Love Lock

Chapter 114 Go quickly and invite Marshal Zhao
Wei Chengchao took a deep breath, picked up the scissors from the tray, forced a smile, and prepared to begin his ribbon-cutting speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my father, Prime Minister Wei, has always governed his family with benevolence and righteousness, and we should also strive to be diligent and self-disciplined. I, Cheng Chao, am unworthy, but I am grateful for your support. Today, 'Zui Xian Ju' and 'Yuan Yang Zan' are opening at the same time. I hope to intoxicate people with fine wines and adorn beautiful women with precious treasures. I sincerely invite you to come and taste our wines and share in this prosperous era."

As soon as Wei Chengchao finished speaking, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the large red silk flower was completed, and the scene erupted in applause. The invited guests began to enter the store to visit and make purchases, adding two more lively spots to the capital.

"Young Master Wei, you are truly a promising young man! With the Prime Minister as your backer, your future is sure to be bright."

An elderly man in a brocade robe stepped forward and praised him with clasped hands.

Wei Chengchao forced a smile and politely returned the greeting: "Not at all, it's all thanks to my father. I'm just a junior who benefited from his success. Please come in, please come in."

As the old man entered the shop, other distinguished guests came one after another to offer their congratulations.

The opening of the two shops, Zuixianniang and Yuanyangzan, made them an instant sensation in the capital.

Wei Chengchao's face wasn't large, but with Prime Minister Wei's influence, the two shops seemed to be gilded, gleaming in the sunlight.

The grand occasion today is truly breathtaking. Every invited guest is of illustrious status. From imperial relatives and nobles to high-ranking officials and dignitaries, the entire capital city's elite have been represented, giving the Wei family the utmost respect.

Wei Chengchao tried his best to maintain a smile as he stood at the shop entrance, constantly greeting customers.

He didn't notice that among the many guests in the crowd, there were two people who, like him, had a worried look on their faces.

They were the parents of Princess Chang Le – the Marquis and his wife, the Champion.

The champions, dressed in splendid attire, looked worried as they moved forward with the flow of people, talking in hushed tones.

Marquis Champion frowned and said in a low voice, "Madam, do you think we should send people to Cangzhou to search for her? Since she disappeared, the people we sent out have searched all over the capital, but we haven't found any clues."

The Marquis's eyes were red and swollen, clearly indicating that she had been crying.

Upon hearing this, her voice trembled slightly.

"My lord, this is the only clue. The Empress mentioned that Chang Le is deeply in love with Zhao Zun, the Prince of Cangzhou. She said she is not in a hurry to get married because she is waiting for Zhao Zun. Now that Zhao Zun has gone to Cangzhou, could it be that she really went to Cangzhou on her own because she misses him too much?"

The Marquis of Champion sighed, "Oh! This brat, you've really spoiled her rotten. She goes off without a word. Cangzhou is so far away, what if something happens to her on the way?"

The couple had just arrived in front of Wei Chengchao while they were talking. They quickly composed themselves and forced smiles.

"Young Master Wei, congratulations!"

"You're too kind, Lord Marquis. Your presence is an honor to our humble establishment!"

Wei Chengchao returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and noticing that the couple didn't look well, he casually asked, "I see that the Marquis and his wife don't look well, what's wrong...?"

Before Wei Chengchao could finish speaking, Champion Hou sighed and shook his head.

"Alas! To be honest, my dear nephew, Chang Le has been missing for many days, and there has been no news of her. We are truly worried."

"Princess Chang Le has disappeared?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Chengchao's heart skipped a beat.

Princess Chang Le went to Cangzhou to find Zhao Zun. Didn't her family know?
It's been almost three months since they teamed up to kidnap that bitch Han Lei.

Regardless of whether Princess Chang Le and Zhao Zun got together or not, they should have sent a letter home. Why is there no news at all?

Could it be that Princess Chang Le was having too much fun with Zhao Zun and forgot?

Thinking about this, Wei Chengchao felt a headache coming on.

He dared not reveal that he had conspired with Princess Chang Le to kidnap Han Lei. After all, Han Lei was now the Princess Consort of Cangzhou, personally appointed by His Majesty.

If this gets exposed, he'll face serious charges.

If this gets back to Zhao Zun, given his hot-tempered and fearless nature, he won't need to take any antidote every day; his life will be in danger.

Feeling guilty, Wei Chengchao could only chuckle awkwardly before making up a reason to comfort the champion couple.

"Lord and Lady, there's no need to worry too much. During the last poetry gathering, I overheard Princess Chang Le mentioning that she really likes Zhao Zun and wants to go to Cangzhou to find him. Perhaps..."

"Oh? She really said that?"

Before Wei Chengchao could finish speaking, the Marquis of Champion's wife's eyes lit up, and she immediately felt relieved.

“Yes, I heard it from Princess Chang Le herself that day.” Wei Chengchao nodded firmly.

