The spring rain continued endlessly. Inside the dim hall, a flash of light passed through the young officer’s eyes, but the next moment he shook his head slightly, flinging off the rainwater from his face and hair.
“What’s this? Has war broken out in the capital again?” he said. “Her Majesty the Empress is holding the capital—can she still not suppress it?”
“Stop talking nonsense.” Zhong Changrong was already in a bad mood. “My young mistress is holding the capital, and the capital is doing very well.”
Xie Yanlai said, “Then I’m not going. Right now it’s wartime. If there’s no fighting in the capital, what would I go there for?”
Then hurry up and get lost. Zhong Changrong knew he should say these words, but he took a deep breath and forcibly swallowed them. “The court wants to inquire about and discuss the war with Xi Liang. I can’t go, and if others go, I can’t trust them.”
He looked at Xie Yanlai, his hands hanging at his sides clenching tightly.
“I don’t want there to be another General’s regret.”
Xie Yanlai found it somewhat amusing. It was truly strange—that girl was like this, and Zhong Changrong, who found him displeasing, was also like this. They didn’t trust others, only trusted him.
He was clearly the most untrustworthy person.
He should say a few mocking, sarcastic words, like how badly must things be going that in this vast realm there was no one trustworthy, and they could only trust him, this maternal relative’s son.
But looking at the man before him with his stubbly beard—although he looked much more imposing than when they first met, he’d also become much thinner.
It wasn’t easy for him either—
Xie Yanlai swallowed the words that had reached his lips and changed what he was going to say. “Who goes and how they go—this concerns the overall situation of the border army, the planning of military operations. It’s not something you alone can decide. Convene the great generals to discuss it.”
……
……
The troops in the commandery city had clearly increased. The five great generals of the border army arrived one after another within two or three days.
The great generals brought their respective staff officers and deputy generals filing in. They swept their eyes across the hall and saw that Zhong Changrong hadn’t arrived yet. On the left side, a young man sat slouched in a chair—
He was sitting in the position for the Luo City army.
The great generals knew that Chu Ling was gone, and Zhong Changrong was temporarily substituting as commander of Yunzhong Commandery. The Luo City army had been temporarily assigned to Xie Yanlai to lead.
Back in the day, the Luo City army only had the Guardian General, but he could sit as equals with these great generals.
Now the Guardian General was gone, yet even a school captain could sit here as an equal.
It really left everyone not knowing how to greet him—what a mess.
However, besides the Luo City Guardian Army, the Left Wing Army’s great general had been stripped of his position after being held accountable for leading troops poorly, and was replaced by a refined-looking military official.
This person could at least be greeted. The great general with a full circle beard smiled and said, “Chief Clerk Liang.”
Second Master Liang smiled and returned the courtesy. “General Huang.”
“Recently your Left Wing Army discovered the movements of the Xi Liang King—truly impressive,” General Huang exclaimed. “Chief Clerk Liang is truly perceptive.”
Second Master Liang shook his head. “We only discovered it, but haven’t inflicted any harm on the Xi Liang King. It’s not worthy of praise.”
Another great general with a broad face and sword-like eyebrows smiled and joined in the flattery. “That means the Xi Liang King’s movements can no longer be concealed. Next time we’ll definitely deal them a severe blow.”
This time Second Master Liang didn’t demur again, smiling as he said, “If we all work together in unity, we will certainly deal Xi Liang a severe blow.”
The people in the hall all laughed—except for School Captain Xie sitting in his chair examining his fingernails.
A son of the Xie clan—proud and precious, what did they have to say to him? The bearded General Huang shifted his gaze to another young man in the hall.
The young officer wore armor and stood behind Second Master Liang, quiet and composed.
“With Young General Liang here, we’ve been spared much effort,” General Huang said with a laugh, then leaned over to rest his hand on Second Master Liang’s chair. “Chief Clerk Liang, would it be acceptable if I trade two battalions to have Young General Liang come to my army?”
Another general immediately chimed in teasingly. “Old Hu, you’re dreaming! Young General Liang is only worth two battalions? Old Liang,” he said to Second Master Liang, “next time your Left Wing needs anything, my army will heed your command and serve as your support.”
This was truly an enormous promise. Second Master Liang quickly waved his hands with a smile. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare—”
Liang Qiang, who had been quiet and silent until now, also smiled and bowed. “This junior wouldn’t dare. Thank you for the deep affection and praise from all the generals. Whatever small merit Liang Qiang has achieved is all due to proper command from superior generals and the bravery of fellow soldiers—not the strength of Liang Qiang alone.”
The generals looked even more impressed. “The younger generation is formidable indeed. Young General Liang, you need not be so modest anymore.”
