“Come! Seize this man for me!”

Song Song swept both sleeves. The personal guards on either side immediately moved toward Xu Hexue. Seeing this, Qin Jixun raised his hand, and the Qin family army soldiers behind him immediately surrounded Xu Hexue and Ni Su, preventing Song Song’s men from advancing another step.

“Qin Jixun, do you want to rebel against your superiors?”

Shen Tongchuan, who had been silent as a sealed gourd all along, suddenly spoke.

Qin Jixun met Shen Tongchuan’s gaze and said in a deep voice: “This man is my advisor. Today, I will protect him.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Tongchuan raised his eyebrows. “You want to protect him? That means you fully agree with the treasonous words he just spoke?”

He stood up and walked to Song Song’s side. “These past dozen years, garrison commanders everywhere have been unlike you, Qin Jixun. Only you two in Yongzhou, Qin and Wei, can directly mobilize the garrison troops. This was His Majesty’s trust in you both, but you, Qin Jixun, now seem to have betrayed this heavenly grace. Not only have you repeatedly made difficulties for the military supervisor, you’ve even allowed your advisor to slander court officials here. What did his words mean? Weren’t they saying that the military supervisor is a house dog that should be tied with a rope?”

At these words, Song Song’s eyes bulged and his face turned even more iron-blue. Shen Tongchuan hurriedly bowed to Song Song, then continued: “You have fighting spirit and fear no death—you’re all good sons of Great Qi. But have you thought about the big picture? If we reignite the flames of war with Danqiu now, the military expenses during wartime, the war horses needed—what enormous expenditures would these be? The people support the court, the court supports you all. Now the nation is still not stable—if we start another conflict with Danqiu, it will only increase the nation’s burden.”

“His Majesty sent the military supervisor here precisely to calm your momentary impulses. If you damage the nation’s foundation because of a momentary desire for war, you two, Qin and Wei, will be sinners of all Great Qi!”

Shen Tongchuan raised his voice: “Especially you, Qin Jixun. I see you can no longer be allowed to command Yongzhou’s three armies! I request that the military supervisor, for the sake of the big picture, memorialize His Majesty to punish Qin Jixun!”

The soldiers of the Qin and Wei family armies all looked at each other. Wei Dechang even more so suddenly raised his head, looking toward those two on the high platform.

While Xu Hexue stood in the crowd, staring intently at Shen Tongchuan.

“Magistrate Shen, you…”

Shen Tongchuan’s words pleased Song Song greatly, but the final sentence made Song Song’s previously eased expression suddenly stiffen again.

“Young Master Ni.”

Wei Dechang was blocked outside the crowd of Qin family army. He pushed aside someone’s arm, fixing his eyes on Xu Hexue. “I heard every single word you just said very clearly. How do you determine that these sons of my Wei family army didn’t die at Yang Tianzhe’s hands?”

“Yang Tianzhe remains motionless at Mount Ru, which shows he doesn’t yet have the resolve to fight to mutual destruction. He brings along the elderly, weak, women and children, still hoping to return them to their homeland. Your son Wei Zhan led only a hundred men, while Yang Tianzhe has several thousand. If they surrounded and killed them, how could this man escape easily? If Yang Tianzhe deliberately let him return, why didn’t he send a message to you and General Qin?”

Xu Hexue met his gaze. “If Yang Tianzhe knew Wei Zhan was your eldest son, why didn’t he keep him to negotiate terms with you? If he’s just a fool who only knows how to cut off his own path, how could he raise a rebel army of several thousand?”

Wei Dechang fell silent, but locked eyes with Qin Jixun. After a moment, he said loudly: “Military Supervisor Song, I, Wei Dechang, am straightforward by nature and don’t have so many calculations in my heart. These many years without warfare in Yongzhou, I’ve relied entirely on my sworn brother to have such achievements. Yongzhou’s walls are solid because my brother and I are of one heart. I’ve never disobeyed my sworn brother. Today, I’m also willing to temporarily set aside my grief over my son’s death and be of one heart with my sworn brother!”

Wei Dechang actually didn’t know whether he should believe Song Song or that Young Master Ni—he would rather believe his sworn brother Qin Jixun. “If Military Supervisor Song wants to memorialize His Majesty to punish my sworn brother, then punish me, Wei Dechang, as well!”

