Jiang Yueli, seeing Shen Huai’an still unwilling to relent, could only nod in agreement. As long as she could reach Tongguan, that was enough.
Shen Huai’an led Jiang Yueli and a small escort—about a dozen in total—toward Tongguan.
Jiang Yueli traveled at ease, unaware that some people had already been inadvertently affected by her actions, suffering more than a little as a result.
Thirty Li from Tongguan, the Beichen Army camp
“Master, we’ve interrogated everyone. No one has betrayed us. From the mountain to here, the crates were always within our sight. There’s almost no chance they were swapped en route. The only possibility is that they were switched before being loaded onto the carts,” Shiying reported.
He trailed off because he couldn’t comprehend it. He had personally inspected the gold just before loading—it was all fine. From inspection to loading took less than half a day. How could anyone have swapped seventy to eighty crates of gold under his watch?
Not just a few crates, but the entire haul—all replaced with stones without anyone noticing. It seemed impossible. Shiying almost doubted himself, but his master never questioned his loyalty. Still, the incident was extremely suspicious.
“Since there’s no lead, suspend the investigation for now. The truth will reveal itself eventually. That much high-purity gold will circulate in the market, and its origin will be traced. Keep an eye out for it. The Tongguan battle has dragged on long enough. If I don’t return soon, political instability may arise. Issue the orders: attack the city in three days, and within two months, capture the three cities of Tongguan,” Beichen Yuan said, his grip tightening on his teacup. Shiying saluted and departed.
The gold’s mysterious disappearance puzzled him, yet there was no time to pursue it. However, a fleeting memory of a petite figure leading a horse that day crossed his mind. He didn’t recognize any small subordinate near him, and when Shiying was sent to find that person afterward, no trace was found. Shiying had only caught a brief glimpse, and all shadow guards were masked, leaving little impression.
The only certainty: that person had vanished. Clearly, there was a problem. Perhaps even the magistrate’s men had been lured away by them.
Beichen Yuan didn’t have time to dwell on it, but he was not one to tolerate being outsmarted. Unless that person was never caught, he would make sure they knew the consequences of stealing from his grasp.
To transport the gold to Nanyao, he had already delayed for some time. To avoid alerting the enemy, he had constantly ordered feigned attacks, occasionally clashing in minor skirmishes before retreating.
Jiang Shi’an had no idea of Beichen Yuan’s tactics but remained vigilant. After all, he had suffered enough under him.
Three days later
Beichen’s army launched a surprise attack on Tongguan. Beichen Yuan personally led 100,000 troops against the city, demonstrating overwhelming force. Jiang Shi’an commanded 80,000 to defend. Behind Tongguan lay the cities of Yao and Qi’an. If these three cities fell, Beichen’s army could strike deep into Nanyao. The twelve cities of Yanzhou were tightly linked; one breach could mean the fall of the entire province. Tongguan could not be lost.
Jiang Shi’an had resolved to fight to the death with Tongguan. Knowing Beichen Yuan’s prowess, he had preemptively sent his son, Jiang Yuebai, away under the protection of trusted aides to Yao City for safety. He could give his own life for Nanyao, but he wished his son to live. While confident he could defend the three cities, he never underestimated Beichen Yuan.
Jiang Yuebai resisted. “I won’t leave, Uncle Feng! A battle is about to begin—I can’t flee!”
Despite not sending him back to Kyoto, his father’s aides insisted he temporarily retreat to Yao City. Jiang Yuebai had been with his father’s army for over a year; he knew the reasoning. His father trusted his abilities, but this time, the danger was uncertain. He could not abandon his post.
“Master Feng, as a son of the Jiang family, the heir of the Northern General, the battlefield is my true home. If I only retreat and rely on my father, how will I ever grow? The eagle soars in the sky; my destiny lies on the battlefield. Some challenges are inevitable. If I don’t face them with my father, I’ll have to face them alone later,” Jiang Yuebai argued passionately.
Uncle Feng hesitated but was moved. Listening to the battle drums reverberating across the plains, he too felt the blood stir. Though rough and unlearned in philosophy, he understood the truth: Jiang Yuebai’s place was on the battlefield. Once the general was gone, Jiang Yuebai would inherit the responsibility. A general’s son would not shy from danger.
“Master Feng?” Jiang Yuebai called again.
Feng released his grip, gritting his teeth. “You’re right. No cowardice in the General’s household. Let’s carve a path through the battlefield. As long as I have breath, you won’t be harmed.”
Feng was straightforward and bold. With Jiang Yuebai in agreement, they dashed straight toward Tongguan’s battlefield.
Outside Tongguan, Jiang Shi’an had already led troops out to meet the enemy. Jiang Yuebai and Feng kept a careful distance to avoid distracting the general.
Clad in gold armor with red garments underneath, Jiang Yuebai stood out amidst the troops. Though his martial skill did not rival Jiang Yueli’s, he was formidable by ordinary standards. A year on the battlefield had honed him into a courageous young officer. His reputation had grown within the army. Many scars on his body bore testament to past victories, earned through both skill and sacrifice.