CHAPTER 306: CHAPTER 303 FOUND

Hu Zi said: "I think Sister is a good person, Brother Zhong Dong also said they learned to gather herbs from her."

Village Chief Wang listened, and earlier Old General Zhang and Yu Niang mentioned these things, but they didn’t take it to heart, always feeling they were speaking on behalf of the Qi people.

Now he was slowly starting to believe it.

These people seem genuinely better than those corrupt officials; their village had lost its strong labor force, so what are these people after by delivering medicine and grain?

Village Chief Wang was thoughtful, that Qi person just now was right, the court often opens the checkpoints to let Liao people come in, sometimes allowing them to pass through Qi Land, sometimes permitting them to pillage the villages.

Since the Qi General Song arrived, indeed he hasn’t entered the village at will, nor did he force them to do anything.

In the surrounding villages, people couldn’t stand the court’s oppression, they killed officials and fled into the mountains, he also felt he couldn’t endure for much longer, perhaps they would also have to take this path.

Now that the Qi people have attacked, though the current war is distressing, in the long run, it might actually be a good thing.

After pondering, Village Chief Wang turned and walked to the village entrance, seeing Miss Xie being invited away by another village.

This was indeed earnest efforts for their benefit.

...

Taiyuan Prefecture.

Song Xian led the army all the way south, directly pressing towards Taiyuan Prefecture.

Xue Ke completed his tasks, listening to the surrounding discussions about the war, but his mind was calculating another matter.

If wanting to accomplish something, now is the time to act, delays can no longer be afforded, otherwise it will be too late, Xue Ke decided to depart tonight after everyone had rested, taking advantage of the moonlight to head directly towards Guangyang County.

Song Xian’s troops came from Xinzhou, Old General Zhang, understanding the situation in the eight states, divided forces with Song Xian, heading towards Guangyang County, to prevent Taiyuan Prefecture’s troops from attacking Song Xian’s army from the east.

Guangyang County is also Prince Guangyang’s hometown, Old General Zhang might mobilize some manpower to help when mentioning Prince Guangyang’s descendants in Guangyang County, Xue Ke felt he had more confidence.

Xue Ke waited until nightfall, then tied valuables to himself, riding a horse towards Guangyang County.

Everything was well-prepared, whether he could escape depended on this attempt.

Xue Ke took a deep breath, guard posts at the checkpoints from the eight states to Daqi were guarded, this was a last resort, if Old General Zhang could help him cross Baimaling, he could rely on the gold and silver to live in Daqi.

The journey was quite smooth, evidently no one noticed his departure from Taiyuan Prefecture, just as Xue Ke was about to relax, a shadow flashed before him, and before he could draw the longsword from his waist, someone had forcefully pulled him off the horse.

Xue Ke opened his mouth to shout but felt a pain in his neck, next thing, he was completely unconscious.

When Xue Ke awoke again, he saw the dim light beneath which someone was sitting on a chair, gently wiping his hands with a soft cloth.

The person before him was entirely unfamiliar, Xue Ke was certain he had never seen such a face before; just as he intended to take a closer look, he suddenly noticed the person’s hand moved, pointing straight at him.

The indifferent voice said, "You’re awake."

Xue Ke’s eyes suddenly narrowed, staring at the pale hand, with blood stains still unsanitized on the back, wrist neatly severed, now a dagger was impaled into it.

The person sitting on the chair grasped the dagger, shaking the severed hand with a light laugh, as if it were an amusing toy.

Xue Ke’s stomach churned, he struggled briefly and realized he was tightly bound to a long bench.

"Who are you?" Xue Ke shouted.

Wusuo stood up: "You must know Mr. Xiao Xingzong, and are you aware of Mr. Xiao’s Thirteen Grand Protectors?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ke’s face showed an even deeper expression of terror.

Wusuo stepped forward, using the severed hand to touch Xue Ke’s face.

Xue Ke frantically dodged, lips trembling unable to speak.

Wusuo leaned closer to Xue Ke’s ear, whispering: "I know why you’re here, you don’t want to die, you’re trying to seek a way from Old General Zhang for survival, aren’t you? You’re headed precisely to Guangyang County."

Wusuo laughed: "Do you think Old General Zhang will spare you? Don’t forget among those leading troops to kill Prince Guangyang, your father was included."

Xue Ke’s secret was hit, yet in such a moment, he could not afford amazement, as he was completely enveloped in terror.

Wusuo continued: "I’ve seen those gold and silver you brought, even if you escape to Qi Land, these things won’t buy much land, are you going to live as those villagers, or perhaps become a small merchant counting ways to survive?"

"An esteemed general’s legitimate son living that kind of life? Why not let me show you an illustrious path? You could make great achievements and accompany me to Great Liao, Mr. Xiao will recommend you to the Empress Dowager, granting you high official rank and ample rewards."

Cold sweat dripped from Xue Ke’s forehead.

Wusuo said: "If you refuse..."

Wusuo slowly touched Xue Ke’s head with the severed hand.

Xue Ke only felt that the cold fingers were like several snakes wriggling upon him.

Wusuo dropped the severed hand, thrusting the dagger into Xue Ke’s hair bun: "Your head is quite round, perfect for what I lack, a vessel to hold wine, what do you choose, high official rank or holding wine for me, tell me immediately."

Xue Ke almost did not hesitate: "I am willing to serve Mr. Xiao."

Wusuo smiled: "You shall have an excellent career."

After saying this, Wusuo asked: "Tell me, is there any secret about your Xue Family?"

...

Old General Zhang successfully led troops to the outskirts of Guangyang County.

The army settled down, Old General Zhang immediately dispatched companions to try to persuade more people to join them in seizing the Pseudo King.

Old General Zhang sat in the central army tent examining the map, the situation was now clear: Song Xian and Du Zhuo aimed to encircle the Pseudo King within Taiyuan Prefecture.

The Pseudo King could hardly repel Song Xian.

Additionally, the Emperor of Daqi upon receiving the battle report, would dispatch more troops, at least to station in Dai State, Xinzhou, and Shizhou, gradually moving forward until completely cleansing the Pseudo King.

As Old General Zhang pondered, his confidant Zhuang Xing entered and whispered: "I met someone while exiting the camp."

Old General Zhang frowned: "A spy for the Pseudo King?"

Zhuang Xing shook his head: "The son of the Loyal and Brave General appointed by the Pseudo King, Xue Ke."

Old General Zhang was surprised: "Xue Ke infiltrated our camp?"

"He is stationed outside observing us, doesn’t seem to be here for reconnaissance," Zhuang Xing paused, "He said he is here for posthumous matters related to Prince Guangyang Mansion." I sent someone to investigate around, and he’s the only one who came.

Old General Zhang truly couldn’t comprehend what Xue Ke seeks from him.

Old General Zhang rose: "Where is he?" Not meeting him, he wouldn’t know what trick Xue Ke is playing.