The Blood Crown - Chapter 212

The military manuals state: “In the art of war, it requires a thousand swift chariots, a thousand leather-covered wagons, and one hundred thousand armored soldiers, with supplies transported over a thousand miles. The expenses for internal and external needs, hospitality for guests, materials for glue and lacquer, and the maintenance of chariots and armor will cost a thousand gold pieces daily. Only then can an army of a hundred thousand be mobilized.”

This is no exaggeration. Leading an army of one hundred thousand on a campaign is a grand spectacle, but the number of matters to consider is overwhelming, and the amount of supplies needed would require a thousand carts. The daily needs for food, drink, and shelter are all paid for with real gold and silver.

The army moved slowly, covering only forty li each day. Fortunately, the weather had been favorable since the beginning of spring, with no rain, so they camped on sunny high ground each day without any trouble.

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong repeatedly studied the battle map. Suddenly, Yan Sikong asked, “Leaving General Feng and 30,000 troops to guard Datong should ensure our rear is secure, right?” They had already traveled halfway, and Taiyuan was just ahead. They had carefully deliberated their strategy and were betting everything on capturing Taiyuan. However, if anything went wrong at the rear, all their efforts would be in vain.

Feng Ye was confident. “Don’t worry. My uncle has been stationed in Datong with my father for twenty years; no one knows Datong better than he does. You’re merely concerned that the Chahar might rebel. They are currently enjoying the benefits of trade with us and are unlikely to betray us. Even if they dare to do so, they won’t pose much of a threat to Datong.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “It’s not easy, farming and defending the borders outside the pass for so many years.”

Feng Ye coldly replied, “That is the most arduous and perilous duty in the world. My father was raised in the splendor of the capital, yet he willingly guarded the borders for the court for decades. The Chen family’s empire was defended by my Feng family. That dog emperor, instead of being grateful, conspired with eunuchs to frame my family. I will make him pay!”

Yan Sikong remained silent, quietly watching Feng Ye, his heart filled with concern.

He understood the power of hatred better than anyone.

Even the wise Confucius said that one should not share the world with the killer of one’s parents. Hatred is a powerful double-edged sword that harms the wielder as much as the enemy. Yan Sikong had been trapped in the mire of hatred all his life, unable to find peace. But he couldn’t advise Feng Ye to let go; he could only help Feng Ye seek revenge. Besides, now was indeed the best time to rebel, with the imperial court in a state of decay.

Feng Ye looked down at the sand table, his eyes fixed on Taiyuan City, like a predator eyeing its prey. He said coldly, “No matter how high your walls or deep your moats, no matter how impregnable your defenses, I will take you down!”

The army was about to enter Chongxia Mountain, a deep and mountainous area that was a perfect spot for an ambush. The Taiyuan forces would surely be waiting for them there, ready to strike at their leisure.

Feng Ye ordered the army to set up camp on the spot, sending scouts to gather information on the situation ahead. He then gathered his generals to discuss whether they should pass through the mountains or take a detour.

This time, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong had no disagreement. Neither wanted to take a detour. An army of one hundred thousand was a massive entity, and any movement was cumbersome. If they took a detour, it would add at least half a month to their journey. By then, the troops would be weary, and if the Taiyuan forces launched a surprise attack, it would be extremely dangerous. Moreover, this route would become their supply line in the future, so they not only needed to pass through safely but also had to set up camps and fortifications, leaving troops behind to guard the passage.

They spent the entire afternoon discussing the matter, and by the end, everyone was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so they dispersed to have dinner.

Inside the tent, Feng Ye was half-lying on the couch, tiredly saying, “The terrain is even more treacherous than it appears on the map.”

“Indeed.” Yan Sikong sat nearby, deep in thought.

“Do you have any ideas?”

“Actually, the generals made some good points today. Taking a detour would waste too much time, but we could split our forces, which is a relatively safer option. I’m just thinking if there’s an even better strategy.”

Feng Ye nodded. “I’m thinking the same.”

Yan Sikong’s mind was filled with images of the sand table and various scenarios of dividing and maneuvering the troops.

A guard brought in their meal, placing it on the table before quietly leaving. It was no secret that the two of them ate and slept together in the army.

