Chapter 176 (Part 1)The empty city stratagem

　　“Misha?! Why isn’t he dead yet?” When Su Mei heard Misha’s name, she began to yell. “This bastard is so lucky. Even like that, he didn’t die! Miss, it is said that cats have nine lives. You say, is he a cat demon?”

　　“Hehe…,” Feng Qi Qi laughed. She carefully folded Feng Cang’s letter and put it in a small wooden box. Inside there were only letters written by Feng Cang. Since the first one, Feng Qi Qi had treasured them. It could be said that this box is now her treasure.

　　Feng Qi Qi didn’t feel surprised at Misha’s reappearance. She grew up with this man. She knew him very well. He’s someone who wouldn’t give up before succeeding. He’s very ambitious. He must obtain the things he wants.

　　It was just, Feng Qi Qi didn’t expect Misha to be so lucky. He could survive even being seriously injured. It seemed that he was coming to Min province for her.

　　“How many people? When would they arrive?”

　　“About five thousand people. We don’t know if they have reinforcement. They would probably arrive at Min province tomorrow. Wangfei, yesterday our people escorted the grains to Liang city. Now, there are only hundred men in the city. Now, Misha is coming aggressively, what should we do?”

　　Although Nalan Xin wanted to remain calm, but he was still very anxious. This time, Misha certainly came for Feng Qi Qi. If something happens to Feng Qi Qi, how would he justify himself in front of Feng Cang?

　　Min province is just a small city. It had a small population. The citizens of the whole city are less than three hundred families and at most thousand people. Even if they allocated the citizens, it would still be a great gap with Misha. If they fight force with force, they simply wouldn’t do.

　　“Miss, why don’t we give up Min province?!” Su Mei and Su Yue knew the current situation of the city. Even if they sent people to look for reinforcement, they may not be able to arrive on time. Feng Qi Qi is pregnant and couldn’t stand being rushed on the road. If by chance that sicko Misha did something to Feng Qi Qi, then, what should they do?

　　“Don’t get anxious. The more anxious you get, the worse the situation would be.”

　　Feng Qi Qi let Su Yue bring the map. After looking at it for a long time, Feng Qi Qi’s frowned eyebrows slowly loosened.

　　“Nalan Xin, let people go ask for help from Liang city. It would take two days to arrive from Liang city. It would be fine if we hold Misha for a day.” Feng Qi Qi whispered some orders in Nalan Xin’s ear. Nalan Xin’s eyes showed surprise. He looked a long while at Feng Qi Qi before he nodded and retreated.

　　“Miss, what did you let Nalan Xin go do?”

　　Su Mei saw that Feng Qi Qi said those last words so secretively, she couldn’t help but ask Feng Qi Qi curiously.

　　“The mysteries of heaven must not be revealed!” Feng Qi Qi did a no gesture with her fingers and stood up. “Let’s go. We should go deploy to welcome this old friend.”

　　Inside the city of Min province, it was still the same as every day. The citizens weren’t afraid or panicked because of their small city being occupied by Bei Zhou. Because of Bei Zhou’s ‘Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention’, they didn’t disturb the citizens. Therefore, the lives of the citizens didn’t change much from before the war. They still lived the same as before.

　　The Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention, a military doctrine issued in 1928 by Mao Zedong for the Red Army, which included a number of injunctions demanding high standards of behavior and respect for civilians during wartime

　　“Miss, just now I verified it. There are only 728 people inside the city, of which only 316 are young adults. Plus, with our soldiers, there are only 416 people who could go to battle.” Su Yue told Feng Qi Qi the result of her investigation. When she got this result, Su Yue was a bit panicked. How could four hundred something people deal with Misha’s five thousand people?

　　“Miss, why don’t we retreat! We still have time. It would be enough! Inside this city lives Dong Lu’s people. They may not be on one mind with us. If by chance the city collided with the outside, it would be a big problem. Besides, even if we left them behind, Dong Lu’s army won’t hurt their own citizens. Miss, it’s better to get out of here!”

　　Feng Qi Qi could understand Su Yue’s concern. After all, now is a special case. From the normal point of view, the best would be if she leaves the city.

