Chapter 344

Jiang Mingyu sat calmly on the couch, sipping fragrant red tea as he listened to Tukesulu and Li Goudan’s detailed report on the Western Xia situation.

“The surrendered troops have all been fully integrated? Good—it seems our efforts in the previous battle weren’t in vain.”

Tukesulu bowed respectfully: “Precisely. The Western Xia soldiers initially resisted, but after months of integration, they’ve all become part of the ranks. I personally dispatched trusted officers to inspect the major corps—now there’s not a single man with disloyal intentions.”

Li Goudan, clad in military attire, stood beside him, beaming: “Your Majesty, I sent trusted men to investigate across the region—the Western Xia people live in peace and prosperity, with not a trace of rebellion left. County officials are diligently promoting the use of Da Jiang’s high-yield rice varieties and farming methods. This year’s harvest will surely be bountiful.”

Jiang Mingyu felt a great weight lift from his heart. He took a sip of tea and smiled: “You’ve worked hard—I’m much more at ease now. Western Xia is dusty, mountainous, and remote; if anything else stirred up trouble, it would drive me mad.”

“Hah! Your Majesty is too modest—it’s our duty!” Tukesulu and Li Goudan exclaimed with delight. Tukesulu glanced around, lowered his voice, and whispered mysteriously: “According to my secret agents, since the madman Tuoba Jiqian is gone, the Western Xia people are thriving! Fields yield abundantly, the elderly and children eat well and wear warm clothes—who would even think of rebelling?”

Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but chuckle. He nodded: “That’s the truth. Seeing the Western Xia people flourish, free from war, is surely their greatest wish. The civilization and enlightenment we brought made them appreciate the value of peace. The era of constant fighting is gone—they now only wish to live in peace.”

“Exactly!” Tukesulu nodded firmly. “I’ve traveled throughout the region—the people, having finally found peace, all vow they’d rather never see war again.”

Jiang Mingyu sipped his hot tea, feeling as though a page of this turbulent era had finally turned. As he pondered, Tukesulu continued: “But the weather has been wildly unpredictable. Though we brought Da Jiang’s seeds and farming methods, Western Xia’s seasons are reversed—winters are long, summers short and sudden... the harvest may still depend on heaven’s will.”

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand: “Where there are seeds, there will be harvest. Even the poorest land is better than before. I’ve seen Western Xia’s water and soil resources—they’ll yield well with scientific cultivation. The first few years are hardest, but once the people master rice and wheat cultivation, they’ll feed themselves fully.”

The three chatted merrily, freely discussing how Western Xia’s civilian life had stabilized. Jiang Mingyu watched Tukesulu and Li Goudan’s excitement and sincerely felt that the suffering masses of this chaotic age had finally found a decent, honorable life.

After a while, Jiang Mingyu suddenly remembered something and asked: “By the way, I heard the Chancellor recently sent large quantities of supplies southward? What’s going on—is it related to Yi Fei?”

“Your Majesty, yes,” Tukesulu replied quickly. “I was curious myself, but the messengers refused to reveal details. The Chancellor ordered absolute secrecy—this is clearly tied to Sister-in-law’s arrangements in the Southern Frontier.”

Jiang Mingyu frowned deeply. Since Liu Yifei vanished into the Southern Frontier six months ago, there had been no word. Though he worried, he also blamed himself for letting her go alone into such a lawless land.

“That girl—what scheme is she hatching now? I thought she’d contact me soon, but these past six months, not a single sign...” Jiang Mingyu sighed.

“Your Majesty, rest assured!” Tukesulu hurried to reassure him. “Sister-in-law has countless clever plans—she’s surely laying secret groundwork in the Southern Frontier. Once everything’s ready, she’ll surely reunite with our army.”

Jiang Mingyu, though concerned, knew Liu Yifei’s capabilities. He nodded: “True—I think so too. Even if she suddenly decided to wander the world, I couldn’t stop her... I only hope she doesn’t run into any strange trouble.”

