I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 661 He looked up again, just like the young man he was back then!

Is it difficult to walk?

The group of angels looked at Han Shaorong's radiant face and vigorous voice, and couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

So... this is a direct choice to defy the imperial decree?
Realizing this, the angels' faces gradually turned pale.

They seemed afraid that the brute next to them would slap them into mincemeat.

Fortunately, their worries were unnecessary.

After politely declining Ji Yin's offer and making it clear that he would not go to the capital, Han Shao not only did not make things difficult for these Ji family servants, but even sent people to escort them out of the country with courtesy.

"Actually, to be honest... our Prince of Yan is not a bad person."

The angel who spoke weighed the considerable sum of money he had been given and sighed sincerely.

The other angels nearby, upon hearing this, were about to utter a curse.

'No matter how good he is, he's still a traitor!'

But the wealth in their arms was too heavy, making it impossible for them to open their mouths and curse.

So much so that even upon returning to the capital, they only reported it 'honestly'.

"The Prince of Yan has received His Majesty's decree, but... but it seems his old illness has relapsed, and he will be unable to come to the capital for the time being. Please forgive him, Your Majesty..."

Upon hearing the angels' report, the courtiers were all taken aback.

Ji Yin was so angry that he laughed.

That lowly soldier was still as shameless as ever, just as he remembered.

Ji Yin glanced indifferently at these scoundrels. He had originally intended to kill these greedy and foolish bastards, but after a moment's thought, he suppressed his murderous intent.

"Go again and deliver some precious medicine to me."

"While you're at it, ask him for me when his injuries will heal."

The group of angels, who had just endured a journey of thousands of miles, were inwardly groaning, but feeling Ji Yin's terrifying pressure, they ultimately dared not utter a single word.

……

Thus, the angels, who had just returned to the capital, had to embark on another long journey with almost no rest.

In February, after overcoming numerous hardships and obstacles, they finally arrived at Youzhou Town once again, weary from their journey.

Just like last time, Han Shao remained polite and courteous.

After accepting the precious medicine, they gave them some money and sent them on their way.

Go to the capital city?
My grief hasn't healed yet, how can I go?
Who will take responsibility if someone goes down a deadly road?
……

In early April, the exhausted angel team returned to the capital.

As usual, he gave a 'honest' reply.

Ji Yin only heard the beginning before speaking directly.

"Let's go again."

Upon hearing this, the entire angel procession felt as if they had lost their parents.

But they could not disobey the emperor's command, so they had no choice but to set off once again.

This time, however, they were smarter.

Instead of rushing, they chose to travel at a leisurely pace to avoid exhaustion on the way.

However, this meant that what should have been a one-month journey took more than two months.

It wasn't until mid-June that they slowly arrived at Youzhou Town again.

This time, however, Han Shao seemed too lazy to even bother with a perfunctory excuse. He simply sent someone with the words, "My king is bedridden and unable to see anyone. Please forgive him, sir," and sent them on their way.

Upon seeing this, the angels were immediately filled with apprehension.

As the saying goes, when gods and immortals fight, little devils suffer.

If they were to simply return to their senses and report back, they couldn't guarantee that Ji Yin wouldn't execute them in his rage.

No matter how much they pleaded and begged, Han Shao still refused to see them.

At this moment, they finally understood that the generous sums of money they had received on the previous two occasions were for no other reason than...

It was their money used to buy their lives!

Realizing this, the angel, already exhausted both physically and mentally, could only turn back in despair.

Perhaps realizing their impending doom, they slowed down their journey back.

More than once, they considered abandoning everything and fleeing incognito.

But ultimately, they couldn't bear to risk the lives of their families, and no one really dared to take that step.

Just as they were returning to the capital in despair, one day they suddenly saw a group of people approaching rapidly in the distance that looked very similar to their own.

"Why has another angel gone north?"

Out of curiosity, they went up to meet them.

Upon inquiry, it was discovered that the destination of this angel team was also Youzhou Zhenliao!

"This……"

Unfortunately, before they could ask for more details, the angel team, carrying out an imperial order, hurriedly departed.

Just as they were filled with doubt, they encountered another team the next day.

And their destination was also Youzhou Zhenliao!

The third day, the fourth day, the fifth day...

For more than ten days, until the last day, they saw a line of angels dressed in royal armor, marching solemnly towards the northeast.

They finally realized something was wrong.

"not good!"

The leader, his voice suppressed, spoke with a grim expression.

"Something terrible is about to happen!"

Having said that, he recalled that in recent days, it seemed that many Imperial Guards had been gathering in a certain direction, either openly or secretly.

His expression changed, and he quickly said...

"Quickly! Speed ​​up our journey! We need to get back to the capital as fast as possible!"

……

The General's Residence in Zhenliao.

