Rain hammered against the puddles as Xiao Chiye’s horse galloped up to the palace gates. Red silk umbrellas emerged one by one from the sedan chairs, all carried by high-ranking ministers of the third rank or above.
Minister of War Chen Zhen deliberately stepped back slightly, waiting under the red lacquered beam for Xiao Chiye. Seeing him riding through the rain, he said simply, “Ce’an, hear me out. There is no army that never loses; defeat is the precursor to victory. You have contended with the Han She tribe along the border for years—he is only human.”
Chen Zhen had some acquaintance with Xiao Fangxu, speaking vaguely, but Xiao Chiye understood his meaning.
Expressionless, Xiao Chiye nodded and ascended the steps, waiting outside the Mingli Hall for the announcement. His shoulders were soaked, and standing there, even the dim lantern light seemed to avoid him.
Suddenly, an umbrella shifted behind him, shielding him from the rain. Shen Zechuan stepped up beside him, holding his own umbrella. Their red robes drenched, pressed together, they looked like two avenging spirits in the stormy night.
After a brief moment, Fu Man lifted the hall curtains and proclaimed the ministers’ entrance. Hai Liangyi went first, followed by the cabinet ministers, and then Xiao Chiye. Shen Zechuan was not allowed to enter.
Xiao Chiye remained still, standing for a long moment, eyes fixed on Shen Zechuan. In that gaze, so much was contained; at this instant, he transformed from a fierce, untamed dog into a lone wolf, exiled and watchful.
Shen Zechuan wanted to touch Xiao Chiye’s face, but could not. Beneath the shadow of the palace walls, both were bound by invisible shackles.
Xiao Jiming was gravely injured, leaving no capable generals in the Northern region. This meant that after tonight, Qu City would have to assign a new commander to replace him—but it would not be Xiao Chiye.
A year ago, Qi Zhuyin’s warning had proven prophetic: concentrating military power solely in the Xiao family meant that if their banner fell, the Northern Cavalry would suffer a crippling blow.
The heir, Xiao Xun, was only six. Without Xiao Jiming, Xiao Chiye would be the sole heir of the Northern Cavalry. Yet Qu City would not let him return unless the Crown Princess Lu Yizhi brought the heir into the city, becoming a hostage in the power struggle in his stead.
Xiao Chiye’s recklessness was merely borrowed authority. At this moment, he once again fell into an inescapable trench of circumstance. Thoughts of returning home roared wildly in his heart, yet he could only look at Shen Zechuan. Only Shen Zechuan could understand.
“Marquis?” Fu Man whispered, urging him.
Xiao Chiye moved forward and entered.
“Before the military provisions from the Northeast Grain and Horse Route were dispatched, the Ministry of Revenue sent officials to inspect. If the provisions were compromised, why was the Ministry silent?” Cen Yu asked first, stepping forward without drafting a formal memorial, confronting Wei Huaigu. “The courier report reached Qu City two full hours late! By the time orders are sent back and rushed through the rain, reaching the North will take four more days! Wei Huaigu, are you trying to get people killed?”
Wei Huaigu remained silent, kneeling motionless like a clay figure, offering no defense.
As Xiao Chiye entered, the hall quieted. The old ministers bowed their heads or massaged their foreheads; outside, the rain pounded violently, and the stifling heat inside seemed worse.
“Ce’an,” Li Jianheng began, hesitating, finally saying, “Sit.”
Xiao Chiye did not. He bowed and said, “I just dismounted, and do not know the details. What happened in the North?”
“How could such a major incident happen without informing the Marquis?” Li Jianheng slammed a folded memorial on the table. “Wei Huaigu, explain yourself!”
Wei Huaigu kept his head bowed, saying, “Last month, the military provisions sent to the North were compromised. According to the report from Yang Cheng of the Juexi Administration, the supplies were mixed with spoiled grain, and by the night before last, thousands fell ill after distribution.”
Who could meet Xiao Chiye’s gaze?
