The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 172
by Little PandaFlooding the Bei’an Army
Five days later, Qu Sheng received a response from the Bei’an army: they would exchange ten cities for two Tiansheng generals, Qu Jiqin and Jin Yunyou, along with thirty thousand captured Tiansheng soldiers.
Qu Sheng had already determined which ten cities.
The exchange would take place within Tiansheng’s Northern Frontier, at the banks of the Lushui River.
The riverbank had abundant water, and the surrounding trees and vegetation had already grown dense with foliage. The Bei’an army released the prisoners, while Qu Sheng sent orders to the garrison commanders in each of the ten cities to withdraw their forces.
At noon on the Lushui River’s banks, Qu Sheng led her army to receive the freed prisoners, as well as Qu Jiqin and Jin Yunyou.
When the two armies met and the Bei’an army handed over the captives, they did not linger for even a moment, retreating immediately.
The Lushui River lay deep within the Northern Frontier. The Bei’an army feared that Qu Sheng’s forces might attack from both front and rear. When Qu Sheng had insisted on this location, the Bei’an army had raised objections, but Qu Sheng had held firm, expressing her concerns with apparent weakness. Riding a string of victories, the Bei’an army did not suspect Qu Sheng’s feigned vulnerability and agreed to the exchange at Lushui.
They urgently needed supplies and shelter. April in the Northern Frontier would turn warm for a while before suddenly growing cold, especially on nights after rain. Their hasty retreat was also motivated by a desire to kill the Tiansheng soldiers defending the cities.
A group of experienced garrison soldiers—they did not want these men returning alive.
But they never imagined that Qu Sheng had already moved the main force there, evacuating all residents and supplies from the cities to those not being ceded.
Choosing the Lushui Riverbank, using the dense trees and foliage as cover, was also to prevent the Bei’an army from noticing how few soldiers she had and launching a surprise attack.
Ten empty cities in exchange for thirty thousand soldiers and two generals—for Qu Sheng, it was no loss.
When the soldiers returned, they were all gaunt and emaciated. Some were on the brink of death from untreated wounds. Qu Sheng ordered full medical treatment.
Tiansheng did not lack provisions or medical supplies. Qu Sheng had them sent to the rear to recover.
A few days later, Qu Sheng received a letter from the capital: Lin Xizhao and Qu Jixian had safely arrived. Qu Sheng finally let out a breath of relief.
Another half month passed. The Bei’an army launched a major invasion. Qu Sheng led troops to resist, setting an ambush atNiuling Peak1. Using Tiansheng’s mountainous terrain to her advantage, she rolled giant boulders down from above, crushing twenty thousand of the Bei’an army’sIron Scale Armored Soldiers2. But with their reserves sufficient, Qu Sheng had no choice but to withdraw her forces early.
Qu Sheng kept her troops mobile, avoiding direct confrontation. After suffering that loss, the Bei’an army grew cautious in Tiansheng’s high mountain regions.
Qu Sheng led her troops in rapid, light marches, but whenever the Bei’an army lost track of them, she deliberately revealed her position.
Though Qu Jiqin and Jin Yunyou had suffered losses, Qu Sheng’s original force had numbered five hundred thousand. Added to this were the three hundred thousand troops Qu Jixian had brought. After accounting for garrison forces left in the cities, Qu Sheng now commanded six hundred thousand soldiers. Yet facing the Bei’an army’s superior armor and weapons, they still could not mount an effective counterattack.
Since Qu Jixian returned to the capital to maintain order, the southern rebellion had been suppressed. Qu Jixian issued commendations and had the rebellious noble families and marquises publicly beheaded in Jiangnan. The land measurement policy continued.
Several days later, the Northern Frontier army moved through the mountains in a distributed pattern. The troops under Jin Yunyou’s command began to grow restless.
Jin Yunyou was goaded by his subordinates into confronting Qu Sheng, demanding to know why she kept avoiding battle.
