The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 136

Chapter 136

Late into the night, Zhu Zeng pondered the war, finding it hard to fall asleep.

Draping a coat over his shoulders, he stepped out of his tent and saw that the snow had stopped. The dome of the sky was pitch-black, as though a bowl of ink had been overturned across it. The camps stretched on for dozens of miles, a continuous line that could not be seen to its end with a single glance.

In the absolute silence of the wilderness, the sounds of frantic bamboo flutes and bustling stringed instruments drifting from the direction of Xing Xun's central command tent became exceptionally distinct to the ear.

Even across such a great distance, the music floated over in fitful fragments.

In a camp filled with the blowing of war horns where a grand battle was on the verge of breaking out, such a discordant noise was entirely out of place.

Zhu Zeng listened intently for a moment, a complex mixture of emotions welling up within his heart.

He was fortunate to have severed ties with Xing Xun’s camp in time to defect to Lezheng Gong, yet a faint worry still lingered deep in his mind.

With the great war looming, Xing Xun was so arrogant and underestimating of the enemy that he spent every single night indulging in music and song. On top of that, Lezheng Gong seemed to maintain a cautious attitude of preserving his own strength regarding the upcoming clash.

Although Lezheng Gong had not said it outright, Zhu Zeng could read between the lines.

The coalition forces claimed to outnumber Wei Shao's army two to one, possessing an overwhelming superiority in strength. However, of the coalition's highest commanders, one was arrogant, while the other harbored selfish motives, watching from the sidelines to preserve himself.

If their opponent were an ordinary man, perhaps it would not matter; the sheer number of soldiers deployed could crush the other side to death.

But now, the adversary they faced was none other than the hegemon of the north, Wei Shao.

Although Zhu Zeng had never met Wei Shao face-to-face, he knew all about the various rumors surrounding this man.

If Wei Shao were an easy opponent to deal with, it would have been utterly impossible for him to achieve his current status at the mere age of twenty-four or twenty-five.

No one's territory was obtained easily. Even if one relied on the legacy left by ancestors, battles still had to be won one by one.

Wei Shao was undeniably a terrifying opponent.

Setting Xing Xun aside, Zhu Zeng decided to find an opportunity to give Lezheng Gong a proper warning.

Since they had joined the northern expedition, they had to go all out, seizing this excellent opportunity to wipe out Wei Shao's vital forces in one fell swoop and avoid giving him any chance of a future resurgence.

After finishing his musings, Zhu Zeng turned back into his tent, extinguished the lamp, and went to bed.

While he was kept awake by his worries over the wartime situation, in another tent not far from his, there was another man who was also sleepless tonight.

As one of Lezheng Gong's strategists, Zhang Yan could not be said to possess the brilliant wisdom of planning strategies from a command tent, but over the years, he had devised plans for Lezheng Gong and made many contributions to several key battles when they previously sought to capture Hanzhong. He had always been highly valued and relied upon.

But now, he felt his position was in imminent danger.

Zhu Zeng was rapidly replacing him, seemingly becoming the strategist Lezheng Gong valued most.

From his perspective regarding this northern expedition, he naturally wished for Lezheng Gong to win.

But he also knew that if they truly defeated Wei Shao, then from that moment on, Zhu Zeng's importance before their lord would never be replaced by anyone else.

He felt a surge of anxiety.

Late into the night, he still held a candle, reading a volume of military strategy in his hand. Suddenly, the crunching sound of footsteps treading on the snow rang out outside the tent. A personal attendant lifted the tent flap and entered, reporting that the guards at the camp gate had just stated a man calling himself Rong Yan had rushed here in the dead of night, requesting an audience with him.

Zhang Yan was startled.

Rong Yan was an old acquaintance from years ago when they were both officials in Luoyang.

At that time, Rong Yan held the position of Minister of Justice, but because he offended Xing Xun, he was forced to abandon his office and flee.

Zhang Yan and he were not intimate friends, but because they shared a mutual hobby of seal carving and stone inscriptions, they occasionally associated with each other.

At that time, Zhang Yan had even lamented over Rong Yan's plight.

