Early the next morning, Helian Chu left the camp carrying letters from Zhao Shuhua and Yan Che.
Zhao Shuhua personally escorted Helian Chu to the camp gates, only turning back with a sigh after his figure had disappeared from view.
Yan Che followed behind Zhao Shuhua and said quietly, "Mother need not worry. Zhen'er is different from before now and will surely take good care of herself."
Zhao Shuhua sighed again, "I only hope she doesn't hate me."
Yan Che smiled wryly, "How could she truly hate Mother? Zhen'er must understand Mother's devoted care for us."
Zhao Shuhua paused in her steps and glanced back. Seeing Yan Che's expression unchanged from usual, she felt slightly relieved in her heart.
The group had just returned to the central command tent when several fast horses arrived outside the camp shortly after. Soon, Zhao Jing entered the tent and reported, "Elder sister, the Anyang Marquis's men have come! They say the deployment is set for tonight at the Yin hour—" as he spoke, he handed over a document.
Zhao Shuhua took it and frowned, "Tonight at the Yin hour?"
The Yin hour being midnight, Zhao Jing nodded, "Yes, the Anyang Marquis has already had the camp diviners perform auguries. Moreover, the southwest wind has been blowing all day today and will likely continue until tomorrow morning. If we execute the fire attack strategy at midnight when the Rong barbarians are deep in sleep, we can catch them completely off guard."
Zhao Shuhua nodded, "Good, immediately summon the generals to the strategy tent. We need to carefully coordinate our plans."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing 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 Zhao You's health.
Having commanded the Northern Garrison Army for decades, Zhao You's personal leadership naturally brought everyone confidence. However, his current illness was quite worrying.
Though the officers felt anxious, Zhao You showed no fear at all. Thus it was decided. After the plans were finalized, Zhao Shuhua sent messengers to the Anyang Marquis's camp to confirm the Yin hour departure. With Zhao You as commander for this campaign, fifty thousand troops would be deployed, leaving only two thousand supply and kitchen soldiers in the entire Northern Garrison Army camp. Convinced of certain victory in this battle, Zhao Shuhua began ordering the kitchen battalion at nightfall to prepare celebratory feasts for the next day.
Simultaneously, the Northwest Frontier Army also received the news.
When Zhao Shuhua agreed to join forces with Yue Qiong, she had left over twenty thousand soldiers in Chongzhou as a precaution against deception. Unlike the Northern Garrison Army, all seventy thousand troops of the Northwest Frontier Army were stationed at the camp west of Wei County. Upon receiving the battle strategy document sent by Yue Qiong, Yan Chi immediately ordered troop preparations.
Yan Chi was going to battle again. Thinking this would be the last time, Qin Guan didn't feel as uneasy as before. Moreover, with three armies joining forces, they not only had numerical advantage but also the fire attack strategy. As long as the wind direction didn't change tonight, the fire attack would surely succeed. When the Rong barbarians fell into chaos, the Great Zhou troops would possess favorable timing, geographical advantage, and human unity—how could they not achieve victory?
In the central command tent, Qin Guan wrung out a cloth and carefully cleaned Yan Chi's armor. The black armor showed some wear, even bearing marks from swords and blades. Qin Guan meticulously wiped it inch by inch, only stopping when she was certain no trace of blood remained. Seeing her like this, Yan Chi stepped forward and embraced her, "Alright, everything has been arranged this time. Just rest assured and wait in camp for our victorious return."Qin Guan leaned against Yan Chi's chest. "I'll wait patiently for your return, but you must be careful. Whenever you go into battle, I worry."
Yan Chi led Qin Guan to sit down, smiling. "For missions like burning enemy provisions before, I could send Gu Ling. But this is the final battle—I can't rest easy leaving it to others. Don't worry, by tomorrow's dawn we'll return victorious. After at most one day's rest, we'll first return to Wuzhou, then back to the Northwest Frontier."
Thinking of the plants in her garden, Qin Guan grew animated. "We've been away over two months—Fuling must be worried sick. I wonder if all the flowers I planted survived. When we return, shall we keep some kittens, puppies, or parrots in the estate?"
Yan Chi chuckled. "Whatever you wish. The hottest months have passed, and autumn approaches. Soon after we return, snow will fall—don't regret coming back early then."
Qin Guan laughed. "Snow is wonderful! I love snowfall. Besides, nowhere feels as comfortable as our own home."
