Chapter 231: Hello Chang’an
Chapter 231: Entering the Military Camp
It was not until Xi’er pulled out three sacks that the old soldiers finally understood what was happening.
Those who didn’t yet know Chang Suining were puzzled, wondering, “Why would a young lady bring sacks when traveling?”
Before they could ask, Chang Ren had already taken the sacks from her and said to Ah Zhi, “Which flower house are they staying at? Lead the way.”
Ah Zhi nodded. Chang Ren signaled to two others to follow, and the four of them soon left.
By the time they returned, it was already deep into the night.
A few dark figures vaulted over the rear wall of the inn, their movements silent in the darkness.
The light in Chang Suining’s room had remained lit the whole time. When Chang Ren and the others came back, the three tightly bound sacks were tossed onto the floor — empty when they left, now full when they returned.
The men inside had been knocked unconscious, motionless, with only the sharp smell of wine wafting through the sackcloth.
“Girl, shall we dump them out and splash some water to wake them up for questioning?” Ah Che, ever eager to work, asked, itching to act.
“No need.” Chang Ren took out a few things and said, “Before they passed out, I already got what we needed. They were in town to make some purchases — here’s the list. They also handed over the purchase funds and their waist tokens.”
Chang Suining accepted the purchase list, unfolded it for a glance, then looked toward the three sacks. “Strip off their outer clothes first.”
Ah Che quickly obeyed.
Chang Suining studied the three men’s appearances and builds. One was quite young and short; the other two were in their thirties or forties, one sturdy, one tall and thin.
She put on the outer robe of the shortest man, feeling immediately overwhelmed by the reek of alcohol.
Then she motioned for Chang Ren and another close attendant to change into the other two sets of clothing.
“Uncle Kang,” she said, “once we disguise ourselves, we’ll head to their lodging for the night. You stay here and wait for word.”
“Young lady, you mean to sneak into the military camp disguised as them?” Old Kang frowned. “That won’t do! You’ve never been inside a camp before and don’t know their regulations. You could be exposed too easily. It’s too dangerous. Leave this to us instead!”
“It’s fine. I learn fast. Uncle Ren can teach me on the way.”
“But—”
Chang Suining interrupted softly, “Uncle Kang, don’t worry.”
Her tone was calm and gentle, yet carried a quiet authority that left no room for argument.
Ah Dian patted Old Kang’s shoulder and, mimicking someone’s serious tone, said, “Uncle Kang, you’re already old — time to be obedient. When we’re out, we must listen to the young ones! Look at me, I didn’t even insist on tagging along!”
Old Kang: “…”
Chang Ren reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect the young lady.”
Of course, in truth, he thought the young lady would more likely be protecting him.
Old Kang sighed helplessly. “Then what about these three?”
They couldn’t stay hidden in the inn forever, and letting them go was impossible. But Chang Suining didn’t think they deserved execution either.
So she devised a rather kind and practical solution.
Recently, she had discreetly purchased an estate near Shouzhou to store the Chang family’s wealth. To keep it hidden, she had people build storage sheds and dig secret tunnels.
“Send them there to dig,” she said. “Feed them.”
The next day, the three men woke up shivering, stripped down to their underclothes. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in an unfamiliar place.
After a failed escape attempt and a round of beatings, someone threw them three shabby jackets, three steamed buns, and three iron shovels.
Terrified and despairing, the men realized they had fallen into the hands of bandits running an illegal mine!
While those three dug earth under guard, three others — now wearing their uniforms — drove their wagon back toward the military camp outside Shouzhou.
As the wagon neared, a few soldiers guarding the gate were chatting.
“General Chu’s men came again to urge for provisions…”
“The grain from the capital hasn’t arrived yet. What are we supposed to send them?”
“Didn’t the Chang family just deliver a shipment of grain the other day?”
“Speaking of which, I wonder how General Chang’s injuries are now…”
The men looked uneasy. When they saw the wagon approach, they raised their hands to stop it.
The three “soldiers” presented their waist tokens and the official document authorizing their trip.
Following procedure, the guards lifted the wagon’s canvas cover to inspect the goods. Finding nothing amiss, they waved them through.
Just as the wagon wheels clattered a few turns forward, someone called out, “Wait.”
Chang Ren’s heart tightened.
One of the guards strode over.
“Something’s off,” he said, eyeing Chang Ren. “Didn’t you leave camp yesterday? Why so long to return?”
Chang Ren replied quickly, “The shops were already closing by the time we entered the city last night. We couldn’t finish the errands.”
The guard smirked. “Oh? That so?”
His gaze turned probing.
The other guards came over too.
Chang Ren’s pulse quickened — but before he could speak, the young “soldier” behind him stepped forward.
“Next time we’ll mind the time. Please, brothers, let us pass this once…” he whispered, slipping a money pouch into the guard’s hand.
The guard raised a brow, glancing him over.
The young soldier — skin tanned, eyes bright with an ingratiating smile — looked harmless enough.
After checking that no one else was watching, the guard accepted the pouch and his expression eased.
He barked a half-joking curse. “Next time? You wish. What, think this cushy errand’s yours every day?”
“Exactly!” another guard laughed and kicked the “young soldier.” “Scrawny as you are, sneaking to the city for fun, eh?”
The “young soldier” chuckled without protest.
After some teasing, the guards waved them on. “Go on, get moving.”
“Thank you, brothers,” said the “young soldier,” before leading the wagon into the camp.
As the voices faded behind them, Chang Ren exhaled in relief and glanced toward the soot-faced “young soldier” beside him — his own young lady in disguise.
Thankfully, she had reacted quickly.