Later, Zhang Yan also defected to Lezheng Gong. After a separation of many years, he never expected that Rong Yan would suddenly come to visit on this deep night.

After pondering for a moment, he ordered his men to bring him inside.

Rong Yan entered the tent, smiling with joy as he said, "Ever since we parted in Luoyang, Brother Yiliang, years have passed in a flash. Have you been well?"

Zhang Yan scrutinized him while giving a superficial response, faintly guessing in his heart that Rong Yan must have come from Wei Shao’s enemy camp.

He hesitated.

He wavered over whether he should call men inside to bind him up so he could deliver him to his lord to claim credit.

"An old friend comes to visit and catch up, yet could it be that my brother intends to bind me up and present me to your lord to solicit rewards?" Rong Yan laughed frankly.

Zhang Yan's face grew hot, and he hurriedly said, "Brother Changlu, you misunderstand!"

Given the past friendship between the two, even though they now served different masters, Zhang Yan truly could not bring himself to bind the man. Thus, he said, "Brother Changlu, I suspect you are serving Wei Shao. Now that the two armies are at war, I wonder why you have come to find me in the dead of night like this?"

Rong Yan dropped his previous smile, his expression turning solemn as he made a deep, formal bow to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan hastily helped him straighten up, saying, "Why do you perform such a grand gesture, my brother? You embarrass me!"

Only then did Rong Yan lower his voice and say, "To tell you the truth, I have come because I wish to defect to the Marquis of Hanzhong."

Zhang Yan was stunned.

"There are things you do not know, Brother. Years ago, I abandoned my office to join Wei Shao, thinking I had met a legendary lord and could unleash my life's ambitions. Unfortunately, Wei Shao has a reputation devoid of substance; he is short-sighted and narrow-minded, refusing to make use of me. To this day, I am nothing more than a mere military secretary. But let that pass. Now, overestimating his own capabilities, he actually intends to pit three hundred thousand troops against the joint coalition of Xing Xun and the Marquis of Hanzhong. This is no different from striking a stone with an egg, bringing about his own destruction. As the saying goes, those who recognize the trends of the times are heroes. Currently, Xing Xun is not someone to join, whereas the Marquis of Hanzhong is like the sun at midday. In the future, he will surely soar to the highest heavens like a phoenix, and my heart yearns for that. I only regret that I possess no minor merit to present, and have had no avenue to offer my allegiance. Fortunately, I managed to learn that Brother Yiliang is now the indispensable right-hand man of the Marquis of Hanzhong. It was like a sudden enlightenment, which is why I secretly fled from Wei Shao's camp tonight and came to defect to you! I hope that for the sake of our past friendship, you can introduce me on my behalf."

He drew out a piece of parchment and unfolded it on the desk, saying, "As a military secretary, I am permitted to enter and leave the main command tent. This is a map of Wei Shao's operational strategies that I secretly copied. It lists in detail the military garrisons and transport routes for grain and forage in Liyang, Fanjin, and Huangchi. I am willing to offer this map to demonstrate my determination to pledge allegiance!"

Zhang Yan looked at the map; the labels were comprehensive and precise. He was overjoyed. "Brother Changlu, in the past you cast your pearl into the darkness, but now you have turned toward the smooth and proper path. My lord is thirsty for talent, so how could he turn you away?" Taking the map, he immediately wanted to lead him to see Lezheng Gong, but he was pulled back by Rong Yan. Arriving at the tent entrance, Rong Yan lifted the flap to steal a quiet glance outside, then turned back and whispered into his ear, "I have another top-secret matter to inform you of. A few days ago, I eavesdropped outside the military tent on a secret conversation between Wei Shao and his Military Advisor and Libationer, Gongsun Yang. In their conversation, I heard them mention the name of Zhu Zeng. At that moment, a personal soldier approached from the side, and fearing discovery, I left in a hurry. I did not hear it all, only catching a general outline. That Zhu Zeng could not be tolerated by Xing Xun, and after fleeing Luoyang, it seems he first went to Wei Shao and was retained by him before coming to serve under the Marquis of Hanzhong. I suspect he is a spy sent by Wei Shao!"

