Chapter 65: The Alliance (Nineteen)

Yuan Junzhang had always been the second most influential figure in the Heng’an Eagle Command. When he followed Liu Wuzhou, the two of them, along with a band of veteran brothers, returned to Mayi and took charge of Heng’an Eagle Command, it was a time when, despite having a thousand seasoned soldiers who had fought countless battles, they were sorely lacking in supplies and provisions. Wang Ren Gong favored only his own Mayi Eagle Command. If not for their deep attachment to their homeland, those veteran soldiers might have already dispersed.

But with the arrival of Liu Wuzhou and Yuan Junzhang, they exhausted every means to replenish military resources, recruit new soldiers, and shared hardships with their subordinates, always leading from the front in battle. Although Heng’an Eagle Command still struggled, it grew stronger and more resilient. Now, even Wang Ren Gong regarded them with great caution, and even the Turks furrowed their brows at their mention.

Yuan Junzhang’s contributions were seen and acknowledged by everyone in Heng’an Eagle Command. So, though Yuan Junzhang was proud and extreme in his ways, never sparing his subordinates when scolding their mistakes, and despite having a troublesome younger brother, Yuan Junwei, the entire command followed his orders without question. Liu Wuzhou always supported him unwaveringly as well.

Yet today, when Yuan Junzhang issued his command, no one moved. They merely looked at Yuan Junzhang in astonishment.

Since when did fighting the Tartars become a crime?

Though relations with the Nine Tribes were cordial, they were neighbors but belonged to different peoples. Friction between Heng’an Eagle Command and the Nine Tribes' Tartars was inevitable. The Turks' southern invasion saw many from the Nine Tribes following along, but their leaders did not truly oppose each other; as long as matters did not escalate, all was well.

For men of the borderlands, fighting foreigners had always been a matter of victory, not right or wrong!

Xu Le and a handful of riders had charged into the thousand-strong Yue camp and escaped unscathed. When Heng’an armored cavalry came to their aid, a volley of arrows sent countless Yue riders tumbling from their mounts. Such skill won the admiration of all. They had fought side by side in battle, and camaraderie among men forged in combat was unique. Many intended to find Xu Le and his companions afterward, share a drink, and bond.

But no one expected Yuan Junzhang to suddenly turn on Xu Le and his men!

Xu Le raised his head, gazing seriously at Yuan Junzhang, then curled his lips in a faint smile.

Song Bao looked utterly incredulous, clutching his wound and glancing left and right, thinking Yuan Junzhang must be joking.

Han Yue tensed, gripping his iron shield, ready to strike down anyone who dared lay a hand on Xu Le. Bu Li, the little wolf girl, was perched on Han Yue’s horse; sensitive by nature, she sensed Han Yue’s readiness for battle and quietly reached for her dagger.

Having fled at breakneck speed, the little wolf girl felt Xu Le’s care and protection. Her thoughts were simple: Luo Dun had sent her to seek Xu Le, which meant he was trustworthy. She had only her twin daggers, useless against longbows and arrows, so she stayed quiet and avoided causing trouble for Xu Le.

Now, with everyone so close they could hear each other’s breath, if anyone tried to move against Xu Le, the little wolf girl was ready to fight fiercely!

The scene was silent, broken only by the huffing and snorting of warhorses.

Yuan Junzhang’s gaze turned fierce as he swept his eyes around. “What now? You won’t even obey my orders?”

His voice was icy, chilling to the bone. The guards closest to him were the first to act, raising their spears toward Xu Le. Others took up their bows, nocking arrows and aiming at the ground—a single sign of resistance from Xu Le, and they would let fly.

The Heng’an armored cavalry surrounding Xu Le hung their heads, silently tugging at their reins to distance themselves from him and his companions.

Han Yue’s muscles bulged as he spread his iron shield to protect Xu Le, roaring, “Who dares come forward!”

The little wolf girl drew both daggers, leaping onto the horse’s back with knees bent, her body bristling as if ready to spring forth in the next instant and tear open an enemy’s throat.

Yuchi Gong’s shout thundered like an explosion, “What is the meaning of this?”

The roar made Xu Le’s ears ring, startling the horses into whinnying and stamping.

The first warrior of Heng’an Command, his face flushed dark red, rode between Yuan Junzhang’s guards and Xu Le, glaring at Yuan Junzhang and proclaiming loudly, “If you do this, it’s only Heng’an Command that loses face! Since when can the Nine Tribes chase our Mayi men through Yuncheng? And now you want to arrest our own—how will you explain this to the people of Yuncheng?”

Yuan Junzhang’s guards paused at Yuchi Gong’s words, looking back at him for direction.

Xu Le was moved; Yuchi Gong, though they’d fought each other, now defended him so fiercely. No matter how this incident ended, this friendship was certain.

Yuchi Gong, towering like a fortress, sat astride his horse, his fierce presence intimidating Yuan Junzhang’s guards.

At that moment, Yuan Junzhang tightened his reins and rode forward, saying nothing but staring coldly at Yuchi Gong, forcing out words through clenched teeth.

“Yuchi Gong, do you know what a military order is?”

The words struck home; Yuchi Gong knew he could no longer interfere. As a warrior in the army, at all times, orders must come first.

Yuan Junzhang then swept his gaze over the retreating Heng’an armored cavalry, his voice like ice: “Do you know what a military order is?”

Now, dozens of armored cavalry could no longer stand aside, silently raising their spears.

A ring of spears gleamed coldly, all pointed at Xu Le and his companions at the center!

Xu Le shook his head slightly at Han Yue, who met his gaze, hesitated, and slowly lowered his shield. The little wolf girl, puzzled, glanced back at Xu Le, then sheathed her daggers.

Xu Le rode toward Yuan Junzhang, and as he passed Yuchi Gong, he patted his shoulder. Yuchi Gong’s dark face had turned iron blue, and he turned away, feeling he had let Xu Le down.

Xu Le smiled and spread his hands, “Isn’t this just giving Yuan Fourth an awkward position? Why make such a scene? If Chief Yuan gives the word, would I dare disobey? So, where do you want to take me? No need for anyone to act—I can walk myself.”

Yuan Junzhang sneered; arresting Xu Le had nothing to do with his troublesome fourth brother. Though the faces of the Heng’an armored cavalry were filled with indignation, Yuan Junzhang, proud as ever, didn’t bother to explain. He simply gestured, turned his horse, and led the way.

Xu Le smiled and followed, riding behind. Song Bao remained stunned, clutching his wound and unable to utter a word. He simply couldn’t understand how a day that began so normally had ended like this.

As Xu Le moved, Han Yue followed, and the little wolf girl came along silently. The ten guards around Yuan Junzhang didn’t make Xu Le dismount, but kept their spears leveled at him and his companions, escorting them behind Yuan Junzhang.

As the hoofbeats faded into the distance, the dozens of Heng’an armored cavalry exchanged silent glances. Yuchi Gong, always with his face turned away, suddenly tugged his reins. “I’m off to find Liu Eagle! When has Heng’an Eagle Command ever been so humiliated?”

In the distance, the thousand-strong Yue cavalry kept turning back to observe, seemingly wondering why Xu Le and his companions had been taken by Yuan Junzhang in such a manner.

Gaida Heiguo, among the ranks, looked triumphant. “The Sui people truly aren’t what they once were! The great Sui dynasty’s fortune is truly spent!”