This core hub of Youzhou, which had stood for decades, has gradually lost its former aura of power and now looks much more deserted.

But discerning people know that this does not mean the glory of the General's Mansion is gone.

On the contrary, the Yan State's government, which lived next door, was far superior to the General's government in terms of both social standing and status.

But even now, the largest and most imposing building in Zhenliao City is still the General's Mansion.

For this reason, Gongsun Du mocked Han Shao's pettiness more than once in front of him.

He also stated frankly that if Han Shao was short of money and food, he still had some savings and could contribute some to maintain his dignity as a duke.

Unfortunately, Han Shao always refused with a smile, saying things like, "Your face is something you give yourself, there's no need to put on a show," or "He's sentimental and can't bear to leave his old home," and other such nonsense.

joke!

Over the years, if he could have scraped together even a little bit of money from supporting the army and the people, he could have easily built not only a new mansion, but also a Zhenliao city.

But he refused!

As a result, many people outside are now saying that he, Han, is virtuous and filial, and that he never wants to outdo his father-in-law in anything.

This, on the contrary, makes him, as the father-in-law, seem arrogant and domineering, relying on past favors.

This is really unreasonable!

This scoundrel sought fame and fortune, yet he used his own father, who was practically his father, as a tool to betray him. What kind of filial son is this?
Whenever this is mentioned, Gongsun Du gets all worked up and glares.

This caused Li Wenjing, who was seen as a smiling tiger by the world, to squint her small eyes and laugh extremely happily.

In fact, Li Wenjing knew perfectly well that Gongsun Du, that old bastard, was openly cursing that scoundrel as a worthless wretch, but in reality, he was showing off to her!

Just as he always knew, when a person is not fond of money or beautiful women, nor does he like mansions or luxury, it can only mean that this person has great ambitions.

Not only could the small town of Zhenliao not contain his ambition, but even the seemingly vast land of Youzhou could not contain it.

So he looked meaningfully at the young figure sitting silently drinking at the table, and suddenly smiled.

"Eighteen imperial edicts have been issued in succession, summoning the King to the capital. It's clear that our Emperor is extremely sincere!"

"Your Majesty, why don't you just give in?"

"At that time, we old folks will also be able to benefit from the King's glory and witness the wealth and prosperity of the capital."

Upon hearing this, Han Shao chuckled helplessly and quickly waved his hand.

"Father-in-law is joking. Today's family banquet is just for father-in-law and son-in-law. There are no kings or kings here."

Compared to the title of "King," Han Shao actually preferred the old title of "Emperor."

There's no way around it; the mental imprint left from my past life is too deeply ingrained.

When he thinks of the King, he thinks of the colorful clown on playing cards.

It was so ridiculous that he found it hard to accept. But no matter how much he disliked it, that was the way things were, and he could only go with the flow and accept it.

Gongsun Du, who was seated in the main seat alongside Li Wenjing, snorted coldly upon hearing their conversation.

It's unclear whether he was unhappy that Han Shao addressed Li Wenjing, the fake father-in-law, in front of him, the real father-in-law.

He was still pleased with Han Shao's sensible attitude in 'not daring' to call himself the king.

However, since Li Wenjing had mentioned the eighteen consecutive imperial edicts, Gongsun Du straightened his expression and said in a deep voice.

"How do you plan to deal with this?"

Han Shao smiled upon hearing this.

"What can be done?"

"Having been through many battles, my old ailment has relapsed, making it difficult for me to walk. It's impossible for me to go to the capital for the time being."

Seeing that Han Shao, that scoundrel, was trying to fob him off with words meant to appease the central government, Gongsun Du frowned, about to lash out, but was interrupted by a clear, cold snort.

Gongsun Du's expression froze as he looked up at Gongsun Xinyi, who was kneeling beside Han Shao.

Alright, it's a family dinner today, and Xinyi is here, so let this scoundrel be arrogant for a while.

Seeing that Gongsun Du had become so dejected, Li Wenjing smiled inwardly and could only pick up the topic again herself.

"Our Emperor is too hasty..."

Han Shao chuckled.

"He's not too hasty, he's too confident."

Just like when the two first met, Ji Lao Jiu, who was born into nobility, never took him, a 'lowly soldier,' seriously.

Han Shao had thought that after what happened back then, Ji Lao Jiu would have learned his lesson.

But now it seems he was wrong.

Ji Lao Jiu is still the same Ji Lao Jiu.

Facing himself, a former nobody now the Prince of Yan of the Great Yong, he still carried a strange confidence and arrogance.

You think he's stupid?
That's not necessarily true.

After all, if he were truly stupid, wouldn't that make Shangguan Ding and the other powerful figures in the capital seem even more foolish?
So all Han Shao can say is that ingrained thinking can be deadly!

