Dandere General and His Lord - Chapter 62

The city was left in ruins after the flood receded.

Mo Qiaosheng led his men as they rode through the muddied streets. Countless Jin soldiers lined up on both sides of the road, backs ramrod straight as they held up their spears in impeccable order. Along the roadsides, the uneasy civilians of Qi County knelt in the dirt, heads lowered before the sharp blades.

Dull eyes stared at the ground, some mourning the destruction of the city and the lives lost, while others feared their unknown fate. After all, the enemy general riding past them, clad in black armor, carried an undeniably terrifying air.

Rumors about this general had reached city long before the flood did. Some claimed him an irresistible beauty, an empty vase who served the king and had no other use. Others painted him a cold-blooded murderer—merciless and unflinching.

The most famed story of all was that of the ‘priceless beauty worth a thousand cities.’ The story spoke of a failed bargain, a city in exchange for a general; now, that ‘general’ crushed that ‘city’ beneath his heel. The once prosperous county at the mercy of the ‘King of Hell Mo’¹ and his mighty troops.

The Lord had sinned, and his people were left trembling in wretched trepidation, praying they weren’t made to pay the price for his debauchery.

Gan Yanshou, the governor of Qi County, was forced to his knees, half-naked and tied up, waiting for his impending fate. There was no greater humiliation to endure, but he doubted it enough to save his life.

Did I miscalculate? Should I have taken the initiative to attack the Jin army when they first surrounded the city? Instead, I was too focused on defending the city and not taking any risks. He smiled dryly. What use is it to think too much now?

He only hoped that General Mo Qiaosheng of the Jin army would put aside his personal grudges and not take out his wrath on the people of the city, considering he had handed it over in complete surrender. It would be a blessing if he could vent his frustrations on him, take his life, and spare the city.

A black horse stopped in front of him, the stomp of its hooves splashing him with cold, muddied water.

Gan Yanshou raised his head and saw the man perched high on the horse.

The figure stood with his back to the light, expression cold. His voice bellowed as he dictated the fate of tens of thousands at his feet.

“Since you have thought of the people and surrendered the city, I shall not wrong you. Let it be known to all and made the law, any Jin army officer who kills, robs, or rapes will be punished by military law. I shall not break my word!”

All those present, whether it was the detained Qi County soldiers or the trembling civilians, cheered at his vow. The stone lodged in Gan Yanshou’s chest loosened and dropped as he prostrated himself on the ground in sincere surrender.

As the skies darkened, Mo Qiaosheng settled himself into the former governor’s mansion, face cast with a golden hue as he read through military reports by the lamplight.

His personal attendant soon came in, asking him for orders, “Surrendered General Gan Yanshou asked that the general be informed that there is a hot spring in the mansion, well-adorned and designed for bathing, at your disposal. How would the general like to proceed?”

In fact, he thought the response would be a solid refusal. After the city was captured, former officials were unceasing in showering him with rare treasures and the fairest of slaves, yet he waved them away without second thought. Gan Yanshou had made the offer in good faith, but the general was unlikely to accept it.

“A spring?” Mo Qiaosheng set down the report in his hand and pondered for a while. After a moment’s hesitation, he stood up. “Lead the way.”

—

Mo Qiaosheng entered the hot spring alone. It wasn’t as grand the Moon Goddess Spring, but not any less delicately equipped with all means of comfort. Idling at the edge of the water, he dipped his hand into the still surface, the moon’s lofty reflection made blurry by the ripples.  He then slowly made his way in, feeling the water flow between his fingers.

Inexplicably, despite the soothing heat, he felt at a loss.

The spring wasn’t any different from the one he frequented with his lord but felt nothing alike.

Glancing around, he confirmed that he was alone, the nearest guard stationed at the entrance to the spring. Slowly, he stretched out his hand into the pile of clothes ashore, grasping at a black belt before pulling it out and binding it over his eyes.

Finally, he managed a long comfortable exhale.

Leaning against the spring’s edge, he relaxed his body, finding a shadow of the solace he felt with his lord.

—

Cheng Qianye and Yao Tianxiang were shrouded in white mist, skin soaking in the comfort of the warm spring water. A small wooden tray floated around at an arm’s length, filled with fine wine and preserved fruit. Yao Tianxiang had drunk two glasses, face flushed as she sat on the marble edge, sighing contentedly, “This is what true enjoyment is all about.”

