Chapter 154 Calling someone by their full name really works

Mu Xun clearly knew about what happened in Tianjun Hall beforehand, as Yan Shu was standing behind him.

As soon as Yan Shu saw Mu Xi come out, she couldn't help but rush to speak: "Oh dear, Your Highness, what are you doing? The Southern Border is not an easy place to go. Not to mention that it was already surrounded by tigers and wolves before the pirates came out, now that the pirates are rampant, you're not even bringing a single soldier. It's clearly a suicide mission."

Mu Xi didn't rush to retrieve her body as she left the palace, mainly because she was still in a daze.

The one speaking now is still the strategist: "If it weren't for this, how could we ask for the king's special decree and grace?"

Yan Shu was even more puzzled: "The Crown Prince is already the Crown Prince, what use would he have for that thing? Is it something that the Crown Prince cannot obtain, or something that Lord Jin Fang cannot give him?"

Tao Lue didn't want to answer, and looked at Mu Xun: "Are we still planning to stand here? Why don't we go back and talk about it?"

Mu Xun kept his eyes fixed on Mu Xi, unable to hold back his words. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "Yes, let's get in the car first."

After speaking, he summoned a carriage and helped Mu Xi into it.

Then, he forcibly sent Yan Shu to sit in the carriage behind, and then followed her.

The carriage started moving, and before Mu Xun could speak, the strategist cut him off, saying, "The Southern Border has not fallen at all."

Huh? Huh? Huh?

Mu Xi and Mu Xun were surprised almost simultaneously.

The strategist, with a carefree and unrestrained demeanor, retorted: "The military report says the southern border fell within a month, and the pirates advanced unimpeded. A month? The pirates wouldn't have been able to accomplish that. Besides, aren't they afraid of being surrounded and annihilated?"

Although Mu Xun came with Mu Xi, he was not summoned and could not enter the palace, so he did not know the details of the military report: "What exactly did the military report say? What else is there?"

"The military report is utter nonsense," the strategist exclaimed again. "However, it's true that Zhu Mingjun was kidnapped by the pirates. Because Zhu Mingjun was kidnapped, the southern border was left without a lord to guard it, which caused chaos. This can be seen from the messenger who came to deliver the message. The messenger didn't seem to be under Dai Rong's command, but rather seemed to be an ordinary soldier from Zhu Mingjun's residence. It would take at least five or six days for him to travel from the southern border to Zhongdu Moyang. If we extrapolate further back, the southern border fell in a shorter period of time. In such a short time, the pirates could be so rampant. There's only one conclusion: Dai Rong's troops offered no resistance."

Mu Xun was at the palace gate, and through Yan Shu's connections, he had a general understanding of the situation: "I heard that Dai Rong has disappeared without a trace, and his troops are also nowhere to be found. Even so, it's useless for you to only have the temporary authority to command the troops."

The strategist had considered every possible possibility: "Although Dai Rong is missing, firstly, he certainly did not surrender to the pirates, otherwise the situation would not be like this now; secondly, he certainly did not betray King Yu, for the same reason, otherwise Moyang City would probably have already sounded the alarm. Therefore, there must be another reason why Dai Rong is missing. As long as we find Dai Rong and have the military tally in his hands, we will definitely be able to mobilize troops and wipe out the pirates."

Mu Xun disagreed: "Even with Dai Rong's troops, it would not be easy to wipe out the pirates within six months. Our king's willingness to grant your request so easily suggests he has ulterior motives."

“What he’s plotting isn’t important.” The strategist was confident. “I promised to wipe out the pirates in the southern border region, not the ones in the sea. As long as we find Dai Rong and get the troops in the southern border, the pirates will automatically stop causing trouble. As for a real eradication, that’s not something that can be done overnight. It will take years to strengthen the defenses along the coast and expand the navy.”

“You’re playing with words with ‘that person,’ and I’m afraid that things will turn out differently…” Mu Xun was even more worried.

Upon hearing Tao Lue's insightful observations, Mu Xi felt they were very promising. She lunged forward to regain control of her body: "Oh, there's nothing to worry about. These things will definitely be in writing. Whoever doesn't acknowledge it will lose face. What's there to be afraid of? In other words... ah, no... I mean, the priority is to get to the Southern Border as soon as possible and find Dai Rong. That's the real problem."

Mu Xun still frowned: "This is still too dangerous. You can't go. I'll go in your place. You can go to Hunan first, where it's safer. I also have places where I can keep you safe."

"How can that be? I made that promise myself in the main hall just now, and I must fulfill it myself now." Mu Xi naturally could not agree.

Mu Xun insisted on doing so, as usual.

Mu Xi suddenly became serious: "Xi Xun, this is the first time I've called you Xi Xun. Can we collaborate for the first time under our new identities?"

"Cooperation?" This was the first time Mu Xun had heard Mu Xi address him like that.

Although the two had made an agreement beforehand, when they were alone, they avoided using each other's titles, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Mu Xi showed utmost sincerity: "This journey is dangerous, but I still need to rely on you. You bring everyone you can, and I'll offer all the ideas I can. We'll work together to find Dai Rong and make this mission a success. After we succeed, I can openly reveal the truth of what happened back then, of course, while concealing the events of the previous dynasty and rescuing the Marquis's body. As for how the King of Yu will handle this matter, at worst, because of this pre-promised 'favor' as a condition for exchange, he won't take our lives. On the bright side, I'll even get the King of Yu to bestow upon me the title of Female Marquis. Isn't this the best outcome?"

"Given Prince Yu's temperament, it might not be that easy." Mu Xun didn't specify what aspect would be difficult.

Mu Xi was more optimistic: "It may not be difficult. After all, it's better for him to bestow the title of Female Marquis upon me than to give the title to you or Mu Chong. He must think that a woman is both incompetent and easy to control. We'll just have to see how I put it."

“But…” Mu Xun had always been cautious.

"Xi Xun, Xi Xun, Xi Xun..." Mu Xi pleaded and begged.

Whether calling someone by their "real name" or not still works.

Mu Xun sighed, "Alas... since you've made up your mind, what can I say? Since you're going on this adventure, I'll naturally bring all the men I can, not for any other reason than to ensure your safety. But there's one more thing..."

"Is there anything else?" Mu Xi's mind was already racing with plans to head to the Southern Border.

Mu Xun was somewhat embarrassed: "When we entered the palace just now, Marquis Shen didn't follow us to avoid the suspicion of 'civil officials not participating in important military and political affairs,' but he was worried and instructed me to keep an eye on your actions. I reckon your astonishing actions tonight will spread throughout Moyang City before dawn, and I don't know how to explain it to him then?"

"If you don't know how to explain, then don't explain." Mu Xi's mind was already on the Southern Border, and she didn't want to waste any more time on Shen Lun.

"This..." Mu Xun was caught in the middle, and there was another matter he had to remind them of, "Zhu Mingge also has many branches in the Southern Territory. When we get there, we will still need Zhu Mingge's intelligence network. Why not go through Lord Shen?"