Hearing Han Shao's undisguised sarcasm towards the current emperor, Li Wenjing didn't notice anything amiss.

After thinking about it carefully for a while, he even nodded in agreement.

After a brief silence, Li Wenjing, unusually, put away her habitual forced smile and said seriously.

"How do you plan to deal with the Imperial Guards' northward march?"

Although the Xie Zhi Guards have now been integrated into the Six Doors, Han Shao has not deliberately severed the connection between these former subordinates and Li Wenjing.

They even proactively delegated some authority to Li Wenjing.

Firstly, it can be used to counterbalance the increasingly powerful Bank of China faction.

Secondly, it's true that the capable should do more work. If someone like Li Wenjing were to simply retire and live a leisurely life as a wealthy man, wouldn't that be a waste?
Therefore, it is understandable that Li Wenjing pays close attention to certain details.

At this moment, Han Shao responded calmly to Li Wenjing's words.

"It's nothing more than... we'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Hearing the certain will revealed in Han Shao's words, Li Wenjing pondered for a moment before uttering two words.

"Confronted?"

Han Shao smiled and nodded.

"Confront it."

As he said this, Han Shao's wine cup landed precisely on the table in front of him with a clean, crisp sound.

Although the sound was not loud, it unexpectedly gave people a strange sense of finality and impact.

After the family dinner ended.

Watching the figures of Gongsun Xinyi and Jiang Wan leave together, Li Wenjing suddenly sighed.

"Our king is becoming more and more imposing..."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Du couldn't help but mutter something.

"What do you mean 'ours'? It's mine!"

……

I left the general's mansion.

Gongsun Xinyi, who hadn't uttered a single word during the meal, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"You...are you really ready?"

Han Shao laughed.

"What? Does Mulan lack confidence in me? Or does she think I'm no match for Ji Lao Jiu?"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Xinyi subconsciously stroked her already protruding belly and gave him a speechless glare.

Established facts speak louder than any amount of eloquence.

She always believed in him.

Just like back then, I believed he could lead three hundred defeated soldiers out of the icy, snowy grasslands of that vast expanse.

Or perhaps, as a noblewoman from a prominent family, she resolutely "married down" to this once worthless rogue, even going so far as to share his wealth and serve him with others.

The reason I'm asking this question right now is simply because I'm too anxious, to the point of being afraid of losing it.

Han Shao was well aware of this.

The reason for bringing Ji Jiu out was certainly not to use their past 'relationship' to put Gongsun Xinyi in a bad light.

It's just a little bit of romance that comes with being a married couple for many years.

Well, it's just part of the play...

What did your father-in-law just say to you?

Seeing that Han Shao suddenly brought up the topic to her, Jiang Wan, who was lost in thought, was slightly taken aback before speaking.

Nothing more.

"I just want to tell my husband that he should just do whatever he wants. The Jixia Academy, and even the entire Confucian school... will not be an obstacle for him."

Upon hearing this, Han Shao lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment, then looked up again and chuckled.

"He's just overthinking things."

“There are some things you could just say to me directly, why beat around the bush and make things so mysterious?”

To be honest, I'm afraid he'll overthink things.

But that's also a good thing.

Distance and closeness, intimacy and distance, are both matters of degree and leeway.

Of course, this only applies to outsiders; it doesn't apply to the two women beside me.

Just like now, seeing that Gongsun Xinyi and Jiang Wan, who were standing on either side of him, were deliberately lagging behind him by half a step, Han Shao sighed in his heart and paused slightly.

When the three of them stood side by side, he suddenly reached out and took the two soft, jade-like hands on his left and right.

"A wife is equal to her husband."

"The three of us are one, and we should move forward shoulder to shoulder."

"If that's not the case, wouldn't I truly become a lonely bachelor?"

The two women, who were deeply moved by Han Shao's actions, couldn't help but chuckle when they heard his subsequent complaint.

Married for over ten years.

No matter how earth-shattering the person in front of you is in terms of identity, status, power, or cultivation.

But when I looked up again, he was just like the young man he was back then.

Thoughtful and affectionate.

"I've made you live in this cramped place with me all these years, I'm sorry you've suffered."

"If I work even harder, our family will live in the highest and largest house in the world!"

"In the future, I will take you to see all the mountains, rivers, sun, and moon of this place!"

"For the rest of my life, even if I have to search the heavens and the underworld, I will ensure that you will have no worries for eternity!"

The previous sentence was fairly pragmatic.

The next sentence is rather irrelevant.

But at this moment, someone's high spirits made the two women unable to look away, even with tears in their eyes.

Even Jiang Wan, who once regretted teaching her husband to seek fame and fortune, was no exception.

"Alright, I'll wait."

……

(End of this chapter)