Zhang Yan was first shocked, then overcome with wild joy as he grabbed Rong Yan's sleeve. "Are these words true?"

Rong Yan said solemnly, "I dare not be entirely certain, because I did not hear the full conversation between the two at that time. But there are indeed doubts. Originally, I did not intend to speak of it. But this matter is of grave importance, which is why I hesitated again and again, concluding it is better to secretly inform you first. You can keep it secret for now and quietly observe Zhu Zeng's actions from the shadows, so that in case I misheard, we do not unjustly ruin an innocent man's reputation."

Zhang Yan's mood was even more excited than when he saw the military map just now. He paced quickly around the tent several times, seemingly making up his mind. He clenched his right hand into a fist and struck his left palm, saying resolutely, "As you say, this matter is of grave importance; we cannot afford half a doubt! I must report this to my lord immediately so that he can increase his precautions, lest we fall into Wei Shao's treacherous trap!"

After saying this, he led Rong Yan secretly toward the central command tent.

Lezheng Gong was awakened and got out of bed.

Zhang Yan brought Rong Yan before him to explain their purpose, showering him with boundless praise.

Rong Yan stepped forward to pay his respects.

With the great war imminent, both sides sent spies back and forth to gather intelligence. Lezheng Gong had naturally gathered some intelligence reports regarding Wei Shao's military deployment, but most of them were fragmentary.

By the candlelight, he carefully examined the map presented by Rong Yan, comparing it in his mind to the intelligence he already knew. The overlapping areas matched perfectly, confirming it was not a forgery.

Rong Yan's rationale for defecting to him was also perfectly logical and reasonable.

He originally believed it on the spot.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan then informed him about the matter concerning Zhu Zeng. Suddenly, he became half-believing and half-doubting. After contemplating for a long while, his expression abruptly changed. He slammed the map onto the ground and shouted, "Does Wei Shao take me for a three-year-old child who can be easily deceived? It is perfectly clear that you were dispatched by him to feign surrender, intending to employ a strategy of sowing discord! How could such a trick hide from me?"

He barked loud orders, summoning men inside to bind Rong Yan up and push him outside the camp gate to be decapitated.

Zhang Yan turned pale with fright, hurriedly pleading for mercy on his behalf in every possible way from the side.

Lezheng Gong, however, did not utter a single word, his expression dark and gloomy.

Rong Yan was bound by Lezheng Gong's personal soldiers and pushed outside. Surprisingly, he did not defend himself, laughing wildly the entire way. Even when he was pushed to the camp gate and the executioner's blade was placed against his neck, he still could not stop laughing.

Lezheng Gong ordered his men to bring him back, saying coldly, "With death at your doorstep, you are still this unbridled! Where do you think the dignity of my army lies? It is just that I have always respected men of iron resolve. Although you are a spy, you can be considered someone who catches my eye. If you confess truthfully, I can spare your life!"

Only then did Rong Yan stop laughing. He raised his head and said coldly, "Since you do not believe me, what else is there for me to say? It is just a pity. I heard that you possessed brilliant military strategies and a soaring reputation, an exceptional lord of the age. A man born into this world should take building achievements and establishing a career as his primary duty; that was why my heart yearned for it, and I risked stealing Wei Shao's map to offer my allegiance. I never expected that you would be overly suspicious and full of doubts, possessing nothing but a hollow reputation! You are actually far inferior to Wei Shao! I misjudged the man, and my regret comes too late! If you want to kill me, then kill me. Do you think I am afraid?"

"My lord! I can guarantee with my life that Brother Changlu is absolutely not Wei Shao's spy! Just now, he merely voiced his doubts before me, and even tried his best to stop me from telling you, lest it wrongfully harm Zhu Zeng's innocence! I can bear witness for Changlu!"

Standing by the side, Zhang Yan's excitement was beyond words.

