Lord Chengtian was here.
The carriage stopped and Ye Sangdu stepped forward to receive him. As the second highest ranked in the West Border Army, it was natural that he stepped in when the Marshal was not around.
“Welcome Lord Chengtian!”
Behind him, Jiang Chengzi, Zhao Chong, and other generals smiled.
Lord Chengtian had money and power. He was also friendly with many others in court and received His Majesty’s trust. He was an important official in court.
Although they were generals in the border army and had military power, if they wanted to have peaceful days, they had to have a good relationship with the officials.
Moreover, they had to respect the imperial will.
The carriage door opened and Lord Chengtian walked down. He smiled handsomely, “Please rise. There is no need to be so courteous.” He took a few steps forward, “Great General Ye, I have yet to drink the tea you promised me. You had better not have forgotten about it.”
Ye Sangdu smiled, “Lord Chengtian, don’t worry. I will do what I promise. I have been looking for tea leaves and just found some two days ago.”
“Oh? Then I will wait for it!” Lord Chengtian smiled before turning to greet the others.
Qin Yu realized that Lord Chengtian was excellent in diplomatic relationships.
Other than Jiang Chengzi, he was able to greet all the other generals in the West Border Army warmly.
It was as if they all had some kind of relationship.
Whether intentional or not, Lord Chengtian left Qin Yu to last, “General Jinwu, when I heard the rumors about your death back in the capital, I was shocked. Thankfully, it was proven to only be rumors.”
Outside the camp, the laughter in the air had yet to completely disappear. But after he said this, everyone felt an invisible pressure.
A thought rose in everyone’s minds – His Majesty was extremely displeased with Marshal Wu!
Lord Chengtian was favored by His Majesty and would not express himself without thinking it through. From his words, everyone could feel His Majesty’s feelings.
Qin Yu put his hands together, “Greetings, Lord Chengtian.”
“Please be at ease.” Zhou Chengtian reached out to pat his shoulder. “Did Hundred Saint give you any trouble? Back then, I did not want him to follow along and create trouble for you. But he insisted on coming and I could not stop him. I had to trouble you.”
Qin Yu replied, “Hundred Saint has helped me a lot.”
These…were empty words.
But like what Lord Chengtian said earlier, it was unlikely he believed it…wasn’t the adult world like this?
“That’s good.” Lord Chengtian replied, “I still have to go and meet Marshal Wu. Tell Hundred Saint to wait for me in the tent tomorrow. I have something to pass to him from home.”
As he finished, he greeted everyone, “Dear Generals, I will have to leave first. When I am done with my duties I will find all of you once more.”
He greeted politely once more before entering the camp to find Wu Tongtian.
That’s right. This was the position of a marshal. Even a lord conferred by the Imperial Clan was inferior.
The weight of military authority was evident!
Ye Sangdu looked at Qin Yu, “Okay, let’s leave.”
He turned and was the first one to go.
Jiang Chengzi looked calm, but under this facade, there was hesitation. Although it was not stated clearly why Lord Chengtian was at the West Border Army, everyone knew that he was here for General Jinwu.
The problem lay in the fact that there had been no indications from the start to the end and he did not know what Lord Chengtian’s true motives were.
As a general sent by the Imperial Clan to the border army, this made him feel confused.
Qin Yu was silent as he looked at Jiang Chengzi. He could guess what Jiang Chengzi was thinking. But before he could do anything, Zhao Chong walked over and smiled warmly.
Lord Chengtian was here and His Majesty might be making a move. He was anxious to reconcile with General Jinwu. They spoke for a while until Zhao Chong left with a smile on his face. By that time, Jiang Chengzi had left.
Qin Yu wanted to explain things. After all, this elder general would be useful in the future.
But thinking of how he himself did not know what Lord Chengtian was here for, how could he explain to others?
……
Everyone vacated the marshal tent and no one knew what Lord Chengtian and Marshal Wu spoke about.
They only knew that the both of them talked for close to six hours.
When Lord Chengtian was leaving, Marshal Wu personally saw him off with a smile on his face.
Everyone could not understand and wondered what exactly His Majesty was intending to do?
Didn’t Lord Chengtian come to the border army to support General Jinwu and help him gain power?
“Marshal Wu, please stay!” Lord Chengtian was smiling, “I still have many court affairs to deal with and cannot remain at the border army for long. I have to quickly finish His Majesty’s task.”
Wu Tongtian nodded, “If you need help and I am able to support, please just ask me.”
“Of course!”
Lord Chengtian cupped his hands together before turning to leave.
He did not hide from prying eyes and headed straight to Jiang Chengzi’s tent. One hour later, Qin Yu was invited to the same tent.
“Lord Chengtian, General Jinwu is here.”
Zhou Chengtian’s voice could be heard, “Invite him in.”
The first thing Qin Yu saw when he entered the tent was Jiang Chengzi’s smiling face. The gloomy look that he had earlier had completely disappeared.
He could not help but sigh internally. Lord Chengtian was an expert!
“General Jinwu, I have ordered some dishes and drinks. Let us accompany Lord Chengtian to drink a few glasses.” Jiang Chengzi smiled and spoke. His tone was a lot warmer.
Qin Yu looked at Lord Chengtian who was smiling quietly, “Since Lord Chengtian and elder general would like to drink, I will accompany you.” He turned to sit. “However, we have to exercise some restraint; I do not wish to get scolded by Marshal Wu.”
