"That is the Sovereign's order. We need only carry it out."
Although the commander also doubted that persuading Gongxi Chou to defect would bring them much benefit, he knew all too well what happened to those who defied Zheng Qiao's orders.
Besides, this battle had dragged on long enough.
If they could seize the first credit, surely there'd be plenty of rewards to go around.
With the commander's word, the soldiers naturally dared not say more.
Still, the thought of working alongside that barbarian who only knew how to throw his weight around left them more than a little displeased.
Meanwhile, in another part of the story...
Geng Country, under King Zhi's rule.
"Achoo—!"
The loud sneeze carried from the west wing all the way to the east.
"Who's thinking about me now?"
The young man, his head full of braids, strode along with the swagger of someone who didn't care who he offended. A fierce-looking helmet was tucked under his right arm. He walked straight through the front corridor, but a gust of wind caught him halfway and made him sneeze. He rubbed his nose, then casually tossed the helmet to a servant.
His deputy officer hurried to catch up.
"Sit down. You're blocking my light."
Gongxi Chou waved him away.
The officer had no choice but to take a seat, weighing how best to broach the subject.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a graceful young woman entered the front hall with a hot drink. "General, please."
The officer managed a smile and thanked her.
Though she was only a dancer gifted to Gongxi Chou by his adoptive father a year or two ago, she had stayed by Gongxi Chou's side. She had no official status as a concubine, but managed all the affairs of his household and