Dragon Boat Race Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Chapter 11: Sudden Turmoil

Epigraph: The situation shifts suddenly as the Imperial Edict descends; though close, they are kept far apart. It is not that the heart of the beloved is made of iron, but that the Emperor’s command is impossible to defy, causing even greater sorrow.

The autumn chill deepened, and the northern winds had begun to carry a biting cold. Just as Qin Gong and Wu Ge were bracing themselves, preparing to deal with the impeachments from the court, a fast rider, covered in dust, burst into the military camp.

“The Imperial Edict has arrived!”

The messenger’s high-pitched voice shattered the camp’s tranquility. All the generals quickly donned their armor and gathered before the central tent to receive the decree.

Qin Gong stood beside Wu Ge, watching the Imperial Envoy holding the bright yellow scroll. An ominous feeling rose in his heart. The envoy’s expression was solemn, and when his gaze swept over Qin Gong, it carried a hint of undetectable coldness.

“Wu Ge, Commander of the Northern Expedition Army, receive the decree!”

Everyone knelt down in unison. Wu Ge said in a deep voice, “Your servant is present.”

The envoy unrolled the edict and read aloud:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Qin Gong, Strategist of the Northern Expedition Army, is of unknown identity and suspicious conduct. Furthermore, the Northern Di envoy publicly attempted to recruit him, making his loyalty questionable. He is hereby immediately relieved of his post as Strategist and is to be escorted back to the capital for trial. Respect this!”

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded overhead, and Qin Gong felt chilled to the bone. Although he had anticipated that someone would seize the opportunity to cause trouble, he had not expected it to come so quickly or so ruthlessly.

“Your servant accepts the decree.” Wu Ge’s voice was surprisingly calm, but Qin Gong saw that the knuckles of the hand he rested on the ground were white from clenching.

The envoy closed the edict and turned his gaze to Qin Gong. “Strategist Qin, please come with us.”

Two Imperial Guards stepped forward, ready to shackle Qin Gong.

“Wait.” Wu Ge suddenly stood up. “Strategist Qin is physically weak and cannot endure the suffering of shackles. I, the Commander, am willing to guarantee with my own head that he will not flee.”

The envoy frowned. “General Wu, this is an Imperial Edict…”

“If he escapes, I, Wu Ge, am willing to accept the crime of implication.” Wu Ge’s voice was resolute.

The envoy hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. “Since the General provides assurance, the shackles will be waived. But you must depart immediately.”

As Qin Gong was led away to prepare his belongings, he looked back at Wu Ge. Their eyes met, and a thousand words dissolved into a silent gaze.

Half an hour later, Qin Gong walked out of the tent under the escort of the Imperial Guards. To his surprise, the soldiers in the camp had spontaneously lined up to see him off.

General Zhao was the first to step forward, cupping his hands in salute. “Strategist, take care!”

Next was Captain Sun. “Strategist, we believe you are innocent!”

Even Adjutant Wang, who had always kept his distance from him, whispered, “Strategist, please take care.”

This scene caused the envoy’s expression to change slightly, and it warmed Qin Gong’s heart. His efforts during his time with the Northern Expedition Army had not been in vain after all.

Just as he was about to mount the carriage, Wu Ge strode over and, in front of everyone, draped a heavy cloak over his shoulders.

“It’s cold. Take care on the road.” Wu Ge’s voice was low, and only Qin Gong could hear the tremor in his words.

Qin Gong squeezed his hand and whispered, “Wait for me to return.”

The carriage slowly started moving. Through the window, Qin Gong watched Wu Ge standing rooted to the spot, his figure appearing particularly solitary in the autumn wind. The outline of the military camp gradually blurred, eventually disappearing from view.

All the way, Qin Gong remained silent. The escorting Imperial Guards seemed to have received some instructions; they treated him with relative courtesy but guarded him extremely strictly, making escape impossible.

Three days later, in the evening, the convoy stopped at a post station to rest. Qin Gong was placed alone in a room, with heavy guards stationed outside the door.

