Chapter 31: He Must Live

"This is a win-win. If the caravan business flourishes, the Right Worthy King will have enough leverage to topple the Left Worthy King and control the Imperial Court. And once you have the silver, you can make the Beijiang Army strong and well-equipped. In the future, when the Right Worthy King ascends the throne, he will be even more willing to lend you a hand. For the two countries to be on good terms hereafter would be a great blessing for the people."

After finishing, the envoy stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"The Right Worthy King knows that the Old General Han is in urgent need of Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment to save his life. As long as you are willing to cooperate, he will present a box of Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment as a token of his sincerity."

As soon as the words fell, the several Deputy Generals nearby raised their heads in unison, looking at Xiao Moting with urgency.

They had all received kindness from the Old General Han and wanted to save the Old General's life.

To save a life, one must have the medicine!

Xiao Moting, however, kept his expression as usual, revealing nothing at all.

"I will consider this matter. Qin Zhan, escort the envoys out first."

Once the two envoys left the room, Qin Zhan hurriedly stepped forward.

"Prince, Daye has always been an enemy of Daliang; the Right Worthy King's words cannot be trusted!"

Xiao Dabao, however, furrowed his brows, "But the Old General Han's injuries are severe, and only the Black Jade Broken Bone Ointment can save him. The Daliang Imperial Court refuses to grant the medicine. If this drags on, the Old General Han will likely not survive."

Xiao Moting spoke indifferently, "Dabao, what is the duty of a frontier garrison general?"

"To guard the borders of the country and resist enemy invasion!"

"Fengsha Pass is the first and most important line of defense for Daliang." Xiao Moting said coldly, "The Old General Han has guarded Fengsha Pass for over thirty years, leading troops to repel the enemy many times, and it has never been breached by the Daye Army. If Daye masters the military intelligence of the frontier, coupled with a large force, it would be easy for them to capture Fengsha Pass. Once the enemy enters, they will drive straight in and reach Shengjing directly."

"The Right Worthy King is not of our kind; he must have ulterior motives! I will not believe him!"

Xiao Dabao suddenly realized and immediately knelt down, "It is this subordinate who failed to consider thoroughly and nearly fell for the Daye people's trick!"

Xiao Moting waved his hand, letting the two of them leave.

Alone in the military tent, his thoughts were in turmoil.

Once, he was full of passion and held firm convictions in his heart, living only to protect Daliang.

But now, he felt somewhat lost.

For such an Imperial Court, is it truly worth it for him and his soldiers to shed their blood?

Xiao Moting looked up at the Wardrobe standing in the tent.

Feeling stifled, he wanted to find someone to confide in.

"Shennü Daren, I wonder if you have a moment; I would like to chat with you."

"What do you think I should do?"

Qingshan Village.

Bai Wei drove the Recreational Vehicle to the Farm, and Dahuang came bounding over, wagging its tail and jumping all over her.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Good dog!" Bai Wei smiled and patted the dog's head, taking a chicken leg from the Recreational Vehicle's refrigerator to toss to it.

Ever since she saved Dahuang, Dahuang had stayed at the Farm and refused to leave.

Zhang Shen had once sold Dahuang and felt guilty about it; seeing how much Dahuang liked her, she said she would give Dahuang to her to raise.

Bai Wei stood in the courtyard and played with Dahuang for a while.

Returning to the Recreational Vehicle to get a drink, she finally saw the handwriting on the Wardrobe.

Bai Wei was startled.

Xiao Moting was usually decisive in killing and never hesitant; had he encountered some troubling matter?

On the Wardrobe, dense lines of handwriting emerged, exceptionally vigorous.

"... Shennü Daren, the Old General Han is a loyal subject for generations and has guarded the frontier with me for decades. Why, in the end, is the Imperial Court unwilling to bestow even a box of life-saving ointment?"

"My soldiers and I bathe in blood to kill the enemy, lacking medicine and supplies, eating grass roots and gnawing on tree bark. Many soldiers have not returned home for years; even when their parents pass away or their wives and children fall ill, they cannot go back. Yet, even so, they firmly guard the frontier city. The soldiers have given so much, yet they have not received fair treatment..."

"For such an Imperial Court, is everything we do really worth it?"

Countless characters emerged from the wooden board and quickly vanished.

Bai Wei held her breath.

Xiao Moting usually spoke very little; she had never seen him say so much in one breath.

Across time and space, she seemed to see his overflowing passion with nowhere to serve his country.

She thought for a moment, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote on the wooden board.

Xiao Moting wrote dozens of lines in one breath, closed his eyes, and let out a soft sigh.

As a Prince, his status was special.

These words, he could not speak of, nor could he mention them to anyone.

For the injustices he had suffered over the years, he could only kneel and thank the Emperor for his grace; if he had even half a word of complaint, it would be disloyal and unrighteous, a sign of rebellious intent.

But now, he had finally found someone to confide in.

"Shennü Daren, thank you. If everything I just said has caused you trouble, please forgive me."

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly saw elegant handwriting appear on the wooden board.

"Xiao Moting, everything you have done is great! And it is very worth it! The people revere you!"

"Because what you are guarding is not the Imperial Court, but the millions of Daliang people. The hero in their hearts is you, not the Imperial Court!"

"The military merits are yours, and the spoils of war are yours too; never let them go to Xiao Rui!"

"If the Imperial Court won't help you, I will!"

"If the Imperial Court won't provide for the Beijiang soldiers, I will!"

"If the Imperial Court won't grant medicine to the wounded soldiers, I will!"

"The Old General Han will live on, because I am here. As long as I am here, he must live!"

Line after line of handwriting appeared on the wooden board, then vanished.

Xiao Moting watched without blinking.

His eye sockets grew slightly hot, his heart surged, and it felt as if something was about to burst forth from his chest.

So, he was not alone behind his back; there was still this unseen girl, standing firmly and unswervingly on his side!

The confused look in Xiao Moting's eyes gradually became firm.

He now knew what he had to do.

"Shennü Daren, Prince of the North Xiao Moting will proceed in the direction you guide."

A commotion came from outside the tent.

The exclamation of a medical officer rang out.

"Old General Han is failing!"

Xiao Moting's expression darkened; he stood up immediately and strode toward the outside of the tent.

Arriving at the commander's tent, he saw Old General Han with a pale face and bloodstains at the corners of his mouth, his breathing already as thin as a gossamer thread.

"Father, Father!" Han Guiying immediately threw herself onto the bedside, sobbing uncontrollably.

Xiao Moting stepped forward in two or three strides.

"Senior Sister, I will go find the Military Doctor."

Han Guiying spoke through sobs.

"Prince, the Military Doctor said there are no medicinal herbs, and told me to... prepare for Father's... funeral arrangements..."