Lord Chengtian laughed and looked at Qin Yu with more satisfaction. This lad was smart. With a single sentence, he formed a closer relationship. He did not put the effort to waste.
Although Jiang Chengzi was arranged by the Imperial Clan and not controlled by the Desolate King, he tended to be slightly more biased towards the king due to his birth. Settling him and getting him to work with General Jinwu was critical to the success of the plan.
Hence they were called together…it was just that he did not know what explanation or promise Lord Chengtian could give to Jiang Chengzi to make him so happy.
Qin Yu did not say anything even though he was confused. But if they needed to do something, he would need an explanation.
So what he needed to do now was to wait patiently.
Jiang Chengzi clapped and the table was quickly set. The border army was bitterly cold, but that was limited to ordinary generals.
As the eldest general in the West Border Army, his power to enjoy was no less than in the capital.
They did not have any singers but there were a few female troops who changed into dresses and were enough to entertain them. This was something that was acknowledged universally in the army. Although it was against the rules, no one created trouble.
After all, the great generals spent most of their lives guarding the border and were already risking their lives for the empire.
Who dared to say anything for a few women?
Lord Chengtian sat in the main seat and had two beautiful women, one in each arm. After a few cups of wine, their cheeks glowed.
He occasionally leaned over to give affection but he remained in control. He was filled with unrestrained charm.
Jiang Chengzi laughed, “General Jinwu, you might not know but when Lord Chengtian was young, he was the most regular customer at the brothels in the capital. Some of his stories are still being shared in the entertainment circle.”
With this single sentence, it was obvious that he was close to Lord Chengtian.
Lord Chengtian smiled as he reached out, “Elder general, you are talking too much. Let’s toast!”
Qin Yu sat extremely straight.
It was not that he did not know how to put on a show.
It was because he felt an intense gaze on him.
And an intense instinct filled him.
If he reached out to hug the two women beside him, he would be in trouble!
As he thought about it, Qin Yu chuckled bitterly. He guessed that this feeling had something to do with Rourou.
She was it!
This meant that it was the will of it…though he did not know the reason, since he received the warning, there was no need to ‘try his luck’.
Jiang Chengzi finished his glass of wine and looked over, frowning, “General Jinwu, are you not satisfied with my arrangement? It is okay, I still have many beauties. I can call them over for you to choose from!”
Qin Yu put his hands together, “Elder general, you misunderstand. It is…” He felt lost for words. He hesitated and gritted his teeth, “It is because I have someone I like and she is waiting for me back at my tent. I don’t wish to hurt her.”
If you threaten me and disallow me from playing, then I will use you as a shield.
It was a fair trade!
Jiang Chengzi thought about it, “Is it Lady Rourou from the Demon Sect?”
Qin Yu nodded.
The elder general could not really understand. From what he had heard, General Jinwu took her by leading one hundred thousand troops to pressure the Demon Sect. But after that, when General Jinwu was sent to guard the mine, it was an undeniable truth that Rourou had asked the Marshal to be allowed to follow him.
Qin Yu got up and lifted his glass, “Today I am willing to accompany you both to drink, but I will not enjoy the ladies.”
There was a glimmer in Lord Chengtian’s eyes but he remained calm.
“Okay, since General Jinwu has his reasons, we should not make things difficult for him…he is the only one who loses out and it has nothing to do with us.”
Jiang Chengzi smiled and nodded.
Qin Yu pretended not to see the resentful look the two ladies were giving him and only made them pour wine and grab food.
Even though the feast was somewhat restrained, they drank a lot.
Lord Chengtian laughed as he set his cup down and hugged his two ladies, “I am tired from my journey and will head back to rest. Goodbye!”
After having a meal and drinks, he left with two beauties. This scene was enough to make anyone jealous.
Jiang Chengzi looked at Qin Yu and seemed to be laughing, “General Jinwu, it is not too late to change your mind.”
Qin Yu chuckled bitterly as he put his hands together, “Thank you for the offer, but I will take my leave!”
Behind him, he could hear Jiang Chengzi’s roaring laughter.
Friendship pulled people closer to each other. After the banquet, it was obvious that they were closer.
Leaving the tent, Qin Yu felt a little giddy as the wind blew. The grudging look that the two beauties gave him appeared in his mind along with the two bumps under their loose clothes.
He could not help but feel restless and a fire grew within him. He quickly took a deep breath and waved away the thoughts.
Laughing bitterly, Qin Yu got rid of the effects of the alcohol and walked away.
He did not stop on his way back to his tent. He poured himself cold tea and took a sip before sighing.
The thoughts were disturbing his mind. Even if his self-control was strong, it still took him some time to calm down.
His door was pushed open and Rourou entered. She looked at Qin Yu and snorted.
“Tsk, men!”
Qin Yu felt awkward as he looked at her, “Lord Chengtian is His Majesty’s man and is very powerful. You had better be careful and not create trouble.”
Rourou sneered, “Don’t rush to change the topic! Qin Yu, you were very bold today. You actually dared to use me as a shield!” She stared at Qin Yu with her eyes wide, “Or is it that you have some other thoughts about me?”
Qin Yu was speechless.
Where was this going? If I did not know your identity…peh, peh, peh. Even if I did not know, I am not that kind of person!
He shook his head determinedly.
Rourou suddenly came over and her fragrance entered his nose, “You deny very quickly. That means there is something going on! Qin Yu, tell me the truth. If you admit it, I might go easy on you and let you take some advantages…after all, this body is not mine. There is no harm in letting you use it.”
