The 'Involution King' Second Female Lead Quits [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: A Great Victory Over the Xiongnu

Shu Heng’s heart was in turmoil. Her understanding of Li Jianwei was limited to the discussions among her colleagues. And when those colleagues talked about Li Jianwei, no matter what the initial topic was, it would always end up being about her gender, questioning her achievements, and ultimately belittling her.

What was most ridiculous was that those colleagues, who spoke with such a condescending tone as men, were only qualified to wear green robes. They were only sixth- or seventh-rank officials, yet they dared to look down on a powerful, third-rank general. A Minister of one of the Six Ministries was only a third-rank official, and most officials would never reach the fourth-rank to be considered a high official in their entire lives.

“General Li, this subordinate is of limited ability and cannot do better than this.” Shu Heng slowly exhaled, waiting for her judgment.

“I’m not interested in the process. I only know that His Majesty was supposed to allocate one million taels of provisions to us, and now the provisions are insufficient.” Li Jianwei took a step forward, looking down at Shu Heng, who was half a head shorter than her. “Until the remaining provisions arrive, I’ll have to trouble Little Minister Shu to be our guest in the Northern Frontier.” Li Jianwei showed her clean, neat teeth. “Oh, and the same goes for His Highness the King of Cheng. If Little Minister Shu wants to return to the capital to report his mission early, please find a way to make up for the thirty-five thousand taels of silver.”

Shu Heng subconsciously held her breath. The close proximity allowed her to smell a lingering scent of bl00d, which also reminded her that the person in front of her was a decisive general, not an official in the capital who could argue over a small matter for a long time.

“This, this subordinate cannot guarantee. This subordinate needs to discuss with His Highness the King of Cheng,” Shu Heng said, her nerves tense. More than the fear of her identity being exposed, she now had to consider how to survive.

Shu Heng could now be one hundred percent sure that Li Jianwei did not take the King of Cheng seriously. So the question was, under what circumstances would a general stationed at the border ignore a prince who was favored by the Emperor?

Shu Heng tried her best to manage her expression, and even when Li Jianwei patted her shoulder twice with great force, she only showed a look of guilt for being incompetent.

“Alright, you can discuss it with His Highness the King of Cheng.” Li Jianwei said, pinching Shu Heng’s shoulder and only letting go when she saw her wince. “Little Minister Shu is too frail. With this physique, if you were to fight the Xiongnu, you probably wouldn’t last a single round,” Li Jianwei commented.

Shu Heng could only force a smile. “This subordinate’s physique has been like this since childhood. I can’t compare to the General’s bravery.”

Li Jianwei glanced at Shu Heng. “Since that’s the case, to ensure that you don’t run into any danger, Little Minister Shu, you can stay at my General’s residence. It will also be more convenient for us to discuss matters.”

Shu Heng’s heart tightened. “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for the General? This subordinate only needs a small residence.”

“It’s no trouble. Just stay here. It won’t be a bother no matter how long you stay.” After saying this, Li Jianwei ordered her subordinates to transport the provisions to her territory.

After watching Li Jianwei get on her horse and leave, Shu Heng’s worries were half-lifted. However, Shu Heng was not in a hurry to leave. She watched the Northern Frontier soldiers pull the grain carts away one by one until the King of Cheng sent someone to invite her.

…

The King of Cheng’s residence was arranged in the inner city, not far from the General’s residence, about a fifteen-minute ride on horseback. After being left to wait for half an hour, Shu Heng was finally led by a guard to the study, where she met the King of Cheng, who had just finished his ‘official business’.

“This subordinate greets Your Highness,” Shu Heng said, bowing respectfully.

“How was the handover of the provisions?” the King of Cheng asked, his tone slightly cold.

“General Li has finished counting the grain and provisions, but…” Shu Heng lowered her head slightly, truthfully relaying Li Jianwei’s meaning.

The King of Cheng couldn’t help but slam the table after hearing this. “What did you say? She wants me to stay in the Northern Frontier? Is she threatening me?”

Shu Heng didn’t react much, just lowered her eyes. “Your Highness, those were General Li’s exact words. If we can’t make up for the thirty-five thousand taels, you and I will probably have to live in the Northern Frontier for a long time.”