Lezheng Gong stared at Rong Yan for a moment, the gloom gradually dissipating from his face. Suddenly, he burst into loud laughter, picking up the map he had thrown to the ground earlier. He stepped forward, tightly grasping Rong Yan's shoulders with both hands, and said joyfully, "What happened just now was merely my test! Changlu is a true hero; your grand spirit commands my admiration! From now on, I have gained another fine minister. This is heaven favoring me!"

Only then did Rong Yan display a smile, performing the bow of obeisance once more. Lezheng Gong bestowed an official rank upon him. Anxious, Zhang Yan reminded, "My lord, the matter of Zhu Zeng cannot be delayed. We should arrest him immediately for questioning!"

Lezheng Gong pondered.

The reason he had abandoned Luoyang to assist Xing Xun's northern expedition in the first place was entirely because he listened to Zhu Zeng's strategy.

With the great war imminent and Wei Shao at a disadvantage, a defecting official had suddenly arrived at this critical juncture, bringing news right out of the gate that Zhu Zeng was a spy.

This was truly suspicious, which was why he had deliberately tested him just now.

At this moment, although he believed that Rong Yan had genuinely come to defect, he ultimately remained half-believing and half-doubting regarding the claim that Zhu Zeng was a spy.

Or rather, he did not want to believe it.

Thus, he said, "Changlu also said just now that he did not hear the full conversation between Wei Shao and Gongsun Yang. There is no need to alarm anyone yet. I have my own calculations."

He then instructed Rong Yan not to show his face for the next few days.

Although Zhang Yan felt unwilling, wishing he could arrest Zhu Zeng immediately to expose his true colors, he dared not speak up further. Consequently, he withdrew along with Rong Yan.

By the next day, Lezheng Gong summoned Zhu Zeng to the main tent. He did not mention a single word about the events of the previous night, only asking about operational strategies, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened.

Zhu Zeng never dreamed that he had already been targeted. Hearing Lezheng Gong ask about the battle, he listed the faults in Xing Xun’s military discipline and strongly urged him not to underestimate the enemy, stating that they must concentrate their forces here and prepare for a decisive battle.

Lezheng Gong agreed on the surface, but secretly harbored deep suspicions in his heart.

Several days passed in this manner, and the blizzard ceased. Lezheng Gong stepped up his war preparations. Early one morning, however, a commotion arose outside the tent.

Lezheng Gong stepped out of his tent and saw Ding Qu holding a long halberd, leading a squad of attendants as if forcing his way inside. He was blocked by Lezheng Gong's younger son, Lezheng Jun, who was leading his own men.

Both sides were drawn like bows, and a fight was on the verge of breaking out.

Although Ding Qu had a reputation for matchless ferocity and bravery, he was arrogant and conceited. Now that Xing Xun had declared himself emperor, Ding Qu had been enfeoffed with a noble title and elevated in rank, making him even more overbearing.

The conflict that arose between the two armies a few days ago was precisely caused by Ding Qu sending men to forcibly take the firewood and charcoal from Lezheng Gong's side.

Since Xing Xun had declared himself emperor and Lezheng Gong had followed him to deploy troops, he could not openly fall out with him.

Therefore, upon hearing the news back then, Lezheng Gong ordered his men not to block him, letting him take it away.

Yet, a thorn remained in his heart.

At this moment, suppressing his anger, he ordered Lezheng Jun to step aside. "General Ding, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

Ding Qu strode up to Lezheng Gong and said arrogantly, "I come by His Majesty's order to demand a head!"

Lezheng Gong was slightly startled. "What is the meaning of this?"

Ding Qu sneered. "Does the Marquis of Hanzhong think His Majesty can be hoodwinked and deceived? Zhu Zeng offended His Majesty and secretly fled to your place. How dare you harbor him?"

When Lezheng Gong employed Zhu Zeng, considering that Xing Xun was nearby, he had never allowed him to show his face during military banquets or meetings for consultation.

He did not know how Xing Xun had found out.

After a brief reflection, he said, "So that is how it is. Zhu Zeng inadvertently offended His Majesty in the past, and he himself is exceptionally terrified. Allow me to have him write a letter begging for forgiveness, which will then be presented to His Majesty's desk for imperial review. You may return first, General."

Ding Qu shook the long halberd in his hand, making the iron rings on the back of the blade clatter loudly, and barked, "You are a mere feudal lord, yet you dare disobey His Majesty's words?"

Lezheng Gong held an ironclad force of elite soldiers in his hands and had deployed his troops here solely to conduct a joint attack on Wei Shao. He had not even placed Xing Xun in his eyes, so how could he look highly upon Ding Qu?

He had already given in time and again previously. Seeing Ding Qu pushing his luck like this, he sneered, "What grand prestige you possess, General! During the first battle against Wei Shao at Hulao Ferry, your heroic name became known to everyone under heaven. I admire it greatly as well."

During that first battle at Hulao Ferry, Ding Qu had been beaten so badly that he discarded his armor and fled back by a stroke of luck. Although he considered it a temporary result of underestimating the enemy, it was ultimately a humiliating disgrace. It was only because he later fought to the death to protect Xing Xun out of the heavy siege that he managed to barely save some face.

At this moment, having his skin peeled off in public by Lezheng Gong, he was filled with burning rage alongside his shame.

Just as he was about to erupt, he looked around and saw that everyone present belonged to Lezheng Gong. After a brief deliberation, he left behind a harsh threat and walked away resentfully with rapid strides amidst the loud laughter rising behind him.

"Father! Why bother dealing with such a shameless and unrighteous scoundrel! Just now, I was about to beat him out of here!"

Lezheng Jun vented the foul air from his chest, laughing loudly.

Lezheng Gong urged him to step up the defense of the camp quarters, guarding against Ding Qu coming back to make trouble, before turning to enter his quarters.

Hearing the news that Ding Qu had come to demand his head, Zhu Zeng felt a lingering fear. He quickly sought out Lezheng Gong to express his gratitude.

Seeing that Lezheng Gong did not utter a word and merely stared at him with a bizarre gaze, he hesitated for a moment and said, "Is my lord worried that protecting me will offend Xing Xun?"

Lezheng Gong's tone suddenly changed. "I heard that before you defected to me, you first went to defect to Wei Shao?"

Zhu Zeng was stunned. "My lord, look clearly into this. There is absolutely no such thing!"

"Yet I have received a secret report claiming that you are a spy dispatched by Wei Shao to lie in ambush by my side!"

Zhu Zeng was greatly shocked, hurriedly crying out his innocence.

Listening to his self-defense, Lezheng Gong remained half-believing and half-doubting, ordering him to withdraw first.

Helpless, Zhu Zeng could only step outside first.

As soon as he left, Zhang Yan, Luo Xian, and the others filed inside.

With the great war at hand, they pleaded with Lezheng Gong one after another not to fall out with Xing Xun over Zhu Zeng.

Lezheng Gong was wavering and undecided when suddenly, an urgent message delivered by a swift courier horse was passed into the tent.

Unsealing and reading it, he was shocked.

It was actually sent by his eldest son, Lezheng Kai, whom he had left behind to defend Hanzhong.

The message stated that the joint forces of Yang Xin and Guo Quan had taken a shortcut and were marching their troops toward Liang Province. They had already passed Lushi and were rushing straight toward the Qingni Pass of Mount Hua with an aggressive momentum. Fearing that the defenses might fail, he urgently requested his father to withdraw the army to render aid.

Zhang Yan turned pale with fright and said, "My lord! We have been duped! Zhu Zeng is undeniably a spy sent by Wei Shao! He urged my lord to follow Xing Xun in deploying troops here, ostensibly to join forces to slay Wei Shao, but in reality, it was a strategy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. Taking advantage of our empty defenses in Hanzhong, their true target is Liang Province! Liang Province is the foundation of my lord's enterprise; we must absolutely not lose it!"

Lezheng Gong recalled how over the past few days, Zhu Zeng had also been urging him to his face not to secretly retain any troops and to commit his full strength. Suddenly, enlightenment dawned upon him, and without a single shred of doubt remaining, he cursed fiercely, "That brat Wei Shao! His motives are so sinister! He used a treacherous plot to make me lower my eyebrows and serve that old rogue Xing Xun first, while failing to guard against him coveting the foundation of my enterprise from behind!"

