Chu Zhao knew this day would come.
But she had never imagined what it would actually be like when this day truly arrived.
Previously, when staying by Father’s side, every time Father closed his eyes in sleep, she would be so frightened her heart would stop beating. Only after confirming Father’s pulse was still moving would her heartbeat resume.
At this moment, she held Father’s wrist, unable to feel any pulse. All she could hear was her own heart pounding loudly.
Zhong Changrong’s voice came, now distant, now near.
“—The General had been relying on medicine to sustain his body all along. There was one last dose of medicine remaining.”
“It was said before that this medicine was kept for emergencies. After taking it, a withered tree could briefly return to spring, but only briefly.”
“Without taking the last dose of medicine, even in a coma, the General would have persisted for a long time.”
“Earlier, the General instructed me. He said he wanted to die on the battlefield.”
At this point, Zhong Changrong shed tears, his voice choked.
“Miss, please forgive me for not telling you, for making this decision on my own.”
Chu Zhao turned to look at him: “Uncle Zhong, you didn’t make the decision on your own. This was Father’s choice. Look.” She looked at Chu Ling again. “How happy Father is.”
“Father didn’t just die on the battlefield.”
“He also fought against Prince Xiliang and once again defeated Prince Xiliang.”
“And moreover—”
She looked back at Zhong Changrong, breaking into a smile.
“There’s me. I fought alongside him, shoulder to shoulder.”
“Father’s final journey was thoroughly satisfying.”
Zhong Changrong roughly wiped his tears with his large hands and nodded: “Yes, that’s right. The General was very happy. With Miss by his side, going to battle together with the officers and soldiers, defeating Xi Liang once more—the General has no regrets in this life.”
She too had no regrets. This time she had made it to Father’s side, accompanied Father, went to battle together with Father, let Father see her heart, know that this daughter had not been raised in vain, and also see how capable she was, how fearless. Even when Father departed, he could be at peace.
“Issue the proclamation.” Chu Zhao raised her hand and closed Chu Ling’s still-open eyes. “Guard General Chu Ling has passed away.”
Zhong Changrong hesitated somewhat and asked: “Now? Is that alright?”
Although Prince Xiliang had withdrawn from this battle, hostilities had not yet ended. Announcing Chu Ling’s death—would military morale waver?
Chu Zhao knelt before Father’s knees and said: “Right now. Let the officers and soldiers know that the General fought alongside them and died on the battlefield. With such a general, even though he is gone, in the hearts of the soldiers he remains present. Even if Prince Xiliang immediately returns, the soldiers will be fearless.”
The General had used the last strength of his life to repel Prince Xiliang. Announcing his death at this moment would not bring panic.
Sorrow would transform into strength.
Fearless and invincible.
An army driven by grief is certain to prevail.
Zhong Changrong responded yes, stood up, and personally walked to the war drum to sound it.
The soldiers and officers who were regrouping and recovering all froze at this sudden drumbeat. This was not a war drum—this was a funeral drum. Everyone looked in shock toward the source of the drum sound. Nearby, command flags rolled and tumbled, and shouts spread accordingly.
“Send off Guard General Chu Ling’s heroic soul!”
The soldiers on the ground surged toward the central military formation like dark clouds, accompanied by thunderous shouts.
“Guard General Chu Ling!”
“Send off the General’s heroic soul!”
Thunder rumbled, shaking half the sky.
Standing on a distant hillside, horses that had been calm grew restless, but the riders forgot to soothe them.
Xiao Man, who had been deliberately looking away, now turned her head, her expression shocked: “Chu Ling is dead? Real or fake? Is this a military strategy to deceive the Xi Liang people?”
Before she could say more, someone beside her glared at her, signaling her to stop talking.
Xiao Man fell silent and looked toward the woman before her.
The woman had not moved for a long time. Whether it was the thunderous sounds or the trembling ground beneath her feet, she seemed unaware of it all.
As cold wind blew past, she raised a finger and wiped away a pearl-like teardrop from the corner of her eye, gently brushing it away.
“A’Mian, send off the General.”
……
……
Chu Ling’s funeral would await the end of hostilities and, after the court received the news, officials would bring posthumous honors before formal burial could proceed.
These past two days, Chu Zhao seemed very busy, yet also not busy.
She sat in Father’s position, discussing military affairs with the generals and officers, but only listened without speaking. The specific matters were all decided by Zhong Changrong.
She inspected the wounded soldiers’ camp, comforting the injured.
At night, she personally patrolled the great camp.
Everything was just as if Father were still here.