When Xiao Xun's proclamation appeared in Yunzhong Commandery, the gates of Stone Slope City were slowly opening.
The troops of Great Xia surged in, filling the city with cries and shouts.
But this time, Zhong Changrong didn't need to worry anymore. Standing at a distance, he watched as the Third Prince of Western Liang was escorted out, saw the imperial officials step forward, and witnessed countless commoners pouring out—some weeping bitterly, some laughing heartily, others asking where their deceased relatives were.
Zhong Changrong withdrew his gaze and looked down at the proclamation in his hand, letting out a cold laugh.
"General Zhong need not worry," said Zhu Yong, standing beside him. "The Empress is fearless; the rebel Xiao Xun will not succeed."
Zhong Changrong crumpled the proclamation in his hand: "I'm not worried. He was already defeated by the Empress before. Last time, the Empress spared him and his father out of concern for the unstable border commandery. But the traitor's ambition remains unextinguished. This time, the Empress has no reason to hold back."
Zhu Yong nodded with a smile.
Zhong Changrong turned to examine this civil official. He had never liked dealing with imperial civil officials, but this one who claimed to be the Associate Administrator of the Garrison Guard—he noticed the python pattern on Zhu Yong's robe and the token hanging at his waist.
The python pattern was unfamiliar, but the token was recognizable.
Zhu Yong untied the waist token and showed it to him: "The Garrison Guard still uses the Dragon Guard Army's waist tokens."
The front now bore the three characters for "Garrison Guard."
The former Dragon Guard Army had been the private troops of the Emperor and the General, known only to them. Now, the Dragon Guard Army still belonged to the Emperor—no, to the young lady—and everyone in the world knew it. Zhong Changrong's face broke into a broad smile, and he regarded Zhu Yong with newfound familiarity: "The capital is in need of personnel right now. Why have you come here?"
With the King of Xiliang captured, the Xiliang court attacked, and the First Prince of Xiliang dead, the King of Xiliang no longer spoke of peace negotiations but begged for a ceasefire.
Imperial peace negotiation officials had already arrived in Yunzhong Commandery, and Zhu Yong was among them.
"The Garrison Guard is operating smoothly. Commander Ding is in the capital, and Yin Canshi has established Garrison Guard offices across the regions. The Empress will not be easily deceived by officials. For the Empress, these negotiations with the King of Xiliang are of utmost importance; she cannot allow any mistakes," Zhu Yong explained with a smile. "So she sent me here to personally oversee matters."
Although he wasn't the chief envoy for the peace talks, when necessary, he could make decisions on behalf of the Empress.
Zhong Changrong nodded: "Please assure the Empress that this time, Great Xia's decades-long aspiration will be realized."
The territory would expand, and with the death of the First Prince of Xiliang, the King of Xiliang was severely stricken, his nightmares returning. It was said that the King of Xiliang had already ordered the selection of a new capital for Xiliang, farther from Great Xia. This time, Xiliang had suffered devastating losses and lost the confidence to invade Great Xia again.
"Also, are you sure you don't want me to lead troops for support? Xiao Xun has quite a few soldiers," he asked again. "It's too dangerous for the Empress to go personally."
Zhu Yong said: "The Empress will mobilize Border Army troops for assistance, but she didn't specify that you, Marshal Zhong, should go personally."
Zhong Changrong knew that Chu Zhao had made no such arrangements. He had just received a letter from her, instructing him to remain stationed in Yunzhong Commandery. There were many tasks ahead for Yunzhong Commandery—consolidating border defenses and reorganizing troops—all as important as defeating Xiliang.
After bidding farewell to Zhu Yong, Zhong Changrong did not return to Stone Slope City, leaving the matters there to the officials. As he prepared to mount his horse with his personal guards, Liang Qiang suddenly appeared and stopped him.
"General Zhong."Zhong Changrong looked at him coldly. After Deng Yi defected to Xiao Xun, the Border Army had conducted a thorough investigation. Fu the Supervisor had already been escorted back to the capital. However, no issues were found with Liang Ji. Apart from the handwritten letter that allowed Liang Qiang to enter the capital, he had almost no contact with Deng Yi. As for Liang Qiang, although he was recommended by Deng Yi for the position of Brigadier General, the promotion was justified based on his military achievements. Moreover, no significant problems were found in his correspondence with Deng Yi.
Therefore, Liang Ji and his son were not regarded as Deng Yi’s accomplices and were not escorted back to the capital. Liang Ji was temporarily suspended from his duties, while Liang Qiang was only charged with negligence in defense. He was stripped of his position as Brigadier General and demoted to Captain.
