Chapter 90: The Elder Warrior

Amidst the pounding rain, Xiao Chiye's horse had already reached the palace gates. Red silk parasols emerged one after another from the sedan chairs, belonging to high-ranking officials of the third rank and above.

The Minister of War, Chen Zhen, deliberately lagged behind by half a step and waited for Xiao Chiye under the red sandalwood tree. Seeing Xiao Chiye arrive in the rain, he said, "Xie An, listen to me for a moment. There is no invincible army in this world; defeat can lead to victory. Ji Ming has been dealing with the fierce snakes of the Border Sands for years. He's also just a man."

Although Chen Zhen had some relationship with Xiao Fangxu, his words were vague. However, Xiao Chiye understood his intentions.

Xiao Chiye remained expressionless, nodding at him before ascending the steps together to wait outside Mingli Hall for the announcement. The rain had soaked through his shoulders, and even the faint light could not penetrate his figure standing there.

Suddenly, an umbrella behind him swayed, blocking Xiao Chiye. Shen Zechuan held the umbrella beside him, and the two of them, clad in their red robes, stood close together like malevolent spirits in the rainy night.

After a while, Fu Man lifted the curtain and bowed to the assembled courtiers outside before announcing the audience. Hai Liangyi was first, followed by the cabinet ministers, then Xiao Chiye, but even Shen Zechuan was not allowed to enter.

Xiao Chiye did not move. He stood still for a moment and looked at Shen Zechuan. There was too much in that gaze, and in that instant, he transformed from a fierce dog into a lone wolf cast out of the pack.

Shen Zechuan wanted to caress Xiao Chiye's cheek, but he could not do it at this moment. They stood beneath the shadows of the palace walls, both bound by invisible shackles.

With Xiao Jiming severely injured, there were no more formidable generals left in Libei. This foretold that after tonight, Qudu would have to appoint a new general to replace Xiao Jiming, but it certainly would not be Xiao Chiye.

A year ago, Qi Zhuyin's words had become a prophetic curse. She had warned Xiao Jiming that the Northern Iron Cavalry needed new leadership. The overly concentrated military power made the Northern Iron Cavalry synonymous with the Xiao family. If the Xiao banner fell, the cavalry would suffer a devastating blow and struggle to regain its former glory.

Prince Xiao Xun was only six years old. If Xiao Jiming were to pass away, Xiao Chiye, who remained in Qudu, would be the only heir to the Northern Iron Cavalry. However, Qudu wouldn't let him go unless Princess Consort Lu Yizhi brought Prince Xiao Xun to the capital to take his place as a hostage in the power struggle.

Xiao Chiye's reckless behavior was merely a facade, a wolf in sheep's clothing. At this moment, he found himself once again trapped in a situation beyond his control. The desire to return home raged within him, but he could only look at Shen Zechuan, for no one else could understand him.

"Lord?" Fu Man prompted softly.

Xiao Chiye stepped inside.

* * *

"Census officials were supposed to inspect the military supplies before they left the Northeast Grain and Horse Road," Cen Yu began, launching the first attack. "Why didn't the Ministry of Revenue report any issues?" He hadn't even bothered to write a memorial; instead, he directly confronted Wei Huaigu. "The urgent dispatches reached Qudu two hours late! If we recall them now and have them ride through the rain, the journey will be treacherous. By the time they reach the Northern Frontier, it'll be four days later! Wei Huaigu, you're jeopardizing lives!"

Wei Huaigu remained silent, as if turned into a statue. Kneeling on the ground, he didn't offer a single word of defense.

Upon Xiao Chiye's entrance, the hall fell silent. The elder officials either lowered their heads or held their foreheads. The rain outside fell fiercely, while the stuffiness indoors intensified.

"Ce An," Li Jianheng greeted him, hesitating before he finally said, "Take a seat."

Xiao Chiye did not sit down. He bowed and said, "This minister has just dismounted. I am unaware of the details. What has happened in Libei?"

"How could this be? For such a major incident, no one informed Lord Marquis!" Li Jianheng threw the report aside. "Wei Huaigu, speak for yourself!"

Wei Huaigu lowered his head, avoiding Xiao Chiye's gaze as he said, "There was an issue with the military provisions sent to Libei last month. According to Yang Cheng, the Censorate Advisor from Juexi Province, the grain shipment was contaminated with mold. When it reached Libei and was distributed, thousands fell ill the night before."

Who dared to look directly at Xiao Chiye?

The Xiao family had been fighting on the frontier, and they had also saved the emperor's life five years ago. The most challenging battles were fought against the Qiansha Snake Clan on the border, and all of the northeastern territories were guarded solely by Xiao Jiming. They imprisoned the Xiao family's youngest son in Qidu but allowed their elder brother, who had shed blood for them, to eat rotten food! How could they possibly meet Xiao Chiye's eyes now?

