Chapter 22: Father Pits Son

He Chunhua walked back, his face slowly becoming firm: "Good, I'll go!"

The eyes of the soldiers under the stage suddenly became more respectful.

The He brothers were shocked: "Father, why go this far!"

They wanted to rush forward, but were shouted back by He Chunhua's "Duo" sound.

The Governor was slightly angry: "What kind of system is it to pull and pull? Don't you see how many people are staring here!" After speaking, he turned to order Zeng Feixiong: "Set off!"

The team of nearly three hundred people marched north along the official road.

Only then did He Chunhua sigh and say to his sons: "I have wasted twenty years at the frontier, but you are young and must not be buried again. With this success, your starting point will be the Great Capital!"

Twenty years of personal experience told him that being in a remote place, even if one had the talent to manage the world, there was no way to display it. Taking a risk could allow the He family to return to the Great Capital; this deal was actually quite cost-effective.

"The country is in turmoil, but this place is a paradise." He Lingchuan couldn't help it. "Father, Heishuicheng is not bad. A vague treasure hunt is not worth your risking your life!"

Really, this place is quite good; he likes it very much, although the wind and sand are a bit big, although the food is a bit rough, although eating too much beef and mutton is greasy... Hey, but can you not cause extra trouble? If the Governor hangs up, who will take over? Who can hold the scene? The good days of the whole family will come to an end.

"Sacrificing for the country is a matter of course. You'll understand when you grow up." In fact, the State Preceptor is here, and the King's mandate is here; it's impossible to decline. This child, sixteen years old and still ignorant! He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder and turned to He Yue. "During my absence, the commandery affairs will be assisted and managed by Yue'er. You have always been steady and good at planning. If I don't return, you must take good care of the He family and take good care of your mother."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but turn to Sun Fuping: "Can't we wait a bit longer? We'll find someone else to lead the team!"

"We can wait, but every official we find must undergo this test." Sun Fuping pointed to the large water vat. "The army's expedition has always been done in one go; if it's exhausted after three times, we won't be able to contend with the Panlong Desert."

Morale is at its peak now; if they try a few more times, the soldiers will be tired.

Besides, the team has already set off; how can there be a turning back arrow after the bow is drawn?

He Yue's eyes were red, and he grabbed his father's hand and walked to the side, lowering his voice: "Father, this is a trap they set!"

"How could I not know?" He Chunhua shook his head slightly, looked at He Lingchuan who had followed, and hesitated for a long time before saying, "Chuan'er, you accompany me."

These words were like thunder and lightning, exploding He Lingchuan's head until it buzzed: "What? Father, I..." Don't want to go!

A nine-deaths-and-one-life adventure, why should he follow? He Chunhua doesn't love his eldest son, why call him to die together?

"Since you were born, the Great Shaman said you are a lucky general, and you can turn danger into safety." He Chunhua seemed to find it hard to speak, but still said, "For more than ten years, the He family has been thriving, which proves this statement is true. This Panlong trip is unpredictable, so I—I need your good luck! Besides, your martial arts are not bad; with family members protecting you, I can rest assured."

He grabbed He Lingchuan's arm, subconsciously looked at Sun Fuping twice, and whispered: "I always feel that this is also a great opportunity for the He family. Chuan'er, my safety depends on you!"

He Lingchuan only felt that the bitter water in his mouth was about to bubble out. He wanted to say he wouldn't go; could he say he wouldn't go? Since the founding of Great Yuan, it has desperately instilled in subjects and people the ethics of monarch, minister, father, and son, just like other regimes. He Chunhua is worried about his own safety and let his eldest son accompany him; isn't that normal?

The Governor of Xunzhou did even worse, sending his son directly to take risks. By comparison, He Chunhua is not much better?

Besides, under the eyes of everyone, can He Lingchuan really open his mouth and say "I don't"? He can.

"Father, I don't..."

He Lingchuan was planning to use the original body's unreasonable ability, but unfortunately, He Chunhua knew this son too well and didn't give him any chance to consider, struggle, or refuse, and took the lead to say to Sun Fuping: "State Preceptor, Chuan'er will accompany me!"

The voice was extremely loud, and the front army looked sideways.

Alright, the tone is set.

It also stifled He Lingchuan's last refusal.

He Chunhua patted his eldest son's shoulder and sighed: "Good child!"

He Yue watched in a daze. Although it is common for father and son to go to the battlefield, isn't his father always favoring his big brother? Why must he take him along when taking a big risk? Obviously, big brother's face is full of refusal.

Nian Songyu also heard it and waved at He Lingchuan: "Great, let's get closer on the road."

What else could He Lingchuan say? Looking at Nian Songyu's happy smile, his mouth was dry and astringent: "Good, I'll go prepare some supplies."

This time, sending off the expedition team turned into sending off his father, and finally turned into sending off himself.

It can only be said that surprises are everywhere in life.

The object that his second brother tearfully told him to be careful on the road actually turned into himself.

He Yue grabbed his arm and suddenly lowered his volume: "Be careful of those two people."

"Do I need you to tell me?" He Lingchuan rolled his eyes. "Uncle Hao, I leave the second one's safety to you."

Uncle Hao nodded.

He and Nian Songyu have grudges, and He Chunhua decisively didn't let him get involved in this reverse journey of the Panlong Desert to avoid trouble.

He Lingchuan was extremely envious of his being out of the matter, but at this moment he could only show a dry smile and wave goodbye.

Looking at He Chunhua again, a thought suddenly popped into his mind:

Is there a possibility that this father's feelings for his eldest son are not as deep as the original He Lingchuan thought? Recalling the original body's memory, this father is thoughtful, but also brave to take risks, rarely looking forward and backward, and is indeed a person who does big things. But! There is a but, every time his father takes risks, it seems his eldest son is by his side.

Is his identity as a lucky general really certified?

The Panlong Desert has not yet entered the wild sand season, and there are plenty of people on the Red Cliff Road.

There are at most ten days left until the deadline, and everyone is in a hurry.

He Lingchuan had already changed his mount and hung up supplies before setting off. Now he is wearing a white robe, only his face is not covered.

The sun rose, and the desert was terrifyingly hot. After walking for a quarter of an hour without any cover, He Lingchuan's whole body was hot, and he suspected that if he poured water on himself, he could steam.

In fact, they haven't walked into the real desert yet. Around them, you can often see short tamarisk, sand winter green, and wild grass, as well as scattered saxaul trees and purple pole willows.

As the only way to enter and leave Heishuicheng, there is everything on both sides of the road: old boxes, clothing and bottles, half-rotted wolf corpses. He Lingchuan even saw a small tuft of black hair fluttering in the wind on the wild grass, looking like a human's.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 23 =====