Qian Jiaoniang, furious, said: “I’ll go with you. We’ll strike first, chop the emperor into pieces!”
A laugh rumbled from Xing Muzheng’s chest. He stroked her face. “It’s not yet time for you to take the field. That green little emperor still cannot kill me.”
“You truly mean to go?” Qian Jiaoniang asked.
“If I don’t, Chou’er will be in danger. Though this edict was abrupt, it is still an imperial decree. If I defy it, then I hand him a handle against me.”
“But if you go, that muddle-headed emperor can invent some charge against you at will. Then what?”
Xing Muzheng smiled. “That will depend on you.”
“Me?” Qian Jiaoniang blinked, then suddenly sat up, fired with resolve. “So it is after all that I must go too—to kill the emperor first?”
Xing Muzheng laughed heartily.
He had thought it enough to find a woman who could soothe his weariness at home, but Heaven had been generous, granting him an incomparable treasure who not only gave him tenderness, but could also fight at his side. So this was what love between man and woman, between yin and yang, could truly be—so perfectly matched!
Indeed, that saying was right: With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?
He held her tighter. But Qian Jiaoniang, displeased with his laughter, struck him lightly with her fists. “I’m speaking seriously, yet you laugh at me?”
Xing Muzheng stopped his laughter, sighed, kissed her forehead, and asked softly: “Jiaoniang, are you not afraid? The one we’d be standing against is the Emperor of Great Xie. One misstep, and there’s no return.”
Qian Jiaoniang was silent a moment, then pressed her cheek against his chest and said quietly: “I’ve only just gained this peace. Whoever dares disturb it, I will not forgive. Besides—you still remember what we once said about what ‘peace’ truly means? I still hold to it: when people have no worries for food or clothing, when no one picks up what isn’t theirs, when doors needn’t be locked at night—that is peace. But this emperor thinks only of himself; he cannot give the people peace.”
She lifted her head and looked straight at Xing Muzheng. “So, I am not afraid.”
Xing Muzheng held her gaze for a long while. “If that is how you feel, then let us try.”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded. “Then tell me, what do you need me to do?”
Xing Muzheng curved his lips, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words. She listened intently, then solemnly nodded.
Xing Muzheng escorted her back to the city, then returned to camp. That night, generals Xu Yizhao and several others secretly came to his tent, kneeling before him, begging him not to go to Yongan.
“Grand Marshal, you’ve shed blood for Great Xie, led brothers through blades and fire. Without you, Great Xie would already be no country at all! And now that little emperor dares to play the trick of ‘the birds gone, the bow put away’ against you—this truly rouses our fury!”
Xing Muzheng had them rise. “Brothers, I understand your hearts, but an imperial order cannot be disobeyed. As a subject, how can I?”
Li Zhong, now aware of the peril after much explanation from his comrades, said: “Grand Marshal, if the emperor won’t see you as a meritorious minister, why must you see him as a wise lord? A muddle-headed ruler without virtue—if you fall, we’ll all likely be doomed too! We’re willing to follow you—through mountains of blades, seas of fire—sharing fortune and hardship alike!”
The generals all knelt again: “Grand Marshal, we are willing to follow you!”
Xing Muzheng was silent for a moment, then lifted them one by one. “Very well. Xing accepts his brothers’ loyalty. If ever great merit is achieved, I shall never forget tonight’s brotherhood. Fortune, we shall share together!”
A few days later, Zhaohui arrived in Pengzhou with five thousand Imperial Guards after traveling day and night, only to find Xing Muzheng no longer there. The prefect of Pengzhou said he had already led the army, escorting Meng Rang, to advance on Qinan Prefecture.
Zhaohui hurried to pursue, and caught up with Xing Muzheng midway. Xing Muzheng calmly accepted the decree, coughed twice, and said with emotion: “His Majesty’s boundless grace—your servant will go through fire and water without hesitation.”
