Chapter 52: Planning

“I’m sorry…”
These three words held no weight, yet Jiang Ningxue suddenly burst into tears, her face wet with sorrow as she leaned against Liu Yu’s shoulder.
Seeing her gaze, Liu Yu understood—she knew everything. He tried to hide the truth, but she knew it all; she seemed to understand every detail about him. He couldn’t deceive her, yet she pretended nothing was wrong.
Heartbroken, Jiang Ningxue wanted to leave a mark on Liu Yu, so she opened her mouth wide and tried to bite his shoulder. But as soon as her teeth touched his skin, her nose softened, and tears uncontrollably flooded her delicate face—her teeth never made contact.
“I’m sorry… It’s my fault. I…”
Liu Yu didn’t know how to comfort Jiang Ningxue in his arms. The only person he lacked the courage to face was this woman who was like a mother, sister, and wife to him.
“It’s Luo Yanqiu’s fault. She told me everything,” Jiang Ningxue said, her face submerged in tears, her eyes red from crying. “My A Yu is the best man in the world.”
As soon as she said this, her tears flowed again. Liu Yu held her tightly, pleading, “Please don’t cry. When you cry, my heart gets chaotic. It’s all my fault. I…”
Jiang Ningxue, with a misty expression, raised her head and said, “Give me pen and paper…”
“What for?” Liu Yu felt uneasy but still handed her the paper and pen. “Ningxue, I was wrong. I’m the worst idiot in the world.”
Jiang Ningxue, with tears streaming down, said, “Give it to me.”
She began writing gently. As she wrote, she felt sorrowful. Liu Yu held her tightly, afraid she might collapse, his eyes fixed on the words she was writing.
“Liu Yu is a big bad guy…”
Seeing these words, Liu Yu nearly collapsed—he knew he was wrong.
Jiang Ningxue continued writing: “Jiang Ningxue will always listen to the big bad guy…”
Seeing these words, Liu Yu couldn’t hold back his tears. He kissed Jiang Ningxue’s lips fiercely.
Jiang Ningxue sobbed as well, hugging Liu Yu. They kissed passionately, pouring all their feelings into that embrace, exchanging sweetness.
After a long while, they parted. Jiang Ningxue wiped her swollen eyes. “A Yu, you’re not a big bad guy. You’re just a little bad boy…”
Her beautiful handwriting remained on the table:
“Liu Yu is a big bad guy.”
“Jiang Ningxue will always listen to the big bad guy.”
Liu Yu’s eyes moistened again. He picked up the pen and added, “Liu Yu will always treat Jiang Ningxue the best.”
This time, Jiang Ningxue bit his shoulder hard, though not very firmly. “Big bad guy, little bad boy!”
“Ningxue…”
“Say something nice.”
“Liu Yu will always treat Jiang Ningxue the best.”
“That’s not enough. It should be, ‘Little bad boy will always love Jiang Ningxue the most.’”
“Liu Yu will always love Jiang Ningxue the most, forever and ever.”
Though it was still early after the rain, the ice had begun to melt. These childhood friends whispered sweet nothings to each other.
Liu Yu would remember his vow.
Heyang.

The city still reeked of the smoke from the great battle, with corpses everywhere inside and outside. Yet the flags hanging on the city walls had been replaced by the prominent Seven-Star Black Flag. After holding out for several days, the thousand-plus men led by Qin Sidi finally could no longer resist the overwhelming assault of the Black Flag Army and fled northward, only to encounter rapid-fire attacks and suffer heavy casualties.

“I’m back!” Huang Shouzhong waved the large flag vigorously. “Thank you, brothers, for helping me reclaim Heyang.”

He was undoubtedly the most excited about regaining their base. He thanked them one by one, “Thank you! Thank you!”

Heyang was the base of the Front Camp. This time, the Front Camp was ordered to suppress Li Yangcai, only for Qin Sidi to take advantage of the situation and seize their stronghold, prompting the entire Black Flag Army to launch a counterattack on Heyang.

In this battle, the Front Camp naturally fought hardest to regain their base, with all units also fighting bravely. Huang Shouzhong thanked them one by one, “Old Yang, this one’s for you—let me treat you to a drink! The Left Camp did an excellent job, um…”

His gaze shifted to Liu Suiyun. “From now on, there’s no need for words— matters related to the Xiliu Camp are our Front Camp’s affairs. We’re family now.”

If there was anyone who stood out the most in this battle, it was undoubtedly Liu Suiyun and the Xiliu Camp behind him.

