Arguments continued endlessly in court, turning it into a noisy marketplace.
Chu Zhao read the military report several times.
The White Wolf tribe had attacked Yueshan Pass. When the report was sent, Yueshan Pass had just finished a battle, and the city had been defended, but they couldn’t guarantee whether the grassland tribes would attack again.
At the same time, they learned that the grassland tribes had also raided Yuanwang Camp while attacking Yueshan Pass, all written in the military report.
The White Wolf tribe hadn’t even unified the grasslands, yet they could gather enough troops this time. How had the remaining large tribes all sided with the White Wolf tribe?
Not all grassland territory belonged to the northern tribes; Great Qi also had grasslands. The grasslands and deserts were vast with open views, not suitable for building cities, and without large forests or other cover. Great Qi’s defense method was to build large camps, connecting them with relay stations and outposts along the way to form a defensive line.
Yuanwang Camp was a large camp and a military stronghold. Though its walls were limited by geography and couldn’t compare to the cities within the passes, they were still sturdy enough to resist enemies.
But the gunpowder mentioned at Yueshan Pass… if its power had truly increased several times and there was enough of it, Yuanwang Camp would be difficult to defend.
Provided there was enough of it.
In terms of technology, the grassland tribes were the most backward among all city-states, with average financial resources. If they could truly produce so much new gunpowder to attack Great Qi and breach Yuanwang Camp, Chu Zhao would have to question where their military supplies came from.
Who was supporting them secretly?
When the military report from Yueshan Pass arrived, there was still no news from Yuanwang Camp. Being in the capital, news was delayed, and they could only wait.
Chu Zhao was actually somewhat anxious. If he were at the frontier, he could receive information immediately and respond accordingly.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the generals, but commanders and marshals saw things differently. A marshal could also deploy forces from all directions and coordinate more quickly.
As for the disturbance at the eastern market, the garrison commander showed insight. With the information Chu Zhao had sent days earlier, he immediately imposed martial law, sent troops to surround the market, suspended trade to quell the unrest, stabilized the situation, arrested some people, and was still interrogating them.
“The barbarians are too arrogant, but fortunately, our great Qi cannot be violated by others. Yueshan Pass has been defended, showing they are not to be feared. It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s effective governance that has made our Great Qi so powerful!”
This was a court official talking nonsense and flattering Emperor Cheng’an.
Of course, there were also officials who were concerned about the fierce momentum of the northern grassland tribes and advised caution.
Chu Zhao was thinking about his own matters and didn’t say a word.
After listening to several rounds of speeches, the emperor finally turned his gaze to Chu Zhao: “Prince Qin, what is your view?”
Although his tiger tally had been confiscated and he was confined to the capital, he still held the title of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, the head of military officials, so asking him was appropriate.
Chu Zhao noticed that Emperor Cheng’an hadn’t expressed much of an opinion while listening to the various officials, so he wasn’t in a hurry. He knew the emperor wasn’t particularly concerned, so he only said: “I believe we should increase vigilance and patrols on the northern border. As for the rest, we should wait for the battle report from Yuanwang Camp before making a judgment.”
When a border conflict arose, even if victorious, a marshal should go inspect. But Chu Zhao knew that Emperor Cheng’an would not easily allow him to go to the frontier.
Chu Zhao returned to the prince’s residence, deep in thought.
Shen Ziqin naturally also knew the news.
He lit incense, brewed tea, and without speaking, quietly sat with Chu Zhao for a while.
Chu Zhao understood warfare and had better insight than him. After a moment, Shen Ziqin finally said: “The sudden disturbance at the eastern market, though not considered war, will draw attention to the northeastern border. As a result, the garrison there cannot be easily moved, and the conflict with the northern grassland tribes will mainly rely on the northwestern garrison.”
“The gunpowder was most likely provided by Donglin, letting the northern grassland tribes test it in practice, fighting with us to see its effectiveness and usability,” Chu Zhao laughed coldly. “And the northern grassland tribes, rarely getting such good items, are willing to be dogs. If they can bite off a piece of meat from Great Qi, they’ll have a good year.”
This was why, although the White Wolf tribe hadn’t unified the grasslands yet, all eight major tribes on the grasslands were willing to work together this time.
Chu Zhao took a deep breath. He had already drunk a pot of cooling and calming tea, but the irritation in his chest still hadn’t subsided.
