Volume 1, Chapter 42: It Never Happened!

The manhunt continued in every corner of the city.

Within the Jiannu encampment, the atmosphere was frantic. Several generals were huddled in a tent, deliberating on military intelligence.

"Any news from Wen Tiren?" one general asked.

"None," another replied, shaking his head. "We haven't heard a word since the last shipment of arms was delivered."

"This is not good," the lead general frowned. "They should have taken action by now."

"Could something have gone wrong?"

"Have we sent anyone to scout?"

"We did, but..."

"But what?"

"Not a single scout sent into the city has returned."

A heavy silence fell over the tent.

"Something must have happened inside the city," the lead general said, his voice grim.

"Should we..." another general suggested tentatively.

"No," the lead general interrupted, shaking his head. "Without informants inside, launching an attack now would be too dangerous."

"So we just wait?"

"Wait a little longer. If something has truly happened to Wen Tiren, we will know soon enough."

Just then, a soldier rushed in. "Report! A group of merchants has arrived from the south!"

"Merchants?" The lead general narrowed his eyes. "Bring them to me."

Moments later, several merchants dressed in fine attire were ushered in.

"Who are you?" the lead general studied them.

"We were sent by Lord Li Fu," one of the merchants stepped forward.

"Li Fu?" A sharp glint appeared in the general's eyes. "What did he say?"

"My lord told us to inform you that the plan has changed," the merchant lowered his voice. "In the city..."

"What happened in the city?"

"The Eastern Depot is making arrests. As for Lord Wen..."

"Is Wen Tiren in trouble?" The general stood up abruptly.

The merchant nodded. "He has been captured. And..."

"And what?"

"They also seized the armaments and secret letters."

The tent fell into a dead silence.

"It is all over," one general muttered.

The lead general's face darkened. "What about Li Fu?"

"Lord Li..." The merchant swallowed hard. "He was captured, too."

"When did this happen?"

"Just last night. He tried to flee, but..."

"But what?"

"He was surrounded by the Eastern Depot. In the end..." the merchant paused, "he took poison and killed himself."

The tent sank into silence once more.

"So," the lead general sneered, "our entire plan has been exposed?"

The merchant nodded. "Yes. They have seized all the evidence."

"Then why did you dare to come here?"

The merchants looked at each other, speechless.

"Speak!" the general barked.

"We... we came to deliver the message. Before Lord Li died, he said..."

"Said what?"

"He told us to tell you that the plan has failed. He said you should not act rashly for the time being."

The general sneered: "Is that all?"

"There is more," the merchant hesitated. "Lord Li said there are others in the city, but it will take time..."

"Time?" The general cut him off. "It is already too late for time!"

He turned to the other generals: "Pass the order—retreat!"

"Retreat?" the other generals exclaimed in surprise.

"If we don't retreat, what are we waiting for?" the lead general scoffed. "Waiting for that madman Chongzhen to capture us?"

He looked at the merchants: "You should leave, too. Go back and tell those in the city that..."

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted outside.

"Report!" a soldier ran in. "From the capital..."

"What is it?"

"The city gates are sealed! All trade routes have been cut off!"

The general’s face turned ashen. "As I feared..."

He turned back to the merchants: "Do you have anything else to say?"

The merchants fell to their knees: "Spare us, my lord! We were forced into this..."

"Forced?" the general sneered. "Then why didn't you defect to the imperial court?"

The merchants dared not speak.

"Take them away!" the general waved his hand. "Show them what we are capable of!"

Several soldiers stepped forward and dragged the merchants out. The tent was once again silent.

"My lord," one general spoke up, "what do we do now?"

The lead general was silent for a moment. "Order all units to consolidate."

"Yes."

"Also," he sneered, "have all our secret agents withdraw. We were too impatient this time."

"And those in the city..."

"What does their life or death have to do with us?" the general sneered. "Since they are exposed, let them fend for themselves."

The other generals acknowledged the order and withdrew.

The lead general remained alone in the tent. He walked to the map and stared at the location of the capital, a cold smile on his lips. "Chongzhen, you have some tricks up your sleeve. However..."

His gaze shifted to the location of Shanhai Pass. "There is always another day."

Outside, the sound of soldiers training could be heard. The camp was a hive of activity as everyone began packing their gear. In the distance, the sound of hoofbeats approached; a cavalry unit was galloping in from the south.

"Report!" a scout leaped off his horse. "About the capital..."

"What is it now?" the general frowned.

"The Eastern Depot is hunting down merchants. And..."

"And what?"

"Zheng Zhilong's naval forces have mobilized. All trade routes are severed."

The general sneered: "Chongzhen intends to sweep up all our people in one go."

He walked back into the tent and glanced at the map again. "Pass the order," he said in a deep voice, "break camp immediately."

"Yes!" The scout turned and left.

The sound of horns echoed through the camp. Soldiers began dismantling the tents, preparing for the retreat. In the distant sky, dark clouds gathered.

"My lord," a general entered, "the direction of the retreat..."

"Head north," the lead general said. "We return to Liaodong first."

"What about those trade routes..."

"Abandon them for now," the general sneered. "Wait until the storm blows over."

He walked outside the tent and watched the busy soldiers. The camp was in chaos, filled with the sounds of packing.

More hoofbeats sounded in the distance.

"Report!" another scout arrived. "News from the capital..."

"Speak!"

"The Eastern Depot discovered an arms cache at the Qingyun Temple."

The general sneered: "So, everything is exposed."

He turned to those behind him: "Pass the order—pick up the pace!"

"Yes!"

The horns in the camp grew more urgent. The soldiers quickened their efforts. The dark clouds in the sky grew thicker.

"My lord," a general approached, "the vanguard has already departed."

"Good," the lead general nodded. "Tell them to proceed with caution."

"Yes."

He looked toward the south once more. The direction of the capital remained calm, but he knew that beneath that stillness, treacherous currents were surging.

"Pass the order," he suddenly said, "all secret agents are to withdraw."

"Yes."

"And," he sneered, "tell them to leave no traces behind."

The general withdrew. The activity in the camp continued. The clouds hung low.

"My lord," another general approached, "all tents have been packed."

"Good," the lead general nodded. "Prepare to depart."

He took one final look toward the south. The direction of the capital was still quiet, but he knew it had already become a place of blood and slaughter.

"Chongzhen..." he sneered, "there is always another day."

The horns sounded. The army began to move north. In the distance, faint thunder rumbled.

"Report!" another scout arrived. "From the capital..."

"Say no more," the general waved his hand. "We leave."

The army moved slowly to the north. The clouds pressed down even lower. In the distance, a light rain began to fall.

The general sat in his saddle, looking toward the south.

"Pass the order," he suddenly said. "Tell everyone, regarding what happened this time..."

"What does my lord mean?"

"Act as if it never happened at all."