When Xiao Xun’s denunciation proclamation appeared in Yunzhong Commandery, the city gates of Shipo City were also slowly opening.

Da Xia’s forces surged in, and the city filled with cries and shouts reaching the heavens.

However, this time Zhong Changrong didn’t need to worry anymore. He stood at a distance watching the Third Prince of Xi Liang being escorted out, watching court officials step forward, then seeing countless common people pour out—some weeping, some laughing loudly, and some inquiring where their deceased relatives were—

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

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

Zhong Changrong crumpled the proclamation in his hand: “I’m not worried. He was originally the Empress’s defeated opponent. Last time, the Empress spared his and his father’s lives out of concern for the unsettled border commanderies. The rebel’s treacherous heart didn’t die, but this time the Empress need have no more reservations.”

Zhu Yong smiled and nodded.

Zhong Changrong turned his head to size up this civil official. He had never liked dealing with the court’s civil officials, but this one who called himself the Vice Commissioner of the Gongwei Bureau—he looked at the python pattern on Zhu Yong’s clothing 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 Gongwei Bureau’s tokens still follow the Longwei Army design.”

The front now had the three characters “Gongwei Bureau” added.

The former Longwei Army had been the emperor’s and general’s private troops, and only they knew it. Now the Longwei Army still belonged to the emperor—no, to Miss—as private troops, and the whole world knew it. Zhong Changrong’s face was full of smiles. Looking at Zhu Yong again, his expression became somewhat closer: “The capital is in great need of people right now. Why did you come here?”

King Xi Liang had been captured, the Xi Liang royal court raided, and the First Prince of Xi Liang had also died. King Xi Liang no longer spoke of negotiations but begged for mercy and a ceasefire.

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

“The Gongwei Bureau is operating normally. In the capital there’s Commander Ding, and Counselor Yin has also established Gongwei Bureau branches in various places. The Empress won’t be easily deceived by officials. For the Empress, these negotiations with King Xi Liang are of great importance—she won’t allow even the slightest error,” Zhu Yong explained with a smile. “So she had me come personally to oversee things.”

Though he wasn’t the lead negotiator, when necessary, he could make decisions on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress.

Zhong Changrong nodded: “Please tell the Empress to rest assured. This time, Da Xia’s decades-long aspiration will all come true.”

Territory would expand, and having killed the First Prince of Xi Liang, King Xi Liang was devastated, his nightmare recurring. It was said King Xi Liang had already ordered the selection of a new Xi Liang royal city, farther from Da Xia. This time Xi Liang had been severely wounded—they would no longer have the confidence to invade Da Xia.

“Also, are you sure you won’t let me lead troops to provide support? Xiao Xun has quite a few troops there,” he asked again. “It’s too dangerous for the Empress to go personally.”

Zhu Yong said: “The Empress will mobilize border army forces to assist, but she didn’t say to have Commander Zhong go personally.”

Zhong Changrong knew Chu Zhao hadn’t made such arrangements. He had just received Chu Zhao’s letter. In it, she told him to continue guarding Yunzhong Commandery—there was still much to do next: consolidating border defenses and reorganizing troops. These matters were just as important as defeating Xi Liang.

After taking leave of Zhu Yong, Zhong Changrong didn’t go to Shipo City again. Officials there would handle matters. He was about to mount his horse and leave with his personal guards when Liang Qiang suddenly appeared and blocked him.

“General Zhong.”

Zhong Changrong looked at him coldly. After Deng Yi sided with Xiao Xun, the border army had also conducted investigations. Supervisor Fu had already been escorted back to the capital. However, no problems could be found with Liang Ji—aside from that letter summoning Liang Qiang to the capital, he had almost no contact with Deng Yi. And though Liang Qiang had been appointed Guerrilla General at Deng Yi’s suggestion, judging from his military achievements, this reward was reasonable. As for correspondence with Deng Yi, nothing too problematic could be found.

So father and son Liang weren’t considered Deng Yi’s accomplices and escorted to the capital. Liang Ji was temporarily suspended from duty, while Liang Qiang was only charged with failing to guard properly—his Guerrilla General position was stripped and he was demoted to captain.

“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 campaign against Xiao Xun and Deng Yi.”

Zhong Changrong laughed: “What? Kill Deng Yi to prove your loyalty?”

Liang Qiang was about to speak when Zhong Changrong said coldly: “Liang Qiang, you still don’t understand. War isn’t a tool for you to prove yourself. Your regrets, your remorse, your glory—in the face of the war situation, they’re worth nothing. I don’t care why you and your father joined the military, but since you’ve become soldiers and officers, put away your petty calculations.”

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away.

His personal guards clustered close behind, horse hooves raising flying dust.

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

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

The soldier smiled: “Perhaps the general should ask several more times?”

Liang Qiang stood up and looked at him coldly: “I’m no longer a general.”

“Young Master Liang could rise from a convicted laborer to become a general. Rising from captain to general again won’t be difficult,” the soldier said indifferently.

Liang Qiang lowered his eyes. What right did he have to complain? How he obtained his position—wasn’t he clear about that himself?

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

The soldier said: “Young Master Liang, you’ve gotten this far not by relying on his trust. Just do as instructed from above—keep asking him and let everyone see you asking him. That’s enough.”

Liang Qiang was startled and looked up at the soldier: “Your goal isn’t to have me kill Deng Yi and Xiao Xun?”

The soldier smiled: “Regaining glory doesn’t necessarily depend on killing Deng Yi and Xiao Xun.”

With that, he patted Liang Qiang’s shoulder. To surrounding eyes, it looked like comforting someone who was disappointed. Then he said nothing more and walked away.

Liang Qiang stood in place, his expression changing. Then what did it depend on? Watching others die again, using such underhanded methods?

So they didn’t actually want him to truly go aid the Empress in campaigning against Xiao Xun.

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

He could go fight alongside her, help her, kill enemies for her—

This excited him more than any reward, filled him with anticipation.

But it turned out, that wasn’t it.

……

……

“Keep a close watch on father and son Liang for me.”

Zhong Changrong strode into the commandery government office, instructing his personal attendants again.

“Though there’s no evidence showing the Liang father and son have any relationship with Deng Yi, they’re definitely suspicious.”

The attendant acknowledged.

As Zhong Changrong spoke and walked into the hall, a soldier rushed toward him. Both seeing each other, their expressions showed surprise.

“General—” “Xiao Shan! You’re back—”

They spoke in unison.

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

“The water’s ready, it’s ready,” he called out. “See how it is.”

Zhong Changrong’s expression was gratified. In autumn, Yunzhong Commandery already had heavy winds and sand. He nodded and was about to reach out to wash his hands and face—

“Let me test the temperature,” Xiao Shan had already reached out to touch the water and said.

Zhong Changrong laughed heartily: “No need to be so particular. Hot or cold is fine. Let me—”

Before he finished speaking, he saw Xiao Shan nod with satisfaction: “Not bad, neither cold nor hot—just right.” He waved his hand. “Quickly take it in.”

The soldier carried the water basin toward the back.

Before Zhong Changrong could speak, another soldier rushed in.

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

Xiao Shan fanned his hand, nodded with satisfaction: “That’s the smell.” He waved again. “Quickly take it in.”

This time not just that soldier, but Xiao Shan himself followed inside.

In the blink of an eye, only Zhong Changrong remained in the hall. He still held his hands stretched forward—whether hot water or hot chicken soup, he hadn’t touched even a bit.

There was only one person who could make him, the master, face such a dreamlike, illusory scene on his own territory.

Zhong Changrong’s brow twitched as he ground his teeth.

That scoundrel had returned!

That scoundrel had finally returned!