There were over a hundred thousand soldiers in this camp. Not everyone knew each other; patrols and guards rotated daily. Normally, even if someone found them unfamiliar, they wouldn’t think much of it — but lingering too long could raise suspicion.
Her sharp wit had saved them.
He thought wryly — perhaps it was she who was protecting him after all.
But the relief lasted only a moment. Entering the camp was just the first step — or rather, the point where the real danger began.
One misstep now, and they might not live to tell how they died.
They pulled the wagon over gravel roads, passing two patrol teams. Soon, rows of tents came into view — and with them, their first obstacle: where to deliver the goods?
Everyone around them was busy; no one would come to lead them, and they dared not ask for directions.
“Follow me,” Chang Suining said quietly, eyes straight ahead.
On campaign, most military camps followed similar layouts.
And she was quite certain she knew exactly where these goods were meant to go.
Chang Ren and the other man followed her lead, pushing the wagon silently.
But Chang Ren couldn’t help wondering — how did the young lady seem so familiar with military camps?
“What took you so long!”
They had just approached a large command tent when an armored guard strode out and barked angrily, “You dare delay supplies for the commander’s tent? Do you have a death wish?!”
He gestured sharply. “Move everything inside!”
Chang Suining and her men hurried to unload the wagon, heads lowered under the guard’s scolding.
As low-ranked soldiers, they weren’t allowed inside the commander’s tent — only to unload at the entrance.
Indeed, these goods were meant for Li Yi.
Chang Suining had already guessed as much the previous night when she saw the purchase list.
The list included several items Li Yi had been fond of since youth, and only a commander or vice general would have the authority to make such an irregular request.
Such exceptions were improper. Even high-ranking officers were supposed to choose the best from what the army supplied, not send soldiers into town for personal purchases.
Li Yi’s indulgence was not something a disciplined commander should do.
Where the upper ranks went astray, the lower ranks followed — no wonder the army’s morale was poor.
Though she couldn’t enter, she caught a glimpse through the lifted tent flap: a man in armor, pacing restlessly — Li Yi.
Two scholar-like aides stood beside him, deep in discussion.
When the flap lifted, they paused, and Li Yi’s expression betrayed frustration.
Once the supplies were unloaded, the guard pointed at them. “You three — delayed return, ten laps around the training field with sandbags!”
They answered in unison and headed toward the field.
The training field was the largest open space in camp — they had seen it upon entering.
Though being punished wasn’t ideal, Chang Suining found it convenient. Running laps would help them avoid suspicion until nightfall, when it’d be easier to move unseen.
But before they reached the field, something unexpected happened.
A messenger ran up just as they turned to leave.
“Reporting to the Commander — an imperial envoy has arrived from the capital!”
Li Yi froze, glancing at his aides. After a silent exchange, he composed himself. “Quickly, invite them in.”
Soon, a group of eunuchs entered the tent, accompanied by a tall, middle-aged man.
After the formal greetings, Li Yi’s gaze fell on the man — his heart went cold.
It was General He Wei.
He Wei bowed. “General Li, long time no see.”
“General He,” Li Yi said in surprise, hastily replying, “I had no idea you and the imperial envoys had arrived in Shouzhou! Such an important visit — why was I not informed earlier so I could welcome you properly?”
The chief eunuch smiled. “General Li commands troops on the frontlines, and the situation is tense. How could we trouble you with ceremony?”
Li Yi forced a smile. “Still, I must apologize for my failure to greet you.”
But inside, he was chilled.
No ceremony? Clearly, they had come in secret — to catch him off guard.
No wonder they had arrived only today — they must’ve taken a detour to avoid attention.
Just as that letter had warned him…
Someone had secretly told him that although the Holy Emperor had outwardly dismissed the proposals to replace him, it was only for show. In truth, the Holy Emperor planned not only to remove him but to send him back to Huainan to observe three years of mourning.
After his father, the Prince of Huainan, died, the Holy Emperor had seized most of the regional troops.
Li Yi’s brother inherited the title; he himself, after years in the capital, had no base in Huainan. If he returned now, he would gain nothing.
He had clawed his way up to become Left Commander of the Imperial Guard — and now all of it would be taken from him.
His father was gone; to return to the Prince of Huainan’s manor would mean living again under his brother’s shadow, enduring humiliation as before.
Suppressing his turmoil, Li Yi invited the group to sit.
The eunuch smiled. “No need. We come bearing the Holy Emperor’s decree…”
Li Yi straightened, ready to kneel and receive the edict, when He Wei suddenly asked, “By the way — where is General Chang?”
“After the last battle, General Chang was struck by an arrow while saving me. He’s still recuperating,” Li Yi replied with a look of guilt.
He Wei asked quickly, “How severe is the injury?”
“The wound itself is minor, but old injuries flared up with it,” said Li Yi. “The physicians advised rest.”
Normally, that should’ve ended the topic. But He Wei said, “General Chang and I are old acquaintances. I’d like to visit him briefly. It won’t take long.”
Sensing something, the eunuch’s smile deepened. “Indeed — the Holy Emperor asked me to convey a few words to General Chang as well. Since he’s unfit to move, General Li, please take us to him.”
Li Yi knew he could not refuse.
He also understood their true intention.
Once He Wei met Chang Kuo — a vice general respected by the entire army — and gained his support, they could reveal the imperial decree and force Li Yi to surrender command.
Thus, Li Yi had confined Chang Kuo precisely to prevent such an encounter.
Meeting He Wei’s calm gaze, Li Yi appeared to ponder, then nodded. “Very well, please follow me.”
He led the group out of the tent.
The vice general’s camp was not far — but that short walk was long enough for unexpected events to unfold.
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