“Didn’t you tell her that it was the Ministry of Revenue that didn’t give me the silver, not that I didn’t give it to her?” the King of Cheng couldn’t control his tone. “She’s illegally detaining me and threatening the court. Does she not want to be a subject of the great Jin anymore!”

Maybe she doesn’t. Shu Heng thought to herself.

Shu Heng truly didn’t understand. The Emperor and all the civil and military officials knew to be wary of the Great General of the Northern Frontier, yet why were they not worried about Li Jianwei, who was younger and also held military power? Was it because she was a woman? So they looked down on her and were certain she wouldn’t rebel? Or did they believe that Li Jianwei, like the Great General, was loyal to the ruler and the court, and that she would obediently give up her military power and return if a decree was issued?

To be fair, it was one thing for the Emperor and the officials to think that at first, but the problem was that Li Jianwei had already caused the previous envoy who came with an imperial decree to disappear! Sometimes Shu Heng really wanted to pry open those people’s heads to see if there was a brain or a ball of mush inside. How could they be so foolish?

…

Li Jianwei was in a good mood after receiving a large amount of grain and silver. She wasn’t even angry when she heard that the King of Cheng wanted her to go to his residence for a meeting the next day. She just sent him away with the excuse that the front line was in a tense situation. For his part in getting so much grain, Li Jianwei was willing to tolerate the King of Cheng’s petty moods.

“The King of Cheng is very favored by His Majesty. If he can’t return in time, the court might be displeased,” Li’s mother said with some worry.

“Mother, you don’t need to worry. What if the court is displeased? As long as I say that the border war is tense, they’ll have to send more provisions,” Li Jianwei said, sitting next to her mother and soothing her with a gentle tone.

“This is an act for the greater good,” Li’s mother subconsciously explained.

“So I’m also acting for the greater good. I didn’t let the Xiongnu enter the pass, and I’m guarding the border,” Li Jianwei said, her tone filled with a hint of disdain. “Mother, there’s no need to take the court’s attitude so seriously. Father and Brother were so loyal. It’s not an exaggeration to say they shed their bl00d for the Emperor and the court.”

“But what did the Emperor do? He ordered Father to return to the capital to report, and in just a few days, he used such despicable means to force them to their deaths! He even tried to harm you and my sister.”

“What is the point of being loyal to such an Emperor? What’s the point of caring about the attitude of a court that can’t even tolerate a general who is loyal to the ruler and the country?”

Li’s mother sighed. “But if not for the late Emperor’s promotion, your father might still be just a minor general. And after His Majesty ascended the throne, he made an exception and appointed you as a general.”

Li’s mother wasn’t ignorant of these truths, but she had been educated since she was a child that if a ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must die. Furthermore, Li’s mother had lived under the Emperor’s feet for more than twenty years. To prevent her husband and daughter from being watched with suspicion, she had long ingrained submissiveness and obedience into her bones. This was not something that could be changed in a short time.

Li Jianwei didn’t continue the topic. She understood her mother’s thoughts and didn’t deny the late Emperor’s promotion of her father, or the Emperor’s appreciation of her when he was younger. But the past was the past, and now was now. The current Emperor was no longer the wise ruler with whom she and her father could have a good relationship. He had become a senile ruler who was starting grand construction projects, disregarding the lives of the people, and only caring about his own enjoyment. A wise ruler was worthy of loyalty; a foolish ruler should be overthrown.

“Mother, has our sister made up her mind? Does she want to pursue a literary or a martial path?” Li Jianwei changed the subject. “If she wants to pursue a literary path, why don’t you let Shu Heng teach her? If she wants to pursue a martial path, you can choose someone from my personal guards to be her master.”

“That girl Wanwan is a bit greedy. She wants to do both,” Li’s mother said, her expression changing, showing a hint of helplessness and indulgence. “You can see if she can try both. If she can’t handle it later, let her choose one to focus on.”

“Of course. If Wanwan is willing, she can practice martial arts in the morning and study in the afternoon. Shu Heng will be living in the side courtyard. I’ll have her come over every day in the afternoon to teach her,” Li Jianwei readily agreed, not seeing any problem with this at all. As her sister, how could wanting to do both be considered greedy? This was clearly a sign of ambition!

