Chapter 479 - 290: September 14th, Auspicious for Travel
Chapter 479: Chapter 290: September 14th, Auspicious for Travel
Liu Hong had no desire to let the mastermind behind this—"Dragon Spear" Liu Wu—get his way.
With Asutai in his hands, he had options, whether to press forward or fall back.
But with Du Cang’s arrival, he had to rein in any personal motives.
"Liuan, bring Asutai over."
"Yes."
Du Cang let out a laugh, directing the handsome-looking guard he was controlling to sit imposingly across from them.
During the wait,
Liu Hong slowly closed the unfinished memorial on his desk. He lowered his head slightly, a sinister look lingering in his eyes.
"I won’t question what General Du intends to do, but I do have one suggestion."
Du Cang sneered. "Is Lord Liu worried I might take Xiao Yuan’s life?"
Liu Hong nodded, his eyes instantly turning clear and sharp as he looked up.
"As long as Old Marquis Xiao is around, he can keep the hot-blooded members of the Dingyuan Army in check. What’s more, his presence forces Xiao Jinghong to be more cautious."
"But if he were to die unexpectedly, do you think Xiao Jinghong would hesitate to lead her army to the Ancient Tea-Horse Road?"
"Furthermore, the Dingyuan Army suffered heavy losses in the last invasion by the Barbarian Race. Now that they’ve regained some of their strength, they are spoiling for a fight."
"Your King’s Peacock Banner is conveniently located, and their forces are weaker than the main armies of Poshisu Country or the Barbarian Race. They would make a perfect target."
He left it at that.
The smile on Du Cang’s face faded slightly. He nodded. "Lord Liu has a point."
"True, that old bastard Xiao Yuan is a great enemy of Poshisu Country. Taking his head back to the King would surely bring me favor, but it would indeed lead to disaster."
He paused, then looked at Liu Hong. "I wonder, what is Lord Liu’s suggestion?"
"I’ve come all the way to Shu State. I can’t leave without some kind of trophy."
"Chen Yi."
"Chen Yi?"
"I’ve heard that name. Xiao Jinghong’s husband, the man famous throughout Great Wei as Mr. Qingzhou, am I right?"
"The very same."
Du Cang’s scarlet pupils narrowed slightly. He asked with a smile, "Why him?"
Liu Hong’s expression was serene. "The reason is simple. Chen Qingzhou is the most suitable target."
"He may be famous throughout Great Wei for his Perfect Calligraphy Dao and poetry, but to the Xiao Family, he’s just a live-in son-in-law. They don’t value him."
"And yet, his status is unique. He is not only Xiao Jinghong’s husband, but he also hails from the Chen Family of Jiangnan Prefecture."
"Killing him would not only bring shame upon the Xiao Family, but it would also send a shockwave through the Central Plains. What do you think, General Du?"
Du Cang raised an eyebrow. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. "Acceptable."
As far as he was concerned, anyone besides "Liu Wu" was just a target of opportunity.
Besides, the Xiao Family was a shadow of its former self, held up by a single woman, Xiao Jinghong.
’Aren’t they his for the taking?’
Seeing him agree, Liu Hong fell silent. He sat quietly in his chair, waiting for Zhao Liuan to return with Asutai.
To be honest,
He would have much preferred for Xiao Yuan to die at Du Cang’s hands.
But he knew all too well that the drawbacks of Xiao Yuan’s death far outweighed the benefits.
Not only would it unchain Xiao Jinghong, but it would also shake the imperial court, attracting the attention of the Holy Emperor and the Nine Ministers.
At that point, the slightest disturbance in all of Shu State would be put under a microscope.
That would be detrimental to Liu Hong’s own plans.
But if the target were Chen Yi, then he wouldn’t have any of those concerns.
In fact, an attack on Chen Yi would allow him to probe for reactions from the Capital Prefecture.
Especially from the Chen Family of Jiangnan Prefecture.
With Chen Xuanji away from Great Wei, Chen Xuandu’s response would reveal the Chen Family’s stance on Shu State.
Killing two birds with one stone.
As Liu Hong considered this, he sneered inwardly.
’If you manage to survive even this, then I... will have all the more reason not to let you live!’
「Not long after.」
Zhao Liuan led Asutai to the door and said softly, "My lord, I’ve brought him."
Liu Hong grunted in acknowledgment, then rose and looked at Du Cang. "General, if you please. Forgive me for not seeing you out."
Du Cang gave him a meaningful look. "Rest assured, Lord Liu. When I see the King, I will be sure to pass on your regards."
"Heh, General Du is too kind."
After forcing a smile, Liu Hong watched him leave the study, his expression darkening.
’King Landu... Du Cang!’
Outside, Du Cang couldn’t care less what Liu Hong was thinking. He had leverage over the man, so he wasn’t worried in the slightest.
He was now sizing up Asutai. Forcing a smile, he cupped his hands in a salute.
"Du Cang of the Peacock King Banner greets the Young Master."
Asutai looked down at him, a muscle twitching in his square-jawed face. A hint of hatred flickered in his eyes.
Having come from the Barbarian Race to Shu State, he had of course heard the name "Peacock King Banner" many times.
According to the horse bandits of Poshisu Country, the Peacock King Banner was the most powerful group of their kind on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road.
But in his eyes, the Peacock King Banner was the very culprit responsible for capturing and plundering him and his kinsmen.
It didn’t matter that a different group of horse bandits had been the ones to infiltrate the Barbarian Race this time.
When Asutai remained silent, a flicker of mockery crossed Du Cang’s eyes. Without another word, he waved his hand, releasing a cloud of black mist.
Asutai stared at him, then collapsed stiffly to the ground.
Du Cang sneered. "Why don’t you take a nap, Young Master. When you awaken, you’ll be able to return to the Barbarian Race."
With that, he ignored Zhao Liuan, hoisted Asutai onto his back, and vanished in a flash.
「After he was gone.」
Zhao Liuan swallowed hard, then turned and entered the study.
"My lord..."
Liu Hong raised a hand to cut him off. A ferocious look contorted his face as he violently swept everything off the desk and onto the floor.
CRASH, CLATTER.
Zhao Liuan hastily dropped to his knees, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He had been with Liu Hong for three years, but this was the first time he had ever seen his master lose his composure like this.
After a long while,
Liu Hong’s breathing evened out. He sat back down in his chair, his expression once again calm.
"Have our men find the whereabouts of ’Liu Wu.’ If they locate him, notify Du Cang immediately."
"Also, I’ll be staying at the Government Office for a while. If anyone comes to call, tell them I’m busy with official matters."