CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 315: PITIFUL

In three days, conquer Taiyuan Prefecture in one battle.

Zhang Weihe instinctively looked in the direction of Taiyuan Prefecture. If he hadn’t witnessed how Song Xian defeated Han Wei, he would have immediately said, "Are you crazy?"

Even if the Pseudo King only has Taiyuan Prefecture left, he is still the Emperor under the remnants of the previous dynasty’s glory, and he has quite a few ministers who are willing to perish with the former regime.

Moreover, the Pseudo King doesn’t only have Taiyuan Prefecture; the nearby Longzhou, Fen State, and Xianzhou have not been completely taken.

Zhang Weihe didn’t say those three words. When he spoke, he simply asked, "How will you do it?"

Song Xian said, "We’ll turn the tables. In a while, Old General will pretend to lead the Liao people to Dai State. I bet the Liao and the Pseudo King have already conspired. The Pseudo King will seize this opportunity to lead the army personally. By then, I’ll join Old General Zhang to encircle the Pseudo King and heavily damage the light cavalry at his side in this battle."

"That light cavalry is the true force on which the Pseudo King relies. The so-called Royal Army is supported by these men. The loss of these troops will be the heaviest blow to the Pseudo King and will also shake the morale of the Pseudo King’s army."

Song Xian continued, "The more people we capture in this battle, the easier the siege will be."

Zhang Weihe’s expression was solemn: "Will the Pseudo King retreat to Taiyuan Prefecture after being defeated, and then you’ll attack the city?"

Song Xian nodded: "We cannot give the Pseudo King time to regroup his troops. Over in Dai State, I’ll have Cheng Yanzhao take the army there. In three days, regardless of the situation with Taiyuan Prefecture, I must rush to Dai State."

This wasn’t the riskiest battle Zhang Weihe had fought because, after Prince Guangyang’s death, he had been in too many dire situations. Besides, this time was also somewhat different, especially knowing that Song Xian was doing this to go to Dai State for reinforcements; the impending dangers and difficulties no longer mattered.

"Alright," Zhang Weihe said, "I trust you." He would make sure to get Song Xian out within three days.

Song Xian saluted Zhang Weihe again: "Old General Zhang, I have one more request."

Hearing Song Xian refer to himself as "youngster" again, Zhang Weihe felt a different sensation in his heart. He finally realized why Song Xian was so humble.

It definitely had something to do with Miss Xie, otherwise, someone as proud as Song Xian wouldn’t easily bow his head to others. Why hadn’t he figured this out sooner?

Of course, he wouldn’t realize it, as he had only just learned of Miss Xie’s identity...

Zhang Weihe regained his thoughts and said, "General Song, please speak."

The recently serious and imposing Little Song General’s gaze softened: "What I mentioned to Old General today should not be shared with Miss Xie."

Zhang Weihe’s mind quickly processed; he understood which words Song Xian wanted to keep secret.

Zhang Weihe, who was always upright, was not adept at handling these matters. He coughed twice: "You didn’t really say anything."

Song Xian said, "Miss Xie hasn’t agreed to me yet. If she finds out I casually shared my thoughts with the Old General, she’ll surely be angry. In the future, seeing her may be difficult. Not to make you laugh, Old General, but I’ve been on edge all day, very careful, which is really not easy."

Zhang Weihe stared at Song Xian. The same man who was intimidating just now looked somewhat pitiful now. He couldn’t help but want to chide a few words, reminding Song Xian to be more spirited, as a man shouldn’t worry about not having a wife.

Thinking that this youngster admires the granddaughter of Prince Guangyang, Zhang Weihe quickly corrected his skewed stance: "Understood."

Song Xian bowed again: "Old General, you should return to the camp quickly. The Liao people must be watching the hour. If the delay gets too long, they will certainly become suspicious."

