preserved flower, what else could they not understand.
Sister Zhen covered her mouth and laughed lightly, saying, "Mother hasn’t just forgotten sister, she’s forgotten herself. You should tell my father that you’re about to give us another brother or sister."
Hearing this, even the always serious Xuan couldn’t help but smile.
The Qin, hearing her daughter’s teasing, blushed even more, as if applied with top-quality rouge, looking like a thirty-year-old woman despite being nearly fifty, with a face like a silver basin and eyes like watery apricots.
Especially now, being pregnant at this age, it shows that Liu Daneng truly cares for this wife.
Reaching such a stage, one can only lament over time, fate, and destiny!
While the situation in the Liu Family remains undisclosed, over at the Hong Mansion, Susu received a letter passed through several hands from Hong Sheng and several large boxes.
The handwriting in the letter appeared quite chaotic, which immediately caused Susu’s heart to tighten. Only after reading it did she breathe a sigh of relief.
Indeed, Hong Sheng and the others were constantly on the move, changing locations nearly every hour to evade the Tartars searching for them, barely snatching naps wherever they could.
Yet, their efforts bore fruits, as within just a few months, not only did they gather substantial intelligence on the Tartars, but also amassed great wealth.
This intelligence and wealth were sent back to their country through covert lines arranged by Great Chu within Tartar, while Hong Sheng privately kept a portion to be sent back via a channel Susu informed him about.
Some of this wealth belonged to Hong Sheng, while another portion was rightful compensation for the soldiers of the Vanguard Camp who had already sacrificed their lives; Hong Sheng would never let his soldiers die in vain.
This is the major reason why members of the Vanguard Camp were willing to follow Hong Sheng, knowing that even if they fell on the battlefield, their families would be well taken care of by Susu.
In the letter brought back by Hong Sheng, besides conveying his safety, was a long list of names, which caused Susu’s heart to tremble upon seeing.
Heed no mention of marquisate pursuits, for one general’s success lies upon ten thousand bones.
"First, sort out the box sealed with white paper," Susu said, calming her emotions, to Shuimo, Fen Dai, and Linglong, who were sorting through the items sent back by Hong Sheng.
Such matters were not for newly promoted maids to handle, requiring Susu to personally manage it with her maids.
In Susu’s quarters, the five maids, Linlang and Qi Qiao, were assigned since Mantou’s birth to care for him by Susu.
Currently, besides Fen Dai, Linglong, and Shuimo, she additionally had three second-class maids and four third-class ones.
Fen Dai and the others, now sixteen or seventeen years old, and due to the war, Susu hadn’t had time to properly discuss their marriages with them.
Though questioned a few times, the maids were honest, expressing their desire to accompany Susu through these tough times before addressing their lifelong matters later.
Susu was grateful for their loyalty, raising their monthly salary from first class to a special second-class rate and constantly rewarding them, which made the maids a bit uneasy.
The three gracefully matured maids, upon seeing the box sealed with white paper, felt a pang in their hearts.
Since the Master went on expedition a few years ago, they had encountered such boxes four times, already understanding the meaning of the white paper seal.
Sure enough, before they even opened the box, they saw their Mistress had already gone to her study, personally laying paper and grinding ink, yet the brush in her hand hesitated, not making a mark...
