Early the next morning, He Lian Chu departed from the main camp carrying letters from Zhao Shuhua and Yan Che. Zhao Shuhua personally escorted He Lian Chu to the camp gate, only sighing and turning back after his figure disappeared from view.
Yan Che followed behind Zhao Shuhua, speaking softly, “Mother need not worry. Zhen’er is different from before and will surely take good care of herself.”
Zhao Shuhua sighed again, “I only hope she doesn’t hate me.”
Yan Che gave a bitter smile, “How could she truly hate Mother? Zhen’er must understand Mother’s painstaking efforts for us.”
Zhao Shuhua’s steps faltered as she turned to look back. Seeing Yan Che’s expression unchanged from usual, her heart finally eased slightly.
Just as they returned to the central command tent, several swift horses arrived from outside the camp. Soon after, Zhao Xing entered the tent, saying, “Elder Sister, Marquis Anyang’s men have arrived! They say the army will move at the Hour of Yin tonight—” He handed over a document as he spoke.
Zhao Shuhua took it, frowning, “The Hour of Yin tonight?”
The Hour of Yin was midnight. Zhao Xing nodded, “Yes, Marquis Anyang has already had the camp’s diviners check the omens. Moreover, there’s been a southwestern wind all day today, likely to continue until tomorrow morning. If we execute the fire attack at midnight while the Rong barbarians are sound asleep, we can catch them completely off guard.”
Zhao Shuhua nodded, “Good, immediately summon the generals to the strategy tent so we can plan thoroughly.”
Zhao Xing went to deliver the orders. When everyone gathered in the strategy tent and learned that Zhao You would personally lead the troops, they felt both reassured and concerned about his health.
Zhao You had led the Northern Command Army for decades, so his command naturally put everyone at ease. However, his current illness caused worry.
While the officers were concerned, Zhao You showed no fear. Once this was settled and all details discussed, Zhao Shuhua sent messages to Marquis Anyang’s camp, confirming the Hour of Yin’s departure. With Zhao You as commander, they would take fifty thousand troops, leaving only two thousand supply troops in the Northern Command Army’s main camp. Zhao Shuhua was certain of victory in this battle, and by nightfall was already ordering the supply camp to prepare victory celebration meals for tomorrow.
At the same time, the Northwest Army also received the news.
When Zhao Shuhua had agreed to join forces with Yue Qiong, she had left twenty thousand troops in Chongzhou as a precaution. Unlike the Northern Command Army, all seventy thousand of the Northwest Army’s troops were stationed in the camp west of Wei County. Upon receiving Yue Qiong’s battle strategy document, Yan Chi immediately ordered the army to mobilize.
With Yan Chi going to battle again, Qin Wan thought about how this would be the last time and felt less anxious than before. Moreover, with three armies joining forces, they not only had no disadvantage in numbers but also had the fire attack strategy. As long as the wind direction didn’t change tonight, the fire attack would surely succeed. Once the Rong barbarians were thrown into chaos, Zhou’s forces would have heaven’s timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony—how could they not win?
In the central command tent, Qin Wan wrung out a cloth to clean Yan Chi’s armor. The black armor was somewhat old, even bearing marks from swords and blades. Qin Wan carefully wiped every inch, ensuring no trace of blood remained before stopping. Seeing her like this, Yan Chi couldn’t help but step forward and embrace her, “It’s all right. Everything has been arranged for this campaign. Just wait here in camp for our victorious return.”
Qin Wan leaned against Yan Chi’s chest, “I’ll wait well for your return, but you must be careful. I always worry whenever you go to battle.”
Yan Chi led Qin Wan to sit down and smiled, “For previous tasks like burning supplies, we could have sent Gu Ling. But this is the final battle, and I’m not at ease leaving it to others. Don’t worry, after dawn tomorrow, we can return victorious. After resting for at most a day, we’ll first return to Wu Prefecture, then to Northwest.”
Qin Wan grew excited thinking of the flowers and plants in her garden, “We’ve been away for over two months. Fu Ling must be worried sick. I wonder if the flowers I planted are still alive. When we return, shall we keep some cats, dogs, and parrots in the manor?”
