Ning Chen lay in bed for ages without falling asleep.

He rose, went out and gave an order to the guard on duty at the door. "Have Yuan Long and Lei An come see me."

"Yes!"

The guard was Ning'an Army too. He took the order and left.

Ning Chen went to his study and began going over the map of the eastern frontier.

He'd been back in the capital for some days now. It was already autumn and the weather was turning cool. He had to set out soon, attack Xiangzhou and retake the eastern frontier before the snow came.

Zhang Tianlun had been hopping around long enough.

The main thing was, the old Heavenly Master said his deadly calamity was in the capital. So he'd get out of the capital.

He had no idea who wanted to kill him. Not a single clue.

Nobody can guard against a thief for a thousand days. Best to get clear of the city for now.

Two hours later, Yuan Long and Lei An arrived.

They came forward and knelt. "Greetings, my lord prince!"

Ning Chen raised a hand. "No need for ceremony. Get up!

I called you here because the weather's turning cold, and we need to set out for Xiangzhou as soon as possible."

Their eyes lit up.

Yuan Long said, "My lord prince means to retake the eastern frontier?"

Ning Chen nodded. "Mm. Before New Year's this year, this prince wants the Great Xuan's territory whole again.

Same as always. Yuan Long, you handle things with the Ministry of War.

Lei An, you deal with the Ministry of Revenue and get the grain and fodder ready.

Three days from now, at the hour of the Rabbit, we set out from outside the east gate."

The two of them bowed. "This officer obeys!"

He'd had wine at lunch, so he skipped it that evening.

Back in his room, Ning Chen bathed and pulled Yudie and Zisu to him, ready to explore the true meaning of life, when suddenly he stopped.

He looked up at the roof, exasperated, then said to…