Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Viscount of Cangwu County

Since last winter, the drought had been steadily spreading.

Due to the drought, military reports of barbarian raids at the borders began pouring into the capital starting last month.

Following that, the emperor and his ministers received the all-too-familiar pleas for reinforcements from the defeated border armies.

In such grim circumstances, the victory report from the garrison at Yonggu City shone like a beacon in the darkness; it was the only piece of dignity the entire Great Yan Empire could still cling to.

Moreover, aside from some exaggeration regarding the number of barbarian invaders, the severed heads claimed by the soldiers in the military dispatches could all withstand scrutiny.

After more than three hundred years since the founding of Great Yan, it was no longer the era when the founding emperor had just seized the land. The military had long been suppressed by the civil officials, and falsifying military achievements was something only the sons of bureaucrats seeking to pad their resumes dared do.

Yet, even such merit could not escape criticism. Some censors presented a memorial, claiming that although Yonggu City had achieved a great victory and beheaded four thousand enemies, there were no barbarian prisoners taken, nor was there the customary parade of captives—a ceremony beloved by both court and people. Thus, Commander Zhang Chaoyang was suspected of brutality!

Absurd as this accusation was, the young emperor surprisingly concurred. He rewarded the veteran Zhang Chaoyang while simultaneously issuing a decree of censure—a mix of carrot and stick that seemed contradictory.

Yet the court officials unanimously praised the emperor's actions. In their eyes, victorious generals inevitably grew arrogant, and the emperor’s timely rebuke showed both his care and prevented inappropriate ambition among the military.

Such imperial stratagems had been played by the young emperor's ancestors for generations; there was little left to say. Indeed, this outcome was well within General Zhang Chaoyang’s expectations.

However, in the memorial for commendations co-signed by Zhang Chaoyang and other officers, Zhao Hengyi—originally named for the highest merit—was replaced.

The one who replaced him was none other than Chen Yongzhong, who had caused great trouble with the Xuan Battalion, deserted Yonggu City without waiting for orders, and was the notorious number-one wastrel of Great Yan.

Yet the imperial citation described Chen Yongzhong as a peerless youth of courage and wisdom, who first discovered the barbarian army, bravely held them off despite being outnumbered, and thus saved the entire defensive line of Yonggu City.

Throughout the court and capital, countless people sang Chen Yongzhong’s praises. Many sighed that Consort Chen was fortunate to have such a capable brother—surely, with General Chen’s presence, the imperial family’s reign would endure for generations.

Almost all the officers of the Yonggu City garrison received some form of reward; even the severely wounded and unconscious Song Ying’an was honored. Yet Zhao Hengyi, whom everyone acknowledged as the true hero, and whose merit even the other idle scions respected, received only a light and perfunctory barony—he was made Baron of Cangwu County.

In fact, aside from this paltry title, the court did not even grant the customary monetary reward.

Rumor had it that the emperor felt a distaste for Zhao Hengyi merely upon seeing his name, deeming him unfit for imperial favor.

The envoy from the Yonggu border forces was indignant, but after being summoned by the Marquis of Martial Valor’s estate for a private talk, he never spoke another word about the frontlines.

When the news and rewards reached Yonggu City, a few shrewd scions immediately abandoned any thought of befriending Zhao Hengyi.

Not all those seeking credentials in the border troops were fools.

Skilled in scheming as they were, they quickly sensed the significance of being replaced by Consort Chen’s own brother. Zhao Hengyi, now supplanted, would likely never rise in the army again.

After all, as the sole victim of this grand victory, Consort Chen would never allow Zhao Hengyi any chance to make a name for himself.

Granting him even the barony of Cangwu County was already a concession to appease the discontent among the officers. By the standards of the high officials, this was already a great favor shown to the military.

There were a few deep thinkers, though, who believed Zhao Hengyi might yet have a future. Perhaps Consort Chen intended to bring him under her brother’s command; after all, Zhao Hengyi’s performance in this victory was simply too outstanding.

“Hengyi, the rewards this time are unjust to you. I am deeply ashamed!”

At a small banquet for three, the old general Zhang Chaoyang looked disappointed. “Still, whether thunder or rain, all is imperial grace. As long as you remain under my command, your day will come!”

“Brother, everyone has seen your abilities. But the arm cannot twist the thigh; this time the credit was snatched by a villain. Don’t lose heart—your talent will one day earn you glory by virtue of your military merit!”

Even Song Ying’an, who had spent the campaign confined to his sickbed, had received recognition, while his own worthy brother, who had turned the tide, saw his achievements stolen. Though their father, the Marquis of Martial Valor, had sent a handwritten letter of comfort, Song Ying’an’s anger was not easily soothed.

Yet Zhao Hengyi himself appeared unconcerned and, in truth, let out a silent sigh of relief.

This outcome was the best he could have hoped for. He was not forever bound to the military, yet managed to acquire a noble title he could never have obtained under normal circumstances—nearly perfect.

Zhao Hengyi had never intended to remain with the army long-term; taking over the Xuan Battalion had been forced upon him.

His later feats had been acts of desperation, driven by a promise to keep his soldiers alive.

By any measure, Zhao Hengyi had done well.

Yet what he witnessed after leaving Elm Bay revealed to him the darkest, most corrupt side of Great Yan, stirring thoughts he dared not share with anyone.

He had been wondering how to extricate himself from military service after the imperial rewards were distributed. As it turned out, his worries were unnecessary.

His mind made up, Zhao Hengyi prepared to leave, and despite repeated attempts by Zhang Chaoyang and Song Ying’an to persuade him to stay, he departed with only a long sigh.

Before leaving Yonggu City, Zhao Hengyi asked his sworn brother Song Ying’an for a few hardy veterans from the Xuan Battalion to serve as his escorts.

Song Ying’an readily agreed, and was quite pleased.

Many retired soldiers faced hardship; as their former commander, Song Ying’an had often felt sympathy. Now, with his brother willing to offer them honest work, he was glad to oblige.

The garrison at Yonggu City recruited mostly from near Dangyang County, and with Song Ying’an’s approval and the efforts of his personal guards, word of Zhao Hengyi—now known as Master Zhao—spread swiftly among the retired soldiers nearby.

On this return journey, seventeen veterans chose to accompany Zhao Hengyi and his companions—a deliberate move by Song Ying’an to ensure his brother’s safety on the road.

But even Song Ying’an did not expect that, upon reaching Dangyang County, all seventeen chose to join the Elm Bay guard, addressing Zhao Hengyi as their master henceforth.