Yan Chi smiled, “Of course, whatever you wish. The hottest months are passing, and autumn is approaching. After we return, it won’t be long before snow falls. Don’t regret returning early then.”
Qin Wan laughed, “Snow is wonderful, I love snow. Besides, nowhere is as comfortable as one’s own home!”
Hearing these words, Yan Chi felt a warmth spread through his heart. Once his home had been in the army, but now things were different.
After the couple shared a tender moment, when Yan Chi emerged again, he saw the army outside was already fully prepared.
Night had just fallen, and the northern sky was a deep, pitch black, without a single star visible, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Yu Qi and Gu Ling came from the direction of the training ground, smiling, “Your Highness! Tonight is perfect weather for setting fire to the mountains! It’s so dark, they won’t even know which way to flee. The fire alone should eliminate half of the Rong barbarians.”
Yan Chi glanced at the weather, frowning, “What’s disadvantageous for the enemy is also disadvantageous for us. Have everyone carry fire starters.”
Gu Ling replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness, all has been arranged.”
Knowing Gu Ling’s steady reliability, Yan Chi added, “Very well, there are still several hours. Go rest for a while.”
They would move at the Hour of Yin, so they only needed to depart at the Hour of Zi to reach Luofeng Slope in an hour and a half. The Jinzhou Army was responsible for setting fires at the mountain’s foot, so they only needed to reach the Green Grass Plains. After arriving, they would likely wait until near dawn to see the Rong barbarians fleeing down the mountain.
Thus, they and the Northern Command Army had the most generous timeframe.
Hearing this, Yu Qi was still energetic, “I’m not tired at all and couldn’t sleep anyway. Just thinking about how after this battle we can utterly defeat the Rong people makes me excited. After this, they won’t dare invade Northwest territory for at least five years, and we can focus on development in Northwest!”
Now that Yan Chi had established Western Lin independently, Northwest was essentially his fief. If the Rong people attacked, they would be a major threat, but if Northwest had five years without external enemies, there was much Yan Chi could accomplish as King of Western Lin.
Thinking of this, Yan Chi showed a faint smile, “Let’s win the battle first.”
Yu Qi looked confident, patting Gu Ling’s shoulder beside him, “This time, I’ll charge together with Gu Ling. We won’t disgrace the Northwest Army’s reputation. Your Highness can rest assured.”
Even if Yan Chi couldn’t trust Yu Qi, he could trust Gu Ling. He smiled and shook his head as he entered the strategy tent.
Yan Chi went through the battle strategy once more with everyone. At the Hour of Hai, Qin Wan and Bai Ying brought food for the officers, “The kitchen made soup buns today. Everyone eats well before departing. The soldiers outside have already started eating.”
Qin Wan spoke while serving food to everyone. Several young officers quickly stood up saying they dared not accept, but when Qin Wan reached Gu Ling, she smiled encouragingly, “What’s there to be afraid of? Since you’ve eaten food served by my own hands, tomorrow you must all return victorious and unharmed.”
Gu Ling stared briefly at Qin Wan’s smiling eyes, only responding with a “Yes” after she had passed by.
The army’s food was crude. Yu Qi drank half a bowl of soup buns in a few gulps and smacked his lips, “I miss the lamb soup buns from Northwest! Old Lady Hu’s shop east of Western Lin City makes the most fragrant ones!”
Chu Fei Sheng smiled, “After we win this battle and return to Northwest, you can have as many as you want!”
Everyone ate and chatted, their words full of longing for tomorrow’s victorious return home.
After finishing the meal and waiting another half hour, it was time to depart. Qin Wan stood at the tent entrance, once again watching Yan Chi lead the army out.
Bai Ying said beside her, “Princess, don’t worry, nothing will go wrong this time.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly as she raised her hand to feel the night breeze. After a moment, her heart eased, “As long as the wind direction doesn’t change, all will go smoothly.”
As the Northwest Army set out, the Northern Command Army also departed their camp heading north.
Neither force needed to climb Luofeng Slope—one positioned in the west and one in the north, firmly blocking all retreat routes for the Rong barbarians.
The Jinzhou Army needed to reach halfway up the mountain and was responsible for setting the fires, so they had quietly departed an hour earlier.
