In the Western Army’s main camp at Ying Prefecture, Yan Chi welcomed Qin Wan’s group into the central command tent.
Upon entering, Qin Wan immediately reported, “The Empress’s injuries are severe and difficult to heal. The Old General’s health has also deteriorated. Given that the current situation differs from before, the Old General and Crown Prince have abandoned their pursuit of Lin’an. Fifth Princess is now in North Wei’s border city, likely wanting to see the Old General. Besides General Cheng and General Sun, there are nearly seventy thousand soldiers outside, all core troops of the Northern Government Army. Every one among them voluntarily joined us. Some who’ve followed the Old General for many years and have no families remain by his side, while others with relatives but no intention to join have already left the Northern Government Army to return home.”
After Qin Wan’s concise summary, Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and others came forward to pay their respects. Among those entering the tent were over ten Northern Army commanders. He had met Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and four or five others during the alliance meeting, while the rest were unfamiliar faces. However, since the Northern Army had come to join them, Yan Chi naturally treated them with warmth. Although he didn’t need them to contest Lin’an now, having more friends was better than having more enemies.
Yan Chi immediately said, “Please rise, everyone. You’ve all guarded the northern borders for years – I understand this experience best. Now that you’ve come to join us, I’ll naturally treat you just as I treat the Western Army. Please, rise—”
These words struck a chord with Cheng Wei and the others.
Guarding the northern borders was as arduous as defending the western regions, incomparable to ordinary garrison duty. They faced two fierce tribal groups – the Rong and the barbarians. In this respect, the Western Army and Northern Army were quite similar. Seeing Yan Chi understand their hardships, and though he didn’t need their military strength now, still treating them with such courtesy, Cheng Wei and the others felt relieved. Thinking of Yan Chi’s martial prowess and care for his troops, their loyalty deepened.
After rising, Yan Chi first let Qin Wan rest nearby, then immediately summoned Chu Feisheng and Xiao Cheng inside, ordering them to count the Northern Army’s numbers and commanders to arrange the armies’ merger. After these arrangements, Cheng Wei and others witnessed the Western Army’s decisive and efficient style. Yan Chi’s immediate arrangement to merge the armies without demoting Northern Army commanders showed he harbored no prejudice. Both Chu Feisheng and Xiao Cheng were veteran commanders who acted openly and straightforwardly. Thus, even before the soldiers below, the commanders from both sides got along harmoniously.
After roughly counting the numbers, Chu Feisheng went with Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and others to arrange the army’s encampment, leaving the central tent empty. With no one else present, Yan Chi could no longer restrain himself and pulled Qin Wan into his embrace, saying, “This is quite a generous gift.”
Qin Wan smiled, “I was delayed two days in setting out, so I had to bring a substantial gift. How else could I avoid your blame?”
Yan Chi pinched her waist, “You dare say that!”
Qin Wan couldn’t help giggling from the pinch. With intense emotions, Yan Chi naturally had to shower her with affection. After relieving their longing, Yan Chi lets Qin Wan freshen up. Only after she changed clothes did they talk, “Zhao You’s sudden decision must have caused considerable anxiety in the Northern Army.”
Qin Wan sat down for tea, saying, “Indeed. The Northern Army knows the Western Army was betrayed, and that you’re marching south to Lin’an in anger. Moreover, the Northern Army now lacks provisions and can’t hold out long. If they faced the Western Army, defeat would be certain. Even holding a position in the north with their troops would be extremely difficult. Rather than that, better to choose to join us now. The Old General greatly trusts our character, and Cheng Wei and others greatly admire you. Thus, making this decision wasn’t difficult. Furthermore, with their masters having lost the will to fight, they had no path to show loyalty even if they wanted to. Since that’s the case, why not choose a wise new master? They can preserve their lives and families, and perhaps even have a chance for merit and promotion in service to the nation.”
Yan Chi smiled, “This is also thanks to you. You saved the Empress, so the Old General is grateful to you. Otherwise, he might not have handed over the Northern Army so readily.”
Zhao You’s decisiveness naturally had much to do with Qin Wan, but given the changing situation, he could only follow the trend.
“The Old General sees very clearly and isn’t someone who would fight to the death for the throne. Since he knows the outcome, he wouldn’t let so many Northern Army soldiers suffer with him. Therefore, entrusting his core forces to someone trustworthy was the best choice.”
At this point, Qin Wan sighed again, “The Shu Prefecture incident greatly impacted the Old General. His health is declining daily, beyond medical help now. With good medicine to sustain him, he might have one or two years, or perhaps longer. But if he faces hardship and fatigue, it might only be a matter of half a year.”
Zhao You had spent half his life guarding the northern borders of Great Zhou, so similar to Yan Lin. In this respect, Yan Chi greatly admired him.
Yan Chi said, “So, the current situation is best for everyone.”
After they talked for a while, darkness had completely fallen. Now in early autumn, the days weren’t as long as summer. Seeing nightfall, Yan Chi ordered simple food prepared to welcome Cheng Wei and the others. Since the incidents with Gu Ling and Yu Qi, Chu Feisheng and others have remained tense. Tonight, Yan Chi specially permitted them to drink. After drinking, Chu Feisheng and Xiao Cheng first exchanged cups with Cheng Wei and others, but after three rounds, they couldn’t help but think of Gu Ling and Yu Qi!
Chu Feisheng, with reddened eyes, said, “We had said we’d drink together again after returning victorious to the Western Regions, but now we’re following His Highness to Lin’an, with two people missing. This cup, I offer to Gu Ling and Yu Qi—”
He sighed deeply, “Not dying by enemy hands, but by the schemes of our people, this is truly… unfair! Unjust!”
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng and others also reddened their eyes, all pouring wine on the ground to honor the departed souls. Seeing this, Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and others also felt moved, thinking of their ten thousand brothers remaining in Shu Prefecture. Those who haven’t served in the army likely don’t understand this feeling. Thus, the commanders from both sides grew even closer.
Mentioning Gu Ling and Yu Qi inevitably pained Yan Chi’s heart. Though everyone could drink tonight, the wine cup before him remained untouched.
Now in pitch darkness, the sky covered the earth like a demon’s web. Yan Chi said coldly, “Tomorrow morning we march, striking directly at Lin’an. Though Gu Ling and Yu Qi have fallen, their spirits watch us from heaven. We go to the Son of Heaven to seek justice!”