Even if it meant fighting to the death, it should not be like this—cowardly, retreating like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Qu Sheng listened to Jin Yunyou’s words without anger. She ordered tea brought for him and glanced at Qu Jiqin.
Qu Jiqin naturally understood what Qu Sheng was doing. Looking at the sky, they were about to enter the fifth month. In just over a month, the rainy season would arrive.
When the rainy season came, it would be the perfect time for battle.
With the force Qu Sheng commanded, the Bei’an army would not dare advance into Tiansheng’s interior unless they destroyed her first. Moreover, the cities along the way were fortified—if the Bei’an army wanted to conquer them, they would need time to lay siege.
And when the rainy season arrived, it would create additional trouble for the Bei’an army’s Iron Scale Armored Soldiers.
By late May, Qu Sheng’s army was stationed in the mountain forests. Qu Sheng stood at the summit, extending her arm to feel the great winds blowing from the southeast. The corners of her lips slowly curved into a smile.
The mountain forests were heavy with morning dew. When soldiers passed through, their clothes would be half-soaked.
The Bei’an Kingdom continued sending reinforcements, which Qu Sheng could not intercept. But she knew those reinforcements had all entered the territories of the Six Kingdoms.
Everywhere they passed was a scene of devastation.
Qu Sheng had no time to concern herself with them. This coming battle had to be won—there was no other option. Her troops had been hiding too long; their morale had been worn down. If she did not use this battle to restore their fighting spirit, she feared they would not perform well in combat.
Qu Sheng ordered her forces to camp right there in the rolling mountain forests, waiting for the Bei’an army to pursue, then continuing to advance.
Because the main force was constantly relocating, news from the capital arrived slowly. Qu Sheng did not receive Lin Xizhao’s letters until two months later.
Letter after letter, starting with reassurances, then longing, then anxiety. Qu Sheng picked up her brush and wrote back to Lin Xizhao.
A letter also arrived from Shoulin, but its contents were simple—just four characters: “All is well.”
Qu Jinian had not appeared in the military camp for a long time. Combined with Qu Sheng’s earlier coma and Qu Jixian’s arrival to take charge, some officials in the capital had already guessed that something had happened to Qu Jinian, though they did not know the extent.
Qu Sheng finished writing her letter but could not send it immediately. She placed it in a box, waiting until after a great victory to have it delivered to the capital.
The capital.
Since returning to the capital, Lin Xizhao had gone from feeling lost to having no time to dwell on her thoughts, thanks to Qu Zhimu. The little one had cried all night after Lin Xizhao left, even when Zhao Jiayu was present.
The servants in the residence had been as busy as spinning tops those days, all revolving around the little one. Only recently had they grown somewhat accustomed to Lin Xizhao’s absence.
When Lin Xizhao returned and heard about this, her heart ached. Aunt and niece held each other for a long time without letting go. The little one wrapped her arms around Lin Xizhao’s neck, kissing her cheeks over and over with loud smacking sounds, making everyone laugh until they could not close their mouths.
Qu Zhimu’s health had improved. Shoulin had sent letters inquiring about her, and Qu Yu had personally written back to inform them of Qu Zhimu’s condition.
While at the Northern Frontier, Lin Xizhao had learned that Qu Jinian had been poisoned and fallen into a coma, and Qu Ting had been rescued and sent to Shoulin to recover.
Qu Yu and the others had wanted to return to visit, but Qu Jixian had stopped them.
Rumors were already circulating in the capital that something was wrong with Qu Jinian’s health. If they rushed back now, it would confirm the truth. To avoid unnecessary complications, Qu Yu and the others stayed in the capital.
Correspondence with Shoulin was handled with great care, lest any hint of Qu Jinian’s coma slip out.
One day, Lin Xizhao, who rarely returned to the Lin Residence, took Qu Zhimu with her in the afternoon to visit her family home.
