The Xuanjia Guard, the strongest battalion in the entire Northern Territory, operates independently of the Zhenbei Army. Its prepared by consists of seven thousand infantry and three thousand cavalry, all composed of martial artists.
Wherever the Xuanjia Guard goes, it is unstoppable.
Years ago, the Northern Barbarians invaded south with the strength of their entire nation, shocking the imperial court and public alike. The disparity in military strength was vast, and the more than one hundred thousand Zhenbei Army retreated steadily, leaving the Northern Territory in grave danger. Some even claimed that Great Zhou was showing signs of impending collapse.
Fortunately, Prince Wucheng rushed to their aid overnight, and the He Prefecture Army combined forces with the Zhenbei Army, decisively defeating the Northern Barbarians' main force.
The Xuanjia Guard, moreover, advanced against the odds, marching a thousand li to break seven hundred thousand of the Northern Barbarians' elite with a mere ten thousand, building a Jingguan (a mound of enemy corpses), slaughtering Ji City (note: the largest city on the Northern Barbarian border), and leaving no living thing in their wake, causing the barbarians' blood to flow like rivers and their bones to pile up like mountains.
It was this battle that made the Xuanjia Guard famous throughout the land, inspiring a poem: 【Poem · Northern Territory Xuanjia Guard, Foremost Under Heaven】
Dragons soar and phoenixes rise in the northern frontier, silver spears shine like the moon's frost.
Resounding drums and clanging hammers shake heaven and earth, gods and devils perish in the netherworld.
Ting Mountain's night is still young.
Iron horses neigh long, their blood dyes the ground, white bones form lines.
Chasing the sun and wind a thousand li distant, the Black Jade Kylin guards the Great Wilderness.
Who says Zhou has fallen?
Liu Pi was quite speechless looking at the Xuanjia Guard General before him. Sending them as escorts? Xu Cang, can you not do something humane?
"Your Highness, even for escorting along the way, there's no need to send the Xuanjia Guard."
"That's none of your concern, Eunuch. His Majesty won't mind."
"Your Highness, you're putting my life on the line."
Xu Cang chuckled. "Alright, as long as my son arrives safely in the capital, the Xuanjia Guard will return immediately and will not linger."
"Your Highness has even sent the Xuanjia Guard as escorts, who would dare to cross the Heir now?
It's getting late. I still need to return to the capital tomorrow, so I won't stay any longer. I'll take my leave first." Liu Pi stood up, cupped his hands in a perfunctory bow, and then turned to leave.
On the way back to the Posthouse , Liu Pi was quite helpless. No matter how eloquent he was, he couldn't overcome the unfavorable situation. "I'll believe your ghost, it'd be a miracle if they returned to the Northern Territory. Alas! I hope His Majesty doesn't have me lit like a sky lantern."
Inside Tianxiang House.
"Your Highness, rest assured, though I may die ten thousand deaths, I will certainly protect the Heir's safety."
"It's not that serious. I'm very clear about the intentions of those people in the imperial court.
The Emperor wants Yongning to enter the capital; this will make them think a rift will form between His Majesty and me. If Yongning dies on the way, that would be an irreconcilable situation."
"General, who would dare? Do they really think our Northern Territory army is made of clay?!"
"Sometimes, killing doesn't require shedding blood. After entering the capital, just remember one thing: no matter what happens in the future, you must safely bring Yongning back to the Northern Territory."
"General, though I may die ten thousand deaths, I will not fail Your Highness's important trust."
"Depart with great fanfare tomorrow. Do not stop along the way, and do not stay overnight. Just head straight for the Divine Capital."
"What if Liu Pi has ulterior motives on the way?"
"Can one thousand Xuanjia Guard contend against two thousand Imperial Guards?"
"Haha, Your Highness is joking. Let alone two thousand, they wouldn't fear even four thousand Imperial Guards."
"Then there's no problem."
"General understands."
"You may leave."
"General takes his leave!"
After Zhang Ye left, Xu Cang continued to drink a few more sips of wine, then also stood up and departed.
Shangyang Commandery, Changning Pass.
A dashing man was gazing into the distance from atop the city pass.
"Your Highness, news has arrived."
"News from the Divine Capital?"
"Indeed. A few days ago, His Majesty issued an edict summoning the Jingbei Prince's Heir to the capital."
The man was silent for a long time, then murmured, "It seems His Majesty's days are not easy."
"Your Highness, the Jingbei Prince is not a soft persimmon. Summoning his only son to the capital as a hostage, will the Jingbei Prince agree?"
"Xu Cang will agree. The Northern Territory is different from us. As the head of the three princes, he can afford this gamble."