Yan Chi felt warmth spread through his heart. Once his home had been the army camp, but now everything was different.
After the couple shared tender moments, Yan Chi emerged to find the troops already assembled.
Night had just fallen, draping the northern skies in profound darkness. Not a single star shone in the eerie void.
Yu Qi and Gu Ling approached from the training grounds, grinning. "Your Highness! Perfect weather for setting mountain fires tonight! So dark the Rong barbarians won't know where to flee—the flames alone might eliminate half their forces."
Yan Chi glanced skyward, frowning. "Unfavorable for them, unfavorable for us too. Ensure every soldier carries a fire starter."
Gu Ling responded, "Rest assured, Your Highness. All arrangements are made."
Knowing Gu Ling's steadfast reliability, Yan Chi added, "Good. We still have hours—go rest awhile."
They would move at the third watch, needing only to depart at midnight. Fallen Phoenix Slope lay just an hour and a half away. Since the Jinzhou troops were responsible for setting fires at the mountain base, Yan Chi's forces only needed to reach Green Grass Plain. There, they'd likely wait until nearly dawn to spot Rong survivors fleeing downhill.
Thus, they and the Northern Garrison Army had the most flexible timeline.
Yu Qi, however, bristled with energy. "I'm not sleepy at all—couldn't sleep if I tried! Thinking how we'll annihilate the Rong after this battle excites me. Once finished, they won't dare invade the Northwest Frontier for at least five years! We can finally recuperate there."
Having established independent rule in Xilin, Yan Chi treated the Northwest Frontier as his domain. Rong invasions posed major threats. Five years free from external aggression would grant Yan Chi, Prince of Xilin, countless opportunities.
A faint smile touched Yan Chi's lips. "First, we must win."
Yu Qi looked utterly confident, clapping Gu Ling's shoulder. "Gu Ling and I will lead the charge—we'll uphold the Northwest Frontier Army's honor. Have no doubts, Your Highness."
Even if Yan Chi distrusted Yu Qi's impulsiveness, he trusted Gu Ling's steadiness. Shaking his head wryly, he entered the strategy tent.Yan Chi went through the battle strategy once more with the assembled officers. By the hour of Hai, Qin Guan arrived with Baiying, bringing food for the military commanders. "The army cooks made noodle soup today. Everyone, eat well so you're ready to depart soon. The soldiers outside have also begun their meal."
As she spoke, Qin Guan personally served the food. Several young officers quickly stood up, expressing their unease at being served by her. Just as she reached Gu Ling, she smiled encouragingly, "Why hesitate? Since you're accepting food served by my own hands, you must all return safely and victorious tomorrow."
Gu Ling momentarily froze under the glow of Qin Guan's smiling phoenix eyes, only managing a respectful "Yes" after she had moved past him.
The military rations were simple and coarse. Yu Qi gulped down half a bowl of noodle soup in a few mouthfuls, smacking his lips, "How I miss the mutton noodle soup from the Northwest Frontier! The one from Aunt Hu's shop in West Lin City was the most fragrant!"
Chu Fei Sheng laughed, "Win this battle, return to the Northwest Frontier, and you can eat as much as you want!"
Amidst eating and light banter, their words were filled with anticipation of returning home victorious the next day.
After the meal, they waited another half hour until it was time to depart. Qin Guan stood at the entrance of the main tent, watching once again as Yan Chi led the army out through the tent flaps.
Baiying, standing beside her, said, "Do not worry, Princess Consort. This time, nothing will go wrong."
A slight curve touched Qin Guan's lips as she raised her hand, feeling the night breeze. After a moment, her heart eased, "As long as the wind direction doesn't change, all will proceed smoothly."
As the Northwest Frontier Army set out, the Northern Garrison Army also departed northward from their camp.
Neither force needed to ascend the heights of Fallen Phoenix Slope—one positioned to the west, the other to the north, they firmly encircled all possible retreat routes for the Rong barbarians.
The Jinzhou Army, tasked with climbing to the mountainside and setting the fires, had already set out silently an hour earlier.
Yue Qiong had taken sixty thousand troops this time. To ensure victory, he brought only the core Jinzhou Army veterans who had followed him for years, along with his most trusted officers. The camp was left with nearly thirty thousand soldiers, all gathered from Lin'an, Yingzhou, and Luozhou during the preparations for the Northern Expedition.
This night, Yan Qi did not join the expedition.
As the current Prince Cheng and a military officer of the Northern Expedition army, he held the highest authority in the entire camp once Yue Qiong departed.
Shortly after midnight, two fast horses entered Weixian county town. Before long, Lu Xiao arrived at Yan Qi's tent.
"Your Highness, both the Northern Garrison Army and the Northwest Frontier Army have set out. The Northwest Frontier Army still has twenty thousand troops in camp, while the Northern Garrison Army has only over two thousand left."
Hearing this, Yan Qi's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Soon, his voice turned cold as he said, "Summon Qi Cen and the others."
Lu Xiao acknowledged the order and hurried out to call them. Quickly, three young generals clad in armor entered.
Among them, Qi Cen was originally a fifth-rank Xuanwu General from the Lin'an garrison. The other two accompanying him were He Lin, Deputy Commander of the Yingzhou garrison, and Xu Huai, a fifth-rank Zhenwu General from the Luozhou garrison. With Yue Qiong gone, these three held actual command over the remaining twenty-thousand-plus troops.
Yan Qi sat in the commander's seat, his face shrouded in shadow by the dim, flickering light in the tent.
Qi Cen and the others saluted, but when Yan Qi remained silent, they grew slightly nervous, exchanging puzzled glances with bewildered expressions.Just as Qi Cen and the others were growing increasingly anxious, Yan Qi finally spoke slowly, "You three were once promising young talents from various regions, highly regarded in the military. Yet in this northern expedition, with the Rong barbarians on the verge of defeat, you have achieved no merit. Upon returning to Lin'an, it will likely be impossible for you three to regain your former positions."
At these words, the expressions of Qi Cen and the others changed.
Qi Cen stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please understand—it is not that we are unwilling to fight on the battlefield, but every opportunity that arose, the Marquis did not assign us to engage in combat."
Speaking with some frustration, Qi Cen added, "We... we feel quite unjustly treated..."
He Lin and Xu Huai nodded in agreement beside him, nearly voicing complaints against Yue Qiong.
Hearing this, Yan Qi smiled. "Actually... you cannot blame the Marquis. Every battle in this northern expedition is crucial. The Marquis acted this way to prevent you from throwing your lives away needlessly. Moreover, the Marquis has other plans for you."
At these words, Qi Cen and the others looked up at Yan Qi in surprise.
When Yue Qiong left, he had only given them routine orders to guard the camp and had not mentioned anything else.
Seeing their confusion, Yan Qi said, "The Rong barbarians must be dealt with, but... do not forget the original purpose of this northern expedition."
The original purpose of the northern expedition was, of course, to suppress Zhao Shuhua—
Qi Cen quickly responded, "Naturally, it is to suppress the rebels!"
Yan Qi smiled. "Exactly. Our original purpose was to suppress the rebels; the Rong barbarians were merely an unexpected complication."
Sensing something amiss in Yan Qi's tone, Xu Huai hurriedly said, "But now we have joined forces with the Northern Garrison Army..."
Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. "So what if we joined forces? The Northern Garrison Army must also protect itself. Had it not been for the Marquis's assistance that day, the Northern Garrison Army would have been entangled by the Rong barbarians, and the outcome would have been uncertain. Besides, although we are allied, His Majesty has not issued an order to pardon their crimes, correct?"
The three nodded, and Yan Qi continued, "The Northern Garrison Army has defended the north for many years and has been a meritorious force of Great Zhou. Now, they have merely been misled by Zhao You and the deposed Empress's family. As for suppressing the rebellion, killing more Northern Garrison soldiers is futile. Moreover, I do not wish for Zhou people to slaughter one another. To put it plainly, we only need to capture the deposed Empress and the deposed Crown Prince."
Yan Qi's reasoning was sound, and Qi Cen and the others nodded in agreement once more.
Yan Qi then said, "This is precisely why the Marquis left you here. Tonight, the Northern Garrison Army is deploying troops, leaving only the deposed Empress, the deposed Crown Prince, and two thousand soldiers in their camp. If we send troops to capture them now, don't you think it would be as easy as stretching out a hand?"
At these words, Qi Cen and the other two fully understood Yan Qi's meaning!
Xu Huai said in surprise, "Your Highness... is this... truly the Marquis's intention?"
