Chapter 284: City Guard Beast

【Stupid author added two chapters earlier; chapters have been adjusted. Those who can't see, exit and refresh ╰(*´︶`*)╯】

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Baili Jin was still anxiously waiting in Ever Peace for his father to bury him and for him to ascend the throne, fearing that a long night would bring many dreams. He was so anxious he wanted to drag Baili's ancestors out of the imperial mausoleum to change this rule.

This guy is waiting to ascend the throne so he can formally issue an edict to Tang Qian, ordering him to take the border troops and scram back.

Because he was in charge of the peace talks, his relationship with the Grand Marshal became rather awkward, so Baili Jin reluctantly endured the Xue family.

Now that's settled: the Great King has taken Bing Province, and upon hearing the news he intends to rush straight to Han Yang.

Those near the water get the moon first, but what if...?

The Great King gleefully daydreams, the more he thinks the more excited he gets—who could sleep!

Tonight he has a place to stay, and in the strange house he walks round and round like a treadmill, refusing to sleep.

White Ze lazily yawned, deciding to splash him awake so he could sleep.

"What if the Tang has already defected to another rebel king, making his response to Ever Peace lukewarm? After all, you Great Jin have quite a few rebel kings—besides you, there are three or four others to choose from."

Great King: "... Just go to sleep."

White Ze: "Work done."

Early the next morning, the Great King was about to break camp and march, Wei Shen thought they were heading for Anding Commandery, but the Great King tossed him the map and said, "Straight to Han Yang."

"Any news of my father? Is he in Han Yang?"

"... No. Anyway, your father definitely won't be in Anding; when he returns to Chang Prefecture he'll pass through Han Yang. The garrison of Jade Gate Pass is also in Han Yang now, so let's go see what's good there."

Wei Shen: "... Do you think I'm stupid? Are you falling for Tang Qian?" Wei Shen thought a moment and understood; the Great King's pettiness was laid bare.

Great King: "Haha… so obvious? What's he like? Come on, tell me along the way."

Once mounted, they were off; the brigade of Black Wind horses kicked up dust as they ran. The Great King, even with a mask on, could barely open his mouth, so his chatting time with Wei Shen was limited to rest breaks when they ate dry rations.

They rested at a mountainside at noon, and Wei Shen told him about the Tang Qian he had met, feeling that the Great King's mere talk wouldn't get far.

"Your honey‑talk trick works a bit on you Youzhou folks. Tang Qian is a dead‑set obstinate, according to your third uncle—judge that yourself. My father and grandfather wouldn't say such a thing; only your third uncle would, and since they didn't contradict him, it's likely true. Tang Qian bears a grudge against Baili Jin and may not follow you, the rebel king! Stubbornness is what makes a dead‑set obstinate, right? At least that fellow in Ever Peace still calls it Great Jin."

The Great King snapped: "You're the second person today to call me a rebel king!"

Wei Shen: "So what?"

Great King: "If there's a third today, this king will kill him."

Wei Shen: "Oh, no one else here dares, so this brag is meaningless. May I ask who the first hero was?"

Great King: ……

Saying it would scare you to death!

From Bing Province straight to Han Yang, you'll pass north of Ever Peace.

The Great King stood on the bank of the Wei River, gazing across; after crossing the Wei River, it's another forty li to Ever Peace.

He stood on the shore, inhaling at times, sighing at times, muttering to himself. Just when everyone thought he had some profound insight to share, the Great King sighed:

"Cutting off Liang Province and Ever Peace really makes it a frontier! This king's ten thousand cavalry rode along the Wei River for a three‑day jaunt, and Ever Peace still hasn't a clue."

Zhang Tu couldn't help but say: "Ever Peace might truly not know, but I think the Xiongnu of Anding City certainly do." Judging from their earlier experience in Bing Province, their contacts must be pretty close.

The Great King instantly grasped his meaning: "Are you worried they'll turn back and seize the Bing Province we fought so hard for? No problem—White Ze and Cover Heaven will stay behind to wait for the Marquis of Eastern Capital; they'll hold the fort until he arrives." To this end the Great King had worn his lips raw and even paid three thousand taels in bribes.

Zhang Tu was utterly puzzled: "Cover Heaven is a bit supernatural, but no matter how supernatural, it's just a bird—how could it possibly understand such complicated matters?"

What use is leaving that huge fluffy thing? Could it possibly have some skill?

But seeing Wei Shen and Lingyin so calm and unbothered, he swallowed his words again.

He thought, maybe White Ze is also good in battle? Thinking it over, whenever they fight it tags along, moving freely in the ranks… it seems it's never been hurt.

Exactly! With such a big target, it's never even been caught in the crossfire.

The Great King just watched Zhang Tu's face shift colors, full of sympathy.

You couldn't guess it even if you racked your brain—others actually know more than you do, and even this king has never gotten an advantage from White Ze…