Xie Yuan had departed for Nanchu earlier, leaving the old Duke stunned for a while.
After a while, he smiled and said, "That youngster Chu Rong, turns out to be the most fortunate one."
Zhenmin, who later set her eyes on him, even gave birth to a terrific daughter for him. His cherished daughter took away his beloved grandson, and also whisked Xie Yuan off to Nanchu.
Ah, the talent of Daliang.
He turned to Su Xingze and asked, "You’re not going to Nanchu, are you?"
Su Xingze sighed, "My little sister Su Qi won’t allow me to."
The old Duke laughed heartily, "That’s right. If you also leave, and everyone from the Su Family leaves, her ties to Daliang would be nearly severed. Her mother sacrificed herself for Daliang, she won’t choose to cut ties with Daliang. Collaborating with the Crown Prince is the reason for that. She will convince the Crown Prince that, even if she inherits the throne of Nanchu, she will never launch an attack on Daliang."
Su Xingze nodded in agreement, he understood Su Qi’s intentions. Remaining in Daliang was the most appropriate choice; his family inheritance was in Daliang, the Crown Prince would trust him, and he could fulfill his ambitions. As long as the Su family remained, no matter how much time passed, no one would believe that she would sever her roots with Daliang. She had a legitimate reason to return to visit family and under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t mind her constant watchful presence on their turf.
He shared the remaining sweet potatoes with Zhou Wei, and then they both exited the old Duke’s military tent.
Having gorged themselves, Zhou Wei proposed to Su Xingze, "Shall we go and inspect the military camp together?"
Su Xingze naturally agreed.
After taking a walk around, Zhou Wei asked him, "Xingze, are you worried about Lady Su Qi?"
Su Xingze responded with a nod and a shake of the head, "My little sister is competent enough to turn peril into safety."
Zhou Wei admitted, "I’m still somewhat concerned about my younger brother. But our grandfather advises me not to worry." He chuckled, "My younger brother is much stronger than me. It seems since childhood, I as the eldest brother, don’t even understand him as well as the Crown Prince."
"You have spent less time together, you’re always in the military camp and he is largely based in the Eastern Palace," Su Xingze responded.
Zhou Wei nodded, "I only found out about his plans to go to Nanchu and never return after he left the capital."
Su Xingze refrained from commenting.
Zhou Wei added, "Although I am mostly in the military camp, I’ve heard countless rumors about Lady Su Qi. Her relationship with Second Young Master Ye appears quite good. She attended Second Young Master Ye’s farewell, but she didn’t go when my younger brother left the capital. My younger brother has been stubborn since childhood, I’m not sure if he will achieve his desires."
Su Xingze chuckled, "Young Prince, you don’t need to worry too much."
Of course Zhou Gu will get his way, because my little sister Su Qi has always had a soft spot for Zhou Gu. This is a treatment that I, as elder brother, have never enjoyed.
Zhou Wei sighed, "True, I should be worrying about myself; Grandma thinks there are still many things I need to learn."
He expressed concern, "If my brother doesn’t come back, the pressure on me will increase all at once."
He had never considered that they would lose this fight. With Grandfather on their side, they are bound to win. Despite the numerous books he has read, majority of them are military books. Historical and political strategies, reading the minds of people, are things he will also need to learn if his younger brother won’t help him in the court. Sigh.
Su Xingze understood the old Duke’s teachings to Zhou Wei, which were not limited to military strategies, but also matters of the court. Starting from ancient times till now, he elucidated all the secret and open plots to him. He chuckled, "Young Prince, take your time. The Crown Prince is not like the current Emperor."
A wise ruler only needs a good general that knows how to wage war, there’s no need for political schemes.
Zhou Wei sighed, "Grandpa teaches me not because he wants me to achieve greatness, he is worried I won’t be able to teach my offspring in the future."
After all, for the Duke Residence to hold up, generations to come can’t be too naive or single-minded.
