The qin’s melody drifted softly. Though Zhao Hanzhang did not sing aloud, Fu Tinghan still heard the vast realm of towering mountains and distant waters.

He leaned quietly against the doorframe watching her, the restlessness in his heart smoothed away. Even his fatigue settled down peacefully, his body feeling loose and soft, relaxed and content.

After Zhao Hanzhang finished playing the piece, she felt confident and looked up toward Fu Tinghan. Seeing him watching her with a gentle smile, she couldn’t help but smile as well, asking proudly, “How was my playing?”

Fu Tinghan nodded, “It sounded very good.”

Having gained his approval, Zhao Hanzhang decided to send this musical score to Liu Kun.

Three days before the winter solstice, Wu Erlang’s merchant caravan and the Jinyang army together escorted the goods back to Luoyang.

This time, they not only brought back a large number of horses but also quite a bit of fur and medicinal materials.

Beigong Chun and Xie Shi caught wind of this and sprang into action. One led his subordinate officers and soldiers, while the other urged Zhao Erlang, both rushing back to the city overnight to request horses.

As soon as they entered the Zhao estate, Zeng Yue was already waiting. He was now Zhao Hanzhang’s deputy general and similarly wanted to secure some warhorses for the Zhao Family Army.

The Qihuo Army received the news a bit late and didn’t rush to Luoyang until the next day. Upon entering the Zhao estate and seeing that Beigong Chun and the others had arrived early, their hearts immediately sank.

Leader Li couldn’t help but pull Chen Wu aside, saying quietly, “General, this won’t do. We’re just a mercenary army, not under Commander Zhao’s direct command. Information always reaches us a layer late, and even if we could arrive at the same time, when there are good things, wouldn’t she first give them to her own troops rather than to us mercenaries?”

This touched on matters Chen Wu had been contemplating these past few months. He pressed his lips together, “You mean we should pledge allegiance to her?”

Leader Li said softly, “If Commander Zhao is willing to accept us, why don’t we pledge ourselves to her?”

Chen Wu lowered his head in thought. If Zhao Hanzhang could ensure they no longer had to wander about, he would naturally be willing to pledge his service.

Gucheng’s harvest this year had been barely adequate. The land Zhao Hanzhang had allocated to them had produced quite a bit, and they had built many houses this year. Though people didn’t say it aloud, throughout the army there was indeed a desire to settle permanently in Gucheng.

The elderly and weak who traveled with the army had also settled down. Zhao Hanzhang had even arranged for a school to be opened in Gucheng. The children in the Qihuo Army, whether they had parents or family or not, could all attend.

They studied while also working. Chen Wu could see that they felt allegiance toward Zhao Hanzhang. Though he, Chen Wu, was still first in their hearts, Zhao Hanzhang held a significant position in their hearts as well.

Before the tax announcement was issued, the remaining aristocratic families in Gucheng had privately cursed Zhao Hanzhang quite a bit. Even after it came out, there were some critical voices. The children of the Qihuo Army had argued with those scholars several times over this and eventually came to blows.

This showed their loyalty to Zhao Hanzhang.

If things continued like this for another two years, even if the Qihuo Army was still his Qihuo Army under Chen Wu, it would also bear Zhao Hanzhang’s mark.

If so, it would be better to pledge allegiance early and gain more benefits.

In any case, he didn’t want to lead people wandering and begging everywhere anymore.

Did they really think an army was easy to maintain?

Chen Wu said quietly, “Then shall we pledge allegiance today?”

Leader Li nodded repeatedly, “Let’s pledge allegiance today.”

Chen Wu made up his mind and immediately turned to enter the garden.

Beigong Chun and the others sitting and waiting in the garden had already seen him, but didn’t know what he had been whispering about with his deputy general at the gate for so long before finally coming in.

As soon as he entered, Chen Wu clasped his fists and greeted them with hearty laughter.

Beigong Chun nodded slightly while seated, which counted as returning the greeting. Xie Shi also bowed slightly and lowered his head. Only Zhao Erlang happily stood up and returned the salute with clasped fists, “General Chen, when do you have time for us to have another match? Last time we fought to a draw, but Teacher Xie said it was because you deliberately held back and didn’t deploy your elite troops. This time it must be elite against elite, and you mustn’t hold back anymore.”