Lin Xikuan was not in the capital; only Lin Xirui remained at the residence. Though servants were sent to inquire and deliver items from time to time, Lin Xizhao still worried. She decided to return periodically to help manage things and check on her younger brother.
Lin Xizhao held Qu Zhimu as she reviewed the household accounts. Little Zhimu sat on the carpet nearby, playing with a smallgold abacus3 Lin Xikuan had given her, completely absorbed.
When Lin Xizhao finished with the account books, she sat down beside her, teaching her how to use the abacus. The little one looked puzzled, but after Lin Xizhao demonstrated three times, she was able to input the numbers Lin Xizhao dictated.
Lin Xizhao looked at the little one—though not as clever as Qu Sheng, she already surpassed many children her age. Seeing those round, bright eyes looking up as if seeking praise, Lin Xizhao lowered her head and kissed her little cheek. Her eyes softened with a smile.
“OurMut’er4 is so clever. You’ll be quite capable when you grow up.”
Though Qu Zhimu could not say some words yet, she understood most of what was said. Hearing Lin Xizhao praise her, she revealed a row of neat white teeth that had just grown in and giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Lin Xirui entered from outside, still wearing his official robes. The question was clearly directed at Qu Zhimu.
Lin Xizhao and Qu Zhimu looked over at the same time. Qu Zhimu had seen Lin Xirui several times. Lin Xirui had the appearance of a young scholar—fair and clean-cut—and she seemed to like this uncle.
Zhao Jiayu had discussed with Qu Zhimu what to call Lin Xirui and Lin Xikuan, ultimately deciding on “Uncle.” Since their child belonged to Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng, naturally she would call Lin Xirui “Uncle.”
“Uncle.” Qu Zhimu pointed at Lin Xirui and looked at Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao curved her brows, gently scratched the little one’s nose, then looked at Lin Xirui. “Why are you back so early today?”
Lin Xirui smiled without answering. If Lin Xizhao had not come, he would probably have stayed at the ministry until evening.
The armor Qu Sheng had sent back—the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works had studied it for months but still could not replicate the forging technique. The hardness of what they produced was far inferior to the Bei’an army’s armor.
“I’ll make something for you to eat. You play with Mut’er for a while.” Lin Xizhao stood, smiling gently.
“All right.”
Lin Xirui changed his clothes and took Qu Zhimu to play in the courtyard. It was not yet the height of summer, but the cicadas were already singing. The two of them took poles and began catching cicadas.
When it was time to eat, Lin Xirui appeared in the dining room holding Qu Zhimu with one arm and a catching pole with the other. Lin Xizhao looked up at the sound, startled, and took a small step back.
Qu Zhimu held a mesh bag full of cicadas, pushing it forward. Some were squeaking noisily; others had already gone hoarse, but all of them were scrambling around inside the bag.
Lin Xizhao’s reaction made Qu Zhimu giggle. Lin Xirui realized he was about to be scolded and laughed awkwardly.
“Auntie, eat.” Qu Zhimu had apparently listened to Lin Xirui and thought the cicadas were edible, bringing them for Lin Xizhao to cook.
Lin Xizhao recovered from her shock and shot the two of them a look of mock reproach before taking the mesh bag of cicadas.
“Wait for it.” Though her tone carried a hint of impatience, her voice remained gentle.
Qu Zhimu did not understand. She tugged at Lin Xirui’s clothes, pulling him toward the door. “Uncle, catch.”
Lin Xirui, afraid of being scolded, hurriedly carried Qu Zhimu and fled.
At dinner, the two of them—one big, one small—washed their hands together. The wet nurse held Qu Zhimu while Lin Xizhao gently wiped the little one’s hands. The child’s head kept turning toward the cicadas on the dining table.
The fried cicadas, shells removed, were actually quite delicious.
The little one tasted wild game for the first time, but because she was so young, Lin Xizhao did not let her eat much.
