Chapter 112: Playing the Main Card of Sowing Discord

“Do none of you take my words to heart? Have I not already said that from now on, each of you is to be responsible for your own soldiers?”

“These doctors and medicines were procured by me for the Northwestern Army and my own men. What business is it of yours to divide them? There will be no division.”

Having spoken, he looked at the stunned assembly and addressed several deputy commanders with solemn earnestness:

“Although the soldiers under your command are no longer under my jurisdiction, I cannot help but speak a few words on their behalf.”

The deputy commanders glanced at each other, itching to step forward and silence the man surnamed Chu. They were certain that no good would come from his words.

Something felt off. This Chu fellow was unlike himself these past few days. The man was the same, yet his temperament had turned completely around. Especially that unpleasant mouth of his—it was as if he had become someone else.

Shen Zhao paid no heed to what they thought, his expression filled with anguish and righteous indignation.

“You are their commanders—how can you care only for yourselves and not for your soldiers? You deputies have not been wounded, so it is forgivable that you fail to recall the wounded among your men.”

The deputies widened their eyes in disbelief. Was this not publicly dressing them down before the troops? What did he mean, they hadn’t been wounded, so they couldn’t remember their injured soldiers? Was he plainly saying they lacked any care for their men? And to top it off, he spoke as if excusing them, but in truth, he was condemning them severely.

“Chu, just shut your mouth!”

Shen Zhao pointed to one severely wounded soldier, his face full of concern. “Can’t you see the wounds on their bodies? I see many still bleeding through their bandages.”

The soldier being pointed at felt a tightness in his chest. He was not General Chu’s subordinate, yet the first to show concern for his injuries was Chu himself. His own commander had never inquired about their wounds. Even during the recent scramble for food, their commander thrust them forward without a thought for their injuries.

It was impossible not to feel hurt.

More than one soldier shared this sentiment. General Chu knew that doctors and medicines were procured for the Northwestern Army and his men. Why did the deputies they followed seem oblivious?

Shen Zhao observed the change in their expressions and sighed helplessly.

“If these soldiers were still under my command, I would immediately order doctors to treat their wounds. But now they are not. If I were to have doctors tend to them, it would mean bypassing you—and then you would accuse me of meddling.”

The deputies nearly spat blood at this. Chu, how much more despicable can you be?

The soldiers glanced at their own deputies with new eyes. Had there been no conflict today, they would still be under General Chu’s command, and would not have to fear the lack of medicine. Now, they could only endure their pain in silence, their hearts heavy with resentment.

Shen Zhao sighed deeply. “Soldiers, take care of yourselves. I trust your commanders will not abandon you. There are military doctors in the camp. You need not rely on others to fetch doctors. Your deputies will surely follow my example and procure medicine for you, to treat your wounds.”

Having said this, he ignored the deputies’ expressions of disgust and turned to his own followers.

“Let’s go back and see the doctors for treatment. This time, the doctors from Qihuang Street, whom Deputy Zhang engaged, have purchased ample medicine. Those with injuries will be treated, and those with hidden ailments will be examined carefully. Do not worry—there is enough medicine for all.”

A cheer erupted from his side, but the other side fell silent. Many envied Shen Zhao’s men. They too wished to be treated by the Qihuang Street doctors, to heal their wounds, and to finally address their hidden and chronic ailments. Why were they not under General Chu’s command?

The deputies’ faces twisted with frustration. Chu was shaking the soldiers’ morale—shaking their very spirits! Despicable and shameless! And where was the money coming from to buy medicine for all these soldiers? Such an expenditure must be enormous. Chu wasted money frivolously; they did not have such resources.

Surrounded by his soldiers, Shen Zhao departed, leaving the remaining troops in the capital army staring at their commanders. Someone could not help but ask, “General, who will you send to the city to buy medicine? The curfew has not yet begun—there is still time to fetch supplies.”

As one person stepped forward, many others followed. They volunteered eagerly to go to the city to purchase medicine. None wished to suffer pain and injury any longer. Even the Northwestern Army, once oppressed, now had doctors and medicine; they wanted the same.

The deputies’ faces darkened. Who gave these men the audacity to make such unreasonable requests?

“It is late now. We will discuss this tomorrow.”

With that, the deputies dismissed them and returned to their tents. Little did they realize this only deepened their soldiers’ disappointment.

“Tomorrow” would mean never.

Their hearts sank, and some even secretly envied the Northwestern Army, which had food and medicine, while they remained hungry and wounded.

Shen Zhao and his men returned to the Northwestern Army’s camp. He immediately issued orders:

“Take several doctors to examine and treat the severely wounded soldiers. Bring food along. Instruct the uninjured soldiers to assist the doctors in bandaging and cleaning wounds—this will speed the process and lessen the soldiers’ suffering. Also assign doctors to examine those with hidden and chronic ailments.”

Just as Shen Zhao gave these orders, a contingent approached, each man carrying two sacks of grain. Shen Zhao stepped forward to greet them. The leader, Deputy Yao, set down his grain bags and grinned broadly, revealing a mouthful of teeth.

“General, the five hundred of us have discussed and wish to join the Northwestern Army under your command. We bring our own provisions and can be self-sufficient. If you find this difficult, we will leave without causing trouble.”

The others followed suit, setting down their grain and looking to Shen Zhao, awaiting her answer.

They had thought it through. After the conflict with another contingent today, if they established their own camp, they would gain nothing from the capital army. Moreover, General Chu’s conduct today had earned their respect, making them wish to surrender to her.

Unlike other deputies, Chu treated his soldiers humanely and even used his own money to buy doctors and medicine—something they admired greatly.

Shen Zhao looked at these five hundred men. During the camp unrest, they had stayed out of it, avoiding involvement. Each appeared strong and capable.

Although she commanded many soldiers, most were Chu Mu’s men. The Northwestern Army was largely composed of elderly and disabled men, with few able-bodied fighters.

If she could bring these five hundred under her wing and forge her own vanguard, it would greatly enhance her chances of rescuing her father and brothers in the future.

Why not?

She smiled faintly and replied: