Chapter 1261 - 1097: Holy Decree to the Border
Chapter 1261: Chapter 1097: Holy Decree to the Border
"What? You say Da Xing’s army conducted a night raid at the border?" Hundred Households Wang grabbed the soldier’s collar, his face full of disbelief.
"Yes! The news just came in, reinforcements are on their way to Yuhe Pass, and even Yumen Pass has sent troops to assist!"
Hundred Households Wang felt a pang of fear in his heart. He looked towards Gu Chengyu, who was also showing a surprised expression, and suddenly a thought popped into his mind. This time he finally saw a different expression on Mr. Gu’s face.
"What’s the situation? Do you know?" Gu Chengyu thought of Yin Kun still at Yuhe Pass, feeling a bit flustered.
"There was no detailed explanation, I’ve only heard this much!"
"General Yuan is injured, there’s no one to oversee Wujun Prefecture right now. You will stand guard here. Due to the urgency, I will discuss with General Yuan, and you shall temporarily keep the token."
After Gu Chengyu finished speaking, he instructed Ming Mo, "Pack up now, we’re heading to the border!"
"Sir, I must go to Yuhe Pass too!" Hundred Households Wang quickly stepped forward to stop Gu Chengyu from leaving, as he couldn’t stay here and guard.
"Don’t worry, follow the plan I previously devised, the enemy won’t attack again in the near future." Gu Chengyu pushed aside Hundred Households Wang, intending to descend the city tower.
"Sir, I must go to the border, let’s go together!" Hundred Households Wang’s face was full of urgency, his gaze towards Gu Chengyu was filled with pleading.
"Mr. Gu, Mr. Wang’s father is Deputy General Wang Changhe, who guards Yuhe Pass." A soldier stepped forward to softly explain.
Gu Chengyu turned around to look at Hundred Households Wang’s slightly reddened eyes, silent for a long time before saying, "As a court official, you understand that loyalty and filial piety are hard to balance."
Hundred Households Wang’s tears immediately flowed down. "Father was injured while fighting the enemy last time. Although healed now, hidden ailments remain. If even General Huaiyuan has been attacked at night, then father..."
Hundred Households Wang couldn’t speak anymore, sobbing uncontrollably. After all, he was only a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy! All his martial arts skills were taught by his father. To him, his father was a mountain, a pillar of his household, and his father could not fall.
"Hundred Households Wang, General Yuan is heavily injured, unable to bear this responsibility. The border is self-preoccupied, unable to send additional reinforcements. If both you and I leave, then what about Wujun Prefecture?"
"I have a follower, if he comes, let him go to Yuhe Pass to find me!"
"Wouldn’t Mr. Gu be better suited to oversee Wujun Prefecture? I’m just a Hundred Households, how can I undertake this great responsibility?" Hundred Households Wang was still unwilling, as he couldn’t focus on staying in Wujun Prefecture.
Gu Chengyu didn’t respond to Hundred Households Wang. He turned, gathered his Inner Strength, and leaped off the city tower. The dark cloak fluttered against the blazing firelight, and by the time those on the tower reacted, that tall figure had already landed.
Hundred Households Wang was astounded by Gu Chengyu’s skill. He stood there with his mouth agape, watching that dark figure fly towards the distance.
"Who would have thought Mr. Gu’s martial arts was this formidable? Truly impressive!" The soldier from earlier looked shocked. The leap from the tower was truly elegant.
"Studying for the imperial examinations and practicing martial arts. I’ve heard Mr. Gu is only sixteen, truly remarkable!"
Hundred Households Wang glanced at the soldier who praised Gu Chengyu. How did he not know there were scholarly soldiers here who could articulate literature?
Yet he couldn’t help but feel relieved. Since Mr. Gu’s martial arts were so strong, it was indeed the best choice for him to go to the border. Still, he worried about his father, though the heavy responsibilities left him helpless!
"I will tell General Yuan a few things. The luggage and carriage drivers follow later, find some soldiers to escort them to Yuhe Pass. We’ll only take two sets of clothes and ride to the border!"
After throwing out those words, Gu Chengyu turned and went to Yuan Bin’s room.
As for Hundred Households Wang, he could only apologize. Hundred Households Wang had someone to protect, and coincidentally, so did he. He couldn’t just watch his brother be in danger; he had to get to the border as soon as possible.
...
"You will deliver this Holy Decree to the border, ride quickly, and do not delay! I will send Deputy Commander Bai Guan to accompany you!" The Emperor addressed De An, who was kneeling on the ground.
De An replied shakily, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, this old servant will deliver the Holy Decree to the border as quickly as possible!"
Pang Chu stood ten steps away from them, feeling somewhat awkward.
In the end, the chief inside the palace was still De An. Since De An served closely to the late Emperor, if the Emperor was too harsh, there would surely be rumors.
Although pang Chu was subordinate to De An, he was heavily relied upon by the Emperor now.
According to the old rules, De An generally only held a titular rank and should have retired from his heavy duties, granted permission to leave the palace, or found a resting place within it.
Yet, the Emperor entrusted the task of proclaiming the decree at the border to De An, a gesture that was truly intriguing!
"Pack up and leave at once!" With the current border situation unknown, the Emperor was anxious, though he knew it would take several days for news to arrive.
"Yes! Then this old servant will take leave!" De An took the Holy Decree from Pang Chu’s hand, struggled to stand, and respectfully withdrew.
Looking at the black boots in front of him, De An felt a pang of sadness rising in his heart.
Previously, it was always he who served in the Imperial Study Room. When the late Emperor was alive, which eunuch and palace maid didn’t greet him with deference and smiles?
Now, times have changed, and the past glory is gone. How could he not feel bitter? In just over a month, he had experienced the fickleness of human relationships. People hadn’t even left, yet the tea had already cooled.
The late Emperor’s face and demeanor appeared in his mind, and his eyes involuntarily felt a bit sour. Having accompanied him for many years, there were bound to be some feelings.
A palace maid approached, and he hurriedly collected himself, straightened his back, and assumed a proud posture.
"Greetings to Chief Chen!" The palace maid curtsied slightly as a sign of respect.
De An had seen this palace maid before; she was a second-class maid by a concubine’s side from the former Crown Prince’s Mansion. Yet her perfunctory attitude in greeting left him quite displeased.
De An didn’t bother with trivial disputes with the palace maid, as today was different from the past. He descended the steps, hearing the maid’s cold snort and murmurs behind him, not knowing what she said.
He didn’t hear clearly, but he could guess it was nothing pleasant. Clenching the Holy Decree in his hand, De An’s eyes revealed resolve. Going to the border? That was exactly what he wanted!
"Your Majesty! Would you like to take a break?" Pang Chu noticed the Emperor’s face was somewhat pale and couldn’t help but ask with concern.
Due to the National Mourning, the Emperor hadn’t rested properly. Moreover, managing the accumulated court memorials, he had been sleeping only two or three hours each day for three consecutive days — how could he endure?
The Emperor suddenly felt a heaviness in his chest, and his throat was somewhat itchy. He coughed abruptly, and once he started, he couldn’t stop, coughing repeatedly as though something was crawling up from his throat.