After seven days of fierce fighting, Liu Suiyun’s unit killed or wounded nearly a hundred enemy soldiers. They were always victorious in attacks and unbreakable in defense, yet suffered no casualties themselves. The notion that the Xiliu Camp relied solely on superior firepower to dominate was completely shattered. Even Huang Shouzhong privately admitted, “Faced with the Xiliu Camp using the same weapons, our Front Camp is no match.”

Their combat formations, shooting skills, camp setup, reconnaissance—every aspect was outstanding. Even the command abilities of their officers were strong. On the last day when Qin Sidi led his troops in retreat, Liu Suiyun took charge dynamically, not only maximizing their firepower but also intercepting large groups of fleeing enemies.

The Xiliu Camp’s use of firepower, maintenance of weapons, and understanding of new tactics were beyond even the Black Flag Army, who were still in the front-loading era. Even Jing Shiyi, who came with Liu Suiyun, was greatly surprised.

He no longer knew how many Remington rifle cartridges he had reloaded for the Black Flag Army. As long as shells were delivered, he worked day and night to reload them, maintaining a very high standard, and at a speed beyond the Black Flag Army’s imagination.

They simply couldn’t believe that someone in this world could reload bullets by hand at such speed.

Yet Liu Suiyun also admired the Black Flag Army greatly. Through joint operations, their strengths became evident. The Xiliu Camp was full of vitality and vigor, with a deeper understanding of rear-loading firepower. Meanwhile, the Black Flag Army’s strength lay in their experience—these soldiers were veterans who had survived countless battles. From their actions, Liu Suiyun could see experience forged in blood. He carefully recorded his observations in a notebook.

Moreover, he was willing to build good relationships with other unit leaders. “Commander Huang, you’re too polite. The Xiliu Camp and the Front Camp are family. Just speak up if you need anything.”

Over the past year, he has grown more than in any previous year, even becoming much more mature in his interactions with others. “We’ll return to Shanxi only after wiping out the remaining bandits.”
“Great!” Huang Shouzhong was a straightforward man. “We’ll invite Captain Deng then and have a good meal together.”
He knew that Liu Suiyun was still essentially a child and couldn’t stand alcohol. “I’ll personally slaughter some fat cattle for you all.”
Yang Zhenen and Wu Fengdian beside him both laughed, while Liu Chengliang said, “Jin Ju’s kitchen is something ordinary people can’t even taste!”
Just then, Liu Yongfu’s laughter came from over there. “This battle was truly exhilarating! This is how we should fight.”
It indeed was an exhilarating battle. Though it lasted four full days, since Liu Suiyun could always deliver the decisive blow at critical moments, the battle resulted in great achievements with few casualties and many captures. Liu Yongfu said loudly, “I guess Fengdian and the others are already anxious waiting for you to get them foreign guns.”
Liu Chengliang, his adopted son following behind, also said, “Suiyun, don’t forget about our rear camp.”
Liu Suiyun bowed with folded arms. “Of course, I won’t forget the loyalty of the commander and all my brothers.”
Liu Yongfu patted Liu Suiyun’s shoulder, his eyes filled with admiration. “By the way, I should let you know that when you return to Shanxi this time, you probably won’t stay long. I’ll need to borrow you from the Liu family again.”
“What’s the matter?”
Liu Yongfu simply found a rock to sit on. “It’s not a big deal, but I still need your help. Governor Huang gave a strict order—Ye Chenglin is causing trouble in the Ten Provinces, and we Black Flag Army are to suppress him.”
Liu Suiyun had nothing to say on this, but Huang Shouzhong spoke up. “Ye Chenglin has been in the Ten Provinces for almost ten years now. We’re from the same hometown—there’s no need to be too hard on him. A simple gesture will suffice; there’s no need to take it seriously.”
His intention was clear—he didn’t want to deploy troops from the Xiliu Camp, which guarded Shanxi’s entrance. Besides, Ye Chenglin was also their fellow native from Guangxi and a former member of the Black Flag Army, with some connections to the army’s commanders back then.
The Ten Provinces he controlled were the most remote area in Bắc Kỳ. For example, if France launched an attack from Hanoi, the first to be hit would be Shanxi under the Xiliu Camp. Further ahead lay the provinces of Tuyên Quang and Hưng Hóa, while the Black Flag Army’s base, Bảo Thắng, would be the French army’s final target—yet those Ten Provinces were west of Bảo Thắng.
Liu Yongfu said, “It’s just in case. I believe no major war will break out, but having such a force with us would be like adding wings to a tiger.”
Liu Suiyun’s troops, in this battle at Heyang, indeed served as a reserve force. If the battle stalled, it would be their turn to shine. Those defending forces, accustomed to using front-loading firearms, had never seen infantry with such advanced weapons. They would almost collapse as soon as battle started, after which the Black Flag Army’s infantry could launch attacks, ensuring invincibility.
Thinking of this, Wu Fengdian also agreed with Liu Yongfu’s view. “After all, Ye Chenglin has been fighting for years—we’d better be cautious.”