Upon hearing this, the champion Hou's brows relaxed slightly.

Princess Chang Le often played with Wei Chengchao and several other famous young masters and ladies in the capital. The Marquis of Champion and his wife believed what Wei Chengchao said.

The Empress had mentioned it before, and now it has been confirmed by Wei Chengchao. The Marquis and his wife are relieved that Princess Chang Le secretly ran away to find Zhao Zun.

"Thank you for informing me, Young Master Wei," the Marquis of Champion bowed, expressing his sincere gratitude. "Then let's go in and take a look!"

"My lord, my lady. Please come in!"

Wei Chengchao felt relieved and gestured for them to leave.

The champion and his wife walked into the tavern, talking quietly as they went.

"In that case, this matter is not entirely without clues. Chang Le is a proud child, and is deeply favored by His Majesty. This action is probably an attempt to personally win Zhao Zun's heart." A smile appeared on the face of the Marquis of Champion.

The lady sighed softly, gently brushing her handkerchief across the corner of her eye, as if trying to conceal the calculation in her eyes.

"She brought guards and maids, which puts me at ease. His Majesty has decreed that although Zhao Zun already has a principal wife, Han Lei, given Chang Le's personality and status, she won't suffer any losses in Cangzhou. She might even be able to stir up trouble and squeeze out that commoner woman named Han Lei, replacing her!"

Champion Hou nodded slightly, "As long as we know she's safe, that's good. Our daughter isn't young anymore. Since her heart is with Zhao Zun, let her try to win him over herself. We shouldn't interfere too much."

The couple looked at each other and smiled, both seeing the words "happy to see it happen" in each other's eyes.

Then, led by the waiter, they entered a private room and, together with many other guests, began to enjoy the food and wine from Zui Xian Niang.

What the couple didn't know was that Zhao Zun only cared about Han Lei's affairs and was busy helping Han Lei set up a cement factory. He had long forgotten about Princess Chang Le, who was being kept under surveillance...

………This is a lazy dividing line………

At the end of March, in the military camp of Yong'an City in Beiguan.

The wind at the end of spring is gentle and carries a hint of warmth, seemingly mingled with the fragrance of locust blossoms from afar.

Li Gang, the newly promoted garrison commander of Yong'an City, had no interest in appreciating the beautiful spring scenery.

At this moment, he was standing on the city wall, his eyes fixed on the distant grassland, his bloodshot eyes revealing endless fatigue and anxiety.

The small raids by the Turkic cavalry were like flies in spring, constantly swatting away, causing no major casualties but being extremely annoying.

After Marshal Cao Xiong, the garrison commander of Beiguan, went to the Marshal's Mansion in Ling'an City, he took over this troublesome job.

He had a feeling that the Turks were using the soldiers of Yong'an City as whetstones, constantly practicing their swordsmanship and archery.

"General, the Turks have already raided us three times today, they shouldn't be coming again, you should take this opportunity to rest!"

The military doctor, Old He, walked up the city wall with a worried expression, holding a bowl of steaming hot medicine in his hands.

Every day, only a few dozen or a hundred wounded soldiers fall during the attacks, which is not many.

Therefore, after Marshal Cao Xiong went to Ling'an City, in addition to taking care of the wounded, he was also responsible for taking care of Li Gang's health.

Li Gang gently shook his head, took the medicine, and drank it all in one gulp. The bitter medicine seemed unable to alleviate his inner turmoil. The Turkic raid was neither a major nor a minor battle, but as the commander of a city, he dared not rest in peace. Naturally, his health was affected.

"The Turkic raids have become increasingly rampant and unpredictable lately, and we must remain vigilant at all times."

Just as the two were talking, a soldier came running up hurriedly with a carrier pigeon in his hand.

"General, there is a letter from Commander Cao!"

Li Gang grabbed the carrier pigeon, removed the letter tube tied to its leg, and quickly scanned the letter.

A moment later, his brows furrowed, and his expression became increasingly grave.

"What's wrong, General? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Seeing this, Old He quickly reached out to touch Li Gang's forehead, but was stopped by Li Gang's hand.

"I'm fine. It's just that Commander Cao's letter said that the scouts in Ling'an City have discovered that the scouts of Ala and Meng have been active in the past two days, and that cavalry from both countries have been spotted fifty miles outside Ling'an City."

Li Gang handed the letter to Old He, his voice low and serious.

Old He took the letter, read it carefully, and a look of worry appeared on his face.

"These two countries have always kept to themselves and never interfered with each other, and it's only late spring now, far from the autumn harvest. Why would they suddenly make such a move?"

"I don't know." Li Gang pondered for a moment. "Commander Cao told me to just guard Yong'an City and pay attention to the movements of the Turks, and not to bother with them. But the Turks keep harassing us, and those two countries have made moves again. The current situation is really hard to feel at ease."

"General, what should we do?" a captain asked.