“The Wei family army cannot lose Commander Wei, nor can we lose General Qin!”

A Wei family army soldier shouted.

For a moment, the two names Qin and Wei were shouted by soldiers until they shook the heavens. Even more Wei family army soldiers came forward to help Qin Jixun’s personal guards force back Song Song’s men.

A mutiny beyond Song Song’s expectations seemed about to arrive. He couldn’t help but retreat two steps, only hearing Shen Tongchuan beside him exclaim “Oh my,” “Military Supervisor Song, they’ve truly rebelled!”

Song Song’s heart shuddered. Yongzhou was different from other places—the military and civilians here relied heavily on the two great Qin and Wei clans, almost deeply rooted. The court couldn’t rashly divide the military authority and popular support here. Having no choice, His Majesty issued an edict allowing the Qin and Wei surnames to jointly guard Yongzhou. Song Song’s previous threat to impeach Qin Jixun was merely verbal intimidation. He couldn’t possibly be foolish enough to actually do so—if Qin Jixun died, Song Song himself wouldn’t be able to leave Yongzhou safely.

“Military Supervisor Song, given the current situation, say something!” Shen Tongchuan signaled him with his eyes. “Say something conciliatory, at least pacify these soldiers. Retreating one step now is good for everyone.”

Song Song had been accustomed to being high and mighty for over a decade. Today he was nearly confronted by these soldiers with blades and spears—his heart also held some fear. After thinking, he raised his voice: “My previous actions were merely to consider the big picture. General Qin has guarded Yongzhou Pass for many years with such achievements—how would I easily memorialize to impeach you? If you weren’t here, who would guard Yongzhou?”

“Indeed, General Qin,”

Shen Tongchuan cleared his throat, softening his tone. A pair of eyes looked past the crowd toward that young master dressed in indigo round-collared robes. “Though what Young Master Ni just said has some logic, Military Supervisor Song is only in Yongzhou’s rear—he hasn’t even met Su Qile. As a court official of Great Qi, how could he privately associate with a Danqiu prince? If General Qin and Commander Wei don’t believe it, we can openly and honestly have the supervisor confront Prince Su Qile face to face!”

Song Song suddenly turned to look at him.

Qin Jixun below also showed surprise on his face.

Shen Tongchuan hurriedly had Song Song walk back a few steps, then lowered his voice to speak with him: “Military Supervisor Song, you must come forward now—there’s no other way. Here, Commander Wei is unwilling to send troops at this time. If Yang Tianzhe’s rebel army comes and kills Prince Su Qile, do you think Danqiu will go to war with Great Qi? The only plan now is for you to go meet Prince Su Qile for peace talks. Only by obtaining the Danqiu prince’s personal promise of peace will Qin and Wei send troops to eliminate Yang Tianzhe…”

Song Song stroked his beard, thinking carefully.

“You are Yongzhou’s military supervisor, the only one here who can represent His Majesty’s sacred intent. Only if you go meet Prince Su Qile can both sides achieve peace.”

Shen Tongchuan continued.

Song Song glanced at him, then turned back. Below, swords were drawn and bows bent. Those two, Qin and Wei, were surrounded by soldiers. Under such circumstances, he finally made his decision: “I, Song Song, am willing to go to Su Qile’s military tent to negotiate with him!”

“Good!”

Qin Jixun immediately said in a clear voice: “Since the military supervisor has this intention, I, Qin Jixun, and my sworn brother Dechang are also willing to retreat one step. If the one who killed Wei Zhan and the others wasn’t Su Qile, we will certainly execute Yang Tianzhe!”

The wind and sand grew heavier, the sunlight scorching people’s clothes hot. Song Song soon left with his personal guards, while Wei Dechang dropped to his knees before Qin Jixun with a “thud.”

“Dechang, what are you doing?” Qin Jixun bent down.

Wei Dechang lowered his head. “I’ve wronged you, sworn brother. We two agreed back then to advance and retreat together…”

“I watched Azhan grow up too. His death pains my heart greatly as well.” Qin Jixun looked at the corpses covered in white cloth. “Dechang, you must trust your sworn brother—I absolutely won’t let Azhan die in vain.”

Wei Dechang’s eyes reddened, nearly brimming with tears.

