by Ning er
“That must be hard for you, General Piao Ji! But, your troops’ battle disposition, truly made the crown prince felt disgusted! If wasn’t for your honest words earlier, general, I would have thought that you are planning to murder me! Humph!” Qi Jing Yuan was not someone who will be easily fooled.
Particularly when Qi Jing Xuan had personally admitted this matter earlier, he also dispatched a guard to go ahead to inform them not to act rashly, but this time General Piao Ji was actually pretending, that truly made him feel disgusted.
Qi Jing Yuan’s words made all the people get startled, and the face of the soldier who was originally standing behind General Piao Ji looked surprised and frightened. One by one the soldiers hand down their heads, permitting the wind and snow to conceal the terrified look on their faces at this moment!
They always knew that the crown prince Qi Jing Yuan’s character was truly unpredictable, he never really regarded the significance of anyone in his eyes, but it was not merely this character that makes all the people fear him.
The crown prince happened to be extremely good at leading the troops while fighting in the battlefield. Under his command were more than ten thousand soldiers of Northern Qi. This man was ruthless and killed people without ever blinking an eye. If at this moment someone was able to eliminate Qi Jing Yuan on behalf of the eldest prince, the in the future he will be the person most favored by the eldest prince, yet unexpectedly the crown prince seemed to have already guessed their intentions. Furthermore, Chu Fei Yang and the others who were dispatched by Western Chu made them become even more passive in this situation.
“How can humble servant commit such crime! Please carefully consider it, Crown Prince, please do not make any false accusations against humble servant!” Receiving Qi Jing Xuan’s secret hint, General Paio Ji’s heart tensed up, he could only explain these words facing Qi Jing Yuan.
“Crown Prince, if General Piao Ji really has other intentions, then please handle it appropriately once you all returned back to Northern Qi! Now we have another more important thing to do, I believe the crown prince didn’t forget it, right?” Watching the current situation, Jiang Mu Chen suddenly understood, then he reminded Qi Jing Yuan in his cold tone of voice.
And during this time Chu Fei Yang had arrived in front of General Hu Wei, his cold gaze crossed over General Hu Wei then looked at the tens of thousands of troops behind him, thousand soldiers neatly hopped down from the horsebacks, facing Chu Fei Yang they knelt down on one knee then remarked in their loud and clear voices “Our Mighty Chu Xiang!”
Chapter 140: Part 1 The Dangerous Situation in the Borderland, The Distinctive Comeback | Chu Wang Fei
The previous general who had turned into a the Minister of the Left of a country, all the people now addressed Chu Fei Yang differently due to this transformation, but one thing that only remained unchanged, was Chu Fei Yang’s position and status in their hearts. For more than ten years of being together, the brotherly love for each other fighting hand-to-hand in the battlefield, how could it be easily replaced because Emperor Yu Qian had assigned a new leader for them?
And Chu Fei Yang didn’t even open his mouth to speak a word, he just slightly lifted up his own right hand, then he could see the soldiers kneeling down behind General Hu Wei immediately stood up in an orderly madder, afterwards, with invigorated spirit, they climbed up onto the horsebacks, the solemn expression in their eyes was entirely different from earlier, as if they were two entirely different troops.
Jiang Mu Chen and Hai Chen Xi watched Chu Fei Yang like this. Although their hearts were astonished yet they also knew that Chu Fei Yang’s life in the army camp for more than ten years was not something that could be joked about.
For all the soldiers to still obey him like their own leader after leaving them for so many years, they could not help but say that Chu Fei Yang was an extremely intractable opponent. Even Qi Jing Yuan who was standing in the corner could not help but slightly squinted his both eyes, concentrating his attention towards the situation here.
And during this time, the person with the ugliest face was General Hu Wei. It seemed to him that, Chu Fei Yang was negatively affecting his reputation, in this way how will he able to lead the troops, and how will they be able to fight against the troops of Northern Qi cowering in the borderland?
Since Chu Fei Yang had done this, he naturally expected all the consequences, he was even more aware that the things that happened today will reach Emperor Yu Qian’s ears.