　　However, Min province is the hub connection between Bei Zhou and Dong Lu. When the grains of Bei Zhou arrived here, it would be allocated to the front. If Min province is taken over by Misha, they would need to bypass another place to allocate the grains. That would delay a lot of time. If the front doesn’t get food, the military would be unstable and would directly affect the effectiveness of combat of Bei Zhou. So, no matter what, Min province needs to be kept.

　　“Su Yue, you don’t have to be so worried! I’m a pregnant woman and couldn’t stand being scared. If you continue to scare me like this, it would affect the health of the baby in my belly!” Feng Qi Qi smilingly pinched Su Yue’s cheek. “Trust your miss. I already considered this matter. You don’t have to worry!”

　　“Right, ah. Su Yue, what kind of person is our miss?! When Misha comes, we will certainly beat Misha until he’s utterly defeated!” Compared to Su Yue’s nervousness, Su Mei was lot more optimistic. Under the influence of these two people, Su Yue was a lot more relaxed. “Miss, no matter what, I and Su Mei will be at your side!”

　　“Thank you…” Looking at the two people in front of her, Feng Qi Qi smiled gently. “I will be safe. You will also be safe. Don’t worry!”

　　The information was indeed correct. At noon the next day, Misha’s five thousand men approached the city of Min province.

　　In July, the sun shone. The sun burned the ground and accompanied five thousand men, making a yellow dust. After waiting a long time for the five thousand men to settle did the dust settled down.

　　Misha sat in an open carriage and looked at the city of Min province in front of him. His lips were in a tight line and his heart was thrilled. Here is Min province. Yi Lian is here!

　　“Young master, so weird!” Xia Xue’s ‘weird’ pulled Misha’s back from his deep thoughts.

　　“What’s the matter?”

　　“Young master, look!”

　　Going along with Xia Xue’s fingers, Misha saw that the gate of the city of Min province was open. At the entrance, several elders with crooked backs were sweeping the floor. Inside the city, there was no sound. Also, there was no one who came out.

　　“Young master, why are they so calm? Could it be that Feng Qi Qi didn’t receive the news that we were coming? Even if they didn’t get the news, it was such a big movement when we came. Could it be that Feng Qi Qi didn’t notice anything? Or is there a conspiracy inside this?”

　　Xia Xue didn’t finish speaking when a string of sounds came over. On the city gate tower, Feng Qi Qi dressed in snow white sat in front of the zither. Her fingers caressed the strings. Standing beside Feng Qi Qi and blocking her from the sun were Su Mei and Su Yue.

　　“Yi Lian!”

　　Seeing Feng Qi Qi, Misha’s heartbeat accelerated. His eyes had been fixed on Feng Qi Qi on the city gate tower. Before, when he saw Feng Qi Qi, she was dressed like a man. Although, she had magnificent style unmatched to her generation, but she couldn’t be more charming and passionate than when dressed like a woman.

　　He hadn’t seen her just for a few months, but Feng Qi Qi changed greatly. Her whole body exuded the aura of a mature woman, making people couldn’t help but be attracted to her. She didn’t seem to have seen him. She was only immersed in the sound of the zither. The song played Feng Qi Qi played was <>.

　　烟花易冷 (Fade away) literally means Fireworks cools easily is a song by Jay Chou. For the translation of the lyrics click here.

　　This was once his most favorite song. Later, he used it as his mobile ringtone. He didn’t expect that she still remembered! She still remembered! Misha immediately got excited.

　　“Really a beautiful little girl!” At a side, a man riding on a horse commented on Feng Qi Qi’s appearance. “I heard she’s Bei Zhou’s princess Zhen Guo. Don’t know how the taste of a princess in bed will be!”

　　“When we seize Min province, you can try, ah!”

　　“Hahaha!” After hearing the man, the whole group of people laughed. Misha frowned. He waved his sleeve. A plum dart went out and stuck into the man’s throat. The people around him wasn’t able to detect it. The man shouted once and fell straight down. He died on spot.

　　Misha’s action made those men who discussed Feng Qi Qi’s appearance immediately shut up. “Hey, why did you kill him?!” Dong Lu’s great general Tian Zhi Xin saw that Misha killed his subordinate, his face immediately sank.

　　“If anyone disrespects Feng Qi Qi and said those words of just now, don’t blame me for being impolite!”

　　They insulted Yi Lian. This was something Misha couldn’t accept. He treated her like a treasure. These men actually said such words to defile her. Really deserving of death.

