The Slender Waist-Chapter 212 - 150 His Reward

It was cold.

In the barracks, a charcoal fire burned, glowing red.

Yan Buxi, dressed in a deep-sleeved robe, with a caged crown on his head, knelt behind the table in the guest seat, his expression grave and not at all pleasant, for he had been sitting for half a day and Pei Jue had not yet arrived.

This was negligence.

A person of considerable prestige took such matters very seriously.

Pei Jue arrived only after they were seated, his arrival late, his face expressionless as if mixed with the cold air of rain and snow, and once he took his place at the head of the room, it became quiet.

He was silent, and Yan Buxi, having witnessed General Pei’s arrogance before, dared not hope for a warm greeting or empty pleasantries.

So he took the initiative to stand up and pay his respects.

"General Pei, my visit today is still to facilitate the peace talks between our two armies. The Qi Emperor does not want to be at odds with your army, nor does he wish the conflict to drag on, causing the people of both countries to be displaced and to suffer greatly."

After speaking, he signaled to his attendant.

The attendant presented a document.

This time, in addition to the previous demands, Xiao Cheng provided a long list of gifts. In Yan Buxi’s view, there was no reason for Pei Jue or the Great Jin Dynasty to refuse.

Therefore, he was quite assertive in his approach.

"If the General still has doubts, you should report to the Imperial Court and request instructions from the Emperor of Dajin. This matter is beneficial to the nation and the people, and I believe your country can see the sincerity of the Qi Emperor as well."

He was pressuring the Jin Imperial Court.

"A General commands in the field and may not be obligated to follow all orders," Pei Jue said indifferently as he glanced over Yan Buxi then set down the document, his deep eyes revealing neither hostility nor any discernible emotion.

"I respect Mr. Yan, and I hope you can understand that I disdain to exchange imperial concubines for riches."

Upon hearing this respect, Yan Buxi’s face brightened significantly, and he stroked his beard as he spoke:

"To speak grandly, this concerns the country’s foundations, and to speak trivially, it is merely a matter of romantic affections. I have an impertinent request, and I wonder if the General may grant it?"

Pei Jue said, "Please speak, Mr. Yan."

Yan Buxi replied, "May I meet Feng Shi Er Niang in person? To hear her thoughts on this matter? What if Feng Shi Er Niang herself is willing? Then, for the General, it would simply be a matter of giving your blessing."

Pei Jue narrowed his eyes slightly, fixing his gaze on him.

"I have never seen such a shameless man before."

Yan Buxi’s face turned red with embarrassment, finding it hard to maintain his composure.

Yet he said, "In consideration of Mr. Yan’s efforts to repeatedly facilitate peace talks, I will give the Qi Emperor an opportunity to meet Feng Shi Er Niang in person."

Yan Buxi nearly slipped and dropped his teacup.

To let Feng Shi Er Niang meet the Qi Emperor?

He didn’t believe Pei Jue would be so generous, but there wasn’t a hint of jest on that face. He just nodded indifferently and stood up to leave.

"Escort the envoy out of the city."

-

The speed with which emotions spread was quick, and the Qi Army’s cries soon took effect within Bingzhou City. The air itself seemed to pulse with a profound sadness.

This was merely the fifth day of the siege.

The streets were deserted, the sky silent. Xiao Cheng’s stratagem of attacking the hearts had planted the seeds of sorrow in the citizens and the soldiers. As these seeds coalesced, they formed an invisible force that hung over Bingzhou City, oppressively thickening until it was hard to breathe.

Today, there was an incident in the western part of the city where a copperware peddler attacked patrolling Beiyong soldiers. Two were killed, one was wounded, and one of the fatalities was the peddler’s young son.

Feng Yun sent people to investigate.

The cause was simple.

The peddler’s family consisted of nine members. Before the Beiyong Army entered the city, they eked out a living selling copperware at a stall, but with the market transactions ceasing due to the war, they had been trapped at home for several days without prior provisions of rice and grain, unable to cook a meal.

Today, the peddler went to borrow grain from a relative and returned empty-handed. When he happened to encounter two patrolling soldiers who stopped him for questioning, the peddler, in a sudden rage, grabbed a hammer from under the eaves and struck a Beiyong soldier on the head, killing him instantly. The other soldier fought back, injuring the peddler and accidentally stabbing his twelve-year-old son who had gone out to help.

After the incident occurred, Tan Dajin sent people to handle the situation and even provided the peddler’s family with rice and grain to appease them, but this response satisfied neither the locals nor the troops.

The gloomy mood was stretched to its limit, with civilians and soldiers becoming invisible adversaries, compounded by the heart-rending songs sung daily outside the city, stirring unrest as if every heart bore the weight of a stone, not knowing when it might erupt...

"Xiao San still has some skills," Feng Yun said sincerely.

"Adept at manipulating human emotions."

Sitting in front of her was Wen Xingsu.

He had come over today at Feng Yun’s request to assist, and upon entering, he heard about the incident, pondered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.

"He would make an outstanding Emperor."

Xiao San might not be a good person, but good people do not necessarily make good Emperors.

"What do you think, Yao Yao?" Wen Xingsu suddenly asked.

