Chapter 520

Youzhou Xuanjia cavalry, precisely speaking, numbers over 110,000, with nearly 70,000 stationed in Youzhou, and the remainder scattered across four passes. Da Wang has already sent the Xueqi and 30,000 Xuanjia cavalry to Luoshui Pass, and now he personally leads the campaign; the Yingqi will certainly go, and he has taken another 20,000 cavalry, leaving only 20,000 to guard the capital.

Beijiang issued a formal Rebellion Suppression Edict against the Jin Dynasty, written by Xie Yuan's own hand; Da Wang is skilled at shaping public opinion, and the chaos caused by Jiangxia Wang and Hanshou Hou allows Beijiang to claim moral high ground and point fingers.

Before departure, Da Wang boldly ordered messengers to send letters to neighboring regions, the content sincere and unpretentious, essentially a threat. He urged the Xiongnu and Xianbei tribes to use this opportunity to move south and interfere, promising that once he frees his hands in winter, he will personally visit their royal courts to offer condolences; anyone who dares to reach out now will surely have their royal court trampled in the future.

All preparations complete, Da Wang led 20,000 cavalry out of Youzhou; the Rebellion Suppression Edict issued by Beijiang had already swiftly reached Chang'an, and Bai Li Jun, who had seized the throne by force, had not even warmed his seat when he saw the edicts posted everywhere by Beijiang, successfully infuriating the new emperor.

He is also Ning De's blood brother; the other merely had a good mother—what is he lacking?! And this Bai Li Jing, are you not also a concubine's son? Just because you are the late emperor's son does not mean you occupy the moral high ground.

He immediately retaliated, also condemning Ning De and the Taihe Two Emperors for their incompetence, which brought chaos to the world, lacking virtue and ability, unworthy of heavenly blessing. Since this is the case, as Ning De's son, the Beijiang Wang certainly does not deserve to condemn him. Only Bai Li Jun can quell the rebellion and restore peace and prosperity to the Jin Dynasty.

Bai Li Jun and Bai Li Jing began exchanging barbs from afar; other rebel kings were also displeased, saying, "Don't fight over it—Er and Si claim they are the true heirs; restoring order is the utmost priority." Since Taihe Emperor was harmed by Bai Li Jun, this world certainly does not belong to Bai Li Jun, this rebel, nor to Bai Li Jing, the third brother; Bai Li Heng / Bai Li Hu are the rightful heirs.

Bai Li Jun spoke with righteous indignation, opening his mouth with the Jin Emperor's decree; though he had already occupied Chang'an, he felt deeply insecure inside. Bai Li Jing's recent battle record is four hundred cavalry slaughtering and burning Dang Dai Yun Valley; even if the numbers and actual strength are inflated, this record is still terrifying.

Bai Li Jun's years of planning have not been in vain; now that he has taken Chang'an, he has much to do. Some old fogeys, impervious to reason, insist he is a usurper, condemning his actions as perverse; on the day of his enthronement, three veteran ministers from the previous dynasties, Gao Zhi, struck their heads against the coiling dragon pillar of the Chengzhang Palace.

Bai Li Jun was burning with anger when he heard the scout's report: Beijiang has stationed troops at Luoshui, appearing to be their main force of Xuanjia cavalry. Bai Li Jun admitted that after taking Chang'an, his only major concern is Bai Li Jing; hearing this news is undoubtedly a heavy blow.

He hasn't even settled in yet!

The cavalry are stationed at Luoshui but have not advanced south directly; they are waiting for Da Wang, which has frightened the Shangdang Commandery Prince outside quite a bit.

When Da Wang goes on campaign, he must bring the whole household; Bai Ze will go, Zhetian will go, anything that can be left at home is just the bear. But this time, there is also a Rou; this creature is a ferocious beast, and Da Wang is uneasy about leaving it in Youzhou for a long time.

The Rou cannot be recalled; if not watched closely, it might grow twisted! Da Wang worries.

These days, this fellow has been honestly eating and playing foolishly; Da Wang has already let it out of its cage—originally, the cage couldn't hold it anyway, so why bother? Da Wang plans to get along peacefully; if nothing happens, he'll just soothe it and build rapport.

For this long journey, it must be brought along; otherwise, if Zhetian is not at home, it will cause trouble with no one able to restrain it. Upon thinking this, Da Wang decisively packed some snacks for it and, pinching his nose, stocked up on some beast-feeding pills.

Thus, when Da Wang departs, the entourage will be quite impressive; those unaware might think he is going out to play and hunt...

Amidst the Yingqi cavalry, Da Wang rides his horse, raising his hawk, with two walking beasts following behind.

The officials seeing him off from the city felt the atmosphere was off, but likewise, the common folk seeing him off felt a sense of honor, making Xie Yuan want to say something but swallow it back. They do not know that if Chang'an had a sea, the Youzhou common folk would hope to bring even the dragon along; Da Wang's grandeur must be great!

The Rou has recently grown a circle larger, but compared to a warhorse, it is still petite. For this, Wei Shen worries anxiously, watching the golden-furred creature bouncing behind Da Wang's white dragon, wondering what kind of thing it is: "Da Wang, will you let it run loose among the warhorses? On such a long road, if someone zones out and accidentally steps on it, what then?"

Upon hearing this, Da Wang said: "Any more good news?!"

Wei Shen did not hear clearly: "What did you say?"

Da Wang: "... Nothing. I mean its hide is tough, very hard to step on." Looking at the lively, silly-cute Rou like two fools, Da Wang now cannot bring himself to say this creature is a ferocious beast—who would believe that!

All cavalry marching swiftly, they reached Pucheng the next day; when they camped at night to rest, Wei Shen watched the Rou bouncing beside the fire and told Da Wang, "This unusual little creature seems tamed; bringing it out, it hasn't run away."

Da Wang jumped: "Cousin, don't jinx it—if it runs away, we'll definitely have to go catch it back." Who would dare throw this big bomb outside and ignore it? Once he leaves, where in the world would there be spiritual food for it to eat? Besides, it might start eating people!

"Not that—I mean it's tamed; should we give it a name?"

"It already has a name."

"Haven't you heard me call it?"

"Xiao Jin."

Wei Shen:...

Even the names of shepherd dogs in pastures are more formal than this ferocious beast's.

"Isn't that a bit common?"

"You clearly don't understand!

Listen to my analysis, listen carefully!

Taotie, Yaoyi, Qiongqi, Hell's Three-Headed Dog, Xiao Jin~~which name sounds like a good person... good beast?"

Wei Shen:...

Da Wang looked at his expression, growing more pleased: "Xiao Jin—just hearing it sounds like a good beast. Down-to-earth, approachable—who else could remember its background! Besides, Xiao Jin also has no objections! When I named Zhetian, I gave it this warm, approachable name, Xiao Pangniao; Zhetian this fellow protested by refusing food before changing it. Our Xiao Jin is like a rice barrel—it could never fast, so rest assured."

When Wei Shen later observed Xiao Jin up close at night, eating five carrots, a whole pasture goose, and a large bundle of beef jerky, he felt Da Wang had done it on purpose.

Was he just trying to make people fast?

★

★

We've already hit one million, yet you still don't see our Da Wang is a long-haul type, slow to warm up, don't urge (✧∇✧)

(Thanks to yesterday's big shot's big god certification, only now saw it, adding more tonight.)