Chapter 1279: A Place Where the Heart Finds Peace Is My Home

Yanzhou was He Chunhua’s territory. Untouched by the ravages of war for the past two years, it was one of Yan State’s few prosperous regions. More importantly, He Chunhua enjoyed the deep affection of both the common people and his generals there. Public awareness campaigns had also been very effective—both military and civilians clearly understood that resisting Dong Haoming’s large army meant defending their homes and property.

Therefore, just as difficult as it had been for the Yan State army to attack Wuzhou in previous years, so too was Dong Haoming’s current assault on Yanzhou. He Chunhua’s fortresses were strong, his arrows plentiful, and his army proved unexpectedly tenacious, a stark contrast to the sluggish and sickly imperial forces. Dong Haoming had managed to capture two cities with great effort, only to have them swiftly retaken before they could even consolidate their gains. The conflict was locked in a stalemate.

He Chunhua had made early preparations, securing grain supplies and implementing a scorched-earth policy. Dong Haoming’s army had advanced south past the autumn harvest season, leaving the villages barren. Unless they could capture cities and plunder supplies, all provisions would have to be transported from the north.

The letter also contained front-line battle reports, which Li Qingge had sent someone to collect. The descriptions of several battles were remarkably detailed; He Lingchuan wondered how she had managed to obtain such information.

He Lingchuan read through it carefully, sighing, “He Chunhua made almost no mistakes in these battles; he fought wonderfully.” He was well aware of the quality of the soldiers under his nominal father. Although two years had passed and He Chunhua must have diligently trained his troops, their standard was likely still somewhat inferior to Dong Haoming’s. However, in terms of timing, geographical advantage, and popular support—especially the latter two—He Chunhua held a complete advantage.

The Soul-Absorbing Mirror also finished reading the letter’s contents and immediately asked, “Which side do you think will win?”

“If this extended match continues,” He Lingchuan mused, “the scales of victory will tip toward He Chunhua. And I have a premonition that there will be even more unforeseen changes later.”

The mirror in his arms asked curiously, "What do you mean by that?"

“The Yan King,” He Lingchuan said slowly. “If this matter continues to unfold as He Chunhua anticipates, the Yan King will be a crucial element.” He Chunhua had meticulously planned for so long; how could he permit any missteps? He Lingchuan boldly asserted, “I think the Yan King won’t live much longer.”

Once the Yan King dies, the situation is bound to become even more convoluted.

“I hope He Chunhua and Dong Haoming decide the victor soon,” He Lingchuan sighed. “Better a swift end than prolonged suffering.” Only if this war concludes swiftly can the people of Yan State have even a glimmer of hope for peace.

The letter also mentioned that Mrs. Ying had returned to Yanzhou with her husband and was doing well. Although Yan State was engulfed in war, Mrs. Ying’s life remained content and happy. He Yue was working at the Governor-General’s office and had not gone to the front lines, likely handling supervision, logistics, and strategic planning.

The nation’s very foundations were trembling, and within this peril lay unforeseen variables. In contrast, everything on He Lingchuan’s own Yangshan Islands remained normal, which was truly commendable.

Lingguang opened another intelligence report:

The conflict between Beijia and Mou State was still ongoing. A general from Shanyu State, a vassal monster nation participating in the war, had been surrounded on the front lines and died of severe wounds. Shanyu State was enraged and threatened multi-front retaliation, causing the front-line situation to become tense.

Influenced by the war, Mou State had also increased its imports of grain and medicine. Bailie and Qing State supplying grain to Mou State had become a regular practice over the past two years. Mou State, of course, presented this as “purchases,” but the acquisition price was far below market value. These two nations were effectively forced to make minor sales while providing significant donations, and their own citizens were now openly expressing their anger.

However, this tactic would not work for Yangshan. The Yangshan Islands were not a dependency of Mou State; if Mou State wanted grain from there, it had to pay market price. Considering his relationship with Lingshan, He Lingchuan could offer Mou State a ten percent “friendship discount.” That was a ten percent discount, and no lower.

It was said that there was considerable discontent within Mou State, as the Yangshan Islands had become one of its prime grain-producing regions. Grain from Yangshan was typically transported to Mou State by sea, with landing points often close to the front lines. This route was relatively safe outside of hurricane season and eliminated the significant costs of overland transport, which involved feeding both people and horses. It was economical, practical, and efficient.

However, the Yangshan Chamber of Commerce had begun operations in the Shanjin Plains, which required allocating a portion of its grain supplies to support the Seven-Route Allied Army, including the Situ family. This meant they could not increase their supply to Mou State. Furthermore, normal trade between the Yangshan Islands and Ya State was still ongoing, though the supply of some key commodities had been interrupted.

Voices within the Mou State royal court suggested that pressure should be exerted on the Yangshan Islands. Dissenting voices always existed within any nation, and He Lingchuan did not pay them much heed. Given the unique geographical position of the Yangshan Islands, both Mou State and Beijia sought to win them over. Before the conflict between these two states escalated further, He Lingchuan still had considerable room for maneuver. At this point, the necessity of his past insistence on independence became clear.

The sky was a pristine blue.

He Lingchuan walked through Shumin Academy, where rows of courtyard walls were adorned with firecracker flowers, creating cascades of orange blossoms. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers, purchased at a high price from a city florist, but compared to the relentless blossoming machines on the walls, they were far less spectacular or romantic. Bright sunlight, ancient brick walls, vibrant flowers, fluttering bees and butterflies, and the joyful laughter of children filled the air. Despite the lively atmosphere, a deep sense of peace settled in He Lingchuan’s heart. This vibrancy, this lively energy, was something he and the Great Wind Army were willing to protect with all their might, without a single regret.

However, new faces were gradually becoming more common within the academy, and they were all adults. Just as he passed through an archway, he saw Sun Fuling approaching, accompanied by another person walking beside her. It was a man.

Today, Ms. Sun wore a goose-yellow blouse and a vermilion silk skirt, with two Hypericum blossoms adorning her cloud-like hair. She looked radiant, fresh, and playful. As she passed beneath the firecracker flowers, her bright eyes and white teeth made her seem like a flower deity. The man appeared to be in his early twenties, with long brows and bright, spirited eyes. Dressed in brocade, he would have easily been mistaken for a refined gentleman of the earthly realm. They walked and talked, both smiling.

In a blink, Sun Fuling spotted He Lingchuan, and her beautiful eyes immediately sparkled. "Why are you here?" she asked.

She quickened her pace to greet He Lingchuan, who immediately extended the flowers to her. "Teacher, are you free? Would you honor me with your company for a meal?"

The fresh flowers still held dew drops. Sun Fuling accepted them, inhaled their scent, and then chuckled, "I thought the Grand Commander would be staying a few more days at Ximo Ridge."

"I have to return this evening," He Lingchuan said truthfully. "The training ground has been under repair since morning, so it's unusable."

"Your training ground is broken again?"

"Broken again."

Just then, the handsome man approached. Sun Fuling immediately introduced them: "This is Mr. Xin Yi from Hanyuan Manor; and this is General Huyi of Panlong City."

Xin Yi immediately bowed with a smile. "General He, I've long heard of your reputation!"

"Oh, surnamed Xin?" He Lingchuan's manners were equally impeccable. "Mr. Xin, a pleasure to meet you!"

After Panlong City captured the Xiji region and opened the Longchuan trade route, it began to establish broad contact with external powers. Hanyuan Manor was an Eastern Daoist sect, and He Lingchuan knew it was one of Lingshan's forces in the human world!