CHAPTER 317: CHAPTER 314: HEART’S TRACK

Zhang Weihe heard Wusuo speak to this point, his expression grew colder; Wusuo’s intent was to persuade him to betray Song Xian at the last moment.

Zhang Weihe smiled: "Even if what you said is true, I will not fight for the Emperor of Qi; should I serve the Liao instead? Look at what kind of people you are!"

Anger flashed in Wusuo’s eyes, but remembering his foster father’s instructions, he restrained himself and said: "It’s not like that. I merely came to remind Old General Zhang that the Qi people don’t care about Prince Guangyang’s descendents. On the contrary, if they knew anyone from Prince Guangyang’s line still lived, they would want to eliminate them."

"Why does Song Xian bring Xie Liangchen to the land of the Eight States, has Old General Zhang thought about it? It’s merely to use the royal lineage of Prince Guangyang."

Zhang Weihe unconsciously furrowed his brows.

Seeing the opportunity, Wusuo continued: "My foster father has deployed forces in Dai State. He will certainly capture Xie Liangchen; Old General Zhang knows how many troops Song Xian has left in Dai State. Xie Liangchen will inevitably fall into our hands."

"If Old General Zhang is willing to heed our advice and does not assist Song Xian," Wusuo said, "in exchange, my foster father is willing to return Xie Liangchen to Old General Zhang and also ask the Empress Dowager for a favor to protect Prince Guangyang’s descendants. Old General Zhang must think carefully; there won’t be another Chen Family Village to leave the royal lineage a final chance. Once the war is over, the Emperor of Qi will not spare Xie Liangchen either."

Wusuo finished his speech, waiting for Zhang Weihe to make his decision.

Zhang Weihe was silent for a while, then stood up and walked outside.

Before Zhang Weihe left, Wusuo said: "Let me reveal some more information to Old General Zhang. Xie Liangchen stayed in Dai State because she heard my foster father was severely injured and wanted to take the opportunity to go to Lingqiu to assassinate him. My foster father doesn’t need to enter Dai State to capture Xie Liangchen. You must decide quickly, otherwise whether you see Xie Liangchen or her corpse, it’s hard to say."

Zhuang Xing and the others also retreated to the courtyard.

Sitting paralyzed on the ground, Xue Ke took a while to gather his thoughts and crawled towards Wusuo: "Master, what should we do now? Will Zhang Weihe follow your advice?"

Wusuo slightly curled his lips; even if Zhang Weihe wasn’t willing to join his foster father and didn’t believe his foster father would free Xie Liangchen, he would at least take troops to Dai State to find ways to rescue Xie Liangchen. If delayed, it might be too late.

What he wanted was chaos in Zhang Weihe’s camp.

"Don’t worry," Wusuo said, "If Zhang Weihe doesn’t believe me, he would have killed us long ago. How could he be so anxious to leave? Clearly, he wants to discuss countermeasures with those around him."

"We just need to wait; a good result will surely come."

...

Zhang Weihe walked out of the courtyard, headed towards the camp, just like Wusuo said, urgently wanting to discuss with those around him.

When Zhang Weihe entered the military camp, he swiftly lifted the tent curtain; inside was only one person, Chen Yongyi, who looked worried.

Chen Yongyi, who was originally seated, stood up immediately upon seeing Zhang Weihe: "General, what is the current situation?"

Zhang Weihe gazed steadily at Chen Yongyi: "Repeat what you said to me before."

Chen Yongyi paused but quickly composed himself: "Our family’s Miss Chen said that whatever happens can be reported to General Song."

Chen Yongyi had previously noticed something wrong with Zhang Weihe and sent a message to Song Xian.

Zhang Weihe’s gaze was solemn: "Even if it concerns Miss Xie’s life, is Song Xian still trustworthy?"

Chen Yongyi was instantly tense: "What happened to Miss Chen? Is there trouble in Dai State?"

Zhang Weihe didn’t reply, prompting Chen Yongyi to recall and answer: "In Zhenzhou, there were several dangerous times, all resolved with General Song’s help. I think, given our family Miss Chen’s words..."

