âI am willing!â Mishaâs answer startled Xia Zheng. Then, he sneered, âItâs easily said! In short, zhen1 will not fall into your trap anymore! Zhen also doesnât want to hear your words! Zhen feels that this is filled with the taste of conspiracy. Zhen doesnât want to waste time with you anymore. Zhen wants to leave the capital...â
âEmperor! If you leave, you will surely lose the hearts of the citizens. By then, even if we have the chance to regain victory, we will end up losing because of a missed opportunity.â
Seeing Xia Zheng like this, Jun Lan Xin hated the iron for not becoming steel. She loved this grandson the most. Thatâs why sheâd asked Duyi to think of a way to let Xia Zheng become the emperor. However, seeing Xia Zheng acting like this now, Jun Lan Xin began to waver. She didnât know if choosing Xia Zheng was right or wrong!
Hate the iron for not becoming steel: to feel resentful towards someone for failing to meet expectations.
âImperial grandmother, since you trust Misha so much, zhen will give him five thousand men! Zhen wonât agree on the other things!â
Xia Zheng waved his sleeves and left, leaving behind a stunned Jun Lan Xin. Only after a long time, did Jun Lan Xin realize that there were outsiders next to her. She showed a forced smile on her stiff face, âMisha, sorry ah! Emperor is upset because of the recent happenings. Thatâs why he said those words. He didnât have any other meaning or thoughts about Penglai Island. Donât put it in your heart.â
Jun Lan Xinâs feelings were very complicated towards Penglai Island, the place where she had grown up. It couldnât be said that she loves it and it also couldnât be said that she hates it. However, now she was very clear that at this time, only Penglai Island could save Dong Lu. So, even if she had already become the grand empress dowager of Dong Lu; at this time, in front of Misha, she still had to pull her face down and apologize to Misha.
âI know. Anyone who encounters such a thing would be in a bad mood. However, please consider my suggestion properly. This may be the only way to stop Feng Cang from moving forward!â
How could Misha not know what Jun Lan Xin was thinking, but Xia Zheng was a weak and inept person who couldnât be helped. He didnât want to work hard and support such a useless emperor. Compared to Dong Luâs situation, Misha wanted to quickly see Feng Qi Qi. He needed an excuse to âstealâ some troops from Jun Lan Xin.
Just like what Misha thought, Jun Lan Xin agreed on the strategy to attack in secret. However, compared to this matter, Jun Lan Xin cared more about the help Penglai Island could provide to Dong Lu.
As Misha previously said, Dong Lu was already in an imminent danger. If they couldnât stop Feng Cangâs pace from progressing, perhaps, in the near future, all the riches and power she owned would become ephemeral. She would fall from the high position of grand empress dowager and become a prisoner and even be executed.
At this time, Penglai Islandâs help was very crucial. Duyi once said that Misha was the grand disciple of Penglai Island. Penglai Island would only help with his order. So, at this time, if Misha was willing to write a letter to Penglai Island, maybe Dong Lu could still be saved.
These two people both calculated in their hearts. After a long silence, Jun Lan Xin said, âMisha, Dong Lu and Penglai Island have been on friendly terms for generations. Now, Dong Lu is facing a danger like never before. We need Penglai Islandâs help. Duyi said that the master has provided you the power to supervise Penglai Island. Could we borrow some disciples from Penglai Island to help us? Aijia2 can only ask for your help now!â
These words were very tactfully said by Jun Lan Xin. The moment Misha heard them, he understood Jun Lan Xinâs thoughts. Let Penglai Island come forward to clean up this mess? Jun Lan Xin must be dreaming!
On the way here, he hadnât see any refugees nor did he feel a strong atmosphere of the war. Those citizens of Dong Lu didnât panic because of Bei Zhouâs invasion. This showed a very serious problem. That is, Dong Luâs people didnât have a strong sense of national honor.
He had already heard how Feng Qi Qi appeased the people. He had to say that Feng Qi Qi was a brilliant and smart woman. She blended the modern notion into this era and could stabilize the hearts of people well, making it so that the citizens didnât fight any longer for the country and the emperor. This was her best point.
From Mishaâs point of view, the state Dong Lu was in now, was a sign of the end of the history of this country.
In fact, the needs of the citizens are very simple. That is, to have peace and order and living in days that are neither good nor bad. One land, two cows, wife, kids and a warm bed.
Wife, kids and a warm bed: a simple and good life
Feng Qi Qi could provide the people of Dong Lu a relaxed living environment and living conditions. They are content with this. In a case of no oppression, wanting to inspire the people to fight Bei Zhou was simply a dream. The one who could let the people eat enough and wear warm clothing was the one they would support.
When a country lost the hearts of the people, the country was doomed to perish. Even if all the disciples of Penglai Island came to reinforce Dong Lu, the end result would still be the same.