This General Hu Wei, Chu Fei Yang was not intimidated by him. He only wanted to use this pretext to inform Emperor Yu Qian that he was not a foolishly loyal person, it will be unlikely for him to remain silent after being suppressed by the others.
And this kind of action, furthermore told the people of Northern Qi that, they should not vainly attempt to create chaos at anytime and any place. Even if he, Chu Fei Yang, was not around in the borderland, but this high-ranking military officers were not cowards, they were united as one. They certainly would not lower down their capability to fight because of the dismissal of one military officer!
“Chu Xiang, what do you mean by this? Don’t you forget, Xiang Ye, that at this very moment, I am the military officer leading these garrison troops in the borderland! With Chu Xiang’s actions, don’t tell me that you are not afraid of being punished by His Majesty?” In the end, General Hu Wei was not able to restrain himself, in the presence of everyone he started to interrogate Chu Fei Yang, he was already tightly gripping on the sword that was hanging on his waist. If it wasnot because he might hinder the people of Northern Qi, perhaps he had already brandished his sword waging war against Chu Fei Yang.
For those who practised martial arts, they always had an air of arrogance refusing to admit defeat.
Although his family wasn’t as dazzling as Chu Wang Fu, yet he wasn’t someone who will get trampled on by the others! Moreover, he was also being assigned by the emperor to come to the borderland, during normal days he was extremely well coordinated with these officers and soldiers under his command, who would have thought that with Chu Fei Yang’s appearance, everything had changed. How will this mighty General Hu Wei endure all this? No wonder the emperor had issued an imperial decree to let him come here, because if everything behaved just like what they had in the past, will the garrison troops in the borderland area became privately-owned by Chu family?
“I had remained silent ever since the beginning, in what way did I offend you, General?” Looking at General Hu Wei who was close to his fifties, Chu Fei Yang was being reminded instantly of his big and small military campaigns throughout his life. The expression in his eyes expression was calm as water, making people unable to point out even the slightest bit of difference.
“Chu Xiang, were you embarrassing me in front of my people?” Even for a cool-headed man like him, being tricked by another person like this, perhaps the fury in his heart will also rush forth. General Hu Wei was on his expedition all year round in the outer regions. Though he admired the fighting style and strategy of Chu Fei Yang and the others, but he had never really crossed swords with Chu Fei Yang before, how could he really appreciate fighting battle of words with Chu Fei Yang?
“General, don’t you forget you still have a more important mission to complete today! If you delayed the matter concerning the two countries, even if His Majesty had favored you, the major officials of the imperial court will not simply leave the matter! Besides, this incident will also be recorded in the books by the historian. If the time was delayed due to the General’s unwillingness, when that time comes, you might become a person condemned by history of Western Chu!” Facing the anger vented out by General Hu Wei, Chu Fei Yang just ignored it, his eyes gradually shifted towards General Piao Ji and the others who were similarly suppressed by Qi Jing Yuan, the corner of his mouth hooked up a grin as he spoke.
Having heard what was said, aside from General Hu Wei, even General Piao Ji’s body suddenly trembled a bit, with knitted brows he lif
ted up his both eyes then shot a glance at Chu Fei Yang, his eyes contained the strong anger.
“Since the two countries had already signed their treaty, the Crown Prince and Princess He Shun will soon get married, please hand over to us our Rui Wang!” Seeing the situation, Chen Wang spoke with a slightly cold voice, his both eyes were closely staring at Qi Jing Yuan, watching how they will hand over Rui Wang to them.
On their journey towards the borderland, it seemed calm, yet it appeared to be strange, although the troops on both sides did not have any conflicts, but both privately contained some uninterrupted small movements.
Qi Jing Yuan and the others had secretly assigned people to investigate on the whereabouts of General Wei Wu, on the other hand, Chu Fei Yang, Jiang Mu Chen and Hai Chen Xi had also separately scouted out Rui Wang’s hiding place. Despite their sly and treacherous skills, both sides were not able to find the respective persons that they were looking for.
