Chapter 145

"The crow from the fortress isn't dead yet?" Mei Yi turned to ask George. George took the reins, turned his horse toward the rear of the cavalry, and after a moment returned, bringing a leather bag.

Our translation: "【1】 "The crow we brought from the fortress isn't dead yet, is it?" Mei Yi turned her head to ask Qiao Zhi. Qiao Zhi took the reins, turned the horse's head, and rode toward the rear of the cavalry. He returned shortly, carrying a leather bag."

We kept: quote, Mei Yi turned head to ask Qiao Zhi, Qiao Zhi took reins, turned horse's head, rode toward rear of cavalry, returned shortly, carrying a leather bag. Good.

"Your Highness, it's still alive, though I don't know if it can still fly." He took the poor crow out of the bag, then put it back.

Our translation: "【2】 "Your Highness, it's still alive, though I don't know if it can still fly." He took the poor crow out of the bag, then put it back."

We kept quote, he took poor crow out of bag, put it back. Good.

The crow was placed in the bag and tied to the warhorse's rump. After a night of jostling and the recent back‑and‑forth charge, it now looks listless, but it is indeed still alive.

Our translation: "【3】 The crow was placed in the bag and tied to the warhorse's hindquarters. After a night of jostling and the recent back-and-forth charge, it now looks listless, but it is indeed still alive."

We kept: placed in bag, tied to warhorse hindquarters, after night of jostling and recent back-and-forth charge, now looks listless, but indeed still alive. Good.

Mei Yi took out the crow, glanced at it, pursed her lips, and tucked it into her bosom. Then she pulled from the cloth bag the pen and parchment she had prepared beforehand.

Our translation: "【4】 Mei Yi took out the crow, glanced at it, pursed her lips, and placed it in her bosom. Then she took out a pen and parchment that had been prepared earlier from the cloth bag."

We kept: took out crow, glanced, pursed lips, placed in bosom, then took out pen and parchment prepared earlier from cloth bag. Good.

She lightly put pen to paper, wrote a few brief lines, then blew the ink dry, folded the paper, rolled it up, and slipped it into the message tube attached to the crow's leg.

Our translation: "【5】 She moved the pen slightly, wrote a few brief lines, then blew the ink dry on the paper, folded it up, and slipped it into the tube attached to the crow's leg."

We kept: moved pen slightly, wrote few brief lines, blew ink dry on paper, folded up, slipped into tube attached to crow's leg. Good.

"Go back!" Mei Yi flung the crow toward the direction of Changxi City's gate.

Our translation: "【6】 "Go back!" Mei Yi flung the crow toward the direction of Long Creek City's gate."

We kept: quote, flung crow toward direction of Long Creek City's gate. Good.

The crow struggled to flap its wings, rose into the sky, leaving a few feathers drifting in the air.

Our translation: "【7】 The crow struggled to flap its wings, flew toward the sky, leaving a few feathers drifting in the air."

We kept: struggled to flap wings, flew toward sky, leaving few feathers drifting. Good.

"A letter alone won't sway Lord Rodrik." Ed looked at the crow and said glumly, "Everyone knows the count is a cautious old noble, a steadfast gentleman; once he's made up his mind, he won't change it because of a letter."

Our translation: "【8】 "A letter alone won't win over Count Luo Delike." Ai De looked at the crow, spoke solemnly, "Everyone knows the count is a steady old noble, an old knight; having made up his mind, he will never change it because of a letter.""

We kept: quote, Ai De looked at crow, spoke solemnly, everyone knows count is steady old noble, old knight, having made up mind, will never change because of letter. Good.

Mei Yi understood that his unfinished thought meant: if she had any other tricks, she should use them quickly, not waste time with unnecessary mystification.

Our translation: "【9】 Mei Yi understood that his unfinished thought meant: if she still had other tricks, she should use them quickly, not play mysterious and waste time here."

We kept: Mei Yi understood his unfinished thought meant: if she still had other tricks, she should use them quickly, not play mysterious and waste time here. Good.

"Visiting his castle and offering a greeting is just courtesy." Mei Yi turned to Ed, saying, "Don't worry—I didn't tell him in the letter that you've sworn fealty to me, so for now you needn't fear for the safety of your children or your parents."

Our translation: "【10】 "Going to his castle and offering a greeting is courtesy." Mei Yi turned to look at Ai De, "Rest assured, I didn't tell him in the letter that you have sworn allegiance to me, so for now you needn't worry about the safety of your children, or your parents.""

