When Liang Qiang received the news at the wounded soldiers’ camp and rushed over, he didn’t even catch a glimpse of Chu Zhao’s retreating figure.
He stood outside the military camp in a daze.
“Commander Liang.” A passing soldier greeted him.
As the sole survivor of the Left Wing Vanguard Battalion who had refused to surrender at the brink of death and nearly had his left arm severed, Liang Qiang’s story had spread throughout the camp. The military most respected brave warriors, and now almost everyone knew of Liang Qiang.
“Commander Liang, is there something you need?” Another soldier actively inquired. “Do you need my help?”
Liang Qiang snapped back to attention and shook his head, smiling at the soldier: “I’m just bored from recuperating, always wanting to return to the military.”
The soldiers looked at him with even more admiration.
“Commander, rest well and recover, then come back.” “Don’t rush, when you appear, the Xi Liang soldiers will flee at the sight of you.”
Everyone spoke and joked to comfort him.
Liang Qiang exchanged smiles with them for a moment, took his leave, and as soon as he turned around, the smile disappeared from his face. He mounted his horse and rode to the wounded soldiers’ camp.
“Commander Liang.” The guard called out. “Your father came to see you.”
Father! A smile appeared on Liang Qiang’s gloomy face as he quickened his pace and rushed inside. Since the incident occurred, his father hadn’t come once—after all, with the complete annihilation of the Vanguard Battalion, the Left Wing Army bore responsibility for dereliction of duty and had been under investigation.
Liang Ji sat inside the tent, examining a tactical sand table. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw his son running in. He quickly stood up, his gaze first falling on Liang Qiang’s arm.
“Father, I’m fine.” Liang Qiang smiled.
Liang Ji walked over and carefully grasped Liang Qiang’s arm: “I heard about it—the wound was very deep, nearly severed.”
“But it wasn’t severed. After another few months of recovery, it’ll be good as new.” Liang Qiang smiled, then moved his arm. “Even now I can—”
Liang Ji quickly stopped him, scolding: “Don’t show off. That’s not how heroes act.”
Hero… He knew well how he’d become this hero. Liang Qiang’s expression grew somber as he clenched his hand. Perhaps he should tell his father—
Liang Ji noticed the change in his son’s expression, then looked at his son’s young face—even darker, thinner, and more haggard than when working as a laborer, not to mention his former appearance as a young nobleman in the capital—his impression as a father had grown blurred.
Hero—if one could live safely and smoothly, who would want to be a hero?
“A-Qiang.” Liang Ji gently patted his son’s shoulder. “Only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one rise above others. A good life awaits you in the future. Your father is proud of you, and the Liang clan is proud of you.”
His father was proud of him. Liang Qiang swallowed the words he was about to say. How could he disappoint his father? Not just disappoint—it would surely cause him fear and anxiety. He nodded, then shook his head: “Father, this is nothing. One person’s strength makes a hero, but Father is the one who creates heroes. With proper command, one person can create countless heroes.”
What proper command? None of that was his own doing, Liang Ji thought. Initially, he’d had only one personal attendant. Later, after receiving merit rewards and promotions, staff members were assigned to him. The more staff he had, the better his command became, and the higher his official position rose. Then came even more advisors and assistants, with better strategies—in short, the more capable things became, the less it had to do with him. Liang Ji’s eyes dimmed slightly. Perhaps he should tell his son—
“Father, the Liang clan isn’t proud of me, but of you.” Liang Qiang said solemnly, gripping his father’s arm. “Moreover, precisely because Father is here, I feel more at ease in the military.”
Indeed, warfare was dangerous with unpredictable outcomes, with both merit and punishment possible. For instance, this time with the Left Wing Vanguard Army, only his son had survived by chance, while the others who died would also face punishment. Getting recognition for Liang Qiang’s merits this time had been extremely difficult, meeting with doubt and obstruction. It was he—or rather, the staff around him—who had smoothed the relationships to secure the reward.
If Liang Qiang learned that he actually wasn’t talented or skilled in command, and was even controlled by others, he would surely become fearful and anxious. Forget being brave—he’d be distracted on the battlefield, which would be too dangerous.
Then both father and son would be finished.
“Let’s not speak of this anymore.” Liang Ji swallowed what he was about to say. “You and I, father and son, must work together with one heart and redouble our efforts. Besides, the current situation is very bad.”
He changed the subject, glancing around before speaking in a low voice.
“Prince Zhongshan’s troops have already surrounded the capital. The court and Prince Zhongshan have started fighting.”
“I see.” Liang Qiang blurted out. “No wonder she left—”
Liang Ji paused: “Who?”
“I mean there’s been troop movement in the military.” Liang Qiang said vaguely.
Liang Ji said: “The border army here won’t mobilize too many troops. The Xi Liang King hasn’t been dealt with yet.”
So this was Prince Zhongshan’s opportunity.
Da Xia truly faced troubles both internal and external this time.
Watching his father’s furrowed brow, Liang Qiang smiled: “Father needn’t worry. Whatever the outcome of victory or defeat, it has nothing to do with us. We kill enemies and protect Da Xia—no matter who becomes emperor, they must respect us and cannot do without us.”
Therefore, he must be a hero, must become superior to others, must grasp power and authority, must not end up like his uncle—cast aside like worn shoes.
Liang Ji had come to the commander’s main camp on official business to see Liang Qiang. With official matters pressing, he couldn’t stay long. After exchanging a few more words, he left.
Liang Qiang stood outside watching his father depart. Even after his father’s figure disappeared from view, he remained motionless for a long time, until a voice called from behind.
“Commander Liang.”
Liang Qiang turned around to see a soldier approaching with medicine.
“Time for your medicine.” He said.
This was the military physician specially assigned to care for him. Liang Qiang looked at him without speaking or accepting the medicine bowl.
The physician was puzzled by his stare: “Commander, what’s wrong?” He quickly added, “This medicine was specially prepared for you, Commander, to nourish blood and qi for faster recovery. If you don’t trust it, I’ll taste it first.”
He raised the bowl to drink. Liang Qiang smiled and raised his hand to stop him.
“I trust you—all of you.” He said, taking the medicine bowl and drinking it in one gulp.
The physician nodded: “Commander, rest well.” With that, he turned to leave.
Liang Qiang called him back.
The physician turned around, waiting for his instructions. Liang Qiang slowly approached.