This army led by Liu Chenglin was said to number a thousand men, but unlike the thousand-plus warriors guarding Heyang, it actually had many dependents, with only about three hundred truly combat-ready soldiers. If the Black Flag Army launched an attack with its current strength and received support from thousands of Vietnamese troops in the ten provinces, plus the troops under Liu Suiyun from Xiliu Camp, it would be virtually invincible—able to crush the enemy even with eyes closed. Meanwhile, Liu Yongfu waved his hand, signaling everyone to come closer. Seeing this, his bodyguards quickly dispersed the crowd: “These lords have matters to discuss; please step back.” Among these middle-aged men, Liu Suiyun stood out due to his age and position, and since he represented Xiliu Camp, the most formidable force in the Black Flag Army, everyone naturally included him in the group. The atmosphere grew tense, and Liu Yongfu emphasized once again, “This campaign to take the ten provinces must be foolproof.” Everyone knew he had more to say: “The ten provinces are remote, surrounded by mountains, but their isolation gives us an advantage. I must secure a fallback path for our Black Flag Army…” His words carried a tone of regret, but the commanders understood his meaning—he was planning strategies for the army. Currently, the Black Flag Army controlled a Red River route from Baosheng (Laojie) to Hanoi, which was their only source of income besides the salaries provided by the Vietnamese government. They could collect fifty thousand taels of silver in taxes annually, and the control of this route was crucial to the army’s success or failure. Yet, the Black Flag Army’s control over the Red River made them targets of the French, who saw them as enemies ever since the army executed An Ye. The French wanted to drive them away from the river at all costs. With the pro-French faction in Vietnam working hand in hand with the French, and Governor Fan Fushu leading the opposition, the Black Flag Army was under constant pressure, facing numerous petitions each year demanding they be moved to Baosheng. Baosheng was vital to the army’s survival, and they could not afford to retreat, but the pressure was overwhelming, leaving Liu Yongfu struggling to cope. Last year, Li Yangcai incited chaos in Vietnam, and by bringing in the powerful Black Flag Army, Liu Yongfu was able to ease some of the pressure. He resolved to find another fallback path for the army. “Once we take the ten provinces, we can develop them properly—making them another Baosheng,” he said to inspire his troops. “This time, let’s give it our all to conquer the ten provinces.” “I’m willing to share honor and disgrace with our commander.” After everyone left, only Liu Yongfu and Liu Chengliang remained. Liu Yongfu then said, “By the way, spread the news of the Yellow Flag Army and Li Yangcai’s defeat in Shanxi to boost morale among the troops.” “Sure!” Liu Chengliang, Liu Yongfu’s adopted son, along with Wu Fengdian, were among his most trusted subordinates. “We’ve held back this news for six days—it’s the perfect time to boost the soldiers’ morale! But…” He suddenly lowered his voice. “Should the Left Camp return to Shanxi this time? If we send them back there, it’s like sending sheep into the tiger’s den.” Liu Yongfu smiled proudly. “How could the Left Camp leave during this campaign to take the ten provinces? I’m not so senile as to hand over our army’s most capable troops to our enemies.”

