The strong wind presses against the tent walls, carrying the cold air of winter... Reminding me that this internal strife bust finish before the arrival of the cold season, those are difficult days for the soldiers and cooperation is more than needed to ensure survival.
A oil lamp burns in front of me, my focused expression turning gold with each flicker.
Shun slams his palm onto the table where a few maps are lying around along a report about the resistance of soldier that's gaining more members day by day... Wanting to form a new Army and detach themselves from us.
I move my eyes higher to look at him without moving any other part of my body -You knew about the ambush in the forest yet did nothing to stop it?!-
-I didn't know- I murmur, not giving him much importance as I start scanning the letter in front of me once again -But I suspected Han might move sooner or later, it's not hard to guess what is going on in his mind... It's not the first time that I deal with people like him-
Shun's voice sharpens -You suspect yet did nothing. You left that boy all alone to defend himself, do you realize how close he came to dying? Knowing that a man of your faction might get killed yet not stopping it is against a General Votes-
I sigh with closed eyes and then stand up -Luckily I never swore anything- I scoff and then lean on the table, locking eyes with Shun -I need to remind you of a little detail apparently, Wu Zhen is not one of ours but instead he's part of that faction who wants me dead... That said, do you think that if I openly saved him it would have done any good? It would only alert Colonel Han and make him change his strategy.
If I intervened the moment I got reported about their secret meeting, he wouldn't have attempted to kill him. This way he failed instead and doesn't even know that I was watching-
My eyes turn to straigh lines, watching at the far end of the tent where Shun HuaiZhi is standing with an emotionless face, Shun follows my gaze, his brow frowning -And what do you tell me about him? Why are you keeping him close if he's one of his men? He was literally the man sent to clean up after the murder, he's Han's right hand-
HuaiZhi's deep voice cuts in, quiet and firm -I am part of the execution of his plans, not of the intent behind them. There's a difference-
-That's a distinction only you seem to care about- if he could, Shun would spit at HuaiZhi feets
I step forward and stop them from going for each other's throats -Shun, I don't have the luxury of only trusting saints. I need people where they can do the most damage, the less men are on Han side the most chances of fixing this broken Army... Do I have to remind you that you are also a man working under General Wu's name?-
He stares at me for a long moment, the cold between us thickening, I can still see the hundreds of accusations he wants to throw at me for He Rang's death -One day- he says -You will really lose all your humanity, not caring anymore about the thousands of sacrifices you make in the name of justice- he turns around and leave without wanting a reply
-Shun Ge...!- Wei tries to run behind him but stop midway, looking at me as to ask what to do, I just shake my head and he pouts sadly.
...
On the other side of the camp, where Wu's army resided, the same scene was occurring.
Oil lamps and deeply focused faces.
Many reports laying around with complaints about the current situation, those who didn't know where to go and those annoyed by having to share rations with Ying's people... More and more men were eager to break away from the main force of those cooperating Armies.
Han places a hand on Wu Zhen's shoulder, seating beside him as a sign of respect. The weight of that warm hand making Zhen feel reassured that everything will be fine, that they are in the right and will win -We can't afford to let cracks spread through the army before the now comes. Cold kills more men than steel and the Generals know that well, yet they're not doing anything to stop this madness- his voice steady and measured, the voice of a leader... The kind that draws people in.
-By steel... You mean Ying's men- Wu Zhen nods while reading through a few reports
Han mouth curves slightly, not looking quite like a smile but not threatening either -Wheter it is people loyal to Miss Ying or not it doesn't matter, what I'm talking about is the people who think they can decide their own laws and ignore common sense... She might be their banner yes, but this is simply about revealing the rot beneath the surface-
Han straightens up and addresses all his officers in the tent -In three days, we march. If she refuses to cooperate for the sake of everyone else, we'll leave her no choice... Even if it means going against our brothers, they need to be reformed-
A murmur of assent ripples through the men, the colonel's eyes focusing on each of their faces -I know what you may be wondering... "How?" A legitimate question, how will a simple Colonel like me go against three generals? My words and orders don't hold the same authority as theirs.
Well, first of all... I'm not forcing anyone to follow me, I'm just doing what's right and I believe that anyone who share my view will eventually follow me so we can create a new Army on our own. We will gain the upper hand after cornering Miss Ying in front of everyone else. And how will I do that? I have a proof of her betrayal finally- at those words a roar erupts in the tent but soon dies out to not drag unwanted attentions
-Look for yourself, this is a letter from the Emperor- Han takes out the letter which contains the order of eliminating General Cai -It might not be official orders, but it still holds value against her. The letter states that if General Cai refused to cooperate in the investigation regarding ChangLai' accuse, then he was to be considered a traitor himself for covering for her while going against the Court, thus he shall be disposed of-
The men have mixed reactions at this bold statement -Yes, the letter does talk about some more shady means to get a hold onto Miss Ying, I won't hide that... I only wish to speak the truth and for you to make your own decisions. But tell me, after her recent actions and the refusal to get investigated... What does it matter?-
Some men hit their first against the chest while other nods in agreement -Tell everyone about this letter, we need to stay united in this!- at his words the men shouts and acclimates him before quickly leaving the tent.
Han seats down and calls Zhen closer, only they are left, along with Shen HuaiZhi standing still in a corner -My most cherished one...- he starts -I investigated roughly regarding what happened in the forest the other night, after you left and Shen came to your help, he noticed something weird... He recognized his face after wiping him from all that blood, upon further inquiring we found out that he was not from the enemy's army but our own. Well not exactly our but Cai's.
Anyway I fund out who he was, that man was loyal to Cai Lao and eventually loyal to Miss Ying too... She actually planned to murder you, I can't believe it... Although it is one selfish motive, I wish to see her crumble even more now for touching one of my men. This also mean that she's been paying attention to our actions and knows about us joining hands, I want you to be careful... You got lucky by pulling that move back then, stealing his knife and managing to save yourself, but that might not happen again-
He looks at the boy and after one serious look, his eyes softens again -Heavens, you must have been so scared for Shen to find you in that state, running away from the corpse-
Wu Zhen's eyebrows begins to frown but he immediately remembers the words that the guard told him and looks on the ground -Yes... I was very scared. I'm not even sure if I finished him properly to be honest, I just wanted to leave that place-
-Oh poor thing- smiles tenderly Han but the young boy finds it hard to reciprocate somehow, thinking that he's probably feeling guilty for lying or maybe he's confused about what Han just told him.