“I heard the servants say you’ve been coming home later and later. Is it because you haven’t been able to replicate the Bei’an Kingdom’s fish-scale iron armor?” Lin Xizhao asked, blowing on thejaponica rice5 in her porcelain spoon as she fed Qu Zhimu.
Lin Xirui watched Qu Zhimu take a bite of food, then looked up at Lin Xizhao and nodded. “The Bei’an Kingdom’s armor forging is far ahead of ours. The Ministry of Works still hasn’t figured it out. With Sheng-meimei at war again, everyone at court is anxious about it.”
Lin Xirui explained the court’s recent focus. Lin Xizhao nodded. She had seen the fish-scale iron armor at the Qu Residence, but she knew nothing about forging techniques. Still, since such a thing existed, there had to be a counter—what that counter was simply required some thought.
“I heard that in the last victory report, Sheng’er used heavy boulders to crush twenty thousand of the Bei’an armored soldiers. If we used heavy weapons, would that help?” Lin Xizhao thought for a moment before offering her idea.
Lin Xirui chewed his food, his movements slowing. In his mind flashed the heavy hammers and weighted axes they had once discarded. His gaze fixed on Lin Xizhao.
“Jiejie, eat first. I’m going to the Qu Residence.”
Before Lin Xizhao could respond, Lin Xirui had already left the dining room.
Lin Xizhao watched his retreating figure and shook her head helplessly before continuing to feed Qu Zhimu.
Lin Xirui went to the Qu Residence and explained to Qu Jixian what Lin Xizhao had suggested. He wanted to retrieve some obsolete heavy weapons from the Ministry of Works’ storehouses, strap armor to stones, and select soldiers with great strength from the army to test whether heavy weapons could shatter the stones inside the armor.
Qu Jixian listened to Lin Xirui’s words and personally selected the men. When the heavy hammer struck the armor, the armor itself remained undamaged—but the stone inside was shattered.
Qu Jixian picked up the broken fragments and looked at Lin Xirui with approval and joy. He praised Lin Xirui: “Worthy of being a Zhuangyuan—quick-witted.”
Lin Xirui lowered his head and quickly said: “Xirui dare not claim credit. It was my older sister who reminded me; that’s how I thought of this method.”
“Oh? Zhao’er thought of it?” Qu Jixian’s eyes brightened.
“Yes.” Lin Xirui raised his head to answer.
Qu Jixian nodded with a smile. “You two siblings are a blessing to the Northern Frontier soldiers.”
Qu Jixian ordered the production of heavy sabers, heavy battleaxes, and iron hammers. He posted notices at military bases and prefectural offices seeking men of great strength, offering double pay and provisions. After concentrated training, they would be sent to the Northern Frontier.
Days of continuous rain made the Northern Frontier air exceptionally humid. Qu Sheng’s army advanced and stopped, finally halting half a month later to engage the Bei’an army.
Qu Sheng divided her army into seven parts: six units surrounding the central command, arranged in a six-petal flower formation. The formation was highly flexible in both attack and defense, following the central command’s signals, with reinforcements quickly filling weak points. Added to this was the continuous rain—the air was heavy with moisture, and the Bei’an army’s fish-scale armor began to rust. Their soldiers had also exhausted considerable strength chasing Qu Sheng’s main force and were already overburdened.
Yet even so, Qu Sheng’s army could not gain much advantage. Both sides suffered casualties, but because enemy weapons were so powerful, after the Bei’an army sounded the retreat, Qu Sheng did not dare pursue.
This battle, however, restored the long-absent high morale of the Tiansheng army.
The rainy season came quickly and left quickly. Though Qu Sheng did not gain a major advantage in this battle, she had hoped to use the rainy season to eliminate the Bei’an army. That hope came to nothing, and Qu Sheng had to think of another approach.
Qu Sheng sat in the central command tent, listening to suggestions from her various generals.
