Hot flashes

After the snowfall, the Cangyun Ridge was covered in a blanket of white, a dazzling expanse of white between heaven and earth. The severe cold had not subsided; on the contrary, it appeared even more biting and clear with the passing sunshine.

Huo Yi stood on the repaired watchtower, his gaze sweeping across the white wilderness below the ridge and the faint outline of the distant mountains like that of a hawk.

A thin layer of frost covered his beard and hair, and his face was blue from the cold.

"General," Wang Hui climbed up the wooden ladder, his hands still frostbitten but his movements still nimble, "one of the seventh batch of messengers sent to Ningwu Pass returned last night."

Huo Yi whirled around, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "How is it?"

Wang Hui's face darkened, and he lowered his voice: "The person has returned, but... he didn't bring back General Liu's reply. He only said that the checkpoints are under extremely tight security and the checks are exceptionally strict, especially for people coming from our side."

With the help of his former comrades, he managed to sneak in, but he couldn't even see General Liu himself. He only learned that... the military supervisor had been frequently summoning generals for meetings recently, and that grain supplies within the pass were being moved around frequently, but their whereabouts were unknown.

Huo Yi's heart sank.

"What about the other messengers we sent?" Huo Yi's voice was dry.

Wang Hui shook his head: "No news at all. I'm afraid..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: either they perished on the snowy journey, or... they didn't even make it into the pass.

"Understood." Huo Yi's voice returned to normal. "What's Xiao Ni's move?"

"Reports indicate that Xiao Ni has been frequently mobilizing troops recently, seemingly clearing out several small outposts on our outskirts. His offensive is very fierce. 'Black Stone Fortress' fell three days ago, and the garrison... suffered no casualties," Wang Hui said through gritted teeth.

Huo Yi closed his eyes.

"Qingmu Village is besieged, but due to its strategic location, they are still holding out. Eagle Tail Camp... suffered heavy losses after the attack and has abandoned its camp, retreating into the mountains in small groups. They are still able to transmit messages," Wang Hui reported. "General, Xiao Ni is trying to completely eliminate our support and starve us out! We cannot sit idly by and wait to die!"

Huo Yi did not answer immediately. He walked down the watchtower to the spring that was not yet completely frozen, scooped up a handful of cold spring water and splashed it on his face. The biting cold invigorated him.

Xiao Jue's intention was clear: to compress, isolate, and wear down Huo Yi. But Huo Yi was not entirely without a chance to fight back.

The terrain of Cangyun Ridge is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and Xiao Jue's attack would come at too high a cost. However, his two thousand men, though exhausted, are veterans who have been through blood and fire, and their will has not yet broken.

More importantly, does Xiao Jue's eagerness to clear the perimeter also indicate that he is wary of potential changes in the Ningwu Pass area? Or does he also face pressure elsewhere and need to resolve the northern border issue as soon as possible?

"Wang Hui," Huo Yi opened his eyes, water droplets sliding down his deeply lined cheeks, "Issue the order that the remnants of the 'Eagle Tail Camp' need not return to Cangyun Ridge."

"Order them to lie in wait, gather intelligence on Xiao Jue's supply lines and patrol routes, and harass him when the opportunity arises. Strike at his weak points, strike once and leave, without lingering. We must let Xiao Jue know that if he traps us, he won't have any peace either!"

"Yes!" Wang Hui's eyes lit up. This was to take advantage of their strengths in small-group operations and familiarity with the terrain.

"Furthermore," Huo Yi turned his gaze toward Ningwu Pass, a decisive glint in his eyes, "select twenty of the most elite and reliable soldiers, absolutely trustworthy."

You will personally lead the way, no longer attempting to enter Ningwu Pass, but instead bypassing it and heading straight for Luoyan Post Station behind it.

That place is a transit point for supplies at Ningwu Pass, and also a key point where the military supervisor might intervene. I need to know where the grain and supplies there are going!

Also, try to contact our old subordinates inside the Great Wall. I need to know what exactly happened there!

This was a riskier move, directly probing the possible filth of the military supervisor, which could even trigger conflict. But Huo Yi had no choice; he had to find out where the knife in his back came from.

"Your subordinate obeys!" Wang Hui knelt on one knee and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute. He knew the danger of this mission, but he also understood that it was the key to breaking the deadlock.

"Remember, survival comes first, intelligence second. If things become untenable, retreat immediately; do not linger in battle." Huo Yi helped him up and patted his shoulder forcefully.