For a moment, his mind was in utter chaos, filled with both rage and regret. He immediately ordered his men to bind Zhu Zeng and push him outside the camp gate to be decapitated, while urgently summoning his generals and strategists to gather in the main tent to discuss their subsequent strategy.

Upon learning the news, everyone was filled with furious indignation, failing to agree on a single plan. Suddenly, another report came from the camp gate, stating that just as they were about to execute Zhu Zeng, a squad of horsemen dressed in the attire of Xing Xun’s army had rushed over and snatched Zhu Zeng away. Initially, they thought it was people from Xing Xun's eastern camp, but after pursuing them, they discovered they were heading toward Wei Shao's enemy camp across the old riverbed of the Yellow River.

Fearing a trap, they did not dare pursue further and returned first to report.

Lezheng Gong almost coughed up blood from his lungs. With one palm, he overturned the desk before him, issuing an order to immediately launch a heavy assault on Wei Shao’s camp.

He was forcefully held back by Zhang Yan and the others, who stated that since Wei Shao was insidious to this extent, he must have prepared safeguards long ago, so they could not deploy troops recklessly.

After a long while, the burning fury in Lezheng Gong's chest gradually settled. He paced back and forth rapidly inside the tent several times and said, "What you gentlemen say is completely correct. I will remember this debt! We shall settle it in the future! Pass down my order: strike camp immediately and return to Hanzhong!"

...

Turning to Xing Xun, upon receiving the report that the escaped Zhu Zeng had actually been taken in and employed by Lezheng Gong, how could he let the matter rest? Early in the morning, he sent Ding Qu to the western camp to demand the man. Ding Qu failed to get the man and was instead ridiculed. How could he swallow this breath? Returning before Xing Xun, he added oil to the fire, saying that although Lezheng Gong nominally submitted to His Majesty, in reality, he was boastful and arrogant, relying on the few troops he provided. Even his son held his nose in the air, failing to place His Majesty in his eyes.

Xing Xun was displeased and immediately dispatched someone to summon Lezheng Gong before him for questioning. Unexpectedly, he received another report stating that there seemed to be unusual movements in the western camp. He hurriedly sent men to see what was happening.

Shortly after, a report arrived stating that Lezheng Gong had actually bypassed him, issuing orders to strike camp and return to Hanzhong.

Xing Xun flew into a tremendous rage, immediately ordering Ding Qu to capture Lezheng Gong.

Since Lezheng Gong had already resolved to withdraw his troops to save himself, how could he still take Xing Xun's words seriously? He sent Lezheng Jun to lead a deputy general to firmly guard the fence at the boundary of the two camps, stepping up their retreat.

Ding Qu wished to break through the fence, but Lezheng Jun was by no means an incompetent fellow. How could he allow him to cross the border? Both sides immediately engaged in a struggle, their swords and halberds clashing at once.

The eastern and western camps, which were originally part of a coalition, actually engaged in mutual slaughter, staining the fence with blood.

Upon hearing the news, Xing Xun became increasingly furious, smashing cups and bowls. He ordered the lines to be formed and the army to be organized, intending to catch up and engage in a fierce battle against Lezheng Gong.

He was persuaded against it by Zang Chang, who said, "Has Your Majesty not heard that things have degrees of urgency? When Your Majesty undertook this northern expedition, the primary head to be taken was Wei Shao's. Now that the objective is not yet achieved, if we engage in battle with the western camp at this time, it will be internal strife, surely resulting in mutual destruction and allowing Wei Shao to reap the spoils as a bystander! Since that Lezheng Gong wants to leave, let him leave. Wait until Your Majesty destroys Wei Shao, then we can march our army to campaign against Hanzhong, capturing Lezheng Gong alive to make him bear the guilt of deserting before a battle!"

The remaining people also offered bitter counsel one after another.

Only then was Xing Xun persuaded. Forcibly suppressing the hatred in his heart, he ordered the troops to withdraw and return to their units, stepping up their vigilance to prevent Wei Shao from taking advantage of the situation to raid their camp.

