Blutbefleckter Tod

Kapitel 42

"Why is Brother Yuan so concerned about this matter? After all, avenging the blood debts of the people of our Great Song Dynasty has nothing to do with you, Brother Yuan."

"As I said before, just do what you want to do. I happen to have something I'd like to ask you."

"Brother Yuan, please speak."

"Brother Lu, now that you know my identity, do you really not suspect me at all?"

Lu Ziqi laughed heartily: "What is Brother Yuan's identity? I only know that Brother Yuan and I had a very pleasant conversation and exchanged paintings, so he is a person of open and honest character. The Liao people entered our country and committed arson, murder, and looting with utter madness, no different from beasts. Anyone with a heart of passion cannot stand idly by, let alone Brother Yuan?"

Yuan Hao raised his long eyebrows that reached his temples, then looked up and laughed: "Brother Lu is truly a wonderful person. He answered my question so flawlessly that I am ashamed."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter, which shook the snow off the trees and covered them in it.

Lu Ziqi bowed again: "Time is of the essence, so I must take my leave now. I'll drink with Brother Yuan three times when I return in triumph!" He paused, then added: "My wife, please continue to take care of her." His hoarse voice involuntarily softened, revealing a hint of concern and reluctance.

Yuan Hao returned the greeting respectfully: "Brother Lu trusts me so much, I will certainly live up to your trust." He shook his body, scattering a piece of silver shards, and when he spoke again, there was a hint of mischievousness in his expression: "Brother Lu, please don't be grateful to me anymore, because, to be honest, I am actually repaying a debt. I accidentally lost your priceless copy of the book."

"…………"

Lu Ziqi was speechless and helpless, and could only silently step out the door.

He mounted his horse, glanced one last time at the room with its doors and windows tightly shut, and then cracked his whip.

The courtyard returned to silence. Yuan Hao reached out and caught a crystal-clear snowflake, clenched his fist, and then opened it, revealing only a drop of clear water.

Lu Ziqi, are you treating me like this so that I have no chance to take advantage of you?

You entrusted your life to me, so how could I possibly have any improper thoughts about your wife?

You know me and understand me, so you use this trick to trap me.

I know you, I understand you, so I really want to... give you a sword...

Two days later, the snow stopped and the sky cleared. Will you be able to reach that cliff valley with your old, weak and disabled soldiers before then? And will you be able to withstand the counterattack of the Liao people who are well-rested and ready to fight?

The reason I'm so concerned about the movements of those Liao people is that I want to exterminate them completely.

You're right. Whether the people of the Song Dynasty live or die is none of my concern, but her affairs are. I'm only seeking revenge for her. And you must understand that.

Unexpectedly, you actually brought the order to mobilize troops. Even more unexpectedly, you actually intend to personally lead the troops to fight the enemy.

In this way, there's no need for my men to get involved anymore; if this matter were to leak out, it would cause trouble. After all, we are allies with the Liao Kingdom.

I will tell you the truth and give you a map, which may indeed help you, but it may also lead you to a dead end.

Swords and spears have no eyes. As a civil official who has never fought on the battlefield, can you win and escape unscathed?

If not, then she...

Looking down at the snow that had reached his ankles, he smiled bitterly to himself.

Lu Ziqi, oh Lu Ziqi, I truly don't know whether to hope you come back alive or simply be buried on the battlefield.

Author's Note: A true man's heart is set on his country, and his ambition lies on the battlefield! Just a little excited thought from a war-obsessed monster~

Just between you and me, why do I always feel like there's a divine light radiating from the surroundings whenever I write scenes between Xiao Yuan and Xiao Lu? That light seems to be called… JQ (romantic chemistry)? ~囧

P.S.: By the way, I've been researching the military system and troop organization of the Northern Song Dynasty for so long that I'm practically injured, but I still don't understand it at all.

Please just enjoy the picture and don't worry about the historical plausibility of Lu Xun leading troops into battle.

In short, the Northern Song Dynasty had garrisons in various regions, some were imperial guards and others were local militias. However, the fighting capacity of most local armies was... well, let's just say it wasn't very good. Furthermore, the Northern Song Dynasty traditionally relied on civil officials to lead troops, which was one of the reasons why they often suffered defeats... lol

Chapter Forty-Six: Great Revenge Achieved

Whether it was because Yuan Hao was too ruthless or because the more than ten days of being in a daze were too damaging to her body, Song Xiaohua slept for two days and two nights before waking up. Before she could fully understand what was going on, she developed a splitting headache and felt weak all over, and then she developed a fever that lasted for three whole days.

During this time, many female relatives from her clan came to visit and take care of her. Seeing that although she was very ill, she was no longer as confused as before, they were relieved.

Four out of the five members of the family have already passed away. What would happen if the remaining member were to suffer another mishap?

The Song family was a moderately large clan in the area, with over a century of business experience and numerous descendants involved in various fields, including farming, trade, and commerce. Song Xiaohua's family had been farmers for generations, and this generation had finally managed to build a decent business. They sublet their land to nearby poor farmers and collected rent, making them not extremely wealthy but comfortable enough to live on.

