Chapter 251: Those Affairs of the Northern Expedition

The Great King returned to the king's mansion and only saw Zhu Ti and Zhang Tu, inquiring about the northwest situation and recent Youzhou deployments; nothing else was most important.

Strangely, no progress has been reported from the northwest.

Zhu Ti said they have someone stationed in Cool Prefecture; now idle people dare not approach the Capital Wilderness. The last message received was ten days ago, saying that Emperor Ningde's so-called 500,000-strong army has not yet attacked the Capital Wilderness.

The Great King's clever mind also couldn't figure it out; he was certain something must be happening, just not reported to the public.

He could only wait.

He was just curious, 'Really 500,000? I bet even the trees in Martial Defense have been stripped bare.'

Zhang Tu: ……

Zhu Ti: '……Cool Prefecture and Ice Prefecture have been levying grain. Our caravan in South Sun says the South Sun government is also stockpiling grain.'

'They've stockpiled it all the way to South Sun? Isn't that far south of Ever Peace?' Well, it's getting even less optimistic.

The Great King could only console himself, 'Maybe my father is waiting for southern supplies? Any news from the Cui family's Grand Minister of Rites?'

Zhu Ti shook his head, 'Ever Peace is operating normally.'

After all this waiting, still no news—I, the king, have already taken down East Xianbei, and the Xianbei alliance hasn't withdrawn. Something's off! Are we waiting to gather 500,000 at the Capital Wilderness for a big showdown?

The Great King never expected that after going deep into the grasslands to fight a battle and coming back hale and hearty, nothing happened. His father, who had never suffered a hardship in his life, fell ill from maladaptation before even leaving the country, before reaching the border of his own territory.

With no news, the Great King couldn't do anything; he just asked about the You Prefecture situation and learned everything was normal.

If he privately led troops over to interfere, once the battle at the Capital Wilderness ends, they'd probably turn around and attack him on the spot.

If a feudal prince's private troops exceed three thousand, it amounts to rebellion.

The Great King began writing a letter to his maternal grandfather, thinking to remind the old man once more not to get involved in the Northwest, since he greatly trusts White Marsh.

Thus the Great King spoke with conviction, 'Older cousin, we two have conquered the East Xianbei royal city—can you bear not to show off to your maternal grandfather and uncle?'

Wei Shen decisively shook his head: 'No! Write the letter quickly!'

Each of the two took a sheet of paper and began writing—Those Affairs of the Northern Expedition.

As the Great King wrote, he wondered if it was a bit exaggerated; feeling a little embarrassed, is it okay to praise oneself? It felt awkward.

He poked his head to sneak a look at what Wei Shen had written; after a while, '……Older cousin, is the person you wrote about yourself, or the God of War, Chiyou?'

Wei Shen raised his head: 'Ah? I wrote about myself. As the young master, I killed over 200 enemies in this battle—what's there to be modest about? My modesty is so obvious even my dad wouldn't notice; he'd think we're truly incapable! Get it?!'

The Great King: ……

With the older cousin as a contrast, the Great King felt much more normal.

'Older cousin, I really like you—this time I want to stay a while longer in You Prefecture.' These words, the Great King spoke from the heart.

After finishing writing, the two caught Sky-Covering and went up to the highest pavilion of the You Prefecture prince's mansion.

The Great King gave Sky-Covering earnest instructions for a while, then wrapped their work in oil paper and tied it to Sky-Covering's claws. With its strength, he didn't need to worry about anyone snatching it away.

The Great King pointed to the southwest, then pointed to Wei Shen, 'Send it to the southwest for my maternal grandfather—that old man of his family, remember? Bring back the reply and then return.'

Then he took out the bottle of Intermediate Beast-Feeding Pills, opened it and showed it to it, 'This is the travel fee, same as last time!'

Wei Shen was completely bewildered, 'Still need a travel fee? Does that mean it understands?'

Sky-Covering gave him a disdainful glance, let out a loud cry, shot up into the sky and in an instant became a black dot on the horizon, then vanished completely.

'This speed is way too fast!' Wei Shen narrowed his eyes, gazing—maybe it'll be back the day after tomorrow?

Hearing him speak, the Great King exclaimed, 'Oh, if you don't speak up I'd forget! This time the older cousin also wrote the letter—our Sky-Covering's courier fee you have to split half!'

'How much?'

The Great King held up two hands, one showing one, the other showing five.

Wei Shen breathed a sigh of relief, 'Fifteen taels? No problem!'

The Great King wanted to roll his eyes, 'Wake up! It's one thousand five hundred taels! What illusion makes you think our Sky-Covering would look at a thirty-tael pill, and cross the entire Great Jin for just thirty taels?'

Wei Shen plopped back onto the low bench behind him and then lay flat.

'No money, no life. Do as you please!'

The Great King lunged over, sat heavily on him, squeezed him tight, then rolled away, 'Hahaha~ truly worthy of being the king's older cousin, just like the king! No money, no problem—older cousin, you performed so well in this battle that when rewards are handed out you'll surely get a lot, and then I'll take it myself!'

Wei Shen: ……

'Copper coin essence!'