The Xiao family had been fighting on the frontier, five years ago earning immense merit for saving the throne. The Han She tribe was the hardest to subdue. Xiao Jiming alone had defended the Northeast. Now their youngest son was imprisoned in Qu City, while the bloodied elder brother’s troops were fed spoiled grain. Who dared face Xiao Chiye?
Xiao Chiye’s expression remained unmoved. “The Juexi Administration oversaw the supplies. Yang Cheng knew of the problem—why wait until the provisions reached the North to report it? A southwest councilor, with no personal grievance against the North, risked his life to act—why? The Ministry officials inspected the supplies three times. Their reports stated the grain was new last year; now it’s replaced with moldy stock. These are low-level clerks—why? Supplies traveled the Northeast Grain and Horse Route, the Northern Cavalry’s depot also checked them before distribution. For such a large batch of spoiled grain to reach the troops’ mouths, the entire chain of arrangements had to be meticulously coordinated.”
His tone grew sterner.
“The Northern Cavalry defended the frontier for thirty years. A minor defeat is a loss for the Xiao family; a major defeat is a crisis for the Great Zhou. The Han She tribe has circled the Hongyan Eastern Mountains for years, waiting for a chance. When Zhongbo fell, they moved cavalry for a decisive strike, reaching Qu City’s gates. In just five years, the devastation across Zhongbo’s six provinces has already turned a new page. National humiliation has not been avenged—must our own people add to it?”
As Xiao Chiye’s words fell, the ministers paled. He spoke directly. He had come tonight to assign blame. Someone had tampered with the military grain—no bureaucratic excuses would suffice. He was here to expose the truth, sparing no one.
“The grain was adulterated, replacing new with moldy stock. This is inseparable from corrupt merchants. Years ago, when Zhongbo suffered shortages, some stockpiling merchants profited, but now, with strict enforcement and official collusion, such unscrupulous acts continue.” Xingbu Minister Kong Qiu said, “If this matter isn’t thoroughly investigated, the Northern generals cannot be given an explanation. I request a joint review by the Three Departments, aided by the Jinyiwei, from Baima Prefecture to Qu City, to uncover the truth.”
“Moreover, another urgent task,” Minister of War Chen Zhen added, glancing at Xiao Chiye. “The military provisions for the five counties of Qidong also come from Baima Prefecture. Dispatch urgent reports immediately, and halt distribution of this batch!”
“How do we fill the gap?” Xiao Chiye’s voice was icy. “These two batches were the entire accumulation of the three major warehouses in Juexi last year. With their withdrawal, how do we replenish supplies? Where do we get them? If not resolved within five days, the North and Qidong will fight hungry—feeding tens of thousands of troops is not trivial.”
“Draw from Qinzhou, Hezhou, and Cizhou, with IOUs under imperial responsibility. The treasury cannot provide enough silver immediately. These three prefectures’ taxes will be waived for nearly two years,” Hai Liangyi said calmly.
“Baima Prefecture could only spare the grain from thirteen cities to cover the two batches. The three prefectures are far from enough. Besides, they are distant from one another; coordinating transport will take several days.”
“Inform Qi Zhuyin: Qidong’s provisions are halved this year. They still have military farmland to support themselves. Grain from Hezhou will go directly to Qidong; tonight, grain from Cizhou and Qinzhou must be dispatched,” Hai Liangyi said clearly, though still ill. “The Crown Prince is injured; he should not linger at the front. The King of the North is ill; he should not march. Chen Zhen, in half an hour, draft a list of military commanders. Within three days, Qu City must send capable officers to the North to assume command.”
Hai Liangyi took control, decisive. Wei Huaigu would not escape this time. Xiao Chiye did not confront him directly now, prioritizing the urgent matter of commander deployment.
Wei Huaigu behaved strangely tonight, kneeling without confessing or explaining.
Lights shone brightly in the side room of Mingli Hall, where gathered officials awaited. Hai Liangyi, impatient with the cold night, draped a cloak over Kong Qiu, motioning everyone to sit.
