Chapter 123

Chapter 123

The first day of the fifth month marked the departure of the 100,000-strong Northern Expeditionary Imperial Army.

At the first hint of dawn, before the Emperor personally arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate to see the generals off, Princess Qingyang, who resided in the palace, first made her way to Qianyuan Hall.

Besides Emperor Xingwu, Consort Gui, Consort Li, and the Crown Prince's family were all present. This was a private send-off for the young princess by her immediate imperial family.

At nine years old, Qingyang had once worn armor scaled down from her father's battle gear. Now, at seventeen, she had been bestowed four sets of armor, each custom-tailored for her. All four sets featured satin-faced leather with dragon patterns on the inside: one in bright yellow, one in vermilion, one in royal blue, and one in burgundy.

Armor in the Great Qi army was primarily iron, with high-ranking officers often donning full sets.

Leather armor varied in quality depending on the animal hide and craftsmanship. The satin-faced leather armor worn by Emperor Xingwu during his personal campaigns or military reviews was exceptionally costly. It was lighter than iron armor yet offered comparable defense. With an additional layer of embroidered silk featuring dragon patterns, it became a symbol of imperial dignity exclusive to the emperor. Even a prince like Qin Bing, when on the battlefield, had to strictly wear iron armor and was not permitted to wear such satin-faced leather armor, which was intended to signify elevated status.

As the princess was to supervise the army on behalf of the emperor, her presence at the border symbolized imperial authority. Thus, it was entirely reasonable for Emperor Xingwu to bestow upon his daughter satin armor embroidered with imperial dragon patterns.

Today, as she would pass through crowds lining the streets to see the troops off, Princess Qingyang specifically chose the bright yellow set.

Bathed in the morning light, the young princess strode in. Emperor Xingwu smiled, Consort Li’s eyes reddened, and Qin Hong stared blankly. Only Zheng Geer, standing inconspicuously by his mother’s side, swiftly shifted his gaze between his little aunt and the emperor. The more affectionately and approvingly the emperor smiled, the heavier Zheng Geer’s heart grew.

Princess Qingyang bowed to each of the elders, as well as to her eldest brother and his wife.

Consort Gui praised, "With this attire, Lin'er truly looks like a young qilin ready to gallop across the battlefield—impressive and extraordinary."

Princess Qingyang modestly replied, "I merely rely on this armor to maintain appearances. When it comes to defending against enemies on the battlefield, it'll depend on brave warriors like Second Brother."

Consort Gui said, "A commander strategizes from within the tent, while soldiers charge into battle. With Lin'er devising strategies, your second brother will know exactly where to strike."

Princess Qingyang did not continue her modesty, for she truly was no match for the soldiers who trained hard daily in the camp when it came to individual combat.

Consort Li had already given her daughter endless advice recently and didn't say anything discouraging now. She only urged her daughter to consult with the chief generals when encountering difficulties and not to disappoint her father’s expectations.

Lv Wenrong advised her younger sister to take care of herself and not overexert.

Qin Hong was the last to speak. Looking at his sister, he said, "Eldest Brother believes in you, little sister. I await the triumphant return of you and the soldiers."

Princess Qingyang hugged her brother, feeling his slender waist. She said sincerely, "Eldest Brother, you must also take care of your health. It would be best if you could return stronger and healthier than now when we come back."

Qin Hong smiled and said, "Alright, Eldest Brother will try to eat more."

With many people present, each saying a few words, time quickly passed. The two imperial consorts and the Crown Princess stayed behind, while Emperor Xingwu, accompanied by the Crown Prince and his son, went to see his daughter and the others off.

After the grand farewell ceremony, Princess Qingyang rode at the forefront, with Prince Yong and Qin Bing side by side behind her. The three members of the imperial family, along with renowned generals and young officers such as Hou Wanzhong, Deng Kun, and Zhang Su, as well as 3,000 of the princess’s personal guards selected from the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Guard Division, marched grandly toward the city gates. The 100,000-strong imperial army had already assembled outside the city walls.

