Dragon Boat Race Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Chapter Fourteen: The Expedition

Epigraph: When the nation faces peril, righteousness comes first; private feelings are set aside to command the troops again. It is not for the love of power, but for the sake of the state and the common people.

The news of Liangzhou City’s fall plunged the entire capital into panic.

In the imperial court, civil and military officials argued endlessly but failed to produce a single viable countermeasure. The Emperor’s face was ashen. Watching the chaotic scene below, he finally slammed the dragon desk:

“Enough!”

Silence immediately fell over the grand hall.

“The Northern Di cavalry will be at our gates any day now, yet you are still here scrambling for power and profit!” The Emperor’s voice carried suppressed fury. “Now, who can share this burden with Us?”

The officials exchanged glances, no one daring to answer. At this moment, Su Mingyuan stepped forward:

“Your Majesty, the only solution now is to ask the Marquis of Zhenbei to take command of the troops again.”

As soon as he spoke, someone immediately objected: “But the Marquis, he…”

“When the nation is in peril, why quibble over such matters!” Su Mingyuan retorted sharply. “Are we waiting for the Northern Di to slaughter their way into the capital?”

The Emperor remained silent for a long time, finally saying: “Summon the Marquis of Zhenbei.”

When the imperial eunuch arrived at the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence, Wu Ge was playing Go with Qin Gong.

“Marquis, His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately!”

Wu Ge placed a stone, not lifting his head. “Tell His Majesty that I am now a commoner and it is inconvenient for me to participate in court affairs.”

The eunuch knelt down in desperation. “Marquis! The Northern Di are about to attack, and the entire court is depending on you!”

Qin Gong gently pressed Wu Ge’s hand. “Go.”

Wu Ge looked at him. “You want me to go?”

“It’s not what I want,” Qin Gong said softly. “It’s what the people of the world need you to do.”

In the Hall of Golden Chimes, Wu Ge knelt to receive the imperial decree:

“…We hereby appoint the Marquis of Zhenbei, Wu Ge, as the Grand Marshal of the Northern Expedition. He shall lead the troops out immediately. Upon the defeat of the enemy, he shall be restored to his former office…”

“Your servant accepts the decree.” Wu Ge’s voice was calm and steady.

The moment he accepted the Tiger Tally, the entire court breathed a sigh of relief. Only Su Mingyuan had a flicker of smugness in his eyes.

On the eve of the expedition, Wu Ge and Qin Gong drank together in the Marquis’s Residence garden.

“Once I leave, I don’t know when I will return,” Wu Ge said softly, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky.

“I will wait for you.” Qin Gong refilled his cup. “Just like before.”

Wu Ge held his hand. “This time is different. Su Mingyuan pushing me forward at this moment must have an ulterior motive.”

“I know,” Qin Gong smiled. “But some things, even if you know they are a trap, must still be done.”

Three days later, a hundred thousand soldiers swore their oath outside the capital before setting off. Wu Ge, clad in silver armor and a white robe, shone brightly in the morning sun. Qin Gong stood among the farewell crowd, exchanging a look with him—a thousand words unspoken.

After the army marched out, Qin Gong’s life returned to peace. He continued to live in the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Residence, reading and playing Go every day, as if he had returned to his days in the military.

One day, Su Mo suddenly came to visit.

“Assistant Minister Qin, I hope you have been well?” She was still gentle and proper, but there was a hint of worry between her brows.

“Miss Su, is something the matter?” Qin Gong invited her to sit.

Su Mo sighed softly. “I came to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“My father… he went too far,” Su Mo whispered. “Using the nation’s crisis to coerce the Marquis was truly not the act of a gentleman.”

Qin Gong was somewhat surprised. “Miss Su, there is no need for this.”

“No, I must say it.” Su Mo looked up at him. “Although I admire the Marquis, I respect his character even more. For my father to do this, I… feel very ashamed.”

At that moment, Qin Gong saw sincerity in her eyes.

“Miss Su exaggerates,” he said softly. “The Marquis’s expedition is for the sake of the common people, not for anyone else.”

Su Mo nodded, then suddenly said, “Assistant Minister Qin must be careful. My father… he won’t stop here.”

After seeing Su Mo off, Qin Gong fell into deep thought. What would Su Mingyuan do next? While he was pondering, A-Sheng rushed in:

“Military Advisor, border battle report!”

Wu Ge’s military strategy was indeed divine. In less than half a month, he successively recaptured three cities, pushing the Northern Di back three hundred miles. The victory reports returned, and the entire nation celebrated.

However, just at this time, rumors began to circulate in the capital.

“Did you hear? The reason the Marquis of Zhenbei is winning battles is because he reached a secret agreement with the Northern Di.”

“What agreement?”

“They say that after repelling the Northern Di army, he plans to use his troops to declare independence…”

These rumors grew more and more widespread, eventually reaching the Emperor’s ears.

During the morning court session that day, a Censor impeached Wu Ge before the court:

“Your Majesty, Wu Ge is hoarding troops outside the capital and may harbor rebellious intentions. I request that Wu Ge be recalled and another general be appointed to take over!”

Before the Emperor could respond, several other ministers stepped forward to second the motion.

Qin Gong stood at the end of the court, a cold sneer in his heart. These people were timid and submissive when the enemy was at the gates, but as soon as the fighting eased, they couldn’t wait to discard the donkey after it ground the flour.

“Assistant Minister Qin.” The Emperor suddenly called his name. “You served under Wu Ge; what is your opinion on this matter?”

All eyes focused on Qin Gong.

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Qin Gong stepped forward calmly. “Your servant believes that changing generals mid-battle is a great military taboo. If the Marquis can achieve a swift victory, why take unnecessary action? If he cannot win, changing generals will not help either.”

“That’s easy for you to say!” the Censor countered. “If Wu Ge truly harbors rebellious intentions, what then?”

“Your servant is willing to guarantee the Marquis’s loyalty with my life.” Qin Gong knelt down. “If the Marquis harbors rebellious intentions, your servant is willing to share the same fate.”

The court erupted in an uproar. Guaranteeing with one’s life meant staking everything, even death.

The Emperor pondered for a long time, finally saying: “Since this is the case, We shall follow the advice of Our beloved Minister Qin.”

After the court session ended, Qin Gong was just exiting the palace gates when Su Mingyuan blocked his path.

“Assistant Minister Qin has great courage,” Su Mingyuan said with a forced smile. “However, this life guarantee is no child’s play.”

“Your subordinate understands.” Qin Gong was neither servile nor overbearing.

“I hope you won’t regret it,” Su Mingyuan said meaningfully before turning and leaving.

That night, Qin Gong received a secret letter from Wu Ge. Besides expressing his longing, the letter mentioned a suspicious phenomenon: the Northern Di seemed to know their troop deployment like the back of their hand.

“There is a spy in the army,” Qin Gong immediately realized.

He wrote a reply that night, reminding Wu Ge to be careful. However, before the letter could be sent, shocking news arrived:

Wu Ge had been ambushed, his fate unknown.