Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Since the two princes had gone to change, Zhang Su, given his proximity to the princess's tent at their rendezvous point, could have been the first to enter.

However, he paused outside the tent, waiting for Hou Wanzhong, Deng Kun, and the other five to catch up.

Once all six had assembled, and after being announced, Jie Yu lifted the tent flap and ushered them in.

Hou Wanzhong, though without a noble title, was one of the four great commanders of the Capital Garrison. He stood at the front on the left, while Deng Kun, Duke of Ding, who had inherited his father's title, stood on the right. Naturally, the positions directly in front were reserved for the two princes.

Fu Kui's official rank was unremarkable among them, but as the esteemed imperial son-in-law, he stood directly behind Hou Wanzhong. Deng Kun and Qin Liang were first cousins, neither favored by Yong Kang. Before the Fu family's title was revoked, Fu Kui had dared to act as he pleased, drinking with whomever he wished. In recent years, he had learned caution and no longer dared to offend Yong Kang.

Zhang Su voluntarily stood behind Fu Kui. One was a current imperial son-in-law, the other a prospective one—this arrangement was perfectly appropriate.

Meng Changhe outranked Cheng Zhixu, so without needing to defer, the two stood one behind the other behind Deng Kun.

Once everyone was in place, Deng Kun, seeing that Hou Wanzhong showed no inclination to speak, took the initiative and asked, "What task does the princess have for us?"

Deng Kun had learned a harsh lesson from the little princess when she was just nine. Though they had rarely interacted in recent years, after witnessing the princess admonish Prince Yong earlier that day, stripping him of his princely airs, Deng Kun naturally dared not be overly casual.

Qingyang said, "Gentlemen, please wait a moment. We will begin once Prince Yong and Prince Jing have arrived."

Deng Kun didn't give it much thought, but Zhang Su, Hou Wanzhong, and a few others who had noticed the two princes returning from the princess's direction had already guessed the preceding events.

Shortly after, two slightly hurried footsteps were heard outside. Jie Yu, standing guard by the tent flap, waited patiently until the guards announced them and the little princess, seated at the head, nodded. Only then did Jie Yu lift the flap and usher the two princes inside.

Qin Bing and Prince Yong had both donned their armor. As they entered, they simultaneously glanced at Deng Kun and Fu Kui, who were only in black military attire. Seeing them both present, the uncle and nephew quickly exchanged glances—apparently, military attire was acceptable. It was the other four who were overly formal, including the little princess, who was also in full armor.

"At this early hour, the kitchens have just started cooking. What is the matter?" Prince Yong asked his niece curiously as he stepped in front of Hou Wanzhong. If not for his niece's summons, he could have slept for another half-hour.

Qingyang first offered seats to Prince Yong and Hou Wanzhong, granting Hou Wanzhong the respect due to a commanding general based on his military rank.

The six standing men were now arranged two on one side and four on the other. Qin Bing, catching his sister's meaningful glance, cooperatively moved to stand in front of the two imperial sons-in-law.

Only then did Qingyang speak: "For this northern campaign, while we claim four hundred thousand troops to confront East Hu head-on, we will also dispatch two ten-thousand-strong surprise forces to attack East Hu's rear. General Hou, please explain this to Deng Kun and the other five."

A map had already been hung on one side of the tent. Hou Wanzhong called Deng Kun, Fu Kui, Zhang Su, Meng Changhe, and Cheng Zhixu—who had been kept in the dark until now—over to the map and began explaining in a low voice.

Qingyang observed the expressions of the five men. Aside from Deng Kun, the other four indeed seemed to be learning of this for the first time today. It was clear her eldest brother had not leaked any secrets to her eldest sister, and Zhang Jie had not breathed a word about the campaign to Zhang Su. As for Deng Kun...

Qingyang glanced at the two princes of the Qin family.

Neither the uncle nor the nephew understood the little princess's look. Qin Bing even whispered to his sister, "Didn't you say this was to be kept secret?"

Such a significant matter—he hadn't even told Meng Yao, fearing she would worry about him venturing deep into the grasslands and facing danger, leaving her in the capital unable to eat or sleep peacefully.

