Sui and Tang Dynasties: You were driven out of Wagang, but you surrendered to Yang Guang and were ma

Chapter 164 General Qin Qiong pays respects to Prince Shuo

Xu Maogong held the letter, his heart filled with inner turmoil.

He said he wouldn't leave when he came, but now he's leaving too.

If Wang Bodang knew this, how heartbroken and self-loathing he would be.

He immediately said, "What will happen to Bodan? If I leave, he will truly be fighting alone."

Qin Qiong remained silent.

He couldn't answer that question.

After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "I'll find an opportunity to see if I can rescue him, but I can't guarantee I'll succeed."

This was the limit of what Qin Qiong could do.

After all, the people Lü Xiao hated most were Wang Bodang, Xu Maogong, and Qin Qiong.

If it's too obvious, it won't be acceptable to Lü Xiao.

"Shubao, take care."

Xu Maogong put away the letter and gave Qin Qiong a deep look, as if he wanted to etch this former brother into his heart.

"Take care." Qin Qiong returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his voice slightly choked with emotion.

Xu Maogong said no more and turned to leave the tent.

Qin Qiong arranged for two personal guards to escort him out of the camp and all the way to safety.

Back in the camp, Qin Qiong slumped down, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Luo Cheng stood aside, expressionless: "Cousin, if you're unwilling to do it, then let me do it. I'll take the blame."

Qin Qiong did not answer, but only sighed, "My sworn brothers from Jiajialou have suffered so much..."

Several generals from Yanshan were also in the tent and witnessed the entire conversation.

They exchanged glances, their opinions of Qin Qiong now differing.

hypocritical.

After saying all that, it's still about turning against your former brothers.

Clearly, Qin Qiong's sense of loyalty was not as legendary as people in the martial arts world had suggested.

If it's truly for the sake of your brothers, then you should stand up for them.

Even if a brother is to be executed, he should die with his brother.

Moreover, the people Lü Xiao hated were Qin Qiong, Wang Bodang, and Xu Maogong.

Qin Qiong is already here; he can simply go and apologize to Lü Xiao with a bundle of thorns on his back. There's no need for all this trouble.

Ultimately, it's a matter of pride and a reluctance to show loyalty.

Luo Cheng ignored Qin Qiong and began to deploy his troops: "Send down the order to break camp tomorrow and march on Wagang."

"Yes!" The generals accepted the order and left.

Only Qin Qiong and Luo Cheng remained in the main tent.

The flickering candlelight cast distorted shadows of the two figures onto the tent wall.

"Cousin," Luo Cheng suddenly spoke, his voice softening, "I know you're upset, but that's the way of the world. Either you eat others, or you get eaten. We have no choice."

Qin Qiong raised his head, his eyes bloodshot: "I know, but I just can't get over this."

"We have to get through it, even if we can't." Luo Cheng patted him on the shoulder. "After this battle, everything will be alright."

Qin Qiong nodded; at this point, this was the only way.

At this moment, outside Hulao Pass, a large army was marching out in a grand procession.

Lu Xiao rode on the swift Red Hare, his scarlet cloak fluttering in the autumn wind.

He gazed in the direction of Wagang, a cold smile playing on his lips.

I wonder if Qin Qiong is satisfied with these two options.

When Qin Qiong and Wang Bodang drove him away from Wagang in the past, they also gave him a choice.

Now, he has returned everything.

"drive!"

Lu Xiao whipped his horse, and the army surged forward like a black torrent.

After a continuous march, the scouts sent out reported: "Your Highness, Qin Qiong's camp is ten miles ahead."

"understood."

Lu Xiao raised his hand, signaling the army to halt its advance.

"Zhao Chong".

He called out, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the surrounding area.

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Chong rode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and awaited orders.

"Go to Qin Qiong's place," Lü Xiao said calmly, his tone so composed that no emotion could be discerned. "Have him come to greet me."

"promise!"

Zhao Chong understood immediately, gathered seven or eight elite cavalrymen, and rode off.