“Is Shu Heng willing? If I remember correctly, he’s the top scholar from the imperial examination and seems to be quite favored by His Majesty,” Li’s mother said with some worry.

Li Jianwei smiled. “Mother, don’t worry about that. It’s Shu Heng’s honor to be the teacher of my only sister. He won’t refuse.”

…

Shu Heng didn’t refuse and was even relieved because of it. Li Jianwei’s willingness to let her teach her thirteen-year-old sister meant that she wouldn’t make a move on her anytime soon, and she didn’t have to worry about suddenly disappearing. However, teaching was teaching, and Shu Heng still remembered her identity. The next day, she wrote a memorial and had someone send it back to the capital.

Before the memorial could even leave the Northern Frontier, it landed in Li Jianwei’s hands, along with a memorial handwritten by the King of Cheng. Shu Heng’s memorial was standard. It truthfully stated the difficulties of purchasing grain and also described the battles between the Xiongnu and the border army. Only at the end did she mention that she was ashamed to leave the Northern Frontier due to the insufficient provisions, using this subtle way to ask the Emperor for more grain.

“This Little Minister Shu is a smart person. He knows that to have the memorial sent out, it must pass through me,” Li Jianwei said, closing the memorial, a hint of appreciation in her eyes. “Shu Heng is not from a noble family and has no deep connections with other officials. As long as the General appeals to his emotions, she will definitely be able to bring him into her fold.” A personal guard suggested. “General, should I send someone to secretly bring Shu Heng’s family to the Northern Frontier?”

“Have someone inquire. If there’s an opportunity, bring them over,” Li Jianwei did not refuse. She opened the memorial written by the King of Cheng and read it.

Hmm? He didn’t say anything bad about her? Could the King of Cheng have guessed that the memorial would fall into her hands? Or was his advisor smart enough? Compared to Shu Heng’s subtle approach, the King of Cheng’s tone was much more righteous in demanding grain. He even exaggerated the battle situation between the border army and the Xiongnu, claiming that the border army fought to the death to stop the Xiongnu and that if the provisions were insufficient in the future, it could lead to a mutiny, causing the Xiongnu to enter the pass.

Although there was a suspicion of belittling her combat ability, Li Jianwei chose to turn a blind eye to it, thinking that it would effectively increase the chances of getting more provisions.

“Have it sent to the capital as fast as possible. Also, strengthen the protection of His Highness the King of Cheng. Absolutely do not let anyone with ill intentions get close to him,” Li Jianwei emphasized the word “protection.”

The personal guard understood perfectly. “Yes, this subordinate will go and do it immediately.”

…

After starting her teaching duties, Shu Heng received almost no news from the outside world. Her only source of information was Li Wan. When she learned that fifty thousand Xiongnu had surrounded a major fortress, Shu Heng couldn’t help but ask more questions. “Isn’t General Li sending troops to support them?”

“I don’t know that either. I haven’t even finished reading the Records of the Grand Historian and the Spring and Autumn Annals. My sister usually doesn’t talk to me about this,” Li Wan said.

Shu Heng changed the subject. “Has General Li been at the residence these past few days?”

Li Wan blinked, and remembering her sister’s instructions, she truthfully said, “Sister was here the day before yesterday, but she didn’t come back yesterday. I don’t know if she’ll come back today.”

“Little Minister Shu, are we still studying the Records of the Grand Historian today?”

“Yes. Read it three times first, and then come to me if you don’t understand anything,” Shu Heng replied, beginning to deduce the situation on the front line in her mind.

The Northern Frontier’s defense against the Xiongnu was basically composed of one main city and eight major fortresses. Shu Heng was currently in the main city, which was the final line of defense. The eight fortresses protecting the main city were evenly distributed around it. Each fortress was heavily guarded and had its own fortifications and official roads.

Logically, this kind of defense was not afraid of being besieged. As soon as reinforcements arrived, they could easily sandwich the Xiongnu. So why was there news of a fortress being besieged? Did the Xiongnu mobilize their entire army and also block the reinforcements?

Shu Heng was half right. The Xiongnu did mobilize their entire army, trying to block the reinforcing troops, seize the fortress in one fell swoop, and then march straight to the main city. But what the Xiongnu didn’t know was that it was a long-planned trap. The news they had received from their spies was fake. The reinforcing army was not just ten thousand people; it was a full thirty thousand.

