Chapter 303 Nadaam Banner
Under the sparse starlight, a continuous stretch of dark shadows could be vaguely seen.
Countless tents, like crouching behemoths in the night, are silent and oppressive.
Zhou Congxian pulled on the reins and raised his hand to make a stop gesture.
Behind him, three thousand iron cavalrymen, obeying orders without question, instantly merged into the darkness, leaving no sound.
He dismounted and handed the reins to Guo Fan beside him.
"Station here, no one may move without my order."
"Yes, General."
Guo Fan lowered his voice, his eyes filled with vigilance.
Just a moment later.
Three short cries came from afar, their agreed-upon signal.
Zhou Congxian's gaze sharpened, and he responded in the same voice as the sand fox.
Soon, two figures emerged quickly from the shadows of the tent. They were dressed in ordinary herder clothing, their faces weathered, but their eyes were sharp as knives.
"Could it be General Zhou of Dasheng?" The leader's voice was hoarse, tinged with uncertainty.
We've arrived at Nadaam Banner.
Zhou Congxian did not answer, but instead asked a question.
Where is the Queen?
Princess Yalan is His Majesty's sister and also the Queen of Ule.
A knowing glint flashed in the man's eyes, and he bowed respectfully.
"General, please come with me. The Queen has been waiting for a long time."
After passing through layers of tents and dodging patrols of guards, Zhou Congxian finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous felt tent.
As the heavy curtain was lifted, a scent mingled with the smell of milk and herbs wafted out.
The lights inside the tent were dim.
A woman dressed in the clothes of a herdsman's wife was standing with her back to them, stirring the medicinal soup in the earthenware pot.
Hearing the noise, she slowly turned around.
His face was deliberately smeared with grass ash, making it look somewhat dirty, but it still couldn't hide his innate nobility and fortitude.
When Ya Lan saw Zhou Congxian, her face, which had been tense for several days, finally relaxed a little.
"General Zhou, you've finally arrived."
There was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.
Zhou Congxian clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness."
"This is not Dasheng, General Zhou, there's no need for such formalities."
Princess Yalan took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and regained her composure.
"Unbeknownst to them, that madman had almost swarmed out and completely surrounded the royal city."
"If I hadn't received advance warning and escaped in disguise with my child, I would probably have become his prisoner long ago."
She pointed outside the tent, “This is the Nada League Banner, the tribe of Uncle Sao.”
"He has taken us in temporarily."
Zhou Congxian's gaze pierced through the gaps in the tent, looking towards the large tent in the distance.
As the uncle of the former Khan, he did have thoughts of establishing himself as king after his nephew's death.
The reason they are willing to take in Yalan and her son is less out of consideration for family ties and more out of a desire to use the Little Prince's remaining influence to gain a good reputation for themselves.
On a deeper level, it was his deep-seated apprehension about the powerful state behind Princess Yalan.
"What is the attitude of the Chief of the Sa'u Banner?" Zhou Congxian asked.
Princess Yalan gave a wry smile, "Uncle Wang... is a man of deep thoughts, and has not yet made a clear statement."
“He said he would protect my mother and me, but he was slow to gather troops to fight against us.”
"He is waiting."
Zhou Congxian hit the nail on the head: "Wait for a bargaining chip that will make him make up his mind."
A bright flame ignited in Princess Yalan's eyes.
"General Zhou, the three thousand elite cavalry you brought are this bargaining chip."
She wasn't just passively waiting for rescue.
In these days, she had already thoroughly understood the situation of the various tribes of Ule.
"On the Ule Grassland, apart from Bucha and a few other ambitious large banners, the remaining half, along with a dozen or so small banners, all just want to peacefully graze their cattle and sheep."
"The great war more than a decade ago caused them to lose too many sons, husbands and fathers."
"They don't want to fight anymore."
“These people all have my child in their hearts and hope that the war will end soon.”
Yalan's voice was firm and powerful.
Zhou Congxian's arrival was like a powerful stimulant.
Sau may not fear the alliance of other allied banners, but he cannot help but fear the sword of Damocles hanging over his head from the Great Sheng Dynasty.
...
Inside the royal tent of the Nada League.
The lights were on, and the room was warm as spring.
A thick Persian carpet was laid on the ground, and a charcoal fire burned in the center, on which a whole lamb was roasting, sizzling and dripping with oil.
The burly Sau sat cross-legged in the main seat, toying with a silver wine cup inlaid with turquoise in his hand. His eyes were sharp and scrutinizing, like those of a wolf king on the grassland.
He looked at Zhou Congxian sitting opposite him, his heart already churning with turmoil.
Da Sheng's three thousand elite cavalrymen were able to cross the vast grasslands undetected and appear in his heartland.
What terrifying marching ability!
No wonder that fool Bu Cha led tens of thousands of troops to attack the border of Da Sheng time and time again, but not only did he not gain any advantage, he also lost so many troops!
Sau gripped his wine glass tightly, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
A few days ago, Bucha sent someone to deliver a message, asking him to send another two thousand men from the Nada League Banner to join him in attacking Yumen.
Two thousand men?
Where would he get so many men to squander on?
The thousands of people sent out were all able-bodied young men who were related to the tribe, but now, not one of them has returned!
How will he explain this to his clansmen who have lost loved ones?
Moreover, it's a shame to underestimate this person; he's ruthless and cruel, and he'll betray you once you've served your purpose.
If he were to gain power and ascend to the throne, he might not receive a share of the Nada League banner when it comes to rewards for his contributions.
I'm afraid the first person they'll target is his own uncle!
Rather than that...
Sau's gaze fell on the three-year-old child in Yalan's arms.
Instead, we should support this young nephew.
It's easier to control someone when they're young.
Behind them is Dasheng, a powerful backer.
Having figured this out, the scrutinizing look on Sau's face instantly turned into a warm smile.
"General Zhou, you've come from afar, you must be tired!"
He raised his glass, "I toast the General!"
Zhou Congxian picked up the mare's milk wine in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.
"You're too kind, flag bearer."
He put down his wine cup, his voice not loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire royal tent.
"I have come by order of His Majesty the Great Sheng to assist the young prince in quelling the rebellion and restoring him to the throne."
"Dasheng will always be the most sincere friend of the Wule Grassland."
These words both explained their purpose and gave Sau face.
Sau's smile deepened.
"Good! Good! Good!"
He exclaimed "Good!" three times in a row, "With the support of Dasheng and the assistance of General Zhou, what is there to worry about in achieving great things!"
The discussion was very pleasant for both the host and guests.
Princess Yalan, upon receiving the news, immediately seized the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot.
She immediately dispatched men in the name of the Little Prince to summon the dozen or so flag leaders who were willing to serve in the camp overnight.
...
The capital city.
Hanguang Hall.
Inside the hall, the heavy, lingering smell of medicine almost solidified the air.
Even the finest ambergris burning in the corner couldn't suppress the lingering bitterness.
The flickering candlelight cast an indistinct shadow over the emperor's pale face.
"Cough...cough cough..."
Meng Yushan and Grand Tutor Qin Daolin, who were kneeling below, both felt a tremor in their hearts.
His Majesty vomited blood!
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