The Blood Crown - Chapter 214

The news of Yuan Nanyu’s capture of Qingyang invigorated the entire army. Feng Ye was ecstatic and generously rewarded Yuan Nanyu and the soldiers under his command. The masked general, who had already gained some fame from following Feng Ye in previous battles, would now see his reputation spread even further after this victory.

Yan Sikong was more concerned about how badly Yuan Nanyu was injured. Feng Ye assured him that there was no need to worry since Yuan Nanyu was an excellent physician himself. As long as he took good care of himself, he would recover.

Feng Ye ordered the entire army to celebrate. This victory was exactly what they needed right now, not only to boost the depressed morale but also to pave the way for the attack on Taiyuan.

During the banquet, Feng Ye lavishly praised Yuan Nanyu, using his success to inspire the other commanders. Yan Sikong sat below, observing everyone’s expressions. Most of them were immersed in the joy of victory, except for one person whose smile was somewhat forced—Yuan Shaoxu.

Yan Sikong sneered inwardly. Although he wouldn’t go against Yuan Shaoxu out of gratitude for Yuan Mao, this person’s narrow-mindedness had already caused him much distress.

Seeing Yuan Shaoxu involved in strategic discussions while carrying an empty title and watching Yuan Nanyu repeatedly achieve fame and glory, Yuan Shaoxu must have been feeling extremely uneasy, possibly even jealous of his own younger brother.

After the victory banquet, Yan Sikong and Ah Li helped a half-drunk Feng Ye back to the main tent. Feng Ye, reeking of alcohol, collapsed on the bed. When Ah Li moved to help him undress, Yan Sikong said, “No need, I’ll do it.”

However, Feng Ye suddenly grabbed Ah Li’s hand. “Go, call Wang Shen here.”

“Are you going to instruct him to increase patrols around the camp?”

Feng Ye nodded.

Yan Sikong said, “I’ve already spoken to General Wang about it.”

Feng Ye chuckled lightly, “You always… think the way I do.”

“We’ve been here for a while without engaging in battle, so the soldiers’ vigilance will naturally decrease. But the camp’s patrols must never be relaxed, especially in bad weather or during festive occasions. Those are the times when we’re most vulnerable to surprise attacks.” Yan Sikong dismissed Ah Li and helped Feng Ye remove his boots.

Feng Ye squinted at Yan Sikong. When Yan Sikong moved to undo his buttons, Feng Ye suddenly grabbed his hand, a strange emotion flickering in his alcohol-clouded eyes.

Yan Sikong said, “I’ll get you some tea to sober up. It’s been a long time since you were this drunk.”

Feng Ye shook his head, his gaze fixed on Yan Sikong. “Can you always tell what I’m thinking?”

Yan Sikong smirked mockingly, “Not only can I not tell, but it’s becoming harder and harder to figure you out.”

“Really?” Feng Ye took a deep breath, his flushed face still heavy with the scent of alcohol. “In the past, you always knew what I was thinking, and you’d say exactly what I wanted to hear, word for word… always hitting the mark.”

“…That was in the past.” The Feng Ye of the past had the innocence of youth, a purity that had never been trampled, plundered, or scorched. He was straightforward in his likes and dislikes, and his emotions were easy to read. But after experiencing such dramatic upheavals, when the two of them reunited, the Feng Ye of old was no more.

Feng Ye sneered, “Yes, the past.”

Yan Sikong pulled his hand back and stood up to pour tea.

As he poured the tea with his back to Feng Ye, he suddenly thought he heard Feng Ye mutter something softly.

Yan Sikong’s entire body trembled, and he slowly turned his head. Just now… did Feng Ye call him… Kong’er?

Since they had reunited, Feng Ye had rarely called his name. It was as if even uttering “Yan Sikong” was beneath him, let alone calling him by his childhood nickname. That name was something only the closest people would use. Since Yuan Mao’s death, Feng Ye was the only one in the world who called him Kong’er.

