Chapter 230

Chapter 230: She Had Warned Him

Using anti-slip chains to secure the Grain Convoy, using thick hemp ropes to prevent slipping, and even using horses to crash through the enemy’s formation had all been written in Sheng Zhi Wan’s letter.

Qi Shu Xian had only followed the script.

Thinking of that, Qi Shu Xian no longer wanted to accept praise that never truly belonged to Qi Shu Xian. If Qi Shu Xian wanted military merit, Qi Shu Xian would earn it openly on horseback, by Qi Shu Xian’s own ability.

Qi Shu Xian would not rely on anyone else, and certainly would not rely on the person behind Sheng Zhi Wan.

So Qi Shu Xian stepped forward and sharply ordered everyone not to speak of that night again. After speaking, Qi Shu Xian turned and left.

The Soldiers watched Qi Shu Xian’s back and admired Qi Shu Xian’s character even more.

That admiration only grew after they left the last granary and headed for Wu Du Pass, where the Mo Bei army was stationed.

Qi Shu Xian changed the route at the last moment and split the column into two.

One team quietly detoured and successfully delivered the military grain into Wu Du Pass. The other team loaded the carts with stones, lured the Northern Di ambushers who meant to intercept the grain, and wiped out several hundred of them.

If the earlier moment of crisis had only been known to the Grain Convoy Army, then this luring and encirclement happened just two kilometers outside Wu Du Pass. Every Soldier stationed at Wu Du Pass saw it with their own eyes.

With the Grain Convoy Army also spreading the story, the Mo Bei troops, who had been low in spirit, instantly regained their morale.

When Qi Shu Xian entered the city, Qi Shu Xian noticed many Soldiers looking at Qi Shu Xian with burning excitement. Some even called out to Qi Shu Xian from far away.

Qi Shu Xian frowned and wanted to say something, but the most important thing was meeting Governor-General Xu first.

Qi Shu Xian went straight to the Governor-General’s residence. Only then did Qi Shu Xian learn the news-Governor-General Xu was injured.

That night, the Northern Di troops not only raided several Military Camp granaries, they also sent an elite unit to ambush Governor-General Xu during a patrol among the troops.

Governor-General Xu took an arrow in the arm. To prevent the news from spreading and shaking morale, even calling a Physician to examine the wound was done in secret.

Governor-General Xu had long heard of Qi Shu Xian’s achievements in the Cang Nan campaign. Just now, Governor-General Xu also heard from a reporting Subordinate that both ambushes against the Grain Convoy had been resolved cleanly by Qi Shu Xian.

Only then did the worry in Governor-General Xu’s heart finally ease.

After Qi Shu Xian finished reading the Imperial Edict from Emperor Chong Sheng, appointing Qi Shu Xian as Deputy Military Commissioner, Qi Shu Xian expected Governor-General Xu to be displeased.

Instead, Governor-General Xu accepted the Edict with no resentment at all. Governor-General Xu even seemed to let out a quiet breath.

Governor-General Xu said, “I have long heard Deputy General Qi’s great name. With Deputy General Qi here, this old man can finally feel a little more at ease.”

Governor-General Xu spoke while still wearing armor, yet the armor could not hide the exhaustion in Governor-General Xu’s body. When Governor-General Xu stood, Qi Shu Xian even saw Governor-General Xu stagger a step.

Qi Shu Xian instinctively moved to support Governor-General Xu, but Governor-General Xu waved a hand, motioned Qi Shu Xian to sit, and slowly sat down as Governor-General Xu braced against the table.

Governor-General Xu looked at Qi Shu Xian and asked, “I wonder, how has Princess Qing Ning been lately?”

Qi Shu Xian froze.

In a time of war, why was Governor-General Xu asking about a woman? Even if that woman was a Princess, the one Governor-General Xu should be asking about should not have been her.

Was it because Sheng Zhi Wan’s selling of cheap cotton in Mo Bei had reached Governor-General Xu’s ears?

As Qi Shu Xian was thinking, Governor-General Xu said blankly, “Speaking of it, it is all because I failed Princess Qing Ning’s trust.”

Qi Shu Xian was even more confused.

Since when did Sheng Zhi Wan have ties to Governor-General Xu?

Qi Shu Xian asked, “What does Governor-General Xu mean?”

Governor-General Xu looked at Qi Shu Xian’s expression and also seemed surprised. Governor-General Xu said, “Princess Qing Ning did not tell Deputy General Qi?”

Governor-General Xu continued, “In fact, long before those Northern Di scoundrels came to attack, Princess Qing Ning warned me to guard against Northern Di and move the military grain to the rear granaries. But I never took it to heart.”

Governor-General Xu’s voice grew heavy. Governor-General Xu said, “If I had listened to the Princess earlier, those Northern Di scoundrels would not have destroyed seventy percent of the military grain.”

Each time Governor-General Xu spoke of it, regret twisted in Governor-General Xu’s chest. Governor-General Xu had thought the heavy snow would block the southward movement, that troops were guarding the stores, and that it would be convenient to take grain from nearby.

In the end, Governor-General Xu only regretted it too late.

But the person who reacted even more strongly was Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian shot up from the chair and blurted, “What? Sheng Zhi Wan predicted it long ago?”

Governor-General Xu frowned. Governor-General Xu said, “Deputy General Qi, how can Deputy General Qi address the Princess like that?”

Qi Shu Xian took a deep breath and said, “Governor-General Xu, is it true the Princess warned you about Northern Di?”

Governor-General Xu said, “Yes!”

Governor-General Xu looked at Qi Shu Xian, confused. Governor-General Xu said, “The Princess and Deputy General Qi are husband and wife. How could Deputy General Qi not know?”

Qi Shu Xian went still.

Only then did Qi Shu Xian realize that Governor-General Xu did not know about the divorce between Sheng Zhi Wan and Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian paused, about to explain, when a shrill cry suddenly came from outside.

An old servant woman screamed, “Master! Please send people to save the eldest Young Master, the second Young Master, the eldest young Madam, the second young Madam, and the little Young Masters! Old Madam said if you still won’t go save them, Old Madam will smash her head to death…”

Governor-General Xu’s body stiffened.

Governor-General Xu no longer cared about what Governor-General Xu had been saying to Qi Shu Xian. Governor-General Xu hurried outside.

Qi Shu Xian followed right behind.

Only then did Qi Shu Xian notice that the entire Governor-General’s residence was heavily guarded. The few ServantMaid they passed looked pale and anxious.

What had happened to the Governor-General’s residence?

Qi Shu Xian learned soon enough.

Seventy percent of the military grain had been burned.

Governor-General Xu had taken an arrow in the arm.

That night, when the Northern Di raided, Governor-General Xu’s two sons, their wives, and three grandsons were also tricked into going out. They fell into Northern Di hands.

Northern Di wanted to use those hostages to force Governor-General Xu to open Wu Du Pass and welcome the Northern Di army into the city.

But Governor-General Xu refused, no matter what.

Even knowing the enemy had set an ambush, Governor-General Xu could not send troops out to die.