Chapter 314: Chapter 304 The Strong Ones
"Peace talks between our two nations have ensured a period of rest and recovery, with no battles. My elder brother recently married and is traveling the world with my sister-in-law. My father, who has spent years on the battlefield, is finally able to reunite with my mother in the Capital City after so much time apart. Meanwhile, here I am, a solitary figure sent to the frontlines to take over from you. Or were you expecting my second brother to come instead?" Xie Xun’s reasoning was perfectly logical. Even Dugu Jing was well aware of when Xie Zhang and Feng Shu’s wedding had taken place.
Dugu Jing’s facial features were sharp and deep, exuding an oppressive and fearsome aura when he wasn’t smiling. His overwhelming lethality overshadowed his handsome looks, making anyone who saw him instinctively feel he was not to be trifled with.
Xie Jue had once manipulated everything in the Beiman Royal Court, flipping the heavens and earth, nearly overturning the entire court. His machinations led to discord among the brothers of the royal family, leaving animosities that lingered to this day and burdened Beiman after the Beiman King’s death.
As the saying goes, "When brothers work in unison, they can overcome anything; but a divided heart makes everything difficult."
Thus, Xie Jue was more hated by the Beiman people than their long-time enemy, Marquis Zhenbei, or even Xie Zhang, who had killed the Beiman King. Knowing that Xie Jue had orchestrated the assassination plan only added fuel to the fire, making their hatred immeasurable.
Dugu Jing had no desire to deal with Xie Jue whatsoever.
General Zhou sent men to carefully inspect the red sand mine, as if convinced the Beiman might play some trickery. The inspection was exceptionally thorough, for this mine could yield enough to forge thirty thousand suits of armor. Ningzhou City even had specialized craftsmen for smelting.
Dugu Jing cast a sweeping gaze over the generals in the camp, recognizing nearly all familiar faces. After the peace negotiations, Ningzhou’s troops required restructuring, and for the fallen generals, Xie Xun could easily fabricate excuses to cover up their absence, ensuring that Dugu Jing wouldn’t grow suspicious.
Xie Xun invited him to the command tent for a talk. A subordinate soldier poured Dugu Jing a cup of Beiman’s signature milk tea. Dugu Jing swirled the cup lightly, sniffed the tea’s aroma, and mocked with a smile, "Peace talks between two nations—suddenly the young heir of the Marquis Mansion treats me so kindly."
Upon returning to the Beiman Royal Court after the peace talks, Dugu Jing had been titled a prince, now known as the Ninth Prince of Beiman.
"It was my elder brother’s instructions," Xie Xun replied with the same air of arrogance as ever. "When meeting with you, I should act cordially and not embarrass Yanyang. But if we were encountering each other by the Shaling River, things would be another story."
"Are you so eager to break your leg again, young heir?" Dugu Jing retorted with malicious intent as he glanced at Xie Xun’s leg. "Is the poison cleared yet? Lucky for you, there’s peace now; otherwise, you might not have made it back to the Ningzhou Battlefield in this lifetime."
Xie Xun’s face darkened. How had Dugu Jing managed to poison him so stealthily back then?
"The red sand mine inventory is complete. Ninth Prince, please take your leave!" Xie Xun issued the order to depart in an icy tone.
"There’s still the matter of town construction to discuss. I hope your people can expedite the process and not drag things out," Dugu Jing said sternly. "Don’t forget—the completion of the towns and the opening of mutual trade between our nations are prerequisites for you receiving the remaining red sand ore."
"Town construction is currently in the planning phase. Surveyors have been dispatched, and blueprints have been drawn. As you well know, after the peace agreement, soldiers take turns on leave, and Ningzhou’s garrison has been reduced. These soldiers aren’t specialized craftsmen for town building. I need to organize a dedicated team of craftsmen, and such an endeavor can’t be completed overnight," Xie Xun replied with righteous conviction. "But don’t worry. Yanyang will honor the terms of the peace treaty, and within three to five years, the towns will be fully built."
"That’s too slow!" Dugu Jing said coolly. "Beiman can provide craftsmen to assist Yanyang in the construction."
Xie Xun had no intention of collaborating with Beiman in building the towns. News of the Ningzhou military mutiny had already spread throughout Yanyang, becoming common knowledge. Constructing a town required hundreds, even thousands of people, a chaotic mix of individuals. With Beiman sending workers who could speak fluent Yanyangese, it was inevitable that rumors would spread.
Feigning politeness, Xie Xun replied, "Town construction is Yanyang’s responsibility. It wouldn’t be proper to trouble you."
"As brotherly nations, we should help one another. Don’t you agree, young heir?"
The tent flap was abruptly lifted as Prince Kang stormed in angrily. "What are you two discussing?"
"Prince Kang, why are you at the camp?" Dugu Jing frowned.
Xie Xun’s expression turned cold as he scolded sharply, "This is a restricted military area. Who permitted you to barge in? Feiying, what are you doing?"
Feiying followed nervously behind Prince Kang, looking distressed. "Master, I couldn’t stop him."
Prince Kang arrogantly seated himself in the commander’s chair, his demeanor brazen and disrespectful. "I am a prince of Yanyang, and this is Yanyang’s military camp. Is there anywhere I’m not allowed to go? What are you secretly discussing in this tent after dismissing everyone? Do you have some unspeakable secrets?"
"Yuwen Zhao, if you’re so bored, why don’t you jump into the Shaling River and wash out your brain? What secrets could I possibly discuss with Dugu Jing? Why aren’t you staying in Ningzhou City? What are you doing here?"
"I’ll go wherever I please. Do you have a say in the matter?"
