Chapter 389: A Mistake Any Man Would Make

Liu Zheng took the letter with surprise.

Such an urgent letter meant that the matter was pressing. His heart skipped a beat; could something have happened in the Western Regions? At the same time, the first thing that popped into his mind was the stunning, peerless face of Xie Chan.

He hurriedly tore open the letter.

"General Xie is personally leading the army to attack Dayuan!"

"What?"

Liu Zheng's expression changed drastically; this was something he truly had not expected.

He had estimated that the war in the Western Regions was nearing its end during this recent period. He had also wondered in his heart how Xie Chan would face Xie Xuan.

He had considered several hypotheses.

Xie Chan might avoid suspicion and let Ling Chen lead the army to attack Dayuan. Or, she might produce the armistice treaty between the Dayuan Kingdom and the Protectorate to stop Ling Chen from continuing the attack and stop Reguli from attacking Dayuan.

At the very least, she could reveal her identity, and he believed Ling Chen would give her that much face to let Dayuan continue to linger on.

However, she did not...

She actually took the lead in attacking Dayuan.

Upon learning this news, Liu Zheng was left speechless, not knowing what to say.

"Reply that I have been informed."

Liu Zheng sighed and added, "Once the war in the Western Regions is somewhat settled, order Xie Chan and Ling Chen to return to Liangzhou to report on their duties!"

"Yes!"

The person responsible for delivering the letter rode away on horseback.

"Move out!"

Only then did Liu Zheng shout, returning to his Horse Carriage.

"Little cutie, call me sister, and sister will give you something delicious!"

Outside, the army was setting out with overwhelming momentum. Inside the carriage, however, it was a different scene. Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Yanran were teasing "Xiao Heitan" at this moment, but Xiao Heitan had just left his parents and seemed very unaccustomed to it, with tears still hanging on his face. Yet, facing the "malice" of the two, he still gritted his teeth and endured it.

Aluba.

The descendant of the Alu Clan, the previous chieftain of Liangshan. Liu Zheng did not know if Liangshan allowed both men and women to inherit. But as it stood, it seemed the Alu Clan had likely been wiped out, making this grandson the only surviving descendant of the Alu Clan.

"Stop teasing him."

Liu Zheng said with a smile.

Pei Yanran asked curiously, "Young Master, who is this Xiao Heitan?"

"Ah?"

Liu Zheng was stunned for a moment; he had not expected Pei Yanran to give him the same nickname he had, and he found it quite amusing.

Before he could speak, Aluba shouted angrily, "You are the Xiao Heitan, I am not Xiao Heitan! I am a member of the Alu Clan!"

"What?"

Pei Yanran was startled.

The Alu Clan?

This surname was no small matter. Especially in Liangshan.

She looked at Liu Zheng in confusion, and the latter nodded: "Aluba, eight years old this year. Come here, little one!"

He beckoned, and Aluba snorted before throwing himself into Liu Zheng's arms the next moment, calling out "Uncle"!

"Uncle?"

Now, Qin Zhangfeng and Pei Yanran were even more shocked.

Liu Zheng gave a helpless smile.

How was he supposed to explain this to them? Say that this was the illegitimate son of the Prince of Shu, Xie Zhen? Facing their questioning gazes, he thought for a moment and smiled bitterly: "Don't ask me; even if you ask, I can't say. I can only say that this is a mistake that any man would make."

Both were dumbfounded.

Who would know this reference?

Liu Zheng laughed heartily, finding some amusement in it himself.

Seeing that it was inconvenient for Liu Zheng to speak, the bright and intelligent Pei Yanran actually understood what was going on. It was just that she clearly had not expected that Xie Zhen, who was known for being honest and steady, would have such an unknown side to him.

Liu Zheng actually sighed as well.

He felt now that he had still underestimated his elder brother... This man was definitely a person of great depth! He had the talent of a hegemon!

Think about it.

If it were himself, no matter who the son was born to, he would want him by his side every day, enjoying the joy of having him at his knees. How could he bear to use him to scheme for Liangshan?

