What kind of person could achieve this?
Even Guardian General Chu Ling couldn’t do it!
Liang Qiang wanted to ask Father, tell him about this matter, see if he knew what was going on. But—
That would let Father know he wasn’t truly brave and skilled in battle, that he didn’t earn merit rewards himself.
That wouldn’t really matter. Father was family—knowing wouldn’t be shameful.
He was just afraid Father would be cautious and stop this from continuing. In that case—
He couldn’t guarantee whether he’d still achieve such glory the next time he went to battle, or if he’d simply die.
“Army Marquis Liang!”
A shout came from beside him, interrupting Liang Qiang’s distraction. He turned to look and saw several officers beckoning to him.
“The Xi Liang bandits’ heads are all loaded on carts. The Colonel says you should personally escort them to the Great General’s camp to report the achievement,” they called loudly.
Report achievement at the Great General’s camp. Liang Qiang clenched his fists.
“Army Marquis Liang, go quickly,” the soldiers nearby also urged. “Bind your wounds and go display our valor to the people at the Great General’s camp!”
His valor should be displayed for the world to see. He couldn’t lose all this. Moreover, he wasn’t without valor—he truly did fight and kill enemies.
All this was what he deserved.
Liang Qiang cupped his fists to them: “See the brothers off for me. I’ll go display the victory our brothers traded their lives for to the world.”
The soldiers all cheered.
Amid the soldiers’ shouts and the officers’ smiling, respectful gazes, the bloodstained Liang Qiang gripped his long blade and strode forward with large steps.
……
……
Night enveloped the earth. The streets of the capital were brilliantly lit like the Milky Way.
However, at this moment, no one walked on the most prosperous streets. Teams of cavalry galloped past, clearing the streets clean.
Armored and armed soldiers slowly approached, clustering around the man on a tall horse in their midst.
Deng Yi wore red robes wrapped in a black cloak. He didn’t appreciate this street specially cleared for him. His thin eyes were slightly lowered, as if dozing or contemplating.
Two officials accompanied him on either side. Looking at this cleared street, they were very satisfied—back when the imperial relatives Yang and Zhao clans were illustrious, they at most used household servants to drive commoners aside to make way but couldn’t clear the streets.
As long as one held great power, what imperial relatives couldn’t do, important ministers could achieve.
Speaking of imperial relatives—
“Sir,” an official said in a low voice. “The Xie clan’s arrogance must still be suppressed.”
“Exactly,” another official nodded. “We can’t raise another Yang or Zhao clan.”
The lowered-eyed Deng Yi smiled: “I’d love nothing more than to raise another Yang or Zhao clan. The previous imperial princes’ chaos and the current young child emperor, the Xi Liang invasion—traced back, they’re all the fault of imperial relatives causing trouble. Right now, the people most hate imperial relatives. Once the Xie clan oversteeps, no matter their hundred years of clean reputation, the realm won’t tolerate them.”
The two officials exchanged glances and laughed heartily: “Exactly, precisely so.”
“Xie Yanfang is crafty, experienced in affairs, most skilled at gaining good reputation. Now that he’s National Uncle, many commoners place the dynasty’s great responsibility on him. His prestige is even greater.”
“However, the Xie clan isn’t just Xie Yanfang. To say nothing else, his brother Xie Yanlai has quite the arrogant and domineering attitude of the Yang and Zhao clans.”
“This Xie Yanlai can even bewitch the Emperor.”
Xie Yanlai? Deng Yi thought to himself—he doesn’t bewitch the Emperor, he bewitches the Empress. Others might not know or care, but he understood very clearly that girl had known him when both were humble, and even more so with that Xie Yanlai.
Regarding Xie Yanfang, he could be certain Chu Zhao didn’t trust him, but he was very sure Chu Zhao regarded Xie Yanlai differently.
Why was this? Did she want to support a new National Uncle? Make the Xie clan fight internally—
As he pondered, firecracker sounds rang out, particularly jarring on the quiet street.
The two officials were startled. Deng Yi opened his eyes.
Soldiers had already gone to investigate and quickly returned.
“Sir, it’s some children playing with firecrackers in an alley,” they said.
The officials were annoyed: “Firecrackers can also injure people. How can this be so lax—”
Deng Yi smiled: “I, Deng Yi, am not yet so hated by the people that even firecrackers must be forbidden. Moreover—” He raised his hand and counted, “New Year is approaching.”
Yes, New Year was almost here. The officials were stunned, then shook their heads with sheepish smiles: “These days have passed in such a way we’ve forgotten.”
“This year has been turbulent for Da Xia. The days have passed in confusion,” Deng Yi said.
The two officials sighed: “During New Year, when His Majesty offers sacrifices to Heaven and prays for blessings, all misfortune will pass.”
Deng Yi looked at the cold night sky. Would it? Perhaps. But currently speaking, they still had to weather one crisis.
“General Chu’s situation—how is it?” he turned to ask.
The two officials’ faces darkened. They shook their heads: “Not good.”
……
……