Zhang Weihe watched Song Xian’s figure, recalling the young man’s determination. If Song Xian truly wins this battle, wholeheartedly going to Dai State to rescue Miss Xie, when Miss Xie asks about this battle, he might even say a few good words for Song Xian.

Zhang Weihe quickened his steps and instructed Zhuang Xing: "Let’s go, to meet Wusuo."

Zhuang Xing saw Zhang Weihe’s relaxed expression, feeling delighted internally, thinking the issue must have been resolved.

Zhang Weihe said, "You also need to make some arrangements back at the camp to avoid delaying work. We’ll discuss on the way."

...

The courtyard door opened once more.

Wusuo glanced at the hourglass. According to his calculation, if it took any longer, he would suspect Zhang Weihe went to Song Xian for verification.

"Well?" Wusuo looked towards the entering Zhang Weihe, "Has Old General Zhang thought it over?"

Zhang Weihe sat in the chair with a solemn expression, his face went through several changes, finally making up his mind: "I can’t take many troops, some are Song Xian’s Song Family Army."

Wusuo said, "No problem, as long as Old General Zhang orders those troops to stay in the camp and not leave without permission."

Zhang Weihe said indifferently, "I can order them, but the Song Family Army may not fully obey me."

Wusuo laughed and said, "Don’t worry, Old General Zhang. Song Xian is always very strict with his troops. Since he ordered those troops to follow Old General Zhang’s commands, the soldiers will not easily offend the authority of the Old General."

At this point, Wusuo added, "Of course, Song Xian is doing this to entice the Old General to be loyal to his cause."

Zhang Weihe let out a long breath: "Since I’ve made up my mind, let’s depart now."

Wusuo stood up.

Among the people in the room, Xue Ke was the happiest. This was the best outcome he could have imagined; Old General Zhang was willing to cooperate, which meant he could smoothly proceed to Liao.

Xue Ke turned to grab his bag, but then saw Wusuo approach him.

Xue Ke hurriedly said, "I’ll pack up quickly and..."

Before Xue Ke could finish, Wusuo plunged a sharp dagger directly into Xue Ke’s chest.

Xue Ke’s eyes widened as he lowered his head, seeing his blood splatter and flow, staining his robe red, then he fell to the ground kneeling.

Wusuo withdrew the dagger with a calm expression: "Keeping someone like him is useless. Ever since he betrayed Old General Zhang, I intended to kill him. We need to rush this journey, keeping him would be a burden and might even cause trouble."

Zhang Weihe glanced at Xue Ke’s body without further comment, his face growing more solemn.

Wusuo said, "I’ll go gather my men."

Zhang Weihe frowned: "We’ll leave in two ke, any delay and Song Xian might find out, then we won’t be able to leave."

Wusuo’s face was adorned with an arrogant smile: "Rest assured, Old General."

Wusuo exited the courtyard, and Xin Huo, who was guarding nearby, quickly approached.

Wusuo said, "Have someone keep an eye, and once we leave Guangyang County, immediately send a message to Taiyuan Prefecture."

...

Taiyuan Prefecture.

Gao Yu put on his armor, holding his long sword, just waiting for news from outside the city so he could take the Royal Army to attack Song Xian’s camp.

When he led armies in battle back in the day, Song Xian hadn’t even been born yet. How dare someone like that challenge his authority?

"Your Majesty," the Chief Secretary’s voice came, "The Liao people sent news that Zhang Weihe secretly led troops to Dai State."

Gao Yu’s eyes brightened; Xiao Xingzong’s strategy had succeeded.

To be certain, Gao Yu continued asking, "What about our spies? Have they verified the situation?"

The Chief Secretary said, "Our men discovered Xue Ke had been murdered in the house; indeed, Zhang Weihe led people northward with Wusuo."

"Excellent."

Gao Yu no longer had any worries: "Give the order to open the city gates. All soldiers will march out with me."

Gao Yu took a few steps forward and recalled something. He looked at the Chief Secretary: "Go to the prison now and have Xue Shougui and his group killed together."