“This last general believes we could conduct night raids, or attack their provisions. If nothing else, we fight to the death. Last time we lost many brothers, but the Bei’an army lost many too.”
Qu Jiqin and Jin Yunyou glanced toward Qu Sheng from where they sat. Qu Sheng kept her eyes lowered, deep in thought.
“General Yu’s suggestion, this general has also considered,” Qu Sheng said, raising her dark eyes. “But if we cannot achieve victory in a single strike at night, we will only be waiting for death.”
The Bei’an army’s armor was rusted, and though their movements were not nimble, it could still block attacks. During the day, the Tiansheng army could see the weak points in their armor—a single strike could finish them. But at night, unable to see the vulnerabilities, a single strike that failed to kill would mean death.
Attacking provisions was even less feasible. The Bei’an army’s supplies came almost entirely from the Six Kingdoms and the Mushui River transport. Even if they burned their stored provisions, the Bei’an army would simply retreat to the border and return once supplies arrived.
Furthermore, provisions were critical to military operations—the Bei’an army would certainly guard them heavily. Success was unlikely, and failure would cost both soldiers and morale.
Fighting to the death meant heavy casualties—that was not Qu Sheng’s style of warfare. Unless absolutely necessary, she would not choose that path.
But even though Qu Sheng did not want to fight that way, the Bei’an army—having gained no advantage—began issuing challenges.
During the two months of the rainy season, the two nations fought many battles of varying sizes. Both sides suffered losses. The Bei’an army, however, seemed to be enjoying themselves, treating it like teasing a cat or dog.
Seeing that the rainy season was about to end, Qu Sheng ordered her army to feign defeat in the final battle, fleeing toward Anlong County.
When the Bei’an army saw Qu Sheng’s forces fleeing, their commanding general grew even more excited, declaring he would capture Qu Sheng alive and present her to his emperor as a concubine.
The Tiansheng soldiers could see clearly: the Bei’an army was a group without humanity.
Many soldiers were enraged on Qu Sheng’s behalf, seething with hatred. But Qu Sheng acted as if she had not heard a thing. A general who could not tolerate a few arrogant words would have died of anger long ago.
Tiansheng territory had no shortage of mountains and rivers. The Bei’an forces were heavy and lacked experience with water; they had not developed defenses against it. Qu Sheng decided to use a flood.
Anlong County had a river that swelled every year during the rainy season. Qu Sheng stationed troops at an upstream tributary, setting traps on the ground to make the Bei’an army hesitate to advance. On the route of their “fleeing,” she arranged for soldiers to evacuate residents from the downstream city.
After two days of confrontation across the traps, battle began. Qu Sheng ordered her troops to fight with everything they had until they were exhausted, suffering considerable casualties.
The two armies fought from day until night. Neither side retreated. Only when Qu Sheng ordered the retreat did her archers provide covering fire, forcing the Bei’an army back to their original position. Their commanding general did not care about losing a moment; he called out to Qu Sheng, promising to fight again tomorrow.
Qu Sheng readily agreed. But in the latter half of the night, while the Bei’an army slept, Qu Sheng led her troops to the main river and breached the dam, sending the rushing waters into the tributary. Using the advantages of timing and terrain to the fullest.
This battle drowned nearly one hundred thousand Bei’an soldiers. Another fifty thousand who climbed from the riverbanks were killed. Thirty thousand more were captured.
The Bei’an army’s commanding general was crushed by giant boulders swept down by the flood and dragged underwater. Qu Sheng’s soldiers regretted this—if they had captured him alive, they would have torn him apart with five horses, starting by cutting out his tongue.
The two hundred thousand Bei’an troops that escaped retreated rapidly from Tiansheng’s borders. Qu Sheng’s forces finally had a moment to breathe.
Soon the rainy season ended, and the Tiansheng army’s only advantage was gone.
Half a month later, the Bei’an army returned with reinforcements. Qu Sheng’s forces could not withstand them and retreated step by step.