Xiao Chiye remained unperturbed as he said, "The military provisions were managed by the Juexi Prefecture's provincial administration. How could Yang Cheng have waited until the supplies had arrived at Libei before voicing his concerns? As a southwestern counselor, he has no grudges with Libei. What was the point of him taking such a risky move? The officials from the Ministry of Revenue conducted three inspections on the military provisions and their official reports stated that they were fresh grains from last year. Now, they've suddenly turned into moldy old stocks. They're all low-ranking officials—why would they do this? The provisions passed through the Northeast Grain and Horse Route to reach Libei. Before the warehouse supervisors in the Iron Cavalry inspected and distributed them, how could such a large quantity of rotten goods have been so easily fed to the soldiers at the border? The arrangements behind this are meticulous and orderly."

His tone grew increasingly somber as he spoke.

"For thirty years, the Northern Iron Cavalry has guarded the frontier. Defeat should indeed be punished, but allow me to say this: A minor setback for the Northern Army means harm to my Xiao family; a major rout, however, spells crisis for Great Zhou. The Viper Horde has loitered in the Eastern Mountains of the Wild Goose for years, awaiting nothing but an opportune moment. When Central Bo's forces were defeated, the Viper Horde swiftly mobilized their cavalry, leading the charge of eleven other tribes straight to the gates of Qudu City. In just five short years, the horrors of Central Bo's six states being laid waste have become a distant memory turned page. Before national disgrace is even avenged, shall we ourselves add another stroke to its record?"

Upon Xiao Chiye’s words, the expressions of those present changed. He had made it clear that he was here to mete out punishment tonight. Did someone think they could fob him off with official rhetoric like in the past? Impossible! He intended to wield his power ruthlessly and pin this case down, sparing no one’s face!

"The military grain is adulterated, with moldy goods replacing fresh supplies, which is inseparable from the collusion of those below. A few years ago, the Zhongbo region faced a shortage of grain, and many hoarders profited from such deceitful practices. However, now that strict laws are being enforced and officials are colluding with merchants, engaging in such conscienceless schemes is unacceptable," said Kong Qiu, the Minister of Justice. "If this matter is not thoroughly investigated, we cannot give an explanation to the generals of the Northern Forces. I request a joint trial by the Three Departments, supported by the search and investigation of the Imperial Secret Police, from the Baima Prefecture to the silent capital. We must get to the bottom of this!"

"Not only that, there is another pressing matter." The Minister of Military Affairs, Chen Zhen, glanced at Xiao Chiye and said, "The military provisions for the five eastern prefectures also come from Baima State. We must immediately send an urgent dispatch to General Qi, instructing him to cease distribution of this batch of grain!"

"How do we fill the void?" Xiao Chiye's voice was icy. "These two batches of grain were the totality of Juexi's three major granaries' accumulation last year. Now that they've been recalled, how do we replenish the military provisions? Where will we get them from? If we cannot make up for it within five days, Libei and Qidong will have to fight on empty stomachs. That concerns the sustenance of hundreds of thousands of people."

"Troops have been requisitioned from Qinzhou, Hezhou, and Cizhou on three fronts, with the imperial court assuming responsibility for their provisions. Given the urgency of the situation, the national treasury cannot immediately disburse such a vast sum to purchase supplies. Thus, it has been decided that these three provinces shall be granted exemption from taxation for nearly two years," Hai Liangyi stated in a composed, measured tone.

"Baimeizhou relies on the grain of thirteen cities to sustain two military provisions. What Yuan Fu proposes is far less substantial. Moreover, these three provinces are scattered and distant from one another, making the coordination and transportation of grain a several-day endeavor."

"Convey to Qi Zhuyin that this year's provisions for the Qidong army have been halved, but they still have their military lands to rely upon; their strength is not yet depleted. Heshiu Province directly connects to Qidong, and the grains from Cizhou and Qinzhou must be dispatched tonight." Despite Hai Liangyi's illness, his thoughts remained organized. "The crown prince is wounded and should not remain at the front lines for long. Prince Libei, being unwell, is also unsuitable for campaign. Chen Zhen, within half an hour, compile a list of capable military officers for me. Within three days, a competent individual must be sent from Qidu to Libei to assume military responsibilities."

Under Hai Liangyi's firm leadership, the decision was sealed. There was no way Wei Huaigu could escape this time; Xiao Chiye had no intention of letting him off. The reason he hadn't taken action yet was that the current military appointments were of greater urgency.

Wei Huaigu's behavior tonight was abnormal. He remained kneeling in place without offering an explanation.

* * *

The adjacent chamber of Mingli Hall was illuminated with bright lights. The officials who had just left the meeting gathered there. Impatient with the cold night, Kong Qiu draped a cloak over Hai Liangyi's shoulders. Hai Liangyi held the edges of the garment as he gestured for everyone to take a seat.

"Censuring memorials will be delivered to the cabinet tomorrow," Cen Yu said. "How many incidents has the Wei family been involved in? The Emperor has shown leniency, sparing Wei Huaixing in the previous incident and not holding Wei Huaigu accountable for the canal scandal. What about the military provisions this time? He can't evade responsibility for negligence!"