Tukesulu burst into loud laughter, doubling over with mirth: “Your Majesty, you worry too much! I say the natives of the Southern Frontier are the ones who’ll suffer when they meet Sister-in-law! Ha! I wonder what shape they’ll be in after she’s done with them!”

Jiang Mingyu couldn’t help but smile at his gleeful tone: “You’re right—our Yi Fei has a stubborn temper. Whoever angers her is doomed. She won’t give those villains any mercy in the Southern Frontier.”

Their words brimmed with pride and relief. When their laughter subsided, Tukesulu’s expression turned serious as he continued his military report: “Your Majesty, even without Sister-in-law commanding us, we still have over three hundred thousand troops—strong, young, and eager for battle!”

Jiang Mingyu nodded knowingly: “Indeed. The timing and terrain are perfect. We should begin planning the southern campaign—to unify the realm at last. Our soldiers are surely sharpening their swords already!”

Forget it—Yi Fei must have her own plans. Let’s return to Jincheng first.

With this thought, Jiang Mingyu gave his order.

“Tukesulu, have the army prepare their gear—we depart for Jincheng in three days.”

“As for defense here, entrust it to Lu Yi, Gao Fei, and others. The Snow-Treading Camp will march south with us.”

The Snow-Treading Camp had now become his most elite cavalry force, its strength reaching eighty thousand.

With eighty thousand riders charging ahead, the weak Southern Frontier tribes would soon become part of Da Jiang.

After three days of frantic preparation, Jiang Mingyu swept his sleeve as he gazed at the thirty-thousand-strong army, fully armed and ready.

“March home.”

Soon, Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Tukesulu and others, departed the Western Xia capital, where they had stayed over two months...

At this moment, Western Xia was awash in spring—flowers bloomed everywhere, like a paradise on earth. Once frozen and barren, the land had been icy and desolate when they marched out. Now, returning to the same place, sunlight bathed the land, making it hard to believe this was the same snow-lashed terrain from two months prior.

When Tukesulu learned the army was about to depart, he sighed deeply: “Your Majesty, we trudged through snow and wind for over two months. Now, finally, the weather warms and the scenery turns beautiful—and we’re leaving again? It breaks my heart.”

Jiang Mingyu teased him: “Oh? So you’re reluctant to leave? Then stay behind to guard this place. Lu Yi and Gao Fei are eager to return home—I’ll swap you with them. They’ll thank you endlessly.”

Tukesulu waved his hands frantically: “Don’t joke! My son’s about to be born—how could I stay? Besides, if I hadn’t followed Your Majesty on campaign, my wife would’ve strangled me long ago!”

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: “Hah! I was just teasing—don’t take it seriously. But seriously—is your child really about to be born? By the time we return, we’ll miss it. Why not go ahead? I can lead the army back alone.”

“No way!” Tukesulu shook his head. “My wife’s due soon, but my in-laws are there to help—I can’t do anything even if I return. More importantly, if anything went wrong with you, my wife would kill me. Let’s go together. I’ve prepared fine gifts—I’ll personally congratulate my little one.”

As they joked, the army began to move forward. Jiang Mingyu suddenly caught a glimpse of blue fabric among the trees atop the hill—he froze. Who was that? Had she overheard our conversation?

Before he could think further, a breeze stirred the leaves, and the blue figure vanished. Jiang Mingyu shook his head—probably just a trick of the light. He turned to Tukesulu: “Let’s go. It’s time to head home.”

Jiang Mingyu smiled, then grew serious: “Travel safely—get home in one piece. Your wife and child are waiting.” Tukesulu nodded firmly. They chatted casually a while longer before mounting their horses and leading the army on its homeward march.

The thirty-thousand-strong army marched through the Western Xia mountains, soon vanishing into the winding trails. Far away, atop a cliff in the dense forest, a woman in lake-blue servant’s attire stood motionless. Her face was expressionless as she watched the army depart; the wind lifted her robes, revealing a jade pendant at her waist.

In the dim light, the translucent jade seemed to faintly bear the small character “Qi.”

Long moments passed. She brushed fallen leaves from her shoulder, sighed softly, and vanished into the woods. The mountains echoed her sigh—as if foretelling some ill omen.