Frost for a Thousand Years

Inside the northern gate city, Shamogi was keeping a close eye on the movements to the north.

The army she personally led numbered approximately 30,000.

Of course, the "30,000" should be enclosed in quotation marks.

These are the barbarian allies.

Their actual combat strength was roughly equivalent to the combined forces of Chen Huo and Song Shi'an, which numbered around 5,000.

However, these people of hers were not intended to covet the Central Plains dynasty.

Rather, it was the garrison she recently organized, drawn by her own influence.

With this advantageous terrain, even if Song Shi'an sent 20,000 imperial guards, it would be impossible for him to take it easily.

Why would a woman like her come here in person?

Because this place is crucial, she has to be there.

Now, her father, the Prince of Nanyue, is in the capital with the young emperor.

Her younger brother, while dealing with Qiu Juhuan, was also preparing for the possibility that the other party might take advantage of the situation to cause trouble.

At this pivotal moment in history, the three capable members of the Samo family are focused and attentive, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

"Will your Emperor Ji head south after the spring?" Shamoji asked with a hint of amusement, looking at the Northern Qi spy standing below.

This person had previously dealt with Sun Tuo, and after Sun Tuo's death, she naturally took him in as a link to Ji Yuan.

Of course, the distance between due south and due north is far, and it would take one or two months to send a message there, even with fast horses, so it was impossible to take real-time action.

Samogi is testing them.

"Your Majesty, this is inevitable." The spy, faced with such a beautiful woman, offered a fawning smile.

“Nonsense,” Shamoji said with a seductive air. “Emperor Ji is so afraid of Song Shi’an, yet he withdrew his troops immediately after Song Shi’an gained power in Huai County. Does he really dare to do that?”

"Your Majesty, my Emperor is not afraid of Song Shi'an," the spy said. "But rather, he wants to crush the Yu Kingdom in one fell swoop at the right time."

“How suitable?” Samogi asked.

"Didn't the Duke of Zhangping go to war with Song Shi'an? If the war drags on for half a year, that's when my Emperor will head south," the spy said.

"Isn't this still because they're afraid of Song Shi'an?"

Shamoji chuckled lightly, then lowered her leg and said, "I, a mere woman, am not afraid, yet Emperor Ji is so cautious. Is this appropriate?"

"The Empress Dowager is indeed a woman of extraordinary courage and wisdom, the foremost ruler of Southern Yue," the spy said respectfully. "A wolf is agile and fierce, but it is still just a wolf. The reason people are afraid is simply because they are afraid of being hurt. But this wolf cub, if we join forces, we can capture it without being bitten. Why not?"

“Wolves? I like wolves,” Samogi said.

“But this wolf, it bites,” the spy warned.

“You don’t need to try to persuade me anymore. I am a barbarian and don’t understand the bigger picture,” said Shamoji. “I don’t care whether it’s beneficial to me or not. As long as it benefits your Emperor Ji, I want to see your sincerity. In your words, we are all people who will not act without self-interest.”

This woman is really a bit wild.

The phrase "I am a barbarian" immediately rendered him speechless.

"Even without His Majesty, you still want to deal with Song Shi'an..."

“We can choose not to fight,” Samogi said. “If you are familiar with the Southern Territory, you should know that even when we fight, there are genuine and insincere fights. If I don’t want to fight genuinely, I can still make it look like I’m putting in a lot of effort.”

In short, it is very difficult to detect match-fixing.

Like Sun Tuo, who rebelled against Yu for so many years, but in reality he was always throwing matches.

Even so, didn't we manage to get away with it?
If his wife hadn't tricked him this time, he could have kept up the act for a few more years.

"Empress Dowager, what kind of sincerity do you desire? I can request it from His Majesty," the spy said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Shamogi immediately agreed, saying without hesitation, "Give me the gold."

Samogi was a barbarian, but she was not short-sighted in the slightest.

Even if she ruled the Southern Yue Kingdom, and everyone respectfully called her Empress Dowager, so what?

If a Yu person wants to support a force that is hostile to her, she can do so easily.

The Duke of Zhangping, who was not even the emperor of Dayu, was able to easily win over tens of thousands of barbarian soldiers as his servants.

