Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 215 The Talented Woman of Jiangnan

After establishing a foothold at Feihu Pass, Xingqi's army did not rush to launch a strong attack on the fortified main camp at Caishiji. Instead, following Chen Xing's established strategy, they spread out like an octopus, with Feihu Pass as the core, steadily expanding their controlled area, clearing out scattered camps in the surrounding area, and establishing solid supply channels and in-depth defenses.

The force responsible for sweeping southwards and opening up roads to the inland was a detachment of 5,000 men led by Han Meng, a fierce general of the Imperial Guard. Han Meng lived up to his name, being brave in battle and also impatient. After receiving the order, he immediately led his troops away from Feihu Pass and advanced rapidly along an official road leading to the important southern town of Danyang.

Along the way, all that could be seen was the devastation of war. Most villages were deserted; the people had long since fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving behind only looted houses and belongings they hadn't had time to take. Occasionally, small groups of routed Southern Dynasty soldiers or local ruffians taking advantage of the chaos could be encountered, but before the Xingqi Army's might, they all crumbled at the mere sight of them, either surrendering or fleeing. Han Meng strictly enforced military orders, sparing those who surrendered and not harming the people in the slightest, only quickly seizing control of key transportation routes and locations where supplies might be stockpiled.

That afternoon, the troops arrived at a small town in Jiangnan called Qingxi Town. The town was small but quite exquisite, with white walls and black tiles, small bridges and flowing water, a typical prosperous water town. However, at this moment, the town was in chaos and noise. Cries, shouts, and the sound of clashing weapons could be heard from afar, and black smoke was rising from several places.

Han Meng frowned and reined in his horse: "Scouts from the vanguard, go and investigate immediately!"

A moment later, a scout rode up and reported: "General! There are several hundred defeated soldiers in the town, seemingly from Caishiji, looting! The townspeople are scattering and fleeing; those who resisted have been killed. The leader of the defeated soldiers appears to have occupied the largest house in town and is moving valuables!"

"Looting by routed soldiers?" A hint of disgust and anger flashed in Han Meng's eyes. "Send the order! The First Battalion will follow me into the town to quell the rebellion, disperse the routed soldiers, and rescue the civilians! The rest of the units, seal off the town's exits and do not let a single one escape!"

"Yes, sir!"

Han Meng led the charge, sending over a thousand elite infantrymen swiftly into the town. The streets were a scene of utter chaos, littered with discarded debris, overturned stalls, and the corpses of townspeople lying in pools of blood. Several groups of fleeing soldiers, who were smashing doors and looting, were terrified at the sight of the massive Xingqi regular army. Most of them let out a scream, dropped their loot, and fled in panic, escaping into the town's outskirts or into the depths of the alleys. The Xingqi soldiers split into small groups to pursue and capture the fleeing soldiers, while the main force headed straight for the large, smoking house in the town center.

The mansion, with its vermilion gates and high walls, was imposing and grand. A plaque bearing the inscription "Lin Mansion" hung above the gate, but it was now askew from the impact, and several corpses dressed as servants lay in front of it. From inside the courtyard came the screams of women, the savage laughter of men, and the sound of shattering porcelain.

Han Meng didn't answer. He kicked open the half-closed vermilion gate, brandished his sword, and shouted, "The Xingqi Royal Army is here! Those who kneel will be spared!"

Inside the courtyard, dozens of disheveled, armor-bent defeated soldiers surrounded a group of trembling servants and maids. Several leaders attempted to rush towards a woman who was being desperately protected by several strong servants. The woman was about twenty years old, dressed in an elegant moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the hem stained with dust and a few drops of blood. Her hair was slightly disheveled, a jade hairpin jutting out precariously. Although her face showed fear, she did not weep like the other women. Instead, she tightly pursed her lips, one hand protecting a younger girl behind her, while the other hand gripped a small paper cutter—a conspicuous object that seemed out of place with her demeanor—a weapon she had found somewhere. Her eyes were clear and cold, carrying a stubborn despair.

Han Meng's sudden intrusion silenced the courtyard instantly. The routed soldiers turned around in astonishment and their faces turned ashen when they saw the large contingent of Star Qi soldiers in black armor pouring in through the gate.

"It's...it's the Northern Army!"

"Run!"

Someone shouted, and the fleeing soldiers erupted into chaos. Some tried to scale the wall, others tried to rush to the back door, and the more astute ones immediately dropped their weapons, knelt down, and kowtowed: "Sir, spare our lives! Sir, spare our lives! We surrender!"

Han Meng ignored the routed soldiers, letting his men disarm and bind them. His gaze fell on the striking white-clad woman standing with a knife in her hand. In such a chaotic and dangerous situation, it was rare to see such composure from a seemingly frail woman.

"Young lady, you've been frightened. I am Han Meng, a general of the Xingqi Empire's Imperial Guard. I was ordered to sweep away the defeated soldiers and pacify the area. The defeated soldiers have been subdued, so you can rest assured." Han Meng sheathed his sword, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible.

