As soon as Xin He stepped out of the carriage, her stunning beauty was revealed, causing a wave of gasps.
Those who caught sight of her could not help but be amazed, even the disciplined soldiers were transfixed.
Even General Zheng, upon seeing Ji Xinhe suddenly emerge from the carriage, was momentarily stunned.
It wasn’t until Xin He’s gaze turned cold, her seemingly calm voice taking on a sharp edge, "General Zheng?"
General Zheng snapped back to reality, not sure if it was an illusion or not, but the seemingly fragile young woman before him made this battle-hardened old soldier feel an uncharacteristically cold shiver down his spine, particularly when he met her chilly eyes.
General Zheng promptly lowered his head, respectfully saying, "This way, please, princess."
It wasn’t so much out of respect, but rather to avoid those icy eyes. The soldiers in the camp were used to being coarse, not caring about formalities and often joking around with each other. They didn’t understand the finer nuances of etiquette.
General Zheng immediately led the way, Xin He following him to the tent where military meetings were held.
The onlookers exchanged glances, their eyes filled with amazement. Some bolder soldiers couldn’t help but exclaim, "As expected of the princess, she looks like a fairy."
Upon reaching the tent, General Zheng hesitantly asked, "May I ask the purpose of the princess’s visit to the military camp?"
Xin He cut straight to the point, "Summon all the three Great Generals, as well as the Lieutenant Generals and above, to meet me here immediately."
General Zheng was taken aback, "Princess, what do you mean...?"
Xin He directly took out the tiger talisman from her sleeve, "You don’t need to know what I mean, General Zheng. It would be better for you to follow orders."
Upon seeing the tiger talisman, General Zheng’s eyes nearly popped out, his body shivering in fear, as he quickly kneeled on the ground, "The tiger talisman?!"
Xin He said, "General Zheng, you may go and inform them now. All must arrive within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn."
"Yes!" General Zheng accepted the order and hurriedly left, not having the time to think about the significance of these events.
Before the incense had burnt halfway, all the Lieutenant Generals and above had gathered in the tent. In total, there were several dozen people, making the tent seem somewhat crowded.
Xin He calmly took her seat at the head of the table, Marquis Mu’s usual spot.
When the gathered men saw a woman suddenly occupying that position, their expressions were complicated, with a mixture of shock and bewilderment.
Throughout the process of people gathering and group introductions, Xin He remained silent, sitting calmly in her place, not giving any instructions or changing her expression. Despite her apparent serenity, the cold aura emanating from her body made her presence impossible to ignore.
When everyone had arrived, General Zheng announced, "Princess, everyone is here."
Only then did Xin He raise her head, her cool gaze sweeping over each person’s face in turn. Her beautiful appearance housed the coldest eyes one could imagine, causing an involuntary shiver in those who met her gaze.
Despite her elegant garments and the vermilion hairpin adorning her hair, Xin He’s cold demeanor contrasted starkly with her surroundings.
"Now that everyone is here, let me introduce myself. I am Ji Xinhe, and from today onwards, I am the new commander of this army," Xin He announced, her voice steady and indifferent, as if merely discussing today’s lunch menu.
Upon hearing her words, there was a collective gasp of shock throughout the tent, their eyes all filled with astonishment.
A woman had become the new commander of the 100,000 elite troops of Yu State?!
Some couldn’t believe it, some were shocked, and some already had traces of contempt in their eyes.
These reactions were anticipated, and Xin He was not surprised. She waved the tiger talisman in her hand, "Whoever holds the tiger talisman holds military authority. Today, the talisman is in my hands; you should obey my orders."
Xin He placed the talisman on the low table in front of her, the sound of the token clattering against the table filled the air.
She then glanced around the tent, disregarding the displeased expressions of the men within, before standing up and declaring coldly, "Now that I’m familiar with all of you, let me know more about each of you. Who would like to start?"
Her words were met with a suffocating silence.
Xin He’s deep gaze took in the tense faces of the men in the tent, carefully studying their temperaments.
Before a major change, people’s subtle expressions reveal their thoughts and feelings. Understanding these emotions was more valuable than receiving formal introductions.
Xin He found this silence neither oppressive nor embarrassing, but rather a means of learning more about these men’s true natures. She was eager to see how they would react to the evolving situation, and how she could use that information.
As expected, it didn’t take long for General Zheng to step forward and break the deadlock, introducing himself, "I am General Zheng, commander of the Cavalry Regiment."
Xin He looked at him and nodded slightly. He was a man who understood the situation, but was somewhat timid. While he was unlikely to take a bold stance, he was also unlikely to achieve great things.
Others quickly followed General Zheng’s lead and began introducing themselves.
Xin He took note of each one.
Just as things were progressing smoothly, a middle-aged man’s voice interrupted, "Princess, I wonder how you came by this tiger talisman?"
Could she have stolen it?
Xin He sneered to herself but remained unruffled, "It was personally entrusted to me by His Highness."
"Why would His Highness give you the tiger talisman?" The man obviously held her in contempt.
Xin He’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him coldly, "That is not a question you should be asking."
She wasn’t speaking to him as Marquis Mu’s wife, but as the commander of this army. As a subordinate, he had no right to question her.
In the military, the principle of iron discipline and absolute obedience reigned supreme. All one had to do was obey and follow orders.
The man was initially taken aback by Xin He’s forceful response, but it only took a moment for the contempt to reappear on his face, "I didn’t know we had fallen so low that our princess had to personally oversee the army as commander."
He was essentially saying that a woman had no right or ability to suddenly assume command of an army.
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