She glanced at Cheng Qianye. “Qianyu, you are busy all day. This is a rare opportunity for you to unwind and relax, can’t you abandon work for a moment?”

Cheng Qianye was lying on her stomach at the spring’s edge, a smooth arm stretched out of the water, drawing a simple map with the droplets at her fingertip on the poolside’s white surface.

“Tianxiang, when we were going up the mountain, did you notice? To the north, the farmland close to the Bian River is growing well. However, the harvest from the fields bordering Bianzhou City, just on the other side of the mountain, is so much worse.”

“Indeed,” Yao Tianxiang replied. “Water conservation has a great impact on farming. Areas with abundant water resources will naturally yield good harvest. In our Wei country, people living in the area surrounding Daye Lake are the wealthiest. ”

“The issue is water conservation?” Cheng Qianye stroked her chin as she fell into deep thought.

“Qianyu!” Yao Tianxiang suddenly exclaimed. “A country’s ruler cannot be all-knowing, even if you grew eight heads you would still fail to know enough. What you need to know is the right people to get the work done.” She pulled at Cheng Qianye’s arm. “Put these national affairs aside and take some rest!”

Cheng Qianye smiled. “You’re right.” She slid her finger over the tiles, outlining a rough map of Bianzhou City. “I should be finding the right fit for the task, and I may just have one in mind.”

Cui Youyu, the man covered in dirt she had met at the city gate, crossed her mind; an official of earnest attitude but excessive honesty. He once submitted a detailed and professional report on the restructuring of the Bian River, but for various reasons at the time, Cheng Qianye hadn’t paid it much attention.

“Qianyu.” Yao Tianxiang moved to lie beside her, looking at her with worry. “Ever since Mo Qiaosheing went to war, you’ve been tense, overworking yourself to the bone. You… It’s because you’re worried about him, isn’t it?”

Cheng Qianye’s finger finally stopped moving. “Tianxiang, what kind of troops do you think can be considered as elite soldiers? What kind of general can be hailed a victorious one?”

“As for such a general,” she pondered as she said, “he must be one who can command the troops skillfully, defeat the enemy efficiently, and devise ingenious strategies to win the most exhaustive of wars.”

“You’re mistaken.” Cheng Qianye gazed at the distant horizon. “The so-called victory over an enemy that outnumbers you greatly despite your lacking resources is all about risking the lives of those involved and putting them in grave danger.

“As the ruler of a country, what I can do for the thousands of our soldiers at the frontline is provide them with the opportunity to win without taking such risks. To provide them with enough food and supplies, troops twice the size of the enemy’s, a steady stream of reinforcements, and a stable rule, that is the true foundation of a victorious general and elite troops.

“To think about what I can do to help them and to do it, that is my duty.”

Yao Tianxiang nodded as she listened solemnly. “Good news keep coming from the frontline, it’s only a matter of time before Qi County is captured,” she reassured her. “Qiao Sheng is pushing them to the edge without having to fight. With troops twice the size of Qi County’s, he easily besieged the city and flooded it in a brilliant plan.”

Cheng Qianye shook her head. “I’m not doing this only for Qiaosheng or capturing the county. A war or battle I cannot avoid is one my people have to fight. Every soldier’s life is my responsibility.”

“Qianyu, your thoughts run so deep. I truly admire you.” She looked at Cheng Qianye with a rare serious expression. “I too hope to contribute to the land where I am fed and clothed.”

Cheng Qinaye smiled. “Fine then. Think carefully about how we can better the land and let me know.”

The serious mood only lasted a moment before Yao Tianxiang broke it with a mischievous grin. “Let’s talk about this later. Since we’re here to enjoy the hot spring, let’s have some fun.” She wiped away the maps on the marble. “Forget those maps and military reports and look here. I have something good to show you.”

Pouring herself a cup of wine, Cheng Qianye eyed Yao Tianxiang curiously as she reached for a nearby box on the poolside. She then pulled out a thin booklet, fine as a cicada’s wing, spreading it out to reveal lifelike paintings within.

Choking over her drink, Cheng Qianye spat a mouthful at the obscene scenes.

