Snowy Chang'an Road

Chapter 18 His Majesty is Trapped
  "Reorganize the army and set off tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, no, this is a Huns trick. We can't fall for it. They are deliberately showing weakness just to make us relax our vigilance. We really can't go north."

With a "pop" sound, Wei Yuan threw the teacup in his hand in front of Wei Shao.

"King Peiping, when did you become so indecisive, like a coward, and showed compassion for the enemy?"

Seeing that Wei Yuan was angry, Wei Shao hurriedly knelt down and said, "I have never shown any sympathy to my enemies. Please tell me this."

"Really? Then why did you collect the corpse of the traitor Fan Hui when you were in Guangyang Kingdom?"

"minister"

"Come here, the King of Peiping has been fighting for months. He is exhausted and unconscious. Take the King of Peiping down for a rest. No one is allowed to let him out without my will."

After saying this, the two soldiers walked up to Wei Shao and put their hands on Wei Shao's shoulders hesitantly.

Wei Shao stood up and shook off the two people's restraining hands.

"My minister retire."

After seeing him leave, Wei Yuan turned to Pei Kai and asked, "Does Duke Pei have any objections to my campaign to conquer the remnants of the Xiongnu?"

"I sincerely obey the imperial edict."

In the room, Pei Ying took the opportunity of delivering food to see Wei Shao. When she opened the door and went in, Wei Shao was sitting on the bedside with his eyes closed and concentrating.

She took out the carefully made fried noodles and the freshly fried fried cakes from the food box.

Pei Ying used chopsticks to stir the noodles and called Wei Shao to come over for dinner. Seeing that he was unmoved, Pei Ying walked up to him, tugged on his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, people are like iron rice and steel. If you don’t eat one meal, you will feel hungry.”

Seeing that he still didn't move, Pei Ying continued to persuade: "Your Majesty is determined to have his own way, and he will definitely suffer in the future. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Huns deliberately showed weakness in order to lure the enemy deeper, but Your Majesty was blinded by the successive victories in front of him. He wants to annihilate the Xiongnu in one fell swoop. Your Majesty is the king of a country, and he should accompany you like a tiger. Whatever he wants to do, even if it is wrong, his ministers must do it."

Hearing her words, Wei Shao opened his eyes.

"But your father, he didn't express his position, he just spoke vaguely. Why is that?"

"Do you think my father didn't see through the Huns' tricks? It's just that he is an old fox. Seeing the dispute between you and your son, he will definitely turn to me, not to you, my son. In fact, he does not support continuing to attack the Huns. I just see that His Majesty has made up his mind, so I can only speak in accordance with His Majesty’s wishes.”

"How do you know that your father does not support attacking the Huns?"

Pei Ying felt guilty for a moment, and she smiled awkwardly. She quickly changed the subject and said, "I made you fried noodles. If you don't eat them, they will become lumpy. There are also fried cakes, which won't taste good when they get cold."

Pei Ying pulled him to the table. Wei Shao picked up the chopsticks and poured the oil into his mouth.

"Pei Ying, I've known you for so long, and I've discovered that your greatest advantage is that you cook deliciously."

"Is that all?"

Wei Shao nodded, and Pei Ying gave him a roll of her eyes.

"You have never had a good rest during these two months of marching and fighting. Now that you are trapped here, don't think about anything and just take a good rest for a few days."

"No, if I take a rest, how can I still achieve military exploits? How can I be rewarded by His Majesty? How can I be granted a title by someone?"

"Stop, don't draw cakes for me. You still have meritorious service, reward you, and let me get a title. You can't figure out His Majesty's thoughts. You have suffered many losses, but do you have a long memory? I don't ask for it now. Rich and glorious, I just ask you not to cause trouble, or you will implicate me when the time comes."

"What? You just want to follow me and take advantage, and you don't want to suffer any losses?"

"Yes, I like to eat, but I don't like to suffer."

Hearing this, Wei Shao couldn't help but laugh.

"Is it that funny?"

Wei Shao grinned and nodded. Looking at him laughing heartily, Pei Ying seemed to have discovered a new world.

"Wei Shao, so you can laugh?"

"I always will."

"It's quite funny when you smile. Smile more often when you have nothing to do. Don't keep a dead face all the time." Wei Shao suppressed his smile and continued to work hard.

After running around for a long time, Pei Ying finally lived a peaceful life in Mayi for a few days. She only did three things the whole day, eating, sleeping, and visiting the prison.

When she wasn't tired, she and Bai Zheng would always study food in the kitchen. There were more and more varieties on Wei Shao's dining table. Looking at the food he had never seen before on the dining table, Wei Shao's expression gradually changed from suspicion to Trust me, now, apart from sleeping and practicing martial arts every day, he is looking forward to Pei Ying's arrival.

Just as Pei Ying was about to reach out and push the door open, Wei Shao opened the door from the inside ahead of her. Looking at his expectant face, Pei Ying seemed to see the guinea pig she raised. Every time she put food on it, its expression changed. Just like Wei Shao.

"What delicious food did you cook today?"

“Adzuki beans, rice and stew.”

"Why is this rice red?"

Listening to his idiotic question, Pei Ying said, "Why do you think it's called red beans and rice?"

"This is my first time eating red rice."

"Nonsense, this is my first time too."

Wei Shao picked up the chopsticks and wanted to pick up some stew to try.

"Stop, take a bite of red beans and rice first, don't add vegetables, taste its original flavor."

Wei Shao didn't understand but did as he was told.

"Is it tasty?"

"good to eat."

"As long as it tastes good, please help yourself now."

Wei Shao finished the meal in front of him in twos and twos. He had eaten and drank enough and put away the bowls and chopsticks.

With a "bang", the door was kicked open from the outside. Wei Shao pulled Pei Ying behind him. In an instant, the sword on the table was unsheathed.

Seeing that the person coming was Xiao Shen, he put away his sword.

"Brother Wei, Your Majesty"

"What happened to my father?"

"We went all the way north and defeated the Huns in succession. Your Majesty was impatient. Two days ago, he led 10,000 cavalry to advance and pursue the victory. He never thought of falling into the trap of the Huns. The 300,000 Huns were hiding in the mountains. Seeing that they were outnumbered, your Majesty made a decisive decision and led the cavalry to attack. The Stirrup Mountain was defended against the natural dangers, and now the main force of the Xiongnu has surrounded the Stirrup Mountain like an iron barrel."

"Who is with His Majesty?"

"Pei Guogong and Yong Taiwei are both here."

Wei Shao turned around, looked at Pei Ying and said, "Just stay in the governor's house and don't go anywhere. If we lose to the Huns and are defeated, I will send spies to deliver a message to you. If you see the letter, ride back." Chang'an, I will write the letter of separation and send it together with the letter."

"He Lishu? Are you prepared to die in battle?"

"This place is close to the north and the weather is cold. Twenty-three out of ten of our soldiers are frostbitten. Our combat capabilities are not as good as before. We now only have an army of 300,000 people, while the Huns have 400,000. Do you know what this means? I am sure If you want to go up to Stirrup Mountain and protect your father, anyone who hurts your father must step over my body, Wei Shao."

"I'll go with you."

"No, the battlefield is dangerous and should not be played with."

"My father, Pei Kai, is also trapped on Stirrup Mountain. As a daughter, I should stand in front of my father. Anyone who hurts my father must step over my body, Pei Ying."

"But you are a girl."

"What about girls? Are girls not their father's children?"

　A happy weekend is coming. Tomorrow Pei Ying and Wei Shao will join hands to rescue Your Majesty. Princess and prince, please don’t miss it.

　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)