The residence of Xie Yanlai in the government office was bustling with people coming and going—Zhong Changrong always found this address rather odd. Why should the government office have a residence for Xie Yanlai?
But there was no helping it—the government office simply had a residence for Xie Yanlai.
Some brought medicine, some brought water, some brought meals, and there were even soldiers holding pears picked from who-knows-where—
"These pears are from the backyard. I guarded them so no one could steal any, saving them all for you, young master."
Xie Yanlai had always been popular, but this time, after his surprise attack captured the King of Xiliang, it was as if he had set the Border Army ablaze. His name was on everyone's lips.
Everyone took pride in Xie Yanlai.
He had returned quietly, but once the news spread, countless soldiers swarmed in, scrambling to catch a glimpse of him.
The backyard was so packed there was hardly room to stand, like a flock of sheep.
Zhong Changrong gave a heavy cough. The jostling sheep turned to look at him and fell silent.
"Is the battle truly over? Have you all grown so lax?" Zhong Changrong barked sternly.
The flock scattered.
Zhong Changrong stopped a soldier carrying a basket of pears, told him to get lost, but leave the pears behind.
Everyone else fled, but Xiao Shan stood motionless outside the door. Meeting Zhong Changrong's gaze, he straightened his back: "My duty is to protect General Xie."
Even though Xiao Shan was now a Captain leading ten thousand troops, Zhong Changrong still kicked him: "What are you protecting here? Who are you guarding against? Get lost."
Well, that was true—this was the commander's residence. Xiao Shan had no choice but to leave.
Zhong Changrong took a loud bite of a pear, juice filling his mouth, and grumbled angrily: "I never even noticed the pear tree. These brats were watching it all along, yet not one thought to offer me any."
Xie Yanlai lay on a rocking chair, a cloth covering his face, rocking gently as he said: "Because... it's like feeding roses to a cow?"
Zhong Changrong kicked the rocking chair, causing it to lurch violently and nearly throw Xie Yanlai off.
Xie Yanlai grabbed the armrests to steady himself, the cloth falling from his face to reveal his features. His complexion was paler than ever, making his eyebrows appear darker and his lips redder.
"I'm wounded, seriously wounded," he said. "Are you trying to kill me and steal my credit?"
Zhong Changrong allowed himself a rare smug smile, looking Xie Yanlai up and down: "They said you were nearly dead? Don't be so delicate, General Xie."
Xie Yanlai ignored him, snorted, and lay back again, covering his face with the cloth.
Zhong Changrong chewed his pear while circling the rocking chair, scrutinizing Xie Yanlai from all angles. Xie Yanlai showed no reaction, as if asleep.
"Stop sleeping, stop sleeping," Zhong Changrong said after finishing the pear, kicking the chair again.
Xie Yanlai pulled the cloth off and looked at him: "General Zhong, the physician told me to take medicine as my meals and sleep day and night—only then can I keep my life."
Zhong Changrong laughed, tilting his chin arrogantly: "I've found you a perfect place to recuperate. Go suppress the rebels Xiao Xun and Deng Yi."
Xie Yanlai looked at him in stunned disbelief: "You didn't capture the King of Xiliang, yet after surviving a life-and-death battle, your brain got damaged?"
If one only saw his expression, they might almost be fooled. Zhong Changrong spat in disdain.
"In my condition, what could I possibly do there?" Xie Yanlai sneered, then drawled, "Wasn't there someone chasing after you, volunteering to go? That kind of person—use them freely, work them to death."
"Our A Zhao doesn't need anyone's help," Zhong Changrong said haughtily. "You just need to lead the reinforcements there."
As he said this, he gave Xie Yanlai another once-over."For a mission like this, you can just lie down and go. Once you arrive, it won’t interfere with you continuing to rest and recover from your injuries."
The young general in the rocking chair raised an eyebrow and looked at him, about to say something.
Zhong Changrong stopped him and said calmly, "Also, your achievements are too great now. I won’t let you stay in Yunzhong County, lest you take away my authority—Ninth Young Master Xie."
Yes, besides being Xie Yanlai, he was also the ninth son of the Xie family.
Now that Deng Yi had rebelled, the Xie family remained the most powerful faction in the court.
The end of the war with Western Liang did not mean everything had settled. Instead, another battle was about to begin—dividing merits and rewards, contending for military authority, removing the old, and bringing in the new. That was why Chu Zhao wanted him to remain in the Border Army, to stabilize both the army and their position.
"What we have sacrificed and what we have gained must remain in our own hands."
Chu Zhao had written this in a letter, which was delivered through Mu Mianhong’s channels, bypassing the court and guarding against the Xie family’s prying eyes.