To put it dramatically, if it weren't for the fact that the Duke of Zhangping had the responsibility of monitoring Yangzhou, he could have turned the entire Nanyue Kingdom upside down with his power alone.

Samogi is very shrewd.

Without a stable and powerful government backing, even the smallest coin becomes worthless (in terms of value). Animal hides, no matter how valuable, are useless if overproduction prevents them from being converted into cash. Rattan armor can withstand swords and spears but not fire; even if barbarians ride elephants to intimidate, they appear comical and laughable before the ironclad armor and powerful crossbows of the Central Plains dynasties.

Only gold is harder than any fist.

The Northern Yan Kingdom took tens of thousands of gold coins from Song Shi'an and even killed Ji Yuan's son.

Samogi doesn't care about fame or shame; all she wants is gold, shiny gold!
"His Majesty has plenty of gold..."

"Five thousand taels of gold, not a single tael less."

Samogi stretched out his five fingers and made a huge, outrageous demand.

This number is simply unbelievable.

Because the Great Qi treasury probably doesn't even have 10,000 taels of gold in reserve right now.

"Your Majesty, I am..."

“I’m not going to haggle with you. You’re spies in Yu, so you must have some skills. I need to see your abilities first,” Shamoji said. “Bring me a thousand gold pieces within five days. Once the gold arrives, the oath will follow.”

Frowning, the spy sensed his predicament, but the other party remained unyielding. Besides, it wasn't his own money being used, so he said, "Then, Your Majesty, you must write a letter yourself, and it must bear your seal. Otherwise, His Majesty will think I've embezzled."

"That's easy, I'll get it to you right away."

Shamoji was amused and covered her mouth to laugh for a while. Then she said charmingly, "You should also convey my respect for Emperor Ji to him. Tell him that when His Majesty Emperor Ji enters the Central Plains, I am willing to go to Sheng'an to serve him personally."

That wicked empress is fucking amazing.

However, the spy dared not actually make a joke, and could only awkwardly force a smile, bow his head and say, "Yes, sir."

And so, he withdrew.

Samogi's expression changed from calm and smug to serious.

She didn't understand warfare, but she understood people's hearts.

Judging from the way the Duke of Zhangping has treated her so far, she's too timid.

This is not how a duke should behave.

If it's said that getting old makes one weak, it shouldn't be like this. Rather, it should be that while one becomes unambitious, one, like the Iron Prince, tightly holds onto what one has and refuses to let go of anyone.

But right now, it feels like that to her.

You can put anything there.

As long as we can survive, that's fine.

Therefore, although Shamoke was so proud when he held the meeting and announced to the kings that they had won, he was always on guard in his heart—I don’t believe it unless they really fight to the death.

Moreover, Song Shi'an doesn't seem to be acting right either.

He acted too much according to his own ideas.

Samogi considers herself very clever, but what makes her even smarter is that she doesn't treat others like fools.

But she couldn't understand how things could possibly change now that they were already like this.
Who is pretending to be sweet, or is it real sweetness?

Just then, a barbarian warrior rushed in, knelt on one knee, and loudly reported with his head bowed: "Your Majesty, in the battle between Song and Chen, Chen Huo's vanguard, the Prince of Jiangling, had an initial victory. He launched a night attack on the enemy's camp that same day but suffered a great defeat. His troops and the troops of those tribes that were coerced into joining him suffered heavy losses and have retreated to Hengguan to resist Song Shi'an's defense."

"Devastating? Did you witness it with your own eyes?" Samogi asked solemnly.

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes."

Because he was a military officer in the barbarian army under Chen Huo.

It can be said that he experienced it firsthand.

At this point, Shamogi finally began to doubt the war between them.

If a real fight broke out and people died, who would act like that?

Chen Huo can act without restraint, but can he guarantee that Song Shi'an is truly believable?

“That old bastard Chen Huo is really useless,” Shamoji cursed. “He’s let such a weakling hold us back for over a decade.”

Slowly, she raised her head and said, "Someone come here."

So the subordinate withdrew, and her personal guard entered.

“Tell King Sha (Shamoyi),” Samoji raised two fingers and said menacingly, “Two months. I’ll only give him two months. I want to drink wine with Qiujuhuan’s skull!”

