The Golden Token arrived in Hedong.
A murderous chill filled the Yan Army's command tent. Almost every face brimmed with anger, eyes roaming over the Court's envoy with a cutting intent to kill.
The Court's envoy looked at Murong Ke and said somewhat fearfully, "Grand Marshal, the Empress Dowager has ordered you to return to the capital with your army. Please make your preparations and come with me."
His gaze dark, Murong Ke sat at the head of the tent and said without lifting his head, "Return first and report to the Empress Dowager. The fighting is urgent, and I cannot return. Once I have taken Hedong, I shall ask her forgiveness."
The envoy dared say no more and hurried away.
The moment the envoy left the camp, Murong Ke's subordinate commanders could no longer contain themselves. One roared furiously, "That wicked dowager, that witless ruler! The army is away fighting, yet they would recall it on such an absurd pretext! Great Yan's government will be ruined in their hands.
"Are those ministers at Court good for nothing but eating?
"How could such a senseless order be sent to the front? If the soldiers learn that great achievements earn them no rewards, only an immediate withdrawal, aren't those exalted people worried about a mutiny?
"Your Highness, you absolutely must not obey such a senseless order!"
These words spoke everyone's mind. Merit went unrewarded, wrongdoing unpunished-this was the greatest source of injustice in people's hearts.
There were especially large numbers of Hu people in the Yan State's army. They fought fiercely, but they also valued rewards above all else. If their merits went unrewarded, they really would mutiny.
They understood Murong Ke's character fairly well. He was overly upright in his conduct, a man of excellent character who strictly followed the