Chapter 909: The Commander Departs, the Odd Army Moves

Jin Ling City, Da Zai Gate, Xin Chun Hao’s Southern Headquarters.

In a private room on the second floor, Qu Hongxiu and Qin Keqing whispered to each other; another person sat in the room, yet they paid her no heed.

The girl was about fifteen, wearing a pink embroidered fur-lined vest, baggy cotton trousers, a pleated skirt tied at her slender waist, and green-sprigged embroidered shoes.

Her bright, clear eyes flickered mischievously as she watched Hongxiu and Keqing, listening intently, her rosy lips constantly crackling as she cracked sunflower seeds.

This girl was Baozhu; after more than half a year, the girl had begun to grow tall, her features delicate and refined, her face fair and smooth, her figure slim, radiating the fresh charm of adolescence.

Qu Hongxiu suddenly sensed something and turned to see Baozhu; she laughed and scolded, “You little brat, how quietly you stand there, eavesdropping on our good talk?”

Baozhu giggled, her smile like peach blossoms blooming, already radiant with emerging charm, and said, “You didn’t even hear me cracking seeds so loudly—you were too busy talking.”

“I was enjoying it, so why’d you stop? Miss Hongxiu, is this girl who wrote you the letter your new sweetheart? Your angry face is so amusing.”

Keqing laughed and scolded, “You’re nearly a grown girl now, still running around all day. Where did you pick up such vulgar talk? What sweetheart or not—don’t you have any shame, young lady?”

Baozhu retorted, “That’s not right, Miss. Cousin Cong is so capable, everyone says he’s the Literary Star descended from heaven. Wouldn’t it be an honor to be his sweetheart? So respectable.”

Qu Hongxiu couldn’t help laughing, scolding, “You reckless little wretch, if you dare say another word, I’ll tear out your tongue. If anyone hears you, you’ll never find a husband.”

Baozhu stuck out her tongue, grabbed the paper bag of sunflower seeds beside her, and darted out the room—but as soon as she reached the doorway, Qu Hongxiu called her back.

“Tell the letter-delivery woman that her master is going to Shen Jing. Tomorrow we’ll send two chests of gifts to your household; please ask Master Xue to carry them along to the Wei Yuan Marquis.”

Baozhu shouted her reply as she left, her distinctive thudding footsteps echoing down the stairs.

…

Qu Hongxiu smiled, “Keqing, you made two robes for Cousin Cong—send those along too. I’ve gathered some herbs and brewed useful ointments and pills.”

Originally, Cousin Cong was to take them on campaign for emergencies, but there’s no time now—he’s been gone five or six days already; I wonder if he’s well.”

“This time, Miss Xu is going with him. Shen Jing won’t receive any feather messages for a while. I hope this campaign, like the last one in Liaodong, ends with Cousin Cong returning safely and victorious.”

As they spoke, footsteps thudded again on the stairs; Baozhu reached the door and said, “Miss Hongxiu, a carriage has arrived at the gate. A woman wants to see you.”

“She says she’s Lady Jia Yucun, and has urgent business to ask of you. Here’s her visiting card.”

Qu Hongxiu’s brow furrowed slightly; Keqing took the card and opened it, saying, “Lady Jiao Xing has visited the shop several times—each time buying plenty of goods.”

Qu Hongxiu said, “A prefect’s wife wouldn’t come herself to buy things—Jia Yucun must know our connection to Cousin Cong and sent her to cultivate ties.”

“That’s why I’ve always avoided her. A high-ranking fourth-rank official still clings to scheming and networking—no wonder he did dirty deeds and ended up in prison.”

Keqing said, “So Lady Jiao Xing, because her husband’s imprisoned, actually hopes we’ll help—ask Cousin Cong to intervene and get him released? How utterly relentless.”

Qu Hongxiu said, “A few days ago, I received word that the Ministry of Personnel sent inspectors south. Xue’s young master is entangled in a homicide case; Jia Yucun took bribes to let him escape punishment.”

“Now he’s been arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. With no one in Jin Ling to help him, desperate to save his career, he’s gone to absurd lengths—sending his wife to beg at our door.”

“If we’re tied to him, it’ll give Cousin Cong a black mark. When we were in Shen Jing, Cousin Cong told me this man is cold-hearted—he warned me to watch out for him after arriving in Jin Ling.”

“He brought this on himself. He thinks we’re fools? Baozhu, go tell her we can’t receive guests—Jia Yucun’s case is beyond our help.”

After Baozhu went downstairs to reply, Qu Hongxiu said, “Now I understand: Miss Xue’s letter asking Master Xue to go to Shen Jing must be tied to the old Feng family homicide case.”

