Chapter 427
Sima Ping’s father had specifically instructed him before he left. He was to stick closely to Lu Yuanpeng, because Prime Minister Lu would surely have people secretly protecting Lu Yuanpeng, and Sima Ping could benefit from this protection.
Besides, Sima Ping was truly worried about letting Lu Yuanpeng go to the Northern Frontier battlefield alone.
In Dadu City, Sima Ping appeared to be on good terms with everyone, but in truth, the only person he actually considered a friend was the seemingly gullible and not very smart Lu Yuanpeng. He did not want to lose this friend.
The journey to the Northern Frontier battlefield was long. If Sima Ping did not accompany him, Lu Yuanpeng might be sold off, and he wouldn’t even know.
With this in mind, Sima Ping took his clothes to change behind a tree, shedding his graceful young gentleman’s appearance.
Lu Yuanpeng, looking at Sima Ping, who was now just as filthy as himself, covered his mouth and laughed secretly.
Seeing that his horse and bundle were gone, and only a sword was left in Lu Yuanpeng’s arms, Sima Ping frowned and asked, “Where are my horse and bundle?”
“Oh, I saw two beggars and gave them away!”
Sima Ping took a deep breath and closed his eyes to calm the anger rising within him. “Yuanpeng… that bundle had our travel money! Five hundred taels…”
Lu Yuanpeng was startled, then cleared his throat and said, “Hey! We’re going to the military camp, marching with the troops. Can they really let us starve to death? You clearly have no intention to enlist. You say we’re dressed as commoners going to the military camp, and it’s appropriate to carry five hundred taels of silver? No experience! Let’s go…”
“Fine!” Sima Ping forced a smile, tightly gripping the embroidered clothes in his hand. “Just don’t cry later!”
The Jin Army camp was not like the Bai family army camp. If they didn’t have silver to smooth things over and did not reveal their identities for protection, they would certainly end up with the dirtiest and most exhausting tasks. Sima Ping hoped Lu Yuanpeng could hold on by then.
Sima Ping went to a pawnshop in the city, pawned his clothes, and, together with the dirty Lu Yuanpeng carrying a small bundle, started walking north of the city.
No sooner had they walked a few steps than they were recognized by some usual playmates, who dismounted and laughed at Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng. “What are you two doing?”
“Going incognito to enlist!” Lu Yuanpeng answered righteously. “To the Northern Frontier, to drive the Liang dogs back to the Liang Kingdom!”
Seemingly moved by Lu Yuanpeng’s spirit, the group of rascals also dismounted. They did not expect Lu Yuanpeng to have such manly valor. Someone, on a whim, shouted, “Hey! Since we always hang out together, why don’t we enlist too!”
“Don’t mess around! We’re enlisting, not playing around!” Lu Yuanpeng said, puffing up his chest.
“Since you put it that way, I really feel like going! Everyone, if even Lu Yuanpeng, who loves to fool around the most, wants to enlist, can we still stay in Dadu City indulging in frivolities? Let’s go too! Once we drive the Liang dogs back, we’ll come back and celebrate! And we’ll have stories to brag about to the brothel girls!”
“Easy for you to say. Whose grandfathers or parents will agree to let you enlist?” Sima Ping crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow with a slight smile.
“So how did you two get your grandfathers and parents to agree?” asked one of the rascals.
“That’s simple, sneak out! Incognito. I am Wang San! Sima Ping is Ma San!” Lu Yuanpeng boasted.
“Then we can sneak out too! Anyway, this recruitment order says anyone of any status can enlist, even beggars! We’ll make up that we have no household registration. Maybe they’ll even give us one! I’ll be Li San!”
“Where did you get those clothes?”
“Yeah… where did you get the clothes? Let’s go get a set too!”
“Then I’ll be Yu San!”
Laughing and joking, the group of rascals, driven either by a momentary impulse or the desire to continue their mischief with Lu Yuanpeng and Sima Ping, all changed into commoners’ clothes and shoes and headed grandly to the military camp to enlist.
When Prime Minister Lu returned from court and heard that the rascals, led by Lu Yuanpeng, had grandly changed into commoners’ clothes and gone to the northern city’s military camp to sign up for the army, his forehead throbbed.
He had clearly told Lu Yuanqing to instruct Lu Yuanpeng to go quietly! Quietly! How did it turn into such a big commotion!
Now the rascals enlisting had become well-known gossip throughout Dadu City.
That grandson of his never did things conforming to expectations and always acted unpredictably, giving Prime Minister Lu constant headaches.
But, as Prime Minister Lu calmed down and thought about it, this might not be a bad thing. Making a big scene… the Emperor would see it wasn’t because Prime Minister Lu had any schemes in sending his grandson to the military camp. It was just Lu Yuanpeng fooling around, sneaking out of the house with a bunch of rascals to enlist, to drive the Liang army out of Jin Kingdom. The Emperor would likely be pleased to hear this!
Fortunately, Lu Yuanpeng hadn’t mentioned wanting to go to the Northern Frontier to follow his elder sister from the Bai family. Otherwise, the Emperor would have been suspicious again.
Prime Minister Lu took a sip of tea, exhaling a long breath.
After all, Lu Yuanpeng was known as a notorious rascal in Dadu City. If he foolishly enlisted, the Emperor wouldn’t take it to heart. He only hoped that Lu Yuanpeng could show some mettle and not be driven back because he couldn’t bear the hardships. If he could make a name for himself in the army, it would be good fortune for the Lu family.
“Prime Minister! It’s not good! Patrol Camp Commander Fan Yuhuai came with a sad face, begging the Prime Minister to control Young Master Yuanpeng and not take their family’s only heir to the Northern Frontier battlefield. Otherwise, Master Fan fears his old mother would do something desperate!”
“Prime Minister! It’s not good! Lord Shoushan came in person, begging the Prime Minister to let Young Master Yuanpeng of our family return his great-grandson…”
Prime Minister Lu’s hand shook, nearly spilling his tea, and he quickly stood up. “Quick, invite Lord Shoushan and Master Fan in first…”
·
Bai Qingyan and Liu Hong waited on horseback by the Longmu River between Longyang City and the Liang Army camp for Xun Tianzhang.
Today’s weather was gloomy, with especially strong winds.
After a while, Xun Tianzhang arrived slowly, standing on a chariot, with Zhao Sheng riding beside him with a squad of elite soldiers.
Liu Hong ordered the heads of the Zhao family army scouts who had entered the city last night to be presented before Xun Tianzhang, and he smiled, saying, “General Xun, if you want to know the military situation of our Jin Army, why go to such trouble to send spies into the city? Why not ask General Bai and me? Liu Hong will surely tell all… leaving nothing unsaid.”
Before their departure, Bai Qingyan had specially instructed Liu Hong to adopt a tough attitude and to set a deadline for the Liang Army, indicating the urgency of the Jin Army’s move to attack. This way, the Liang Army would believe the Jin Army’s reinforcements had arrived.
Xun Tianzhang’s gaze fell on the heads of the Zhao family army scouts, gripping the chariot’s handrail tightly. He looked at Bai Qingyan, who was sitting on horseback in silver armor, her expression cold and indifferent.
It seemed the Jin Kingdom’s reinforcements had indeed arrived, making them confident enough to be so tough. Otherwise, they would surely be as hesitant and indecisive as Zhang Duanrui.