Volume 1, Chapter 52: Failing to Establish Authority, Instead Suffering Humiliation

Half an hour later, Chiba Hinata was trembling like a sieve, completely limp against Zhao Wujiang. Her cheeks were flushed, and her seductive eyes were like threads of silk as she cupped Zhao Wujiang's face.

"Wujiang-kun, I am your woman now... Can... Can I have a proper title?"

This title would serve as her lifeline and amulet should she fail to seize the throne of Hansang or if Hansang were to fall.

Zhao Wujiang rolled over and became completely heartless, shaking his head.

Chiba Hinata's eyes grew hazy with tears.

"Isn't it normal for great men of the Great Xia to have multiple wives and concubines? And you are an heir apparent! Do you think I am not good enough for you?"

"Precisely because I am the heir apparent," Zhao Wujiang replied, shaking his head. "I have just married the princess, and taking a concubine must wait at least a year... I cannot give you the title of a wife, but I can offer you something else, such as the bond of master and disciple..."

Chiba Hinata's eyes flashed, and she shook his head.

"I do not want to be your disciple. A year from now, I will return to claim this title from you. Once I become the Empress of Hansang, I shall be worthy of you."

"The struggle for the throne, I will help you," Zhao Wujiang said in a deep voice. "Your delegation has come to fetch you. Return now."

"Hansang and the Great Xia..." Chiba Hinata frowned.

"Will usher in a brief peace," Zhao Wujiang answered.

Chiba Hinata let out a sigh of relief, looping her arms around Zhao Wujiang's neck.

"Thank you, Wujiang-kun..."

Two cups of tea later, the Hansang delegation stood trembling outside the Prince's Mansion, welcoming back their princess, Chiba Hinata.

During this, Zhao Tingxiao cast a casual glance their way, and it so frightened the members of the delegation that they dropped to their knees, shouting praises of General Zhao Tingxiao, the most formidable tiger of the empire.

Chiba Hinata was led away, turning back to look at Zhao Wujiang every three steps before she vanished from sight.

Zhao Wujiang stood before the mansion gates, hands clasped behind his back, pretending to conceal great achievements and fame while maintaining the aloof demeanor of a true master without uttering a word.

"Snap!"

The back of his head received a heavy flick, nearly sending him stumbling forward.

He clutched his head and cried out, "Ouch! Dad, what are you doing?"

Zhao Tingxiao wore a deadpan expression.

"How many women on earth have you been entangled with?"

"Can you blame me? I carry the heavy responsibility of spreading branches and leaves, and scattering the family incense for the old Zhao clan," Zhao Wujiang said with absolute solemnity. "Is it my fault they got involved with me? Isn't it simply because I am your son, Dad? Like fireflies in the summer sun, their radiance cannot be concealed even in the dead of night!"

Zhao Tingxiao could no longer maintain his stern facade. His eyes brimmed with doting affection mixed with a trace of exasperation as he glared at Zhao Wujiang.

"Come with me to the military camp."

"Alright." Zhao Wujiang nodded. Yesterday's imperial edict meant today should involve a simple handover of military authority; his old man was going to check on his old friends in the army and soothe any lingering discontent among them.

Outside the South City, the main army was stationed.

Long Zhan rode a tall horse, leading his subordinates proudly into the military camp with an arrogant air.

The soldiers of the Northern Defense Army glanced at him once, ignored him entirely, and went back to busy themselves with kindling fires and cooking meals.

"I heard the Northern Defense Army is known for strict discipline, yet when the commanding general arrives, they are still this lax and disorderly!" One of Long Zhan's subordinates, seeing that the Northern Defense Army soldiers were ignoring their new master, leaped forward and began cursing at a grunt who was tending a fire.

"Get lost!" The grunt picked up a red-hot piece of firewood and thrust it forward, driving the man away as if shooing off the wild beasts that frequently haunted the harsh northern wilderness.

Long Zhan's expression darkened.

Humiliated, the subordinate fumed with anger and barked, "My general is here by imperial decree to take command of the Northern Defense Army! Your behavior right now—are you trying to rebel against an imperial edict?"