Zhong Changrong walked in surrounded by deputy generals and staff officers, coughing heavily. The laughter and conversation in the hall immediately stopped. Everyone stood up and saluted Zhong Changrong. “Commander Zhong.”
Xie Yanlai also stood up, only his movements were a step slower than the others. By the time Zhong Changrong indicated that everyone need not be overly formal, he was just finishing his salute.
Zhong Changrong naturally saw his little maneuver but couldn’t be bothered with it.
“This is a new official document from the court,” he said, having a clerk pass a document for everyone to read—skipping over Xie Yanlai.
After the other four had read it, Second Master Liang pondered in silence while the remaining three generals discussed in low voices.
“It’s not strange for the court to conduct evaluations at this time. The war has been going on for two years now,” Zhong Changrong said. “The Xi Liang King still hasn’t been able to cross the border, the internal rebellion in our dynasty has been pacified, and our border army has been reinforced with a hundred thousand troops. It’s time to determine the victor.”
“Commander Zhong, I wonder how the court intends to achieve this victory,” the bearded General Huang pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked.
Zhong Changrong looked at him, speaking word by word: “It can only be victory through battle.”
General Huang solemnly stood up. The other generals, including Xie Yanlai, also stood, answering in unison.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Zhong Changrong gestured for everyone to sit down.
“The more critical the moment, the less we can slacken. We veteran generals cannot leave the border army,” he said. “Therefore, I’ve decided to have School Captain Xie go to the capital for an imperial audience.”
All eyes in the hall turned toward Xie Yanlai.
Though it was called an evaluation, it was actually about merit rewards. Anyone who could enter the capital for an imperial audience would certainly receive commendations.
Letting this Xie Yanlai go—the great generals’ minds turned. Back when the Zhao and Yang clans were prominent and powerful, they fought over military authority in the army. Such things had been seen many times.
Now the old prominent families were gone, and it was time for the new prominent families to arrive.
Xie Yanlai sat up straight, looking at the several great generals, and said flatly, “If everyone has anything to say, tell me everything. I’ll convey it all when the time comes.”
He didn’t show the slightest modesty, accepting it as natural.
The bearded General Huang turned his gaze away. “School Captain Xie just needs to firmly remember that the merit we have today didn’t come easily.”
The other two generals only nodded. “Whatever Commander Zhong decides is fine.”
Zhong Changrong pointed to the deputy generals, chief clerks, marshals and others behind him. “You all organize the affairs of your respective armies and send them over. We’ll submit everything to the court together.”
The generals stood up and answered in unison.
The three generals sat down, but one person remained standing.
“Commander Zhong,” he said. “Regarding the matter of going to the capital, this subordinate officer has something to report.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to him.
Zhong Changrong’s eyes flickered. He made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “Chief Clerk Liang, what is it?”
Second Master Liang said, “It’s like this—the court has issued an order saying to send Liang Qiang.”
Liang Qiang?
Everyone looked surprised. Liang Qiang was formidable for the younger generation, brave and skilled in battle, but as for age—of course Xie Yanlai wasn’t that old either, but the Xie clan’s family background was extraordinary. How could the Liang clan compare?
Convicted and exiled, atoning for crimes through merit, finally obtaining official position with great difficulty—the military accomplishments earned through real fighting could gain everyone’s respect in the border army, but at court they wouldn’t count for much, would they?
The court would issue an order for Liang Qiang to go? And the commander didn’t even know about it?
Had Second Master Liang pulled strings? Was he impatient to restore the Liang clan’s family standing?
Zhong Changrong’s expression turned cold. “Chief Clerk Liang, the command this commander received only said to select suitable generals to enter the capital for evaluation. Who is a suitable candidate is for this commander to decide, not the court.”
A confrontation! The three military officials exchanged glances privately. Back when the Liang clan was convicted, it seemed to involve the Chu clan as well—Zhong Changrong wouldn’t let the Liang clan have their way.
Second Master Liang’s move was somewhat ill-advised. Although he and his son had many merits in the army, military matters and battlefield situations changed in an instant. Today one could earn merit and receive rewards, tomorrow a defeat would bring judgment—Zhong Changrong was the commander after all, with power over life and death in the army. The Liang clan father and son’s foundation was too weak.
Second Master Liang bowed respectfully. “Commander Zhong, please forgive me. This subordinate didn’t mean to offend, and I know military regulations. This subordinate only just received the document on the way here.”
With that, he produced a document.
“A personal directive from Grand Tutor Deng Yi.”
Deng Yi!
Everyone looked even more shocked. It was actually a command personally issued by Grand Tutor Deng Yi?
Then—
This matter couldn’t be easily dismissed.