Chapter 890

In the sixteenth year of Jiazhao, the fourteenth day of the first month, as the sun set.

Twenty li northwest of Shenjing, a dense forest clinging to the mountain’s foot concealed a large cavalry force.

All cavalrymen controlled their warhorses, soothing or feeding them, striving to prevent any sound.

Over a thousand warhorses gathered; save for occasional snorts, not a single other noise emerged.

Jia Cong saw Yu Xiuzhu riding through the ranks with his personal guards, enforcing silence among the cavalry.

Earlier that day, Jia Cong had led two thousand cavalrymen out of camp, galloping sixty li before slowing their pace.

Because Jiang Xiao had encountered remnants of Mongol elite cavalry scouts a hundred li from camp, the entire force had to remain alert beyond sixty li.

This forest was the only place within dozens of li capable of concealing two thousand cavalrymen.

Though firearms possessed unmatched lethality over cold weapons, to remain invincible, muskets must stay beyond safe firing range.

Without artillery suppression or cover, if outnumbered cavalry breached the safe range, even the most advanced breech-loading muskets would be powerless.

Jia Cong led two thousand musket cavalry whose mobility matched that of the Mongol elite, yet firing accuracy plummeted during galloping.

To unleash the devastating power of musket formations, musketeers must dismount, reload, and fire—requiring careful weighing of pros and cons, and precise timing.

…

At the forest’s edge, Jia Cong leaned against a large tree, using the telescope gifted by Nuoyan to gaze into the distance.

Before him stretched an endless plain, overgrown with withered grass, silent and empty, steeped in desolation.

Ai Li stood beside him, clad in armor, her snow-white skin and jade-like face radiating martial grace.

She wore a polished bronze helmet, silver-lacquered mountain-pattern armor, and a crimson plume that fluttered faintly in the wind.

Jia Cong’s many personal guards were deeply curious about this unnaturally handsome soldier who clung to the commander’s side, sharing his bed.

Yet Ai Li’s armor was heavy, yet she moved as if weightless, showing not a trace of feminine softness.

She carried a saber at her waist, rode like the wind, and displayed equestrian skill far superior to any man.

Though he seemed effeminate, his combat prowess was undeniable—stronger than all the guards. The commander’s favor for him seemed justified…

Though they suspected something improper between him and the commander, none dared underestimate him.

Whenever they whispered jokes behind his back, Jiang Xiao or Yu Xiuzhu would hiss a warning.

This became a whispered curiosity among the guards, helping them endure the tedium of march.

Jia Cong was naturally aware but paid it no mind.

Ai Li knew full well, yet dismissed it entirely, continuing to cling to Jia Cong’s side, utterly unbothered.

Her brazen disregard stirred a strange admiration among the guards.

To openly flaunt such a tender, male romance with such confidence—truly heroic.

…

Jia Cong lowered the telescope, sensed something, turned his head—and his personal guards instantly averted their eyes, in a strange, unspoken understanding.

Jia Cong whispered to Ai Li: “Ai Li, you’ve done me a great disservice. These guards are certain I favor male companionship.”

Ai Li couldn’t help but chuckle: “That’s a good thing. When we return to Shenjing, your reputation as the flamboyant Marquis of Wei Yuan will spread through the capital.”

So I’ve decided: I’ll treat you even better, grow even closer to you, let these bastards see for themselves—make it undeniable.”

Then those big-mouthed fools will boast about it upon returning. I truly want to see what spectacle unfolds.”

At that point, which noble lady will dare approach you? You won’t even find a bride. How amusing.”

Jia Cong, seeing her gleeful expression, suppressed the urge to pinch her, whispering with a laugh: “You’re the cruelest of women. Can’t you wish me well?”

Ai Li whispered with a smile: “Don’t worry. While other girls shun you, I’ll still pay attention to you—so you’ll know my worth.”

Jia Cong raised the telescope again, muttering: “Your attention isn’t enough. If you really ruin me, I’ll make you pay—debt repaid with your body!”

Ai Li’s face flushed crimson, her heart inexplicably sweet; she pinched him hard.

Jia Cong suddenly thought of something and whispered: “Hey, how exactly do you plan to treat me better? Tell me—I want to know.”