Zhaohui said: “Since the Grand Marshal has received the edict, you’d best set out at once. The road is long, and with your illness, it will only take longer. As for retaking Qinan, let the newly appointed Grand Marshal, the veteran General Xu, handle it.” Saying so, he watched Xing Muzheng warily, scrutinizing every flicker of his expression.
But Xing Muzheng showed not the slightest displeasure, merely asking: “And where is General Xu now?”
“The old general fell unwell on the way, he is still making his journey here.”
Old General Xu was already at death’s door—managing such a long journey was already remarkable.
Xing Muzheng said: “Zhaohui Gonggong, do you not understand the current war situation? Guda hovers outside Tongzhou, wavering between attacking Tongzhou or rushing back to defend Qinan. With Meng Rang in our hands, Qinan is empty and exposed. This is the perfect chance!”
Xu Yizhao followed: “If Guda returns in time, we’ll lose this chance. Who knows how many more will die!”
“This…” Zhaohui might not grasp military matters deeply, but even he knew how critical timing was. Yet he also knew the emperor must be desperate to see Xing Muzheng appear before him at once. If delayed, His Majesty might even hold Zhaohui accountable. “Perhaps… leave it to the other generals instead…”
Xu Yizhao said, “This battle is of utmost importance. We, your subordinates, admit we do not possess the military talent of Commander Xing, and cannot shoulder such a great responsibility.”
“But…”
“The young prince and the princess are indeed important, but as a general, I must cast aside personal concerns and serve the country,” Xing Muzheng said. “Once a general is on campaign, even the emperor’s orders cannot always be followed to the letter. I have resolved to first attack Qinan. If we can win swiftly, then all the better. If not, I will personally beg His Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Before Zhaohui could speak further, the resolute Xing Muzheng waved his hand. “Continue the march!”
Zhaohui could not stop him and could only march with the army until they reached the outskirts of Qinan, where they encamped. Though Zhaohui held the Imperial Sword of Authority, Xing Muzheng’s reasoning was sound—he could not act rashly. All he could hope was that Xing Muzheng would seize Qinan quickly.
Who would have expected that the Eldest Prince of Xili, Guda, had already turned back from Tongzhou to Qinan? The two armies faced each other outside the city. Xu Yizhao used Meng Rang as leverage, demanding the Xili army immediately abandon Qinan and retreat to Hemen Pass. Meng Rang, terrified of death, shouted frantically in the Xili tongue. Xing Muzheng, commanding from the rear, had his men who understood the language report what he said. It was mostly him begging to be exchanged back. But unfortunately, his own son had no such intentions. Just as Meng Rang broke into curses, Guda took up a strong bow, slowly drew the string, and aimed the arrow at his own father.
Luckily, Xu Yizhao reacted swiftly and knocked the arrow aside.
Xing Muzheng’s lips curved—sure enough, this wolf cub was an ungrateful beast who would even cast aside his own father.
Xing Muzheng gave the order to assault the city. Guda defended fiercely. Three days of assaults passed, yet the city still did not fall. Meanwhile, imperial decrees from Yongan kept arriving—one each day, even two on the third day—urging Xing Muzheng to immediately return to Yongan.
The generals saw this and grew all the more furious.
***
Inside Yongan City, news that the young Marquis of the Xie family was to marry the princess and become the imperial son-in-law had already spread through the streets. Gossipers gathered in teahouses, sighing in pity for the delicate little princess—she was the royal family’s cherished jewel, yet was to be married off to Yongan’s number-one bully, the little marquis. Others were indignant, shouting, “I’ve heard General Xie personally captured the King of Xili alive! With such glorious achievements, never mind marrying one princess—he could marry ten princesses if he wished!”
The crowd thought it reasonable, burst into laughter, and began discussing General Xie’s many campaigns.
The common folk found it amusing, but Di Qingya did not at all. She secretly summoned Xing Pingchun.
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