Chapter 4: What.... I am alive 2 (1/2)
NORTHERN WEI, THE TWENTY-NINTH YEAR OF EMPEROR ZHONG'S REIGN.
The main gates of the Imperial Capital.
A soldier in dusty full battle armour rode into the city at full speed on horseback. It was past 10 pm, and the city gates were already shut. He presented the military messenger identification card at the gates before he was let into the city.
The soldier rode swiftly to the palace, he once more presented his identity card at the palace gate to be allowed into the palace. When he got to the inner palace gates, he got down from his horse. The soldier ran to the Household department and requested an audience with the Emperor.
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Meanwhile, back at the Emperor's hall.
At one end of a chess table, Emperor Zhong sat opposite Minister Zhu a powerful courtier and the leader of one of the top faction of the government. A chess game was ongoing between them with Minister Zhu taking the lead.
The Emperor moved a white chess tile forward, he dropped it on a free spot when a noisy commotion began just outside the hall. Emperor Zhong's lips paused, his eyebrows needing as he tried to make sense of the commotion.
As the voices at the door got louder Emperor Zhong turned to his chief eunuch standing beside him ”Caihong, go find out what all the disturbance is about”
Chief Eunuch Caihong was familiar with the Emperor temperament. He has been with the Emperor since he was young, as soon as the instructions were given he hurried out of the hall.
Minutes later he ran back in with the soldier in toe. He knelt a few steps from the Emperor and said ”Your majesty there is an urgent report from the northern border”.
The soldier followed Chief Eunuch Caihong clued the Emperor in on the possibility of a military report from the border generals but the mention of the northern borders got the emperor's interest.
It has been silent at the northern borders after the sudden attack by the Chu state that resulted in the burning of the black armoured tigers military camp.
After weeks of no report Emperor Zhong felt relaxed, he waited patiently to receive the military report announcing the death of the young General Wu.
The Emperor sat straight and looked down at the kneeling soldier. He caught Caihong's gaze and nodded. The balding Eunuch turned to the soldier and prompted him to continued then stood by the Emperor's side.
The soldier held up the military report and said ”Your Majesty, General Wu has successfully conquered and occupied the northern border towns of Chu state. Chu state's Reagent Prince surrendered two iron mines to your majesty as a show of good faith.
”Your Majesty, due to the burning of the camp we have run out of military resources. Most of the troupe is injured and in recovery, General Wu requests for more resources”
The Emperor's expression grew dark as soon as he heard the words 'General Wu successfully conquered the northern border towns of Chu state'.