Qingyang understood. Deng Kun must have learned the news from her uncle's loose lips, or perhaps Prince Yong had told Qin Liang first, and Qin Liang had then informed Deng Kun. However, both Prince Yong and Deng Kun were focused on gaining glory. For their own safety, they would not spread the information further. In principle, Qin Liang shouldn't have either, but her father had unexpectedly detained Qin Liang at the last moment...

By the time Hou Wanzhong finished his explanation, Qingyang temporarily set aside her suspicions about Qin Liang to focus on the matter at hand.

Hou Wanzhong returned to his seat, and the six men—Deng Kun and the others—reformed into two rows. Qingyang looked at them and asked, "If you were sent to lead troops in a surprise attack on East Hu, what are your chances of success?"

Qin Bing, Deng Kun, and Fu Kui were brimming with the arrogant confidence that they could triumph through any danger. Zhang Su, Meng Changhe, and Cheng Zhixu answered with, "We will spare no effort." But all six responded almost simultaneously, proving they each possessed the courage to venture deep into the grasslands and were willing to fight this perilous surprise battle.

Qingyang had chosen them precisely because she was certain they would not shy from battle. Facts proved her right. She then made arrangements: "The main army will take the central route through Jizhou for the open assault. Meanwhile, ten thousand cavalry each will be dispatched from Jinzhou and Liaozhou to flank East Hu from the east and west and attack from the rear. The necessary warhorses, light armor, and dry rations have already been prepared in advance by the border armies of the two provinces. Second Brother, Fu Kui, Zhang Su—later, you will take five hundred of my personal guards and proceed directly to Jinzhou. At your pace, you should reach the Jinzhou army by the tenth day of the fifth month. Once there, you will personally select nine thousand five hundred elite troops from the Jinzhou army. You will have about two months to train and integrate them. The specific timing for deployment will depend on messages from our side."

"Deng Kun, Meng Changhe, Cheng Zhixu, you will take five hundred personal guards to Liaozhou... Remember, aside from Generals Chen Sheng and Meng Ji, you are not to leak any secrets of this battle, including to the ten thousand elite soldiers under your command. Only after entering the grasslands are you to inform them of the true situation. If any information leak due to you results in East Hu preparing in advance, even if you return victorious, you will face military punishment."

The six men accepted their orders in unison!

Prince Yong was displeased and said urgently, "What about me? It was agreed earlier that I would..."

Qingyang said, "Uncle, you are one of Great Qi's renowned generals. It is likely East Hu is already aware of the main generals leading our forces in this campaign. Therefore, you must travel with the main army to avoid arousing East Hu's suspicion."

Hou Wanzhong nodded in agreement.

The more reasonable it sounded, the angrier Prince Yong became. He glared and said, "So does that mean I made this long journey for nothing? I traveled all this way just to stand by and watch?"

Qingyang's expression turned serious: "Our army is claimed to be four hundred thousand strong, but in reality, about sixty thousand must remain behind to guard the three provinces' borders. Another hundred thousand soldiers are needed to transport military equipment and provisions. Add to that the twenty thousand surprise troops, and only about two hundred twenty thousand are actually combat-ready, most of whom are infantry. The King of East Hu is ambitious and may very well advance instead of retreating, actively mobilizing troops to attack us. In that case, not only will you have battles to fight, Uncle, but you will also serve as the bedrock for our two hundred thousand troops."

Prince Yong, who had been scolded all day, was suddenly elevated so high by his little niece that he almost laughed out loud in comfort. Shifting his weight and swaying slightly, Prince Yong furrowed his brows to appear deep and steady: "That may be so, but what if the King of East Hu is a coward and doesn't dare to attack us?"

With him, plus Chen Sheng, Meng Ji, Guo Yanqing, and Hou Wanzhong, it was indeed possible to scare the King of East Hu out of his wits.

Qingyang said, "If the enemy retreats, we advance. With scouts leading the way, we will inevitably encounter several groups of Hu soldiers. Due to supply limitations, we cannot afford prolonged engagements, but that does not mean we cannot fight at all."

Advancing into the grasslands risks lengthy supply lines wasting provisions, but this time Great Qi has prepared two strategies and will definitely not return empty-handed.

Assured that there would be battles to fight, Prince Yong was satisfied and no longer opposed his niece's arrangements for Qin Bing, Deng Kun, and the other five.

