Xuan Army Camp.
"Youâre making progress, kid." Zhang Changyang leaned back in his chair, waving a goose feather fan he had somehow acquired. Seeing someone return, he flicked his eyelids, "You actually didnât continue fighting with Nanzhao."
"Heâs not as clever as Xinxin, but heâs not stupid either." Nian Qianqian sat beside him, gently smoothing the fur of the Spiritual Fox in her arms.
Gu Qingheng was at a loss whether to cry or to laugh.
"Ah, itâs done." Suddenly, Dao Xuzi bounced in, holding a porcelain bottle in his hand. "You two, hurry up, letâs go test this out."
"Really?" Zhang Changyang was immediately energized upon hearing this. "Letâs go, letâs find a stray dog."
In an instant, the three elderly men vanished without a trace.
The others had long been accustomed to such occurrences.
Zhou Jiangâs eyes flickered for a moment; he still didnât understand Gu Qinghengâs intention in withdrawing the troops.
"The old Nanzhao King favors the Ninth Prince, Chen Tianzhao, but in terms of experience and connections, he canât compare to Chen Tianfu or the Seventh Prince, Chen Tianxi. This war should be a Dazzling Law intended for succession." Gu Qingheng didnât hide anything, seriously explaining to Zhou Jiang. "However, this time the war was exploited by Miaojiang and the Flame Sect." Yet, what puzzled him was that, even with many followers, the Flame Sect couldnât possibly overthrow the Imperial Court. He wondered what their real goal was.
"So, does this mean the old Nanzhao King wants Chen Tianfu and Chen Tianxi dead here?" Zhou Jiang suddenly understood the convolutions involved.
"A tiger, though cruel, will not eat its cubs. He may wish to support his youngest son, but that doesnât mean he wants his two sons dead. However, the one wanting to ascend the throne, Chen Tianzhao, might not want his two brothers to survive." Gu Qingheng put down his teacup. "Otherwise, he wouldnât have taken the initiative to attack at this time, and so easily beaten." He paused, "If Iâm not mistaken, Chen Tianfu and Chen Tianxi were probably sabotaged, but they wanted them to die on the battlefield to make it look more legitimate."
"Then why donât we go along with it, capture or kill them directly?"
"Then wouldnât that be helping Chen Tianzhao?" Gu Qingheng spread his hands, "Am I, as the General, that agreeable?"
Zhou Jiang was momentarily stunned but then suddenly laughed.
"Right now, what we need to deal with is not Nanzhao, but the Flame Sect." Gu Qinghengâs expression quickly became serious. "Although we have a drug that can restrain herbalists, we canât infiltrate at all, nor do we know where those herbalists are. So..." What concerned him more was Qi Jingyun, who ordered to rescue King Yun, but how to rescue him, he had no idea at the moment.
Zhou Jiang obviously thought of this too, and his mood followed suit, turning heavy.
It was unclear how much time passed before footsteps were heard outside.
"Gu Qingheng, itâs two days until the New Year." Dao Xuzi was the first to walk in, carrying a cage with a white rabbit lying still inside. "If we were in the village, Xinxin would have already prepared all kinds of delicious food."
"Exactly, exactly, letâs get ready, itâs two days until the New Year, we need to eat dumplings." Nian Qianqian walked in afterward, "Pork and cabbage filling."
Behind was Zhang Changyang: "Yes, I also want chives and egg."
"But seniors, where can we find so much fine wheat flour?" Gu Qingheng immediately gave a wry smile.