Yan Qi narrowed his phoenix eyes, his voice turning cold. "What? You doubt me?"
Xu Huai quickly lowered his head. "This humble general would not dare, it's just..."
Yue Qiong was a man of noble character, and these young officers had witnessed it throughout the journey. How could Yue Qiong do something so treacherous, especially during such a critical battle?
Yet Yan Qi declared, "This is not only the Marquis's intention but also His Majesty's."
With a "thud," Yan Qi threw a booklet in front of the three. "Pick it up and see for yourselves—this is His Majesty's personal imperial decree!"Qi Cen and the others' expressions shifted slightly. Qi Cen picked up the booklet, opened it, and indeed found the imperial seal imprint inside. The imperial decree was brief, merely stating that after repelling the foreign enemies, suppressing the rebellion took priority. Qi Cen pressed his lips together and said, "Your Highness, do you intend to send the three of us to the Northern Garrison Army camp to apprehend the targets?"
Yan Qi smiled. "Sending all three of you would be rather wasteful. Two will suffice. Which of you is willing to go?"
Since Yan Qi claimed it was Yue Qiong's order and the Emperor's handwritten decree was present, Qi Cen and the other two naturally dared not doubt it. Moreover, Yue Qiong's arrangement was clearly an opportunity for them to earn merit. With Yan Qi's words leaving no room for refusal, Qi Cen stepped forward. "This general requests to lead the mission—"
Seeing Qi Cen step up, He Lin beside him also clasped his fists. "This general requests to lead the mission."
With both of them volunteering, Xu Huai had no choice but to comply. "This general also requests to lead the mission."
Observing the three, Yan Qi smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. Although you missed the chance to confront the Rong barbarians earlier, suppressing the rebellion is His Majesty's utmost priority. If you succeed in capturing the deposed Empress and Crown Prince this time, it will count as a great achievement. Upon returning to the capital, I will report truthfully to His Majesty. What are mere promotions and titles then?"
At these words, the tension on their faces eased slightly, and Qi Cen's eyes shone particularly bright.
Having originally served in the capital garrison, he was the most ambitious among the three for rapid advancement. He looked at Yan Qi expectantly, hoping the prince would grant him this opportunity.
Yet Yan Qi declared, "Very well. He Lin and Xu Huai shall take on this mission. I grant you ten thousand troops. Depart in half an hour."
The journey from Wei County town to the Northern Garrison Army camp took only half an hour. By rushing there, they would arrive at midnight—precisely when Zhao Shuhua and the others would be deepest in sleep.
Hearing this, Qi Cen stared at Yan Qi in disbelief, but Yan Qi ignored him and instructed, "This is the perfect opportunity. Ensure you succeed in one strike. If anyone dares resist, show no mercy—kill them all. Understood?"
Yan Qi's tone was icy. He Lin and Xu Huai, not daring to be negligent, promptly bowed in acknowledgment.
Only then did Yan Qi allow a faint smile. "Go now. Return victorious. Do not disappoint the Marquis or me."
After He Lin and Xu Huai saluted and left, only Qi Cen remained in the tent.
Though Qi Cen had been the most eager, he was not chosen for the mission and now stood dejected. Yan Qi turned to him. "Feeling disappointed?"
Qi Cen forced a smile. "No, no, I wouldn't dare."
A slight curl lifted Yan Qi's lips. "You are capable, more so than the other two. I kept you behind because I have a more critical task for you."
At this, Qi Cen's eyes instantly brightened again.
"What does Your Highness wish this general to do?"
Yan Qi beckoned, signaling Qi Cen to come closer. Qi Cen hurriedly leaned in.
Yan Qi smiled and whispered two sentences into Qi Cen's ear. In an instant, the smile vanished from Qi Cen's face, replaced by stunned disbelief. "Your Highness... Your Highness wants this general to..."
Yan Qi sneered. "What? Afraid?"Qi Cen instinctively shook his head. Yan Qi continued, "This is an even greater merit than capturing the deposed Empress. If you won't go, I can simply wait for He and Lin to return and send them instead. What do you say? Will you go or not?"
A cold sweat quickly broke out on Qi Cen's forehead. Facing Yan Qi's fierce gaze, his eyes darted about in panic.
After a moment, he suddenly clenched his fist, having made up his mind. "I'll go! This humble general will go!"
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