FYM - 72

What was the outcome?

Ding Yue’s words were clear to everyone: he was pressuring Song Dan to deal with all those in the main house who had wronged Song Shuyan, or else he would report the matter to Lord Yingchuan. No one could predict how the other party might react—whether they would become enraged or not. Deep down, Song Dan certainly did not want to let his youngest daughter off so easily, but upon further reflection, he recalled that the Song family had once fled Chang’an during the most chaotic period of the succession struggle. This act might have caused the current emperor to harbor lingering resentment against their clan. If they ever sought promotion again in the future, they would likely need to rely on the Fang family’s support. Would it not be a grave loss if such a minor issue jeopardized the future prospects of the entire clan?

After much deliberation, Song Dan ultimately bowed to the situation. He punished his eldest son, Song Mingzhuo, and his third daughter, Song Shuqian, by ordering them to kneel in the ancestral hall. When the decision was made, the main house erupted in cries of despair. Lady Wan’s face turned ashen with fury, and Song’s third daughter, who had never suffered any injustice in her life, screamed herself nearly unconscious, shouting at the top of her lungs, “Father doesn’t love me!” She also cried out, “Is Lady Yingchuan so great? Are you afraid of her, Father? You’re being unfair to your daughter!”

Every word pierced her father’s heart like a dagger, causing him to storm off in a rage. Song Mingzhuo silently helped his younger sister to her feet, but when he turned to look at his youngest sister, his eyes were filled with chilling hostility.

—And what about Song Shuyan?

She watched everything unfold with indifference, feeling that all these events were nothing more than a farce. In the past, she had been the one forced to kneel; now, others had taken her place. But what difference did it make? It wasn’t because she had finally received the justice she had long craved—it was simply that a power greater than her father had intervened.

In truth…

…It was utterly boring.

Meanwhile, within the Jiangnan mansion, chaos and sorrow intermingled, while in the northwest plains of the Central Plains, war raged and smoke billowed across the land.

By mid-February, the rebel army had issued a proclamation denouncing the reigning emperor for patricide and usurpation, claiming that Prince Qin Wei Zheng was the rightful heir to the throne. By the end of the month, they had gathered twenty thousand troops from three major garrisons in the northwest and launched a full-scale rebellion. Dividing into two forces, they captured three cities in just seven days, catching the regions of Guannei and the western Shan’nan Circuit completely off guard.

The imperial army moved swiftly as well. Particularly in Guannei, which was under the command of the Lou family, they managed to block the rebels’ advance eastward even before reinforcements arrived from Chang’an. By the end of February, General Lou Xiao finally led his troops to relieve the pressure on Guannei.

Upon reaching Qizhou, the main army split into two routes. The commander-in-chief led fifteen thousand men northward, while the deputy commander took ten thousand men to the west of the southern mountains. That night, the military tent was brightly lit as the heads of the Fang and Lou families convened to discuss strategy.

“Currently, Zhong He is leading troops in Lingzhou, while Wu Huaimin is stationed around Longzhou,” Lou Xiao said, frowning deeply as he studied the sand table, his expression grim. “We still don’t know where Wei Zheng himself is. If we capture him, the enemy forces in Longyou will lose their leader and collapse without a fight.”

Fang Xianting stood beside him, his usually stern face now even more solemn. After a moment of silence, he spoke: “Zhong’s faction knows the importance of protecting their leader. Most likely, they’ve hidden him behind the battlefield. Shen and Liang Prefectures are close to Guannei, but the Northern Protectorate is deep in the northwest hinterland. Capturing him won’t be easy.”

Lou Xiao nodded thoughtfully, then sighed after a pause. “I fear Zhong He won’t shed a tear until he sees his coffin—he’ll force us to fight all the way to the Northern Protectorate before he surrenders…”

This was entirely possible. After all, Zhong’s faction had no way out. If they lost, they would die and be vilified by future generations. Thus, they were more likely to take desperate risks, fighting until their last breath.

Fang Xianting’s brow furrowed even more as he scanned the sand table. After careful consideration, he said, “Splitting our forces into two routes is indeed prudent, but prolonged skirmishes with the rebels will inevitably drag on. Perhaps it would be better…”

He paused, then pointed to the Northern Protectorate. “I volunteer to lead five thousand cavalrymen deep behind enemy lines to strike at the heart of their forces. If we capture Wei Zheng, the crisis will resolve itself, and we can return to court sooner to report to His Majesty.”

These words…

Lou Xiao was momentarily startled, his gaze deepening slightly. With a somewhat nuanced tone, he asked, “A direct assault? Isn’t that too risky?”

“The Divine Strategy Army is highly trained and exceptionally brave—they are like a sharp blade capable of breaking this deadlock,” Fang Xianting replied matter-of-factly. “Light cavalry excels in maneuvering through enemy lines with strategic retreats and feints. Fortunately, I spent time with the army in Yingchuan last year, so I believe I can secure this victory for His Majesty.”

His words were spoken with absolute clarity and devoid of any selfish motives. However, Lou Xiao couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. He thought to himself that this new head of the Fang family was still too young and impulsive, eager to achieve great feats and bolster his reputation. Perhaps he resented playing second fiddle in this campaign and wanted to prove his valor to the emperor.

“My dear nephew…”

Lou Xiao shook his head and chuckled, his tone laced with subtle condescension.

“I know your heart is in the right place, but warfare demands methodical planning. We cannot afford reckless advances driven by ambition. Dividing our forces and advancing steadily is the surest path to victory. Moreover, our troops outnumber Zhong’s. A surprise attack would not only be risky but also suggest we fear him—a costly mistake.”

