Chapter 428: and translation of title

A few days later, at the Xibei Daying, today was especially lively.

A few wooden tables were set up on the open ground beside the main tent, with Luo Zhenjiang and Xie Guzhou sitting at the head, while Xiao Yuanhang personally accompanied them with his whole family.

Cheng Ru'an and Consort Yun personally rolled up their sleeves, bringing steaming braised fish, fragrant lamb, baked bread, and several rare vegetables to the table one by one.

Xiao Yuanhang lifted a coarse porcelain bowl containing only clear water: "This time, the safe return of my family is entirely thanks to your two heroes and the brothers of the gang."

"Alcohol is forbidden in the army, so I substitute water for wine to toast the two heroes."

The three Xiao brothers—Xiao Ran, Xiao Er, and Lu Qi—each raised their bowls and stood, saying: "Toast to the two heroes!"

Tuan Tuan imitated the adults, raising her own small bowl: "Thank you, Uncle Luo and Uncle Xie!"

Gongsun Yue also lifted his bowl: "Thank you both!"

"You're too polite!" Xie Guzhou gulped a large mouthful, his voice like a great bell, "In the jianghu, we rely on a single word: righteousness."

"That day, it was Tuan Tuan and the three young masters who stepped forward with righteousness, allowing me to sit here today."

"As for the matters of the Ning Prince's mansion, our horse gang naturally cannot shirk our duty!"

Luo Zhenjiang also took a sip, set down his bowl, and said: "Your Highness, I won't waste more words on pleasantries."

"But there is something I must make clear to Your Highness: the water routes in Jiangnan are no longer as before, and they will likely become ever more difficult to travel."

Everyone was startled upon hearing this.

Xiao Yuanhang's expression shifted slightly: "How so?"

"Chen Wang and Qing Wang have just issued an edict exempting Jiangnan from taxes for three years."

"Now throughout the Jiangnan region, everyone is praising the court's benevolence."

"This time, while transporting grain here, I already heard boatmen whispering in private."

"They say this isn't opposing the court, but if the court found out, wouldn't it implicate their families?"

Xiao Ran gave a cold snort: "Chen Wang and Qing Wang are two rebels, emptying the treasury just to buy hearts."

"But what about the provisions for their armies? Where does the silver come from? In the end, it's still squeezed from the people!"

Luo Zhenjiang gave a wry smile: "These things, the common folk don't understand, but the benefits are tangible to them."

"A dan of grain means paying thirty percent less tax; for them, that's a real benefit."

The Xiao brothers exchanged a glance; this move by Chen Wang and Qing Wang is truly poisonous.

Tuan Tuan didn't understand any of this: "Uncle Luo, where's Aunt Luo? Why didn't she come?"

Luo Zhenjiang pulled out an oil-wrapped packet from his bosom: "That girl Red Carp is thinking of you; she specially bought your favorite water chestnut cake and asked me to bring it."

When the paper packet was opened, a clean, sweet rice aroma mingled with the distinctive scent of water chestnut.

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up; she first took a piece and handed it to Gongsun Yue: "Xiao Yueyue, here you go!"

Gongsun Yue took it, smiling broadly.

Tuan Tuan then distributed pieces to everyone; the adults all smiled and declined.

Consort Yun looked at the two children, a gentle smile curving her lips, and softly told Cheng Ru'an: "As long as the children are by my side, I don't mind where we are."

Cheng Ru'an felt deeply, nodding: "Yes."

With her cheeks bulging from the water chestnut cake, Tuan Tuan asked: "Daddy, why can't we drive away that bad guy and go home?"

Xiao Yuanhang rubbed her little head: "Because if we go back now, those villains on the other side will attack and not let us leave."

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "Then just beat the bad guys and drive them off!"

"There are too many villains; we can't fight them now."

Tuan Tuan tilted her head, thought for a moment, then giggled: "Then let the villains chase us!"

"It's like hide-and-seek! Wherever we go, they can only follow; how fun!"

Watching his daughter's innocent smile, Xiao Yuanhang froze.

Seeing him lost in thought, Cheng Ru'an softly called: "Your Highness?"

Xiao Yuanhang came back to himself, shook his head, and said: "It's nothing."

Everyone chatted and laughed, the atmosphere very lively.

But Tuan Tuan picked up a piece of water chestnut cake and slipped down from her chair.

Xiao Er immediately rose and walked to her side: "Miss, where are you going?"

"I'm going to bring a piece to Imperial Uncle!" Tuan Tuan held up the pastry in her hand.

Xiao Er smiled gently, lifted her up, and said: "I'll take you there."

Arriving before Xiao Jieyun's main tent, the guards hurriedly reported.

From inside the tent came the Emperor's voice: "Let her in."

Tuan Tuan slipped into the tent.

Xiao Jieyun was seated before the desk, silently lost in thought.

The candlelight cast his silhouette against the empty tent, making him seem especially lonely.

"Imperial Uncle!" Tuan Tuan lunged into his arms, holding up the pastry: "I brought you water chestnut cake! Hurry and eat—it's sweet!"

The worry in Xiao Jieyun's eyes instantly melted; he took the pastry from her hand: "Thank you, Tuan Tuan, for always remembering me."

"Of course! But why are you always alone, Imperial Uncle? Let me keep you company."

Xiao Jieyun took a bite; the rice cake was soft and sticky, the water chestnut fresh and sweet, leaving him somewhat dazed.

When was the last time he ate a snack so peacefully?

"Imperial Uncle," Tuan Tuan reached out her small hand to smooth his furrowed brow, "why are you always unhappy? Eating cake should make you happy."

Xiao Jieyun grasped her little hand, gave a gentle laugh: "With Tuan Tuan keeping me company, Imperial Uncle is very happy."

He truly felt relieved; on this cold road of power, at least there remained this pure warmth.

Tuan Tuan sat in his lap, chattering on and on, and gradually her little head...

Xiao Jieyun gently picked her up and sent her back to Cheng Ru'an's tent.

At night, after arranging the two martial world gang leaders, Xiao Yuanhang brought several sons and Xiao Ran into the Emperor's large tent.

Inside the large tent, candlelight blazed; Xiao Jieyun dismissed the attendants: "Xiao Yuanhang, what's the matter?"

"Your Majesty," Xiao Yuanhang got straight to the point, "I have a plan that might break the current stalemate."

"Speak."

"Feign a retreat."

The tent fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Today, a single word from Tuan Tuan enlightened me."

"Oh?" Xiao Jieyun was somewhat surprised, "Tuan Tuan?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Exactly, at dinner Tuan Tuan said, wherever we go, let them follow us."

"Now Jingcheng will send no more reinforcements, yet these sixty thousand rebel troops will hold us fast here."

"No matter how I challenge them to battle, they simply shut their doors and refuse to come out."

"If so, why don't we feign a retreat, making it look like we're rushing to Jingcheng for a decisive showdown?"

"When they see our army withdrawing, they will surely pour out in full force."

He raised his hand, pointing to a valley on the map: "This place will be their burial ground."