.........

Song Shi'an's army continued to launch attacks on Hengguan.

Meanwhile, Ye Changqing and Ran Jin had almost allied with the gentry of Yizhou, and their army was pressing towards Guicheng.

However, because of this civil war, it gained widespread support, so in areas where the Duke of Zhangping had little control, it almost always turned against him.

There's no way around it; in wars between the people of Dayu, whoever raises the banner of justice first gains a natural advantage. If the Duke of Zhangping had rebelled before Song Shi'an had fully marched south, striking first and posing the three fundamental questions—"How did the former crown prince die?", "How was the grain burned?", and "Why did the late emperor suddenly abdicate?"—the situation would never be like this now.

“Within Hengguan Pass, officers have been leading their soldiers to surrender to our army in the past few days, and most of the barbarian tribes have also dispersed and retreated back into the mountains!”

When General San Gou reported to Song Shi'an, the other generals in the military tent clapped and cheered with great excitement.

He smiled, including Sun Qi, after all, he was the vanguard, he had fought many battles, and he had made contributions.

However, I was still quite worried.

So after the meeting, he privately approached Zhao Han and asked with great concern, "Sir, isn't this Duke of Zhangping a bit too weak?"

It went too smoothly, far too smoothly.

If this continues, we'll probably take it down within six months.

“General, you can think about it,” Zhao Han said. “If you were the Duke of Zhangping, what would you do?”

When he asked that question, Sun Qi began to empathize.

Their collusion with the enemy, the Southern Yue Kingdom, was exposed.

The entire population of Yizhou is outraged by the previous riots.

The powerful families of Yangzhou and Yizhou also united to try to eliminate him.

If it were him...

“I know that no one can do this kind of thing well, it would be difficult for anyone,” Sun Qi said. “But that’s the Duke of Zhangping.”

Anyone who comes will be knocked unconscious.

But as a superstar, shouldn't he be like an ordinary player, lacking any offensive capabilities and just getting beaten up?

"Don't you understand yet?" Zhao Han said, "The Duke of Zhangping has made a final plan to defend Guangfu City. In his view, the city is tall and sturdy, and he can wait for the situation to change."

"He's betting on both Nan Yue and Bei Qi." Sun Qi knew what this meant, but he still felt a little wistful.

This once-powerful leader has become so cowardly.

“In that case,” Sun Qi murmured, lowering his head, “we can fight with peace of mind…”

“That’s right,” Zhao Han said. “We’ll fight our way all the way to Guangfu City.”

.........

"Father, Hengguan is about to collapse." Chen Wang rushed to Chen Huo and said in great fear, "If it weren't for the fact that he is the Prince of Jiangling, his men would probably have already offered his head to Song Shi'an!"

"Otherwise, why do you think I would send the Prince of Jiangling to guard the city?" Chen Huo retorted.

"Father, I understand you're deliberately losing," Chen Huo pleaded. "Then can you tell me what to do next?"

“No one else can bring Wei Yixing back, but you can,” Chen Huo said.

"Even if his son goes, he won't listen to anything..."

“Who let him in?” Chen Huo said. “Just tie him up and bring him back.”

"..." Chen Wang was startled and asked cautiously, "Then, is the next step to bring him to his father's side?"

"Yes," Chen Huo replied.

“But if that’s the case, at least 90% of the remaining troops in Hengguan will take the opportunity to fall behind, either surrendering or deserting,” Chen Wang warned. “At this point, my son is not capable of bringing them all back.”

The trend toward unification is unstoppable.

"Who told you to bring them back?" Chen Huo asked his son, who was stunned by the question. Then he demanded firmly, "I only want Wei Yixing."

The father looked at him with an expression that demanded absolute obedience.

"Yes." Chen Wang knew that at this moment, he could only trust unconditionally.

Otherwise, it's a dead end after all.

And so, he led his personal guards to Hengguan Pass overnight, and under the pretext of an urgent military situation, met with the Prince of Jiangling in the enemy's camp.

"Brother, you've finally arrived! How many reinforcements are there?"

The usually arrogant Prince Jiangling grabbed Chen Wang's hand and treated him like an older brother.

