The army marched out with overwhelming momentum.
On the day of departure, just as dawn broke, the drill ground outside the capital was already bustling with activity and a forest of banners. The 100,000-strong army stood in neat formation, their black armor gleaming coldly in the morning light, their spears pointing straight to the sky, and the sound of drums making the earth tremble slightly.
Shen Qingci, clad in silver-white armor, a sword at his waist, and wielding a tiger-headed golden spear, rode a jet-black warhorse, his posture upright as a pine tree. The breastplate on his armor reflected the rising sun, making his sharply defined face appear even more resolute. His gaze swept over the neatly arrayed soldiers, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.
The Emperor, accompanied by his civil and military officials, personally saw them off at the drill ground, where the yellow dragon flag fluttered in the wind. "Soldiers!" the Emperor's voice, amplified by the eunuchs, resounded throughout the drill ground, "The Xiongnu barbarians have repeatedly invaded our territory and harmed our people. Today, in the name of all the people, I appoint Shen Qingci as Grand Marshal of the Army to lead you into battle against them! I hope you will unite as one, fight bravely, protect our Great Jing lands, and restore peace to the border people! I await your triumphant return in the capital, where your merits will be rewarded!"
"We swear to follow the Marshal to the death! To protect our land! To return in triumph!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices soaring into the sky and scattering the birds, fully demonstrating the high morale of the Da Jing soldiers.
Shen Qingci rode his horse to the foot of the high platform, dismounted, and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will live up to your expectations. I will not return to the court until the Xiongnu are defeated!"
The emperor stepped forward and personally handed him a cup of farewell wine: "Marshal Shen, take care on your journey."
Shen Qingci took the wine bowl, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The wine dripped from the corner of his mouth onto his armor, adding to his heroic air. He bowed to the emperor again, mounted his horse, turned it around, and pointed his spear forward: "Soldiers, let's go!"
"Set off!"
The drums thundered once more, and the army, like a galloping dragon, marched mightily toward the border. Horses hooves pounded the dust, raising clouds of yellow sand; the column stretched for dozens of miles, its momentum as imposing as a rainbow.
Su Yunqing stood with Shen Nianqing in the crowd, watching Shen Qingci's departing figure, her eyes brimming with tears, yet she stubbornly held them back. Shen Nianqing clutched her mother's clothes tightly, her little face full of reluctance: "Mother, when will Father come back?"
Su Yunqing bent down and hugged her son, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her voice was gentle yet firm: "Nianqing, your father is going to protect our country. He will come back to be with us after he defeats the Xiongnu. We will pray for him at home, hoping for his safe return."
Shen Nianqing nodded as if she understood, and waved vigorously in the direction the army had gone: "Father, good luck! Come back soon!"
A faint response seemed to drift on the wind from Shen Qingci, only to be drowned out by the sound of horses' hooves and drums. Su Yunqing gazed at the billowing yellow sand until the army's figures completely disappeared into the horizon before slowly turning around with Shen Nianqing. She knew the journey was destined to be arduous, but she firmly believed that Shen Qingci would return with news of victory, and all she could do was protect this home and wait for his safe return.
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