Princess and the General

Another Two Conferred in an Instant (Part One)

Sponsored Content

While the Board of Rites planned the wedding banquet for the two princesses, another letter was delivered from the border with haste.

Western Kun’s army was one-hundred thousand strong.
The soldiers were already on the borders of Zhu Guan and Weizhou!

It was clear that the enemy had come prepared.
With both rations and medicine prepared, the situation was dire!

The officials were shocked.
They never thought that this sort of news would come while they were preparing for joyous matters.
It was truly unheard of.

“Western Kun truly is ambitious.
Sending a princess to improve relations was fake, and hiding the truth from us is the truth! Even wild beasts will look after their young, so for Emperor Kun to give up his own daughter for the sake of deceiving us, it’s truly too vicious!”

“Your Majesty, please quickly dispatch Lord Marquis Gu to organize the troops and set out for Zhu Guan and Weizhou!”

Emperor Ning waved his broad sleeve and remained calm, “There’s no need to worry.
Marquis Gu has already made plans for this, sending out the third young sir to the border beforehand to command the troops.
For the time being, there will be no danger.”

What? Gu HuaiJiang already knew that Western Kun was going to attack?

Thinking back, Gu HuaiJiang said that there was a secret military matter that he could only tell Emperor Ning about.
It turned out to be this.

The court officials let out a sigh of relief.
They knew that with Gu HuaiJiang present, Western Kun was no cause for concern!

Sponsored Content

Some could not help but feel curious, “Your Majesty, Lord Marquis Gu, may I ask how Lord Marquis Gu knew that Western Kun was going to launch an assault on the border?”

Gu HuaiJiang replied based on the facts, “The Deity of Medicine has divine foresight.
Before Western Kun sent out their princess for the marriage to improve relations, if this marquis talked about this matter, it’s inevitable that there would be a chance of being suspected of starting a war.
For the sake of preventing any information from leaking, it was kept hidden from the court officials.
I hope that everyone will excuse me.”

So that was the case.

“Everything that Lord Marquis Gu does is for the sake of Eastern Ling.
We are truly too lacking.
This was in spite of clearly knowing the risks involved.
Lord Marquis Gu truly is a hero and is worthy of admiration!”

Yin Shuo stood in place with a blank expression.

He had lost this match from the very beginning.
Gu HuaiJiang had deliberately enticed him into stealing the military report and used that matter to report to Emperor Ning.
Not only had he failed to trip him up, but he had also given him a helping hand.

That damn Gu HuaiJiang, as a general, his mind was not the slightest bit duller than the other court officials.
His scheme really was spectacular.

It was amazing and could not be any better.

Gu HuaiJiang earnestly said: “Your Majesty, since Western Kun has already made its move, requests permission to immediately set out with the army!”

“Very well, then who will be brought along as deputy general?”

Gu HuaiJiang thought for a bit, “ShuBai and JiuGe.”

Sponsored Content

He was bringing Gu ShuBai and GuJiuGe, and Gu HanMo was already at the border.
With this, only the young ones will remain at the manor.

Emperor Ning felt a little uneasy.
Ever since Gu ShuBai nearly died to Yin Yan’s plot, Gu HuaiJiang had been very cautious, fearing that something might happen to his children.

This time, he was putting his life on the line.
It seemed as though he wanted Western Kun to suffer a massive loss, allowing for a few more years of peace at the border.

He was moved and slowly nodded, “ShuBai is already the young general of the Gu family’s army.
Hand down Our edict.
We confer Gu JiuGe the title of fourth-ranked cavalry general, and We confer Gu HanMo the title of fourth-ranked guard general.
They are to set out today!”

Two titles were conferred in an instant?

Gu HuaiJiang was a subject who could be conferred no further titles, thus Emperor Ning showed his favor by rewarding his children.
In a single manor, there were four with court titles, and there was one who had been conferred the title of princess.
This was completely unprecedented.

The court was filled with officials, but nobody dared to object.

Some people glanced toward Imperial Censor Ji DaoGong, hoping that he would step forward to say something and prevent Emperor Ning from showing too much favor to his generals.

Ji DaoGong ignored all of the looks.
It was as if he had not heard or seen anything.

He was old, but his eyes were exceptionally keen.
He knew whom Emperor Ning should trust and whom he should show favor.

Sponsored Content

Gu HuaiJiang stepped forward and said: “This subject appreciates Your Majesty’s favor, but the two of them are a little too young and have not seen any actual battles.
To directly promote them to fourth rank is a little too much for them.
Would Your Majesty please retract your edict!”

He said everything that everyone else wanted to say, but it just made everyone feel ashamed.
He, Gu HuaiJiang, did not covet this sort of favor in the slightest.

Emperor Ning waved his broad sleeve, “They’re no longer too young.
When you were 20, you were a young general who charged onto the battlefield.
When ShuBai was 20, he was able to lead soldiers on his own to hold the defensive line.
Marquis Gu’s Manor is filled with good sons.
We cannot allow them to be covered up by their brother and father’s glory.”

With these words having been said, it was clear that his mind was made up.

It would not be good for Gu HuaiJiang to continue refusing, “This subject thanks Your Majesty on my sons’ behalf.
This matter must not be delayed.
This subject will set out tomorrow morning and will bid farewell to Your Majesty now!”

“Farewell, Marquis Gu.
You must return triumphant.”

The officials in court bowed, and Gu HuaiJiang cupped his hands to return the gesture.
Being watched by everyone’s expectant gazes, he strode out of the hall.

The luggage had been packed beforehand, and Gu ShuBai and Gu JiuGe were not nervous.
They were just a little shocked.

They initially thought that Gu HuaiJiang would leave at least one of them behind to handle matters at home.

“Although we have made preparations for this battle beforehand, father did not think that Western Kun would send out one-hundred thousand troops for their initial assault! Zhu Guan and Weizhou are being attacked at the same time.
The enemy is fighting on two fronts, and we can’t say for certain that they won’t choose a third location.
It could be said that this battle will determine the situation between Western Kun and Eastern Ling.
You two should both go and take a look.”

Sponsored Content

As members of the military, they hated only talking about the movement of soldiers on paper.
They would learn the most through action.

Moreover, such a battle was exceedingly rare to come by.

Gu HuaiJiang called everyone to the main hall.
Right before setting out, he gave many warnings and reminders, and everyone listened carefully.

Gu WenQing was sensible and said: “Since father will be going with eldest brother and second brother, I will be sure to take good care of the manor’s affairs and take care of my younger brothers and sister.
Father and elder brothers, please do not worry.
Go and return safely.”

“You have always been very steady.
Naturally, father is not worried.
Let Yu Fu help you take care of the manor’s affairs.
That way, you will have someone to work with.”

Gu Xiang and Gu Yi stood to the side and nodded.
Hearing this, they immediately realized that something was off.

“Father, Yu Fu is even younger than us! How come you’re letting Yu Fu help fourth brother? What about us?”

Yu Fu was a little surprised.
Yu Fu had grown accustomed to having everything handed to her in Marquis Gu’s Manor and had never handled any of the manor’s affairs.

She thought that Gu HuaiJiang was unable to find anyone to help Gu WenQing thus considered her; however, Gu ShuBai suddenly looked at her with a smile.

Author’s note: On my way home after work yesterday, I saw a middle-school couple in their uniforms holding hands and blocking the way in front of me.

When a kind person passed by, I gently cleared my throat and said, “Little ones, could you let this aunty get through?”