Inside the main tent of the camp, silence reigned. At the head sat Qingyao, with her deputy generals and参将 seated on either side.
All eyes were fixed on Deputy General Lu Zhanyun, who knelt on the ground. To be honest, Lu Zhanyun had been a disappointment this time. However, if he were the one fighting today, he wondered if he could truly bring himself to deal with Qiu Ju. She was such a delicate woman; how could one be so ruthless as to blow up her horse and kill her?
"Lu Zhanyun, do you know your crime?"
A cold, heartless voice echoed through the tent, sending a shiver through Lu Zhanyun. He lowered his head in shame. He had been so eager to earn merit, but he had failed. Yet, if time could be turned back, he suspected he still wouldn't be able to bring himself to do it.
Lu Zhanyun knew that in battle, there was no distinction between male and female, only friend and foe. However, in his twenty-odd years of life, one thing had been deeply ingrained in him.
A true man does not fight with women, especially not with a woman as delicate as water. Although he had tried his best to kill her, he ultimately could not be so ruthless.
Within the tent, the atmosphere was frigid. Everyone stared at Lu Zhanyun.
Lu Zhanyun gritted his teeth and spoke in a deep voice, "Your subordinate admits his guilt and is willing to accept punishment."
"Guards, take Lu Zhanyun away and administer fifty military strokes."
Qingyao's expression was impassive as she coldly commanded. Immediately, someone stepped forward and dragged Lu Zhanyun away to be punished. In the tent, no one dared to speak, all looking towards the commander-in-chief at the head.
Qingyao waved her hand, speaking with disappointment, "I am very disappointed in you all. Such valiant men, unable to resist such temptation. What does it matter if she is a woman? This is a battlefield. If you show mercy to women, they will take your lives in the next moment. If you cannot be ruthless, and the entire Danfeng Kingdom is made up of women, do you intend to simply retreat?"
Qingyao's tone was aggressive, her eyes exceedingly dark, her voice as cold as ice resonating within the tent.
Everyone below was startled, feeling an immense weight in their hearts. They hadn't expected to be inferior to Bing Xiao and Mochou. It seemed the most pressing issue was their mindset. The commander-in-chief's words were entirely correct. If the entire Danfeng Kingdom was made up of women, were they to retreat?
An Dingfeng suddenly stood up and respectfully stated his commitment.
"Commander, please do not be angry. Your subordinate guarantees that from now on, if anyone harbors even a shred of pity, they will be executed immediately."
His words echoed resolutely in the air. Qingyao narrowed her eyes and nodded. "Good. Everyone else may go and rest. The Danfeng Kingdom will not attack for a short while. General An and Yin Xuan, remain."
"Yes," everyone clasped their fists and accepted the order. Except for Yin Xuan and An Dingfeng, everyone else withdrew.
Inside the tent, Qingyao walked down and sat beside An Dingfeng, looking at Yin Xuan opposite her. Her delicate brows were knitted together as she slowly, deliberately, began to speak. "Chentang Wen has lost two generals and nearly five thousand men. He will likely not attack easily. Let us consider how to fight the next battle. If they remain within their fortifications, this constant stalemate is not a solution. Firstly, we have traveled a long distance, and our provisions are limited. Feeding and clothing a hundred thousand men is no small matter. Secondly, if the battle remains stalemated, the longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."
Qingyao's tone was heavy, her eyes unfathomably deep. Yin Xuan, who had been sitting opposite her, lazily shifted his posture, his slender frame moving fluidly. He slowly spoke.
"Since they will not fight, we will. A surprise attack. This way, they will have nowhere to hide?"
"Do you have any suggestions?" Qingyao raised her head to look at Yin Xuan opposite her. Many times, she found that Yin Xuan's mind was no less than that of any modern person. If such an ancient man were to live in modern times, he would undoubtedly be an esteemed member of society with considerable wealth.
"A night raid. Don't we have the Smoke Thunder? Now is the time to use it. Select some elite soldiers from the hundred thousand troops, then launch the Smoke Thunder under the cover of night, causing the enemy to die without realizing it. Only by gradually depleting their numbers can we then capture Chentang Pass."
As soon as Yin Xuan finished speaking, not only Qingyao but also An Dingfeng believed the plan was feasible. Only by doing this could the battle progress. They could not simply endure. They were unconcerned, as this was their territory. However, they had come from afar and could not afford to wait.
"Good, it's decided. General An, immediately select the strong and capable soldiers. They must be extremely skilled. Enter Chentang Pass at night. I believe Crown Princess Ji Xue will never dream that we would dispatch troops again in the middle of the night."
"Yes, your subordinate accepts the order."
An Dingfeng stood up and walked out. Within the tent, only Qingyao and Yin Xuan remained. They exchanged a look, and a gentle gleam flashed in Qingyao's eyes.
This man, whenever she found herself in a deadlock, was like a lamp, giving her light.
"Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," Yin Xuan's magnetic voice rang out. He lazily stretched his limbs, like a lion shaking its mane, his imposing aura radiating outwards.
"Tonight, we are one team."
Yin Xuan stood up, his tall and upright body like a towering mountain within the tent, casting half its light. However, Qingyao did not agree with his suggestion.
"No, you stay in the tent. I will go. Someone needs to be in command of the army."
"I am merely informing you of my decision." Yin Xuan lifted the tent flap, sunlight streaming in. He quickly merged into the golden light. Qingyao watched his retreating figure, feeling both exasperated and amused. Having spent more time with him, she realized that in many ways, he hadn't changed; he was still so overbearing, so proud, yet it wasn't entirely the same. All his actions seemed to prioritize her.
Qingyao fell into deep thought. Xiao Yu'er led people in from outside, followed by Mochou and Bing Xiao.
"Mother, how are you? Are you alright?"
Xiao Yu'er asked with concern. Her mother seemed troubled by something.
"Did something happen? Tell me, and I can help you think of a solution."
Xiao Yu'er's words fell on the ears of Mochou and Bing Xiao. They casually stepped aside. Outsiders might find it strange, but they were not curious, because Xiao Yu'er possessed many qualities that were difficult for ordinary people to understand, and they had grown accustomed to it.
Qingyao reached out and hugged Xiao Yu'er. She handled military matters with ease, but often, she didn't know how to interact with Yin Xuan, and she felt a bit lost. To be honest, she was deeply moved by everything Yin Xuan did, but to say she loved him would be an exaggeration. Her entire heart and mind seemed to be focused on the war, on helping him unify the seven kingdoms, on avenging Wuqing, and she had promised Wuqing that she would retrieve the Hua Jiang Secret Scroll and return it to the Hua Jiang tribe. Since she had made a promise, she would fulfill it; that was her principle as a person.
"It's nothing. I am just thinking about the night raid on Chentang Pass."
"Night raid?" Mochou and Bing Xiao exclaimed simultaneously. They stepped forward, not expecting their commander-in-chief to plan a night raid. If so, they certainly had to participate.
"We want to participate too."
Qingyao looked up at Xiao Yu'er in her arms. If both of them participated, who would look after Xiao Yu'er? No, someone had to take care of her.
"Bing Xiao is a Cavalry Lieutenant, so she should participate. Mochou, you stay and look after Xiao Yu'er. There will be plenty of opportunities for such things in the future. If you both like it, you can take turns participating."
"Yes," Mochou and Bing Xiao accepted the order.