Chu Qiao widened her eyes and said, “You still want to rebut!”

　　“No, no,” Yan Xun replied apologetically. “I was speaking nonsense. I talk too much. General Chu, please don’t hold it against me.”

　　Chu Qiao sneered, indicating that she spared him.

　　Yan Xun laughed heartily. The soldiers looked at them, not knowing why the both of them could discuss military affairs so intensely. They nodded in agreement one instant while gesturing articulately the other. Did General Chu decide to assassinate the Xia Emperor at Zhen Huang City?

　　“Be careful. Swords have no eyes on the battlefield. Don’t put yourself in danger.” No matter how strong a woman was, when faced with certain situations, she would worry endlessly. Just like presently, knowing that she would not be following him, she started to nag incessantly again.

　　“Yes, I know.” Yan Xun nodded honestly, with a good attitude.

　　“Although Mister Wu is in charge of the First Army, relations are complicated inside. The Da Tong Guild has considerable influence there. You must be careful and guard against internal politics.”

　　“Don’t worry, I remember this.”

　　“Meilin Pass is near the north. It’s cold. You’re sick. Keep warm, wear more clothes, cover yourself with more blankets at night. Remember to take your medicine.”

　　“Alright, I’ll take note of that.”

　　“When you sleep, put a basin of water beside your bed. You cough a lot. The smoke from the fireplace is not healthy for you.”

　　“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

　　“Regarding the deal with the Quanrong people, let other people handle it for you. Don’t do it yourself. We don’t understand them well. Take precautions against them.”

　　“Don’t worry.”

　　“Remember to write to me every day. If I don’t hear from you for three days, I will head to Meilin Pass to find you.”

　　The man replied weakly, “Even if I die, I will write to inform you first.”

　　The woman panicked. “Die? If you say any more, I will pack up and follow you!”

　　Yan Xun retorted hurriedly, “I’m speaking nonsense. I’m a sinner. AhChu, if you drone on, the sky will turn dark.”

　　“What’s wrong with that? You can leave tomorrow if the sky is dark now.”

　　Yan Xun was on the verge of tears, but he could only oblige helplessly, not daring to object.

　　“How many coats did you bring?”

　　“Five.”

　　“Boots? There’s snow everywhere. It will melt with the fire. Don’t wear boots that are wet.”

　　“Yes, I know.”

　　“Heat packs? How many? Is it enough?”

　　“AhChu.” Yan Xun was vexed. “You packed for me.”

　　“Oh? Really? I forgot.” Chu Qiao’s attitude was frank. “Let me see, did you bring your knee guards? Check. Enough socks? Oh, you brought 80 pairs. Hats? Alright. It’s made of bear skin. I sewed on a layer of fox skin in front.”

　　Chu Qiao took out the luggage on the carriage and put it on the ground. She squatted on the ground and flipped through its contents. After a while, she seemingly thought of something. She jumped up and asked loudly, “Is there enough charcoal? I’ll load a full carriage for you.”

　　Yan Xun replied weakly, “It’s enough. AhChu, it’s enough. Don’t worry. Our troops are lined up along the way. Even if it’s not enough, I can get some from them.”

　　“How is that alright?” Chu Qiao frowned. “We use charcoal made from white sandalwood. It produces the least smoke. The troops use charcoal made from soil. It produces a lot of smoke. It hurts your respiratory system.”

　　Before Yan Xun had time to stop her, Chu Qiao ordered the servant behind them, “You. Yes, you. Come here. Go to the Military Supplies Department and fill two carriages with charcoal. Remember, it’s the charcoal made from white sandalwood. Be quick. This concerns the life and death of our army. Your Highness trusts you, that’s why he told you to do the job. You’d better complete it in the fastest time possible, understand? Yan Bei will remember you for your loyalty.”

　　The soldier’s face turned red with excitement. He suppressed his emotions for a long while, before bowing forcefully and shouting, “All for Yan Bei!” Finishing his words, he sprinted away. Although he did not know what filling two carriages with charcoal had to do with the life and death of Yan Bei’s army, he knew that General Chu was a shrewd tactician, a genius. Any instructions given by her carried a deep motive within. The soldier believed that in future battles, the two carriages of charcoal would be decisive as to whether the army experienced victory or defeat. Hence, he set out to his task with passion, getting so excited to the point where he forgot to ride on his horse.

　　The sun was high up in the sky. On the snowy plains, the two of them reluctantly said their goodbyes.

　　“Yan Xun, be careful. It’s going to be dangerous. You must guard everyone beside you.”

　　Yan Xun nodded and replied, “I know. You too. When I’m not here, people might bully you. Just remember their name and don’t clash with them. When I’m back, I’ll deal with them one by one.”

　　“Okay. At that time, we will kill their families and usurp their assets.”

　　“Alright, we will tie them up too. You can beat them up freely.”

　　“It’s decided then.” Chu Qiao nodded and continued, “I assigned 4,000 archers to you. Take them as your closest bodyguards. Don’t leap into the battlefield so easily. Their weapons were modified by me. It’s unusually powerful. We will keep them as secret weapons.”

　　“Alright, I remember.”

　　“Don’t eat cold food, it’s not healthy for you. Get more rest, don’t tire yourself out.”

　　“Okay, don’t worry.”

　　“Ride less often. Stay in your carriage more. The winds are strong, it’s useless no matter how thick your clothes are.”

　　“Okay.”

