RWNEFE -Chapter 168 Taking Suiyuan Prefecture

Liu Yanhui almost dropped the tea leaves as his hand shook.

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Don’t be nervous, and don’t be afraid. Normally, I’m a very easy person to talk to!”

The more she said this, the more anxious Liu Yanhui became.

He hadn’t been nervous at first!

“Master, if there’s nothing urgent, I’ll get back to my work,” Liu Yanhui stammered, his heart pounding.

Shen Lanxi pointed to a stool, signaling him to sit.

“Since we left the capital, we haven’t had a proper conversation. Now we have time—let’s talk!”

Liu Yanhui nervously sat down.

“I heard your mother went to help in the sewing room or the kitchen?”

Liu Yanhui’s heart skipped a beat, immediately worrying he hadn’t done his duties properly.

“My mother went to the sewing room, and my younger sister went to the garrison!”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “I heard from the garrison that your sister is hardworking and has a natural talent for martial arts!”

Mentioning family, Liu Yanhui felt slightly more at ease.

“She must have been scared on the journey and wants to learn ways to protect herself!”

Shen Lanxi nodded approvingly.

“With her understanding, it’s worth having a female guard unit. Let her train well—among my people, the capable thrive!”

Hearing this, Liu Yanhui visibly relaxed.

“Thank you, Master. If it weren’t for your trust, my sister might have been stuck in the inner quarters. I thank you on behalf of the women of the garrison!” Liu Yanhui bowed respectfully.

Shen Lanxi: “My intention is clear. I am a woman, so I never underestimate women. If women are given the same conditions as men and the family’s guidance, they may not be inferior!”

This principle was already proven by Shen Lanxi herself, and Liu Yanhui now fully agreed.

Shen Lanxi changed the topic: “I have a task for you. It’s dangerous—if it fails, it could cost your life.”

Liu Yanhui’s expression turned serious: “To serve you, Master, I would go through fire and water without hesitation!”

Shen Lanxi handed him a folded piece of paper: “No rush. I’ll give you three days to consider.”

As Liu Yanhui reached to open it, Shen Lanxi stopped him.

“Open it when you return.”

“Yes!”

Liu Yanhui hurried back to his room, unfolded the paper, and upon reading it, his eyes widened in shock.

Meanwhile, Wang Songbai returned, disheveled and exhausted, and immediately went to see Shen Lanxi.

“Master, I’ve gathered intelligence—Ma Feng is planning to attack Yongzhou. He will depart in the next few days!”

Feng Wu handed Shen Lanxi a sheet detailing every location Wang Songbai visited and every person he met after leaving.

After reviewing it, Shen Lanxi threw the paper into the tea brazier.

“Is this information certain?”

Wang Songbai nodded vigorously: “Absolutely. I bribed a low-ranking procurement soldier with a few taels of silver. He told me the departure time and how many troops he was taking.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Wang, you’ve earned merit!”

Wang Songbai smiled faintly but didn’t celebrate; he had something else on his mind.

“Master, can I exchange military merit to rescue my sister and her family?”

Shen Lanxi: “Yes.”

Wang Songbai couldn’t believe how easily she agreed.

“I’ll have someone keep an eye on your sister’s family. Now, there’s an even more important task for you.”

Wang Songbai felt the weight of responsibility and steeled himself: “Please, Master, give your orders!”

Shen Lanxi: “Once Ma Feng departs with his troops, I want you to negotiate the surrender of the surrounding counties.” She spread out a map and drew a circle around Baihe County.

“All areas under Ma Feng’s command—I want them all!”

Wang Songbai: “……”

Wei Dongzhu and Liu Yanhui were unsurprised and even felt a sense of anticipation—they finally would move against Ma Feng!

Accounting for Wang Songbai’s travel time, Ma Feng would likely depart the next day.

The following day, Wang Songbai set off with fifty soldiers. Liu Yanhui accompanied him, but while Wang traveled openly, Liu Yanhui moved in secret.

Meanwhile, the soldiers sensed increasing tension. Daily drills became full combat exercises, personally overseen by Wei Dongzhu.

Not only combat—female guards fought male guards as well. No holding back. Any slackers would face the military baton!

Amidst the strict training, spring farming began.

Shen Lanxi delegated all official documents to Cheng Zheng and others. At first light, she went to inspect the fields, returning to the garrison only after dark.

Soon, the first batch of counties sent their surrender. More counties would come in every few days.

Shen Lanxi left the reception to Chang Daoyan, giving only two orders:

Station troops in the surrendered county offices.

Recruit soldiers there—both men and women.

Because pay was equal for both genders, female recruits often outnumbered males.

Once recruitment exceeded a thousand troops, Shen Lanxi set her sights on Suiyuan Prefecture.

“We are the army of justice, upholding righteousness. Today we march to suppress the rebels. Soldiers, here is your chance for glory—titles, honors, and high office!”

“Forward, and claim your rewards!”

“Hu Zhu as left vanguard, Xiao Fang as right vanguard. Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanxu will follow Hu Zhu as first-class captains; Shen Yunkun and Yuanjun follow Xiao Fang; Shi Dawei as center vanguard, leading…”

Shen Lanxi herself led the female guards, the standard held high: “Crush the rebels! Take Suiyuan!”

A force of 2,500 soldiers marched majestically toward Suiyuan!

At Yongzhou’s border, Ma Feng proudly joined the three armies under the Eastern Liao King, imagining his future glory—he never expected his home to be raided.

Suiyuan’s garrison had fewer than 200 soldiers. With almost no resistance, Shen Lanxi’s troops swiftly took Suiyuan!

Shen Lanxi kicked Ma Feng’s banner to the ground, coldly commanding: “Search Ma Feng and his subordinates’ homes. Detain their families and seize their property. Anyone who resists—kill!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Bring Liang Kuan!”

“Yes!”

Liang Kuan, Wang Songbai’s brother-in-law, had been under house arrest at Suiyuan’s office. Only after Ma Feng left was he free to move.

Soon, Liang Kuan was brought before Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze was sharp: “Did you serve Ma Feng?”

Liang Kuan turned pale, kneeling silently.

Shen Lanxi spoke earnestly: “I know you were all coerced by Ma Feng. From now on, you will never be forced by him again. Manage Suiyuan as you did before!”

Liang Kuan didn’t believe it—Ma Feng was a fierce general under the Eastern Liao King. How could he fall so easily? What if he attacked again? He didn’t trust this so-called army of justice!

Shen Lanxi knew he didn’t believe her.

“I am a member of the Shen family—the Shen family exiled to Dongchuan!”

Liang Kuan’s mind went blank.