If Chu Ling or Chu Zhao found out their Liang clan was about to be rehabilitated, they would definitely obstruct it.
Even if the court approved it, in the border army where Chu Ling held absolute power, eliminating their father and son would be effortless.
Now wasn’t the time yet.
When his promotions and merit grew larger and larger, so large that even the Emperor’s father-in-law, the General, the Empress couldn’t shake it, then he would stand before her and let her see just how valorous Liang Qiang was.
“Enough,” he threw down his bow and picked up his long blade. “Stop chatting. Swing the blade a few more times and you’ll have a few more chances at survival.”
“Listen to Young General Liang,” a soldier shouted, taking the lead in sparring with his companion.
The others also began fighting.
“Young General Liang is valorous!”
“This is how Young General Liang’s victories in every battle are trained!”
Laughter and teasing were gradually drowned out by sounds of combat.
Soon came the wailing sound of warning horns.
“Xi Liang soldiers spotted to the northwest!”
“Form ranks!”
“Vanguard battalion, form ranks!”
……
……
Hearing this sound, Chu Zhao reined in her horse and looked back.
“Is there fighting?” she asked.
“Miss,” a military officer listened to the warning horn. “It’s still far from here. Scouts discovered Xi Liang soldiers infiltrating and are summoning troops to pursue and kill them.”
Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment, watching troops assemble and shoot off like arrows toward the northwest.
“Miss, no need to worry,” the officer said. “It’s just a small-scale pursuit battle.”
Her worrying wouldn’t help anyway. She couldn’t actually go to the battlefield to kill. Her function was to replace Father, stabilize and inspire the troops. She knew what she should do and wouldn’t act rashly.
“When the soldiers return victorious, all who obtain Xi Liang heads shall be rewarded with one jug of wine,” Chu Zhao said.
The officer acknowledged and transmitted this order loudly.
“Miss, it’s time to return,” a soldier beside her said quietly.
Chu Zhao glanced at this soldier—Ding Dachui.
Seeing her look over, Ding Dachui shrank back, saying quietly: “Commander Xie said you shouldn’t run too far.”
Chu Zhao said nothing. She indeed couldn’t run too far. Father could wake at any moment, or alternatively, could stop breathing at any moment.
She withdrew her gaze and raised her whip to urge the horse forward.
……
……
The soldiers pursuing the Xi Liang troops didn’t know that wine would be rewarded for victory in this battle.
Even if they knew, at this very moment, a thought would arise in their hearts: this wine reward won’t be easy to claim.
The enemy they pursued this time exceeded the scout reports. When the two forces met, they fought until heaven and earth went dark.
A long blade passed by Liang Qiang’s nose—just one inch closer and he would have lost his nose.
Liang Qiang’s body swayed backward. The blade in his hand rose up, clashing with the Xi Liang soldier’s long blade. Sparks flashed before his eyes.