Chapter 5.18 – I Want To Be With You

“How did you know?” After hearing these words, Xiang Han was astonished.

Xu Yan Ze told him, “Some people by Lady Mei’s side have dealt with the Turks before. They’ve recently discovered that there are some Turks who have disguised themselves as merchants to enter and leave the mansion.”

“What else?” Xiang Han continued to ask. Although he had already predicted this outcome, he wasn’t able to determine Xue Qing Lin’s collusion with the Turks just based on this.

Xu Yan Ze sighed, “General Zhang Yong and the thirty thousand troops were suddenly transferred to Shuofeng. I heard that it was an order issued last night. The team set off this morning.”

“General Zhang Yong is…” Xiang Han wasn’t clear on the military’s matter. It wasn’t a surprise that he became confused.

Xu Yan Ze explained, “He’s a strong general under Xue Qing Lin. He has a strong hatred for the Turks and has always been fighting against them.”

“I see.” Xiang Han understood instantly, and said, “As soon as the 30,000 troops left, only 70,000 people were left in Jin Wu. Moreover, most of these 70,000 people are from Xue Qing Lin’s private army. No one will be able to stop him no matter what he does. Also, Shuofeng has been normal, but for them to suddenly transfer 30,000 troops over is very strange.”

“Exactly.” Xu Yan Ze nodded, “If he is colluding with the Turks, your guess yesterday is probably not too far from the truth.”

“Mn.” Xiang Han pretended to be in deep thought before repeating what he had guessed, “If that’s the case, they’d definitely make a move before the third young master Bai leaves Jin Wu.”

“Where is he now?” Xu Yan Ze asked.

“He’s still in Jin Zhou. But I heard that they’d be leaving for Wu Cheng the day after tomorrow.” Jin Wu was under the administration of a ‘one country two province’ policy. The head of the Jin family needed to shuffle between Jin Zhou and Wu Cheng since the Jin manor was in Jin Zhou.

“Jin Zhou was close to the military. The best place to make a move would be after they’ve left Jin Zhou en route to Wu Cheng.” Xu Yan Ze helped him analysed.

Xiang Han silently let out a breath. “Luckily, my father hasn’t gone to Wu Cheng.”

Xu Yan Ze looked at him with a profound gaze. After a second, he suddenly spoke, “Little fool, the old madam left so abruptly. She might be missing you. Why don’t you visit her tomorrow?”

Xiang Han froze. “Are you chasing me away?”

“If our guess is right, Jin Zhou will most likely be invaded. I don’t want you to take this risk.” Xu Yan Ze held his hand and softly coaxed him.

“Then, why don’t you leave?”

“I…” He never thought of this before and instantly became stumped.

That’s right. He was a lone wolf with only the little fool to worry for. He could leave if he wanted to, but why hadn’t he thought of this before? Xu Yan Ze couldn’t help but fall into deep thought. Perhaps, it was because he wanted to help the little fool protect his home or perhaps, he’d seen too much cruelty in this world and no longer wanted to see such destruction again.

Xiang Han suddenly grasped his hand, and spoke resolutely with a smile in his eyes, “I know what you’re thinking. But since I’ve already decided to take over the Jin family, I should be the one to bear this burden. Moreover…”

His voice lowered and his eyelids drooped. He continued awkwardly, “I want to be with you and not somewhere safe while worrying about you.”

Xu Yan Ze’s gaze faintly flickered. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but he abruptly pulled Xiang Han into his arms and embraced him in a firm hug. When he spoke again, his voice sounded a little hoarse. “In that case, you must stay by my side every minute… every second. You’re not allowed to leave.”

“Alright.” Xiang Han nodded vigorously.

Xu Yan Ze slowly released him. The two of them stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds, and he suddenly leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met and separated. The cycle continued for several more times until they were completely entangled with each other, chasing after the other’s lips.

