"Hahaha, finally..."
Wei Shao sat in the main hall of the General's Mansion at Xiping Pass and burst into laughter.
After fighting so hard for so long, we finally captured Xiping Pass. It's absolutely exhilarating!
Knowing that the Western Rong army and the Southern Chu army were fighting on the west side of the city last night, he immediately judged this to be an opportunity to reap the benefits and organized his soldiers to attack the city overnight. The people in the city had all evacuated from the west, and his army successfully captured the city before the Southern Chu army could.
A dozen generals surrounded him, showering him with flattery, calling him the greatest general of all time and the one the late emperor had never accomplished... They used every word they could think of. Wei Shao knew he wasn't that great, but flattery always works.
After inspecting Xiping Pass, the strategist returned and entered the hall. Upon seeing the disappointing arrival, the generals dispersed.
The strategist approached Wei Shao and said, "Why is Your Highness so happy? Although the city has been captured, Wei Jingzhuo has already escaped."
"What does it matter?" Wei Shao laughed dismissively. "He has nothing left, at most a thousand or eight hundred soldiers. Do you think the Western Rong will lend him troops?"
The strategist said, "It's really hard to say."
“Impossible,” Wei Shao said. “Back when he called himself the Jade-Faced General, he fought many battles with the Western Rong and killed many of their soldiers. The Western Rong were probably able to rescue him because of his wife, Su Wan. How could they possibly lend him their troops?”
The strategist said, "Your Highness is right. It was Su Wan who cured the Western Rong King's heart ailment back then, and the Western Rong may simply be repaying Su Wan's kindness."
“If he’s even slightly smart, he’ll stay in the Western Rong and die peacefully,” Wei Shao said. “But after I ascend the throne and the country is prosperous, I’ll lead my troops to wipe out the Western Rong and see what kind of expression he’ll have when he’s living under someone else’s roof.”
Just as they were celebrating, a general entered the hall, holding a jade pendant in both hands, and said, "Your Highness, this was found during the clearing of the city walls."
The strategist stepped forward, took the jade pendant, and handed it to Wei Shao.
Wei Shao didn't pay much attention at first, but when he took the jade pendant and ran his fingers over it, he exclaimed, "This jade pendant is made in a slightly different way."
As a prince, he had admired countless jade pendants, but he had never seen one with such a high level of polishing.
He held the jade pendant in the air, looking at the immortal herb pattern carved on it. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it, and he clicked his tongue and said, "This jade pendant is quite unique. I wonder where the jade craftsman made it."
The strategist said, "Could this be something Wei Jingzhuo brought?"
“We all grew up in the palace, and I know what jade pendant he wears,” Wei Shao said. “This jade pendant is definitely not his.”
The strategist said, "Your Highness, since this jade pendant is a rare item, it should be worn by Your Highness."
"Hehe, well said." Wei Shao had been hoping the strategist would say that. He lowered his head to fasten the jade pendant to his belt, stood up and spun around twice, then said, "It's still a little lacking. Do you think it would be better to add a tassel along the bottom edge, or hang a few strings of pearls?"
The strategist said, "Your Highness, Xiping Pass is now an empty city with few craftsmen. Why not wait until we return to the capital to find jade craftsmen to make the accessories?"
Just as Wei Shao was about to reply, another military officer entered and reported: "Your Majesty, Military Advisor. Chu Yi, the commander of the Southern Chu army, has sent congratulatory gifts to celebrate Your Majesty's capture of Xiping Pass. He wishes to invite Your Majesty to a banquet tomorrow at noon to discuss the treaty."
Wei Shao said to his strategist, "This matter is the most important. Only after the border between the two sides is settled can I return to the capital."
The strategist advised, "Your Highness, the Southern Chu army has come from afar, and their intentions are unpredictable. I suggest that you do not attend the banquet, but send an envoy to invite them to the city for a banquet instead."
Wei Shao was dissatisfied and said, "Didn't they help me defeat Wei Jingzhuo? What's wrong with them that I can't trust them?"
The strategist said, "The reason the two sides were able to cooperate was because they had a common enemy, Wei Jingzhuo. Now that Wei Jingzhuo has been defeated, the Southern Chu commander's thoughts may no longer be the same as before."
Wei Shao hesitated upon hearing this, then nodded and said, "What you say makes sense. However, I invited them to a banquet, but they didn't come. They've been dragging their feet, and when will they be able to return to the capital?"
The strategist said, "As the old saying goes, there is no such thing as good wine or good banquet. This is our first time dealing with Chu Yi, so we need to be careful."
“You’re being too cautious,” Wei Shao said. “Nan Chu said they only wanted the territory west of Xiping Pass and had many dealings with my mother. I treat people with honesty and do not cheat. How could they break their promise?”
The strategist asked, "Does Your Highness really intend to go?"
Wei Shao felt a little guilty and said, "Going is fine, but I need to find a few capable generals to protect me."
The strategist said, "All our famous generals have died in battle. In my opinion, it would be better not to go."
Wei Shao was anxious and slammed his hand on the table, saying, "I already said it. If I don't go, he won't come. He can stall, but I can't wait to get back to the capital."
That's what he said, but he didn't dare to actually make a decision. Firstly, he didn't have any capable generals on his side, and secondly, he was afraid of agreeing with the strategist's words.
He pondered and pondered, and even the next morning, he was still undecided.
During this time, the strategist sent an envoy to see Chu Yi, the commander of the Southern Chu army, to invite him to a banquet at Xiping Pass. Chu Yi claimed that he was injured in the shoulder and had difficulty moving around, so he did not agree.
Wei Shao became even more anxious.
His mind was now consumed with the thought of returning to the capital as soon as possible to ascend the throne. But he couldn't abandon the Southern Chu army.
After breakfast, he summoned his strategist and asked him, "When Wei Jingzhuo made the treaty with the Western Rong, did the Western Rong army ever go back on their word?"
The strategist said, "Since the Western Rong King established the treaty, he has indeed not allowed his troops to cross the border. However, the Western Rong cavalry came to the pass to rescue Wei Jingzhuo a couple of days ago, and Your Highness is aware of this. Moreover, Chu Yi is not the Western Rong King, so Your Highness cannot compare the two of them."
Wei Shao was anxious. He got up and paced back and forth, saying, "How about this, I will write a letter to ask my mother what she has to say."
The strategist was at a loss. Fortunately, it would take several days for Wei Shao to write a letter to Consort Li, which could buy them some time, and it wasn't a bad idea.
Wei Shao had paper and pen laid out, intending to write a letter to Consort Li. A messenger arrived and said to him, "Consort Li has a letter here."
Wei Shao was overjoyed. He took the letter and read it. He saw that Consort Li was very satisfied with his situation and told him to rest assured to sign the contract with Chu Yi. He laughed and said, "My mother told me to go to the banquet without worry, so what doubts do I have? Guards!"
He was initially hesitant, but encouraged by Consort Li's handwritten letter, he made his decision immediately.
Seeing that Wei Shao insisted on going, the strategist could only advise, "If Your Highness is going, you should take more generals and soldiers with you."
"What are you saying?" Wei Shao said angrily. "I am going to sign a contract with them. How can bringing more troops show my sincerity? I will only bring two generals and twenty attendants to show my full sincerity. Don't say any more."
The strategist had no choice but to accompany the generals to escort Wei Shao out of the city and watch his troops head towards the Southern Chu army camp.
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