“Are you here to plead for your father again?” Zhong Changrong asked coldly.
Liang Qiang shook his head and knelt on one knee. “General, please allow me to lead the campaign against Xiao Xun and Deng Yi.”
Zhong Changrong laughed. “What? Do you plan to prove your loyalty by killing Deng Yi?”
Before Liang Qiang could respond, Zhong Changrong cut him off coldly. “Liang Qiang, you still don’t understand. Warfare is not a tool for you to prove yourself. Your regrets, your frustrations, your glory—they are all worthless in the face of battle. I don’t care why you and your father joined the military, but since you’ve become soldiers, set aside your petty ambitions.”
With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away.
His personal guards followed closely, kicking up clouds of dust.
Liang Qiang remained kneeling in the dust for a long time, unmoving, until a soldier approached him.
“He didn’t allow me to campaign against Xiao Xun,” Liang Qiang said, turning his head with a trace of irritation in his eyes. “How did you manage to get his approval?”
The soldier smiled faintly. “Perhaps the General could ask a few more times?”
Liang Qiang stood up and glared at him coldly. “I am no longer a general.”
“Young Master Liang rose from a convict laborer to become a general. It shouldn’t be difficult to rise from Captain to general again,” the soldier said calmly.
Liang Qiang lowered his gaze. What right did he have to complain? How he had obtained his rank—didn’t he know it in his heart?
“Asking him a few more times won’t change his mind,” he said. “He never trusted me before, and now he trusts me even less. He won’t let me leave; he’ll keep a close watch on me.”
The soldier replied, “Young Master Liang, you didn’t get to where you are now by relying on his trust. Just follow the orders from above. Keep asking him, and make sure everyone sees you pleading with him.”
Liang Qiang was taken aback and looked up at the soldier. “Your goal isn’t really for me to kill Deng Yi and Xiao Xun?”
The soldier smiled and said, “Regaining honor doesn’t necessarily depend on killing Deng Yi and Xiao Xun.”
With that, he patted Liang Qiang on the shoulder. To onlookers, it seemed like he was comforting a disheartened man. Then, without another word, he walked away.
Liang Qiang stood still, his expression shifting. If not by killing, then by what? By watching others die? By using underhanded and despicable methods?
So, they didn’t actually want him to aid the Empress in campaigning against Xiao Xun.
Liang Qiang looked toward the east and pressed a hand to his chest. When he first received the order, his heart had nearly leaped out of his chest. He didn’t care about regaining the position of Brigadier General, nor did he care about greater rewards.
He could fight alongside her, assist her, slay her enemies—
That excited and thrilled him more than any reward.
But it turned out, that wasn’t the case.
……
……
“Keep a close watch on the Liang father and son.”
Zhong Changrong strode into the prefectural government office and once again issued the order to his personal attendants."Although there's no evidence linking the Liang father and son to Deng Yi, there's definitely something strange about them."
The attendant acknowledged the order.
As Zhong Changrong spoke, he entered the hall where a soldier came rushing toward him. When their eyes met, both showed surprise.
"General—" "Xiao Shan! You're back—"
They spoke simultaneously.
Before more could be said, another soldier rushed in carrying a basin of hot water.
"The water's ready, it's ready!" he shouted. "See how it is."
Zhong Changrong looked pleased. The autumn winds in Yunzhong Commandery already carried heavy dust. He nodded and reached to wash his hands and face—
"Let me test the temperature." Xiao Shan had already dipped his fingers in the water.
Zhong Changrong laughed heartily: "No need to be so particular. Hot or cold will do. Let me—"
Before he could finish, Xiao Shan nodded with satisfaction: "Good, neither too hot nor too cold. Perfect." He waved his hand, "Quick, take it inside."
The soldier carried the basin toward the back.
Before Zhong Changrong could speak, yet another soldier rushed in.
"Ready, ready!" he said. "I personally caught the chicken, added five red dates, and simmered it for two full hours."
Xiao Shan fanned the air toward his nose and nodded approvingly: "That's the right aroma." He waved again, "Quick, take it inside."
This time, not only the soldier but Xiao Shan himself followed inside.
In the blink of an eye, only Zhong Changrong remained in the hall, still holding out his hands. Whether it was the hot water or the chicken soup, he hadn't touched either.
Only one person could create such a dreamlike, surreal scene that made him, the master of this territory, feel like a stranger in his own home.
Zhong Changrong's eyebrows twitched, his teeth clenched.
That damned brat was back!
That damned brat had finally returned!
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