DDT - Chapter 52
Chapter 52: General × Little Emperor (7)
They rode all the way to the Zhenbei Army camp. The soldiers clearing the obstacles at the camp's exit toward Feng City watched curiously as Yi Han, also on horseback, followed behind General Chi.
Chi Junluo shot a sharp glance their way. The soldiers immediately lowered their heads and called out, "General."
Ignoring the greenhorns who gawked at any unfamiliar face, Chi Junluo led Yi Han to the general's tent at a trot.
The two dismounted, and a soldier led their horses to the camp's stables. Yi Han followed Chi Junluo into the general's tent.
The tent was somewhat dim. Chi Junluo lit a few lamps, brightening the space.
Chi Junluo didn't rush to take the general's seat. Instead, she waited for Yi Han to choose a seat opposite the general's chair before sitting down herself.
"May this humble subject know Your Majesty's courtesy name?" Chi Junluo asked hesitantly. "It would make it easier for me to help conceal Your Majesty's identity."
"My courtesy name is Lincang." Feeling a bit awkward just sitting there, Yi Han removed the sword from his waist and began toying with it.
"Lincang, for the days to come, this subject will have to be presumptuous." Chi Junluo rose from her seat, knelt, and performed another deep bow.
"It's no matter. Please rise, Cousin Chi." By calling her "Cousin Chi," Yi Han gave Chi Junluo a clear answer.
Chi Junluo stood and returned to her seat. "In the camp, aside from my tent and Vice General Wei Long's, all the others are large barracks for the soldiers. Lincang, your status is special, so it wouldn't be appropriate for you to stay in the barracks. But I wouldn't feel at ease with you staying alone in Vice General Wei Long's tent, either. How about…" Chi Junluo trailed off, looking at Yi Han with some difficulty.
"Please speak freely, Cousin." Yi Han found his new identity quite novel. It was the first time someone other than his mother consort had called him by his courtesy name, and it felt not only new but also strangely intimate. Noticing General Chi's reservation, he tried to put her at ease.
"Then I'll have to trouble Lincang to share a tent with me," Chi Junluo said, a little apprehensive. "I can only rest easy if I'm protecting you personally."
"I thought you had some unspeakable difficulty, Cousin. It turns out it's just a matter of lodging. It's nothing worth mentioning. This younger cousin will follow all of your arrangements." Yi Han lowered his head and smiled. Chi Junluo's gaze inadvertently swept across his face, and she was surprised to see a faint dimple above the corner of his upturned lips.
Chi Junluo: Oh my god, Heavenly Dao, look! The little emperor has dimples!
In her sea of consciousness, the Heavenly Dao rolled its eyes at the silly Chi Junluo, turned over on its chaise lounge, and continued to feign sleep.
Although Chi Junluo swooned internally for a moment, her expression remained unchanged. She was secretly delighted—it seemed she had found a new way to collect the Power of the Heavenly Dao!
Just as they had settled the matter of the little emperor's lodging, the familiar voice of Vice General Wei Long sounded from outside. "General, Vice General Wei Long requests an audience!"
Chi Junluo's gaze rested on Yi Han. Seeing that the little emperor didn't mind, she spoke. "Come in."
Vice General Wei entered the tent and habitually saluted. After receiving the general's permission to rise, he noticed that the seat he usually occupied was already taken by a young man. Puzzled, Vice General Wei looked at the properly seated General Chi and asked hesitantly, "General, who is this?"
"Ah Long, this is my cousin, Lincang. He has come to seek refuge with the Zhenbei Army due to a family misfortune." Chi Junluo calmly introduced her "cousin" to Wei Long. Then she turned to the little emperor. "Lincang, Ah Long is the vice general of our Zhenbei Army and also a good brother of mine." The implication was that he was a trustworthy person.
Yi Han turned to size up this "good brother" of General Chi's. Wei Long sent a questioning and puzzled look to Chi Junluo. Seeing that the little emperor now had his back to her, Chi Junluo nodded, confirming Wei Long's suspicions. After fighting side-by-side for so many years, they had that much of a rapport.
Wei Long was inwardly surprised. The general had gone to rescue the emperor but had returned with a "cousin." This must be a cover for His Majesty's identity, which meant the situation in the Imperial City was dire. Seeing Chi Junluo's nod confirm his thoughts, Wei Long understood. However, he was smart enough not to let a single trace of impropriety show on his face. Thus, after observing him for a moment, the little emperor didn't notice anything amiss.
"Cousin Chi, you need to discuss official business. Should I step out?" Yi Han asked politely.
"It's fine. Lincang, you must be tired from the journey. You can rest here. There's no need to leave; we're all on the same side." What a joke. How could Chi Junluo dare to let the little emperor leave? Given this world's little emperor's suspicious nature, he would surely suspect that she and Vice General Wei were plotting something against him.
Sure enough, the little emperor settled back into his seat with a satisfied expression, busying himself with his sword, adopting an air of 'this has nothing to do with me.'
Three black lines streaked across Chi Junluo's sea of consciousness. This little emperor was truly haughty.
Seeing that the little emperor had fallen silent, Wei Long figured he could report the arrangements for that evening's affairs to Chi Junluo.