"Your Highness, I'm afraid some people won't want to see the Jingbei Prince's son enter the capital."
"That's natural, after all, there are too many variables."
"Then won't the journey be very dangerous?"
"Dangerous? Not at all."
"Why is that? This old servant does not understand."
"Because the Xuanjia Guard will definitely accompany him."
Just as the two were chatting, a woman's voice came.
"Husband!"
"This old servant greets Madam!" The messenger bowed deeply.
The man turned around and hurried forward. "Wanjun! Why have you come? The wind is strong at the pass, and you are not well; it's not suitable for you to climb the city."
"It's so late, and you still haven't returned to the mansion. The servants naturally wouldn't dare to say much, so I, your wife, could only come myself!"
"Haha! Madam is joking, let's return to the mansion now."
"Husband, your smile is quite forced!"
"Nonsense! Let's go, Madam!" The man awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose and walked quickly ahead.
Seeing this, the woman's delicate brows slightly furrowed. "Ning Yi, aren't you going to take my arm?"
The man immediately moved closer. "Take! Must take!"
The woman's brows relaxed into a smile. "Let's go, back to the mansion."
The dignified Prince Wucheng could not escape being henpecked!
...
Northern Territory, Jingbei Royal Mansion.
Xu Cang looked at Xu Ping, his face filled with worry. The situation in the Divine Capital was complex, with schemes and conspiracies rampant throughout the court. Although the Northern Territory's army was strong, some things still had to be compromised.
"You brat, this trip to the capital, you must be high-profile."
"Didn't you always tell me to endure, to bide my time and conceal my strength?"
"This is a different time. After entering the capital, every single thing you do will be watched by countless eyes. When you are in the imperial court, the more high-profile you are, the safer you will be.
The higher your value, the more people will try to win you over, and the greater the benefits you will gain. However, whether the Emperor tries to win you over, or those people in the court try to win you over, you must not easily take sides. Your taking sides also means your father's taking sides."
"So, it's like waiting for a better offer?"
"Something like that! But even if you were a good-for-nothing, they would still have a reason to win you over, because you're my son, Xu Cang."
"What if they want to get rid of me?"
"Unless absolutely necessary, they won't, and they wouldn't dare."
Xu Ping understood that he would inevitably have to take sides eventually, caught between two factions; remaining independent would only lead to suppression from both sides. "Old man, what if I choose the wrong side one day?"
Hearing this, Xu Cang laughed heartily. "Silly boy, whichever side you choose, the power struggle in the imperial court will tilt towards that side. How can there be a 'wrong' side? You must remember, our Northern Territory's voice carries significant weight."
"Tsk!" Looking at the smug Xu Cang, Xu Ping couldn't help but shake his head. "If I were the Emperor, I would definitely cut down the feudal lords. This is too arrogant!"
"You brat, do you think being a feudal lord is easy?" At this, Xu Cang put away his smile, and his expression became serious. "How many people died in the military armor case? Whether they were kings of different surnames or imperial clan kings, which one of them didn't have their head on the line?"
"Old man, did Prince Qi really plan to rebel back then?"
Xu Cang twitched his mouth, quite disdainfully. "Him? A good-for-nothing who failed in the succession struggle, what kind of rebellion would he lead? He doesn't have the courage, nor the ability."
"So that means..."
"Alright, alright, don't get sidetracked." Xu Cang interrupted Xu Ping.
"The old man is hiding something," Xu Ping thought to himself.
"Yongning! Remember, the Northern Territory will always be your strongest backing. When there's no retreat, don't hesitate. We have the strength to overturn the table."
"Old man?"
"Remember, no matter what, no matter what happens, keeping your life is your father's greatest wish."
Although he was a transmigrator, after more than ten years of living together day and night, for Xu Ping, Xu Cang was no different from his biological father.
Xu Ping said solemnly, "Don't worry, Father."
"Come out!"
A ghostly figure appeared behind Xu Ping.
"You scared me!" Xu Ping focused his gaze, those big eyes! Those long legs!
"Watch your drool!" Xu Cang glared at him.
"Old man, this is?"
"Dark Guard, Ying Yue'e. Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Heir." The woman knelt on one knee.
"Rise."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Seeing Xu Ping's expression, Xu Cang slapped him on the head. "You brat, she will be your personal maid from now on. Apart from Generals, below the Eighth Realm, she kills indiscriminately!"
"What about above the Eighth Realm?" Xu Ping asked abruptly.
Xu Cang raised an eyebrow. "Above the Eighth Realm, I kill indiscriminately!"