Chapter 433

"I, the King, know that everyone here are elite troops who followed the western expedition and fought the Xiongnu and the Western Regions, but this time is different."

"The Qiang people are nothing to fear, but this time they truly have the advantage of terrain."

"The Shaodang Qiang occupy the high plateau; the terrain is three kilometers higher than the sea level of our Secluded Prefecture, making the air thin at that altitude, which may cause altitude sickness."

"As I know, not only those with heart and lung diseases are prone to altitude sickness, but also strong young men with high metabolism and high oxygen consumption are prone to it, and altitude sickness can take a person's life."

"What I want to say is, do not show off this time; if you feel unwell, headache, blurred consciousness, you must report it immediately and retreat at once to Golden Radiance."

"That blue bag contains oxygen, which can be used to save lives; later each team should pick a person to learn how to use it."

"Also, strenuous exercise can also cause altitude sickness; even if we fight after reaching Great Permit Valley, we must conserve our strength, and not waste strength on battles that can be settled with a single blow; we have agreed on these beforehand, so everyone knows."

"The Great King patted the Red Stonecrop that Zhao Baogang brought over, saying, 'This medicine can prevent altitude sickness, but it varies from person to person. Starting tonight, everyone should take two pills morning and evening until we take Great Permit Valley; that's all I can do.'"

"Zhou Huang almost choked with his wide-open mouth; you've come this far, why be modest—this isn't enough yet?!"

"Obviously the Snow Cavalry was also moved; the squad leader came over to collect the medicine and distribute it, and then everyone dispersed."

"The Great King didn't set up a stall, but simply continued sitting in the courtyard to cool off; seeing this, Wei Shen also returned to his original seat."

"It's still early; going back would be too hot to sleep, so let's chat awhile?"

"Looking left and right, neither the Great King nor Wei Ke spoke; 'Well, three people, two mute.'"

"The Great King sat there silently for a while, then suddenly turned to Wei Ke and said, 'Great Cousin, do you mean my father the emperor truly didn't know that Golden Radiance was gone, or...' knowing but not wanting to manage it."

"Wei Ke obviously understood his meaning; in this poor little county, the former emperor's nature probably never gave it a thought."

"The former emperor is already gone; whether or not is no longer important, and it cannot be verified now. What is certain is that Zhang Fangtong knows the situation of Golden Radiance, and it is highly likely that he has reached some sort of tacit understanding with Shaodang."

"The Great King snapped off a small twig he had just picked up, saying, 'Come to think of it, I have not yet taken action to rectify the officials of the Northern Border?' The Great King looked at them as if they wanted to float away!"

Wei Shen gave a teasing shake beside him, "Let's congratulate Magistrate Zhang, who will soon have the chance to become the King's tool for killing a chicken to scare the monkeys!" After saying that, he clapped himself.

Wei Ke: ……

"Where did all this nonsense come from?!"

Wei Shen: "All learned from the King."

The King, who was putting on a deep, solemn act, instantly broke character……

The next day, as dawn just broke, over four hundred people stood ready to depart.

The King mounted his horse, "What I needed to say I already said yesterday; this situation is special, time is rushed and preparations are insufficient. This is the only battle I permit you to retreat alive from the battlefield. At the same time, danger accompanies opportunity; this is also a good chance for you all to earn military merit! Take Da Yun Valley, and I will reward you all handsomely!"

Though fewer than five hundred, their shout shook the heavens.

The King waved his hand proudly, "Let's go!"

Zhou Huang behind him almost drooled with envy, "……Our King is so young, how can he be so heroic and handsome!" The King's aura at this moment exceeded even 2.8 meters—this is the innate bearing of a ruler, after all.

Xie Tu had a blank expression, "His armor is indeed the best-looking."

Zhou Huang turned back, "Huh? Clearly it's not about the armor, but you seem…… emotional?"

Xie Tu shook the 'homework' the King had left him in his hand; during the King's campaign against the Qiang, he not only had to finish the King's homework but also add two ink paintings.

Zhou Huang: ……

The King led five hundred men straight out of the West Gate; though only a few hundred cavalry, their mighty presence remained undiminished. Although he didn't explicitly say where he was going, rumors ran rampant in the city, everyone guessing he was headed to Shao Dang; now the city was in an uproar once again.

Shao Dang not only occupied Jin Hui City, they also captured countless able-bodied people from Jin Hui to enslave them in Da Yun Valley.

Bai Ze also became a new topic; this time he went to war, Bai Ze the Great had no carriage; upon entering the city, the populace didn't get to see him, yet they still caught a glimpse of the King's divine beast's bearing, adding a mysterious hue to the legend of the Northern Border King.

The King departed, and the city lord's gate was shut once more. Zhao Bao, leading those left behind, no longer ventured out; each day only the few gate guards on rotation entered and exited, they had to hold out here until Inspector Tang arrived with reinforcements.

As Tang Qian led five thousand men racing to Jin Hui with whip spurs, Chang Li, bringing the Lu clan and the scholars of Fan Yang, also finally reached Youzhou.