Liu Chengliang’s voice dropped even lower, “Foster father, you promised to send the Left Camp back to Shanxi. What if Ya Lou rebels again…?”
Liu Yongfu already had a plan: “Ya Lou’s defense area is in Shanxi Province. Since the Xiliu Camp has agreed to cover the Left Camp’s military expenses, it should take on this responsibility as well.”
“Foster father, that’s a brilliant move!” Liu Chengliang realized, “So do we still need to deploy Liu Suiyun’s platoon?”
“That’s right! But after all, they belong to the Xiliu Camp system, different from the Left Camp. So let them return to Shanxi to restock supplies before heading out to fight in the Ten Prefectures… And since Liu Suiyun is young, he’s easy to manipulate. Plus, their commanders are also young, making them perfect for fighting on our behalf.”
Liu Chengliang understood. Since Liu Suiyun had joined the Black Flag Army, he had to pay a price.
Wu Fengdian’s Left Camp’s defense area was originally in Shanxi Province. It was Huang Shouzhong of the Front Camp who arbitrarily gave this area to the Xiliu Camp. But now that the Xiliu Camp had taken over the area, it naturally had to cover the Left Camp’s military expenses. Recovering Heyang this time was to restore Huang Shouzhong’s territory, and Liu Yongfu could take on that responsibility temporarily.
But going forward, the Xiliu Camp would have to bear the heavy burden of funding the Left Camp’s expenses. Yet Liu Yongfu would never easily allow the Left Camp to restore its original structure, let alone release such a useful force as Liu Suiyun’s platoon.
Liu Chengliang also grasped the logic: “Foster father, this move is truly brilliant. I think after fighting against the Black Flag Army, the Xiliu Camp will surely recruit more soldiers. But with one camp and one platoon outside, I estimate they can only gather another hundred or so men.”
“That’s right! If the Xiliu Camp has more than six hundred men, then father and son won’t be able to survive.” Liu Yongfu said seriously, “The governor used this trick on me; naturally, I can use it on others too.”
Huang Zuoyan was truly the strongest man in Northern Vietnam. He neither allowed the Black Flag Army to gain strength nor let them starve. Hungry men work hardest. Thinking of this, Liu Yongfu sighed, “But… the Left Camp and Liu Suiyun will eventually have to return to Shanxi.”
“What?” Liu Chengliang was shocked. “When?”
Liu Yongfu sighed deeply, “When the French send troops to Northern Vietnam and raise an army along the Red River…”
“It won’t be long. We need to prepare a backup plan before that happens…”
…
Shanxi City.
When Liu Suiyun led his infantry platoon back to the old camp, they were given a warm welcome.
Right after the welcome, Liu Suiyun immediately handed over his organized notes to Liu Yu, “Ah Yu, these are the gains from this expedition to Heyang.”
Now, every officer in the Xiliu Camp had developed the habit of taking notes. Even rough men like Zhang Biao and Sima Tai could now keep basic notes every day.
People like Liu Suiyun and Jing Shiyi had become standard technical officers. The notes they submitted this time totaled five or six thousand words—more tricks than even the Black Flag Army itself had expected.
Liu Yu flipped through a few pages and felt much better, “Good! Make a copy and give it to Ning Xue.”

After going through this turmoil, these childhood friends who were inseparable became even closer. Jiang Ningxue’s status rose further, as she was now in charge of handling important battle documents. “By the way, have Ningxue find someone to make a copy of the notes from the Red River Outpost battle for you.”

Liu Yu continued reading. These were notes compiled after discussion, written in pencil: “Sit down, brother. What’s your opinion on the Black Flag Army after this trip to Heyang?”

He knew that some things couldn’t be put into words and had to be passed down orally.

Liu Suiyun simply said, “I can take their place.”

“You can already read The Records of the Grand Historian? Impressive.” Liu Yu lowered his voice. “What do you mean?”

“Ayu, the Black Flag Army is indeed the best military force in Northern Qi. If we let them handle everything behind the lines, our Xiliu Camp will have no chance. But such a powerful force must be utilized.”

He also sighed. “Some people are truly short-sighted.”

“What do you mean?”

Liu Yu knew that Liu Suiyun’s views didn’t represent just him alone but were likely the unified opinion of the camp’s officers. “Explain in detail!”

Liu Suiyun then described Liu Yongfu’s plan to conquer ten provinces as a backup strategy: “I’ve investigated those ten provinces. Though they are far away, retreating there would only lead to death. The population there is sparse, the mountain roads are difficult to navigate, and the people are poor. There’s a shortage of food, labor, and funds—absolutely a death trap.”

Liu Yu had also read about the situation in those ten provinces, but not as thoroughly as Liu Suiyun had. “If we can’t even defend Baosheng, talking about retreating to those provinces is pointless. By then, the French will just block a few key routes, and the Black Flag Army will be trapped inside no matter what they try.”

“Hmm,” Liu Yu said appreciatively. “Is that all?”

“Of course not! As the saying goes, one must be pushed to the brink to thrive. With the French pressing hard, if he doesn’t make a desperate last stand, thinking only of backup plans will only demoralize our troops before the battle even starts.”

Liu Suiyun’s analysis was indeed incisive. “As the saying goes, those who are desperate will surely succeed. Since he’s short-sighted, I can easily take his place.”