The Dragon Court Guards, the rebellious Crown Prince, the death of the late emperor, and the mysteriously missing Dragon Jade Token, these were the matters that weighed most heavily on Emperor An’s mind.
That day, Fu Yue and Guo Linyi had followed Xiao Yan’s lead and withdrawn with the Dragon Court Guards. Afterward, they had superficially explained Shang Qin’s actions as him knowing about the old southern case, harboring ambitions, and bringing troops back to the capital without authorization. But anyone with sense could see the holes in that story.
Even if Emperor An didn’t suspect the Dragon Jade Token was in Xiao Yan’s hands, he would still doubt that the Dragon Court Guards and Xiao Yan had long been colluding.
Fu Yue said gravely, “We can’t keep Shang Qin’s matter hidden for long. Before he led troops into the capital, he left trusted aides in Linping. The Shang family still controls over half of the Dragon Court Guards in the northwest. If Old Guo and I stay in the capital too long, the lack of news from Shang Qin will surely cause trouble there.”
“Moreover, tensions at the border are escalating. Over the past month, Beiling has been sending troops to harass us. Though they retreat quickly without sparking a major battle, I’m worried they won’t wait until spring to act. If they take an unexpected move and march south before the frost sets in, General Di and Luoyan Pass might struggle to hold them off.”
Fu Yue was concerned that a sudden outbreak of war in the northwest, combined with chaos among the Dragon Court Guards, would make it impossible to stop Beiling’s iron cavalry.
“The turmoil in the capital has settled, the He family has been vindicated, and you’ve been conferred the title of Duke. Old Guo and I have fulfilled our promises to you. It’s time for us to return. I only hope, Duke, that you’ll honor the commitments you made to us and not go back on your word.”
Xiao Yan’s expression turned serious. “Rest assured, General Fu. When Beiling marches south, the court will not shy away from war.”
“The first batch of horses and weapons I promised will be sent to Luoyan Pass within half a month. The second batch will be prepared as soon as possible. I’ll have my subordinate Hang Li escort fifty trusted men with fifty thousand gold to the northwest to reinforce the fortifications at Luoyan Pass and Fengcheng’s defenses. Additionally, I’ll send someone with one hundred thousand gold south to procure grain.”
“I’ll ensure provisions and supplies are fully prepared. No matter when the war breaks out, the northern soldiers will not be shortchanged. However, Hang Li and his men are unfamiliar with the northwest and the border. Once they arrive, I hope General Fu and General Guo can look after them and allow them to act with the support of the Dragon Court Guards.”
Fu Yue’s expression paused briefly. Meeting Xiao Yan’s resolute dark eyes, he understood the unspoken intent behind his words.
Xiao Yan had been to the northwest and had a closer relationship with Di Shuangcheng at the border. If he merely wanted someone to guide his men, he could have sent his trusted aides directly to Fengcheng. But now, he spoke of “borrowing” the Dragon Court Guards, clearly wary of another Shang Qin emerging. Xiao Yan wanted to place someone within the Dragon Court Guards to “oversee” them.
Fu Yue looked up earnestly. “The Duke shows care for the border soldiers, and we will naturally look after your men. Once they reach the northwest, they can stay in Linping and act alongside the Dragon Court Guards. But I must make one thing clear upfront.”
“If your men are capable, the Dragon Court Guards will have a place for them. But if they’re incompetent, Old Guo and I will never let them meddle in military affairs!”
Xiao Yan nodded. “That’s only natural. On the battlefield, ability is what matters. If he’s incompetent, he has no right to stay in Linping.”
Fu Yue let out a breath of relief. He wasn’t the least bit afraid of Xiao Yan placing his own people in the Dragon Court Guards. As long as Xiao Yan kept his promises, he and Guo Linyi would dutifully protect the Dragon Court Guards and the northwest. What he feared was someone clueless trying to seize power and cause chaos, potentially driving out one Shang Qin only to bring ruin to the Dragon Court Guards.
With Xiao Yan’s assurance, he felt at ease.
Di Tao, waiting for the two to finish, spoke up with a hint of envy. “Uncle Fu, when are you leaving?”
Fu Yue’s demeanor softened toward Di Tao. “In a few days, to avoid Emperor An getting any other ideas. You’ve been in the capital for a while, want to come back to the northwest with us?”
Di Tao wanted to return. No matter how grand and prosperous the capital was, it couldn’t compare to the freedom of the northwest’s sandstorms. But…
He grinned widely. “I’ll stay for now. The capital’s fun, and my father always said I lacked learning, that I’d only brute-force my way on the battlefield. Brother Xiao promised to let me study at Rongsheng Academy and said Dean Shi would teach me.”
“I’ll stay in the capital and learn. Once I’m done, I’ll head back and dominate the battlefield!”
Seeing the youthful vigor and boundless energy in Di Tao, Fu Yue couldn’t help but laugh. “Then I’ll wait for the day you return to the northwest, leading troops and shocking the world.”
As the atmosphere relaxed, Fu Yue’s expression eased. “We need a couple of days to prepare the army before departing. If you have anything for General Di, send it over, and I’ll bring it back for you. But we’re moving fast with cavalry, so luggage can’t be too heavy, lest it slows us down.”
Di Tao nodded. “Got it, Uncle Fu. I’ll sort things out and send them to you.”
As September neared its end, the weather grew cooler. After the boxes in the courtyard were all carried away, fallen leaves swirled in the wind, scattering golden hues across the ground.
In the room, the tea stove bubbled as the group chatted idly over tea.
After sitting for a while, Fu Yue left a gift to congratulate Xiao Yan and Tangning on their betrothal before taking his leave. Di Tao soon found an excuse to slip away as well.
Gu Helian, somehow having acquired two sweet potatoes, was roasting them on the stove. Cao Dejiang sipped his tea and asked, “How did you convince that stubborn Shi Yulin to agree to teach the Di kid?”
Xiao Yan: “I didn’t.”
Cao Dejiang raised an eyebrow.
Gu Helian glanced over as well.
Xiao Yan explained, “Di Tao admires Master Shi’s talent and visited him night after night, only to be turned away. Undeterred, he quoted classics to express his earnest desire to learn. Moved by his sincerity, Master Shi agreed to teach him a few things.”
Cao Dejiang: “…Speak plainly!”
Xiao Yan: “Di Tao only knows the *Three Character Classic*.”
“Pfft, ”
Cao Dejiang spat out a mouthful of tea, spraying Gu Helian’s face.
Gu Helian tossed aside his gold-inlaid iron tongs, leaping up and wiping his face with his sleeve. “Old Man Cao, what are you doing?! Are you filthy or what?!”
Tea foam clung to the gem-studded chain on his collar. The more Gu Helian wiped, the darker his expression grew. Seeing a wet patch on his sleeve, he stormed out, shouting, “Mufeng, Mufeng, bring me a change of clothes!”
Cursing under his breath, Gu Helian left. Cao Dejiang, setting down his teacup, coughed awkwardly and glared at Xiao Yan.
“You did that on purpose?!”
How could someone who only knew the *Three Character Classic* quote classics to express earnest learning? More likely, the Di kid had been climbing walls to pester Shi Chang’an night after night, refusing to give up despite being scolded, spouting nonsense with a thick skin until Shi Chang’an relented just to get rid of him…
“You’re teaching him to act recklessly. Careful, Shi Yulin will turn on you!”
Xiao Yan, feigning innocence: “I didn’t do anything.”
“Keep pretending!” Cao Dejiang huffed. “Who else but you would come up with such a sneaky idea?”
Xiao Yan took it as a compliment.================
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment