Chapter 1580: Wait to Die

Yellow sand desolate wilderness, wild wind sweeps past, gravel rolls and sweeps through the air, a hazy yellow expanse fills heaven and earth.

This is the border pass, yellow sand stretching a thousand li, utterly devoid of human life.

Upon this barren wasteland sits a majestic city of grand momentum, covering hundreds of square kilometers; walls built from massive black stones tightly wrap the entire city, like a giant clad in armor.

This place is the territory of Eastern Tang, the border-defense city known as Tianmen Pass.

Eastern Tang's Border Defense General, Hu Zhengtang, has stationed a vast army here year-round to repel external enemies, securing peace throughout the Kingdom.

Hu Zhengtang has fought for many years, leaving countless scars upon his body, and his character has been tempered to be as hard as iron.

It is said that back then, this man was wounded by a poisoned arrow; during the process of scraping the bone to treat the wound, he did not utter a single groan, truly a man of iron blood and steel will.

Yet today, this man of iron blood and steel will is full of dread and trembling with unease.

Everything is because of a young man sitting before him.

He wears a robe of pure white, his face is handsome, his smile kind, giving the impression of a spring breeze brushing the face.

But even so, Hu Zhengtang's heart grows increasingly uneasy.

"General Hu, what do you think of me?" the young man said with a smile, lifting his teacup.

Hu Zhengtang wiped a layer of sweat, smiling as he replied: "Wise and divine, both brave and intelligent, truly a Bright Lord of a generation."

"Then do you think I am an idiot?"

"This... naturally not."

"Then why won't you let me go to the battlefield!"

The young man slammed the table, roaring: "Do you look down on me?"

"Your Subject dares not!"

Hu Zhengtang knelt right there on the spot, his heart crying out in bitterness.

Oh my god, why has this ancestor come here?

This person is none other than Xu Que, who has come on a Personal Expedition.

After several days of trekking, Xu Que and his entourage, escorted by the Imperial Guard of the Imperial City, arrived smoothly at Tianmen Pass.

At first, Hu Zhengtang did not take it seriously.

After all, a Personal Expedition; the Late Emperor had done such things before, not much different from a leader inspecting the countryside, nothing more than sitting inside Tianmen Pass waiting to hear battle reports.

Just as Hu Zhengtang was thinking about how to perform better, striving to display the momentum of the border army before the current Emperor, Xu Que approached him.

"Old Hu, I want to lead troops to kill enemies."

"Your Majesty, what did you just say? Your Subject's ears are not very good."

"I want to go to the front to kill enemies!"

"Oh... Your Majesty wants to go to the front to kill enemies?"

"Yes!"

"What kind of joke is this!"

Hu Zhengtang was shocked right then and there.

He was at the border, but his information had not been cut off; he knew clearly everything Xu Que had done these past two years.

Destroying the Five Surnames Seven Clans, building roads and a Private Treasury, opening schools and holding imperial examinations; every single one was a good deed benefiting the nation and the people.

Especially since Xu Que took power, the military funds for the border have become sufficient, which made Hu Zhengtang change his view of Xu Que for a time, believing that this generation of Eastern Tang's Emperor had finally awakened and intended to become a Bright Lord of a generation.

Now you tell me you want to go to the front to kill enemies?

Don't joke; the reports didn't say you know how to fight!

For the sake of Xu Que's safety, Hu Zhengtang flatly refused Xu Que's request, firmly disallowing it out of safety considerations.

In Hu Zhengtang's words, the Emperor should just do what an Emperor ought to do, not keep thinking about this and that; if you die on the battlefield, then this war need not be fought at all.

Xu Que was naturally not pleased.

I personally said I would cut off the King of Qin's head; if I don't do it, I am without faith.

A man must keep his word; if I say I'll cut his head, I will cut his head!

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

Just as the two were arguing, a piercing sound of gongs rang out.

At the border, even a three-year-old child knows clearly that the gong sound means a great battle is about to begin, ordering the common people to return to their houses for shelter.

Hu Zhengtang's face changed; he clasped his hands and said: "Please, Your Majesty, rest well here; This General must now go to the Frontline to command!"

Having spoken, he hurried away; Xu Que's eyes rolled, and he immediately tried to follow, but was stopped by several Soldiers.

"Your Majesty, the General has ordered us to protect Your safety," a Soldier said respectfully, "Your Majesty is a Bright Lord of a generation; do not personally face danger."

"Please, Your Majesty, remain here!"

The Soldiers said in unison.

Xu Que, helpless, could only retreat back into the room.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong walked out from behind, speaking slowly: "Give up; they respect you very much now, so they will not let you face danger."

After these two years, Xuan Yuan Wanrong's impression of Xu Que has improved somewhat.

One must admit, this bastard indeed, as he himself said, possesses very strong governing abilities.

Eastern Tang today is several times stronger than it was two years ago.

But only in governing.

Leading troops and fighting wars, relying solely on governing ability is far from enough.

It is only because Xuan Yuan Wanrong's feelings toward Xu Que are good now that she comes to advise him; two years ago, she would have let him die.

Xu Que gave her an annoyed look: "Even you don't believe me? I really can fight wars!"

"Whatever you say, then." Xuan Yuan Wanrong tossed out the words lightly and turned to go back inside the room.

A great war between two nations like this won't stop unless it rages for several years.

Given Eastern Tang's current strength, even if the Qin Kingdom attacked with its entire nation, Tianmen Pass could hold out for at least a year; staying inside Tianmen Pass would be basically safe, so she simply let him go.

Outside the room, it was already noisy; the common people of Tianmen Pass were returning to their homes one by one, shutting their doors and not going out.

Xu Que looked into the distance; dust and smoke had already filled the sky, showing just how many troops were gathering outside the city.

"Damn it... thinking you can lock me up like this? Not so easy!"

Such a great chance to act cool; if he missed it, wouldn't he regret it for the rest of his life?

Xu Que thought for a moment, and a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He had a way!

Xu Que went to the door and ordered a soldier standing nearby.

"Ahem, uh, go deliver a message for me and tell Gong Qiwei to come over at once."

Moments later, Gong Qiwei arrived in a hurry, led by the soldier.

"Your Majesty, did you summon me for something?" Gong Qiwei was somewhat puzzled, thinking there must be an urgent matter to instruct him on.

Xu Que gestured for him to close the door, then wore an ill-intentioned smile on his face: "Come, come over here."

"Emperor, what are you doing, Emperor..."

"Don't make noise, keep it down! Hurry and take off your clothes!"

"Emperor! You, you shouldn't do this... no, Emperor, don't strip my clothes, I really will shout..."

"Go ahead and shout; even if you scream your throat raw, no one will come to save you! Obey quietly and there will be benefits for you!"

A soldier who noticed the commotion walked over, hesitated for a moment, and knocked on the door: "Your Majesty, is something happening?"

The room instantly fell silent; only the sound of rustling could be heard.

Just as the soldier was about to push the door open, "Gong Qiwei" suddenly walked out with his head down, closing the room door behind him.

"The Emperor is unwell; do not disturb."

Through the crack in the door, the soldier saw that towering figure lying on the bed and finally felt relieved.

"Gong Qiwei" left the courtyard all the way, reached the street, and only then raised his head once he was sure no one could see him.

A handsome face; it was Xu Que!

"Hehe, thinking you can lock up this Saint of Acting Cool? You're still too young! King of Qin, wash your neck clean... ahem, neck, and wait to die!"