Chapter 13:

Xu Yi followed Eunuch Quan into the same private room as last time.

As soon as he entered, he noticed someone besides Tianjing: an elderly man missing a leg.

Though it was their first meeting, Xu Yi immediately guessed his identity — General Chen, the legendary war hero.

“Uncle, we meet again,” Xu Yi greeted with a respectful bow.

Then he turned solemnly to the old general. “A humble commoner, Lan Xing, greets the esteemed General Chen.”

Though they'd never met before, Xu Yi had once been a soldier himself. He held deep respect for this battle-hardened veteran who had spent his life on the front lines.

“You’re Lan Xing?” General Chen’s eyes lit up with emotion. He looked Xu Yi up and down, then frowned. “It's freezing outside. Why are you dressed so lightly?”

Xu Yi gave a wry smile. “It’s… a long story.”

Sensing that Xu Yi didn’t want to elaborate, General Chen didn’t press. Instead, he asked with interest, “How did you know who I am? Have we met before?”

“This is my first time meeting you, General, but your heroic deeds have echoed through my ears since I was a child. My admiration runs as deep and boundless as a river.”

Xu Yi laid on the flattery thick and smooth.

This was the General Chen, a man so revered that even the emperor treated him with great respect. If there was ever a powerful thigh to cling to, it was his.

General Chen was clearly pleased by the compliment. He let out a hearty laugh, his voice booming and energetic.

“I should be thanking you for that poem. A hero indeed springs from youth! To write such a masterpiece at your age—remarkable!”

The general’s praise was genuine.

Xu Yi answered modestly, “General, I don't deserve such praise. Compared to you, I’m no more than a firefly beneath a full moon.”

“Hahaha! This boy’s got a silver tongue. And he's not intimidated by me either. If I were younger, I’d have dragged you off to the battlefield with me.”

Xu Yi responded quickly, “That was always my dream—sword in hand, armor on my back, fighting for my country. I’ve studied military strategy since childhood.”

And that, at least, was no lie. Xu Yi still missed those days of camaraderie and bloodshed alongside his fellow soldiers.

“You studied military tactics?” Tianjing raised a brow in surprise.

Xu Yi nodded. “Only a little, just some light reading.”

Tianjing chuckled. “Then I must test you. Let’s see if you’re bluffing.”

“You’re putting me on the spot, Uncle,” Xu Yi said with a grin.

“What? Nervous?”

“Not exactly. But if my ideas sound foolish, just laugh it off. Don’t let it spoil our little business arrangement.”

Tianjing smirked. So that’s what this boy was worried about — losing a poetry customer?

Still, the boy was obviously hiding something. The thin clothes, the bruised pride… Something had happened.

He made a mental note to investigate later.

“Lan Xing, the Tuoluo cavalry has been raiding our borders—pillaging, terrorizing villagers. We’ve stationed troops there, but their horses are fast, their movements unpredictable. Our forces often arrive too late. Any ideas?”

Xu Yi shook his head.

Tianjing looked disappointed. “So, no strategy?”

“It’s not that I don’t have any—it’s that I can’t say. Discussing national affairs without authority is punishable by death.”

Tianjing blinked in surprise, then laughed. “Speak freely. With General Chen here, what’s there to fear?”

The old general nodded. “Say what you must. I’ll vouch for you.”

Xu Yi hesitated. This “Tianjing” had to be Prince Fu, given how chummy he was with General Chen.

With two powerful figures backing him, Xu Yi decided it was worth the risk.

“Then I’ll speak,” he said.

Tianjing nodded. “Don’t hold back.”

Xu Yi raised three fingers. “I’m unfamiliar with the exact terrain, but I’ve come up with three possible strategies. They may not be perfect, but perhaps they’ll offer some food for thought.”

The prince and the general exchanged a glance—Three strategies, and he doesn't even know the border well?

“Go on, don’t keep us waiting,” Tianjing urged.