Originally, five thousand cavalry could easily defeat ten thousand infantry. But when the enemy became five thousand cavalry and twenty-five thousand infantry, the Xiongnu’s formation was the one that was scattered. Not to mention the archers among the infantry. Before the cavalry could even get close, they were taken out by three rounds of volley fire.

The reinforcing army was divided into two routes, and the Xiongnu’s interception team was also divided into two, each with a massive five thousand cavalry. The Xiongnu’s original plan was to send cavalry to block the reinforcements from both sides, then change into their clothes and put on a realistic show with the soldiers besieging the fortress, tricking the border army into opening the city gates, and finally seizing the fortress with minimal casualties.

But after the Xiongnu cavalry were surrounded and annihilated, it was the border army that put on a realistic show. When the Xiongnu saw their companions riding towards them, they thought there was a problem with the plan. It was not until the cavalry approached and they saw Li Jianwei’s face, filled with fierce murderous intent, that the Xiongnu general realized he had been tricked.

To catch the leader, you must first catch the king. Li Jianwei wielded her spear and charged straight at the Xiongnu general. The personal guards who charged with her were responsible for taking care of the enemies on both sides, allowing their General to have a one-on-one fight with the other party.

The Xiongnu general also had some skill and did not show any fear as he faced the charging Li Jianwei. In just a few breaths, he took out his saber and charged towards Li Jianwei as well. When their weapons clashed, the Xiongnu general felt a tingling in his hand and almost lost his grip on his saber. Before he could recover, the glinting tip of the spear was already aimed at his throat, forcing him to lean back to avoid the fatal blow.

As expected of a general with natural divine strength, Li Jianwei is indeed as difficult to deal with as the rumors say! The Xiongnu general exclaimed in his heart, not daring to underestimate her in the slightest. He used all his strength in every move, veins popping out on his forehead, and kept shouting to encourage himself.

To be fair, the Xiongnu general’s combat power was not weak. He could even fight the Han general, who was good at charging, to a draw. But it was a pity that he did not meet the Han general today, nor did he meet the slightly weaker General Zhang. He met the flawless Li Jianwei.

On the fifteenth clash, the Xiongnu general could no longer hold his weapon. His saber was almost knocked out of his hand. By the time the Xiongnu general had a firm grip on his weapon again, Li Jianwei’s spear tip had already unreasonably pierced his chest armor, creating a hole in his heart.

With their leader dead, the Xiongnu’s ranks became even more chaotic. Some wanted to run, and some wanted to fight to the death. The scene was extremely chaotic.

Li Jianwei’s goal for this battle was to cripple the Xiongnu, so she showed no mercy. She charged with her cavalry again and again, harvesting the lives of the Xiongnu soldiers who were still holding weapons. Only those who dropped their weapons, took off their armor, raised their hands, and knelt on the ground were lucky enough to be spared.

Sixty thousand reinforcements and twenty thousand soldiers in the fortress, a total of eighty thousand border troops, fought against fifty thousand Xiongnu. The border army’s casualty rate was much lower than the Xiongnu’s, but the final death toll still exceeded three thousand. Including the wounded soldiers, the number was close to ten thousand.

“General, there are still a few small groups of Xiongnu fleeing north. Do you need this subordinate to lead people to pursue them?” the commander asked. She and her sisters had almost gone mad from killing.

“Don’t pursue a cornered enemy. Prioritize treating the wounded soldiers.” Li Jianwei wanted to wipe the bl00d from her eyelids, but when she reached out, she realized there was even more bl00d on her hand. Li Jianwei gave up wiping her face. “Arrange for people to check the battlefield. As long as there’s still a breath of life, do your best to save them.”

“General, should we bring back the living Xiongnu as captives?” the commander asked.

“Just give them a quick death. I won’t use the expensive medicinal herbs I purchased on the enemy,” Li Jianwei answered without hesitation. Unless the Xiongnu were not defeated but came to surrender with their entire tribe, Li Jianwei would not consider helping those people.

“Yes!” the commander replied crisply. She had already planned to slit their throats anyway, and now she could do it with even more confidence.

…

Shu Heng did not see Li Jianwei at the General’s residence for half a month, until it snowed in the Northern Frontier. Only then did she see Li Jianwei, wearing black armor, dismount from her horse and stride towards Li Wan.

