Chapter 67: Pacifying the Northern Frontier

He gently closed the document, raised his eyes to look into the distance, and his gaze grew profound. "Uncle Yang, the northern frontier is finally pacified now. Next, the Black Tiger Army will be stationed at the borders according to plan, and there is no need for any further arbitrary redeployment."

Yang Mu nodded and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, although we achieved a great victory this time, the imperial court has yet to issue a clear order for military provisions. If the Black Tiger Army is stationed at the border and goes without supplies for long, I fear..."

Zhao Ang waved a hand, his tone casual. "Uncle Yang, the Black Tiger Army is strong and well-equipped now, so self-sufficiency is no longer a problem. The grain, fodder, and supplies left behind by the barbarians, accumulated over the years, are enough to sustain us for a while. As long as we hold our ground, no one will dare to move against us easily."

He paused, a hint of chill flashing in his gaze. "As for those people in the capital, cutting off our supplies is merely an attempt to see if I, Zhao Ang, cannot hold out. Unfortunately, they have underestimated the Zhao family, and they have underestimated the Black Tiger Army."

Yang Mu sighed, nodding as he spoke, "Your Highness is right. The northern frontier is secure now, but the situation at the Duke's Estate is on the verge of disaster and must be saved."

Hearing this, Zhao Ang was silent for a moment, then said coldly, "Therefore, I must return to the capital myself. This trap is one I must break."

Early the next morning, the glare of the snow cast a silver-white glow over the camp.

The soldiers of the Black Tiger Army stood in neat formations. Zhao Ang, clad in cold armor, stood at the very front, his gaze sweeping over these brothers who had fought bloody battles alongside him, his expression stern and resolute.

"Brothers!" Zhao Ang's voice rang through the air like the clashing of swords in the wind. "The northern frontier is settled, and the mighty reputation of the Black Tiger Army has spread across the realm! But this is not enough!"

He drew his long saber and raised it high, the blade reflecting a dazzling, cold light in the sunlight. "My saber is not only the blade that guards the northern frontier, it is the blade of the Zhao family! From today onward, you shall be garrisoned here, taking the northern frontier as our foundation, and no one is permitted to cross even a single step!"

"We swear to defend the border to the death!" the soldiers of the Black Tiger Army shouted in unison, their voices shaking the valley.

Zhao Ang sheathed his saber and looked at Yang Mu beside him. "Uncle Yang, the northern frontier is entrusted to you. If people come from the capital, you need only remember one sentence: The blade of the Zhao family remains sharp."

Yang Mu cupped his fists in salute, his tone steady. "Your Highness, rest assured. As long as the blades of the Black Tiger Army remain in our hands, nothing will go wrong in the northern frontier!"

Zhang Shan stepped forward, patting his chest as he said, "Your Highness, the road to the capital is long, please take good care of yourself. When you return in triumph, I, Zhang Shan, will treat you to the strongest wine!"

Zhao Ang smiled broadly and patted Zhang Shan on the shoulder. "Save the strong liquor to celebrate my victory. This trip, not only will I rescue my grandfather, but I will also let those old foxes in the capital know that Zhao Ang is not a chess piece they can manipulate at will!"

The piercing wind and driving snow shattered the frozen crust, kicking up flurries of white frost.

Clad in silver armor with his cloak billowing in the wind and a long saber strapped to his waist, Zhao Ang sat on horseback with a stern expression. He led a small elite squad of personal guards, rushing toward the capital through dust and snow. This vanguard numbered only fifty-odd men, every single one a seasoned expert from the Black Tiger Army. Their armor fit snugly, bows and sabers hung from their saddles, and their eyes were as sharp as hawks.

The snow along the way seemed unable to suppress the murderous intent of the group.

Riding beside Zhao Ang, Yang Mu could not help but advise in a low voice, "Your Highness, you have far too few men with you. This journey ahead is likely to be perilous. Those people in the capital may not allow us to enter the city smoothly."

