Feng Qizheng and Chen Chong needled Wei Feng until he was red in the face and ears.

He was about to answer back when Fang Zhengqing said, "My lord marquis handles troops like a god, and this official admires it from flat on the ground... But an army leaving camp is against the rules. My lord marquis might at least let this official know next time."

The more brilliantly Fang Zhengqing's face smiled, the more bitter he was inside.

He paid his respects to Ning Chen's ancestors, eighteen generations of them.

Handles troops like a god, does he. Making a monkey out of me.

Now it was all finished!

His plan had died in the womb before it was ever carried out.

Ning Chen looked at him and said, smiling, "It seems Supervisor Fang does not know me very well. When this marquis was a General of the Second Rank, His Majesty gave him express leave to move any force under fifty thousand and report it afterward."

Fang Zhengqing's expression stiffened.

Ning Chen waved a hand. "That's enough, no need to apologize... You are cut off from the news. This marquis won't hold it against you."

Fang Zhengqing's face twitched. Who the hell was apologizing?

There was no point in arguing any of that now. Jianxuan Pass had been taken, and he had to write to Kang Luo at once to clear up the misunderstanding. Only with the two of them joined again was there any possibility of standing against Ning Chen.

Ning Chen suddenly said heavily, "All officers, take your orders!"

The group started.

Tong Yuanzhou bowed quickly. "My lord marquis has only to command!"

Wei Feng and the rest bowed in haste to take their orders too.

"Wei Feng, the five thousand of the Ning'an Army under Wu Tiezhu cannot hold long. This marquis orders you to muster five thousand, fast horses and light riders, and go with this marquis to relieve Jianxuan Pass."

Wei Feng was stunned. What were five thousand men good for?

Ning Chen looked at him and said heavily, "Well? Didn't you hear this…