Tianranju, the living room.
Zhao Shutong changed into a long dress, exuding an air of a fairy from the mountains. It was no wonder Old Huang was drooling over her. Zhao Shutong sat in the living room, while outside, dozens of White Deer Iron Cavalry guarded with swords. At the foot of the separate villa on the mountain peak, there were hundreds more White Deer Iron Cavalry, all brought by Zhao Shutong. Zhuo Zhi and Huang Tingyu stood by the door, squinting at the White Deer Iron Cavalry, wondering who was protecting whom.
In the sky, a streak of fiery red sword light descended. Lin Zhao arrived on his sword, leaped off, and entered the living room. He saw only Zhao Shutong inside.
"Lin Zhao greets Your Highness the Eldest Princess!"
"The Mountain Lord is too polite."
Zhao Shutong rose and returned the bow with palace etiquette, her demeanor gentle and graceful.
In truth, Zhao Shutong's beauty was in no way inferior to Cao Ying, the foremost beauty of Baidi City; she even surpassed her slightly. However, Zhao Shutong was a core figure of the Great Shang imperial family. Therefore, tales of beauties in the human world deliberately omitted aspects of this Eldest Princess, leading the world to know only of Cao Ying of the Xiuyi Pavilion's unparalleled beauty, unaware that the Eldest Princess Zhao Shutong was equally captivating.
"I have come to discuss some matters with you."
Zhao Shutong looked towards the door and said, "Sword Immortal Zhuo Zhi, could you trouble yourself to erect a restriction? I wish to speak with the Mountain Lord alone."
"..."
Zhuo Zhi glanced at Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao nodded gently, giving his tacit consent.
In the next moment, a powerful sword formation restriction enveloped the entire living room, leaving only Lin Zhao and Zhao Shutong within. Everyone else was shielded outside.
...
"The water in this Separate Villa on the Mountain Peak is indeed clear and sweet."
After signaling Lin Zhao to sit, Zhao Shutong took a sip of tea and smiled, "Speaking of which, this is my first time visiting Snow Domain Heavenly Lake."
"How is Snow Domain Heavenly Lake?"
"Very good."
Zhao Shutong nodded and smiled, "It's quite different from what I imagined. Marshal Lin has established a martial world for the human realm here in Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and built a formidable Snow Domain Iron Cavalry. It can be said that for the human realm, Marshal Lin alone is worth a million troops."
"Your Highness praises me too highly."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Tell me, what is the matter you've come to see me about?"
"It's about recruiting soldiers."
Zhao Shutong said, "I spoke with Lords Chu Yu and Mu Da of the Snow Domain Army on my way up the mountain. I know Snow Domain Heavenly Lake is short on soldiers, especially cavalry. After several skirmishes with the demon cavalry, Snow Domain Heavenly Lake has amassed a large number of Yunxi warhorses, but there are too few cavalrymen. So, I've come for this very reason."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. Indeed, although they had borrowed twenty thousand cavalry from the Snow Dragon Dynasty last time, Snow Domain Heavenly Lake bordered the demon realm, and there were always minor conflicts. In warfare, there's a saying: iron camp, flowing soldiers. People are constantly dying in war, and veterans and recruits are constantly being replaced. In a prolonged war, generations of soldiers may pass. War is consumption; it consumes national strength and human lives. Lin Zhao understood these things but had to face them. The military cannot be soft-hearted.
Currently, the official cavalry of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake numbered just over 30,000, while there were sixty to seventy thousand Yunxi warhorses. It was indeed a situation of troop shortage. Without a reserve of manpower, they could not withstand several major battles.
"Marshal Lin."
Zhao Shutong said softly, "For the past six months, the court has provided funds and resources, with Lord Chen Xi, the ruler of Yunzhou, personally overseeing the recruitment of soldiers. Now, there are results. Chen Xi has recruited 200,000 young men, all from the younger generation of Yunzhou. The human realm has always had the saying, 'Since ancient times, heroes have emerged from Yunzhou.' Yunzhou is vast, and though it is a harsh and cold land, the sons it has nurtured are valiant and unstoppable. These days, His Majesty and I have withstood the pressure from Prince Jinan's manor and the Ministry of War, and have finally secured the qualification for Snow Domain Heavenly Lake to recruit soldiers in Yunzhou. You can lead people to Yunzhou and select 30,000 from the 200,000 young men recruited by Chen Xi to join the Snow Domain Army. This should be good news, right?"
"It's more than good news..."
Lin Zhao said excitedly, "It's tremendous news!"
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong smiled faintly, "Actually, Marshal Lin, for not shying away from conflict and for recruiting soldiers and horses in Snow Domain Heavenly Lake to resist the four northern tribes, you are the true cornerstone of our Great Shang Dynasty. In all fairness, Marshal Lin guards the northern gateway for the human realm, and the Great Shang Dynasty should provide full support. They should provide whatever supplies or soldiers you need. However, the obstruction from internal forces is the most terrifying. There are many treacherous officials in the court. I must help my younger brother solidify his imperial power as a young emperor, and at the same time, I have to divide my attention to deal with both external and internal troubles. It is truly... somewhat exhausting. Securing these 30,000 soldiers for Marshal Lin is already the limit of what Shutong can do."
Lin Zhao solemnly cupped his fists and said respectfully, "Lin Zhao thanks Your Highness on behalf of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake!"
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong smiled gently, "Actually, there is another matter, but... it is somewhat difficult to speak of. I fear Marshal Lin will refuse, and it is indeed somewhat presumptuous..."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao took a sip of tea and smiled, "Your Highness, please tell me first."