In the dead of night, a faint tapping sound suddenly came from outside the window. Qin Gong alertly got up, only to see a dark figure agilely flipping through the window.

“Who is it?”

“Strategist, it’s me.” The shadow pulled down his face covering, revealing A-Sheng’s anxious face. “The Commander sent me to rescue you.”

Qin Gong’s heart tightened. “Nonsense! This is jailbreaking, a capital offense!”

“The Commander said he must get you out no matter what,” A-Sheng urged. “The court is determined to convict you this time. Going back means certain death.”

“Then I absolutely cannot leave.” Qin Gong said firmly. “If I flee, Wu Ge will suffer the crime of implication.”

“But…”

“No buts.” Qin Gong interrupted him. “Go back and tell Wu Ge not to act rashly. I have my own way to handle this.”

A-Sheng was about to try persuading him again when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

“Hurry and go!” Qin Gong whispered.

A-Sheng, helpless, had no choice but to climb out the window and vanish into the night.

The next morning, the envoy seemed to have sensed something, as he intensified the surveillance of Qin Gong and sped up the journey.

Two more days passed, and the capital was already in sight. Just as the convoy was about to enter the city, a fast rider galloped up.

“The Imperial Edict has arrived!”

The person who came was none other than the Chief Eunuch of the palace. He held another Imperial Edict and read aloud:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Upon investigation of the case concerning Northern Expedition Army Strategist Qin Gong’s collusion with the enemy, insufficient evidence was found. He is hereby released immediately and reinstated to his original post. Respect this!”

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.

The envoy was incredulous. “Eunuch, this…”

The Chief Eunuch said with a beaming smile, “The Northern Di Khan has just submitted his surrender letter, specifically naming and thanking Strategist Qin. His Majesty is greatly pleased, and the previous matters are naturally null and void.”

Qin Gong suddenly understood. So this was what Wu Ge meant by “I have my own way.” He must have secretly reached some agreement with the Northern Di, using the Northern Di Khan’s words to clear his name.

“Strategist, you have suffered.” The Chief Eunuch said. “His Majesty wishes to grant you a personal audience.”

It was half a month later when Qin Gong returned to the Northern Expedition Army camp. From afar, he saw Wu Ge waiting at the camp gate, and behind him were the entire army’s soldiers lined up in neat formation.

“Welcome back, Strategist!” The earth-shattering cheers echoed through the sky.

Wu Ge quickly stepped forward and, in full view of everyone, tightly grasped Qin Gong’s hand. “Welcome back.”

At this moment, all etiquette and rules were cast aside. Qin Gong looked at his haggard face, a pang of sadness in his heart. “You’ve lost weight.”

“You too.”

That evening, Wu Ge hosted a banquet in his tent to welcome Qin Gong back. After three rounds of wine, the generals tactfully withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the tent.

“How did you manage it?” Qin Gong asked.

Wu Ge put down his wine cup. “I reached an agreement with the Northern Di Khan.”

“What agreement?”

“He submits the surrender letter, I guarantee his life, and also…” Wu Ge paused. “I agreed to his request for a marriage alliance.”

The wine cup in Qin Gong’s hand nearly dropped. “A marriage alliance?”

“Don’t worry,” Wu Ge held his hand. “It’s not you or me. It’s his daughter marrying a prince of our dynasty.”

Qin Gong finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then he thought of something else. “How did the court agree to this?”

“It’s the best possible outcome,” Wu Ge said. “The Northern Expedition Army cannot continue fighting, and the court cannot afford the cost either. A marriage alliance is a result that both sides can accept.”

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Wu Ge’s deep eyes. “I just feel bad for you, having endured those days of hardship for nothing.”

“It was worth it.” Qin Gong smiled. “As long as I could return to see you.”

Outside the tent, the autumn wind was desolate. Inside the tent, two hearts were closer than ever before.

However, they both understood that although this storm had temporarily subsided, those in the court who feared Wu Ge’s military power would never give up.

A greater storm still lay ahead.