Chapter 256.1: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 256.1: Selling Miseries for the Grand General (Part One)
Inside the military tent, Chang Kuo and General Xiao were both present.
Chang Kuo reported to Chang Suining on the general progress of the investigation concerning Li Yi’s associates. He concluded, “For now, no other spies embedded within the army have been discovered…”
The “other spies” referred, of course, to those planted by the Prince of Rong’s Manor.
Chang Suining had already reminded Chang Kuo to pay close attention to possible spies sent by the Prince of Rong.
To her, the current lack of discovery did not mean they did not exist — it merely meant those spies were hiding extremely well, with remarkable cunning.
Before Wei Shuyi and General Xiao, she only nodded slightly. The investigation must continue, and so it would.
While Chang Kuo and Wei Shuyi conversed, Chang Suining sat quietly, her thoughts drifting to Fan Ou.
From what Li Lu had said earlier, Fan Ou once maintained communication with someone in Li Yi’s army — that was why Li Lu was so familiar with military matters. Therefore, Fan Ou must know exactly which men served as their spies.
However, the man’s mouth was tight as iron. Extracting any information from him would not be easy.
Chang Suining’s mind flashed with interrogation methods — which would be most fitting for Fan Ou? Perhaps, if necessary, she could even devise one tailored just for him.
In any case, this man’s silence was far too valuable to leave unbroken, and she was determined to pry open his lips.
Resting her chin in her palm, she appeared lost in thought — yet no one could have guessed that behind that delicate face, her mind was filled with blood-stained, ruthless, and deceitful methods of interrogation.
It was not until a soldier entered, bearing trays of fragrant dishes, that her attention returned to the present.
Chang Kuo and Wei Shuyi, along with General Xiao, had been busy until now, and only then found time to eat.
Though Chang Suining had dined an hour ago with Ah Dian, she didn’t decline to eat again. It had been an hour, after all, and sharing a late-night meal with her father was only proper.
And tonight’s meal was unexpectedly fine — it was said to have been seized from Li Yi’s private stores.
During the meal, Chang Kuo raised his cup to toast Wei Shuyi and General Xiao. Wei Shuyi, calm and composed, merely lifted his cup modestly; but General Xiao grew flustered, lowering his cup so far it was nearly touching the ground.
Chang Kuo laughed heartily. “General Xiao, are you drinking with me or worshipping the Earth God?”
Xiao Min flushed crimson and smiled awkwardly, visibly uncomfortable.
Chang Kuo said kindly, “Since we dine together, we are brothers-in-arms. There’s no need to be so restrained.”
Xiao Min quickly agreed, easing slightly — but the ease did not last. After the meal, one act from Chang Kuo made him nervous again.
Chang Kuo summoned the Command Seal and Military Token, and handed them to him.
“This…” Xiao Min’s expression shifted several times. He instinctively turned toward Wei Shuyi. “Perhaps this should be discussed further.”
Chang Kuo waved dismissively. “The Holy Emperor appointed you as Commander. You need only do your duty — what is there to discuss?”
“General Chang may not know,” Xiao Min said earnestly, “I was originally appointed only as a stopgap — Her Majesty assumed at the time that Grand General Chang’s campaign to Hezhou might not end well… I have little seniority, and with Grand General Chang here, I dare not assume command.”
Moreover, it was not he who ended the rebellion. He lacked the prestige to lead the army.
To accept the seal so shamelessly would make him uneasy and undeserving.
“The decree is here,” Chang Kuo said plainly. “Would you have me defy it? Follow the rules, General. As long as you are not another Li Yi, I’ll have no quarrel with you.”
Blunt though the words were, they carried a strange reassurance.
Xiao Min gave an awkward smile. “Grand General Chang jests too heavily…”
The Holy Emperor had chosen him to quell the chaos — perhaps not as the most brilliant option, but certainly a deliberate one. Xiao Min was no fool; he had neither the ambition nor the means to become another Li Yi.
Watching the upright, open-hearted veteran before him, Wei Shuyi smiled. “Grand General Chang is right. Since this appointment comes from the Holy Emperor, General Xiao should accept it for now. When we return to the capital, I shall report all merits faithfully. If Her Majesty deems fit to reassign command, it can be reconsidered then.”
It was a tactful statement, leaving room for both duty and future adjustment.
Xiao Min looked at the command seal, still uncertain.
After watching silently for a while, Chang Suining finally spoke, smiling. “General Xiao, you may accept it with ease. The seal does not bite.”
Her jest — light yet edged with meaning — made Xiao Min laugh. He finally took the seal with both hands. “Then I shall temporarily serve as Commander. Should I falter, I ask Grand General Chang to correct me.”
He then turned to the calm young lady seated nearby, speaking sincerely, “It was thanks to Young Miss Chang that Li Yi was slain. Though young and of gentle birth, your courage and resolve far surpass mine. I am truly in awe.”
His flattery, though transparent, was heartfelt.
And therein lay his hesitation: it was not just that he couldn’t compare to the father — he couldn’t even compare to the daughter. How could he possibly sit comfortably in the Commander’s seat?
At just over thirty, Xiao Min was of middling background and experience. He was skilled, yes, but not exceptional — and very aware of his limits.
Chang Kuo, however, saw no problem. It was a simple matter: the decree was explicit. He had no intention of rebelling. What was there to fight over?
Besides, a mere seal was nothing compared to the trust of the troops. After Li Yi’s treachery, the loyalty of the men meant far more than any token.
Chang Suining nodded to Xiao Min. “May our army unite as one, cleanse the realm of rebels, and restore peace to Jiangnan.”
Whether Xiao Min was truly capable remained to be seen, but since they would be working together, she offered goodwill.
Her words steadied Xiao Min’s heart further — and stirred something else within him, a faint sense of conviction.
Before coming here, he had thought only of completing his task. But now, before this father and daughter, the road ahead suddenly felt wide and bright.
To cleanse the realm of rebels and bring peace to the people — yes, that is what it means to be a general.
The group then sat to discuss affairs over tea, the atmosphere far more relaxed than during dinner.
…
The night deepened. Stars faded; dawn began to rise.
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