Those two syllables had once lingered around him, once echoed intimately in his ears, countless days and nights, as they walked side by side, drank and admired the moon, reveled in the wild, and shared tender moments. That repeated “Kong’er” was a testament to their deepest bond, and only Feng Ye could call him that.

But Feng Ye no longer called him that, at least not when he was sober. Yan Sikong knew why.

His hands trembled until the warm tea spilled onto them, snapping him out of his daze. He strained to listen, longing to hear it clearly, but Feng Ye said nothing more. He couldn’t tell if Feng Ye had really called him “Kong’er” or if it was just the gentle spring breeze that had slipped into the tent, brushing past his ears and leaving behind a fleeting dream.

Yan Sikong carried the tea to the bed and found that Feng Ye had already fallen asleep. He sat by the bed, his eyes tracing Feng Ye’s face over and over again. If, if Feng Ye could open his eyes, if those warm, crimson lips could once more utter the words “Kong’er,” perhaps he could let go of everything.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly. Who would believe that someone like him could be troubled by love?

The fall of Qingyang dealt a significant blow to the imperial court, making Taiyuan even more cautious. They immediately sent reinforcements to guard the three counties of Yanzhou Prefecture.

Yanzhou Prefecture was located between Qingyang and Taiyuan. Together, Qingyang, Yanzhou, and Taiyuan formed a line for transporting goods from the southwest to the capital. Any official or commercial shipments from the southwest would inevitably pass through this route. Cutting off this line would be like severing one of the court’s limbs.

Yanzhou was a relay point between Qingyang and Taiyuan. Its greatest advantage as a transportation hub was its location on the plains, with flat roads. But as a city, it had no natural defenses, just a few isolated towns. Therefore, during their discussions, they naturally chose Taiyuan and Qingyang. As long as they captured one of these, Yanzhou would be easy to take.

Now was the time to seize the three counties of Yanzhou. Despite the court sending reinforcements, they were still confident.

However, Feng Ye was not in a hurry to deploy troops. He was waiting for the court’s next move. The court was gathering large armies from Jiangnan, Huguang, and other regions and heading toward the Central Plains. They were waiting for the perfect moment, a time when they could take Yanzhou and deliver a heavy blow to the reinforcements.

One day, as Yan Sikong returned from inspecting the army’s provisions, he saw Yuan Shaoxu leaving the main tent with a face full of resentment. The two of them met eyes, and both were momentarily startled.

Yan Sikong politely asked, “General Yuan, why are you in such a hurry?”

Yuan Shaoxu’s tone was somewhat cold. “Sikong, you have a good memory. Do you remember how old I was when I first followed my father into the army?”

“Sixteen.”

Yuan Shaoxu gritted his teeth. “That’s right, sixteen. I’m now thirty-six. Do you also think I’m only fit to be a supply officer?!”

Yan Sikong looked around to make sure no one else was nearby, then whispered, “With your intelligence and courage, elder brother, you could surely excel in a broader arena, but…”

“But What?”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly and said, “If you can’t even manage the duties of a supply officer well, how can you blame Feng Ye for not recognizing true talent?”

Yuan Shaoxu snapped angrily, “What do you mean by that? I’ve handled the supply runs without any mistakes!”

“No major mistakes, true. But it just so happens that it’s the beginning of a new season, and according to military tradition, the provisions must be inventoried. This time, I went personally.” Yan Sikong shook the grain ledger in his hand.

Yuan Shaoxu’s face changed, and he pulled Yan Sikong aside. “When did it become your turn to check the provisions? Did Feng Ye send you?”

“No, I went of my own accord.”

Yuan Shaoxu gritted his teeth. “Sikong, I have my mother, elder sister, wife, children, and household staff to take care of. I just took a little for my needs. You… you won’t tell Feng Ye, will you?”

Yan Sikong smiled. “Elder brother, do you know how old Feng Ye was when he followed his father into the army?”

