When the commander's battle formation appeared on the earth, the first thing that rushed into view was the dense, dark mass of banners, with the commander's banner being the most prominent.
Xie Yanlai gazed into the distance from his horse, looking at the character "Chu" on the banner.
In truth, there was no longer a commanding general with the surname Chu in the commander's camp.
Chu Ling was gone, and Chu Zhao was far away in the capital. Yet, the army still retained the habit of flying the Chu banner. General Chu Ling had died repelling the King of Xiliang on the front lines, and Chu Zhao, as the Empress, had fought side by side with the soldiers. Thus, the troops believed that General Chu and the Empress were still with them.
Zhong Changrong had initially wanted to use only the Chu banner, but Chu Zhao disagreed.
"When a person is gone, no matter how formidable they were, they can be replaced," she said. "Only the living can guard everything."
Guard.
This girl seemed to have always been obsessed with the idea of guarding, as if she were on the verge of losing everything at any moment.
Xie Yanlai pinched the sachet hanging at his waist. The almonds inside had long been eaten, and now it held a letter sent by Chu Zhao a few days ago. The letter bore no trace of the Empress's grace, filled instead with curses and complaints—
At this thought, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Xiao Shan, standing beside him, noticed immediately and asked cheerfully, "Young Master, are you so happy to see General Zhong?" He nodded, adding, "It has been a long time since we last saw him. I miss him too."
Xie Yanlai let out an "oh," raising an eyebrow and giving him a sidelong glance. "You miss him? Then you can go with him this time."
Xiao Shan shuddered in fear, his smile instantly turning into a look of despair. "Young Master, my heart belongs only to you."
Ignoring his declaration of loyalty, Xie Yanlai turned his gaze forward.
The conflict between the Empress and the court officials in recent days was evident even through official bulletins. Zhong Changrong had also grumbled to him about it—how the court officials were bullying A Zhao. Zhong Changrong was something else, too—why bother sending him letters? Mixing personal messages with military orders, wasn't he afraid of being accused of forming a faction with the Xie family?
Although the bulletins and letters made it seem as though the Empress was seeking to seize power, he knew that girl didn't desire authority. She was merely afraid.
Pitiful. The more one possessed, the more terrified they became. Unlike him, who had nothing and thus nothing to lose.
As Zhong Changrong came into view, Xie Yanlai shook off his distant thoughts, urged his horse forward, and called out loudly, "General Xie Yanlai, along with the guerrilla battalion, welcomes the Grand General!"
Behind him, the soldiers standing in the dense forest roared in unison, "Welcome, Grand General!"
After inspecting the troops, Zhong Changrong entered the tent with his deputy generals. He glanced around, frowning at the dust-covered ground strewn with weeds, and barked, "Xie Yanlai, why aren't you guarding Jiezi Pass? Running around again!"
Xie Yanlai replied, "General, rest assured. No matter where I go, Jiezi Pass remains secure."
With only trusted subordinates in the tent, Zhong Changrong skipped the formalities and asked directly, "Did you go scouting in Xiliang territory again?"
Xie Yanlai grinned. "The Xiliang soldiers often come to probe our territory. Naturally, I had to return the favor."
Zhong Changrong pointed at him and said, "You always act on your own. I don't care if you die in Xiliang, but if Jiezi Pass is lost, I'll take your life."
Xie Yanlai scoffed. "If Jiezi Pass could be lost, this war would already be over."
Zhong Changrong glared at him, ignoring his boastful words. He brushed the dust off a chair and sat down. The deputy generals called out to Xiao Shan, who stood behind Xie Yanlai, "Quick, serve the General some tea!" "Xiao Shan, have you missed the General? It's been so long since we last saw you."Upon hearing the first sentence, Xiao Shan turned his head as if he hadn't heard anything. When the second sentence came, he simply turned and walked out.
The deputy generals were momentarily stunned. "Did he go out to prepare tea?"
"Who knows what he's up to." Xie Yanlai tossed his water pouch to Zhong Changrong. "Try this. It's fine tea sent from my family."
Zhong Changrong caught it and noticed pearls adorning the pouch strap. He snorted coldly.
None of the other deputies found Xie Yanlai's claim boastful. As a young master of the Xie family, his luxurious tastes in food and drink were hardly surprising.
Just then, guards brought tea for the others. Clearly, Xiao Shan had given instructions, though he didn't reappear. The deputies didn't mind, settling down to rest and drink while discussing matters.
"How exactly does Western Liang plan to fight this war?" one deputy asked.
Another corrected him: "The question should be whether Western Liang will continue fighting at all."
