"Your Majesty, your subject would like to ask Your Majesty to grant the Ning'an Army its name."

The Xuan Emperor thought about it. Ning Chen was a General of the First Rank now, and it was ordinary enough for him to have his own personal army, so he nodded and agreed.

"Very well. This emperor permits you to bring the Ning'an Army back."

Ning Chen said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Xuan Emperor asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Your subject would like one man too."

"Who?"

Ning Chen said, "Lei An, Marshal of the Changling Army. He went with your subject to attack Mangzhou and to take back the frontier. He is a man of unusual ability, and a fine hand at getting the baggage train together and moving it."

The Xuan Emperor inclined his head slightly. "Very well. This emperor grants it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Xuan Emperor waved a hand.

Ning Chen knew when to go and took his leave.

When Ning Chen had gone, the Xuan Emperor got up smiling broadly, went out, and came to a hidden room in the palace.

Old General Chen saw His Majesty and brightened at once.

"Your Majesty, can this old subject go home yet?"

The Xuan Emperor shook his head. "Not yet. Bear it a little longer."

Old General Chen's face fell. "Your Majesty, how much longer must this old subject stay here?"

"Soon, soon. Wait a little longer."

Old General Chen muttered, "It is the same line every time."

The Xuan Emperor said, smiling, "When Ning Chen comes home in triumph from the southern frontier, you can go home."

Old General Chen gave a start. "Ning Chen is going to take an army and attack Nanyue?"

The Xuan Emperor inclined his head slightly, and then his face darkened a little. "This emperor keeps feeling that these defeats on the southern frontier are not because the officers and men of our Great Xuan are not bold enough, but because some force from outside is at work."

Old General Chen did not follow. "What does Your Majesty mean?"

The Xuan…