"Last night, while drinking with Young Master Zheng, he lamented that the Iron Forest Army is doomed this time. The main force of the Tangut cavalry is stationed near Qingshui Valley," Qing Zheng said. "When I heard this news yesterday, I felt sorry for Qing Huai, thinking he wasn't with the Iron Forest Army. Who would have thought he'd send a letter today, asking to go to his death!"
"Brother, is Young Master Zheng's information reliable?"
"Young Master Zheng just returned from the battlefield the day before yesterday. As a staff officer of the Western Garrison Army, his information is certainly accurate," Qing Zheng replied. "Besides, the eldest son of the Duke of Kui was also there, and he said the same thing."
"Brother, last year Qing Huai managed to hold off the Tangut cavalry for ten days and nights with the Iron Forest Army. What if he wins this time?"
"Last time, he succeeded because the area near Wild Boar Ridge was mountainous, making it difficult for the cavalry to maneuver. He took advantage of the terrain," Qing Zheng explained, pointing at the map. "But look at Qingshui Valley. It's flat for miles around, perfect for cavalry operations. That's why the Tangut stationed their cavalry there. In such terrain, the Tangut cavalry is invincible. If the Iron Forest Army is caught by them, even Qing Huai won't be able to escape, even if he were a god!"
Qing Er took the map and studied it carefully. As sons of a military family, though they were somewhat spoiled, they still understood basic military strategy. After examining the map, he realized Qing Zheng was right. Given the terrain near Qingshui Valley, if the Iron Forest Army encountered the Tangut cavalry, they would be as good as dead.
"I'm just afraid Father won't agree," Qing Er sighed, putting down the map. "Father has been favoring Third Brother more and more these years. Since we all know how dangerous Qingshui Valley is, Father might not let Qing Huai go."
"Let's hope Father agrees."
In the Duke's study, the Duke of Qing stared out the window, his eyes unfocused, clearly deep in thought. After a long while, he finally snapped out of it and called out, "Someone, go to the West Garden and summon Third Young Master's guards."
Soon, Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong were brought into the study.
"Does Third Brother know about the Iron Forest Army's situation in Qingshui Valley?" the Duke asked coldly, staring at the two men. "There are no outsiders here. Tell me the truth."
Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong knelt on the ground, silent.
Qing Huai had commanded the Iron Forest Army for several years, and his loyal followers were everywhere. How could they not know the army's situation? But such matters could be acted upon, not spoken of—even to Qing Huai's father.
Their silence was an admission.
The Duke nodded slightly and asked again, "Is Third Brother planning to die with the Iron Forest Army, or does he have a strategy?"
He knew his son well. If Qing Huai was aware of the Iron Forest Army's predicament but still requested to retake command, it could only mean one of two things.
Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong remained silent, kneeling on the ground.
The Duke, a shrewd man, tapped the table. "Since you refuse to speak, you may leave. Tell Qing Huai I do not approve."
The two men panicked but dared not speak out of turn. They could only kowtow repeatedly, pleading, "Your Grace, please grant the Marquis his wish!"
"Then tell me honestly, what is Qing Huai planning?" the Duke leaned back in his chair. "This is your last chance. If you still refuse to speak, you may leave. I will not allow my son to march to his death."
Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong exchanged a glance before Zheng Fang spoke. "The Marquis has found a way to counter the Tangut cavalry!"
"What?!" The Duke shot to his feet. "What method?"
"The Marquis discovered in Jinchuan County that..."
In order to secure the army's command, Zheng Fang chose to betray Jin Feng, comforting himself with the thought: *After all, Mr. Jin only warned the Marquis not to mention the barbed wire in the letter. He didn't say I couldn't speak of it.*
"You're saying this... barbed wire can really entangle horses' legs?" the Duke asked, his face still showing disbelief.
"Your Grace, I saw it with my own eyes. Once the warhorses were entangled in the barbed wire, they struggled for only a few moments before becoming completely immobilized."
"Then why didn't Third Brother mention this in his letter?"
"Mr. Jin said the barbed wire hasn't been proven in actual combat yet. He feared it might fail, so he advised the Marquis to report it only after it's been tested."
"Quite cautious," the Duke nodded. "You should know that in military matters, there's no room for lies. If you're deceiving me, you know the consequences!"
"Every word I've said is true, Your Grace. If there's even a hint of falsehood, you may have me executed!" Zheng Fang quickly assured him.
"Hahaha! Heaven bless the Qing family!" The Duke laughed heartily.
He understood all too well what it meant to have a method to counter cavalry. If Qing Huai succeeded this time, it would be an immense achievement, possibly even earning him a dukedom. Two dukes in one family—it would be a legendary tale.
The Duke laughed for over a minute before finally calming down.
"Listen carefully. This matter is top-secret military intelligence. Not a word of it leaves this room. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Grace!" Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong quickly agreed.
"Someone, prepare my horse. I'm going to the Duke of Kui's residence!"
By evening, the Duke had returned and summoned Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong to his study once more.
"Here's the transfer order. Take it back to Qing Huai," the Duke said, pulling out an exquisitely sealed envelope from his robe. "Fast horses have been prepared for you. Return quickly."
"Thank you, Your Grace!" Zheng Fang was overjoyed, accepting the envelope with both hands and backing out of the room.
Once outside, the two men didn't even bother with their luggage. They mounted their horses and rode off.
"Brother, Third Brother's guards have left the city!" Qing Er, who had been keeping an eye on Zheng Fang, was the first to receive news of their departure.
"Did they get the transfer order?" Qing Zheng asked urgently.
"They left in such a hurry, they must have gotten it," Qing Er said. "Father went to the Duke of Kui's residence this afternoon, likely for this matter."
"Good. Now Qing Huai is as good as dead," Qing Zheng laughed heartily. "Let's go to Spring Breeze Pavilion."
Qing Er felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Outside the capital, Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong finally made it out of the city just before the gates closed. They didn't stop to rest, riding through the night.
For the next nine days, they slept no more than four or five hours a day, spending the rest of the time on the road.
When they finally returned to Xihe Village, they were unrecognizable, covered head to toe in dust, their eyelashes caked with dirt.
"You two, go rest now," Qing Huai said after reading the transfer order. He then went straight to find Jin Feng.
"What do you mean the transfer order has already arrived?" Jin Feng frowned. "Didn't you say it would take at least a month? How did it come so quickly?"
He wasn't ready yet.