The term “nephew” carried a clear implication of seniority, and the subsequent phrase “reckless ambition” directly criticized Fang Xianting’s youth and inexperience, a veiled jab. Yet Fang Xianting showed no irritation. He understood that Lou Xiao, having served alongside his late father, naturally regarded him with some condescension. With even greater earnestness, he continued, “Uncle Lou has spent half his life in military service and possesses far greater insight and strategy than I do. However, there are two pressing concerns for the court in this campaign that commanders must carefully consider.”

He sighed softly, his deep-set eyes appearing even more somber under the flickering candlelight in the command tent.

“First is the issue of funding and supplies. Uncle Lou surely knows that the national treasury is depleted, and the Ministry of War has repeatedly struggled to gather provisions. If our forces penetrate deep into Longyou by March, supplying food and materials will become even more difficult. While a steady advance is prudent, it places a heavy burden on the court. A swift resolution would be far more efficient.”

“Second…”

He paused briefly, his tone tinged with hesitation. After a long silence, he continued.

“The duty of the ten regional commanders is to coordinate defenses against external threats. The situation in the three northwest garrisons is particularly complex. To the north lies the Turkic tribes, and to the west and south, Tibet looms. Prolonged instability could lead to border unrest. If this drags on until deep winter, enemies will find it easier to cause chaos. At that point, the court could face threats on multiple fronts, making the situation even harder to manage.”

His words were precise and clear, yet deeper concerns remained unspoken. Zhong’s faction was prepared to fight to the bitter end. If they faced imminent defeat months later, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t resort to desperate measures, including betrayal and defection. And if that happened…

But Lou Xiao was clearly unmoved by these heartfelt concerns.

While he acknowledged that Fang Xianting’s worries were not unfounded—the issues of supply shortages and border stability were real—for the Lou family, breaking free from the Fang family’s influence was equally critical. Even if a daring deep strike were necessary, the commanding officer could not come from the Fang family. Otherwise, the Lou family would forever remain subordinate and struggle for recognition in court.

—Besides, he didn’t believe for a moment that Fang Xianting acted without self-interest.

Youthful arrogance often breeds recklessness, believing oneself capable of controlling every situation. But Fang Xianting was still far from matching his forebears. His eagerness for quick success could very well lead to catastrophic failure. War was no game, and Lou Xiao would never entrust victory or defeat to an inexperienced subordinate. He wanted a decisive, indisputable triumph.

“Yizhi…”

His tone grew heavier, his gaze piercing as he looked at Fang Xianting.

“Your reasoning is sound, but the outcome of battle affects the larger picture. Zhong He and Wu Huaimin have defended the borders for years, while you are still young and lack experience. A lone thrust into the Northern Protectorate is far too risky. If you encounter resistance and retreat, how can I support you? Ultimately, it could lead to greater losses and leave the court in an untenable position.”

“Uncle Lou,” Fang Xianting’s brow furrowed even more, the small mole beneath his eye lending him an air of solemnity. “But…”

“Enough—”

Lou Xiao waved his hand to cut him off, his tone firm and unyielding.

“This campaign was entrusted to me by His Majesty, who believes I can lead our troops to victory. The Fang family of Yingchuan may enjoy widespread acclaim, but in the military, everyone must obey orders without exception!”

He paused, his voice growing colder as he asked, “What does the deputy commander think?”

From “nephew” to “Yizhi,” and finally to “deputy commander,” the shifting address was both subtle and laden with meaning. Fang Xianting understood that Lou Xiao’s mind was made up, and no amount of persuasion would change it. Pushing too hard could sow discord between them, and disunity among generals was a cardinal sin in warfare. He could not risk endangering the nation during such a critical time.

“The general’s words are wise…”

Thus, he relented, despite being the emperor’s most trusted advisor and despite the Fang family’s prestige making it possible, though not guaranteed, to force the Lou family into submission.

“Military orders are absolute, and I shall obey without question.”

Late that night, after leaving Lou Xiao’s quarters, Fang Xianting returned to his own tent to find his subordinates waiting for him.

On this campaign, Fang Yuncong, the eldest son of the Fang family, and Fang Yunhui, the fourth son, accompanied him. The former served as a mounted cavalry general, while the latter was a junior officer gaining experience. Upon seeing their lord return, the rest of the family members rose to greet him. One of them quickly asked, “How did it go? Did General Lou approve our plan for a surprise attack?”

Fang Xianting gestured for everyone to sit, then silently shook his head. Seeing his gloomy expression, Fang Yuncong felt concerned and cautiously asked, “What reservations does General Lou have? The plan to divide our forces remains unchanged—it’s just a matter of detaching five thousand light cavalry…”

“And why shouldn’t he approve?” another member of the Fang family interjected, his tone brusque due to his age being similar to Lou Xiao’s. “We provide the generals, we provide the troops. If we fail, the blame falls solely on us; if we succeed, he’ll still share in the glory. What’s he afraid of?”

Voices of agreement filled the tent, emotions running high. Fang Xianting raised his hand, and the room fell silent.

“For years, due to interference from the Zhong family, the maps of Longyou haven’t been updated,” he said, his tone weary but calm. “We currently lack detailed knowledge of the fortifications in the three garrisons. Caution is warranted.”

He paused briefly, the worry in his eyes still lingering. Turning to Fang Yuncong, he added, “But the Lou family’s confrontation with Zhong He isn’t entirely secure either. After dividing our forces, ensure someone closely monitors developments within Guannei. Report to me immediately if anything changes.”

Fang Yuncong acknowledged the order, and the generals continued their discussions until the hour of Hai before dispersing. The candlelight on the desk flickered faintly with the movement of the tent curtains, its dim glow barely illuminating the long, dark night enveloping Qizhou.

Fang Xianting sat alone in the flickering candlelight.

…He did not sleep all night.