　　At this time, the chill coming from Misha’s body made Tian Zhi Xin shudder slightly.

　　Although, they didn’t know Misha for a long time, but Tian Zhi Xin knew the personality of this person that was as good as his words.

　　Misha is someone from Penglai Island. When he left the capital, Jun Lan Xin told Tian Zhi Xin to obey every command of Misha. Therefore, even if he was commanded by a paralyzed Adonis which let them be very unwilling, but they couldn’t not listen to the empress dowager. So, they had tolerated him until now.

　　According to Tian Zhi Xin’s thoughts, he wanted to cut Misha very much and kick his head as a ball.

　　However, this person is Penglai Island’s disciple. Just looking at his act of just now, he knew that Misha’s martial arts were good. Even if they wanted to get rid of Misha, they need to pay a considerable price. Tian Zhi Xin decided to endure it for now and let Misha be proud for a while. When they’ve seized Min province, then, he could look for an opportunity settle this arrogant paralyzed person!

　　Feng Qi Qi played the zither on the city wall tower like nothing was going on. A touch a sadness like an infectious disease spread among the five thousand people under the city’s wall.

　　Seeing that every soldier was immersed in Feng Qi Qi’s music, Tian Zhi Xin shouted badly in his heart. This song was clearly to shake their military spirit.

　　“Sir Misha, when do we attack the city?” Tian Zhi Xin came to Misha’s side.

　　“Attack the city?” Hearing this, Misha laughed.

　　In front of them was obviously an ‘empty city stratagem’. The gate was open. At the entrance, there were only a few old people who swept the floor. Inside the city was quiet. On the city gate tower, Feng Qi Qi played the zither. This was exactly the replica of the empty city stratagem of Zhuge Lian during the Three Kingdoms. “Have you ever faced such situation when attacking a city? Were there people who opened the gate and waited leisurely for you to attack the city?”

　　After Misha said this, Tian Zhi Xin shook his head. “I haven’t seen anything like this! However, didn’t the intelligence we got before told that there were not many Bei Zhou’s soldiers in the city and that there were only a hundred people?”

　　“Where did your information came from? Is it a truthful and reliable news or was it deliberately released by the other party?”

　　This question from Misha made Tian Zhi Xin be confused once again. That’s right, ah! If it was a truthful news, why when meeting them will Feng Qi Qi be so calm and collected? Why didn’t she leave Min province and find a safe place to hide? If the news was false, then the one who released the news must be Feng Qi Qi. Her purpose is to let them take the bait!

　　“Sir Misha, then what should we do now? The more I think of what you said, the more I feel that there is a conspiracy inside this city! We can’t enter!”

　　The more Tian Zhi Xin looked at the Min province in front of him, the more he felt that there was a problem. If he was Feng Qi Qi, he would’ve certainly closed the door, let people guard everywhere and hold on till the reinforcement arrive. However, the other party’s actions were the exactly the opposite. Anybody would suspect that there must be a conspiracy.

　　Seeing Tian Zhi Xin being so cautious, Misha chuckled.

　　Chapter 176 (Part 2) The empty city stratagem

　　Yi Lian, you actually pulled out the empty city stratagem. You obviously knew that I came from the same place as you and I’m very familiar with your “Empty city stratagem”. Today, you really used an empty city stratagem; are you gambling? Gambling if I would be the second Sima Yi?

　　“Sir, what should we do?”

　　The more Tian Zhi Xin thought about it, the more shocked he became. On the way to here, it had been very smooth travelling. They didn’t encounter Bei Zhou’s army. Originally, that was a good thing; but now, after putting this matter in Tian Zhi Xin’s heart, he felt that it was very strange. Could it be that Bei Zhou had long known that they would come to attack secretly? So, they deliberately gave way and facilitated things for them? The purpose was to whip them out here?

　　No wonder they didn’t encounter any obstacles on the way. It was a long journey from Yuchu. Not to mention Bei Zhou’s army, they didn’t even encounter a single soldier of Bei Zhou. Although, along the way, Tian Zhi Xin had selected small roads, but that everything went so smoothly the whole way was very strange.

　　“Advance and stop at twenty meters outside of the city!”

　　Not waiting for Tian Zhi Xin to think the problem through, Misha issued a command.

