Chapter 63

In the previous battle, Shao Jingyu was merely a Tuntian Commandant with only seven hundred horsemen. But this time, he had been appointed General of Agile Cavalry, becoming a true leader with a voice of authority in the army.
Whether it was the emperor's favoritism or other reasons, Shao Jingyu became the highest-ranking commander after the main commander Cao Meng following a single battle. No matter how many people were dissatisfied, there was nothing they could do.
Many, including the emperor, remained uncertain whether Shao Jingyu’s previous great victory was due to a stroke of luck or his innate talent as a military commander. Thus, compared to the previous battle, this one posed an even greater test for Shao Jingyu.
Despite Shao Jingyu’s typically confident and flamboyant nature, he grew somewhat anxious as the battle approached. Adding to his dissatisfaction, Cao Meng assigned a colonel named Cao Hui to serve under Shao Jingyu.
The emperor’s trust and favoritism toward Shao Jingyu had clearly provoked the main commander Cao Meng’s displeasure. Although the emperor still retained Cao Meng as the main commander, he granted Shao Jingyu unprecedented autonomy.
Cao Meng claimed it was for Shao Jingyu’s benefit, citing his youth and lack of experience despite his previous brilliant victory, and thus specially assigned this battle-hardened colonel to assist him.
The reasoning was sound, and Shao Jingyu had no grounds to refuse. That day, he returned with a grim expression, remarking, “With a formidable enemy at our gates, he harbors such petty thoughts. The Cao family has produced no capable successors since the Duke of Ning!”
Yun Xiao was equally furious, while Yan Yiming remained silent as usual. As they stepped out of the tent, they encountered the newly assigned colonel. He appeared to be around thirty years old, tall and imposing, a full head taller than Yan Yiming. Glancing down at Yan Yiming’s slender arms and legs, he sneered coldly before heading toward Shao Jingyu’s tent.
Even if Yan Yiming had initially held no ill will toward him, that single glance instantly ignited a fire of anger within her. Her temper was as sharp as a needle’s point.
Thanks to her military achievements, Yan Yiming was no longer an ordinary soldier. Shao Jingyu had personally appointed her as Deputy Commander Yan, a seventh-rank military official in charge of over five hundred soldiers. Unlike other colonels and deputies, however, Yan Yiming had been included in Shao Jingyu’s inner circle since the last battle. He frequently consulted her on important matters, elevating her status above that of other deputies.
Little A glared at Cao Hui’s retreating figure, hopping mad. “That was a deliberate show of authority, wasn’t it!”
“Yes,” Yan Yiming replied, turning back. It was indeed a power move, her rapid promotion and Shao Jingyu’s trust had made her a target of envy. However, as someone destined not to stay for long, Yan Yiming couldn’t care less. She didn’t need to win others’ favor; she only needed Shao Jingyu’s affection.
In two months, Shao Jingyu’s favorability toward her had already reached seventy. But as Little A put it, Shao Jingyu still saw her as a “bro,” meaning there was still a long road ahead, and she needed to keep striving.
Shao Jingyu had clear preferences, so he directly assigned night watch duties to her and Yun Xiao. He even had a simple cot added to his tent. When no one else was around, he told her, “There are soldiers on duty outside. If you get tired, just rest.”
He disliked breaking rules outright, so making small, discreet adjustments was no big deal. Later, he even found it quite pleasant to have someone to talk to at night.
Lately, however, Shao Jingyu hadn’t been as carefree as before. When Yan Yiming entered to replenish the candles, he was still studying the map, his handsome features furrowed in seriousness. So absorbed was he that he didn’t even hear her footsteps.
The impending battle left no room for slackness.
It had been quite a while before Yan Yiming was noticed. Under the dim candlelight, she sat quietly in the distance. When Shao Jingyu looked up and saw the dark silhouette, he was startled. Upon realizing it was Yan Yiming, he exclaimed in frustration, “Why are you so silent? You scared me...”
Yan Yiming, who had been playing checkers with Little A in her mind, lifted her head and thought to herself, So the great general is so easily frightened. Ever since getting closer to Shao Jingyu, the image of the victorious general in her mind had become increasingly unconventional.
“I didn’t want to disturb you while you were busy, General.”
“I’ve told you not to call me General,” Shao Jingyu said helplessly, gesturing for her to come closer under the flickering candlelight.
Yan Yiming walked over, and Shao Jingyu pointed to his shoulders. “Help me massage them.”
Truly more and more unconventional, Yan Yiming inwardly complained as she moved behind him and began pressing gently. She had once learned massage techniques while trying to win over Jian Yuyan, and her skills remained excellent. Shao Jingyu let out a long, comfortable sigh. “Yiming, is there anything you can’t do?”
Yan Yiming was skilled in archery and martial arts, and as Shao Jingyu got to know her better, he discovered she was also well-read and even talented in painting. Once, she casually drew a map and even sketched the appearance of the Left Wise King of the Mongol army based on others’ descriptions.
Not long ago, when Yan Yiming’s clothes had a tear in them, after having been a refined lady for so long, her needlework was naturally good, she found a needle and thread and casually mended it. Coincidentally, Yun Xiao saw it and exclaimed loudly, “You even know how to sew? What else can you do that we don’t know about?”
I can even sing, Yan Yiming thought silently, ignoring Yun Xiao. After finishing the mending and putting away the clothes, she went out to practice with her blade.
The next day, Shao Jingyu summoned her to the main tent. Thinking it was something important, Yan Yiming went, only to find him extending his torn sleeve with a smile. “Trouble you, Yiming.”
