Peace Order-Chapter 1248 - 79: The Grand Trend, Choices

It is the Crown Prince of Ying Country, Jiang Gao.

Li Guanyi was surprised and personally went to greet him. Although it hadn’t been long since they last met, this Crown Prince of Ying Country seemed to have changed a lot. He still appeared gentle and serene, yet the bloodshot eyes and chapped lips gave him an air of suppressed desolation.

Jiang Gao held a string of beads in his hand, slowly rubbing them, and upon hearing the sound, he rose and said:

"Mr. Li has arrived."

Li Guanyi said: "Mr. Jiang."

He raised his eyebrows and invited Jiang Gao to sit, proactively asking: "Why did you suddenly take the risk to come here today?"

Jiang Gao smiled complicatedly, speaking gently: "I have come here today to entrust you with something."

Li Guanyi said: "Entrust?"

Jiang Gao was silent for a long time before saying: "I know, Mr. Li, you are a wise man and hold the world in your heart. My failure as a supervisor led to the great defeat in the Western Regions. General He Ruo is severely injured and has been sent back to the Central Plains."

"My father personally wrote me a letter demanding my return."

"I cannot stay here for long."

Li Guanyi looked at the thirty-something Crown Prince of Ying Country in front of him and said: "Mr. Jiang, do you want to go back? The world is changing today, and you are on the frontier, holding military power supported by generals. Even if you don’t return, will it matter?"

"Why not redeem yourself by stabilizing the border situation?"

Jiang Gao smiled slightly and said: "I could do that, but I am afraid, Mr. Li. He is a brutal and formidable hero, one of the top Divine Generals in the world. How could I not be afraid?"

Li Guanyi was stunned.

Jiang Gao looked at him and said softly: "Sometimes, I really envy your experiences, Mr. Li. To be able to travel the world since childhood is quite a rare experience indeed."

Li Guanyi grinned and replied:

"I think what you said is asking for a beating."

"I actually feel like hitting you."

Jiang Gao was slightly startled, then realized that the general before him was orphaned young, tortured by Fei Poison for over ten years. He showed an apologetic look and said: "However, my loss also has countless connections with Mr. Po Jun under your command."

"You and I are even."

"And what I said was sincere. Perhaps it is precisely because, Mr. Li, you rose from nothing, had nothing at the beginning, that you dared to strive forward and had the courage to draw your sword and fight against the Divine General, the Wolf King."

"But I had an exceedingly smooth journey all the way, and when facing this moment, I felt fear, thinking even my palms were trembling, unable to sleep all night."

Jiang Gao whispered: "I am afraid that after returning, I will no longer be the Crown Prince."

"Yet I also fear losing."

"General He Ruo has also been defeated; I am inferior to him. I am afraid I will fall under the Wolf King’s blade, afraid I will lead to further collapse in the Western Regions, afraid of losing territory for my country."

"I fear that because of my incompetence, it will lead to the death of all brave soldiers."

"If so, Gao would rather return and be a neglected prince."

Jiang Gao calmly looked at Li Guanyi, saying: "Mr. Li, which do you think is the real defeat, fighting the Wolf King or returning to the Eastern Palace, carrying the burdens of the country or just oneself?"

"What truly requires courage?"

Li Guanyi couldn’t say anything: "Passing it to your brother doesn’t necessarily bring peace."

Jiang Gao smiled and said: "Perhaps it is, but neither of us can see the future."

"I have only one request today."

Jiang Gao rose, bowed deeply, and said: "Please, Mr. Li, agree."

"Let Yu Wen Hua, Yuwen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong, these three generals, temporarily remain in Anxi City as ally Guest Generals until matters are resolved, then let them return to serve their country."

Li Guanyi’s expression changed slightly.

"What?!!!"

Jiang Gao softly said: "Mr. Li need not worry about me; I am my father’s eldest son. Returning will at most lead to a loss of influence; blood is thicker than water, I will not die."

"But if these three generals return, due to me, they will surely face exclusion, suppression, and even endangerment from the court. Could even face death... I cannot bear to see such things happen."

"I think, with your grand ambition, Mr. Li, you can accommodate them."

"And with your integrity, Mr. Li, when the day comes that matters are resolved, you will surely allow them to return to the country."

Li Guanyi looked at the gentle and jade-like youth in front of him and said:

"Even at such times, you are still considering others."

Jiang Gao laughed and said: "The only thing I can do is just this."

He took off the string of jade beads in his hand, placed it on the table, but somehow, when it landed on the table, this string of Buddha Beads given to him by the old monk from Central State Academy suddenly scattered, with beads rolling all over the place.

Jiang Gao was stunned, wanting to pick up the beads, but paused, then stopped trying to collect them, just looked at Li Guanyi and said: "Back when you and I met in Jiangzhou City, I said farewell and invited you to drink. We drank, rivals and friends alike."

"The three generals, I entrust them to you, Mr. Li."

"The night is deep, the winter chill bites, but spring will come eventually. You, Mr. Li, outside the Central Plains, must take care of your health, dress warmly. Though the Western Regions are good, don’t forget your homeland."

Jiang Gao rose, bowed and said softly:

"Jiang Gao takes his leave."

Li Guanyi returned the salute: "Mr. Jiang... take care."

He watched as the Crown Prince turned to leave, hesitating before suddenly saying:

"Jiang Gao."

Jiang Gao turned sideways, looking at him questioningly; Li Guanyi thought for a moment and smiled, saying:

"When the day comes that the spring blooms, we will drink again."

Jiang Gao smiled and said: "Alright."

"Li Guanyi."

He turned and left.

Step by step, his back straight like green bamboo.

No longer looking back.

In times of chaos, everyone faces decisions.

At this moment, it seems unremarkable, yet in the annals of history, every word settles into place.

And thousands of miles away from here, within the Northern Border volcano, a Mystic Turtle floated up, an old man with snow-white hair emerged, blowing out a puff of white smoke, dazed for a long time, suddenly shouted:

"I, this old man, have finally!"

"Succeeded!!!"