The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife

Special Thanks to these patrons for their support!

S T E L L A R C L O U D

[Galetron]

O R A N G E S T A R

[Alma S.] [Antonny C.] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]

[Leeyue] [Lily J.] [Suong D.] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Anasi G.] [Marjoree M.] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Anne C.] [Nevy] [Roxanne C.]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Debra W] [Smurfinbatik]

C E L E S T I A L C O N Q U E R O R

[Ava C.] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Manon] [Oushna] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes] [Woon Li Ying]

Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)

Inside the infirmary camp of Quyang City, Gu Jiao had just finished distributing anti-inflammatory and jinchuang medicines to the medical officers.

From the previous battles, it was clear that the demand for these two types of medicinal supplies was enormous.

A considerable portion of the supply came from the little medicine chest, and before their departure, the Imperial Advisor’s Hall had generously sent over a large amount of homemade pills and ointments.

Moreover, along the way, Gu Jiao had also gathered many herbs from the wild.

The thirty medical officers in the infirmary camp were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground. Though they weren’t directly engaged in combat, they had always been stationed just behind the front lines.

With a constant stream of wounded soldiers being brought in, they had endured a grueling and exhausting day and night, no different from the cavalry.

Some of the medical officers simply couldn’t hold on any longer and collapsed asleep on the ground. Others had dozed off while slumped over their desks.

Those still barely managing to stay awake, with heavy dark circles under their eyes, continued changing bandages, performing checkups, and conducting surgeries for the wounded.

“Go into the city and summon a few more physicians.” Gu Jiao instructed Advisor Hu as she stepped out of the infirmary camp.

Advisor Hu acknowledged her with a simple, “Yes.”

The military camp was a place where efficiency reigned supreme. Matters that might drag on for ten days or half a month at a local government office could be handled in the blink of an eye here.

Orders were to be obeyed, and action was to be taken without delay.

That very night, Advisor Hu went into the city and managed to gather over thirty physicians. Additionally, a new candidate for the position of City Lord had also been found.

His name was Qian Wang. He had previously served as the local prefect and was considered a relatively upright man, though not a close affiliate of the Nangong Family.

Because of that, he had never been highly regarded.

The Nangong Family had left him behind when they abandoned the city.

For the time being, Gu Jiao appointed him as the new City Lord of Quyang City.

Around the hour of Haishi (9 -11 pm), Mu Qingchen returned to camp, utterly drained.

He had initially assumed that not having to kill anyone would make the day an easy one. However, dealing with a group of common townsfolk, mostly women, children, and the elderly, turned out to be just as mentally taxing.

His throat was burning from all the talking.

Leaning against a large tree at the camp’s entrance, Gu Jiao crossed her arms and looked at him, “Not bad, Manager Mu. Same assignment tomorrow.”

“What... What manager?” Mu Qingchen rasped, his voice hoarse.

I mean, neighborhood manager. Gu Jiao silently added in her mind, a glint of amusement in her eyes as she looked at him. “Never mind, go rest.”

That look in your eyes always spells trouble.

But Mu Qingchen was truly too tired to care what scheme Gu Jiao was brewing.

Covered in dust and dirt, he returned to his tent and fell asleep the very instant his head hit the pillow.

For the past two days, Gu Jiao had not issued any new orders, merely allowing the soldiers to rest and recover from their injuries.

On the second night, she summoned the six commanding officers and Mu Qingchen into her tent to discuss strategies for confronting the enemy.

At the center of the tent stood a table with a sand table laid atop it. Small wooden markers, representing troops and cities, were placed upon it.

Gu Jiao pointed to a mountain pass at the border between the two states, “This is Yanmen Pass. Originally, we had a military camp stationed here, complete with fortifications. But in order to ease the invasion of the State of Liang’s forces, the Nangong Family removed the checkpoints, and all the defensive structures were destroyed. This place is no longer defensible. That’s why Quyang City has now become the first barrier against the State of Liang’s army. No matter what, we must hold Quyang.”

Everyone agreed with the young commander’s assessment.

Cheng Fugui had his arm slung up in a makeshift bandage, his neck wrapped with gauze. He gritted his teeth and cursed, “Those bastards from the Nangong Family were born without assholes! Traitors! Collaborating with the enemy like that! If I ever catch them again, I’ll cut them down on the spot!”

Li Jin, the calmest among them, studied the sand table for a moment before speaking. “They’ll arrive at Yanmen Pass tomorrow, correct?”

“That’s right.” Gu Jiao replied. “But like us, they’ve traveled a long distance. Their forces will be fatigued and won’t launch a siege immediately. At the very least, they’ll need a day of rest. That gives us our window.”

Li Jin asked, “So Commander intends to...?”

Gu Jiao said, “We cannot just sit here and wait for death. In the best-case scenario, Chang Wei will be willing to cooperate with us and lead the tens of thousands of captives in the city to fight alongside us. In the worst-case scenario, the city gates open to battle, and fires break out within.”

Cheng Fugui frowned. “Won’t Chang Wei betray us?”

Li Jin said calmly, “We cannot rule out the possibility.”

Cheng Fugui immediately responded, “Then why not just kill him now?”

Everyone turned to look at Gu Jiao.

They, too, felt that Chang Wei was a significant threat, and perhaps it was best to eliminate him to prevent future disaster.

Gu Jiao’s expression turned serious. “If it really comes to that point, if we have to mobilize the entire army for battle, then before we march, I’ll make sure he’s dead.”

Hearing this, everyone was reassured.

Everyone present had witnessed firsthand how ruthless and decisive the young commander could be on the battlefield.

The young commander would never go back on his word, nor would he let mercy cloud his judgment.

Li Jin spoke again, “Commander, you just said we cannot sit and wait for death. Does that mean you already have a plan in mind?”

Gu Jiao replied calmly, “The imperial army won’t arrive for another ten days or so. In the meantime, we must do everything in our power to delay the State of Liang’s offensive.”

The Left Commanding Officer of the Reserve Battalion, Zhang Shiyong, slapped his thigh in excitement and exclaimed, “I’ve got it! We burn their rations!”

His counterpart, Right Commanding Officer Zhou Ren, shot him a glare and snapped, “Is that all you ever think about? Burning rations? Who’s going to do it, you?”

Zhang Shiyong puffed out his chest and declared proudly, “If it comes down to me, then I’ll go! You’re all on the front lines fighting while I’ve been stuck in the rear guarding prisoners; I’ve been itching for a good battle for ages!”

Gu Jiao picked up a small wooden token and planted it on the northern side of the model representing Quyang City.

She said, “This is Xincheng, a recently built town that surrendered voluntarily to the Nangong Family. After they abandoned Quyang, it’s likely they retreated to this place. Xincheng doesn’t have a strong garrison, and if the State of Liang’s provisions are burned, they’ll definitely move to loot the grain stores there. Whether the Nangong Family offers the supplies willingly or under coercion, one thing is for sure; they won’t sacrifice their own military rations.”

Li Jin’s expression darkened with realization. “They’ll exploit the common people and strip them of everything they have!”

Gu Jiao nodded solemnly.

Zhang Shiyong finally caught on as well. He scratched his head and said, “So… we can’t burn their provisions just yet. But if not that, how are we going to delay their attack?”

Gu Jiao’s gaze fell upon the sand table. “We sabotage their siege weapons.”

The State of Liang’s battering rams were formidable, and their siege ladders were both fast and fierce.

However, if those essential equipment were destroyed, what would they use to breach our walls? Knives? Their bare hands?

Of course, they could try borrowing equipment from the Nangong Family in Xincheng, or rebuild new ones from scratch. But the former would lack strength, and the latter would consume too much time.

Either way, their plans to storm the city would suffer.

Cheng Fugui was amazed. “Brilliant! I’ve only ever heard of burning rations. This is the first time I’ve heard of wrecking siege weapons.”

After all, siege weapons were notoriously difficult to destroy.

They were slow to burn, tough to chop through, and it was easy to alert the enemy before any real damage was done.

But now, they had a secret weapon perfect for sabotage: the snow silkworm thread.

It was sharp, silent, and deadly.

Raz P.'s Thoughts

To read advance GSPW chapters! Updates 7x a week (daily).

You can read up to 45 advance chapters in our patreon so you should go check it out. ^^

No patreon but want to support us? Then,

OR if you can't support us in money, you can always support us emotionally -just hope into . Hehehe~

--------------------------------------------

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW PROJECT:

Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…