Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1550: Chapter 485: The Five Towns Panic, Alliance Withdrawal Begins, Tan Rou’s Satisfaction

Who wants to reverse the current decline? Beishuo and Jin Mountain, among others.

The problem is, if we don’t solve the issue of the sixty thousand Xia Army, all discussions are in vain.

Thinking of this, Qin Feng looked at the people behind Shangguan Yang and Yang Fa.

Five people sat behind each of them, all draped in black robes with their heads lowered. Though their faces were indistinct, Qin Feng knew their backgrounds well.

“It’s useless, if the Feudal Town could send a large army south to support us, it wouldn’t have dragged on till now. Great Xia has already established Dingding South Slope…”

“Brother Qin!”

Just as Qin Feng felt despair welling up and couldn’t help lamenting the situation at Southern Slope, Yang Fa, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke.

“Could I trouble Brother Qin to excuse those present?”

Hearing Yang Fa’s request, Qin Feng frowned, turning to look at the numerous maids on the sides of the hall and the dozens of subordinates at the door. He first showed a hint of displeasure but then thought of something and coughed lightly.

All the high-ranking officials of Wuchuan and the maids in the hall promptly withdrew.

“Brother Yang, these past two years, my Wuchuan has indeed been infiltrated by the Great Xia, but not to this degree. Whatever it is, speak directly!”

If even my close aides were turned against me, what would come of it?

Yang Fa’s cautious action made Qin Feng somewhat uncomfortable, and his tone inevitably became more somber.

“Better safe than sorry, I hope Brother Qin understands.”

Yang Fa first apologized to Qin Feng, then took a slight breath, turning to look at the five robed figures behind him.

“Brother Qin, long time no see!”

Among the hooded figures behind him, the leader suddenly spoke, then stood up directly.

Upon hearing that voice, Qin Feng’s expression froze for a moment, then realizations dawned on him as he stared intensely at the person.

That person raised his head, slowly removed the hood, revealing a middle-aged face with a resemblance seven-tenths like Yang Fa but slightly younger.

The person had two sword-like brows threading into his temples, a sharp and angular face, and eyes brimming with fierce brilliance. The entire face exuded a domineering and aggressive aura, even appearing assertive when making eye contact.

“Yang…”

As Qin Feng looked on, he seemed to realize something, his face showing surprise as he suddenly stood up from his chair. However, as he was about to speak a word, he was interrupted by a wave of the other’s hand.

“Brother Qin, the sixty thousand Xia Army are not to be feared, rest assured! This Lord has a way to make Xia Hong obediently withdraw these sixty thousand troops. You only need to answer whether you are willing to withdraw from the Nine Towns Alliance with us two towns?”

At this moment, Qin Feng’s expression showed signs of wavering, but there was still an internal struggle, as he tightly clenched his fists under his sleeves, unable to speak.

The hooded person below, noticing this, revealed a hint of disdain in their eyes, and then continued: “Brother Qin, my third brother has already told me everything about Xia Hong’s strength. Even with his exceptional talent, within just four years, it’s impossible for him to be my match, and let me tell you, Yang didn’t only bring back…”

“Brother Yang’s strength, of course, I don’t doubt it!”

At this point, Qin Feng proactively interrupted the person below, then after a slight pause, continued to ask: “I just want to know, Brother Yang just said you have a way to make Xia Hong obediently withdraw the sixty thousand troops, what exactly is the method? And how certain are you of succeeding?”

The hooded person below furrowed their brows slightly, apparently not fond of being interrupted. But hearing Qin Feng’s question, they still patiently replied: “Xia Hong and Li Xuanling only have one son and one daughter, Brother Qin is aware of this, right?”

Upon hearing this, Qin Feng immediately guessed what Beishuo intended, first showing a hint of astonishment, then after pondering with his head down for a moment, his eyes instantly lit up.

Indeed, this method could really work to make Xia Hong withdraw his troops!

But the only question is, how to capture them?

“Xia Hong’s son and daughter, I also know, Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng, but it’s rumored they seldom leave Xia City, Brother Yang, are you confident?”

“Rest assured, Yang has arranged everything, barring any unforeseen events, there should be results by the end of this month!”