This calamity occurred after the busy farming season. The family went to a village to collect the harvest payments. Because the weather was nice, they decided to go on an autumn outing. Upon arriving at the tenants' house, they couldn't resist the warm invitation and stayed for a few days. Unexpectedly, they encountered a group of Liao people who had come in a frenzy of looting. In one night, almost the entire village of dozens was slaughtered.

This included all of Song Xiaohua's closest relatives.

In the eyes of those who came to visit him, one word could be seen: fate.

That's just fate, isn't it? Who could have predicted it?

They were just staying for a few days; who could have imagined that they would run into this sudden disaster?

The border between the Song and Liao dynasties had been peaceful for so many years. Who would have thought that these audacious and extremely cruel Liao people would suddenly appear?

There were clearly thousands of garrison troops stationed here, but who would have thought that at the crucial moment they would cower and refuse to serve, leaving the people to wail and die under the iron hooves and swords?

Therefore, everything is predestined, and nothing is up to us.

When facing these unfamiliar relatives, Song Xiaohua basically only listened and didn't speak, occasionally responding softly and giving a faint smile.

Considering her grief over losing a loved one and her ongoing illness, people didn't hold it against her; instead, they felt even more sorry for her. They offered her kind words, good food, and good drink, while occasionally weaving in interesting stories about her family's past.

With such meticulous, thoughtful, and proper care, coupled with her own active cooperation and efforts to cheer up, Song Xiaohua's mental and physical health quickly improved.

By the time I was finally able to get out of bed, it was noon on the eighth day.

The wind and snow had long since stopped, the gray haze between heaven and earth had dissipated, and the warm early winter sun shone brightly, the white was quietly melting, and icicles on the eaves were dripping strings of water droplets.

Pushing open the door, a blast of cold wind rushed in, and I quickly pulled my thick cotton coat tighter around myself.

The snow in the courtyard had been swept away, but the ground was still damp. In this empty and desolate place, a figure in a blue shirt stood quietly.

His handsome face had thinned somewhat, but he still smiled at her with his eyebrows curved.

"Yuan Hao..."

As she softly uttered the name, her voice involuntarily choked with emotion.

I haven't seen this person in eight days, nor have I seen him at all.

According to the women, Yuanhao had been staying in the side room, and it was thanks to the prescription and diet he provided that she recovered so quickly. However, to avoid suspicion, they couldn't enter the room to see her. Everyone spoke highly of this close friend of the Song family's son-in-law, praising him for his gentleness, humility, understanding, and decisiveness, sparing no words of praise.

As for Lu Ziqi, her husband has never been mentioned by anyone.

Perhaps she's already gone? After she uttered those resolute words...

Is this the ultimate liberation? Will there be even a trace of reluctance?

She forced herself not to think about these unanswerable questions, but the dull pain spreading through her limbs constantly reminded her that she was finally all alone...

My nose felt sore and my eyes felt dry, but they didn't get wet for a long time, as if all my tears had dried up since that day.

"Come with me to pay respects to my family!"

"good."

I lit incense and candles, placed offerings, and gently stroked the four names on the cold tombstone that were both strange and familiar.

“Brother, sister-in-law, Dazhuzi, Xiaozhuzi, although I only saw you for the last time in this world, the same blood flows in my veins as yours. Now that I've come here and become the owner of this body, I am Song Xiaohua, your family. Before, I did have a sense of unreality, often feeling that this was just a dream, or just a game that fate was playing on me. Maybe when I woke up, I would be back in the place where I was born and raised, living the life I knew so well. But that won't happen anymore. I will continue my life steadily, carrying the kinship in my blood. Whether you have been reincarnated or gone to heaven, please rest assured, our family still has me.”

The snow had not yet melted, and the cold wind still blew. The white-clad figure murmured to himself before the new grave, looking so fragile and easily broken, like a sapling in the snow.

Yuan Hao stood silently under the withered tree ten steps away, gazing at Song Xiaohua, who remained motionless for a long time.

I long to hold her tightly in my arms, to shield her from all harm, and to keep her forever a delicate flower under my protection...

However, this cannot be done.

Because of Lu Ziqi, that damned Lu Ziqi.

Are you dead or not? Eight days have passed, and there's still no news...

After a long while, Song Xiaohua slowly stood up, stretched her numb legs, turned around, faced Yuan Hao who hadn't looked away, and smiled slightly: "Let's go back!"

Yuan Hao blinked in disbelief. She actually smiled. Had she regained her usual lively and cheerful self? It didn't seem so. It seemed like something was different…

Watching her approach, an impulse he could no longer suppress surged within him. He took two steps forward, then stopped. The sunlight was a bit blinding, and the long-healed wound on the back of his hand throbbed faintly. He inwardly mocked himself. When had he become such a timid and hesitant person? Just like Yelü Ping had once said…