---

At the Eagle's Beak Cliff camp, the drill ground was filled with the deafening sounds of battle. Newly trained crossbowmen were practicing intensely, the whistling of crossbow bolts piercing the air incessantly.

Xiao Jue stood on the platform, watching with a cold expression. Zhou Heng, wrapped in the fur hat and thick fur coat given to him by Xiao Jue, stood a little behind.

"The power is acceptable, but the accuracy is mediocre, and the volley rhythm is chaotic." Xiao Jue pointed out the problems mercilessly to the general in charge of training. "Retrain! Train until you can fire in unison with your eyes closed, train until you can't lift your arms anymore! Huo Yi's veterans can shoot more accurately even blindfolded!"

The general was sweating profusely and repeatedly agreed.

Xiao Jue said no more, turned and walked down from the platform. Zhou Heng quickly followed.

Back in the central command tent, the charcoal fire dispelled the chill. Xiao Jue removed his armor, revealing a single garment slightly damp with sweat, outlining his lean and muscular physique.

Zhou Heng naturally handed over a warm towel and poured a bowl of ginger tea that had been kept warm, placing it on the table.

Xiao Jue took the cloth and wiped his face and neck, then downed the ginger tea in one gulp before letting out a sigh of relief. "The crossbow formation will take time to fully develop. Huo Yi won't give us much time to train them slowly."

"Any movement from Wang Hui's side?" Zhou Heng asked. He knew that Xiao Jue had been keeping an eye on the movements of Huo Yi, the deputy general.

"The remnants of his 'Eagle Tail Battalion' have emerged like groundhogs, specifically targeting our patrols and isolated supply convoys. They're hit and run, slippery as can be." Xiao Jue walked to the sand table and pointed to several marked locations. "The losses aren't huge, but they're annoying. Like flies."

"Should we send more troops to clear them out?" Zhou Heng asked, looking at the scattered markers.

"No need." Xiao Jue drew a circle on the sand table with his finger. "Their range of activity is limited. They can't leave Cangyun Ridge because it's too far away, and they also need supplies and intelligence support."

Increase patrol density and frequency of cross-regional patrols in these areas to reduce their operational space.

At the same time, he deliberately left a few "flaws," such as the route of the team escorting "important supplies" being "accidentally" leaked... A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "to lure them into taking the bait."

Zhou Heng understood; this was a trap to launch a counterattack and strike at Huo Yi's remaining mobile forces.

"Also," Xiao Jue looked at Zhou Heng and suddenly asked, "how did the experiment of making ice with saltpeter go?"

The topic suddenly shifted, and Zhou Heng paused for a moment before answering: "We've made a small prototype that can freeze ice, but to use it on a large scale to preserve military rations, we still need to solve the problems of containers and insulation, otherwise the losses will be too great."

Moreover, the saltpeter needs to be purified, and the amount used is not small. He felt somewhat ashamed, as the matter was not progressing quickly.

"It's alright. Keep trying. Just let me know what you need." Xiao Jue didn't blame him. Instead, he said, "If this succeeds, it won't just be useful for military supplies. It will also be useful for storing medicine for the wounded as the summer heat cools down."

He had considered things much further ahead than Zhou Heng had. Zhou Heng nodded.

At this moment, a guard outside the tent reported an urgent military situation.

Xiao Jue's expression turned serious: "Enter."

The arriving officer was a captain in charge of peripheral intelligence, looking travel-worn. "My lord! There's unusual activity in the direction of Ningwu Pass!"

About five hundred cavalrymen emerged from the pass, ostensibly on patrol, but their route was erratic, avoiding main roads and taking secluded mountain paths, their direction... seemingly heading towards "Luoyan Post Station"! The leader appeared to be a trusted general under the supervision of the military supervisor!

"Luoyan Post Station..." Xiao Jue's gaze suddenly turned cold. That was a crucial logistics hub at Ningwu Pass.

"Did Huo Yi's elite squad also head in that direction?" Xiao Jue asked immediately.

"Our men... have lost track of Wang Hui's main force, but there are small signs that an unidentified group is approaching Luoyan Post Station, acting with extreme secrecy," the captain replied.

Xiao Jue's lips curled into a cold smile. "Interesting." He quickly ordered, "Have everyone near Luoyan Post Station remain silent, observe only, and do not intervene."