“Chen Wang, rest assured, since we have already signed the treaty with your country, obviously we would comply with every word that was written on it. But, where will be our General Wei Wu’s hiding place? If we’re not able to see him, how can we hand over Rui Wang to you?” Qi Jing Yuan was also a crafty person, he wouldn’t easily hand over the person because of only a few words from Jiang Mu Chen.
“Since that is the case, then I’m having no other choice but to doubt the Crown Prince’s sincerity! Now that Princess He Shun was already set to marry into the far away country of Northern Qi, don’t tell me that the crown prince still wanted to delay the time? Don’t tell me that the crown prince wasn’t afraid that other countries might mock Northern Qi for not being able to abide by rules on the treaty, with the lack of integrity?” Seeing Qi Jing Yuan using all sorts of excuses refusing to hand over Rui Wang, Jiang Mu Chen’s face suddenly went cold. His voice was increasingly chilly, the anger unconsciously exposed from his body, being born in the family of the royalty, such was the antisocial behavior he acquired from his childhood, no matter how hard he was trying to conceal it, during such critical situation it would still unconsciously show up.
“There’s no need to get angry, Wang Ye. I knew Wang Ye’s eagerness to save your brother! But since the treaty had been signed, there’s no way that only me alone will hand over the hostage, in other words, Western Chu is also not fulfilling its promise! Since that is the case, it would be better for both sides to bring out the hostages at the same time, after careful examinations then we shall proceed to the exchange! Do you have any suggestions, Chu Xiang and Hai Jun Wang?” Qi Jing Yuan sneered as he spoke, his eyes quickly glanced at Chu Fei Yang and Hai Chen Xi, seeing both of them slightly nodded their heads, he inclined sideways whispering a few words to the guard behind him, that guard immediately urged the horse to rush towards the army camps of Northern Qi in the borderland area.
And at this same time, Chu Fei Yang also nodded his head towards the guard behind him, that guard had also rushed towards the direction of the army camp of the borderland area of Western Chu.
“Apparently, Chu Xiang and I have the same thought!” Watching the guards from both sides taking their necessary actions, Qi Jing Yuan remarked coldly, looking at Chu Fei Yang taking even more precautions.
And Chu Fei Yang just simply smiled, being very cautious and solemn towards Qi Jing Yuan’s actions.
Soon, the two guards brought along with them Rui Wang and General Wei Wu, respectively, as they rushed towards their own group of people.
“Big brother, may I trouble you to go ahead and exchange the hostages” Qi Jing Yuan told Qi Jing Xuan at this moment.
Having heard what was said, Qi Jing Xuan and General Piao Ji suddenly shot a glance at Qi Jing Yuan, both were unable to comprehend what Qi Jing Yuan had actually requested his own brother in public place with the presence of numerous people.
And besides, Qi Jing Xuan is a prince of Northern Qi, how could anybody allow him to undertake such dangerous task?
“Crown Prince, what do you mean by this? The eldest prince has an honorable position, how can you allow him to task risks? If any accident happens, aren’t you afraid that His Majesty will put the blame on you, Crown Prince?” General Piao Ji was infuriated, his eyes glared at Qi Jing Yuan with pure anger.
“Sending out the prince, will be able to show that Northern Qi people like us valued the marriage as peace treaty and displayed our good faith!” Qi Jing Yuan just naturally spoke this statement.
“Since that is the case, then why don’t you go there yourself, Crown Prince? In this way it will be more likely for Western Chu to feel the sincerity of Northern Qi!” With both eyes smiling treacherously, the murderous spirit on Qi Jing Xuan’s body rushed towards Qi Jing Yuan unrestrained, this time the great number of people in the troops of the borderland were the trusted people of Qi Jing Xuan’s uncle, Qi Jing Yuan would not have the guts to threaten him!
