Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 15: Forced into danger
Wei Xiaobao wanted to walk to the military tent and eavesdrop on the conversation between Zhang Liang and Zhang Jiao inside, but the guards kept staring at him, so he had to tell the guards that he would go back to Zhang Liang's tent first.

As Wei Xiaobao entered Zhang Liang's tent, Shuang'er came up to greet him and asked, "Xiaobao, have you seen Zhang Jue? Can we go back now?"

Wei Xiaobao sighed and said, "I did see him, but we didn't get to talk. Zhang Liang seemed to be afraid that I might say something wrong and cause his eldest brother to become suspicious of him, so he kept me quiet."

Shuang'er comforted him, "It's okay, Xiaobao. Since we've already met Zhang Jiao, we can find a chance to talk it out next time."

Wei Xiaobao said, "That Zhang Jue looks strange. Every question he asks is answered by Zhang Liang, but he doesn't seem unhappy at all. When Xiao Xuanzi is in court, the minister who is supposed to answer gets to answer, and no one else dares to interrupt. Even when I'm out on business with the brothers from the Cavalry Battalion, it's the same. The Yellow Turban Army may not be as well-behaved as the civil and military ministers of the court or the Eight Banners, but the people from the Tiandihui don't rush to speak like Zhang Liang. It's normal to say a few words, but he interrupts me every time. Doesn't Zhang Jue suspect anything? I always feel like something is wrong, but I can't figure out what it is!"

Shuang'er said, "Xiaobao, if you can't figure it out, forget about it. Help me figure out what to do. My beard has already been torn apart by that Tang Qin. Do I really have to stop pretending?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "It was you who made the noise that made Tang Qin suspicious, and then you spoke and Zhang Liang figured out you were a woman. During our entire journey, you kept quiet when there were people around, which is why you were able to hide it. The more you talk, the more mistakes you make."

Shuang'er said angrily, "I only warned you because I saw you were in danger. Why do you think it's wrong to say more?"

Wei Xiaobao suddenly grabbed Shuang'er's shoulders and said, "Could it be that Zhang Jiao is also pretending like you are?" Remembering that when Mao Dongzhu pretended to be the Queen Mother, she rarely spoke to the eunuchs and palace maids, Wei Xiaobao nodded and said, "Since you don't want to be discovered, the less you talk, the less you reveal your identity."

Wei Xiaobao thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Zhang Liang stopped me from talking because he was worried that I would discover that Zhang Jue was an imposter. Since he knew that Zhang Jue was an imposter, why was he still worried that Zhang Jue would suspect him of instigating Tang Zhou's rebellion?"

Shuang'er saw Wei Xiaobao nodding and shaking his head while mumbling to himself, and hurried forward to comfort him, "Xiaobao, don't think about it anymore. Why don't we go check it out tonight while it's dark?"

Wei Xiaobao, reminded by Shuang'er, came up with an idea. He said, "Tonight, let's sneak into Zhang Jue's tent. You press his acupuncture points, and I'll slowly interrogate him. If it's fake, we have to find out where the real one is. If it's real, let him send us back."

When Shuang'er heard the word "go back", she felt happy and nodded, saying, "Xiaobao, whatever you say, I'll listen to you."

Wei Xiaobao's hands on Shuang'er's shoulders suddenly exerted force to pull her closer to him, saying, "If you just listen to me, it'll be done. Let's kiss."

Shuang'er smiled and crouched down, slipped out from under Wei Xiaobao's armpit, and got behind him.

Wei Xiaobao turned around and prepared to hug Shuang'er again, but the curtain of the military tent had been lifted and Zhang Liang walked in.

Seeing Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er playing around, Zhang Liang just smiled and said, "Brother Wei, I've already told my eldest brother about our plan, and he's agreed. You can go get ready later, and we'll set off tonight."

Wei Xiaobao asked: "We?"