“This story has circulated in Jin Ling’s alleys for years—it was Miss Xue’s brother who let his henchmen beat a man to death. Master Xue was summoned to Shen Jing precisely to smooth this over.”

And in Jinling’s official circles, it’s said Jia Yucun obtained his post as Prefect of Ying Tian through Uncle Yuzhang’s influence; the Jia and Xue families are connected by marriage—this matter may involve them deeply.

“Clans are tangled in countless threads; when one matter breaks, it pulls up the radish and brings the mud. Many people get dragged in. With Yuzhang away on campaign, at least his ears are quiet.”

…

Four hundred li northwest of Shen Jing, the Qi State Command of the Campaign Against Meng Army.

This was the northern Three Passes headquarters of the Campaign Against Meng Army, but Liang Chengzong, upon arriving at the Three Passes, remained at the front in Yuanzhou to command—never took up residence at the Qi State Command.

Upon reaching Yuanzhou, Liang Chengzong took command from Commander Chen Yi, transferring Chen Yi to the Qi State Command to coordinate logistics and gather supplies.

Chen Yi had planned to bring his two thousand elite troops to Qi State for flexible deployment, but Liang Chengzong, citing urgent frontline needs, politely refused.

In the end, Chen Yi took only two hundred elite personal guards and two longtime trusted household generals, returning to Qi State with deep bewilderment and resentment.

As Chen Yi departed for Qi State, Liang Chengzong issued another order—this one arriving ahead of Chen Yi—and ordered the twenty-five thousand elite troops in the city moved to the Yuanzhou front.

The troops withdrawn from Qi State included Chen Yi’s own officers and the close forces of the Duke of Qi. The orders were absolute, yet everything seemed quiet, unremarkable.

But the army never lacked sharp, experienced men—even amid fierce fighting against the Meng, troop movements were common, yet some still sensed something amiss.

Yet military command shifts, promotions, and demotions involved hidden power struggles among senior officers—dangerous, subtle matters no one dared speak of, for fear of disaster.

…

Qi State Command, Duke of Qi Chen Yi’s official quarters.

Chen Yi sat alone behind his military desk, holding a teacup, sunk in gloom. Alcohol was strictly forbidden in camp—he, as deputy commander, obeyed the rule, even to drown his sorrows.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor; his trusted Assistant Regional Commander Xu Kun entered with documents—supply logistics, bow and arrow, spear, and crossbow replenishments—needing Chen Yi’s review and signature.

Chen Yi glanced at the documents, his frustration mounting. He’d been sidelined for years in the Five Armies Command, merely handling rear logistics and supplies.

Finally, he’d seized this chance to lead troops as commander, hoping to reverse his long decline—only to be tossed back to the same rear duties, again and again.

As he signed the documents, he asked, “How are troop deployments in the city?”

Xu Kun replied, “Five thousand troops guard the city: two thousand are elite Five Armies troops under Captain Xiao Wu, personally promoted by the Marquis of Zhongjing.”

“The other three thousand come from four guard commands around Shen Jing, each led by four captains—I’ve checked them out; all are strangers to me.”

“Though this force is patched together, the soldiers are all strong and fit. Combined with the two thousand Five Armies elite, and given Qi City’s rear position, the garrison is more than sufficient.”

Chen Yi’s anger simmered—he didn’t just have more than enough; this was his prison. Except for his two hundred personal guards, he couldn’t move a single soldier.

Xu Kun said, “Your Grace’s two hundred personal guards must remain to guard the Command headquarters, relay orders, and protect your safety—no one can be spared.”

“I went to several commanders, pleaded and cajoled, exhausted myself—and managed to borrow three hundred men to escort supplies, unload warehouses, and guard storage.”

“Your Grace faces the Anda Khan’s army at Yuanzhou front—both sides clash fiercely, neither yielding an inch, holding the northern Three Passes. Your leadership is undeniable.”

“But Commander Liang’s actions clearly strip your command and steal your glory. Five thousand disloyal troops in Qi City are meant to bind you—his methods are chilling.”

…………

Chen Yi frowned, his expression dark, and shook his head. “This is strange. Liang Chengzong is among the army’s brightest stars of the last decade—his military achievements are outstanding, a wise and capable general.”

“I know his character somewhat—he doesn’t favor underhanded schemes. Besides, he’s the Campaign Commander, a trusted minister of His Majesty. Why would he fear me?”

“At Yuanzhou front, both sides are locked in fierce combat, neither side gaining ground—it’s merely fulfilling our duty to defend the border, hardly a military achievement.”

“Liang Chengzong goes to such lengths to sideline me to rear duties—wouldn’t that be adding feet to a snake? He’s a shrewd man—he wouldn’t do something so foolish as to damage army morale.”