But Xie Zhen was clearly different.

He was very willing to do so.

Liu Zheng even believed that his keeping a mistress in a golden house was not because he truly liked Ashinuo, but because he had wanted to leave a line in Liangshan when he was young... If that Alu Clan were to return to Liangshan, wouldn't they be a great help to him?

His elder brother was by no means an ordinary person!

Just by the fact that he used his own son to bet on his sworn brother, this maneuver left Liu Zheng in awe.

"Hahahaha! This Inspector Liu is nothing special after all!"

"He's finally gone!"

"It is easy to invite a god but hard to send one away; today, Chuan Shu can finally be considered truly stable!"

Seeing the mighty fifty-thousand-strong Liangzhou Army heading in the direction of Liangshan, the civil and military officials of Shuzhou all laughed heartily.

Only Xie Zhen had a calm smile on his face.

He couldn't help but sigh.

A bunch of good-for-nothings!

Do you really think Liangshan is a useless place? Since the beginning of his career, how unique has the vision of Viscount Liu been? At this time, in the entire Longyan, who does not know that the history of Viscount Liu's rise began in Yinzhou, a place that was once ungovernable?

Since he was able to govern Yinzhou into a prosperous land.

Then why can he not recreate this miracle in Liangshan?

Even if he cannot, his going to Liangshan is not without a target!

Therefore.

This time, Xie Zhen did not hesitate at all, taking his own illegitimate son to gamble on this!

He wants to eat meat by following Liu Zheng!

Then he must be willing to use his child as bait to catch the wolf!

A bunch of short-sighted fools!

A bunch of good-for-nothings!

Since he has ascended to power, he should first win over his own group of talented people!

"Return to the manor; we in Chuan Shu should also discuss whether to promote the Imperial Examination!"

Xie Zhen said coldly.

The group of people immediately fell silent, their faces changing drastically.

……

The first to take Wusun was the Loulan Army.

This made Ling Chen beat his chest and stamp his feet, but it was precisely because they were plundering in Wusun that the pace of the Loulan Army was delayed.

Ling Chen immediately turned his gaze toward the last country in the Northern Western Regions at this time.

Dayuan.

One hundred thousand troops set out for Dayuan.

This was almost an irreversible matter.

During this process, Xie Chan remained silent, except for issuing the orders to dispatch troops.

Yes.

She personally issued the order, pointing her sword at Dayuan.

"Young Lady... why is this? Young Lady! Princess!"

Xiao Tao roared, tears streaming down her face; she shouted "Princess," intending to make Xie Chan mindful of her status.

Xie Chan smiled faintly and looked into the distance: "Xiao Tao, I believe this is what the Emperor wants me to do."

"What?"

Xiao Tao's delicate body trembled, and she was instantly speechless.

Xie Chan nodded; yes.

This should be what the Emperor wants her to do... After that treaty was signed in Yanqi, she knew that the Emperor was actually disheartened at this time, regarding this Northern Western Regions, regarding this Dayuan.

Xie Chan is no longer the Xie Chan of "stabbing tomorrow" from before.

In the Western Regions Construction Corps for so long, she has grown too much. She has learned military affairs, she has learned administration. She has understood the benefits of the Imperial Examination, and she has understood the importance of the social system.

The more she understood, the more filled with despair she became regarding the former Dayuan.

Not disappointment.

But despair.

Therefore.

She understood why the Emperor had originally agreed to sign that treaty which brought great humiliation to Dayuan, and even caused the small countries of the Western Regions to no longer respect the Emperor.

Through this treaty.

He was actually sending a signal to Xie Chan.

This treaty.

Is for my daughter.

If Dayuan is to perish.

I also hope it can perish at the hands of my own daughter.

At this moment.

He is already waiting in the Imperial Palace, right?

Along with her mother, who is stunningly beautiful, of astonishing grace, and the model of motherhood for the world.

Xie Chan smiled.

The army, treading on rolling sand and dust, seemed ready to submerge this once-flourishing Dayuan Kingdom.