Zhang Liang said, "Yes, you and me. Lu Zhi was so quick, he didn't give us a chance to catch our breath. By the time we reached my eldest brother's tent, he had already led his troops in pursuit and had already surrounded Guangzong County."

Wei Xiaobao glanced at Shuang'er.

Shuang'er understood what Wei Xiaobao meant, and was afraid that she would not be able to investigate Zhang Jiao's identity at night.

Zhang Liang saw the expressions on Wei Xiaobao and Shuang'er's faces and thought Wei Xiaobao was reluctant to leave Shuang'er, so he quickly said, "Don't worry, Brother Wei. I've already taken care of my sister-in-law's affairs. I'll be following the army families to the East City to rest. Let's sneak into Lu Zhi's army tonight before dark, and when that eunuch arrives, we can contact him right away." Wei Xiaobao cursed inwardly, "I don't know when that damn eunuch will show up. What if he doesn't show up for ten or eight years? Why would I still wait here with you for ten or eight years? By then, my first and second wives will have been married long ago."

Wei Xiaobao said, "I don't even know who that eunuch is. How can I contact him then?"

Zhang Liang said, "We have our own secret code for contacting each other. I'll leave more of them among Lu Zhi's troops. Once he sees it, he'll naturally come to see me."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "The city is full of Yellow Turbans, and the Central Army is outside. I'm like a turtle trapped in a jar, with no way to escape. I have no choice but to go with you. You're still trying to prevent me from escaping, leaving my good wife Shuang'er in the city."

Zhang Liang shouted outside the military tent, "Someone come!"

Tang Qin followed the order and entered the tent with two guards.

Wei Xiaobao was originally unhappy, but when he saw Tang Qin hiding behind the guards, he laughed inwardly, "This kid is afraid of Shuang'er's acupressure and is like a turtle hiding in his shell. With Shuang'er's skills, there's no need to worry about her suffering in the city. I just hope that eunuch can come sooner."

Zhang Liang said, "Take Madam Wei to the east of the city and settle her there. Don't neglect her."

Wei Xiaobao leaned close to Shuang'er's ear and said, "Madam Wei, go ahead and find out about Zhang Jiao's background when you get a chance."

The first half of the sentence was deliberately spoken loudly to Zhang Liang, while the second half was spoken in a very low voice.

Shuang'er was just worried about Wei Xiaobao and didn't want to be separated from him. When she heard him teasing her as "Mrs. Wei", her face had already turned red with shame. When she heard him instruct her to investigate Zhang Jue, she realized that Zhang Liang was not in the city, which would make it easier for her to act.

Shuang'er reluctantly left the military tent. Tang Qin waited for the two guards to catch up before he was ready to take a step forward.

Zhang Liang called out to Tang Qin and said, "Tang Qin, stay."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Oh, are you worried that you can't keep an eye on me by yourself, so you're planning to bring Tang Qin with you for help? You want me to risk my life, but you don't trust me. Damn it, you guys are no match for the upright brothers of the Tiandihui."

As expected, Zhang Liang continued, "You will follow Brother Wei and I out of the city tonight. This is a matter of great importance and cannot be disclosed. Arrange the defenses for your subordinates and then return to the tent to receive orders."

Tang Qin clasped his fists and retreated.

Zhang Liang then said to Wei Xiaobao, "I apologize for not discussing this arrangement with Brother Wei in advance. My elder brother suspected that Tang Zhou might come with us to supervise the battle, so he arranged for Tang Qin to go to the enemy camp and wait for an opportunity to capture the traitor."

Wei Xiaobao nodded, but cursed in his heart, "It's nothing more than asking Tang Qin to kill his brother with his own hands. I heard in the books that Lin Chong also had to submit a letter of surrender when he joined Liangshan. But you are not Liangshan heroes. You let brothers kill each other. Your evil intentions are worse than that villain Gao Qiu. I am just like Lin Chong. You forced me to join Liangshan. I originally just wanted to infiltrate the Yellow Turban Army, but now I really want to assassinate the court officials and rebel with you."

(End of this chapter)