At the same time, dispatch a team of "Shadow Guards" to infiltrate the area around Luoyan Post Station immediately. I need to know everything that happens there.

"yes!"

The captain accepted the order and left. A moment of tension lingered in the tent.

"Do you think... they'll clash?" Zhou Heng asked.

"If the military supervisor really tampered with the provisions and pay, withheld the supplies that should have been given to Huo Yi, or even secretly intercepted his requests for help, he must be feeling guilty."

"If Huo Yi's people find concrete evidence, or if the two sides encounter each other unexpectedly..." Xiao Jue's eyes were deep, "The conflict is a minor matter. What I fear is that the supervising officer will resort to deadly force to cover it up."

If Huo Yi's men risk their lives to bring back news... what will Huo Yi on Cangyun Ridge think?

Zhou Heng fell silent.

Xiao Jue walked to the window and looked at the clear but cold sky outside. "Huo Yi is a fierce tiger. Even when trapped, his claws and teeth are still there. To subdue a fierce tiger, fighting head-on is the stupidest way."

Either exhaust its strength, or... let it be devoured by the tamer it trusted.

His profile appeared particularly cold and hard in the light, his scheming and calculations were completely undisguised.

Seemingly sensing Zhou Heng's gaze, Xiao Jue turned his head to meet his eyes. The cold calculation in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a barely perceptible softening. "What's wrong?"

Zhou Heng shook his head: "It's nothing. I just feel... how many twists and turns your brain must go through in a day."

Xiao Jue took a few steps closer, raised his hand, and gently rubbed Zhou Heng's forehead, which was slightly red from being pressed by the brim of his hat, with his knuckles. "There aren't many bends, how can you get to where you want to go?"

---

That night, Xiao Jue was busy until very late as usual. Zhou Heng went to rest first, but didn't sleep soundly.

Half-asleep, I felt the bed beside me sink slightly, and a familiar presence drew near, carrying the chill of the night.

Xiao Jue lay down, his arm instinctively wrapping around Zhou Heng's. Zhou Heng snuggled closer to him, asking vaguely, "Finished with work?"

"Hmm." Xiao Jue responded, resting his chin on the top of his head, his voice weary. "There's news from Luoyan Post Station."

Zhou Heng regained some of his senses: "How are you?"

"Wang Ben's men and the supervising officer's men have run into each other." Xiao Jue's voice was particularly clear in the darkness. "The supervising officer's men were indeed secretly transferring a batch of grain that should have been stored away, and its whereabouts are unknown."

Wang Ben's men tried to catch them in the act, but they were discovered.

A fight broke out, with the supervising officer fighting fiercely. Wang Ben's side lost several skilled fighters but managed to salvage some fragments of accounts and a seriously wounded prisoner, which they were leading towards Cangyun Ridge. The supervising officer was in hot pursuit.

Zhou Heng held his breath. "Wang Ben, he..."

"He was injured, but not fatally," Xiao Jue said. "Our people didn't intervene."

"Those accounts..."

"Just fragments, enough for Huo Yi to guess the general idea." Xiao Jue tightened his grip slightly. "Go to sleep."

Zhou Heng, however, couldn't fall asleep.

"Xiao Jue," he suddenly called out in a low voice.

"Um?"

"If... I mean if, in the future you succeed, how will you treat those... people who were once your adversaries, but were not evil, just people with different stances?" Zhou Heng asked hesitantly.

Xiao Jue remained silent for a moment, so long that Zhou Heng thought he had fallen asleep. Xiao Jue's deep voice rang out: "That depends on whether they are willing to lay down their weapons and accept the new order."

Those who are stubborn and inflexible must be eliminated. Those who are pragmatic can be given a way out, but they must be placed under control.” He paused, “As for people like Huo Yi…”

He didn't finish speaking, but Zhou Heng sensed the complexity in his voice. Huo Yi was an enemy, an obstacle, but in some ways, he was also a symbol of a certain spirit from the old era.

How to deal with him is perhaps more than just a military issue for Xiao Jue.

"Go to sleep," Xiao Jue said again, this time with an unquestionable tone, while gently patting his back twice with his warm hand.

Zhou Heng stopped thinking about it and closed his eyes.

In the distant Cangyun Ridge, the night was equally deep.

Carrying his wounds, a deeper rage, and the bloodstained evidence, Wang Hui struggled through the snow towards the solitary ridge.