She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

"Outrageous! Ling’an City has fifty thousand stationed troops. Even if the two countries have allied forces, and even if they’re attacking head-on, fifty thousand soldiers can hold for several days. But since they haven’t engaged in battle yet, why did you request reinforcements from the court?"

Song Yuanqing practically shouted his words.

Images of their rushed marching due to concerns about the battle flashed through his mind. He also pictured the weary faces of the soldiers.

Recalling the hardships of continuous marching, even the personal guards and Deputy Generals behind Song Yuanqing glared angrily at Cao Xiong.

"Uh...I...I didn’t want this either!"

Song Yuanqing’s shouting made Cao Xiong’s eardrums itch.

He rubbed his ears and frowned, wanting to defend himself, but apart from saying he didn’t want this, he truly didn’t know what else to say.

He originally wanted to say he had already suggested to the court to delay troop movements, but he didn’t dare say it.

Because he understood that any defense at this time would only be excuses. The more he excused himself, the angrier Song Yuanqing would become.

"Yong’an City at least engaged in a surprise attack. But you don’t even know where the battle is yet, and you dare to request reinforcements from the court. Do you have any idea what an army of 300,000 looks like? Do you know how much manpower and resources are consumed for a long march of 300,000 troops?"

The more Song Yuanqing thought about it, the angrier he got. His fury was as intense as a barrage of gunfire. Even Zhao Zun, listening from the side, felt his ears ringing, and couldn’t help but twitch his mouth.

Faced with Song Yuanqing’s rage, Cao Xiong and his personal guards bowed submissively, not daring to make a sound, let alone argue.

After Song Yuanqing vented his anger, Zhao Zun approached him and quietly comforted him.

"General, although Cao Xiong falsely reported military information, it is indeed despicable. But the absence of battles and resulting casualties is always a good thing. Please, calm down."

Song Yuanqing glanced at Zhao Zun from the corner of his eye, his chest still heaving.

But he thought about it, agreeing that Zhao Zun was right. Although the brothers endured hardship from rushed marching, it was better than losing their lives on the battlefield after suffering.

Thinking this way, Song Yuanqing’s emotions gradually calmed down. He glared coldly at Cao Xiong, then turned around and waved his hand, speaking in an icy tone.

"Let’s go, we’re heading back."

After speaking, he walked out of the barracks first, with his Deputy Generals and personal guards quickly following.

After walking a few steps, Zhao Zun suddenly called out.

"General!"

Song Yuanqing turned to look at him, and Zhao Zun clasped his hands and said, "General, since there’s no battle, I won’t be returning with you this time. Having been away from the barracks for several months, now that I’m here, I want to stay and catch up with my old brothers."

Song Yuanqing nodded, "You’re right. These are brothers with whom we have fought life and death battles. Since you’re here, you ought to catch up. Then Zhao Zun, remain here; we’ll be leaving first."

As Song Yuanqing spoke, he also clasped his hands towards Zhao Zun in farewell. After exchanging goodbyes, Song Yuanqing, along with his personal guards and Deputy Generals, strode away.

Once Song Yuanqing left, Cao Xiong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that the two reinforcements had rushed here long-distance, only to leave filled with anger. Once the generals returned, they would undoubtedly report him to the Emperor.

But what did it matter?

His elder brother, Cao Ge, was the Minister of War. Once the report reached the court, his brother would find a way to smooth things over. As long as they didn’t trouble him in front of so many soldiers here, it was fine.

He would let his brother, Cao Ge, deal with the rest!

Watching Song Yuanqing’s group disappear into the distance, ensuring they wouldn’t return to trouble him, Cao Xiong sneered and turned to enter the central command tent, followed closely by his personal guards.

Just then, Zhao Zun suddenly slightly tilted his head. The men beside him, including Mr. Meng, received the signal and instantly leaped like leopards, swiftly darting out with agile movements, closing in behind Cao Xiong’s personal guards.

And somehow, each of their hands held a dark, black pistol.

Zhao Zun’s target was Cao Xiong. He drew breath and leaped lightly, landing quietly behind Cao Xiong.

In this Ling’an City military camp, no one expected someone to launch a surprise attack on the commander in broad daylight. Especially from their own people.

Just moments ago, Cao Xiong and his personal guards had seen Zhao Zun stay behind, but they all heard Zhao Zun say he was going to "catch up" with his old brothers.

Thus, no one was on guard.

Several people acted at once; Cao Xiong and his personal guards were forcefully subdued to the ground before they could even let out a sound.

Alarmed while lying on the ground, Cao Xiong’s eyes widened as he struggled, turning his head just in time to see a black muzzle rapidly enlarging before his eyes, instantly halted at his brow.

"Don’t move!"

Zhao Zun’s voice was chilly, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s and falcon’s.