Chapter 133: Answering Before the Throne

In the morning, Ye Xin made another trip to the Wen residence to pick up Wen Rong, escorting her all the way to the Longteng Martial Arts Academy. As he watched her walk through the gates and turned to leave, a voice rang out behind him: "Young Commander, living your days amidst flowers and moonlight—you are truly a carefree soul."

Ye Xin turned to see Tie Shudeng and Qiu Xiang standing side by side in front of a carriage, looking toward him with smiles.

"Third Brother, Head of the General Institute, what brings you two together?" Ye Xin walked toward them with a grin.

"We are the military inspectors for the Heavenly Wolf Legion, so naturally, we must pay our respects to our commanding officer in advance," Tie Shudeng said.

"Third Brother, that sounds like a jab at me," Ye Xin shook his head helplessly.

"Little Xin, it seems your relationship with Wen Rong is growing closer by the day. When is the wedding?" Tie Shudeng asked. "Don't forget to let me know in advance, so I don't happen to be away and miss it."

"That depends on the Wen family's wishes," Ye Xin replied.

"It is Wen Rong marrying into your Ye family; surely such matters should be decided by your side?" Tie Shudeng noted. His expression was natural; it appeared he had moved past his inner turmoil. It was hardly worth fostering a rift with Ye Xin over a woman. After all, the world was full of beauty, but in the Great Wei Kingdom, there was only one Ye Xin—a true, young military prodigy.

"When the Ye family was at its lowest ebb, Uncle Wen was willing to let Wen Rong enter our household. That is a great kindness to me," Ye Xin said. "So, I shall let Uncle Wen choose the date."

Tie Shudeng’s smile deepened. Ye Xin’s sentiment only proved that he was a man who did not forget old affections. If he valued Wen Rong so highly, then surely he would always remain a friend to him, as well as to Wang Meng, Han Yuanzi, and Han Yunzi, all of whom had grown up alongside him.

"The Young Commander’s words are noble indeed," Qiu Xiang added approvingly.

"You ride a carriage, I wear a bamboo hat; one day we shall meet and bow as we dismount. You carry an umbrella, I ride a horse; one day we shall meet and I shall dismount for you," Ye Xin recited with a faint smile.

Tie Shudeng and Qiu Xiang exchanged glances, recognizing the meaning behind the lines. Qiu Xiang sighed, "I did not expect the Young Commander to be well-versed in ancient poetry."

"I flipped through a few books when I was bored in my youth and remembered them," Ye Xin said, changing the subject. "Third Brother, Head of the General Institute, you must have come to find me for a specific reason?"

"Let’s talk in the carriage. We’ll stop by the Grand Marshal’s Mansion on the way," Tie Shudeng suggested.

"Why go to the Grand Marshal’s Mansion?" Ye Xin was taken aback.

Years ago, the Grand Marshal’s Mansion was the military nerve center of Great Wei. But since the generation of Wei Juan, the position had always been held concurrently by the most powerful commander on the front lines to ensure unity and prevent the front from being constrained by the rear. Thus, the office had long since lost any real power.

"The Young Commander should show his face there. If I am not mistaken, in two or three years, you will be the one presiding over that mansion," Qiu Xiang remarked.

"Very well," Ye Xin nodded.

Before long, they arrived at the mansion. The officials had already been notified and had set aside their work to wait at the entrance. Seeing the three men step out of the carriage, they bowed in unison. Although the mansion held little real power, it housed four or five hundred officials, not including the servants, and the display was quite impressive.

Tie Xinsheng had not yet publicly ordered Ye Xin’s promotion to Grand Marshal, so Ye Xin refrained from speaking out of turn. Tie Shudeng stepped forward to offer a few words of encouragement before dismissing the officials.

Tie Shudeng, well-acquainted with the mansion, led Ye Xin and Qiu Xiang toward a side building. The mansion was divided into eight chambers, each corresponding to a neighboring duchy, reflecting Tie Xinsheng’s ambitions. The side building was the Great Yu Chamber. Though it lacked a sign—as every duchy had to maintain a facade of diplomatic propriety—it was well known.

Tie Shudeng stopped before a massive sand table depicting the mountains, rivers, and topography of the Great Yu Kingdom. The craftsmanship was crude, but the details were accurate. Behind the table were shelves packed with files containing specific intelligence on every mountain range, river, city, and village in Great Yu. In the north, along the border with Great Wei, two small black flags were planted, while a small red flag stood within Great Wei’s territory, marking the position of Wang Fang’s New Army.

"Young Commander, you are already the commander of the Heavenly Wolf Legion. You should have gone to the palace to express your gratitude, where you would have faced the scrutiny and questioning of the high officials," Qiu Xiang said slowly. "However, because you harmed Zong Yunjin during the Grand Competition, many ministers are displeased. It would likely cause trouble, so the Sovereign’s wish is for the Third Prince and me to consult with you instead."

"Father says your nature is too wild; you cannot stand those tedious rituals. If someone used harsh words, you might lose your temper or even lash out at the high ministers. He honestly dared not have you at court, fearing it would only lead to unpleasantness," Tie Shudeng laughed. "Little Xin, don't think otherwise; Father is truly looking out for you."