Yue Qiong took sixty thousand troops this time, and for assured victory, he took all his veteran core Jinzhou troops. His trusted officers went with him, while nearly thirty thousand troops remained in camp—those gathered from Lin’an, Yingzhou, and Luozhou during the northern expedition preparations.
That night, Yan Qi did not join the military expedition.
As the current Prince Cheng and military advisor to the northern expedition force, he became the highest authority in the entire camp after Yue Qiong’s departure.
Halfway through the Hour of Zi, two swift horses entered Wei County. Soon after, Lu Xiao arrived at Yan Qi’s tent.
“Your Highness, both the Northern Command Army and Northwest Army have departed. The Northwest Army still has twenty thousand troops in camp, while the Northern Command Army has only about two thousand.”
Hearing this, Yan Qi’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. Soon after, he spoke in a cold voice, “Call in Qi Cen and the others.”
Lu Xiao responded and hurried out to summon them. Shortly after, three young generals in full armor entered.
Among them, Qi Cen was originally a fifth-rank Xuanwu General from the Lin’an garrison. Of the two who came with him, one was named He Lin, the Deputy Commander of the Yingzhou garrison, and the other was Xu Huai, a fifth-rank Zhenwu General from the Luozhou garrison. After Yue Qiong’s departure, these three held actual control over the remaining twenty thousand troops.
Yan Qi sat in the main seat, the tent’s dim light casting his face in shadow.
Qi Cen and the others paid their respects, but Yan Qi remained silent, making them increasingly nervous as they exchanged bewildered glances.
Just as their anxiety peaked, Yan Qi finally spoke slowly, “You three were once promising young talents in your respective regions, well-respected in the military. But in this northern expedition, even as the Rong barbarians face defeat, you’ve achieved nothing. When you return to Lin’an, it will be impossible for you three to regain your former positions.”
At these words, all their expressions changed.
Qi Cen stepped forward, “Your Highness, please understand, it’s not that we were unwilling to fight the enemy. The Marquis simply never deployed us in battle.”
He continued with frustration, “We… we’ve been wronged…”
He Lin and Xu Huai nodded in agreement beside him, just short of complaining about Yue Qiong.
Yan Qi smiled at this, “Actually… you can’t blame the Marquis. Every battle in this northern expedition has been crucial. The Marquis acted this way to avoid needlessly sacrificing you. Moreover, he had other plans for you all.”
Hearing this, Qi Cen and the others looked up at Yan Qi in surprise.
When Yue Qiong left, he had only given routine orders about guarding the main camp, nothing else.
Seeing their confusion, Yan Qi continued, “The Rong barbarians must be fought, but… don’t forget the original purpose of this northern expedition.”
The original purpose was naturally to suppress Zhao Shuhua—
Qi Cen quickly said, “Of course, to suppress the rebels!”
Yan Qi smiled, “Exactly right. Our original purpose was to suppress the rebels. The Rong barbarians were merely an unexpected development.”
Sensing something amiss in Yan Qi’s tone, Xu Huai hurriedly said, “But we’ve already allied with the Northern Command Army…”
Yan Qi raised an eyebrow, “Alliance or not, the Northern Command Army must also protect itself. If not for the Marquis’s help that day, they would have been entangled with the Rong barbarians, with uncertain results. Besides, despite our alliance, His Majesty hasn’t pardoned their crimes, has he?”
The three nodded, and Yan Qi continued, “The Northern Command Army has guarded the north for many years and served Zhou well. Now they’ve merely been deceived by Zhao You and the deposed Empress’s family. So-called rebellion suppression—killing Northern Command Army soldiers would be futile. Moreover, I don’t want Zhou people killing each other. Simply put, we only need to capture the deposed Empress and deposed Crown Prince.”
Yan Qi’s words seemed reasonable, and Qi Cen’s group nodded again.
Yan Qi continued, “This is why the Marquis left you here. Tonight the Northern Command Army has deployed, leaving only the deposed Empress, deposed Crown Prince, and two thousand troops in their camp. If we strike now to capture them, wouldn’t it be effortless?”
With these words, the three finally understood Yan Qi’s intention!
