RWNEFE -Chapter 606 The Shen Family Is a Man-Eating Wolf’s Den

Almost as soon as the imperial decree reached the northwest, the Northwestern Army set out toward the Turks.

The sudden outbreak of war stirred the hearts of the common people as well.

No matter who won or lost, it was always the people who suffered.

Some lived far away in the capital, others close to the northwest.

The people of the northwest were anxious. The moment war was announced, many had already packed their belongings, ready to flee at any time.

“What’s going on with the city guards? Why haven’t they sealed the city?”

The border residents looked toward the city walls in confusion.

“Who knows? Aren’t they afraid the enemy might attack?”

“You don’t know, do you? My aunt on my mother’s side works as a medical woman in the army. She said the Northwestern Army has surrounded the city outside like an iron barrel—no matter how hard the Turks try, they won’t get in.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Otherwise, how could we still be doing business peacefully while there’s fighting on the other side?”

“Grain prices haven’t even risen. The court has so much grain the granaries can’t hold it all.”

“I have a relative in charge of rotating grain stocks. There’s last year’s old grain for sale—half the market price. Want some?”

“Where? Where?”

…

After two days of nervousness, the border residents gradually returned to their normal routines.

War was war, as long as it didn’t interfere with their daily lives.

Six days after the army set out, victory reports arrived in the capital one after another.

“Your Majesty, the Northwestern Army has captured the first pass. Only a small number of soldiers were injured or killed. More than half of the Turks were killed or wounded, and several thousand have surrendered.”

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “Bury them alive.”

The officials’ hearts trembled. How had it come to immediate execution?

Liu Yanhui spoke up. “Your Majesty, that would be inappropriate.”

Shen Lanxi raised her eyes to look at him.

“Your Majesty, the northwest is vast and sparsely populated, especially the Turks’ lands. They are not skilled at farming, but the soil is fertile. I suggest we have them farm and herd livestock to supply our northwestern granaries.”

The Grand Preceptor said, “I second this.”

Liu Mingxin said, “I second this.”

Wu Yanzhi said, “This old minister also agrees.”

Shen Lanxi appeared magnanimous. “Very well. I am not by nature bloodthirsty. Since you all wish to have them farm, then let them farm.”

The Grand Preceptor added, “Although the Turks have repeatedly provoked us, the common people there are innocent. Your Majesty, why not incorporate their lands into Great Zhou, establish commanderies and counties, and send Zhou officials to govern them?”

Master Ruohua said, “The Grand Preceptor’s words are reasonable.”

Liu Mingxin said, “Feasible.”

Wu Yanzhi added, “When dealing with barbarian tribes, one cannot rely solely on slaughter; one must also pacify them with kindness. I suggest using this opportunity to persuade the surrounding tribes to submit to Great Zhou.”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes lit up. “The Chancellor speaks wisely. Since we are sending troops, we must gain something. If we can bring all the tribes of the northwest under Great Zhou’s rule, that would be ideal.”

Liu Yanhui asked, “Then who should be sent to the northwest to persuade the tribes?”

Liu Mingxin said, “I am willing to go.”

Wu Yanzhi’s eyes flickered, and he immediately stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I am willing to go and persuade the tribes. As a high minister of Great Zhou, I am most suited to this task.”

Members of Wu Yanzhi’s faction immediately spoke up.

“I also believe the Chancellor is most suitable.”

“I recommend the Chancellor.”

“This old minister is willing to accompany the Chancellor.”

After some thought, Shen Lanxi said, “Very well. The Chancellor shall go. If you can persuade the tribes of the northwest to submit, it will be a great merit, and I will reward you generously.”

Wu Yanzhi was delighted. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!”

…

“Princess Consort, a letter has arrived from the young mistress again.”

“What is it about?” Zhou Xinrou raised an eyebrow, sensing it would not be good news.

The nanny did not dare look directly at her.

“The young mistress… failed in suppressing bandits over there. She fell into an ambush and lost quite a number of troops.”

Zhou Xinrou was so angry she nearly fainted.

“How many were lost?”

“The letter doesn’t say. It only asks the Princess Consort to send more troops.”

Zhou Xinrou’s anger surged, and her tone sharpened. “Can’t she ask Shen Lanxi for reinforcements?”

The nanny shook her head. “They are at war with the Turks now. Shen Lanxi would certainly be unwilling to mobilize troops from the capital.”

“Then what am I supposed to do? I can’t keep filling this bottomless pit!”

How many troops had she already lost because of her?

“Princess Consort, the young mistress fears that if the ambush becomes known to the court, Shen Lanxi will mock her as useless. That is why she dares not request reinforcements.”

Zhou Xinrou’s face flushed red with anger, and her chest ached in waves.

“She really knows how to cause trouble!”

The nanny added, “The young mistress is also doing this for the greater plan. Sacrificing some men now is nothing. In her letter she also said she has recruited quite a number of followers.”

Zhou Xinrou did not believe such excuses.

“If she had truly recruited men, would she still be asking me for more?”

“Princess Consort, those people must still be trained before they can be used. The young mistress is already more obedient than before, listening to you and recruiting subordinates.”

Thinking it over, that was true.

“The forces we have on hand truly cannot be moved anymore.”

The nanny said, “We have been building our strength for so many years—was it not for this very moment?”

Back then, Zhou Xinrou had indeed planted many people within Great Zhou’s military camps. Many of them now held important posts.

But—

“Princess Consort, you must not hesitate any longer. If anything happens to the young mistress, all our years of planning will be wasted!”

The nanny’s earnest persuasion finally moved Zhou Xinrou somewhat.

“Send word to the Shenfeng Battalion.”

“Yes.”

Every one of those hidden forces was precious to her.

If they were not discovered, all was well. But once exposed, the Shenfeng Battalion would be ruined.

…

Shen Yuantang had not expected that after waiting and waiting, what she would hear was news of war with the Turks.

Weren’t they preparing for a marriage alliance?

How had it turned into war?

If there was war, how could there still be a marriage alliance?

“Nanny, what you just said about fighting the Turks—is it true?”

The maids outside exchanged glances, pretending not to hear.

“Nanny, answer me! I am a princess personally enfeoffed by the emperor, her own full sister. If I complain to the emperor, she will punish you, not me!”

The nanny seemed to grow frightened, and a placating voice came through the tightly shut door.

“It’s true—the court is fighting the Turks. His Majesty even said she intends to destroy them.”

“The Turkish envoy was practically asking for death. Didn’t he know how formidable our emperor is?”

“His Majesty said she won’t indulge the bad habits of foreign tribes.”

Shen Yuantang collapsed to the ground in disbelief.

“Impossible…”

“If there’s really war, why was I made a marriage-alliance princess?”

“You’re lying to me. You’re lying, aren’t you?”

If she did not go for the marriage alliance, would the Shen family let her live?

“Princess, today is the day one of the young ladies in the residence is being married off. You’d better save your strength.”

“There’s music and celebration in the front hall. No matter how loudly you shout, they won’t hear you.”

Shen Yuantang stared at the door like a madwoman. She could not remain in the Shen family any longer.

The Shen family was a man-eating wolf’s den.

“Let me out! Let me out…”