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墨書 Inktalez
Night Star shook off the smell of alcohol, standing by the window with a warm cup of tea in hand, his brow furrowed. "Are you saying that Liu Qiankun and the others have already begun their attack on the Three Major Tribes?"
Qinglong stood inside the room, equally worried. "The brothers left in the camp sent a message by carrier pigeon, saying that the Three Major Tribes have gathered their allies. Although they are not numerous, each one is brave and skilled, capable of taking on ten men. If Deputy Commander Liu rashly launches an attack, I fear..."
He did not finish his sentence, but Night Star understood all too well. "Our army's horses have arrived, yet the supplies are still delayed. I intended for Liu Qiankun to be patient and delay, how could he be so foolish?"
"Could it be that Deputy Commander Liu is stubborn and intends to take action while the general is away? If he achieves a great victory, he could claim credit before His Majesty," Qinglong's speculation was not without reason.
However, Night Star did not see it that way. "Liu Qiankun may be rigid and dull-witted, but he is also quite capable in leading troops into battle. He wouldn't act impulsively. Moreover, even though I am not in the camp, troop movements require my direct orders. If he makes any secret moves, the Emperor would certainly not let him off easily."
Qinglong nodded upon hearing this. "The general makes a valid point. So what should we do now?"
The people from Penglai Nation were close at hand, and they had finally made some progress. If they were to abandon this now, it would complicate future investigations into Mo Xier's background.
Yet there were frequent disturbances within the military camp, making it crucial for the general to step in and take charge. It was truly a dilemma.
In the past, Qinglong would not have worried about the general hesitating; he would have prioritized military affairs above all else. However, he had witnessed the general's change firsthand—whenever it came to Mo Xier, the general's usual calmness and restraint vanished entirely. Now that military matters were urgent, what choice would he make?
After a moment of hesitation, Night Star's expression settled into seriousness as he spoke in a low voice: "I will return to the camp tonight."
"What about things here?" Qinglong was surprised but not unexpected.
"Order them to continue monitoring Jiang Wei and report any developments to me," Night Star's voice was firm.
"Yes, I will obey." The general remained as he always had been, and Qinglong felt an uncontrollable joy in his heart.
Night Star put down the cup and took out the military map from his bag, spreading it out on the table. "Which route has Liu Qiankun planned for his movements?"
Before coming here, he had discussed with Liu Qiankun that Black Stallion Valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a narrow path wide enough for one person to enter the valley. The cliffs beside the path made it treacherous and difficult to attack, so the Three Major Tribes would surely guard this area heavily. At that time, it would be like a single warrior holding back thousands, which would be very unfavorable for the Tianyu army.
Qinglong stepped forward and, by the flickering candlelight, looked around before pointing to the perilous road and saying, "It is said to be this one."
"That's ridiculous!" Night Star exclaimed in a low voice. Although this seemed to be the only entrance, it was extremely steep. Not to mention whether the Three Major Tribes would ambush here, even if our troops were to pass through, it would take at least a day and night. Not only would it alert the enemy, but it would also gamble with the lives of our soldiers.
"What on earth is Liu Qiankun thinking?" Night Star pondered in confusion and turned to Qinglong. "Has anyone gone to the camp today?"
"A young man went to see Deputy Commander Liu three days ago," Qinglong replied, puzzled.
"A young man? Do you know who he is?" Night Star felt a tightening in his chest; his intuition told him that this sudden change involving Liu Qiankun must be closely related to this person.
Qinglong shook his head. "It was late at night then, and we hadn't received orders to monitor Deputy Commander Liu, so we didn't follow him."
Night Star contemplated for a moment. "Pack your things; we leave immediately."
He suddenly felt uneasy. This unease was not unfounded; it was an instinct honed over years spent navigating between court and military camps.
Relying on this instinct, he had avoided countless assassinations and dodged numerous hidden arrows. Now, facing someone he should trust most—his deputy commander—he felt this doubt.
This made him question whether Liu Qiankun had truly become impatient for achievements, leading him to act so recklessly.
Or perhaps a mysterious figure had given him advice. If so, what could this mysterious figure's intentions be?
As he rode swiftly along the way, he not only pondered this series of changes but also considered the matters of war ahead.
Long before discussing with Liu Qiankun, he already had a bold plan in mind. However, due to the lack of supplies and the fact that the Three Major Tribes were not a group known for pillaging and slaughtering, he held back.
They were a nomadic people, migrating along the way, with their cattle and sheep following the water and grass. They invested a lot but reaped very little. Whenever the year-end approached, the harsh winter would cut off their livelihoods, leading to countless deaths among both people and livestock.
Night Star had been in military campaigns for many years and had interacted with their tribes on several occasions. The nomads were usually few in words but sincere in their dealings, embodying the bold spirit of the children of the grasslands.
He remembered entering the camp as a child, his first time on the battlefield, drenched in the blood of enemies. He was like a bloodthirsty demon, referred to as "wolf cub" behind his back. He was young and introverted, unwilling to argue with others, but that did not mean he was immune to hurt. After training, he would often ride alone thirty miles out into the grasslands.
One time, feeling nostalgic for home after sitting outside for too long, he lost track of time and found himself surrounded by a pack of wolves as night fell. The most terrifying thing on the grasslands was encountering wolves; even worse was facing a whole pack.