Qin Jixun had just helped his sworn brother up when, turning around, he saw Shen Tongchuan leading several attendants walking over slowly. He immediately called out: “Magistrate Shen.”

“Does General Qin know what His Majesty fears most about military commanders like you? Yongzhou’s military morale and popular support are all in your hands. This entire regional power is in your grasp.”

These words from Shen Tongchuan were jarring and quite meaningful.

Wei Dechang’s brows knitted tightly. “Magistrate Shen, we brothers absolutely have no rebellious heart!”

“I know,”

Shen Tongchuan smiled with curled lips. “If you truly had rebellious hearts, you wouldn’t have been controlled by others for so many years. Today you’ve finally raised your heads proudly, but you’ve also given Military Supervisor Song a handle to grasp, haven’t you? He won’t easily let you go.”

“Thank you, Magistrate Shen, for helping today.”

Qin Jixun cupped his fists toward him.

“Eh, I didn’t help,” Shen Tongchuan waved his hand. His gaze suddenly fell to the side, seeing that woman dressed in vermillion robes, hair in a man’s style, brows and eyes pure and clean, supporting that young master with his face covered by long cloth. “After so many years, I’d almost forgotten my ‘Treatise on War Horses.’ Where did young master obtain it?”

“A bookshop in the capital.”

Xu Hexue’s words were brief.

“The bookshop is its only destination,” Shen Tongchuan laughed self-mockingly. “But it was difficult for young master to find it and even annotate it for me.”

“Magistrate Shen loves horses and also understands horse breeding. This article is even more beneficial to horse administration.”

Shen Tongchuan laughed and shook his head. “I’m a magistrate—how could I manage horse administration? But you, young master, write articles well. Compared to my ‘Treatise on War Horses’ from back then, your article is even more penetrating and brilliant, flowing smoothly without excess. With such great talent, I truly have a mind to recommend you to court…”

Xu Hexue half-lowered his eyelids. “Thank you for Magistrate Shen’s kind intention. My face is damaged and I’m critically ill—I’ve already given up the thought of entering court as an official.”

Upon hearing this, a trace of astonishment floated in Shen Tongchuan’s eyes. He looked over this young man before him once more, only speaking after a long while: “A pity.”

Shen Tongchuan felt something strange in his heart. He always felt this person’s brows and eyes held a touch of familiarity, but he couldn’t grasp that odd feeling. He simply collected his thoughts and cupped his fists toward Xu Hexue: “Just from reading young master’s article, I know young master and I share many commonalities. We can be considered acquainted through literature. If you have time, come to my residence—I’ll certainly have good tea waiting.”

“General Qin, Commander Wei,”

Shen Tongchuan turned to the two men. “Farewell.”

Yongzhou’s strongest sunlight had already passed. Ni Su and Xu Hexue rode together on one horse, slowly walking the mountain path. Qin Jixun remained in the Wei family army camp to comfort his sworn brother Wei Dechang, ordering Duan Rong to lead people following Xu Hexue and Ni Su back to camp first.

“Who would have thought—last night you had Uncle Fan deliver a letter to the magistrate’s office, and today Magistrate Shen actually put that Military Supervisor Song on the spot…” Ni Su looked up at his jaw, incredulous. “Just because of one ‘Treatise on War Horses’?”

“Shen Tongchuan loves horses. When I was young, I accompanied my teacher to visit the Meng residence and saw the fine horse painting he gifted to his mentor Minister Meng. The ‘Treatise on War Horses’ he wrote seems to praise the war horses that depend on border warriors for survival, but actually satirizes the corrupt horse administration.”

When Xu Hexue had not yet left the capital, Shen Tongchuan’s “Treatise on War Horses” emerged to mixed reviews. Most critically, it caused Meng Yunxian, who had already offended the imperial clan and high officials, to fall into a new round of controversy. Some said Meng Yunxian, using the New Policies, wanted to interfere with the court’s horse administration, making the situation even more difficult for Meng Yunxian and Zhang Jing at court.

Shen Tongchuan couldn’t realize his ambitions in horse administration, and the “Treatise on War Horses,” after much upheaval, ultimately received no attention.