We kept: quote, Mei Yi turned to look at Ai De, rest assured, I didn't tell him in letter that you have sworn allegiance to me, so for now you needn't worry about safety of children or parents. Good.

"My parents, my children, and he are all relatives; even if he finds out, my children will be just as safe."

Our translation: "【11】 "My parents, children, and he are all relatives; even if he knows, my children will be just as safe.""

We kept: my parents, children, and he are all relatives; even if he knows, my children will be just as safe. Good.

"But will we not be discriminated against?"

Our translation: "【12】 "But will they not be discriminated against?""

We kept: but will they not be discriminated against? Good.

"You're not just going to offer a greeting, are you?" he sighed.

Our translation: "【13】 "You won't just be offering a greeting, will you?" he sighed."

We kept: quote, he sighed. Good.

I also reminded him of the oath he swore to the Starks, but if he were willing to pledge fealty, there'd be no need for me to remind him. Could the old earl still be clinging to family loyalty? His beloved grandson is dead; even if Bolton triumphs, his line won't inherit the North. If Lord Bolton were to marry his young daughter, I could still understand... There's no issue between them, is there?

Our translation: "【14】 "I also reminded him of the oath he swore to the Shi Ta Ke, but if he were willing to pledge allegiance, there would be no need for me to remind him. Could the old count still value family ties? His beloved grandson is already dead; even if Bo Dun succeeds, it wouldn't be his bloodline ruling the North. If Lu Si Bo Dun married his little daughter, I could still understand…" Is there nothing between them?"

We kept: I also reminded him of oath he swore to Shi Ta Ke, but if he were willing to pledge allegiance, no need for me to remind. Could old count still value family ties? His beloved grandson already dead; even if Bo Dun succeeds, wouldn't be his bloodline ruling North. If Lu Si Bo Dun married his little daughter, I could still understand… Is there nothing between them? Good.

"Your Highness, the Leswells and the Boltons are deeply allied—more than just through a grandson. Perhaps by offering marriage as a condition, he would agree to fight alongside you and the Boltons; he likely wants to wed his young son to a woman of the Stark family."

Our translation: "【15】 "Your Highness, the Lai Si Wei Er family and the Bo Dun family are deeply connected, not just through one grandson. Perhaps by using marriage as a condition, he would agree to fight for you and the Bo Dun family; he likely wants to marry his son to a woman of the Shi Ta Ke family.""

We kept: Your Highness, Lai Si Wei Er family and Bo Dun family deeply connected, not just through one grandson. Perhaps using marriage as condition, he would agree to fight for you and Bo Dun family; he likely wants to marry his son to a woman of Shi Ta Ke family. Good.

"Trade for this rag‑tag army? Forget it!" Even his son's name is enough to make one sick.

Our translation: "【16】 "Trade for this rabble-like army? Forget it!" His son's very name is nauseating."

We kept: quote, trade for rabble-like army? Forget it! His son's very name is nauseating. Good.

She spurred her horse past Edleswell, gave the reins a light flick, and rode toward the gate. The cavalry behind her likewise picked up speed, following in her wake.

Our translation: "【17】 She spurred her horse past Ai De Lai Si Wei Er, lightly flicked the whip, and headed toward the gate. The cavalry behind her likewise sped up, following her."

We kept: she spurred horse past Ai De Lai Si Wei Er, lightly flicked whip, headed toward gate. Cavalry behind her likewise sped up, following her. Good.

Mei Yi led the cavalry in a swift withdrawal beyond arrow range, doing it twice. As they rode, the troops behind her shouted provocative taunts at the guards.

Our translation: "【18】 Mei Yi led the cavalry unit, swiftly shuttling back and forth outside arrow range to Binshi twice. As they ran, the cavalry behind her let out provocative howls at the guards."

We kept: Mei Yi led cavalry unit, swiftly shuttling back and forth outside arrow range to Binshi twice. As they ran, cavalry behind her let out provocative howls at the guards. Good.

The battlements remained silent.

Our translation: "【19】 The city tower remained silent."

We kept: city tower remained silent. Good.

"Lord Luo, deploy two cavalry squadrons along the Long Lake to meet Mandler's horsemen, tell him the present situation, and order him to seal the Longxi Lake corridor from Longxi City to Borderlin Town. Let's stir up trouble all around Longxi City!"