Feng Ye said, “Let’s eat first.”

Yan Sikong moved over and took the bowl of rice, but he had little appetite. “If we count the days, Quewang should be halfway there by now. Qingyang is still farther, but the road is not difficult.” In truth, he wished he could split himself in two. No matter which side he was on, he would always worry about the other.

“Don’t worry about Quewang. He is cautious, brave, and resourceful. I believe he can take Qingyang for me,” Feng Ye said. “Besides, he’s been smart since he was a child.”

Yan Sikong paused, took a bite of food, and remained silent.

When Yuan Nanyu was a child, he was indeed intelligent, but not exceptionally so, and he didn’t particularly enjoy studying. Wasn’t he more like the nine-year-old Yan Sikong who passed the children’s examination? Yan Sikong still couldn’t fully understand why Feng Ye mistook the two of them, but he could only conclude that Feng Ye didn’t want him to be that person from his youth.

However, since their relationship had now eased, Yan Sikong didn’t want to bring it up again. No matter how much affection or resentment he had for Feng Ye, he was not someone who would let personal feelings interfere with important matters. He needed to maintain a harmonious relationship with Feng Ye to pursue their shared ambitions.

Feng Ye seemed to realize something and changed the subject. “We just received news from Yunnan today.”

Yan Sikong looked up. “Oh? How is the situation?”

Feng Ye’s tone was grim. “As you said, they are holding firm and not engaging. The rebel suppression forces have attacked twice without success, and the situation is at a stalemate.”

“That’s good. As long as they hold firm, the rebel suppression forces won’t be able to take them down in a short time. Once we take Taiyuan and head straight for the capital, the court will definitely mobilize troops to aid them, and the crisis in Yunnan will be resolved.”

Feng Ye raised an eyebrow. “Taiyuan is a fortified city, comparable to the Jinzhou of old, and it has more troops than Jinzhou. When I launched this campaign, I never expected to take it quickly. At best, it could take a year and a half; at worst, it could take three to five years. Can Zhongqing hold out until then?”

“Even if we can’t take it quickly, we can’t drag it out that long,” Yan Sikong said, shaking his head. “We can’t afford to delay the grain supplies and soldiers’ pay, and neither can Zhongqing. We must take Taiyuan within a year.”

Feng Ye replied coolly, “Then it will depend on our abilities. But I advise you not to place too much hope in Chen Mu. If we break through Taiyuan, but he fails to hold off the rebel forces, it will drag us down.”

“He won’t fail,” Yan Sikong said confidently. “He has the destiny of an emperor, and that throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony is meant for him.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, his expression turning dark. “What exactly did he promise you to make you so loyal, willing to overcome any obstacle to see him ascend?”

“Even when I was his study companion, I treated him as the future sovereign and taught him accordingly. He has not disappointed my expectations,” Yan Sikong said solemnly. “During those years, I poured all my knowledge into cultivating the emperor I envisioned. His childhood was full of hardships, so he understands the suffering of the common people. He will think as I think, worry as I worry. Only when he becomes emperor can I, as his mentor and chancellor, work tirelessly to restore the nation and fulfill my ambitions.”

A cold flash of anger passed through Feng Ye’s eyes. He took a sip of wine and said in a low voice, “Listening to you, Yan Sikong, it seems you’re a model of virtue, a sage minister who moves heaven and earth.”

Yan Sikong caught the sarcasm in his words and chose not to respond.

“If that day ever comes, I wonder how the world will view you, how history will record you,” Feng Ye said, casting a sidelong glance at him. “Just your early years would fill several volumes.”

“I don’t care,” Yan Sikong said calmly.

“Have you ever considered,” Feng Ye leaned in, his sharp wolf-like eyes fixed on Yan Sikong, “once Chen Mu becomes emperor, will he willingly be our puppet? One day, you and I—will we end up like my father?”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “As long as you hold onto military power, no one can shake you.”

Feng Ye patted his cheek. “Now that sounds right. Yes, I will hold onto my army tightly. I won’t be as foolishly loyal as my father. I will make sure that the Chen family pays back everything they owe the Feng family.”

AN – Still feeling stuck, but I’m back to updating anyway~ (End of Chapter)