Chapter 288 - 80: An Entrustment (Part 2)

Chapter 288: Chapter 80: An Entrustment (Part 2)

But Xiao Xun’s power and influence remained unchecked, and the court was still unstable. Everything she had gained could be lost in an instant. To ensure she had no regrets in her next life, there was still much she had to do.

"Ah Jiu, my father is gone. Things are stable for now, but there’s bound to be a shake-up in the Border Army’s leadership," Chu Zhao continued. "Uncle Zhong can’t manage it alone, and I have no one else to turn to. I can only entrust this to you—"

She gave him a solemn bow as she spoke.

Xie Yanlai understood what she meant. Control of the Border Army was a tempting prize, one that countless people had vied for. This was especially true in recent years, with the struggle between the Third Prince and the Crown Prince, and the power-hungry Zhao and Yang Families. Except for Chu Ling, who had defended Luocheng with an iron grip that no one could penetrate, the other Five Road Generals had all sworn allegiance to different factions, making the army a motley crew.

It wasn’t just the Zhao and Yang Families; the Xie family surely had its own arrangements. He didn’t know the details, but look at him, for instance—hadn’t he been placed among the posthouse soldiers, sent on a personal trip to the Border County, and even tasked with delivering a letter to Chu Ling?

Just after Chu Zhao became Empress and the Emperor had shown his intention of entrusting the orphan heir to her, Western Liang Soldiers snuck into Upper Commandery to wreak havoc. The court immediately sought to hold Chu Ling accountable and proposed appointing a new commander-in-chief.

But then Chu Zhao had personally come to lead the army and take command. Wielding her authority as the Empress, she took over for Chu Ling, and for the moment, no one could replace her.

But Chu Zhao was the Empress. She couldn’t command the army from the field forever.

It was just like back in the Imperial City; when Zhong Changrong left, she had handed the Dragon Power Army over to him.

At its peak, the Dragon Power Army in the Imperial City had numbered only a few hundred men.

But the Border Army numbered a full hundred thousand—

Xie Yanlai looked at the young woman before him and said, "Chu Zhao, I’m just one of those ’other people,’ you know."

Chu Zhao looked at him and smiled. "Perhaps you being one of those ’other people’ is better than all the other ’other people.’"

The Liang father and son had begun accumulating military honors, the King of Zhongshan was raising an army, Deng Yi was firmly seated as Grand Tutor, and Xie Yanfang was pacifying the young Emperor. She had witnessed the conduct of all these other people, but she had never seen this Xie Yanlai in action.

"Didn’t you say it yourself?" Chu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "My luck can’t be bad forever."

"Oh," Xie Yanlai said. "But my luck has always been terrible." With that, he turned and stalked away.

His words were harsh, but he had agreed. Chu Zhao smiled and called after him, "That’s fine, too! Even if your luck has always been bad, you’ve still managed to pull through, haven’t you?"

The door flap fell, separating the inside from the out. All that could be heard was Xie Yanlai scoffing, "Pah!"

Chu Zhao chuckled to herself for a moment before turning back to the sand table. It used to be that only the Border County was covered in densely packed troop formations. Now, forces were also massing near the Capital City, a jarring sight amidst the cluster of cities.

Heavy footsteps sounded, and someone swept aside the thick curtain flap to enter. Seeing Chu Zhao standing before the sand table, lost in thought, the newcomer cleared her throat loudly.

Only then did Chu Zhao look up. "Xiao Man, what is it?"

Xiao Man turned her head away. "Are you returning to the Capital City? Are you going to fight the King of Zhongshan’s army? We... we’ll go with you." At this, she huffed. "Your troops don’t look all that useful, anyway."

’She must have added that last part herself,’ Chu Zhao thought with a smile, shaking her head. "There’s no need. You don’t have to come with me."

Xiao Man, perhaps not expecting to be refused, whipped her head back to look at her. "Hey! When you get over there and start regretting this, it won’t do you any good to have Ding Dachui blow his whistle raw. No one will come to help."

Chu Zhao smiled. "I really don’t need you to. You won’t be marching into battle with me this time, because they have enough troops over there. However, I do need your help relaying messages. And furthermore—"

She walked over, leaned in, and spoke to Xiao Man in a low voice.

"Whether I win or lose... the key lies with you all."

’The key lies with us? For what? Relaying messages?’ Xiao Man frowned. ’How can you win a war just by relaying messages? Even bandits know that taking a mountain stronghold is a bloody business of real blades and real spears.’

Chu Zhao was already whispering in her ear. When she finished, she patted Xiao Man’s arm. "Go and tell her."

Xiao Man dodged her hand, huffed, and strode away.

After stomping away for a bit, Xiao Man came to her senses. ’What did she mean, "Go and tell her"?’

"Xiao Man," a voice called from up ahead.

Xiao Man looked up to see Mu Mianhong waving from behind a nearby tent. She quickly ran over.

"What did she say?" Mu Mianhong asked.

Hearing this, Xiao Man didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry. Chu Zhao had told her to go tell "her," and now her auntie was asking what "she" had said. The two of them were clearly in the same camp, yet they refused to see each other. And Chu Zhao knew perfectly well whose words Xiao Man was speaking—

"Would it kill her to just talk to you directly?" Xiao Man couldn’t help but complain.

Mu Mianhong patted her arm soothingly and smiled. "It’s just not convenient. We shouldn’t add to her worries at a time like this."

Xiao Man sighed. Seeing the anticipation in Mu Mianhong’s eyes, she didn’t have the heart to disappoint her.

"She said we don’t need to go," she said.

The light in Mu Mianhong’s eyes instantly dimmed.

Xiao Man quickly added, "But, Auntie, she said whether she wins or loses depends entirely on us!"

The light flared in Mu Mianhong’s eyes again. Taking Xiao Man’s hand, she said, "Is that so? Tell me, what arrangements did she make?"

Xiao Man huffed but obediently allowed Mu Mianhong to lead her into the tent.

...

...

The departure was swift. The decision was made during the day, and by dusk, Chu Zhao was already on horseback, riding out of the Central Army Camp. Old Bai led a contingent of troops in front of her, Ding Dachui brought up the rear, and Ah Le and Xiao Man flanked her on the left and right.

Although she had not allowed Mu Mianhong’s forces to accompany them, Xiao Man had insisted on coming along, and this time, Chu Zhao did not refuse.

The soldiers they passed on the road all saluted her, but none were surprised. Empress Chu was often like this—one moment leading patrols, the next leading a charge to kill the enemy on the battlefield.

The news that the King of Zhongshan was besieging the Capital City had not been announced publicly.

Chu Zhao glanced back and could just make out Uncle Zhong’s figure. To avoid arousing suspicion, he had not escorted her out of the main camp.

As for Xie Yanlai, he was nowhere to be seen.

Chu Zhao turned her gaze forward and cracked her whip, urging her horse on. She didn’t notice the young commander standing alone on a high knoll to the left of the camp, his eyes following her departure.