HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 542: An Unexpected Commander

Chapter 542: An Unexpected Commander

Shen Xihe lowered her head and tugged at the corner of her lips. Outsiders might see the Crown Prince as modest and thoughtful, but they didn’t know how many hidden schemes lay within this battle – how could he possibly command personally? The goal was to have Geng Liangcheng step forward and bear all responsibility.

Would Geng Liangcheng step forward?

Of course, he would. This was a golden opportunity – in his eyes, Shen Yueshan was dead, and Shen Yunan had fallen into Xiao Juezong’s hands, which was practically the same as being dead. This was his chance to achieve merit, and by taking on this burden, he would gain control of military power.

The prospect of gaining achievements and power was irresistible to him. As for the possibility of defeat? That wasn’t even within Geng Liangcheng’s realm of consideration.

During Shen Yueshan’s twenty-some years ruling the Northwest, they had fought over fifty battles against the Turks, large and small, without a single defeat. This led the Northwest soldiers to completely disregard the Turks. Veterans like Geng Liangcheng, who had led countless victorious battles, were especially confident. He had long believed that even without Shen Yueshan, the Northwest would remain peaceful and tranquil – otherwise, how could he have developed treasonous thoughts?

Geng Liangcheng’s eyes were filled with ambitious light, but he still needed to show restraint and not act too hastily. He gave Sang Yin a meaningful look, but Sang Yin understood his meaning yet seemed unwilling, averting his gaze as if he hadn’t seen it, infuriating Geng Liangcheng who ground his teeth in response.

“Those Turkish bandits must have heard about the Prince…” Meng Hu gritted his teeth. “I’ll lead troops to Tingzhou right now and leave none of them alive!”

“Stop!” several people shouted in unison. Wei Ya even strode forward to grab him. “The Prince is gone, the heir is missing, we have no leader. Everyone is outraged, but should we all act rashly and charge toward Tingzhou with drawn swords?

Tingzhou has the Protectorate General’s Office with thirty thousand elite troops stationed there. Why did the news only arrive today? Why weren’t the warning beacons lit earlier?

Something is amiss here. We need to plan carefully.”

“Then tell me, what should we do?” Meng Hu shook off Wei Ya and demanded.

Wei Ya glanced at Xiao Huayong, then swept his gaze over the silent Xiao Changfeng and Pei Zhan. After a moment of silence, he said: “Provisions, supplies, weapons, troop deployment… everything needs coordination. With the heir absent, the Princess Consort should rightfully be in charge of the mansion.”

“This…” everyone’s gazes turned to Shen Xihe simultaneously.

It wasn’t that they didn’t trust Shen Xihe, but rather that, unlike Shen Yunan, she had no military achievements to her name. Most critically, as the Crown Princess she had married into the imperial family. Now with the heir’s suspicious disappearance, some were already secretly spreading rumors that Shen Xihe must have colluded with the court to achieve things so smoothly. They naturally didn’t believe such baseless talk.

But while they might trust Shen Xihe, it didn’t mean their subordinates would. Now facing the Turks, who were likely coming with tremendous force, the slightest misstep causing unstable military morale would not only needlessly sacrifice good soldiers’ lives but also ruin Shen Xihe’s reputation.

“Respected uncles, I am not skilled in these matters and dare not delay military affairs. Please select a temporary commander from among yourselves to handle this immediate crisis,” Shen Xihe also declined. “Right now, I am more concerned about my brother’s safety. Finding him is my undeniable duty.”

Shen Xihe’s refusal was unexpected to Wei Ya, who had pointed to her hoping these people would recognize who truly held authority in the Northwest: “Military matters are urgent. Since the Princess Consort is so reasonable, we must accept this dangerous mission. Though I am unworthy, I am willing to take on the responsibility of commander.”

No one had expected Wei Ya to intervene. Shen Xihe looked at Xiao Huayong, who smiled and winked.

Geng Liangcheng’s brows furrowed deeply – having the prize snatched from his mouth, how could he not be irritated?

The others had no particular thoughts on the matter. They were all as close as brothers, and it didn’t matter who became commander. The current commander was merely needed to ensure military operations could proceed smoothly, to establish a system for deploying troops, and to avoid everyone making their own decisions and creating chaos.

“Old Wei has always been one to plan before acting. Even the Prince called him a Military Advisor. Since the heir is absent and Old Wei has volunteered, I’m willing to follow his command,” Meng Hu was the first to state his position.

The others had no ambitions and weren’t hoping to become temporary commanders. In their hearts, the commander would always be Shen Yunan, who was merely temporarily missing. They all echoed Meng Hu’s sentiment.

Sang Yin also stepped forward: “Old Wei, we trouble you with this task.”

Sang Yin’s reason for not supporting Geng Liangcheng was simple – the commander’s seal couldn’t fall into Geng Liangcheng’s hands. His intentions weren’t pure, and who knew what problems might arise if he gained control of the seal?

With everyone supporting Wei Ya, if Geng Liangcheng raised objections now, he would certainly face suspicion. He could only ask: “Old Wei, who will you send to support Tingzhou?”

Unexpectedly, Wei Ya looked at Geng Liangcheng and said: “Old Geng, among us, you’re most familiar with the Tingzhou area. I’ll trouble you to lead troops there in support.”

This outcome surprised everyone. Sang Yin seemed about to speak but held back. Geng Liangcheng felt somewhat relieved – although he hadn’t gained full authority, having a military tally was still far better than being kept here.

“Good, I’ll go,” Geng Liangcheng agreed readily.

“Your Highness Crown Prince, Your Highness Princess Consort, do you have any objections?” Wei Ya turned to ask.

Shen Xihe looked at Xiao Huayong. She had no objections – although things had deviated somewhat from her expectations, as long as Geng Liangcheng went to the battlefield, everything remained under control. Even if he didn’t go to the battlefield, it would be the same.

“In this time of crisis, General Wei has taken on a heavy responsibility. I trust in the General,” Xiao Huayong also had no objections.

Wei Ya lifted his robes and knelt before Shen Xihe: “I request the Princess Consort to bestow the seal of command.”

The commander’s seal had been in Shen Yueshan’s possession, but both Shen Xihe and Shen Yunan knew its location. Only documents stamped with this seal could command troop movements.

“Uncle Wei, please come with me,” Shen Xihe turned and walked toward Shen Yueshan’s courtyard, with Xiao Huayong following. Xiao Changfeng and the others had to remain where they were.

The two exchanged glances. The Northwest’s military affairs had always been directly commanded by the Prince’s mansion without needing to report to the court unless they couldn’t hold back the Turks. But now the situation was different – Xiao Changfeng took the opportunity to leave and sent another urgent letter to the court.

“Uncle Wei, this is the commander’s seal,” Shen Xihe personally retrieved the seal and presented it to Wei Ya with both hands.

Wei Ya knelt on one knee and reverently received it. Only after standing did he say: “Princess Consort, there must be something suspicious about the Prince’s death. The heir’s disappearance, immediately followed by the Turks’ attack – Tingzhou was originally secure with thirty thousand troops stationed there, yet it’s suddenly in danger without our knowledge. If all this is a coincidence, it’s far too coincidental.

I’ve shared hardships with your father for decades, and I’ve never forgotten how, when I was buried under corpses and everyone thought I had sacrificed myself, including your father, he still insisted on finding my body. Even if he couldn’t find it, he wanted to at least find my armor, to bring my heroic spirit home…”

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