CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 298 SURVIVAL

Xie Liangchen heard this title, and felt her face tense up slightly. Actually, Song Xian calling her Sister wasn’t the first time, but with different circumstances, it naturally sounded different.

The last time she simply assumed he was drunk, but now she understood why he called her that. It’s as if their relationship was suddenly switched; before, he was the creditor, but now she seemed to become the debtor.

When Xie Liangchen looked at Song Xian, she noticed his eyes were slightly red.

Clearly, even when feeling embarrassed himself, he still said it out loud; it’s uncertain what he’s gaining from it.

Xie Liangchen had to speak; otherwise, he would spend half the night here with her, and there was already little time to rest.

Xie Liangchen said, "It’s only the Dai State now, will not move south?"

Song Xian nodded, "We still need to solidify the battle in Dai State."

Xie Liangchen replied, "I know."

That’s it? Is it over? Obviously, Little General Song was not willing to accept this, so he continued to gaze at the young girl in front of him.

Xie Liangchen bit her lips, "Prince Guangyang’s matter happened a long time ago."

Song Xian responded with a "hmm."

Xie Liangchen continued, "Revenge isn’t a matter of a moment. Don’t go to risk for this matter." If the former dynasty’s people discern Song Xian’s intentions, they might exploit them. If they suffer a loss in this regard, it will not be worthwhile.

"Alright," said Song Xian, "I’ll remember that."

Xie Liangchen instinctively felt that Song Xian wouldn’t leave yet.

"Then is it okay to hug me?" Song Xian said, "As a wish for me to come back soon." Before receiving a response, he could hold back with calm, but now that they understood each other’s intentions, he increasingly wanted to stay by her side, hearing her call his name several times.

Of course, Xie Liangchen couldn’t hug Song Xian, so Song Xian stepped forward and embraced her.

Just like the first time they hugged, her heart was beating fast.

A warm embrace and broad shoulders, she seemed to have gradually become familiar with them.

Song Xian whispered in her ear, "Sister Chen."

Xie Liangchen dodged a little, "Don’t talk in my ear, and don’t call me that."

Her movement brought her even closer to him.

Song Xian said, "Then you change what you call me, don’t call me elder lord." Xie Liangchen also called Su Huaiqing elder lord; calling him and calling Su Huaiqing sounded no different.

Song Xian tried hard to forget Su Huaiqing, "You call me A Xian, Song Xian; I’ll call you Liangchen. How about that?"

Alright. Xie Liangchen said, "Then call Song Xian." Song Xian had an official position, and no matter when, she shouldn’t call his name directly, but it was better than A Xian.

To stop him from calling her Sister Chen, she reluctantly agreed.

Xie Liangchen continued, "In front of others, still call General."

"Okay." Song Xian’s eyes twinkled, agreeing first.

"That’s enough," Xie Liangchen said, "Time to go."

Finally, she drove Song Xian out of the military tent; Xie Liangchen stood where she was, listening to the footsteps gradually fade away until she couldn’t hear them anymore, then returned to sit on the stool.

Unknown when it started to rain outside, a small mud stove in the military tent burned scalding hot, and Xie Liangchen sat by the stove roasting the jerky in her hand.

Gradually, the aroma of jerky drifted out.

...

Song Xian slept soundly that night, feeling as though his wounds no longer hurt as much. Usually, when it rained, his old wounds would ache, but this time he just felt very warm in the tent.

In his dreams, he dreamt of Xie Liangchen caring for him, telling him not to risk it for the matter of Prince Guangyang.

Song Xian’s chest felt warm, as if Xie Liangchen was still in his arms. He could feel her breath and hear her heartbeat. Overall, this sleep felt intimate and romantic, until Chang An called him to get up, bringing him back to his senses.

"Elder lord," Chang An whispered, "Miss Xie sent pig fat over, let me apply it for you first."

The pig fat just freshly roasted, and upon application to the shoulder, it felt indescribably comfortable, removing the last bit of soreness entirely.

Chang An said, "It was Miss who prepared it well. Whenever I do it, either the medicine doesn’t melt or it’s roasted too much, too hot."

Song Xian pictured Xie Liangchen bustling about for him, sitting there momentarily lost, "Naturally."

