Tang Ziqian had a General Mansion in Shancheng of Shanzhou. After he went on an expedition, the General Mansion was managed by Xin Yi and Ah Jin.

However, as soon as Tang Xiaobai arrived, she became the more legitimate owner.

Therefore, when a banquet was held at the mansion to welcome the Inspection Envoy, she sat in the host’s seat and easily attracted everyone’s attention as soon as she spoke.

There was a moment of silence at the table, and the expressions varied.

Soon, a cold laugh broke the silence.

"Second Miss Tang, you might be too naive. Leaving the territory without a commander’s seal order is desertion!"

The speaker was the main general of the Zhenwu Army, Zhang Yichao.

There are five armies in Shanzhou: Lintao, He Yuan, Bai Shui, Weirong, and Zhenwu.

Tang Ziqian was the Five Armies Commander, and each army had its own leader.

However, four of the five main generals were taken to Turkic by Tang Ziqian and are currently missing.

Only the main general of the Zhenwu Army, Zhang Yichao, remained.

At this moment, Zhang Yichao was looking at her as if viewing a child making unreasonable trouble, both disdainful and dismissive.

Cheng Zhidu had said that the five armies of Shanzhou were not easy to deal with; he was not exaggerating.

However, Tang Xiaobai had already heard about this Zhang Yichao from Xin Yi and was not particularly surprised.

She lifted a wine cup and took a sip.

It contained the sour and sweet plum drink Xin Yi had prepared for her alone.

Putting down the wine cup, Tang Xiaobai smiled slightly and looked at the main guest, Xue Shaojian, sitting next to her: "Mr. Xue, do you have an order?"

The inspection envoys sent by the Court often have the authority to temporarily mobilize troops, especially in military strongholds like Liangzhou.

Xue Shaojian lowered his eyes, his index finger sliding over the rim of the cup, and said, "Yes."

He did not specify how many could be mobilized.

Zhang Yichao sneered, "Is Mr. Xue willing to follow the orders of our Second Miss Tang in deploying troops?"

The words were quite harsh.

But Xue Shaojian remained calm and said, "My duty in Liangzhou is to investigate the disappearance of Duke Yan and his son. If it involves searching for Duke Yan and General Tang, deploying troops is not a problem."

These words clearly declared his "support."

Tang Xiaobai was not presumptuous.

Even before leaving Liangzhou, she had considered the issue of troop mobilization and had even gained Xue Shaojian’s support for the upcoming plan.

Zhang Yichao’s expression changed and said, "Even if Mr. Xue has an order, not many troops can be mobilized. Duke and General led thousands of troops into Turkic and have not returned. How can our small number find them?"

Tang Xiaobai laughed coldly, "How does General Zhang know that my father and brother aren’t engaged in fierce battle and haven’t returned?"

Zhang Yichao’s eyes were cold, "I didn’t have much schooling, don’t play with words with me. On the battlefield, life and death are in the blink of an eye. The military order left by General Tang was for us to guard Shanzhou. It’s only been two months, and you’re frightened into looking for them by rumors. Whose reputation are you considering?"

Seeing his stance of always opposing, Tang Xiaobai decided to skip him and look at the others.

"You have been stationed in Shanzhou year after year and should understand the Turkic climate. It’s May now. After July, the north wind will rise, and both marching and searching will become exponentially more dangerous. If you truly wish to find my father and brother, we must deploy as soon as possible!"

The Turkic regions are equivalent to Qinghai, a plateau area. Although not exceedingly high in elevation, after July, the climate becomes cold, and the air on the plateau becomes even scarcer, and hope even scarcer.

That was why she had rushed all the way.

"If Second Miss tang sets out to search, I swear to follow to the death," Xin Yi was the first to respond.

Since Tang Xiaobai’s arrival, she had acted like a true concubine, donning women’s attire at the welcoming banquet, standing by her side holding the silver pot.

Ah Jin, standing on her other side, also immediately stated, "I swear to follow to the death!"

Next, the Lintao Army and Bai Shui Army expressed support, while the deputy of the Weirong Army hesitated but ultimately agreed.

Tang Xiaobai, tired of waiting for the other two armies to decide, turned to Xue Shaojian, "How many troops can Mr. Xue mobilize?"

Xue Shaojian asked, "How many troops remain in Shanzhou?"

"Five thousand soldiers and five hundred horses." The Lintao Army Deputy answered.

"Then mobilize five thousand soldiers and five hundred horses," Xue Shaojian said.

Cheng Zhidu, who originally did not want to speak as this was not his territory, could not hold back anymore upon hearing this, "Wouldn’t that leave Shanzhou empty?"

"If attacked, neighboring state armies can be called to the rescue," Xue Shaojian said.

With a clatter, Zhang Yichao overturned the table, pointing at Xue Shaojian in fury, "Bullshit! By the time neighboring armies arrive, they’ll have run off with everything! Rescue? If rescue was useful, why would General Tang station seventy thousand troops in Shanzhou? Do you think it’s enough if the city isn’t captured? You little brats, have you no care for losing people and livestock?!"

Food and wine scattered the ground, and the room fell into dead silence.

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, then recalled to signal Xue Shaojian with her eyes.

However, Xue Shaojian had already spoken—

"I am ordered to mobilize troops. Those who defy, face the charge of disobedience!"

Xue Shaojian’s tone remained calm without a hint of shame or anger from being called a "little brat."

After saying this, he rose and left the table.

Vice Envoy Gu Yuan and Wang Jian also departed.

Truthfully, Tang Xiaobai wanted to leave too, but Cheng Zhidu quickly held her back.

"Is this Xue mad? How could he think of such a foolish idea?" Cheng Zhidu was furious, face flushed, frowning and suspiciously examining Tang Xiaobai, "Does this have anything to do with you?"

"No!" Tang Xiaobai promptly denied.

No way would she admit it was her idea, or she’d doubt whether she’d leave here alive.

The Lintao Army Deputy Shi Lin came forward, "Mobilizing five thousand soldiers will turn Shanzhou into an empty city. This mustn’t happen!"

Tang Xiaobai hesitated, "But Xue Tenth Son is the Court-appointed Inspection Envoy..."

Zhang Yichao let out a cold laugh, gazing at her with increasing disdain, "Even if the Court appointed a new Five Armies Commander, I, Zhang Yichao, will not take a single step out of Shanzhou!" After speaking, he turned and left.

The others seemed accustomed to Zhang Yichao’s behavior, merely shook their heads and advised Tang Xiaobai, "Second Miss, talk to Vice Envoy Gu, try to persuade Mr. Xue..."

...

After the commanders left, Tang Xiaobai quietly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to walk inside.

Xin Yi and Ah Jin followed behind.

After a while, realizing Tang Xiaobai’s destination, Ah Jin couldn’t help but ask, "Second Miss, not going to see Mr. Xue?"

"I’m a bit tired, I’ll go rest first." Tang Xiaobai replied.

Tomorrow will be another tough battle; it’s best to conserve energy today!

"But—" Ah Jin wanted to say more, but Tang Xiaobai had already entered the inner courtyard.

Xin Yi continued to follow.

At this moment, only her and Tao Zi remained with Second Miss Tang.

"Why mobilize all Shanzhou’s troops?" Xin Yi asked bluntly.

Having followed Second Miss Tang for two years, she knew this girl thought far ahead.

Xue Shaojian’s insistence, Second Miss was at least aware of it.

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Of course, there’s an update today~ How could I stop updating after a big update!