Qingyang offered the six men some further instructions. By the time faint sounds of the hundred thousand soldiers waking and moving about came from outside, Qingyang had finished all she needed to say. Finally, she said, "Second Brother, Zhang Su, stay behind."

Zhang Su then moved to the side to allow Prince Yong and the others to leave.

Qin Bing asked casually, "What else is there?"

Fu Kui, who was also part of the Jinzhou surprise force group with Qin Bing and Zhang Su, subtly slowed his departure, feeling uneasy. Among the three, he was the only one not asked to stay. Was it because his father had once been suspected of colluding with the enemy? Was the little princess going to instruct Qin Bing and Zhang Su to be wary of him?

Then, Fu Kui heard the little princess's voice: "Since we are about to part, have breakfast with me."

Fu Kui: "..."

With fewer people, Qingyang's main tent seemed spacious and quiet.

Qin Bing glanced at Zhang Su, who stood to the side with downcast eyes, then at his sister, whose beauty was enhanced rather than diminished by the armor, adding to her heroic spirit. He laughed and teased her, "Actually, you just want to spend more time with Zhang Su, and you're keeping me here as a cover, right?"

Qingyang said, "If Second Brother thinks that, it shows you aren't the least bit reluctant to part with me."

Qin Bing motioned for Zhang Su to sit in the seat previously occupied by Hou Wanzhong, while he himself sat in Prince Yong's spot. Looking at his sister, he said, "That's not possible. I was just about to bring something up. Those three thousand personal guards were arranged by Father to protect you. Why are you giving us a thousand of them? Once we reach Jinzhou and Liaozhou, each province has a hundred thousand border troops. Are we worried about not being able to select ten thousand elite soldiers?"

Selecting ninety-five hundred is practically the same as selecting ten thousand; the difference is negligible.

Zhang Su also looked at the little princess on the main seat. He understood her intention, but he wished she would keep more trusted personal guards by her side.

Qingyang said, "I have two hundred thousand troops on my side. If there's real danger, two thousand personal guards are enough to ensure my retreat. But for you, who are unfamiliar with the border troops, bringing five hundred personal guards who obey orders completely will help you quickly integrate the newly selected border troops. You only have three months for training. Speed is of the essence. Everything should prioritize accomplishing the military orders."

Qin Bing grew increasingly impressed with his sister. She really considered every detail thoroughly. He had plenty of confidence but had never thought about such minutiae.

The kitchen staff brought the meal: each person received a large flatbread and a big bowl of vegetable porridge.

Qin Bing dug in enthusiastically.

Qingyang looked at Zhang Su and found him looking back at her.

Qingyang smiled at him. For the surprise force in Liaozhou, Deng Kun had courage; Cheng Zhixu and Meng Changhe were both steady and strategic. Meng Changhe was also from a noble military family. The two of them working together, plus the personal guards she had selected and the Liaozhou troops led by Meng Ji, were enough to keep Deng Kun in check. As for the Jinzhou side, both Second Brother and Fu Kui were more brave than strategic, but she believed Zhang Su alone could keep the two of them in line.

This battle was crucial for both Great Qi and herself. The more Qingyang trusted Zhang Su, the more she had to send him to do what he was meant to do.

As for romance, they would have plenty of time for it after marriage.

After the meal, Qingyang escorted them out of the tent.

Qin Bing walked ahead. Just as he disappeared through the tent entrance and the curtain fell back into place, just as Zhang Su had his back to the little princess and was about to lift the tent flap, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, tightly embracing his waist.

Zhang Su’s right hand froze midair, and his trapped body went rigid as stone.

Qingyang pressed against the cool, hard surface of his armor and whispered, "Come back safely. I’ll be waiting to marry you."

She knew Zhang Su must be anxious—Qingyang herself had never truly felt urgency, but she cared for him and would miss him, and the farther apart they were, the more she would long for him.

Zhang Su’s left hand covered the little princess’s hand—warm, delicate, and something he had long yearned for.

In his childhood, he had never dared entertain such forbidden thoughts, but as he grew older over the past two years, it had become increasingly difficult to restrain himself.

But Prince Jing had already stepped out. If he didn’t leave soon, he might arouse Prince Jing’s suspicion.

"I will. Please take care of yourself as well, Your Highness."

Slowly, Zhang Su took the little princess’s hand, brought it to his side, and released it. Then, without a backward glance, he pushed through the tent flap and was gone.