Chapter 1303 - 320: Fall_5

Chapter 1303: Chapter 320: Fall_5

The old woman was over fifty years old, neither a wife nor a concubine. She was an indigenous from the Southwest; when Qian State pacified the Xin’an Rebellion during her childhood, she was rescued by Zhong Wenhao and since then stayed by his side as a servant.

She was a servant, but held a very high status in the Zhong Family.

Even Zhong Tianlang would call her "Momo" upon seeing her.

"Master, the second master is waiting outside."

Zhong Wenhao opened his eyes. His face had already begun to show many age spots, and this man, who once commanded the West Army Division and upheld the standards of Qian, was ultimately... aged.

The old woman looked at the man in front of her,

feeling very dejected inside.

She still recalled the years when the handsome him appeared before her, pulling her onto a horse, preventing her from being brutalized by the Qian army soldiers who had lost control.

The indigenous people had no concept of country or ethnicity; in their eyes, the village on the opposite mountain and the Qian people were all foreigners.

Thus, she held no state grudges against Zhong Wenhao.

But the relentless passage of time ages everyone.

The young general who once brandished a sword and rode fearlessly, now could not escape the fate of lying ill on a sickbed.

"Let him come in."

Zhong Wenhao ordered, his voice full of fatigue.

The old woman nodded, fed him the last spoonful of medicine, and slowly withdrew.

After a short while,

Zhong Wenhao’s brother, Zhong Wenmian, walked in. People referred to Zhong Wenhao as old Minister Zhong, while Zhong Wenmian was called young Master Zhong.

The Zhong family’s status was actually upheld by them.

Three years ago, old Minister Zhong led fifteen thousand West Army Division troops northward first, then, under the court’s operation, the West Mountain Cavalry Battalion carefully cultivated by the West Army Division was divided off, and the person in charge was Zhong Wenmian.

The division within the West Army Division started from then.

In recent years, the court has both rigorously trained new armies and expanded support for elder military leaders, especially after drastically downsizing the capital camp which consumed countless resources yearly but was useless in wartime, thus allowing more flexible support for the West Army Division.

However, regardless of such efforts, the division of the West Army Division has never been halted. Currently, the West Army Division, including Zhong Wenhao and Zhong Wenmian’s divisions, is divided into three more sections, each separately commanded by leaders under the military family system originally belonging to the West Army Division but previously under the Zhong Family.

Simultaneously, the policy of reintegrating indigenous governance in the Southwest is being implemented, focusing on the administration of the Southwest.

But in Zhong Wenhao’s view, these moves are too hurried.

Though Minister Han’s group on the court restrained military force considerably, Minister Han and others understood the principle of governing a vast nation as cooking a small dish; they had deep insight into the Southwest situation. The solution lies not in the present, but the next generation, or even beyond.

Using time to gain the indigenous people’s sense of identity, making them feel they are Qian people.

Yet, after Minister Han fell, the new ministers appointed by the government prided themselves as reformists and acted extremely aggressively, which indeed revitalized the stagnant empire that was over a century old but also created troubles due to sudden actions.

For example, from letters received from hometown recently, Zhong Wenhao could discern that the situation in the Southwest showed signs of instability again.

Ultimately, after the main West Army went north, the control and intimidation over the Southwest had significantly weakened, thus requiring stability at this time.

"Brother, is your illness improving?"

Zhong Wenmian crouched beside the bed, gazing at his brother.

The two brothers had grown up together, forming a strong bond, later together pursuing the tattoo-faced Master’s efforts to pacify the Southwest, strengthening their brotherly and battle friendship.

But emotions are emotions, and the matter of the West Army Division’s division is another issue.

"Almost."

Zhong Wenhao spoke.

In this world there are elders who fear death more as they age;

While others become increasingly indifferent to life and death as they grow older.

Zhong Wenmian did not expect his stalwart brother to become so despondent, involuntarily saying:

"Brother, you will be fine; you will recover."

Zhong Wenhao managed a strained smile.

Actually, two years ago, just half a year after Yan people withdrew, Zhong Wenhao pleaded to the court citing his aging and unfit health, desiring to return to his Southwest hometown for recuperation.

His advancing age sincerely found him unaccustomed to the climate of the border regions.

But then, how could the court dare to let him, a stabilizing pillar, leave the frontier? They outright refused and even promoted him.

Thereafter, every six months, Zhong Wenhao would submit a plea to the court, requesting to retire to his hometown.

But while the court was dismantling the West Army Division, not wanting him to return to stabilize the situation, there were also opinions suggesting Zhong Wenhao’s actions were to assure the court, showing he didn’t covet power.

Thus, each request was denied, with continued promotions, even arranging Zhong Tianlang’s marriage to the Imperial Princess.

Only those truly close knew Zhong Wenhao genuinely petitioned to retire because of his health.

Yet, the court firmly kept him stationed at the frontier.

Three years,

Three years,

Three years,

The acclimatization issues, for this old general, proved especially fatal, having drained his vitality.

He may likely not meet a warrior’s death on the battlefield,

but rather, in all probability, be sapped by the court, stranded at the frontier until his last breath.

"Brother."

Zhong Wenhao guessed why his brother came to see him,

promptly saying:

"Are we going to attack Yan?"