TRDE 15

TRDE

Chapter 15

The Stratagem

Ihwan and Jeong Cheon sat facing each other.

Jeong Cheon stared at the steam rising from his teacup, hesitated for a moment, and then got to the point.

“We never know when the enemy will attack again. I think it would be best for Your Highness to return to the main camp.”

“Is this out of concern for me?”

“Of course. What could be more important than Your Highness’s safety?”

“I appreciate your concern, General, but I will not return.”

“Your Highness, it is too dangerous here. Unlike the main camp, this place is vulnerable to enemy raids.”

Leaning back slightly, Ihwan replied,

“Even so, I am still a prince. If I ran to safety at the main camp just to avoid danger, what would the warriors think? As a son of the imperial family, I cannot tarnish not only my honor but the honor of the entire royal house.”

Jeong Cheon fell silent. Mentioning the imperial family was like playing a trump card—once brought up, there was nothing he could say in response. He had no choice but to retreat.

“Understood. But at least refrain from going outside the camp.”

“Very well.”

As Jeong Cheon rose to leave, Ihwan called out,

“General.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“This canyon has no real military or strategic value, so why fight over it so fiercely?”

“Think of it as a matter of pride.”

“Whose pride?”

“On a small scale, it’s the pride of our Southern Corps. On a larger scale, it’s the pride of the entire nation.”

Ihwan gave a short laugh.

“Thousands of warriors have died over such pride… I see. You may go.”

Once Jeong Cheon left, Ihwan opened the window. The wind carried in the stench of blood.

“Then or now, the affairs of a nation never change.”

“Your Highness.”

Cha Jung-gyeong suddenly appeared. Covered in mud, it seemed he had just come from reinforcing defenses.

“Do you have something to say?”

“What should we do with the prisoners captured by the Yongho unit?”

In the recent battle, Yongho’s troops had captured dozens of enemy soldiers. This achievement had changed how other units saw them—most hadn’t expected the Yongho unit to fight effectively at all.

Ihwan’s eyes glinted.

Yes… we can use the prisoners.

A faint smile spread across his lips.

“Empty a building and lock them up there.”

“Understood.”

Ordinary enemy warriors were treated as spoils of war, and the unit that captured them had the right to decide their fate.

“Jung-gyeong.”

“Yes?”

“Where’s your hometown?”

“Sichuan Province. Why do you ask…?”

“Just wondering. That’s all—go on.”

Cha Jung-gyeong paused, confused, but left without another word.

That night

Two figures moved toward an old building at the edge of the Yongho camp—Cha Jung-gyeong and Song Cheon-mu.

Both were dressed in Zhao army uniforms, their faces caked with dried mud, making them unrecognizable.

“This was Your Highness’s idea, right?” Song Cheon-mu asked.

“Yes. But it’s pretty clever, isn’t it?”

“It is indeed.”

“Then let’s do it without any mistakes. He’s trusting us with this—we can’t disappoint him.”

“Understood.”

Cha Jung-gyeong entered the building while Song Cheon-mu slipped around to the back, waiting for his cue.

Song Cheon-mu shook his head slightly, thinking of Ihwan.

The rumors about him being incompetent are complete nonsense.

He had seen Ihwan’s bravery on the battlefield—especially when Ihwan had faced the enemy commander alone, the very one everyone else avoided. The memory still sent shivers down his spine.

Even if he’s an illegitimate son, he still carries the emperor’s blood…

Inside the building

“Damn it…”

Cha Jung-gyeong cursed as he stepped in, drawing the prisoners’ attention. They immediately bowed their heads—he was wearing the uniform of a Zhao Gyowi (captain).

“No need for greetings in a place like this. Sit down.”

“Captain, what will happen to us?”

“How should I know? If you’re unlucky, you’ll die. If you’re lucky, you might survive. At least we were captured by Yan’s Grand Prince—maybe we can expect some mercy.”

“But sir, how were you captured?”

“I came to catch a deserter from the Black Tiger unit, but luck wasn’t on my side. Thought he might have defected to the Yan army, but turns out he had already left for Sichuan. If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have come here and gotten myself caught. Damn it.”

“I see… Still, it’s fortunate they didn’t kill us immediately. As long as we’re alive, there’s a way to survive, right?”

“Anyone here a Buddhist?”

“Yes!”

“Then pray as hard as you can—for your lives.”

At that moment, there was a dull thud from outside.

Thump, thump!

