Xiao Zhenhuai leaned sideways on the camp bed, watching Jiang Xingyan bustle in and out, and it felt like he was starting to take part in her life.
“Tieshi, your master has already gone back. Those improved weapons are all his gift to you.
I’m ordering you to produce at least three thousand repeating crossbows and four hundred Mo maces within a little over a month. Make as many grappling hook shooting stars as you can.
Oh, and your long spear too — the same number as the Mo maces.”
Tieshi looked toward “Huo Ci,” as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Jiang Xingyan knew what he wanted to ask. Her face turned cold, and she cut him off: “Why are you still standing there? Go.”
Tieshi wasn’t stupid. He might have already guessed why his master had come down from the mountain to guide him in person.
He just hadn’t gotten confirmation from her yet, so he still clung to a sliver of hope.
Watching his lonely retreating figure, Jiang Xingyan sighed inwardly.
The world was unpredictable. Just when you wanted to care for your loved ones, they were no longer there.
“Captains of each battalion, select three thousand of the best archers from your ranks, three thousand who are skilled with hidden weapons, and four thousand with the strongest physical strength. Form them into a new Divine Mechanism Battalion.
They will be used to shoot back and defeat a wave of enemy troops before the vanguard charges, or to cover the retreat when pulling back.
The archers will practice with the new repeating crossbows to improve their accuracy.
Those skilled with hidden weapons must not only master all kinds of projectiles but also become proficient with the grappling hook shooting stars, using them to drag enemy soldiers off their horses.”
“Yes, General!”
“All troops, hear my order!
From this day forward, sleep with your weapons ready and stand alert!”
“Yes, General!”
Through Huo Ci’s body, Xiao Zhenhuai saw the strength of a woman.
She could think everything through carefully. She could command and inspire.
But if she were in her own body, she would be trapped in the inner quarters, spending her life in petty scheming and fighting for a husband’s favor.
If he ever became the ruler of the land, he would make sure women could become generals too.
Then she would be able to carve out her own world.
Xiao Zhenhuai stared blankly at Jiang Xingyan, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a figure firmly blocked his view.
He looked up in displeasure and met Yun Chunfeng’s eyes, which were full of warning.
Xiao Zhenhuai guiltily looked away.
The unwillingness in his heart rose to his throat, and he broke into a violent fit of coughing.
Jiang Xingyan was staring absentmindedly at the maps of Shanhe Pass and Jingyu Pass.
These two strongholds had been established so brilliantly.
Not only did they block the throat of any Beiluo invasion, but they could also send reinforcements to other border passes at a moment’s notice.
The hundred-thousand-strong Huo Family Army would split into two forces, hold these passes to the death, and after repelling the enemy, pursue them and press the advantage.
Back in the day, Huo Ci had chased the enemy all the way from Shanhe Pass.
The only difference this time was the uncertainty brought by Daxia.
“Young lady, it’s time to rest.”
The map in her hand was suddenly snatched away, and in its place, a chubby little baby was handed to her.
For a moment, Jiang Xingyan was taken aback. Then Little Ya had already wrapped her arms around her, sweetly calling her “Mama.”
Little Ya had just woken up from her nap, her voice still soft and hazy with sleep.
It instantly smoothed away all of Jiang Xingyan’s restlessness.
Little Ya spread her small hands and clung tightly to her mother’s arm, as affectionate as a little kitten.
Jiang Xingyan gently patted her back, bounced her a little to feel her weight, and felt a wave of satisfaction.
She had to admit, Brother Yun really knew how to raise a child. In just over twenty days, he had turned Little Ya, who had been as skinny as a little monkey, visibly plumper and fairer.
Her eyes, as dark as black grapes, curved into crescents when she smiled, and nothing soothed a mother’s heart better than that.
Even Yun Chunfeng and Xiao Zhenhuai, watching from the side, found their lips curling into quiet, gentle smiles without realizing it.
“Report! General, the Third Prince has arrived.”
The moment Xiao Chonghua stepped into the main tent, he was dazed by the warm, tender atmosphere inside.
The first thing he saw was “Huo Ci” holding his daughter with a loving expression.
Even though he had already seen the softer side of the Hell King Huo, it still struck him.
What puzzled him even more was seeing his second brother, who had always kept a stoic face and been hardly noticeable, now looking so vividly alive.
“General Huo, have I come at a bad time?”
Jiang Xingyan settled Little Ya securely on her lap, composed herself, and then replied:
“No matter when the Third Prince comes, it’s always the right time.
