As the music began, a group of dancers gracefully entered.
These women were clearly carefully selected; each one was beautiful and had graceful dance moves.
Such a tender scene stands out starkly after the battlefield of blood and fire.
Among the dancers, one woman in red stood out the most, not only for her superb dancing skills but also for her expressive eyes.
As she spun around, her gaze swept over Zhao Muyun several times, filled with tender affection.
"This woman is named Hongxiao, the number one dancer in Youzhou," Yang Yan said with a smile. "Now that Youzhou has fallen, she will perform a dance to entertain the generals. If Grand Commander Zhao likes her, she may serve you tonight."
An ambiguous laugh rang out in the hall.
This is a common reward in the military, and also a means of winning people's hearts.
Zhao Muyun's expression remained unchanged: "I appreciate the Grand Steward's kindness. However, I am busy with military affairs and have to inspect the camp tonight, so it is inconvenient for me to stay overnight."
"Why is the Grand Commander so reserved?" A drunken Fengtian general stood up. "With such a beauty before us, how can we let her down? Could it be that the Grand Commander looks down on the women of Youzhou?"
These words already carried a provocative tone.
A cold glint flashed in Tang Yanhai's eyes, and he was about to get up when Zhao Muyun stopped him with a look.
"General, you jest," Zhao Muyun said calmly. "I already have a family and dare not covet beauty. Moreover, our army has strict regulations that prohibit generals from bringing female relatives to the camp. As the commander, I should set an example."
The general was about to speak again when Yang Yan waved him off, saying, "Alright, since the Grand Commander has no intention of doing so, there's no need to force him. Hongxiao, pour the Grand Commander a cup of wine; that will do your best."
The woman in red gracefully walked up to Zhao Muyun, her slender hands holding a wine pot, and filled his wine cup.
As she leaned over, she said quickly in a very low voice, "Be careful with the food and drinks."
Zhao Muyun was startled, but remained calm on the surface, raising his cup and drinking it all in one gulp.
Hongxiao bowed gracefully and returned to the dancers' line, but when her eyes looked at Zhao Muyun again, they held a deeper meaning.
The banquet lasted another hour before Zhao Muyun excused himself, citing his inability to hold his liquor.
Yang Yan did not insist on keeping him, but personally escorted him to the entrance of the government office.
"Grand Commander, please rest well. In three days, our army will head north to pursue Wuzhu. At that time, we will still need your assistance." Yang Yan's words had a hidden meaning.
"If needed, I, Zhao, will not hesitate to do so." Zhao Muyun clasped his hands and mounted his horse.
The hundred riders roared away and disappeared into the night.
Back at the camp, Zhao Muyun immediately summoned Shen Qian: "Investigate that dancer named Hongxiao."
“We’re already investigating,” Shen Qian said in a low voice. “This woman is indeed a famous dancer in Youzhou, but her younger sister was kidnapped by the Northern Di people and is said to have been sold into slavery in the royal court. She hates the Northern Di people to the core.”
Zhao Muyun pondered: "She reminded me to be careful with the food and drinks... Is there something wrong with the food and drinks at the banquet?"
"I have sent people to investigate, but the Fengtian Army is heavily guarded and we cannot get close to the kitchen for the time being."
Shen Qian said, "However, there is one strange thing. The Feng Army medical officers purchased a large amount of antidote materials today, saying it was to prevent typhoid fever, but some of the herbs are clearly for detoxification."
A cold glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes: "Yang Yan is indeed up to no good. Order the entire army to be on high alert, and all food and drink must be inspected. Also, have Murong Chunhua strengthen the outer patrols to prevent a night attack."
"yes!"
“Also,” Zhao Muyun walked to the map, “we can’t wait until three days later. Yang Yan won’t let us go easily; we must act now.”
"Issue the order that we break camp early tomorrow morning, meet up with Zhong Meng's troops, and immediately return to Hedong."
"But Luoyingjian is two days' journey from here. If the Fengtian Army pursues us..."
"So we need to be quick," Zhao Muyun said slowly. "We won't take the official roads, we'll take the mountain roads. Although it will be difficult, it will allow us to avoid the main force of the Fengtian Army. Once we enter the Hedong territory, Yang Yan will not dare to make any rash moves."
Once the order was given, the entire Hedong military camp immediately sprang into action.
The soldiers silently packed their belongings, checked their weapons and horses, and prepared for tomorrow's forced march.
Zhao Muyun stepped out of the military tent and looked at the sparse starlight in the night sky.
Although Youzhou has fallen, the real crisis has only just begun.
Yang Yan's ambitions will not stop there, and the outcome of the battle in Xijing remains uncertain.
Although the Northern Di were defeated, their foundation remained intact, and they could make a comeback at any time.
This game is far from over.
All he had left were his two thousand exhausted soldiers and the trust his men placed in him.
"Grand Commander, you should rest now." Guo Luo came over and draped a cloak over him.
Zhao Muyun shook her head: "I can't sleep. Guo Luo, do you think it was all worth it?"
Guo Luo was taken aback, then said firmly, "It's worth it. If it weren't for the Grand Commander, who knows when Youzhou would have been recovered, and the iron hooves of the Northern Barbarians would have continued to trample the Central Plains for many more years."
"But the price was too high." Zhao Muyun looked at the flickering lights in the camp. "So many good young men have been buried in foreign lands, so many families have been broken... Sometimes I wonder, if we had chosen a different path, would fewer people have died?"
"This humble general does not understand these profound principles."
Guo Luo said simply, "But I know that without the Grand Commander, Hedong would have been annexed by various forces long ago, and the people would be living in even greater hardship. People will always die in war, but some battles must be fought."
Zhao Muyun patted Guo Luo on the shoulder: "You're right. Some battles must be fought."
He turned and walked back to his tent, but before the tent flap fell, he glanced back at the north.
That place is the grassland, the royal court of the Northern Barbarians, and the root of this war.
One day, he will completely eliminate this scourge.
But not now.
Now, he wants to take these soldiers who trust him home first.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