Xu Yi nodded. “First: Scorched Earth.”

“Right now, it's winter, and Tuoluo lacks resources. That’s why they’re targeting our border villages. We evacuate the villagers into the city and station heavy troops at the gates. With nothing to loot, and their supplies dwindling, they’ll be forced to retreat.”

Tianjing mulled this over, then shook his head. “The villages are too numerous—our cities can’t house them all. And people won’t abandon their homes easily.”

General Chen added, “He’s right. If the raiders find nothing, they’ll burn everything. Next year, our people would be homeless.”

“Then onto the second strategy,” said Tianjing.

Xu Yi looked a bit embarrassed. “Swap places—soldiers disguised as villagers.”

Tianjing frowned. “You mean ambushes? The Tuoluo can still tell the difference between a peasant and a trained soldier.”

“That’s why the real villagers must cooperate,” Xu Yi said. “When Tuoluo riders approach, we scatter beans coated in laxatives across the area. The horses eat them, lose strength, and can’t escape. Our hidden troops strike then—see how far their speed gets them.”

General Chen slapped his thigh. “Brilliant!”

Tianjing nodded approvingly. “And the third?”

Xu Yi smiled. “Trade.”

He continued, “Tuoluo lacks supplies. We lack warhorses. Trade benefits both sides. A winter of peace in exchange for what we each need.”

Tianjing frowned. “Trade is risky. Our military goods could fall into their hands.”

“It’s only for a month,” Xu Yi said. “With strict supervision by someone trusted, it can be managed.”

Tianjing’s expression softened. He gazed at Xu Yi with growing admiration.

Bringing General Chen today had been a stroke of luck—he might never have discovered this youth’s tactical mind otherwise.

What Xu Yi didn’t know was that over the past month, his poem had taken the city by storm. Everyone wanted to meet the mysterious “Lan Xing,” General Chen included.

But no one had seen him.

General Chen had hounded Tianjing daily, arriving at dawn, leaving at dusk. Finally, this time, they’d found him.

Chapter 14:

Seeing how pleased both men were, Xu Yi seized the moment.

“Uncle, looking to buy more poetry today? I can give you a discount.”

Tianjing chuckled. “Tell me this first—why have you been missing for a month?”

Xu Yi’s smile turned bitter. “I was attacked. Two ribs broken. Spent a month in bed. The silver I earned was stolen. So were my new clothes.”

Tianjing’s face darkened.

General Chen exploded. “Who dared? Under the Emperor’s very nose? Outrageous!”

“Tell me, Lan Xing. Name them, and I’ll see justice done!”

Xu Yi’s chest tightened with emotion. A stranger treated him better than his own family.

Still, he shook his head. “It’s over.”

General Chen had prestige, but no real power now. Prince Fu was a sidelined noble. Meanwhile, Xu Ziming had the powerful Left Chancellor behind him.

This wasn’t a battle Xu Yi could win. And he didn’t want to drag others into it.

General Chen wasn’t satisfied. “This can’t just be brushed aside. Speak!”

Xu Yi smiled faintly. “If you really want to help me, buy a couple more poems. I’ll give you the ‘uncle discount’ too.”

General Chen was about to protest, but Tianjing shot him a glance and he fell silent.

If Xu Yi didn’t want to speak, forcing him wouldn’t help.

“Lan Xing,” Tianjing said, “those three strategies you gave—how about a hundred taels of silver for each?”

Xu Yi’s eyes went wide. “You’re serious?”

“I... absolutely am.”

A huge grin spread across Xu Yi’s face. He hadn’t expected to profit like this.

“Thank you, Uncle!”

Tianjing smiled. “Do you trust me, Lan Xing?”

Xu Yi nodded.

“Then I’ll hold onto the silver for now. When you need it, come get it from me. You don’t have the means to protect that kind of money.”

