Ashes to Crown

Chapter 254: Chapter 63: At Hand

The gates of the city in the Border County were shut tight. Across the snow-covered plains, only warhorses and their riders galloped at full speed.

”Dispatch—”

”A victory to report—”

The galloping Xin Bing shouted all the way, spreading the joyous news throughout the city.

”Congratulations, General! Our sincerest congratulations!”

The County’s government office had been converted into a command headquarters. Inside the main hall, a large sand table was set up and maps were hung on the walls. Armored Generals, weapons at their sides, stood about congratulating Chu Ling, who was seated on a high chair at the head of the room.

”These frequent victory reports are all thanks to your brilliant command, my lord.”

Chu Ling did not beam with joy at the praise, nor did he wave it away with false modesty. He had never been one to be swayed by the words of others, whether they be accolades or insults. His eyes remained fixed on the sand table before him.

”King Western Liang is not to be underestimated,” he said. ”For him to dare to mobilize his troops and invade our borders now, he must be supremely confident. A few defeats, or even a temporary retreat, will not shake his army’s morale.”

He then looked at the assembled Generals.

”Therefore, do not underestimate the enemy, do not grow complacent, and above all, do not become arrogant.”

The Generals bowed their heads and responded in unison, ”Yes, sir.”

”However,” Chu Ling said with a slight smile, ”merit must be rewarded immediately. Beyond feasts of meat and wine, the most important rewards are official titles and ranks. Compile a list of all who have distinguished themselves and send it to the court by the fastest horse. Request that they bestow the rewards at once.”

In the past, reports of military merit sent to the court would take half a year at the minimum to be approved, and sometimes there would be no response for a year or two.

But now that Chu Ling said the rewards would be immediate, the Generals didn’t have the slightest doubt. They cheered in unison, celebrating in advance—

Although Chu Ling’s official rank was still General Wei, his influence went far beyond that. Putting aside his own legendary military achievements from over a decade ago, the late Emperor had, before his passing, betrothed his daughter to the Imperial Grandson. This was a clear act of entrusting the orphan heir to his care.

Now, his daughter was the Empress, and he was the royal father-in-law. Even though he wasn’t personally presiding over the court, in the Great Xia Empire, what Chu Guozhang said, went.

If Chu Guozhang wanted to reward military achievements, the court would naturally obey at once.

With General Chu as the royal father-in-law, life would be much easier for them as Military Generals. They would no longer be obstructed by those meddling Civil Servants, and they wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of support—although, at the moment, there was still one lingering concern.

The fighting in Yunzhong County was intense, yet not a single soldier had been sent from the rear as reinforcements. From every angle, it looked as if they had been left to fight as an isolated army.

Morale had been a bit shaky before, but now—

”Our army’s morale is soaring,” one General said with a laugh. ”It’s not just because of the string of victories, but because Her Majesty the Empress has personally come to our aid.”

The Empress hadn’t just arrived; she had already defeated the Western Liang Soldiers who had infiltrated their rear lines. The public report of her swift victory had sent shockwaves through all of Great Xia.

At the mention of Chu Zhao, a smile touched Chu Ling’s face.

”How far out is the Empress?” he asked.

One of the Generals quickly replied, ”She’s about to enter the County capital.” He pointed to a spot on the sand table for Chu Ling. ”That was the latest report, which arrived just yesterday.”

Chu Ling’s eyes fell on the sand table. His body tensed for a fraction of a second before he nodded with a smile.

”General, are you sure we shouldn’t send an escort to welcome the Empress?” another General asked.

Chu Ling chuckled. ”Is there any danger left in our Yunzhong County?” He leaned back in his chair. ”Besides, if the Empress can annihilate a troop of Western Liang stragglers, she certainly doesn’t need an escort.”

The General laughed. ”I wasn’t questioning the Empress’s martial prowess, it’s just—” He scratched his head. ”Doesn’t an Empress need a proper retinue? With government officials and the populace to welcome her and pay their respects... Now that she’s come all the way to Yunzhong County, we can’t give her a shabby reception.”

Chu Ling let out a hearty laugh.

”The kind of Empress who needs a ceremonial retinue is the one sitting in the Imperial City,” he said, gesturing outside. ”The Empress who comes to Yunzhong County, who rides to war and slays the enemy, is simply our Miss Chu.”

”Miss Chu doesn’t need a retinue.”

”Miss Chu is one of our own.”

That’s right. Miss Chu was Chu Ling’s daughter, the daughter of a great general. Even after becoming the Empress, she was still willing to fight alongside them. She truly was one of them. The Generals all broke into smiles.

”The Empress is formidable!” ”We eagerly await her arrival.”

Eager to welcome the Empress who would fight alongside them, the Generals departed, their spirits higher and their steps quicker. By the time Zhong Changrong entered the government office, Chu Ling was sitting alone in the great hall.

Chu Ling seemed to be gazing at the sand table, lost in thought. He didn’t look up at the sound of footsteps.

”General.” Zhong Changrong was close with Chu Ling, so he wasn’t worried about interrupting, especially when the subject was Chu Zhao. ”Are you really not going to go out and meet Ah Zhao?”

Chu Ling grunted in acknowledgment and smiled. ”There’s no need. She’s back in Yunzhong County. For her, this is just like coming home.”

”But—” Zhong Changrong started to say.

Chu Ling sat up straighter and looked at him. ”Changrong, Ah Zhao is all grown up. She’s not a child anymore. She can negotiate terms with the Emperor and lead cavalry charges. We should both be able to set our minds at ease.”

Zhong Changrong said, ”It’s not that I’m worried, it’s just... I’m happy.” He broke into a wide grin. ”Ah Zhao actually came back. General, she came back for you.”

These days, everyone was fleeing the Border County, yet his own daughter was rushing toward the most dangerous place of all. ’She’s here because I’m here. She was worried about me.’ Even becoming the Empress couldn’t stop her from coming back. A faint smile graced Chu Ling’s lips.