The tent was just an ordinary commander’s tent. Chu Zhao didn’t display imperial pomp in the army; her food and lodging were the same as the soldiers’.
“The food is from the best restaurant in the commandery city,” Chu Zhao said, pointing at the table, then raised her eyebrows with a smile. “After all, we’ve already taken Zhongshan Commandery. As the Empress, eating something good isn’t a problem.”
Mu Mianhong looked at the girl’s elegant eyebrows dancing in the lamplight. It seemed today’s invitation to this late-night snack was thanks to that Young Master Xie.
Mu Mianhong smiled and sat down, picking up her bowl and chopsticks to examine the food.
“Xiao Man likes salty and savory food,” Chu Zhao said, pointing to a plate of fried fish. “She can eat a whole plate of these small yellow croakers in one go.”
Mu Mianhong picked up one and said: “So do I. The most common food in the stronghold is roasted meat and fried meat.”
Chu Zhao made an affirming sound and pointed to the other side: “She also likes these lotus leaf rolls. Chief, try them.”
Mu Mianhong said: “We rarely eat these. Haven’t seen them before.” She picked one up as she spoke.
For a moment it was quiet, the two ate their own food, and in the tent there was only the sound of the candle flame burning.
Chu Zhao didn’t let everyone fall into silence for too long.
“I invited the Chief here to explain something,” she said.
Mu Mianhong didn’t put down her bowl and chopsticks, only saying: “Your Majesty the Empress, please speak.” She also used the serving chopsticks to place some food on Chu Zhao’s plate. “You eat too.”
Chu Zhao didn’t refuse her gesture of reciprocity and didn’t say much, stating: “Prince Zhongshan surrendered one hundred thousand troops. The court will transfer these troops to the frontier army, but I want to split off fifty thousand to give to the Chief.”
Mu Mianhong chewed slowly, looking up at her, seeming to ponder, and asked: “Will they be soldiers or bandits?”
Chu Zhao said: “These troops were originally raised by Prince Zhongshan. Although the generals have all been purged, the soldiers have complex backgrounds and connections. According to the court’s intention, these soldiers should be scattered and distributed among the frontier army, but I think if we do that, first, it would be a waste of the combat effectiveness of these one hundred thousand troops, and second, it would also affect the frontier army’s combat effectiveness.”
Mu Mianhong looked at her, and for an instant her mind wandered. In a trance, she saw that young general again—
Inside at night, he had removed his armor, carrying the fresh scent after bathing, with sleeves rolled up, pointing with his slender fingers on the military map, then turning to call her.
“A Mian, come look. If these troops are deployed this way—”
Mu Mianhong asked: “Then what I need to do is—?”
“Tame them,” Chu Zhao said, lightly tapping the table with her chopsticks held backwards. “Break up these fifty thousand troops, then turn them into your people.”
Mu Mianhong took another bite of food, looking at her chopsticks, and nodded. “This way it won’t affect the frontier army and will add support.” She shook her head again. “But to achieve this goal will take time.” She raised her head to look at Chu Zhao. “Your Ladyship, you must have patience.”
Chu Zhao raised her eyebrows with a smile. “Not patience, but confidence. I have confidence that even without these fifty thousand troops, Xi Liang couldn’t break through the border commanderies.”
Mu Mianhong smiled and served her food again. “Your Ladyship is mighty. Since there’s no rush, that makes it easier.”
Chu Zhao pushed the command token toward Mu Mianhong. “I’ll speak with Uncle Zhong. When the time comes, he’ll send his own people to receive the troops, then under the pretext of training soldiers, hand fifty thousand over to you.”
Mu Mianhong acknowledged with a yes and took the command token, examining it in her hands, then smiled. “I never thought that one day I would hold the command token for court troops.”
She had originally been a bandit.
The target of suppression by court troops.
Chu Zhao was silent for a moment, then said: “I know this matter may seem inhumane, but right now I still cannot give the Chief any rewards or titles.”
Mu Mianhong looked at her.
“This is also my selfishness,” Chu Zhao said, not avoiding her gaze. “Right now I am the Empress. Revealing the Chief’s identity would do me no good.”
The words were very direct. For an Empress to have a mother who was a bandit was indeed nothing glorious.
Mu Mianhong’s face showed not the slightest trace of resentment. She made an affirming sound: “Not only would it do you no good, it would also be bad for the General. Since he has passed away, let him rest peacefully without further disturbance.”
Chu Zhao looked at her and said: “Also, revealing your identity would be bad for you too.”
Mu Mianhong looked at this girl, and a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes.
She was very beautiful. Even though marked by the passage of time, when her eyes lit up, she was like moonlight itself, making people drop their guard, making people want to look at her more—had Father fallen this way back then? Chu Zhao averted her gaze and picked up her tea to take a sip.
“You should know how I came to be this Empress. Since becoming Empress, the nation has faced many difficulties. Although I appear glorious on the surface, in reality there are obstacles everywhere. My relatives will be manipulated, threatened, or turn against me, or be harmed because of me.” She said softly, “If your identity becomes known, you will certainly become a target for everyone. I know you are very capable, skilled in martial arts, with troops at your command, but the calculations of human hearts in this world are too dangerous.”
She looked toward Mu Mianhong.
“You will encounter disaster because of me, and I will fall into difficulties because of you.”
“So, not being known—for you, for me—is the safest course.”
Mu Mianhong smiled. “I understand. Your Majesty the Empress, please rest assured.” She ate a few more bites of food, then picked up her soup to take a sip. “This flavor is also very good. I imagine Xiao Man likes it too?”
Chu Zhao nodded. This table of food was specially made according to Xiao Man’s tastes. She didn’t know Mu Mianhong’s preferences, but figured they should be the same.
“Your Majesty the Empress,” Mu Mianhong said, this time putting down her bowl and chopsticks and standing up. “I’ll go prepare right away.”
Chu Zhao also stood. “In a few days I’ll bring Ding Dachui and the rest of the Dragon Might Army back to the capital. You wait here for Uncle Zhong’s people to come receive the troops, then return to Yunzhong Commandery together with them.”
Mu Mianhong acknowledged with a good, looked at her once more, then turned and left.
Chu Zhao stood in place and let out a soft breath of relief.
So getting along with her wasn’t that difficult after all.
……
……
“How was it?”
“Chief, what did she say?”