Xu Yi nodded thoughtfully. That was true. Walking around with three hundred taels would be asking to be robbed again.

“Then I’ll leave it with you.”

He trusted Prince Fu. If he turned out to be a swindler—well, that was fate. But Xu Yi doubted it. Three hundred taels was pocket change to a prince.

“You’re built like a chicken,” General Chen grunted. “No wonder you got robbed. If you're willing, come to my manor—I’ll teach you some self-defense.”

Xu Yi's eyes lit up. He bowed deeply. “I'd be honored, General!”

“Then it's settled. Come when you've healed.”

Xu Yi nodded firmly.

This was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Being under General Chen’s wing was more than just protection—it was potential.

He turned to Prince Fu. “Uncle, still want that poem?”

Tianjing looked out the window. “It’s getting late. Next time.”

Xu Yi looked disappointed, but then remembered his three hundred taels. He brightened immediately.

Tianjing stood and looked at Eunuch Quan. “Give Lan Xing five taels of small change—for daily expenses.”

He turned back to Xu Yi. “I’ve arranged a meal for you. You look like you could use it. Don’t worry about the bill—it’s on me.”

Xu Yi beamed. “Thank you, Uncle!”

Tianjing smiled, then started for the door. Halfway out, he paused, turned back, and removed the heavy cloak from his shoulders.

He handed it to Xu Yi.

Xu Yi shook his head. “Uncle, I can’t accept this—it’s too expensive. And what about you? It’s freezing outside.”

Tianjing laughed. “Take it. I have a carriage. I’ll be fine.”

Unable to refuse, Xu Yi accepted the cloak, eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you, Uncle.”

The prince nodded and departed.

Xu Yi wrapped himself in the warm, thick cloak. For the first time in a long while, he felt not just warm—but cared for.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” he called.

Servants streamed in, laying out a full table of hot dishes.

A wave of warmth flowed through Xu Yi’s chest. Uncle really is a good man, he thought.

Meanwhile, in the comfort of a large carriage, Prince Fu and General Chen sat side by side.

Eunuch Quan attended to them quietly.

“So, General,” Tianjing asked, “what do you think of Lan Xing?”

General Chen replied, “Most boys in the capital avoid me like I’m a beast. This one? Calm, respectful, unafraid. He has the bearing of a great general.”

“But more than that—he’s sharp, strategic. With the right guidance, he’ll become something truly special.”

Tianjing laughed. “High praise, General. You don’t even talk this kindly about the Crown Prince.”

“Your Majesty, the youth of the capital are soft. They need hardship to toughen them up. Lan Xing, though—he’s got fire. He’s cultured and cunning.”

Tianjing nodded. “He truly is exceptional.”

“Your Majesty, such talent must not go to waste.”

“I understand,” said the emperor with a smile.

“You’re wise, Your Majesty.”

After dropping off General Chen, the emperor’s mood shifted. His face darkened as the carriage rattled back toward the palace.

He lifted the curtain. “Nie Liang.”

A man riding beside the carriage leaned in. “Your Majesty?”

“Look into Xu Yi’s situation. I want to know what happened.”

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Eunuch Quan hesitated.

Tianjing glanced at him. “Speak.”

Eunuch Quan bowed. “Your Majesty, Xu Yi once said the injuries were from a ‘vicious dog’ at the manor. That dog… likely isn’t a dog. Likely someone from the Xu family.”

“No kidding,” Tianjing scoffed. “If it were an outsider, he’d have gone to the authorities. Only family would force him into silence.”

“This Xu Ziming… it seems he’s chosen to ignore My warning.”

Eunuch Quan shivered. He knew — this time, the emperor was truly angry.

“Your Majesty, please don’t let your anger harm your health.”

Tianjing snorted. “When we return, send for Xu Ziming. Tell him I want to see him.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Xu Ziming, after all these years in office, have you learned nothing? I gave you a chance — and you dared spit on it. Are you trying to get yourself killed?