Chang An bowed his head smiling, perhaps soon this matter wouldn’t need his involvement.

Song Xian tied his robe, donned his armor, ready to head out when Chang An handed him a package, "Miss Xie also made jerky, instructing me to give it to you during meals. After all, elder lord just recovered from a fever, and logically shouldn’t exert too much."

Song Xian felt both joyful and heartache; she must have been busy with all this while he slept? Finally, she was also his Sister Chen.

Song Xian said, "Put it away."

Chang An responded, Definitely wouldn’t lose it.

After sorting his armor once more, Song Xian stepped outside, facing the surrounding soldiers. General Song appeared solemn and dignified, loudly instructing, "This year, the weather is favorable; Dai State’s cultivated fields are many, but see that people are still starving since early autumn. Clearly, the grain was requisitioned by the pseudo-dynasty court. Capture the former dynasty officials and find out where they stored their grain."

"Yes." The Deputy General responded.

The rain fell on the soldiers’ armor. Song Xian mounted his horse and led the army away from the camp.

Watching Song Xian lead the troops away, Xie Liangchen turned back into the main tent for a brief rest before getting up to find Chen Yongsheng and Chen Zhongdong.

"Sister," Chen Zhongdong sniffed, "Why does it smell of meat on you? You must have made jerky? No wonder you went in and out of the camp last night."

She hadn’t gone out of the camp last night. It was Song Xian who did.

Chen Yongsheng looked at Chen Zhongdong, "How did you know?"

Chen Zhongdong said, "I saw vaguely when I got up in the night, but couldn’t see it clearly."

Fortunately, he didn’t see clearly, Xie Liangchen considered inwardly, or he might have been startled.

"Take the medicine box," Xie Liangchen said, "Let’s go to the nearby village."

...

The news of Han Wei’s demise reached Taiyuan Prefecture.

Already anxious, now it felt like disaster was imminent; Daqi reclaiming the Eight States seemed almost certain.

The only offspring of the former dynasty’s Emperor Xiao Wen, Gao Yu, looked over the courtiers, hoping to select among them a military general capable of opposing Song Xian.

Once Song Xian and Du Zhuo besieged Taiyuan Prefecture, they were truly at a loss for what to do.

After a court session, they hadn’t found anyone suitable.

Gao Yu looked at the nearly seventy-year-old General Xue.

"This humble servant is willing to go," General Xue knelt, "I will lead troops north to stop Song Xian, unless slain, I will never retreat."

Of course, Gao Yu couldn’t really send General Xue, for General Xue’s old injuries made him long unsuitable for the battlefield. The Eldest Son of the Xue Family was too weak, never having enlisted, simply not fit for use.

Gao Yu’s action was merely to stir up the rest of the military generals with General Xue.

Finally, someone realized the clue, stepping forward to request command.

Gao Yu wasn’t relieved by this as even Han Wei was defeated; the remaining ones wouldn’t match up to Song Xian. Merely eking out a living in the Eight States, he had anticipated this day, but didn’t expect it would come so soon, allowing Song Xian to win so easily.

Song Xian wielded a significant army and had followers from Prince Guangyang’s former force. This journey was truly swift and unstoppable.

Gao Yu rose from his seat, "Order to gather troops; I shall personally lead the campaign."

After the court session ended, all the courtiers walked out of the hall with somber expressions, knowing the situation had nearly reached an irreparable state. The personal campaign was merely the final struggle.

General Xue entered his house, and Lady Xue immediately welcomed him, "How is it, dear? Is there new battle news?"

General Xue returned all the way to the main room to sit down. Lady Xue instructed others to leave, then asked, "Does the court have any solutions?"

General Xue shook his head, "This time it might really be the end."

Lady Xue weakly sat on the chair, her clothes soaked by cold sweat, and it was a while before she regained her composure, "I’ve heard Song Xian wants revenge for Prince Guangyang? Dear...it doesn’t matter if we die, but Ke’er is young, we can’t let him lose his life just like this.

I heard there’s a Chen Family Village under Song Xian’s rule in Zhenzhou; could it be that Chen Family Village? If not, dear, think of a way to inquire, perhaps... because you helped those years ago... they might take this matter into account and spare Ke’er’s life."