Chapter 684 – Father “Son” Soy Sauce Group (1)
In the region near the Huangshui River, a tributary gave rise to the name Huangshui County, located at the border of Chenzhou.
Since the royal decree was issued, calling upon the world’s heroes to support the throne and jointly eradicate treasonous bandits, various forces eagerly responded, gathering here in droves.
They set up camp near Huangshui County, with campgrounds stretching over two hundred miles—such a formidable display, it was nothing short of magnificent.
From the governor down to the county officials, there were no fewer than twenty factions, amassing a total of over four hundred thousand soldiers.
Changshou Wang was in a tizzy, unable to even catch a decent sleep these days.
Who would have thought that the forces responding to the throne’s call were so numerous? Where did all these people come from—some back alley?
They were already set to invade Chenzhou. With the Cangzhou Meng Clan in cahoots with them, things were looking grim. Who would have thought his royal brother would shamelessly issue a decree to rally forces? What does that even mean?
It was supposed to be a private matter between brothers; no matter how badly they fought, it would still be a family affair. But since his royal brother couldn’t win, he just pitifully sat down, wailing like a toddler, calling for help to fight back… Ugh.
Family disgrace shouldn’t be aired in public, yet his royal brother made it a global spectacle—so embarrassing.
Changshou Wang commanded the scouts to continue investigating; the reinforcements at Huangshui County had already amassed to four hundred thousand—quite an impressive force.
“Hurry and summon Governor Meng for a discussion…”
Changshou Wang was so troubled he looked like he was about to go bald. After some time had passed, he had visibly slimmed down.
He couldn’t fathom what bad luck had befallen him; just when things seemed to be turning around, wham, he was knocked back to square one.
Before long, a soldier carefully brought in a middle-aged man with a grim expression, dressed inconspicuously.
When Changshou Wang saw him, it was as if he had encountered his savior—his eyes suddenly lit up.
The middle-aged man was fairly presentable, sporting a neatly trimmed beard and a pair of dark, hawkish eyes.
When he looked at someone with those eyes, they carried an eerie aura that made one feel quite uncomfortable.
As soon as he arrived, the middle-aged man asked grimly, “What’s got you so worked up, Wang Ye?”
Changshou Wang suppressed his annoyance and smiled wryly.
“Could I not be anxious? Those treacherous rebels are gathering at the Huangshui with an army of four hundred thousand! If they team up with the remaining soldiers in Chenzhou, they will surround and attack us… Then I’ll have nowhere to fly to! Sir, do you think I can stay calm?”
The middle-aged man was none other than the patriarch of the Cangzhou Meng Clan—Meng Zhan, the ex-husband of Liu Zhi.
Hearing Changshou Wang’s heartfelt words, he scoffed coldly, “Just a bunch of rabble with their own agendas, Wang Ye need not worry about them. For now, just stay put, and they’ll collapse on their own. Remember way back when, the Eastern Celebration, Zhong Zhao, Beiyuan, and Xichang sent aid to Nansheng against the Southern Barbarians? Didn’t the Southern Barbarians also retreated while causing internal strife, eventually leading to the collapse of that alliance? Just sit back and watch this bunch of ‘support the throne’ fools tear each other apart. These wildlings will create havoc for themselves sooner or later.”
After hearing this, Changshou Wang’s restless heart calmed down a bit.
However… just thinking about the sprawling encampment that extended over two hundred miles still made his heart race uncontrollably.
Even if Meng Zhan was spot on, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Meng Zhan frowned deeply in his heart, loathing the situation, but couldn’t let it show on his face. “Wang Ye needn’t worry. Even if it’s not for your sake, I must consider the Meng Clan. Right now, the Meng Clan is tied to you, like crickets on the same rope; as long as you’re well, the Meng Clan will rise further. Moreover, as long as Liu Zhi’s family is alive and kicking, I won’t risk my life before they do.”
The hatred of killing a son is eternal.