The border regions had repeatedly suffered from East Hu invasions, causing hardship for the people there. The commoners across Great Qi also harbored hatred for the formidable East Hu enemy. Thus, today, as the imperial camp soldiers set out on orders to campaign against East Hu, the commoners of the capital who could make it came to see them off. Generals like Prince Yong, Qin Bing, Deng Kun, and Zhang Su—even if their faces were unrecognizable—could be identified by their iron armor, stature, and imposing presence as exceptionally skilled in martial arts. In contrast, the one at the forefront wearing the most luxurious armor—

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"Is that Princess Qingyang?"

"It must be. I heard the emperor sent Princess Qingyang to supervise the army this time."

"This is too reckless. Even if the princess is talented and can write books, what woman goes to the battlefield? And even holds such an important position as military supervisor?"

"It is quite unusual, but I think our emperor wouldn’t make mistakes in military matters. Perhaps the princess truly has the capability."

The officialdom was dominated by men, but among the commoners seeing them off were men, women, young, and old. Hearing some men disparage the princess for not understanding warfare, some women took offense: "Who says the princess doesn’t understand warfare? There was Hua Mulan in the past, and besides, our princess studied alongside the princes since childhood. She learned everything they did. If the princess could ace the imperial examinations, perhaps she’s also top-notch in leading troops into battle!"

Hearing this, the soldiers couldn’t help but turn their heads and saw the woman raising her thumb high.

These three thousand personal guards had all been selected by Princess Qingyang. A bold and straightforward soldier loudly agreed, "Hear, hear! Our princess excels at both literary and martial arts!"

See, even the soldiers clad in iron armor believed in Princess Qingyang. The commoners who already had faith in her grew even more proud. Those who inherently looked down on women’s ability to fight—whether scrawny or portly men—immediately fell silent.

Prince Yong also didn’t believe his niece truly understood warfare, but he wouldn't undermine her or his elder brother at such a time, nor would he dampen the morale of the Northern Expedition soldiers. He thought to himself that if his niece proved incapable on the battlefield, he would take over the responsibility, letting her rest in the tent while he commanded the troops.

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Once outside the capital, the assembled 100,000-strong army marched directly northeast. Even if they encountered commoners along the road, the people kept their distance, and few idle remarks reached the soldiers’ ears.

As the Duanwu Festival approached, the mornings were still cool, but once the sun rose high, the soldiers faced scorching sunlight above and dust clouds kicked up by their marching feet below.

Those soldiers who maintained regular training were somewhat accustomed to such hardships and didn't complain. Besides, compared to the life-or-death battles on the battlefield, what was a little discomfort from marching?

Although Prince Yong had lived a peaceful and wealthy life for over a decade, at heart he remained the rough man who grew up in poverty and followed his elder brother east and west to earn his fortune. He wasn't bothered by the hardships of marching under the sun, but he couldn’t bear to see his refined niece, who resembled a peony, suffering needlessly alongside a group of men. He advised early on, "It’s too sunny outside, Lin'er. Go rest in the carriage."

During her southern inspection tour with the emperor, Princess Qingyang had indeed balanced work and rest, spending most of the journey in the carriage and only riding when the weather was comfortable or when she grew restless. However, the southern tour was for inspecting governance. As long as she handled her duties well, the three thousand personal guards accompanying her would not gossip. Now, however, she was joining the Northern Expedition as a military supervisor. If she couldn’t endure even this little hardship, what would the 100,000 soldiers think of her?

Princess Qingyang rejected her uncle’s well-meaning but misguided concern: "I’m not tired. If you’re tired, Uncle, feel free to rest in the carriage. I won't tell father."

Prince Yong: "—You silly child, what nonsense is this? With my physique and age, how could I be tired after just a short walk!"

Princess Qingyang smiled and said, "Good. I won’t underestimate you, Uncle, so please don’t underestimate me either."

Only then did Prince Yong realize his niece was angry. He laughed and said, "Uncle just pities you—"

Princess Qingyang: "I know, but from now on, I hope Uncle can forget our uncle-niece relationship and see me only as the military supervisor appointed by father. As a military supervisor, if I can’t even endure this little hardship, how can I undertake the Northern Expedition? If Uncle isn’t afraid of damaging Great Qi’s military prestige or disgracing our Qin family, I dare not, nor would I stoop to such behavior."

