After the body swap, the general knelt and chased me for thousands of miles – Chapter 172: Not bothering to hide it anymore, are you?
“Reporting to His Majesty, last night, together with Assistant Minister Cui, I searched a side room in Changle Palace and found a bundle. Inside were an identity jade tablet and a half-used bottle of liquid gold!”
Liu Suwu had originally thought his assignment was a matter of monumental importance. Yet after a banquet full of twists and turns, he suddenly realized: was this trivial, sesame-sized matter really worth three sleepless nights? The sky was practically falling, and yet His Majesty still attended morning court as usual, didn’t he?
Xiao Ao was grinding his teeth in fury. That Princess Huaiwan, rushing to Western Zhou, had not come to mediate at all but to secretly cause trouble. She had actually tried to use his hand to beat the deputy general of the Huo family army to death. Military power was never in his grasp to begin with. If Xin Zhui really died, the Huo family army would surely revolt. At that point, with internal strife and external threats, would Western Zhou even still exist?
With one glance from him, Su Sheng stepped forward briskly, holding a scroll of imperial decree, and read it aloud in court:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Northern Luo scoundrels, cunning and treacherous, utter outrageous words with hearts deserving of execution! The first-rank General Huo Ci, Great General Who Pacifies the North, is hereby specially commanded to lead the entire Huo family army, mass troops at the border, act at the opportune moment, and swear to annihilate Northern Luo! Thus decreed.”
Xiao Ao did strive to govern diligently and could be considered a competent ruler, but he was not a wise sovereign. Faced with malicious and unreasonable demands, his first thought was not to seek justice, but to push out an innocent person in exchange for temporary peace. Even this imperial decree dared not mention Great Xia’s faults in the slightest. With such weakness, how could he shoulder great responsibilities? If Shangguan Luoyue had demanded commoners and cities instead, he would surely, after deep deliberation, hand them over with both hands.
“Your subject accepts the decree! However, the sixteen sets of Iron Pagoda armor will still require five more days to complete forging. Your subject specifically requests that provisions and fodder be sent first. Once the entire army’s preparations are complete, the forces will march in two separate routes, heading straight for Shanhe Pass and Jingyu Pass, able to advance and attack, or retreat and defend.”
Jiang Xingyan clasped her hands and bowed, lowering her head to suppress her churning emotions. Though it was an excellent plan, it provoked Xiao Ao’s dragon wrath.
“Five more days! If the Northern Luo army invades at this very moment, what will our Western Zhou use to resist?!”
After witnessing Great Xia’s overwhelming strength, Xiao Ao couldn’t wait a moment longer. He wanted to quickly annex Northern Luo, and then battle Great Xia for supremacy. He wanted to sit at the pinnacle of power!
Jiang Xingyan frowned and looked up, meeting Xiao Ao’s bloodshot eyes directly. Though she didn’t know why he was so frantic, advancing rashly at this moment was absolutely impossible. Otherwise, with supply lines failing to keep up, the soldiers would have no choice but to wait for death. Mei Shisan Niang still hadn’t sent word; what other hidden trump cards Northern Luo held, none of them knew.
She proudly faced Xiao Ao’s man-eating glare and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this sudden upheaval was surely something neither Northern Luo nor Shangguan Luoyue had anticipated. It is absolutely impossible for them to invade our borders in the short term. After all, Tuoba Hongxue’s injuries have not yet healed, and they have lost a major general. We, moreover, must not disrupt our own battle lines. We should proceed gradually and carefully. I humbly request Your Majesty’s wise discernment.”
Xiao Ao gradually calmed down amidst ‘Huo Ci’s’ stubborn expression. ‘He’ was not wrong, but the pent-up frustration in his heart was truly difficult to relieve.
“Since the army will be divided into two routes, and Deputy General Xin is still seriously injured, can he bear such a heavy responsibility?”
Without waiting for ‘Huo Ci’ to answer, Xiao Ao had already made the decision for ‘him.’ “I wish to send two princes to accompany the separate armies. The eldest is still confined within the palace. That leaves only the second and third. What does my beloved minister Huo think?”
Jiang Xingyan gritted her teeth. At such a critical moment of life and death, he was still thinking about checking and balancing Huo Ci’s military power? Absolutely unreasonable! In the court hall, she could only endure.
“Your subject believes that although Deputy General Xin is brave and skilled in battle, he is slightly lacking in strategy. The Second Prince is meticulous in thought and considers matters thoroughly. Paired with Deputy General Xin, it would perfectly combine courage and strategy—truly the best course of action.”
Xiao Ao nodded slightly, signaling for ‘Huo Ci’ to continue.