“Great Qi’s trend of land annexation continues unabated, making the rich own fields for miles while the poor have no ground to stand on. The grasslands that should be used to raise horses are also mostly used for farmland and raising sheep. Officials in charge of raising horses aren’t dedicated—some officials privately sell horses, so that although Great Qi has horses, those usable as military war horses are extremely few. We can only purchase from Western Region barbarian states, but this is ultimately a drop in the bucket.”

“I’ve engaged the barbarian cavalry more than once. Suffering from Great Qi’s military horses being of mixed quality, I personally ordered the opening of grasslands to raise horses, breeding an elite cavalry force,”

As Xu Hexue spoke, he couldn’t help but turn his face. The long wind blew, stirring his robes and long cloth. In his eyes reflected the continuous mountain ranges in the distance. “Right at Juhan Pass.”

Ni Su couldn’t help but follow his gaze.

The current Juhan Pass had already fallen into Danqiu barbarian hands, and the cavalry he had carefully cultivated as Jade Tally General no longer existed.

“I once heard someone say that when His Majesty holds one banquet, it requires over three hundred sheep. In one year, the palace uses approximately over four hundred thousand sheep…”

Ni Su looked at him and said, “At that time I thought it was just rumor.”

“Palace expenditures have always been thus. The people’s demand for sheep is equally enormous, so horse administration doesn’t flourish. As for ‘using infantry to counter cavalry,’ infantry ultimately can’t compare to cavalry,” Xu Hexue’s expression was calm. “Those seeking peace are merely using this to escape reality.”

The difficulty lies not in talent, but in those who can use themselves properly.

Shen Tongchuan had the skills of horse breeding but difficulty implementing them. If Song Song weren’t here, Meng Yunxian would have the opportunity to have his people intervene in Yongzhou affairs. This way, Shen Tongchuan might be able to open grasslands in Yongzhou to raise war horses.

The wind seemed to become very light, the dust and sand also much less. Under the sunlight, Ni Su was protected in Xu Hexue’s embrace, his coldness perfectly relieving the blazing heat of midsummer.

“Xu Ziling.”

She suddenly called.

“Mm?”

Xu Hexue lowered his eyes to look at her. Perhaps from standing in the sun a bit long when confronting Song Song in the Wei family army camp, her cheeks were somewhat flushed.

“How did you used to ride horses? Shall we go back a bit later?”

She said.

Xu Hexue said nothing, but removed his long cloth. A pale face was revealed, clear spirit and elegant bones. He was about to wrap the long cloth over her face when she grasped his wrist: “Why are you giving it to me? Officer Duan and the others are still behind us…”

“Your face is sunburned.”

Xu Hexue arranged the long cloth for her. His bloodless lips parted slightly. “Don’t worry, they can’t catch up to you and me.”

Ni Su hadn’t yet reacted when his hand gripped the reins. She only heard the horse neigh once, raising its hooves to tread on dust, galloping almost in flight.

“Young Master Ni!”

Duan Rong and the others were taking their time behind when suddenly that pair of young people spurred their horse into a gallop. He anxiously pulled at the reins. “Where are you going?”

The wind sound grew urgent. Ni Su faintly heard Duan Rong’s voice. She didn’t turn back, but her hand gripped Xu Hexue’s sleeve tightly.

Gradually, even Duan Rong’s voice could no longer be heard.

The sunlight was bright and clear, the indigo robes lightly fluttering. Ni Su looked up at him. “How amazing, Junior Scholar General.”

Xu Hexue’s eyelashes moved slightly. As he lowered his head, the long cloth on her face fell away, flying with the wind. He immediately reached out one hand to catch it, but just then her hand also reached out.

Fingers touched, the long cloth flying.

As their eyes met, Ni Su curved her eyes at him in a smile.

Corrupt policies, the greed of the imperial clan, the crush of power—these were some people’s downfall, equally others’ resistance. Great Qi’s myriad wounds weren’t caused by just one person, one ruler reaching this point—it was the struggle of interests against interests, the combination of interests with interests.

He too had died because of this.

“You were in the netherworld for a hundred years. When you returned, Great Qi is still this same Great Qi. In your heart, aren’t you disappointed?” Ni Su suddenly asked him.

Xu Hexue covered her face again with the long cloth:

“I still wish to place my hope in those in this world who dare to gather firewood for others. Though I died, there are those who come after, not for ruler or father, not for the Zhao clan, only for the common people of the realm, not yielding national territory, not losing home and country.”