C175. Departure.

C175. Departure.

"You, how could you..."

Yuan Li smiled, "Father, men can marry men."

Yuan Song took a deep breath, "But he's Chu Mingfeng's brother!"

Yuan Li calmly replied, "You know, the relationship between Chu Mingfeng and I is only a formality, just to help him."

The words "absurdity" were stuck in Yuan Song's throat, but he couldn't bring himself to say them.

In public, Yuan Li is known as Duke Wen, commanding respect and authority. Yuan Song dare not reprimand Yuan Li in front of public.

In private, seeing Yuan Li looking so weary, Yuan Song couldn't find the words to scold him. He even felt a sense of fear that one wrong word from him could cause Yuan Li to collapse.

Ultimately, Yuan Song, with Madam Chen, hastily departed from the Chu Palace in a disheveled manner.

Meanwhile, Yuan Li calmly placed the jade Guanyin back in his clothes and instructed Yang Zhongfa and Liu Ji Xin to go to the Yuan household and persuade his family.

As loyal followers of both him and Chu Hechao, Yang Zhongfa and Liu Ji Xin were the perfect candidates for this task. As they hurried to the Yuan household, unsure of how Yuan Li's parents would react or what to say, Yuan Li simply said, "Tell them the truth."

Understanding his hint, they rushed to the Yuan household that same afternoon.

Yuan Li no longer dwelled on the matter and instead focused on organizing provisions, deploying troops, and maintaining stability in the northern three provinces.

He even took a trip to the northern frontier, personally meeting with the generals and troops stationed there to reassure them.

The soldiers in the north showed unwavering trust in Yuan Li, expressing their readiness to follow his orders until Chu Hechao's return.

Surprised by their level of cooperation, Gu Yuquan privately informed him, "Duke Wen, this was all arranged by the Commander."

If something were to happen to the Commander, they would see Yuan Li as the leader and treat any dissent as treason.

Feeling elated, Yuan Li couldn't help but smile, "He actually arranged this many things?"

Gu Yuquan's gaze seemed to see through everything, indicating a clear understanding of the relationship between Yuan Li and Chu Hechao, "So, you can rest assured in the north."

Truly at ease, when Yuan Li returned from the northern frontier, the Grain Allocation Department delivered some unsettling news.

Upon learning of Chu Hechao's likely demise, the governors of Yanzhou and Qingzhou, Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, began to plot some mischief.

These two were the unlucky governors whom Yuan Li had previously outwitted. Initially intending to bribe Yuan Li to clear their names, they were humiliated when Yuan Li refused to accept the gifts. Since then, their relationship with Yuan Li had been strained.

Not comprehending Yuan Li's capabilities, they saw the northern three provinces, now without Chu Hechao, as an opportunity to seize power. Disregarding their reputation, they sought to take advantage by challenging Yuan Li.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Li smirked coldly, a hint of anger flickering in his eyes before quickly returning to calm, "Just the two of them scheming?"

Zhao Ying whispered, "Yes, there's been no movement from other factions."

Yuan Li's expression remained composed, "And what about Lu He from Liangzhou? Is he silent as well?"

"Liangzhou hasn't mobilized any troops," Zhao Ying said, "The Ministry of Affairs received a condolence letter from Lu He, in which he sent many gifts and subtly inquired about Chu Hechao's death. My lord, Lu He shouldn't dare to make a move against us."

Yuan Li replied, "It's not that he dares not, he's just biding his time."

In matters of interest, there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies.

Yuan Li was no longer a naive child, and whether in the modern world or in ancient times, especially during times of turmoil, this saying would always hold true.

Walking to the window, Yuan Li gazed out at the howling cold wind and the cold light reflecting the falling snow. "Lu He of Liangzhou may seem impulsive, but he's actually a smart man. Though he and I have cooperated with Chu Hechao in the past, that acquaintance doesn't signify much. If he were to die, I would not hesitate to take control of Liangzhou, and he would do the same. What sets him apart from Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen is that he understands I am not defenseless, so even if Chu Hechao were to meet with trouble, he wouldn't rashly provoke me."

