The group only rested under the trees for two hours.
As soon as dawn touched the sky, they packed their bags again and prepared to continue on their way.
Liang Shu hadn’t spoken since they left Xiaozhao Village until he asked Liu Xian’an presently: “Can you still hold on?”


Liu Xian’an nodded.

He didn’t want to delay the team’s marching speed, but the rest of the people at the scene knew in their hearts that this method of non-stop sleepless rushing was already very difficult for soldiers, not to mention a pampered son of Baihe Mountain Village.
And the one in front of them was a famously lazy person who would normally lay down instead of sitting.

But Liu Xian’an was really not too tired.
It may be because his medicinal diet was well taken care of in Baihe Mountain Village, or also because he had realized a bit of the heavenly dao and could use the spirit to affect the body.
In short, while riding a horse, his whole person was pure and at peace, without desires, in a state of forgetting the inside and outside.

The red sun was scorching but didn’t know the heat, and the pure white ice and snow didn’t know the cold.

This made sense.

Liu Xian’an adjusted the saddle, and had just stepped onto Xuan Jiao when he felt a weight behind him.
Liang Shu wrapped one arm around his waist and held the reins with the other to make it easier for him to lie against his chest, saying: “Rest like this for a while on the road.”

Xuan Jiao paced a few steps on the spot.
It was born with extraordinary power and could break boulders with one hoof, so it didn’t find it difficult to carry two people.
On the contrary, because its master was finally willing to give up the ugly brown horse, it was in a good mood and raised its head to give a series of snorts.
Liu Xian’an was a little surprised.
He turned around and was about to speak, but Liang Shu had already swung his whip.
Like chasing the wind, they continued to move quickly forward into the distance.

A-Ning was left standing where he was.
Although he also came from Baihe Mountain Village, he worked hard all year, after all, and could cut a cart of old bark in an afternoon without his hands shaking.
His physical strength was enough to handle this journey.
Gao Lin only ordered a few guards to keep an eye on the area, and continued to move forward according to the original plan.

Liu Xian’an was held in Liang Shu’s arms, his whole back warm and his fingers tucked into his sleeves.
He had slept like this before when he went to Chixia City, so he had experience.
Like being in another time and place, he was shielded from the cold mountain wind.
Liu Xian’an closed his eyes and obediently took a nap.

Liang Shu leaned down slightly, and the tip of his nose lightly brushed the top of the other’s hair.
He could also feel the body heat coming through his clothes, mixed with a faint medicinal fragrance, just enough to warm up the coldness in his bones.

.
.
.
.
.
.

Going forward, the group encountered a few more soldiers of fortune who waved the banner of the garrison and went out to search for the fat and wealth of the people.
Although they weren’t as bad as the beasts in Xiaozhao Village, for the common people, it was not much different from encountering a swarm of locusts.
Lu Xiang had sent troops to suppress Huang Wangxiang’s rebels, but it was precisely because of Lu Xiang’s dispatch of troops at this time that more and more desperate and helpless people were pushed to the rebel army.
Evil deeds had evil consequences, and with this cycle going on and on, how could the world not be chaotic?

There were three cities occupied by Huang Wangxiang, namely Qianqu, Qingyang, and Sanshui.
For the Dayan army, there were no more than two methods of attack —

Gao Lin tapped on the map: “The first method is to attack Sanshui City directly, and capture the king first.” Rooting up the so-called ‘Royal Capital’ in one fell swoop, the two other cities would naturally lose heart, and it would be much easier to take advantage of the victory and pursue them.


“But before Sanshui City, there is still Qingyang City in the way,” another subordinate said.
“Currently, Commander Lu has led the army to the Wangguan area.
If we want to bypass Qingyang City and go straight to Sanshui City, we have to go this way.” As he spoke, he traced a meandering route on the map with his finger.
“At least half a month’s journey will be added climbing up steep mountains.”

Liang Shu said: “Attack Qingyang City first.”

Gao Lin also thought they should attack Qingyang City first, but attacking this city would not be an easy battle.
There were high mountains on both sides, with a solitary city in the middle.
The army could only go for a frontal attack, and among all combat methods, this was undoubtedly the one with the most casualties – it was equivalent to using flesh and blood, at most adding a layer of armor, to rush head-on against the arrows, stones, and hot oil on the opposite side.

A-Ning was puzzled when he heard this, and asked his young master in a small voice, since it is so difficult, how did Huang Wangxing capture Qingyang City?

Liu Xian’an pressed a finger to his mouth.
A-Ning quickly went silent, but Liang Shu had already heard, and looked up at Liu Xian’an: “You also heard the news on the way?”

“No,” Liu Xian’an said.
“I guessed.”

A farmer who was compelled to live by hoisting a banner temporarily should not be able to form an excellent army in such a short period of time and enter Qingyang City from the outside.
In that case, there was only one other possibility – Qingyang City was breached from the inside.
In other words, it was very likely that people in the city spontaneously organized and cooperated with Huang Wangxing’s army inside and outside.

