When Xiao Xun’s rebel manifesto appeared in Yunzhong Commandery, the gates of Shipo City were slowly opening.

Great Xia troops surged in, and cries and shouts filled the city.

This time, however, Zhong Changrong no longer needed to be anxious. He stood at a distance, watching as the Western Liang Third Prince was escorted out, seeing the court officials step forward, and then witnessing countless civilians pouring out—some weeping bitterly, some laughing loudly, and some asking about the whereabouts of their deceased relatives—

Zhong Changrong withdrew his gaze and looked down at the manifesto in his hand, letting out a cold laugh.

“General Zhong need not worry,” said Zhu Yong, standing beside him. “The Empress is fearless. The rebel Xiao Xun will not succeed.”

Zhong Changrong crumpled the manifesto in his hand: “I’m not worried. He was already defeated by the Empress once. Last time, the Empress spared him and his father because she was concerned about the unsettled border commanderies. The traitorous son’s ambitions remain undying. This time, the Empress need have no such concerns.”

Zhu Yong nodded with a smile.

Zhong Changrong turned his head to examine this civil official. He had always disliked dealing with the court’s civil officials, but this one, who claimed to be the Deputy Commissioner of the Imperial Guard, he noticed the python pattern on Zhu Yong’s robes and the token hanging at his waist.

The Python pattern was unfamiliar, but the token was familiar.

Zhu Yong removed his waist token to show him: “The Imperial Guard’s tokens still follow the Dragon Guard style.”

The front now added the three characters for “Imperial Guard.”

The former Dragon Guard had been the private army of the Emperor and the General, and only they knew this. Now the Dragon Guard was still the Emperor’s—no, the young lady’s private army, and the whole world knew it. Zhong Changrong’s face was full of smiles. Looking at Zhu Yong again, his expression grew more friendly: “The capital needs people right now. Why have you come here?”

The Western Liang King had been captured, the Western Liang royal court attacked, and the Western Liang Crown Prince had perished. The Western Liang King no longer spoke of peace negotiations but begged for mercy and a ceasefire.

The court’s peace negotiation officials had already arrived in Yunzhong Commandery, and Zhu Yong was among them.

“The Imperial Guard is running smoothly. The capital has Commander Ding, and Consultant Yin has prepared Imperial Guard units in various regions. The Empress won’t be easily deceived by officials. For the Empress, these negotiations with the Western Liang King are of great importance, and she doesn’t allow for any errors,” Zhu Yong explained with a smile. “That’s why she sent me to personally oversee the matter.”

Although he wasn’t the chief negotiator, when necessary, he could make decisions on behalf of the Empress.

Zhong Changrong nodded: “Please assure the Empress that this time, Great Xia’s decades-long wish will come true.”

The territory would expand, and the killing of the Western Liang Crown Prince had dealt a heavy blow to the Western Liang King, making nightmares reappear. It was said that the Western Liang King had already ordered the selection of a new royal city, farther from Great Xia. This time, Western Liang had been severely wounded and would no longer have the courage to harass Great Xia.

“Also, am I not allowed to lead troops to provide support? Xiao Xun has quite a large force,” he asked again. “It’s too dangerous for the Empress to go personally.”

Zhu Yong replied: “The Empress will mobilize border troops to assist, but she didn’t say that you, General Zhong, should go personally.”

Zhong Changrong knew that Chu Zhao had not made arrangements for him. He had just received a letter from her instructing him to remain stationed in Yunzhong Commandery. There were still many tasks to be done in Yunzhong Commandery: strengthening border defenses and reorganizing troops. These matters were as important as defeating Western Liang.

After bidding farewell to Zhu Yong, Zhong Changrong did not return to Shipo City. Officials there would handle matters. As he was about to mount his horse and leave with his guards, Liang Qiang suddenly appeared and blocked his way.

“General Zhong.”

Zhong Changrong looked at him coldly. After Deng Yi had defected to Xiao Xun, the border army had conducted investigations. Supervisor Fu had already been escorted back to the capital. However, nothing incriminating could be found on Liang Ji except for the letter summoning Liang Qiang to the capital. He had almost no contact with Deng Yi. Although Liang Qiang had been appointed as Mobile Corps General at Deng Yi’s suggestion, this appointment was reasonable based on his military achievements. As for the correspondence with Deng Yi, no major issues could be found.

Therefore, the father and son were not considered Deng Yi’s accomplices and were not escorted back to the capital. Liang Ji was temporarily suspended from his duties, while Liang Qiang was only charged with the crime of failing to guard properly. He was stripped of his position as Mobile Corps General and demoted to colonel.