"Your Highness, please come out and speak," Chen Wang said solemnly.

Without thinking twice, he walked out.

But as soon as he stepped out, several people grabbed him and held him back.

"Are you trying to rebel?!"

As soon as the Prince of Jiangling shouted, a sack was put over his head, and he was loaded onto the cart like a pig.

The garrison at Hengguan also retreated under Chen Wang's orders.

However, many soldiers deserted that very night.

Thus, the only barrier in front of Guangzhou was breached in less than ten days.

Song Shi'an has broken in.

However, after only half a day in the fortress, he ordered all troops to be mobilized.

This included the troops and laborers from Yangzhou, who carried large quantities of supplies and provisions as they entered the pass.

Thirty li away is Guangfu City.

If you're quick, you can get there in a day.

Sitting atop the chariot, Song Shi'an marched forward with a spirited and triumphant air.

Logically, after capturing a pass, one should first occupy it, then conduct political guidance and united front work, followed by reorganization and absorption of defeated soldiers, while simultaneously launching attacks from all sides on the last isolated city, pacifying all the people and relocating them to one's own logistics base, and gradually tightening the encirclement.

It's worth spending ten days or half a month to do this kind of thing.

But now, they are too powerful.

It was like a blitzkrieg; there wasn't even time to receive prisoners.

Sun Qi had a vague sense of unease, and even Zhao Han felt a belated fear.

So, when he led his troops forward, he rode quickly to the vanguard general and, while riding alongside him, leaned over and said very cautiously, "Brother Zhu, there's a problem."

"Huh? What's the problem?" Zhu Kang was also a general in Yangzhou. His father was the one who was particularly generous in spending money to pave the way for his son, and was jokingly called the richest man in Yangzhou.

Sun Qi was ordered by Song Shi'an to be the vanguard in the first battle.

After breaking through the pass, Zhu Kang was appointed as the vanguard of the siege.

"Was this battle won too easily?" Sun Qi said in a low voice.

Seeing that he said this, Zhu Kang understood what he meant, so he smiled and said, "General Sun was promoted a full rank in just ten days, from Captain to Lieutenant General. This battle was very easy."

“General Zhu, this has nothing to do with promotion,” Sun Qi explained. “Your father must have some instructions for you, right?”

Do you remember what we're supposed to do in this battle?

"My father instructed me to serve the country with all my might," Zhu Kang replied, clenching his fists. "The young Grand Secretary ordered me to be the vanguard, and I dare not neglect my duty. So, General Sun, I apologize."

As he spoke, he quickened his pace and charged ahead, no longer engaging in leisurely conversation with him on horseback.

Sun Qi clenched his fists, filled with resentment.

This guy thinks he's done something great, and preventing him from doing so is hindering his progress and becoming a better person!
Chan Ho-nam became the gang leader and also stopped Chicken from becoming the head of the gang.

These guys weren't even thinking about Yangzhou.

They're now only afraid they won't get enough credit, so they're scrambling to claim it!
Oh no, I have a bad feeling...

Song Shi'an's army halted its advance before nightfall and set up camp on the spot.

This place is less than five miles from Guangfu City.

He will launch a full-scale attack tomorrow at daybreak.

At this moment, Zhao Han entered the military tent and reported to him, "Young Grand Secretary, some of my friends have said that there are some rumors circulating in the Southern Yue Kingdom. Your information should be much earlier than mine."

"Go ahead," Song Shi'an said casually.

"Shamoji, along with several tribes, launched a major war against Qujuhuan," he said.

"Yes, that was a little while ago," Song Shi'an said.

After all, the two places are not far apart, and ten days have passed. It's impossible for someone as powerful as him not to know about such an important event.

This was within Zhao Han's expectations.

"There's another piece of military intelligence."

Zhao Han looked into the other person's eyes and tentatively said, "Chen Huo and the Prince of Jiangling abandoned the city and fled, leading an army of 10,000 to surrender to the Baiyue in the south."

Song Shi'an looked up at him and said, "But it hasn't happened yet, has it?"

"Young Grand Secretary, is this going to happen soon?"

At this moment, Zhao Han finally completely understood what Song Shi'an was up to. (End of Chapter)