Chapter 15

Shen Zhao and Kong Qing knelt inside the tent.

“You may rise,” Shen Zhong’an said to Kong Qing.

Kong Qing glanced at Shen Zhao, who was still kneeling, and didn’t dare to stand up.

Shen Zhong’an’s deputy advised, “This time, it’s fortunate that there were no major dangers. Not only did we catch the Xijue off guard, but we also brought back most of the provisions from the North Camp, so it can be considered a balanced outcome.”

Shen Zhong’an looked at Shen Zhao. “What do you say?”

Shen Yu preempted, “I came on my own, and going to the North Camp was also my idea.”

“Shut up!” Shen Zhong’an scolded her.

Shen Yu pursed her lips, holding the tea out to Shen Zhao with a pleading look.

“Cao Gu, go check, I have something to discuss with these two siblings,” Shen Zhong’an instructed the deputy.

The deputy knew it was a family matter now, and he couldn’t intervene, so he left after receiving the order.

As soon as he left, a soldier outside the tent announced that the water was heated and ready, already placed in Shen Zhao’s tent.

Since entering the camp, Shen Yu hadn’t had a proper bath. She could only sneak in some washing while everyone was asleep. Now, returning covered in blood, the dried blood on her body was uncomfortable.

She looked expectantly at Shen Zhong’an, waiting for him to speak.

Shen Zhong’an turned away and waved his hand. “Take your sister to your tent, Zhao. After she’s done washing, I have something to say.”

Outside the tent, Shen Yu went around to the back of Shen Zhao’s tent and rummaged around underneath. After a while, she pulled out a bundle and patted it. “Luckily, it’s still here.”

Shen Zhao smiled, shaking his head helplessly and silently. She still hadn’t changed this habit, liking to hide things like a little mouse. When she was little, she hid food, and now, who knew what she was hiding.

Shen Yu lifted the bundle. “My clothes and the silver tickets are all inside.”

Shen Zhao walked her to the entrance of the tent and said, “Go wash up. I’ll wait here for you. Start by soaking your feet in warm water before washing.”

After only walking a short distance, both of them had a layer of snow on their heads and shoulders.

Shen Zhao stood in front of the tent, and a soldier found an umbrella to hold over him.

The conditions in the military camp were not comparable to home. Being able to wash at all was already good. The soldiers found a small wooden tub for her, which she could barely squeeze into.

As her cold feet soaked in the water, Shen Yu couldn’t help but sigh contentedly.

After washing for nearly half an hour, the water was almost cold by the time Shen Yu finally got up. After tidying up, she felt refreshed all over.

The dirt on her face was washed away, leaving her porcelain-white face wrapped in a cloak. Her hair wasn’t dry yet, and the semi-wet hair was tied up on top of her head.

Shen Zhao looked at her several times. This appearance was finally pleasing to the eye. “You’ve lost weight.”

“How could I not lose weight?” she complained as she walked, “You guys left me behind, and I had to hurry without a guide. I couldn’t enter the city all the way, and I had to sleep in trees and ruined temples along the way. I had to eat a lot of dry rations.”

Shen Zhao held the umbrella, and the two of them walked side by side to the main tent. Inside, the sand table was surrounded by people, and several deputy generals were red-eyed from staying up.

After Shen Zhong’an finished instructing, he let everyone disperse. Sitting down, Shen Yu said, “Tell me in detail what happened at the Xijue North Camp.”

Shen Yu recounted what had happened.

“I saw the wind blowing from the north, so I lit a fire on the south side of the granary. The wind carried the fire towards the tents. Although the fire looked big, it didn’t burn much grain. We managed to bring back what we could, and the rest we couldn’t take, we burned.”

“Kong Qing cut off their retreat from the rear. They couldn’t catch up, and the grain carts were too heavy. Coupled with the difficult road in the wind and snow, that’s why they came back later.”

Shen Zhong’an patted her shoulder like he would to a son. It was a silent approval.

Shen Zhong’an couldn’t help but think again, why wasn’t she a boy? If she were a boy, fighting alongside him on the battlefield, he wouldn’t feel so heartbroken.

“Last night’s attack is known by the spies. Several generals in the army know about it, but for now, we can’t determine who it was. It’s likely that the Xijue people knew about our shortage of provisions and are waiting for the third day when we run out to launch a general attack.”

Shen Zhong’an nodded. “I’ve sent three military reports about the shortage of provisions, but Shengjing still hasn’t responded. We can’t wait like this any longer. I’ve discussed it with the other generals just now. We’ll break camp tomorrow morning and retreat to Yanliang Pass. We’ll have to endure these days of shortage until the provisions from Changdu arrive.”

Shen Yu left the tent first, and when Shen Zhao returned to the tent, he didn’t see her figure.

“Where is she?” Shen Zhao asked after pulling back the curtain.

A soldier answered, “She said she went back to rest first, and if the general needed her, he could send someone to call her.”

Shen Zhao walked for a while before finding Shen Yu’s tent. Just as he reached the entrance, a burly man pulled back the curtain and immediately saluted when he saw Shen Zhao. “General.”

Shen Zhao nodded, opened his mouth, but didn’t know how to ask for Shen Yu’s pseudonym in the army.

He had to say, “Where is she?”

Yang Bang asked, “Who?”

“Your new recruit in your tent.”

“Oh,” Yang Bang suddenly realized, “You mean Shan Pao, he just went in to sleep.”

Shen Zhao’s eyebrows twitched. Well done, Shan Pao!

He went straight into the tent and saw the person lying curled up on the bunk, unable to stop his eyebrows from twitching again.

“Shan Pao,” Shen Zhao gritted his teeth and called out.

The person in the corner of the bunk didn’t move.

Several people in the tent dared not even breathe loudly, only You Dazui responded, “He just came back in the morning, said he went to help another squad, and just fell asleep.”

Shen Zhao suddenly turned his head, startled by You Dazui’s big mouth. He went forward and pulled Shen Yu up from the bunk. “Shan Pao, come with me.”

Shen Yu followed behind, still half asleep, listening to Shen Zhao’s scolding.

“At least you’re a… a girl,” he lowered his voice, “What does it look like sleeping in a big bunk with a group of men?”

Shen Yu half-opened her eyes. “I slept in the corner and covered myself with my own blanket. In times of urgency, I had to make do. Right now, I’m almost like one of the guys.”

Shen Zhao gave her a little shake on the head and led her back to his own tent. Inside, he pulled a cloth curtain to separate a space. “From today, you’ll rest here.”