Feng Yun looked puzzled, Wen Xingsu furrowed his brows slightly, "You heard all those shouts, didn’t you? Yesterday, Yan Buxi came again, still proposing a truce and negotiation, with a more elaborate list of tributes, requesting only your presence."

Feng Yun looked at him and laughed, "Elder brother doesn’t really think he’s doing this for me, does he?"

Wen Xingsu didn’t understand the mockery on her face.

In Wen Xingsu’s mind, Feng Yun treasured Xiao San in her heart, even if compelled to follow Pei Jue; the adoration she had since childhood wasn’t something that would change so easily.

"It is not for me," Feng Yun didn’t wait for Wen Xingsu to answer, laughing to herself, "he’s doing this just to strike with sentimentality. He wants to take Bingzhou City without spending a single soldier or warrior, by starting to shake the foundation from within the Beiyong Army."

Her face was devoid of emotion, as if she was an onlooker analyzing the situation.

"Firstly, the claim of a legitimate wife can garner sympathy and pity from the people, painting Pei Jue morally vile from a societal standpoint. Forcefully taking someone’s wife, nobody would condone such an act. He hasn’t even started warfare and he’s already at a vantage point of righteousness."

Wen Xingsu remained silent.

Ever since that resentful melody began to be sung, not to mention the Qi Army, there were even members of the Beiyong Army who felt sympathy. Wen Xingsu’s two maidservants, Nong Qin and Si Hua, even shed tears over it.

How could young women not be moved by the dignity of an Emperor brought so low?

Feng Yun’s eyes carried a sparse smile, cold and sharp, each word she spoke seemed intent on peeling off Xiao Cheng’s gentlemanly facade.

"Secondly, the war gains legitimacy, the public’s support. Think about how this compares with Pei Jue turning down the Qi Army’s generous negotiation terms, what would the development be? Winter is coming, the New Year is near, the Beiyong Army is homesick and yearning to end the battle to go home for the holidays. Good negotiation terms like these, if Pei Jue doesn’t accept, will certainly upset the soldiers. Moreover, if today at the negotiation table sat Prime Minister Li Zongxun, he would not hesitate to agree. Hence if Pei Jue refuses, he offends the Imperial Court first. Xiao Cheng kills two birds with one stone, his intentions are sinister."

Wen Xingsu frowned slightly.

His heart still favored Xiao Cheng.

But from Feng Yun’s words, Wen Xingsu could tell, Feng Yun’s heart completely leaned towards Pei Jue, not considering Xiao Cheng’s situation from his perspective, let alone thinking that for Xiao Cheng, this was the best strategy.

Wen Xingsu said, "Do you still hate him, Yao Yao?"

Feng Yun didn’t confirm or deny, simply glanced at him.

"Elder brother may think so. But the words I just said, they are unrelated to love or hate, they are purely strategic analysis of Xiao San’s actions. If I include my own perceptions, it’s not just hate..."

Having said that, she gave a cold laugh.

"Have you ever seen a husband who puts his wife on display for public discussion, to be weighed and bargained over? In his heart, I am just a tool."

Wen Xingsu observed Feng Yun attentively.

Her transformation was astonishing.

It was to the point where she was unrecognizable...

Xiao San was the man she insisted on claiming against the attacks of all the other ladies, firmly declaring amidst their hostility, "Xiao San Brother is my man, mine, and nobody else can take him."

"Let’s not talk about him anymore, only the present matters," she said.

Feng Yun watched Wen Xingsu’s changing expressions, knowing that changing one’s thoughts overnight is difficult; Xiao Cheng and elder brother were close friends, so it’s natural for elder brother to favor him.

So she moved on to the main issue.

"The peddler’s affair may seem like an isolated incident, but its impact is profound. Without addressing the fundamental conflict, if things continue this way, they will only escalate."

Wen Xingsu narrowed his eyes, looking at her as if she was radiating light.

"What is the fundamental conflict?"

Feng Yun said, "It’s the lack of food amongst the civilians and the siege by the Qi Army. For the people, having food and drink and good days, no one wishes for death, nor do they care who governs. But when there’s no food, chaos ensues among people, and the conflict is directed at the Beiyong Army..."

She already had a plan in mind, and said no more.

"If elder brother is prepared, we can depart immediately. To hit the mountain to scare the tiger, the food raid operation..."

When Wen Xingsu came over, he saw Ye Chuang and others had changed into casual clothes, waiting outside the door, he knew Feng Yun was determined to carry out this mission.

He sighed, "Alright."

Whatever Yao Yao wanted to do,

Whether to become a bandit in the mountains, or a pirate at sea, he would be with her.

Feng Yun saw how readily he agreed, feeling happy and touched.

"With our combined efforts as siblings, we will surely forge a remarkable path through these troubled times. I know elder brother is in a difficult position, so in a moment, no matter what I do, do not speak out, just participate, I will be the villain."

Her intention for him to take part was for Pei Jue to see.

In Bingzhou, she did not lack manpower; there was really no need to insist on dragging him along.

Wen Xingsu understood in his heart, and smiled faintly, "I’ll follow your lead."