Winning hearts and minds is a skill that requires much finesse. The timing, the target, and the means of persuasion are all crucial.
However, Li Man'er had no intention of making the first move. Some matters could benefit from seizing the initiative, while others, when delayed appropriately, yielded the best results.
"I don't understand what you mean."
Li Man'er replied, "Third Uncle, rest assured, as long as you follow my plan, the Iron Blood Camp will soon be completely subservient to me, obeying my commands. You must believe I have the capability to make Feng Wuyun regret his actions."
"Are you going now, then?"
"Naturally," Li Man'er said. "But I need to eat something first." Having endured the cold wind all night, even her robust physique was feeling the strain.
Li Nian couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid the barbarians will attack at this moment?"
"They won't," Li Man'er said with great confidence. "They just suffered a loss. If they continue to fight like this, will they dare to fight at night again?"
The hearts of those in command might be as hard as iron, but ordinary soldiers were not always so. Barbarians were people too; they felt pain, they died, and they feared.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
"Agreed."
Li Man'er then called for Liu Ya, asking her and A Si to quickly prepare some food.
"It's already made, ready in the kitchen!"
The two placed hot soup, steamed buns, and pickles on the table, and the uncle and niece began to eat ravenously.
"By the way, how is Qing Yan? Was he frightened?"
Liu Ya replied, "Fourth Young Master is perfectly fine. He ate, he slept, just as usual. He said that Eldest Young Lady told him not to be afraid, so he wasn't scared at all. While everything was chaotic out there, Elder Sun and I couldn't even blink, afraid of any mishap. But Fourth Young Master slept soundly, even snoring."
Li Nian couldn't help but shake his head and smile, yet he also felt his son was remarkable, possessing the demeanor of a great general.
Seeing the pride in Li Nian's eyes, Li Man'er let out a laugh, unable to hold back.
Perhaps that child was simply more carefree, she mused.
After they had eaten their fill, they gave a few more instructions, as usual.
This time, Li Man'er didn't even plan to bring A Si.
"Miss, you should let this servant accompany you. What if..."
"This is Mobei, in the old city, not sneaking into the enemy camp at night. What are you so nervous about?" Li Man'er said. "They wouldn't dare do anything to me yet. At most, their words will be unpleasant. Would they dare kill me to my face? Even if they wanted to, they would need the ability."
That was true.
"You should stay here and accompany Liu Ya and Qing Yan. Although I predict the barbarians won't come, what if they do? One more person to protect Qing Yan means one more hope."
Li Man'er patted her shoulder. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. If we go out to meet the enemy tomorrow, I will naturally have you by my side."
A Si's eyes lit up at this promise.
Li Man'er, accompanied by Li Nian and his five or six personal guards, went to the Iron Blood Camp's encampment east of the city.
The old city of Mobei was already dilapidated. The original divisions of the city had become increasingly blurred. Except for the city gates and walls, which had been repaired over the years and remained somewhat sturdy, most of the houses within the city had collapsed.
The Xiao family had cleared out certain areas within the city for military encampments, and all matters had to be resolved within the city. Therefore, the most critical tasks were to preserve living quarters and training grounds.
Normally, one could still see pedestrians on the streets, but now there wasn't a soul in sight. Layer upon layer of checkpoints were set up, as if to prevent any barbarian spies from infiltrating the city.
When Li Man'er displayed her token and announced her identity, many onlookers cast curious glances at her, having clearly heard about her duel with Feng Wuyun.
She proceeded unhindered to the Iron Blood Camp's grounds.
However, the camp's main gate was blocked by a fence about two meters high, with two rows of guards standing sentry at the entrance. They looked straight ahead, and no matter how Li Nian's men called out, they acted as if they were deaf, paying no attention.
"This is their way of intimidating me," Li Man'er said, stepping forward leisurely and handing over her token. "So, you mean this token is as useless as scrap metal here?"
The guards weren't entirely unresponsive. They exchanged glances, signaling whether or not to let Li Man'er pass.
No reaction meant they didn't want her to enter. It seemed orders had come from above. If she left dejectedly now, countless people would surely laugh at her. She was determined to enter the camp today.
Without a word, Li Man'er drew her long saber and threw it. The saber lodged itself in the fence. With a push of her toes, Li Man'er stepped onto her saber and leaped over the fence.
The long spears held by the two rows of guards were not for show. They immediately pointed their spears at Li Man'er, as if ready to strike her if she dared to move.
Li Nian and the others outside were anxious, unable to push open the fence.
"Let's talk this through, don't resort to force. Don't you recognize her token? Even if you're unconvinced, General Feng has already conceded. Are you rebels?" Li Nian shouted angrily from outside the fence. "General Luo can testify to this! Moreover, she is of the Li surname. No matter how powerful Feng Wuyun is, can he disobey the Marquis's orders?"
Li Nian's words struck a chord. Li Shu was Feng Wuyun's superior. No matter how many men Feng Wuyun or Jia Er brought, they had to obey Li Shu; only Li Shu was the commander.
Once Li Nian spoke, no one dared to make any rash moves. Many torches were lit in the once dim camp, and people emerged from the military tents one after another.
Li Man'er then said, "Open the fence and let my Third Uncle and the others in."
The gatekeepers were reluctant to move, but under Li Man'er's stern gaze, they inexplicably felt their legs tremble, and they scurried to open the fence.
As Li Nian stepped into the camp, he saw four men approaching. These men varied in height, build, and physique, and seemed to hold considerable authority within the camp. They were likely Feng Wuyun's four top generals.
"Eldest Miss Li," the leading man said, walking forward and cupping his fist in greeting. "I am Lu Fang."
This man wasn't particularly tall, Li Man'er estimated him to be around 1.75 meters. He was powerfully built, with piercing tiger-like eyes and large hands, like the "sandpot-sized fists" mentioned in movies.
"What? Because I'm a woman, you don't consider me a general?"
A thin man behind them, clearly disdainful, let out a cold scoff upon hearing her words.
Li Man'er ignored him, meeting Lu Fang's gaze. "A fine show of intimidation! You must have received wind of my arrival but refused to let me into the camp. If I were Li Shu's daughter, your actions would be justified. But I came with a token. General Leng has abdicated, and you know that I am now the commander of the Iron Blood Camp!"