Li Gang's gaze once again turned to the distant Turkic steppe.

"According to Commander Cao's orders, send out more scouts to gather intelligence on the movements of Ala and Meng. At the same time, strengthen the defenses of Yong'an City, just in case."

The actions described in the letter by Ala and Meng, two seemingly peaceful neighboring countries, cannot help but arouse suspicion.

What are they planning?
Just as Li Gang was feeling anxious, a soldier, covered in sweat and looking flustered, rushed up the city wall, clasped his hands in front of him, knelt on one knee, and gasped for breath, his voice trembling slightly.

"Report...Reporting to the General, a large Turkic army has been spotted two hundred miles away. The initial estimate is no less than two hundred thousand men!"

At this moment, everyone on the city wall was startled. Li Gang, the commander, had his pupils shrink sharply, staring at the soldier with disbelief on his face.

"what?"

Two hundred thousand troops—that's no small number; it's almost equivalent to the entire elite force of the Turkic Khaganate.

"No...no less than two hundred thousand?"

Li Gang swallowed hard and asked again, his voice trembling slightly.

The soldier nodded vigorously, his tone even more resolute.

"Yes, General, I saw it with my own eyes. The Turkic army was like a dark cloud pressing down on the border, stretching endlessly, and its number was definitely no less than 200,000."

Li Gang felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

The Turks, their long-standing troublesome neighbor, have now mobilized their entire nation's resources, amassing an army of 200,000 to press on their borders. What a threat this poses!

He couldn't help but picture the flimsy walls of Yong'an City and the well-trained but limited number of garrison troops inside.

With the strength of 50,000 troops stationed in Yong'an City, how could they possibly withstand the iron hooves of the Turks?
"Quickly! Send a letter to the capital to report to His Majesty."

Li Gang hurriedly issued the order.

Two hundred thousand troops have invaded our borders, and the fifty thousand garrison in Yong'an City can only hold them off for a short time. Now, the primary task is to get the imperial court to send troops.

"Yes!"

The messenger immediately sprang into action.

what's next?

What to do next?
Li Gang began pacing back and forth on the city wall. His hands were clenched into fists, and fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

The days when I served with Cao Xiong in the Imperial Guard in the capital seem like just yesterday. Back then, we were full of vigor and fearless.

However, during the three months that they had been in Yong'an City, although they had experienced small-scale raids every day, these were nothing more than tests by the Turks.

Now, the real test has arrived, and he finds himself filled with fear and unease.

"What...what should we do?"

He muttered to himself, put his clenched fist to his mouth, and bit his fingers hard, trying to keep himself calm, but his voice was filled with obvious helplessness.

If Cao Xiong were still in Yong'an City, and he were to act under Cao Xiong's orders, he would at least have someone to rely on.

Now, being put in charge of a force of 200,000 men, he felt not only his pupils tremble, but his entire heart seemed to be shaking.

His frantic, pleading gaze inadvertently fell upon Ma Cheng, who was standing some distance away. Ma Cheng, however, lowered his eyes and silently turned his head away.

How could he forget that Ma Cheng, because of his promotion, is now a minor centurion?

At this point, even if Ma Cheng could help him, he had no right to command the battle. Besides, Ma Cheng's turning his head away already made his stance clear.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind—retreat!

Yes, the best of the thirty-six stratagems is to flee.

This place is no fun; you're constantly risking your life here. He wants to be a general, he wants military merit, but he can't afford to be reckless!
A confrontation between 50,000 and 200,000 is like an egg hitting a rock—a sure path to self-destruction.

He would be better off retreating in time to preserve his strength; perhaps then he would still have a chance of survival.

However, he rejected the idea as soon as it came to mind.

As the garrison commander of Yong'an City, he bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the safety of the people. How could he easily admit defeat and desert his post?
Even if he deserts in the face of battle, he will surely die if he returns.

Just as he was losing his composure and feeling desperate and helpless, his gaze returned to Ma Cheng, and a familiar name immediately flashed into his mind—Zhao Zun!
Yes, it's Zhao Zun.

Zhao Zun is now the King of Cangzhou.

We are in Cangzhou now.

Thinking of this, Li Gang suddenly released his grip on his finger, and hope rekindled in his eyes.

He ran quickly down the city wall and sprinted back to the central command tent, where he took out the imperial edict from Emperor Jing's drawer.

This imperial edict is his biggest trump card right now, and the only bargaining chip he has to persuade Zhao Zun to cooperate.

"Somebody come!"

Li Gang shouted towards the outside of the tent, his voice filled with urgency.

A bodyguard entered in response: "What are your orders, General?"

Li Gang handed the rolled-up imperial edict to his personal guard and said urgently, "Take this edict to the Prince of Cangzhou's residence immediately. Be quick, go and invite Marshal Zhao!"

Hey everyone, feel free to leave a comment and let's get this party started! Thanks!
(End of this chapter)