“Sister, you’re finally back!” Li Wan gave her sister a huge hug and then found herself being lifted. The two sisters were born to the same parents, but Li Wan, who grew up in the capital, was a full head shorter than Li Jianwei, only reaching her chest. Even when compared to thirteen-year-old Li Jianwei, she was about two inches shorter.

“Is everything alright at the residence?” Li Jianwei put her sister down and tried her best to show a gentle smile.

“Mother and I are both well. I can already use a bow on a horse! And I’ve finished learning the Records of the Grand Historian with Minister Shu!” Li Wan said proudly, puffing out her chest and looking up at her sister with adoration.

“That’s great. Is there anything you want?” Li Jianwei caressed her sister’s fluffy head.

“Hmm, Sister, can you have a set of armor custom-made for me? I want to spar with the soldiers in the barracks,” Li Wan said, looking up at her sister with a gaze full of admiration.

“Okay. I’ll have the best craftsman custom-make it for you,” Li Jianwei said with a smile. “Practice your riding and archery well, and I’ll take you winter hunting.”

Li Wan: “Yay! I’ll practice hard!”

After哄完 her sister, Li Jianwei’s gaze shifted to Shu Heng. Since moving into the General’s residence, Shu Heng had not worn an official robe. She was mostly wearing a blue robe like the one today, only with a slightly different embroidery pattern. From a distance, she looked no different from a bamboo, tall and slender, giving off a feeling of unyielding integrity.

The smile on Li Jianwei’s face became more polite. “Little Minister Shu, it’s been a while. Why do you still look so frail? In a little while, I’m afraid Wanwan will be able to easily carry you.”

Shu Heng didn’t know how to respond and could only maintain a smile. “Congratulations on your triumphant return, General.”

“Oh? How do you know I won the battle?” Li Jianwei raised an eyebrow.

Shu Heng was neither humble nor arrogant. “This subordinate occasionally goes out for a walk and can hear the people cheering for the defeat of the Xiongnu.”

“Oh. Have the court’s provisions been transported over?” Li Jianwei asked.

Shu Heng cupped her hands. “The snow in the Northern Frontier is severe in winter, and the grain prices in various prefectures have risen. The remaining provisions will probably have to wait until spring to be transported. I hope the General can be understanding.”

“If I’m understanding, who will be understanding of the hungry soldiers?” Li Jianwei retorted. “Not to mention that this battle resulted in over ten thousand casualties, and the post-war pensions also require a lot of grain and silver.”

Shu Heng’s heart tightened upon hearing this. “Are the soldiers’ casualties that severe?”

Li Jianwei nodded, not feeling guilty at all. A minor injury was still an injury, and it could, of course, be counted in the casualties. “The Xiongnu have always been fierce. Otherwise, the Northern Frontier wouldn’t need a large army stationed here year-round.”

“It’s normal for a battle to have casualties like this. The soldiers are using their lives to protect the border, so that the officials a thousand miles away can sleep peacefully in the capital.”

“I only hope that those officials who indulge in pleasure and luxury are willing to spare a little silver from their fingers and are not even willing to provide pensions for the soldiers.”

Shu Heng pursed her lips. She really wanted to retort that such a situation would never happen, but after remembering the latest news she had heard, she couldn’t say a single word. The soldiers in the Northern Frontier were shedding bl00d and making sacrifices, but the Emperor in the capital was preparing to build a new palace just so he could better enjoy the snow in winter.

Shu Heng: “This subordinate will write a memorial to His Majesty. If His Majesty knows that the General has defeated the Xiongnu, he will surely allocate funds to reward the soldiers and issue pensions to their families.”

Li Jianwei sneered. “What if your Emperor is not willing to give the soldiers any silver? What can you do then?”

Shu Heng was speechless. There was a chance that such a situation would occur. After all, the Xiongnu had been repelled, and…

“What does the General think this subordinate can do?” Shu Heng asked, lowering her eyes.

“If your Emperor can’t do it, then I’ll just keep you as compensation,” Li Jianwei said, casually dropping a bombshell on Shu Heng. “Your family’s steward will probably arrive in the Northern Frontier in a few days. At that time, she can live here with you.”