As long as you don’t start yelling about fighting and killing.”
Xiao Chonghua’s face stiffened. He hadn’t expected Huo Ci to hold a grudge like this.
He still remembered the unpleasantness when he had made a move to test Huo Ci.
He gave a light cough to cover his embarrassment, then raised his head and faced her openly:
“I just wanted to get to know you, General. There’s no need to take it so seriously.
You’ve already accepted my apology gift, haven’t you?”
Jiang Xingyan found it amusing to watch this man standing before her.
He really knew how to bend when needed.
Xiao Chonghua was full of schemes, but in his clashes with “Huo Ci,” he had gradually come to understand that this man softened when treated gently and hardened when pushed. The more you tried to outmaneuver him, the more he would resent and oppose you.
Being straightforward was the best way to get closer to him.
“Why has the Third Prince come today?”
Hearing “Huo Ci’s” indifferent tone, Xiao Chonghua felt resigned inside.
It seemed he wouldn’t be getting any friendly treatment anytime soon.
“Father has ordered me to join the campaign. I only wanted to ask General Huo if there’s anything I can help with.”
Jiang Xingyan raised an eyebrow: “How would I dare trouble the Third Prince with the trivial matters of the army?
Once I’ve made all the preparations, I will certainly invite the Third Prince to accompany us.”
Xiao Chonghua was left choking on her words, and a wave of anger flared up in his chest.
Without standing on ceremony any longer, he stepped forward, his presence fully unleashed, and faced off against “Huo Ci.”
“What you said, General Huo, is quite wrong.
I may not have been on a battlefield before, but the Beiluo spies hidden in every city — I led the men who rooted them out. That counts for something, doesn’t it?
You and I are both subjects of Xizhou, with a common enemy. Why be so distant?
It would only make others laugh at us!”
Jiang Xingyan didn’t back down. She handed Little Ya over to Yun Chunfeng, then rose abruptly from her armchair, her aura burning fiercely.
“Distant?
Have I ever been close with the Third Prince in the first place?
Or does the Third Prince think that by sending spies to lurk around my general’s mansion day and night, you can catch me and make me willing to be your pawn?
Is that what you call being close?”
A flash of panic crossed Xiao Chonghua’s eyes.
How did he know!
“Now, His Majesty has ordered the Second and Third Princes to accompany the army. This is to show our determination to fight the Beiluo scoundrels to the death.
It also means the two princes are here to campaign in His Majesty’s stead. I should naturally report every single detail of the army’s affairs to you both.
But in military operations, nothing is worse than unclear command and everyone going their own way.
If the Third Prince came this time just to secure his own command, then I have nothing more to say. Here, I offer you the army seal.
The entire campaign will be under the Third Prince’s sole command, and I will gladly serve as a lowly soldier under you — charging into battle and dying in your service.”
With that, Jiang Xingyan took a black jade tiger tally from a brocade box.
This was the command token of the Huo Family Army. Whoever held it could freely deploy the hundred thousand troops.
Even if the order was to march to their deaths, the soldiers would obey.
The more Xiao Chonghua had once wanted to seize military power, the more he was now getting a headache.
Since when had “Huo Ci” become so direct? It was truly hard to handle.
Seeing the two locked in a standoff, Xiao Zhenhuai sat up slightly, covered his mouth, and gave a soft cough.
“Third brother, what General Huo said came from the heart. Even if you took this matter to Father, the same logic would hold.
True, you rooted out many spies, but that’s not the same as a real battlefield.
Even if I handed you the tiger tally right now, what could you do?
A thousand troops are easy to find, but a good general is rare. That’s always been the case.”
A chill ran through Xiao Chonghua’s heart.
That day in court, when “Huo Ci” had strongly recommended his second brother, he had thought it was just to provoke him and their eldest brother.
But now, seeing them together — had they really formed a bond of mutual respect over the Battle of Qingzhou?
He exhaled heavily, clasped his fists, and conceded.
“General Huo is right. I was too abrupt.
I am your deputy, General. How would I dare try to seize command?”
Xiao Chonghua had made up his mind.
If they were going to be this straightforward, what was the point of him beating around the bush anymore?
“I’m grateful for the Third Prince’s kindness.
Since that’s the case, I hope the Third Prince will start training with the Huo Family Army’s captains from today onward.”
Xiao Chonghua: ?
So this is where you’ve been waiting to put me through drills?
Is it too late for me to back out now?