He must personally take Liu Zhi’s head and use her son’s blood and flesh to honor his son Meng Liang’s spirit in heaven.
To achieve that purpose, Meng Zhan was betting everything on Changshou Wang.
Only victory is allowed, failure is not an option!
Forty thousand soldiers supporting the throne—it was indeed a headache, but these forces had their own little schemes, making them not impossible to tackle one by one.
As long as Changshou Wang followed his plans, he guaranteed the Eastern Celebration royal family wouldn’t survive past this spring.
Hearing Meng Zhan’s assurance, Changshou Wang finally felt at ease.
Elsewhere, in the Huangshui encampment.
The cold wind howled, flags fluttered, and while the camps seemed connected, they were actually protective and wary of each other, with varying configurations.
Huang Song arrived at Huangshui County half a month ago, set up camp, and became neighbors with Liu Zhi, visiting him from time to time. If it weren’t for the soldiers in armor exuding killing intent surrounding them, Liu Zhi might have thought he had entered the wrong show with how attentive Huang Song was.
One day, after practicing with his troops, Huang Song dropped by again.
Liu Zhi was warming himself with a hot pot when he heard a report from outside and sighed.
Seeing as they were all in this together as forces supporting the throne, he couldn’t just shut Huang Song out.
Thus, Liu Zhi could only instruct the soldier guarding the tent.
“Let Governor Huang in.”
Did you hear that?
Governor Huang!
Having relatives in the court sure makes things convenient.
Huang Song’s grandfather, Huang Qin, served as a trusted eunuch of the Emperor, secretly helping him sell offices and collect a little pocket money, which he generously offered to the Emperor for personal pleasures, enriching the royal treasury. Seeing that, Huang Song simply took advantage of his grandfather’s connections to solidify his own position.
Not long after, Huang Song was directly promoted from county official to the governor of Maode County.
Young and promising, feeling the sweet breeze of success.
He thought Huang Song had come just for a casual visit, but little did he know, he was dragging along a little tail.
Liu Zhi sat at the head of the tent, frowning slightly as he looked at the young man beside Huang Song—
Cheng Jing, Cheng Youmo.
A refined gentleman, tall and upright, radiating righteousness that seemed to shine brighter each day.
Even though the young man was dressed simply and modestly, standing next to Huang Song, he was hard to ignore, as if born to be the center of attention.
Just look at Huang Song, then back at Cheng Jing, Liu Zhi couldn’t help but sneer internally.
The moment he saw Cheng Jing, he realized Huang Song had come with ulterior motives today, and it wouldn’t be easy to send him away.
Sure enough—
“Uncle Liu, I’ve come today to discuss something with you.”
Huang Song put on the demeanor of a younger relative with just the right balance of respect and assertiveness, like an average neighbor paying a visit to his elder.
Liu Zhi furrowed his brow. “What’s the matter?”
Huang Song glanced subtly at Cheng Jing behind him; Liu Zhi got the hint and gestured for Cheng Jing to speak.
“I’m Cheng Jing, I hope to inquire about a matter from the governor.”
Liu Zhi’s mind whirled a bit; he vaguely understood what Cheng Jing wanted to say but still wanted to test him.
“You may ask.”
Cheng Jing didn’t beat around the bush, coming straight to the point.
“What does the governor think? Can this alliance save the building about to collapse?”
Liu Zhi snorted, feeling neither anger nor any particular sentiment, just playing along.
“Various forces have gathered at Huangshui, almost assembling thirty percent of Eastern Celebration’s military strength—how can this not save the world?”
However, Cheng Jing responded, “Using legitimacy to suppress rebellion, it’s quite justifiable. But, various factions are far from united, and that treasonous Changshou Wang has the intention to hold back and quietly watch the internal conflicts of these people… If we do not find a way to consolidate their hearts, when the time comes, they’ll scatter, and should Changshou Wang stir up trouble again, the efforts to support the throne may ultimately return in vain. What does Governor Liu think? Is there any possibility in what I say?”
