After breakfast the next day, Xiao Chiye put on his heavy armor and prepared to head to the Northern Plains hunting grounds. Shen Zechuan had barely slept these past few days and only managed a decent rest the night before, so when he stood beneath the eaves to see him off, there was still a trace of languor about him.
The snow had stopped. Sunlight poured into the courtyard, making everything glitter. Xiao Chiye had just swung himself onto Meng and was about to say something to Shen Zechuan when he noticed him standing drowsily by the doorway, looking faintly displeased.
“When will you be back?” Shen Zechuan asked.
Xiao Chiye removed Meng’s shackles. Meng immediately tried to pounce toward Shen Zechuan, but Xiao Chiye held it down and said, “As early as I can. If anything comes up, have someone call for me.”
Shen Zechuan, bathed in the sunlight, narrowed his affectionate eyes and called out lazily, “A—Ye.”
Xiao Chiye made as if to kiss this troublemaker, startling Shen Zechuan. Taking advantage of his height, Xiao Chiye braced one arm against the doorframe and, when Shen Zechuan stepped back, pulled him right back in. The door curtain fell over the back of his head, but Xiao Chiye didn’t bother moving it.
Shen Zechuan was kissed.
Chen Yang was busy thinking about the escort arrangements he needed to handle once he returned to the Border Guard camp and didn’t notice what was happening. Gu Jin saw the curtain sway and then the two of them disappear. Pulling off his gloves, he said, “The Prefect and the master…”
He couldn’t find the right words and could only look at Chen Yang, signaling with his eyes.
Chen Yang understood. Ever since that night’s council discussion, Gu Jin had been shaken. Closing his booklet, he glanced over and said after a moment, “The prince has been fighting hard at the front. He looks fine now, but I’m afraid the wounds in his heart are like the ones on his back—they’re still scabbing over… Being this close is a good thing.”
After that night, many people had wanted to take care of Xiao Chiye. They avoided the heavy snow, watched him cautiously, as though he had lost his strength and become something fragile. Shen Zechuan was the exact opposite. He offered no verbal comfort, yet every look he gave spoke of reliance—as if he couldn’t stand the cold or the bitterness of medicine without Xiao Chiye by his side. Beneath that dependence was another message: Xiao Chiye was strong.
Xiao Chiye didn’t need to be treated like porcelain. He was iron, steel—Shen Zechuan’s Hongyan Mountain.
And Xiao Chiye responded in kind.
Before the council meeting, Shen Zechuan had Fei Sheng summon Gao Zhongxiong. Gao Zhongxiong waited outside the study, and when Shen Zechuan arrived, he waived the formalities and said, “I had someone take your measurements last night. Your winter clothes will be delivered in a few days. It’s cold right now—do you still have enough charcoal in your room?”
Gao Zhongxiong had once served as Han Jin’s aide. When he came to Cizhou, he knew he wouldn’t be valued by Shen Zechuan, which was why he had taken a lower path. It was only because Yao Wenyu strongly recommended him that he secured a post in the yamen, but Shen Zechuan rarely spoke with him, which left him uneasy.
Whenever Gao Zhongxiong got nervous, he would sweat and stutter—aftereffects of being mocked too harshly in Dancheng in the past. Now, wiping his sweat, his chin nearly touching his chest, he said in a low voice, “Prefect… your instruction is most gracious, Prefect, Prefect…”
The aides inside were already seated. Kong Ling stood under the eaves waiting for Shen Zechuan. Knowing himself to be clumsy with words, Gao Zhongxiong grew even more flustered, sweating as he tried to finish.
Shen Zechuan recalled how, a year ago, Gao Zhongxiong had knelt in the pouring rain to denounce the eunuch faction with fiery spirit. He listened patiently before saying, “You are not yet married. If your salary from the yamen isn’t enough, just bring it up with the residence.”
Gao Zhongxiong had always thought Shen Zechuan disliked him and only tolerated him out of consideration for Yao Wenyu. He hadn’t expected such gentleness today. Overcome with emotion, he choked up. “I am already greatly favored by the Prefect, having a position in the yamen with a regular salary. How could I take more from the residence…”
Shen Zechuan grew even gentler. “You are one of my aides. It’s not fitting for you to belittle yourself like this.”
As Gao Zhongxiong wiped his tears, he was overwhelmed with emotion. Shen Zechuan was not only willing to use him but also to respect him. A scholar would die for one who truly understood him—he was sincerely willing to follow Shen Zechuan. Just as he was about to express his gratitude, Shen Zechuan raised a hand to stop him and gestured for him to follow into the study.
