The spring rain fell incessantly, casting the hall into gloom. A glimmer of light flashed in the young officer's eyes, but the next moment he shook his head slightly, flinging the rainwater from his face and hair.
"What? Has fighting broken out in the capital again?" he said. "Even with Her Majesty the Empress holding the capital, she still can't keep things under control?"
"Stop talking nonsense," Zhong Changrong snapped, already in a foul mood. "My lady is holding the capital, and the capital is perfectly fine."
Xie Yanlai said, "Then I won't go. It's wartime now. If there's no fighting in the capital, what's the point of going there?"
Then get lost quickly. Zhong Changrong knew he should say those words, but he took a deep breath and forcibly swallowed them. "The court wants to discuss and deliberate on the war with Western Liang. I can't go, and I don't trust anyone else to go in my place."
He stared at Xie Yanlai, his hands clenched tightly at his sides.
"I don't want to repeat the General's regrets."
Xie Yanlai found it somewhat amusing, and truly strange—that girl was like this, and now Zhong Changrong, who couldn't stand him, was the same. They trusted no one else, only him.
He was clearly the least trustworthy person.
He ought to say something mocking and sarcastic, like how have you managed this? In all this vast world, there's no one you can trust, so you have to trust a scion of the Imperial Relatives like me.
But looking at the man before him, unshaven and weathered—though far more imposing than when they first met, he had also grown much thinner.
It hadn't been easy for him either—
Xie Yanlai swallowed the words on his tongue and changed his reply: "How to go and who goes concerns the overall situation of the Border Army and war strategy. It's not for you alone to decide. Summon the Generals to discuss it."
...
...
The military presence in the commandery city had noticeably increased. Within two or three days, the Five Route Generals of the Border Army arrived one after another.
The Generals filed in with their respective staff officers and deputy generals, scanning the hall. Seeing that Zhong Changrong had not yet arrived, they noticed a young man slouching casually in the chair on the left—
He was sitting in the position reserved for Luocheng Army.
The Generals knew that since Chu Ling was gone and Zhong Changrong was temporarily acting as commander of Yunzhong Commandery, Luocheng Army had been assigned to Xie Yanlai for temporary leadership.
In the past, Luocheng Army had only a Garrison General, yet he could sit as their equal.
Now that the Garrison General was gone, a mere Captain could sit here as their equal.
It really left everyone unsure how to address him—such a mess.
Aside from the Luocheng Guard Army, the Left Flank Army General had been demoted due to poor leadership and replaced by a refined official-general.
This man, at least, could be greeted. The General with a thick beard smiled and said, "Chief Clerk Liang."
Second Master Liang returned the smile with a salute. "General Huang."
"Recently, your Left Flank Army detected the movements of the King of Xiliang. Truly impressive," General Huang remarked with admiration. "Chief Clerk Liang is remarkably sharp."
Second Master Liang shook his head. "We only detected them; we haven't inflicted any harm on the King of Xiliang. It's not worthy of praise."
Another General with a broad face and sword-like eyebrows chimed in supportively: "That shows the King of Xiliang's movements can no longer be concealed. Next time, we'll surely deal them a heavy blow."
This time, Second Master Liang did not demur but smiled and said, "If we unite our efforts, we will surely strike a heavy blow against Western Liang."
The people in the hall laughed—except for Captain Xie, who sat examining his fingernails.
A scion of the Xie family—arrogant and privileged. What is there to say to him? General Huang with the thick beard shifted his gaze to another young man in the hall.
The young officer stood behind Second Master Liang, clad in armor, quiet and steady."With Young General Liang here, we've been spared much effort," General Huang said with a laugh, leaning forward to rest his hand on Second Master Liang's chair. "Chief Secretary Liang, how about I trade two battalions to have Young General Liang join my forces?"
Another general immediately chimed in: "Old Hu, you're dreaming! Is Young General Liang only worth two battalions? Old Liang," he said to Second Master Liang, "next time your left flank needs anything, my troops will follow your commands to support you."
This was truly an extraordinary promise. Second Master Liang hurriedly waved his hands with a smile: "I dare not accept such honor—"
Liang Qiang, who had been quietly silent until now, also bowed with a smile: "This junior dares not accept such praise. Thank you for your generous favor and commendation, esteemed generals. Any minor achievements I may have are entirely due to our superior's excellent command and our comrades' bravery in battle, not any individual merit of mine."
The generals' expressions grew even more admiring: "The younger generation is formidable indeed. Young General Liang need not be so modest."
