Chapter 202: Chapter 198: Crushing Defeat
Thousands of miles of ice, snow falling silently.
Countless large snowflakes fell on the slowly flowing Luo River, barely disturbing its surface, the gentle rustle only emphasizing the valley’s profound silence.
On one side of the riverbank, on the broad shoal, a massive military camp had been established. Countless tents stood along the riverbank, densely packed and neatly arranged, resembling black and white pieces on a chessboard, awaiting the strategist’s decisive move.
This was Yu Wenye’s camp.
Leading a force of twenty thousand men, he advanced eastward along the Luo River, reaching Luokou Ferry, setting up camp at the closest point to Huangtu Ridge. Though it was a temporary camp, its banners fluttered fiercely, and its defenses were daunting, striking fear into all who approached.
This was their second day stationed here.
Early in the morning, while everyone was still cooking on the shoal, Yu Wenye emerged from his large tent and strolled slowly along the riverbank towards the edge, where a chill, moist breeze greeted him.
He looked at the almost motionless stream beneath his feet, then raised his gaze to the opposite riverbank.
The North Shore was a vast expanse of snowy landscape, the hills, ridges, and ravines all covered with days of snow, making it difficult to discern distances or heights. No matter how the cold wind howled, not a single bird flew through the mountain ridges. The entire world seemed to have turned into a silent, pristine ink wash painting, everything draped in endless silver-white.
The gleaming snow scene stretched to the horizon, merging with the clouds in the sky.
"A thousand peaks lying in white snow, ten thousand mountains standing majestically."
Just as he sighed softly, a sudden commotion rose from the camp behind him, breaking the peace on the shoal.
Yu Wenye turned his head and saw several soldiers delivering food being cursed at and driven out of a large tent, followed by bowls and plates being thrown out, spilling porridge and vegetables all over the ground.
Yu Wenye frowned slightly.
Mu Xian stepped out from the side and said quietly, "Young Master—"
Yu Wenye turned his face slightly, "In the army, there is no Young Master."
Mu Xian hurriedly corrected, "Great General."
"Over there, what’s going on?"
"That eunuch, he’s causing trouble again."
"..."
"He insists the military food is pig slop and demands the cooks prepare ten dishes and three soups, all palace delicacies."
"..."
"Great General, he’s been bossing around the soldiers these days, not even listening to you. There’s already discontent in the army; if this continues, how can we fight?"
Yu Wenye remained silent for a while, then said calmly, "He was appointed as the supervisor by His Majesty the Emperor, with the authority to oversee the troops; besides, he has brought along more than a dozen eunuchs and a squad of the Imperial Guard for protection, so I cannot control him. Whatever he wants, just give it to him."
"This—"
Mu Xian felt unwilling but had nothing else to say, so he could only sigh and withdrew.
Soon enough, the kitchen indeed sent several boxes of food to that tent. This time, they were not cursed and driven out, but after the meal, most of the exquisite dishes were barely touched before being tossed onto the shoal.
The surrounding soldiers, seeing this, couldn’t help but frown.
After an unspecified time, a eunuch dressed in luxurious fox fur, with a proud expression, leisurely walked out of the tent.
He was the supervisor for this expedition—Kou Junliang.
This man was about thirty years old, with a fair and plump appearance, clearly living a pampered life, lazy and arrogant, constantly troubling Yu Wenye along the journey. Especially after marching along the Luo River, he complained relentlessly about being tired or dirty, even demanding to ride in a sedan chair in the army, turning the mere dozens of miles from the Eastern Capital to Xingluo Granary into a gruelingly slow three-day journey to this location. There were already grumblings in the army, yet they could do nothing against the Emperor’s appointed supervisor.
Now, after fully satisfying himself with food and drink, he strolled leisurely for a while, spotting the tall figure by the riverbank, and immediately approached, "Great General."
Yu Wenye turned around and saluted him, "Lord Kou."
Kou Junliang said, "Why hasn’t the Great General deployed the troops yet?"
Yu Wenye asked, "Does Lord Kou know where to deploy the troops?"
Kou Junliang was startled and then looked toward the North Shore. Actually, after crossing Luokou Ferry the day before, he had already noticed the prominent mountain range rising above the valley, recognizing it as Huangtu Ridge, stretching for dozens of miles. Among the undulating ridges, he could faintly see the towering city walls, the very walls of the Warehouse City previously built by the court at this location.