“You are being silly, brother! Being the Crown Prince, I am also Northern Qi’s apparent heir to the throne, the root of a country! When did you ever see an heir who would go ahead and exchange hostage with another country? Furthermore, it is easy to dodge an open spear thrust, but difficult to guard against an arrow in the dark. We can’t say for sure but someone might have already assigned some archers hidden in the secret spots, waiting to kill me right on the spot once I go there alone! I still need time to share my contributions with our Father the emperor, how can I allow myself to be easily victimized by other people?” With cold eyes he glared at his maternal uncle who was evidently angered, Qi Jing Yuan laughed carefreely, not in a very least bit of being intimidated by the troops of Northern Qi which were lined up in front of him, bearing his arrogance while speaking loudly in his clear voice, with every statement he was warning Qi Jing Xuan and General Piao Ji, with every word he was pressuring the two persons in front of him with ashen faces.
“Humph! The tenth prince is also present here! Why not send the tenth prince over there? Don’t tell me it’s because the eldest prince and Crown Prince aren’t from the same mother, as a result you are just using this situation to eliminate the outsider!” That General Piao Ji who used to participate in the war between different factions of the princes, he evidently knew what sort of words he would use to counterattack Qi Jing Yuan.
And besides, now that the current Emperor Ling Xiao is in his prime, being very healthy, if something like murdering one’s own blood to seize the throne happened between all the princes, even the Crown Prince to whom Emperor Ling Xiao usually favored, he will be very likely to be punished, when that time came perhaps even the Empress will get involved in it.
If the political party of the crown prince was to be defeated, based on the eldest prince’s glorious achievements in the imperial court, as well as being the oldest among all the princes, sooner or later the crown prince position will be given to him.
With this analysis, General Piao Ji immediately changed his plan of attacking. His slightly droopy lids concealed the astonished brightness in his eyes. He quickly exchanged a look with Qi Jing Xuan, he was planning to send a hint to the deputy general behind him, yet unexpectedly Qi Jing Yuan had actually spoken during this moment.
“Brother and General Piao Ji, are you two planning to stage a trick to injure yourself to gain our enemy’s confidence? Such out of date dramatic tricks, don’t the two of you feel tired about it? It will be for me to shot that arrow, in this way it will look more believable!” Qi Jing Yuan’s both eyes were staring at that deputy general, while he slowly spoke, his tone of voice was mocking and foretelling, causing Qi Jing Xuan’s heart to tense up, and General Piao Ji’s eyes to flicker with the intention to kill.
“Since I can shoot out an arrow, then that naturally means that I will be able to justify myself in front of Father and the hundred officials! I would say that today’s situation was a mess, and I wanted to rescue my brother then I shot the arrow towards the enemy, yet unexpectedly brother refused to come back, then it led to his injury as a consequence! If
this happens, do you both think that the people will believe me or both of you who had committed crimes?” Qi Jing Yuan was riding on the horseback as he gradually approached both of them, using a voice that only the three of them could hear as he slowly spoke out his own plan, the sarcastic smile in the corner of his mouth was even colder, such kind of insight made people tremble with fear, yet beyond their capabilities to fight back.
“Of course, it is also possible for me to go over there! But, if I am dead, Brother will naturally take the responsibility, when the time comes if brother became a sacrifice for the others, then will you be willing to do it?” Seeing both of them turned speechless, Qi Jing Yuan continued to speak.
Emperor Ling Xiao had numerous sons, there were more than twenty princes, he and Qi Jing Xuan were included among these, both were two most powerful factions, if both of them collapsed, then the others will be glad!
Qi Jing Yuan believed that with Qi Jing Xuan’s intelligence and narrow-minded heart, he would never do stupid thing like becoming a sacrifice for the others.
“If I were to go there, what will you do?” Qi Jing Xuan was always shrewd, how could he agree to put himself in the disadvantageous position?
“Humph! Of course I will wait for brother to bring General Wei Wu back! As long as General Wei Wu will be able to weigh the severity of the case, I will absolutely not do anything against you, brother!” Qi Jing Yuan glanced at the rigorous troops of Western Chu in the opposite side. Particularly when the soldiers immediately displayed their mighty state after Chu Fei Yang showed up, causing them to be unhappy and at the same time having no other choice but to be on high alert, then he spoke in a cold voice “If Northern Qi is having its internal conflict, and Western Chu working together as one united country, what happens next during this time, I presume you know it better than anybody else, Brother!”
