In the garrison, Zhang Zhongfu was organizing his troops. Suddenly, he showed a look of surprise and began to rein in his mount. In the distance, a group of riders were galloping towards the military camp. As they got closer, many people could see the leading rider wearing silver armor and a golden helmet. The huge red tassel on the helmet and the dark red cape behind his shoulders were flying backwards as he galloped.

"It's General Qu!" Zhang Zhongfu blurted out, pulling the reins. He recognized the leader as Qu Duan, the immediate superior of his cavalry.

In an instant, all the officers and soldiers in the camp stopped what they were doing, looked at each other, and then hung their heads.

Seeing the horses approaching, the cavalry led by Zhang Zhongfu immediately dismounted and stood at attention. Qu Duan, who was on horseback, suddenly pulled the reins when he was still several feet away from the cavalry, and the good Western Region horse under his crotch suddenly stopped.

Qu Duan looked at the messy and crooked flags in the camp. His eyes were so cold that the cavalrymen standing there were silent, and even the horses did not move. Qu Duan stared fiercely at the cavalry officer in front of him: "Is this the good battle you fought? You said you would personally supervise the army, is this how you supervise the army?"

Zhang Zhongfu was startled: "General, your subordinates..."

With a "snap", the whip in Qu Duan's hand flashed across Zhang Zhongfu's face like lightning, leaving a bright red blood mark. However, Zhang Zhongfu stood up straighter after being severely whipped.

Qu Duan then asked sternly: "Have you forgotten what the consequences of underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly? Chen Yanzhang and Wang Gang are still watching you in heaven! The front army, rear army, left army and right army each lost a commander. You think that our cavalry cannot fall behind and must have one person die, right? I told you to be careful, and you are so careful? You turned a deaf ear to my words!" Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongfu's face turned from white to red and then to blue.

After saying that, Qu Duan sat up straight again and looked at his soldiers: "You were greedy for merit and advanced recklessly, but ended up in defeat and disgrace. Do you know what your crime is?" "..." All the soldiers, including Zhang Zhongfu, did not dare to answer.

Seeing this, Xiahou Yuan, a close lieutenant, could not help but whispered a plea for Zhang Zhongfu, who was also a direct subordinate of Qu Duan, behind his back: "Jiedu, Commander Zhang also fought with a similar number of Jin people for half a day before being defeated, and in the end he did not lose too many soldiers and horses--" Qu Duan interrupted him, his voice was cold but very sarcastic: "Fought with a group of defeated soldiers and stray dogs who retreated from Hebei for half a day, but still lost? Then will we have to lose to the Jin people's Yanyun new army, and then the signing army, and then the civilians? There will be no one to lose next." Xiahou Yuan lowered his head honestly and said nothing.

Qu Duan whipped the horsewhip in the air again and continued to speak in a sweet way: "Which one of you doesn't claim to be both civil and military? 'Do not stop the retreating army, do not force the desperate enemy', have you read all the military books? And you still say that you didn't lose too many soldiers and horses, you really don't have any shame! If the Jin army had not been unwilling to fight, this time next year, Cai Fu (Zhang Zhongyan's pen name) would have to visit his brother's grave!" As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Liu Qi, who also had a brother, and Liu Qi's face immediately turned pale.

As if he had found a new target, Qu Duan turned around and said sarcastically again: "Vice-General Liu, are you satisfied with this great "merit"? Put away those little thoughts! The decisive battle is imminent. If the Northern Expedition goes wrong for our Imperial Camp Cavalry, then you and I will be guilty of the Song Dynasty, the government, and the people! Now it is difficult for me, Qu Da, to ask for a big banner, but I can't let it affect my reputation in my later years. I left home when I was young and returned when I was old. If this battle really goes wrong, you, Liu Qi, want to save your brother, I am afraid You don't have to wait until you are old! If you still want to rush for credit, you'd better ask the emperor to remove me and take the position of the cavalry commander yourself!" At this point, Qu Duan sneered: "But even if I go down, there is still a Duke who has made real contributions waiting for you by the emperor's side!" Liu Qi's face turned from blue to white and then to red. He finally understood why Qu Duan insisted on ordering him to come to Zhang Da's residence. This nice-speaking boss obviously remembered the words he said to encourage Zhang Da to grab the credit.

There was silence all around, but Qu Duan didn't even look at his own army. He said, "Get yourselves in order. Who are you trying to show off your dejected look to?" Then he pulled the reins hard and shouted, "Go!"

The horse galloped away.

Amid the sound of orderly horse hooves, several riders once again followed Qu Duan's horse.

After returning to his own camp, Qu Duan impatiently threw the reins to Xiahou Yuan and said, "Go feed the horses. Remember to send my bottle of medicine to Zhang Da later. Also, let Zhang Da send his apology letter to me first. He can't handle this matter by himself. Did I owe you a future in my previous life? All of you are giving me a lot of trouble!" Liu Qi was concerned about his own merits. After all, it was related to his brother's future. He couldn't help asking, "How will the commander-in-chief explain this to the emperor?"

Qu Duan sneered: "Don't worry, this blame cannot be put on you, Deputy Governor-General Liu. I will take the responsibility myself! It won't affect your deep brotherhood!" Liu Qi breathed a sigh of relief when he heard it, and then he was speechless: his boss really has an extra mouth!