When Yan Chi led his army back to the Shuoxi Army camp, Yan Qi had already breathed his last.
Yan Chi pointed to the flagpole at the camp gate’s tower, ordering Yan Qi’s corpse to be hung beneath the Shuoxi Army’s wolf-emblazoned banner.
This practice of hanging corpses beneath banners was the most brutal method used in warfare. The Shuoxi Army rarely employed it even against the Rong barbarians. Yet today, Yan Chi used it on Yan Qi, his cousin of the same clan name, ending his brief life of just over twenty years in such a manner.
Zhao You, still in the Shuoxi Army camp, witnessed this scene at the camp gate. His view of Yan Chi instantly changed.
As the army returned to camp, Yan Chi saw Zhao You but acted as if he hadn’t, leading Chu Fei Sheng and others back to the central command tent.
His cold indifference to all relationships terrified everyone into silence. With Gu Ling and Yu Qi dead along with over ten thousand brothers, everyone harbored deep anger. Seeing Yan Chi deal with Yan Qi so decisively helped somewhat ease their rage.
The entire Shuoxi Army camp maintained a disciplined, oppressive silence.
After some hesitation, Zhao You came to request an audience at the central command tent.
Yan Chi invited Zhao You in, and only then did his cold expression soften slightly.
At this moment, Zhao You’s face was pale. With Zhao Shu Hua’s fate uncertain, how could he bear the thought of outliving his child? Before Yan Chi’s return with his army, he had already fainted once. Now, he was merely maintaining his composure to handle the situation.
“Your Highness went to the Jinzhou Army camp—I assume you learned the truth?”
Zhao You spoke very politely. Yan Chi replied, “The Emperor ordered the Prince of Cheng to plot our armies’ destruction.”
This simple statement confirmed Zhao You’s suspicions. He sighed, “When Shu’er previously wanted to contest the throne for the Crown Prince, I was reluctant. Now, I see our Emperor is truly not a wise ruler.”
After a pause, Zhao You asked, “What does Your Highness plan to do?”
“Wait,” Yan Chi said first, then glanced at the sky outside.
The sun was already westering—it wouldn’t be long until nightfall.
“I demanded Marquis An Yang hand over those responsible for last night. If they aren’t delivered before dark, at nightfall, I will attack Wei County.”
Yan Chi spoke each word with finality. Zhao You’s brows trembled, “Then… what after taking Wei County?”
Yan Chi looked at Zhao You, their eyes meeting as Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes, “What is the General trying to probe? The Northern Manor Army originally planned to march south to Lin’an. Now, do you fear I’ll contend with you?”
As Zhao You’s lips moved to explain, Yan Chi gave a cool laugh, “No need for the General to guess. I indeed intend to contest Lin’an.”
At these words, Zhao You frowned, while the surrounding officers like Chu Fei Sheng brightened!
Zhao You’s expression grew serious. After a moment, he coughed lightly behind his hand, then said, “I came today for nothing else but Shu’er’s life…”
Zhao You looked toward Qin Wan sitting beside Yan Chi, “Could the Princess Consort…”
Before he finished, Qin Wan said, “When they arrived, I did my utmost. Whether the Empress lives depends on fate now. Even if the Valley Master of Medicine Valley were here, if she’s meant to die, nothing could save her.”
Hearing this, Zhao You’s face paled further. Finding nothing more to say, he left.
Outside, Yan Che and Qin Chao Yu were waiting and approached him, “Grandfather, how did it go?”
Zhao You shook his head, “The situation is dire. Your mother—the Princess Consort just said her fate is in heaven’s hands!”
Pain flashed in Yan Che’s eyes, “What can we do? The Shuoxi camp is now tense, and we shouldn’t stay long, but the Princess Consort said Mother can’t be moved. This effectively traps us here.”
Zhao You waved his hand, “Your mother can’t be moved for now, and we still need the Princess Consort’s help. However, the situation is becoming difficult to read.”
Zhao You looked around and stepped further away before saying, “Prince Rui intends to march south for Lin’an!”
Hearing this, Yan Che immediately furrowed his brows, “Grandfather, you mean…”
Zhao You nodded, then began coughing again behind his hand.
In the central command tent, Chu Fei Sheng was anxiously asking, “Your Highness, have you decided? Are we marching south for Lin’an?!”
