The speaker was Xu Wenzhou, clad in Xuanjia Army armor and holding a red-tasseled spear, looking ready for action.
Lu Qingwan slowly withdrew her gaze. "This war has been going on for about half a year, hasn't it? From General Xu's professional soldier's perspective, can it be concluded within six months?"
Xu Wenzhou was not very familiar with Lu Qingwan, but seeing her seriousness, he also became earnest. "Your Highness, you have seen the advantage of firearms against cold weapons. If nothing unexpected happens, it won't even take half a year; the Prince will be able to select a new royal city and ascend the throne smoothly."
Lu Qingwan nodded. "Then, if there were an unexpected factor that could block the army's path, what do you think that factor would be?"
Lu Qingwan's question did not sound casual. Xu Wenzhou quickly pondered, and after a moment, voiced the issue he had been worrying about. "The Xuanjia Army is invincible, and the firearms provided by Your Highness are unstoppable. If anyone can block the Xuanjia Army's path, it can only be an enemy army that also possesses firearms, but is several times stronger than the Xuanjia Army. For example, the Turkic royal army with firearms, or perhaps, the Southern Qi army."
After speaking, Xu Wenzhou knitted his brows. "However, there is the Cloud Forest separating a part of the three southeastern kingdoms from the northern states. Does the Northern Wei Emperor have enough influence to have the Turkic royal army and the Southern Qi army cross the Cloud Forest to provide reinforcements for Northern Wei?"
He worried about Southern Qi and the Turks pressuring Si Fengwu, yet also felt that with the Cloud Forest in between, Northern Wei might not have enough sway to enlist their help. It was evident he was genuinely conflicted.
Lu Qingwan did not debate with him about whether Southern Qi and the Turks would help Northern Wei. She simply said, "General Xu, do you know how much the profits of the Half-Moon Pavilion have increased since the two trade routes through the Cloud Forest were opened?"
Without waiting for Xu Wenzhou's answer, she held up three fingers. "Let me tell you, it's a full threefold increase. And this is just for legitimate business, not including the shady dealings. Do you think the Cloud Forest can still block the Turkic royal army and the Southern Qi army from entering now?"
Xu Wenzhou was also startled by the figures Lu Qingwan provided. "Then, according to Your Highness's intention...?"
"Xiliang has been taken, and this place is not far from Marshal Shao's jurisdiction. There's no need to station so many troops here. General Xu, if you don't mind me, a mere woman, commanding you, I would be grateful if you could send a detachment to patrol the Cloud Forest by night. Report immediately if there is any sign of an army entering the Cloud Forest."
If Lu Qingwan had assigned him other tasks, Xu Wenzhou might have found a way to refuse. However, his command had just over thirty thousand men, and the patrol mission Lu Qingwan assigned would require at most two to three thousand. This was something he could not refuse. After a moment's thought, Xu Wenzhou agreed. "Your Highness, please rest assured. I will arrange for patrols immediately and report any news as soon as it arrives."
Lu Qingwan nodded. "General Xu, please go about your business. I will not delay you further."
Xu Wenzhou, understanding her meaning, withdrew. Lu Qingwan once again ascended Beixiao Pass, looking out into the distance. Through the field of vision of the telescope, all that could be seen were the banners of the Xuanjia Army and the figures of the soldiers.
Li Su asked in confusion, "If Your Highness is worried, why not go directly to the Prince? Why stop here for a day?" Ever since Lu Qingwan left Cangwu City, Li Su had automatically assumed she was going to find Si Fengwu. To her surprise, upon reaching Beixiao Pass, Lu Qingwan stopped, wandering around, and even specifically sought out Xu Wenzhou, the guard of Beixiao Pass, for a conversation. She couldn't understand what Lu Qingwan was doing.
"I am going to find the Prince, but not to be a pretty vase by his side. I am here to solve problems for him." Lu Qingwan looked in the direction of the Cloud Forest. The vast forest not only separated a part of the three southeastern kingdoms from the northern states but also, to some extent, protected the former. However, with the opening of the two trade routes, the northern states now had a way to extend their reach towards the southeastern kingdoms. Recalling the latest intelligence she received, she sneered. "Send word to General Qin in the Prince's name to vigilantly guard the exits of the two trade routes. Don't stop the Turks and Southern Qi from entering the Cloud Forest, but once they do, ensure not a single one gets out." After receiving her "gift package" of warnings, they outwardly agreed to no longer interfere with the southeastern kingdoms, yet turned around and sent reinforcements through the Cloud Forest to aid Northern Wei. Did they take her for a fool? Since they were so fond of traveling everywhere, they could all stay in the Cloud Forest and become landfill.
Li Su immediately understood Lu Qingwan's plan. Xu Wenzhou's patrol team was merely a ruse to sound the alarm; the main effort would be with Qin Shiguan and his Xuanzi Battalion. The Turks and Southern Qi would surely hate Northern Wei now! Happily turning to send the message to Qin Shiguan, she also casually asked Shadow Two to prepare the carriage and horses, as it was likely the Princess wouldn't linger long in Beixiao Pass. Tsk, she was truly an understanding subordinate!
...
"Tsk, it's truly cold in Northern Wei! No wonder I always forget the season as soon as I arrive here!" Lu Qingwan bundled herself up like a bear, clutching a hot water bottle, her feet still chattering with cold.
Li Su, breathing out steamy breaths and rubbing her hands, her teeth chattering, said, "Indeed! If not for the Northern Wei people being poor managers and constantly raiding south for grain in winter, leading to constant warfare, we truly wouldn't want to govern this desolate land of Northern Wei. In my humble opinion, conquering Northern Wei and Yunqiang offers no benefits other than not having to fight wars anymore."
Lu Qingwan smiled without comment, looking outside through the narrow gap in the window. "In such weather, and having just finished a war, how do the people of Northern Wei survive?" Northern Wei was vast and sparsely populated; not a single person could be seen on the streets. The narrow doors and small windows of the thick earthen walls were the only sources of light. Lu Qingwan watched as the curious commoners opened their windows to observe. Upon seeing the Xuanjia Army soldiers accompanying her carriage, they slammed their doors shut. It was then that Lu Qingwan pondered this question.
Li Su, having spent a long time in the army, was quite familiar with the situation in Northern Wei. "Your Highness needn't worry too much about them. Although they huddle in their homes, they might actually be wealthier than the common people of our Great Gan. With tens or hundreds of sheep and cattle grazing in the mountains, their families can take turns watching them and survive the harsh winter. Moreover, the Prince has ordered that after conquering a city or territory, the army will strictly register the number of citizens and their household registration, thoroughly investigating family backgrounds. Those genuinely in hardship can receive relief grain from the court." As she spoke, they arrived at a courtyard with wide-open doors, where a long queue was forming. Two wooden signs stood at the entrance. One was inscribed with the words "Relief Station," and the other bore strange characters that Lu Qingwan could not understand.