Chapter 146: It's Not That I Helped Her

That evening, Meng Chengping escorted Gu Xixi out of the camp, but instead of returning to Huachi Du Cun, he went to the nameless dependents village near the camp.

Although the army had entered a state of war readiness, the news had not yet spread.

The villagers still did not know that a great battle was imminent, and continued to live their peaceful little lives.

Gu Xixi had come several times, already familiar in the dependents village, and along the way she often met people returning home who greeted her.

"Miss Gu Xixi has come? Stay a few more days this time before leaving!"

"Gu Lao Ban is here again to do big things?"

"Gu Xixi, if you need anything, just come to my house to get it!"

……

Gu Xixi responded with a smile.

She appeared completely at ease; who could tell that not long ago she had agreed to such an important matter for the General?

When there was no one on the road, Meng Chengping asked with some concern, "You definitely can't dig that much sheep epilepsy grass by yourself; why did you tell the General you don't need us to help dig?"

Gu Xixi said, "This matter, you and your comrades cannot participate in."

"We can gather military intelligence, and so can they. With so many soldiers leaving the camp at once, keeping it secret is hard to guarantee."

"If the Northern Li people learn that the Northwest Army soldiers are collectively digging wild vegetables, such an abnormal act will surely arouse suspicion. Our tactic relies on mixing fish eyes with pearls and striking unexpectedly."

"If they prepare in advance, there will be nothing we can do."

Meng Chengping suddenly understood, then blamed himself, "I was really muddle-headed, only thinking of quickly setting up this plan, and I forgot these vital details. I deserve a hit!"

After saying that, he fell silent with a stern face, apparently deep in self-reflection.

Gu Xixi focused on driving the cart, not interrupting Meng Chengping.

Regarding tomorrow's operation to dig sheep epilepsy grass, she had already formed a complete plan when she agreed to the General's request.

This afternoon, Huo Jiang summoned Gu Xixi to the military tent for a meeting.

Several other chief commanders were present, and Gu Xixi was the only woman.

The same location, but the atmosphere was completely different from the afternoon banquet when they had met.

Huo Jiang's expression was solemn; he first announced the latest intelligence.

The Northern Li people's warhorses are fat and strong, with extraordinary endurance.

The two countries have been at war for years; the Northern Li cavalry already had an advantage, and this time they deployed more than half again as many cavalry as the Northwest Army.

The commanders' faces were somewhat grim.

But they weren't intimidated by the strong enemy; instead, each felt their fighting spirit rise, and they offered various strategies.

"Let those brats bring their horses over! We've spent years studying their tactics—it's not been for nothing!"

"If we set up trip ropes in advance, we can also form a trip-rope unit to shift back and forth, making us more flexible!"

"Boil some beans, scatter them on the battlefield, and let the Northern Li horses fight over them—how about that?"

"Their cavalry may be passable, but their infantry is inferior to ours, not to mention their battle formations; I think we should first hold our ground, then occasionally send out small squads at night to harass the Northern Li camp."

"I think that works; the Northern Li have always coveted our fields and grain, showing they lack these—burning their granaries would be enough to make them drink a pot."

Gu Xixi sat there listening quietly, feeling no panic at all compared to when she first arrived.

Because she knew clearly that her ability to sit in and listen to their military discussions meant there must be some part where she could be useful.

Sure enough, Huo Jiang raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"When the battle begins, you'll naturally have to adapt these suggestions on the fly."

"But now I want to propose a method never used before."

Actually, this plan is simple; Huo Jiang explained it clearly in just a few sentences.

Inside the tent, silence fell for a moment, then an old general slammed the table and exclaimed, "Great!"

"This herb isn't poisonous; mixed into the Northern Li's fodder, they'd hardly notice it, and even if tested for poison, it would show no abnormality."

Another commander was half‑believing, half‑doubting: "I've never heard of this herb before; it's called sheep epilepsy grass—maybe it works on sheep but not on horses?"

Huo Jiang glanced at Meng Chengping.

Meng Chengping stood up and said, "I've already tested it; it works, and the symptoms are no different from those in sheep."

The commanders then set aside their doubts.

"If we can make the Northern Li warhorses lose their combat ability before the battle, a small effort will yield great results, and everyone would welcome it."

"But who will go get that much sheep epilepsy grass?"

"No one here knows this stuff; we'd just follow the pictures, and if we dug the wrong plant, the medicinal effect would be ruined."

The commanders' gazes followed Huo Jiang and all turned to Gu Xixi, suddenly enlightened.

Since Gu Xixi helped the Northwest Army reclaim land, hardly anyone in the military doesn't know her.

"Gu Lao Ban is an expert; the sheep epilepsy grass was surely discovered by her—no surprise!"

Huo Jiang rose, clasped his fists, and said solemnly, "Gu Lao Ban, could you help with this?"

Gu Xixi agreed without hesitation.

Since there was work to do, going home overnight was impossible.

From the moment he entered the tent, Mu Nan Zhao kept his head low and said nothing, unknown what he was thinking.

As Gu Xixi left with Meng Chengping, she glanced back at him.

His face was hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable.

As Gu Xixi walked, she couldn't help but feel doubtful.

Clearly Mu Nan Zhao had opposed her staying and insisted she return.

Why this time did he say nothing at all?

After everyone else had dispersed, Mu Nan Zhao lifted his head, his face covered with a faint chill, imposing without anger.

"What did General Huo forget to promise me?"

Huo Jiang had known this would happen; he sighed, gave a wry smile, and said, "This time I broke my promise to you. After the battle is over, you can do whatever you want."

Mu Nan Zhao said coldly, "I want her to be completely safe, with no room for error."

"No problem!" Huo Jiang readily agreed, "I've already instructed Xiao Meng to act as Boss Gu's personal bodyguard before the battle starts. We'll increase the hidden sentries around Dependents Village and all the surrounding grasslands by ten percent."

Mu Nan Zhao neither agreed nor disagreed, picked up the cup filled with plain water, and drank it in one gulp.

Seeing him like that, Huo Jiang knew it was only temporary, and while he relaxed, his curiosity flared up again.

"If you don't want her to get involved in danger, she just readily agreed to my request—why didn't you stop her?"

Mu Nan Zhao said lightly, "Because that's what she herself wants to do."

He lifted his gaze to Huo Jiang and said, "Who am I to contradict her?"

Huo Jiang twitched the corner of his mouth as if his teeth ached, "I really can't understand you scholars."

"It's obvious—whomever you hold dear, no matter what she wants to do, you'll gladly indulge her and see it through."

"Such a simple matter, yet you insist on putting it in roundabout ways—it just sounds awkward to me."

Whether it was because he had been called out to his face or not, Mu Nan Zhao's eyes grew dark.

"Huo, Jiang," his tone carried a chilling coldness.

"You're so fanciful and long-tongued—how about switching careers to become a matchmaker?"

Huo Jiang grinned nonstop; he was willing to see Mu Nan Zhao annoyed.

Because this proved he had hit a vital point.

Mu Nan Zhao, however, calmed down, gazing gloomily at the empty cup in his hand.

"There's one thing you got wrong—it's not that I'm helping her achieve her wishes,"

"Gu Xixi never needs anyone to help her achieve her wishes."