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes, not answering immediately, instead turning to Bai Feng, “Bai Feng, tell us, where have Ge Yang and Lin Zhang gone?”
Bai Feng immediately stepped forward, “The midnight message to the camp said Ge Yang and Lin Zhang’s troops gathering grain in Ying Prefecture was just a ruse, meant to delay until we left Wu Prefecture and headed north. They’ve likely been traveling for three or four days now.”
Hearing this, Chu Fei Sheng immediately cursed, “Those bastards! While we fight for our lives in the north! He has Ge Yang’s troops held back while Yan Qi sabotages us! They wanted us to be destroyed in the north so Ge Yang could easily take Shuoxi! How could things be so convenient for them? So many of our brothers died in vain!”
At the mention of this, several in the tent reddened their eyes. Chu Fei Sheng gritted his teeth, “Your Highness! They go west, we should go south! Let’s see who succeeds first—them taking Shuoxi, or us taking Lin’an—”
Yan Chi spoke gravely, “That’s the plan, but we must wait for Xiao Cheng’s return, and for Marquis An Yang to give us an explanation!”
Though the Marquis wasn’t involved, he had initiated the alliance. As the Northern Expedition Army’s commander, he couldn’t avoid responsibility.
By nightfall, when Yue Rong personally brought Qi Cen and others to the Shuoxi Army camp gate, he immediately saw Yan Qi hanging high on the tower.
This sight was even more shocking than watching Yan Chi wound Yan Qi in public during the day.
Yue Rong’s eyes darkened further, while the bound prisoners behind him—Qi Cen, Lu Xiao, and others—turned pale with fear.
Yue Rong dismounted at the camp gate and walked in.
Hearing the report, Yan Chi came out of his tent. Seeing Yue Rong had brought only a dozen or so people, his brows immediately furrowed.
Yue Rong sighed and stepped forward, “May we speak privately?”
In the central command tent, Yue Rong bowed to Yan Chi and the other Shuoxi Army commanders, “I’ve come to apologize.”
Yan Chi remained silent, while Chu Fei Sheng said, “The Marquis speaks lightly. Can the lives of over ten thousand Shuoxi brothers be settled with a mere apology? Marquis, you’ve brought only about ten people—surely last night’s events required more than just ten people!”
Yue Rong looked pained and replied, “When commanders give orders, soldiers dare not disobey. Those I’ve brought today, besides the leader Qi Cen and Yan Qi’s guard Lu Xiao, are all military officers of seventh rank and above who were involved yesterday. As for the common soldiers, if I bound and brought them here, how would I be different from a leader who doesn’t distinguish right from wrong? If this happened in the Shuoxi Army, I believe you would all do the same.”
Chu Fei Sheng was rendered speechless by these words and looked to Yan Chi. Yan Chi watched Yue Rong and finally said, “Since the Marquis shows sincerity, I’ll accept these men. The Shuoxi Army’s tragic losses shouldn’t be blamed on you. You’ve done all you can—please return.”
Though Yan Chi didn’t intend to keep Yue Rong, the Marquis remained standing, “Yan Chi, what do you plan to do?”
Yan Chi had shown no mercy to Yan Qi and dealt with him decisively—how could Yue Rong not guess his intentions?
Seeing Yan Chi’s dark silence, Yue Rong said, “Ge Yang has gone west—His Majesty sent Lin Zhang with him for this very purpose. Ah…”
Yue Rong sighed deeply, “The nation faces a crisis, and the Rong barbarians still linger in Cangzhou. I initially led troops north to fight the Empress, but now, the barbarians take priority. Tomorrow, I’ll lead troops north to continue fighting them. We must retake Cangzhou and drive the barbarians beyond Canglong Mountain before turning south. Then, I’ll only concern myself with the Northern Manor Army. Whatever the Shuoxi Army does—whether returning to Shuoxi or other plans—won’t concern me…”
Though Yue Rong didn’t speak plainly, everyone understood his meaning.
If Yan Chi marched south for Lin’an, Yue Rong could have blocked him out of loyalty to the Emperor, hindering the Shuoxi Army. Instead, he used the barbarians as a reason to openly allow Yan Chi’s southern advance. Hearing this, Yan Chi’s brows finally moved, “Thank you, Lord Marquis.”
Having said his piece, Yue Rong bowed again, “I don’t deserve thanks. I have truly wronged the Shuoxi Army.”
With these words, Yue Rong finally turned and left.