Before the generous compensation from Xiliang was in place, Li Mingyang, the prince of Xiliang, forced a smile and did his best as a host. He had some sheep slaughtered on - the - spot and roasted to fill everyone's bellies and ward off the cold. In fact, his heart was bleeding.
Originally, he had proposed to offer five million taels of silver as compensation to the family of the fifth princess just to show his magnanimity and appease the public's anger, hoping that the Flying General would spare them.
But that Flying General was simply a wolf that could never be satisfied! Not only was he not impressed by this generous gesture, but he was also insatiable and demanded the same amount every year?
Li Mingyang was shocked to find that the Flying General was so shameless! But he was powerless to resist and could only watch himself being exploited.
Everyone slaughtered several sheep and happily gathered around the bonfire, roasting the meat themselves. Soon, the delicious aroma filled the air, making people's mouths water.
Li Mingyang felt that he was just like those fat roasted sheep on the fire, being squeezed dry.
Jing Zhe, as if no one else was around, cut off a fat hind - leg with a knife and swaggered back to the Flying General's carriage with it.
General Cui was gobbling down the meat while chatting casually with Luo Xunlong.
The ninth prince and Pin Hao were not polite either. They scraped their knives on the snow a few times, regardless of whether they were clean or not, and eagerly cut large pieces of mutton and stuffed them into their mouths. This sight displeased some of the former soldiers of the Xue Family Army. They wondered why the ninth prince of their Celestial Dynasty could eat so merrily without any psychological burden when he was being treated so casually?
That night, they didn't disperse until very late.
After Wei Dongling had eaten and drunk his fill, General Cui followed Luo Xunlong all the way to the inn.
Wei Dongling, on the pretext of being injured, asked Jing Zhe to stop General Cui outside the screen and told Cui Huan to serve him tea.
Wei Dongling whispered angrily, "It's so late. What do you want from me?"
General Cui sighed helplessly, "Flying General, I'm in a difficult situation and don't know what to do. That's why I came to discuss it with you."
Wei Dongling had no choice but to say, "You may speak your mind."
General Cui said anxiously, "I just received a secret letter from the king at night. He severely scolded us for making our own decisions and privately dispatching troops to Xiliang. He ordered me to lead the troops back immediately to receive punishment. Flying General! We sacrificed more than thirty thousand soldiers when we attacked the gates of Jiang City! Even if we go back with the generous compensation from Xiliang, it may not be enough to appease the king's anger. I'm so scared that I don't know what to do. I sincerely hope that the Flying General can go back with the army. With you around, at least the king won't blame us too much..."
What he meant was that in the face of the king's rage, he hoped the Flying General could go back to take the blame.
Wei Dongling sneered in his heart and roared, "The king actually blames you? If you hadn't made a decisive decision and rushed to Xiliang, our Iron Cavalry Army would have been surrounded and wiped out by the Celestial Dynasty and Xiliang! You saw with your own eyes what happened to Xiliang today. If we had hesitated for a moment back then, it would be our valiant Northwest Iron Cavalry Army kneeling on the ground begging for mercy today!"
Hearing this, General Cui's face turned deathly pale. He knew that the Flying General was right, but he was still scared in the face of the king's rage and didn't know how to explain. General Cui said nervously, "Flying General, please go back with us and explain it to the king!"
Wei Dongling said firmly, "I disdain to explain to the king! If you want to go, go by yourself! I'm busy!"
Hearing this, General Cui almost knelt down. He said anxiously, "Flying General! If I can't explain it clearly, the king will really cut off my head!"
Wei Dongling gritted his teeth and roared, "I'm really busy and don't have time to go with you. Otherwise, you can lead the troops to the capital of the Celestial Dynasty with me. Then I'll go back with you to offer a humble apology. How about that?"
Lead the troops to the capital of the Celestial Dynasty?
General Cui said with a pale face, "How can this be done? If the king finds out..."
"Don't mention him to me!" Wei Dongling roared angrily, "He doesn't think about our Iron Cavalry Army. Does he want to watch us be destroyed by the alliance of the Celestial Dynasty and Xiliang? And he even blames you afterwards? You saved so many lives by turning the tide! You're a great hero of our Northwest Iron Cavalry Army! Instead of rewarding you, he blames you?"
General Cui heard the angry pacing sound of the Flying General behind the screen. He hesitated timidly, "Although that's true, I did violate the king's order first..."
Wei Dongling scolded him for his timidity, "What? If you had let everyone die, would that be considered doing your duty?"
General Cui hung his head and fell silent.
Wei Dongling softened his tone and said coldly, "I have more important things to do. According to insider information, the Celestial Dynasty is in turmoil now. Their emperor is bed - ridden and at the mercy of others. The tenth prince, Murong Yunqian, wants to kill his father and seize the throne. The change of the dynasty may happen in the next few months."
General Cui asked in surprise, "The ninth prince of the Celestial Dynasty looks so young! There's actually a younger prince who wants to ascend the throne regardless of seniority?"
Wei Dongling said in a deep voice, "Yes! I'm going to the capital of the Celestial Dynasty myself. At least I have the ninth prince firmly under my control. He should, both emotionally and reasonably, ascend the throne as a puppet emperor. As for the forces behind the tenth prince, I'll go and clean them up for him!"
"This..." Seeing that the Flying General was eager to assist the puppet prince to ascend the throne and refused to go back with the Northwest Iron Cavalry Army, General Cui felt a bit depressed. He was at a loss for a long time.
Then he heard Wei Dongling behind the screen say loudly, "General Cui! I need you!"
Hearing this, General Cui trembled and knelt down. He stammered, "Flying General... I dare not violate the king's order..."
Wei Dongling sneered, "Do you think you'll have a good end if you go back?"
General Cui: ...
Wei Dongling continued, "If you lead the Iron Cavalry Army to the capital with me to assist the ninth prince to ascend the throne, I guarantee that you'll be the second - rank General of the State of the Celestial Dynasty! And these eighty thousand soldiers of the Celestial Dynasty will be at your disposal!"
What?
Cold sweat broke out on General Cui's forehead. He could hardly believe his ears. He knelt on the ground and said in a panicked voice, "Flying, Flying General, are you... are you asking me to betray my country..."
If the Flying General assisted the ninth prince to ascend the throne, the position of the General of the State should, in principle, belong to the Flying General. Why didn't the Flying General want it but supported him to take that position?
Wei Dongling sighed, "My health is getting worse day by day. Think about our Iron Cavalry Army, which has made great military achievements. We had to save ourselves, but the king blamed us so harshly! I don't know how the king will treat you after my death. Instead of that, it's better for you to come with me to control the future emperor of the Celestial Dynasty. On the one hand, you can be promoted and enjoy wealth and honor. On the other hand, our soldiers of the Iron Cavalry Army won't be bullied when they go back!"