CH 36

After listening to Teng Yun’s strategy and receiving Xue Junliang’s approval, Xue Houyang immediately left to respond to Xue Yu and Teng Shang’s urgent report.

Teng Shang, who was still on the northern border, was the first to give warnings about the small county. Now that His Majesty had given order, even though Xue Yu was still reluctant, they would have to move to reclaim the county from the enemy. 

Teng Shang personally took charge of this strategy. After spreading the rumors for nearly half a month, Teng Shang finally assembled his troops and began to send the troops to the small county.

Zou Zhenying in the small county had heard the rumors but at this point, he had nowhere to retreat. He could only wait until Cheng Tian conquered the border pass and then started attacking Xue Country’s army.

As a result, Teng Shang led his troops to attack the small county, and Cheng Tian never once sent reinforcements to support Zou Zhenying. Although he was very brave, Zou Zhenying was incapable of creating soldiers from nothing. The small county was surrounded, isolated and was helpless; Teng Shang surrounded the county and attacked it from all sides. Zou Zhenying fought with all his might but eventually his troops had used up all of their food supply.

Zou Zhenying was at a dead end. After being stuck for three days, he opened the county gate and sent out all the old, weak and injured soldiers, as well as any women and children, creating a ruse to confuse his opponent, and then led the soldiers facing Xue Country’s army head on. 

Zou Zhenying’s soldiers had been trapped inside the small county for three days. Naturally, it was inevitable that their morale was low. Soon, the whole county was taken down by Teng Shang’s soldiers and Zou Zhenying was captured alive.

However, after the battle, the county was almost desolate and there were few surviving people.

Upon hearing that Teng Shang had taken over the small county and had captured Zou Zhenying, Xue Yu took his one thousand elite soldiers to the small county. In front of the enemy soldiers, he personally cut off Zou Zhenying’s head and hung it on a bamboo pole right at the county gate. He also ordered to kill all the captured soldiers, with no exception, and throw their bodies out of the city gate.

Cheng Tian’s spies soon got the news; how the usually barren surrounding of the county suddenly was full of wild dogs and crows, and how the rotten smell of the abandoned corpses was thick in the air.

Xue Yu’s action not only shocked the whole army, but also shocked the entire Xue Country’s Imperial Court and people of Xue Country.

Some thought that Xue Yu was too cruel. The enemy obviously had surrendered and Xue Country could use more soldiers and talented military commanders; he could have taken in the captive prisoners and kept them alive.

The others thought Xue Yu’s action was necessary and unavoidable. In the end, the prisoners were still enemies. Who could guarantee they would not just pretend to surrender, just to buy time before someday rebel against Xue Country? Those prisoners weren’t worth it.

Moreover, if they were to be used as soldiers, the prisoners would need food to eat. Xue Country’s own soldiers had to use the army provisions wisely because of how hard it was to transport supplies to the border; how could they afford feeding the prisoners? 

For a time, the response of the entire Imperial Court to Xue Yu’s actions were inconsistent, and then they started to argue about Teng Shang.

Although Teng Shang had contributed a great victory for Xue Country, he was still a foreigner. In this battlefield, he had consolidated his prestige and had gained quite a few followers. Many of the court officials suggested that Teng Shang had to be pulled back to prevent him from cultivating too much military power.

After this battle, Cheng Tian, realizing the plan to use the small county to attack Xue Country had failed and he had suffered a loss of a great deal of soldiers, didn’t dare launch any more reckless move. Moreover, knowing Xue Yu’s action, Cheng Tiang was extremely afraid. He became even more restrained and cautious. Although fighting on the battlefield required ruthlessness, he had never met such a heartless action. In the end, Cheng Tian moved his soldiers to withdraw as far as 30 li.

Since the incident in the small county, Xue Junliang would always ask Teng Yun’s opinions about military affairs and plans. Sometimes, he would discuss with Teng Yun until very late into the night. 

Xue Junliang had been increasingly convinced that the Empress of his being confined in the Inner Palace was a huge misstep of the Heavens.

