These letters, some found on Qi Li and others in Ti Heye's camp, were irrefutable evidence.
The蕭 family's private seal on the letters was also undeniable.
A general, ashen-faced, stood up and looked at Qi Yihan and Li Man'er, "Generals, what is our next move?"
Li Man'er, not wishing to steal the spotlight, waited for Qi Yihan to make the decision.
"General Li, what do you think?"
Li Man'er was surprised he threw the question back at her. She paused for a moment.
"General Li, what is your opinion?"
Qi Yihan was creating an aura of authority for her.
Li Man'er understood immediately and said, "I believe we cannot go back. I have three points to present, please bear with me."
Everyone listened intently, afraid of missing a single word.
"Firstly, the supplies for the old city have always been transported from the new city. But my friends, our grain is running critically low, and it is said the new city's grain has been blocked by heavy snow. " Li Man'er scoffed, "Do you believe that?"
This was grain, the lives of the soldiers on the front lines. Without grain, the old city would surely fall, and who would bear the blame?
"That seems a bit far-fetched?"
Li Man'er nodded, "Indeed, this point alone is a bit far-fetched. Let us then discuss the evidence we have in hand. You generals are all subordinates of the Xiao family and have followed Old Master Xiao for many years. You must recognize the Xiao family's private seal, must you not?"
The expressions on everyone's faces were grim. They could no longer make excuses for the Xiao family.
"I believe you generals have understood the contents of these letters. The Xiao family has connections with the Man people's various tribes, and Ti Heye is just one of them. If this evidence were presented to the Emperor, I'm sure it would incur his thunderous wrath. If news of our great victory reaches the city, do you think the Xiao family would let us in? They might even label us as traitors!"
The faces of the crowd turned increasingly uneasy. If they were the Xiao family, how would they act? Knowing these people would discover their treason, would they allow them to return and expose them?
"General Li, is there anything else?"
Li Man'er hummed and then said, "There is one more point, and that is the Xiao family's attitude towards the Iron-Clad Marquis."
Mentioning Li Shu, everyone in the room felt awkward. After all, the Northern Desert was like a sieve; who hadn't heard some whispers?
"I presume, before, you all had many reservations about the Marquis coming to the Northern Desert?"
With the conversation reaching this point, the atmosphere became even more awkward.
Qi Yihan remained steady as a rock, leaning back in his chair as if he were an indifferent observer. However, the expressions of the others were fully within his sight, not missing a single detail.
"Each man serves his master, and I understand. You gentlemen need not be embarrassed," Li Man'er was a social butterfly, and such situations were mere trifles to her. As long as she wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment would fall on others.
"That being said, when the Marquis arrived, you all likely felt displeased. You felt this way, and the members of the Xiao family felt it even more so. Therefore, the Marquis was ambushed in the capital, and after arriving in the Northern Desert, he was attacked several times, nearly losing his life. If I were to say that the Xiao family had a hand in this, I doubt any of you would object, would you?"
These were all things they knew in their hearts. Who could object?
"So, what was the Xiao family's motive in plotting against the Marquis like this? They knew the Marquis had no experience fighting the Man people, so they got him drunk and then took away all the replacement troops, leaving only a few hundred elderly and weak soldiers and hundreds of logistical servants..." As she spoke, her gaze swept across everyone's faces, and seeing their unease, she continued, "It's likely the Xiao family thought Li Shu was an incompetent fool and would surely fail to defend against the Man people's attack. They withheld the news of the Man people's invasion, intending to shift the blame for the loss of the city onto the Marquis."
Wasn't that precisely the case? But she had stated it so plainly, how were others supposed to respond?
The hall was silent. The generals, feeling guilty, even lowered their voices while breathing.
Seeing that no one spoke, Li Man'er couldn't help but chuckle, "Of course, this is merely my personal opinion. Based on the three points mentioned above, I believe the Xiao family has long harbored treasonous intentions. His Majesty, being wise, sent the Marquis to oversee the military affairs of the Northern Desert. It is a pity that the Xiao family is cunning and resourceful, and the Marquis... was rather inept and fell into their trap."
Listen to that, their own daughter calling her father incompetent...
Even if it were the truth, did she have to say it so openly? Wasn't she afraid of being called unfilial?
However, it was uncertain if she cared about that! She dared to infiltrate the Man people's camp alone at night, and also took care of several hundred people. Without certainty of the army's support, she dared to cause trouble by herself, personally killing the leaders of the Man tribes.
And what about the accumulated snow? How did she clear it? Was it with those few specially made snow plows?
For a moment, everyone's thoughts were varied, and their displayed emotions differed. Although they were all in the same boat now, they were still subordinates of the Xiao family and were at odds with the Li family. How could they blindly obey her words just because of her speech?
"Things may not have reached this point. Not to mention distant matters, but of the tens of thousands of men we brought out, does the Xiao family not want them? Such a large enterprise, dare they squander it like this."
That was indeed true.
The loud-voiced general, as if he hadn't said enough, immediately added, "Moreover, defeating the Man people's army of a hundred thousand is a monumental achievement. What, the Xiao family doesn't want it?"
Someone, unknown, softly uttered, "I fear the credit will be theirs, and the blame will be yours."
At this, the room fell completely silent.
Everyone knew that the Xiao family was capable of such deeds, especially after the mysterious disappearance of Old General Xiao. The infighting among the Xiao brothers, tripping each other up, had long since eroded the Xiao family's army's former spirit.
"Then what do we do now?"
Li Man'er remained silent, and Qi Yihan feigned ignorance. In the end, with no other options, they had to seek the help of these two influential figures.
"What do you think, General?"
Qi Yihan suggested, "Why don't we send a few men back to scout?"
This was naturally the best course of action.
"One must guard against others. Quietly inquire about the situation in the city, and you will know everything."
The generals listened and nodded in unison, agreeing with the plan.
Before long, a few scouts mounted their horses and left the camp, heading towards the old city of the Northern Desert.
Approaching the city of the Northern Desert, they dismounted and walked, observing from a distance not far from the city.
"It can't be, can it? We really can't go back? If you ask me, it's that woman surnamed Li causing trouble."
"Shut up," said an older scout. "Look at the people on the city wall, are they ours?"