Chapter 359: Meaty, Tender, and Juicy

Da Wang rode his white dragon from West Great Camp to East Great Camp, noticing the tense atmosphere, feeling that busy war preparations were about to erupt.

Da Wang was very pleased, then strolled from East Great Camp to North Great Camp.

Zhao Bao followed closely, his purpose being to constantly remind Da Wang not to go out and play, as the three senior elders forbade it.

Since Da Wang muttered about going out to sea, the Chancellor kept telling him to be sure to look after Da Wang. Early spring brings plenty of business; studies also can't be delayed too much—how could we let him go out fishing for months? This time there's no year-end constraint; this guy has Xie Yuan as a safety net, so if he goes out he'll be on his own.

Now Zhao Bao never leaves Da Wang's side, insisting on reminding him to go to school, practice calligraphy, and definitely not go out to play.

Da Wang verbally agreed wholeheartedly.

He wandered to North Great Camp, dismounted, and practiced archery for a while.

He also exchanged moves with Wei Ke, leaving a fist print on his handsome cousin's face, then satisfied, mounted his horse, leaving a puddle of saliva behind.

This horse, what a splendid steed!

Da Wang was very pleased with the atmosphere of the several camps; with such an enterprising army, the North Border has a future!

This time it's clear even the Owl Cavalry are tense; behind them, three thousand days and nights are about to appear to pull them from their horses, the sense of urgency is intense.

Martial arts—aside from Da Wang's cheat-like talent—are, for ordinary people, only attainable through effort. Martial arts require hard sweat plus a bit of talent; if they don't strive, they'll soon be slapped onto the beach by the future Snow Cavalry.

Da Wang had the whole army practice the same body-refining technique, the same basic fist skills; the difference is that the Owl Cavalry's leader is Senior Elder Ling Yin, who can instruct sword and spear techniques and even some exquisite assassinations. Those close to the water tower can't compare to the outside; if they get slapped onto the beach, it's no injustice.

Da Wang, having finished training, mounted his horse; the bear rolling in the training field immediately ran back. Zhao Bao exhaled, 'It's not early, Your Highness, shouldn't you go back to practice calligraphy?' Although unlikely, he still had to ask.

Da Wang nodded ambiguously; Zhao Bao was overjoyed—today he was very obedient.

Da Wang sniffed, 'What smell is so fragrant?'

The report below said the Owl Cavalry had improved their rations today, eating roasted chicken.

Da Wang felt heartbroken, 'Such fragrant roasted chicken, why didn't we call Wei Ni?'

His family's fat bear, uselessly nodding behind while sniffing the wind, Zhao Bao watched as Da Wang, who had just nodded agreement to return to calligraphy practice, led the team straight to their cafeteria.

Today's meal was a rooster sent from the ranch; besides Suiyu Hall in the North Border royal residence, only the Owl Cavalry could get it. Wei Shen, who had smelled the aroma early, saw Da Wang turn and immediately dropped the soldier he was feeding, following Da Wang straight to the cafeteria.

Da Wang sat down and called for someone to give his bear three or four chickens, then turned to make up today's quota for Suiyu Hall.

The aroma of the freshly roasted chicken was overpowering, especially since the chicken came from the ranch. Wei Ni, who followed Da Wang to eat and drink well, was unusually eager.

After washing his hands, Da Wang snatched a chicken leg from Wei Shen, eating while observing Wei Ni. This guy is already an anomaly among beasts; having followed Bai Ze for a long time, he eats very politely.

Even if it is very anxious.

The bear also can't help it; it dares to eat, dropping crumbs everywhere, wild and unrestrained, not bear-like at all, and its Elder Bai Ze will beat it.

Da Wang quickly stuffed the chicken leg, 'I'm full!'

Wei Ni saw there were still three and a half left, became frantic, grabbed a whole one and tried to stand up and leave, but the two remaining on the table, he also couldn't bear to part with.

