Letting this Xie Yanlai go—the great generals’ minds turned. Back when the Zhao and Yang clans were prominent and powerful, they fought over military authority in the army. Such things had been seen many times.
Now the old prominent families were gone, and it was time for the new prominent families to arrive.
Xie Yanlai sat up straight, looking at the several great generals, and said flatly, “If everyone has anything to say, tell me everything. I’ll convey it all when the time comes.”
He didn’t show the slightest modesty, accepting it as natural.
The bearded General Huang turned his gaze away. “School Captain Xie just needs to firmly remember that the merit we have today didn’t come easily.”
The other two generals only nodded. “Whatever Commander Zhong decides is fine.”
Zhong Changrong pointed to the deputy generals, chief clerks, marshals and others behind him. “You all organize the affairs of your respective armies and send them over. We’ll submit everything to the court together.”
The generals stood up and answered in unison.
The three generals sat down, but one person remained standing.
“Commander Zhong,” he said. “Regarding the matter of going to the capital, this subordinate officer has something to report.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to him.
Zhong Changrong’s eyes flickered. He made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “Chief Clerk Liang, what is it?”
Second Master Liang said, “It’s like this—the court has issued an order saying to send Liang Qiang.”
Liang Qiang?
Everyone looked surprised. Liang Qiang was formidable for the younger generation, brave and skilled in battle, but as for age—of course Xie Yanlai wasn’t that old either, but the Xie clan’s family background was extraordinary. How could the Liang clan compare?
Convicted and exiled, atoning for crimes through merit, finally obtaining official position with great difficulty—the military accomplishments earned through real fighting could gain everyone’s respect in the border army, but at court they wouldn’t count for much, would they?
The court would issue an order for Liang Qiang to go? And the commander didn’t even know about it?
Had Second Master Liang pulled strings? Was he impatient to restore the Liang clan’s family standing?
Zhong Changrong’s expression turned cold. “Chief Clerk Liang, the command this commander received only said to select suitable generals to enter the capital for evaluation. Who is a suitable candidate is for this commander to decide, not the court.”
A confrontation! The three military officials exchanged glances privately. Back when the Liang clan was convicted, it seemed to involve the Chu clan as well—Zhong Changrong wouldn’t let the Liang clan have their way.
Second Master Liang’s move was somewhat ill-advised. Although he and his son had many merits in the army, military matters and battlefield situations changed in an instant. Today one could earn merit and receive rewards, tomorrow a defeat would bring judgment—Zhong Changrong was the commander after all, with power over life and death in the army. The Liang clan father and son’s foundation was too weak.
Second Master Liang bowed respectfully. “Commander Zhong, please forgive me. This subordinate didn’t mean to offend, and I know military regulations. This subordinate only just received the document on the way here.”
With that, he produced a document.
“A personal directive from Grand Tutor Deng Yi.”
Deng Yi!
Everyone looked even more shocked. It was actually a command personally issued by Grand Tutor Deng Yi?
Then—
This matter couldn’t be easily dismissed.