Chapter 230: Four Marching Before the Empress—Does She Want Me to Join In Too? (2)
This entire scene was observed by many.
A group of deputy generals exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
Whether they accepted it or not, they knew their original plans were now void.
That early show of force... Su Qing had already delivered it before they got the chance.
The Empress wore a faint smile on her lips, clearly in a very good mood.
She had harbored some doubts about whether Su Qing could command this army.
But now, any trace of worry had been completely dispelled.
More than that—she was pleasantly surprised.
A boy who had never experienced such things somehow knew exactly how to play it.
Simple, direct, yet incredibly effective.
She felt proud of her little brother—or rather, this was truly her brother after all!
But alongside that pride, a touch of melancholy crept into her heart.
It was a feeling even she hadn't noticed.
She understood many people. She knew exactly what those smiling old foxes were thinking.
But when it came to her own heart, she was clueless.
She wanted him to rely on her, to see him cry and throw himself into her arms, begging for help.
That feeling only lasted a moment before it disappeared.
Her gaze shifted to the side where Xuanxin silently watched everything unfold.
"Do you mind if I take over your authority?"
The Empress spoke calmly.
Even without trying, her voice carried a quiet authority.
"It would be my honor."
Xuanxin immediately replied.
Her tone was solemn, the posture of a soldier before a superior.
"Xuanxin, we've known each other a long time, and you're still so stiff and boring."
"You act less like a woman than I do—seriously..."
The Empress shook her head with a sigh.
Xuanxin said nothing, simply bowing in response.
With the armor covering her, she looked like a cold, unyielding statue.
"I've never forgotten the promise I made you back then. Now, it's time to fulfill it."
A chill flickered in the Empress's eyes.
That cold sharpness was not meant for anyone on her side.
Xuanxin's eyes, hidden beneath her helmet, suddenly lit up with intense emotion.
...
After Su Qing finished speaking, he saw the soldiers part to create a path.
Xuanxin, fully armored, finally arrived.
She had clearly been present the whole time, silently watching from the side.
The soldiers once again lowered their heads, ashamed of their earlier complaints.
It was clear now—the general had made the right decision.
The Empress hadn't sent Su Qing here because of any internal connections—he was simply that capable.
Looking across the entire world, how many at his age could do what he just did?
"Does anyone still question Her Majesty's decision?"
Xuanxin's gaze swept over the crowd.
Silence.
Gone was the clamor and doubt from earlier in the day.
In the military, everything was decided by strength.
And Su Qing had already proven his.
Su Qing, meanwhile, was quietly observing Xuanxin, making a mental note:
She seemed like a cold, no-nonsense big sister type—even at night, she never took off that full armor?
"Please accept the command token."
Xuanxin respectfully held out the tiger tally with both hands.
She wasn't one for small talk—everything was done by the book.
The amber-colored tally represented command over the six thousand troops.
"No, this doesn't belong to me. General Xuanxin, you should keep it."
Su Qing shook his head, smiling modestly.
His gentle expression stood in stark contrast to the fierce presence he'd shown earlier when storming the camp.
"What do you mean, sir?"
Xuanxin froze, her eyes locking onto Su Qing with puzzled intensity, as though trying to decipher his true intentions.
The surrounding soldiers were also confused—they couldn't tell what game he was playing.
"I'm well aware of my position. While I have martial skill, warfare isn't about brute force."
"In the end, I'm just an outsider—not suited to lead an army."
"I don't know the soldiers well enough to draw out their strengths."
"But you do. You understand them and can put everyone to their best use."
"So I'll leave it to you, General. As long as you're willing to coordinate with me, that's more than enough."
Su Qing spoke with sincere honesty.
This wasn't modesty—it was a heartfelt request.
Xuanxin hadn't expected this and was now even more perplexed. Her gaze grew deeper with thought.
Since ancient times, who could resist the temptation of military power?
Yet he didn't take it—he handed it all to her...
"General, I know you've commanded troops for many years and hold great prestige. You certainly know far more than I do."
"So I'm not just making a show of refusing. I hope you'll understand."
Su Qing added quickly, as if afraid she might decline.
His tone was full of genuine respect, without a hint of condescension just because she was a female general.
That attitude earned him even more goodwill from the soldiers.
They now deeply regretted having judged him so harshly just a short while ago.
Whatever dissatisfaction they had vanished completely.
"But Her Majesty's orders..."
Xuanxin was about to speak but was cut off again.
"There's an old saying, General: When the general is in the field, even the emperor's orders can be set aside."
"Efficiency matters in war—whoever has the talent deserves the opportunity. That much is clear."
"Before I left, Her Majesty already granted me the authority to make my own decisions. Just take it."
Su Qing pushed the tiger tally back to her.
He could feel the many eyes on him as he made that gesture.
Those gazes were filled with heartfelt approval.
Xuanxin fell silent for a moment, then took the tally back.
This boy... really had guts.
He had to know the Empress was watching this whole scene—yet he still dared to say such things.
But since the Empress hadn't told her not to accept, she did.
For this respectful, well-mannered, and tactful young man, she couldn't help but feel a bit of fondness.