Da Wang reached out and pressed it back down, 'What's the rush? We Suiyu Hall have no roasted chicken today—stay here and finish eating before you go! If you don't eat, aren't you losing out? I'm studying up ahead; I'll definitely return to Suiyu Hall to sleep tonight—let's meet there in the evening?' Da Wang probed.

He had been back a long time; the bear hearing this had no strong reaction, still reluctantly eyeing those chickens.

Da Wang was happy, all settled.

'Let's go first, see you tonight!'

The bear really couldn't bear to leave its three roasted chickens, hesitated, nodded, 'See you tonight is fine too.'

Everyone present besides those from Suiyu Hall was more dull than the next; this matter was negotiable, and the bear seemed truly able to understand human speech! It even nodded!

Waiting for Da Wang to climb back onto his horse, Zhao Bao wondered why today was so strange, having to deliberately ditch the bear while studying?

The next moment, Da Wang turned his horse's head and charged toward the North Gate……

All right, the worried heart finally settled.

What misunderstanding do the three senior elders have about him? Who could possibly keep up with Da Wang!

Da Wang rushed down Vermilion Bird Avenue straight to the back gate of Myriad Phenomena City, went up to the top floor, and changed into a set of ordinary spring clothes.

The simple moon-white spring robe might make others feel chilly if worn a bit early, but Da Wang had no such concern. The plain moon-white hue made his whole body look pale and tender, his face appearing especially lustrous and white.

Da Wang, feeling pleased with himself, checked in the mirror, 'Alas— isn't it said Vermilion Bird Avenue is now crowded with chaotic foot traffic? Me dressing like this makes me look especially well-behaved; don't let the flower-snatchers lead me astray!'

Zhu Ti by the window wore a speechless expression saying 'What joke are you talking about?'—as for you, not leading others astray already counts as loving the people like your own children!

'…That's true. This outfit of yours looks especially meaty and juicy; if led away to be roasted and eaten, the price would surely be high.'

Da Wang didn't like hearing that, he solemnly declared, 'I'm past the age of being tasty! Only those under three are edible; my flesh is old.'

Zhu Ti: …You're quite the researcher?

He paused, then finally said, 'In Youzhou it's a boring joke, but to the south it should be coming soon. Just received news: the imperial court's encirclement and suppression of the Han Shou troops ended in defeat; they are now rounding up able-bodied men in the areas around South Commandery for conscription, ignoring household registration, from youths to elders—any male caught is without exception.'

Da Wang nearly jumped up, 'Has Bai Li Jin gone mad?!'

Zhu Ti handed him the letter; after reading it, Da Wang stormed out, beginning to curse.

'The court's top general can't beat a half-trained monastic wildcat; he can't even take Han Shou, let alone the King of Jiang Xia.'

'The Imperial Ancestor surely loves his sons more than my father does; heard that when they were enfeoffed as kings they were given plenty of family wealth, and the surviving royal uncles are each richer than the last.' He still remembers the grand spectacle of the King of Jiang Xia entering the capital back then.

Entering the capital under his father's watchful eyes must have already been low-key; one can imagine what life was like for them in Jiang Xia.

'Spring plowing is about to begin, yet this madman Bai Li Jin has rounded up all the able-bodied men; the vicinity of South Commandery will be thrown into chaos! If you suppress the rebellion, do so; if you lose, just redeploy troops—now this excellent land has no one to till it, and who knows how many will starve to death this year!'

Zhu Ti probed, 'My lord, are you still going… to set up a stall?' Seeing his lack of enthusiasm.

Da Wang immediately agreed, 'Go! When I return I'll write a letter scolding Bai Li Jin! As for the old man, if he doesn't give me anything, what of it? His little estate has long since fallen entirely into my hands; his beloved son Bai Li Jin has gained nothing!' Da Wang fumed.

Just thinking that the old man's estate could keep him selling for a long time, his spirits lifted; in his own self-soothing domain, Da Wang is invincible.

However, 'Prepare some stationery; I'll first make a trip to Elementary Studies.'

Still, let's look at the future of the North Border; the North Border itself hasn't figured out its operations, discussing other matters is just later talk.