Chapter 101: The Final Chapter (Part One) Part 2

Xie Shaoling was still a young man with thin skin. His face flushed crimson instantly, and he struggled for words.

“Captain Jin means to say—” Shen Jun took over with a shallow smile, his tone leisurely. “That Marshal Pei is acting spoiled because of the favor he receives?”

His gaze turned to Gu Huaiyu, his voice heavy with meaning. “Chancellor, you have spoiled Marshal Pei until he knows no bounds.”

Gu Huaiyu thought to himself that this was a massive injustice. Pei Jingyi was clearly the one spoiling himself, finding every possible way to seek his own benefits. What did it have to do with him?

Pei Jingyi leaned back in his chair, sweeping a glance over the irritating Shen Jun. “Master Shen truly has a keen eye. I am indeed very favored by the Chancellor.”

He intentionally drew out his words as he asked, “But as for ‘acting spoiled’? Am I?”

Shen Jun looked at his arrogant posture—was there a single part of him that wasn’t the perfect definition of “spoiled”? He said softly, “Has the Marshal heard the poem: ‘Since ancient times, famous generals are like beautiful women; neither are permitted to see their hair turn white’?”

The tent fell into a sudden silence.

Shen Jun continued at an unhurried pace. “Marshal Pei is no longer so young. How many more years can you remain… favored before the Chancellor?”

His words were needles hidden in silk, mocking Pei Jingyi for serving with his looks and hinting that his beauty would fade, while also implying that a general’s career was short and would likely end in a violent death.

Pei Jingyi looked toward Gu Huaiyu. “How many years I can remain favored… that’s for the Chancellor to decide, isn’t it?”

Gu Huaiyu’s gaze turned cold. He could discipline his own dog however he liked, but he wouldn’t tolerate outsiders speaking ill of him.

“Shen Jun.”

That single name was called out with freezing coldness. The tent fell deathly silent.

Gu Huaiyu sat in his chair, flipping through the military report in his hand. “My person is not for others to criticize,” he said slowly.

Only then did he lift his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Shen Jun’s pale face. “The command tent is a place for discussing military affairs, not for you to flirt and philosophize.”

This was blatant favoritism. Shen Jun wasn’t the only one “philosophizing.”

Pei Jingyi felt as if he were floating on air. He hadn’t touched Little Yu’s body in half a month, and now, a single sentence from him had sent his blood rushing.

A moment of a spring night is worth a thousand gold. He wished he could scoop Gu Huaiyu up and return to the inner tent immediately.

“Chancellor.” He stood up abruptly and strode to the sand table.

He already had the military strategy mapped out in his mind. Before arriving, he had already decided on a plan. He tapped several cities on the sand table with precision. “As our army deepens into the heart of Eastern Liao, it is no longer suitable to bring a million men.”

His finger traced a sharp trajectory across the sand. “I have decided to lead 300,000 elite Northern Frontier Army troops further north. The Provincial Army and Foreign Auxiliaries will remain to garrison the captured cities.”

“First, this prevents a Liao counterattack. Second, it eases the pressure on the supply line. Third, it increases our marching speed.”

His words were crisp and decisive. The man who had been grinning and joking a moment ago had instantly returned to his true form: a decisive, lethal Marshal.

However, his deep, hawk-like eyes kept darting toward the high seat. Gu Huaiyu knew exactly what he was plotting.

Gu Huaiyu had no objections to this proposal. Had he been in the same position, he would have made the same choice.

Except…

He said thoughtfully, “In doing so, the Northern Frontier Army will be disconnected from the rear. Advancing alone into Eastern Liao is dangerous.”

Pei Jingyi crossed his arms and smiled at him. “Do not worry, Chancellor. A signal fire every three days, and two drumbeats every night.”

The veteran generals in the tent nodded one after another. This was the highest specification of military communication, meaning the vanguard and the rear would maintain the tightest possible coordination.

Gu Huaiyu nodded his approval. “This Chancellor permits it.”

With the military council concluded, it was time for “romance.”

The generals in the tent were discerning enough to take their leave. Even Shen Jun, who had just been scolded, stood up silently and followed the crowd out.

Only Xie Shaoling remained where he was, standing like a conspicuous nail.

Pei Jingyi’s arm was already halfway raised to pull Gu Huaiyu to him, but he was interrupted by the annoying brat. “Does Master Xie have more military affairs to report?”

Xie Shaoling’s lashes trembled. The young man’s dark, clear eyes looked straight at Gu Huaiyu as he forced a smile. “Regarding the 300,000 piculs of grain that just arrived… this official wishes for the Chancellor to review the deployment documents…”

Logistics were his responsibility; there was no need to ask for instructions here.

Gu Huaiyu rubbed his brow and sat up straight. “I will not review them. I trust you.”