The strong wind bent trees and the howling sounded like waves or wails, but inside the house, it remained warm and undisturbed.

The glimmering light of the snow reflected off Yuanli's face, making his complexion appear even more radiant.

Seeing Yuan Li, Zhao Ying was reminded of the first heavy snowfall in Youzhou when the lord bid farewell to the general bound for the northern frontier.

That day, the lord had not yet displayed his current sharpness; his eyes were filled with smiles and levity, exuding youthful vitality. Traversing the untouched white snow, he would purposely step on the snow, leaving behind footprints unique to him.

Eight years had passed, but the Chu Estate remained the same while the lord had transformed into a figure akin to the swirling snow that could instantly envelop heaven and earth.

As the fire crackled in the hearth, Zhao Ying snapped back to reality. "My lord, shall we tighten surveillance on Lu He through the Grain Allocation Department?"

Yuan Li shook his head, "There's no need to waste energy on Lu He. Once we defeat Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, Lu He will naturally become fearful."

Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen are the ones sticking their necks out.

Other factions are watching to see how Yuan Li will deal with them.

If Yuan Li were to simply ignore Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, or just give them a verbal warning, they would only see him as weak and easy to push around. This would embolden not just these two individuals but others as well.

For Yuan Li to ensure stability in his rear when attacking Prince Chen, he must deliver a strong and heavy blow to Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, using force to intimidate anyone who covets his power.

He must mobilize his troops.

Yuan Li didn't even send a warning letter to Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, nor did he issue any fierce proclamations; instead, he directly commanded a large army equipped with hundreds of triple-bow bed crossbows, advancing from the border of Jizhou towards Qingzhou and Yanzhou, conquering both regions.

With the triple-bow bed crossbows, they had a formidable siege weapon. The spear-like arrows pierced the city walls, and before the officials and soldiers inside could react, the army had scaled the walls by stepping on the arrows and opening the city gates from within.

Heavy cavalry led the charge, followed closely by light cavalry. The elite forces that Yuan Li had painstakingly trained overwhelmed the forces of Qingzhou and Yanzhou.

Within just ten days, Yuan Li had captured several cities, achieving victory over the two regions. Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, upon hearing the news, were both shocked and enraged.

They hadn't expected Yuan Li to be so ruthless, dealing them such a heavy blow without a word!

Though they wanted to fight back, it was winter, and their soldiers were not as well-equipped as Yuan Li's army, resulting in many freezing to death. Additionally, the rivers in the north had begun to freeze, making it impossible for them to challenge Yuan Li's army.

Soon, Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen surrendered, humbly requesting Yuan Li to cease his advance.

Upon hearing the news, Yuan Li calmly remarked, "When seeking help, one must do so with a humble attitude."

Embarrassed, Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen offered a considerable sum of money by way of apology. However, Yuan Li did not return the cities he had taken.

Instead, he stationed his troops there, patrolling and training daily, keeping surrounding cities on edge, always feeling as though Yuan Li was watching them.

From the initial provocation by Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen to their surrender, the entire conflict lasted less than twenty days. It came quickly and ended swiftly, akin to a tornado, showcasing Yuan Li's power to all those observing.

His iron fist was intimidating, and all movements in the north quickly quieted down.

Lu He of Liangzhou even sent another letter to Yuan Li, expressing that they were all friends, and if Yuan Li needed his help, he should not hesitate to ask.

Yuan Li tossed the letter on the table, then turned to his subordinates, his gaze finally settling on Liu Jixin. Without mentioning Lu He, he asked, "Is the food and supplies all prepared?"

Liu Jixin nodded, "My lord, everything is ready. Generals Guan Zhihuai and He Lang can lead the army at any time."

"Good," Yuanli rubbed his fingers, "The land forces will depart first; they can set out tomorrow. If it weren't for Che Kangbo and Hui Zizhen, they could have left ten days ago... Let them depart as soon as possible. The situation in Xuzhou is urgent and cannot be delayed."

Liu Jixin complied.