“The memorial for impeachment will be submitted to the cabinet tomorrow,” Cen Yu said. “How many misdeeds has the Wei family committed? The Emperor has been lenient. Previously, Wei Huaixing’s actions did not implicate Wei Huaigu. Now, with this military grain, he cannot escape responsibility.”
“Serving in court is not about one’s family name. Serve the sovereign faithfully; do not blame others for their surname. If mistakes were made, you should impeach,” Hai Liangyi said, having gone the entire night without food, turning to Xiao Chiye. “The Crown Prince survived the campaigns. Marquis, do not worry. Any shortages in the North will be addressed overnight by Qu City.”
Xiao Chiye understood Hai Liangyi’s meaning: the prime minister, for the sake of balance, would not allow him to return to the North. Xiao Jiming was defeated, but alive—had he died, Xiao Chiye still could not return because Xiao Fangxu remained.
“Qu City has many competent generals, but few are suited for the North. The Hongyan Eastern Mountains border the desert; June brings extreme heat. Sending southwestern troops may be unfit,” Xiao Chiye said, calm and unyielding before the assembled ministers. He had acted decisively on the grain case and stipulated that any replacement commanders must be from the North or Qidong; theoretical strategists were unacceptable.
Hai Liangyi nodded in approval. It was indeed not the time for personal ambition. The North’s shortage of competent commanders was undeniable. Even capable deputies like Chaohui were skilled, but they had been personally trained by Xiao Fangxu, suited for coordination, not for independent command in the North.
Since the Xiande era, great generals in the Great Zhou had been scarce. Of the Four Famous Generals, only Left Qianqiu had major duties; others had emerging talent in Qidong, cultivated by Qi Zhuyin. Familiar with Qidong’s military, lending them to the North was difficult. Qidong’s generals temporarily overseeing Northern affairs, plus the Qi family’s pending marriage alliance with the Hua family, upset the balance, leaving one faction dominant and difficult to check.
Who to dispatch?
Hai Liangyi was troubled as well.
Suddenly, Fu Man entered, announcing someone’s arrival.
Xiao Chiye turned sharply, standing. The others in the room rose; Hai Liangyi stepped forward to greet.
A man, cloak removed, revealing white hair, bowed to Hai Liangyi and then looked at Xiao Chiye.
“I rode overnight to reach Qu City, to see the Emperor—not for myself, but for the Northern matter.”
Xiao Chiye’s throat tightened. “Master…”
Left Qianqiu ignored him, smiling at Hai Liangyi instead. “Prime Minister, many years have passed. Is your health still strong?”
Hai Liangyi grasped Left Qianqiu’s wrist firmly. “Left Marshal, though older, can you still eat well?”
Left Qianqiu sighed. “Though hair has turned white, I still have strength to draw bow and shoot. Prime Minister need not worry. I come to temporarily oversee Northern affairs and to deliver a message for Xiao Fangxu.”
Everyone in the room listened intently.
Left Qianqiu fixed his gaze on Xiao Chiye. “The King of the North has commanded the Hongyan Mountains for over a decade. His son suffered defeat. As the father, he will personally reclaim what is lost from Amur of the Han She tribe!”
Thunder roared. Over Qu City, the sea-eagle cried, circling the storm clouds. Far in the distance, the Northern cavalry banners flapped wildly. In the pouring black rain, Xiao Fangxu, armored and armed, led his troops out.
The wind whipped his cloak, and he removed the ill-fitting hat.
“Amur,” Xiao Fangxu’s voice was deep, raised over the storm. He released a Northern raptor, laughing into the wind. “The North has drawn its border in the East. What are you doing here? Decades ago I told you: the Hongyan Mountains are my Northern Cavalry’s training grounds!”
His voice thundered through the rain. Behind him, black-armored cavalry drew their swords in unison. Their oppressive might resembled a massive beast in the storm, opening its eyes.