Liu Xian’an considered this matter, thinking that because of the floods, secrets leaked everywhere and the people’s hearts were in turmoil.
He felt his head buzzing, and immediately wanted to fly a white crane into the quiet and carefree sky.
And if even he himself was worried, how tired must His Royal Highness Xiao Wang be, ah, he who honestly wanted to rush about for the sake of the country.
So he pressed the boy’s mouth tightly and told him not to speak, so as not to add worries on top of worries.

“With an unethical government, the people cannot be blamed for trying to survive.” Liang Shu turned and continued to look at the map, trying to choose the best attack route.
The night was already very deep at this time, but no one at the scene felt sleepy.
The bonfire silently illuminated the century-old temple.
The oil paintings on the surrounding walls had long become mottled and peeled, and only blurred images remained.
Vajra glowered and Bodhisattva lowered his eyebrows.

Liang Shu and Gao Lin deliberated for a long time before deciding on a final plan.
Seeing that they had finished discussing, Liu Xian’an interrupted: “In fact, if you can find fifty to eighty elite soldiers, set off from here.” He picked up a small flag and planted it on the top of the peak west of the city.
“Have them climb the tower first and subdue the first wave of rebels, then create chaos in the shortest possible time and open the city gate.
In this way, the casualties of the army will be much fewer.”

“It is definitely best to be able to climb the tower, but the question is how.” Gao Lin gestured the distance from the mountain peak to the city gate and casually joked, “Fly over?”

“En.” Liu Xian’an nodded.
“Fly over.”

As soon as that remark was made, everyone at the scene fell silent, wondering if Second Young Master Liu was sleepy again and started talking nonsense.
Only Liang Shu asked: “You have a solution?”

Liu Xian’an explained: “I once read a dilapidated ancient book called “Sky Work Record,” which recorded many methods of making flying wings, among which there was a small flying wing called the “Mute Condor.” It is not complicated to make, and the wood, fabric, and leather needed are not difficult to find in this area.
If the army can finish constructing a batch in September, they can be used to attack the city on the third day of October.”


“Flying wings, ah.
We built something similar when we were in the norwest.
It really works,” Gao Lin said.
“But they can only be used short distances and at low altitudes.
This kind of flying from a high and dangerous peak to a distant city……honestly, it doesn’t seem very realistic.”

“That’s why we choose the third day of October.
It will be very windy that day,” Liu Xian’an said.
“The direction of the wind is in our favor, so we can get twice the result with half the effort.”

“Only relying on the wind to control the direction?”

“There is a steering wheel on the Mute Condor.” Liu Xian’an felt that it was too troublesome to explain, so he simply said, “Why don’t I draw a blueprint first.”

Gao Lin still found it unbelievable, and wanted to ask what kind of divine book “Sky Work Record” was and whether it was reliable or not.
Liang Shu waved his sleeve to block him.
The guards brought over a worn-down shrine to serve as a table, and took out candles to light them.
Liu Xian’an sat cross-legged on the prayer mat, picked up a brush, and quickly outlined the flying wing prototype.

Halfway through the drawing, a gust of wind entered, making the light and shadows jump.
Liu Xian’an was about to set down his brush and move the candle, but Liang Shu had already stretched out his hand to protect the weak candle flame for him.

Gao Lin craned his neck to watch.
Although he already knew that Second Young Master Liu was hiding something and was in the field of medicine, he had never heard the story of being forty-eight thousand years old and the thousands of volumes of books, so his shock at this moment was no less than beholding a god.
How could there be such a person who knew both geography and stratagems and, like a military advisor, could accurately tell what kind of wind would blow in Qingyang City on the third day of October? Hadn’t he never traveled far?

Liu Xian’an handed the finished drawing to Liang Shu, yawning profusely.

“Go to sleep, ba.” Liang Shu straightened his crooked collar.
“I’ll take a look first.
If there is anything I don’t understand, I’ll ask tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.” Liu Xian’an’s eyes were tired.
“The prince should also rest earlier.”

After speaking, he lay back on the straw bed and fell asleep faster than fainting.
A-Ning was not surprised by this, and quickly brought over a basin of water, twisting a wet handkerchief to wipe his face and hands.
He helped him up again and shouted loudly: “Young Master, rinse your mouth!”

Liu Xian’an took the toothbrush as if sleepwalking, brushed very skillfully, and then fell down afterward, all without opening his eyes.

Gao Lin was very envious when he saw this.
If only he could share half his speed at falling asleep, or share ten percent with the prince who suffered from insomnia all year round, ah.
Truly, a drought kills, but a flood kills too.