"Reporting to the General, I have already assembled the two hundred trusted men. The horses and carts are also ready. We are just waiting for your order tonight, and we can set out!" Vice General Wei rubbed his hands together happily, his tone filled with excitement.
The little emperor, sitting to the side, secretly perked up his ears, taking in every word.
"Very good. Have them all change into light armor. Tonight, we must strike fast and win decisively."
Chi Junluo nodded, satisfied with Wei Long's efficiency.
"General, this afternoon I already captured the few men who first spread the rumor that you were critically ill. I've given them a preliminary interrogation. They are waiting for your detailed questioning. Four of them should be men of the Third and Fourth Princes. I found tokens from the two princes on their persons and under their bedding." With that, Vice General Wei pulled out several small tokens from his robes. The tokens were small but edged with gold—they were indeed the tokens the princes gave to their subordinates.
Yi Han snuck a glance. They were indeed the tokens of the Fourth Prince and the others; he had seen them before. Yi Han's eyes darkened.
It seemed the princes had quite the appetite, setting their sights on the Zhenbei Army. Among the spies were two lieutenants, one captain, and one centurion—all holding positions of considerable rank and influence, with their own circles and confidants.
"Ah Long, this time, we must eradicate them completely!" Chi Junluo said in a heavy voice. "After we return victorious tonight, light a large bonfire in the camp. Everyone must be present. Ah Long, you will take a hundred trusted men and search the tents one by one. Drag out anyone suspicious. Tomorrow, it will be time to make an example of them."
"Yes, General." Wei Long accepted the order. Chi Junluo chatted with him a little longer about miscellaneous matters before dismissing him.
The tent fell silent again. Chi Junluo looked at the bored little emperor and only then remembered that they had been sitting for quite some time without any tea.
Chi Junluo got up, found some cool tea, and poured a cup for the little emperor, Yi Han. "Lincang, my apologies," she said, sounding rather regretful. "The conditions in the camp are poor. I've wronged you. For now, there's only cool tea. I'll find some better tea for you tomorrow. Please make do for today."
"It's no matter. It's not easy for you at the border, Cousin Chi. A simple life is good, unlike some people who spend their days in pleasure and nights in song, yet still covet things that don't belong to them." As Yi Han spoke, his eyes filled with an icy chill. Chi Junluo almost lost control and reached out to ruffle the little emperor's fluffy head. Fortunately, reason restrained her hand.
"Cousin Chi, what interesting things are happening tonight? Why don't you tell your younger cousin about them?" Yi Han changed the subject, looking at Chi Junluo with curiosity.
"The soldiers have fought hard for four days without a general's command, suffering many casualties. Tonight, I'm going to lead them on a surprise attack on the Northern Kingdom's supply depot. We'll also bring some of their provisions back to give the men a good meal tonight." A smile touched Chi Junluo's eyes, and the sharp aura she had when speaking with her vice general softened. She looked much gentler, and for a moment, Yi Han was nearly captivated again. How could there be such a handsome and gentle man in this world??
Yi Han's heart began to pound more forcefully, accompanied by a strange sense of panic.
The erratic heartbeat jolted Yi Han back to his senses. He didn't yet understand the origin of these feelings, but he understood one thing: General Chi was, in his heart, different from everyone else.
He remembered when General Chi had returned to the Imperial City before. He had looked directly at him then, too. At that time, the general had always worn a stern expression, his eyes as calm as an old well, as if nothing could stir his heart. Yet now, he had actually seen this same stern General Chi smile and had felt a tenderness that was reserved for him alone.
And General Chi had abandoned the critical and inescapable battles at the border just to travel a thousand li to save a powerless, down-and-out little emperor. If the border fell, countless common people would suffer. Yet General Chi, who loved the people as his own children, actually considered him, a powerless little emperor, more important than thousands upon thousands of citizens. It was truly astonishing.
He had even risked beheading just to keep him from getting cold at night, offering him a warm embrace to lean on. Even when they were riding, he had worried about the bumpy ride and carefully placed him in the front. In this world, besides his mother consort, this was the first person to be so gentle and so good to him alone. Perhaps, he would also be the only one.
Yi Han secretly tightened his grip on his sword, but his face betrayed nothing. "I wonder if this younger cousin can accompany you on this operation, Cousin Chi?"
Considering the mission had a certain degree of danger, Chi Junluo hesitated for a moment.
"I believe Cousin Chi will protect me." Yi Han's sparkling eyes looked at Chi Junluo, making it impossible for her to refuse.
"Alright then. Lincang, you will come with me tonight. However, for safety's sake, we'll have to ride the same horse." A faint smile touched Chi Junluo's lips before quickly vanishing. Hehehe, another chance to collect the Power of the Heavenly Dao. Isn't this wonderful?
Yi Han didn't catch the deeper meaning in Chi Junluo's words. Eager to go out and have a look, he readily agreed.
Night fell quickly. The soldiers of the Northern Kingdom were still relaxing in their tents, recuperating, completely unaware that the Zhenbei General of the Great Chang Kingdom had already set her sights on their provisions.
Outside the Zhenbei Army camp, soldiers in black light armor gathered. One hundred and fifty riders formed the vanguard, while fifty more followed on horseback, pulling small carts. They planned to haul back as much as they could. "Remember to grab more meat and grain!" The soldiers rubbed their hands together, passing the message along, eager to get started.
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