Now, Jun Lan Xin mentioned to let Misha write a letter to Penglai Island asking for help. From Mishaâs point of view, this idea wouldnât help Dong Lu at all. He would also not be so stupid as to let the disciples of Penglai Island come here and throw away their lives. However, now he was in need of soldiers. He needed to bring the soldiers to Min province. So, he could only pretend to agree.
âDong Lu and Penglai Island are one family. Now, Dong Lu is in trouble, our Penglai Island would naturally not look with crossed arms! I will immediately write a letter back and let the disciples of Penglai Island come over! Now, itâs the summer. On the sea blows the southeast wind. The time to come here from Penglai Island would be greatly shortened. Please, rest assured Empress Dowager!â
With Mishaâs promise, Jun Lan Xinâs mood became a lot better. The uneasiness that had been pressing in her heart gradually disappeared with Mishaâs words. How strong the ability of Penglai Island was, she, as someone whoâd come from Penglai Island, was the clearest about it. As long as Penglai Island wanted to help, what was only a Feng Cang?!
Misa immediately wrote the letter and printed his seal at the end. In front of Jun Lan Xin, he sealed the envelope and handed it to Xia Xue, âXia Xue, find the contact. Be sure to send the letter as soon as possible!â
While saying this, the way Misha looked at Xia Xue flashed a bit. Xia Xue immediately understood the meaning of her young master. She turned and left the palace.
Seeing that Xia Xue went to send the letter and thinking that soon, Penglai Islandâs reinforcements would arrive; by then, after driving Feng Cang back to Bei Zhou, she would be Dong Luâs grand empress dowager and enjoy endless glory, splendour and wealth. How great!
âThank you, Misha! When we broke Bei Zhouâs army, you would be Dong Luâs first minister who has given an outstanding service. Aijia will certainly thank you greatly! By then, no matter what you want; whether itâs gold or silver, an official position or an order of feudal nobility, aijia will satisfy you!â
While being grateful, Jun Lan Xin didnât forget to make heavy promises. However, the things that she thought were full of temptation, in Mishaâs point of view, he didnât care about them and they were even worthless. At this time, what Misha wanted the most was only Feng Qi Qi.
âEmpress dowager, I did this not because I want to claim anything, but it was only t extend the friendship between Penglai Island and Dong Lu. Dong Luâs matter is Penglai Islandâs matter. Youâre also someone from Penglai Island, why be so polite?!â
Had to say, Misha had a mouth that could coax people to happiness. After these words were said, a faint warmth actually appeared in Jun Lan Xinâs eyes. âRight! Youâre right! Dong Lu and Penglai Island are one family. Now, a family member is in trouble. We should help!â
âIf grand empress dowager trusts me, you can give me a troop. I want to lead the army to outflank Feng Cang from behind, raiding Min province, hit them by surprise and throw Feng Cang in disarray.
âBei Zhou being attacked by enemies from the three sides. All three sides consumed troops. So, Feng Cang dived into Dong Luâs territory. The more the time is prolonged, the more disadvantage it is to him. When Penglai Islandâs disciples arrive, we will surround Feng Cang and annihilate him in Dong Lu. By then, not only can we turn defeat into victory, we can also follow up a victory and press home the attack and let Bei Zhou taste the feeling of defeat!â
Follow up a victory and press home the attack: pursue the retreating enemy
Mishaâs tongue was glorious like a lotus flower. Under his description, Jun Lan Xinâs head sketched a beautiful picture. Feng Cang is defeated, Bei Zhou retreated, Dong Lu recovered its territory, perhaps even plummet Bei Zhou...
Initially, Dong Lu launched a war because someone came to Dong Lu and made and connected Dong Lu, Xi Qi and Jurchen tribe with each other. The three parties decided to march towards Bei Zhou at the same time. When the matter is done, they would divide Bei Zhou.
Although, the things that happened later were somewhat unexpected, but now Dong Lu had Penglai Islandâs backing. This meant that victory was in front of the eyes. Moreover, Misha was right. The west of Bei Zhou had Xi Qi. The north of Bei Zhou had Jurchen tribe. As long as they could delay Feng Cangâs time, the probability that Bei Zhou would win would be greatly reduced. Then, Dong Lu could turn defeat into victory!
âMisha, youâre very right! However, we donât have many soldiers now. If you want too much, Iâm afraid...â
Jun Lan Xin pretended to be in a difficult position. How could Misha not know her thoughts. This old woman was not willing to give Misha too many soldiers. She wanted to keep the bulk to protect the imperial familyâs safety. If by chance, Misha was also gone forever like Duyi, then wouldnât they lose soldiers!
