Stabilize morale and fight rumors together

The following day at dawn, as the north wind gradually subsided, all the soldiers of the Zhenbei Army lined up in front of the command platform. Their formation was orderly, yet the doubts between their brows could not be concealed. Shen Qingci, dressed in black soft armor and with a long sword at his waist, walked step by step onto the high platform, his gaze sharp as he slowly swept over the thousands of soldiers below.

"Soldiers," his voice carried on the wind to everyone's ears, steady and powerful, "rumors have been circulating in the camp lately, saying that I, Shen Qingci, am abusing my power and colluding with the Xiongnu in a rebellion. I know you have doubts, even fears. Today, I will clarify things before the entire army!"

He raised his hand to his chest, his tone sincere: "I, Shen Qingci, come from a scholarly family. From a young age, I was taught by my father that loyalty to the emperor and love for the country are ingrained in my bones. My parents, wife, and children in the capital, and the common people on the border, are all people I must protect. The Xiongnu's iron hooves trampled my land and killed my compatriots. I hate them so much that I want to eat their flesh and sleep on their skin. How could I collude with them?"

A hush fell over the crowd as the soldiers held their breath, listening intently as he continued, “When I first arrived at the camp, I was heartbroken to see your tattered bedding, your rations mixed with sand, and your weapons rusted! You fight valiantly to protect your country, yet you cannot even guarantee your basic military supplies—who caused this? It is those treacherous officials in the court who embezzle military pay and line their own pockets!”

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "The rumors spreading everywhere are precisely because some people are afraid that I will rectify military discipline and replenish supplies, and that you will regain your former glory and defeat the Xiongnu. That's why they are deliberately spreading lies in an attempt to sow discord and throw us into disarray!"

As he spoke, he took out a document from his bosom and held it high: "This is the letter I received from home yesterday. My parents said in the letter that Li Linfu has spread rumors in the capital that I am plotting a rebellion and wants to kill me. Why is he doing this? It is only because I am unwilling to collude with him, only because I want to fight for the military supplies you deserve, and only because I want the people on this border to live a peaceful life!"

The soldiers below the stage whispered among themselves, and their gazes toward Shen Qingci gradually changed—these days, Supervisor Shen had lived and worked alongside them, sharing joys and sorrows, reforming military discipline and giving the camp a fresh new look, and running around to procure provisions and supplies. They had seen it all and remembered it.

Just then, Su Yunqing, dressed in plain, close-fitting clothes and carrying a medicine box, walked up to the high platform and stood beside Shen Qingci. She looked at the soldiers with unwavering eyes: "Soldiers, my husband and I came together and witnessed firsthand his tireless efforts for the border. He studies military strategy until the wee hours of the morning and practices martial arts without complaint during the day. What is it all for? Not for fame or fortune, but to protect this land with you!"

She held up her medicine box: "I personally sorted every herb here; I personally treated every wounded soldier in the camp. If I didn't trust him, why would I have followed him to this dangerous border? If I were afraid he would be punished for treason, why would I have shared life and death with him?"

"Well said!" A shout suddenly rang out from the crowd. It was the captain who had competed in archery with Shen Qingci that day. He strode out of the ranks and knelt on one knee: "Supervisor Shen, I have been disrespectful in the past, but today I know your sincerity! I am willing to follow you, Supervisor, to repel the Xiongnu, and I will never believe rumors!"

"We are willing to follow the supervising officer!" Thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky. They all knelt on one knee, their eyes filled with determination and conviction, their previous doubts vanished.

Looking at the scene before him, Shen Qingci was filled with mixed emotions. He raised his hand, gesturing for his soldiers to rise: "Thank you all for your trust! From this day forward, we will be united as one, sharing the same hatred for the enemy! Regarding military supplies, I have once again petitioned the court and contacted various prefectures to raise funds; results will be forthcoming soon. I assure you, as long as I, Shen Qingci, am here, I will ensure you are well-fed, well-clothed, and equipped with excellent weapons. I will fight alongside you to repel the Xiongnu and restore peace to the border!"

"Kill the Xiongnu! Restore peace to us!" The shouts rang out again, echoing over the military camp for a long time.

The north wind blew again, but this time it carried no more gloom and doubt; instead, it blew with the soldiers' pride and determination. Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing stood side by side on the high platform, looking down at the orderly ranks below. They knew in their hearts that they had won this battle against the rumors. But this was only the beginning; the real battle was yet to come on the battlefield ahead.