Zhao Ang merely smiled, a flash of cold light crossing his eyes. "Uncle Yang, whether it is peaceful or not depends on whether they dare to make a move. This saber of mine is not for show."

With that, his gaze drifted far to the south, the chill growing heavier. "Besides, a turbulent journey is all for the better; it will give me a chance to test just how impatient those people in the imperial court truly are."

Zhang Shan galloped over from the rear of the formation, his voice booming, "Your Highness, there is a post station twenty miles ahead. Shall we rest for a moment?"

Zhao Ang narrowed his eyes and looked up at the sky. "Rest for what? We need to reach the capital before nightfall, time is short."

Zhang Shan hesitated slightly. "Your Highness, the journey is arduous, and these brothers need a moment to catch their breath..."

Zhao Ang interrupted him coldly, "Zhang Shan, do you think my return to the capital this time is to drink tea and chat? Every moment we delay is another moment of danger for my grandfather. If anyone cannot hold on, they may stay behind."

Startled, Zhang Shan quickly replied, "This subordinate understands, Your Highness is right!"

Zhao Ang said no more. He gently tightened the reins, nudged his horse's flanks, and pressed forward.

Inside the snow-swept capital, red walls and golden tiles were shrouded in frost, making the imperial city appear exceptionally stern and desolate.

In the study of the Duke of Dingguo's estate, the hearth fire burned brightly, yet the hazy warmth could not dispel the chill within the room.

The Duke of Dingguo stood with his hands clasped behind his back by the window, gazing out through the lattice, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

His trusted aide, Zhao Hai, waited close by, reporting in a low voice, "My lord, the news has been confirmed without error. Zhao Ang has already set out for the capital, bringing only a small squad of personal guards. Word is that he is also carrying the treaty signed with the barbarians."

The corners of the Duke of Dingguo's mouth ticked upward into a cold sneer. "What a bold Zhao Ang, he actually dares to return. It seems that this time, even he has failed to realize he is already a turtle in a jar."

Zhao Hai asked cautiously, "My lord, Zhao Ang's return to the capital this time clearly shows he has made preparations. Although the Black Tiger Army did not accompany him, that band of loyal personal guards... I fear they won't be easy to deal with."

The Duke of Dingguo shook his head gently, a flash of disdain in his eyes. "No matter how shrewd he is, what can he do? Since he dares to set foot in the capital this once, I will ensure he never returns!"

He slowly turned around, his expression resolute, and spoke in a low voice, "It is all the better that the Black Tiger Army did not come. For Zhao Ang to enter the capital empty-handed and isolated is the prime opportunity to strip him of his military command! The blade of the northern frontier is due to be reclaimed."

Hearing this, Zhao Hai's eyes revealed a trace of excitement, and he could not help asking, "My lord, how should we arrange our next steps?"

The Duke of Dingguo paced slowly to the desk, reached out, and gently pushed aside the memorials piled upon it. His tone was casual, yet it concealed a lethal intent.

"It is very simple. Since Zhao Ang has brought the treaty back, let him explain it clearly—how he negotiated peace with the barbarians, and whether there was any illicit exchange in the process."

Zhao Hai caught the meaning instantly and nodded. "Brilliant, my lord! While Zhao Ang's peace negotiations with the barbarians benefit the northern frontier, in the imperial court... that may not necessarily be a good thing."

The Duke of Dingguo sneered, "Those old fogies in the court harbor the greatest dread of the Zhao family's power. With just a little guidance, they will surely perceive Zhao Ang's peace treaty as a sign of arrogance and traitorous ambition."

At this, his gaze darkened slightly, and his voice dropped lower. "Furthermore, the Duke of Zhenguo, Zhao Rong, is currently under house arrest, and Zhao Ang has lost his foundation in the capital. If I push just a little further, I can sever his wings completely."

A glint of delight appeared in Zhao Hai's eyes, and he couldn't help asking, "Then, regarding the military power, how will my lord handle it?"