Chen Wu’s eyes flashed as he replied with a smile, “Young General, the people under my command are all from peasant backgrounds. They’re not good at anything else, but they can run fast and have strong legs.”

“Our Qihuo Army used to wander everywhere. We could run a hundred li barefoot, and our soles are thicker than shoe leather. If you compare infantry with me, you’re naturally at a disadvantage, so you shouldn’t use your weakness to attack my strength,” Chen Wu said. “I’ve heard that the Zhao Family Army’s cavalry is quite formidable. Commander Zhao’s own Zhao Family Army goes without saying—few armies can compare. The Zhao Family Army under the Young General should also be quite impressive. Why don’t we compare cavalry instead?”

Beigong Chun immediately understood he was also eyeing the horses and couldn’t help but snort.

The Zhao Family Army’s cavalry was indeed not bad, but Chen Wu’s words were excessive praise.

In the Great Jin, when it came to cavalry, it was still his Xiliang Army that led, and even Gou Xi’s cavalry had greater combat power than the Zhao Family Army.

Chen Wu’s words clearly showed he was asking Zhao Hanzhang for horses.

Everyone present heard the underlying meaning except for Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Erlang didn’t catch Chen Wu’s hidden implication, but the young man had his own principles and understanding. He said, “Elder Sister said that issues of strengths and weaknesses are for commanders to consider. I don’t yet have the ability to be a commander, so I should first focus on being a good vanguard.”

He continued, “Right now we’re training our own troops. Since I know infantry is my weakness, I need to train even harder in it. I’ve observed that when it comes to cavalry’s ferocity, no one can match General Beigong’s Xiliang Army, but when it comes to infantry’s fierceness, no one can surpass General Chen’s Qihuo Army. Currently the army has few horses, so cavalry needs training, but infantry needs even more training. So let’s have another match—this time you bring your elite troops against my elite troops. How about it?”

Chen Wu hesitated, “This…”

Chen Wu hadn’t expected him to say such things.

“What, is General Chen afraid of this green young man Erlang?” Zhao Hanzhang said with a smile as she emerged from the room, followed by Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, Fan Ying, and others. She smiled and asked, “Or are you afraid of hurting him?”

Chen Wu quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. Beigong Chun and the others also stood to salute.

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, telling them to dispense with formalities, then sat down on the mat at the head position, “Everyone sit down and talk.”

She said to Chen Wu, “General, please don’t hold back. Help me train him as well. This youngster has learned some military strategy and is at his most enthusiastic, but it’s all theoretical knowledge. He can’t compare with the General’s hundred battles of experience. When it comes to infantry valor, none of our armies can match your Qihuo Army.”

Chen Wu quickly said, “That was all done out of necessity, fighting with our lives. How can it compare with Commander’s strategic planning and masterful use of troops?”

“Enough, no need for mutual compliments,” Zhao Hanzhang turned to look at Beigong Chun and Xie Shi, saying, “I know why you’ve come. This time, the horses sent from Jinyang—I’ve had Horse Master Wei select them, picking out the young colts not yet ready for battle. The rest will be distributed to the various armies as warhorses. You must take good care of them. This batch of horses wasn’t easy to obtain.”

On the return journey, Wu Erlang and his group had even been raided by Xiongnu troops. Fortunately, the vast majority of the horses were preserved, but the Jinyang army escorting them back suffered many casualties, and quite a bit of money had to be spent smoothing things over. Zhao Hanzhang felt considerable heartache.

Just for these horses, Zhao Hanzhang’s treasury, which had only just become wealthy from taxes, was once again significantly depleted.

Beigong Chun and Xie Shi excitedly agreed. Chen Wu grew anxious and spoke up before Zhao Hanzhang could announce the distribution plan, “Commander, I have a matter to discuss with you.”

Zhao Hanzhang was just about to distribute the horses when she paused at his words and asked, “Is it urgent?”

Chen Wu replied seriously and solemnly, “Extremely urgent.”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Ji Yuan, then stood up and led Chen Wu to the study to discuss privately.

—