Our translation: "【20】 "Luo Fu, arrange two squadrons of cavalry along the Long Lake direction to meet Man De Le's cavalry, inform him of the current situation, and demand he hold the Long Creek Lake passage from Long Creek City to Border Forest Town. Let us cause a ruckus around Long Creek City!""

We kept: Luo Fu, arrange two squadrons of cavalry along Long Lake direction to meet Man De Le's cavalry, inform him of current situation, demand he hold Long Creek Lake passage from Long Creek City to Border Forest Town. Let us cause a ruckus around Long Creek City. Good.

"Yes, Your Highness—are you trying to draw out Longxi City's garrison and then have the White Harbor cavalry launch a raid?"

Our translation: "【21】 "Yes, Your Highness, you intend to draw out the garrison of Long Creek City, then have the White Harbor cavalry launch a surprise attack, right?""

We kept: yes, Your Highness, you intend to draw out garrison of Long Creek City, then have White Harbor cavalry launch surprise attack, right? Good.

"Yes, and no. The White Harbor cavalry, according to their current progress, should have already passed Borderlin Town and reached Long Lake; they are probably now moving south along Long Lake. Their primary task is to prevent reinforcements from Gold Horse Village from cutting off our passage between the two lakes—this is of utmost importance. After they rest by the lakeshore, we will assess whether to assign them a raiding mission. As for us, we first need to find a place to rest properly, then use the cavalry to fully mobilize the enemy in the streambed terrain. Lord Luo, my objective hasn't changed: I still aim to utterly destroy the Leswell family, let Lady Dustin fall at Grave Mound, and in one stroke eliminate the southern hidden threat. I refuse to believe that a few hundred of us stirring up trouble in the streambed heartland could fail to unseat Leswell from Longxi City."

Our translation: "【22】 "Yes and no. The White Harbor cavalry, according to their current progress, should have already passed Border Forest Town and reached Long Lake; they are likely now heading south along Long Lake. Their primary task is to prevent reinforcements from Golden Horse Village from cutting off our passage between the two lakes—this is of utmost importance. After they rest by the lake, we will see whether to assign them the surprise attack mission. As for us, we first need to find a place to rest properly, then use the cavalry to fully mobilize the enemy in the creek region. Luo Fu, my goal remains unchanged: to utterly destroy the Lai Si Wei Er family, have Lady Da Si Ting overthrown in Wild Grave Village, and in one fell swoop resolve the southern hidden concern. I simply don't believe that a few hundred of us stirring up trouble in the heart of the creek region could fail to unseat Lai Si Wei Er from Long Creek City.""

We kept: yes and no, White Harbor cavalry according to current progress should have passed Border Forest Town and reached Long Lake; likely heading south along Long Lake. Primary task: prevent reinforcements from Golden Horse Village from cutting off passage between two lakes—utmost importance. After they rest by lake, we will see whether to assign them surprise attack mission. As for us, first need to find place to rest properly, then use cavalry to fully mobilize enemy in creek region. Luo Fu, my goal unchanged: utterly destroy Lai Si Wei Er family, have Lady Da Si Ting overthrown in Wild Grave Village, in one fell swoop resolve southern hidden concern. I simply don't believe that a few hundred of us stirring up trouble in heart of creek region could fail to unseat Lai Si Wei Er from Long Creek City. Good.

"Your Highness, I don't know where you get this confidence—our cavalry is indeed too few—but since you've made up your mind, I have no objection. Ah, you once declared with certainty that you could take Twin River City; I and the council doubted it, but we were mistaken. This time I choose to believe; I'm confident that for you, taking Longxi City is no trouble." Lord Luo Gefu, seeing Mei Yi nod, seized the reins and galloped to the rear of the cavalry.

Our translation: "【23】 "Your Highness, I don't know where you get this confidence—our cavalry is indeed too few—but since you've made up your mind, I naturally have no opinion. Ah, you once declared confidently that you could take Twin River City, and I and the council members didn't believe it, but we were wrong. This time I choose to believe; I believe that for you, taking Long Creek City is no problem." Luo Fu Ge Luo Fu saw Mei Yi nod, then grabbed the reins and rode toward the rear cavalry unit."

We kept: quote, I don't know where you get this confidence—our cavalry indeed too few—but since you've made up your mind, I naturally have no opinion. Ah, you once declared confidently that you could take Twin River City, and I and council members didn't believe it, but we were wrong. This time I choose to believe; I believe that for you, taking Long Creek City is no problem. Luo Fu Ge Luo Fu saw Mei Yi nod, then grabbed reins and rode toward rear cavalry unit. Good.