Ai Li’s cheeks turned pink; she seemed to imagine something, her ears glowing red, and turned her head away: “You want to know? I won’t tell you…”

Behind them, the guards, hearing their hushed exchange, wondered what they were saying.

Not only whispering and laughing, but touching each other—they all broke out in goosebumps, couldn’t bear to watch.

…

After exchanging a few idle words, Ai Li asked: “Yu Zhang, the road ahead is clear, no Mongol scouts in sight—why are we hiding?”

Jia Cong replied: “Ahead is open plain, utterly exposed. Our two-thousand-cavalry force is too conspicuous.”

If we form ranks and advance swiftly, anyone lying flat within ten li will hear us instantly.”

This terrain favors cavalry charges but hinders musket formations—reload speed still lags behind horse speed.”

The enemy has no fewer than fifteen thousand cavalry—many times our number. Even if our two thousand muskets can hold them off, we’ll suffer heavy losses.”

Though every cavalryman carries porcelain grenades, if we reveal our position, Mongol cavalry will swarm us in overwhelming numbers.”

Without artillery suppression, repelling such a massive elite cavalry charge will be extremely difficult.”

…

Ai Li said: “I’ve seen the new breech-loading muskets—range and power are formidable. Isn’t that enough to suppress cavalry?”

Jia Cong replied: “The breech-loaders are indeed powerful, but they’re newly developed. Production is still far too low—only eight hundred completed.”

That’s insufficient for overwhelming firepower. Though range and power have greatly improved, their rate of fire still lags behind galloping horses.”

When we eventually produce better firearms, rate of fire will improve dramatically—enough to resist cavalry charges even without artillery support.”

Then, no matter how large the elite cavalry, they’ll have no fate but to become targets…”

…

Since Jia Cong’s campaign began, Ai Li had witnessed test firings of the breech-loaders—swift reloading, devastating power—both left her awestruck.

She simply couldn’t imagine any firearm surpassing the new breech-loader in power or rate of fire.

Jia Cong said: “I’ve hidden the two-thousand-cavalry force to rest because I’m waiting for Lin Zhen to bring the infantry to my designated position.”

Their artillery carts are extremely heavy, moving even slower than foot soldiers—they’ll likely arrive only after dark, thirty li west of Shenjing.”

Once he sets up the artillery on that gentle slope, as instructed, we’ll have no rear worries.”

Then, based on scout reports, we can strike at the perfect moment…”

…

Shenjing, Ministry of Justice, prison dungeon.

The Three Judicial Offices’ dungeon, though less brutal than the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s or the Investigative Court’s, still radiated a chilling aura.

The dungeon had two levels, spacious and sturdy, with multiple locked gates and extreme security—once imprisoned, escape was impossible.

Yang Hongbin and Wei Guanyao walked down a long corridor; oil lamps on the walls cast dim yellow light, stretching their shadows faintly.

Yang Hongbin reached a cell, opened the small window in the door, and Wei Guanyao leaned in to peer inside.

Inside, Duan Chunjiang lay slumped on straw, limbs bound, mouth gagged, ears plugged.

Yang Hongbin said: “Your Excellency, Duan Chunjiang is meticulous. He infiltrated Shenjing as a spy, stole military supply secrets, and pulled off this major act.”

He must be mentally resilient. We must cut off all escape routes first, then interrogate him—it will be more effective.”

But we cannot delay past tomorrow’s sunset. I sent word to his shop: his store of Bijing rice is low—he must leave the city to procure more.”

Coincidentally, Shenjing’s nine gates are sealed, so he’s stranded outside for a day. If we wait too long, his accomplices will grow suspicious.”

…

Wei Guanyao nodded slightly and asked: “You secretly arrested Duan Chunjiang and Hui Niang, yet left Chen Ruichang untouched—do you have a plan?”

Yang Hongbin replied: “I do. Chen Ruichang is the main culprit, but he’s the Duke’s direct grandson, an officer of the Five Military Directorates.”

Though Duke Qi Chen Yi is away campaigning, his eldest grandson, Third-Rank General Chen Ruiwen, still manages the Duke’s household.”

He holds high rank, has a good reputation, and maintains ties with many noble families—he’s no easy man to handle.