When Yan Chi led his troops back to the Northwest Frontier Army camp, Yan Qi had already breathed his last.
Yan Chi pointed at the flagpole on the watchtower at the camp entrance and ordered Yan Qi's corpse to be hung beneath the Northwest Frontier Army's wolf-emblazoned banner.
This method of hanging corpses as sacrificial offerings to the flags was among the most brutal and bloody practices in warfare. Even when battling the Rong enemies, the Northwest Frontier Army rarely employed it. Yet today, Yan Chi had used it on Yan Qi—this cousin who shared his surname and lineage—thus ending his brief life of barely twenty years in such a manner.
Zhao You was still within the Northwest Frontier Army camp. Just as he reached the entrance, he witnessed this scene, and in that instant, his gaze toward Yan Chi shifted entirely.
As the army returned to camp, Yan Chi spotted Zhao You but acted as if he hadn't seen him, leading Chu Fei Sheng and the others directly to the central command tent.
His ruthless demeanor left everyone too terrified to even breathe loudly. Moreover, with Gu Ling and Yu Qi both fallen in battle and over ten thousand brothers lost, a simmering rage weighed heavily on every heart. Seeing Yan Chi deal with Yan Qi in this manner somewhat quelled the collective fury.
The entire Northwest Frontier Army camp was silent, orderly, efficient, and oppressive.
After some hesitation, Zhao You came to the central command tent seeking an audience with Yan Chi.
Yan Chi invited Zhao You inside. Only after Zhao You entered did the icy expression on Yan Chi's face soften slightly.
At this moment, Zhao You's complexion was also pale. With Zhao Shuhua's fate hanging in the balance, how could Zhao You bear the prospect of outliving his own child? Before Yan Chi's return with the troops, he had already fainted once. Now, he was merely forcing himself to maintain composure and oversee the situation.
"Your Highness went to the Jinzhou army camp—I presume you've learned the truth behind this?"
Zhao You's tone was exceedingly polite. Yan Chi replied, "The Emperor issued an order commanding Prince Cheng to devise a scheme to annihilate both our forces."
These simple words confirmed Zhao You's suspicions. He sighed, "When Shu'er previously sought to contend for the Crown Prince's imperial position, I still felt some reluctance. But now, I realize our current Emperor is far from a wise ruler."
After a pause, Zhao You asked, "What are Your Highness's plans?"
"Wait." Yan Chi first uttered a single word, then glanced at the sky outside.
The sun was already setting in the west; nightfall was not far off.
"This Prince demands that the Anyang Marquis hand over those responsible for last night's incident. If they are not delivered before dark, I will lead my troops to attack Wei County at nightfall."
Yan Chi spoke each word with resolute force. Zhao You's brow twitched slightly, "Then... what after attacking Wei County?"
Yan Chi looked at Zhao You. As their eyes met, Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes, "Is the Assistant National General probing for something? The Northern Garrison Army was originally heading south to Lin'an. Now, are you afraid this Prince will contend with you for supremacy?"
As Zhao You's lips parted to explain, Yan Chi gave a cold laugh, "The Assistant National General need not speculate. This Prince indeed already has intentions to contend for Lin'an."
At these words, Zhao You frowned, while Chu Fei Sheng and the others standing nearby visibly stirred with excitement!
Zhao You's expression grew grave. After a moment, he covered his mouth and coughed lightly before saying, "My purpose in meeting Your Highness today is solely regarding Shu'er's life..."
Zhao You looked toward Qin Guan seated beside Yan Chi, "Might the Princess Consort of Rui..."
Before he could finish, Qin Guan said, "When they arrived, I had already done everything possible. Whether the Empress survives depends entirely on her destiny. At this point, even if the Medicine King Valley's master were here, if she cannot live, no one can save her."Zhao You listened to these words, his face paling another three shades. Seeing there was nothing more to say for the moment, he finally stepped out.
Outside, Yan Che and Qin Chaoyu were waiting. Upon seeing Zhao You, they hurried forward. "Grandfather, how did it go?"
Zhao You shook his head. "The situation is dire now. Your mother... just now, the princess consort said it's up to fate whether she lives or dies!"
A pang of pain flashed in Yan Che's eyes. "What are we to do? The Northwest Frontier Army camp is now on high alert, and we cannot stay long. Yet the princess consort said Mother’s condition makes it impossible to move her, trapping us here."
Zhao You waved his hand. "Your mother cannot be moved for now. We still have to rely on the princess consort, though the situation remains unclear."
Zhao You glanced around, then walked a few steps further away. "Prince Rui intends to march south and contend for Lin'an!"
Hearing this, Yan Che immediately furrowed his brow. "Grandfather, you mean..."
Zhao You nodded, then covered his mouth and began coughing again.
Meanwhile, in the central command tent, Chu Fei Sheng asked anxiously, "Your Highness, have you made up your mind? Are you truly going south to contend for Lin'an?!"
