And then bring a few more men along.
It was really that simple!
But Kang Tongqu couldn’t refuse.
Because following Xiao Yunting might get him killed, but if he died, at least his entire family would enjoy wealth and honor afterward.
If, on the other hand, he refused and Xiao Yunting ended up dead, then everyone in Xuanfu would die with him!
Having made up his mind, he cupped his hands and declared: “This minister will spare no effort and will accomplish the mission even at the cost of my life!”
Xiao Yunting patted his shoulder. “That’s more like it. Those scattered Oirat soldiers have been roaming our borders, burning, killing, looting, and committing every evil imaginable. They should have died long ago. If you lead troops to eliminate them, it will be a great achievement. I promise you now, when you return, I will personally request rewards for your merits.”
At those words, Kang Tongqu’s blood began to boil with excitement.
That very night, Kang Tongqu began gathering soldiers.
Soon afterward, he started mobilizing troops on a large scale.
Moreover, he seemed to be accompanying some important dignitary and refused to show himself.
The deputy generals and other officers grew increasingly uneasy.
Several times they tried to request an audience with him, only to be blocked by Kang Tongqu’s personal guards.
No matter what they said, they were not allowed through.
That only made everyone more nervous.
What exactly had happened?
If something had gone wrong in the army, that was no trivial matter.
Finally, deep into the night, some of the officers could no longer endure the uncertainty.
After discussing it among themselves, they decided to force their way into Kang Tongqu’s tent.
Unexpectedly, this time Kang Tongqu finally agreed to see them.
And the moment they arrived, he dropped a bombshell. “The Imperial Grandson has arrived! We must mobilize all our troops and proceed to Zijing Pass, eliminate the scattered Oirat forces, and rescue Elder Lu!”
The deputy generals immediately erupted in an uproar.
All of them were stunned.
Everyone had heard rumors that after Lu Ting was hunted down, he had been hiding in Zijing Pass.
But those were merely rumors and had never been confirmed.
Yet the Imperial Grandson had directly concluded that Lu Ting was there?
There were countless Oirat soldiers in Zijing Pass!
One deputy general could not understand.
“Commander, Great Tong also requires troops to defend it. Are we really supposed to abandon Great Tong and run off to Zijing Pass looking for Old Master Lu just because of a single order from His Highness?”
These lives matter too!
Kang Tongqu swept his gaze across the room and replied coldly: “His Highness has already captured the Oirat Third Prince, Zhar Tuobuhua! Zhar Tuobuhua personally admitted that those scattered Oirat forces gathered in Zijing Pass specifically to capture Old Master Lu! Are we really going to abandon our own people and refuse to rescue them?”
Taking a deep breath, he continued: “Everyone knows that His Highness’s purpose in coming here was to clear Old Master Lu’s name! Now we possess Zhar Tuobuhua’s testimony, which is enough to prove Old Master Lu’s innocence! At this moment, whoever helps His Highness rescue Old Master Lu and drive away the Oirat invaders will earn tremendous merit!”
Then he shouted loudly: “Who is willing to go?!”
Beside him, Qingfeng, Lin Hai, and the others immediately raised their arms and echoed in unison:
“Who is willing to go?!”
“Who is willing to go?!”
This was a heaven-sent opportunity for great merit.
After giving it some thought, nearly everyone shouted together:
“We are willing!”
“We are willing!”
Although none of them had seen Xiao Yunting personally, they had all seen his personal guards.
And those guards had produced the Imperial Golden Command Token.
That was enough proof of identity.
Thus everyone knew that Xiao Yunting was currently in the camp.
The fact that he did not personally appear was entirely normal.
After all, someone of his status would hardly show himself casually.
Early the next morning, Ma Ancheng knelt before Yang Qingshan. A mocking expression appeared on Yang Qingshan’s face. “Is that so? Our Imperial Grandson is quite courageous, isn’t he?”
His gaze rested on a map as well. Slowly, he traced a finger to the point marked Zijing Pass. Then, without hesitation, he drove the dagger in his hand through that location.
The words “Zijing Pass” disappeared beneath the slash.
Yawning lazily, Yang Qingshan spoke with casual indifference: “Since this newborn calf isn’t afraid of tigers, then let him march straight toward Tiger Mountain.”
Then he instructed Ma Ancheng: “Take our twenty thousand troops. Use military exercises as an excuse. And help fulfill His Highness’s dream of heroism.”
When a general was far from the capital, imperial orders could often be ignored.
At such a distance, who knew what truly happened?
Even if Xiao Yunting died, there would be plenty of people available to take the blame.
Such a foolish heir.
No wonder the Crown Prince desperately wanted him dead.
People always had to pay for their arrogance and stupidity.
And Xiao Yunting was no exception.
Ma Ancheng shivered. Looking up hesitantly, he said: “My lord… but that is the Imperial Grandson…”
“If he lives, your entire family dies.” Yang Qingshan’s gaze remained cold from beginning to end. “Think carefully about which choice you prefer.”
Ma Ancheng could no longer speak.
What could he possibly say?
There was no turning back anymore.
Yang Qingshan looked at him leisurely. Seeing how frightened he was, he curled his lips into a mocking smile. “Stop looking like you’re about to wet yourself. So what if he’s the Imperial Grandson? Even a dragon must coil up when it comes here. This is territory where the Oirat roam freely. He dared to charge in himself. If he dies, he has no one to blame but himself.”
Slowly, Ma Ancheng raised his head. He understood the implication.
Yang Qingshan continued casually: “There are plenty of Oirat around. Their Third Prince has fallen into Xiao Yunting’s hands. Naturally they hate him to the bone. Spread the news. Let the Oirat royal court come and claim a share of this fat piece of meat.”
At once Ma Ancheng objected: “My lord, that may not work. The Oirat are cunning, greedy, and obsessed with money. If they learn the Imperial Grandson’s identity, they might not kill him at all. They could simply capture him and use him as a hostage…”
Yang Qingshan burst into laughter. Then he looked at Ma Ancheng almost pityingly. “Exactly. Wouldn’t that be even better? An Imperial Grandson who becomes a hostage, if he doesn’t kill himself, wouldn’t that disgrace the entire empire? Would His Majesty still favor such an Imperial Grandson? Would he still be worthy of the title?”
If Xiao Yunting died, that was fine. But if he didn’t die, that was fine too.
Everyone knew what the Oirat were like.
There was nothing they wouldn’t do.
Perhaps they would tie up Xiao Yunting and drag him through Xuanfu, Great Tong, and every major fortress, demanding money and opening city gates in exchange for his life.
Just imagining that scene made Yang Qingshan’s blood race.
Such an event would certainly go down in history.
How considerate he was toward this prince. He had even thought of all these possibilities for him.
After all, if Xiao Yunting had simply stayed comfortably in the capital, enjoying his blessings and privilege, none of this would have happened. Instead, he insisted on coming to this miserable frontier to suffer.
Now, whatever happened to him would simply be what he deserved.
Yang Qingshan lifted his eyes coldly. “Go.”
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