Part of the West Army Division was specifically responsible for curbing the North Qiang, but they did not eliminate the North Qiang in those years. Their goal was to use the North Qiang to hone Qian State’s cavalry.
However, after prosperity faded and morale fell, many things that once ignited people’s passion no longer had any impact. It reached the point where one wouldn’t even be motivated enough to slightly open their eyes.
At this moment, a troop of scouts returned to camp, heading straight into the military encampment and then directly through Mianzhou’s South Gate, which was just below the position where Zhong Wenhao and his son were standing. Military reports that could directly enter the city were clearly of a certain level; ordinary military reports would be processed and summarized outside before being presented. After all, the commander-in-chief was not a god and could not personally oversee every detail of a military camp housing nearly 200,000 soldiers.
Zhong Tianlang went down to receive the military report. Shortly after, he returned, his face beaming with an excited smile. He walked up to his father and said, "Father, Uncle Zhong Wenmian has led the West Mountain Camp north."
The West Mountain was Qian State’s frontline position against the North Qiang. A part of the West Army Division was stationed there, consistently under the command of Zhong Wenhao’s younger brother, Zhong Wenmian.
The West Army Division was a massive military group. Although the Zhong Family held an exceptional position within it, they did not have absolute control like the Earl of North Border’s household did over its forces. It was more like a military... aberration, formed under specific conditions in a specific era.
Zhong Wenhao and Zhong Wenmian, the two leaders of the Zhong Family, were symbols of the West Army Division and were referred to by outsiders as Minister Zhong and Young Master Zhong.
Zhong Tianlang was excited because, although the West Mountain Camp didn’t have many soldiers, only 30,000, the vast majority were cavalry. It could be said that the most elite cavalry force in all of Qian was the West Mountain Camp. In Zhong Tianlang’s view, with his uncle’s arrival, he could be more composed in the coming battles. Compared to the tedium of infantry combat, he much preferred the swift, wind-like engagements of cavalry.
However, there was no sign of joy on Zhong Wenhao’s face. Instead, one hand fiercely gripped the bricks of the battlement, his fingernails scratching clear marks into the stone.
"Father?" Zhong Tianlang was somewhat startled. What every son feared most was, indeed, his father’s anger.
Zhong Wenhao began to laugh.
"HEH HEH... HEH HEH HEH... HA HA HA..."
"Before we set out, I repeatedly instructed your uncle that sending 150,000 men of the West Army Division north was already sufficient! We absolutely had to leave some foundation forces at home for the West Army Division! Your uncle agreed to this in my presence. But now..."
"Father, for the great cause of resisting the Yan people, our Zhong Family cannot... cannot..."
Zhong Wenhao suddenly glared at his son. This horrifying gaze made Zhong Tianlang’s heart sink.
"Are you trying to tell your father that we should consider the overall situation, consider the country, consider the people of Qian, and not care about the gains and losses of our own family?"
"No, I dare not, I dare not."
"That’s exactly what you mean! That’s exactly what you mean!" Zhong Wenhao gritted his teeth, his silver hair scattering slightly in the cold wind.
"The West Mountain Camp is mobilizing; they’re almost here, yet I, your father, have received no news, nor have I seen any imperial decree from the court. Do you know why?"
"The court must have sent an imperial envoy to make arrangements directly with your uncle! Your uncle is advancing north by imperial decree. HEH HEH HEH... HEH HEH..."
"I, your father, am an old man. I should be enjoying my retirement with my grandchildren. Yet, for Qian, I still have to don my armor and lead the young men of the West Army Division north. And the court? What about the court? They’re busy trying to break up our West Army Division, break it up!"
Zhong Tianlang fell silent. The court had always wanted to address the issue of the West Army Division’s regional power, a widely known fact. This time, taking advantage of his father’s absence, the court had incited his uncle to move north. This act essentially signaled the division of the West Army Division. The West Mountain Camp would no longer be part of the West Army Division’s hierarchy; it would become independent.
"Father, I have something to say, even if I am to be punished for it, I must say it."
"Speak! I permit you to speak!"
Zhong Tianlang took a deep breath and said, "Father, our West Army Division... it’s truly too large." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs N0veI.Fiɾe.net
The West Army Division had jurisdiction over the Southwest battlefield and the territory of the North Qiang; the court even had to dispatch the West Army Division to handle rebellions in some areas.
"Large?" Zhong Wenhao suddenly laughed. "How old are you? The West Army Division back when it was suppressing the rebellion of the Southwestern native chieftains, now that was truly large. My son, I know what you want to say, and I understand your meaning. But there are some things you haven’t experienced, so you don’t understand. We are currently at war. Because the Yan people could march south at any moment, the ministers in the court are being so cooperative. Once the war is over, once the war is over, the civil and military factions will naturally begin to separate."
Zhong Tianlang wanted to say more but was stopped by Zhong Wenhao’s raised hand.
"Do you really think I’m angry because your uncle is establishing his own command?"
"Do you really think the reason I specifically didn’t order the West Mountain Camp north this time was to leave a way out for our Zhong Family? To leave a bargaining chip for our Zhong Family’s security and survival?"
"Father..." Zhong Tianlang suddenly realized that his father seemed to have been drained of much of his vitality and spirit, appearing much older.
Zhong Wenhao began to laugh again.
"HEH HEH HEH... HEH HEH HEH... HA HA HA... AH HA..."
"’That prominent figure’ once evaluated the current ministers of the court, saying: ’Every single one of them, having read a few military texts, believes himself to be the reincarnation of a military genius.’"
Hui Wenzu had gathered nearly 10,000 cavalry, only to have to disband them and send them back to camp.
The 30,000 cavalry of the West Army Division’s West Mountain Camp entered the border regions.
Zheng Fan didn’t choose a color.
A down-and-out swordsman and an old gentleman holding a long banner arrived outside Yanjing. The old gentleman seemed to have a cold and sneezed, "ACHOO!"
This Chapter is a foreshadowing, don’t panic.