At the moment, Teng Yun was scanning the military map, entirely focused. Jiang Yu came in bringing tea but Xue Junliang motioned to him not to make any noises. Xue Junliang then personally brought a cup of tea and gently placed it in Teng Yun’s hand.

Teng Yun didn’t even turn his head to see who was giving him the tea. His eyes didn’t stray from the map. He just took the cup and opened the lid to drink.

Xue Junliang said, “Be careful, it’s hot.” 

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Now that Teng Country was on the verge of collapsing, it was not enough to guard against Xue Junliang alone. If Cheng Tian had the mind to attack Teng Country, it would be a huge trouble.

Xue Junliang saw the Empress would sometimes knit her eyebrows, and sometimes smile to herself. Finally, he couldn’t stop himself from asking, “What are you looking at?” 

Teng Yun came back from his musings and said, “It’s been sometime since Marquis Zhenjiang had been in the north, the army provisions should be getting insufficient. I don’t know whether Your Majesty is planning to transport more supplies?”

Xue Junliang smiled and said, “You’ve been frowning for half a day only thinking about army provisions? Of course, the transport of supplies is already arranged. I’m not so mean I would let my soldiers starve while fighting.”

Xue Junliang said that lightly as if it was a joke, but for Teng Yun, it was unexpected. Not every King would do anything to keep his soldiers from hunger. At least, Teng Yun’s own father wouldn’t do it…

“If Your Majesty wants to transport supplies,” Teng Yun pointed to the map with a finger, “Your Majesty must use this road.” 

“Alright.”

Xue Junliang had been in constant amazement these days. He still couldn’t wrap his head around how his Empress was so familiar with the battlefields and could remember and analyze the roads seemingly without any effort. If his Empress were to lead troops and fight against Xue Country, he reckoned she would be a formidable enemy that can not be underestimated.

Xue Junliang said, “Are you saying that Cheng Tian might launch a sneak attack on our usual supply transportation route? That is impossible. The route goes deep into a remote and difficult terrain, if they somehow manage to trek the remote route, they would be too exhausted to ambush us.”

Teng Yun smiled while shaking his head, but Xue Junliang unexpectedly found that the smile looked more like a sneer. He couldn’t help flicking the tip of the Empress’ nose and said, “Oh? What’s this? My Empress has a better idea?” 

Teng Yun pointed to the map again, “Cheng Tian is an arrogant man. These days, he has neither sent troops, nor harassed the civilians to create trouble, it doesn’t seem like his usual style… The usual transportation route passes a land that is very low. Although the area is not a canyon, the road is very narrow. I heard that there is a river next to the narrow road. The river is so rapid that even with the northern cold weather, the water would not freeze.”

Teng Yun then turned his head towards Xue Junliang, still smiling, he continued, “If I am Cheng Tian, I would order people to quietly dig up a river channel. When the soldiers bringing food supplies are passing the narrow road, I would reroute the water course and drown the soldiers. The food would be lost, so how can they think about fighting? At that time, it would bring chaos and discourage Xue Country’s army in the front lines. I could win the battle without lifting a weapon.”

“Yeah…” Xue Junliang nodded and stared dazedly at the Empress.

Noting this, Teng Yun thought maybe there was something on his face. Sometimes when he was examining the map, he always liked to pick up a brush and ink to draw circles or make notes on the map. Thinking maybe he had ink on his face, Teng Yun rubbed a hand on his cheek but his hand came up clean. 

Xue Junliang lifted a hand and gently caressed the other person’s lips with his thumb. With a sly look on his face, he said, “Fortunately, you’re not Cheng Tian, are you?”

Teng Yun’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly looked away trying to avoid Xue Junliang’s gaze and said, “Of course. There is no way Chen-qie is Cheng Tian.”

Xue Junliang sat down, with a hand on the Empress’ waist, he pulled her to sit on his lap. Then, he gently caressed her cheeks and earlobe. Teng Yun let him; he didn’t find Xue Junliang’s gestures suspicious.