Although Xu Yan Ze may seem weak, his strength was no joke. It didn’t take long for him to be the one leading in the battle, enticing Xiang Han in this waltz. Some time passed before he finally let go of Xiang Han, but Xiang Han’s hands were still firmly wrapped around his shoulders. He panted, “This is not the time to think of such things. There are more important matters at hand.”

Xu Yan Ze’s hands were still wrapped around his waist. Hearing this, he pulled the other person closer to lean on himself. “This matter is quite simple. Firstly, we can’t allow Zhang Yong to go to Shuofeng. Secondly, Jin Zhou must strengthen its defenses. As for Wucheng, it is beyond our reach.”

Xiang Han shook his head. “I’m afraid the first criteria won’t be easy.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it.” Xu Yan Ze gave him another kiss, looking very confident.

Xu Yan Ze’s method could be considered rather wicked. First, he used several large boulders to block Zhang Yong’s route before breaking the bridge that he needed to use to cross the river. Then, he sneakily carved the message that ‘Jin Wu had fallen’.

The ancient people were superstitious. When Zhang Yong’s subordinates noticed the engravings while moving these boulders, they were frightened and immediately ran back to report this matter.

Zhang Yong was doubtful but didn’t take it seriously. However, once he continued forward and noticed that the broken bridge had the same words as before, his heart was thrown into turmoil. But military orders must be obeyed, and thus, he fixed the bridge.

After Xu Yan Ze heard this, he couldn’t help but frown. He contemplated if he should send some people to burn their provisions in the night. Although it was cruel, wasn’t it for the sake of saving the civilians of Jin Wu?

However, before he could pass down such orders, a heavy downpour began. Zhang Yong was instantly caught in a dilemma; he couldn’t move forward and could only retreat.

There were too many coincidences that Zhang Yong couldn’t help but be shaken. From the start, the engravings were too strange and several of his subordinates had already grown wary of Xue Qing Lin. They were afraid that he’d try to suppress their troops and thus, they quickly persuaded him.

After a long hesitation, Zhang Yong finally passed down the order to return.

Chapter 5.18 – I Want To Be With You

“How did you know?” After hearing these words, Xiang Han was astonished.

Xu Yan Ze told him, “Some people by Lady Mei’s side have dealt with the Turks before. They’ve recently discovered that there are some Turks who have disguised themselves as merchants to enter and leave the mansion.”

“What else?” Xiang Han continued to ask. Although he had already predicted this outcome, he wasn’t able to determine Xue Qing Lin’s collusion with the Turks just based on this.

Xu Yan Ze sighed, “General Zhang Yong and the thirty thousand troops were suddenly transferred to Shuofeng. I heard that it was an order issued last night. The team set off this morning.”

“General Zhang Yong is…” Xiang Han wasn’t clear on the military’s matter. It wasn’t a surprise that he became confused.

Xu Yan Ze explained, “He’s a strong general under Xue Qing Lin. He has a strong hatred for the Turks and has always been fighting against them.”

“I see.” Xiang Han understood instantly, and said, “As soon as the 30,000 troops left, only 70,000 people were left in Jin Wu. Moreover, most of these 70,000 people are from Xue Qing Lin’s private army. No one will be able to stop him no matter what he does. Also, Shuofeng has been normal, but for them to suddenly transfer 30,000 troops over is very strange.”

“Exactly.” Xu Yan Ze nodded, “If he is colluding with the Turks, your guess yesterday is probably not too far from the truth.”

“Mn.” Xiang Han pretended to be in deep thought before repeating what he had guessed, “If that’s the case, they’d definitely make a move before the third young master Bai leaves Jin Wu.”

“Where is he now?” Xu Yan Ze asked.

“He’s still in Jin Zhou. But I heard that they’d be leaving for Wu Cheng the day after tomorrow.” Jin Wu was under the administration of a ‘one country two province’ policy. The head of the Jin family needed to shuffle between Jin Zhou and Wu Cheng since the Jin manor was in Jin Zhou.

