"The army's morale can't be bought with just two thousand shi of grain. I think you, Wuhui, understand that better than I do."
The commander suddenly gave a mocking laugh, as though he'd recalled some amusing memory. "Wuhui, I trust your judgment, but that doesn't mean I can trust the people you've set your sights on. Haven't you misjudged people before? You trust your lord, and I trust you, but that doesn't mean I'll trust the lord you trust. It's like this: even though Prefect Shen governs Longwu Commandery, she can't order Yonggu Pass around."
As commandery governor, Shen Tang did indeed have a hand in both military and political affairs.
But Yonggu Pass wasn't included. Its troops had little to do with Longwu Commandery. She could have the authority over them, but she couldn't have the soldiers. Even if the envoy were Chu Yao, the childhood friend he owed most in this life, it would make no difference. How could public and private matters be confused?
Even if she handed over command, Shen Tang wouldn't be able to mobilize them.
Yonggu Pass had only a little over twenty thousand garrison troops left. Seventy percent were the commander's personal retainers; the remaining thirty percent belonged to Longwu Commandery. Even if Shen Tang obtained command, in theory she could only direct that thirty percent—and she probably wouldn't be able to direct them at all. Those soldiers had been left behind by the previous commandery governor, and for now, they recognized only the commander who had led them in repelling Ten Crows incursions countless times.
The commander hadn't spelled it out very clearly.
But it might as well have been laid bare.
For Chu Yao's sake, he could leave that Lord Shen to do as she pleased, so long as she didn't