By midnight, Xu Dalang had already left, and the city had entered a strange state of partial mobilization-the main fighting force had begun resting, while a considerable number of logistical personnel were hard at work preparing supplies for the coming march.
Wisps of cooking smoke rose in an unbroken expanse. Though it was night, they remained clearly visible beneath the light of the two crescent moons. Fragrance filled the city, mingling with the fruit trees and autumn breeze to leave one faintly intoxicated.
Yet after the last group dispersed, Zhang Xing and Bai Yousi did not go indoors. Instead, they chatted intermittently beneath the moons.
"Isn't this a little improper?"
"What is?"
"Shouldn't we have Xu Dalang's sister take a look at Heavenly King Xiong?"
"She just lost her husband. We have to give her time. Heavenly King Xiong also said to discuss it after the Eastern Expedition."
"I mean, what if she's unwilling?"
"If she's unwilling, naturally nothing will come of it... didn't I make that clear?"
"No... though you did seem to imply it a little. You took it too much for granted."
"Then I didn't say enough. My head is full of things, too-the Eastern Expedition, internal administration, personnel, the economy, the overall situation, minor strategies. It's all too scattered... but as far as my own intentions go, that isn't the point at all. The point is to restore Xu Shiying's dignity..."
"Restore his dignity...?"
"On the surface, what he did leaves no room for criticism. Looking down from my position as his superior, there's even less to say. But privately, people will still call him heartless and disloyal... if we do this, whether it succeeds or not, it will look as though he thought one step further ahead from the beginning and prepared a way forward