Initially, when the plan was adapted to enter Yunjing using strategy, there wasnât enough time for detailed arrangements. Therefore, he decided to act comprehensively, instructing Xiao Rongyanâs guard to send word back not to inform the Zhou military camp about his siblings, lest it reveals any flaw that might tip off Cui Shanzhong, costing him his position in Xiliangâs grasp.
Third Brother and the others must be terribly worried!
"But... Fifth Young Master, is it really wise to keep you in the palace? Itâs too dangerous!" Xiao Ruohai was still uneasy.
Bai Qingyu placed himself within the Imperial Palace to ensure when the Bai familyâs army instigates chaos in Yunjing City, Li Tianjiao would consider retreating, thinking Bai Qingyu is still here. Thus, preventing the Xiliang soldiers from risking their lives in desperation or outright fleeing from Yunjing.
Currently, Li Tianfu is already in Zhouâs hands. Only by completely resolving Li Tianjiao in Yunjing can Xiliang be considered pacified. Otherwise... if Li Tianjiao escapes like the former young Emperor of Wei Kingdom, Zhou would not only need to pursue him, but wherever Li Tianjiao gathers anti-Zhou forces, Zhou would need to dispatch troops to eradicate them, which, while unlikely to escalate, is quite vexing.
Therefore, Bai Qingyu plans to eliminate all potential threats for Zhou. Once Baiâs army ignites fires at the city gates and opens them, Bai Qingyu will personally capture Li Tianjiao.
"Additionally, have our people administer medicine in the water jars used by Xiliang soldiers, as much as possible before any action! Not to kill Xiliang soldiers; they might join our Zhou in the future. Draughts and laxatives... these non-lethal yet combat-weakening substances should be gathered within the city and utilized wherever usable!" Bai Qingyu instructed while contemplating, "Control the timing well; not too early, lest General Cui discerns patterns. This is just an auxiliary measure... not our primary attack strategy; focus mainly on the gate guard soldiers and the Imperial Army within the palace!"
"Understood!" Xiao Ruohai nodded, "Then administer the medicine in the water jars after their last meal of the day, when Xiliang soldiers will inevitably drink following the guard change."
Bai Qingyu nodded.
"And make sure to inform our Bai family army brothers!" Bai Qingyu moved closer to Xiao Ruohai and whispered, "Once the city gates open, if they see our Zhou army or Yan army entering the city, if our brothers... are still alive, they should loudly pretend to surrender as Xiliang army!"
Since the Bai familyâs army soldiers... have the chance to don Xiliang uniforms acquired from the Zhou within the city, they must maximize this effort.
Battle is essentially about morale. If any defending soldier surrenders, fear will flood, sweeping every defender along. Fear of death... is human nature!
If all are fearless, battling to the death! Then even those afraid would join in the relentless fight.
Should any yield from fear of death, apart from a few steadfast ones with protective belief, all the ordinary soldiers might follow suit to surrender.
Surrender is easy if someone leads, as ultimately... between life and death, everyone will choose to live.
Moreover, Zhou doesnât intend to slaughter upon entering the city. Surely Xiliangâs army has heard how Zhou accommodates Xiliang civilians with food distribution as their own, offering land and implementing new policies; hence, all captured cities are stable without rebellion.
What defines a soldier? Four words... Protect the nation, safeguard its people!
Since the civilians need not oblige them to risk their lives, and the nation faces ruin, naturally they must protect their own lives!
Xiao Ruohai understood Bai Qingyuâs intent and acknowledged.
·
Xiao Rongyan enlisted people day and night to monitor the North and East gates.
He was also aware of private skirmishes between the Yan army and Zhou army.
However... luckily, Xiao Rongyan privately communicated with Bai Qingqi afterward, informing him that Bai Qingyu would use fireworks as a signal to open the North and East city gates.
Bai Qingqi knew of this and initially intended to send a letter to the Eldest Young Lady in Dadu City, assuring her not to worry. Xiao Rongyan already dispatched and advised that Bai Qingqi alone should know this, urging secrecy to prevent endangering Bai Qingyu within Yunjing City.
Bai Qingqi grasped the seriousness and didnât inform even Bai Jinxiu, making secret preparations alone.
Xiao Rongyan gazed at the goose hairpin, as Yue Shi returned... mentioning Bai Qingyan had prematurely given birth to twins, yet disregarding her and the infantsâ recovery, she intended to come to Xiliang to rescue Bai Qingyu and the Bai familyâs seventh young lady, and mobilized troops towards Yan Kingdom.
He fingered the goose hairpin, closed his eyes slightly; Kid had promised him she would always prioritize her children and herself. She had always kept her word, was she really going to break her promise this time?
Reading the letter he sent, knowing Bai Qingyu was executing a plan, she remained uneasy, distrusting her siblingsâ ability to rescue Bai Qingyu and the Bai familyâs seventh young lady, doubting... he would safeguard her siblings?
"Master!" Yue Shi stiffly entered, kneeling respectfully, then approached to retrieve a letter from his sleeve for Xiao Rongyan.
Yue Shi had just been intercepted by the Bai familyâs guards, instructed to deliver the letter to Xiao Rongyan, and specifically reminded him that the eldest young lady said Yue Shi couldnât conceal emotions, urging him to maintain a stern demeanor to avoid attracting attention from Yan Kingdomâs Empress Dowagerâs watchers on Xiao Rongyan, jeopardizing the young ladyâs plans.
Thus, Yue Shi entered with a straight face, feeling pleased inside. The young lady sending a letter to the master must mean she had reconsidered.
Xiao Rongyan, seeing Bai Qingyanâs handwriting on the envelope, hurriedly placed the goose hairpin into the box, then opened the letter, her elegant script met his eyes.
My dearest husband A Yan, as the letter greets you...
Seeing these eight words, Xiao Rongyanâs lips involuntarily curved.
Yue Shi, observing his masterâs expressions, couldnât help but feel happy.
In the letter, Bai Qingyan detailed the condition of the two children, expressing regretful tones.
Bai Qingyan stated she hadnât gone to Xiliang. She explained... she wanted to regain her health for Xiao Rongyan, and also take care of their children, trusting Xiao Rongyan would certainly rescue her siblings, for he was the one... willing to shield her from wind and rain, providing someone she could rely on! Even mother and A Yu have faith in him!
Xiao Rongyanâs eyes brimmed with a deeper smile.
Concerning troop mobilization at Yanâs border and external claims of visiting Xiliang, Bai Qingyan clarified everything in the letter.