Xue Junliang, on the other hand, had discovered this pattern for a while now. If he occasionally touched the Empress when they were discussing about something, she would not push him away. His hand which was on the other person’s waist climbed slightly up; with it, he pushed the other person’s back so the other person was slightly bowing. Then he himself raised his head and lightly kissed the corner of the other person’s lips. 

“You speak so cleverly, how can I be willing to trust you?”

Teng Yun was startled and suddenly stood up. He took a step back, but then he accidentally knocked over the map behind him. The map, and the board holding it, fell to the floor with a loud bang.

Xue Junliang also stood up following Teng Yun. Suddenly, he pressed the Empress against the wall. The two were standing so close that their breaths brushed each other.  Xue Junliang’s tall and robust frame almost completely covered the Empress’ smaller one.

Teng Yun turned his head away and didn’t look at Xue Junliang. Xue Junliang lowered his head slightly, staring at the other person’s thin and graceful neck, and smiled, “Are you still not willing?” 

Xue Junliang could see the Empress’ throat tensing abruptly. She opened her mouth as if she was struggling to say something, but in the end she didn’t say anything.

Xue Junliang didn’t insist much. At this point, Emperor Xue didn’t act like an overbearing Emperor.  If he were to tell everyone that this arrogant Emperor had never really touched his own Empress, people who didn’t know him would not believe him.

“Needless to say I want us to be on mutual consent, so I won’t be forcing you, but…”

Xue Junliang lifted Teng Yun’s chin, making the other person look at him. Smiling, he said, “I must ask you, are you really admiring Teng Shang?” 

“Your Majesty!” Teng Yun’s eyes widened as he stared at Xue Junliang. But Xue Junliang didn’t look particularly upset nor angry, he only said, “You don’t need to answer.. But since you want to know about Teng Shang’s news, how about we make an agreement?”

Teng Yun didn’t reply, only staring at Xue Junliang with wide surprised eyes.

Xue Junliang found the other person’s expression amusing. He lowered his head onto the Empress’ shoulder and whispered softly, “Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you and ask anything difficult.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “I said I won’t force you, but you’re after all, still my Empress. Obviously, I suffer the most here. So how about this; if you want to hear more news about Teng Shang, you have to kiss me.” 

Hearing Xue Junliang’s words, Teng Yun subconsciously pursed his lips, and the tip of his tongue involuntarily swept his lower lip. This action ignited something inside Xue Junliang and his face flushed red.

Xue Junliang laughed teasingly, “No matter how you see it, you’ve got a good bargain. After all, military affairs are not something that can be easily leaked out…”

Teng Yun was silent and didn’t answer for a long few minutes. All the while, Xue Junliang kept looking at him intently. Teng Yun was frowning deeply, seemingly having a battle in his mind. The other party’s reaction really fascinated Xue Junliang.

Pretending to be impatient, Xue Junliang said, “So? Don’t take too long to consider or I might take it back.” 

Teng Yun finally spoke up, “Your Majesty should never take your words back.”

Xue Junliang nodded, “I haven’t said anything that doesn’t count, have I?”

With a smile still on his face, Xue Junliang held the Empress’ back in one hand, dragging her closer, and with his other hand he pointed at his own lips, urging the Empress.

Emotions were warring in Teng Yun’s eyes but he was still for a long time. 

Just when Xue Junliang thought that his teasing had gone too far, the other person pulled her courage. She closed her eyes, stretched out her hand fiercely, pulled down Xue Junliang’s neck and kissed him on his lips.

In fact, rather than a kiss, it was more like a quick peck, or a smack of the lips. There was no trace of affection or tenderness in the action; it was just a careless kiss.

Xue Junliang was so amused by her that he just wanted to laugh, but then he saw the other person’s cheeks were blushing bright red. The corners of her eyes were also slightly red and her pair of dark pupils were glossy as she glared at him.

Xue Junliang felt that his heart seemed to have been severely crushed by a heavy stone. He lowered his head and kissed the other person’s lips again. Teng Yun wanted to push Xue Junliang away but was held closer instead. His hands uselessly gripping Xue Junliang’s sleeves. 

