"Fu Gui..."
Beneath the moonlight, by the clear spring, Murong Huiying leaned against Zhou Fugui's strong chest and softly called out.
"Hmm? Yingying." Zhou Fugui replied, gently embracing Murong Huiying.
"You always believe that the imperial court's southern campaign to attack Xia is an unjust act, don't you?" Murong Huiying asked softly.
"Isn't it?" Zhou Fugui retorted.
"Slap!" Murong Huiying playfully hit Zhou Fugui's thigh and chided, "You great fool! There are many things you don't understand."
"Oh? I'm eager to hear more?" Murong Huiying, ever the one to bring up sensitive topics, wriggled in Zhou Fugui's arms, making him blush to the point of extreme awkwardness and discomfort. He desperately resorted to the 'Mind-Distraction Technique'...
Zhou Fugui might not respect the Xianbei, but he had to respect Murong Huiying and could not be frivolous with her.
Before, Zhou Fugui had been driven mad, losing all reason. Now, he was clear-headed. How could he repeat such an improper act? Even if he wanted to "do that," it shouldn't be in this desolate wilderness, but on their wedding night.
However, with the divide between Hu and Han, Zhou Fugui's wedding night was likely to remain a dream.
"Many years ago..." Murong Huiying began slowly. "Between Yan and Xia, there was also a Wei, established by the Xiongnu Huluo clan, also known as the Huyan clan."
"The state of Wei? The Xiongnu Huluo clan?" Zhou Fugui mused upon hearing this.
After the northern barbarians galloped across the Central Plains, they established countless chaotic empires, most of which were named after previous dynasties of the Central Plains.
"Yes, the Huluo Wei." Murong Huiying nodded. "However, they did not call themselves the Huyan clan, but took Liu as their surname. My Xianbei and the Xiongnu are hereditary enemies, like fire and water, irreconcilable. We have fought the Xiongnu bandits for many years. Xia has also fought the Xiongnu Wei for many years, suffering more defeats than victories. They hated Wei to the bone, thus the states of Yan and Xia formed an alliance, sacrificing horses to swear an oath to jointly attack the Liu Wei. But in the end, Xia betrayed their promise. At the Battle of Yuyang, Xia generals attacked the Yan army from the front and rear, causing our Yan army to be severely defeated. Great Ancestor Emperor Yan was wounded and, unable to recover, died of melancholy. Before his death, he left a final testament: 'Han people are not to be trusted, Xia people are not to be pitied.' Therefore... Fugui, do you understand?"
"So that's how it is!" Zhou Fugui nodded in understanding.
So the Xia ruler and his subjects had committed such a treacherous act? Zhou Fugui thought to himself. But between nations, there were no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Since that was the case, it wasn't entirely unreasonable for Xia to attack the Yan army for its own national interests. However, this act sowed the seeds of enmity for the Yan people towards the Han, and especially towards the Xia.
"Alas, the constant warfare, it is the common people who suffer." Zhou Fugui sighed afterward.
Murong Huiying nodded in approval.
"The Han people outnumber your people by more than a hundredfold, yet the court... the court still adopts a policy of respecting the Hu and despising the Han. Hmph, can the empire endure forever?" Zhou Fugui sneered.
"Bah, you are the barbarian, with that beard all over your face, what else are you?" Murong Huiying chided. "Some in the court also see this as unwise, like my father and his men, but... such matters cannot be changed in a short time."
Sooner or later, something big would happen, and then they would realize it, Zhou Fugui thought with a cold smile.
"What are you smiling at?" Murong Huiying asked, noticing a slight smile on Zhou Fugui's lips. "You think it's unwise? Then how should it be?"
"Naturally, Han and Hu... uh... us becoming one family is the path to lasting peace," Zhou Fugui replied.
"Pfft!" Murong Huiying couldn't help but laugh. "If we get married, will my Great Yan be at peace forever?"
Murong Huiying then sighed wistfully.
The marriage of the two was truly a fantasy.
"Fugui..." Murong Huiying suddenly said shyly, her face reddening.
"Hmm?" Zhou Fugui responded.
"You... you... if you want... Yingying can give herself to you today." Murong Huiying was an intelligent woman; she had long sensed Zhou Fugui's unusual state.
"I..." In the past, if something was offered, Zhou Fugui would have taken it without question. But now, he hesitated. It was probably because he felt he couldn't bear the responsibility.
Murong Huiying was a good woman, and if Zhou Fugui couldn't take responsibility now, he couldn't hurt her.
"Yingying..." Zhou Fugui gently stroked Murong Huiying's hair. After a moment of thought, he said, "The words I spoke before, I retract them. I now believe a saying: 'Heaven never closes all doors.' If Heaven truly closes my path, I dare to punch a hole through Heaven!"
"Fugui..." Murong Huiying was deeply moved and hugged Zhou Fugui tightly, resting her head on his strong chest, mesmerized by the sound of his powerful heartbeat.
.......
On a full moon night, the round moon hung in the sky. Its pure white light, like a silvery soft veil, poured onto the Sui River, making the water surface shimmer. The full moon resembled a jade wheel or an ice disk, and the moonlight was like water. Everything appeared serene and beautiful.
However, a troop of Yan cavalry quietly approached the western bank of the Sui River, shattering the tranquility.
"Hmph! You want to extinguish my White Tiger Battalion? Not so easily!"
Zhou Fugui, the general of the Yan army's White Tiger Battalion, crouched by the bank of the Sui River, carefully observing the Xia army camp on the opposite bank with his 'thousand-mile eye' and sneered.
It was late at night. Apart from the faint moonlight, there was no other light. However, the Xia army camp on the opposite bank was illuminated by countless torches and lamps, like scattered stars. Thus, Zhou Fugui, using his 'thousand-mile eye,' could get a general idea of the Xia army camp, noting where troops were concentrated, where they were sparse, and where the defenses were weak.
The Xia army advancing from Luyi seemed determined to annihilate Zhou Fugui's White Tiger Battalion. They were relentlessly pursuing and intercepting, forcing Zhou Fugui and his White Tiger Battalion to the banks of the Sui River today, intending to break through the encirclement.
In fact, Zhou Fugui's cavalry, though not numerous, numbering only around fifteen hundred men, had caused immense trouble for the advancing Xia army, leaving them in disarray and hesitant to advance boldly.
Although Zhou Fugui had no grand ambitions beyond escaping, the actual effect and achievement was to halt the Xia army's eastward advance.
"What is this?" Murong Huiying, who was with Zhou Fugui, saw the peculiar 'thousand-mile eye' in his hand and asked curiously.
"This object is called a 'thousand-mile eye.' Take a look," Zhou Fugui said with a smile, handing the device to Murong Huiying.
"Thousand-mile eye?" Murong Huiying took it and, mimicking him, also observed the Xia army camp on the opposite bank.
"Ah? Tingzhang Fu... Zhou Tingzhang, who made this item? It is truly a divine creation!" Murong Huiying held the 'thousand-mile eye' and couldn't put it down, marveling as she looked.
"Naturally, it was made by this humble one, Zhou Fugui from Luoyan Village, Youzhou!" Zhou Fugui replied with a smile.
"You?" Murong Huiying put down the 'thousand-mile eye' and turned to look at Zhou Fugui, smiling enchantingly. "Commander Zhou, you are not only a master of warfare and a brave warrior, but also a craftsman of supernatural skill?"
Although it was dark, under the moonlight, Murong Huiying's smile was still captivating, making Zhou Fugui's heart flutter.
Zhou Fugui regretted it again.
He had let this delicious, tempting feast slip away...
"That..." Zhou Fugui answered proudly. "This young general has many more wonders in his mind, things never seen in this world. I've just been busy leading troops and haven't had the chance to create them. In the future, if there's an opportunity, I will definitely make some for the Princess to behold."
As he spoke, Zhou Fugui extended his "claws" and, intentionally or unintentionally, touched or gently squeezed Murong Huiying's tender little hand.
He didn't get the main feast, but he might as well take this small advantage.
Lecherous fellow! Murong Huiying chided him inwardly with a blush, then said softly, "Never seen in this world? Bah, you're just bragging. Who would believe you?"
"Haha!" Zhou Fugui burst into laughter.
Dian Meng, Xu Mancang, Li Qing, Pan Guijian, Su Heba, and the others all shook their heads secretly and were extremely anxious.
With enemies blocking the front and pursuing from the rear, these two were here flirting and bantering?
Flirting and bantering, and not even choosing the right time? Utterly shameless! Zhou Fugui was one thing; he was known for his thick skin. But the dignified Princess of Great Yan was acting like this too?
They all cursed inwardly.
"Camp Master, Camp Master..." Just then, Feng Cheng, the flag officer who had gone to scout, returned and rushed before Zhou Fugui and Murong Huiying.
"The Princess is still here," Zhou Fugui said sternly, scolding.
"Oh, oh, your humble servant greets the Princess," Feng Cheng hurriedly bowed.
Brown-noser, shameless!
They all cursed inwardly again.
Murong Huiying shook her head, signaling Feng Cheng not to be so formal.
Murong Huiying's face was slightly flushed, but it was not visible in the darkness.
"What is it?" Zhou Fugui asked.
"Your subordinate has confirmed that the deepest part of the river only reaches the waist, so there's no need to cross on rafts," Feng Cheng replied. "The Xia army on the opposite bank is heavily guarded, but their right flank is relatively lax because of the mountainous and forested terrain here."
"Hmm, they think mountains and forests can stop us? I'll go that way then," Zhou Fugui said, then turned to Murong Huiying and asked, "What do you think, Princess?"
Zhou Fugui knew that Murong Huiying was also skilled in leading troops, otherwise she wouldn't have commanded the vast Huolie Battalion. Of course, it was also related to Murong Huiying being the beloved daughter of Murong Bole.
A Yan battalion had between three to five thousand troops, while the Huolie Battalion had over ten thousand men.
"You are the commanding general, decide as you see fit," Murong Huiying said with a smile.
"Understood!" Zhou Fugui nodded and ordered, "Appoint Dian Meng and Suo Dacheng's units as vanguards, Old Gui's unit to cover the rear. Those skilled in archery will be in the center. Feng Cheng's unit will scout ahead. Muzzle the men and remove the horses' bells. No loud noises are allowed, or you will face military law."
"Your subordinates obey!" The generals replied in low voices.
"Tingzhang Zhou, markers!" Murong Huiying reminded him.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Use three torches arranged in a triangular formation as markers. All banners and companies will follow the markers and break out of the encirclement." Zhou Fugui ordered repeatedly after nodding.
Truly knowledgeable in warfare, not an ordinary person! Zhou Fugui praised him inwardly. In the darkness, the greatest fear was chaos. Without markers, running around aimlessly would not only prevent them from breaking through but also cause them to scatter, and scattering in such a situation would almost certainly lead to death.