Chapter 1491: Chapter 1492: Despite This, He Does Not Regret
An Jing immediately exclaimed anxiously, "Great General, you can’t go, be careful of a trap inside!" She was truly afraid it was a dangerous banquet.
Others also felt there might be deceit, and none felt joyous anymore, urging Xiao Changyi not to go.
Before Xiao Changyi could speak, Meng Lanqing said, "It’s not for the Great General to enter the city alone for negotiations; it’s for the Great General to talk with him outside the city. He may have considered this and clearly explained to This General that he would stand on the city tower to negotiate terms with the Great General. If the negotiation succeeds, he will immediately open the city gates, and he will not break his word."
After hearing this, An Jing and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That’s all right; we can go and talk to him."
Xiao Changyi asked, "When did he say to negotiate?"
Meng Lanqing replied, "At any time."
Rather than delay, Xiao Changyi immediately ordered, "Meng Zhuqing, take a thousand elite soldiers and accompany this Great General."
"Yes!" Meng Zhuqing immediately accepted the order with a respectful salute and then turned to gather the soldiers.
"Great General, This General will also go!" An Jing was uneasy.
Qi Tengfei also said, "Great General, please let This General accompany you!"
Ye Zhi said, "Great General, you are the highest commander in the military; nothing should happen to you. It’s better to bring more troops." Better safe than sorry; who knows whether the people of Shuangli City truly surrender or feign surrender.
Seeing An Jing extremely worried about him, Xiao Changyi agreed, "An Jing, Ye Zhi, you will lead the female soldiers and accompany this Great General."
An Jing and Ye Zhi immediately saluted with fists clasped, "Yes, Great General!"
"Great Genera—"
Before Qi Tengfei could finish, Xiao Changyi interrupted, "If we haven’t returned in an hour, bring reinforcements."
"Yes, Great General!" Qi Tengfei immediately accepted the order with a salute.
...
It was only ten miles, and Xiao Changyi and his group arrived at the foot of Shuangli City on horseback swiftly. Upon seeing Xiao Changyi, Qiao Shouye, standing on the city tower, saluted with righteousness and greeted Xiao Changyi: "General Su!"
Xiao Changyi did not dismount but remained on Zhuiri’s back, raising his hand solemnly to return the salute to Qiao Shouye: "General Qiao."
"Does General Su still remember Qiao Mou?" Qiao Shouye’s temples had grayed, clearly showing his age.
Hearing this, An Jing and the others knew that Qiao Shouye and Xiao Changyi must have some connection.
Xiao Changyi replied calmly, "Remember. It was General Qiao and your family’s desperate efforts back then that spared Xi Lin from being massacred by Emperor of Chilin. Su Mou and the people of Xi Lin are eternally grateful."
Originally, when Meng Lanqing mentioned the general guarding the city gate was named Qiao Shouye, he wasn’t sure this Qiao Shouye was the same one from back then until he saw Qiao Shouye’s face.
Back then, Xiyun was invaded by various countries.
Chilin had captured several cities in Xiyun, Xi Lin being one of them. Once Chilin seized Xi Lin, it planned to massacre the citizens of Xiyun residing there. But the Qiao family, led by Qiao Shouye, fought desperately to protect them, arguing that the citizens were innocent. Emperor of Chilin, seeing that the Qiao family had been loyal to Chilin for generations, was persuaded to spare the citizens’ lives and only occupy the city.
However, Xiao Changyi eventually repelled Chilin and reclaimed Xi Lin, causing Emperor of Chilin to rage. He demoted all members of the Qiao family who served as officials and generals by three ranks. The once high-status General Qiao had fallen to merely guarding the city of Shuangli.
Despite everything, Qiao Shouye did not regret it.
If he had to do it all over again, Qiao Shouye would still choose to do the same.