The spring rain fell continuously, darkening the hall. A flash of light passed through the young officer’s eyes, but a moment later, he shook his head slightly, flicking away the rainwater from his face and hair.
“What is it? Has fighting broken out in the capital again?” he asked. “Is the Empress unable to maintain control even though she’s in charge there?”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Zhong Changrong said irritably. “My lady presides over the capital, and the capital is doing very well.”
Xie Yanlai replied, “Then I won’t go. We’re at war now. If there’s no fighting in the capital, what’s the point of going there?”
Just get out then, Zhong Changrong knew he should say this, but he took a deep breath and swallowed the words: “The court wants to inquire and discuss the war with Western Liang. I can’t go, and if someone else goes, I wouldn’t trust them.”
He looked at Xie Yanlai, his hand at his side tightly clenched.
“I don’t want to repeat the General’s regrets.”
Xie Yanlai found this somewhat amusing. It was truly strange—that girl was like this, and so was Zhong Changrong, who couldn’t stand the sight of him. They didn’t trust others, only him.
He was the least trustworthy person.
He should have said something mocking or sarcastic, like “What have things come to, that in this vast world there’s no one to trust but an imperial in-law like me?”
But looking at the unshaven man before him, who appeared much more imposing than when they first met, yet had also grown much thinner.
It couldn’t have been easy—
Xie Yanlai swallowed the words that had reached his lips and said instead: “Who goes isn’t something you alone can decide. This concerns the border army’s overall situation and war planning. You should convene the generals for discussion.”
…
…
The number of troops in the prefecture city had increased, with the five route generals of the border army arriving successively within two or three days.
The generals entered in procession with their respective officials and deputies. Glancing around the hall, they saw that Zhong Changrong hadn’t arrived yet, while a young man sat slouched in a chair to the left—
He was sitting in the Luo City Army’s position.
The generals knew that Chu Li was gone, and Zhong Changrong was temporarily serving as the commander-in-chief of Yunzhong Prefecture, so Luo City’s forces had been temporarily placed under Xie Yanlai’s command.
In the past, Luo City only had the Defense General, but even he could sit as an equal with these generals.
Now with the Defense General gone, even an inspector could sit as their equal.
It truly left everyone unsure of how to greet him. What a mess.
Besides the Luo City Defense Army, the Left Wing Army’s General had been demoted after being found guilty of ineffective leadership, replaced by an elegant official-general.
This person was one they could greet. A general with a full beard smiled and said: “Historian Liang.”
Second Master Liang returned the greeting with a smile: “General Huang.”
“Recently, your Left Wing Army discovered Western Liang King’s movements. That’s impressive,” General Huang sighed. “Historian Liang is truly perceptive.”
Second Master Liang shook his head: “We merely detected it without causing any harm to the Western Liang King. It’s not worthy of praise.”
Another general with a broad face and sword-like eyebrows laughed and complimented him: “That means the Western Liang King’s movements can no longer be hidden. Next time, we’ll deal him a heavy blow.”
This time, Second Master Liang didn’t remain modest, smiling as he said: “With our united efforts, we will surely devastate Western Liang.”
Everyone in the hall laughed—except for Inspector Xie, who sat examining his fingernails.
As a scion of the Xie family, he was proud and aloof. What could they possibly have to talk about with him? Bearded General Huang shifted his gaze to another young man in the hall.
The young officer wore armor and stood quietly and steadily behind Second Master Liang.
“With young General Liang present, we save a lot of effort,” General Huang smiled, leaning forward and resting his hand on Second Master Liang’s chair. “Historian Liang, would you trade young General Liang to my army for two battalions?”
Another general immediately joined in the banter: “Old Hu, you’re dreaming. Is young General Liang worth only two battalions? Old Liang,” he said to Second Master Liang, “next time your Left Wing needs anything, my army will obey your orders and support you.”
This was an enormous promise. Second Master Liang hurriedly 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, generals, for your generous praise. Any small merit I might have achieved is due to the proper command of the superior general and the bravery of my fellow soldiers, not my efforts alone.”
The generals looked even more impressed: “The younger generation is formidable indeed! Young General Liang, please don’t be so modest anymore.”
