Chapter 1314: Fleece the father first, then fleece the son? Shearing the wool in turns?

"It is not that this official fears death, but His Majesty gave instructions before I departed that I must absolutely not fall into the hands of the Xiongnu. Truly, the Imperial command is hard to defy!"

Gao Yang stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the top of the tent, saying with a face full of lament.

Once these words were out.

Everyone first raised their eyebrows, then they all understood Gao Yang's intention.

"Lord Gao, are you looking for someone to replace yourself? To lead your eight hundred personal guards in your stead and engage in a duel with that Xiongnu prince?" Sun Jingbian asked, looking curious.

Gao Yang wore a smile, nodded, and said, "Correct. On the battlefield, separated by the distance of a cavalry charge, how could anyone see clearly? Even if they did see clearly, it doesn't matter; the Xiongnu prince doesn't know this official anyway."

"This plan has quite a bit of feasibility!"

Gao Yang revealed a smile, looking satisfied.

Sun Jingbian said with a hesitant face, "But Lord Gao, if this general heard correctly, you made a vow in front of that Azali, once saying..."

Sun Jingbian didn't finish the second half of the sentence; mainly because the content of the words was too explosive, but everyone had heard it clearly earlier.

But Gao Yang spoke directly, "General Sun, this official is a ruthless strategist; I have never been a gentleman. Not keeping a promise, isn't that a very normal thing?"

"Besides, so what if I'm a coward? What's wrong with being a coward?"

"As for Father... this official swore from a young age, often vowing that if there were a next time, Father would be struck by heaven's five thunders. But so much time has passed, isn't Father still perfectly fine?"

Sun Jingbian: "..."

Wang Zhong: "..."

Lu Zhen: "..."

Gao Tianlong: "..."

They looked at Gao Yang, who wore a face of taking it for granted, and felt a wave of lament in their hearts.

This is true filial piety!

Wang Zhong had vaguely sensed something wrong when Gao Yang was making his vow.

When this brat made his vow, other than that bit about being a coward, he hadn't taken a single bit of it upon himself.

The most vicious of the poisonous oaths were all borne by Gao Feng.

Sensing the strange expressions of the crowd, Gao Yang coughed twice and spoke again.

"These are all minor matters!"

"The main thing is that the Imperial command cannot be defied, yet we must break the deadlock at the fastest speed."

"This is the fastest and most suitable method at present."

As for the "Imperial command cannot be defied," all the generals knew it was Gao Yang's excuse, but no one exposed him.

Gao Tianlong glanced at Gao Yang, a hint of an imperceptible smile curling on his face, and he said indifferently, "Who do you want to replace you in the decisive battle?"

Once these words were out.

Li Zhenxiao was the first to say with a solemn face, "This old man does not fear the Xiongnu, but isn't this age a bit unsuitable?"

"If I were to face that Xiongnu prince, wouldn't I be exposed at a single glance?"

Sun Jingbian spoke up, "This old man as well!"

"To miss such a great opportunity because of this age, it truly is a pity!"

Wang Zhong panicked instinctively; the scenes of being tricked like this were still fresh in his memory.

That day, he had replaced Wu Zhao and gone to Guanzhong, drinking wine with locusts every day.

But right now, it definitely couldn't be him!

"Then this old man, at this advanced age, must be even more unsuitable," Wang Zhong said confidently.

But the next instant, he realized something was wrong.

Wait!

His gaze flashed, and he suddenly looked at Wang Xiao, who was watching the fun.

Wang Xiao was watching the fun, and upon sensing Wang Zhong's gaze, he also looked over. Their eyes intertwined in the air, colliding with an invisible spark.

Father and son, one incredibly nervous, the other completely bewildered.

Wang Xiao: "???"

Gao Yang spoke, "The generals are indeed unsuitable. This person who will replace this official in the decisive battle must have age as a primary selection!"

"Secondly, his martial arts must be outstanding, and he must also have a certain level of command ability."

"Looking across the army—" Gao Yang paused, then suddenly turned around and looked at Wang Xiao, saying loudly.

"Captain Wang is the son of General Wang Lao; his combat strength is peerless, and his ability to command in battle is not to be underestimated. He is the most suitable candidate for this battle!"

Swish, swish, swish!

In an instant.

Everyone's gaze turned in unison toward Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao also shifted from "melon-eating" mode, his face still carrying a hint of a smile, into astonishment, staring at Gao Yang in disbelief.

"Damn!"

"Him???"

If the timing hadn't been wrong, Wang Xiao would have cursed out loud.

Wang Zhong's face turned green.

He hadn't been tricked this time, but his son had become the new target of the Living Yama.

Shearing the wool in turns, are we?

"Lord Gao, my son's ability is worrying; I'm afraid this won't do," Wang Zhong said with displeasure.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "General Wang Lao, those words are incorrect. Captain Wang's ability—if others don't know, how could I, Gao Wenhe, not know?"

"But for this errand, this official is only making a recommendation; I have no other meaning. After all, this matter is too dangerous. Those who are greedy for life and afraid of death, those who have no heart to serve the country, wouldn't even touch it."

"Even ants cling to life, let alone humans. Therefore, this matter is purely voluntary. Even if His Majesty finds out, he won't say anything; it's just human nature!"

Gao Yang said with a relaxed face.

And while saying these words, he casually picked up an apple, took a bite, and added to Wang Xiao, "Captain Wang, you don't need to be nervous."

"Today's matter, words will not pass to a second ear; the three armies will absolutely not know. You can rest assured, just speak your most honest thoughts from the bottom of your heart. This official will emphasize one more time: the principle is voluntariness!"

Wang Xiao stared at the righteous-looking Gao Yang, his face turning almost green.

With things said to this point, did he have a choice?

This matter was too dangerous; those who were greedy for life and afraid of death, who had no heart to serve the country, wouldn't want to do it. Even ants cling to life, let alone humans. So, conversely, if he didn't do it, he would be labeled as greedy for life and afraid of death.

And this guy even emphasized that even if His Majesty found out, he wouldn't say anything.

Who was Wu Zhao? The Heaven of Da Qian!

If she knew about this and had a bad impression of him, would he still want to be promoted in the future? His bright future would be completely destroyed. If he didn't agree to the last sentence, then the three armies would all know about this matter, and how would he, Wang Xiao, mix in the army then?

This guy is truly ruthless!

No wonder provoking the Xiongnu was so spirited—demanding a duel, intentionally humiliating them, and not even letting the Chanyu's great-grandmother off the hook, declaring that if the Xiongnu prince had the guts, he should come and kill him. It turns out he never intended to bear this hatred himself.

The one who had to bear everything... was him, Wang Xiao!

But now that things had reached this point, even if a pile of excrement were at his lips, he could only force himself to swallow it, and still have to say, "It's truly damn fragrant!"

And so.

Wang Xiao straightened his body and said loudly.

"A great man born in Da Qian should naturally wield a three-foot long sword to repay His Majesty's grace!"