Zhong Changrong looked at the young man lying in the rocking chair. He knew Miss Azhao trusted Xie Yanlai, and he did too. But Xie Yanlai was not alone—behind him stood the Xie family.
In truth, even as he spoke these words, he could not hide his guilt.
This young man had fought tooth and nail to achieve such great feats, yet he was being forced to leave the Border Army. Though he was the ninth son of the Xie family, the injuries he bore were his alone to endure.
The rocking chair swayed gently.
"Fine," Xie Yanlai said, covering his face again with a cloth. "This mission isn’t bad. I can deliver the troops, but don’t forget—not a single reward or recognition I deserve can be missing."
"Don’t forget" meant that while he could be driven away, his merits and rewards must be fully granted, leaving the Xie family no grounds for questioning. Zhong Changrong looked at Xie Yanlai and snorted. "You’re lucky. With Deng Yi’s defection, no one will stop you from becoming Garrison General this time."
...
...
By the time the October autumn winds swept across the Yellow River’s banks, Chu Zhao had been stationed there for half a month. Xiao Xun’s troops were indeed blocked on the opposite shore, but the imperial forces could not cross over either.
The defenses on the other side were equally formidable.
A Le rushed out and saw Chu Zhao standing by the riverbank, with Xiao Man not far away, idly playing with water plants.
"Miss," A Le said, wrapping a cloak around Chu Zhao. "The waves are strong, and the wind is fierce by the river."
Chu Zhao smiled in thanks and gazed into the distance toward the opposite shore.
"Scouts report that Xiao Xun has no plans to cross the river now," she said. "Instead, he’s attacking the prefectures in Hebei that haven’t surrendered. With Deng Yi wielding the imperial edict, jade seal, and tiger tally ahead, and Xiao Xun leading troops behind, those who surrender are immediately granted official positions and soldiers, while those who resist face sieges and massacres. It won’t be long before all of that falls into Xiao Xun’s hands."
A Le said softly, "Miss, I know you want to cross the river, but there’s no way. General Li also said that warfare is a long-term endeavor—haste makes waste."
Warfare was indeed a long-term endeavor, Chu Zhao thought, but—
"This time is different from before," she said. "I won’t let this war drag on for seven or eight years."
A Le blinked. Seven or eight years? Earlier, when the generals discussed the war, they mentioned preparing for the long term, but did they specify a timeframe?
"Empress!"
A hurried shout came from behind.
Chu Zhao and A Le turned around, while Xiao Man alertly moved to Chu Zhao’s side, watching several military officers sprinting toward them.
"Your Majesty," the leading officer said excitedly, "reinforcements from the Border Army have arrived."
Chu Zhao was slightly surprised, though this had been expected. She had told Zhong Changrong she needed fifty thousand troops."They arrived quite quickly," she said. "Then let's rearrange our defenses and plans."
The leading officer laughed. "Your Majesty, they did not come to join us."
Chu Zhao was slightly taken aback.
"Your Majesty," another officer interjected urgently, "they detoured behind Xiao Xun's troops and have already captured two cities."
Chu Zhao was overjoyed—this was beyond her expectations.
"Excellent!" She clapped her hands and laughed, her eyes sparkling like fire. "General Li, this means Xiao Xun's rear defense has been breached. With his forces stretched thin between front and rear, we can seize this chance to cross the river again!"
The officers exchanged glances, their expressions equally exhilarated.
"As you command."
...
...
The Border Army's surprise attack indeed disrupted Xiao Xun's defensive arrangements. Half a month later, through persistent river-crossing battles, the imperial troops finally set foot on the opposite shore and advanced unstoppably, capturing two cities in succession.
Watching Prince Zhongshan's forces retreat like a receding tide, the imperial troops sounded the drums to cease pursuit and regroup.
"After we rest and reinforce with the additional troops, they'll have nowhere to run," the officers said with smiles on the city gate, gazing westward with anticipation. "The Empress should have joined forces with the Border Army by now."
...
...
Chu Zhao spotted the distant contingent early, but unlike a marching army, this group included not only horses but also a carriage.
In the carriage was a rocking chair, its occupant unseen except for one propped foot swaying rhythmically with the vehicle's motion.
A smile bloomed on Chu Zhao's face as she urged her horse forward, focusing on that foot.
"Xie Yanlai—" she shouted.
At her call, the foot continued to sway, then a hand emerged and tossed something.
Chu Zhao instinctively reached out and caught a heavy pear in her arms.
"Minister Xie," she chuckled, examining the fruit. "This tribute seems rather meager."
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