Dugu Jing asked with a cold smile, "What is Prince Kang doing in the military camp?"
"I was born and raised in Ningzhou. Besides the Capital City, Ningzhou is my home too. While in Beiman, I heard that Xie Jue had been to Beiman and made some sordid deal with the Beiman Royal Court, which led to your agreement to peace. Today, you delivered red sand ore to the camp. Why avoid the other generals and insist on a private meeting with Xie Xun?"
Dugu Jing gave Xie Xun an unreadable look. "When in another’s land, one follows their customs. If Prince Kang wishes to know, he should ask the young heir."
Xie Xun sneered coldly, "What, Ninth Prince? Shall I have the entire army perform a dance for you too?"
"Xie Xun, you’re guilty!" Prince Kang pointed at him. "Why won’t you answer his questions directly?"
Xie Xun rubbed his temples in frustration, his voice rising in anger. "Someone, throw him out!"
"On it!"
"Xie Xun, don’t you dare! I am a Prince of Yanyang—you, a mere marquis heir..." His furious protests were abruptly cut off as Feiying dragged him out of the tent.
Dugu Jing mused, "The young heir certainly doesn’t respect his country’s princes. In the Beiman Royal Court, anyone who dared to disrespect royalty like that would be torn apart."
Amusement flickered in Xie Xun’s peach-blossom eyes. "The world says the Yuwen Royal Family’s throne was built by the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. It’s not the first time I’ve beaten up Yuwen Zhao, and the Emperor has never punished me."
"Marquis Zhenbei Mansion is truly insolent!" Dugu Jing said with curiosity. "Something has always puzzled me. Your family has defended Ningzhou for five generations, protecting the Yuwen Royal Family’s throne. Are you content with that? I’ve been studying Yanyang’s culture and came across an intriguing saying: ’When the cunning hare dies, the hound is cooked.’ If the Emperor were to strip the Marquis Mansion of its military power, would you rebel or bow your heads?"
Xie Xun’s gaze turned icy as he stared at Dugu Jing’s probing face. "Do you know why my father and brother didn’t want to see you and sent me instead? Dugu Jing, you conspired with Yuwen Jing to transport red sand ore to the Capital City during the peace talks, attempting to annihilate my entire family. Do you trust Yuwen Jing that much?"
Dugu Jing’s smile faded slightly, his eyes narrowing.
"I’ve been patient, dealing with you, hoping you’d be sensible and leave sooner. But since you keep provoking me, fine, I’ll tell you," Xie Xun said. "I command the Kyoto Capital Guard, with eyes and ears all over the Capital City. Thousands of cavalry are stationed there. Since my second brother returned to the Capital, the Crown Prince’s every word and action has been under our close surveillance. The Yuwen Royal Family is not like your Beiman Royal Court, where brothers hold absolute power. In Yanyang, the Yuwen throne has long been hollowed out. Do you know why Yuwen Zhao is in Ningzhou City? It’s because I deliberately provoked him into believing the Marquis Mansion had colluded with Beiman. His impulsive nature can’t withstand a little agitation. When he returns to the Capital, he’ll relay everything to Emperor Jianming. I want the Emperor to sit uneasily on his throne, questioning whom he should trust and depend on. Do you think I would let Yuwen Zhao live comfortably in Ningzhou if there was any trouble brewing in the Capital?"
His words were brazen, arrogant, and directly exposed Dugu Jing’s probing intent. Dugu Jing’s face turned grim. "Your nation’s Crown Prince is truly useless!"
The red sand ore had been given to him, yet he still couldn’t destroy the Marquis Mansion.
"You finally said something that pleases me," Xie Xun remarked. The tension-filled tent housed these two evenly matched men, their confrontation shadowed by the weight of their respective nations. "Dugu Jing, you and I are both generals who have fought on the battlefield. We both understand how hard-won peace is. You hate the Marquis Mansion, and the Xie family hates your people just as much. The men of the Dugu family have fallen on the battlefield, just as my Marquis Zhenbei Mansion nearly lost its entire lineage. You conspired with Yuwen Jing, seeking to ruin my family—eye for an eye, blood for blood. Years ago, my second brother’s campaign in Beiman caused discord among your brothers, turning sovereigns against their ministers. We each have our duties; we serve our nations. I do not hate you."
He fixed his gaze on Dugu Jing’s stern face. "You and I will be lifelong enemies. But Beiman and Yanyang have already signed a peace treaty. The people desire peace, and it is within our grasp. I hope you’ll cherish this hard-earned peace and focus on rebuilding. But if you desire war, at the Shaling River, I’ll gladly oblige!"
Dugu Jing left the battlefield with the Beiman soldiers later that afternoon. Prince Kang lowered his gaze toward Xie Xun. "Will he believe you?"
"I don’t know!" Xie Xun wasn’t sure if there were still spies within the army reporting to Dugu Jing or if they had already informed him of the Ningzhou military mutiny. He had done all he could.
A faint glimmer of hope surfaced in Prince Kang’s eyes. "Xie Xun, can you release me back to the Capital?"
Xie Xun’s expression turned as cold as the harshest winter in Ningzhou. "Yuwen Zhao, you will be imprisoned in Ningzhou. Guess how much value you hold in Yuwen Jing’s eyes?"
"You’re lying to me!" Prince Kang roared, his anger tinged with grievance. "You clearly said if I cooperated with your act, you’d release me and let me go home."
"So what if I lied?" Xie Xun sneered. "You should consider yourself lucky you’re still worth deceiving. Otherwise, I’d have killed you already and sent you to reunite with your father in Huangquan. Then you could properly atone to my father!"