　　“Sir Misha, don’t go. I’m afraid there’s a conspiracy!”

　　“Is General Tian afraid?”

　　“I’m not afraid. I need to think about these soldiers. If by chance, there’s an ambush in the city of Min province or if Bei Zhou’s army is hiding somewhere else, then wouldn’t we fall into a trap?”

　　“If something happens, I will take responsibility. Advance!”

　　Misha let Xia Xue drive the carriage first and stop twenty meters from the gate. Seeing that Misha insisted on acting like this, Tian Zhi Xin clenched his teeth and issued a command.

　　“Miss, they are coming!” The fan in Su Yue’s hand stopped slightly. Then, she continued to fan Feng Qi Qi.

　　“No need to bother with him. We should continue!” Feng Qi Qi looked calm as if she didn’t see the five thousand men in front of her.

　　Both Misha and her knew about the empty city stratagem. Feng Qi Qi had already considered this. But, because of this knowledge, she did the very opposite. Misha would certainly see that she’d used the empty city stratagem. At this time, Misha was certainly trying to guess her strategy. Knowing that he knew and still use it, the reason behind it was thought-provoking. As Misha expected, Feng Qi Qi was indeed gambling, gambling that Misha wouldn’t dare!

　　The five thousand men were only twenty meters from the gate. Such a distance could let the people see some things inside the city.

　　Looking at the main road, the citizens inside the city didn’t seem to be aware of the happenings outside of the city. The hawkers were still shouting slogans. The people also walked leisurely on the streets. It seemed as if they weren’t panicked or afraid.

　　Seeing this scene, Tian Zhi Xin was even more worried. Inside the city of Min province were Dong Lu’s citizens. Even if they know that outside the city were ‘their own people’, they were too abnormally calm!

　　Besides, they gave them a surprise attack. Bei Zhou’s people, who were stationed at Min province, should be panicked and ready to battle. Why did the citizens inside the city seemed like they weren’t troubled at all by the war? Were these people commoners or were they Bei Zhou’s people in disguise?

　　“General, the situation in this city is not right!” An adjutant whispered in Tian Zhi Xin’s ear. “Should we send people to go look at it?!”

　　“Mm, you go!” Tian Zhi Xin pointed at a soldier to let him go near the city gate and look at the situation.

　　That soldier rode on the horse and went to the city gates. The elders, who were sweeping the floor, raised their heads and only glanced at him once. Then, they lowered their heads and continued to sweep. When he looked inside the city, it seemed as though those commoners didn’t see him. They continued to do what they were doing.

　　When the soldier came back and reported the situation to Tian Zhi Xin, he was certain that there was a ‘problem’ with this Min province. The commoners were certainly not Dong Lu’s people. Bei Zhou’s soldiers must have disguised themselves.

　　“Sir, what do you think we should do now?”

　　Although Tian Zhi Xin was ready to retreat, but this time, they had come out with Misha as the commander. He had to consult Misha.

　　“Let everyone set up the camp! Make a fire and cook!”

　　Misha smiled and looked at Feng Qi Qi, who’s at the city tower gate. Yi Lian, since you want to ‘play a trick’ against me, then let’s consume time and see who would have the last laugh.

　　Misha’s decision made Tian Zhi Xin dumbfounded. Set up the camp? Let them stay here? What did Misha mean by this?

　　“Sir, why don’t we retreat for ten miles?! Setting the camp here; if by chance, the reinforcements of Bei Zhou comes, then being attacked from both the inside and outside would make us very passive!”

　　How could Misha not know Tian Zhi Xin’s thoughts. Had to say, Yi Lian choosing the empty city stratagem was an excellent plan! This Tian Zhi Xin was already like Sima Yi and wanted to retreat because he was scared by Feng Qi Qi’s trick.

　　However, Feng Qi Qi calculated wrongly. She acted in the opposite way, thought that he would be suspicious and didn’t dare to enter the city, but he simply wouldn’t do that. He won’t attack the city but will set the camp here. He would wait for Feng Qi Qi’s true intentions to show and have a great battle with her. After he expose her empty city stratagem, he would like to see what Feng Qi Qi would do!

　　Dong Lu’s people set up camp under the city walls. It seemed like they had the intention to besiege. Misha, you’re indeed not easy to deal with! However, do you think that I would be scared like this and you could win over me?