“Are you here to plead for your father again?” Zhong Changrong asked coldly.

Liang Qiang shook his head and knelt on one knee: “General, please let me go to combat Xiao Xun and Deng Yi.”

Zhong Changrong laughed: “What? You want to kill Deng Yi to prove your loyalty?”

As Liang Qiang was about to speak, Zhong Changrong said coldly: “Liang Qiang, you still don’t understand. War is not a tool for you to prove yourself. Your regret, your frustration, your honor—in the face of battle, they mean nothing. I don’t care why you and your father joined the military, but since you’ve become officers, put away your petty thoughts.”

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away.

His guards surrounded him closely, raising clouds of dust.

Liang Qiang knelt in the dust for a long time without moving, until a soldier approached.

“He doesn’t allow me to go campaign against Xiao Xun,” Liang Qiang said, turning his head with some anger in his eyes. “How did you make him agree?”

The soldier smiled slightly: “Should the young master ask a few more times?”

Liang Qiang stood up and looked at him coldly: “I’m not a general anymore.”

“Young Master Liang rose from a criminal laborer to become a general. Becoming a general again from a colonel isn’t difficult,” the soldier said calmly.

Liang Qiang lowered his eyes. What right did he have to complain? How his position came about—didn’t he know clearly in his heart?

“No matter how many times I ask, he won’t agree,” he said. “He didn’t trust me before, and he trusts me even less now. He won’t let me leave and will keep watching me.”

The soldier said, “Young Master Liang, you didn’t get this far based on his trust. Just do as instructed from above. Ask him repeatedly, let everyone see you asking him—that’s enough.”

Liang Qiang was stunned and raised his eyes to look at the soldier: “Your purpose isn’t to have me kill Deng Yi and Xiao Xun?”

The soldier smiled and said: “Regaining honor doesn’t necessarily mean killing Deng Yi and Xiao Xun.”

With that, he patted Liang Qiang’s shoulder, which to onlookers appeared like he was comforting a disheartened man, then left without further words.

Liang Qiang stood in place, his expression changing. Then what was it based on? Was it again through watching others die and employing underhanded methods?

So, they didn’t want him to go assist the Empress in campaigning against Xiao Xun.

Liang Qiang looked toward the east, pressing his hand against his chest. When he first heard this order, his heart had nearly leaped out. He didn’t care about regaining his position as Mobile Corps General, or even about receiving greater rewards.

He could go and fight alongside her, assist her, kill enemies for her—

This excited and thrilled him more than any reward.

But apparently, that wasn’t the plan.

…

…

“Keep a close eye on the Liang father and son,” Zhong Changrong instructed his attendant again as he strode into the commandery office.

“Although there’s no evidence connecting the Liang family to Deng Yi, they must be hiding something strange.”

The attendant acknowledged with a “Yes.”

As Zhong Changrong spoke, he walked into the hall and was met by a soldier rushing toward him. When they saw each other, both were surprised.

“General—”Xiaoshan! You’re back—”

They exclaimed simultaneously.

Before they could say more, a soldier from outside rushed in carrying a basin of hot water.

“The water’s hot, it’s hot,” he called out. “See if it’s suitable.”

Zhong Changrong looked pleased. The autumn winds in Yunzhong Commandery were already quite dusty. He nodded and was about to reach out to wash his hands and face—

“Let me test the water temperature. Xiaoshan had already dipped his hand into the water.

Zhong Changrong laughed heartily: “There’s no need to be so particular. Hot or cold is fine. I’ll—”

Before he could finish, Xiaoshan nodded with satisfaction: “Not bad, neither cold nor hot, just right.” With a wave of his hand, he said, “Quickly, take it inside.”

The soldier carried the basin toward the back.

Zhong Changrong hadn’t spoken yet when another soldier rushed in.

“It’s ready, it’s ready,” he also said. “I caught the chicken myself, added five red dates, and simmered it for a full two hours.”

Xiaoshan fanned his hand and nodded with satisfaction: “That’s the right aroma.” With another wave, he ordered, “Quickly, take it inside.”

This time, not only did the soldier go in, but Xiaoshan followed as well.

In the blink of an eye, only Zhong Changrong remained in the hall, still holding out his hand. Whether it was hot water or hot chicken soup, he hadn’t touched a drop.

Only one person could create such a dreamlike, surreal scene in his territory.

Zhong Changrong’s eyebrows twitched as he gritted his teeth.

That troublemaker was back!

That troublemaker had finally returned!