“Jin Zhou was close to the military. The best place to make a move would be after they’ve left Jin Zhou en route to Wu Cheng.” Xu Yan Ze helped him analysed.

Xiang Han silently let out a breath. “Luckily, my father hasn’t gone to Wu Cheng.”

Xu Yan Ze looked at him with a profound gaze. After a second, he suddenly spoke, “Little fool, the old madam left so abruptly. She might be missing you. Why don’t you visit her tomorrow?”

Xiang Han froze. “Are you chasing me away?”

“If our guess is right, Jin Zhou will most likely be invaded. I don’t want you to take this risk.” Xu Yan Ze held his hand and softly coaxed him.

“Then, why don’t you leave?”

“I…” He never thought of this before and instantly became stumped.

That’s right. He was a lone wolf with only the little fool to worry for. He could leave if he wanted to, but why hadn’t he thought of this before? Xu Yan Ze couldn’t help but fall into deep thought. Perhaps, it was because he wanted to help the little fool protect his home or perhaps, he’d seen too much cruelty in this world and no longer wanted to see such destruction again.

Xiang Han suddenly grasped his hand, and spoke resolutely with a smile in his eyes, “I know what you’re thinking. But since I’ve already decided to take over the Jin family, I should be the one to bear this burden. Moreover…”

His voice lowered and his eyelids drooped. He continued awkwardly, “I want to be with you and not somewhere safe while worrying about you.”

Xu Yan Ze’s gaze faintly flickered. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but he abruptly pulled Xiang Han into his arms and embraced him in a firm hug. When he spoke again, his voice sounded a little hoarse. “In that case, you must stay by my side every minute… every second. You’re not allowed to leave.”

“Alright.” Xiang Han nodded vigorously.

Xu Yan Ze slowly released him. The two of them stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds, and he suddenly leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met and separated. The cycle continued for several more times until they were completely entangled with each other, chasing after the other’s lips.

Although Xu Yan Ze may seem weak, his strength was no joke. It didn’t take long for him to be the one leading in the battle, enticing Xiang Han in this waltz. Some time passed before he finally let go of Xiang Han, but Xiang Han’s hands were still firmly wrapped around his shoulders. He panted, “This is not the time to think of such things. There are more important matters at hand.”

Xu Yan Ze’s hands were still wrapped around his waist. Hearing this, he pulled the other person closer to lean on himself. “This matter is quite simple. Firstly, we can’t allow Zhang Yong to go to Shuofeng. Secondly, Jin Zhou must strengthen its defenses. As for Wucheng, it is beyond our reach.”

Xiang Han shook his head. “I’m afraid the first criteria won’t be easy.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll deal with it.” Xu Yan Ze gave him another kiss, looking very confident.

Xu Yan Ze’s method could be considered rather wicked. First, he used several large boulders to block Zhang Yong’s route before breaking the bridge that he needed to use to cross the river. Then, he sneakily carved the message that ‘Jin Wu had fallen’.

The ancient people were superstitious. When Zhang Yong’s subordinates noticed the engravings while moving these boulders, they were frightened and immediately ran back to report this matter.

Zhang Yong was doubtful but didn’t take it seriously. However, once he continued forward and noticed that the broken bridge had the same words as before, his heart was thrown into turmoil. But military orders must be obeyed, and thus, he fixed the bridge.

After Xu Yan Ze heard this, he couldn’t help but frown. He contemplated if he should send some people to burn their provisions in the night. Although it was cruel, wasn’t it for the sake of saving the civilians of Jin Wu?

However, before he could pass down such orders, a heavy downpour began. Zhang Yong was instantly caught in a dilemma; he couldn’t move forward and could only retreat.

There were too many coincidences that Zhang Yong couldn’t help but be shaken. From the start, the engravings were too strange and several of his subordinates had already grown wary of Xue Qing Lin. They were afraid that he’d try to suppress their troops and thus, they quickly persuaded him.

After a long hesitation, Zhang Yong finally passed down the order to return.