"I understand," Ye Xin nodded.

"The Heavenly Wolf Legion has been expanded to sixteen battalions; Young Commander, this is the very foundation of our Great Wei," Qiu Xiang sighed. "The Sovereign is deeply worried. If you were to command the southern front, what would you do?"

"This is Pan Yuanshan’s Blood Mountain Legion, and this is Lang Qingtian’s Heaven-Reaching Legion," Tie Shudeng said, using a bamboo cane to point at the map. "Next spring, Ning Gaowu of the Mountain-Breaking Duchy will launch an offensive against Great Yu, forcing Lang Qingtian to pull back his forces to reinforce. Little Xin, can you defeat the Blood Mountain Legion within six months and capture Seven-Colored Lake to avenge our Great Wei?"

"Asking me for certainty now makes light of military strategy," Ye Xin thought to himself with a wry smile. He had led troops and experienced the brutal reality of the battlefield, so he understood how superficial it was to talk grandly over a sand table. But since Tie Xinsheng favored this, he could not be too blunt. "The situation on the battlefield changes in an instant. If I say I am uncertain, I might find a perfect opportunity next year. If I say I am certain, I might face insurmountable obstacles. Would you then force me to take risks? Furthermore, without a clear overarching strategy, where would you have me begin?"

"Overarching strategy? What do you mean?" Tie Shudeng asked urgently.

"Are we just looking for a quick raid, or do we intend to hold Seven-Colored Lake?" Ye Xin asked.

Seven-Colored Lake was the heart of Great Yu’s national fortune, akin to a national treasure. While Great Wei’s national treasures were man-made, the lake was a natural wonder. Covering over seven hundred square kilometers, the lake was heated by active volcanoes on its floor, keeping the water at fifty or sixty degrees. Steam rose perpetually, colored by the shimmering light. The lake was home to only one creature: the Seven-Colored Clam, which naturally condensed the world’s essence into crystals within its shell. In autumn, Great Yu would harvest the clams, remove the crystals, and return them to the water—an annual yield similar to that of Great Wei.

"Hold Seven-Colored Lake?" Tie Shudeng was shocked.

"Theoretically, it is possible. If I can crush the Blood Mountain Legion, and Ning Gaowu can crush the Heaven-Reaching Legion, then combined, we would have the upper hand against the garrison and palace guards of Fengdu City," Ye Xin explained. "But occupying the lake would be far more complicated. How would we divide the resources with the Great Ren Kingdom? Would the Qingyuan Sect intervene? If they don't, what happens when the Luoxia Mountain sect is enraged and attacks with their full force? We wouldn't be able to make it back alive."

"Also, the Sovereign is being a bit too eager for quick success," Ye Xin added. "A hundred-legged insect does not die easily. One year is not enough to completely destroy Great Yu. When I reach the southern front, I will look for ways to wear down the Blood Mountain Legion, but I will not launch a decisive battle. Next autumn, I want to go to the Boundless Mountains."

"Why go to the Boundless Mountains?" Tie Shudeng was stunned again. That was a place of no return—too dangerous for the hope of Great Wei to risk.

"My father once brought back over two hundred Boundless Heaven Wolves from those mountains, but after years of battle, their numbers have been halved," Ye Xin said. "If I can bring back two to three hundred more, and select two hundred elite soldiers from next year's war of attrition to become wolf riders, I will be able to capture Seven-Colored Lake the year after. That would not be a boast."

Tie Shudeng and Qiu Xiang exchanged looks, their eyes wide with shock. If he didn't mention the wolves, Tie Xinsheng—who was obsessed with revenge—would never accept a mere war of attrition. But if Ye Xin could bolster Great Wei’s forces with hundreds of wolf riders, a one-year delay might just persuade the Sovereign.

"The Qiu family has already arrived at the southern front, haven't they?" Qiu Xiang asked, shifting the subject. They understood Ye Xin’s plan, but it was up to Tie Xinsheng to decide whether to follow it.

"They have," Ye Xin replied.

"The Sovereign doing this... it is somewhat inappropriate," Qiu Xiang said hesitantly. "As the commander, the deployment of subordinates should be ordered by you personally..."

"The Sovereign is right," Ye Xin smiled. "I lack the experience to lead such a force. I could handle two or three thousand men, but sixteen battalions? That might leave me overwhelmed. Qiu Jiecha is far better at this than I am; it is reasonable to have him stationed there in advance. Besides, the Grand Marshal has returned to court, and the New Army cannot be left without leadership. If Pan Yuanshan went mad, the inexperienced New Army would likely collapse."

"Little Xin, you are selling yourself short," Tie Shudeng laughed.

"I am speaking the truth. How old am I? The Sovereign handing me tens of thousands of men makes me feel breathless," Ye Xin shook his head. "In truth, once I reach the southern front, all I can do is boost morale and help Qiu Jiecha with a few clever ideas. So, from any perspective, I need a year to learn and train."