The Immortal Emperor Returns novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Tiger Tally

The parade ground was a mile of frozen earth ringed with torches, and three hundred thousand men stood on it in ranks with their breath smoking.

Han Yuanqing stood on the high wooden tower at the north end, in his dress armor, with the Chancellor's yellow decree in both hands.

He read it in a loud, steady voice.

"By order of the Emperor's Chancellery, Chu Xun, once Grand Marshal of the North, is stripped of all rank and honor. He is a traitor. He is dead by the law. Let no soldier speak his name in this camp."

A sound ran through the ranks, low and ugly.

Not agreement.

Han heard it too.

He looked down at his own men and lifted his voice.

"Anyone found carrying his banner, or speaking for him, shall be hanged at the gate. I, Han Yuanqing, as Acting Marshal, take the Tiger Tally and command this army to march for the capital on the eleventh."

"That is a lie."

The voice came from the south end, and it carried.

Han stopped.

Slowly, the ranks began to part.

Chu walked up the center of the parade ground in a plain black coat, with his hands empty and Shuang beside him in scarlet.

Su Mian and the old sergeant came behind them with a lantern each.

He did not hurry.

Rows of soldiers turned their heads as he went by.

The sound of their breathing changed to a kind of roar.

"The Marshal!"

"The Marshal lives!"

"It is a ghost!"

"It is Chu Xun!"

He walked to the foot of the tower and stopped.

He looked up at the man who had once held his hand under the same banners.

"Yuanqing," said Chu pleasantly. "You are standing on my tower."

"Seize him!" Han's voice cracked in the middle. "He is a sorcerer! A demon wearing a dead man's face! Archers, shoot!"

Nobody moved.

A thousand bows hung slack along the palisade.

Han stared around wildly.

"Fine." He drew a shaking breath. "If he is the Marshal, let him prove it. Let him show the order to open the Western Garrison. Let him show the Tally."

"I will show you something better," Chu said.

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