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong said, "The Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng is my younger brother. I watched him grow up. This child has an exceptionally good nature, truly excellent. When Jingheng was very young, he greatly respected the legendary Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. He even wished to take off his dragon robes and ride horses in the northern region, following Marshal Lin. Jingheng said that if Marshal Lin is willing to go to Baidi City, he would be honored to have Marshal Lin as his Imperial Tutor, to be his lifelong teacher, and would do his utmost to facilitate Marshal Lin's return to the position of commander-in-chief of the army. From now on, the Great Shang Dynasty will no longer have the positions of Grand Arbiter and Grand Marshal; there will only be one Marshal, and that is Marshal Lin. Therefore... Jingheng is confined to the palace and cannot spare the time. He hopes Marshal Lin can make a trip to Baidi City; he wishes to see you."
"..."
Lin Zhao was silent for a long time.
Zhao Shutong pursed her red lips and said softly, "Marshal Lin, please do not worry. Jingheng and I never intended to coerce Marshal Lin, to use Marshal Lin as an external force to contend for imperial power or to check Zhao Qiyang, Lin Yan, or Li Chunyang. Shutong is not that despicable. My brother's respect for Marshal Lin is sincere and true. It is just that the Great Shang Dynasty truly needs Marshal Lin..."
"I know."
After a long silence, Lin Zhao said, "But I cannot agree to this matter."
"Ah?!"
A hint of disappointment flickered across Zhao Shutong's pretty face.
"Your Highness, please listen to me."
Lin Zhao said sternly, "Firstly, if I were to go to Baidi City to meet His Majesty, it would inevitably cause turmoil in the court. There are many in the imperial court who do not wish for me, Lin Zhao, to go to Baidi City. For example, Zhao Qiyang, Lin Yan, and even your mother, Empress Dowager He. No one, except His Majesty, wishes to break the existing balance of power. Therefore, even if I wanted to see His Majesty, I would undoubtedly face great obstruction."
Zhao Shutong nodded.
Lin Zhao continued, "Secondly, if His Majesty were to truly confer the title of Imperial Tutor upon me, it might not end well. First, although I, as Imperial Tutor, might be a great help to His Majesty in reclaiming imperial power, it would inevitably mean sharing a significant portion of His Majesty's authority. When the court becomes clean and upright, I, the Imperial Tutor, would hold absolute power. At that time, if I were unwilling to retreat gracefully, how would you and His Majesty deal with me, Lin Zhao?"
Zhao Shutong's delicate eyebrows furrowed, her beautiful eyes filled with a touch of vulnerability. She had also considered these possibilities but never voiced them. To her surprise, Lin Zhao had seen through everything and articulated it.
"Therefore,"
Lin Zhao said softly, "Your Highness, our current relationship is the best. I will not wade into the murky waters of Great Shang, but when the human realm needs my assistance, I will never hesitate. Please return and tell His Majesty to be a good emperor. Although I, Lin Zhao, do not consider myself a subject of Great Shang in Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, I have always considered myself a subject of the human realm."
"Understood."
Zhao Shutong smiled slightly, "Thank you, Marshal Lin, for your candor."
"I simply do not wish for things to end in a messy fashion."
"Mm."
Zhao Shutong took out an imperial decree from her embrace. "This is His Majesty's imperial decree. Take this decree and go to Tianji City to meet Chen Xi. You can then begin selecting soldiers. Furthermore, His Majesty has granted a special pardon: Snow Domain Heavenly Lake can establish a recruitment office in Yunzhou to procure provisions independently. Chen Xi will cooperate with all of this."
"Good!"
Lin Zhao accepted the imperial decree and cupped his fists again, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Zhao Shutong smiled happily and then led her entourage away.
...
Tianranju, evening.
Lin Zhao arranged a sumptuous dinner. Huang Tingyu, Zhuo Zhi, Tang Guangjun, Chen Ben, Chu Yu, and others were all present. After Zhang Luobai and Zhuang Yirong had eaten their fill and gone to play on the mountain, Lin Zhao relayed the matters discussed with Zhao Shutong.
"This Zhao Shutong..."
Huang Tingyu frowned, "Giving so many benefits for no reason, why? Unsolicited kindness suggests treachery. Lin Zhao, I think she wants to trick you into becoming a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family."
"Ah?"
Chu Yu was startled and couldn't help but smile.
Zhuo Zhi also laughed, "Vice Marshal Huang, can't you stop spouting nonsense?"
Lin Zhao coughed and said, "Zhao Shutong has a public spirit, aiming for the consolidation of the Great Shang Dynasty's reign. Even if there are some personal motives, they are understandable. Moreover, our Snow Domain Heavenly Lake genuinely lacks these 30,000 Yunzhou cavalry recruits. Therefore, I have decided to dispatch the Flood Dragon Boat tomorrow to Tianji City to select soldiers. I will choose one of you to accompany me."
"My Lord."
Zhuo Zhi smiled sweetly and recommended herself.
"I'm not taking you this time."
Lin Zhao said, "Once we get there, we will inevitably have to deal with the officials in Tianji City, and there will be a lot of quibbling. You, Zhuo Zhi, are unlikely to handle it well. How about this, I'll take Old Huang with me. The rest of you will stay to guard Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Do not slack off."
"Yes!"
Everyone nodded in unison, and no one raised any objections.
...
Late at night, Lin Zhao walked out of Tianranju and gazed at the starry sky. Since he was going to Yunzhou, another matter could also be resolved along the way.
The Lü clan of Yunzhou. Their past misdeeds will eventually be repaid. It's just a little late.