Chapter 1389 - 1065: Xiao Yuansui’s Whereabouts

Yu Wenye’s brow furrowed into a knot.

He said, "What happened?"

Shen Tu Tai took a deep breath and then said, "He’s stayed in his tent for the past couple of days, not seeing anyone. I know he’s—, so I didn’t go to him. I just hoped he would calm down and figure things out soon. But today, the camp was being fully dismantled and his tent couldn’t be left, so I went to call him myself, only to find it empty."

Yu Wenye thought for a moment and asked, "What about his belongings?"

Shen Tu Tai said, "His clothes, and his pair of large hammers, are all gone."

"..."

Yu Wenye fell into silence.

If both clothes and weapons are gone, it means he wasn’t accidentally kidnapped — naturally, given his skills, the chances were slim, but ruling out that possibility leaves only one.

He left on his own.

Yu Wenye’s gaze gradually grew cold; after a while, he said, "I understand."

Seeing him like this, Shen Tu Tai dared not say more, only to withdraw and leave; yet after taking two steps, he couldn’t help but turn back and softly say, "Your Highness, shall we send someone to search for him?"

Mu Xian also nodded gently beside him.

In fact, although the three of them were rough men, they understood well that Shantong’er left out of resentment over Shan Shiyu’s death; and despite his youth, they instinctively wanted to find him, particularly since Shen Tu Tai and he had known each other since Wanggang Village, bound by deep brotherhood.

Yu Wenye only looked at him blandly, "Where are you planning to search?"

"..."

"Can you find him?"

"..."

"Even if you do, will he return?"

"..."

"If he returns, how should I then punish a deserter?"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Shen Tu Tai and Mu Xian were both startled, finally realizing that regardless of Shantong’er’s disheartenment over Shan Shiyu’s death by Yu Wenye’s hand, leaving the camp without orders constituted desertion. If he were indeed found, Yu Wenye couldn’t possibly not set an example for the army by punishing his actions severely.

Shen Tu Tai said, "Your Highness..."

Yu Wenye waved his hand, "Let him go if he wishes; we needn’t wait for him to figure things out. This place isn’t where one comes and goes as they please."

"..."

"Now, having taken Hulao Pass, what you should be thinking about is what to do next."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tu Tai’s expression grew serious.

Actually, although he was worried about Shantong’er, it was merely out of concern for the boy’s emotions; given Shantong’er’s skills and years of wandering, he surely wouldn’t be wronged or face danger, providing some relief. But upon hearing Yu Wenye speak of the pressing matters, he became serious at once.

He said, "Is Your Highness planning immediate deployment?"

Having seized Hulao Pass, they were now just a step from Luoyang, moving south seemed almost inevitable.

Yet by facing his inquiry, Yu Wenye didn’t provide an answer. Instead, he reached out to stroke the rough walls—though this time they seized Hulao Pass at little cost, the battlements hadn’t soaked in much blood. But he knew well, as the northern portal to Luoyang, the site had endured countless wars through history, the land underfoot, even every brick, soaked in heroic blood.

Yu Wenye said, "Do you think we shouldn’t deploy?"

Shen Tu Tai and Mu Xian exchanged a glance, and the latter thought briefly before softly saying, "But from Chang An to here, we’ve fought tens of battles over months, and the soldiers need some time to rest."

"..."

"Moreover—"

"Moreover what?"

Mu Xian hesitated, ultimately not voicing concern over the Princess’s whereabouts. It wasn’t to hide from Shen Tu Tai, but he knew, once concerning military affairs, Yu Wenye wouldn’t let anything affect his judgment—not even the Princess Qin, not even His Majesty the Emperor.

While Mu Xian hesitated to speak, Shen Tu Tai spoke up, "Liang Shide probably has a backup plan."

"..."

Saying this, his voice was noticeably rasped.

Yu Wenye looked at him, his furrowed brow slightly relaxed as if he’d awaited something, "Oh."

This "Oh" lacked doubt, seeming as if he had expected something, guessed it, and only awaited confirmation.

Seeing him thus, Shen Tu Tai took a deep breath and finally said, "Lately, apart from seizing Mengjin Pass and reclaiming scattered troops nearby, I’ve been seeking Xiao Yuansui’s whereabouts."

Yu Wenye replied calmly, "The earlier message you sent to Chang An stated he lingered near Hejian County, correct?"

"Yes,"

Speaking of their "former master" Xiao Yuansui, Shen Tu Tai’s tone and demeanor grew heavy. When their expedition to Luoyang began, news had come that Liang Shide allocated Xiao Yuansui fifty thousand troops to leave Luoyang, quite an odd move, and until now, they’ve yet to discern Xiao Yuansui’s true purpose in departing Luoyang. Meanwhile, in Luoyang’s surroundings, they’ve made headway everywhere, nearly crushing Liang Shide, but this seemingly didn’t reflect Liang Shide’s true strength.

Mentioning Xiao Yuansui again, the atmosphere between the three thickened.

Shen Tu Tai said, "Recently, one of my dispatched men finally returned results. Xiao Yuansui, leading his fifty thousand troops, swept through the North, clearing more than ten groups of rebel forces in Hebei, Dingzhou, and others, gathering them all together, currently stationed in Leshou."

"..."

"He commands no less than a hundred thousand troops."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye’s eyes suddenly contracted sharply.

Mu Xian, hearing this news for the first time, was taken aback; few have ever put Yu Wenye at a disadvantage on the battlefield, yet Xiao Yuansui somewhat counts as one, despite Yu Wenye fracturing Wanggang Village using tactics; the past retreat at Xingluo Granary under Xiao Yuansui’s pressure lingered unresolved.

Now, this man gathered more than a hundred thousand troops...

Mu Xian muttered, "What does he intend?"

Shen Tu Tai merely glanced at him without answering the evident question, instead addressing Yu Wenye sternly, "Your Highness, I merely worry that if we allocate all our forces and efforts on Luoyang, should he—"