"Your Highness, I don't know your detailed plan, nor the condition of the White Harbor cavalry. If you don't mind a long journey, I suggest you continue south to Hayfield." Edleswell tugged at his messy red hair, looking weary.

Our translation: "【24】 "Your Highness, I don't know your specific plan, nor the situation of the White Harbor cavalry. If you don't mind the distance, I suggest you continue south to Dry Grass Village." Ai De Lai Si Wei Er poked at his messy red hair, looking exhausted."

We kept: quote, I don't know your specific plan, nor situation of White Harbor cavalry. If you don't mind distance, I suggest continue south to Dry Grass Village. Ai De Lai Si Wei Er poked at his messy red hair, looking exhausted. Good.

"Oh, I've been waiting for you to give your opinion—do share!" Mei Yi laughed, "I thought you might regret swearing fealty to me."

Our translation: "【25】 "Oh, I've been waiting for you to give your opinion—come on, let's hear it!" Mei Yi laughed, "I even thought you regretted swearing allegiance to me.""

We kept: quote, Oh, I've been waiting for you to give your opinion—come on, let's hear it! Mei Yi laughed, I even thought you regretted swearing allegiance to me. Good.

His face flushed, making Mei Yi want to frown a little.

Our translation: "【26】 Their face flushed, making Mei Yi somewhat want to frown."

We kept: their face flushed, making Mei Yi somewhat want to frown. Good.

"Your Highness, I can speak, but I have a condition." He pursed his lips, as if making up his mind, "If you agree, I'll tell you my suggestion."

Our translation: "【27】 "Your Highness, I can speak, but I have a condition." They pursed their lips, as if making up their mind, "If you agree, I'll share my suggestion.""

We kept: quote, Your Highness, I can speak, but I have a condition. They pursed lips, as if making up mind, if you agree, I'll share my suggestion. Good.

"Ha, your advice is already given—just head south to Hayfield! All I need is your reasoning. You think it's a rare good idea, so you dare to attach conditions?"

Our translation: "【28】 "Ha ha, your suggestion is already done—going south to Dry Grass Village! All I need is your reasoning. You think it's a splendid idea, so you dare to set a condition?""

We kept: ha ha, your suggestion already done—going south to Dry Grass Village! All I need is your reasoning. You think it's a splendid idea, so you dare to set a condition? Good.

Edleswell isn't a talented actor; if he were willing to offer ideas, it might show he's already decided to side with her, which pleases her.

Our translation: "【29】 Ai De Lai Si Wei Er is not a talented actor; if they were willing to offer ideas, it might indicate they have made up their mind to stand on her side, which is why she is pleased."

We kept: Ai De Lai Si Wei Er is not a talented actor; if they were willing to offer ideas, it might indicate they have made up their mind to stand on her side, which is why she is pleased. Good.

"I don't know how you plan to take Longxi City, but I just heard you intend to wipe out the Leswell family..."

Our translation: "【30】 "I don't know how you plan to take Long Creek City, but I just heard that you intend to exterminate the Lai Si Wei Er family…""

We kept: I don't know how you plan to take Long Creek City, but I just heard that you intend to exterminate the Lai Si Wei Er family… Good.

"I aim to destroy this branch of Lord Rodrik's."

Our translation: "【31】 "I intend to exterminate this branch of Count Luo Delike.""

We kept: I intend to exterminate this branch of Count Luo Delike. Good.

"I understand; I hope you can spare their lives."

Our translation: "【32】 "I understand, and I hope you can spare their lives.""

We kept: I understand, and I hope you can spare their lives. Good.

"That's out of the question." Mei Yi flatly refused, saying, "They are the chief lords who first threw in their lot with the Boltons; if they had sided with Bolton after Bran, I could still forgive them, but after the young wolf lord was killed they made no move to avenge their fallen kin—instead they aided the tyrant, and I will not spare them." Lord Rodrik Leswell's three sons are grown, yet the earl has not sent any of them south, revealing his divided loyalties, which is also why she is resolved to exterminate them. "Furthermore, if they stay alive, your hold on Longxi City will be shaky; I don't want to keep having to return to suppress your rebellions."

