“Why have those two abandoned their camp to come here? Could it be Zhu Ping’an pursued his victory, they couldn’t hold, lost the camp, and had to flee to the king for safety?!” Xue Tao was elated at the news of Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa rushing to see Wang Zhi, imagining they’d suffered another defeat, losing even their base.
Another loss for Mao Haifeng and Otomo! Perfect! They must’ve lost everything this time. Even if Wang Zhi favoured Mao Haifeng, he couldn’t ignore such a defeat without consequences, could he? Surely he’d demote him, strip him of his fleet command, right?!
If they weren’t punished after this, how could anyone accept it? Xue Tao certainly wouldn’t.
At that moment, Wang Zhi frowned deeply. Had Mao Haifeng and Otomo really lost again, as Xue suggested? Why else would they abandon their camp at such a critical time to come see him? Weren’t they afraid Zhu Ping’an would attack their base?
Truth be told, Wang Zhi was disappointed. He’d had high hopes for Mao Haifeng, especially. After his own son was executed by the court, despite taking many concubines and sowing widely, none bore fruit. Adopting Mao Haifeng as his son, he truly saw him as his heir. If he died without a biological heir, he’d pass his empire to Mao.
Mao had always been promising, and Wang was pleased, but this defeat was a letdown. Was Xue right? Were their past victories just small skirmishes, exposing their weakness in bigger battles? If so, Mao needed more training by his side to be worthy of the empire.
He’d question them thoroughly when they arrived, find out how they lost so quickly, so badly.
Soon, hoofbeats sounded, and Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa appeared, riding into view. Fifty metres from Wang Zhi’s carriage, they dismounted, handed their horses to attendants, and hurried forward.
“Greetings, adoptive father/king,” they said, kneeling on one knee before Wang Zhi’s carriage.
Wang Zhi let them wait three seconds before saying coolly, “Rise.”
His tone carried disappointment and frustration, which Mao Haifeng and Otomo Sadagawa clearly noticed. But they weren’t worried; the two pieces of news they brought would redeem them.
“Haifeng, Otomo, explain yourselves. Your combined force of 14,000 or 15,000 couldn’t beat Zhu Ping’an’s 8,000 Zhejiang troops, and you were thoroughly defeated, disgracing us. You’ve abandoned your camp to rush here—has Zhu Ping’an pursued and taken it, forcing you to flee for your lives?!” Xue Tao asked snidely.
“Sorry to disappoint you, Uncle Xue, the camp’s fine, not lost,” Mao Haifeng retorted, flicking his sleeve.
“Why does General Xue slander us?” Otomo Sadagawa demanded, glaring.
“Then why rush here if not to seek the king’s protection?” Xue Tao pressed.
“We’ve come to report tremendous good news to the king,” Mao Haifeng said proudly, chest puffed out.
Good news?! Xue Tao nearly spat, barely containing his laughter as he glanced at Mao and Otomo. “You, reporting tremendous good news? You’re joking! Beaten so badly by Zhu Ping’an, what good news could you possibly have?!”
He didn’t believe a word. Good news? Only if the sun rose in the west! Zhu Ping’an had thrashed their 14,000-strong army twice, each loss worse than the last, leaving them “scattering in disarray” and “fleeing in defeat”—terms that flattered them! Yet they claimed to have great news? Shameless!
“And you, the commander and deputy of the vanguard, both left your army to come here. Who’s left with enough authority to command the camp? If Zhu Ping’an attacks now, with no leader, won’t your camp be uprooted? You just lost to him, haven’t you learned anything?” Xue Tao continued his attack.
“Uncle Xue, you can rest easy. Zhu Ping’an absolutely won’t attack our camp,” Mao Haifeng said confidently.
“Hah, big words from a defeated man! You think you can control Zhu Ping’an’s moves? Does he listen to you, not attacking just because you say so? War’s not a game, no wonder you lost to him. You tell us to relax, how can we with this attitude?” Xue Tao sneered.
As a veteran who’d risen with Wang Zhi, nearly twenty years older than Mao, he felt entitled to lecture him.
“Uncle Xue, I know war’s not a game. I’ve fought just as many battles as you!” Mao Haifeng snapped, irritated.
“Enough. What’s this tremendous good news you’re reporting? If it’s a trick to lessen your punishment, you’ll face harsher consequences!” Wang Zhi interjected, staring impassively at them.
He was even more disappointed now. Fresh off a major defeat, they claimed to have great news?
“My king is wise,” Xue Tao grinned, relishing the threat of harsher punishment.
