Fifty li outside Panyu City, where Lin Mo's army had made camp.
Dusk settled in, and bonfires were lit one after another among the tents, casting the entire camp in a crimson glow.
Cooking smoke curled upward, mingling with the aroma of food as it drifted through the night breeze.
The soldiers sat around the bonfires, holding bowls and chopsticks as they wolfed down their steaming dinner.
Inside the Central Army's main tent, Lin Mo had already finished his evening meal.
A pot of clear tea and a teacup sat on the campaign table, beside an open storybook.
He leaned against the chair back with one leg crossed over the other, holding a teacup in one hand and turning pages with the other, looking utterly at ease.
Cao Zhengchun stood behind him, his whisk draped over his arm. His eyes watched his nose, his nose watched his heart; he did not move in the slightest.
The occasional footsteps of patrolling soldiers came from outside, mixed with the distant neighing of warhorses, making the tent seem all the quieter.
"Master," Cao Zhengchun leaned closer and lowered his voice, "you've been reading for an hour already. Why not take a rest? Shall this old servant replace your tea with a hot one?"
Without looking up, Lin Mo said, "No need."
Cao Zhengchun awkwardly withdrew and resumed standing there like a post.
Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and Lin Yi strode inside. Cupping his fists, he said:
"Lord, someone from the Jiedushi Mansion has arrived. They brought wine, meat, and supplies, saying they're here to reward the army. They're waiting outside the camp gate."
Lin Mo put down the storybook. "Let them in."
A moment later, the tent flap was lifted again, and several figures entered in single file.
Leading them