Today is the twentieth of December, results by the end of the month?

Seeing the confident expression on Yang Zhun’s face below, realizing that Beishuo had been planning this for a long time, Qin Feng was suddenly invigorated, his expression lightening as he cupped his hands slightly and said: “In that case, my Wuchuan shall naturally follow Brother Yang’s lead!”

“Good!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhun’s face instantly broke into a smile.

“There is no time to delay; we can draft the letter of withdrawal today!”

……

The twelfth year of Da Xia, December 25th, night

“All of you slow down while eating, like you’ve been released from a starving prison. No one’s stealing from you, what’s the rush?”

In the Inner City, in a mansion slightly towards the outskirts, it was mealtime. The lady of the house, Tan Rou, holding her two-year-old daughter Han Yu, sat at the round table in the main hall, watching her two sons, Han Ming and Han Rui, gobble down food opposite, and couldn’t help but scold them.

Though scolding, as a mother, seeing her sons eat heartily, the satisfied smile in her eyes couldn’t be concealed.

Han Ming was over nine years old, Han Rui over eight, both sons were not old, but they were tall and sturdy. The black summer clothes tailored for the two brothers at the beginning of the year seemed to have shrunk again.

Coincidentally, with the year-end approaching and the Cold Yuan Festival at hand, she had already ordered new clothes for the three siblings at the garment shop run by the Craftsmen Department.

Recalling four years ago when her husband Han Feng brought the family to Great Xia, she actually threw a tantrum on the way, wanting to return to Guyan Village, Tan Rou felt a mix of absurdity and fear.

Endless brocade and silk to wear, abundant fruits and beast meat to eat, soft couches with incense and fine salted wine… By no means an exaggeration, if she hadn’t come to the Great Xia, she really couldn’t imagine living such a wealthy and beautiful life.

Take the simplest thing, she never thought she could breakthrough to Cold Resistance Level before turning thirty. In Gutang Village, reaching Cold Resistance Level at her age could even be considered a genius.

Especially at the beginning of this year, her husband Han Feng, who had been staying at Jinshan Town, achieved some great merit, and was conferred the title of Ninth-Rank Xuanling Marquis. Tan Rou also rose with the tide and was granted a ninth-rank robe, with even two maids and five attendants in the household.

Their family now lived not in the residence that Han Yue provided, but in a new Han Mansion within the expanded Inner City, for which her husband Han Feng had invested a huge sum after being granted his noble title.

Because her husband, Han Feng, was at Jinshan Town and seldom returned, the process from purchasing the land to building the mansion was managed entirely by Tan Rou. Thinking about the 150,000 contribution value spent on purchasing land in the Inner City made Tan Rou feel pained.

According to the rules of Great Xia, a Ninth-Rank Viscount can build a 200-square-meter mansion in the city, with the entitlement to two maids and five attendants. These are just qualifications; the Camp Supply Department won’t hand them over for free.

Land, houses, including maids and attendants, these all cost money.

The first two are bearable, but the latter two, maids, and attendants, these require ongoing expenses. Currently, there is no slave system in Great Xia. The Camp Supply Department did introduce a new indenture rule this year, but the regular indenture prices are exorbitant, unaffordable for ordinary families, and what normal family would sell themselves without reason? Therefore, these maids and attendants are all paid a monthly wage.

“Having been conferred Ninth-Rank Viscount, one must adhere to the corresponding ceremonial standards and rules. Necessary expenses must be spent. Don’t save on my account; your husband still has some skills. Supporting you four is not much of a problem!”

Recalling her husband’s words in his letter, Tan Rou’s face was full of smiles, profoundly satisfied with their current life.

About now, the only slight regret would be that her husband could only come home twice a year.

“It’s the end of the year, the Cold Yuan Festival is just around the corner, he should be back soon too!”

Thinking of reuniting with her husband soon, Tan Rou’s melancholy was instantly dispelled. Seeing her two sons had finished eating, she smiled and asked, “Your aunt sent a message today, saying the Second Prince will go to Milk Tiger Forest in a few days and wants you to join.”

The two brothers, Han Ming and Han Rui, upon hearing this, immediately lifted their heads, faces full of excitement.