Liang Shu examined the blueprints for most of the night, and didn’t close his eyes until dawn to take a short rest.
When Liu Xian’an awoke, the whole team had already set off first.
Even A-Ning was not there, and only His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was standing guard by the embers of the fire.
Thus his first reaction was, did I sleep so hard that a thunderbolt or thieves couldn’t wake me up?

Seeing that he only opened his eyes but did not speak, Liang Shu stretched out a hand and tapped on his forehead: “Come out.”


“Already out.” Liu Xian’an returned to his senses.
“Where are the others?”

“Let’s go first, Xuan Jiao has fast feet, it won’t be a problem to catch up to them,” Liang Shu said.
“I saw that you were sleeping soundly and couldn’t bear to disturb you.
It doesn’t matter if we leave later.”

As for how sweetly,[1] his body was curled up sideways, the sound of his breathing soft.
His eyelashes drooped and cast a crescent-shaped shadow beneath his eyes, and his red lips were a little moist.
When touched with a finger, it was like touching the nose of a kitten in the royal gardens.

Thus, all others were driven out of the temple by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang.

Liu Xian’an didn’t dream at all.
He stretched vigorously and got up to wring out a handkerchief and wash his face, asking: “That blueprint —”

“I read it and understood,” Liang Shu said.
“We’ll make a batch and try it out first.”

Liu Xian’an nodded: “Okay.”

After that “okay,” he proceeded to rinse his mouth silently, calm and unflustered, without a word of unnecessary nonsense.
It really served as a foil for Lieutenant General Gao’s unsophistication – in the morning, the man had stared with two big, surprised eyes and repeated almost a dozen times, “Do you really understand or are you faking it?” and another dozen times, “How can the prince understand this delicate work?” He was like a noisy fool.
If not for the urgent need for manpower due to the military’s situation, this person might have been dispatched by His Royal Highness Xiao Wang to dig coal in Jinzhou.

The group of people traveled day and night, and finally caught up with Lu Xiang’s large army at dusk one day.

Xuan Jiao stopped on a boulder on top of the mountain. 

Liang Shu tightened the reins.
Liu Xian’an awoke from his dreams and looked down in a daze with him.
Under mist and clouds, a huge contingent wound forward through the mountains.
Although they had seen all of Lu Xiang’s “great achievements” along the way, there was nothing wrong with the contingent itself.
They were lined up neatly, and their speed is not slow. 

“A rotten ship still has three catties of nails, and it cannot be said that the majority of the army is trash.
Liu Xiang more or less has to be worried about the emperor,” Liang Shu said.
“As for those jackals we met along the way, the reason why everyone ate so robustly was because nine and a half out of ten of them had backing and connections.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to scoop up the cushy job of collecting army rations.”

It was only that this time, the target was squarely hit.
They were all picked up in a bunch, and the good times came to an end.

Down the mountain, Lu Xiang asked: “How far is the distance to Sanshui City?”


“Answering the commander, it will take another month and a half,” the adjutant said.
“If we speed up —”

“What speed up, it’s fast enough now.” Lu Xiang wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“What if we get to Sanshui City and the prince hasn’t arrived yet, wouldn’t this battle require you and me to fight it ourselves? So the journey must be rushed, but not too rushed, do you understand?”

“Yes, understood.” The adjutant tried again, “But at the moment, there is one more thing.
Few of the teams sent to seize rations have returned, and those who came back didn’t bring much food.
Do we need to send more people to expand the scope of collection?”

“Did they really seize rations, or did they just not bring them all back?” Lu Xiang looked to the side.
“Why, which of your relatives is seeking a job?”

The adjutant’s scheme was pointed out, so he could only chuckle and smile.
Lu Xiang usually didn’t care about these trivial matters, but today perhaps he was tired from the journey, or impatient because he knew the prince was coming.
In short, he suddenly cared about it and scolded: “You brat, how much did you take this opportunity to eat? Even eight generations of relatives have to be stuffed into the fort, but that’s still not enough?”

“No, no, that’s really not it.” The adjutant hurriedly admitted his mistake, and Lu Xiang reprimanded him again.
After venting the anger in his heart, he was about to move on, but the result was that an outrider came to report that the road ahead was blocked.

Lu Xiang hurriedly asked: “The rebel army?”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” the outrider said.
“There are only about twenty people.”

“What damned bastards dare to stop the army?” Lu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, but the adjutant was a little nervous, wondering if some poor people had been levied for food and were indignant, so they came here to cast blame! Therefore, the adjutant volunteered to lead others to investigate.

Liu Xian’an looked at the small contingent galloping through the white mist and said: “That doesn’t seem to be Lu Xiang.”

Liang Shu asked: “You can also calculate this?”

“It’s not calculation, it’s the clothes,” Liu Xian’an explained.
“You can also look at their appearance.”

Robust and prosperous, with glossy faces, they looked exactly the same as those soldiers who were collecting rations.
The design couldn’t be printed more neatly.

 

[1] The word 香甜 can mean “sleeping soundly” or “sweet.” ⮐

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