“The Third Prince excels in both civil and military affairs. Marching together with your subject, we can support each other and jointly deliberate on confidential military matters.”
This reply truly spoke to Xiao Ao’s heart. After Xiao Mingxu was punished, he had thought everything through carefully; Xiao Chonghua was indeed more suited for the position of crown prince. By following ‘Huo Ci’ this time, he could also gain some prestige within the military. In the future, when taking back military power, he would have backing.
“Then, it shall be as my beloved minister Huo suggests.”
Having spoken, Xiao Ao abruptly stood up from the dragon throne. Whoosh! He drew the sword from his waist with one swift motion. The cold gleam of the Seven Star Sword chilled everyone’s hearts. His gaze was heavy, coldly sweeping across the civil and military officials:
“This is truly an autumn of critical survival or ruin. All beloved ministers must attend to their respective duties and mind their proper places. Should anyone harbor treasonous thoughts, they shall end up like this desk!”
Crash! The treasured sword slashed diagonally down, smashing a desk in front of the dragon throne to pieces. Jiang Xingyan stared at the splinters in a daze, until a shrill cry of “Court dismissed!” interrupted her thoughts. When she looked up, Xiao Chonghua was already standing before her.
“General Huo, if there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to instruct me.”
Jiang Xingyan looked at Xiao Chonghua before her in surprise. Had this man been possessed? Why was he acting so completely different from his usual scheming, rotten-hearted self?
“Third Prince, your words are too weighty. It is I, Huo, who must ask the Third Prince for his abundant guidance.”
“Does General Huo still hold a grudge against me?” Xiao Chonghua’s expression was solemn, showing not the slightest hint of teasing.
Jiang Xingyan didn’t know what he was referring to and asked, puzzled, “Hold a grudge about what, Third Prince?”
Xiao Chonghua took a deep breath, glanced at the officials hurriedly withdrawing to either side, and reached out to pat ‘Huo Ci’s’ shoulder.
“It is only natural that General Huo does not trust me. Today, at the You hour, I will certainly come to the military camp in person to visit General Huo, admit my mistakes, and untie this knot in our hearts.”
Jiang Xingyan watched Xiao Chonghua leave with measured, graceful steps. What he said was hard for her to understand, yet his expression had been so earnest. Could it just be a temporary expedient? As she pondered, she stepped out of the Taihe Gate. Xiao Zhenhuai, his robes and sleeves draped loosely, was waiting by Wang Qi’s carriage.
“General Huo, may I come to the military camp for a discussion?”
Su Mo, standing beside him, looked ashamed and crestfallen, too embarrassed to face Jiang Xingyan.
“Come along. It’s a good chance for the Second Prince and Xin Zhui to become familiar with each other, so they can advance and retreat together in the future.”
Xiao Zhenhuai’s pale face grew even paler as, supported by Su Mo, he boarded the carriage. The moment the carriage curtain was lifted, a gaze sharp as an icy sword struck him. It was Yun Chunfeng, holding Xiao Ya in his arms.
Jiang Xingyan flipped herself up into the carriage and immediately asked with concern, “Why does Yun-ge’er’s complexion look so poor? Are you feeling unwell? Should we summon Imperial Physician Sun to take a look?” After all, Xiao Zhenhuai and Su Mo were both in the know, so there was no need to hide anything.
A touch of honeyed sweetness melted in Yun Chunfeng’s heart. His Young Miss truly held him in the tip of her heart.
“Young Miss, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just that my bones and muscles haven’t fully adapted yet.”
Jiang Xingyan felt a pang of heartache. She couldn’t help but inwardly grumble at his senior brothers: why did they have to strike so heavily? “Next time, let a gentler senior brother help Yun-ge’er.”
On the immortal mountain, except for the Sixth Senior Brother, seven senior brothers all sneezed violently in unison. The Wumian Daoist laughed uproariously to the sky: “Serves you right! Truly serves you right!” The several senior brothers, whose earned silver had all been commandeered by their master, who only left them barely enough to survive, instantly turned their reddened eyes back and gave the gloating Wumian Daoist a sound beating.
“So you’re the only one who knows how to curry favor with the higher-ups?” “So you’re the only one who knows how to stay out of trouble and protect yourself?” “We did all the dirty and tiring work, and you take the biggest share?” “Is that reasonable?” “Is that lawful?” “Is that appropriate?”
The Eighth Senior Brother, Liuhuo Daoist, flew in with a kick: “Go to your father’s place!”
Yun Chunfeng chuckled lightly. “Completely at the Young Miss’s command.”
Watching the two flaunt their affection right in front of him, Xiao Zhenhuai’s heart ached even more. So you two aren’t even bothering to hide it anymore, are you?