Xie Yanlai sat cross-legged on the ground. "Haste makes waste. The King of Xiliang surely thinks the same, so there's no need to rush." He chuckled. "The King of Xiliang has spent his whole life preparing for this major campaign. This is his only chance in this lifetime—he'd rather die here than give up."
"Then let him stall. Our Great Xia fears neither battle nor his delays."
The deputies nodded. "We understand." "But some will grow impatient." "The Supervisor believes the longer the war drags on, the more we officers will crave merit."
Xie Yanlai said, "All supervisors are like that. Pay him no mind. If he didn't say something after coming here, he'd be neglecting his duties. Whatever he says, we'll do what we must. What can he really do?" He laughed again. "If he could actually do anything, that wouldn't be bad either. We could pin a 'merit-grabbing' label on him, or go further and accuse him of treacherous intentions—say he's a Western Liang spy or something—"
The deputies listened intently, some unable to help nodding. "Good—"
"Good what!" Zhong Changrong had been listening to Xie Yanlai's grand pronouncements and watching the deputies nod repeatedly. He could take no more and barked, "I brought you here to inspect, not to listen to lectures."
The deputies chuckled without tension or panic. They were accustomed to Zhong Changrong and Xie Yanlai's constant bickering. In fact, since Xie Yanlai had become a Brigadier General leading troops independently, they'd almost missed it.
"Look at your filthy mind," Zhong Changrong glared at Xie Yanlai. "Is this how a commander acts? Is this how a commander should be?"
Xie Yanlai scoffed. "I'm not the commander! Why should I care how a commander acts? It's not me who'll suffer anyway."
Zhong Changrong spat, took a few gulps from the pearl-adorned water pouch, and stood up. "Let's go. Continue the inspection."
Commanders needed to inspect quickly, as they couldn't remain detached from the central army for too long.
Xie Yanlai rose to see them off without urging them to stay.
As Zhong Changrong stepped through the doorway, he seemed to hesitate, but ultimately told Xie Yanlai, "I won't confront Supervisor Fu. Let him make trouble alone. My goal is to defend the Border Commandery and stop Western Liang. As long as I achieve that, no one can touch me."
Xie Yanlai whistled. "General Zhong has improved."
Zhong Changrong shot him a glare, hung the half-empty pearl-adorned water pouch on his own belt, and strode out.
Outside, the guards had already reformed ranks. Xie Yanlai mounted his horse to escort them personally."Speak." He suddenly thought of something and whispered beside Zhong Changrong, "Does the King of Xiliang want to negotiate peace?"
Zhong Changrong sneered, "After fighting like this, he still wants peace talks? Who would negotiate with him! What gives him the right to negotiate?" At this point, he laughed again, "Of course, it's not entirely impossible. If the King of Xiliang comes here to confess his crimes with a bramble on his back, kowtowing and begging for mercy—but that wouldn't be called negotiation, it would be victory. The King of Xiliang would no longer be a Great King but a prisoner."
Xie Yanlai clapped his hands loudly.
The action drew the attention of the surrounding soldiers and officers.
Zhong Changrong's dark face flushed slightly as he glared at Xie Yanlai. "What madness is this?"
Xie Yanlai cupped his hands and declared loudly, "General Zhong's resolve is unwavering. We congratulate General Zhong on firmly commanding the central army. With you leading, we fear nothing and are invincible."
The soldiers arrayed behind him roared in unison, "Fear nothing, invincible!"
Zhong Changrong was both annoyed and amused. Truly, the troops reflect their commander—only Xie Yanlai would shout such arrogant slogans.
He shot Xie Yanlai another glance before urging his horse forward at a gallop.
The journey from Jiezi Pass to Xinggu Pass took two days. When Zhong Changrong's main army caught sight of the pass, a dense formation of troops was already waiting in ranks.
A young officer rode out ahead to meet them, flanked by guards, his presence no less imposing than Xie Yanlai's—if not more solemn.
"Junior General Liang Qiang, at your service to welcome the Grand General," the young officer said, dismounting to salute.
Zhong Changrong looked down at the young officer from his horse. The Liang father and son were truly favored by Deng Yi. After a trip to the capital, Liang Qiang was appointed Brigadier General, and now Liang Ji was about to join his central army—
A Zhao had written to him, worried that he might be sidelined or stripped of power, urging him to be cautious. Zhong Changrong didn't think A Zhao was exaggerating, but there was no need to be overly anxious. He had troops, authority, and prestige. As long as he didn't make any major mistakes, no one could replace him.
Of course, he would keep a close watch on the Liang father and son.
If he found them undeserving of their positions, he wouldn't care how much Deng Yi favored them—he would strip them of their ranks and dismiss them.