Zhong Changrong entered surrounded by his deputy generals, clearing his throat heavily. The laughter and conversation in the hall immediately ceased as everyone rose to bow to him: "Commander Zhong."
Xie Yanlai also stood up, though his movement was a beat slower than others. Just as Zhong Changrong gestured for everyone to dispense with formalities, he coincidentally completed his bow.
Zhong Changrong naturally noticed this minor act but couldn't be bothered to address it.
"This is a new official dispatch from the court," he said, having a clerk pass a document around for everyone to read—skipping over Xie Yanlai.
After the other four had read it, Second Master Liang pondered silently while the remaining three generals discussed in low voices.
"It's not surprising the court is calling for debriefing now," Zhong Changrong said. "The war has lasted two years already. The King of Xiliang has never managed to cross our borders, the internal rebellions have been suppressed, and our Border Army has received reinforcements of one hundred thousand troops. The time has come to decide the outcome."
"Commander Zhong," General Huang with the bushy beard pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, "I wonder how the court intends to achieve this victory."
Zhong Changrong looked at him and enunciated each word clearly: "It can only be victory through battle."
General Huang rose solemnly, followed by the other generals—including Xie Yanlai—who all stood and acknowledged in unison.
The atmosphere in the hall grew solemn. Zhong Changrong gestured for everyone to sit.
"Precisely at such a time, we cannot afford the slightest slackness. We veteran generals cannot leave the Border Army," he said. "Therefore, I have decided to send Captain Xie to the capital for an audience with His Majesty."
All eyes in the hall turned to Xie Yanlai.
Though called a debriefing, this was essentially a reward for merit. Whoever went to the capital for an audience with the Emperor would certainly receive honors and rewards.
Sending this Xie Yanlai—the senior generals' minds raced, recalling how common such power struggles had been when the Zhao and Yang Families were at their peak, competing for military influence.
Now that the old powers had faded, it was time for new powers to rise.
Xie Yanlai straightened his posture, looked at the senior generals, and said calmly: "If anyone has messages to convey, please tell me. I'll deliver them for you when the time comes."
He accepted the honor without the slightest humility, completely at ease.
General Huang with the bushy beard averted his gaze: "Captain Xie should just remember how hard-won our current achievements are."
The other two generals merely nodded: "We'll follow Commander Zhong's decision."
Zhong Changrong pointed to the deputy generals, chief secretaries, and military advisors behind him: "You all compile reports of your respective military affairs and deliver them to be submitted together to the court."
The generals stood and acknowledged in unison.
Three generals sat down, but one remained standing.
"Commander Zhong," he said, "regarding the matter of going to the capital, this subordinate has something to report."
Everyone's attention turned to him.
A flicker passed through Zhong Changrong's eyes as he said, "Oh? Chief Secretary Liang, what is it?"Second Master Liang said, "It's like this—the court has issued an order for Liang Qiang to go."
Liang Qiang?
Everyone looked surprised. Liang Qiang was a young man of remarkable courage and skill in battle, but in terms of age—well, Xie Yanlai was also young, but the Xie family background was extraordinary. How could the Liang family compare?
Convicted and exiled, redeeming himself through meritorious service, he had only just gained an official position. The achievements he earned through sheer effort were respected in the Border Army, but at court, they meant little.
Would the court really order Liang Qiang to go? And without the commander-in-chief’s knowledge?
Had Second Master Liang pulled some strings? Was he that eager to restore the Liang family’s prestige?
Zhong Changrong’s expression turned cold. "Chief Secretary Liang, the order I received only instructed me to select a suitable officer to report to the capital. Who is suitable is my decision, not the court’s."
They were clashing! The three officers exchanged glances privately. Back when the Liang family was convicted, it seemed to have involved the Chu family as well—Zhong Changrong would never give the Liang family any leeway.
Second Master Liang’s move was rather unwise. Although he and his son had achieved much in the army, military affairs and the battlefield were unpredictable. One day you might earn rewards for merit, the next you could be convicted for defeat—Zhong Changrong was, after all, the commander-in-chief, with the power of life and death in the army. The Liang father and son’s foundation was far too weak.
Second Master Liang bowed respectfully. "Commander Zhong, please forgive my offense. I did not mean to overstep, and I understand military regulations. I only received this document on my way here just now."
With that, he produced a document.
"A handwritten order from Grand Tutor Deng Yi."
Deng Yi!
Everyone looked even more astonished. It was actually a direct command from Grand Tutor Deng Yi?
Then—
This matter was not so simple anymore.
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