It sounded like someone falling. The door opened and Song Cheon-mu stepped inside.

He pressed a finger to his lips and whispered,

“I’ve taken out the guards—move quickly.”

“What are you waiting for? Get out!”

The prisoners bolted barefoot. One turned to Cha Jung-gyeong,

“Hurry, sir!”

“I’ll follow behind. Once you’re out, don’t look back—run straight to the main camp where the General is.”

“Yes, sir! See you at the main camp!”

In moments, the prisoners were gone. Cha Jung-gyeong and Song Cheon-mu exchanged faint smiles.

“Your acting’s pretty good.”

“Look who’s talking. Hahaha.”

Later

Ihwan looked up as the two men entered.

“It went perfectly,” Song Cheon-mu reported.

“Good. Once they reach the main camp and spread word that I’ve gone back to my hometown, the Zhao army will stop looking for me.”

“Glad to be of service, Your Highness.”

“You did it for me, so I owe you nothing. Now go wash off that smell.”

“Yes, sir!”

When they left, Ihwan lay down on his bed.

Now I only have to deal with those people…

He thought of the man he had faced on the battlefield—the one who had killed a particularly troublesome Blood Cannon operative with ease.

I expected him to be strong when our eyes met at the inn, but seeing his skill in person… troubling.

Still, this battle had yielded better results than expected. The only regret was that the Blood Cannon’s sudden appearance had cut it short.

A thin smile tugged at his lips.

I reincarnated into a weak body, and now my situation is quite the joke.

The next evening – Zhao army camp

A commander entered the Chief General’s tent.

“We’ve learned of Cha Jung-gyeong’s whereabouts.”

“Oh?”

“Contrary to expectations, he didn’t defect to the Yan army. He’s headed for Sichuan—his hometown.”

“Sichuan?”

“Yes. One of the Black Tiger soldiers sent to capture him was captured himself and, during the recent battle, told other prisoners this information.”

The Chief General shot to his feet.

“Bring that man to me immediately! I need to confirm this.”

“Unfortunately… during an escape attempt, some didn’t make it back. That soldier seems to have been killed.”

The Chief General frowned.

“It would’ve been better to verify the source… but if he’s gone to Sichuan, the information is probably true.”

“Shall I send men to search for him there?”

“Do it quickly.”

Once the commander left, the Chief General’s expression eased. He snapped his fingers, and a Blood Cannon operative appeared.

“Congratulations, sir.”

“Too soon for that. Until we capture him and recover the Zhangbo Blade, I won’t rest easy. Recall all the operatives who crossed into Yan.”

“Understood.”

When the man left, the Chief General exhaled in relief. In truth, the hill battles with Yan mattered far less to him than recovering the Zhangbo Blade stolen by Cha Jung-gyeong.

“He wouldn’t have done anything to the blade… right?”

The next morning

The rain had stopped, and the sun rose over a blood-scented battlefield. Warriors worked to reinforce defenses or clear the dead.

Ihwan sat outside his tent, sipping tea and watching the activity. Despite the effort being expended all around him, no one complained—he was the Grand Prince, after all.

A commander hurried toward him.

“Your Highness, some of the Yongho prisoners escaped last night. Were you aware?”

“I was informed just now.”

“I must ask for the details.”

“It seems the guards were careless. Inexperience, nothing more—let it go.”

“With respect, prisoner escapes cannot simply be overlooked, Your Highness.”

“Are you suggesting you’ll hold me responsible?”

Ihwan’s tone and gaze turned icy. The commander froze.

“I’ll explain it to General Hwang myself. You may go.”

“Understood…”

Walking away, the commander felt strangely unsettled.

What was that…?

Without realizing it, he looked at his palm—and flinched.

“…!”

It was damp with sweat.

Meanwhile – Left General Peng Muwi

Peng Muwi was in a foul mood.

Since being assigned to the Southern Corps, his first operation had ended in humiliation due to a sudden bout of diarrhea. He had vowed to redeem himself in the second—but again, the battle ended before he could prove himself.

At least they’d won. Another loss would have destroyed his reputation.

“Why does everything keep going wrong? Damn it!”

He gulped lukewarm water from a large bowl.

That wasn’t just diarrhea. Someone must have poisoned my food.

Once suspicion took root, every officer in the camp seemed suspect. And then he remembered his meeting with Ihwan.

Yes… I drank tea he gave me that day, and not long after, the diarrhea started. Even calling me over just to say a few words before sending me away was strange.