Jinghe Year Sixteen, Second Month, Twenty-Eighth Day, Ningxia.
Wind poured through the passes of Helan Mountain, whipping up yellow sand and battering the garrison banners.
Inside the central command tent, Zhou Quan sat behind his desk, his face darker than the sky outside.
Three military reports lay spread across the desk.
The first: scouts reported that Tangut light cavalry had crossed the old Hengshan road.
They had roamed the Hongliu Gully area for three days, burned two forts, plundered a hundred or so cattle and sheep from the frontier people, wounded seven, and abducted two.
The second: Tangut Raiding Cavalry had appeared along the Dingbian-Huamachi line, spying on our frontier wall. Their scouts had come three times in a single day.
The third...
Zhou Quan picked up the third report and read it again.
It was a military order from Xu Zhen, the General Who Guards the Nation in Xi'an. It had arrived only last night, bearing a vermilion seal, every word ice-cold:
"Deliberations at Court remain unresolved, and there are concerns over provoking hostilities on the frontier. All garrisons shall strictly defend their passes and shall not dispatch a single soldier without authorization. Any who disobey shall be dealt with under military law."
Below it was a line of small characters in Xu Zhen's own hand: [I know the Marquis of Dongning has always been bold and valiant, but this is no time for boldness. I ask that you understand and Do Not Move.]
"Do Not Move....."
Zhou Quan stared at those words, "Do Not Move," then suddenly slammed his palm onto the desk.
"Fucking bullshit!"
The reports and teacup jumped together, splashing tea across the desk.
"Do Not Move?" He sprang to his feet and paced back and forth inside the tent, his armor plates clattering.
"He sits