It was that time again, to send a letter to General. Wei did not have much to tell him. She would conceal some facts from him, time to time. She did not want to look like a lady who complaints and can't handle situations on her own. The letter was send by Fei to post, it takes a day or two to reach General at his basecamp.
General was at the entrance of his camp, walking back and forth, waiting. When the letter from the post arrived. He read the letter there itself, did not go back to his tent. The letter send by Wei read :
'General, the renovations and the construction of the kitchen and storeroom are now complete. Madame Xu let us have a main gate on the eastern boundary wall of the Xu residence. Now the reflection mansion has a main gate, a service gate and a functional small stable for your horse and Fei's horse. The garden's are well maintained and the store room is well stocked.
I also visited my maiden home, last week. I hope that General's having success at your expedition.
Lu Wei.'
Guoqiang went to read the next letter that Fei send. It read :
'Madame completed the house, in spectacle. The main gate has bronze mirrors to adhere to the name reflection mansion. Madame has painted the two walls in the main hall herself. Madame is a really a good artist, she made a lotus portrait with gold pigment details using actual gold! I have it hanged, in your study, The moon gate has a clear water pond that reflects the plaque which is made in reverse. Madame is so witty.
We at the servants room have more storage now. The kitchen and storeroom are also well planned.
Last week we had gone to visit Madame's maiden home, even though she is the niece of the Lu family, they treat her like air. They only prepared her sister Mei's favourite dishes, and didn't even know what Madame liked. Madame's quarters in the Lu residence was a small storeroom, at the service corridor. Very small hut, with just a bed and table. Madame lived there alone invisible to the Lu family, how despicable they are to treat Madame like this lowly.
General when you come back you must visit with Madame to her maiden home to keep her face among her relative. It is already bad that your weren't present at the wedding and for visiting maiden home, she will be considered not favoured if this goes now. She is already the talk of the capital. The 'abandoned missus', Lu family's weakling and General's abandoned wife.
You have to bring justice and honour to Madame, General.
Chen Fei'
General just finished reading the letter when the horn was blown and an marching troops came following. These were General Han's squad, the mightiest soldiers, a small number of two hundred men. But they were specially trained and could just be enough to turn this battle in their favour. General placed the letters in his pocket and did not reply back to them, as things in the camp were now to become hectic.
Commander of the elite squad Yuan was in General's tent, planning the next attack, along with General Guoqiang and his commanders.
Commander Yuan : "There aren't many weapons with you, how do you propose, we fight?"
General Guoqiang : "I will arrange for the armoury, please look into siege warfare, Commander Yuan." With that, Commander Yuan, leaves the presence of the General. "General how do you suggest we increase armoury?" asked a concerned commander Chu.
"Yan, send three trusted soldiers to my mansion. I'll write a letter to Fei, to sell out furniture, valuables and land deeds that I own, without wife knowing. It should be enough to buy weapons." Said General with determination.
Commander Yan had other concerns that he voiced, "But General, Madame just renovated the house with new furniture…" General interrupted, "I am aware… this situation calls for drastic measure. We got all the assistance we could get, the reinforcements are of not much help. General Han was kind enough to lend his troops, in such short notice. He needs men to subdue rebellion uprising. This war at the Juyong Pass has gone awfully long…Just arrange the soldiers, and make them leave discreetly. I'll inform Fei."
General did not like the odds of this battle, but he was determined to draw out the mole in his camp, find the instigator, have him pay his dues, and win. General was not going to tarnish his reputation in this battle, nor in near future. He vowed to safeguard this nation as its crown prince, and he will continue to keep this vow as its General.