After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Li said, "The naval forces can also depart. I will leave soon. Once I'm gone, the rear will be in your hands."

The group solemnly accepted the command.

Looking at Lu He's letter on the table, Yuan Li instructed, "Spread the contents of this letter about Lu He's benevolence and righteousness. Make sure others believe that Lu He and we are allies."

Liu Jixin smiled, "A wise move, my lord. I will take care of it."

One by one, the orders were given, and two days later, Yuan Li arrived by the Bohai Sea with Zhou Gongdan, Guo Mao, Jia Qing, and Yang Zhongfa, leading a hundred thousand troops aboard warships heading south to support Xuzhou.

The sea was almost completely covered with densely packed warships.

Generals Guyue and Kongran were excited to follow Yuan Li on the southern campaign.

The flags fluttered, drums sounded. Watching this grand and awe-inspiring scene, Yuan Li stood on the deck and exhaled deeply, stating firmly, "Set sail."

The ships slowly started, venturing into the open sea.

Every coastal city the procession passed by knew that this was Wen Gong's army marching to attack Prince Chen.

A month ago, the Political Affairs Hall issued a proclamation to the world about the campaign against Prince Chen.

The proclamation was impassioned, condemning Prince Chen's treacherous actions, including flooding Xuzhou, plotting against Chu Hechao, and besieging Yuan Li. Just the accusation of breaking the Luoshui Treaty was shocking enough to stir the realm.

If Prince Chen showed no mercy, neither would Duke Wen. He would lead six hundred thousand soldiers south to defeat Prince Chen.

Of course, the number of six hundred thousand soldiers was exaggerated.

In ancient times, commanders often inflated their troop numbers to intimidate their enemies. Yuan Li was not the only one to employ this tactic; it was a common practice among military leaders throughout history.

Onlookers on the shore were stunned by the spectacle of Duke Wen's army, dropping whatever they held in their hands in disbelief.

The warships were majestic, the character "Wen" on the flags rippling in the wind.

One warship after another passed by, their numbers seemingly endless.

It was truly a sight to behold.

Witnessing this, everyone realized the true extent of Duke Wen's power.

They even began to believe that the sixty thousand troops mentioned in Duke Wen's proclamation might not have been an exaggeration but a true force of sixty thousand soldiers!

Such formidable strength served as a display of power, causing all the various factions who witnessed the scene to shrink back, no longer daring to entertain any other thoughts.

*

Jiaozhou.

Chu Hechao managed to easily secure troops from the Governor of Jiaozhou, Zhou Lian, in a manner beyond his expectations. To his surprise, Governor Zhou generously lent him a full ten thousand soldiers and provided provisions for these troops to march for five months.

Despite the offerings, Chu Hechao did not feel joy; instead, his brow furrowed and his expression grew solemn. His cheeks had thinned, showing a hint of weariness beneath his handsome exterior. However, he still stood tall and imposing.

Sitting on the other side, Zhou Yukan, much older than Chu Hechao, no longer exuded the same youthful charm as in years past. Seeing Chu Hechao, as resplendent as ever, made Zhou Yukan feel a twinge of envy and resentment.

The Governor of Jiaozhou was familiar with Chu Hechao's character and, seeing his expression, chuckled and said, "Ciyè, do you doubt my intentions?"

Chu Hechao did not confirm or deny, only responding with a question, "Do you truly trust me enough to hand over ten thousand troops? Aren't you afraid I might leave with them?"

The Governor of Jiaozhou stroked his beard, laughed heartily, and said, "Certainly not. I know your character, and after receiving your favor, what are ten thousand soldiers to me? Take them and use them as you see fit!"

Chu Hechao replied calmly, "This task is dangerous. If these ten thousand soldiers suffer heavy losses, I fear it may not be worth it for you, uncle."

"It's nothing, it's nothing," the Governor of Jiaozhou waved dismissively, half-jokingly, "It's their good fortune to work under you. If they achieve something, it would be a great success."

Chu Hechao gazed deeply at the Governor of Jiaozhou and said, "Uncle's generosity makes me somewhat uneasy."