　　“Don’t drink cold water. I prepared honey for you, drink more. You’ve lost a lot of weight lately.”

　　“Okay…”

　　“If anyone dares to fool around with women, execute him. Those women are probably sick. Don’t take an extra look at them, understand?”

　　“Yes…yes…”

　　“If any officials dare to gift you any beauties, take down their names and tell me when you get back. Those women are probably spies sent to keep you under surveillance. Don’t keep any of them. This is for your own good.”

　　“…”

　　“After you breach Meilin Pass, don’t kill the families of the rebels. You can assign them to do manual labor at the mines. Don’t keep the women in the army, chase them out of the border instead. Women will only disrupt the morale of the army. None of them are good.” As Chu Qiao rambled on, her words only showed her disdain towards the women who disrupted the morale of the army. However, she forgot that she herself was a female in the army. Furthermore, she held a high ranking position, holding a lot of power too…

　　“Yan Xun,” Chu Qiao stared at him with sincerity and said, “the purity of an army and a political party depends on the leadership of the figure with the highest authority. You are the king of Yan Bei. Your quality of life and moral standards will influence the direction of Yan Bei’s politics, and the destiny of the country, even that of West Meng. The playboy princes in Zhen Huang City are impractical and unruly. They live their lives in debauchery. They are irresponsible. Don’t be tainted by them. Although you are of high status now, with power, you must think of the dangers even if you are in a peaceful environment. Remember this! These are the sincerest words of advice from me to you as a friend, as someone who grew up together, fought together, and lived together with you from young.”

　　Yan Xun was rendered utterly speechless.

　　Chu Qiao was unhappy with his attitude. She frowned and chided, “Are you listening to me seriously?”

　　Yan Xun was on the verge of tears, his expression painful. “AhChu, I’m listening.”

　　Chu Qiao’s anger subsided slightly. She stared at him and continued, “When you reach Luoan City tonight, send a pigeon to convey the message to me. Don’t let me worry.”

　　Yan Xun’s heart bled internally. It was so late already. Even if his horse had an extra four legs, he would be unable to reach Luoan City that night.

　　As the soldier returned happily with the charcoal, Chu Qiao had no choice but to end her long speech. She felt sad, her eyes tearing up. She tugged at Yan Xun’s sleeves, reluctant to let go. This was unlike her. She knew that Yan Xun was laughing at her inside, probably even AhJing and the rest. However, she refused to let go. The last time they parted, it was for a long time. They had not been apart for so long in so many years. Regarding their separation this time, she tried to resist it. An indescribable sense of worry brewed in her heart, causing her to feel fearful. She tried to find other topics for conversation. She lowered her head, feeling embarrassed like a wife who had been bullied. She muttered to herself. Yan Xun could not hear what she was saying clearly.

　　“Why don’t…” Yan Xun probed softly, “you follow me along for part of my journey? However, you need to turn back when we reach Luori Mountain.”

　　Swoosh! A white shadow flashed across Yan Xun, causing him to think that he had seen a ghost. In a split second, Chu Qiao was no longer standing at her original position. The king of Yan Bei was stunned. Before he had time to react, Chu Qiao had run over to his team and mounted a horse. She gestured to Yan Xun and shouted, “Come here! What time is it already? You’re so slow!”

　　The other soldiers stared at Yan Xun, almost as if to say, Your Highness probably has not been on the battlefield too, he’s reluctant to leave! That moment, Yan Xun did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

　　The team finally set off on their journey. “Miss! Are you following us?” the soldiers of the Black Eagle Army, who were on good terms with her, asked cheerfully.

　　“No, I’m only following you to Luori Mountains.”

　　“If only you followed us. Miss, you’re good at fighting!” a soldier, who had followed Yan Xun since his days at Zhen Huang, said with conviction.

　　“That’s right, I saw it for myself. Miss can fight against over 100 men alone. Those men were tall, their eyes were so big. Those fists could break heads. I couldn’t even fight against one of them. Miss is good. With a bit of effort, they were all defeated. She was not even stained with a drop of blood.”

　　“Ah? That impressive?!” the soldiers’ eyes widened.

　　“That’s right, you did not see it for yourself. I did not exaggerate.”

　　Chu Qiao remarked humbly, embarrassed, “Hurhur, I’m not that good. Just normal. Normal.”

　　“If only Miss followed us.” The soldiers sighed collectively.

　　Chu Qiao turned around and looked at Yan Xun with an expression that said, Heard that? Heard that? That’s what the soldiers think too!

　　“Cut the crap and walk properly!” Yan Xun chided, his face black. He ignored Chu Qiao’s look and pretended that what the soldiers said just now were merely topics of the present day’s food and weather.

　　In less than two hours, the entourage had reached Luori Mountains. Yan Xun led the way at the front, along with his personal guards. Chu Qiao’s eyes had turned red. She lowered her head, twiddling her thumbs. Yan Xun sighed and jumped off his horse, walking towards her and holding her in his embrace. Gently, he said, “I promise you, I will take care of my own health. I’ll be careful. Once the situation is disadvantageous to me, I’ll turn back immediately. I will not overdo it. I’ll make it back to you in one piece. If I breach any one rule, I’ll be at your mercy when I get back. Don’t be like this. How will I continue my journey in peace? AhChu, you’re the strongest person I know. You need to support me. You’re my closest comrade in battle, and the most trustworthy lover I have. Am I right?”