The room fell into silence again.
Shen Ziqin knew Chu Zhao had more to say to him, and he was waiting.
He also knew that Chu Zhao’s occasional silence was him thinking about how to say it.
Chu Zhao caressed his teacup, his lips drawn into a straight line. After emptying another cup of tea, he finally spoke softly: “Ziqin.”
Shen Ziqin’s fingers tightened, his eyelashes trembled, and he replied softly: “Mm.”
“If the situation turns unfavorable, I’ll need to go to the battlefield. I…”
In the past, when going to the battlefield, he didn’t need to report to anyone because he was already at the border. When conflict arose, he fought. Many people waited for his triumphant return, but no one guarded a home, waiting not for Prince Qin, but for the person Chu Zhao.
Among the myriad lights of homes, one now belonged to him. Prince Qin, once fearless, now had attachments and concerns.
Seeing Chu Zhao cut off his words, unable to continue, Shen Ziqin pressed his lips together and raised his hand to cover Chu Zhao’s.
Shen Ziqin forced a smile, but perhaps realizing it didn’t look right, he helplessly relaxed and stopped forcing it.
“I actually don’t want you to go to the battlefield,” Shen Ziqin slowly tightened his fingers. “But I know that if circumstances require you, you will definitely go.”
Chu Zhao turned his hand over, curled his fingers, and interlocked them with Shen Ziqin’s.
Shen Ziqin unconsciously applied great force, almost trembling as he held Chu Zhao’s hand. His fingertips turned white-rarely could the little marquis squeeze the prince’s hand to the point of pain, but Chu Zhao didn’t even furrow his brow, allowing Shen Ziqin to grip as he wished.
He could squeeze even tighter if he wanted.
“You’re invincible in battle, I’m just worried about my prince, I can’t control it,” Shen Ziqin’s voice choked. “You can’t blame me.”
Chu Zhao’s voice flowed gently: “I could never blame you.”
Shen Ziqin had been speaking softly for a while, his eyes downcast, concealing most of his emotions. Only now did he raise his eyes.
He looked at Chu Zhao, his eyes earnestly holding this person.
“If you must go to war, what I want to say is… fight without worry. This time, I’ll take care of everything behind you. Military supplies, provisions, court struggles-none of these will become obstacles in your path.”
Shen Ziqin emphasized each word: “I’ll clear the court for you, and in return, the prince must come back to me whole and intact.”
Shen Ziqin’s eyes were the most beautiful in the world-clear, pure, like clouds, water, and sky light. Now they contained the most important shadow to him; Chu Zhao saw himself in that light.
“All right.”
He pressed his forehead against Shen Ziqin’s: “While you’re in the prince’s residence, take good care of the consort for me. I’ll win battles for him, and he should eat well, sleep well, and wait for me.”
Shen Ziqin’s gaze trembled slightly: “…All right.”
Chu Zhao kissed his forehead: “If I leave the capital, I fear the emperor might harm you.”
“He might confine or monitor me, but he wouldn’t dare harm me,” Shen Ziqin cupped his face. “Besides, he’s no longer a threat now. Don’t worry.”
The two stayed close together, embracing tenderly without saying much more.
Until an external voice broke the tranquility.
“Your Highness!”
It was Hei Ying, his voice unlike his usual steady, hard tone that remained unshaken even if a mountain collapsed before him-now it carried clear anxiety.
Chu Zhao suddenly looked up, sharp as an eagle.
“Urgent report from the frontier-Yuanwang Camp has lost over half its forces, abandoned the camp, and retreated twenty li to outside Mingsha Pass. The palace will likely receive the news soon, and then-”
“Your Highness!” A guard rushed in. “The emperor urgently summons you and the ministers to the palace to discuss military affairs!”
Chu Zhao rose abruptly, and Shen Ziqin stood up with him: “I’ll go too.”
After the Imperial Preceptor’s visit to the prince’s residence, news of Shen Ziqin’s recovery had been released, so his public appearance now was reasonable.
Chu Zhao hesitated for half a second, opened his mouth, then closed it, only extending his hand to Shen Ziqin: “Come.”
Shen Ziqin took Chu Zhao’s hand, letting him pull him up.
This was an emergency meeting, not a court session. The warm pavilion was crowded with people, and arguing here was even more effective than at court, making ears buzz.