“Hey!” Yao Tianxiang pushed her away in disdain. “This is Mr. Tang’s painting. Do you kow how hard it was to get my hands on it? Be careful not to ruin it.”

“You—!” Cheng Qianye pinched her arm hard and looked away, but she had already caught a glimpse of the scene. “This… it’s possible?” Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“It’s because you’re not experienced enough. Men are particularly weak in this area.” Yao Tianxiang hinted slyly, “When Qiao Sheng comes back, you can give it a try. No matter what, you are the lord, even if he is your partner, your status should not diminish.”

Ears a deep red, Cheng Qianye folded the collection of paintings and shoved them back into the box. “Nonsense.”

—

The news of Mo Qiaosheng’s army capturing Qi County without losing a single soldier soon reached Bianzhou City. Overflowing with joy, Marquis Yue of Jin rewarded all three armies. Mo Qiaosheng was given the title of General of Cavalry and was granted the seventh-level rank of Duke.

The Jin army continued to advance rapidly, taking control of important locations and clearing a path from Bianzhou to Zhongmu, a tactically positioned city at the border of Jin State. Zhongmou was originally the fiefdom of Cheng Qianyu’s half-brother Gongzi¹ Zhang. After Gongzi Zhang was executed during the Zhongmou Rebellion, the order of the place fell into chaos.

Mo Qiaosheng led his troops to Zhongmu, forcefully placing it under military control. Under his directive, new policies were implemented and military affairs were dealt with in accordance with the practices of Bianzhou. Although many local powerful families were dissatisfied with such arrangements, they didn’t act out of line because Mo Qiaosheng held military power and had just accomplished great military feats. These scattered families located in areas of lesser political significance to Jin State could not trouble any waters.

But, in Bianzhou City, rumors began to spread.

Whether in the streets, among the military, or in the royal court, people gradually began to speak of Mo Qiaosheng’s treachery, accusing him, who was far away in Zhongmu, of coveting military power, acting recklessly with disregard to orders, and causing mayhem in the country.

—

In Cheng Qianye’s palace.

Cheng Feng, stationed at the palace hall for the night, secretly glanced at his lord who was reviewing memorials at her desk. At this moment, standing beside the desk was a young man with handsome features. The presence of such pleasant countenance was in contrast to the usual; as Princess Tianxiang often complained, Lord Cheng Qianye rarely had personnel with striking features waiting on her, regardless of gender.

Although the young man was tanned due to a long journey, it didn’t diminish his attractiveness. Mannerisms gentle, he interacted with familiarity with the Lord. After all, this person was none other than Xiao Xiu, once the Lord’s favorite, someone Cheng Feng had met before.

After reading the letter in her hands, Cheng Qianye laughed and said to him, “Thank you for braving the arduous journey. Zhang Fu is indeed Zhang Fu. The news he asked you to bring is very important.”

Cheng Feng couldn’t help but glancing sideways a few more times.

Cheng Qianye, who was sitting at the desk, suddenly raised her head and waved at him to come over. “Recently, there have been so many rumors about Xiao Mo. Are you worried about him?”

Cheng Feng saluted. “I am not worried about Qiaosheng.”

“Is that so?” Cheng Qianye raised her eyebrows.

“Qiaosheng will not be swayed by rumors or temptations. What worries me is…” He trailed off into silence.

“Speak.”

“Even if Qiao Sheng’s actions in Zhongmu were radical, it is impossible for the rumors to spread so quickly and so widely in Bianzhou. What I am worried about is the source of this rumor.” Cheng Feng expressed the thoughts that had been lingering in his mind for many days.

“You are quite perceptive, Cheng Feng.” Cheng Qianye pointed at a report in her hand and said, “Actually, there’s no need to wonder too much. Such a scheme must’ve been pulled by one of two: either that old pervert Han Quanlin or Quanrong’s people. It appears Qiaosheng’s abilities have scared them. Han Quanlin is out of our reach for the time being but shouldn’t cause much trouble; however, Quanrong, paricularly the Weiming Mountain near Zhengzhou, is our biggest concern.

“Either ways, whoever is behind this will only reap what they saw. They slandered our general, didn’t they? We shall repay them in kind.

“Oftentimes, wars aren’t won on the battlefield. The machinations of court are more than enough to drag down an undefeated general.”

Footnotes:

¹ Of noble bloodline; son of an official.