Chen Yongyi reconsidered: "It’s not just Miss Chen; we all trust General Song—unless the entire Chen Family Village judged wrong."

Zhang Weihe paced in the tent, deliberating for a long time before finally making a decision. He wasn’t Xue Ke, wouldn’t be fooled by a few words, but he truly worried about Miss Xie’s safety, and didn’t trust the Qi people or their court.

Having experienced Prince Guangyang’s affair, he understood a truth: people’s hearts are terrifying. Now, knowing the mastermind might be Daqi’s current Emperor, it’s like being drenched in ice water.

One has to know how much effort Prince Guangyang put into supporting the current Emperor, only to be betrayed by the very wolf cub he raised.

If he made a mistake this time, it would cost the last hope of Prince Guangyang’s lineage.

Caring leads to chaos.

Zhang Weihe couldn’t remain calm after hearing these words.

After pondering for a long time, Zhang Weihe decided he had to meet Song Xian, because even if Prince Guangyang were alive, he wouldn’t submit to the Liao, nor sacrifice the eight states’ people for his own life.

Zhang Weihe exited the tent, instructing Zhuang Xing: "Prepare a horse for me."

Zhang Weihe changed his clothing and, accompanied by Zhuang Xing, headed to Song Xian’s camp. If he took this step wrong, Song Xian might kill him immediately, or if he delayed too long, the Liao might harm Miss Xie out of anger...

With these thoughts, Zhang Weihe felt a twinge of pain in his heart several times, tempted to turn back at once.

Ten miles out, Zhang Weihe saw several riders approaching; they were Song Family’s household generals, followed by soldiers in soft armor, after disguising, led by Song Xian.

"Old General Zhang," Song Xian dismounted to salute Zhang Weihe, "Young man wishes to ask for a word."

Zhang Weihe dismounted, and they went together into the woods beside the official road.

"Old General Zhang," Song Xian began, "I heard that people from Xiao Xingzong were found near Xue Ke’s residence. Immediately, I brought people along. Did Xiao Xingzong’s men say anything to Old General Zhang?"

Zhang Weihe hesitated on where to start, when Song Xian said: "I know Miss Xie is Prince Guangyang’s granddaughter."

Zhang Weihe’s face was full of surprise.

Song Xian continued: "After Miss Xie was injured in Yuezhou, she forgot past events. Later, when Chen Family Village was targeted by the Liao, Old Mrs. Chen revealed how the village rescued Princess Guangyang."

Zhang Weihe looked at Song Xian, who, though not smiling, softened as he said: "Miss Xie hasn’t kept it from me."

Only then did Zhang Weihe notice something unusual; every time Song Xian spoke of "Miss Xie," there was an added sense of intimacy and gentleness in his eyes.

Could it be that Song Xian and Miss Xie...

Song Xian nodded: "Although Miss Xie hasn’t accepted, she’s more important to me than my life. I won’t let her come to harm."

Zhang Weihe had a lot to say but suddenly fell silent upon hearing this.

Song Xian said: "I entered the military camp at fifteen, never lied, nor revealed my feelings to anyone. But after knowing Miss Xie’s identity, I want to reclaim the land of the Eight States to avenge Prince Guangyang."

The young man’s eyes showed a slight flush.

Zhang Weihe had never seen Song Xian show such an expression; after a long pause, he said: "Then do you know Miss Xie is in danger in Dai State?"

Song Xian nodded: "Yes, and I know she has something she wants to accomplish. I can’t stop her, but I can find ways to help and protect her. So, I must quickly resolve the battle in Taiyuan Prefecture and head to Dai State."

Zhang Weihe asked: "What will you do?"

Song Xian’s expression turned serious: "Within three days, win the battle of Taiyuan Prefecture. Whether or not we capture the Pseudo King, I will lead forces to Dai State. I ask Old General Zhang to lend me your assistance in luring the Pseudo King out of Taiyuan Prefecture."