Originally, Cizhou had planned to borrow generals for this campaign against Fanzhou. But seeing that the Wing King had long incurred public resentment and that Fanzhou was internally weak, Shen Zechuan decided not to borrow from the Libei Cavalry. Instead, he appointed Yin Chang, the commander of the Cizhou garrison.
Yin Chang had been a general in the garrison before the Zhongbo defeat. After the previous commander died in battle, Zhou Gui promoted him. Before Shen Zechuan arrived in Cizhou, Yin Chang had essentially been a commander in name only.
He was about the same age as Ji Gang, loved to drink, and sported a full beard. What he hated most in life was bathing, which made him look particularly slovenly. He got along well with Qiao Tianya—before Qiao Tianya quit drinking, the two often drank together.
Kong Ling hesitated. “Commander Yin is advanced in age and has been away from the battlefield for years. I’m afraid he may not be up to the task.”
This time Zhou Gui didn’t agree. “Veteran generals have their own strengths. Since the Prefect has entrusted him with this mission, he will surely give it his all.”
“Besides Yin Chang,” Shen Zechuan said unexpectedly, “Fei Sheng will also accompany this campaign.”
Yao Wenyu’s wide sleeves stirred, a cat nestled beneath them. Shielding it with his hand, he said, “Now that the roads are clear, military provisions can be supplied from both Cizhou and Chazhou. It only takes a day to reach Fanzhou.”
“Exactly.” Shen Zechuan rested the fan ribs across his knees and looked at the group. “Time is tight. We are determined to take both Fanzhou and Dengzhou. This battle must be swift and decisive.”
Everyone responded in unison and began discussing how to fill the administrative vacancies in the two regions after victory.
Yin Chang received orders to march, and Fei Sheng accompanied him with forty Imperial Guards.
Fei Sheng only met Yin Chang just before departure. The man’s hair was even whiter than Ji Gang’s, and he had a bulbous red nose. After Fei Sheng saluted him at his horse, Yin Chang, seemingly not yet sober, muttered, “Get up.”
Following Qiao Tianya’s advice, Fei Sheng brought good wine as a gift. Yin Chang sniffed it, shouted “Good!” in a booming voice that nearly made Fei Sheng lose hold of his horse.
Seeing Yin Chang about to drink on the spot, Fei Sheng hurriedly stopped him with a smile. “Commander Yin, please wait. This wine is strong—if you get drunk, it’ll be hard to travel. When we return victorious, I’ll host and drink with you to your heart’s content!”
Yin Chang twitched his nose like a starving man and gulped several mouthfuls while Fei Sheng was talking. Looking thoroughly satisfied, he exhaled heavily, slapped Fei Sheng on the shoulder, and declared, “No need to worry, boy! I’ve roamed Zhongbo for over a decade. I can find the way with my eyes closed! This wine clears the head!”
Fei Sheng sized him up and thought that if they weren’t heading to Fanzhou, he’d have turned back immediately—this old man didn’t look like someone who could fight a war. But outwardly, he grinned. “Alright, I’ll follow your command this time.” Holding the reins, he added, “Shall I help you mount?”
Yin Chang tied the wine flask at his waist, patted it, and chuckled. “Watch closely—I’ll do it myself—”
“Careful!” Fei Sheng saw his foot slip on the stirrup and quickly steadied him. “Take it slow!”
He managed to help Yin Chang onto the horse and noticed the man’s legs were thick and strong—maybe there was something to him after all. But before long, Yin Chang was dozing in the saddle, nearly falling off several times, forcing Fei Sheng to have men keep watch.
Cizhou was not far from Fanzhou—just two days’ journey. Yet Fei Sheng remained on edge the entire way, afraid the commander might fall off and die before they even arrived. Finally reaching their destination and setting up camp, Fei Sheng waited for Yin Chang to arrange the assault. Instead, the old man went straight into his tent and fell asleep, snoring loudly no matter how much they tried to wake him.
Standing outside, Fei Sheng looked around. The garrison troops were mostly new recruits, scattered like fools with no discipline or presence.
What the hell kind of battle is this?
Spitting in frustration, he wanted to write to Shen Zechuan immediately. The night patrol had to be handled by the Imperial Guards themselves. Fei Sheng stayed up guarding the camp until dawn, his eyes bloodshot. Watching Yin Chang emerge from the tent looking refreshed, he forced a smile onto his frozen face.
“Did you sleep well, Commander Yin?” Fei Sheng rubbed his hands. “When do we attack?”
Yin Chang sat down and poured himself some wine, taking only a couple of sips. “No rush, no rush.”
Fei Sheng had been ordered to fight swiftly. “The weather’s clear these days. If we miss this window, it’ll be harder.”
Yin Chang smacked his lips and looked toward Fanzhou. “Why are you in such a hurry? It’s not time yet.”
Fei Sheng suspected the old man was afraid to fight…