"In officialdom, one's family background is irrelevant. When serving the sovereign, do not constantly hold others accountable for their surnames. If he has committed an offense, you should impeach him accordingly." Hai Liangyi had not taken a single drop of water all night. Looking at Xiao Chiye now, he said, "The prince has led troops for years. Since he managed to break through the encirclement and return to Liubei, there is no danger to his life. Duke, there is no need to worry. Whatever Liubei lacks, Qidu will promptly allocate it through the night."

Xiao Chiye had already grasped Hai Liangyi's meaning: Yuan Fu would never allow him to return to Libei in the interest of maintaining the balance of power. Xiao Jiming might have lost, but he was not dead— even if Xiao Jiming were to die, Xiao Chiye could not go back, for Xiao Fangxu still remained.

Qiu Du is home to countless capable military leaders, but few would be well-suited for the harsh conditions of Libei. The Hongyan Mountain Range borders the desert, and with the scorching heat of June's major heatwave soon arriving, the frontier's climate would be unbearable. It would be unwise to send soldiers from the southwest," Xiao Chiye sat in his chair, facing the assembly of elder statesmen with an unprecedented composure. His quick thinking was impervious to criticism. He had taken the initiative to investigate the military grain scandal and informed Hai Liangyi that while it was acceptable to send new commanders to Libei, they must hail from either Libei or Qidong – theorists with no practical experience were unwelcome.

Hai Liangyi nodded, expressing his approval of Xiao Chiye. Indeed, it was not the time to act on personal whims for the sake of power. The lack of a commanding general in Beilv was an undeniable fact. Skilled lieutenants like Zhao Hui were formidable, but they were all personally tutored by Xiao Fangxu, meant to serve as mediators and assistants. They could lead troops in maneuvers, but to have them rule over Beilv would not command the people's respect.

Yet, after the Xiande era, capable generals became scarce in the Great Zhou. Apart from Zuo Qianqiu, the four renowned generals all had pressing duties. The following generation of talented officers were all nurtured by Qi Zhuyin, forming the backbone of the Qidong military. They were well-versed in Qidong's military affairs, making it extremely challenging to borrow them for service in Libei. Moreover, Qidong's commanders were temporarily overseeing Libei's military affairs, while the Qi family was on the verge of forming an alliance through marriage with the Hu family. This shift upset the balance of power, turning it into a dominant position that might be difficult to restrain.

Whom to send?

Hai Liangyi was also at a loss!

While they were in a quandary indoors, Fu Man suddenly hurried in and announced, "Lords, look who's here!"

Xiao Chiye turned his head and abruptly rose from his seat. The others in the room followed suit, with Hai Liangyi stepping forward to personally greet the newcomer.

The man, having removed his cloak, revealed his white hair as he bowed to Hai Liangyi before turning his gaze toward Xiao Chiye.

"I rode through the night to rush to Qidu and request an audience with His Majesty, not for any other reason but to discuss the matter of Libei."

Xiao Chiye's throat felt slightly constricted as he said, "Master..."

But Zuo Qianqiu did not engage him in conversation. Instead, he smiled at Hai Liangyi and asked, "It's been many years since I last saw Yuan Fu. Are you still in good health?"

Hai Liangyi held Zuo Qianqiu's wrist tightly and said, "Commander Zuo is aging, but can he still hold his own in battle?"

Zuo Qianqiu let out a long sigh and replied, "Though my face is lined and my hair has turned white, I still have the strength to draw a bow and shoot eagles. There's no need for Yuan Fu to worry. My visit serves two purposes: first, to temporarily take charge of Libei's military affairs on Jiming's behalf, and second, to deliver a message to Xiao Fangxu."

The entire room fell silent, all ears attentive.

Zuo Qianqiu gazed upon Xiao Chiye, his eyes deep and resolute as he declared with unwavering determination, "The Northern Tiger of Hongyan Mountain has roared for over a decade; now that his son has suffered defeat, this father himself shall personally reclaim it from the clutches of Ahmu'er of the Vicious Serpent Tribe!"

Thunder rumbled, and amidst the dark clouds that shrouded the capital, an Eastern Falcon cried out as it circled high. Far away, beyond the northern borders, the banners of the Libei Army fluttered fiercely in the wind. Amidst the inky downpour, Xiao Fangxu, unseen in battle for decades, donned his armor, hung his sword, and led his troops forth.

The wind swept across Xiao Fangxu's cloak, causing him to remove the incongruous hat.

"A'muer," Xiao Fangxu's voice boomed, his arm raised in the rain as he released the Northern Fierce Birds, laughing loudly against the wind. "The North has marked its boundaries to the east. What are you doing here? Decades ago, I made it clear that the Hongyan Mountains are the galloping grounds for my Northern Iron Cavalry!"

His voice thundered above the deluge, revealing the armored cavalry behind him, their black armor enshrouding them as they drew their swords in unison. The oppressive might of this assembly was like that of a colossal beast awakening from its crouch amidst the rain-lashed night.