The soldiers of the Northern Defense Army remained silent, continuing to busy themselves with cooking. Now that they had arrived in the capital, there were no battles to fight, but since a man must eat to survive, everything had to proceed step by step according to routine.

They had indeed received the imperial edict, but they were deeply resentful and unwilling to submit. If not for their strict discipline, they would have rioted long ago.

"Defying an imperial decree! According to military law, twenty-five lashes!" Long Zhan dismounted, his expression cold as he prepared to give these unruly soldiers a harsh show of authority.

His men stepped forward with weapons drawn. Instantly, the Northern Defense Army soldiers cooking by the fires stood up in unison and picked up their weapons. They still did not speak, but in a fraction of a second, Long Zhan and his men felt that bone-chilling aura of northern warfare—arid, fierce, and merciless.

They involuntarily halted their steps and swallowed hard.

"I have been ordered by the emperor to drill you and ensure you haven't grown slack! Do not forget the responsibility you shoulder to protect your homes and country!" Long Zhan proclaimed righteously.

From deep within the crowd of soldiers came a roar of abuse, impossible to trace by direction:

"Get lost, you son of a bitch! When I was drilling your mother, you weren't even born yet! You haven't even grown your hair down there, and you dare try to drill us?"

A wave of uproarious laughter swept through the ranks of soldiers.

"Insubordinate rebels! I shall report this directly to His Majesty!" Long Zhan's face turned ashen. The next moment, he froze in surprise. The previously unruly Northern Defense Army soldiers seemed cowed by the mention of reporting to the emperor. In an instant, they dropped whatever they were doing and snapped into a unified military salute.

"Greetings, General!"

The roar was thunderous and shook every heart present.

Long Zhan nodded in satisfaction, but quickly realized something was amiss. Following the gaze of the soldiers, he looked back and saw Zhao Wujiang and Zhao Tingxiao dismounting and walking toward them from not far away.

As it turned out, the earlier shout of "Greetings, General" was not meant for him, Long Zhan at all, but for the Prince of Northern Defense.

He was so angry his teeth itched, his face turning an unsightly shade of dark, but in the presence of the Prince of Northern Defense, he dared not vent his fury. Instead, he cupped his fists and said, "Long Zhan pays his respects to Your Highness."

Zhao Wujiang straightened his posture.

Seeing this, Long Zhan cursed Zhao Wujiang inwardly as a fox exploiting the tiger's might.

"General Long, do not take offense..." Zhao Tingxiao's presence was vast and deep as an abyss as he said calmly, "These old brothers of mine have followed me for many years. It is only human nature for them to be reluctant to accept this change for a while. With your magnanimity, you should understand... Please give them a little more time."

Long Zhan's expression shifted continuously as he forced a smile.

"Understood, understood completely."

"General, you've finally come?" A scholar holding a goose feather fan squeezed out from among the soldiers, beaming with smiles. He glanced at Zhao Wujiang and said, "This must be His Highness the Heir Apparent. Truly a man of exceptional talent..."

"General, if you hadn't come soon, we'd have rusted away from sheer boredom here!"

The soldiers chimed in one after another, eagerly welcoming the Prince of Northern Defense. Compared to the cold indifference they had shown Long Zhan earlier, they were now overflowing with heartfelt warmth.

Observing this, Long Zhan grew even more furious. Unable to lash out, he cupped his fists once more toward the Prince of Northern Defense, spat out a farewell, vaulted back onto his horse, and rode away in a rage.

He had originally intended to use the imperial edict to establish his authority and make it easier to take control of the Northern Defense Army, but he had never expected to suffer such utter humiliation, with the Northern Defense Army refusing to give him even a shred of decency!

Nor could he actually report this to the Emperor. If he did, what would it prove?

Would it prove that the Northern Defense Army was vicious and hard to manage?

No!

It would only convince the Emperor that Long Zhan lacked the competence to command the Northern Defense Army!

He had no choice but to swallow his broken teeth along with his blood, stewing in suppressed fury!