Ximen Fusu took a small sip of wine.

Judging from Zhou Chuan's decisiveness, he knew that Zhou Chuan had thought of these words long ago.

"As long as Brother Fusu is willing, I will definitely do my best to help," Zhou Chuan said.

Ximen Fusu sighed and said, "I really envy you, Achuan. You are such a wonderful brother-in-law!"

Zhou Chuan said frankly, "The Prime Minister is my savior, and I only have one sister, Xiao Nuo. Zhao Cheng... he's also been very good to me."

Ximen Fusu smiled and said, "Isn't there another reason that Achuan hasn't mentioned?"

Zhou Chuan asked doubtfully, "Is there anything else?"

Ximen Fusu said, "Yang Taozhi is Zhao Cheng's sworn sister..."

Zhou Chuan's cheeks immediately turned red.

"Brother Fusu, you flatter me. It's been so long since we last met, she probably doesn't even remember me anymore."

Ximen Fusu stood up and said, "Now I finally know why you haven't gone back all these years. Achuan, answer me honestly, your travels through the Western Regions were actually a scheme for Zhao Cheng, weren't they?"

"Yes." Zhou Chuan replied without hesitation.

"The fact that you said these things to me today means that you have already chosen me."

"yes."

"But if you met someone more suitable than me, such as Prince Jinran, Grand Preceptor Abilei, or King Terentu, would you also let them devour my Great Yue?"

"yes."

Ximen Fusu took a deep breath, picked up his wine bowl again, patted Zhou Chuan on the shoulder, and said, "Gentleman Sword, indeed a true gentleman."

“Achuan, you are not only a master swordsman, but also a man of great talent. Your brother-in-law was able to start planning many years ago, so I believe Wentai is no match for him.”

"Today, we brothers drink this cup to the brim, and remember our promise today!"

After the two finished drinking, Ximen Fusu showed no intention of sitting down. Looking at the Xijing Army in the distance, he said, "That's enough. I should go down now."

Zhou Chuan asked doubtfully, "Go down?"

Ximen Fusu said, "Passively taking the beating is not a good idea; we should take the initiative."

Zhou Chuan said, "How many soldiers are there in Fancheng? They have no chance of winning in open field battles."

Ximen Fusu said proudly, "I don't need many people, I alone am enough."

"Are you crazy?!"

"It's not just swords and spears that can repel an army. How will we know if we don't try?" Ximen Fusu laughed. "If I don't even have this much courage, how can I be the king of the Great Yue Kingdom? How can I fulfill my promise to you and make the Great Yue the ruler of the Western Regions?"

"Achuan, only if I can return will it prove that I have the destiny to become King Cheng!" Ximen Fusu walked down the city wall.

Zhou Chuan grabbed Ximen Fusu's arm and said, "I'll go with you."

"With you by my side, my mouth has no power." Ximen Fusu smiled as he pried Zhou Chuan's hand away, straightened his chest, and walked down from the city wall.

...

dusk.

The yellow sand everywhere was tinged with a crimson hue by the setting sun.

"Report—"

A messenger arrived at the Xijing Army's command tent and said, "General, the enemy is here!"

Du Yucheng was taken aback for a moment, then asked in surprise, "They actually took the initiative to attack? How many people came?"

"one person."

Du Yucheng suddenly grabbed the messenger and angrily said, "Are you kidding me?"

"General, it really is one person. He said he is Ximen Fusu."

"Um?"

Du Yu Chengdu released the messenger and looked at everyone in the commander's tent, all of them puzzled.

"What is he doing here alone?" Du Yu asked Chengdu suspiciously.

Tuo Mojiu said, "Who cares what he's doing here? This is a good opportunity to kill him! Once he's dead, Fancheng will be without a leader."

Wang Yuluan quickly asked, "Are you sure it's just him? Has Zhou Chuan arrived?"

The messenger reported, "It really is just one person, without even a guard."

Wang Yuluan looked at Tuomojiu and said, "We must not act rashly. Even if he dies, Fancheng still has Zhou Chuan."

Tuomojiu said, "Zhou Chuan is just a swordsman. What kind of influence does he have in Fancheng?"

Wang Yuluan said, "Don't forget, he just protected Fancheng, which is when he gained importance in the hearts of the Dayue warriors."

Du Yucheng raised his hand and said, "Generals, please stop arguing. Let's find out his purpose in coming before we discuss this further."

Wang Yuluan walked outside and said, "Go, go see him."

Du Yu Chengdu said, "Since he came alone, I can meet him alone."

Wang Yuluan and Tuomojiu fell silent, but Wen Yong said, "I'll go with you."

Du Yucheng frowned and said, "Young Pillar State, you are not allowed to lay a hand on him without my order."

Wen Yong smiled and said, "General, you are overthinking it. I am going with you for your own good. As the commander-in-chief of our army, if you meet with the prince of the Great Yue Kingdom alone and make a decision that will be criticized afterward, how will you explain yourself?"

Du Yucheng suddenly realized that Wen Yong's request to follow him was both to monitor him and to serve as his witness.

He couldn't help but think more highly of Wen Yong.

Despite his young age, he is already a top-notch expert. Although he has a strong competitive spirit, he is also meticulous in his thinking...

No wonder he is Wen Tai's son.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Young Master Zhuguo, to pretend to be my groom and follow along."

...

At sunset.

Wen Yong led his horse slowly toward Ximen Fusu.

Du Yucheng jumped off his horse and came to a stop ten paces away from Ximen Fusu, with Wen Yong following closely behind.

"Prince Fusu, what brings you here alone?" Du Yucheng asked without any formalities.

Ximen Fusu concealed his hands in his sleeves, nodded slightly to Du Yucheng, and smiled, "I've come to request that the General withdraw his troops and return to where you should be."

Du Yucheng asked, "Are you in a hurry? Has the prince been in the border town for too long, and something's happened in your backyard?"

Ximen Fusu calmly said, "If there is any change in the court, I will simply go back. At worst, I will give Fancheng to you. In fact, the General knows very well that even if my father does not live past tonight, the succession to the throne of my Great Yue Kingdom will not change. Otherwise, I would not have come to the border city at this time."

"I have come to ask the General to withdraw his troops, firstly because I do not want both sides to continue making pointless sacrifices, and secondly because I am considering the General and the Junior Pillar of State."

"Considering me and Xiao Zhuguo?" Du Yucheng was amused and said, "That's really novel. Tell me about it."

"If I don't explain it well..."

Du Yucheng raised his halberd and pointed it at Ximen Fusu, saying, "I will kill you right now!"

Ximen Fusu calmly said, "I came here alone as the Prince of Dayue. If I were to die under the General's sword, the General would only be branded as a coward and narrow-minded person. So don't try to scare me. I dared to come and I'm not afraid to die."

Wen Yong drew his sword and said sternly, "Why would I need a general to kill you? I'm just a lowly groom. If I accidentally killed you, no one can blame the general."

Ximen Fusu suddenly burst into laughter.

Wen Yong said angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Ximen Fusu shook his head, then sat down on the spot, took out a pot of wine from his pocket, and drank a few mouthfuls alone.

"This young man has an extraordinary bearing. He shows no fear in front of the General and this prince. How could he be just a lowly stable boy?"