Yuan Shaoxu remained silent.

“Since you don’t recall, let me tell you. He was raised in the military camp, joined the army at eight, and went to the battlefield at eleven. What hasn’t he seen happen in the military? Do you really think he doesn’t know?”

Yuan Shaoxu’s face turned pale, and his lips began to tremble.

“Feng Ye has remained silent for two reasons. One, you haven’t taken much, and you’ve kept a sense of proportion. Two, and most importantly, it’s because of Nanyu. Just because Nanyu has fought alongside Feng Ye, risking his life and earning great merit, Feng Ye will turn a blind eye.” Yan Sikong said with a sardonic smile. “So, elder brother, don’t blame Feng Ye for not giving you important responsibilities.”

Yuan Shaoxu clenched his fists tightly and said in a low voice, “I… I was just momentarily confused.” He looked at Yan Sikong. “Sikong, with Nanyu not around, could you put in a good word for me with Feng Ye? I promise to perform my duties diligently in the future!”

Yan Sikong smiled and said, “Alright.”

Yuan Shaoxu stared at Yan Sikong, dumbfounded, as if he couldn’t believe Yan Sikong had agreed so easily.

Yan Sikong made a gesture of invitation, “Take care, elder brother.”

Yuan Shaoxu glared at Yan Sikong for a long moment before walking away without looking back.

As Yan Sikong entered the main tent, he saw Feng Ye still pacing around the sand table. When he noticed Yan Sikong coming in, he waved him over. “Where have you been?”

“Inspecting the provisions.”

“Oh? Did you find any problems?”

“Nothing major.”

Feng Ye raised an eyebrow. “Just now, Yuan Shaoxu was here. Did you see him?”

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “I did. Why did General Yuan come to see you?”

“He’s always felt that I’m wasting his talents by assigning him to handle supplies. He volunteered to take Yanzhou for me.”

“And did the Feng Ye agree?”

Feng Ye sneered, “You went to check the provisions yourself. What do you think? Let’s not beat around the bush.”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “I apologize on behalf of my brother.”

“An apology is unnecessary. Nanyu has repeatedly earned great merits, and you have been of much help to me. In my large army, there’s certainly room for a supply officer.” Feng Ye said coolly, “Your elder brother has some talent and is not completely incompetent, but he’s overly ambitious and too restless. I’m afraid he’s not fit for major responsibilities.”

Yan Sikong couldn’t help but laugh.

Feng Ye frowned. “What are you laughing at?”

“You, of all people, calling someone else restless.” Yan Sikong couldn’t suppress his laughter. “When it comes to being impulsive and bold, who can compare to the Feng Ye, who charges into battle as if he doesn’t value his life?”

Feng Ye grinned proudly. “I’m not just reckless; I’m also strategic and never throw my life away for nothing. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

“You’re right,” Yan Sikong said, setting down the grain ledger. “Your assessment of Yuan Shaoxu is accurate, but if you continue to underestimate him, sooner or later Nanyu will come to you to plead on his behalf. Nanyu just captured Qingyang and made a significant contribution. How could you refuse him?”

Feng Ye stroked his chin thoughtfully. “True.”

“I’ve already given him a hint. He’ll definitely be more restrained in the future. In the upcoming battle for Yanzhou, why not let him serve as an assistant general under General Wang and test his temperament?”

Feng Ye nodded. “That’s a good idea. Wang Shen is much younger than him and has a fiery temper, but he’s excellent at leading troops into battle. Under Wang Shen, Yuan Shaoxu will get the training he needs.”

A barely noticeable mischievous smile crossed Yan Sikong’s face. Although this would put Yuan Shaoxu through some hardship, it was indeed a necessary test for him. If he could truly learn and grow from it, it would not disappoint Yuan Mao’s expectations for his eldest son.

AN – And that’s where it ends for now. Due to some issues, updates might be slow for a while… (End of this chapter)