...

That night, because Lezheng Gong left in a hurry, he set a fire to completely burn the grain, forage, and heavy baggage that were inconvenient to carry away.

Overnight, the tents covering the mountains and plains of the western camp vanished completely. In the snowy landscape, flames raged intensely.

The soldiers of Wei Shao's camp across the old Yellow Riverbed could see it perfectly clearly with the naked eye.

Inside Wei Shao's central command tent, thunderous laughter erupted.

Wei Shao sat in the center, while Gongsun Yang, Li Dian, Li Chong, Zhang Jian, Wei Quan, and others sat distributed along the sides. Mentioning the great fire in the opposing western camp, every single one of them talked and laughed.

"Is Rong Yan safe?"

After Wei Shao finished laughing, he asked, "It is better for him to return earlier. Otherwise, in a few days, once Lezheng Gong learns that Yang Xin and Guo Quan only dispatched five thousand troops to make a hollow show of strength, I fear it will be disadvantageous for him."

"Rest assured, my lord," Gongsun Yang hurriedly said. "I have already settled the agreement with him. He has obtained Lezheng Gong's trust, so his life is temporarily out of danger, and he cannot leave just yet. If he leaves right now, it will arouse Lezheng Gong's suspicion, and our previous efforts will be completely wasted. Once a suitable opportunity arises, he will flee and return to camp."

Wei Shao nodded. "The fact that Lezheng Gong fell into the trap this time relies entirely on Rong Yan's sheer courage; he can be said to have performed the greatest merit. The Military Advisor must record a grand merit for him, to be discussed and rewarded according to merit after the war."

Gongsun Yang complied.

At this moment, a personal soldier came to report, stating that Zhu Zeng had been delivered.

Wei Shao then ordered his men to bring him inside.

Zhu Zeng was securely bound, and amidst the clear, ringing laughter faintly drifting from inside the tent, he entered the central command tent.

He saw that a dozen people were already seated separately inside the tent. The candlelight was brightly lit, illuminating a long, red-sandalwood-colored screen in the back row that separated the front and rear.

Painted on the screen were green pines, cloudy mist, and a tiger roaring on a perilous cliff. A colorful, fierce tiger was roaring as it squatted on a high ridge. Although no sound could be heard, it was as if its roar shook the forests and ridges, looking as though it might leap down in the next moment to soar like an eagle and devour like a tiger. Its momentum was overbearing, making one dare not look at it for long.

To the left and right of the tiger screen, a rack was set up on each side, standing higher than a man's head, piled high with various bamboo slips and documents.

Right in the center was a general's desk, with command tallies and tiger tallies placed separately to its left and right.

Behind the desk sat a man who was no more than twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He wore no helmet, his hair bound by a dark gold crown. He wore a suit of interlocking ring-and-lock qilin soft armor, draped in a commander's cloak, with a precious sword hanging from his waist, making his dragon-like frame and leopard-like torso even more prominent.

His countenance was heroic and resolute. He was currently turning his body slightly, talking and laughing casually with a clean-shaven man of gaunt features who possessed a three-pointed beard sitting beside his seat, his posture exceptionally graceful.

Hearing the report that Zhu Zeng had arrived, this man stopped talking and laughing, turned his face, and two sharp gazes swept over.

Zhu Zeng guessed that this young man must be Wei Shao.

Yet he never expected that the rumored hegemon of the north, Wei Shao, would actually be such an outstanding figure with the appearance of a phoenix and the posture of a dragon.

For a moment, he actually stared blankly.

It was not until that young man stopped talking and laughing, sat up straight, and raised his two gazes to sweep toward him.

He immediately felt a faint aura of battlefield blood rushing toward his face from all around the man's body.

Only then did his heart jolt, not daring to lock eyes with the man behind the general's desk any longer.

His heart was already filled with despair.

He knew that Wei Shao had meticulously laid a series of interlocking traps to frame him, ultimately tricking Lezheng Gong into withdrawing his troops. The man must have guessed that the initial strategy of deploying troops to assist Xing Xun had come from him.