Zhong Changrong entered, surrounded by his deputies, and cleared his throat loudly. The laughter in the hall immediately stopped, and everyone rose, saluting Zhong Changrong: “Commander Zhong.”
Xie Yanlai also stood up, though his movement was a step slower than the others. By the time Zhong Changrong gestured for everyone not to stand on ceremony, he had just completed his salute.
Zhong Changrong naturally noticed his little maneuver but chose to ignore it.
“This is a new official document from the court,” he said, having a clerk pass a document around for everyone to read—skipping Xie Yanlai.
After the other four had read it, Second Master Liang fell into thoughtful silence, while the remaining three generals discussed in low voices.
“It’s not surprising that the court wants to hear reports at this time. The war has been going on for two years now,” Zhong Changrong said. “The Western Liang King has never managed to cross the border, our internal rebellion has been quelled, and our border army has increased by 100,000 troops. It’s time to determine victory or defeat.”
“Commander Zhong, what kind of victory does the court have in mind?” bearded General Huang pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked.
Zhong Changrong looked at him and emphasized each word: “Only victory through battle.”
General Huang solemnly stood up, as did the other generals, including Xie Yanlai, all responding in unison.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Zhong Changrong gestured for everyone to sit down.
“Especially at this time, we cannot slacken. None of us veteran generals can leave the border army,” he said. “Therefore, I have decided to send Inspector Xie to the capital to have an audience with His Majesty.”
All eyes in the hall turned to Xie Yanlai.
Though it was called a duty report, it was also about rewards. The person who went to the capital for an imperial audience would certainly receive honors.
Sending this, Xie Yanlai—the generals’ thoughts turned. In the past, when the Zhao and Yang families were prominent, they had also seen many struggles for military power.
Now the old prominent families were gone, and new prominent families would naturally emerge.
Xie Yanlai straightened his posture, looked at the generals, and said calmly: “If anyone has something to say, tell me, and I will convey it on your behalf.”
He showed no modesty at all, accepting the role straightforwardly.
Bearded General Huang turned his gaze away: “I hope Inspector Xie remembers that our achievements today did not come easily.”
The other two generals merely nodded: “Whatever Commander Zhong decides is fine.”
Zhong Changrong pointed at the deputies, historians, and marshals behind him: “All of you gather the affairs from your respective armies and send them here to be submitted to the court together.”
The generals stood up and responded in unison.
Three generals sat down, but one remained standing.
“Commander Zhong,” he said, “regarding the matter of going to the capital, I have something to report.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to him.
Zhong Changrong’s eyes flickered, and he said, “Historian Liang, what is it?”
Second Master Liang said: “It’s like this. The court has ordered Liang Qiang to go.”
Liang Qiang?
Everyone looked surprised. Liang Qiang was indeed promising, brave, and skilled in battle, but regarding age, of course, Xie Yanlai wasn’t much older either, but the Xie family’s status was extraordinary. How could the Liang family compare?
Having been punished and exiled, then redeeming themselves through meritorious service, finally obtaining official positions, their hard-earned achievements might earn respect in the border army, but would mean little at court.
Would the court order Liang Qiang to go? And the commander-in-chief didn’t know about it?
Had Second Master Liang pulled strings? Was he eager to restore the Liang family’s prestige?
Zhong Changrong’s expression grew cold: “Historian Liang, the orders I received only said to select suitable officers to report to the capital. Who is suitable is for me to decide, not the court.”
Things were getting confrontational! The three generals exchanged glances privately. The Liang family’s disgrace in the past seemed to have been related to the Chu family—Zhong Changrong would never allow the Liang family to rise.
Second, Master Liang’s move was somewhat unwise. Although he and his son had achieved many merits in the army, military matters and battlefield situations could change in an instant. Today one might be rewarded for achievements, tomorrow punished for defeat—Zhong Changrong was the commander-in-chief after all, with the power of life and death in the army. The Liang father and son’s foundation was too weak.
Second Master Liang bowed respectfully: “Please forgive this official, Commander Zhong. I do not mean to offend and am well aware of military protocol. I just received this document on my way here.”
With that, he produced a document.
“A handwritten order from Grand Tutor Deng Yi.”
Deng Yi!
Everyone looked even more surprised. It was an order from Grand Tutor Deng Yi himself?
Well then—
This matter was not so simple.