Yan Yiming: “...”
Since then, tasks like mending clothes and brewing tea had all been handed over to Yan Yiming. Now, Shao Jingyu had discovered another of her talents, Yiming even knew how to massage, and her technique was far more comfortable than Yun Xiao’s.
Shao Jingyu’s body, exhausted from a long day, gradually relaxed. Feeling her warm fingers pressing on his acupoints, his mind cleared, no longer as muddled as before. Without holding back, he praised Yan Yiming a few more times and sighed, “Whoever gets to marry you, Yiming, will have accumulated blessings over several lifetimes.”
Yan Yiming’s hands paused for a moment before she replied, as if finding it difficult to answer, “I’ve never thought about getting married.”
“Why is that?” Shao Jingyu asked in surprise, looking up at Yan Yiming’s delicate features, which appeared especially striking under the dim candlelight.
Yan Yiming lowered her gaze to meet Shao Jingyu's eyes, her lips pressed together as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent and averted her gaze. “No one is willing to marry... to marry me.”
“How could that be? Once we return to the capital, I will arrange a suitable match for you, “
Before he could finish, Shao Jingyu saw the complex and sorrowful expression in her eyes, the red mole at the corner of her eye accentuating her pitiable state. He was suddenly taken aback and lowered his head.
A horrifying thought struck him: just moments ago, he had actually found Yiming exceptionally attractive!
How could he think a man was good-looking?
He must be going mad. Shao Jingyu shook his head, but Yan Yiming's earlier gaze lingered in his mind.
At just eighteen, Yan Yiming had already achieved remarkable military feats, with a future full of promise. Though slightly shorter in stature, her appearance was outstanding, far superior to Yun Xiao's. If even Yun Xiao had admirers, how could there be no women interested in Yan Yiming?
He had inquired about Yan Yiming's background before, but Yiming always evaded the topic. The reluctance to speak of the past, the aloof personality, and the earlier words left Shao Jingyu puzzled. Yet, since Yan Yiming was unwilling to share, he did not press further, believing he would uncover the truth in time.
After that, Shao Jingyu dropped the subject and instead discussed his strategy for the upcoming battle with Yan Yiming.
“For this campaign, I will personally lead ten thousand elite troops from here, launching a swift assault to subdue all the minor chieftains in this region...”
Shao Jingyu meticulously explained the battle plan he had devised over the past few days. For this particular engagement, he had decided not to bring Yan Yiming along, instead entrusting her with other critical responsibilities.
Yan Yiming listened with a racing heart. Shao Jingyu's approach was far too perilous, a reckless, life-risking tactic that essentially placed his fate in her hands.
One misstep, and Shao Jingyu would lose his life on these grasslands.
Yan Yiming thought in a daze, I only came here to play a game, when did it turn into a life-and-death chess match?
Five days later, Shao Jingyu mustered his troops on the training ground and held a final strategic meeting with his generals in the main tent, officially commencing his second campaign.
Two generals flanking Shao Jingyu led over ten thousand cavalry from Beiping to attack the Left Wise King's forces, while Shao Jingyu, alongside Cao Meng, commanded tens of thousands of cavalry, advancing from the northern territories in separate columns heading west. Yan Yiming remained at the camp with ten thousand elite soldiers.
Shao Jingyu's route was treacherous. After departing the northern territories, he ventured deep into Mongol territory, where minor chieftains roamed freely. However, fate was unkind, Cao Meng lost his way in the grasslands and failed to rendezvous as planned.
Unable to wait for Cao Meng, Shao Jingyu pressed on alone with his cavalry, adhering to the original strategy and advancing rapidly.
Leading his troops from the planned starting point, he crossed the Helan Mountains and the Yellow River, swiftly eliminating the Mongol chieftain, Yin Jiewang. Within days, they traversed over a thousand li, crushing the unprepared Mongol border defenses and shattering the minor chieftains as easily as breaking dry twigs.
To lighten the load, Shao Jingyu ordered his troops to advance swiftly with minimal gear, making it impossible for the Mongols to target them effectively. For ten days, the Mongols were thrown into disarray. Just as everyone assumed the smooth progress would continue, the Xia army, after a long march across the Yin Mountains, unexpectedly encountered the main Mongol force. Isolated deep in enemy territory and without reinforcements, the Xia soldiers engaged the Mongols in close combat, unleashing a brutal and bloody battle.
At this very moment, it was the final day Shao Jingyu had spoken of with Yan Yiming.
As dusk approached that day, Yan Yiming emerged from the tent, clad in armor with a long blade in hand. Cao Hui blocked his path, angrily demanding, “Yan Yiming, what do you think you're doing?”
Yan Yiming replied gravely, “The Mongols have trapped the general at Yin Mountain. We must swiftly lead our troops to coordinate an attack from both inside and outside to break the enemy.”
“The general ordered us to guard the main camp and never mentioned a rescue mission. Yan Yiming, you're merely a low-ranking deputy captain, who gave you the authority to mobilize troops without permission?”
Cao Hui stubbornly refused to send troops, but time was of the essence. Every second wasted meant greater strain on Shao Jingyu's forces.
As darkness fell and Cao Hui slept soundly in the camp, he was suddenly restrained by several men. Yan Yiming stood coldly at a distance, ordering them to tie Cao Hui securely to his bed and gag him. Ignoring Cao Hui's wide-eyed glare, Yan Yiming strode out of the tent.
All is fair in war. You can sleep well in the camp.