　　“Miss, what do we do?”

　　“Close the gate. Let’s go back for a lunch break!”

　　Feng Qi Qi stood up lazily and walked down the tower.

　　Without the sound of the zither and now that Feng Qi Qi could no longer be seen, Misha’s heartbeat accelerated. Could it be that Feng Qi Qi would come to seek peace?

　　Misha denied this thought when it appeared. This woman hated him so much and wished to kill him with her own hands, how would she come and seek peace with him?!

　　“Sir, the gate closed!” Tian Zhi Xin pointed at the shut door and shouted. “Sir, what do they mean by this? Should we fight or not fight this battle?”

　　“Let the soldiers rest! What we have is time. Let’s slowly consume it with them!”

　　Hurrying all the way here made the five thousand people be very exhausted. When they heard that they could set up camp and make fires to cook food, the soldiers dismounted the horses and set up tents. Then, they made fires and set up pots to cook food.

　　“General, you say, what do you think sir Misha means by this? Could it be that this city is an empty shelf? It is enough that we just surround them? However, if there are really no Bei Zhou’s soldiers inside the city, then why don’t we attack in a spurt of energy and capture Feng Qi Qi?”

　　“General, I feel that sir Misha is a bit unreliable! Can we trust him? Before, if it wasn’t because Penglai Island’s Duyi instigated His Majesty to send the army, we also wouldn’t have annoyed Bei Zhou and wouldn’t be in the current situation. I heard people say that the emperor was furious in the palace and said that Penglai Island has collaborated with Bei Zhou, wanting to harm our Dong Lu.”

　　The adjutant’s doubts were precisely what puzzled Tian Zhi Xin. He didn’t agree with Misha’s practice. It was just, Misha didn’t make it clear and he also couldn’t guess Misha’s thoughts. As for the rumor the adjutant had talked about, Tian Zhi Xin had also heard about it. Now, thinking about Misha’s attitude towards Feng Qi Qi, it was indeed somewhat suspicious.

　　“Let’s wait! If it’s still like this tomorrow, then we would make the decisions! Right, let people watch over Misha secretly and see if he has any problems. In short, it’s better to be careful.” Thinking about how his subordinate had died inexplicably at Misha’s hand, Tian Zhi Xin spat on the ground. If Misha really had colluded with Bei Zhou and there was a conspiracy, he wouldn’t be gracious towards Misha.

　　Not waiting for Tian Zhi Xin to have a hot meal, the gates of the city of Min province opened. The one who came out was Feng Qi Qi’s Su Yue.

　　Su Yue rode on a horse. One hand held the reins and the other carried a food box. She trotted to Misha.

　　“Our princess knows you are here. She specifically let me send some snacks and refreshing drinks. Asking young master to accept!” Su Yue jumped off the horse and brought the food box to Misha.

　　“Stop!” Not waiting for Su Yue to approach Misha, Xia Xue blocked in front of Su Yue. “Give me the food box!”

　　Xia Xue’s hostility made Su Yue laugh, “Young master, enjoy your meal! Princess said if the two armies face each other, she would certainly drink and chat merrily with young master!”

　　Leaving these words, Su Yue mounted the horse and returned to the city.

　　“General, you see!” The adjutant poked Tian Zhi Xin. Both stared at the food box in Xia Xue’s hand.

　　This food box had four layers. Xia Xue opened it and laid all the things inside it in front of Misha. The first layer had a variety of dim sum. They were small and exquisite. The second layer had cold vegetables. They were refreshing and tasted good. The third layer had peaches and watermelons. The fourth layer had a jar of wine.

　　Misha picked a piece of dim sum and put it in his mouth. “The taste is not bad!”

　　“Young master, be careful!” Xia Xue was too late to stop him. Misha had already swallowed the dim sum.

　　“What, afraid that she would poison me? She wouldn’t!” Misha poured wine, lifted the cup, put it under his nose and smelled the fragrance. “She isn’t the kind of person to play dirty tricks. There would be no problem with these foods.”

　　When Misha’s words fell into Tian Zhi Xin’s ears, it had another meaning.

　　It seemed that Misha and Feng Qi Qi knew each other. Moreover, their relationship was not bad. At this time, Tian Zhi Xin had already defined Misha as a dangerous figure. To Tian Zhi Xin, the most frightening was often not the enemy, but the ‘ghost’ who disguised themselves as a friend at their side.