Prince Yong: "..."

Qin Bing laughed heartily, gloating, "After all that, Uncle, you still underestimate little sister. Otherwise, why didn’t you advise me to rest in the carriage?"

Prince Yong raised his whip at him: "I’ll beat you until you go rest in the carriage!"

Qin Bing: "Why beat me? I just wanted to tell you, Uncle, that little sister can endure more hardship than I can. During last year’s nine-month southern inspection tour, she never once complained of fatigue. Even in the sweltering summer heat in Fuzhou and Ganzhou, she still rode alongside officials to inspect governance. So stop worrying unnecessarily. Our Qin family’s Princess Lin'er is not like those princesses of previous dynasties who feared hardship and disliked fatigue."

Thus, the Qin family’s uncle, having been rebuked by both his niece and nephew, had no choice but to keep quiet.

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During the hottest hour at noon, they sought shade to rest. After the break, they continued their march. In the latter half of the afternoon, they crossed the Yellow River to the northern bank and, after another ten-plus miles, began setting up camp for the first night.

Princess Qingyang had brought Jie Yu and two senior palace maids, Fu Liu and Jin Su, to attend to her personally. After dining alone and tidying up briefly, she went to rest.

Having retired early, Princess Qingyang woke before dawn the next day. She dressed, washed, changed into the vermilion-colored armor, and sent several personal guards to summon the others.

Qin Bing and Prince Yong’s tents were the closest. The uncle and nephew arrived one after the other. Qin Bing fastened his armor fastenings as he walked, while the still drowsy Prince Yong simply came wearing a dark sleeping robe. Upon entering and seeing Princess Qingyang clad neatly in full armor, though without a helmet, both uncle and nephew were stunned.

In battle, armor was essential, but they were currently on a safe route of march. A regular set of armor weighed 20-30 jin (25-40 pounds), while heavy armor could exceed 50 jin. To avoid delaying the army’s progress, soldiers typically stored their armor on carts, retrieving and wearing it only when they stopped. They had worn armor the previous day because they were still near the capital and needed to display military might to the commoners.

Prince Yong and the others had their armor managed by personal guards. Usually, like the soldiers, they wore black military attire. Thus, when Qin Bing came to see his military supervisor sister, his clothing was appropriate, though his loose hair violated military protocol. Prince Yong, however, was entirely at fault.

Princess Qingyang said directly, "Both of you, leave. Come back only when properly dressed."

Seeing the stern expression on his sister’s face, Qin Bing wisely departed. Prince Yong, seeing his nephew comply and recalling the sharp words his little niece had spoken the previous day, opened his mouth to speak but ultimately followed his nephew out.

Once outside, the uncle and nephew saw Zhang Su, Hou Wanzhong, Cheng Zhixu, Meng Changhe, Deng Kun, and Fu Kui approaching one after another. The first four were already fully armored, while only Deng Kun and Fu Kui wore black military attire. Being outsiders after all, their hair was properly tied.

Deng Kun asked curiously, "Did the princess summon you two as well? What did she say?"

He thought Qin Bing and Prince Yong had already received instructions from Princess Qingyang and were returning after completing their task.

Qin Bing glanced at his disheveled, inner-garment-clad uncle. Prince Yong glared at his nephew and replied to Deng Kun, "We haven’t gone in yet. We just stepped out to answer nature's call."

Deng Kun’s face fell, and his heart ached.

His father, Deng Chong, had also been a man of simple habits, but before his departure, he repeatedly instructed Deng Kun and his brother not to casually remove their trousers outside the tent during campaigns. Deng Kun guessed that his father’s tropical fever was likely related to this carelessness.

If his father were still alive and not aged by illness, Deng Kun would have laughed at him. But his father was gone, and that lesson had cost him his life. Deng Kun only felt a pang of grief.

He didn't ask further. Prince Yong told the others to go see his niece first while he hurried away to change.