Chapter 63: Meeting Zhang Zhe Again
After hearing Zhang Zhe’s words, Helian Shang gave him a meaningful look and said, "If you don’t know, then I can’t very well say. You just need to remember that her status is exceptionally high."
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but feel contempt. ’The Zhang Family is a major clan in Yunzhou, after all. How can one of their scions be so useless?
Willing to become a mere concubine.
That young lady caused a scandal in the Imperial City back in the day, and now her reputation is absolutely foul. All the young masters from the great families keep their distance. But look at this guy, sticking right to her.
He might be getting some small advantages now, but I’m afraid his future prospects will be extremely limited.’
But he still had to placate him for the moment, so he continued, "It’s your good fortune to be able to get close to her, brother. Logically, even our Helian family doesn’t have the standing to associate with her. It’s only because my aunt has a connection to her that she’s staying with the Helian Family now that she’s in the Northern Border.
In any case, just serve her well. How could you possibly miss out on the benefits?"
After he finished, Zhang Zhe asked no more questions. Instead, a flash of joy flickered across his face.
The more reserved Helian Shang was, the higher her status must be. For him, this was absolutely good news.
’After this battle, I’ll be made a Captain.
My father and my great-uncle will both have to see me in a new light. Then, the likes of Zhang Yuan and Lu Yuan will be no match for me at all.’
For now, he had temporarily suppressed the urge to kill Lu Yuan.
After all, Lu Yuan was now an official of the imperial court. If he really tried anything, he would be in over his head.
Besides, he didn’t seem to have the strength to do it yet anyway.
So the most important thing right now was to curry favor with that fat woman.
’Once she develops some basic feelings for me...’
’...dealing with Lu Yuan will be as easy as turning over my hand.’
It was just that every time he thought of her greasy flesh, he couldn’t help but want to dry heave.
Helian Shang, unaware of his thoughts, clapped Zhang Zhe on the shoulder. "We march tomorrow. Let’s call it a night. There will be plenty of chances to drink once we’re in the Wasteland."
Zhang Zhe nodded, then got up to take his leave.
As he watched Zhang Zhe’s retreating back, Helian Shang gestured for a servant to throw away the utensils he had used.
He no longer bothered to hide the disdain on his face.
’If the Zhang Family knew that the promising junior they favored had become the concubine of the Imperial City’s infamous Zhi Girl, they’d probably cough up blood.’ The corner of Helian Shang’s mouth curled into a smirk.
Then he, too, rose and went to rest.
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, before dawn, the armies stationed in the various Sai Cities began to assemble.
Lu Yuan arrived outside the city. Just as he finished taking roll call of his soldiers, Zhou Hongling arrived. She was clad in black Body Armor with red trim, her helmet was topped with a red tassel, and a scarlet cape billowed behind her. This, combined with her already impressive physique, made her look utterly majestic seated upon her warhorse.
"General, the Military Guard Thousand Households Camp is fully assembled! We await your inspection, General!"
Lu Yuan wore the Thousand Households Profound Iron Armor. A tiger-head buckle fastened the sash at his waist, and his broad shoulders appeared even more formidable under the armor’s support.
He held his Tiger Head Blade at the ready.
Just by standing there, he resembled a ferocious beast.
Zhou Hongling nodded in satisfaction and commanded, "March out!"
With the order given, the grand army began its advance.
The forces from Huqiu Pass and Yellow Sand Pass would merge with the main column as they passed by.
In addition to Zhou Hongling and her troops, there were massive armies mobilized from all over. On the Wasteland, clouds of dust blotted out the sun, with battle standards faintly visible within the haze.
The thundering of hooves made the very ground tremble.
The army advanced. As they passed Huqiu Pass, a thousand-man contingent led by Yun Mo merged with them. When they passed Yellow Sand City, Helian Shang joined with a force of two thousand.
With Yun Mo’s and Helian Shang’s troops combined, Zhou Hongling now commanded a force of three thousand, not including Lu Yuan’s own Military Guard Thousand Households Camp.
Once everyone had assembled, the tedious march began.
As a detachment on the army’s right flank, their contingent was not a conspicuous part of the main force.
Zhou Hongling’s direct superior was the Marquis of Jiuse.
For half a month, the army didn’t encounter a single Northern Barbarian.
Even the Manyan Tribe, having learned of Dayong’s massive offensive, had already relocated.
One day, the army had just made camp. Lu Yuan was on horseback with Zhou Hongling, patrolling the encampment and making idle conversation, when Zhou Ming rode up from behind. "The Marquis has summoned all officers of Captain rank and above to his tent for a council."
"Is it something important?" Zhou Hongling asked quietly.
"The Marquis suspects the Northern Barbarians have held back for so long to lure us deep into the Wasteland for a decisive battle. He believes the time is ripe and they might be about to make their move."
Zhou Ming naturally had nothing to hide from his niece, so he immediately told her everything he knew.
"I’ll go at once," Zhou Hongling said, steering her warhorse toward the camp of the Marquis of Jiuse. Lu Yuan followed close behind.
His mission was to protect Zhou Hongling, so naturally, he went wherever she did.
The same went for Wei Yong and his men.
Just as they neared the camp of the Marquis of Jiuse, Zhou Hongling seemed to remember something. She turned to Zhou Ming and asked, "How are my fourth aunt and Hong Xiu doing?"
She had been so busy since returning to Icefield City that she’d forgotten to check in on them. Now that she had run into Zhou Ming, it was the natural time to ask.
Hearing her question, Zhou Ming gave a wry smile. "Don’t get me started. My fourth brother’s wife is blind to what’s good for them. She went crying to your father a while back and refused to agree to anything.
In the end, there was nothing to be done, so the matter was dropped.
I was thinking we needed to arrange a proper match for our fourth brother’s only daughter, but your aunt ruined everything. I couldn’t reason with her at all, and Hong Xiu is just as stubborn. I’m afraid they’ll both live to regret it."
Zhou Hongling, however, seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "Well, that’s hardly surprising," she said. "They spend all their time in the family estate, so of course they don’t understand military affairs. If they don’t agree, then so be it. We can discuss it again later."
Zhou Ming nodded. After a subtle glance at Lu Yuan, he leaned closer to his niece and asked with a quiet laugh, "You haven’t told him about it, have you?"
"No. Why would I make promises about something so uncertain?"
"You’re the sensible one. You carry yourself more and more like a true general. It’s a pity you’re a woman. If you were a man, the position of next Patriarch would surely be yours," Zhou Ming lamented.
’The Zhou Family is really facing a shortage of new talent these days.
Although Zhou Hongling is outstanding, she is, in the end, a woman. As for Zhou Ren’s son, his talent isn’t bad, but he lacks stability. He’ll need a great deal more tempering if he’s to achieve anything of note.’
As they spoke, they arrived outside the camp of the Marquis of Jiuse.
Zhou Hongling tossed her riding crop to Lu Yuan and walked straight into the main tent.
"NEIGH!"
At that moment, Helian Shang and Yun Mo also arrived. After reining in their warhorses, they both saluted Zhou Hongling before following her into the tent.
Lu Yuan had just turned when his eyes narrowed.
Zhang Zhe was standing not far off, having clearly arrived with Helian Shang.
Just then, his gaze met Lu Yuan’s.