Chapter 499: Chapter 500: The Place Is Ready

Li Ji thought to himself, ’I wonder who’s been feeding General Zhou some magic potion. He’s got all of us officers and soldiers standing guard on this coastline day after day.’

’Now they’ve finally arrived, but what’s changed? We can only watch from a distance. What else can we do?’

’Are we supposed to rely on those few dilapidated fishing boats moored over there? They’ll probably be sunk before they even get close.’

Xiao Xianfeng’s remarks made Tu Zhong’s expression change in an instant. "And just who are you? What gives you the right to argue with me? Bring out whoever’s in charge. I don’t waste my time with nameless nobodies."

Xiao Xianfeng put on a mournful look. "You can’t even recognize my conspicuous general’s robe? I mean, I am a man of status and position. I’m hardly in the same class as you in your burlap rags, yet you have the nerve to look down on me?

Sigh. It just goes to show, some people wouldn’t know a great man if he was standing right in front of them."

Tu Zhong couldn’t distinguish the ranks represented by the different uniforms. "You have so many generals here! Aren’t any of you going to keep him in line? Is this the hospitality of your Rong Dynasty?"

"We happen to think Xiao Xianfeng has a point. We don’t know your rank, of course. For all we know, having him greet you might be beneath his station."

By now, how could Tu Zhong not understand that they were deliberately giving him a hard time? He snorted and turned to leave. Since these people refused to be sensible, he would just have to let Prince Zuo teach them a lesson.

But Xiao Xianfeng blocked his path. "We’re not finished talking. How can you leave so abruptly?

You still haven’t told us how many people you have on those ships. We need to know so we can arrange accommodations."

Only then did a satisfied smile spread across Tu Zhong’s face. "You should have just said so from the start. Hurry up and have your general prepare rooms, food, and wine at the courier station. As long as you treat our Prince Zuo well, everything is negotiable."

Xiao Xianfeng smiled and nodded profusely. "Of course, of course. To welcome you, we searched far and wide to find a few satisfactory locations. We’ll be sure to make you feel right at home."

’And once you’re here, you’ll never leave.’

Tu Zhong said, "Not many of us are in this first group, only two or three thousand. As for how many will follow, that’s for our Prince to decide. It could be a few thousand, or tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands."

Seeing his smug expression, Vice General Wang nearly burst out laughing. These people probably didn’t even know their cover was blown.

"Only two or three thousand?" Xiao Xianfeng smacked his lips. ’That doesn’t seem like enough to go around.’

He glanced at the eager soldiers beside him and made a private resolution. ’Later, I have to pick out a nice, sturdy one for myself. That’s the only way to make sure this isn’t a losing deal.’

He immediately put on a smile. "No problem at all! The place we’ve arranged is more than big enough for two or three thousand people. It can certainly accommodate them.

So, shall we invite the Prince to disembark now? Or perhaps we should go aboard to personally welcome him?"

Tu Zhong sensed that something wasn’t quite right. "I’ll have to ask our Prince about that. I’ll go up and report to him first to see how he wants to arrange things. Then I’ll come back to discuss it with you."

"Of course, of course." Xiao Xianfeng’s face was a mask of enthusiasm. "How about I walk with you?"

"No, no, that’s not necessary. It’s just a short walk." Even then, Tu Zhong didn’t forget to strike a pose, nodding at the soldiers behind him before returning to the ship with the servant who had accompanied him ashore.

Xiao Xianfeng asked, "Do you guys think they’ll actually come ashore? I hope we didn’t go through all this trouble for nothing."

Vice General Wang said with a meaningful look, "Don’t worry. Your efforts won’t be in vain."

Li Ji scoffed, "Heh, what are you planning to do? Swim over there and drag them back?"

Li Ji felt that Wang Liqiang was getting a bit full of himself. ’He can’t possibly think that just because it was easy to capture those people before, it’ll be the same this time, can he?’

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’Besides, they’ve already revealed their identity. That’s a Prince of another nation. Shouldn’t we be receiving him with proper courtesy first?’

Vice General Wang ignored him completely, giving a pointed look to a man behind him, who then quickly ran off.

「Lu City Government Office」

Ancient Wen Heng sat calmly on the high seat of the main hall, but below, He Gaofei and the others were growing anxious.

"Mr. Gu, I told you before that plan of yours wouldn’t work! And now look! They’ve come right to our doorstep! What are we supposed to do?"

Wu Yichen added, "We’re probably going to lose our lives this time. Even if we’re lucky enough to escape, we’ll just be thrown out as scapegoats in the end."

"As long as the two nations want to avoid war, someone has to take the blame. We arrested all those prisoners and didn’t give them preferential treatment. In all likelihood, we’ll all be forced to share that responsibility."

"Maybe those with powerful backers will get away scot-free, and it’ll be just the few of us who end up taking the fall."

Hearing these resentful words, Ancient Wen Heng remained perfectly calm. "General Zhou and I have already made meticulous arrangements. Our mission right now is simply to defend Lu City and wait for news."

He Gaofei pressed, "Sir, can’t you inform your subordinates what arrangements you’ve made? It would be best if we had some idea what’s going on.

General Zhou has withdrawn all the troops. Can we really hold the city with just our arrest officers, government officials, and your personal guards?"

Ancient Wen Heng finally turned to look at him. "Mr. He, the plan is already in motion. What is the point of me discussing it with you now?

Your most important duty right now is to go out and reassure the citizens. Don’t let anyone use this as an opportunity to stir up trouble."

He Gaofei asked, "So we’re not allowed to know anything?"

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "It’s not a plan if too many people know about it.

The outcome will be clear soon enough. You gentlemen should just wait patiently for good news."

"Hah! And what if your plan fails? Have you considered the consequences?"

Ancient Wen Heng closed his eyes, not wanting to bother with him any longer. ’I’m starting to have some regrets,’ he thought. ’These people are so shortsighted and think far too highly of themselves.’

’I should have just submitted a formal request back then to have Xiao Yuling and his men stay behind.’

&

Zhou Shixiong noted how much time had passed. Seeing that the enemy ships showed no sign of approaching the shore, he stood up and clapped his hands.

His guard, Ah Da, immediately launched a signal flare. As the signal burst in the sky, the decks of the opposing ships were suddenly swarming with bandits.

They stared warily at the people on the shore, some with disdainful sneers. ’So what if these Rong Dynasty soldiers called for reinforcements? Do they dare to get in the water?’

Prince Zuo himself stood on the deck with his men. "What are these Rong Dynasty people doing?

Tu Zhong, I sent you down there. Did you not make things clear to them?

Where is their Great General now?"

Tu Zhong replied, "Your servant went ashore and saw many generals, but I did not see the man with the long scar on his face. General Zhou must not be here.

Your servant believes they are showing utter contempt for you, Prince. They claimed to have found a place to host Your Highness, but I feel they were just making empty promises. I could even sense malice in their eyes."

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