CHAPTER 303: CHAPTER 300: INVESTIGATION CLARIFIED

Xue Ke rode out from home, burdened with a heavy heart, heading towards the government office in the city. Just behind him, a figure was watching him intently.

Once Xue Ke was out of sight, the person turned to Xin Huo beside him, "Send a message to Mr. Xiao, the Xue Mansion has some unusual movements."

Xin Huo responded affirmatively.

Wusuo’s gaze was profound; he was one of the Thirteen Grand Protectors under Xiao Xingzong, ranked sixth, and this time he was ordered to the eight states to gather information.

The first task was to understand the current situation of the eight states, and the second was to investigate the affairs of Prince Guangyang from years past.

Initially, Wusuo did not understand why Mr. Xiao wanted to investigate someone who had been dead for over ten years. Mr. Xiao merely stated it was related to the capture of Xiao Chi and Li Cong.

Logically, the lineage of Prince Guangyang had been wiped out long ago; Xiao Chi and Li Cong’s affairs in Zhenzhou shouldn’t connect to Prince Guangyang, at most it could be the mischief of those remnants who followed him.

However, since Mr. Xiao wanted to start with Prince Guangyang, he must have his reasons. Wusuo had no choice but to obey orders, and he didn’t expect to actually discover some anomalies.

The old General Xue, who was in charge of watching over the Prince Guangyang Mansion back then, seemed to have hidden some guilty deeds from his own Emperor, as indicated by suspicions discovered by informants placed around Xue Ke.

"What exactly is going on?" Wusuo muttered. If Mr. Xiao were here, there would be no need to investigate further; he would certainly have already figured it out. But Wusuo still needed to continue following Xue Ke to clarify everything.

Even so, Wusuo was certain: "We have discovered a big secret." It might influence the war situation.

...

Song Xian solidified his position in Dai State, leaving a garrison to defend Dai State City, then led his troops southwards to clear the remnants of the previous dynasty’s forces.

Song Xian won battles in Xinzhou and Dai State, and Du Zhuo, not to be outdone, took Shizhou. Once Du Zhuo captured Fen State, they could together encircle Taiyuan Prefecture.

It sounded simple, but was difficult to accomplish. After suppressing the third rebellion in Shizhou, Du Zhuo frowned as he looked at the map before him.

He heard his deputy general’s report, but his mind was fixed on figuring out how Song Xian managed to capture two states so swiftly, without repeated disturbances.

Du Zhuo tossed the token in his hand onto the table, and the command tent fell silent.

Du Zhuo looked up at the crowd—his deputy general, his personal soldiers—all present. When he set out with Song Xian’s troops, he had thought he could reach Taiyuan Prefecture first, and if feasible, even split his forces to assist Song Xian as a gesture of gratitude for his help in Xingzhou.

Little did he know, despite believing he had an advantage, he fell short of Song Xian in the end.

Song Xian was only twenty years old, and his troops were no more than Du Zhuo’s. Moreover, with northern unrest and military supplies delayed for several days, even Du Zhuo’s deputy generals doubted Song Xian, fearing they would be dragged into a trap when advancing and end up encircled and slaughtered.

But what was the reality?

Song Xian, even under insufficient military supplies, won the battles, killed Han Wei, and stationed troops in Xinzhou and Dai State.

No big disturbances occurred within Xinzhou and Dai State; in fact, they grew increasingly quiet.

Du Zhuo’s second brother, Du Jian, seeing this, first dismissed others from the tent, then said softly, "What’s troubling you, big brother? Though we’ve had some setbacks, the situation is improving and will get better."

Du Zhuo said, "That’s because Gao Yu has gathered forces to deal with Song Xian, making things easier for us naturally."

Du Jian reassured him again, "Song Xian is formidable; everyone says he resembles the young National Guardian General and, with the Song Family Army backing him up... this is inevitable..."

Does having the Song Family Army mean they don’t have the Du Family Army?