The Governor of Jiaozhou shook his head and teased, "Chu Ciye, your foul temper hasn't changed in years!"

In a playful mood, he continued, "We were friends with your father, and my beloved son, Zhou Yukan, is also a friend of your elder brother. Considering your past kindness and our relationship, isn't it enough reason for me to help you?"

Zhou Yukan, with a smile on his face, chimed in, "That's right, Ciye. We've met many times when you were young. You should consider me as your elder brother. We're family; don't think too much about it."

Chu Hechao kept his eyes down, tapping the table rhythmically, neither hurried nor slow.

The Governor of Jiaozhou and his son exchanged a glance; though Chu Hechao was the one seeking help, they appeared to hold the upper hand in this moment.

After a moment, Chu Hechao suddenly asked, "Is this something left by Chu Mingfeng for you?"

Though phrased as a question, his tone was assertive.

The expressions of the father and son suddenly became awkward.

Chu Hechao smirked and turned to Zhou Yukan, "Chu Mingfeng left his belongings to two people, and his assets vanished into thin air over the years, along with his loyal servant. I've traced the whereabouts of these items and even stumbled upon your involvement."

Zhou Yukan touched his nose, a hint of guilt and unease crossing his face as he admitted, "Why didn't you come to us initially to claim your brother's belongings?"

Chu Hechao's smile faded as he said coldly, "Who Chu Mingfeng's belongings are given to is of no concern to me. My reason for investigating was merely to ensure his actions wouldn't implicate the Chu family estate."

Zhou Yukan chuckled wryly, "In truth, Chu Mingfeng left these items with me not as a gift but for safekeeping... He mentioned that if you needed them, they would be handed over, and if not, then they would be given to us."

Chu Hechao raised an eyebrow and remarked, "No wonder Uncle is willing to offer me so much assistance."

This statement embarrassed Zhou Yukan and his father.

Because all three of them knew that the assets Chu Mingfeng accumulated over the years in the court were far more than just ten thousand troops and the funds for five months of marching.

Indeed, these items were merely a tenth of all the belongings Chu Mingfeng entrusted to Zhou Yukan.

However, the remaining items had either been used by the father and son or they were hesitant to give them all to Chu Hechao, as these possessions were crucial to Jiaozhou, almost constituting half of their family fortune.

Originally, they had no intention of revealing the truth, but Chu Hechao was not easily fooled. His knowingly spoken words made Zhou Yukan and his father feel uncomfortable.

Chu Hechao had no intention of pressing further.

Although the belongings were left to him by his brother, the true test of character lay in human nature. Above all interests, even those military officers who had followed Chu Hechao for decades could potentially betray him, let alone the long-absent Zhou Yukan and his father.

Now that the items were in their hands, they no longer belonged to Chu Mingfeng. Their willingness to return a portion to Chu Hechao was a sign of their remaining conscience, and Chu Hechao had no intentions of escalating the situation with them over this matter.

Maintaining a neutral expression, Chu Hechao said, "Uncle, please arrange the troops and supplies promptly. Delays may lead to unforeseen circumstances, and I will be leaving Jiaozhou today."

The Governor of Jiaozhou, relieved, hurriedly nodded and responded, "Of course, of course."

Pause in thought, he added quietly, "Thank you for understanding, dear nephew."

Chu Hechao stood up, nodded slightly to the Governor of Jiaozhou, and walked out.

He had no interest in delving into the emotions of Zhou Yukan and his father at that moment; Chu Hechao simply wanted to leave as soon as possible.

It had been three months since he last saw Yuan Li.

During this time, Chu Hechao often dreamt of Yuan Li believing him to be dead and grieving inconsolably. He would wake up in the middle of the night from these dreams, sitting alone on the bed feeling the pain in his heart and struggling to sleep, letting the heartache and anxiety consume him, but suppressing these emotions in silence as dawn broke.

Chu Hechao only wanted to reunite with Yuan Li as quickly as possible, as he sensed Yuan Li was going almost mad with worry.