He must hate him to the bone.

Having fallen into his hands in such a muddled fashion, he was just waiting to be executed.

Unexpectedly, Wei Shao suddenly rose from behind his desk, came to his side, and personally untied the ropes binding him, saying with a smile, "To break the military siege, I have wronged Ziyi. Do you blame me?"

Zhu Zeng raised his eyes and saw that Wei Shao was full of smiles. For a moment, he was utterly bewildered.

Looking again at the other people in their seats, every single one of them was looking at him with smiles on their faces.

Wei Quan said, "Our lord knows that you possess immense and extraordinary talent, and could not bear to see your head severed beneath the blade, which was why he dispatched troops to go and rescue you."

Zhu Zeng awoke as if from a dream. Filled with heartfelt admiration, he immediately threw himself down to pay homage, saying, "Having received the high regard of the Marquis of Yan, who disregards my flaws and employs me, Zhu Zeng is willing to join your banner to repay the kindness of the Marquis of Yan's recognition and employment!"

Wei Shao laughed loudly, his heroism reaching the clouds. He ordered his men to bring wine to calm his shock and offer a toast. After a round of introductions, he had his personal soldiers escort Zhu Zeng down.

The remaining people in the main tent also withdrew one after another, leaving Gongsun Yang at the last to ask about the matters in Yan Province.

While Xing Xun's grand army was delayed here, locked in a stalemate with Wei Shao, he had dispatched Zhou Qun of Rencheng, who had previously attacked Yan Province, to press upon the borders with a grand army, launching another attack on Yan Province.

Qiao Ping led the army, rising up to launch a counterattack, and Zhou Qun was beaten back.

Unwilling to accept this, Xing Xun deployed additional manpower to launch an offensive once more. Yan Province subsequently received the assistance of the green-eyed general leading troops to reinforce them.

After a fierce battle, not only did they hold Yan Province, but Zhou Qun also lost his life amidst the chaotic army.

This news had just been delivered to Wei Shao's desk yesterday.

"My lord does not need to worry too much," Gongsun Yang said. "From these two battles, it can be seen that over these past two or three years, Yan Province has been continuously training its soldiers and feeding its horses; it is no longer in its past weak state. Furthermore, with the assistance of Bi Zhi, there will surely be no failure. Now that the coalition forces have fallen apart and the weather is improving day by day, the opportunity for battle is right before our eyes. My lord should go all out to deal with Xing Xun."

The two of them discussed the war matters further, unaware that the night had grown deep.

Wei Shao personally escorted Gongsun Yang back to his tent.

Returning toward the central command tent, he felt his emotions surging. He could not help but turn around, treading on the crunching snow beneath his feet as he walked toward the camp gate.

Seeing him come out, the soldiers keeping watch at the camp gate hurriedly performed military salutes.

Wei Shao nodded slightly, untied his own heavy cloak, and draped it over the shoulders of a young soldier nearby who was no more than sixteen or seventeen years old and still possessed a face that had not entirely shed its childishness. He patted his shoulder, then stepped out of the camp gate alone, ascending a nearby hillock piled high with snow. Facing the flat plains and open wilderness of the old Yellow Riverbed swallowed by the night, he took a deep breath of the cold and crisp air.

Instantly, a grand spirit of boundlessness and a heroic aura of "who else but me under heaven" naturally arose within his heart.

He slowly exhaled the foul air from his chest, and finally, turned his gaze toward that distant northern night sky, standing silently for a long time.

She should be giving birth soon as well.

Perhaps he might not be able to rush back to join her in welcoming the child's descent into the world.

But he would surely present this upcoming victory as the best gift to her and their child who was about to come into the world.
...

That youth who had received the lord's act of loosening his clothing to wrap around him, amidst the envious gazes of his companions, suppressed his excited emotions. With eyes full of worship, he gazed for a long time at that silhouette atop the distant hillock that seemed to merge into one with the night.

To fight for the lord, even if his blood stains the yellow sands, he would not hesitate.

The youth said to himself in his heart.