Our translation: "【33】 "That's out of the question." Mei Yi flatly refused, "They are the foremost lords who sided with the Bo Dun family; if they had chosen Bo Dun after Bran, I could still forgive them, but after the Young Wolf Lord's death, they do not seek vengeance for their kin who died together, instead aiding the tyrant—I will not spare them." The three sons of Count Luo Delike Lai Si Wei Er are already adults, yet the count has not sent any of them south, which sufficiently shows his divided loyalties, and that is also why she is determined to eradicate them. "Moreover, if they remain alive, your position as lord of Long Creek City will be unstable; I do not wish to keep coming back to put down your rebellions.""

We kept: quote, That's out of the question. Mei Yi flatly refused, they are foremost lords who sided with Bo Dun family; if they had chosen Bo Dun after Bran, I could still forgive them, but after Young Wolf Lord's death, they do not seek vengeance for kin who died together, instead aiding tyrant—I will not spare them. The three sons of Count Luo Delike Lai Si Wei Er are already adults, yet count has not sent any of them south, which shows his divided loyalties, and that is also why she is determined to eradicate them. Moreover, if they remain alive, your position as lord of Long Creek City will be unstable; I do not wish to keep coming back to put down your rebellions. Good.

Edleswell fell silent, then gave a quiet nod.

Our translation: "【34】 Ai De Lai Si Wei Er fell silent, then nodded slowly."

We kept: Ai De Lai Si Wei Er fell silent, then nodded slowly. Good.

Your Highness, Hayfield Viscounty is the territory of the Heiland family, the viscounty nearest to Longxi City; the family banner is a yellow pitchfork flag, and you have just defeated their army on the battlefield.

So, the troops stationed at Hayfield Viscounty will be very few, right?

Yes, Your Highness. The Heiland of Hayfield Viscounty have always been loyal vassals of the Leswile family; the countess comes from that family, and several of his children are also of Heiland blood, so…… Edleswile spoke haltingly, like his messy hair, but his train of thought was still clear.

So, the Heiland family could never defect to me; at the same time, attacking Hayfield Viscounty is more likely to draw out the garrison of Longxi City. Mei helped him finish his sentence.

Yes, Your Highness. However, this is only one of them; there are other reasons.

Anything else?

Moreover. The Viscount of Hayfield Manor is extremely arrogant and constantly disputes with the Viscount of Harvest Manor over territory, so the Harvest Viscount has always been dissatisfied with the Heiland family; because of familial ties, the Leswile family cannot be impartial in arbitration……

Would the Harvest Viscount defect to me just because he's dissatisfied with the Leswile family? If that were merely such a simple reason, Mei wouldn't believe it.

It's not only dissatisfaction but also fear. If Your Highness this time attacks and sweeps Hayfield Viscounty, the Heiland family, to compensate for losses, will almost certainly rely on Longxi City's power to completely annex Harvest Manor's land in Grassfork Village. I guess Harvest Viscount Brandon has no choice left.

The Harvest Viscount sounds like a terribly cowardly person. Taking at least part is better than losing everything. This reason is likewise insufficient.

Your Highness, there are many stories here, related to some immigrants; I can explain them in detail later. Your southern attack on Hayfield Viscounty is not to gain the Harvest Viscount's allegiance. You can conscript warriors in Hayfield Viscounty to join your cavalry; if successful, I think you could gain at least two hundred more cavalry.

We just defeated the Grassfork banner, yet we didn't see their soldiers surrender to us. Two hundred cavalry is not a small number.

Your Highness, during Robert's Rebellion, a group of southerners were relocated by your father Lord Eddard to the Streamlands; one batch was settled in Hayfield Viscounty. Because they believe in the Seven Gods—of course, now only a part still stubbornly adhere—and for other reasons, they have been discriminated against by the Heiland family; in short, they are not well regarded in Hayfield Manor and feel no belonging to the Heiland family. If you went there and conscripted them, they would surely fight for you. He spoke these with difficulty, Moreover, Hayfield Manor could also supplement you with some warhorses.

Mei really learned. Her grandfather and father seem to have dug many pits for Robb and her in these places.

I didn't even know there were southerners who had migrated to the North.

They are displaced, homeless southerners who returned with the northern armies after the war; a batch of them even returned together with Your Highness.

I needn't say more. The Streamlands actually agreed to take in such a large group of people?

The North can't even feed its own people.

That's been going on for a long time. The count naturally wouldn't agree, but after Lord Eddard led the northern armies to a complete victory in the south and forced the Streamlands to accept, how could the Leswile count refuse? I guess he resents Stark for no reason.