âJust do it according to what emperor just said. Five thousand man is enough! The value is in the essence not in the numbers!â Misha smiled gently. He also didnât want so many soldiers. With a lot of soldiers, the goal would be big and the movement would also be big. Perhaps, they didnât reach Min province yet, when they are being noticed. He wanted to go to Min province with no one knowing and give Feng Qi Qi a surprise attack. He believed that she would surely be very surprised.
Misha was âso understandingâ, making Jun Lan Xin didnât know what to say, âAlright! Aijia promises you!â
When Xia Xue returned, Jun Lan Xin already left for a while. âYoung master, I already burned the letter!â
âMm, well done!â Misha sneered. He wouldnât be so stupid to be led by the nose. As long as he gets those five thousand men, he would be able to display his skills. Yi Lian, soon we will meet!
Jun Lan Xin honoured her promise. She allocated five thousand men for Misha. When Misha was leaving, Jun Lan Xin pretended to wipe her tears, âDuyiâs whereabouts are unknown. Misha, you must take care, ah! If you really canât anymore, then just wait for Penglai Islandâs disciples to arrive! You are going alone like this; aijia is really not worried!â
âThanking grand empress dowager for your care. I will be more careful.â
After leaving Yuchu, Misha went as fast as possible to Mn province. He couldnât ride horses and could only sit inside the carriage. The carriage jolted. Plus, the fact that Misha was seriously injured before and he rushed to Dong Lu when his injury wasnât healed yet; tossing back and forth and the heather was hot. When he almost arrived at Min province, Misha actually got fever because of the discomfort.
âIâm fine. Let the army continue to move forward!â Although, everyday he would feel dizzy for a while, but the first sentence he spoke was always to hurry. Ever since they got out of Yuchu, Jun Lan Xin provided him with more information. And every time when the person Misha sent returned, the news he brought would be that Feng Cang captured a city. Misha got more anxious.
Fortunately, Feng Qi Qi was still in Min province. From the information he obtained, it showed that only a thousand soldiers guarded at Min province. It was a lot less than his men. This let Misha felt a slight relief. He must take her away when Feng Qi Qi and Feng Cang are separated!
At Min province, since Feng Qi Qi found out that she was pregnant till now, she had been four months pregnant. Because the fetus had the child gu in him, Feng Qi Qi was extra careful. Fortunately, this baby to love his mother very much. He was very well-behaved. Aside from the morning sickness for some time, there nothing else.
Now, Feng Qi Qiâs underbelly was somewhat sticking out. She also changed into loose dresses. Her whole person also exuded a rich womanly charm. Although, Feng Cang promised to let Feng Qi Qi come to Dong Lu, but he only allowed her to stay at the back and didnât let her go to the frontline.
Feng Cang said that war is a manâs business. She could oversee at the back. Only that way would he be at ease. He left Feng Qi Qi directly at Min province.
Feng Qi Qi knew that this man was doing it for her own good. This time, she was unexpectedly obedient. She stayed at Min province and showed her capabilities of planning strategies. The army provisions, the supply of the soldiers and the appeasement of the people were all properly arranged, so that Feng Cang has less worries and also let her military prestige be comparable to that of Feng Cangâs.
âMiss, guyeâs3 letter!â The moment Su Mei entered, she laughingly waved the letter in her hand at Feng Qi Qi. âGuye is so caring. Every two days, he would write a letter for miss. Really making people envy!â
âHehe, didnât ah Kangâs letter also come?!â
Seeing Su Mei like this, Feng Qi Qi couldnât help but tease. Wanyan Kang went to the north side. Although Feng Qi Qi wanted to let Su Mei stay with Wanyan Kang and didnât want this young couple to separate, but because Feng Qi Qi was pregnant, Su Mei insisted on following her miss and didnât want to leave. In the end, Feng Qi Qi could only nod and let Su Mei stay.
It was just, the north of Bei Zhou is very far from Min province. Wanyan Kangâs letter could only be send on a monthly basis. Although, she could only receive one letter in a month, but to Su Mei, to be able to receive Wanyan Kangâs letter and knowing that he was safe and sound, was already her biggest happiness.
Feng Cang left Nalan Xin in Min province. Among the three, only Su Yue wasnât separated from her husband. They were the recognized happies pair. Although, they were in Min province now, but the little master would be born in only five months, so, Su Yue used all her time on sewing clothes for Feng Qi Qiâs baby. Seeing that miss and Su Mei had received love letters, Su Yue smilingly sat at a side and continued with the needlework in her hand.
After the two read the letters and were still immersed in happiness, Nalan Xin knocked on the door and walked in, âWangfei,4 I just received the news from the spy at the front. Now, a small army is coming towards Min province. The one leading the army is Misha.â
1. Zhen: I, used by the emperor
2. Aijia: I, used by an empress dowager
3. Guye: son-in-law, used by wifeâs family
4. Wangfei: main wife/consort of the first-rank prince