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes, not answering immediately. Instead, he turned to Bai Feng. "Bai Feng, tell me, where have Ge Yang and Lin Zhang gone?"
Bai Feng stepped forward promptly. "The news that came to the camp late last night said that Ge Yang and Lin Zhang leading troops to requisition grain in Yingzhou was merely a ruse. Their real purpose was to buy time, waiting for us to leave Wuzhou and head north before they march toward the Northwest Frontier. By now, they have likely been on the move for three or four days."
Chu Fei Sheng cursed angrily upon hearing this. "Those bastards! We’re risking our lives up north, while they hold Ge Yang’s troops back and let Yan Qi scheme against us! Now they want to watch us get wiped out in the north so Ge Yang can easily take the Northwest Frontier! How could such a good deal exist? What about all our brothers who’ve suffered?"
Mentioning this stirred emotions in the tent, and some soldiers’ eyes reddened. Chu Fei Sheng gritted his teeth. "Your Highness! Since they’re heading west, we should go south! Let’s see who succeeds first—them taking the Northwest Frontier or us capturing Lin'an—"
Yan Chi’s expression turned grave. "That is precisely my intention. However, we must wait for Xiao Cheng to return, and we also need Anyang Marquis to give us an explanation!"
This matter had nothing to do with Anyang Marquis, but since he initiated the alliance, as the commander of the Northern Expedition forces, he could not evade responsibility.
At nightfall, when Yue Qiong personally brought Qi Cen and others to the gates of the Northwest Frontier Army camp, the first thing he saw was Yan Qi hanging high from the watchtower.
The sight was even more shocking than Yan Qi’s public humiliation and injury earlier that day.
Yue Qiong’s gaze darkened further, while the bound Qi Cen, Lu Xiao, and the others behind him paled in terror.
Yue Qiong dismounted at the camp entrance and entered the Northwest Frontier Army camp on foot.
When Yan Chi received the report and stepped out of his tent, he frowned upon seeing Yue Qiong had brought only a little over ten people.
Yue Qiong approached with a sigh. "Might we speak in private?"
Inside the central command tent, Yue Qiong clasped his hands and bowed before Yan Chi and the other Northwest Frontier Army officers. "I have come to confess my fault."
Yan Chi remained silent, while Chu Fei Sheng spoke from the side. "Marquis, you speak too lightly. Can the lives of over ten thousand of our Northwest Frontier Army brothers be absolved with a simple confession? You’ve brought only about ten people. Dare I ask, Marquis, could last night’s events have been accomplished by just ten men?"Yue Qiong wore a pained expression and could only reply, "When a general gives an order, soldiers dare not disobey. Aside from the leader Qi Cen and Yan Qi's personal guard Lu Xiao, all those who came today were military officers of the seventh rank or above who committed offenses yesterday. These men deserve punishment. But if I were to bind ordinary soldiers and bring them here, how would I differ from an unjust commander? Had this occurred in the Northwest Frontier Army, I believe you would have acted as I did."
Chu Fei Sheng was left speechless by Yue Qiong's words and instinctively glanced at Yan Chi. Yan Chi gazed at Yue Qiong and finally said, "Since the Marquis shows sincerity, I will accept these men. The tragic losses of our Northwest Frontier Army should not be blamed on you. You have already done all that honor demands—please take your leave."
Though Yan Chi made no move to detain him, Yue Qiong remained standing. "Yan Chi, what are your plans?"
Yan Chi had shown no mercy toward Yan Qi and now dealt with him so decisively—how could Yue Qiong fail to grasp his intent?
Seeing Yan Chi remain silent with darkened eyes, Yue Qiong continued, "Ge Yang has gone west. The Emperor sent Lin Zhang along precisely for this eventuality. Ah..." He sighed deeply. "With the nation in peril and the Rong barbarians still entrenched in Cangzhou, I led troops north initially to campaign against the Empress. But now, repelling the barbarians takes precedence. Tomorrow, I will march north to continue fighting them—I will reclaim Cangzhou and drive the Rong beyond Azure Dragon Mountain before turning south. When that time comes, I will only concern myself with the Northern Garrison Army. Whatever path your Northwest Frontier Army takes will be none of my affair, whether you return to the western frontiers or pursue other designs..."
Though Yue Qiong left much unspoken, his meaning had become clear to all present.
Had Yan Chi intended to march south to Lin'an, Yue Qiong could righteously block his path in loyalty to the Emperor, inevitably hindering the Northwest Frontier Army. Yet now, by citing the Rong threat as justification, Yue Qiong was plainly enabling Yan Chi's southern advance. Hearing this, Yan Chi's brow finally twitched. "My thanks, Marquis."
Having said his piece, Yue Qiong clasped his hands. "I dare not accept gratitude. In the end, I have failed the Northwest Frontier Army."
With these words, he turned and departed.
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