CHAPTER 481: CHAPTER 475 SEEKING REFUGE

Huang An lowered his head and whispered, "I heard it was Qu Chao in charge and the message came from Chang’an."

Beigong Chun slammed the table fiercely, his face showing thin anger, "I said long ago, Qu Chao is narrow-minded, selfish, and our lord should have killed him earlier."

Huang An waited for him to vent before asking, "General, what should we do? Should we stay in Chang’an to wait for news, or proceed to Yu State?"

Leaving now made Beigong Chun uneasy, so he decided to stay.

His eyes showed ferocity, "If they really want to harm our lord, we’ll break through the checkpoints to return to Liang Province."

He didn’t dare break through the checkpoints, partly for the brothers he led, and partly because of Zhang Gui; he couldn’t put Zhang Gui in a position of disloyalty.

But if Zhang Gui was removed, it might be better to breach the checkpoints, and if they rebel, so be it.

As Beigong Chun was steeling himself, before he could take the next step, Yang Dan from the Inspector Mansion of Liangzhou rushed to Chang’an on horseback. He didn’t seek out Beigong Chun but went directly to Prince Nanyang, and in front of him, he cut off his own ear and placed it on a plate, offering it to Prince Nanyang as he said, "Great King, Governor Zhang is being framed. Though he is sick, it’s not serious. He recently still handled government affairs, so why is it at the point of changing the Inspector now?"

He added, "Governor Zhang is diligent and loves the people, and the people of Liang Province see him as a parent. He is loyal to the court, and whenever the court faces difficulties, he always gives all he has to help. If the court replaces him over a minor illness, wouldn’t it chill the hearts of loyal subjects everywhere?"

Prince Nanyang was startled by his actions, looking a bit pale, and his advisors said, "Prince, even an official from one of Liang Province is so staunch, removing Zhang Gui might unsettle the Liangzhou Army. The Xianbei are already eyeing our Central Plains like tigers; if we’re without the restraint of the Liangzhou Army, Chang’an would face the Xianbei threat directly."

"Better to persuade the court not to replace the Inspector for now, let them battle it out themselves, and whoever wins can be appointed."

Prince Nanyang thought it made sense, so he reluctantly eased his expression and said to Yang Dan, "Rise, Yang Zhizhong. I understand the situation, and I will report this to the court."

He sighed, "I didn’t realize there was so much intrigue involved, leading to Mr. Zhang being harmed by traitors. I will surely report to the court and give Mr. Zhang an answer."

Only then did Yang Dan breathe a sigh of relief and then left to bandage his bloodied face.

Upon knowing this, Beigong Chun immediately went to see him.

Yang Dan had already wrapped his ear and was leaning weakly against the bed, looking pale. Seeing Beigong Chun, his eyes turned red, and he immediately attempted to rise and greet him.

Beigong Chun quickly stepped forward to hold him down, feeling very uneasy, "You, was it necessary to go this far?"

Yang Dan pursed his lips and said, "Liang Province is in danger, without such a strategy, I might not even see Prince Nanyang, let alone persuade him."

Beigong Chun hurriedly asked, "How is our lord’s health?"

Yang Dan replied, "He’s already improved. Previously, he was severely ill, unable to move from the bed, but with unwavering resolve and good medical treatment, he can now stand."

His face showed thin anger, "Though our lord is sick, the affairs of Liang Province are handled by the young lord without error, yet Qu Chao betrayed our lord, colluding with outsiders to frame him."

"Improvement is good, the court still needs Liang Province to resist the Xianbei, they dare not offend the Liangzhou Army harshly."

Yang Dan touched the bandage on his head, nodding slightly; he also thought so.

Looking at Beigong Chun, he felt a bit sad and fell silent for a moment.

Beigong Chun also fell silent; with Liang Province in such difficulty, how could he mention returning to Xiliang?

Yang Dan was even less able to bring it up; he naturally knew Beigong Chun had been looking for a way back to Xiliang, even the lord thought of methods before falling sick, but now Xiliang’s situation is bleak, it’s unwise to worsen relations with the court, making it impossible to voice it out.

Beigong Chun has a heart full of loyalty, yet Xiliang might not be able to repay him.

Both faced with silence, Beigong Chun understood Yang Dan and Xiliang’s difficulties, as Yang Dan comprehended Beigong Chun’s kindness; their eyes met, Beigong Chun forced a smile, stood up, and said, "You’re injured, it’s not good to travel too much, rest first. I need to check on those little rascals in the camp."

Yang Dan answered with difficulty, watching Beigong Chun reach the door, he called out quickly, "General, Chang’an is no place to dwell for long. Perhaps another place could be found for temporary residence."

Beigong Chun stood with his back to Yang Dan, eyes red, he pressed down his tears but couldn’t hold back his choked voice, "Alright."

Having said that, he strode out.

Yang Dan’s tears fell instantly, heart aching deeply.

Huang An waited outside the rest house, seeing Beigong Chun come with a heavy face, quickly running forward, "General, how is Yang Zhizhong?"

"No matter," Beigong Chun mounted his horse, took Huang An back to the mansion, and upon entering, said, "Prepare, prepare, once Yang Zhizhong leaves, we head to Yu State."

Huang An was surprised, asking, "Why head to Yu State, why can’t we return to Liang Province with Yang Zhizhong?"

Beigong Chun shook his head, "Prince Nanyang has agreed not to replace Liang Province’s Inspector, but they haven’t dealt with those who framed our lord, clearly wishing to watch the tiger fight from the mountain. Right now, they wouldn’t possibly let us back."

Having Beigong Chun in hand would only make Zhang Gui stronger. Whether from Chang’an or Luoyang, or the opposition against Zhang Gui in Liang Province, they’d all work hard to stop him returning.

And Zhang Gui, occupied with his problems, clearly can’t help him, leaving no return in sight...

Chang’an is truly not a place to dwell; apart from here, when Beigong Chun thought of places he explored these last two years, Zhao Hanzhang was the only one he could go to, otherwise he’d have to lead the Xiliang Army to banditry.

That... must never happen!

Historically, Beigong Chun perhaps due to such circumstances, eventually had to surrender to Liu Cong, but now, he had a second option.

Worried about Liang Province’s situation, Yang Dan, though cut off an ear, only rested two days before leaving.

The moment he left, Beigong Chun took his men out of town, under the pretense of gathering supplies, then led the Xiliang Army on an intense rush to Yu State and left.

Wu Erlang, traveling with him, was excited, his face flushed red, dispatching guards ahead to inform Zhao Hanzhang.

The group barely left Chang’an when they met Geng Rong, who brought money and gifts.

Upon hearing Geng Rong brought money to Chang’an intending to smooth the way for him out of town, Beigong Chun’s pent-up frustration over these days dissipated; he was stunned looking at Geng Rong, asking, "Did General Zhao say she’s arranging my way out?"

"Yes," Geng Rong replied, "Our lord said there’s rarely anyone in the world who doesn’t love money, just throw money at them, and surely a path will be created for the General."

Beigong Chun was stunned for a while, then burst into laughter, laughing louder and louder, finally laughed heartily towards the sky, "Good!"

He pronounced loudly, "She’s taken care of me, and I shall not fail her, lads, follow me to Yu State to achieve great deeds!"

The Xiliang Army bellowed in response.

The Xiliang Army always felt they were forced to choose Yu State, to choose Zhao Hanzhang, but at this moment, their disillusioned spirit vanished.

What if they couldn’t return to Xiliang?

In Yu State, they could still achieve great deeds.

Beigong Chun directly ordered a rush, "Reach Yu State within three days!"

"Yes!"