"General Liang, you've worked hard," he said. "I will now inspect the camp."
Liang Qiang quickly stepped aside. "General, please."
Zhong Changrong passed before the guards, inspected various points of the pass, and stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance where clusters of apricot groves were visible.
"This is the smallest but still crucial pass in Yunzhong Commandery," Zhong Changrong remarked. "General Liang must not be negligent in the slightest."
Liang Qiang responded, "This junior general will surely live up to your high expectations."
Zhong Changrong said indifferently, "These aren't my high expectations. In my view, there are more suitable places for you."
The words were quite blunt. Liang Qiang lowered his gaze slightly and replied, "Then this junior general must strive even harder not to disappoint your expectations."
The young man spoke with pride too, but it was different from Xie Yanlai's arrogance. Xie Yanlai cursed you as if afraid you wouldn't understand, while Young Master Liang was polite—Zhong Changrong snorted inwardly.
"Then I'll be watching," he said, then turned and strode away.
Liang Qiang followed, saying, "Food, tea, and hot water have been prepared in the fortress ahead. Please rest for a while, Grand General."
Zhong Changrong turned his head slightly and asked, "Do you have fine tea from the capital?"
Liang Qiang was taken aback. Fine tea from the capital? How could they have that? Was Zhong Changrong hinting that the Empress had bestowed abundant gifts and shown him great care?
"No," he shook his head.
"Then I won't drink any," Zhong Changrong said. "I must continue my journey. I can eat and drink on the road just the same."With such words spoken, Liang Qiang no longer tried to persuade him to stay, bowing respectfully to see him off.
Behind him, the guards formed ranks and watched as Zhong Changrong and his party rode away in a cloud of dust.
The commander's inspection had come and gone in haste, leaving no impact at the Pass. Liang Qiang resumed his day and night patrols.
The sun set and rose and set again, night shrouding the earth. Standing on the outermost fortress of Apricot Valley Pass, the wind blowing from the valley brought a chill even in the height of summer.
Even in wartime, guard duty was monotonous day after day, and everyone inevitably engaged in private chatter and laughter.
"I heard General Zhong is eating and drinking at General Xie's place. He didn't even stay here a moment longer."
"So that means General Liang and General Zhong aren't on the same side."
"Keep your voice down. What do you mean 'not on the same side'? General Zhong is the commander-in-chief; everyone is under his command."
"Exactly. General Zhong did stay at Changping Pass for a day, but he was there to punish them for inadequate military supplies and even had the commanding officer flogged."
"If that's the case, General Zhong and the general at Changping Pass aren't just not on the same side—they're practically enemies."
The guards on the fortress burst into laughter, dispelling the chill of the dark night.
A sound came from behind as a troop of soldiers approached. The guards initially thought it was the changing of the shift, but as they drew nearer, they realized—
"General Liang!" they exclaimed in surprise, hurrying forward to greet him. "What brings you here?"
Liang Qiang looked at them and said, "I've finished my patrol. It's too late to return to the city tonight."
The city where the general was stationed was some distance away, so it wasn't strange for him not to want to travel at night.
"You may go rest," Liang Qiang said. "I'll take the watch tonight."
The guards were both surprised and embarrassed. "How could we allow that?" "We should stay on duty. You should rest, General."
Liang Qiang's expression remained impassive as he simply said, "Go."
General Liang was courteous but spoke with such finality that no one dared or could defy him. The guards did not persist and obediently withdrew.
"General Liang is truly good."
"General Liang takes great care of his soldiers. Everyone likes him. Look at those soldiers by his side—they've been through life and death with him."
"I heard they were all saved by General Liang on the battlefield."
"I wish I could fight alongside General Liang too."
Standing on the fortress, listening to the guards' whispers fade into the distance, Liang Qiang's lips twitched as if in a smile, but he did not actually smile, for there was nothing to laugh about.
Whether he was good or not was not for him to decide, just as his presence here tonight to guard the pass was not his own arrangement.
Liang Qiang stood on the earthen wall, gazing into the pitch-black night ahead, as still as wood or stone.
He did not know how much time had passed. The surroundings seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber when flickers of light and shadow began to dance in his vision.
This was no illusion.
After so long in battle, he had developed instincts.
The light and shadow grew larger, and he even felt a faint tremor underfoot—this was the movement of troops.
A large number of troops.
In the dead of night, coming from the direction of Apricot Blossom Valley—this could not be the troops of Great Xia—
Liang Qiang's body tensed instantly, but the next moment, a guard beside him placed a hand on his shoulder.
"General," the guard whispered, "don't move."
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