Identity exposed

Ignoring Zou Donghai's seething anger, Wei Li looked at Yang Qing without any change in expression.

"Lord Yang, although I have always respected Deputy General Zou's character, this matter concerns the general's reputation, as well as the stability of Yan Pass. As a man who can distinguish right from wrong, surely you would not interfere lightly in the affairs of Yan Pass?"

Yang Qing said, "Naturally, I would not interfere without cause. But I would like to know how this matter arose."

Wei Li gave a cold laugh. "Someone is taking advantage of the general's illness to try to replace him, of course."

"Wei Li, stop spouting nonsense! When did I ever try to replace the old general? It was clearly you..."

Furious, Zou Donghai stepped forward and seized Wei Li by the collar.

Wei Li snorted again. "When the general first began recuperating, he entrusted all affairs at Yan Pass, great and small, to me. Yan Pass is already under my control. Why would I go to such unnecessary lengths?"

"You, on the other hand, Deputy General Zou, saw years of effort come to nothing. Resentment festered in your heart, and so you resorted to this despicable trick."

Wei Li smugly surveyed Zou Donghai, whose face had already begun to pale.

"Unfortunately, you lifted a rock only to crush your own feet. I have long been watching your every move in secret. Your guard is my witness! What do you have to say now?"

Zou Donghai trembled all over with rage. But his guard was still in Wei Li's hands, his fate unknown. He had already gotten Old Du killed; he could not let another life be lost for nothing.

He glared with bloodshot eyes. "What do you want?"

"I have no authority to pass judgment on your crimes. I will submit a memorial and ask His Majesty to decide. Until then, you will stay obediently in your own tent and not take a single step outside."

Was Wei Li planning to place him under house arrest in the camp?

Alarmed, Zou Donghai was about to speak when, from the corner of his eye, he saw Yang Qing give him a slight shake of the head.

He forcibly suppressed the fury churning in his chest and said through gritted teeth, "So what if you submit a memorial to His Majesty? I, Zou Donghai, have fought on the battlefield for over a decade. His Majesty will judge fairly!"

"Excellent!"

As he spoke, Wei Li turned to Yang Qing. "My uncle sent me some Fragrant Tea from the Capital City a little while ago. I hear you have always enjoyed tea, Lord Yang. Would you care to join me for a tasting?"

Yang Qing smiled. "If it came from Chancellor Wei, it must be exceptional. I have been away from the capital for nearly a year, and I do miss it dearly."

"In that case, Lord Yang, shall we?"

Wei Li and Yang Qing left together, leaving Zou Donghai alone in the tent.

Crash! He overturned the table before him and roared, "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

Inside Wei Li's tent

Wei Li personally brought a freshly brewed cup of tea to Yang Qing and smiled. "My uncle once mentioned that you were a young man of great promise, Lord Yang, a rare talent. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."

Yang Qing accepted the cup with a smile. "Chancellor Wei is too kind. I am merely an ordinary man, unworthy of such praise."

"Ah, Lord Yang, you are far too modest. These days, throughout Yan Prefecture—even here at Yan Pass—your name rings in everyone's ears like thunder."

Yang Qing smiled without speaking.

Wei Li continued, "Now that we both hold posts in Yan Prefecture, we ought to visit each other more often and lend each other our support."

Yang Qing replied calmly, "I am merely the Yan Prefecture Military Commissioner. There is no need to make so much of me, Deputy General Wei."

"You may not be aware, Lord Yang, but Yan Pass is hanging by a thread! Northern Liang has been eyeing us like a tiger for years. In both troop numbers and strength, they surpass Western Chu several times over..."

Yang Qing interrupted, "Is that why Chancellor Wei has been advocating peace with Northern Liang so vigorously at court?"

Wei Li seized the opening. "My uncle has exhausted his mind and strength for over a decade. Naturally, he does not wish to see Western Chu's splendid mountains and rivers engulfed in war and destroyed in a single stroke. If we could secure a truce and peace between our two countries, would that not be a wonderful thing for both the nation and its people?"

"You have been at Yan Pass for several days, Lord Yang. You have seen the old general's condition and experienced Northern Liang's arrogance firsthand. I am sure you would not wish to see them treat the people of Western Chu this way."

Yang Qing tightened his grip on the teacup. "Of course I would not. But although Western Chu has always treated others with goodwill, we cannot be certain that Northern Liang does not harbor a wolf's heart."

With that, he lowered his head and lifted the lid of his cup. "It is indeed worthy of Chancellor Wei's discerning eye. The fragrance alone soothes the heart and mind."

Then he took a small sip.

Wei Li wanted to say more, but seeing Yang Qing engrossed in his tea, he swallowed everything else he had intended to say.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Yang Qing took his leave of Wei Li's tent.

Upon returning to his own tent, Yang Qing quietly summoned Bu Er.

"Keep a close watch on Wei Li's movements. Also, warn Deputy General Zou that he must not act rashly under any circumstances. Tell him to follow my arrangements."

Bu Er turned to leave, but Yang Qing stopped him again. "Are the people from that side nearby?"

"Rest assured, young master. Everything is ready."

"Good. You may go."

Yang Qing pressed his temples and waved Bu Er away.

A little later, someone else entered. Yang Qing did not look up. "Has everything I instructed been taken care of?"

When no answer came, Yang Qing looked up in surprise and saw a face he had never expected.

"Zhizhou, what are you doing here?"

These days, Jiang Zhizhou kept an extremely low profile and never appeared before others unless absolutely necessary. Yet now he had come straight into the military camp, leaving Yang Qing inexplicably worried.

"I learned of something highly secret and came to warn you. Northern Liang will be taking action against Yan Pass soon. You must be careful."

"Northern Liang intends to move against Western Chu? What exactly are they planning?"

A chill gripped Yang Qing's heart.

Of late, both Yan Prefecture and Yan Pass had been focused on the peace negotiations between Western Chu and Northern Liang.

What was Northern Liang plotting in secret at such a critical juncture?

And if it was secret, how had Jiang Zhizhou learned of it?

Yang Qing's gaze settled on Jiang Zhizhou, making his face pale.

"We have known each other for so many years. I would never harm you."

Jiang Zhizhou let out a long sigh and said nothing more.

"Zhizhou, Northern Liang guards against Western Chu even more fiercely than we guard against them. With the Regent King in power, Northern Liang is like a solid slab of iron. How did you come by such secret information?"

Under Yang Qing's piercing gaze, Jiang Zhizhou withdrew the hand he had intended to place on his shoulder without quite realizing it. Then he began undoing the buttons of his upper garment, one by one.

"Although I have lived in Yan Prefecture since childhood, I was actually born in Northern Liang."

A trace of sorrow lingered in Jiang Zhizhou's eyes as he looked at Yang Qing.

"I kept the truth hidden all these years because I never wanted a day to come when we would turn our blades against each other."

"You are the brother I lost for ten years and only found again after so much difficulty. Naturally, I do not want you to face any danger."

"By coming here alone today, I have already prepared myself for the worst. I deceived you first. Whether you kill me or flay me, I leave it to you."

Yang Qing said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the small tattoo at the back of Jiang Zhizhou's waist.

Everything Yang Qing knew about Northern Liang's tattoos flashed through his mind, until at last his thoughts settled on one particular possibility.

He had never imagined that Jiang Zhizhou came from such a lineage...

Yang Qing briefly closed his eyes and said quietly to Jiang Zhizhou, "I do not blame you. But the bond between us ends here. Leave."

Jiang Zhizhou's face turned white in an instant, and his body swayed slightly.

"Very well. As you wish! But I will investigate this matter thoroughly and come back to tell you what I find."