It’s such that one cannot convince oneself.

Du Zhuo sighed, "Song Xian isn’t the young Song Qizheng; he’s more formidable. Before coming to the eight states, Song Xian must have anticipated northern disturbances; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been prepared."

"Although we are unaware of the situation in the North now, Song Qizheng’s memorials have surely been delivered to the Capital, and the Emperor trusts him to oversee military preparations in Xingzhou and deploy troops northward, signifying that the Song father and son have done no wrong, or at least, the Emperor doesn’t suspect Song Xian."

"Song Xian’s rear is not only stable but also swiftly conquered two states; it’s clear he’s not just a reckless hero driven by a hot-blooded courage. With such talent, we, the Du Family, should not confront him lightly. If by chance we cross paths, we must yield."

Du Jian was astonished by his brother’s words, showing a hint of indignation in his eyes: "Big brother, don’t elevate Song Xian too much. Ultimately, it’s because he avoided you and secured Old General Zhang’s allegiance in advance, relying on Prince Guangyang’s residual influence to reach this point."

Du Zhuo couldn’t help but chuckle, "We also knew we were coming to the eight states; why didn’t we find Old General Zhang? Being prepared beforehand is also his skill."

Thinking of their third brother who was lying on his sickbed, weak and dying, ever since returning from Xingzhou, the third brother had been ill, his wounds festering repeatedly, his body tormented, and before they set out, the third brother had withered away completely, likely with little time left. Moreover, now the entire Sui State knew he was harmed by his mistress.

Now, that mistress, Mrs. Lin, was still in prison, and the third brother had lost his life and his reputation.

Du Jian knew it was all arranged by Yang Wu, but thinking of Song Xian still caused him displeasure.

Du Zhuo understood his second brother’s thoughts: "The third brother brought it upon himself. Even if he hadn’t fallen in Xingzhou, he would have caused other troubles. Ultimately, it was our Du Family’s failure to raise him well, not Song Xian’s fault. In contrast, if not for Song Xian, it wouldn’t just be the third brother who lost his life."

"If you can’t even understand this, in time, you may end up like the third brother."

Du Jian was startled by his brother’s words and lowered his head.

Du Zhuo continued, "Instead of harboring resentment, why not learn from Song Xian? Within just over a year, he managed to muster enough military supplies in Zhenzhou. How much can we gather for the Du Family Army in the Northwest?"

Du Jian’s resentment was completely dissipated.

Du Zhuo said, "Have someone send a message to Song Xian; from now on, we will follow his lead on how to act next and coordinate to capture the Pseudo King of the previous dynasty."

By saying this, Du Zhuo meant not to compete with Song Xian for credit. If they capture the eight states, the greatest contribution would be attributed to Song Xian.

Du Jian responded, "I will send someone right away."

Watching his second brother leave, Du Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease; admitting one’s shortcomings isn’t so difficult after all.

"This kid," Du Zhuo couldn’t help but privately ridicule Song Xian, "really knows how to put on airs."

Although stationed in Xinzhou, his aura pressed upon Du Zhuo here. Du Zhuo sighed deeply, recalling how Song Xian led him all around the Capital City; it was like dealing with a completely different person.

Did Song Xian’s troops know how he behaved in private?

Du Zhuo hadn’t fully witnessed Song Xian’s private mannerisms yet.

Song Xian had captured Han Wei’s deployment plans, and following the trail found the hidden military supplies, promptly delivering the provisions to Dai State.

Xie Liangchen was reviewing the accounts by the fire when Song Xian approached to speak with Chen Yongsheng, then sat down to inquire about the situation in the villages of Dai State from Xie Liangchen.

While no one was watching, Song Xian’s foot reached over to touch Xie Liangchen’s foot.

Xie Liangchen felt he should leave a clear footprint on General Song’s foot, but feared this person would shamelessly carry that footprint to the battlefield.