Chapter 80 The Army Presses Upon the Border

This man, who was shouting for blood and violence, was the vanguard commander of the Qishan Iron Cavalry, named Zhao Feihu.

Seated at the place of honor was the highest commander of all Qishan, once one of the two deputy commanders at the side of the original chief.

“I am Duan Yuquan. I have heard your story, but I must ask you again: you claim to be the son of Shi Wanli, Minister of Revenue?”

“That is correct.”

Duan Yuquan fixed his gaze on Jiang Chen’s face and continued, “Your father, Shi Wanli, is in charge of the Ministry, yet he has delayed our military pay for ten months. Are you aware of this?”

Jiang Chen replied, “I am not an official, so I am unfamiliar with such matters. Whatever disputes may exist between my father and you, they seem to have nothing to do with me, do they?”

Zhao Feihu, indignant, cursed, “Shi Wanli is truly worthless! Every time we ask him for grain or pay, he comes up with endless excuses. If I ever meet that scoundrel, I’d snap his neck!”

Jiang Chen immediately echoed, “At times, my father really is no good. Whenever I ask him for money, he is just as stingy and reluctant to give me any. If you, General, plan to follow through, I’d certainly support you.”

Hearing this, Zhao Feihu grew even more infuriated.

“You don’t even stand up for your own father! You must be one of those spoiled sons of officials I despise—living in luxury, squandering wealth, utterly useless!”

“Wow, General Zhao, you insult my father right in front of me, and I don’t take offense. Now you’re bent on humiliating me—what is the meaning of this?”

Jiang Chen kept a straight face, pretending to be genuinely angered.

But in truth, he was merely using Shi Guangjun’s identity; whether Zhao Feihu insulted Shi Wanli or Shi Guangjun, it was of no concern whatsoever to him.

At this moment, Duanmu Qing stepped forward. “You two, cease your pointless quarrel.”

“In summary, Han Ji and Lei Zi said this man protected them, and immediately urged them to send word of Zhang Wu’s murder back to camp. Therefore, I believe he is not our enemy, at the very least.”

These words were addressed to Duan Yuquan, who pondered for a moment and seemed to agree.

“You claim you have come for Han Yuyang. What makes you so sure he will return to Qishan?”

“Because he carries the military tally. Such an important item must be brought back—otherwise, if it falls into the wrong hands, all the Qishan troops scattered across the regions could be manipulated by those with ulterior motives.”

The military tally!

Duan Yuquan, Duanmu Qing, and Zhao Feihu were all startled at once, realizing they had overlooked a crucial issue.

With the chief murdered and the deputy commander framed as the perpetrator, the whereabouts of the military tally became the utmost priority. Under no circumstances could such a vital object be lost or fall into enemy hands.

Jiang Chen had given an irrefutable answer; this meant Han Yuyang would certainly return—and very likely, he was already here.

That night, Jiang Chen stayed in the military tent. As he left, Duan Yuquan and the others seemed intent on discussing matters in secret. Since he knew little about them, he made no mention of Old Wu.

He was uncertain why Old Wu had left Qishan years ago—perhaps relations with some in the camp were strained. Revealing anything about Old Wu might do more harm than good, so he chose to conceal it.

His true purpose was not for Han Yuyang, but to take his troublesome father-in-law away from here.

Near noon the next day, a messenger arrived at full gallop, bringing urgent news that immediately set everyone on edge.

Jiang Chen heard the stir of the cavalry outside, aware that Qishan was preparing to face an enemy. He stepped out and encountered Duanmu Qing, asking what was happening.

“The scouts report that Tianfeng Camp is advancing in force—they will soon arrive at the foot of Qishan.”

Tianfeng Camp?

Seeing Jiang Chen was unfamiliar, Duanmu Qing explained, “Tianfeng Camp is one of the five elite forces of the Great Qian dynasty. Though their numbers are not vast, in recent years they have become a power equal to the Qishan Iron Cavalry.”

“But they are ambitious, often disrespectful toward us, and have even boasted that Great Qian no longer needs Qishan, for Tianfeng Camp will take its place.”

Jiang Chen immediately understood. Though both were main military powers of Great Qian, the relationship was fraught with tension. Tianfeng Camp’s arrival in Qishan could not be well-intentioned.

Could it be that the enemy agents hidden in Qishan were actually Tianfeng Camp’s vanguard? What reason would they have to oppose the Iron Cavalry?

Without delay, Jiang Chen followed Duanmu Qing out of camp, passing through the assembled troops to the front of the formation.

Zhao Feihu spotted Jiang Chen and shouted angrily, “Did you bring these Tianfeng Camp scoundrels here?”

Jiang Chen replied, “If I had done such a thing, I’d be hiding myself, not sleeping soundly in your tents.”

Zhao Feihu, though seething with anger, could not refute such a reasonable answer.

Soon, clouds of dust rose in the distance, and the troops gradually appeared. As Duanmu Qing had said, Tianfeng Camp was well-ordered, impeccably equipped, their presence no less imposing than the Iron Cavalry.

“Duan Yuquan, I won’t waste words. I am here for one thing: to collect your military tally and those two treasures you prize so dearly.”

“There is no need for alarm or violence—it is a direct order from above. With your commander dead and the camp leaderless, unrest is likely. The court simply does not trust you under the circumstances.”

On Tianfeng Camp’s side, a lead general clad in silver helmet and armor, dignified and imposing, rode forth. He surveyed the Qishan troops with a disdainful, contemptuous gaze.

Zhao Feihu said to Duan Yuquan, “This bastard thinks he’s somebody. Let me capture him alive, and then they’ll have to retreat!”

Duan Yuquan calmly rebuffed him, “Our aim is to avoid conflict with Tianfeng Camp. Song Tianbo is merely their vanguard commander, just as you are. Even if we capture him, Tianfeng Camp may not yield.”

“If things escalate, both sides will inevitably suffer heavy losses. No matter who prevails, the military strength of Great Qian will be diminished. Do you understand?”

Jiang Chen inwardly approved. Duan Yuquan and Han Yuyang—one wise, one valiant—were truly worthy deputy commanders of the Iron Cavalry, possessing vision and self-control of the highest order.