Xu Huai asked in surprise, “Your Highness… is this… truly the Marquis’s intention?”
Yan Qi’s phoenix eyes narrowed, his voice growing cold, “What? You don’t believe me?”
Xu Huai quickly lowered his head, “I wouldn’t dare, it’s just…”
Yue Qiong was known for his noble character, as these young officers had witnessed throughout their journey. How could he betray allies during such a crucial battle?
However, Yan Qi declared, “This isn’t just the Marquis’s intention, but His Majesty’s as well.”
With a “thud,” Yan Qi threw a document before the three men. “Pick it up and look—this is His Majesty’s imperial decree!”
Their expressions changed as Qi Cen picked up and opened the document. It indeed bore the imperial seal, with brief instructions stating that after dealing with external enemies, suppressing the rebellion took priority. Qi Cen’s lips tightened as he asked, “Your Highness wants us three to capture people in the Northern Command Army camp?”
Yan Qi smiled, “Sending all three of you would be wasteful. Two will suffice. Who’s willing to go?”
Since Yan Qi claimed this was Yue Qiong’s order and had the Emperor’s decree, the three naturally dared not doubt him. Moreover, Yue Qiong’s arrangement gave them an opportunity for merit. With Yan Qi’s words, they couldn’t refuse!
Qi Cen stepped forward, “I volunteer—”
Seeing Qi Cen step up, He Lin also saluted, “I volunteer.”
With both of them volunteering, Xu Huai had no reason to refuse, “I also volunteer.”
Looking at the three, Yan Qi smiled with pleasure, “Excellent. Though you missed your chance against the Rong barbarians, suppressing the rebellion is His Majesty’s most urgent concern. If you capture the deposed Empress and deposed Crown Prince, you’ll have achieved great merit. When we return to the capital, I’ll personally report this to His Majesty. Then, promotion and titles will be the least of your rewards.”
At these words, the tension on their faces eased slightly, with Qi Cen’s eyes particularly bright.
Originally from the capital garrison, he was the most ambitious of the three, eagerly watching Yan Qi, hoping to be chosen for this opportunity.
However, Yan Qi said, “Very well, He Lin and Xu Huai will go. Take ten thousand troops and depart in half an hour.”
From Wei County to the Northern Command Army camp took only half an hour. Arriving then would be midnight, when Zhao Shuhua and the others would be deep asleep.
Hearing this, Qi Cen looked at Yan Qi in disbelief, but Yan Qi ignored him, only instructing, “This is our best opportunity. You must succeed in one strike. If anyone resists, kill without hesitation, understand?”
Yan Qi’s voice was ice-cold. He Lin and Xu Huai naturally dared not take it lightly, quickly nodding in agreement.
Only then did Yan Qi show a slight smile, saying, “Good, you must return victorious. Don’t disappoint the Marquis and me. Go now.”
He Lin and Xu Huai bowed and left, leaving only Qi Cen in the tent.
Though Qi Cen had shown the most enthusiasm, he hadn’t been chosen, and now stood there dejected. Yan Qi looked at him again, “Are you disappointed?”
Qi Cen forced a smile, “No, no, I wouldn’t dare.”
Yan Qi’s lips curved upward, “You’re capable, more so than those two. I kept you here because I have an even more important task for you.”
At these words, Qi Cen’s eyes immediately brightened again.
“What would Your Highness have me do?”
Yan Qi beckoned him closer, and Qi Cen hurriedly stepped forward and leaned in.
Yan Qi smiled and whispered two sentences in Qi Cen’s ear. Qi Cen’s smile quickly vanished, and after a moment he looked at Yan Qi in disbelief, “Your Highness… Your Highness wants me to…”
Yan Qi gave a cold laugh, “What? You dare not?”
Qi Cen instinctively shook his head, and Yan Qi continued, “This carries even greater merit than capturing the deposed Empress. If you won’t go, I can wait for He Lin and the others to return and send them instead. Well? Will you go or not?”
Cold sweat quickly formed on Qi Cen’s forehead as he faced Yan Qi’s fierce gaze, his own eyes flickering with fear.
Shortly after, he clenched his fists tightly, having made his decision, “I’ll go! I’ll do it!”