Xue Junliang was aware the Empress didn’t love him. When he thought about how his own woman was forcing herself to submit because of another man, Xue Junliang’s pride as an Emperor was wounded. However, Xue Junliang would never feel he was inferior to this other man. On the contrary, even if this woman didn’t love him, he could let this person stay with him forever and gradually removed her heart’s defense little by little.

Xue Junliang had years of experiences in his sleeves. He gently embraced the Empress and kissed her as tenderly as possible. Certainly every wife would not be able to resist such a passionate and gentle Emperor.

But Xue Junliang certainly didn’t know that his Empress, in fact, was not a woman. His Empress was actually an iron-fisted Great General.

Fortunately, Teng Yun was unaware of his predicament. When talking about kissing, he was not as skilled as Xue Junliang. Being deliberately teased and kissed gently by the other man, Teng Yun soon felt paralyzed. Xue Junliang’s kiss wasn’t only touching his own lips against Teng Yun’s, but also including gentle nibbles and teasing bites. Teng Yun felt a tingling sensation spreading across his back and it was starting to feel numb; if it wasn’t for Xue Junliang holding him close, Teng Yun would have already fallen on the floor. 

As he was kissed, Teng Yun held his breath. His face had turned red from lack of air. He wanted to breathe but somehow he forgot to use his nose. A thin thread of saliva started to form between the two people’s lips.

Xue Junliang held Teng Yun in his arms and was very pleased by the person’s reactions. He liked how the usually indifferent person went pliant and soft in his arms. This kind of excitement was similar to conquering another country.

After a long time of kissing, Xue Junliang finally let go of Teng Yun. Teng Yun’s vision had started to dim and his legs were shaking. He leaned back against the wall and was breathing hard; trying to compose himself to regain his breathing.

Seeing the other person’s rumpled appearance, Xue Junliang narrowed his eyes. He lowered his head again to kiss the other person’s neck and traced it up to the corner of her lips and kissed off the silver thread of saliva that she hadn’t quite managed to swallow. 

Teng Yun just felt a wet and warm sensation from his neck and couldn’t help a shiver. Xue Junliang smiled and salaciously said, “You taste as sweet as I imagined.”

Teng Yun’s brain only now started working again. His face was so heated he could not calm himself, he could only try hiding how rumpled he was by glaring daggers at Xue Junliang.

The glare wasn’t scary at all. Xue Junliang saw how the Empress’ was glaring sharply at him but her eyes were slightly red and misty; the combination looked intriguing instead, peaking his interest.

Jiang Yu, seeing the two people having an intimate time, had quickly withdrawn outside. He had been serving in the Palace for a long time. He hadn’t gotten to this point without hindsight and knew he should not stay in the room where there was a scene like this. 

When the Empress finally left, Jiang Yu entered the room again to clean up the Empress’ cup, refilled Emperor Xue’s tea and straightened the knocked over map.

Seeing Jiang Yu tidying up the room, Xue Junliang coughed. The mess could make people believe there had been a passionate scene, but it was actually just a kiss. Jiang Yu had been following him for a long time, but thinking Jiang Yu assuming he’d been doing indecent thing in the study room was making Xue Junliang felt quite awkward.

But of course, Xue Junliang didn’t try to explain himself. He did wish that he and his Empress did something in the study room, but unfortunately, his trick hadn’t been enough to make the Empress change her mind.

Xue Junliang walked over to the map and stood in front of it. He was examining the map when he suddenly laughed; tracing with his fingers the route the Empress had pointed out earlier, an idea formed in his mind. 

“Jiang Yu.”

“This old servant is here.”

Xue Junliang said, “About Zhao Lu, I’m thinking of a good idea.”

Jiang Yu kept his head bowed and respectfully waited for Emperor Xue to continue. 

Looking at the map, Xue Junliang thought the idea was indeed very good, “A river is very beneficial; it can carry a boat, but can also overturn the boat… If King Feng goes to visit a river, do you think it is possible he drowns in the river?”