　　“General, come eat!”

　　Misha waved at Tian Zhi Xin. Tian Zhi Xin laughed and walked over while rubbing between his hands.

　　“Drink wine! This wine is not bad!”

　　“Sir Misha, you know Bei Zhou’s princess Zhen Guo?” After having a cup of wine, Tian Zhi Xin asked his question.

　　“I know her. Not only do I know her, we are very familiar with each other.”

　　Misha’s words made Tian Zhi Xin’s heart made a ‘thump’ sound. Seeing Tian Zhi Xin’s face change, Misha laughed. “What, does General think that I am the secret agent sent by Bei Zhou? Is General doubting me?”

　　“No, I’m not! Sir Misha, you really know how to joke! You’re Penglai’s disciple. How would you be Bei Zhou’s secret agent?! This joke really is not funny at all!”

　　Tian Zhi Xin laughed awkwardly and waved his hand, but in his mind, he was thinking about something else.

　　When Misha mentioned Feng Qi Qi, his gaze was full of strange feelings. It was like he was talking about his lover. This gaze couldn’t fool people. Now, Tian Zhi Xin was certain that Misha had a relation with Feng Qi Qi. Moreover, it was not a relationship of ordinary friends.

　　“Come, eat! Don’t worry, she wouldn’t put poison inside. She doesn’t want me to die yet…”

　　Misha bit on the dim sum, but his mind was thinking about Feng Qi Qi. All the dishes she had sent were the dishes he liked. Out of all the dim sum, he only ate mung bean cake and he liked to eat braised pig ears very much. Now, what was placed in front of him were things he had liked in the past life. Even the taste was the same as that of the past life.

　　Yi Lian, what is your purpose for doing this? Do we still have the possibility to heal? Yi Lian, I know that there aren’t many people inside the city. You are being like this today is just wanting to scare us away. However, you didn’t expect that I would stop here. You sending the dishes I love, is it to beg me to not attack the country and sue for peace with me?

　　Misha was thinking about Feng Qi Qi with his whole heart. He didn’t notice the unpredictability in Tian Zhi Xin’s eyes. Inside the city, when Feng Qi Qi heard that Misa ate the dim sum and even invited Dong Lu’s general to eat with him, she clapped and laughed.

　　“Su Yue, continue to send food boxes at night. All the things I said you should send. He’s smart and knows that I don’t want him to die easily. So, I wouldn’t poison the food and he could eat with confidence. Since he thinks like this, I won’t act like it! Su Mei, remember to add some ingredients in the dishes tonight. Don’t add acute things. I want him to die slowly…”

　　Sure enough, Su Yue once again sent a food box at night. Unlike at the noon, this time Su Yue brought someone. The two people brought three food boxes.

　　“These dishes were made by our princess! Princess said that usually young master likes to eat these things the most. Now, young master must want to eat dishes from the hometown. So, she personally cooked and made these dishes for young master. Please, have a taste, young master!”

　　After putting down the food boxes, Su Yue didn’t stay any longer. When she was about to leave, Su Yue suddenly turned and looked at Misha. “Today is young master’s birthday. Princess asked me to pass a sentence. Wishing young master a happy birthday! May you have today’s glory forever!”

　　After Su Yue left, Xia Xue frowned tightly. Misha’s birthday was the twelfth lunar month. Why did Su Yue say this?

　　Contrary to Xia Xue, after Misha heard Su Yue, he had a feeling that his eyes were brimming with tears. He had already forgotten this birthday of his. She still remembered! In the past, every year during this time, she and adoptive father would blow the candles with him and wish him happy birthday! Now, at this place, he had almost forgotten everything of the past.

　　Looking at the dishes on the table and thinking about what Su Yue had said, that these were personally made by Feng Qi Qi, Misha’s eyes felt warm. Especially when he saw a pastry that looked like a birthday cake with ‘happy birthday’ written on it. One line of tears fell from the corner of Misha’s right eye.

　　Yi Lian, you still remembered! It turns out that you have never forgotten me!

　　When Misha’s expression fell into Tian Zhi Xin’s eyes, it confirmed his thoughts. Misha knew Feng Qi Qi. Between them was definitely a -not to be divulged- secret!