The capital.
Qu Jixian issued broad calls for capable men, gathering a group of soldiers who could wield heavy weapons. After more than a month of training, they were dispatched deep in the night to the Northern Frontier. Additionally, the two hundred thousand troops stationed at the capital suburbs were sent as reinforcements.
With the capital suburbs’ forces deployed, Qu Jixian ordered the recruitment of new soldiers and mobilized three hundred thousand Jin family troops from Lingyi to defend the capital.
The land measurement policy in Jiangnan, with the Jin family forces suppressing resistance, was now proceeding smoothly. The great noble families and powerful clans were cooperating—who wanted to be beheaded after resisting, losing all their land and property?A double loss.6
Lingyi territory.
Since receiving his father Jin Yunyou’s letter, Jin Mingjun had been brooding. He never imagined that the person Lin Xizhao loved was Qu Sheng.
And the entire Qu family supported their unnatural union.
Thinking of how Qu Sheng had treated him with hostility when she was with Lin Xizhao before—it had not been his imagination. He had been played like a monkey. His own aunt had rejected the marriage, using the excuse of mocking him as a widower, all for her daughter.
“Heh.” Jin Mingjun gave a bitter laugh and poured a cup of bitter wine down his throat.
His flushed cheeks had lost their refined elegance; he looked like a drunkard, twisting in his seat.
“Oh, my son, why are you drinking like this again?” Aunt Jin entered and saw him in this state, her voice filled with distress.
“Leave me alone.” Jin Mingjun raised his hand and pushed away his mother, who had come to help him.
Jin Mingjun had martial arts training. Aunt Jin was shoved and fell to the ground.
She ignored her bruised hip and hurried to help her son up, calling to the servants outside: “Are you all dead? Come help my son to bed!”
The servants outside hurried in with lowered heads, taking Jin Mingjun from Aunt Jin and helping him toward the bed.
Aunt Jin rubbed her aching arm and hip, watching her son’s unsteady figure as he was led away, growing increasingly irritated.
Her son was handsome, with both looks and height. His talent and martial arts were excellent. Why did he have to hang himself on this one tree?
That Lin Xizhao was truly hateful, stringing her son along like this. It made her itch with hatred.
“Madame, the capital’s Xie family requests an audience.” The Jin family’s old steward entered hurriedly, standing at the door to announce.
“I won’t see them!” Aunt Jin snapped irritably.
The steward hesitated, looking at his mistress, then glanced at the disorder on the table—the Young Lord was drunk again.
The steward was about to leave when Aunt Jin blinked and called out as he turned: “Wait. Which Xie family?”
“The Xie family of Tongchuan City—over a hundred years old.”
“You mean the Xie family—rich enough to rival nations—with Xie Panhuan as the head?”
“Precisely.” The steward lowered his head to answer.
Aunt Jin’s eyes shifted. She stood motionless for a long moment. The steward thought she still did not want to see them and was about to leave and turn them away when he heard his mistress speak again: “Do you know what they want?”
The steward raised his head, blinked, and answered respectfully: “This old servant does not know. They only said they wished to see the Young Lord to discuss an important matter.”
Footnotes
- Niuling Peak (Niúlín Fēng) — a mountain peak at the Northern Frontier.
- Iron Scale Armored Soldiers (Tiějiǎ Yúlín Bīng) — elite Bei'an soldiers wearing fish-scale iron armor impervious to standard Tiansheng weapons.
- Gold abacus (jīn suànpán) — a small ornamental abacus given as a child's toy.
- Mù'ér (睦儿) — an affectionate diminutive formed by adding 'ér' to the character 'Mu' from her name.
- Japonica rice (jīngmǐ) — a short-grain, slightly sticky rice variety commonly eaten in China.
- An idiom (péi le fū rén yòu zhé bīng) originating from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, meaning to suffer a double loss—to lose one's bargaining chip and still fail in one's objective.
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