Under the bright moonlight, the green eyes of the wolves outnumbered the stars in the sky. Being young and only armed with a dagger, his steed was already startled into restless hoofbeats.
In a state of panic, thinking he might die there, two men dressed in foreign attire burst into the wolf pack wielding torches. They shouted words he could not understand.
Later, he learned that those were incantations used by these nomads to intimidate wolves and prayers to their deity—Mazu.
Perhaps those incantations worked, or maybe it was the sight of hunting dogs barking fiercely that threatened the wolves. Or perhaps it was simply not his time to die; gradually, the wolf pack retreated.
The two herders who saved his life waved off his thanks with a smile and hoisted him onto their shoulders, bringing him back to their tent.
Inside the tent was an unfamiliar smell of meat and a woman with dark red cheeks and braids—Grandma—who merely nodded at him with a smile without asking why he was there. She quietly listened as his two saviors recounted how they rescued him and then served him a steaming bowl of butter tea.
From that day on, whenever he had free time, he would visit them. Perhaps there, he truly felt what it meant to be at home.
None of them were talkative; he would just drink a bowl of butter tea and quietly learn horse riding from Uncle Zhakang and Zha Dun Brother. Sometimes he would sit without doing anything but stare blankly at Wenton Granny's large braid.
The people there were kind and united; they greeted him warmly when they saw him. As he visited more often, children around his age began to seek him out. Initially, they would just sit together watching clouds in the sky, but before long, they became familiar friends.
Sometimes they taught themselves how to distinguish which animal droppings on the prairie could be collected for firewood to keep warm. Other times, they would sit around the campfire together, recounting the splendor of the Heavenly Capital. Whenever the Lantern Festival's myriad lights and riddle games were mentioned, they would listen with rapt attention.
Dun Zhu was one of them.
She was the daughter of the tribe's chief, with her hair styled in numerous small braids. On her head, she wore a not-so-expensive coral pendant tied with a black cord, hanging down between her brows. Her two dark eyes were always captivated by him, as if she could see the prosperous world of the capital.
At that time, the tribe was still simple and pure, existing solely for sustenance and survival.
But later, everything changed!
The Heavenly Universe Kingdom and the Xia and Zhou kingdoms formed a tripartite alliance, supporting a vast economic trade network. Small nations like Penglai could also gain a foothold in the rich medicinal herb market. However, these nomadic people without a fixed home could only be driven away like drowned rats by various countries.
When expelled from the Xia Kingdom, they would go to the Zhou Kingdom; when expelled from the Zhou Kingdom, they would move to the Heavenly Universe Kingdom.
This cycle continued endlessly, and many fell ill. Their cattle and horses became thin and restless due to lack of nourishing grass and forced displacement.
Having witnessed the vast lands of the Heavenly Universe Kingdom, they naturally felt envious and had attempted several times to seek help from it, only to be turned away each time.
At that time, Night Star was merely a minion with the background of Night General. In many people's eyes, he was an incapable wastrel; in others' eyes, he was a ruthless tool of bloodshed.
Faced with his friends' tears, he felt powerless!
Thus, he could understand why today the three major nomadic tribes would form an alliance!
Living without dignity was worse than death!
Over time, it was inevitable that dissent would arise. Moreover, as a horse-riding people known for their bravery and excellence, whatever they seized became theirs. Therefore, the alliance of the Three Major Tribes was only logical.
Some words from Night Star may not have been explicitly stated, but that does not mean he does not think this way in his heart. He always feels that His Majesty has changed into a different person.
The Heavenly Universe Kingdom is vast and rich in resources, capable of accommodating the Three Major Tribes, yet for some unknown reason, they have repeatedly been driven out. Even as a great nation, there is no need to be so aggressive.
However, as a minister, what the emperor says is an order. Although he has known His Majesty for many years, the relationship between ruler and subject cannot be altered. Some things are not for him to voice alone, so he remained silent.
Unexpectedly, today a great disaster occurred. Deep down, he truly did not wish to wage war against the Three Major Tribes, which is why he kept delaying. Yet he did not expect Liu Qiankun to be so bold as to disregard military orders; it was indeed infuriating.
Liu Qiankun and Li Qingfeng sat in the tent, their expressions grim as they paced back and forth. "The news has already spread. If Night Star still refuses to return, what should we do?"
"Why be so anxious, Deputy Commander? In my opinion, regardless of whether Night Star returns this time or not, we have the means to bring him to justice."
Li Qingfeng pulled out a feather fan from somewhere and began to wave it slowly. "As a general, he has abandoned all the officers and soldiers for personal matters; this is his first crime.
He received the emperor's summons yet refuses to return; this is his second crime. No matter how high his prestige in the army may be, as long as he violates these two points, no one can plead for him."
"But..." Liu Qiankun still hesitated somewhat. In his eyes, Night Star was also a man of iron will who should die on the battlefield rather than be defeated by the treacherous schemes of those in court. Moreover, he worried that if His Majesty were to eliminate Night Star after using him, his own fate would be even more brutal.
Li Qingfeng could see through his thoughts and sneered inwardly but said outwardly, "Deputy Commander has a kind heart and does not wish to make things difficult for others. However, you must understand that as long as Night Star remains in power, your talents will never see the light of day. Are you willing to accept that?"
Willing? How could he be willing?
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