Upon hearing this, the woman in white relaxed her tense shoulders slightly, but she did not put down the paper cutter in her hand. Her clear gaze quickly swept over Han Meng and the well-disciplined soldiers behind him, and then looked at the fleeing soldiers who had been quickly subdued. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes—a sense of relief at surviving a disaster, a wariness of an unfamiliar army, and a deep-seated scrutiny.

She gently pushed the girl behind her toward the approaching old woman, then stepped forward and gave Han Meng a graceful bow. Her movements were elegant, displaying the unique gentleness of a woman from Jiangnan. Although her voice trembled slightly with nervousness, it remained clear and moving: "I am Lin Wan'er, and I thank the general for saving my life. Your army is disciplined and does not commit any offenses. You have saved my family from danger, and I am deeply grateful."

Lin Wan'er? Han Meng felt the name sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place it. He waved his hand, "Miss Lin, there's no need for such formality. This is our duty. The area is in chaos; you should pack up quickly and take your family to a safe place."

Lin Wan'er shook her head, her gaze fixed on the still somewhat chaotic streets outside the door and the faint smoke of battle visible in the distance. She said softly, "General, where can one find peace when the army marches forth? Qingxi Town, though small, is still a corner of Jiangnan. I have observed that your military tactics are swift and your army well-disciplined, far surpassing ordinary raiding forces. I wonder if your journey south is merely to punish the routed soldiers, or..." She paused, her voice even softer, yet tinged with a hint of probing, "...to pacify Jiangnan?"

Han Meng was taken aback, not expecting a sheltered young woman, fresh out of danger, to ask such a sensitive question. His expression turned slightly serious: "This is a matter of great importance to the military and the nation; young lady need not ask further."

Lin Wan'er seemed unsurprised, instead nodding slightly: "It was my rudeness. However... I have studied with my father since childhood and have some knowledge of history, and I also know the principles of rise and fall. Jiangnan has been peaceful for a long time, but the people are complacent and the military is idle. Suddenly, a great change has occurred, and the people are filled with fear. If the general can use the might of the royal army, coupled with a policy of pacifying the people, then Jiangnan can be pacified and the people can be at peace." As she spoke, she took out a brocade pouch with a little dust from her sleeve and presented it with both hands, "This is a rough map of the mountains and rivers of the nearby prefectures and counties that I drew in my spare time, and I also added some notes on the names and customs of the local gentry and noble families. It may be of some use to the general in pacifying the people and surveying the land. I offer it as a small way to repay the general's life-saving grace."

Han Meng was startled again. He took the brocade pouch, pulled out a roll of plain silk, and unfolded it. Sure enough, it was a finely hand-drawn map. The mountains, rivers, villages, and roads were clearly marked, and there were also elegant small-script annotations next to it. It not only listed the surnames and power of certain families, but also included brief analyses of their personalities or stances! For example, "The Zhao family of Danyang, whose patriarch is old-fashioned and conservative, but values ​​his reputation, can be treated with courtesy and pacified," "The Zhou family of Qu'a, who is related to the Xiao family of Jingxiang by marriage, may have a tough attitude," and so on.

This was no ordinary young lady! Han Meng suddenly looked up at the young woman in front of him, who had an elegant demeanor but a calm gaze. A name suddenly flashed through his mind—the Lin family of Jiangnan, a family of scholars for generations, whose ancestors had produced an imperial tutor. Although they did not have any high-ranking officials in the present day, they were highly respected among the literati of Jiangnan. They had a daughter who was said to be exceptionally talented and beautiful, especially skilled in painting and character assessment, and was known as a "female scholar". Could this be the woman in front of him?

"Could you perhaps be... Lin Wan'er, the 'Talented Woman of Qujiang'?" Han Meng's tone couldn't help but carry a hint of respect.

Lin Wan'er lowered her head slightly: "A little bit of empty fame is not worth mentioning. In chaotic times, poetry, calligraphy and painting are just embellishments. If I can do my best to reduce the suffering of the people, then I will not fail the teachings of the sages."

Han Meng took a deep breath, realizing that this woman was extraordinary. Her knowledge and the information she possessed might truly be helpful to the army's southern expedition. He carefully put away the brocade pouch, clasped his hands, and said, "Miss Lin is very virtuous, and I admire her greatly. This place is not a place to stay for long. Please make yourself comfortable, and I need to report the situation here and the map you gave me to my superiors for a decision as soon as possible."

Lin Wan'er curtsied again: "Thank you for your trouble, General. I await news."

Upon leaving the Lin residence, Han Meng immediately dispatched a fast horse to report the situation in Qingxi Town, especially the unexpected rescue of Lin Wan'er and the map she gave him, to the Feihu Pass camp. He also suggested that the woman be escorted to a safe place, as this might be of great use in winning over the hearts and minds of the gentry and common people of Jiangnan.