Before long, an uninvited guest arrived outside Qin Qiong's camp.

Zhao Chongle stood before the camp gate and surveyed the soldiers guarding the camp.

He raised his riding whip and shouted, "I am Zhao Chong, a general under the command of Prince Shuo! Where is Qin Qiong?"

The Yanshan soldiers guarding the camp looked at each other in bewilderment.

They were all veterans of Luo Yi's army, long stationed in the northern frontier, and always obeyed only the orders of the Prince of Beiping.

Now, suddenly a general under the command of the King of Shuo has arrived, speaking in such an arrogant tone, leaving me at a loss for how to respond.

"Who dares to address my cousin by his name!"

A sharp shout came from inside the camp.

Immediately afterwards, a white horse charged out like lightning.

The general in silver armor and white robes, with a spear hanging from his saddle, was none other than Luo Cheng.

He heard someone outside calling Qin Qiong by his full name, and he immediately flew into a rage.

Zhao Chong remained expressionless, meeting Luo Cheng's gaze: "I am Zhao Chong, a subordinate of the Prince of Shuo. I have come on the Prince's orders to have Qin Qiong and the others immediately go to welcome the Prince!"

"We are generals from Yanshan, why should we go to greet the emperor!"

Luo Cheng was proud and arrogant from a young age. As the heir of the Prince of Beiping, he was destined to inherit the throne.

He did obey the imperial court's orders, but that was all.

Receiving the emperor was not within his bounds of duty.

Qin Qiong also rode out of the camp. He knew his cousin was about to get angry and was afraid he would clash with Zhao Chong, so he rushed out.

"This humble general, Qin Qiong, obeys the order."

He spoke calmly and helplessly.

"Cousin!" Luo Cheng exclaimed urgently, "Why would you..."

Qin Qiong waved his hand, signaling him not to say anything more.

He turned to Zhao Chong and bowed from his horse: "Please inform the Prince that I will immediately muster my troops and go to greet him."

Zhao Chong glanced at Qin Qiong, then at Luo Cheng, whose face was full of dissatisfaction, before nodding: "Your Highness's army is not far from here, please hurry."

Having said that, he turned his horse around and rode off in a cloud of dust with several cavalrymen.

"Cousin! Why do you have to be so humble?"

We're just following the imperial court's orders to attack Wagang. Why should Lü Xiao allow us to receive him?

This is a show of force, can't you see that?

Once Zhao Chong was out of sight, Luo Cheng could no longer restrain himself.

"How could I not see it? Now we are under their roof and have no choice but to bow our heads."

"Go if you want! How can Lü Xiao possibly order me around!"

Luo Cheng tossed his head, and his silver spear slammed heavily to the ground.

Having said that, he turned his horse around and angrily returned to camp.

Qin Qiong watched his cousin's retreating figure and sighed deeply.

He knew Luo Cheng's temperament and knew that continuing to resist like this would not do any good.

But for now, he can only focus on the immediate situation.

"Issue the order to gather one hundred personal guards and accompany me out of the camp to welcome Prince Shuo."

Qin Qiong gave orders to his deputy.

Before long, the hundred elite cavalrymen had lined up.

Qin Qiong mounted his horse and glanced in the direction of the camp, but Luo Cheng still did not come out.

He shook his head and led his troops out of the camp.

After traveling about five miles, a large army appeared on the horizon ahead.

A massive, dark mass of men surged in like a tidal wave, banners fluttering and swords and spears flying everywhere.

At the very front, a large flag fluttered in the wind, bearing a huge character "吕" (Lü).

Qin Qiong reined in his horse and waved to his personal guards to stop.

He took a deep breath, spurred his horse forward, and stopped twenty paces away from Lü Xiao, clasping his hands in a fist salute on horseback:

"This humble general, Qin Qiong, pays his respects to Prince Shuo!"

He paused, then added, "Please forgive me, this humble general is in armor and cannot perform the full ceremony."