Since Chu Zhao had taken command of the army, Great Qi hadn’t suffered such a major defeat. The officials who had grown accustomed to comfort and prosperity in the capital had their minds rusted by ease.
They had forgotten that Great Qi had once suffered defeats and lost passes, which were later recaptured through bloody battles.
So someone dared to say: “Yuanwang Camp is just a small outpost. We can regroup and take it back. Our Great Qi has strong troops and horses, there’s really no need to worry too much. Haven’t they already reached Mingsha Pass? With Mingsha Pass and Yuanwang Camp combined, they can surely-”
“Lord Yu!” Someone couldn’t bear his nonsense. “Yuanwang Camp’s responsibility is to watch over the grasslands-it’s our first line of defense against the barbarian tribes. This retreat of twenty li has lost us so much land, leaving us blind, and in your mouth, it’s just a small outpost?”
Lord Yu: “I-”
The speaker was a military official who had no patience for literary pretensions and directly cursed: “Talking out of your ass!”
When scholars argue, even if they eventually curse each other’s mothers, there’s a process of parsing words and phrases, using classical references to insult. Lord Yu hadn’t argued with military men for a long time, and being hit with crude language right away made his face flush red and his neck swell.
Some civil officials had already brought out the words “disgraceful behavior,” when Shen Ziqin glanced at them lightly and coughed softly behind his sleeve amid the shouting.
This wasn’t a court session, so Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao stood together. When he coughed, Chu Zhao immediately asked: “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
The officials around also inquired: “Has the consort not fully recovered?”
With this interruption, the chaotic voices diminished considerably, making it much more pleasant to the ears. The military official also looked over, and Lord Yu, having lost his arguing partner’s attention, couldn’t immediately say what was on his mind.
Shen Ziqin lowered his sleeve and smiled with a voice showing slight weakness: “It’s nothing.”
He smiled at one person: “Lord Yu.”
Shen Ziqin’s speech had a certain magic. Whether because of his exceptional looks, his harmless appearance, or his deeply ingrained frail image, whenever he spoke softly, others couldn’t bear to interrupt and would patiently listen to him finish.
Shen Ziqin’s voice flowed like a gentle stream, pleasing to the ear: “You are a civil official, unfamiliar with military affairs and unaware of the strategic considerations at the frontier. Your ignorance of Yuanwang Camp’s importance is understandable.”
Lord Yu’s reddened neck cooled somewhat. He thought to himself that the prince’s consort was indeed well-spoken-scholars were easier to communicate with than military men. He nodded and was about to speak amicably when Shen Ziqin continued in that captivating voice: “Since you acknowledge your ignorance of military matters, why speak nonsense? Better to keep quiet and listen to those who can actually offer useful advice.”
Lord Yu: “…”
Not only was he utterly astonished, frozen in place, but the others also looked at Shen Ziqin in surprise.
How could Shen Ziqin make “you’re stupid, shut up” sound so refreshing?
And was the prince’s consort really this sharp-tongued?
Shouldn’t a frail beauty be timid, weak, and unable to speak up?
Under the shocked gazes of many whose perceptions had been overturned, Shen Ziqin continued to smile at them, appearing quite approachable.
He remained beautiful, yet his smile somehow made these people shudder inexplicably.
Lord Yu was even more furious than before, while the military official laughed: “Haha, the consort is right! People who only talk nonsense should shut up!”
Emperor Cheng’an finally couldn’t bear it anymore and slammed the table: “Enough!”
“I asked you to discuss important matters, but you’re only focused on arguing. What kind of conduct is this!”
The officials immediately responded in unison: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”
At this moment, Chu Zhao glanced at Shen Ziqin, who caught his eye and felt his heart tremble.
He understood Chu Zhao’s meaning. They were always like this-even without speaking, they were as in sync as one person.
Then, very slightly, he nodded to Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao smiled at him.
Then he put away all expression, his face becoming solemn.
“Your Majesty.” Chu Zhao stepped forward.
“Yuanwang Camp cannot be abandoned. Retreating twenty li is only a temporary measure. The vast land and the Great Qi subjects on those grasslands cannot be neglected-we must fight again. With war already begun and soldiers bleeding on the battlefield, a commander has no reason to abandon them while enjoying comfort in the capital.”
Chu Zhao spoke resolutely: “I request to go to battle. I am willing to go to the frontier to repel the enemy for Great Qi!”
#
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
