TPATTHU Chapter 89

Chapter 89 Yan Country Will Not Surrender

“Intercept Xiao Zhinian! Bring him back!”

Liu Bao lowered his head, standing still.

Shen Zhejiang said, “What does this mean?”

“…At this moment, he’s already at the Northern Borders and will never return,” Liu Bao’s voice choked with sobs. After all, he had served by Xiao Zhinian’s side for many years and knew that this time, Xiao Zhinian was determined not to come back. “He told His Majesty not to search anymore, not to dwell on the past. He has failed you in this life, and he wishes His Majesty peace and health for the rest of his days and that they never meet again in the next life.”

Having said that, he knelt down, tears streaming down his face.

Next life…

Never meet again.

Impossible, these absolutely could not have been Xiao Zhinian’s words…

Shen Zhejiang shook his head. He didn’t believe it. He wanted to hear Xiao Zhinian say it himself.

He ran out barefoot.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!”

Liu Bao chased after him. Through his blurry vision, he watched Shen Zhejiang’s running figure, and suddenly, he seemed to see not Shen Zhejiang, but Xiao Zhinian.

It was exactly the same as when he learned of Shen Zhejiang’s death back then.

Alas, these two people…

Shen Zhejiang had nowhere to go as soon as he left the door –

He stopped under the eaves, looking out at the crowd of ministers kneeling in the courtyard, as if they had expected him to go looking for someone and deliberately blocked the entrance.

“We pay respects to Your Majesty!!”

The sound shook the heavens and the earth.

A country cannot be without a ruler.

Moreover, now was a critical time in the war.

Xiao Zhinian was gone, and there was no successor. Naturally, Shen Zhejiang was needed to rightfully take the throne.

Besides Shen Zhejiang, there was no one else.

Even in his dazed state, Shen Zhejiang was ultimately different from Xiao Zhinian in this regard.

His clenched fist gradually loosened.

–

The battle between Yan Country and the Northern Barbarians was particularly fierce. Almost every day, urgent reports from the front lines were sent back to the palace, detailing where the Northern Barbarians had attacked and how many casualties there were.

Shen Zhejiang had never been so uneasy before. His hands trembled as he unfolded the reports, relieved when nothing bad had happened, only to put them down again shortly after.

Such trepidation continued for quite some time.

Until one of these days, the first report of victory was urgently delivered to the desk in the imperial study where Shen Zhejiang spent most of his time.

Xiao Zhinian was dead.

He had been struck by several arrows and forced by the enemy to a dangerous slope, and his whereabouts were unknown.

The last four words were like a heavy hammer, shocking Shen Zhejiang for a long time, unable to recover. He even repeatedly read each word no less than ten times, unable to believe it.

“……”

Shen Zhejiang slumped in his chair, unable to say a single word.

It was as if the expected had happened, and that he was calm, at a loss, and…

In short, the dust had settled.

The candlelight illuminated his shadow, silently reflecting him as it often did.

After a long while.

“Liu Bao, posthumously name Xiao Zhinian the General Who Stabilizes the Nation, and bury him in the imperial mausoleum.”

Shen Zhejiang’s voice was light and airy as he closed his eyes.

Liu Bao dared not hesitate: “This servant obeys.”

–

The war was like burning paper, impossible to control once it started.

After Xiao Zhinian’s death, the Northern Barbarians became even more rampant and bloodthirsty, breaking through the last line of defense and reaching the Capital City.

Flames soared into the sky.

Those in the palace who could run had already fled.

There was killing everywhere, and the stench of blood permeated every corner of the palace.

Shen Zhejiang could not leave.

Liu Bao was still trying to persuade him, anxiously saying, “Your Majesty! The enemy troops have already broken through the Meridian Gate and are about to reach Yanqing Palace. Let’s go!”

Huai Wen said, “Your Majesty, flee!”

Only Huai Wu stood behind Shen Zhejiang, vigilantly staring at the palace gate, looking as if facing a formidable enemy.

He was left behind by Xiao Zhinian to guard Shen Zhejiang. Wherever Shen Zhejiang was, he had to be there.

Shen Zhejiang sat calmly and composed at the table. Although the outside was in chaos, he was quite leisurely drinking tea: “Since I am of the Xiao family’s bloodline, I should be with the country, even if it is fragmented. Huai Wu, you escort the two of them out of the palace through the secret passage and do not look back.”

Liu Bao had been by Shen Zhejiang’s side during this period. Ever since learning that Xiao Zhinian’s bones were all but destroyed, Shen Zhejiang had changed, becoming unusually calm and silent.

He seemed no different from the Shen Zhejiang of the past, but also seemed completely different –

Shen Zhejiang’s heart had long since died.

Huai Wen said with tears in his eyes, “This humble servant will not leave. It was Your Majesty who gave this humble servant a bite to eat in the past, so I wouldn’t starve to death. This humble servant has no relatives and doesn’t know where to go. I am willing to stay by Your Majesty’s side forever.”

Liu Bao cried, “This servant was born in the imperial palace. This is where this servant’s roots are. This servant will be with Your Majesty.”

“You guys…”

Shen Zhejiang sighed. The sound of swords and spears clashing outside was getting closer and closer. He knew time was running out.

“Bang—!!”

The door panel fell to the ground.

Everyone in the hall looked back together, only to see Northern Barbarian soldiers in armor rushing in, surrounding them tightly.

Shen Zhejiang finished the last mouthful of tea, put down the cup, and stood up resolutely: “Yan Country will not surrender.”