Su Xingze understood, "Oh I see. It seems Young Prince, you will have tough times ahead."
He thought to himself, Su Qi had run away with Zhou Gu, equivalent to taking away the treasure of the Duke families’ lineage which the old Duke had taken great pains to cultivate. No wonder, when Su Qi initially requested to call off the marriage, the old Duke had consented without uttering a second word.
He glanced at Zhou Wei again, almost wanting to laugh, indeed, the burden on Young Prince Zhou’s shoulders in the future is heavy.
Zhou Gu was completely unaware of his elder brother’s growing distress. He marched directly towards Changzhou, constantly pushing his troops to keep up the hurried pace, even after receiving a letter from Zhang Yun, he didn’t dare to slack off. He couldn’t just rely on Zhang Yun. What if any variables occurred? He needed everything to be flawless.
He was determined to nip all possibilities in the bud. This was something he had learned from his time in the Eastern Palace with the Crown Prince, and it had worked for him so far with no exceptions.
There were two more who were marching at the same pace as Zhou Gu. One was the second young master of the Duke Residence, Zhou Shen. The other was rushing to Longxi County, Zhang Yun.
Zhou Shen had been pressing forward urgently and one day, faced an incoming massive army.
A scout reported, "General, an army of more than 100,000 is approaching from the front, bearing the banner of the Marquis Nanping Residence."
Zhou Shen was taken aback, "Are you sure? It’s the banner of the Marquis Nanping Residence?"
"Yes."
Zhou Shen asked again, "Is it not the banner of the Jibei Army?"
"No."
A puzzled Zhou Shen ordered, "Nanping only has an army of 30,000. How can they suddenly have over 100,000? Scout further."
The scout promptly left.
Zhou Shen was worried it might be the Jibei army masquerading under the banner of the Marquis Nanping Residence. But then the thought struck him; could Nanping have been conquered by the Jibei army? If so, they should have hoisted the Jibei army’s banner. Since Zhang Ping had already initiated the rebellion, he wouldn’t need to hide anything. Unless he wanted to dupe him?
He immediately ordered, "Prepare for an encounter."
Upon hearing the command, the entire army immediately readied themselves for battle.
After a while, the scout returned, smiling brightly, "General, the incoming army is indeed from Nanping, the person leading the troops is Lady Su Qi, who is an ally of the Crown Prince."
Everyone knew that Su Rong was in partnership with the Eastern Palace and was a guest of honor to the Crown Prince.
Zhou Shen’s eyes lit up, "Really?"
The scout kept nodding.
Zhou Shen heaved a sigh of relief, "That’s good."
He immediately mounted his horse and stationed himself at the front of his troops, waiting for the army to arrive. Right indeed, as the large army approached, Fen Ling took the lead and greeted Zhou Shen, "I’m Fen Ling, are you Second Young Master Zhou?"
Zhou Shen quickly returned the courtesy, "Yes, it is I. Nice to meet you, Master Feng."
After the two acquainted men exchanged pleasantries, a carriage came forward. Su Rong lifted the carriage curtain and smiled at Zhou Shen, "Second Young Master Zhou, thank you for your efforts. The crisis in Nanping has been resolved. Zhou Gu and Young Master Zhou have already led 100,000 soldiers to Changzhou. I am leading these 150,000 soldiers to Longxi County. Why don’t you join us?"
Zhou Shen wanted to ask, what is going on? How has the crisis in Nanping been resolved? He had heard that Jibei sent an army of 200,000 to siege Nanping and Nanping only had a force of 30,000. His third brother led an additional troop of 100,000, making a total of only 130,000. Now, Zhou Gu and the third young master have taken 100,000 troops to Changzhou. So where did the remaining tens of thousands of soldiers come from?
He wondered if they were Jibei soldiers who had switched sides, but the thought seemed inconceivable.
Fen Ling knew he was full of questions. After the two armies merged, took a brief rest and resumed marching, he explained everything to Zhou Shen.
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